I pray that you and yours are well as we come to the mid-point in the season of Lent. I hope that this Lent has been a time for you to open a way for God's presence and that you are finding ways to love God by spending time and paying attention to Him. Loving God and being loved by God in a living relationship is one of the greatest gifts and blessings of the Christian life.

One of the reasons I find that it's such a pleasure to love God and to gain a sense that He is loving us is because it's so great and so good in ways that are entirely beyond anything we've known or experienced. It's why I smile inside when I hear a child start saying grace over a meal with "God is great and God is good." Many of us have heard that and let it pass unnoticed, but it speaks to the truth about this God who loves us.

The God who created all that is, including you and me, is great. The expanse and the intricacies of the creation are so amazing and wonderful that only a "being" like God could even imagine them, much less bring them into being. Oh, like you, I recognize that there are some dangerous parts of creation like volcanoes and hurricanes and stars that explode. I notice that life has more than its share of difficulties and challenges, death being right up there, but the overall gift of life is majestic and beautiful and good.  I give thanks to God that we are even a small part of it.

And as for goodness, the creation gives us countless examples and insights into the goodness of God. Rise early and watch the day begin. Look into the face of a child or your oldest friend. Accomplish or struggle with something that demands your gifts and your best efforts and feel the deep satisfaction in the goodness of life, the God who created it and gave it you and me. God is so good to us and when we have eyes to see and hearts that are open, the goodness can fill us up with the deepest sense of joy and love we can experience.

So as we continue the path to the cross and Jesus' resurrection, the revelation of God's ultimate greatness and goodness, allow me to encourage you to pay attention to this God who is so great and so good. The love you will discover will lead you to Him. He loves us so and you will be able to feel and tell God how much you love Him.

See you breakfast this week after the 9:15 worship.