Skip to main content

Lent Day 1


Scripture Readings 

Genesis 2:7, Psalm 103:1-14


Some of you may have Bibles that give you a footnote about Genesis 2:7. It points out that in Hebrew, the original language of the Old Testament, the word for man is adam. So the first man, Adam, was named as a representative of all human beings that would follow him. The Hebrew word for ground is adamah. Notice how similar adam and adamah are spelled. Also notice how when you pronounce them out loud, they sound similar. This shows our close connection as human beings to the dust that we shall one day become when we die. 


The Bible says that God breathed into man's nostrils the breath of life. This is a picture of how close and intimate God desires his relationship with each of us to be. The image of God breathing into Adam's nostrils resembles a kiss in a figurative sense. Think about a time when you have seen CPR done on a person and how closely the nose and mouth are connected in order to revive that person and bring that person back to life. This is because of how God first created humanity. 


Can you imagine a kiss from God, our Creator and Lord? That is how much he loves us. He created us for an intimate relationship with himself. Let the closeness of God in Adam's life remind you that he desires to be just that close with you. 


Prayer: God, thank you for breathing life into me. I want to experience the intimacy of a relationship with you just like Adam did when he walked with you in the Garden of Eden. Amen.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Sermon Soundtrack Vol. 3

 I've been listening to my usual eclectic variety of music the past few weeks. I did want to mention two new releases that intrigued me this week.  Penny and Sparrow released a new album, Olly, Olly. Cyd and I saw them in concert in Savannah several years ago opening for a couple of other bands and we really like their sound.  Johnny Swim is another band I've been listening to again. They are a mainstay in my study playlist.  I pulled up the Mumford an Sons live album at Red Rocks too. Pedro the Lion is a band fronted by David Bazan. I like some of David's early solo work and the older catalogue of Pedro the Lion. This new disc seems to be an exploration of reflective music. 
Post a Comment
Read more

Grieving With Hope

This past week has brought a sense of heaviness in my heart. My oldest child graduated from high school. She has achieved all that I could have possibly dreamed she would up to this point in life. To say I'm proud is an understatement. Completion of high school also means that life in our family is shifting. It won't quite be the same because she will experience a new season of life that will bring fresh experiences and countless life lessons. As I've talked to Cyd the last few days we both agree we feel a sense of sadness while simultaneously finding our hearts filled with hope for what is to come for our graduate.  Truthfully, the heaviness I feel is linked to other factors. For starters, this week marks 11 years since my Dad died from pancreatic cancer. I'm not a big death anniversary kind of person, but reaching a milestone with a child makes you miss a parent even more. The interesting thing about grief is that for most people, not a day goes by that you don't ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Lent Day 40

Scripture Reading Matthew 21:1-9 Today is Palm Sunday, the day that we prepare for Easter by celebrating Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Some churches celebrate Palm Sunday by having children enter the sanctuary waving palm branches as a reminder of this sacred day. Other churches will have people waving palm branches lining the center aisle of the church as someone dressed as Jesus enters the sanctuary. In both instances, what is happening is a visual reminder of the majesty of Jesus Christ who is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  The reaction of the crowd represents their acknowledgement of Jesus as the long-expected Messiah. The greeting that Jesus received (vs.9) was used in Psalm 118 to greet pilgrims as they entered Jerusalem during the Feast of the Tabernacles. Hosanna essentially means "save," but was probably used here as an exclamation of praise to Jesus. The phrase Son of David describes Jesus' fulfillment that the Messiah would be a descendant ...
Post a Comment
Read more