This week, I would like to share some thoughts I have been processing from various sources, but primarily from a work by Francis Chan, entitled Crazy Love. This is one of the works mentioned by Doug Simpson recently, when he spoke to the church at Sugar Grove.

What if I said to you, "Stop praying"? What if I told you to stop talking at GOD for a while, but instead to take a long look at Him before you speak another word? Solomon cautioned us not to rush into GOD's Presence with words. He said, "That is what fools do." Is that not what we do very often?

In our culture we are slow to listen, quick to speak and quick to become angry. Just the opposite of what James teaches us in James 1:19. The wise person comes to GOD without saying a word and stands in awe of Him. It may seem a hopeless endeavor to gaze at the invisible GOD. But Romans 1:20 tells us that through creation, we see His "invisible attributes or qualities" and His "divine nature." If we want to become a people who are "quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to become angry," then we must gaze at GOD on a regular basis.

Begin this week's blog devotional by gazing at GOD in silence. Let's consider His Awe Factor. We can begin by going to this web site: http://www.crazylovebook.com/ and look at the "Awe Factor" video on that site. Just check under the video link. Do it now! Was that "awe"some or what? Doesn't that move you to worship GOD?

Have you ever thought about how diverse and creative GOD is? Why there are so many different kinds of the same thing - leaves, trees, fish, animals, insects, people.
Whatever the reasons for such diversity, creativity and sophistication in the universe, on earth annd in our own bodies, the point of it all is His Glory. GOD's art speaks of Himself, reflecting who He is and what He is like. Psalm 19:1-4 bears this out.

Yet, there is an epidemic of "spiritual amnesia" going around, and none of us is immune. No matter how many fascinating details we learn about GOD's creation, no matter how many pictures we see of galaxies, and no matter how many sunsets we watch, we still forget!

It confuses us when loving GOD is so hard. Should it not be easy to love a GOD so wonderful? But in a world where there are so many distractions, we must intentionally and consistently remind ourselves of GOD. In our culture, we are programmed to focus on what we do NOT have. We are bombarded many times throughout our day with messages that tell us what we need to buy or do that will make us feel happier, look sexier, or have more peace. That creates a level of dissatisfaction which transfers over to our relationship with GOD.

What is GOD like? What are His characteristics? What are His defining attributes?

• GOD is Holy! He said to Moses, "I am who I am" (Exodus 3:14)! GOD is set apart from us. He is distinct. He is GOD and we are not! Our words and our thoughts cannot contain GOD.
• GOD is Eternal! GOD has no begining and no end. That is baffling to think about. We are constricted by our measurement of time. Examine Psalm 102:12, 27.
• GOD is All-Knowing! Wow! That is an intimidating thought. For King David, that thought led him to worship GOD (Psalm 139).
• GOD is All-Powerful! Colossians 1:16 reminds us that everything was created for GOD. But we often live as though GOD was created for us. Examine Daniel 4:35. Can you worship a GOD who is not obligated to explain His actions to you? Could it be our own arrogance that makes us think that GOD owes us an explanation?
• GOD is Fair and Just! GOD is the only being who is good. So the justice standards are set by Him. GOD hates sin and He never excuses sin. GOD is more than just in dealing with sin. He gave His own Son to pay the price for our sin!

ENCOUNTER WITH GOD'S WORD
Examine Revelation 4 and Isaiah 6. There we get two distinct glimpses of the heavenly throne room. Both of these descriptions serve a purpose. John's helps us imagine what the throne room of GOD looks like. Isaiah's reminds us what our only response to such a GOD should be.
May this kind of ENCOUNTER with GOD move us to the same reaction as Isaiah - "Woe are we ... we are a people of unclean lips!"

SOME ENCOUNTER QUESTIONS

• How were you impacted by the Awe Factor video?
• Read Psalm 19:1-4. In what ways does this passage touch your soul and move you to worship GOD?
• What do I mean by "spiritual amnesia?" In what ways do you suffer from this affliction? What is the remedy?
• Which of GOD's divine attributes move you the most? Why?