One of my favorite images of a local church is family. Now, it doesn't always work well for us, because family is too often not what it is supposed to be..but church family, by God's grace, can be all that God intends it to be.
In 1 Thessalonians 1:1, is Paul's standard greeting, grace to you and peace...
How do you think grace, when lived out in the church family, brings and builds peace? Peace with God, Peace with yourself? Peace with others?
How have you found peace through grace?
Would you like to?
Resurrection Sunday
Why is Easter (Resurrection Sunday) so important? Why is it even bigger than Christmas--or is it? Why has the church through out the ages gathered on the first day of the week? Even baptism is given a new richer meaning in Christ's resurrection. Easter is not only our entrance into eternal life, it celebrates how we live that life day by day. It reminds us that when we gathered yesterday to lay the body of a dear friend in the ground, we do so in hope, not depair. Easter is big because the resurrection changes EVERYTHING!
Joshua 7 & 8 From Defeat to Devotion
Disobedience, defeat, dismay, direction, discovery, deliverance, devotion.
Seven words that describe the journey of Israel from failure back to victory. These seven words frame the story of the two battles for one little city called Ai . They also suggest a framework for our journey from failure to victory, from defeat to devotion.
For your reflection, and to share your comments if you wish:
Seven words that describe the journey of Israel from failure back to victory. These seven words frame the story of the two battles for one little city called Ai . They also suggest a framework for our journey from failure to victory, from defeat to devotion.
For your reflection, and to share your comments if you wish:
- how has your disobedience of God's clear will led into failure?
- how has defeat led you, in dismay, to cry out to God?
- how has God met you in defeat, given direction towards discovery of a root of sin and what needs to change?
- how has God's gracious victory in an area of life led you into renewed devotion to Him?
Joshua 6 -- Jericho
Taking a fresh look at the story, I have one overarching question. Is the lesson for us one of obeying God or of trusting God? Don't try to have it both ways...Choose!
What do you think?
Check out this link for archeological info on Jericho:
http://www.answersingenesis.org/home/area/magazines/docs/v21n2_jericho.asp
What do you think?
Check out this link for archeological info on Jericho:
http://www.answersingenesis.org/home/area/magazines/docs/v21n2_jericho.asp
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