When God says “Hello”

11 Feb When God says “Hello”

I’m sure I’ve mentioned before, that when our kids were young Leonie helped them learn to “see” God at work all around them. It was usually something like a beautiful moment in the natural world, or a fortunate turn of events that would be accompanied by an assured declaration, “I think God is saying ‘Hello’ to us!” It has become second nature in our family to attribute moments of delight, that we experience by grace, as a “Hello” from God.

I thought about that again the other night as the thunderstorms rolled through our neck of the woods & the sky was shredded end-to-end by lightning. I love storms…and as destructive as I know they can be, they are simply majestic moments & I reckon a loud “HELLO!” from the Father. This morning I was reading Acts 14…

Paul & Barnabas are on their first missionary journey and after healing a crippled man in Lystra, the local population wants to offer sacrifices to Paul & Barnabas, mistaking them for gods; Zeus & Hermes. The apostles quickly spring into action talking them out of such pagan practice & also witness to their faith in Christ: “We are merely human beings—just like you! We have come to bring you the Good News that you should turn from these worthless things & turn to the living God, who made heaven & earth, the sea, & everything in them. In the past he permitted all the nations to go their own ways, but he never left them without evidence of himself & his goodness. For instance, he sends you rain & good crops & gives you food & joyful hearts.” Acts 14:15-17

There it is…rain, good crops, food & joyful hearts are God’s evidence of his power & love for humanity…God says, “Hello” from your garden & from the thunderstorm, from the sunrise & your dinner table, from the festivities we use to mark birthdays & anniversaries and from the restful sleep that ends your day. God says “Hello” in a satisfying day’s work & in those moments of frustration or pain with his arms around you. The next verse reads…But even with these words, Paul & Barnabas could scarcely restrain the people from sacrificing to them. Our world has a hard time seeing God’s hand in all these moments & an even harder time hearing him. Our turned-from-God-to-self lives are hard to turn back to Him…only the Spirit can unbend our twisted souls in the promise of Jesus crucified, risen & reigning over all things.

So…look for those moments of God’s “Hello,” & help others experience the Father’s grace-filled presence & care. It might just start with a simple “Hello.”

Speaking of “Hello”…let’s say “hello” to the many things marking our days this coming week…and month…

1. As always…

Zoom Bible Study Catch-up (Luke 6:17-26)
Friday 14th February 2025 @ 1:00 p.m.

Join Zoom Meeting — https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81166125179 — Meeting ID: 811 6612 5179

2. This Sunday, 16^th February, we’ll be picking up the next part of our vision, “Grow in His Grace” in the context of, “Answering the ‘Why?’” as Living Water turns 12 this year & we recommit ourselves & our future toward those things God has entrusted into our hands for the advancing of his Kingdom here. This week we’ll explore what it means to “grow” in grace & likeness to Jesus. What does it mean that the church is a “roadway not a carpark,” that we live toward a destiny not a destination.

We’ll explore that together this week. AND…it’s a Morning Tea Sunday!

3. THANK YOU! to everyone who has taken MORE flyers to share with family & friends for UnEarthed: Uncovering stories of Faith in Australia – Thursday 27^thFebruary 2025…I handed a bunch of these out to some not-yet-follower of Jesus friends the other night. Just keep inviting, keep praying & BE THERE YOURSELF! This citywide multi-church event will be a FREE event held at the Range Function Centre. Please note that location & date! It’s going to include Karl Faase, Colin Buchanan (and his adult country repertoire), Peter Gibbs & (Wagga’s own) Jade Stegg from the Faith Runs Deep documentary interview series. We get to be part of all-Australian stories of faith in Christ from the length & breadth of this sunburnt country…the Great Southland of the Holy Spirit. We have a great sign-up sheet ready for folks to RSVP if you don’t have access to the QR Code registration option.
4. TRAFFIC REDIRECTION COMING to Red Hill Road! The Southern Conference Junior Touch Competition is upon us again this week. 14^th – 16^th February, Red Hill Road between Glenfield Road & Bourke Street will be blocked off. The whole of Jubilee Park will be engaged by the annual Touch Competition & any of us travelling from the farther Western edges of Wagga will need to allow for the redirected traffic flow. Plan accordingly.
5. Living Water Prayer Mornings are on the calendar. (Subject to changes for emergencies or other sorts of scheduling mishaps)

Claim the dates:

1^st March – 85 Red Hill Rd

5^th April – 7 Gidgee Place

24^th May – 85 Red Hill Rd

21^st June – 7 Gidgee Place

16^th August – 85 Red Hill Rd

20^th September – 7 Gidgee Place

8^th November – 85 Red Hill Rd

6. Ok…and one farther out…Ash Wednesday Worship, March 5^th, 7:00 p.m. @ the Guide Hall.

I’m looking forward to seeing you Sunday. Grab someone who wouldn’t otherwise be there & invite them to join you.

Peace,

John