Let's chat about Hagar, Ishmael, Abram, Sarai, and of course, wild donkeys.

This chat is from the last half of Matthew 7.

When they heard God they...

The five points are in Luke 2:15-20

"If you lost it, get your zeal back."

This talk is about the logic of the New Testament, and especially Jesus. It goes something like this, "You are an eternal being with a destiny in God's great kingdom. Therefore, arrange your life now to maximize your joy then."

"No one has ever seen God. God's only Son, who is close to the Father's heart, has made him known." (John 1.18)

Just a little thought about fish, birds, and us inheriting knowledge we didn't directly learn...

Stress and fear? Flip it.

This chat is primarily from Genesis 3.

Here we consider Exodus 33 and Genesis 15, Moses' and Abraham's friendship with God. Specifically how they seem to influence God's actions in the world. In other words, the God Scripture presents is emotionally responsive and interactive. He's open to His work in the world being influenced by His children, His friends.

That's kind of staggering. But there it is. And there are numerous examples. Abraham, Moses, Amos, and even Mary the mother of Jesus, are the few examples I gave in the talk, but I'm sure there are many more.

Does God sit up in heaven with a plan that is often terrifying and painful, while He remains emotionally unaffected by the things that happen to us on earth?

Or does He feel deeply for his children who live in a world that is largely NOT the way He intended, even though He is working all things together for our good?

Jesus is what God has to say. And what He says is, "I love you, I love you, I love you!"

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Additionally - congratulations M'Niyah, on your baptism!