Friday, January 9, 2009

Wanderings for the week of Dec 30, 2008-Jan 4, 2009

Greetings to all, on this, the last day of 2008. Sunday's sermon is Ephesians 1:1-14. If you get a chance, take out your Bible and read it. Have you ever found so much good crammed into so few a lines? The writer is just brimming with the good news that even before time began God had a plan for us, and it was all God's "good pleasure." I am reading from the NRSV version, and not sure which version you have, but I am awed by the "exuberant benediction" that exists in these 14 lines.
Blessed is mentioned 3 times
Good pleasure is stated twice
Grace is mentioned 3 times
love, wisdom and insight and each used once.

I invite you to read this scripture and do two things: think of the ways God had blessed you this year and, for those who long for further scriptural reflection, turn to Nehemiah in the Old Testament, chapter 9, and read a great and concise summary of the story of God's people, before Jesus, and the ways in which God showed them his "good pleausure", wisdom and grace. Blessing to everyone and to everyone, be safe. Peace, Pastor G

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