When Noah Released the Dove--Jan. 18, 2016

When Noah released the dove,

he had no inkling of where it was going,

but it came back to him bringing an olive leaf.

When we release our hearts to your Holy Spirit,

we have no notion where you may lead us,

but we know you are good to all,

with compassion over all

you have made.

Therefore with

boldness we approach

the throne of your grace,

that we may receive mercy

and find grace in time of need.

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 135; 145; 97; 112

Gen. 8:6-22

Heb. 4:14-5:6

John 2:23-3:15

Selected Verses

Ps. 145:9

The LORD is good to all,
          and his compassion is over all that he has made.

Gen. 8:10-11

[Noah] waited another seven days, and again he sent out the dove from the ark; and the dove came back to him in the evening, and there in its beak was a freshly plucked olive leaf; so Noah knew that the waters had subsided from the earth. 

Heb. 4:16

Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

John 3:8

"…The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes.  So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit."  [Jesus to Nicodemus]