Scripture: Revelation 11-13
Observation:
This section brought two things to my mind. 1) An epic film. It seemed like a Harry Potter or a Lord of the Rings movie or something like that. Can't you see it? 2) Evil is all around us, isn't it? And at the end of this section, evil seems to be winning...
Application:
I honestly spend too much time watching the TV show Criminal Minds. I love trying to figure things out. I love the characters. But the personification of evil on the show cannot be denied. And in a lot of ways, that's what the text shows us. There's a dragon and two beasts and more. They control everything! Our world may not be that exactly--but evil shows itself clearly every day.
The coworker who has it out for you. The way that awful word slips out of your mouth in traffic. The feelings of jealousy or rage that cause you to do things you never meant to do. The way people cheat on their spouses or hurt small children. People who break into cars or homes or pick pockets! I could go on, but you know what I mean.
I guess the question is, how do we handle evil? How do we guard ourselves against it? And more, how do we keep our world from letting evil win? I pray that I can always keep my eye on the Truth. On God. And that my love, God's love will always be stronger than the evil. I know the Lamb is coming. I just hope he hurries!
Prayer: Oh, Lamb of God! Let me always look for your love. Let me always see your grace. Let me fight evil at every turn--not with sticks and stones and more evil, but with your love and grace. In your holy name, I pray. Amen.
Blessings!
Pastor Emily
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
What does God look like?
Scripture--Revelation 8-10
Observation--We are about to begin a series in Revive examining images or attributes of God. So I've been thinking and praying a lot about what God looks like. What God IS like. How God acts.
And the more I study and pray. The more I realize I know so little! I love to put God in my box and make God act and behave and look like I need or want or picture!
Today's lesson reminded me of this again! Did you hear all the awful things that happened? Locusts that ate the people. Hail and Fire. Mountains thrown into the sea. Stars flung into the depths of the earth. This doesn't sound like the God I know. It scares me and saddens me.
Application:
But, I don't have to understand God, for God to be good. I don't have to like what happens for me to love God. I think of it like people. I don't always like people. I shouldn't admit that--I'm a pastor, I should like everyone! But I don't. Sometimes people grate on my nerves. Sometimes I've asked for things 10,000,000 times and its still not on my desk, or in my hands. Sometimes people say mean things or do evil. I don't always like people.
But that's the beauty of being Christian. I don't always like people--but I always love them. I love them despite. I love them because that's my call. And if I believe that God works the same way--that God loves through everything--then if God is really like this--bringing wrath--then there must be something behind it. I don't have to understand everything that happens, but I have to love inspite of it.
If I can love people when they are unlovable. I surely can love God when I'm not sure I agree. I love God. I honor God. I worship God. And for today, that's more important than understanding Revelation!
Prayer: God, you are amazing. Let me remember you are bigger than I am. Better than I know. Let me be small, so you can be great. Let me be still so you can work. Let me be quiet so you can speak. Amen.
Blessings--
Pastor Emily
Observation--We are about to begin a series in Revive examining images or attributes of God. So I've been thinking and praying a lot about what God looks like. What God IS like. How God acts.
And the more I study and pray. The more I realize I know so little! I love to put God in my box and make God act and behave and look like I need or want or picture!
Today's lesson reminded me of this again! Did you hear all the awful things that happened? Locusts that ate the people. Hail and Fire. Mountains thrown into the sea. Stars flung into the depths of the earth. This doesn't sound like the God I know. It scares me and saddens me.
Application:
But, I don't have to understand God, for God to be good. I don't have to like what happens for me to love God. I think of it like people. I don't always like people. I shouldn't admit that--I'm a pastor, I should like everyone! But I don't. Sometimes people grate on my nerves. Sometimes I've asked for things 10,000,000 times and its still not on my desk, or in my hands. Sometimes people say mean things or do evil. I don't always like people.
But that's the beauty of being Christian. I don't always like people--but I always love them. I love them despite. I love them because that's my call. And if I believe that God works the same way--that God loves through everything--then if God is really like this--bringing wrath--then there must be something behind it. I don't have to understand everything that happens, but I have to love inspite of it.
If I can love people when they are unlovable. I surely can love God when I'm not sure I agree. I love God. I honor God. I worship God. And for today, that's more important than understanding Revelation!
Prayer: God, you are amazing. Let me remember you are bigger than I am. Better than I know. Let me be small, so you can be great. Let me be still so you can work. Let me be quiet so you can speak. Amen.
Blessings--
Pastor Emily
Monday, August 29, 2011
Housekeeping
A couple of questions I NEED answered:
1) Is everyone up for ice cream on 9/11? I don't want to plan it, if people can't come.
2) What next? I think we definitely take at least a week off--but then what?
a) Do we just stop completely?
b) Do I just use this blog for weekly updates/meditations?
c) Do we start a new study?
My thoughts on a new study would be like this--
1) Is everyone up for ice cream on 9/11? I don't want to plan it, if people can't come.
2) What next? I think we definitely take at least a week off--but then what?
a) Do we just stop completely?
b) Do I just use this blog for weekly updates/meditations?
c) Do we start a new study?
My thoughts on a new study would be like this--
- It would be topical--you all could help me but like: Prayer or Stories we don't always study or Prophets or Big Questions or a specific Book
- We'd read no more than 3 chapters a week--normally fewer!
- On Monday I'd post the scripture and some questions to think about/respond to.
- On Thursday or Friday I'd post a meditation/blog response. Then we'd respond again.
It would be less work, and there would be more chances to catch up. Thoughts?
Cast your votes now my friends! I'm up for whatever you are up for! This has been a great journey!
Blessings!
Pastor Emily
Blessings!
Pastor Emily
Worship
Scripture--Revelation 4-6
Observation:
The picture of total worship in Revelation 4 always chokes me up. See in 4:8? They never rest day or night, but keep on saying,
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty,
who was and is and is coming.”
Application:
Do you worship like that? Do you live your life like that?
Often we are so busy doing, that we forget our lives are to be worship, all the time. We forget that our lives are to be about praising God! By our actions. By our convictions. By our speech. Are you worshping the God who was and is and is to come?
Let us find a time in our lives today to worship God. Maybe singing in the car. Maybe helping the homeless person. Maybe loving someone who is unloveable. Let us find a way to worship God.
Prayer:
Almighty and Everlasting God--You are amazing. You are mighty. You are my All in all. Thank you for your blessings. Thank you for your forgiveness. Thank you for your love. In Your name I pray. Amen.
Blessings--
Pastor Emily
Observation:
The picture of total worship in Revelation 4 always chokes me up. See in 4:8? They never rest day or night, but keep on saying,
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty,
who was and is and is coming.”
Application:
Do you worship like that? Do you live your life like that?
Often we are so busy doing, that we forget our lives are to be worship, all the time. We forget that our lives are to be about praising God! By our actions. By our convictions. By our speech. Are you worshping the God who was and is and is to come?
Let us find a time in our lives today to worship God. Maybe singing in the car. Maybe helping the homeless person. Maybe loving someone who is unloveable. Let us find a way to worship God.
Prayer:
Almighty and Everlasting God--You are amazing. You are mighty. You are my All in all. Thank you for your blessings. Thank you for your forgiveness. Thank you for your love. In Your name I pray. Amen.
Blessings--
Pastor Emily
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Scripture--Revelation 1-3--
I'm not sure its worth our time going into all the debates about Revelation (note its a singular--not Revelations. "John" only had one dream!). All Apocalyptic literature is symbolic and literary and full of things we may never understand. Perhaps what is laid out in Revelation will happen one day. Maybe its just a parable to help us understand how we are to live--but either way, lets jump into this book trying to figure out what it is that God is saying to us.
For more information on the debates see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_Revelation
Observation:
I loved the prophesy to each of the churches. What do you think God would say to Kennesaw? Or to your church? Or to you and your family. Reading those lists got me thinking. What would God say to me.
Application:
Sometimes I wish I could just have an email or a phone call from God. I'd even take a handwritten card! I wish God would just make the desires of his heart known. Oh, sure, God guides us, but sometimes it would be easier if we had them written out.
But, I wonder if this is better. If this means we have to search and seek and learn to listen. We don't always listen very well. We don't always hear or pay attention. I pray that today I pay attention better. So, Jesus doesn't have to send me a letter. So I already know his heart.
Prayer: God, I'm looking for you. In the faces of the people I see. In the whispers of prayers. In your scripture. Sharpen my senses, so that I can see you. In your name I pray. Amen.
Blessings!
Pastor Emily
I'm not sure its worth our time going into all the debates about Revelation (note its a singular--not Revelations. "John" only had one dream!). All Apocalyptic literature is symbolic and literary and full of things we may never understand. Perhaps what is laid out in Revelation will happen one day. Maybe its just a parable to help us understand how we are to live--but either way, lets jump into this book trying to figure out what it is that God is saying to us.
For more information on the debates see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_Revelation
Observation:
I loved the prophesy to each of the churches. What do you think God would say to Kennesaw? Or to your church? Or to you and your family. Reading those lists got me thinking. What would God say to me.
Application:
Sometimes I wish I could just have an email or a phone call from God. I'd even take a handwritten card! I wish God would just make the desires of his heart known. Oh, sure, God guides us, but sometimes it would be easier if we had them written out.
But, I wonder if this is better. If this means we have to search and seek and learn to listen. We don't always listen very well. We don't always hear or pay attention. I pray that today I pay attention better. So, Jesus doesn't have to send me a letter. So I already know his heart.
Prayer: God, I'm looking for you. In the faces of the people I see. In the whispers of prayers. In your scripture. Sharpen my senses, so that I can see you. In your name I pray. Amen.
Blessings!
Pastor Emily
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Scripture--2 John-3 John, Jude
Three books in one day! Wow, we've come a long way! And besides, do you see that we only have ONE BOOK LEFT AFTER TODAY! WOW!
Observation:
Two things grabbed me today:
1) Jude 20-23-"But you, dear friends: build each other up on the foundation of your most holy faith, pray in the Holy Spirit, keep each other in the love of God, wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will give you eternal life, Have mercy on those who doubt. Save some by snatching them from the fire. Fearing God, have mercy on some, hating even the clothing contaminated by their sinful urges."
2) 2 John 12 "I have a lot to tell you. I don't want to use paper and ink, but I hope to visit you and talk with you face-to-face, so that our joy can be complete!"
Application:
I wish we were more merciful on those who doubt. I wish we did more to build each other up on the foundations of holy faith. I feel like as "Christians" worldwide we do more to push away people with doubts and step on each other than we do building each other up. It just makes me sad!
But, what really hit me in the 2 John passage was that I'm excited to tell you all things FACE-TO-FACE! Don't forget--4 pm on Sunday, September 11th--Ice Cream! The place is still TBD, since I've not gotten us a room! But don't forget! Lets meet and talk about how this went!
Prayer: God, thank you for my friends. Those who have journeyed this summer with me. As the temperatures are starting to get slightly cooler, remind us that we still have many miles to journey. Remind us to build each other up and show each other mercy. Remind us to love like you. In your name we pray! Amen.
Blessings!
Pastor Emily
Pastor Emily
August 28--Revelation 1- Revelation 3
August 29--Revelation 4-Revelation 6
August 30--Revelation 7-Revelation 9
August 31--Revelation 10-Revelation 12
September 1--Revelation 13-Revelation 15
September 2--Revelation 16-Revelation 18
September 3--Revelation 19-Revelation 22
Friday, August 26, 2011
God is love
Scripture--1 John 4-1 John 5
Observation:
I probably shouldn't have to say this to you by now, but my whole theology of God revolves around passages from 1 John 4. Its said a couple times (v. 8 and 16 at least!), but "God is love". That's how I see God. That's how I see this world--as a way for God to show us how much we are loved and for us to be able to show God how much we love in return. So, my observation is pretty much all of 1 John 4:7-5:5.
I probably shouldn't have to say this to you by now, but my whole theology of God revolves around passages from 1 John 4. Its said a couple times (v. 8 and 16 at least!), but "God is love". That's how I see God. That's how I see this world--as a way for God to show us how much we are loved and for us to be able to show God how much we love in return. So, my observation is pretty much all of 1 John 4:7-5:5.
Application:
This always reminds me that its my job to love. Not to judge--God can do that. Not to punish--I'm not the world's mom. Not to question--to love. To love when they don't deserve it--for I rarely deserve it. To love when the chips are down--because they seem down a lot lately. To love when they frustrate me and I'm tired--because they deserve it.
Wouldn't the world be a better place if we all just loved a little more?
Prayer:
God of Love--Let me love like you do. Break my heart for what breaks yours. Remind me that love is more important than anything else. Let me feel your love more than anything else. In your precious name--Amen.
LOVE and Blessings!
Pastor Emily
August 27--2 John-3 John, Jude
August 28--Revelation 1- Revelation 3
August 29--Revelation 4-Revelation 6
August 30--Revelation 7-Revelation 9
August 31--Revelation 10-Revelation 12
September 1--Revelation 13-Revelation 15
September 2--Revelation 16-Revelation 18
September 3--Revelation 19-Revelation 22
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