God’s Intro
Pastor Jason Imagine talking to someone about God who had never heard of such a being. What would you say? How would you describe God? What characteristics best communicate who God is?
Or pretend you wee introducing God at a big fancy event to people who had never heard of God. What are God’s accomplishments, highlights or achievements? What would God’s biography look like?
One psalmist does just this. Psalm 50 opens with a poetic bio of God. Check it out…
From the rising of the sun to where it sets,
God, the Lord God, speaks,
calling out to the earth.
From Zion, perfect in beauty,
God shines brightly.
Our God is coming;
he won’t keep quiet.
A devouring fire is before him;
a storm rages all around him.
God calls out to the skies above
and to the earth in order to judge his people:
“Bring my faithful to me,
those who made a covenant with me by sacrifice.”
The skies proclaim his righteousness
because God himself is the judge. Selah (Psalm 50:1-6)
From this authors view, God is pretty spectacular. God speaks and calls out directly to the earth and people. God won’t be quiet. God is perfect in beauty and shines forth. God is a judge, but not your everyday judge mental judge. God is a judging is about bringing people in, not casting people out. And, God is apparently surrounded with lots of special effects (fires and storms and such)!
Even if you didn’t know God, this introduction speech helps you understand that God is amazing and mighty, but also different and unique.
What else do you see or hear about God in these verses? And how would you describe God that might be different than this speech? Take some time to write or journal your own introduction of God as if you were speaking to a friend or even an audience! You might find that you have a few poetic remarks up your own sleeve….maybe even a psalm of your own!
If You Missed Sunday’s Sermon…
Read or listen to Serving: You Have the Power to Heal— Mark 1:29-31
God’s Words for This Week
2 Kings 5:1-14 – Then his servants approached and said to him, “My father, if the prophet had told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more then, when he has said to you, ‘Wash, and be clean?’” So he went down and plunged himself into the Jordan seven times, just as the man of God had said; and his flesh was restored like that of a little child and he was clean. (AMP, v. 13-14)
Psalm 30–For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning. (NIV, v.5)
1 Corinthians 9:24-27– I don’t know about you, but I’m running hard for the finish line. I’m giving it everything I’ve got. (The Message, v. 26)
Mark 1:40-45 -A leper came to him begging him, and kneeling he said to him, “If you choose, you can make me clean.” Moved with pity, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, and said to him, “I do choose. Be made clean!” Immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean. (NRSV, v. 40-42)
This Week at Hood
Wednesday, February 7, 3:30 pm–Prayer and Inspiration
Wednesday, February 7, 6:00 pm – Choir Practice
Wednesday, February 7, 6:00 pm – Young-ish Adult Small Group
Thursday, February 8, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm – Pastor Jason at The Cellar for Drop-In Coffee & Conversation (108 N Wilson St)
Sunday, February 11, 9:00 am – Church Cabinet Meeting
Sunday, February 11, 11:00 am – Worship
Sunday, February 11, 12:00 noon-Valentine’s Lunch for all the Ladies, sponsored by the Men’s Fellowship
Sunday, February 11, 2:00pm–Marriage Vow Renewal Ceremony
Upcoming Events
Wednesday, February 14th, 6:00 pm– Ash Wednesday Service
Wednesday, February 14th, 6:00 pm– Love Wins, Children’s Mission Class
Saturday, February 17th, 10:00 am -12:00 noon–Valentine’s Tea & Tunes @ The Cellar