Hope-filled & Peace-able, Imagine That

Posted by Chris Breslin on July 1, 2018 in

07/01/2018

Isaiah 11:1-10 & Jeremiah 37:1-14

Chris Breslin

“A prophet’s true greatness is his ability to hold God and man in a single thought.” –Abraham Heschel

“When machines and computers, profit motives and property rights, are considered more important than people, the giant triplets of racism, extreme materialism, and militarism are incapable of being conquered.” –Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,

With conquering limbs astride from land to land;

Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand

A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame

Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name

MOTHER OF EXILES. From her beacon-hand

Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command

The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.

“Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!” cries she

With silent lips. “Give me your tired, your poor,

Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,

The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.

Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,

I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”

–The New Colossusby Emma Lazarus

Even in the nonbeing of death the bones can hear him, because the word given the prophet is the same word that gives being and life in the first place, that addresses precisely “things that are not” (1 Cor. 1:28). –Robert Jenson

“…hope is generated by experiencing death through the Spirit who is the ultimate source of hope.” –Luke Powery

Artwork:

The Peaceable Kingdomby Edward Hicks

The Valley of Dry Bonesby Colin McCahon

Scripture:

Genesis 3:1-7

Romans 15:7, 12-13

Songs for Today’s Worship Gathering:

Isaiah 11 by Oakes/Bowser/McCracken

All Creatures of Our God and King by Francis of Assisi/von Brachel

Father, Let Your Kingdom Come by The Porter’s Gate

10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord) by Redman/Myrin