The Last Hour

~~~ 1 John 2:18-21 ~~~ Psalm 96 ~~~ John 1:1-18 ~~~

Thus we know this is the last hour. 
It seems fitting that on this the last day of the year
scripture reminds us of the last hour.
Jesus is the end, but he also the beginning...
the alpha and the omega.
This year will have a last hour just as our life
will have its last hour one day.
We will have final hour to life as we know it.
What if, what seems to be our final hour
turns out to be our new beginning?

In the beginning was the Word,
and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God.

In the book of Genesis it is the word of God that is creation.
His words bring about the fullness of life.
God is always about creating more life,
even our eternal life with him.

And the Word became flesh
and made his dwelling among us,
and we saw his glory...

This Word of all life became flesh...one of us.

It is fitting that we end each year
 with the most incredible mystery...
of the Incarnation...God becoming one of us.

The mystery of the Incarnation keeps
the wonder and awe of God alive in our hearts.

My prayer, as we come to the end of 2014,
is that we never lose our sense of wonder...
that we are the ones that feel small when
 we stand beside the manger.

The God of all creation...
the God who made me...the God who made you
came down from heaven to be one of us.

May you look back on 2014 as a year when you
grew in your relationship with a God who
humbled himself...
a God who emptied himself
of his 'God-ness' just for you.

We have seen His glory all around us through his creation.
May the Lord bless you and keep you safe
as the close of another year draws near.

~~~Peace and Joy~~~

Mysterious and Exquisite

~~~ 1 Timothy 3:14-16 ~~~ Psalm 111 ~~~ Luke 7:31-35 ~~~

 

God is mysterious and exquisite in all of his ways. 
 

Undeniably great is the mystery of devotion...

 

No matter where you turn
you are surrounded by the wondrous works of the Lord.
No matter how small or how great; we are part of the mystery.

Great are the works of the LORD,
exquisite in all their delights. 

 

All of creation gives testimony to the mystery of God.
All of creation gives testimony to just how exquisite God really is.

The human body itself is both mysterious and exquisite.
The more we learn about our body the more we believe there is to learn.
The more we learn about the universe the more we want to investigate.

It is precisely the mystery of God that motivates us
to desire more understanding.
It is his ability to create things that are exquisite
 that keeps us searching and longing for more.

What visual comes to your mind when you hear the word exquisite?

Is it the human body...a piece of diamond jewelry...a work of art...
is it a beaded bridal gown...a tropical island...
a brilliant sunset...the harmony of a symphonic orchestra...
The list could go on for pages.

When something is wonderful, great, marvelous,
fantastic, or amazing the single word we use is exquisite.  

The dictionary says to be exquisite means to be very finely done,
very beautiful or delicate, marked by flawless craftsmanship.
Exquisite also means very intense as in acute excruciating pain.

How great are the works of the Lord!

While God will always remain a mystery
he constantly provides us with examples of the exquisite.

How great is the mystery of our devotion to God...mysterious, yet he has
instilled within each of us an appreciation for the exquisite.

Great are the works of the LORD,
exquisite in all their delights. 

Typically in literature many clues
are included to help you solve the mystery.
God drenches us with exquisite clues,
but we will never solve the mystery of God.

We can receive our daily Blessings;
for he makes the power of his works known to us.
 

The Lord is exquisite in his majesty and glory.

The Best "Bundle"...The Trinity

~~~1 Dt. 4:32-34, 39-40 ~~~Psalm 33 ~~~ 2 Rom. 8: 14-17 ~~~Mt. 28: 16-20 ~~~

The Most Holy Trinity

Lately there has been a local commercial encouraging consumers to buy the 'bundle'.

The bundle consists of your phone, cable TV, and Internet service for one price. This bundle gives you all that you need to stay connected and entertained.

As I was reflecting on the wonders of the mystery of the Trinity it occurred to me that this is THE true bundle for our salvation.

God the Father...creates us...blesses us and calls us his own...prepares a place for us...

God the Son...embraces our humanity...the word made flesh...living among us...teaching us the Way...showing us the greatest love...there is no greater love...

God the Spirit...coming to live within us...to guide us...to inspire us...joining with us to be more than we ever imagined...breathing the breathe of life into our souls...

The Trinity is the ultimate bundle...if we accept the invitation to life in the Trinity we will have eternal life. The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit together exist as one. The great mystery of three persons in one...united together of one mind of one intention of one never ending love.

With us until the end of the ages.

There is strength in three. We are never left alone.

God the Father sends down the Son and the Son sends forth the Holy Spirit.  

Each person of the Trinity is distinct yet simultaneously the same.

We sing Holy, Holy, Holy in honor of each person of the Trinity.

To believe in something does not imply that you understand it. Do not be troubled if you cannot grasp the concept of the Trinity 'bundle'. Just believe that God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit together as one offer you eternal life.

Each time you notice something with three parts let that be a reminder of your faith in the Trinity...the father, son, and holy spirit.

Bless yourself with the sign of the cross

marking yourself as a Christian.