Tag: weather

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Hyper Sensitive to Blessings?

Last night I woke with a start when I heard the sound of high winds blowing around the house at 3 in the morning.  Immediately I jumped up and check out the weather radar.  This spring has definitely made me a little hyper sensitive to severe weather.

As I laid back in bed I and listened to the sounds of the storm, I realized what a blessing it is to have a house that provides so much shelter and allows for rest.  This “mansion on the hill”, as one of my friends calls it, is such an incredible blessing that I take for granted so many times.  Especially when you consider what the Christ said about his home”

20 Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” (Matthew 8:20, New International Version)

It made me wonder as I laid there what the day would be like if I were to be as hypersensitive to the blessing of the Lord as I have become to this extreme weather.  If I could truly detect and appreciate all the fantastic blessings that are around me everyday how would my attitude and approach be different.  Things like, a house, a car, clothes, an Internet connection, clean running water, family, street signs, and eyes.  This list could go on and on.

Today, as the old hymn suggests “count your many blessings, name them one by one, and it will surprise you what the Lord has done!”

19 My God will use his wonderful riches in Christ Jesus to give you everything you need. (Philippians 4:19, New Century Version)

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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

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Severe Weather Week

It’s Severe Weather Week in Tennessee!  Yes, a week to have severe weather.  Well, actually it’s severe weather awareness week.  Apparently, most states have a week or two designated for this sort of thing.  You can find our more from our friends at NOAA.  On a tangent, isn’t it interesting that our government’s weather agency is named after the dude who survived the world wide flood event – Noah?  Back to SWAW (Severe Weather Awareness Week).  This week is set up to educate about Lightning and tornadoes and the like.  Today in Tennessee at 9:30 there is a state wide Tornado Drill – so watch out for that!

And then, while you are thinking about the power of severe weather, take a moment to remember its creator.  First of all, is so amazing that the creator established such a diverse weather system, and that we can actually predict it with some reasonableness.  That design alone is magnificent.  But then consider the power and force that is packed into the extreme weather we see.  It is really awe inspiring to watch and study this things.  But even more awe inspiring is that the creator has control of this type of stuff and can control it whenever he wants, for instance, Moses crossing the Red Sea, or the storm calming after Jonah was thrown overboard or  the Christ and the storm:

39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.

40 He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

41 They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!” Mark 4:39-41 (New International Version, ©2010)

I hope you participate in SWAW, and learn more about the powerful forces of nature that surround us, but also take some time to thank the creator and praise him for his magnificent creation.

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 has perfect 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? Job 37 (NIV)

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Stormy Stormy

With all the crazy weather going on all over the U.S. this week, I can’t help but mention something about storms.  It’s pretty amazing that the weather watchers can predict this odd type of behavior and the approaching storms with relative accuracy.  They told us on Sunday that Tuesday would be an incredible day.  That’s really an impressive thing, and a blessing as it allows us to prepare as much as we can, for whatever weather is sending our way.

Wouldn’t it be nice it the storms of life were predicable like that.  What if you had “the Life Weather Channel”, where two people would tell you that an angry co worker was heading your way, or that the car was going to break down on Thursday, or that whatever day altering event was on the horizon.  But alas, we have not.

What we do have are promises from God to help us prepare and endure the unpredictable.  Check it from Isaiah

10 So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10 (New International Version)

and 2 Corinthians

 My grace is enough; it’s all you need.
   My strength comes into its own in your weakness.
Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ’s strength moving in on my weakness. Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size—abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks. I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become. (2 Corinthians 12:9-10, The Message)

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Considering Others

Its one of those difficult days when its hard to determine what to post.   Lane Kiffin?  Well that’s old news given so much else that is going on.  I was in a study last night where this verse from Philippians 2 was discussed:

1If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. 3Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

The whole chapter has stuck with me, and that’s why Lane Kiffin is old news.  This verse is very profound, very threatening, even very motivating.  So today here are two things related to this verse.

First, a great example of a person doing their best to live this verse. A daily buffeter herself, this is a great story about a local school counselor doing her best to love and help others.  Hand WDEF’s Golden Apple to Jennifer Greer. (applause)

Second, a challenge, or an opportunity for you all to consider today.  Disasters are always a time when we can count our blessings, and continue to show the compassion we have been given.  Here is one place you can donate that will be working in the disaster zone in Haiti – Healing Hands International.

Look out for others today!