Colossians

June 26, 2022

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Wildly wonderful world maker,
teach us to love creation
as you do
because, maybe then
we would learn
to stop destroying
and start stewarding–
to live in harmony,
joining in
this great interconnected dance–
for all your creation
is meant to bring you glory.

Psalm 104: 24 What a wildly wonderful world, God! You made it all, with Wisdom at your side, made earth overflow with your wonderful creations.

Isaiah 55: 12-13 “So you’ll go out in joy, you’ll be led into a whole and complete life. the mountains and hills will lead the parade, bursting with song. All the trees of the forest will join the procession, exuberant with applause. No more thistles, but giant sequoias, no more thornbushes, but stately pines–monuments to me, to God, living and lasting evidence of God.”

Colossians 1: 15-18 We look at this Son and see the God who cannot be seen. We look at this Son and see God’s original purpose in everything created. For everything, absolutely everything, above and below, visible and invisible, rank after rank after rank of angels—everything got started in him and finds its purpose in him. He was there before any of it came into existence and holds it all together right up to this moment. And when it comes to the church, he organizes and holds it together, like a head does a body.

March 26, 2022

ashtonbarLeave a comment

Sovereign God,
tender healer,
who offers to carry our burdens,
help me to rest in you–
for how often I get worn out
hustling day in and out
trying to please
and earn
and control,
thinking it all depends on me–
when in truth
it all depends on you,
the one who holds all things together
in vibrant harmony.

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Matthew 11:28-30 Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.

Colossians 1:17-20 We look at this Son and see the God who cannot be seen. We look at this Son and see God’s original purpose in everything created. For everything, absolutely everything, above and below, visible and invisible, rank after rank after rank of angels—everything got started in him and finds its purpose in him. He was there before any of it came into existence and holds it all together right up to this moment. And when it comes to the church, he organizes and holds it together, like a head does a body. He was supreme in the beginning and—leading the resurrection parade—he is supreme in the end. From beginning to end he’s there, towering far above everything, everyone. So spacious is he, so expansive, that everything of God finds its proper place in him without crowding. Not only that, but all the broken and dislocated pieces of the universe—people and things, animals and atoms—get properly fixed and fit together in vibrant harmonies, all because of his death, his blood that poured down from the cross.