Have You Considered My Servant Job?
Believers and non-believers alike read the Book of Job with great interest. Why? Could it be because we identify with a person in pain? Could it be because Job’s life is indelibly connected to the issue of evil and suffering in a world created and sustained by a good God? Could it be that Job is the poster-boy for the human condition?
Last Week We Rightly Shouted:
“He is Risen! He is Risen, Indeed!” as We Proclaimed Christ’s Victory
But… if Christ’s Victory is overwhelming and transcends time and space, then why is their so much pain, suffering, injustice, depression, confusion, and dying?
If the Book of Job teaches us that God spoke to Job from a whirlwind (Job 38), has He also been speaking through the terrible whirlwinds of violent weather in the South the past few weeks?
What are we to make of life’s severity?
Is it retribution for sin?
Are God’s people protected from it?
Is it “Christianity’s Achilles heel,” as some have said?
Legitimate questions, all.
We are going to dive deeply into the problems posed and questions answered by the Book of Job. This ancient work is included in what is called the “Wisdom Literature” of the Bible. As such, it helps teach us how to think; it’s a verbal testimony of man’s relationships with himself, others, creation, and God. Job is one of the most noble characters in all of recorded history. That God inspired the writer to tell this story with such skill and sensitivity serves to show us how much God understands our plight, makes the Incarnation of Christ even more vivid and virtuous, and inspires us to know that affliction is not without purpose. Job learned that. Will we?
News & Announcements:
- PRAYER GATHERING THIS WEDNESDAY @ 7:00
- May Partner in Prayer @ Advocate/Bromenn: Addiction Recovery Unit > 16 bed unit located on 4S treats inpatients and outpatients with various addictions.
- SOFTBALL IS HERE! Wednesday night, 8:00, Champion Fields (Let’s live up to our reputation of having the most fan support at these fun games!)
- Invasion coming! We need an army!
Hosting the Basque Students will absolutely be one of the most exciting yet humbling things The Jake has ever done. To do this well, we must have an outpouring of prayer to cover the entire effort. To that end, we need you to be here Saturday, May 14 @ 5:00. Sandwich/chip supper. - Just waiting on the weather…
… before garden work starts in earnest. This year’s version promises to be bigger and better than ever, but we need your help. Watch for email announcements. Invite neighbors/friends.
Like a Flint: Determined to Defeat Death
But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. (I Corinthians 15:20-21)
He is Risen!
He is Risen, indeed!
May our souls rise with Him as we receive and believe the best news ever. Timeless, beyond time, is Easter.
Consider that as you engage this powerful expression of faith by Welsh poet George Herbert (1593-1633):
Easter Wings
Lord, Who createdst man in wealth and store,
Though foolishly he lost the same,
Decaying more and more,
Till he became
Most poore:
With Thee
O let me rise,
As larks, harmoniously,
And sing this day Thy victories:
Then shall the fall further the flight in me.
My tender age in sorrow did beginne;
And still with sicknesses and shame
Thou didst so punish sinne,
That I became
Most thinne.
With Thee
Let me combine,
And feel this day Thy victorie;
For, if I imp my wing on Thine,
Affliction shall advance the flight in me.
News & Announcements:
- PRAYER GATHERING THIS WEDNESDAY @ 7:00
- April Partner in Prayer @ Advocate/Bromenn: Acute Rehab A Unit > 16 bed unit serving patients needing extensive rehabilitation from head, spine and other traumatic injuries.
- SOFTBALL IS HERE! Wednesday night, 6:00, Champion Fields (Let’s live up to our reputation of having the most fan support at these fun games!)
- Just waiting on the weather…
…before garden work starts in earnest. This year’s version promises to be bigger and better than ever, but we need your help. Watch for email announcements. If weather improves, we’ll start this week/weekend. Stay tuned…
Flint. Stones. > “…if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.”
And some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples.” He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.” (Luke 19:39-40)
Who is this King-Glory? (If Jesus was thinking of Psalm 22 when Mary anointed Him and when He was crucified, was He thinking of Psalm 24 on Palm Sunday?
Psalm 24 (The Message)
1-2 GOD claims Earth and everything in it, GOD claims World and all who live on it.
He built it on Ocean foundations,
laid it out on River girders.
3-4 Who can climb Mount GOD?
Who can scale the holy north-face?
Only the clean-handed,
only the pure-hearted;
Men who won’t cheat,
women who won’t seduce.
5-6 GOD is at their side;
with GOD’s help they make it.
This, Jacob, is what happens
to God-seekers, God-questers.
7 Wake up, you sleepyhead city!
Wake up, you sleepyhead people!
King-Glory is ready to enter.
8 Who is this King-Glory?
GOD, armed
and battle-ready.
9 Wake up, you sleepyhead city!
Wake up, you sleepyhead people!
King-Glory is ready to enter.
10 Who is this King-Glory?
GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies:
he is King-Glory.
News & Announcements:
- PRAYER GATHERING THIS WEDNESDAY @ 7:00
- April Partner in Prayer @ Advocate/Bromenn: Acute Rehab A Unit > 16 bed unit serving patients needing extensive rehabilitation from head, spine and other traumatic injuries.
- Today’s the Day! Hailey’s Bridal Shower! 3:00 p.m. April 17th at Jacob’s Well. Bring your best advice and favorite recipe to share with Hailey! (Registered at Target and Bed Bath & Beyond.)
Maundy Thursday Service
Prepare for the Cross. Prepare for the Empty Tomb. Please come to the Upper Room with Jesus and the disciples next Thursday, April 21, at 7:00 p.m. for Holy Communion.
