December 7th, 2020
by Denee Bowers
by Denee Bowers

Monday, December 7
Proverbs 16:7
When I was young, I went through a major peace sign phase (who can understand the loves of a middle schooler?). I had peace sign clothes, accessories, and decorations in my bedroom. It became my thing. As a college student I was still receiving peace sign gifts even though the phase had ended.
At the time I put little thought into the meaning of the peace sign. I mostly liked it because it looked cool and came in lots of bright colors.
Fun fact: the peace sign was originally designed for the British nuclear disarmament movement.
This symbol that was created for a highly specific group with a clear goal somehow spread to every corner of the world, including little girls’ fashion. I think the popularity of the peace sign can be attributed, at least in part, to the human desire for what it represents. Humans were created with a deep desire for the absence of conflict and the presence of reconciliation.
We don’t want broken relationships. We don’t want war. We don’t want to fight on the internet. But our distance from God makes it easier for us to get caught up in conflict at every turn. Our distance from God leaves space for shame, insecurity, and anger to grow.
This Proverb reminds us that we will experience peace when we are living according to God’s plan. Following God’s commands and living according to Jesus’ teachings are essential to maintaining peace with our family, friends, community, and world.
This Advent we have an opportunity to close the gap between us and God. We can draw near to God in prayer and spend time in scripture trusting that our faithfulness will produce peace.
Maybe I’ll even dig out some of my middle school decor as a reminder.
Reflection by Denee Bowers
Proverbs 16:7
When I was young, I went through a major peace sign phase (who can understand the loves of a middle schooler?). I had peace sign clothes, accessories, and decorations in my bedroom. It became my thing. As a college student I was still receiving peace sign gifts even though the phase had ended.
At the time I put little thought into the meaning of the peace sign. I mostly liked it because it looked cool and came in lots of bright colors.
Fun fact: the peace sign was originally designed for the British nuclear disarmament movement.
This symbol that was created for a highly specific group with a clear goal somehow spread to every corner of the world, including little girls’ fashion. I think the popularity of the peace sign can be attributed, at least in part, to the human desire for what it represents. Humans were created with a deep desire for the absence of conflict and the presence of reconciliation.
We don’t want broken relationships. We don’t want war. We don’t want to fight on the internet. But our distance from God makes it easier for us to get caught up in conflict at every turn. Our distance from God leaves space for shame, insecurity, and anger to grow.
This Proverb reminds us that we will experience peace when we are living according to God’s plan. Following God’s commands and living according to Jesus’ teachings are essential to maintaining peace with our family, friends, community, and world.
This Advent we have an opportunity to close the gap between us and God. We can draw near to God in prayer and spend time in scripture trusting that our faithfulness will produce peace.
Maybe I’ll even dig out some of my middle school decor as a reminder.
Reflection by Denee Bowers
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Archive
2025
January
Happy New Year // M-Note 1.4.2025Cancel the Noise // M-Note 1.11.25Cancel the Noise Discussion Guide - Part 1The Beloved Community // M-Note 01.18.2025Cancel the Noise Discussion Guide - Part 2What A Coincidence // M-Note 1.25.25Cancel the Noise Discussion Guide - Part 3Cancel the Noise Discussion Guide - Part 4The Original Influencer // M-Note 2.1.25
February
The Beloved Community Discussion Guide - Part 1Exploring New Sites…And You’re Invited // M-Note 2.8.25The Beloved Community Discussion Guide - Part 2Uncovering Implicit Bias // M-Note 2.15.2025A "Flurry" of Activity // M-Note 2.22.25The Beloved Community Discussion Guide - Part 3The Beloved Community Discussion Guide - Part 4
March
Beloved Community Action Steps // M-Note 3.1.25Vulnerability & Wilderness | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 1Trusting the Spirit's Lead | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 2Courageous Connection | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 3What's Your Emotional IQ? // M-Note 3.8.25The Spaces Between Us | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 4Emotional Rollercoaster Discussion Guide - Part 1Jesus Weeps With You | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 5When Sadness Lingers | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 6Lurking in the Shadows | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 7Cycles of Life and Death | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 8Inked in Memory | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 9The Void of Grief | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 10Sending Forth // M-Note 3.15.25Emotional Rollercoaster Discussion Guide - Part 2Journey Not Alone | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 11
2024
January
Clean Slate: Week 1 Discussion GuideStarting & Sustaining Change // M-Note 1.6.24Clean Slate: Week 2 Discussion GuideStarting Small, Dreaming Big // M-Note 1.13.24Clean Slate: Week 3 Discussion GuideTogether Towards Change...and Healthy Habits // M-Note 1.20.24Clean Slate: Week 4 Discussion GuideSlowing Down for God to Show Up // M-Note 1.27.24
February
More Isn't Always Better // M-Note 2.3.24Money Talks: Week 1 Discussion GuideAshes for Valentine's Day? // M-Note 2.10.24Money Talks: Week 2 Discussion GuideLenten Devotional 2024Money Talks: Week 3 Discussion GuideWhat's your legacy? // M-Note 2.17.24Strength in Numbers: Community in Ministry // M-Note 2.24.24Entourage Discussion Guide - Week One
March
Entourage Discussion Guide - Week TwoUpdates from Clayton and Easter Invitation // M-Note 3.2.24Twenty Students Confirmed Last Sunday // M-Note 3.9.24Entourage Discussion Guide - Week 3How serving at Easter can really make a difference // M-Note 3.16.24Entourage Discussion Guide - Week 4Can You Know Joy Without Pain? // M-Note 3.23.24Entourage Discussion Guide - Week 5It's time for EasterSTL at The Factory // M-Note 3.28.24
April
Easter Discussion GuideScreen Time: Troubleshooting our Relationship with Technology // M-Note 4.6.24Screen Time Discussion Guide - Week 1Springtime Reminders: Joy Comes with the Morning // M-Note 4.13.24Screen Time Discussion Guide - Week 2Shaping the Future at the UMC General Conference // M-Note 4.20.24Screen Time Discussion Guide - Week 3 General Conference Halftime Report// M-Note 4.27.24Screen Time Discussion Guide - Week 4
May
Very Good News at the End of General Conference//M-Note 5.4.24Uncomfortable Truths Discussion Guide - Week 1Uncomfortable Truths Discussion Guide - Week 2Announcing The Gathering’s Church Planters Lab//M-Note 5.11.24My (Hypothetical) Commencement Address // M-Note 5.18.24Uncomfortable Truths Discussion Guide - Week 3Uncomfortable Truths Discussion Guide - Week 4
June
July
September
Worth Sharing Discussion Guide - Week 1Transitioning...to 47 // M-Note 9.7.24Worth Sharing Discussion Guide - Week 2Invitations Work in Mysterious Ways // M-Note 9.14.24Students Stepping Up: Getting Involved in Ministry // M-Note 9.21.24Worth Sharing Discussion Guide - Week 3A Stressful Season // M-Note 9.28.24Worth Sharing Discussion Guide - Week 4
October
It Doesn't Have to Be This Way // M-Note 10.5.24Hold These Truths Discussion Guide - Week 1Love Thy Political Neighbor // M-Note 10.11.2024Hold These Truths Discussion Guide - Week 2Fear is a Powerful Motivator // M-Note 10.19.24Hold These Truths Discussion Guide - Week 3Why Do Bad Things Happen? // M-Note 10.26.24
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