Daily Scripture: Genesis 2:(A: iv, S: ii) 4 Here is the history of the heavens and the earth when they were created. On the day when Adonai, God, made earth and heaven, 5 there was as yet no wild bush on the earth, and no wild plant had as yet sprung up; for Adonai, God, had not caused it to rain on the earth, and there was no one to cultivate the ground. 6 Rather, a mist went up from the earth which watered the entire surface of the ground.
7 Then Adonai, God, formed a person [a] from the dust of the ground [b] and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, so that he became a living being. 8 Adonai, God, planted a garden toward the east, in ‘Eden, and there he put the person whom he had formed. 9 Out of the ground Adonai, God, caused to grow every tree pleasing in appearance and good for food, including the tree of life in the middle of the garden and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.[Footnotes:
Genesis 2:7 Hebrew: adam
Genesis 2:7 Hebrew: adamah
Complete Jewish Bible (CJB)]
3:1 Now the serpent was more crafty than any wild animal which Adonai, God, had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You are not to eat from any tree in the garden’?” 2 The woman answered the serpent, “We may eat from the fruit of the trees of the garden, 3 but about the fruit of the tree in the middle of the garden God said, ‘You are neither to eat from it nor touch it, or you will die.’” 4 The serpent said to the woman, “It is not true that you will surely die; 5 because God knows that on the day you eat from it, your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” 6 When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it had a pleasing appearance and that the tree was desirable for making one wise, she took some of its fruit and ate. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her; and he ate. 7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized that they were naked. So they sewed fig leaves together to make themselves loincloths.
Reflection Questions:In this week’s GPS, we’ll read key points of the Bible’s story of redemption. These key points are the basis for Resurrection’s future stained glass window. The window’s first tree depicts Genesis 2 and 3’s archetypal creation story. The story said God gave humans the Tree of Life. Already knowing good, they heeded the temptation that they could be like God by knowing about evil, too. Ignoring God, we lost Paradise..
The creation story in Genesis 2 is different from that in Genesis 1. It used “Yahweh” rather than “Elohim” as God’s name, and it focused almost totally on humans. It said God gave the newly created humans a garden, a perfect setting in which to thrive. What things or people has God worked through to help you to thrive? When you meet up with some of life’s wounds, who does God use to help you find insight and healing?
A simple act was at the heart of the Genesis 3 story: “she took…and ate.” What a picture of how easily innocence is lost! Scholar Derek Kidner wrote that Jesus would have to face poverty and death before “take and eat” became words of salvation instead of lost innocence. In what parts of life do you long for a fresh start? How does God’s grace offer hope of restoring what you’ve lost?
Today's Prayer:
O God, thank you for being the creator of new beginnings and fresh starts. Thank you for finding me, for clothing my spiritual nakedness, for walking with me each step of my journey. Amen.
Insight from Chris Holliday
Rev. Chris Holliday serves as the associate minister at The United
Music has long played a significant role in my life. I grew up singing in choirs at church and school. While in college, I majored in music education with percussion being my main instrument. I also sang in a university choir and became a church choir and handbell choir director. After some additional post-graduate work in music, I entered and completed my seminary training . Eventually I served as a Pastor of Music and Worship, and I still participate in music ministry whenever I can. So, like many of you, music is a very important part of my faith life. Music motivates my mind, heals my heart and sooths my soul.
Yesterday, I played drums at Resurrection West and there was a song we used in worship that especially connected with the band and the congregation. It’s called “Something in the Water.” It’s a song about change and transformation. As we enter this Lenten season and as we walk through the valley with Jesus toward the hope and promise of resurrection, I thank God that we serve a God who offers us grace, love, new beginnings and fresh starts.
I hope you are able to worship and connect with God this day as you enjoy listening to the Carrie Underwood version of “Something in the Water.” I’ve also added Carrie’s version of the great and timeless hymn, “How Great Thou Art”. May God bless you as you spend time with him this day, and may you know his peace.
Something in the Water
"Something In The Water"
He said, "I've been where you've been before.
Down every hallway's a slamming door.
No way out, no one to come and save me.
Wasting a life that the Good Lord gave me.
Then somebody said what I'm saying to you,
Opened my eyes and told me the truth."
They said, "Just a little faith, it'll all get better."
So I followed that preacher man down to the river and now I'm changed
And now I'm stronger
There must've been something in the water
Oh, there must've been something in the water
Well, I heard what he said and I went on my way
Didn't think about it for a couple of days
Then it hit me like a lightning late one night
I was all out of hope and all out of fight
Couldn't fight back the tears so I fell on my knees
Saying, "God, if you're there come and rescue me."
Felt love pouring down from above
Got washed in the water, washed in the blood and now I'm changed
And now I'm stronger
There must be something in the water
Oh, there must be something in the water
And now I'm singing along to amazing grace
Can't nobody wipe this smile off my face
Got joy in my heart, angels on my side
Thank God almighty, I saw the light
Gonna look ahead, no turning back
Live every day, give it all that I have
Trust in someone bigger than me
Ever since the day that I believed I am changed
And now I'm stronger
There must be something in the water (amazing grace)
Oh, there must be something in the water (how sweet the sound)
Oh, there must be something in the water (that saved a wretch)
Oh, there must be something in the water (like me)
Oh, yeah
I am changed (I once was lost)
Stronger (but now I'm found)
(was blind but now I see)
How Great Thou Art
"How Great Thou Art"
O Lord my God, When I in awesome wonder,
Consider all the worlds Thy Hands have made;
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!
When through the woods, and forest glades I wander,
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees.
When I look down, from lofty mountain grandeur
And see the brook, and feel the gentle breeze.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!
And when I think of God, His Son not sparing;
Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in;
That on the Cross, my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died to take away my sin.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!
When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation,
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart.
Then I shall bow, in humble adoration,
And then proclaim: "My God, how great Thou art!"
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!
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Church of the Resurrection
gpsonline@cor.org
The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection
13720 Roe Avenue
Leawood, Kansas 66224 United States
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