In the beginning there was nothing but God.

In Genesis 1 it reads, "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters."

From the very beginning God brings order out of the formless, empty darkness. From the beginning he separates the light from dark, the sky from water, the water from land.

"But God made the earth by his power; he founded the world by his wisdom and stretched out the heavens by his understanding." Jeremiah 10:12.

From the very beginning he establishes order out of chaos and creates something out of nothing. He is still doing it, isn't he?

But for God, we are left to our own devises. We are left to wander through this world on our own, grabbing for the gusto of life and hoping it's all going to turn out. But God steps into our life and our situation is never the same. He goes about his purposes of redemption for each and every soul, reversing what the evil one intends and bringing light where only darkness exists. That is what he's all about.


"You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good..." Gen. 50:20

"No eye has seen, no ear has hear, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him - but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit." 1 Cor. 2:9-10

"But God raised him from the dead..." Acts 2:24

"...we were harassed at every turn - conflicts on the outside, fears within. But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us..." 2 Cor. 7:6

"They sold him as a slave into Egypt. But God was with him..." Acts 7:9

"...but God has surely listened and heard my prayer." Ps. 66:19

"Who can forgive sins but God alone?" Mark 2:7

"I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow." 1 Cor. 3:6

"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8

"For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him;" Phil. 2:27


Friends, it doesn't matter what your life is like right now. It might be formless, empty and dark. It might be full of hassles, overcome by sorrow, empty of love, lacking direction, riddled with sickness, devoid of meaning..."but God."

...but God!

 

Greg

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Monday, May 7: Potluck and Part 2 of Greg's talk on "Lessons from the Journey." We had such a great Potluck last week that we're doing it again. (You can't have too much of a good thing!) Carrie is making herbed chicken and sweet corn; you bring a salad, side dish or dessert for a 6:30 PM Potluck. Class begins at 7:15 PM at Peace Lutheran Church.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
COMING UP

Sunday, July 1: Cirque du Soleil - Kooza
5:00 PM Sunday matinee under the Grand Chapiteau ( air-conditioned tent) at University of Phoenix Stadium. Tickets: $27.00 per person
If you've never seen a Cirque de Soleil show, now is your chance to see one at a fraction of the cost. They are spectacular. This particular show combines two circus traditions - acrobatic performance and the art of clowning. The show highlights the physical demands of human performance in all its splendor and fragility. Call Bob at 623-326-9047 to purchase your ticket. We have only 20 group tickets at a great discount, so first come - first served. A great mid-summer break!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
ON-GOING 

DivorceCare: Wednesday Evenings, 6:30 PM
Community Church of Joy
21000 N 75th Ave
Glendale
If you are going through a divorce or have unfinished emotions and feelings regarding a past divorce, come for this series of videos that can help you heal and move forward. This is a small group setting.
Call Jerry for more info at 623-972-7651.

Healing from Loss: Tuesday Evenings
This grief recovery workshop meets Tuesday Evenings. The current group is full and underway; please keep the participants and leaders in your prayers. Call Greg for info or to find out when the next workshop begins: 602-622-1488.