Monday, March 6, 2006

Good Morning

Today's Reading: Revelation 4:9-11; read pages 178 - 180 in Barclay; (two sections) stop at "The Roll in the Hand of God".

-- two quick things today.

-- it is interesting that my study Bible takes the approach about the living creatures that they represent/symbolize attributes of God, rather than nature, which is where Barclay ends up, since in this verse's commentary he says that the combination of the elders and the living creatures represents man and nature praising God.

-- I think that a special perspective on this verse is available to us, since we are used to, in movies at least, the idea of odd looking creatures having intelligence and the ability to speak. The description of these creatures speaking and praising God must have really been an oddity to earlier generations.

-- I think that this verse really gets to the question I had yesterday, about trying to get my arms around the idea of unending praise. How odd does that sound in our self-centeredness? But I thought of something to help with that idea. Think about Tiger Woods or Michael Jordan or some other amazing athlete. We have an attitude about that person's skills that persists -- you might regularly talk about how amazed you are at their talents, and there is constant talk and focus on those guys because of their skills. And that is just one tiny sliver of what we would be amazed about God's work in creating and sustaining the entire universe. So if human beings can be constantly obsessed with Tiger Wood's ability to hit a golf ball, how amazed should we/will we be about God?

Today's Scripture (from the Lent lectionary)

After John was put into prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. "The time has come," he said. "The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!"

Mark 1:14-15

Today's prayer requests: Corey, Megan's student

Corey has been on our prayer list due to brain tumor that he was going to have tests on on March 21. His doctors at Children's Hospital are not willing or able to move his tests up, so it is a waiting game for everyone. Need to keep Corey, his mother, his classmates and Megan's classroom staff in our prayers will Corey is treated.

Today's class member prayer:

Jerri Wesson

Have a great day.

Jay