Winter Snow

The valley received another fresh blanket of snow this last weekend. The snow really revitalizes the drab colors of winter and adds a sparkle to the landscape. Snow is a celebration of winter. Snow can also represent freshness and purity. Who hasn’t heard the saying pure as the new driven snow? Shakespeare used snow as a symbol for purity and whiteness in several plays. A hymn that was often sung in the churches I attended from early childhood through my High School years was the hymn, “Nothing but the Blood of Jesus”, written by Ro­bert Low­ry.

What can wash away my sin?

Nothing but the blood of Jesus;

What can make me whole again?

Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Refrain

Oh! precious is the flow

That makes me white as snow;

No other fount I know,

Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Truer words were never sung. The sacrificial gift Christ has given us through his death and resurrection has given us hope and made us pure. May every snow fall remind us of this beautiful sacrifice Christ undertook, to bring us close to God.

How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God! Hebrews 9:14

Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow

There’s something about a blanket of snow that instills a sense of peace in me. It creates a quiet that covers the area. Often times we can get a glimpse of God through the nature he has created. Job 37 is one of those passages that describes God’s glory through his command of nature:

Job 37

1 "At this my heart pounds

and leaps from its place.

2 Listen! Listen to the roar of his voice,

to the rumbling that comes from his mouth.

3 He unleashes his lightning beneath the whole heaven

and sends it to the ends of the earth.

4 After that comes the sound of his roar;

he thunders with his majestic voice.

When his voice resounds,

he holds nothing back.

5 God's voice thunders in marvelous ways;

he does great things beyond our understanding.

6 He says to the snow, 'Fall on the earth,'

and to the rain shower, 'Be a mighty downpour.'

7 So that all men he has made may know his work,

he stops every man from his labor.

8 The animals take cover;

they remain in their dens.

9 The tempest comes out from its chamber,

the cold from the driving winds.

10 The breath of God produces ice,

and the broad waters become frozen.

11 He loads the clouds with moisture;

he scatters his lightning through them.

12 At his direction they swirl around

over the face of the whole earth

to do whatever he commands them.

13 He brings the clouds to punish men,

or to water his earth and show his love.

14 "Listen to this, Job;

stop and consider God's wonders.

15 Do you know how God controls the clouds

and makes his lightning flash?

16 Do you know how the clouds hang poised,

those wonders of him who is perfect in knowledge?

17 You who swelter in your clothes

when the land lies hushed under the south wind,

18 can you join him in spreading out the skies,

hard as a mirror of cast bronze?

19 "Tell us what we should say to him;

we cannot draw up our case because of our darkness.

20 Should he be told that I want to speak?

Would any man ask to be swallowed up?

21 Now no one can look at the sun,

bright as it is in the skies

after the wind has swept them clean.

22 Out of the north he comes in golden splendor;

God comes in awesome majesty.

23 The Almighty is beyond our reach and exalted in power;

in his justice and great righteousness, he does not oppress.

24 Therefore, men revere him,

for does he not have regard for all the wise in heart?"

Home At Last

It’s been a week today since our little grandson was able to come home, after being discharged from the hospital. The doctors and nurses marveled throughout his stay there at the progress he made and how well he got on. We know that it was the Lord who brought him such good health and we know that we have had the prayer support of our good friends & family. I love visiting the little guy. It’s so amazing how he searches my face looking for the meaning of who I am. He looks so intently at my every feature and when I speak he seems to be taking in my voice as if to try and discern how I my fit into something with which he is familiar.

We have a heavenly father and King David in his Psalm of Thanks encourages the assembly to Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always. 1 Chronicles 16:10-12. They were celebrating and thanking God for return if the Ark of the Covenant.

Jesus answered. "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the Prophets: 'They will all be taught by God.' Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from him comes to me. John 6:43-44

We have the unique advantage of being able to seek God’s face and listen to God’s voice through his scriptures and his Holy Spirit. How much God must love us to provide us with this opportunity. Please be sure to take a hold of this gift and ask the Holy Spirit to lead you as you study his words.

I want to thank all of you for your prayers. I count myself quite fortunate to have such good friends and family.

It’s been a week today since our little grandson was able to come home, after being discharged from the hospital. The doctors and nurses marveled throughout his stay there at the progress he made and how well he got on. We know that it was the Lord who brought him such good health and we know that we have had the prayer support of our good friends & family. I love visiting the little guy. It’s so amazing how he searches my face looking for the meaning of who I am. He looks so intently at my every feature and when I speak he seems to be taking in my voice as if to try and discern how I my fit into something with which he is familiar.

We have a heavenly father and In King David in his Psalm of Thanks encourages the assembly to Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always. 1 Chronicles 16:10-12. They were celebrating and thanking God for return if the Ark of the Covenant.

Jesus answered. "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the Prophets: 'They will all be taught by God.' Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from him comes to me. John 6:43-44

We have the unique advantage of being able to seek God’s face and listen to God’s voice through his scriptures and his Holy Spirit. How much God must love us to provide us with this opportunity. Please be sure to take a hold of this gift and ask the Holy Spirit to lead you as you study his words.

I want to thank all of you for your prayers. I count myself quite fortunate to have such good friends and family.

It’s been a week today since our little grandson was able to come home, after being discharged from the hospital. The doctors and nurses marveled throughout his stay there at the progress he made and how well he got on. We know that it was the Lord who brought him such good health and we know that we have had the prayer support of our good friends & family. I love visiting the little guy. It’s so amazing how he searches my face looking for the meaning of who I am. He looks so intently at my every feature and when I speak he seems to be taking in my voice as if to try and discern how I my fit into something with which he is familiar.

We have a heavenly father and In King David in his Psalm of Thanks encourages the assembly to Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always. 1 Chronicles 16:10-12. They were celebrating and thanking God for return if the Ark of the Covenant.

Jesus answered. "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the Prophets: 'They will all be taught by God.' Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from him comes to me. John 6:43-44

We have the unique advantage of being able to seek God’s face and listen to God’s voice through his scriptures and his Holy Spirit. How much God must love us to provide us with this opportunity. Please be sure to take a hold of this gift and ask the Holy Spirit to lead you as you study his words.

I want to thank all of you for your prayers. I count myself quite fortunate to have such good friends and family.

It’s been a week today since our little grandson was able to come home, after being discharged from the hospital. The doctors and nurses marveled throughout his stay there at the progress he made and how well he got on. We know that it was the Lord who brought him such good health and we know that we have had the prayer support of our good friends & family. I love visiting the little guy. It’s so amazing how he searches my face looking for the meaning of who I am. He looks so intently at my every feature and when I speak he seems to be taking in my voice as if to try and discern how I my fit into something with which he is familiar.

We have a heavenly father and King David in his Psalm of Thanks encourages the assembly to Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always. 1 Chronicles 16:10-12. They were celebrating and thanking God for return if the Ark of the Covenant.

Jesus answered. "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the Prophets: 'They will all be taught by God.' Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from him comes to me. John 6:43-44

We have the unique advantage of being able to seek God’s face and listen to God’s voice through his scriptures and his Holy Spirit. How much God must love us to provide us with this opportunity. Please be sure to take a hold of this gift and ask the Holy Spirit to lead you as you study his words.

I want to thank all of you for your prayers. I count myself quite fortunate to have such good friends and family.

Happy New Year

So what’s your New Year’s resolution this year? Starting out the New Year allows us time for reflection of things we’d like to change for the better as well as the things we’d like to continue. Each year brings hope for a brighter future. We must place our hope in the right place.

In Psalm 119:114 we learn that “You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word.”


… but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, Isaiah 40:31

… guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. Psalm 25:5

The world can be somewhat harsh and unyielding, place at times. Placing your hope in world leaders, TV hosts, your favorite university professor or Lucretia the Palm Reader around the corner can take the focus off of the true author of hope for the world, our heavenly father. May 2008 be a year of hope and focus on our Lord.