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Bear Creek Regional Park, Colorado Springs, Colorado
I don't think many people sit on this bench in the winter as evidenced by the snow that has taken up residence at the end of it.
I'm not sure that many people take God up on his offer of rest.
"There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God's rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his." Hebrews 4:9 New International Version
There are plenty of people who sleep long on Sunday mornings, and who would rather grab the local newspaper and a cup of Joe at the local coffee shop then set foot in worship.
I'm not trying to guilt anyone in attending worship. What I am suggesting is that true rest happens in the community of God's people, not at Starbucks, or even at the kitchen table.
Maybe the problem lays in what we expect from worship. Do we expect a dynamic, spirit-filled message every week? Do we expect people to act better than they do the rest of the week? Do we expect the children's ministry to be as captivating as the latest Pixar movie?
There are times that the sermons are lousy, people act selfishly and the children's ministry bombs. However, these are not the reasons for us to make a conscious decision to go against flow and gather with the rest of the sinner/saints for worship.
We gather because Christ meets us in worship. And when Christ meets us we find rest.
On the seventh day God rested from his work of creating. He took a day to enjoy what he made. On the first day of the week we gather, to enjoy the presence of our ever-loving God. And in his presence we find rest.
Join the conversation at Praying With the Eyes on Facebook. http://www.facebook.com/groups/173881749421231/
(Click on picture to enlarge.)
Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2012-2014Douglas P. Brauner. ARR
I'm not sure that many people take God up on his offer of rest.
"There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God's rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his." Hebrews 4:9 New International Version
There are plenty of people who sleep long on Sunday mornings, and who would rather grab the local newspaper and a cup of Joe at the local coffee shop then set foot in worship.
I'm not trying to guilt anyone in attending worship. What I am suggesting is that true rest happens in the community of God's people, not at Starbucks, or even at the kitchen table.
Maybe the problem lays in what we expect from worship. Do we expect a dynamic, spirit-filled message every week? Do we expect people to act better than they do the rest of the week? Do we expect the children's ministry to be as captivating as the latest Pixar movie?
There are times that the sermons are lousy, people act selfishly and the children's ministry bombs. However, these are not the reasons for us to make a conscious decision to go against flow and gather with the rest of the sinner/saints for worship.
We gather because Christ meets us in worship. And when Christ meets us we find rest.
On the seventh day God rested from his work of creating. He took a day to enjoy what he made. On the first day of the week we gather, to enjoy the presence of our ever-loving God. And in his presence we find rest.
Join the conversation at Praying With the Eyes on Facebook. http://www.facebook.com/groups/173881749421231/
(Click on picture to enlarge.)
Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2012-2014
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