Psalm 8

A psalm of David.

1 O LORD, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory
above the heavens.

2 From the lips of children and infants
you have ordained praise
because of your enemies,
to silence the foe and the avenger.
3 When I consider your heavens,
the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
which you have set in place,
4 what is man that you are mindful of him,
the son of man that you care for him?
5 You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings
and crowned him with glory and honor.
6 You made him ruler over the works of your hands;
you put everything under his feet:
7 all flocks and herds,
and the beasts of the field,
8 the birds of the air,
and the fish of the sea,
all that swim the paths of the seas.
9 O LORD, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!

Thanks, Ed, for sharing the photos and the thoughts.
Thanks, Lord, for providing the abundance of majestic material for us to work with. There is none like You!

Oops! Are we listening?

Surprise!

So Nov 14 was NOT our last class after all. Was God trying to make a point that indeed His ways are higher than our ways and His thoughts than our thoughts (Isaiah 55:9)?

That the heart of man (or woman—if the glass slipper fits) may plan his way, but the Lord determines his steps (Proverbs 16:9)?

That it is not in man who walks to direct his own steps (Jeremiah 10:23)?

Perhaps...
Regardless, another night to praise Him together was a blessing, and may His words that were shared accomplish that which He purposes, and succeed in the things for which He sent them (Isaiah 55:11).

If you missed the stories:

Ask Kathleen and Mike how God uses sheet cakes and lullabies.
Ask Tamara how God inspires 9-yr-olds to rewrite lyrics.
Ask Meagan who is the real Love of her life.
Ask Sharon how God uses hymns to weed hearts.
Ask Joey why we should worship God 24/7.
Ask Allan about God’s pre-winter color scheme.
Ask Selwyn how inaccurate Newsweek's obituaries are.

And ask God what He's trying to say to YOU ...through His Word, His world, and His children.

Dying of Thirst

She saw the stream, bright as glass. But although the sight of the water made her feel ten times thirstier than before, she didn't rush forward and drink. She stood as still as if she had been turned into stone, with her mouth wide open.

And she had a very good reason: just on this side of the stream lay the Lion.

She knew at once that it had seen her, for its eyes looked straight into hers for a moment. She couldn't take her eyes off it. How long this lasted, she could not be sure; but it seemed like hours. And the thirst became so bad that she almost felt she would not mind being eaten by the Lion if only she could be sure of getting a mouthful of water first.

"If you're thirsty, you may drink."

The voice was not like a man's. It did not make her any less frightened than she had been before, but it made her frightened in rather a different way.

"Are you not thirsty?" said the Lion.

"I'm dying of thirst," said Jill.

"Then drink," said the Lion.

The delicious rippling noise of the stream was driving her nearly frantic. "Do you eat girls?" she said.

"I have swallowed up girls and boys, women and men, kings and emperors, cities and realms," said the Lion. It didn't say this as if it were boasting nor as if it were sorry, nor as if it were angry. It just said it.

"I daren't come and drink," said Jill.

"Then you will die of thirst," said the Lion.

"Oh dear!" said Jill, coming another step nearer. "I suppose I must go and look for another stream then."

"There is no other stream," said the Lion.

~ excerpt from The Silver Chair by C.S. Lewis

Evening Prayer of Gratitude

We thank You LORD, for it is You alone

who is Adonai our God.

You are the Rock and Shield of our salvation,

You alone, from generation to generation.

We thank You and tell of Your praise,

for our lives are in Your hands
and our souls are trusting in You.

Every day Your miracles are with us:
Your wonders and favors are at all times,
morning, afternoon, and evening.

O LORD, Your compassions are never exhausted,

and Your kindnesses are continual.

We put our hope in You.

~ from the Hebrew Hoda’ah,

an evening prayer of Gratitude

How Foolish...

I Cor 1:18-21
For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate."
Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?
For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.

I Cor 1:25-31
For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength.
God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.
He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things, and the things that are not, so that no one may boast before him.
It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God - that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.
Therefore, as it is written: “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord."

I Cor 3:18-20
Do not deceive yourselves. If any one of you thinks he is wise by the standards of this age, he should become a “fool" so that he may become wise.
For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God's sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness”, and again, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile."

So that’s it? Our faith rests in
...The FOOLISHNESS of God?

But faith isn’t blind …He has shown all throughout history that He is Jehovah Jireh--“The LORD who provides”.

So, will I be faithful in those “small” ways …. even though my natural tendencies and all of the culture around me are saying,
“How Foolish”?

-from Wednesday's class, Nov. 14

How to Slay a Giant

We all want the faith of Peter and David, right? To know for certain that when it counts, we’ll come through for God.

But do I have to wait for another stormy night on the Sea of Galilee?
Or go find a 9 foot tall soldier profaning the Holy LORD?

“One who is faithful in very little is also faithful in much …" ~Luke 16:10

How am I being asked to be faithful in the here and now? Are there things God wants me to be and do that are “unnatural?” Is He preparing me to accomplish the impossible with Him one day? To overcome a force that seems invincible to me right now?

* if someone hits you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also ~ Matt 5:39
* consider others better than yourself ~ Phil 2:3
* I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties – for when I am weak, then I am strong ~ 2 Cor 12:10
* pray continually ~ 1 Thess 5:17
* whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant ~ Matt 20:26
* forgive those who sin against you ~ Matt 6:12
* rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ ~ I Pet 4:13
* if someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles ~ Matt 5:41
* accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters ~ Rom 14:1
* the man who does not eat everything must not condemn the man who does, for God has accepted him ~ Rom 14:3
* it is for freedom that Christ has set us free… to become slaves to God ~ Gal 5:1, Rom 6:22
* give, pray, fast in secret … then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you ~ Matt 6:4,6,18
* fix your eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen ~ 2 Cor 4:18
* love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you ~ Matt 5:44
* do not become gossips and busybodies, saying things you shouldn’t ~ I Tim 5:13
* do everything without complaining or arguing ~ Phil 2:14
* lay down your life for your brothers ~ I John 3:16
* love keeps no record of wrongs ~ I Cor 13:5
* to live is Christ and to die is gain ~ Phil 1:21

Yes …Just a few things that aren’t natural - that don’t make sense.

Is this what Jesus meant when he said, “anyone who has faith in me will do greater things” than he did?

Is this how we walk on water?
How we slay giants?

It’s almost foolish to think so …

--from Wednesday's class, Nov. 14

Unnatural in the New Testament, Too?

So, what about the New Testament? It’s ushered in with a pretty amazing story, too.

And Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. Luke 1:46-49

Some call it the “Greatest story man ever heard.” Definitely fitting, but it is much more than that, isn’t it?

In fact, all of these great stories of faith and of God working are much more...

Look at Heb 12:1, immediately after the run down of the “Hall of Faith” in chapter 11 …
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” ~ Hebrews 12:1

“A great cloud of witnesses …” Giving testimony that God has been and continues to be at work …doing things HIS way.

Does the weight of the evidence make a difference to me?

--from Wednesday's class, Nov. 14

What About These? Natural or Not?

But is David’s story of “unnatural” events a special case?
Got a minute? Look up these stories. Do they seem “natural” to you?

In the beginning God … ~ Gen 1:1

Build an Ark, and I will save your family when I destroy the earth and all its people. ~ Gen 6:13-14

Abram, leave your home and country and go, there is no need to bring a map. ~ Gen 12:1

Although your wife Sarah is 90 years old, I will bless her with a son so that she will be the mother of nations. ~ Gen 17:16

Joseph, I sent you to Egypt in bondage, and you were wrongfully imprisoned so that I could save lives through you. ~ Gen 45:5

Tell the Israelites to camp by the Red Sea, so they can see the deliverance of the Lord! You will never see this Egyptian army again. ~ Exo 14:13

Moses, I will stand before you by the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock, and water will come out of it for the people to drink. ~ Exo 17:6

The 7th time around as the trumpet blast sounded, Joshua said, “Shout! For the LORD has given you the city of Jericho!” ~ Jos 6:16

Gideon, the 32,000 men you have are too many for my purposes. Let them go. I am going to save you with only 300. ~ Judges 7:7

Answer your servant Elijah, O LORD, so these 450 prophets of Baal, the 400 prophets of Asherah, and the people of Israel will know that you are God! ~ I Ki 18:37

My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me! ~ Dan 7:22

Nope, David’s story wasn’t isolated. The Bible is full of stories that display the power of God in spite of man’s weaknesses or the natural way of things.

Hmmm … I suppose that is THE STORY of the Bible!

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD.
“As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” ~ Is 55:8-9

So many amazing stories of God at work. And we haven’t even made it out of the Old Testament …
Yet ;-)

--from Wednesday's class, Nov. 14

Is This Normal?

David had many sons:
Amnon, Chileab, Absalom, Adonijah, Shephatiah, Ithream, Shobab, Nathan, Shimea, Solomon, Ibhar, Eliphelet, + more.
Certainly Solomon was NOT next in line of succession.
So why was HE the next king?

Only one reason.
Solomon was specifically appointed by the Lord (1 Chr 22:6-10). He was the son of promise. And the king of promise.
Just like his father David was a king by promise (1 Samuel 16:10-12).

God was obviously in charge, doing this HIS way—not man’s way, not the “natural” way.

It’s a common refrain in David’s life. Remember these events?

Mephibosheth—it would have been “natural” for David to leave him in exile or kill him. But he had made a promise to Jonathan.

Goliath—was it “natural” for a shepherd boy to be meeting the enemy’s champion with God’s reputation on the line?

Of course, David didn’t always follow God’s ways…

The Census—isn’t it “normal” for a king to know if he had enough soldiers to win HIS battles? No, not the way God was operating.

Bathsheba—It was certainly “the norm” for kings in that time and place to take the best for themselves—land, crops, and even women. But God’s idea of a king isn’t the same as everyone else’s.

So David’s life is full of examples of how God works in ways that aren’t “natural” to man. Does this make sense?

Is this…normal?

--from Wednesday's class, Nov. 14

"Absurdity in the Flesh"

“You mean to tell me God became a baby…?”
“Yes, that is what I mean to say.”
“And then, he was raised in a blue-collar home? He never wrote any books or helds any offices, yet he called himself the Son of God?”
“That is right.”
“And this crucifixion story?”
“That’s correct.”
“And all this was to prove that God still loves his people and provides a way for us to return to him?”
“Right.”
“Doesn’t that all sound rather…absurd?”
“Yes. Yes, I suppose it does sound absurd, doesn’t it?”

My Sunday school Jesus had been taken down from the flannel board. What God did makes sense. It can be taught, charted, and put in books on systematic theology.

However, why God did it is absolutely absurd. That type of love doesn’t have a drop of logic nor a thread of rationality.

And yet, it is that very irrationality that gives the gospel its greatest defense. For only God could love like that.

How absurd to think that such nobility would go to such poverty to share such a treasure with such thankless souls.

But he did.

~ Excerpt from God Came Near,
“Absurdity in the Flesh,” Max Lucado

Epilogue: What's It All About?

Story:
Once upon a time, there was a church. It was a good church, but the numbers on the record book looked bleak: attendance—falling; budget—unmet; and baptisms—few. The more the church examined the numbers, the more despair they felt.

What to do? What to do?

So they set aside their record book in exchange for THE book, the HOLY book, to search for timeless answers.

They discovered many stories about numbers—about rich men and poor widows, about prophets and kings.

And about one man. THE man who was THE God.

Suddenly, the discouraging numbers from their own records faded away—all they saw was One…Jesus.

Their eyes lit up with glee; their joy returned; and they praised the One for His mercy…and His saving of this one, and that one, and that one, and this one….

The End.

Question:
Where’s my focus—on numbers and records that I can count, or on Jesus? Where am I really safe…and saved?

Answer:
* I have no power to face vast armies that come against me, so my eyes are on you. 2 Chronicles 20:12
* Heal me, O Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise. Jeremiah 17:14
* My eyes are ever on the Lord, for only he plucks my feet out of the net. Psalm 25:15
* I have not come to what may be touched, but I am receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken. Hebrews 12:18,28
* I fix my eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of my faith. Hebrews 12:2

Moral:
Jesus. It’s all about Jesus.

--from Wednesday's class, Nov. 7

Chapter 5: Trust the Nails

Story:
Once upon a time, there lived a God in a human body. He was a mighty, loving God.

But those he loved were weak, and sick unto death.

There was only one cure. But it would require a perfect, strong God to bleed until death.

He was the only one. What should he do? Was there no other way?

Alas, there was no other way.

So the perfect God allowed his perfect blood to pour out. One healthy, holy God in exchange for billions of sick people. Those were the numbers.

Did the plan work? Yes! The plan worked!

All the people who believed in him were saved, and lived happily ever after with God in his eternal kingdom.

Question:
Do I really believe that one holy man can save billions of bad men, including me? Can I really trust him with control of my one and only life? Isn’t this too good to be true?

Answer:
* By the grace of one man, Jesus Christ, God’s free gift overflows to many. Romans 5:15
* The Son of Man came to give his life in exchange for many. Mark 10:45
* God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16
* God did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all. Romans 8:32
* There is one God and one mediator between God and men, Christ Jesus, who gave himself to set all men free. 1 Timothy 2:5,6

Moral:
Trust the nails, not the numbers.

--from Wednesday's class, Nov. 7

Chapter 4: Saved by the ____

Story, 2 Chronicles 16

Once upon a time, there was a king of Judah named Asa. In days of old, he had defeated mighty armies despite their great numbers of chariots and horsemen because he relied on the Lord.

The Lord saved him and gave him victory.

This time, he turned away from the Lord’s mercy. Instead, he asked other nations for help.

The prophet of Judah knew that King Asa was making a big mistake, and told him so. “You have done foolishly in this; from now on you will have wars.”

This enraged King Asa so deeply that he threw the prophet into prison.

King Asa became afflicted with a horrible foot disease. And even though his disease was severe, he stubbornly refused to ask for help from the only One who could save him, but sought healing from his many physicians instead.

King Asa died.

Question:
Do I even need God? I don’t commit big sins; I go to church every week; I put money in the plate every Sunday; I even fill out a blue card. Isn’t that enough to get me into heaven?

Answer:
* I have not been saved by my own works but by a gift from God—grace through faith. Ephesians 2:8,9
* God has saved me not because of righteous works I have done, but because of his mercy. Titus 3:5
* It is the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that gives me eternal life. Jude 21
* I give thanks to God because of his great mercy in giving me new life. 1 Peter 1:3
* God has saved me not because of anything I have done but because he gave me grace in Christ Jesus. 2 Timothy 1:9

Moral:
Works don’t add up. Grace is what saves.

--from Wednesday's class, Nov. 7

Chapter 3: The Invisible Army

Story, 2 Kings 6

Once upon a time, there was a servant to a man of God named Elisha. The servant knew that war was in the air between his king of Israel and the king of Aram.

All during the night, the king of Aram surrounded the city with a strong force of horses and chariots. Their numbers were great.

The servant awoke early the next morning, and seeing the formidable force, asked, “Oh, man of God, what shall we do?”

The man of God, Elisha, prayed, “O Lord, open my servant’s eyes so he may really see.”

When the servant looked again, the numbers had changed. Not of the enemy force; they remained the same.

But he now saw God’s innumerable army, hills full of horses, and chariots full of…fire!

With God’s great mercy on their side, this uncountable, invisible army would surely save the day.

Question:
Am I more confident in what I can see, than in what I cannot see? Do I have to see it to believe it? Do I understand that I’m really living in an invisible kingdom?

Answer:
* I fix my attention, not on things that are seen, but on things that are unseen. Things that can be seen are only temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:18
* Like Moses, I also persevere because I see the Invisible One. Hebrews 11:27
* Because I have been raised to life with Christ, I set my mind on things above, not on earthly things. Colossians 3:1,2
* I walk by faith, not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7
* My mind is not on earthly things because I am a citizen of heaven. Philippians 3:20

MORAL:
Trust invisible things, not things you see.

--from Wednesday's class, Nov. 7

Chapter 2: Rich Man/Richer Widow

Story, Luke 12, Mark 12:

Bigger Barns
Once upon a time, there was a certain rich man. Very rich. So rich, the numbers of his grain were larger than the numbers of his barns.

But instead of being rich toward God, he built more barns for himself. “I will relax. I will eat, drink and be merry.”

But on the very night of his calculations, God demanded his life.

No more counting riches for him!

Widow’s Two Mites
Once upon a time, there was a poor widow. Her coins were easy to count: 1, 2.

But instead of hoarding, one morning she donated both of her small copper coins into the temple treasury box.

The very important God-Man witnessed her actions. He was so pleased with her disregard for numbers and for her trust in God’s care that he told his followers that her contribution added up to more than the large sums of the rich people’s offerings.

Question:
How much time do I spend worrying about money—getting it…keeping it…spending it…getting more? Am I trusting my money to take care of me and make me happy more than I’m trusting God to do so?

Answer:
* I brought nothing into the world, and I can take nothing out of it. If I have food and clothing, I will be content with that. 1 Timothy 6:7,8
* I will not put my hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but I will put my hope in God who richly provides me with everything to enjoy. 1 Timothy 6:17
* I will seek first his kingdom and righteousness, then all the things I eat and drink and wear will be given to me also. Matthew 6:31,33
* My God will meet all my needs through his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19
* His divine power has given me everything I need for life and godliness. 2 Peter 1:3

Moral:
All needs are met in God.

--from Wednesday's class, Nov. 7

Chapter 1: Safety in Numbers?

Story, 2 Samuel 24:

Once upon a time, there was a king—a mighty, victorious king named David. But King David started wondering about the next battle.

Would he have enough soldiers? Would he have enough swords? Would he be safe?

So instead of trusting God to save him no matter what, he needed to see the numbers to sleep better at night. He ordered a census of all fighting men.

Did this lack of confidence in God make God happy? Most certainly not! And did this make the king happy? Most certainly not!

He admitted, “I have sinned badly. Lord, forgive me for doing this very foolish thing.”

So God laid out 3 options for punishment. Which should the king choose? Option #1: 3 years of famine? Option #2: 3 months of running from enemies?, or Option #3: 3 days of plague?

The king was in great distress. “I’d rather fall into the hands of the LORD, whose mercy is great, than fall into the hands of men,” so he chose #3.

The Lord did indeed send a plague on the land, but in response to David’s plea for mercy, the plague was stopped.

The king, once again, was saved only by the Lord’s mercy.

Question:
What about me? Am I only at peace when my circumstances are under control—steady job, cancer-free, reliable car, healthy relationships? Am I happy only if I’m living the American dream?

Answer:
* My strong confidence is in the fear of the LORD. Proverbs 14:26
* I succeed not by might nor by power, but by the Lord’s Spirit. Zechariah 4:6
* No weapon formed against me will succeed. The LORD defends his servant and gives me victory. Isaiah 54:17
* The Lord’s grace is all I need; his power is strongest in my weakness. 2 Corinthians 12:9
* Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but I trust in the name of the LORD our God. Psalm 20:7

Moral:
There is only one safe place—in the Lord’s hands.

--from Wednesday's class, Nov. 7

Who You Gonna Trust?

Who you gonna trust?
What you can see? ...or what you can’t?
The visible? …or the invisible?
The temporary? …or the permanent?
The numbers? …or the nails?
Which is real…and lasting…and guaranteed?

We each have a set of numbers that define us and describe who we are. Your set of numbers is as individual to you as your fingerprints are.

What are your numbers?
Your age…your weight…your shoe size…social security #…monthly rent…student i.d.…blood pressure…car mileage…your vision…savings balance…your cholesterol…favorite TV channel…cell number…your semester hours…401K balance…your PIN number…songs on iPod…memory capacity…weekly paycheck…best 5K time….

We know a lot of numbers. And if your numbers are good, hey, life is sweet. You’re safe, right? It’s easy to place our confidence in numbers. But are they lulling us into a false sense of security (or insecurity)?

Are they promising safety where there is none?
Is our faith only in what we can see and count?
Are our idols molded out of…numbers?

We live in a world that places high value on numbers and statistics and scientific facts—things that can be seen and supposedly proven--which can be very good things, but they’re not sure things, not things worthy of our trust.

As citizens in an unshakable kingdom, our aim is to stay focused on spiritual things, which are often invisible things, things that can’t necessarily be measured in tangible ways, things like love, joy, righteousness, and peace.

Place your trust in the nails, i.e. the grace of Jesus. Only here is 100% guaranteed, eternal safety.

"Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth." Colossians 3:2

--from Wednesday's class, Nov. 7

I told you so....

Story: David spares Saul ,1 Samuel 23, 24

This was his big chance.

After hiding day after day in the caves and canyons of treacherous desert, eluding King Saul’s murderous hunt, the tables had turned. Saul was now easy prey—trapped in a compromising position in the very cave where David was huddled. Revenge was so near that David snipped off a corner of the royal robe.

Now was David’s opportunity to kill this maniac king and collect his due. His men urged him on, and for justifiable reason. David had done nothing to deserve the death threats from Saul. David—the soother of Saul’s very own soul, time after time. David—the one hand-picked by God to be the next king of Israel. David—the befriender of Saul’s son. If anyone had a right to exact revenge, it was David.

How easily do we desire revenge when it is our due? Especially when our “big chance” is right in the palm of our hand, and we’re being urged on by others? Wouldn’t revenge be sweet when it is most obviously warranted?

Wouldn’t at least a tiny “I told you so!” be understandable?

But David held back. Instead of payback, he paid homage. Not because Saul’s character was worthy of it. Not even because of David’s character per se.

Then why? Because of God’s character. David knew enough about the Lord to trust him to judge and avenge. He did not have to take matters in his own hands, because the matter would be better settled in God’s hands.

When we seek revenge, can we hold back and trust God to handle matters instead? Do we have enough faith in God’s character to allow him to avenge the wrongs in our lives, in his timing, in his way? Without our help? When our Saul is within our grasp, can we open up our hands and let him go? Because we trust the righteous character of God?

Our certain security is in God’s justice. He tells us so. Believe him.

--Lisa B.

The Dead Sea

Water: Living or Dead?

Imagine leaving a beautiful city…
…where there is plenty of fresh water,
…where the temperature is ideal and food is abundant,
…where you can talk to God with others,
…where olive trees grow for hundreds of years and are full of fruit,
to travel across the wilderness.

You carry your own water because you can’t predict if the cisterns along the way will be contaminated or not. You tread on land where the rocks are so sharp they cut through your leather shoes. You feel the heat as if it were 125 degrees.

Can you imagine…
…the wide and dangerous wadies,
…your strength sapped by crossing beds of gravel and sand,
…being baked by the reflective rays of the sun in an hour?

And then you finally see water! Water so clear that even at 3 feet deep you can see the bottom. The desire to drink is very powerful…yet if you drink from this water, it will kill you.

It’s the Dead Sea. Over 30% salt. The more you drink of this water, the faster you will die. Remind you of sin? Yes! The desire to drink of the deceptively clear “water” of sin is also very powerful. And like gulping down water from the Dead Sea, drinking of the water of sin will also kill you.

Thirsty from walking in the desert? Don’t be deceived by the dead stuff. Only Living Water will satisfy.

But whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.
John 4:14

--adapted from Graham R.’s talk in Wednesday’s class, Oct. 31

We pray...

A Prayer of Thanks:
(from Psalm 63)

In this dry and thirsty life, you are our sanctuary.
You are our help.
Your right hand does uphold us.
Our soul can cling to you.
We can praise you as along as we live.
Your love IS better than life…

Class prayer:

Go home with us, Father.
Bring to our memory tonight’s ideas.
Fill us with Living Water.
Drive us to carry Living Water to thirsty people.
Never let us outlive our love for You.
We pray in the name of the Living Water.

--from Wednesday's class, October 31