Thoughts from Pastor Paul

When my family returned from missionary service in the Philippines, I was lost for a time.  I was American, a long time Detroit Tiger fan, and I loved the snow and cold that we returned to in December of 1979.  But having done so much of my growing up in the Philippines, I was lost in my own culture.  I had a classic case of culture shock.  But as I was immersed again in American culture, I slowly began to find my place once again in the American story. Perhaps you feel lost at times in a secular or even Christian culture that has lost touch with Scripture.  Perhaps you are a Christian, a long time believer in the Bible, and love your church, but feel you have lost connection with God’s Word.  If so, you are not alone.  Many people are in the same boat.  What we need to do is to re-acculturate ourselves into God’s Word.  A good place to start is with the Creation.  If we can find our place in creation, the rest of the biblical story starts to make sense. 

As I read Genesis 1:26-31, I wonder… What if God hadn’t created us?  That is, what difference does it make that we are creatures of God rather than gods ourselves? 

What does it mean to be created in God’s image and likeness?  Does “ruling” have something to do with it?  Why does God wait until after he has created humans to say that His creation is “very good?”  

 Hmm…I wonder…. Any thoughts? 

–Pastor Paul