Where Is God

September 27, 2026

Pastor Patrick presented today's message, "Where Is God." A video of today's message is here on YouTube. It may help to be familiar with the message but that is not required to enjoy the thoughts below.

Today's message comes on the 4th of 12 weeks in the Book of Mark.

Here are some discussions of storms in the Bible:

Storms (BibleHub). "In the Bible, storms are often depicted as powerful natural phenomena that demonstrate the might and sovereignty of God. They serve as both literal and metaphorical elements throughout the Scriptures, symbolizing divine intervention, judgment, and the trials faced by individuals and nations."

The Storm (BibleHub). "In biblical literature, storms often symbolize the power and majesty of God, serving as both literal and metaphorical elements within the narrative. They are depicted as instruments of divine intervention, judgment, and revelation, reflecting God's sovereignty over creation."

What Do Storms Symbolize In The Bible. "By delving into the symbolism of storms, we can gain a deeper understanding of how God works in our lives and find comfort in knowing that He is always in control, even in the midst of life's greatest tempests."

Bonus

2,000-Year-Old Discovery in Israel

Seems like we've been getting s atream of these discoveries...

A 2,000-year-old archaeological marvel has been unearthed in southern Israel, revealing a mysterious community lost to time and the latest proof of the ancient Jewish connection to the Holy Land.

The major discovery took place in Kiryat Gat, near the site of the ancient Philistine city of Gath, where Goliath came from.

The find, a mikveh ritual immersion pool, provides evidence of a Jewish community that remained in the region following the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 AD and persisted until the Bar Kokhba revolt – the final Jewish rebellion against the Roman Empire.

Here's the full article: 2,000-Year-Old Discovery in Israel Reveals Lost Community and a Reminder of John's Baptisms.

Bonus2

Our Memories Make Us Who We Are

Dennis Prager has for years been pointing out that gratitude is the key to happiness. See one of his discussions on this topic in an early Fireside Chat from 2018 starting about 1:20.

Just recently, Dennis has added the notion that it is our memories that make gratitude possible and therefor make happiness possible as well. Here are some quotes from Our Memories Make Us Who We Are:

Memories are incredibly important to everything that matters: happiness, a country and a civilization surviving, meaning of life, and judging people fairly.

We are our memories.

This is also true of a country; no memory, no country. Who are we? What are we?

Moral bank accounts are critical to understand. Good deeds are deposits, bad deeds are withdrawals.

Warning: it gets political.

Bonus3

Why Do Mormons Get Married So Young?

Josh Carr explains in interview with Shabbos Kestenbaum in a PragerU video.

From the descritpion: "Married at 22. First kid at 23. No regrets. So why do Mormons get married so young—while the rest of modern culture seems stuck in hookup apps, pornography, and endless situationships? In this episode of Theological, Shabbos Kestenbaum sits down with Josh Carr, a young member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, political commentator, husband, father, and former missionary, for a conversation about Mormon dating, eternal marriage, sex before marriage, pornography, dating apps, modesty, masculinity, and why family is so central to LDS life. Josh explains why Latter-day Saints believe marriage is not only “till death do us part,” but an eternal covenant made in the temple. He says marriage helps human beings become more like God — both in the afterlife and in this life."

It's very interesting...

On a side note... Did you know that when modern-day apostles and prophets of the Church of Latter Day Saints agree on womething it's considered scripture.

Bonus4

The Biggest Archaeological Evidence for the Bible

We seem to be having a larger than normal amount of discoveries recently that tend to support the Bible Narrative. Marissa Streit interviews Dinesh D'Souza about this topic on PragerU: Dinesh D'Souza on the Biggest Archaeological Evidence for the Bible (1 hour).

Website description: "Author and filmmaker Dinesh D'Souza and PragerU CEO Marissa Streit explore the biggest archaeological discoveries that he argues are increasingly corroborating the people, places, and historical details described in the Bible. From evidence associated with the high priest Caiaphas to the Pool of Siloam and the Tel Dan Stele's reference to the 'House of David,' Dinesh explains why he believes the cumulative archaeological record presents a growing challenge to skeptics of the Bible's historicity. He also reflects on what he sees as the deeper significance of so many biblical discoveries emerging now, why the Bible remains foundational to Western civilization and why, in his words, 'the stones are crying out.'"

It's a fascinating discussion I highly recommend. I've also pre-ordered a book by Dinesh being released October 13th called The Stones Cry Out: Biblical Archaeology, Prophecy, and the Last Days. A PragerU documentary with Dinesh on this topic will be released about the same time as the book.