February
02 Feb 2011
Groundhog Day
Groundhog Day is one of those fun but silly celebrations we have where we lay future predictions in the hands,
or should I say paws, of that much learned and revered rodent, the groundhog.
In the summer I have heard farmers curse the rodent because of the holes he leaves in their field
that may cause livestock to fall. But on this one day of the year, he moves from the lowly to the respected.
You may look at yourself as someone lowly and unworthy of anyone’s love, let alone the Love of God.
We need to remember that God’s love is unconditional. It doesn’t matter what you did yesterday,
or last week or even years ago, God loves you. Yes, He wishes you hadn’t done them. Yes,
it makes Him sad that you did those things, but it also makes Him sad that you consider
yourself unworthy of His Love. He loves you no matter what. Romans 8:39 assures us of this.
"Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God,
which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (KJV) Notice it says ‘any other creature’. The only creature that can separate us
from the Love of God is ourselves. It is offered unconditionally, all we need to do is accept it.
09 Feb 2011
Spring is Coming
Winter storms come and winter storms go. It may be one day of snow that requires me to clean my driveway
or it may be a week long blow that closes the highways and cancels activities. No matter how bad or how long the storm,
there is one thing of which we can be assured, it will eventually end and spring will arrive.
So, no matter how much these winter storms get you down, keep the promise of spring in the forefront of your mind.
The storms of life may treat you in a like manner. The storm may be short or it may be long and drawn out.
It may seem like it might never end, but it will. Not only can we be assured that the storm will end but
there will be a future change in the season of life, Jesus will come. Just as we know that spring will return,
we also know the same applies to Jesus. His return is promised in His Word.
In James 5:7, James tells us, "So be patient, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s return." (NET)
Why would he tell us to be patient if Jesus was not returning. Just as we need patience in the storms of winter
to see the return of warm weather, we also need patience in the storms of life to see the return of Jesus.
16 Feb 2011
Proceed With Caution
The snow at the end of my driveway is now piled up so high that I cannot see oncoming cars as I pull out into the road.
I have to pull up as far as I can and then inch ahead while constantly looking both ways to see if any traffic is approaching.
The only way I would feel safe barging out into the street is if there would be a policeman at the end of my driveway directing
traffic and waving me to come out. Too often we barge out into situations in our lives.
We need to proceed with more caution, make sure things are safe before we move forward.
But there are also those times when God is guiding us. If He, like the policeman who guides us into traffic,
is showing the time and direction in which we must move, then we need to follow His directions with complete confidence.
In Psalms 31:3, King David says, "For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name’s sake lead me,
and guide me."(KJV) We need to follow his example and allow God to be our rock, our fortress and our guide.
23 Feb 2011
Touch
Touch is an amazing thing. I have read that people who are in comas can
feel touch and know if someone is holding their hand.
They may not be able to see or hear anyone, but a touch they will perceive.
When you see couples walking down the street they will often be holding hands.
There is something about touch that conveys love and intimacy.
When a child falls and hurts himself, sometimes a simple touch is enough to make them feel better.
It may be in the form of a hug or a simple holding of the hand.
Then there is always the ‘magic’ of a mother’s kiss to an injured or upset child.
A simple kiss can cure a multitude of ills.
Bill Gaither wrote a beautiful song about how God is able to touch us. The chorus says, "He touched me, Oh, He touched me,
And oh the joy that floods my soul. Something happened and now I know, He touched me and made me whole."
When God touches you, something happens, something changes. There is a wholeness and a joy that takes over your life.
When He touches you, you will never be the same.
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