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Saturday, July 30, 2016

sermon, "Crevices In the Rock", by Pastor Ruth Foss, Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church, July 24, 2016, Patten, ME



July 24, 2016
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Sermon Series:
God Is A Rock
“Shelter of the Rock”
Psalm 30
Psalm 27; Psalm 46:1-3;
Psalm 32:6-8

“Crevices In the Rock. . . ”

Prayer for illumination and for God’s word to be heard through me or in spite of me. . .

A reading from the Poetry of the Psalms. . . the 27th Psalm. . . Listen and hear the word of God for the people of God. . .

How many of you think that shelter is a basic need in life? Why? Do you think we can live without it? What type of shelter do you think we need?

Shelter:
: a structure that covers or protects people or things
: a place that provides food and protection for people or animals that need assistance
: a place to live

We have all agreed that God is a Rock. We understand and know that God is good all the time. . . all the time God is good. . .   But why do we use the metaphor. . . the imagery. . . of a Rock when we talk about God. . . when we try to explain who He is to someone that may not know God the way we do. We have looked at the imagery of God being the “Solid Rock”. We call Him that because He is never changing always the sure foundation that we can build our lives upon. He is the safe harbor. . . the Solid Rock under our feet when storms blow into our lives. And He is the Solid Rock that gives us the strength to face anything at any time. . . as we cling to Him for help. He is the Rock that we go to. . . the Rock of higher ground. It is this very higher ground that we share with others so that they too can have a higher ground in which to build their lives upon. When the storms of life blow through life we and they are able to stand. This is the Rock that raises us up to higher places. . . to where He is.

We also consider God to be a shelter for us. God is that sheltering Rock that we run to. . . that we can always count on being there. It is within these walls. . . the walls of this very church. . . that others can seek Spiritual shelter. . . if we but make it a place where they feel safe and secure. . .  

In the Poetry of the 27th Psalm from this morning, we hear about shelter. . . that Spiritual shelter that we all run too. The Psalmist knew that God was his shelter. . . his hiding place that he could go to and be safe from all harm. This is where he found strength and refuge from the storms of life. This is the place that e wanted to dwell now and forever. . .

This church. . . this place is a shelter for God’s people. . .  It is the very place that we meet with God each Sunday morning. . . we expect Him to show up and He does. . . So why wouldn’t we want to invite others here? Listen to the wonderful words of Psalm 46 verses 1-3 as it talks about the refuge of our souls. . .

46 God is our refuge and strength [mighty and impenetrable],
A very present and well-proved help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change
And though the mountains be shaken and slip into the heart of the seas,
Though its waters roar and foam,
Though the mountains tremble at its roaring.

What better place can there be. . . what better place to invite others who are subject to the chaos and storms of the world.

As we come to this refuge. . . this crevice in the rock we are completely covered. . . secure in knowing. . . have faith in the fact that we are loved and protected by the power of the One who hides us in the rock. . . in the crevices where we can find shelter and rest amidst the storms that come up as we walk through the raging water of the world around us.

Talk about the crevices that I saw and entered while in the Holy Land. Some were covered and some were not.

Also as we ask for forgiveness we know that we are forgiven and redeemed. We know that we will be instructed as we rest in this shelter. . . the crevice of the rock. . .  Hear the words of the 32nd Psalm verses 6-8

Therefore, let everyone who is godly pray to You [for forgiveness] in a time when You [are near and] may be found;
Surely when the great waters [of trial and distressing times] overflow they will not reach [the spirit in] him.
You are my hiding place; You, Lord, protect me from trouble;
You surround me with songs and shouts of deliverance. Selah.
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will counsel you [who are willing to learn] with My eye upon you.

As we turn to the shelter of the Rock we are protected and loved. . . Even further we are instructed. . . taught . . . counseled by the One who calms the storm with His voice.

Speak from the Spirit about
1.   Need of emotional shelter-encouragement, affirmation within our life struggles
2.   Need of physical shelter-a place to hang our hat
3.   Need of Spiritual shelter-being fed and nourished to grow. . . support to help growth.
4.   It is a place where we find God’s grace. . .

God is a Rock! He is a Solid Rock that never changes. He is the Rock of faithfulness and truth. He is the Rock we run to who takes us to higher ground. He is the Rock we lead others to so that they can grow closer to the God who takes them. . . leads them. . . higher than the world around them. . . out of the pit of chaos onto the road of “Higher Learning” about  the God who is above all things. It is in the Shelter of the Rock that we come into community and love others with the grace that has been given us through Christ who saves us. . .

Today we are doing just that. . . sharing . . . giving. . . inviting one of the least of these into the place of shelter. . . through baptism. . .

Baptism of Hailey Elizabeth Ontiveros

AMEN!





====

edited/ new name July 30, 2016
hide me within the rock
July 30, 2016
within the living rock
July 30, 2016
let me hide myself in Thee
April 18, 2011
post on blog of Jenny Rawson –
“rock of ages cleft for me” (meaning)
&
“spiritual meaning of cleft”
&
“The Summit”
Rock of Ages Cleft For Me Meaning...
by Jonathan Aubuchon
&
July 28, 2016
hidden in the rock
July 28, 2016
within the cleft of the rock
edited/new name July 27, 2016
we find rest in this shelter
edited/name change July 27, 2016
rest in this shelter
edited July 26, 2016
rest in the shelter – v2
July 26, 2016
rest in the shelter
July 26, 2016
we are completely covered
July 26, 2016
safe in the crevice
July 25, 2016
safe in the caves
July 25, 2016
a shelter for God’s people
July 25, 2016
the Solid Rock under our feet
July 25, 2016
within the shelter of the rock
July 25, 2016
we are protected – 2
July 25, 2016
in the shelter of the rock
July 25, 2016
we will not fear
edited July 25, 2016
within these walls - 2
July 25, 2016
within the walls
July 25, 2016
God is our refuge - 3
July 25, 2016
we need a place of shelter
July 24, 2016
God will keep me safe
July 24, 2016
God will hide me
July 24, 2016
crevices in the rock
July 24, 2016
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Sermon Series:
God Is A Rock
“Shelter of the Rock”
Psalm 27
Psalm 30
Psalm 46:1-3
Psalm 32:6-8
and sermon, “Crevices in the Rock…”
text

video
by Pastor Ruth Foss
sermon blog
meditation blog
“God’s Whisper” blog
Children’s Message from Mystery Box
by Pastor Ruth Foss
and the Baptism of Hailey Elizabeth Ontiveros
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
July 24, 2016
&
July 24, 2016
the God who is above all things
July 24, 2016
out of the pit of chaos
July 24, 2016
lost in addiction, in chaos
July 24, 2016
they don’t know Him
July 24, 2016
they are out there hurting
July 24, 2016
God takes us to higher ground
July 23, 2016
the mark of the beast
July 23, 2016
in the darkness, the chaos
July 23, 2016
stuck in the valley
July 23, 2016
held by the chaos – v2
July 23, 2016
listen to their cries
July 23, 2016
look around
July 23, 2016
climb to the rock
edited July 23, 2016
in the dark places – v2
July 23, 2016
they are not here
edited July 23, 2016
wake up, help – v2
July 23, 2016
wake up, help
edited/expanded July 23, 2016
we have a calling – 2
expanded July 23, 2016
to hear their cries – v2
July 23, 2016
to hear their cries – v1
July 22, 2016
lead them to the rock
edited July 22, 2016
held by the chaos
July 22, 2016
in the dark places
editing “too many in Sheol”
July 22, 2016
cling to God for help – v2
July 21, 2016
too many in Sheol
July 21, 2016
we have a calling
July 21, 2016
those who are still in the valley
July 21, 2016
God called to him
July 21, 2016
a safe harbor – v2
July 20, 2016
Lead me to the rock
July 20, 2016
go to the rock
July 20, 2016
we cling to God for help
July 20, 2016
cling to God for help
July 20, 2016
we need the rock
July 19, 2016
the sure foundation
July 19, 2016
a safe harbor
July 19, 2016
we are down in the valley
July 19, 2016
a higher place
July 18, 2016
guide them to the heights
July 17, 2016
climbing higher- 2
July 17, 2016
Higher Ground
July 17, 2016
above the chaos
July 17, 2016
miles in all directions
July 17, 2016
from the heights
July 17, 2016
a new perspective
July 17, 2016
we bring You these gifts
7/17/16 Prayer of Thanksgiving
&
July 17, 2016
climb the mountain
July 17, 2016
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Sermon Series:
God Is A Rock
“Take Me To The Rock”
Psalm 30
Psalm 61;
Psalm 88;
Exodus 3:1-3;
Genesis 22:1-2
and sermon, “Higher Ground…”
text
video
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Children’s Message from Mystery Box
by Cristy Ann Chaffee
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
July 17, 2016
&
July 17, 2016
build your house
July 17, 2016
build upon God
July 17, 2016
sinking fast
edited July 17, 2016
Solid Rock – v2
July 17, 2016
where will we stand
July 16, 2016
seeking that rock
July 16, 2016
like a house of cards
edited July 16, 2016
on this rock we stand
July 16, 2016
we can stand - 2
July 15, 2016
fixed to the rock
July 14, 2016
nothing moved that house
July 13, 2016
build our lives
July 13, 2016
Solid Rock
July 10, 2016
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Sermon Series:
God Is A Rock
“Solid Rock”
Psalm 91
Psalm 18:1-3;
Psalm 62:5-8;
Deuteronomy 32:1-4;
Matthew 7:24-27
and sermon, “Firmness of Rock…”
text
video
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Children’s Message from Mystery Box
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
July 10, 2016

All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 41,510+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

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