1. The Faith needs Patience
Avenue Vineyard
September 17, 2017

2. “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1

3. O little town of Bethlehem
O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie! Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by. Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting Light; The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.

4. O little town of Bethlehem
For Christ is born of Mary, and gathered all above, While mortals sleep, the angels keep their watch of wondering love. O morning stars together, proclaim the holy birth, And praises sing to God the King, and peace to men on earth! The birth of Jesus - the mystery revealed.

5. Boromir - LOTR
“In this evil hour I have come on an errand over many dangerous leagues to Elrond: a hundred and ten days I have journeyed all alone. But I do not seek allies in war. The might of Elrond is in wisdom not in weapons, it is said. I come to ask for counsel and the unravelling of hard words. For on the eve of the sudden assault a dream came to my brother in a troubled sleep; and afterwards a like dream came oft to him again and once to me.

6. Boromir – LOTR cont’d
In that dream I thought the eastern sky grew dark and there was a growing thunder, but in the West a pale light lingered, and out of it I heard a voice, remote but clear, crying: Seek for the Sword that was broken; In Imladris it dwells; There shall be counsels taken, stronger than Morgul-spells. There shall be shown a token, that Doom is near at hand, for Isildur’s Bane shall waken, and the Halfling forth shall stand.

7. LOTR – about Aragorn
All that is gold does not glitter, Not all those who wander are lost; The old that is strong does not wither, Deep roots are not reached by the frost. From the ashes a fire shall be woken, A light from the shadows shall spring; Renewed shall be blade that was broken, The crownless again shall be king.

8. 11We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, in order to make your hope sure. 12We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised” Hebrews 6:11,12

9. “2Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:2-4

10. “What causes fights and quarrels among you
“What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? 2You desire but do not have…” James 4:1-2

11. Impatience is an addiction to comfort, to ease and to our own will.

12. “Good and blessed is that simplicity which some have by nature, but better is that which has been goaded out of wickedness by hard work.” John Climacus