Finding Mercy in the Mess (Gen. 19)
16 When he hesitated, the men grasped his hand and the hands of his wife and of his two daughters and led them safely out of the city, for the Lord was merciful to them…29… Finding Mercy in the Mess (Gen. 19)
Heart of the Matter: Hearing the Call of the Wild (1 Sam. 23:14-29) Chris Altrock – July 16, 2017
American Wilderness
In 1964, in a nearly unanimous vote, the United States Congress enacted legislation to protect American wilderness.[1] The Wilderness Act was put into place to secure for present and future generations the benefits of wilderness. The United States was the first country in the world to define and designate wilderness areas through law. Through it more than 105 million acres of wilderness have been preserved so that people can hike it, hunt in it, take pictures in it, stargaze in it. Wilderness also provides clean water and air and places to see wildlife in a natural setting. It seems that we need and love wilderness.Heart of the Matter: Hearing the Call of the Wild (1 Sam. 23:14-29) Chris Altrock – July 16, 2017
Taking Your Seat at the Table (Gen. 18)
18 The Lord appeared to Abraham near the great trees of Mamre while he was sitting at the entrance to his tent in the heat of the day. 2 Abraham looked up and saw… Taking Your Seat at the Table (Gen. 18)
The God Who Can Make Laughter (Gen. 17)
1 When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, “I am God Almighty…15 God also said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, you are no longer to call her Sarai; her name will be Sarah. 16 I will bless her and will surely give you a son by her. I will bless her so that she will be the mother of nations; kings of peoples will come from her.” 17 Abraham fell facedown; he laughed and said to himself, “Will a son be born to a man a hundred years old? Will Sarah bear a child at the age of ninety?” 18 And Abraham said to God, “If only Ishmael might live under your blessing!” 19 Then God said, “Yes, but your wife Sarah will bear you a son, and you will call him Isaac… (Gen. 17:1, 15-19 NIV)
Our story begins with two incredible contrasts. First, Abram, now Abraham, is ninety-nine years old. Long past child-producing years. Way past his prime. Second, the Lord is “God Almighty.” Literally, the Lord is “El Shaddai.” This is the first use of this name for God in the Bible. It means “all powerful” or “all sufficient.”
Our story beings with two incredible contrasts. Abraham is completely incapable. God is fully capable.