This afternoon's sermon reminded me of some awesome points in the story of God's people and His presence among them.

The Lord leads his people in the wilderness
(Exodus 13:21-22)    And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them along the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night.  The pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night did not depart from before the people.

Accounts from 1 Kings and 2 Chronicles of the dedication of the first temple
(1 Kings 8:10-13)  And when the priests came out of the Holy Place, a cloud filled the house of the LORD,  so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the LORD filled the house of the LORD.
      Then Solomon said, "The LORD has said that he would dwell in thick darkness.  I have indeed built you an exalted house, a place for you to dwell in forever."

(2 Chronicles 7:1-3)  As soon as Solomon finished his prayer, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the LORD filled the temple.  And the priests could not enter the house of the LORD, because the glory of the LORD filled the LORD's house.  When all the people of Israel saw the fire come down and the glory of the LORD on the temple, they bowed down with their faces to the ground on the pavement and worshiped and gave thanks to the LORD, saying, "For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever."

Pentecost
(Acts 2:1-4)  When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place.  And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting.  And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them.  And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Paul speaking to Gentiles about being included in the covenant and living in unity with Jews
(Ephesians 2:13-22)  But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.  For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments and ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility.  And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.  So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord.  In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.


    I have been considering what this means for the churches vocation and its obedience to the Spirit's work.  God's people grow into one temple.  We are called to live as one and not stunt the temple's growth by rebuilding the dividing walls of hostility.  The Spirit dwells in this temple, with power.  Be subject to the Spirit's work in building the temple.  This is a foretaste of the time God will make all things new, and make his dwelling among his people.


The New Heaven and the New Earth
(Revelation 21:1-3)  Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.  And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.  And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.

Good bye to Esther's opa.  We will see him again at some glorious time.

Today we went to the zoo with some of Ezra's cousins, aunties and Oma.


 
The kids loved the Giraffes.



Naomi with Ezra and Esther



This is where Ezra said "ROAR"



After lunch we watched the raptor show.  The birds flew right over our heads with a few inches to spare.  This is the Great Horned Owl named Hagrid.



A Harris Hawk taking out a dummy rabbit.



Zebra.  The lions were far off and well caged.



Petting the Burro



Ankole-Watusi Cattle



We went on the train also.  Every time it went by Ezra chased it and yelled "HOOO! HOOO!"
By the end he was hot and tired but still happy.  We had a good day.

Recently I bought my son a book called Trucks and Diggers.  I figure if I am going to teach him to be a good man he'll have to learn about trucks and diggers.  But I don't know much about them myself so I thought I better read the book.  I would love to drive a big truck or operate a digger one day.