John

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Author

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Scripture

Genesis 28:10–17, Deuteronomy 4:29, Ecclesiastes 3:11, John 4:13–14, Acts 17:26–27, Psalm 42:1–2

After twenty years of listening to the yearnings of people’s hearts [as a counselor], I am convinced that all human beings have an inborn desire for God.

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Unsurprisingly, whenever we bring the topic of desire

Author

Curt Thompson

Keywords

Scripture

Song of Solomon 8:6-7 , Genesis 29:16-30, Hosea 2:14-20, Psalm 42:1-2, John 4:7-26 , Ephesians 5:25-32

Unsurprisingly, whenever we bring the topic of desire into view, our imaginations easily wander in the direction of sex, which can be as discomforting as it is arousing—but it is certainly not irrelev...

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We are people of desire. We want things

Author

Curt Thompson

Keywords

Scripture

Genesis 32:22-32, Exodus 33:18-23 , 1 Samuel 1:9-20, Psalm 42:1-2, Mark 10:46-52, John 4:7-26

We are people of desire. We want things. We long for things. It is primal to our nature to yearn. As Saint Augustine reflected, “The whole life of the good Christian is a holy longing. . . . That is o...

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Atheists Longing for God

Author

The Pastor's Workshop

Keywords

Scripture

Jeremiah 29:13 , Ecclesiastes 3:11, Isaiah 55:6-7 , Psalm 42:1-2, John 1:9-12, Acts 17:26-27

Many of us presume that atheists and agnostics don’t think or care one bit for God. But this is not the case. Heinrich Böll, a German writer and devout Catholic, once joked, “I don’t like these atheis...

liturgy

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit

Author

Trinity Lutheran Church, Lisle, Illinois

Keywords

Scripture

Isaiah 55:1, Exodus 17:1-7, Jeremiah 2:13, John 4:7-14 , Revelation 22:17, Psalm 42:1, Psalm 63:1

Pastor: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. People: Amen. Pastor: We praise the One who extends the invitation: People: Come, all you who are thi...

Quote

Author

Debra Hirsch

Keywords

Scripture

Genesis 3:6-7 , Hosea 2:13-16 , Ecclesiastes 2:10-11 , Luke 15:13-20, John 4:13-14, Psalm 42:1-2

G. K. Chesterton was on cue when he suggested that a man knocking on the door of a brothel is in fact looking for God.

Quote

Author

Rainer Maria Rilke

Keywords

Scripture

Isaiah 55:1-3, 1 Kings 19:11-13, Exodus 3:1-6, John 7:37-38, Luke 24:13-32, Psalm 63:1-3

But you take pleasure in the faces Of those who know they thirst.

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Francis Collins’ Search for the Divine

Author

Francis S. Collins

Keywords

Scripture

Ecclesiastes 3:11, Isaiah 55:1-3 , Exodus 33:18-23, Romans 8:22-23 , John 4:13-14 , Psalm 42:1-2

While the search for the divine has been somewhat crowded out in modern times by our busy and overstimulated lives, it is still one of the most universal of human strivings. C. S. Lewis describes this...

liturgy

Peace in Heaven, Glory Revealed

Author

The Pastor's Workshop

Keywords

Scripture

Isaiah 40:3, 5, Luke 9:38, Zechariah 9:9, John 1:14, Psalm 118:26

Leader: Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. . . . People: And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth...

liturgy

Peace Among Nations Prayed

Author

Trinity Lutheran Church, Lisle, Illinois

Keywords

Scripture

Genesis 1:1-5, Isaiah 60:1-3, John 8:12, Matthew 5:14-16, Psalm 27:1

Pastor: Let us pray to the God who has given us the light of day and the Light of eternal life through Jesus Christ, His Son. Lord, make the beauty of Your Light shine brightly on us so that it m...

liturgy

Praying For Peace And Mercy

Author

Trinity Lutheran Church, Lisle, Illinois

Keywords

Scripture

Deuteronomy 31:6-8, Micah 6:8, Ephesians 2:19-22, John 15:1-17, Psalm 139:1-4

Pastor: In peace, let us pray to the Lord: People: Lord, have mercy. Pastor: For the holy Christian Church, here and scattered throughout the world, and for the proclamation of the ...

liturgy

Accepting Divine Love Over Desires

Author

Laura B. Murray

Keywords

Scripture

Hosea 11:1-4, Deuteronomy 7:7-9, Romans 8:38-39, John 3:16, Psalm 51:10-13

Our God, you love us unconditionally and with great sacrifice, yet we reject your love in search of another love other desires. We have make harmful decisions while on this search rather than acceptin...

liturgy

Grace and Assurance from God

Author

Laura B. Murray

Keywords

Scripture

Matthew 4:18-20 , Luke 10:33-37, John 13:34-35, John 8:10-11, Luke 15:20-24 , Matthew 9:9-13 , Galatians 6:2

Gracious God, we desire to follow when you call. We long to live according to the ways of Jesus, yet we find ourselves stumbling. Forgive us for the times we have ignored your call to follow you in th...

liturgy

Pastor: Jesus said, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink.

Author

Trinity Lutheran Church, Lisle, Illinois

Keywords

Scripture

John 7:37, Psalm 42:, Numbers 6:22-27

Pastor: Jesus said, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink.” John 7:37 People: My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. Psalm 42:1 Pastor: As you go now, drench...

liturgy

Because God is our Refuge and Strength

Author

Trinity Lutheran Church, Lisle, Illinois

Keywords

Scripture

Psalm 44:, Matthew 15:14, John 9:39

Pastor: Because God is our refuge and strength, we can acknowledge our weakness and confess our sins before Him. Because He is our fortress, we know we are secure in His grace and mercy. Sile...

liturgy

Gracious God, the noise of this world

Author

Laura B. Murray

Keywords

Scripture

Isaiah 30:21, Psalm 46:10, John 10:27, Psalm 119:105, 1 Kings 19:11-12, Psalm 62:1, Jeremiah 29:13

Gracious God, the noise of this world drowns out the beauty of your voice. You invite us to listen, but we deny you time and space. Forgive us for ignoring you. Create in us the desire to listen to yo...

liturgy

Creator of all things, Alpha and

Author

John Birch

Keywords

Scripture

Acts 2:1-4, John 13:1-17, Luke 10:25-37, John 4:1-26, John 14:16-17, Ezekiel 36:26-27, Isaiah 61:1

Creator of all things, Alpha and Omega, Beginning and End, Father, Shepherd, Servant, Brother, Priest and King. Whose love poured out mends broken hearts. Whose wounded hands reach out to all. Whose S...

lectionary

Fifth Sunday of Easter

Author

Gabe Fung

Keywords

Scripture

Revelation 21:1-6, Revelation 21:1-6, Acts 11:1-8, John 13:31-35, Psalm 148:, Psalm 42:1-2, Psalm 63:1, Isaiah 55:1, John 4:13-14, John 6:35, John 7:37-38, Revelation 1:5, Revelation 5:9, Revelation 7:14, Revelation 19:13, Exodus 40:34-48, John 1:14

Preaching Commentary A Revelation and a Prophecy The Revelation of Jesus Christ can be overwhelming to read and difficult to understand due to its heavy use of imagery and symbolism. However, the o...

scripture guide

Scripture Guide Revelation 21:1-6a

Author

Gabe Fung

Keywords

Scripture

Revelation 21:1-6, Psalm 42:1-2, Psalm 63:1, Isaiah 55:1, John 4:13-14, John 6:35, John 7:37-38, Revelation 1:5, Revelation 5:9, Revelation 7:14, Revelation 19:13, Exodus 40:34-48, John 1:14

A Revelation and a Prophecy The Revelation of Jesus Christ can be overwhelming to read and difficult to understand due to its heavy use of imagery and symbolism. However, the opening chapter introduc...

john on Desire for God

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