Uplook - November 4. 2023

It is a blustery fall day in Seattle,

This morning as the lightening flashed and thunder boomed near our home I was reminded of a “game” I read about recently.  It is called “The Divine Game of Penzatski” and was created by an engineer and his wife a number of years ago. Once yearly they travelled to a distant lake to camp and while there one would point out a natural object (such as a stump, or eagle, or boulder, etc. ) and the other would respond, to the best of their ability, with what characteristic of God was expressed in that object.  The idea for the game came from Paul’s words in Romans…

Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; … Romans 1:19-20a

In the lightning I was reminded of the intensity of God’s light and purity along with the swiftness of the promised return of Jesus.  As the loud thunder followed a few seconds later, both our granddaughter and our dog were frightened and I immediately thought of the term “the fear of the Lord”.  The thunder reminded me of God’s power and authority not only over creation but also the awe which he should inspire in each of us.  Later we were driving and the intensity of the rain and backing up of storm drains reminded me of God’s judgement upon the world in Noah’s time indicative of his ability to bring justice in a moment.  

May I suggest that over the next several weeks before Thanksgiving that you play “The Divine Game of Pinzatski” with someone you know.  You may be surprised just how much the creation around you shouts the character of God to you and all of humanity.  David the Psalmist stated it in this way:
Psalm 8 To the chief Musician upon Gittith, A Psalm of David.
1 O Lord our Lord, How excellent is thy name in all the earth! Who hast set thy glory above the heavens. 2 Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength Because of thine enemies, That thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger. 3 When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, The moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; 4 What is man, that thou art mindful of him? And the son of man, that thou visitest him? 5 For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, And hast crowned him with glory and honour. 6 Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; Thou hast put all things under his feet: 7 All sheep and oxen, Yea, and the beasts of the field; 8 The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, And whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas. 9 O Lord our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!

Housekeeping details: 

1. Daylight Savings time.  Remember to set your clocks one hour back tonight at bedtime so you are assured to be in church tomorrow at the right time. 
2. Operation Christmas Child.  Some have asked if we plan to fill shoeboxes again this year as a church.  It has been suggested that we focus our church efforts on supporting a local food bank.  It is our plan to begin this food drive soon after New Years and to deliver food prior to Valentines Day.   For those who still wish to fill a shoe box individually…you can do so online at samaritanspurse.org/buildonline.  
3. Choir Practice.  Practice is scheduled for all choir members tomorrow at 3:45 pm in the sanctuary. 
4. Philippines Trip.  Lori and I will be leaving early next week for the Philippines and will return before Thanksgiving.  My responses to emails and texts is likely to be slower because of the travel schedule and time difference.  Please pray for our safety and the Gospel work in Asia. 

God bless you all.
BB
Rev. William E. McKibben
Senior Pastor