OMG!

Gathering Prayer: Holy One who is know to us by many names and in many ways, we give thanks for the blessings that we have in our lives. Be present now as we enter a time of thought and discussion.

Focus: God is everywhere and marvelous. How do I know this? How can I be so certain? Anyone who has watched “Fixer Upper” understands. When Chip and Joanna do the reveal, the exclamation is always “Oh My God!”. Each room entered evokes the same expression from both young and old alike “OMG!”.

In church speak, the appearance or manifestation of God to a person is called a theophany. In the Hebrew Scripture, God appeared to Moses and a burning bush, to Elijah not in a the strong wind, or earthquake, or fire that he experienced, but rather in a small, still voice. Jacob wrestled with God all night; fighting until he received a blessing. In the Oh, God! *** movie series, God (George Burns) appears to Jerry (John Denver) in many human forms. And, in the popular television series God Friended Me, God comes to Miles Finer in the form of a Facebook friend request. (and you thought a burning bush was weird).

As you may have guessed, tonight’s focus is “God”.

Sentences on the Subject:

” And it is He who created the night and the day, and the sun and the moon.” Quran 21:33

“We need to find God, and he cannot be found in noise and restlessness. God is the friend of silence. See how nature – trees, flowers, grass- grows in silence; see the stars, the moon and the sun, how they move in silence. We need silence to be able to touch souls.” Mother Teresa

“I am the Lord your God, “You shall have no other gods before[a] me.“You shall not make for yourself an image  or bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God,“Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. “ (First Five of the Ten Commandments, paraphrased)

“God is like the sun; you can’t look at it but without it you can’t look at anything else.” C.S.Lewis

Below is some “food for thought”, a few probes that might kick start a conversation.

Read over them and pick one (or more, or none) to discuss. Remember to hold space for others to share and share only what you feel comfortable sharing.

Probe 1. Does God pick sides in team sports?

Probe 2. In reply to Albert Einstein’s quote, “God doesn’t play dice with the universe,” Niels Bohr said, “Einstein, don’t tell God what to do.” Einstein was a genius, but Bohr reminded him that he did not know the mind of God. Did you ever feel like Niels Bohn, wanting to remind someone that no one knows the mind of God ?

Probe 3. A thin space is a place where the distance between heaven and earth feels thinner. God seems closer. You feel more at peace and confident. The mindset of most people is that heaven and earth are separated by a considerable distance. That being said, at certain times, some places on earth just seem to be thin in the sense that the separation between heaven and earth is reduced. Do you have a personal “thin space”, a place where you feel close to God or a spiritual presence?

Probe 4. “Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love … God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. “(1 John) Compare this vision of God to the one that you created in your mind’s eye when you read the paraphrased first five of the Commandments on the first page.

Probe 5. Francis Collins says that to believe in God, you have to hear the music, not just read the notes.What in the world is Collins talking about?

Probe 6. What does God look like?

Commission: Hold on to what is good. Love deeply. Honor others. Stay excited about life and your faith. Be joyful. Be patient. If you pray, have faith. Share with people who are in need. Welcome others into your homes. Be loving to those who hurt you. Be present; be in the moment. Be agreeable, even with those with whom you disagree. Be humble. Be a friend of people who aren’t considered important. Do the right thing. If possible, live in peace with everyone. And remember, no matter who you are, or where you are on life’s journey- you are welcome here.

For a great scene from OH God!, click here or copy and paste into your browser: https://youtu.be/zd6ZUTrW5b4?t=4