pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: Restoring


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Good, Creative, Ordered

Reading: Genesis 1:1-25

Genesis 1:2 – “The earth was without shape or form, it was dark over the deep sea, and God’s wind swept over the waters.”

Photo credit: Marek Piwnicki

In Genesis 1 and the first verses of chapter 2 we find the first creation story. This is our introduction to God and to the world that God created. What was it like before God began to act? In verse two we read that the “earth” was shapeless, just a dark, roiling “sea.” There was chaos. There was no order, no purpose. First, God’s wind (Spirit) swept out over the deep waters, becoming present. Then God began to act, to order and create.

Light came first, then the sky. Next God creates the land and the seas, then plantlife on the land. As God continues to create, the sun, moon, and stars are made, the seas are filled with life, and the land is filled with animals. After each “day” or step, God looked at all that had been done and “saw how good it was.”

What do we learn about God from this opening story in the Bible? First, God is bent towards good. There is goodness in all that God does. Second, God is creative and ordered. There is purpose and planning in the creation. One step proceeds the next because it has too. Yet God is not totally predictable nor completely understandable. There is surprise and mystery about God.

In many ways, our world today is not unlike what it must have felt like on day one. There is darkness. Things often feel chaotic. There is discord and evil, violence and injustice seemingly all around. And God continues to be present, to move, to create. There is much good in our world because God is still in our world. God is at work, shining light into darkness, bringing good to bear against the evils of this world. There is hope. Thanks be to God.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for creating order out of chaos, for bringing good into our world. Thank you for continuing to work in our world, redeeming and restoring it back towards what you made it to be. Amen.


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Even Then

Reading: Matthew 26:30-35 and 69-75

Matthew 26:33 – “Peter replied, ‘If everyone else stumbles because of you, I’ll never stumble.'”

Photo credit: Ricardo Gomez Angel

This Sunday is Palm Sunday, the day we remember Jesus’ grand entry into Jerusalem. Crowds cheered and declared, “Hosanna!” – the one who saves. Many get caught up in the excitement of the parade. Most forget what they were saying by the time the “prophet” enters the city. Today, in Matthew’s gospel, we dive into a microcosm of this human tendency. According to the timeline in Matthew, the palm parade was four days ago. Since then Jesus has cleared the temple and clashed frequently with the religious leaders – sometimes through hard teachings, sometimes through direct conflict. These tensions lead to a plot to kill Jesus.

Following the Last Supper, in the first part of today’s reading, Jesus says to the disciples, “Tonight you will all fall away because of me.” If heard with ears of humility, one would search one’s heart to see if this could possibly be true. Instead Peter boldly declares, “If everyone else stumbles because of you, I’ll never stumble.” Yes, Jesus, maybe the other eleven, but never me. I’ll never deny you. This last bit of bravado comes right after Jesus says to Peter, “Before the rooster crows…”

Turning to the second part of today’s reading, Jesus’ words come true. He has been arrested and the trial has shifted to Caiaphas’ house. Peter is outside in the courtyard. Once, twice, and three times he denies even knowing Jesus. The simple crow of the rooster breaks Peter’s pride and overconfidence. Crying uncontrollably, the Spirit begins to work in Peter’s heart. God doesn’t leave him broken. The failure? Just a building block or stepping stone. In this passage, we’re reminded that our failures are never final. God works even then, maybe especially then, bringing glory from ashes. Thanks be to God!

Prayer: Lord God, it can be so easy to slip into prideful thinking, into self-elevating judgment. In our moments of pride and ego, stop us in our tracks. Send the Holy Spirit’s conviction quickly and powerfully. And when we ignore even this, too consumed with self to notice or pay attention, break us down and then pour out your mercy, grace, and forgiveness, restoring and redeeming us to you. Thank you, O Lord. Amen.