Tag Archives: the book of Genesis

Labor Day

“Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array. By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.”  (Genesis 2:1-3, NIV)

The first U. S. Labor Day holiday was observed in 1882. The first “Labor Day” holy day ever was at the Creation!

The U. S. Labor Day was the idea of the American labor movement, and was “dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers.”  God’s “labor day,” (a. k. a. “the Sabbath”) is His idea, and is a day of physical rest from one’s work; and a time of reflection on God’s blessings.

The U. S. Labor Day holiday comes ’round once a year.  God’s holy day comes up each week.  Each is an opportunity to rest, to reflect, and to be refreshed.  Each is a gift.  Don’t leave either unopened!  – Luther

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“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1, NLT)

When we’ve lost our way, it helps to return to the beginning; the starting point; the original idea.

In explaining the origin of all that we are and all that we see, the writer of Genesis puts God at the starting point.

We may regret days of our past — and the decisions made there — but today is a new day!

As you begin it, remember: With God, all things are possible; and God makes all things new.  – Luther

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“God saw that human evil was out of control. People thought evil, imagined evil — evil, evil, evil from morning to night. God was sorry that he had made the human race in the first place; it broke his heart.” (Genesis 6:5-6, The Message) 

God had made humans in His own image and after His likeness.  The potential for immense good was resident within every creature, and it broke God’s heart to see divine inspiration squandered, and human potential corrupted.

Yet, it was this apparent disregard of goodness, justice, and mercy by the very people that God had created, that He regretted having created us.  Moreover, God was about to hit the “reset” button on the world that He had called “good” at the dawn of Creation.

Even in the midnight of divine reckoning, God does not extinguish the flickering hope of reconciliation. In the case of today’s scripture, God’s immutable righteousness required the “reset”; as His unfathomable mercy allowed a “restart” through the faithful obedience of Noah and his family members.

God continues to seek us — even in our rebellion.  God continues to loves us — even with a broken heart.  How can we resist such love?  – Luther

Special greetings today to Diane L. and to Billie C.: Happy Birthday!

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