Jesus promises to calm the storms of your life

23 Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. 24 Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. 25 The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”

26 He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.
27 The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!” Matthew 8:23-27

We just had a storm move through our area. A snow storm. A mixture of freezing rain, snow, and then more freezing rain was causing havoc in our area with flat tires, and lots of cars in ditches as people underestimate the power of nature and drive as though it were just an ordinary day. The storm isn't permanent much to the chagrin of our school children who yearn to hear those magic words on our beloved WCCO, " all schools in Anoka County are closed". As I write these words I look out and see the snowplow clearing the road in front of our house.

I have this image from Matthew 8. I am standing in this large boat with my family. We're enjoying the afternoon on a clear, pristine day until dark clouds move in from the west and we begin to feel the boat toss and turn larger and larger waves. I panic and I worried that we're not going to make it out the storm and we will end up being fish food. Then I see the savior standing on the shoreline. He sees my family with the worried looks of despair on our faces. He begins walking on the water toward us until He steps in our boat. Like a seasoned captain He takes the helm and guides us to the safety of the shoreline.

That was exactly what the Savior did for my family when Maria passed away suddenly on June 10, 2007. He came into our boat and rode with us through the storm until we reach safety. I can honestly say that we have been to the bottom. There is nothing more painful than a sudden, unexpected death. In our despair God took each of my family and helped them with their grief and made each of them stronger and more resilient in the end.

 That is God's promise to you. If and when you enter the storm of your life God promises to take the helm of your boat and guide you to safety. Now that is the assurance you can hang onto.

Tragedy to Triumph lessons learned

 have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16<33

One of my favorite commercials is the Allstate Mahem one that shows a guy representing life's dangers about to wreck havoc on a family's possessions.  The moral is that you should be covered by Allstate to minimize the danger of mahem like him.  Many of us will rush out and compare rates and coverages often over months before making a decision on which insurance to buy.  This is a good thing and assures that we're getting a good bang for our money.

Many of us take for granted the importance of selecting a church family to commit our time too. Many of us neglect the importance of being involved in a small group through the local church we select to attend. Yet, what most may not realize the selection and the commitment to a church body is equally as important as the insurance we buy. Both of them protect our families from Mahem.  Only one assures us that God will walk with us throughout the entire journey of our mahem experience.

I know.  Our family was fortunate to belong to a church. Our children were fortunate to belong to a children's Sunday school class and we as their parents were fortunate to belong to one as well.  Our commitment Sunday after Sunday enabled us to lay our roots down, form deep and meaningful relationships and it form a starting off point to begin the new week. A good day in church almost assured us of a good work week,

We learned of the many benefits of our commitment to this church body in the early morning hours of June 10th, 2007. Plunging into despair and depression we had the church body to come to our rescue.  These people became our angels as though they were sent by God to offer us words of encouragement and assurance that God has not abandoned us.  The faith of these people were what sustained our family through our darkest days.Their faith lifted us up like Aaron held up the arm of Moses.

The question I have for you today is 'have you made a commitment to a church body where you can go to worship the Lord and sink your roots down and allow people to get to know you?  Being committed to a church body just may be what you need to go from tragedy to triumph should the unthinkable happen.

My greatest enjoyment is seeing God's handiwork outside my bay window

Fresh snow. White, fluffy, sparkly snow.I like looking out my bay window at the slow falling snow flakes as they drift ever so gently to the ground. I finally figured out why my Christmas lights shorted out. I fixed the problem and now I get to enjoy watching the soft lights fluttering against the light fluffy snow drifting slowly to the ground.  It's February 3rd, but who says one can't have their out door lights turned on? Watching this light powdery snow puts me in the mood for a good old cup of hot cocoa and a good page turning book

 White, fluffy snow is sort of God's way of giving us new scenery to look at instead of the brown one with patches of dirty snow that makes us wonder when winter will finally end. Fresh fluffy snow is a reminder of how God makes all things new again in in the midst of our tough times.

Looking out at this scene of white fluffy and unblemished snow reminds me how God has taken away the stain that our lives possess simply because of Christ death and resurrection. That white, fluffy snow reminds me that God has paid the penalty of our sin in full and that one day we will stand before God pure just like that snow we watch drifting ever so slowly from the sky.

God really does make all things new again. He really does want to exchange your stain tattered wardrobe with a sinless and pure one. He is standing at the door of your heart. He is knocking and he wants to come and make all things new with you. Won't you take a break from looking out the bay window at the fluffy white snow and invite Him in to make all things new?