ISAIAH 61:1-4

ISAIAH 61:1-4


The Spirit of the Lord is upon me and has anointed me to
Preach the good news to the poor. .
Bind up the brokenhearted,
Proclaim freedom for the captives,
Proclaim release from darkness for the prisoners,
Comfort all who mourn
Provide for those who grieve in Zion to bestow on them
BEAUTY FOR ASHES
The oil of gladness for mourning
And a garment of praise for a spirit of heaviness

Saturday, March 19, 2016

REVIVE PROJECT WEEKEND

PJ and J

  J and J                                 J and PJ
How many bags for 3 ladies??  A cart full apparently!!

It's a weekend retreat for a few ladies.   Having a great time. . .   and finding refreshing for our souls.    

Last night Julia referred to three erroneous ways in which we view God:
  1. Angry God
  2. Genie in a Bottle God
  3. The Distant -- Clock Maker God
God is NOT watching us from heaven, ready to pounce whenever we hesitate, ready to be angry when we are confused or waiting to punish us whenever we make a mistake.     Nor is God of the "Genie in a Bottle" variety.   That God whom we call upon in dire emergencies.   The one that we ask for help when things look impossible or disaster is pending.    The God that we know is there, but only think to call on if we're drowning and have used all other options.   Neither is he the distant I-put-everything-in-motion now-I'm-leaving-you-to-deal-with-it kind of God.
No.  None of the above.   He is the God who is there.   The one that Paul writes about:
And I ask him that with both feet planted firmly on love, you’ll be able to take in with all followers of Jesus the extravagant dimensions of Christ’s love. Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! Live full lives, full in the fullness of God.  -- The Message, Eph 3:17-18

He is the Jesus of extravagant love; the Father who wants us to live full lives; the Holy Spirit who dwells within.

The psalmist put it well in Psalm 23:6 -- The Message
Your beauty and love chase after me
    every day of my life.
I’m back home in the house of God
    for the rest of my life.

Yes.  God is looking for you.   His love is chasing you . . . 

Come rest in the House of God!!