Fair Weather

The calendar says Spring is here. I look out my window and see the tiniest of green leaves here and there. When Spring comes, isn't everything supposed to be blooming and bursting forth in beauty?

The skies are gray and the forecasters issue storm warnings. The next forecast issues the possibilities of frost. Wait! Where's the sunshine, gentle winds, and warm temperatures?

Sometimes we feel that way about the Christian life. We're supposed to have peace, love, and joy...God's supposed to defeat the enemies, supply all our needs and calm the storms!

A storm comes, but so does a beautiful rainbow. Days later, the same glance out the windows shows lots more green leaves and flowers peeking through,  I'm able to leave my coat at home. "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens." Ecclesiastes 3:1. "But those who wait upon the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint." Isaiah 40:31. Sometimes I sure am a slow learner.....

The birds are chirping outside my window. It'll rain today, and tomorrow the green of Spring will show even more. But because I know THE Weatherman, I will have new mercies EVERY morning--and I can have sunshine in my SOUL no matter what storms of life may come, nor what season of life I'm in! What a great forecast!

VBS!

Vacation Bible School is around the corner! Yes, I realize it is March and that our VBS is in June, but plans for the week are already in full swing. In two weeks, we have our annual VBS kickoff. Jeanne Carpenter, Becky Woodall and Jan Weaver always plan an exciting evening to get us ready for a great week of VBS. My favorite part is seeing all the wonderful people who volunteer their time, not only for the week of VBS, but for the preparation in advance.

Be in prayer for these extraordinary folks as they get ready to teach the children of our community about the love of Christ. Be in prayer for our church as we welcome the families of VBS children and seek ways to show them the gospel message. Be in prayer for the children as they come and, while having a super week, find out about the Savior.

It's never too early to pray for VBS!

Seasons Pass

At the beginning of winter, it seemed everywhere I turned, I saw or heard phrases like, "Let it Snow," "I love the snow!" countdowns of how many days until Christmas, etc. Now, it's quite the reverse....I hear and see, "Die, Winter, Die!" countdown to Spring, "I hate snow," etc.

This brings several things to mind--1) We're never satisfied, or not for long, it seems--ha! 2) It's good to look ahead. 3) I'm so thankful for the variety of seasons.

Sometimes we feel as though the winter or stormy seasons of our lives will never end, too, and we long for brighter days. During these times, it is important to remember that we are not alone. The Bible has MANY verses of encouragement. The following are just a few of them: “The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, sincerely and in truth.” Psalm 145:18; “The Lord upholds all those (of His own) who are falling and raises up all those who are bowed down.” Psalm 145:14; "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." Matthew 11:28-29. Seasons change, both in the weather, and in the events of our lives. God DOESN'T.

Ironing

My mother taught me how to iron. Lesson one: make sure you grab the right end. I had the burned hands to prove the validity of lesson one. Lesson two: don't leave until you've unplugged the iron. I had the shirt with the iron shaped burn mark to prove the validity of lesson number two.

Somewhere between these two lessons, my clothes were supposed to get iron. When I got to college, that all fell by the wayside. I learned if you packed enough clothes into your dorm closet, they basically iron themselves.

Interestingly enough, one of the hymns of faith was written while ironing. "In Times Like These" was written by Ruth Caye Jones during the depths of World War II. One day, while ironing, the words came to her. She jotted them down and put them in her apron pocket. Over the next several years, this hymn became widely used, especially at Billy Graham crusades.

It's not difficult to see why this hymn became so popular. In the midst of the darkness of a world war, the words of the hymn gave great comfort:

In times like these, we need a Savior

In times like these, we need an anchor

Be very sure; Be very sure

Your anchor holds, and grips the Solid Rock!

We live in an evil, tragic world. If ever there was a time to proclaim the message of Jesus, it is now. If ever there was a time to proclaim the hope we have in Christ, this is it. Our world needs the Solid Rock.

Happier Birthday

My birthday was yesterday. We had a fun celebration.

When our kids were little, we enjoyed planning their birthday parties and gifts so much.  We would pick out just the right invitations, work on their guest lists, prepare the food, decide on a cake, and count down the days. Even now that they are older, their birthdays are very special to me.

Part of the birthday fun was remembering back to the days they were actually born. However, NO birthday was as exciting as the days they were born AGAIN. Before they were born, we prayed for them, waited anxiously for them, and rejoiced when they actually made their arrivals. Conversely, after they were born, we prayed for their salvation (their rebirths), waited anxiously for God's timing for it to occur, and rejoiced when those days came. It was even a HAPPIER birthday!

On the other side of the coin, next week will be the first time my mother hasn't been here for me to contact on her birthday. She's now in Heaven where birthdays are a non-issue! I miss her so very much, but would not call her back for anything.

Celebrations are wonderful things, and I'm glad we get to enjoy with each other. But no earthly celebration will compare with the one that is to come.....that day when we walk into Heaven, and see Jesus face-to-face in a land where there are no tears, no sorrowing, and no sin. Wow..."What a Day That Will Be!" Just as it is written, "Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, And [which] have not entered the heart of man--all that God has prepared for those who love Him." 1 Corinthians 2:9. What a wonderful promise!











 

 

 

Check Your Thermometer

We've had some interesting weather of late. On the day I'm writing this, the recorded high temperature dropped almost fifty degrees from the previous day. That would not have mattered when I was ten. No, I didn't tolerate temperature changes better when I was younger. I had a broken thermometer. It was permanently stuck on 75 degrees. No matter what, it was always the perfect weather.

But of course it wasn't. Even if the thermometer read 75, it was still 10 degrees outside. It was a good day to have a coat and mittens, no matter what the thermometer said.

Sometimes our spiritual thermometer gets stuck. Through neglect, inattention, and apathy, we often don't notice the lag in our enthusiasm for serving the Lord, and suddenly it has been weeks since the last time we read our Bible or prayed.

The solution is simple - use a thermometer that works. Satan will provide all kinds of excuses not to do so, but make the scripture a constant part of every day. Spend time reading God's word every day, and listen for his voice. Allow God's Holy Spirit to use the wisdom of His Word to take your spiritual temperature. Memorize scripture to take it with you as you go through the day. You'll find God warming your heart, no matter what the weather.

2 Timothy 3:16

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.

Happy NEW Year!

"New"--it seems like a simple little word, one we've heard our whole lives, not worth much in a game of Scrabble, and one that we use all the time.

The dictionary defines it, of course, as 'having recently coming into existence." However,
for Christians, two of the definitions have very special meanings.... "being other than the former or old"  and, "different from one of the same category that has existed previously." How WONDERFUL that Christ makes us NEW...not like our 'old' self with all its baggage and sin (2 Cor. 5:17), and He gives us a DIFFERENT life--a life abundant (John 10:10).

In our humanness, we celebrate the start of the New Year--but as Christians, we have reason to celebrate our newness every day! And, we can look forward expectantly to the 'new heaven and new earth' to come! In the meantime, what a great promise is found in Lamentations 3:22: "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning." Now those are reasons to celebrate!



Getting a Fresh "START" in the New Year

Stop Making Excuses - Proverbs 28:13 - A man who refuses to admit his mistakes can never be successful. But if he confesses and forsakes them, he gets another chance.

Take an Inventory of Your Life - 2 Corinthians 13:5 - Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith.

Act in Faith - Matthew 9:29 - According to your faith let it be to you.
Refocus - Philippians 3:13 - …but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead…
Trust - Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.

(Acrostic by Rev. Jim Mooney)