{"id":9418,"date":"2015-11-24T12:29:16","date_gmt":"2015-11-24T16:29:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?p=9418"},"modified":"2015-12-22T09:38:45","modified_gmt":"2015-12-22T13:38:45","slug":"finding-and-responding-to-god-112215","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?p=9418","title":{"rendered":"Finding and Responding to God (11\/22\/15)"},"content":{"rendered":"

As we enter the holiday season, we get Busy.\u00a0 We celebrate the gifts and presence of God… but do we see Him?\u00a0 and when we see Him… what is our reaction?
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The sermon on Nov. 22, 2015 was given by Andy Johns, a PUMC Advanced Lay Servant.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Click the below “Play” button to listen to the recording, then scroll down and follow along…<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

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The scripture was Psalm 19.\u00a0 Andy read from the New Living Testament (shown below).\u00a0 Click the drop Down box to read…<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

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Psalm 19<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t

1 The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship.<\/p>\n

2 Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known.<\/p>\n

3 They speak without a sound or word; their voice is never heard.<\/p>\n

4 Yet their message has gone throughout the earth, and their words to all the world. God has made a home in the heavens for the sun.<\/p>\n

5 It bursts forth like a radiant bridegroom after his wedding. It rejoices like a great athlete eager to run the race.<\/p>\n

6 The sun rises at one end of the heavens and follows its course to the other end. Nothing can hide from its heat.<\/p>\n

7 The instructions of the Lord are perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.<\/p>\n

8 The commandments of the Lord are right, bringing joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are clear, giving insight for living.<\/p>\n

9 Reverence for the Lord is pure, lasting forever. The laws of the Lord are true; each one is fair.<\/p>\n

10 They are more desirable than gold, even the finest gold. They are sweeter than honey, even honey dripping from the comb.<\/p>\n

11 They are a warning to your servant, a great reward for those who obey them.<\/p>\n

12 How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart? Cleanse me from these hidden faults.<\/p>\n

13 Keep your servant from deliberate sins! Don’t let them control me. Then I will be free of guilt and innocent of great sin.<\/p>\n

14 May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.\u00a0<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n

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Stuff… Are You Connected to God?<\/span><\/h3>\n

Have you ever had a period in your life when you felt disconnected from God?\u00a0 Our lives can get so busy.\u00a0 We can get so filled with activity, responsibilities, and… Stuff!\u00a0 Gadgets, toys… things.\u00a0 All of this can get in the way of our ability to see God.\u00a0 Especially during this holiday season.<\/p>\n

\"ducks-15026__180_400x300\"<\/a>Sometimes we can look like a duck.\u00a0 On the surface of the water we appear to be calm; we’re floating along and we’re looking peaceful and in control.\u00a0 But under the surface of the water, we’re frantically paddling away.\u00a0 During this time of the year we’re constantly bombarded with those things that drive the underwater craziness.<\/p>\n

During this time of the year… and throughout the year… we need to intentionally take action to fight back against the noise.\u00a0 Otherwise, our vision and experience of God in our lives will be drowned out by the noise.<\/p>\n

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When we give Thanks; even in our prayers…<\/span><\/p>\n

are we truly thankful<\/span> for Jesus?\u00a0 Are we thankful for Grace and the love from God? <\/span><\/p>\n

Or are we superficially thankful<\/span> for the “stuff” and gadgets that are in our lives?<\/span><\/div><\/div>\n

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OK… so how do you go about getting connected or re-connected to God?\u00a0 What do you do if you’re disconnected?<\/p>\n

We don’t have the answers.\u00a0 But- God’s Word does!<\/p>\n

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Find God in His Creation…<\/span><\/h3>\n

Psalm 19 verses 1-6 is the first of three sections of this Psalm.\u00a0 It reminds us that the Heavens declare God’s glory.\u00a0 One way of connecting to God is to “listen” to His creation…<\/p>\n

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The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork.<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Day unto day utters speech, and night unto night reveals knowledge.\u00a0 There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard.\u00a0 Their line has gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them He has set a tabernacle for the sun, which is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber…<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Its rising is from one end of heaven, And its circuit to the other end; and there is nothing hidden from its heat.<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Psalm 19:1-6<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

There’s something powerfully special about worshiping God in the outdoors.\u00a0 There’s\u00a0 something about His creation that breathes fresh life into our spirits.\u00a0 Sitting on a beach and gazing at the distant horizon inspires us to consider the greatness of God.\u00a0 Sitting by a campfire outside of a lakeside cabin reminds us of the warmth of God’s love and tender provision.\u00a0 The sounds and smells just speak to our souls.<\/p>\n

But we need to listen.\u00a0 We often have the tendency to miss this opportunities to connect with God.\u00a0 Our natural tendency is to limit our vision to the immediate physical circumstances.\u00a0 We complain that it’s too cold,\u00a0 or too hot.\u00a0 We complain about the ice on the tree limbs, or the leaves cluttering our lawn.\u00a0 Instead of complaining, take a moment and stop.\u00a0 Listen to what the “Heavens” are telling you about the glory of God!<\/p>\n

We can use nature to look for God and to connect to Him in a special way.<\/p>\n\n\t\t

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\n\t\t\tWhen you think of leaves, do you think of this…<\/p>\n

\"TrainTracksWestJerseyAve-<\/a><\/p>\n\t\t<\/div><\/p>\n\n\t\t

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or this…<\/p>\n

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