it's going to snow tomorrow?

Happy 4th of July -- it's almost Christmas! This year, our third year of participating in Advent Conspiracy, the focus is going to be local. In years past we have opened our eyes and hearts to those suffering in Nigeria in Haiti due to lack of water and food. God calls us to serve to the ends of the earth, and he calls us to serve in our own neighborhoods and communities. We are definitely already aware that there are people suffering around us, people suffering in our city.

Think about this verse as it applies to all the victims of violence in Baltimore living in a land of gloom, all the families broken by drugs and abuse, all the children who are being raised in the darkness of our city.

The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
Upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom
a light has shone.
You have brought them abundant joy
and great rejoicing,
As they rejoice before you as at the harvest
as men make merry when dividing spoils.
For the yoke that burdened them,
the pole on their shoulder,
And the rod of their taskmaster
you have smashed, as on the day of Midian.
For every boot that trampled in battle,
every cloak rolled in blood,
will be burned as fuel for flames.
For a child is born to us, a son is given us;
up his shoulder dominion rests.
They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero,
Father-Forever, Prince of Peace.
His dominion is vast
and forever peaceful,
From David's throne, and over his kingdom,
which he confirms and sustains
By judgment and justice,
both now and forever.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this!

God has done these things; Jesus Christ is born, and we have a Savior. This Advent, we are going to call upon the Lord to do a work in our hearts and in our city as we make peace our prayer for Baltimore City!