Snow Day

Well, it really wasn't a snow day - more like an ice day! The grandchildren were here on Friday night and so excited about getting snow.  It was supposed to start around 6 pm but when I finally got them in bed about 10, we had nary a drop of anything.

I woke up around 3 to the sound of rain and sleet. By the time the kids got up about 8:00 we had 2 inches of ice on the ground. Not good for snowballs or snow men but certainly good for sledding. Not that I had any sleds at my house but that did not deter us.

Bella got a shallow rectangular bin and Nate got cardboard. They had hours of fun...until we got too wet and cold to stay out any longer. And by then it was lunch time any way. So back to the house to get dry and warm. Then back out again later to do it all over again. The children were here until 4:00. When they left I was exhausted.

But it was that good kind of exhausted when you know that you have created memories. I actually took some video of the kids sledding and let Nate open a YouTube account so he could post it to his facebook page. There wasn't much on the ground but because it was all ice, it made for some fast going!

Those Who Are Skilled

When God was ready to build His tabernacle, He gave very specific instructions to Moses. But He also called one man, equipped with the skills he needed, to do the work. 


In the New Testament, Paul tells us that the Church is given various gifts here and here. Just as God gave skills to Bezalel (and Oholiab) to make all the things God commanded from the delicate filigree work to the huge leather tent coverings, He gives skills to those who make up His church today.


When we sit back and do nothing, when we constantly take and never give back, the Church does not function at its best. When people try to do things just because their is a need, without having been skilled by God for that purpose things do not go well. The person gets frustrated or worn out and the job is usually not done in the best way possible.


In the business world we expect companies to put the best person on the task but we don't expect that in church world. Of course there is always a growing and learning time, a maturing time but even if the skills are not honed, they are there. We should expect to use our skills and have those who are skilled encouraged to give back to the work of God through the local church.

Colossians 2: 8-15

⁸See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. ⁹For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, ¹⁰and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority. ¹¹In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, ¹² having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. ¹³ And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, ¹⁴by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. ¹⁵ He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.


I don't think I fully understood the significance of baptism in the life of a person until many years after I was baptized. The powerful testimony, not only to those who observe, but to the person being baptized - if they really really think about what they are doing. Sharing in Christ's death and powerful resurrection...

Because God nailed our debt to the cross, canceling the record.

Spending Time with God

Spending time with God really changes things. When God first spoke to Moses from the burning bush - telling him to go to Egypt to confront pharaoh - Moses had all sorts of excuses about why he couldn't go. One of those excuses was that he didn't speak well. So Aaron was appointed to be the spokesperson.

But by the time God gives the law to Moses, he doesn't have any problem speaking up. Moses doesn't hesitate to confront Aaron and all the Israelites with the terrible thing they have done in making a golden calf to worship. And he doesn't hesitate to go to God to intercede for them so God will not destroy the people because of this great sin.

I spoke to a woman last night who wants to learn how to pray. One thing I said to her was just do it...talk to God every day. Not just in formal bow your head, close your eyes prayer but in small conversations all day. She had never thought about speaking to God and telling him things in informal, conversational language through out her day.

The more I recognize God's hand in all the little aspects of my life and tell Him I'm so glad He does all that He does for me, I am building that relationship. As I spend more time with Him, He shares more of who He is with me. As in any relationship, it is a back and forth, give and take from both sides.

The Excitement Continues

I'm helping with follow up phone calls to those who registered decisions on Sunday. It is so exciting to hear their stories.

One young mother said she was sure of her salvation before Sunday but when Perry asked - on a scale of 1-10, where are you in your relationship with Jesus - she thought I can't be more than a 3. And she was convicted of her need to have a deeper, more meaningful relationship with Christ, to be a better wife and mother.

As she and her husband talked afterwards, he was convicted of his need to be more of a spiritual leader in their home. So he suggested they start family devotions...and they did. Her enthusiasm for all that God is showing them is contagious.

I talked to a man who divorced and left the church he had attended. He is now remarried and wants to get this marriage headed in the right direction by having Jesus as the head of his home. They have been attending NewSpring for months but really believe now is the time to think seriously about joining.

Another young man was rather hesitant but confirmed that he asked Jesus into his heart and wants to be baptized and come to a membership class and maybe join NewSpring.

Hearing their excitement and commitment makes me excited. Makes me so thankful that I am part of this church that is constantly seeking to lead the lost to Jesus.

I WAS Darkness

I have been thinking about this statement in Ephesians 5:8...for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 

I WAS darkness. Not I walked in darkness or lived in darkness...I WAS darkness. That is overwhelming. I was not just unredeemed, not just misguided, not just sowing my oats, not just living in the fast lane...I was DARKNESS! And I wonder how much of a black hole effect did I have. Who did I draw into the abyss by my darkness? Who stumbled and fell because I was darkness?

But praise be to God who now says I AM light in the Lord! But that comes with demands. Walk as children of light. Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. (Matt 5:16). [Be] children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world (Phil 2:15)

So now the questions are who is walking toward the light of Christ because of His light in me? Who's path is heading in the right direction because Christ is lighting the way through me? Who thinks I'm different than others in my attitudes, habits, work ethic because I have the light of Christ directing my path?

Lord God, let me never again be a stumbling block but always shine the light of Jesus all around me so others may come to know You.

Much Will Be Demanded

I don't know how God does it but I can read the Bible over and over and over and every time I read it something jumps up and grabs me.

In Exodus this morning I was reading about the tabernacle. As I was reading the instructions God gave for making the tabernacle, I was struck with how much work was involved. Making this huge tent by hand - cutting, sewing and embroidering the fabric. And no running to the local store to buy thread or material.

No going into the local hardware store for poles and boards already cut to length. No pretty silver bases to choose from. Or golden lampstands already hammered out of one piece of gold.

There was a lot of hard work involved, a lot of time involved. It cost the Israelites a lot to provide the basic materials then make it into the finished product. Maybe they got most of it from the Egyptians when they left Egypt but still...

I was reminded of King David who wanted to build and altar. The guy who owned the threshing floor wanted to give it to the king but David said no, he wouldn't give to God something that cost him nothing.

"From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked." Luke 12:48b (NIV)

What am I willing to give...or to give up?