Message: Questions from God - Where is Your Brother? - The story of Cain and Abel is a classic from our scriptures and has inspired literature and movies; for example, East of Eden, a Steinbeck novel made into a movie.  This  question from God led to a question from Cain, "Am I my brother's keeper?" Certainly, the answer to  this question is a resounding, "yes!"  We are to bear responsibilities to our families and neighbors, and that responsibility needs to be…

Message: Questions from God - What Is That In Your Hand? - When God called Moses to lead the people of Israel out of slavery in  Egypt, Moses had all kinds of excuses for why he isn't the right person for the job.  God offered his presence, strength, and even the words Moses should say and still, Moses doubted. Then god asked Moses, "What is that in your hand?"  The answer was simply "A staff?"  While a staff is certainly a…

Message: Questons from God - What Is Your Name? - This is a classic story of identity and the meaning of names and what we do to "create a name" for ourselves.  Jacob wrestles all night with God.  God asked Jacob his name and Jacob tells him.  Obviously, this is not for God's knowledge, but for Jacob to fully own who he had become, living a life of deception and estranged from his brother for 22 years.  Jacob emerges from his…

Message: Questions from God - What are You Doing Here? - While the prophet, Elijah, ran from danger, he found himself stopping in a cave looking of God to speak to him.  Directed by God, Elijah stood at the mouth of the cave and experienced a great wind, an earthquake, and a fire, but God did not speak to Elijah in any of those experiences but rather in a quiet voice.  However, God speaks to us, there is tremendous opportunity in…