I can’t get out of my mind the phrase, “… the path God has walked for us …” (p 50)
I am not sure I have a “handle” on it, but it certainly captures my attention and somehow reassures me.
What does that mean to you?
Reply
“The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for the thousandth generation, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin.”
Exodus 34:6-7
He brought [Abraham] outside and said, “Look toward heaven and count the stars, if you are able to count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your descendants be.” And he believed the Lord; and the Lord reckoned it to him as righteousness.
Genesis 15:5-6
Facing this day: God’s promised love is as good as God’s faithfulness
“Face Jesus, for in that face we find the face of God’s mercy, and the experience of God’s mercy moves us out of the shadows of our own selves into the open light of loving God and loving others.” (p 46)
Which way are you facing?
“God’s mercy lurks in the shadows of your life.” (p 44)
What does that mean to you?
Is it hard to see/find God’s mercy? Is it there and we miss it? God is ready?
What does it mean to you?
“Go home to your friends, and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and what mercy he has shown you.”
Mark 5:19
As the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the Lord our God, until he has mercy upon us.
Psalm 123:2
Facing this day: Face Jesus today and you will find God’s mercy.
McKnight writes, “Sometimes we see the face of God in others, and they are not always angels.” (p 40)
Where did you see the face of God today, yesterday, this week, last week?
And … do you expect to see the face of God?
Charles
{ubi caritas}
“The God of the Bible shows up in ordinary ways, daily, in ordinary things for ordinary people. If you want to be shown the face of God, come to the table, and you will see the God who gives himself for you and invites you to feast on himself. There in that small meal, you will find forgiveness, grace, mercy, power and – most of all – fellowship with God and with one another. At the table we experience the love of God that put the Jesus Creed into motion.” (pp 41 – 42)
The Lord appeared to Abraham by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the entrance of his tent in the heat of the day.
Genesis 18:1
When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him.
Luke 24:30-31
Facing this day: Come to the table and see God.
What do you think of Scot McKnight’s “outline” of the parable of the prodigal son – “our Father risks,” “our Father waits,” “our Father celebrates”?
Can you think of time in your life your Father risked, waited, celebrated?
“The father in Jesus’ story evokes God the Father, who patiently waits and yearns and looks for the return of his children. Children like you and like me. Our Father, no matter what we have done, loves us enough to wait longingly for us.” (p 36)