7 Wonders of an Awesome God
Two members of our community traveled to Ireland this past w
eek. In sharing updates on Facebook they posted a picture of the coast with the title, “How could someone not believe in God?”
It’s. true. Many do not see evidence of God’s existence in nature. Some see the wonders of the world as explainable accidents or random acts of chemistry and biology.
But the psalmist writes, “You are the God who works wonders!” God the creator is still at work in the world today – creating and re-recreating all the earth and and even us!
What wondrous things that God has done can you give praise for? Here is my list for 7 Wonders of an Awesome God!
7 – The Moon – think about it. The moon is totally cool.
6 – The Ocean – The roar, the power, the depth, the mystery.
5 – Rainbows – I know, maybe cliche, and I know science tells us why, but come on, God made a promise, and the rainbow is the reminder.
4 – Mt. Kilimanjaro – We saw it with our companion church in Tanzania, breathtaking.
3 – The Church – Think about the ways you have experienced love, hope, and joy in the church; what a gift we have in community.
2 – The Gift of Family – Parents, Children, Babies, Grandparents, Aunts and Uncles, those who call us family even when we aren’t related.
1 – You. You are a miracle. You are a gift from God. You are wonderful and are a wonder for the world. You are the light of the World!
Well that’s my list for 7 Wonders of an Awesome God! What would make your list? Click on the Comments button to share!
Remembering God’s Promises
Do you know this old prayer joke, circulating now in email?
Dear Lord,
Thank you for this day,
I have not sinned at all today,
I have not been grumpy to my spouse,
I have not been short with my children,
I have not been argumentative with my boss.
But now it’s time to get out of bed, and I may need your help.
Amen.
Sometimes I feel that way, maybe especially on a Monday. Or on any day when it seems like the “to do” list is an impossible mountain to climb. Or we may feel that way when we know we have to deal with conflict. Or we may feel that way when we wake up tired, not looking forward to the day or week ahead.
In Romans Paul teaches us the result of receiving the Gospel: the obedience of faith. This “obedience of faith,” is not the same as trying to be obedient to a set of rules (which we find, that even on our best day we can not do). The Obedience of Faith is a practice in remembrance. The Obedience of Faith is about remembering that I (we) am (are) a child (children) of God! Say that with me, “I am a Child of God.”
Now that we remember whose we are, to whom we belong, who it is that saved us – well then, we can do ALL things. Remembering that Christ lived, died, and rose again, that I might have life – I can be sure Christ is with me today! Remembering the power that God has and remembering God’s Promises to me – I can face the day!
This is the Obedience of Faith – Remembering God’s Amazing Love for you – for me – for all of God’s children.
What’s a promise from God that gets you through the day? I’ve only listed 10 in the link – there are certainly more! Leave a comment to keep the devotion going!
0 CommentsBrown Bear, Brown Bear, What do you see?
Bill Martin Jr.’s classic is a favorite for children. They love the repetition and colorful illustrations. “Brown Bear, Brown Bear what do you see? I see a red bird looking at me. Red bird, Red bird, what do you see?…”
If you asked an animal in the Gulf, how would they answer? “White bird, White bird what do you see? I see all my friends stuck in oil, looking at me.”
I see a mess. An oily, sticky, catastrophe. What do you see?
In Luke’s Gospel a widow in the village of Nain is at the end of her rope. If the loss of her husband was not enough, now her son has died – the deepest pain a mother could ever feel. Jesus comes, not to the temple or into her home, Jesus comes into the middle of the funeral procession, moves through the crowd to get up to the family, and takes hold of the casket. He grabs the casket, and through the tears he sheds for the woman’s sake, declares a word of life.
What we might see is death. What we might see is a mess (in the gulf or in our own life). What we see might seem impossible to get out of.
Into the middle of our mess; even into the middle of a catastrophic event – Jesus takes hold, places his hands on our burden, on our “impossible,” on our “death” and declares a word of life!
Imagine the crowd – after their shear amazement – imagine the celebration – A miracle! I am here to witness to you that miracles still happen today! God is still at work. God is still moving. God’s love still reigns!
I don’t know how the oil spill will be “fixed.” I do know that God is working through all those on the scene and around the world. God will even work through creation to bring about healing.
Into this mess (and the mess you may be dealing with) I declare LIFE in the name of Jesus! I can see a miracle coming – what do you see?
Have a Miracle story to share? We need to hear it – will you share by clicking on the “comments” button?
1 CommentsStrawberry Shortcake
Memorial Day weekend growing up meant driving to Grandma Davey’s house in Easton, Pennsylvania.
The drive from Syracuse seemed to take forever. “Are we almost there yet?” we would pester our parents. Then you would see the giant “Dixie Cup” on top of the Dixie Cup factory in Easton and you knew you were there.
Every Memorial Day my grandmother served Strawberry Shortcake: home-made biscuits served warm, sweet berries, and Cool-Whip! Mmmm…I looked forward to Grandma’s Strawberry Shortcake every year. But something else happened…
The good memories of my grandmother, the times we spent together, the love she gave all of us, became joined to the memory of Strawberry Shortcake. So today, whenever I have it, especially on Memorial Day, I remember Grandma Davey and I remember her unconditional love for me. She has been with me always.
As Jesus closest followers gathered round him at the table he broke the bread, passed the cup, and said, “Do this; in remembrance of me.” In that meal, Jesus joined himself to them – and to all of us. In that meal Jesus pours himself into us. I imagine that no one who was around the table that night ever forgot it. I imagine every time they shared Passover – smelled it’s smells; tasted it’s story – they remembered Him.
And we remember too. We remember the one who gave his life that we would be free. We remember the one who gave his light that all might see. We remember the One whose unconditional love breaks all that binds us and gives us life!
What are your Memorial Day stories? Click the Comments button to share…
0 CommentsBehind the Word: A Close Encounter with the Holy Spirit
My first time was at summer camp. Lake Chautauqua Lutheran Camp.
It was the first time I remember feeling the Holy Spirit. I wouldn’t have said, “I am feeling the Holy Spirit,” back then of course. But I might have told you I felt, something.
Our camp counselor had just lit a candle with a wooden matchstick. You could smell the sulfur of the match as he poured a few drops of wax onto the wooden floor of our cabin in order to secure the candle in place.
The twelve of us “cabin-mates” were gathered together in a circle around that flame as our counselor brought out his guitar. The song he sang, “Father, I Adore You,” was simple enough. I had heard it before at our campfires; but this time it was different.
I felt the Holy Spirit.
Physically, all I remember happening was that tingling feeling on the back of my neck, and all the hairs standing up. But inside…inside I felt different…like the beginning of God calling…it wasn’t the booming voice of God…more like a whisper…but I felt it.
Have you experienced the Holy Spirit? The Spirit is all around us, with us, within us. The Spirit calls to us and coaxes us into new life. The Spirit gathers us and empowers us in community. The Spirit confirms our faith and gives us strength for daily challenges.
How have you felt the Spirit? Where have you seen the Spirit? Click on “comments” to continue the conversation.
Behind the Word: One
“Just like Home”
As we were leaving one from our party declared, “It was just like home!” “Really?” I asked, “That was one of the most unique experiences I have ever had.” “Yes,” she replied, “but consider; we shared the Word – even if it was read in Kiswahili – we heard the Word proclaimed in preaching, there was water and so we Baptized, we prayed, the children’s choir sang, it’s just like home!”
Christ has made us one. All of us. The whole church. The whole world. We are one, that God’s love be known.
How do you experience the “One-ness” we have in God? Where have you seen God at work lately? Click “comment” to share your thoughts.
1 CommentsWhat Does St. John’s Mean to You?
What does St. John’s mean to you?
This has been a question members of the confirmation class have been asking people around church. What’s your response?
For me, St. John’s has been that place that has supported, loved, and prayed for my family. St. John’s is where our son was baptized. St. John’s is where I feel alive. St. John’s is work and worship and so much more. How about you?
March, 2010
Thanks for your responses! Feel free to share your thoughts by clicking on the comment button.
Click Here to watch a short movie about how others answered this question.
7 CommentsQuick Info
Philadelphia, PA 19149
215.624.5505
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