The similarities and contrasts of these two men is fascinating. While both have grand schemes, Holmes’ sinister vision seems to have been bolstered by an unexplainable evil. Holmes targeted single young women in his diabolical plan. Screenwriter Graham Moore, in an interview with Deadline.com, describes Holmes.

Holmes was a most likable guy who inwardly was a tremendous monster

As we come to Genesis 3 this week, we find a similar character. A serpent approaches the first woman with a villainous proposal. It seems harmless on the surface; yet the impact of her (and eventually her husband’s) decision is immense. The story is familiar; we all know what happens. Yet as we enter into the story once again, we are reminded of our own failure, our own tendency for evil. While it is easy to blame Adam and Eve for the brokenness of our world, we have all participated in their actions. Join us on Sunday as we study Genesis 3 together.

Many are familiar with the story. Adam is placed in a coma while God removes one of his ribs. When he wakes up, he is presented with Eve. They join together in shameless sexuality and serve as models for marriage as God intended. What relevance does this text have for us in the year 2012? How might we approach Mother’s Day differently as we engage this text?

There is much discussion these days about gender. Gender inequality has curbed discussion of gender differences and roles. While male-dominated cultures have abused and neglected the gifts and contributions of women for thousands of years, a peek into God’s original plan may prove insightful. God created gender as a gift. If God intended us to ignore gender, the story would be different. As we explore Genesis 2, we find Adam in desperate need of a partner. He surveys all the animals to determine if one might be appropriate.

(Genesis 2:20 NIV) But for Adam no suitable helper was found.

God responds by creating woman; she has all the necessary characteristics. She complements Adam in every way. They are able to fulfill God’s design to be fruitful and multiply. A key verse in the story is v. 25.

(Genesis 2:25 NIV) The man and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame.

Adam and Eve in Eden reveal God’s plan for gender and sexuality. Our differences in gender should be celebrated, not dismissed. One gender should not dominate the other; both are essential and invaluable. Together, we fulfill God’s design for His creation. Both Jesus and Paul point to Genesis 2 as they teach on marriage. This crucial text helps us understand the beauty and value of women. Join us on Sunday as we celebrate the gift of women.

This week, we are going to explore the first created environment for man and woman, Eden. What was this place like? Since they ran around naked or in fig leaves, the climate must have been warm. Was it paradise? That is an interesting word. In English, the word is not necessarily related to the weather.

paradise: a place or state of bliss, felicity, or delight (Webster Dictionary)

The word in Greek (paradeisos) includes the dynamic of bliss but refers more specifically to the surroundings. It literally means “an enclosed park”. It was often used to describe a garden. In the Septuagint (the Greek translation of the Old Testament) the English-tranlated word garden is rendered paradeisos. No doubt, there is a connection with the original garden (Eden) and paradise.

When Jesus is hanging on the cross, he says to the repentant criminal

(Luke 23:43) “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.”

So what is the connection between Eden and Jesus’ reference to paradise in Luke 23? Was Jesus referring to restored creation? Are those who place their faith in Jesus going to one day return to Eden? John describes the new heaven and the new earth in Revelation 22. The similarities with Eden are substantial.

When we compare our broken world to paradise, there is much to be desired. Eden seems more like a pipe dream than a reality. Yet throughout Scripture, we get hints of the restoration of Eden. While our world seems as far away from Eden as it ever has been, Jesus promises to restore, to make all things new. Join us on Sunday as we explore Eden; there is much to learn from initial dwelling of mankind.

Change is never easy. As we grow older, our bodies change (sometimes letting us down). Our kids grow up, move off to college. Friends relocate to different states. We sometimes have the difficult task of saying goodbye to friends and loved ones as they pass away. Yet we are required to change in life. As God leads us, we respond to his movement. Many times He calls us to adjust. And as we adapt, we experience transformation that would not be possible without change.

As we enter our first full month of our new Sunday morning schedule, allow me to remind you why and how we discerned the need for this change. Conversation began among leaders in November regarding the need for an adjustment of our Sunday morning schedule. We found that the Sunday school hour was inadequate as far as time for most classes. By the time people arrived for Sunday school, talked a bit and began the lesson, it was time to dismiss. Many classes found themselves with less than 30 minutes. Late worship service included less than half of its participants at the beginning of the service. Many were still in Sunday school and were unable to make it into the sanctuary on time. We’re not sure how we needed to change or even if we needed to change the schedule at all.

We began an intentional Process of Discernment around the issue. This process included a time of exploration of options, a period of listening (which included outside information, people in the congregation, and prayerful consideration of the leading of the Spirit). We then examined the issue in light of our listening. There was an incredible unity among the leaders around the solution. Church leaders then brought the draft schedule to the congregation in January. Everyone was given an opportunity to ask questions, share opinions and discuss the ramifications of the change. Through a consensus vote, the congregation affirmed the discerning of the leaders.

I am not sure if you find the new schedule appealing. Maybe you think it is great; maybe you are having a hard time adjusting. In time, we will discover the benefits and liabilities of this change. For now, we trust that our careful discernment was not in vain. We trust that God has led us to this place.

As we make decisions in the future, I hope that we will take the necessary time to discern the leading of the Spirit. Our decisions must not be based on personal preference (or what we perceive is best for “us”). We must continue to ask God for His will, His desire for how we function. While any process is subject to human error, I have confidence that God will honor our discerning, that He will help us navigate the decisions that we must make as a congregation as we submit our will to His.

If there are concerns that you have regarding the new schedule, please take time to discuss the matter with church leaders. God may lead us to make further adjustments. Our discerning never ends; we continue with open ears as we participate in congregational life under the Spirit’s leading.

The problem is that our bodies are not designed for this schedule. We are fashioned for 7-8 hours of sleep each night. Somehow our bodies reset during this time and allow us to be productive during the remaining 16 hours of the day. In the same way, we function best when we provide adequate time for relaxing and winding down. If you have worked more than 12 hours in a day, you know the feeling. You feel worn down and your creative energy takes a nose dive.

We are created by God to function in particular patterns. When we veer too far from this design, we suffer. We learn in the Creation story a distinct pattern for our weeks. God creates for six days and rests on the seventh. It is not that God wanted a break. God is all-powerful and does not need a repose to sustain energy. Yet he rests in order to model a pattern for us. God rests because he designed us to rest. We are in the image of God and function in the patterns of our Creator.

In recent decades our world has shifted dramatically away from understanding proper rest. Join us on Sunday as we discuss the seventh day of Creation. It has extreme relevance to our lives in 2012.

The cars glisten . . . It looks like we’re seeing photography

She then questioned Lasseter,

With everything you can do with computer generated animation, are there still limitations?

Lassester affirmed the limitations, explaining the challenge.

The more organic something is in the way it looks or the way it moves, the harder it is to create it with a computer.

He went on to explain that every frame of a movie takes about seventeen hours. According to the Los Angeles Times, production costs for Pixar films average about $140 million.

At the same time, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden announced a summer exhibit in which they took super close photos of tree bark. There was very little cost involved. The exhibit was described in these terms.

One canvas is magenta red has curling squares of what looked like skin or material; another has furry brown hairs sprouting on green and orange stripes; and on a third, lip-like shapes float on a gray-white background.

The contrasting of man-made verses organic/natural reminds us of what Dr. Lewis Foster observed many years ago. He relates,

The closer one gets to something man has made, the more its imperfections are obvious. The more we magnify something God has created, the more we see its perfection.

This week, we begin a sermon series through the book of Genesis. We open our Bibles to Genesis 1, the story of Creation. The natural world is truly a work of art. Its complex and exquisite details are overwhelming; the vastness of the universe is overwhelming. But how did it all begin? We will walk through the first six days of Creation according to Genesis. As we engage the text, we discover our role as created beings made in God’s image.

Did you know that Jesus and the Apostles quoted Psalms more than any other Old Testament book? Did you realize that Jesus quoted from Psalms as he hung on the cross? Jesus certainly saw the connection of His ministry with the Psalms. While many psalms were written nearly a thousand years before Jesus, they have incredible relevance to His life, death, and resurrection.

This Sunday we will consider selected verses from Psalm 118. While Psalm 22 and 31 (both quoted from the cross) describe the anguish, uncertainty and suffering of the cross, Psalm 118 reflects on the victory of God’s provision. On Easter we celebrate the most important truth in history, “He is Risen!” Yes God ventured to the depths on the cross, but His rising from the dead assures us that his death was not permanent. Look at how pertinent these words are to Easter.

(Psalms 118:15–17 NIV) 15) Shouts of joy and victory resound in the tents of the righteous: “The LORD’s right hand has done mighty things! 16) The LORD’s right hand is lifted high; the LORD’s right hand has done mighty things!” 17) I will not die but live, and will proclaim what the LORD has done.

David (the writer of Psalm 118) uses the same language used by Jesus and the Apostles to describe God’s plan in Christ. He talks about gates and capstones. The connection is astounding. Join us on Sunday as we explore Psalm 118 and celebrate the risen Christ.

Remember that we will meet for breakfast at 9:30 am and combined worship at 10:45 am.

(Psalms 31:1 NIV) In you, O LORD, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame; deliver me in your righteousness.

The psalm is written by David; he is in a season of struggle. Yet his struggle is not one of desperation. He believes that God will deliver him. He says again in verse 4,

(Psalms 31:4 NIV) Free me from the trap that is set for me, for you are my refuge.

Jesus quotes verse 5 just before he breathes his last breath.

(Psalms 31:5 NIV) Into your hands I commit my spirit; redeem me, O LORD, the God of truth.

It is a statement of trust, of confidence in the Father. It is difficult to imagine Jesus’ struggle. Some have attempted to recreate his suffering through the technology of Hollywood. Others have taken time to mediate on Passion through art. It is appropriate to turn to Jesus’s suffering during Holy Week. We will gather on Thursday, April 5 at 7:00 p.m. for reflection and communion. I hope you will make plans to attend.

A key point in this psalm is that David and Jesus’ suffering does not begin nor end in hopelessness. They exhibit a secure assurance that God will turn their struggle into redemption. Perhaps the pivot is verse 15.

(Psalms 31:15 NIV) My times are in your hands

This prayer is fitting for each of us. We are often challenged with uncertainty, strife and adversity. How will we respond? Will we curse God? Or will we place our lives in the hands of God? The psalms are not ancient books collecting dust. They are living words available for our circumstances. May we find peace and assurance in the words from Psalm 31. May we be challenged to trust, to depend on God in all we do and experience.

David was a political leader; he was King. It is not uncommon for such leaders to engage in abuses of power, sexual escapades or corruption. Some may conclude that this is normal behavior; it just goes with the job. Yet David does not excuse his behavior. He takes full responsibility for his actions; he begs God to restore relationship with His broken servant. He admits his failure. We find the word sin used 7 times in just 19 verses. David openly admits his atrocity.

(Psalms 51:3 NIV) For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me

And while we know that his offense affected many people, particularly Bathsheba, her husband and her child, David is most concerned with his failure to follow God’s leading.

(Psalms 51:4 NIV) Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight

We have much to learn about true repentance. Our culture makes this concept challenging; it requires us to face our behavior head on. Join us on Sunday as we explore David’s response to God in Psalm 51.

We see this pattern over and over in the psalms. The psalmist calls out in distress; God responds. The psalmist is quick to give God credit. In this week’s psalm, we read,

(Psalms 107:19 NIV) Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress.

This pattern is not only in the psalms; we see it throughout Scripture. In the Gospels, people come to Jesus with ailments; Jesus heals. Once the word is out that Jesus is able to perform such miracles, the crowds are unbearable. Everyone wants to be rescued when they are in trouble.

But what happens after the rescue? How did the people respond once they were delivered from danger or disease? Some went about their way paying little attention to the severity of their trouble. Others are overwhelmed with hearts of gratitude.

In Luke 17, Jesus is on his way to Jerusalem. He encounters ten men who were suffering from leprosy. This disease caused tremendous suffering, not only physically but socially as well. They would have been separated from their families and society.

(Luke 17:12–13 NIV) 12) They stood at a distance 13) and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!”

No doubt, they are in trouble; they are in desperate need of rescue. Luke tells us that Jesus heals them. But that is not Luke’s emphasis in the story. Luke describes what happens next.

(Luke 17:15–16 NIV) 15) One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. 16) He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him — and he was a Samaritan.

So there were ten guys in critical condition. Jesus gets them out and only one comes back to thank him.

(Luke 17:17–19 NIV) 17) Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? 18) Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” 19) Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”

This encounter illustrates our tendency to forget how bad things were once we are out of the woods. This ex-leper appropriately worships Jesus; he credits him for his astounding rescue. We all have various emancipations; some are more profound than others. Do we take the time to thank God when he delivers us? Do we continually live in a posture of gratitude. Join us on Sunday as we canvass Psalm 107. May we join the psalmist who repeats this phrase not once or twice but four times (v. 8, 15, 21, 31) in this psalm.

Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men.