- Exodus 34: 4b-6, 8-9
- Daniel 3: 52, 53, 54, 55
- II Corinthians 13: 11-13
- John 3: 16-18
- Majestic mercy
- Mountaintop experiences can be transformative, giving us a totally new perspective on what is going on in our lives, giving us hope of a path forward where before there was only darkness and obstacles.
- How has God revealed Himself to you?
- In one of those revelations, what did you learn of God's character?
- How did that revelation change you?
- Has God revealed those same character traits in other revelations to you?
-
How might you share that with others?
- It's cool in the furnace
-
Shadrach, Meshack, and Abedego were Jewish officials in the court of
King Nebuchadnezzar. They refused to worship an image that he had
constructed, and were about to be thrown into the furnace for their
insubordination. Their response was that they would not bow
down, regardless whether God spared them in the fiery furnace.
Their devotion was not conditional on God preserving their lives.
- Have you ever tried to bargain with God?
- What were you willing to trade God for what you were seeking?
- How did that turn out?
- How did that change you?
- Steadfast, formidable, stalwart
- One thing that I routinely marvel at is the support that my wife Mary has been for me through the 43 years that we have been married. No matter what the decision is before us, she never responds out of fear, but of trust, never from self-interest but always in courageous love. She truly brings out the best in me at every turn. All of us are called to be that sort of presence to each other in some measure.
- Who is someone who has been a support for you?
- How do they typically show that support?
- When they speak to you, is that voice what you need to hear, or what you want to hear?
- How have you thanked them?
- How have they changed you?
- The benefits of belief
- It's hard to watch a life without God play out. You look on, seemingly helpless to change the course of their life, because it is their life. You want to tell them how much better off they'll be if they give their lives back to God.
- What do you do to try to coax that unbeliever in your life into a relationship with Jesus?
- And if that strategy does not work, then what?
- If they asked you "what exactly is the difference that God will make" what would you say?
- What exactly is happiness?
- Preparation for Reconciliation
- Where is God calling me to be more open about my faith?
- Do I follow God just because I expect something in return?
- Who is it in my life who needs a word of encouragement/?
- Where is God in my happiness?
Two Left Feet In the Divine Dance
Some describe the Trinity as three in a Divine Dance
Each holding the
others, each in the others, each supporting the others.
That sort of inter-relationship is hard for our minds to comprehend.
But
what seriously challenges our imagination is that we invited into that
Divine Dance.
It is not enough that God in all His/Their majesty commune with each other
this way.
He/they want all of us to join in as partners.
Which raises some serious challenges to our notion of inclusion.
For all
of us are one with all of us to the extent that we are one with, in, and
through God.
And our fellowship with God depends on, is sustained by, is illuminated by
-
Our fellowship with each other.
Yes, I believe that we will all get better at this in Eternity.
Once
divine judgement reveals us to each other for all that we are and might have
been.
But something tells me that it will be a great deal easier in Eternity -
If
I have the courage to venture into that Divine Dance now, before I get there.
Tell me about yourself, who you are, how you got here, where you feel led.
Teach
me how to listen intently, and creatively to your stories and life.
Maybe you'll be the one to teach me how to dance,
And not step on anyone
else's feet.
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