September 11, 2007

I. Readings
Psalms 42, 102, 133
1 Kings 16:23-34
Philippians 1:12-30
Mark 16:1-8

II. Selections
Psalm 42:3
My tears have been my food day and night,
while people say to me continually,
"Where is your God?"

1 Kings 16:33
Ahab did more to provoke the anger of the LORD, the God of Israel, than had all the kings of Israel who were before him.

Philippians 1:21
For to me, living is Christ and dying is gain.

Mark 16:6
But [ the young man, dressed in a white robe] said to [ Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome], "Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Look, there is the place they laid him. ... "

III. Meditation: Where are you?

When we play Ahab,
provoking your anger,
people must wonder,
"Where is your God?"

The women looked
where the body was laid,
but the tomb was empty;
where then was Jesus?

Paul knew the answers:
to him living was Christ,
and dying was gain;
and living or dying,
he was with Christ,
and Christ was with you.