As the mega storm blankets the Northeast, I ponder God’s purpose for winter.
Psalm 2:1, 3 (CEV)
Why do the nations plot,
and why do their people make useless plans?
. . . In heaven the Lord laughs as he sits on his throne.
Think of the meetings postponed, flights canceled, lessons pushed back, appointments rescheduled. I can imagine God chuckling on his throne, “So you have it all carefully planned. How’s about 20 inches of snow?“
Fresh snow, cold air. Your reaction?
I enjoy snow, in modest amounts. Cold weather, not so much. But I like the changing seasons.
Ecclesiastes 3:1 (ASV)
For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven.
That said, what do you think is God’s purpose for winter?
I was reading the comments attached to a news story on the March for Life. One said, “I won’t let [an unplanned] pregnancy ruin my life” (not an exact quote, I didn’t get the writer’s permission).
I thought about my two pregnancies. Neither was planned, and I threw up every day for months. My life wasn’t ruined.
I consider my grown sons (two born to me, two adopted). Their lives matter, and certainly not just because I decided I wanted them. My ego isn’t big enough to think it was ever all about me.
Many people see abortion as the best choice in cases of rape and incest.
I am disturbed by what seems to be a message of the easy fix: make the baby go away, and things go back to normal. Baby or not, normal will never be the same for the victim of rape or incest. Is it mom who doesn’t want the living reminder, or those on the outside looking in? Are we eliminating the one good thing to come out of the horror?
Before abortion was legal, those babies lived. Perhaps there a child of rape or incest in your ancestral line. That life matters to you.
Acts 2:17 (and Joel 2:28)
In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old mean will dream dreams.
Proverbs 29:18 (AMP)
Where there is no vision [no redemptive revelation of God], the people perish.
Every day in America’s cities, young men of color perish for lack of vision.
Dear God, grant them worthy dreams of light and life.
Yesterday was Sanctity of Life Sunday. Today is Martin Luther King Day. The first focuses on babies in the womb, the second on equality for people of color. What do the two have in common? The biblical concepts that all humans are created in the image of God and their lives have value.
It’s a spiritual battle: on one side, Christ offers abundant life:
John 10:10 (NIV)
I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
On the other side, Satan destroys life.
1 Peter 5:8
Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
Which aspect of this battle most troubles you?
This is your call to prayer. You are a soldier in this battle.
Exodus 20:8 (NIV)
Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.
Hmmm. Not just the one-hour worship service. The whole day, a holy day.
Me during the worship service:
Thank you, Lord, for my many blessings.
Gee, my shoes need to be polished.
Forgive my trespasses.
I’m cold. Should have worn my sweater.
We need to buy milk on the way home.
Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
Our Scripture is from Micah? Church will be over before I find it.
Pastor’s tie is crooked. And his nouns and verbs don’t match.
Interesting idea. What do you think, Lord?
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus.
I talk to myself more than I talk to God. How undisciplined!
