Blogging toward Sunday

On Sunday, November 6, 2011, we will be celebrating All Saints' Day.  The texts that we will consider are Psalm 34:1-10, 22 and I John 3:1-3.

I John 3:1-3 says, "See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God's children now; what we will be has not yet been revealed. What we do know is that when he is revealed, we will be like him, for we will see him as he is. And all who have this hope in him purify themselves just as he is pure."

What a joyous message of hope this is.  We are children of God.  That is who we are now! We look to what we once were, knowing we are no longer the same. We look to what we may become, knowing that there are even better things ahead because of Christ's work of redemption on our behalf. Glory be to God!

Reflecting on this Scripture, consider the following:

1. As children of God, what do we know that the world does not know?
2. What does it mean to be a child of God?
3. What privileges come with this claim?
4. What responsibilities come with this claim?

An All Saints' Day Celebration provides a wonderful opportunity to reflect on our own lives. It's a good time to consider in what areas God may be working on us now, to purify us as Christ himself is pure.  It's also a time to remember all those blessed people whom God has placed in our lives over the years, and to give thanks. 

In light of "those who have gone before" consider this poem written by Rowena Edlin-White.

The Passing of the Foremothers

All my dear old friends,

The Grandmas of the church,

Limp gamely home.

We waved off Marjorie

On Easter Sunday,

Her coffin underneath

The banner HE IS RISEN.

And so is she.

And Sylvia, Gladys

And the rest,

Foremothers of the faith

Who wiped my nose

When first I came to Jesus;

Steely haired and golden-hearted

Women twice my age,

Yet sisters, pushing forward

Fearlessly to meet their God

Seen dimly through the dust

At the end of a long road.

Dear children of God, dear saints of God, I look forward to seeing you in worship this Sunday.  May the Lord bless your week!

Shalom,

Glenda