FOTFD - March 9, 2008
March 9, 2008
I love when it snows. I know it causes problems with traffic, closes schools and offices, and just messes up our plans. But as I look outside this morning and see snow everywhere, I feel a special type of peace. Perhaps it takes me back to when I used to live in Colorado, perhaps it is a reminder of the greatness of the seasons (even here in Texas, where it will quickly pass.) But I think that most of all, it reminds me of the greatness and power of God.
Think about what DFW was like last night and was it is like early this morning. It amazes me when snow can do to a big city. Doesn’t everything seem a little quieter and calmer when we have snow? (At least once you make it back home through the traffic?) It absorbs sound, it covers everything in white. My daughter, Nicole, called me when she got out of school yesterday shouting, “It’s snowing, it’s snowing!” They came home and went directly outside to play in the snow and build a snowman.
That is where I see God here. As adults, we tend to focus on the problems that snow brings: bad traffic, school and work closures, heating bills and such. But what do kids think when it snows? “Let’s go play outside.” They see the blessing that God sent and want to go out immediately and experience it.
So this morning after you have had to scrap ice from your car, fought bad roads, slow traffic, arrived to work late, dealt with kids who just want to go play in the snow instead of getting ready for school; try to see what the kids see, God’s presence and blessing to us. After all, he is always with us. Is this what it takes for us to pause and notice Him?
As always, I love to hear you feedback and comments. How has God used the weather to get your attention? Email me back with your stories or add you comments online below.
You may find the FOTFD online here.
Now join me as we “Focus on the First Day.”
God bless,
Mike
I found an amazing video this week that features footage from a Casting Crowns concert. They share the story behind the song “Praise You in This Storm” where they found someone able to praise God powerfully in the mist of crisis in their own life. Watch it below. I hope it touches you like it did me.
And I’ll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
And every tear I’ve cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm
- Praise You in This Storm – Casting Crowns
Communion
Keeping the theme of storms, I think back to Jesus in His time of greatest struggle and pain, His death on the cross. Even at the very end, Jesus remained faithful to God, giving up control, control of both the situation as well as control of His life. During the Lord’s Supper, give control back to God and praise Him.
Sermon
“Argument & Asylum” (Bob Chisholm)
Mark 12:1-27; 14:1-11
This week, we continue on the path towards Easter as we walk with Jesus on “the Road to Grace” and look at Jesus on Tuesday and Wednesday of his last week. How does Jesus deal with the attacks of the religious leaders and prepare himself for the physical, mental, and spiritual trials that still await him later in the week? Find out Sunday as we walk with Jesus on his days of “Argument & Asylum.
Go here for more about this series.
Prayer Time
Hannah brought praise to God, even as she gave her son, Samuel, to God to serve Him full-time for all of his life. I think that is why God blessed Hannah with a son, He knew her heart. God knows our hearts as well and wants us to share our hearts with Him. Do that this week during Prayertime. Bring Him everything in your life, the good along with the bad.
Sunday Night
“A New Spirit of Openness” (Bob Chisholm)
Matthew 5:5-6
Bob is leading us through a process taught by Jesus in the Beatitudes. This week, we will build upon the Spirit of Admission that we learned about last week to find “A New Spirit of Openness.” Join us this Sunday evening and experience the New Spirit that awaits you.
Go here for more about this series.
We are encouraged to be a family of believers that choose to come together each week in worship. Come this Sunday with a desire to not just come to church, but come to truly be the church.