Whatever the Weather

Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. (1 Chronicles 29:11)

Last Friday night, we were suddenly hit by a snow storm, followed by hard rain. The ice became several inches thick. It was very difficult to get around. We could barely open our doors. It was a great demonstration of God's power to slow us down as well as witness His hand in the allowing us to see the beauty of the earth.

On Saturday and Sunday, the sun came out and with a lot of plowing and sanding, the church lot was cleared and we were able to gather to praise the One who is the King of creation and Lord of all nature. Many more than I expected came out on a cold (and potentially slippery) day. It was a blessing to be in the sanctuary of God's house hearing His Word, singing praise to Him, calling on Him in prayer.

John Calvin wrote --

“There is not one blade of grass, there is no color in this world that is not intended to make us rejoice.” (John Calvin)

Whatever the weather, give praise to God.

Intellectual Arrogance

For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness.” and again, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.” (1 Corinthians 3:19-20)

In college, I was enamored with various philosophies. My friends and I would stay up half the night discussing and debating the merits of this thinker or that. We thought we were so smart.

Now that I’m older, I realize how little I knew (and know). As I prayerfully read Scripture and carefully listen to people, I am consistently humbled. I regret my past (and sometimes present) intellectual arrogance.

The words of John Calvin put me in my place –

"There is no worse screen to block out the Spirit than confidence in our own intelligence.”

Sometimes we can be too smart for our own good (and the good of others).