Hey Radiant,
The German philosopher Ludwig Feuerbach makes some good points. (As one often wonders about on late May Friday, right?).
Feuerbach was an aggressive atheist but his argument that humans are prone to projecting onto God our own human attributes, is insightful.
When we manufacture a “god” reflecting our own experience, desires, and culture, rather than encountering the startling God of the Bible, we make an idol.
This really starts to play out in our understanding of God as Father.
We are prone to putting our experiences of our human fathers upon God. God the Father (even unconsciously) for us becomes critical, absent, conditionally loving, or angry if that is our experience of fathers.
Even in the best cases of loving human fathers, it is a mistake to draw overly direct lines to our loving father, God.
Instead, the Bible, and the Spirit of God, invites us to come to know the Father of Jesus.
Jesus calls him, “Abba” which might be translated as “Papa.”
He invites us to know Him with him, as “Our Abba.”
This Father is fierce and loving. He has created all from the subatomic to supernova. He knows each sparrow and each hair on our head.
He knows your name. And your eyes. And your fears. And theirs too.
Let’s encounter that real God as we continue our Holy Trinity series this Sunday: God, the Father.
See ya at 10am!
Grace and peace,
-Zach
Radiant Events Calendar
5/27 – Women’s Gathering 6-7AM – ELC
6/3 – Radiant Youth High School – Pinecrest Lake Day
6/9 – Emotionally Healthy Relationships Course begins
6/26 – Radiant Adoption into Evangelical Covenant Church in Scottsdale, AZ
7/19 – Lego Build Day (following church)
Emotionally Healthy Relationships – June 9
Tuesdays 6:30-8:00PM, begins June 9 concludes July 28.
The Emotionally Healthy (EH) Relationships Course has been developed over a 21-year period to directly address core biblical principles to guide you and others into an experience of discipleship that will deeply change your life. In the EH Relationships Course, everyone will learn 8 practical relationship skills to develop mature, loving relationships with others such as:
Stop Mind Reading and Clarify Expectations
Incarnational Listening
Climb the Ladder of Integrity
Clean Fighting
And since loving others and loving God cannot be separated, each person will also grow in their personal, first-hand relationship with Jesus by incorporating stillness, silence, and Scripture as daily life rhythms.
*if you plan on traveling this summer — there a video streaming options for independently completing sessions you miss.
Radiant Youth
RadCov Kids
We are excited about the gift of children in our midst! If you are interested in getting involved with kid’s ministry, contact our Children’s director, Crystal Nicholson – 408.802.7061
Community Notes
RADIANT ADOPTION INTO THE COVENANT – It was sweet being welcomed in to the Pacific Southwest Conference of the Evangelical Covenant Church last Saturday. We will continue on to “Nationals” as we pursue the final, formal step of adoption at the denomination’s national gathering in Scottsdale, AZ on June 26th.
SHARING TABLE – One fun way we practice the gospel sharing and generosity is through our simple “sharing table.” We place a folding table where people can place items that they would like to give away to others (not junk!). These items could be clothes, fresh garden vegetables, toys, books, etc. It’s free – take them if you want it, no questions asked or obligations. If your sharing items are not taken that week – please be sure to take them back with you as we will not be storing items.
BAND APP – One way to connect to the Radiant community is to join our BAND APP group. Think of this as a sort of Radiant message board — our own little social media space. People can extend invites, share about needs and opportunities.
Giving
Thank you for your generosity and partnership in Radiant’s ministry!
“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”
2 Corinthians 9:7-8
