Count the Stars

Thankful for the Process

Abraham settled into life in a new area. He fell back into an old behavior pattern of calling Sarah his “sister.”  God had already once shown him how unnecessary it was to resort to calling her his sister in order to protect himself. But it was an old pattern, and he fell back into it. However, God intervened in the situation and protected both Abraham and Sarah as well as Abimelech’s household.

God spoke to Abimelech in a dream and warned him not to touch Sarah. Abimelech, being a man who apparently did have a fear of God, returned Sarah to Abraham, and God spared him and his household.

It’s interesting to me that Abraham’s resorting to an old, unnecessary pattern had negative consequences for everyone involved. It brought judgment to Abimelech’s household, and it would have destroyed Sarah and Abraham’s marriage had the Lord not intervened.

It would be easy to judge Abraham for being dull or slow to learn. Why did he not get it the first time? I thought he was the Father of Faith! Yet when I look at my own life, I see old patterns of behavior that were very comfortable to me — things the Lord has clearly shown me are not his will. I “learn the lesson” only to find myself returning to the same pattern when I’m not consciously aware of it.

Thanks be to God for his grace and continued leading in my life. On this journey of faith, I am learning different ways of living that involve greater trust. But it is a process. I’m so thankful to the Lord that he understands the process better than I do and will not give up on me.

Judy Linscheid
EFCC Member

by Judy Linscheid

The Trinity

In the year 1411, St. Andrei Rublev, a Russian Orthodox Christian Artist, painted The Hospitality of Abraham for the Trinity Monastery in Russia. It is considered a portrayal of the Holy Trinity, depicting the three strangers who visited Abraham in Genesis 18. The painting shows the three visitors resting under a shade tree, accepting Abraham’s hospitality with a meal and foot-washing, as they share with Abraham that his wife, Sarah, would soon have a son. Rublev was the first to paint this scene as One Lord, with each of the three visitors being of equal size, likely representing the Trinity of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Throughout history, artists have created paintings, icons, and statues expressing deep meaning and insight. These are an incredible gift to us today, but a quick glance can hardly provide the understanding that the artist intends. Visio Divina is a spiritual practice that can guide us toward a deeper understanding of the story and message portrayed through art. Translated from Latin, Visio Divina means “divine seeing.” It is a way of seeing God as we prayerfully invite him to speak to our hearts through gazing upon nature or an image. By incorporating art into prayer, Visio divina invites us to bring our sense of sight, as well as our imagination, into our relationship with God.

Follow the Visio Divina steps below in order to experience a new perspective on Genesis 18 through Rublev’s painting of the Trinity (also known as the Hospitality of Abraham). You can view the painting here.

Step 1: Quiet your soul in God’s presence.

Invite the Holy Spirit to guide you.

Step 2: Gaze at the image with openness, seeking to see God’s heart.

Notice the shapes, the colors, and the lighting.

Notice the detail of the background and the foreground.

Step 3: Notice what stirs within you.

What responses, memories, or feelings does the image evoke?

How does the image connect to your own life?

Why do you think God is drawing you in this way?

Do you sense an invitation or a calling?

Don’t rush… take your time.

Step 4: Notice each character.

What emotions do you notice in the expressions of each character?

What details do you see differentiating them from each other?

What do you notice in their relationship to each other?

What feelings do you notice within yourself as you consider each character?

Step 5: Talk with God about what you see and feel.

Name the emotions that are stirring within you.

To what is God calling you through this experience with him?

How will you respond to him?

Theologian Henri Nouwen had a particular eye for experiencing God through art. For him, this painting was an expression of God’s “House of Love” — where ALL are invited, and the doors are never closed.

As you conclude this exercise, what name would you give this painting? How does it connect deep within your soul?

Lynette Fuson
Care & Counseling Director

by Lynette Fuson

Driven to Our Knees

As the man through whom all the nations of the world will be blessed, Abraham steps into a privilege few share: standing in the midst of both God and humanity. Weighed down by the impending judgment coming, he draws near to the LORD on behalf of Sodom.

Though the city does not deserve it, Abraham’s case is compelling: the righteous among the wicked do not deserve to share in their judgment. The fate of both is intertwined: commerce and culture alike have bound these two camps within the imperfect bundle of society, and both find their home in the same city.

Doubtless, these are among the same righteous from whom the outcry is rising to God’s ears. The strain on their lives from the oppression, self-seeking, dishonor, violence, and abuse that they suffer from the godless men and women of Sodom is enough that God is personally investigating the matter: God is faithful and mindful of the righteous.

But will God sweep both the righteous and wicked away? The intercessor pleads his case: “Surely you’re a just God! Do not do this, O Lord! Certainly, there is a better way!” The confidence that Abraham shows here does not come from confidence in himself — but rather, the LORD! He knows God to be just, He knows God to be merciful! It is the knowledge of God that leads to the bold intercession of God!

If you are weary, burdened, disappointed, discouraged by the chaos, oppression, sins, wickedness of the world and of others, it is only in the prayerful intercession of others that you’ll find the release for which you long and the intimacy you were made for. The Father delights in drawing out the prayers of His people. What if those burdens are meant to draw you to Him!

Allow your weary heart to drive you to your knees before God and cry out on behalf of those for whom you feel heavy.

Ryan Lunde
High School Pastor

by Ryan Lunde

Interrupted by Angels

Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. (Hebrews 13:2)

In July of 2019, I served on a mission trip to a small neighborhood in Cuba called Ceiba Mocha. I was 17 at the time, and this was my first time serving abroad. With me was a group of about 20 other high schoolers and a few parents. Upon landing in the area, our plans changed abruptly when we got news of a young girl in the church who had been murdered. We were stepping off the plane into a funeral procession.

A few days later, our team split up and visited the homes of members in the local church. One of these homes belonged to this young girl's family. My team was assigned to them. My friend Katelyn, who was also on my small team, had lost her mom to cancer a few years prior to this trip. As we joined this family in their living room and began talking and praying, it became clear that this was a divine appointment. I can’t tell you for sure if any angels were there, but I can say that the presence in that room was something I’d never experienced before. The way Katelyn and this family were able to understand each other without words was nothing short of holy. 

When I think of the story of Abraham inviting strangers into his home, I remember this moment. When all of us had the intention of serving the other, we found ourselves in this thin space.

The pain of Abraham’s past, his familiarity with being a stranger in a foreign land, informed the way that he cared for strangers. He knew what it was like to be in their shoes. The empathy gained from his experience directed his hospitality. It was only from that place that he was able to intercede for Sodom and Gomorrah. 

In both Abraham and my friend Katelyn, past wounds were the map that led to connection with strangers. There’s a blessing in those raw moments. Regardless of angels, I believe that’s a worthy pursuit. 

Kassie Lowe
Young Adults Lead

by Kassie Lowe

Called to Hospitality

“For I was hungry, and you fed me, I was thirsty and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home.” (Matthew 25:35)

In Genesis 18, the passage we were in last Sunday, I was struck by the details of Abraham’s hospitality. He actually set the standard for hospitality by his actions that day. Let us take a look at them. In the ordinary course of this very hot day, he saw three men standing nearby and welcomed them. He was ready to be hospitable. He knew travelers would be tired and encouraged them to rest in the cooling shade of the tree, where water would be provided to wash their dusty feet. Abraham continued by having food prepared and then offered it to them to refresh them before they continued on. The food took time to prepare, as bread, roasted calf meat, yogurt, and milk were made. And then Abraham served them while they ate in the shade of the trees. Of course, there is more to this story, but it is important to note that, even today, Middle Eastern hospitality is well known.

My husband and I experienced this hospitality in Egypt during a ministry trip there. We were invited to eat in the home of Egyptian believers who had been attending the training. We were warmly welcomed and sat down at a large table filled with delicious flatbread, falafel, hummus, chicken kebabs, mango (Egyptian mangoes are the best), and much more. It was a wonderful meal, and we cleaned our plates. Then they put out more food, and though we were full, we ate it because we wanted to be good guests. This continued until one of the hosts explained to us that an empty plate meant we weren’t full, and we should leave a small portion on the plate to show we were full. We all laughed when we explained why we finished all of our food. Then, when we returned to the family where we were staying, they had even more sweets, fruit, and pastries waiting for us! Lessons enjoyed and learned. And we felt very welcomed!

Jesus Himself called us to be hospitable. When He spoke of the final judgment in Matthew 25, He said that being hospitable to a stranger was the same as being hospitable to Him. In verse 40, He said, “I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these, my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me.” This certainly gives a whole new perspective on how God views it. It doesn’t just have to happen in our homes, but everywhere we are. Being hospitable can include rejoicing with a neighbor or even weeping with them. It can be as simple as taking fresh scones to a neighbor just because you responded to the nudge of the Holy Spirit. It means stepping outside of our doors and looking for opportunities to be hospitable.

I have seen this in friends in our life group who go above and beyond to help others in need, believers and non-believers alike. It is inspiring to hear about God’s providence in these stories. One example of hospitality I have seen is at the home of our daughter and her husband. Almost always, when we visit them, someone is there who is not a family member. They are always ready to welcome and be hospitable to friends of their adult children, creating an atmosphere of trust, generosity, and love. They are called to hospitality, and God will use that!

Consider how God will call you into hospitality. Help each other be on the lookout for opportunities to be hospitable. Create a welcoming atmosphere in your home to model for your children. Remember who was hospitable to you and pay it forward!

Prayer: Father, please open my eyes to see ways to answer this call to hospitality. May You use it for Your purpose to draw people into Your forever family. Cause this to be a sign to others of who You are and how You love them. We ask it in Your name, Amen.

Francie Overstreet
EFCC Member

by Francie Overstreet

In the Ordinary

Genesis 18:1

There’s something very profound about the way Genesis 18 begins:

“The Lord appeared to him by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the door of his tent in the heat of the day.” (Genesis 18:1)

Now, here’s the irony. What makes this beginning profound is that it’s so ordinary. Abraham is sitting on his porch when God shows up. He’s not offering a sacrifice or building an altar. He’s not conquering armies or receiving a vision in the night. He’s just sitting in the shade during the hottest part of the day. I’d like to think that Abraham had a glass of cold lemonade in his hand. It was an ordinary, seemingly predictable, and quiet moment. The kind of moment most of us would never think twice about.

And that’s where God meets him. I think many of us unconsciously assume that God only shows up in the extraordinary moments of life. We expect Him in church services, on mission trips, at retreats, or in emotional breakthroughs. We often look for Him and expect Him in the dramatic and the spectacular. But Genesis 18 reminds us that God often comes near in the middle of normal life.

In her wonderful book Liturgy of the Ordinary, Tish Warren wrote, “The crucible of our formation is in the monotony of our daily routines.” Amen to that! For us, it might look like a divine encounter:

On the porch.

At the kitchen table.

During the commute.

Walking the dog.

Folding laundry.

Sitting with coffee before the house wakes up.

The problem is not usually that God is absent, but that we are inattentive. Over the course of years walking with God, Abraham had cultivated a life attentive enough to notice God in the ordinary. And maybe that’s one of the invitations of discipleship: not simply to seek more extraordinary moments, but to become more awake to the presence of God in everyday ones.

The text says Abraham was sitting “in the heat of the day.” That detail matters. This wasn’t a spiritually charged moment. It was hot and probably uncomfortable. The kind of afternoon where nothing important seems to happen. And yet that’s when heaven touched earth.

So friends, may your eyes be opened to the “porch encounters” that God brings your way. Today, don’t rush past your life waiting for a “spiritual” moment. Pay attention to the ordinary moment you’re already in. Because it may just be the place where the Lord appears to you, too.

Ryan Paulson
Lead Pastor

by Ryan Paulson

Facedown

by Ryan Paulson