Reflection: Last Sunday, we explored the nature of God and found God is much bigger, deeper and more present than any way in which we could define God by the limits of our human imagination. This Sunday, we explore God's character. Where does the intention of God lean? Toward chaos and hate, to destruction and conflict? Or toward a new order and love, to rebuilding and reconciliation? Marcus Borg reminds us in this week's Speaking Christian chapter that "the passion and character of God are intrinsically related". By the passion of God, I mean what we mean when we ask of somebody, 'What's your passion in life - what do you care most about, what are you passionate about?' Passion flows out of character. If that is true for humankind, what passion flows out of God? In the Lectionary, the three-year cycle of scripture readings that many churches follow (including HAUMC for quite some time) the Hosea text for Sunday only appears once and it's paired with a great parable from Luke and the beauty that is Colossians 3, a new way to live in relationship. Because of this, it's quite possible many haven't experienced Hosea in worship very often, and you're encouraged to read a little about Hosea (http://www.enterthebible.org/oldtestament.aspx?rid=22) as well as about this particular passage from a trusted source: EnterTheBible.org, a ministry of Luther Seminary.

For the Children: Sometimes, we have a tough time making choices. And God is asking us to choose, too, when it comes to how we live in God's world. Have you ever made a choice that turned out to really help someone? Have you ever made a choice that didn't go well? Even when we make a choice we wish we hadn't, God still loves us. When we make a choice that makes the world better, God loves us and celebrates with us!