EarthWords - connecting Scripture and Creation

"Creation flavored" thoughts on the lectionary texts

 

Date: January 25, 2009

 

Text: Psalm 62.5-12 For God alone my soul waits in silence

Thoughts

waiting in silence - how does that strike you? Complete silence? Or "silence of human sounds"? Would a breeze through the trees disturb your "silence"? How about the sound of a stream? Or is it just the inner silence in your spirit?

 

God as rock, fortress, rock (again!), refuge (twice) - sounds solid, dependable. Salvation, power, steadfast love - sounds more active, lively.

 

What places are "refuge" for you - cave, woods, coffee shop, library, car?

 

Text: Jonah 3.1-5,10 Not the whale!

Thoughts

Nineveh is a great city - three days journey in breadth. Was that "urban sprawl"?

 

When Nineveh heard, they changed. When God saw, God changed. When we hear environmental warnings - ??? Hopefully the new administration will be more open to change!

 

Text: Mark 1.14-20

Thoughts

OK - not a whole lot here - Jesus was walking, not riding. And by the sea. (See "One thing to do this week" below!)

 

Jesus' primary disciples were intimately connected to the Creation. On the other hand, I suppose most people lived significantly closer to the Creation in those days - growing their own food, hauling their own water. Nevertheless, I think it's significant that they were fishermen.

Prayer

God of city and country,

land, sea, and sky,

animal, vegetable, mineral -

your goodness and glory shimmer throughout the Creation,

and we find refuge in your faithfulness and the dependability of your world.

Help us also to hear your word today

and turn from our foolish ways,

that your blessing might come to all Creation.

(I am indebted to D.G.Hollums for the word "shimmer". He was leading a retreat I went to today.)

 

One Thing to Do This Week

Take a walk by the sea - or the lake or river or pond!

 

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