Reflecting the Image (by Carla Sunberg)

Two bucks caught on our "trail cam" fighting on the  upper pasture.  Scripture: Rom. 1: 19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 Ever since the creation of the world his eternal power and divine nature, invisible though they are, have been understood and seen through the things he has made. So they are without excuse; 21 for though they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their senseless minds were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools; 23 and they exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling a mortal human being or birds or four-footed animals or reptiles. Observation: The revelation of God is available to all of humankind. One only has to open their eyes to the reality of creation and see the mighty hand of God at work. We are left without excuse for believing there is no God. However, this has often been the re

"Theology Directing the Labours of Science and Art" at the Rylands Library, Manchester Scripture: Rom. 1:18   For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and wickedness of those who by their wickedness suppress the truth.  Observation: Paul moves from the encouraging words of his opening to this statement on the wrath of God. This is an important move because there is a juxtaposition in that “sinful existence is characterized as attempting to suppress the truth about God” (Edlin & Modine, NBBC). This wrath isn’t some kind of emotional rage, but is a revelation of the character of God’s faithfulness, because to excuse sin “would make him untrue to his own nature as God” (Edlin & Modine). If there are no consequences for sinful behavior, then humanity is left to self-destructive folly and God loves us too much encourage us to live in sin. Therefore, God’s wrath is continually revealed in his prevenient grace, reaching out to draw us awa

Many years ago at the Vatican.  Scripture: Rom. 1:16   For I am not ashamed of the gospel; it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who has faith, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed through faith for faith; as it is written, “The one who is righteous will live by faith.”  Observation: These two verses make up Paul’s thesis statement of this letter. While the world may be against him, he is not ashamed that he has committed himself and his life to following Jesus. This is the first thing that he wants to make abundantly clear.  He places an emphasis upon “the power of God” — and uses the Greek word, “ dynamis ” — which is in contrast to the “ energeia .” The stress is upon the source of the power, and not the resultant power. The gospel alone becomes God’s power to salvation — both a living and powerful Word (Edlin & Modine, NBBC). Ultimately, “the gospel discloses a righteousness that is based on faith and a