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Winter’s Over

Well, Spring is just a little over 12 hours old and I feel like a new man!  There’s just something about the first sunburn of the year that gets your heart going!  No more winter!  As much as I love snow, I love the transformation of Spring even more.  Reminds of a poem

No more snow, no more gobbledygook, No more teachers dirty looks.

oh wait, that’s about the end of school, not the end of winter! How about just the last stanza of “Spring in the South” by Henry Van Dyke

Hark, in his song no tremor of misgiving!
All of his heart he pours into his lay,–
“Love, love, love, and pure delight of living:
Winter is forgotten: here’s a happy day!”
Fair in your face I read the flowery presage,
Snowy on your brow and rosy on your mouth:
Sweet in your voice I hear the season’s message,–
Love, love, love, and Spring in the South!

Yes, its spring and after a weekend of soccer, grass mowing, planting, beautiful sunshine, warm weather and canoeing and on the lake and a great campfire with friends it seems that it is off to a great start! Oh, and lets not forget the Super Moon! WOW!

11 See! The winter is past;
the rains are over and gone.
12 Flowers appear on the earth;
the season of singing has come,
the cooing of doves
is heard in our land.
Song of Solomon 2:11-12 (New International Version, ©2011)

Get out there and watch the transformation of Spring. Ponder the transformation of the Earth, and the rising up of hope within you. If the Lord makes this happen each Spring, just imagine what sort of transformation he can do with you!

26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. Matthew 6:26-29 (New International Version, ©2011)

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Friday FunDay, Awkward

It’s Friday, so I thought I would start of your Friday with this very strange viral video that has been circulating around the internet the last few weeks.

Wow talk about awkward moments! I guess that is a pretty good way to start Awkward Moments Day – which of course is today.

Awkward – sort of like a donkey talking to you.

28 Then the LORD opened the donkey’s mouth, and it said to Balaam, “What have I done to you to make you beat me these three times?”

29 Balaam answered the donkey, “You have made a fool of me! If only I had a sword in my hand, I would kill you right now.”

30 The donkey said to Balaam, “Am I not your own donkey, which you have always ridden, to this day? Have I been in the habit of doing this to you?”

“No,” he said. Numbers 22:28-30

Any way moving on…

It is Friday, and March Madness is off in full force. Hopefully you have your bracket complete and are following along and are not so broken hearted by the early upsets!

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13

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Happy St. Patty’s Day

‘top of the morning to ya!

I think people in Ireland like that however, my friend and co worker who currently lives in Ireland never says anything like that to me. But, of course that could be because he is English.

Anyway, he did tell me that today in Ireland they will be celebrating with parades down streets lined with ordinary people waving flags and wearing green hats.  And since such parades may have the tendency to include a person’s favorite farm implement or large truck, it doesn’t seem too different then most parades here in the States.  Oh, and my friend will be driving his antique Porsche in the parade.  Now there’s some sweetness.  However, it’s still hard for me to think of a car from 1970’s as an antique.

But hey, its St Patrick’s day, the day set aside to remember a man who took the message of hope of the Christ into the country of Ireland many many many moons ago – I guess.

I say I guess because I don’t know much about Patrick, nor his ways nor his efforts in Ireland, except that he worked with those who did not know about Christ and taught them about how his power and the power of the Creator can change your life here on Earth and forever.  And what else I know is that 1500 years later we are still talking about what he did there – even if it is by turning rivers green, wearing shamrocks and chasing pots of gold!

I just wonder what I will do today that may have an impact of the lives of others even hours after I eventually leave this planet.  hm.. Something to consider as you live this St Patrick’s Day.  What are you doing that will outlive you?

14 As for me, I will always have hope;
I will praise you more and more.

15 My mouth will tell of your righteous deeds,
of your saving acts all day long—
though I know not how to relate them all.
16 I will come and proclaim your mighty acts, Sovereign LORD;
I will proclaim your righteous deeds, yours alone.
17 Since my youth, God, you have taught me,
and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds.
18 Even when I am old and gray,
do not forsake me, my God,
till I declare your power to the next generation,
your mighty acts to all who are to come. Psalm 71:14-18 (New International Version, ©2011)

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Three Sixteen

Continuing the date thing this week, it seemed that since today was March 16, it would be appropriate to just examine a few famous three sixteens.  I mean its a number that has been hung in stadiums all over the world.  But did you know that In-N-Out burger prints the number on the bottom of their paper cups?  And of course we all remember Tim Tebow adding a reference to his eyeblack.(Which is now banned by the NCAA!)  Max Lucado has even used the numbers for the title of one of his books.

So with that, here is the famous reference:

16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:16-17 (New International Version, ©2011)

and then there’s this lesser know three sixteen from Colossians, that tells of a great way to spend today

16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. Colossians 3:16 (New International Version, ©2011)

Admonish others on three sixteen!

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Ides of March

Yikes, it’s the Ides of March ( already!).  Beware!!

Yep, there you have a idyllic warning of pending catastrophe!  Idyllic? really. Well I think so when you compare it to the warning bells and whistles that went off last week in Japan. Have you been able to watch any of those videos of the water crashing in, and the only warning being a shrill high pitched alarm. And with that warning the people reacted.

Of course, those of us who “buffet our bodies daily” realize that with each and every day, we must be watchful and careful.

13 Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. 1 Corinthians 16:13 English Standard Version (ESV)

It is something that we must do each and every day, not just on the Ides of March, not just when the warning whistle is sounding. We have been provided a warning and always need to be on the lookout! Not only watching for attacks on our faith, and on our soul, but also watching for those in need, seeking opportunities to multiply mercy peace and love.

Oh, and back to Japan, if you are looking for a place to help, Healing Hands International will be working with local churches in the area – trying to get supplies, water, and blankets to those who are suffering and are in need. You can check it out here.

18 Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. 1 John 3:18 (New International Version, ©2011)

Heed the warning and be watchful today