2. Fall Alive in the Story of Creation Winter Alive in the Adventure of Jesus Spring Alive in a Global Uprising Summer Alive in the Spirit of God

3. Awe and Wonder, Genesis 1
“sometimes i need only to stand wherever
i am to be blessed.” - Mary Oliver
“Instructions for living a life.
Pay attention.
Be astonished.
Tell about it.” - Mary Oliver (via Momastery)

4. Awe and Wonder, Genesis 1
Being Human, Genesis 2
All of creation is good, and should be
treated well.
Sin begins with determining that some of
God’s good creation is not-so-good, and
can be treated not-so-well.

5. Awe and Wonder, Genesis 1
Being Human, Genesis 2
A World of Meaning, John 1
In Jesus, we see who God is, how God acts
and what God cares about.
Jesus is brave, kind, and generous, especially towards those who have been labeled not- so-good and are treated not-so-well.

6. The Drama of Desire 4. The Curse of Comparison Genesis 3 & 4
Adam and Eve.
“I am not like you, so I must be not-so-good”.
Shame. Hiding from each other. Hiding from God.
Cain and Abel.
“You are not like me, so you must be not-so- good.”
Competition. Envy. Murder.

7. Wonder. Awe. Delight. Gratitude.
It is possible for comparison to lead to delight.
Genesis 2: The man gave names to all cattle, and to the birds of the air, and to every animal of the field; but for the man there was not found a helper as his partner. So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and he slept; then he took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. And the rib that the Lord God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man. Then the man said, “This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; this one shall be called Woman, for out of Man this one was taken.”
Wonder. Awe. Delight. Gratitude.

8. But most often comparison leads to:
shame: Adam and Eve. “I am not like you, so I must be not-so-good”.
or competition: Cain and Abel. “You are not like me, so you must be not-so-good.”
Which is your greater temptation?
Or is it both?

9. Comparison prevents us from ‘reflecting the image of a creative, generous, life-giving God. With Adam and Eve, we become graspers, hiders, blamers and shamers. With Cain and Abel, we become rivals, resenters, murderers, and destroyers – the very opposite of God’s image.’ (McLaren, 16) Do you recognize yourself in this list anywhere? Everywhere???

10. “To be alive is to be mindful that we live in the (curse of competition). We can (compete), and so be driven to fear, rivalry, judging, conflict, and killing. Or we can imitate God’s generosity … and create, bless, help, serve, care for, save, and enjoy.” (18)

11. “Instructions for living a life. Pay attention. Be astonished
“Instructions for living a life. Pay attention. Be astonished. Tell about it.” - Mary Oliver (via Momastery)