Rev 8:1-5 Prayers Rise Like Incense

Revelation 8:1-5 NIV
Let our prayers rise like incense before thee. For those who do not recognize these words from Vespers, you are really missing out! Attend a Vesper's service.

As I read the lesson this morning I was struck with the thought that immediately following the prayers of God's people going up before God along with the smoke of the incense, the censer was filled with fire from the altar and hurled on earth to cause quite a rumbling. I wonder was the storm and earthquake in John's vision the response to the prayers of God's people that had just come before Him?

We know that God hears our prayers and answers. He is with and for His children whether in heaven or on earth. We give thanks to God for in His mercy, He has heard our prayers and answered.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Job 37 - Seasons - Nothing We Can Do About Them

Elihu lifts up the majesty and power of God.  And, it is indeed amazing!  He is in control of all the forces of nature. 

The seasons change.  They have changed every year since the beginning. Yet, we hear complaints about every season.  Every season brings challenges.  The spring is too muddy, the summer too hot, the fall is too windy, and winter is just too cold or there is either too much snow or not enough for the snow-mobilers and skiers.

Every region of the world has its specific weather challenges.  We were in South Carolina this summer.  It was too hot. We spent most of the time in the air conditioning watching television. It has been wet and colder here in the Upper Peninsula - not freezing yet, but colder the last few weeks. We've even had a few snowflakes.  And... I have already begun to hear the complaint, "It is too cold up here."  Actually, it's not.  It's about right for this time of year. 

I remember vacationing up here while we were living in various other regions of the earth.  It always amazed me that the conversations always focused on the weather.  Not enough rain!  Too much rain!  Too hot!  Too cold!  Rarely, did I ever hear the weather is just right.  I'm not sure how it happened, but instead of standing in awe of how beautiful the various seasons that God created are, human beings tend to complain them.  There is always something wrong with the weather.  It's like calling an inanimate object stupid when we're angry.  How can the weather be wrong?  It just is.  That's how God created it to be.  God is in charge of it. 

Personally, I kind of like the fact that there is something in this world that we haven't figured out how to manipulate, and that is the weather and the seasons.  I love storms.  I love to sit and watch the lightning and hear the thunder roar.  It reminds me that God is still in charge.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Job 26 - Outer Fringes

Job is being just a bit facetious.  He rebukes Bildad - you think you're wise?  LOL!!  His words are a reminder that we are nothing in comparison to God.  In fact, even the things we know (or think we know) about God are nothing in comparison to whom God actually is.  As Job put it, these things "are but the outer fringe of his works; how faint the whisper we hear of him! Who then can understand the thunder of his power?” (vs 14 NIV)

Those things that we do know about God are pretty great.  Just think, there are even more marvelous things about Him that we can't even begin to comprehend!

I have to share a little of my flight back from Austin, TX today, with you. First off, that is why this blog is so late.  Flights were booked back to back and there was no time for connecting to wifi anywhere.  Then, when I did get home, we went to a fund-raiser supper for our new roof and furnace at the Aura Lutheran Church.  I enjoyed being in Texas.  It has been very dry (until last night).  The landscape is definitely unique - rough - but - beautiful in its own way.  It was also a sad time, as I was there for the funeral of our friend and brother in Christ, Pat Whelan.  On the flight home today, though, I tried to make time fly, by watching the landscapes below.  I kept looking for that green stuff on the surface of the earth.  But, about all that I saw was brown, patchwork pieces in various shades of brown.  The view began to change the closer we got to Green Bay and then as we crossed the line between Wisconsin and Upper Michigan it was like crossing into another world.  Beneath us, there appeared a magnificent flower garden.  So far below, the fall leaves appeared as a vast and vibrant garden, as far as the eye could see.  The multitude of sunlit lakes and rivers were of various shades of blue as the wispy clouds cast shadows over them.  It was absolutely amazing!  I have never been on a color tour like that!  And all that... is but the outer fringes of His work, just a faint whisper of His glory!

God's Peace - Pr. J