A Most Absurd Miracle
Elaine Poproski Download: Audio
Correction:
At the 5 minute mark in this sermon, when speaking of Saul, David, & Michal, please note that the incident referenced was while David was King of Israel, not while Saul was King.
Sunday Reflection
Read Dennis Hassell’s reflection on this sermon called, “Family” on the Sunday Reflections’ blog.
Sunday Scripture Reading: Genesis 18:1-15; 21:1-7 (The Message)
1-2 God appeared to Abraham at the Oaks of Mamre while he was sitting at the entrance of his tent. It was the hottest part of the day. He looked up and saw three men standing. Read More…
Looking to Sunday
by Elaine Poproski
What do we do when our world falls apart?
How do we press on when our plans unravel?
Who do we become when the path we’re on (or we thought we were on) comes undone?
Over the next 2½ months of Sundays we’ll be considering the stories of various people in the Bible who experienced the same kinds of unexpected life alterations that we experience. We’ll be invited to face our fears and our failures while at the same time allowing room for God to surprise us with joy and love and hope in the midst of it all. This Sunday we’ll hear Sarah’s story – that old story of a woman who was promised a child, even long after her body was past the point of bearing children. We’ll cry with her. We’ll lament with her. And we’ll celebrate with her.
As you prepare for Sunday, I invite you to call to mind an unfulfilled dream from your life. Think of something you’ve prayed for and not received, some request or hope you’ve carried to God over and over again, but that to date has remained an empty longing. Don’t come on Sunday expecting to hear some magic formula to get God to give you what you want. But do come expecting that God may have a different kind of surprise waiting for you. Come expecting God to meet you in your longing.
As you prepare for Sunday, I invite you to call to mind a time when you were surprised by God’s goodness in your life or in the life of someone you love. Spend some time reflecting on the surprise. Invite God to surprise you again, or for the first time.