Blizzard

Snow – we got it! Over 20+ inches fell during the last 24 hours. I had the day off, as most Chicago land residents did, to dig out from the third largest snow fall on record. I haven’t seen mounds of snow this high since 2000 when we had a 20+ inches snow storm.

The monthly association dues for the condo community are paying off today, big time! Check out the pics. Snow removal men are here to dig out my sidewalks and driveway. Very, very nice!



This snow reminds me of the awesome handiwork of God. Each snowflake created by the Creator is unique. No two snowflakes are the same. Beyond that He uniquely creates each of us for one purpose – His glory. The psalmist writes, “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well” (Psalm 139:13-14).

As I look at all of this snow, I am reminded of Christ’s precious blood, shed on the cross so you and I can have forgiveness of sins. “And without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins” (Hebrews 9:22b). Not only is there the forgiveness of sins, but the cleansing of all unrighteousness through the confession of sins.

Ever tried to get one of your favorite shirts or pants clean after something has spilled on it? After scrubbing over and over again with every cleaning agent known to man, including bleach, that still will not come completely clean. Not so, with the blood of Christ.

“Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow” (Psalm 51:7).

“If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:8-9).

Whiter than snow.

Upset...Almost!

I love college sports, especially college football and basketball. When the #1 ranked Ohio State Buckeyes came to town to take on the unranked Northwestern mens basketball team on Saturday, I was hoping for a competitive game. Maybe, an upset, but probably not.

The Northwestern Wildcats did not disappoint. Although they were outsized by Ohio State in both height and weight, Northwestern controlled the first half by running a half court offense, methodically working the shot clock down to its final ticks, and shooting the long ball for a bunch of three pointers. At the half Northwestern was only down two points, 25-27.

Ohio State came out of the locker room and started the first half hitting a number of shots. They stretched the lead to 12 points, but Northwestern came back and tied the game even. This was without one of their leading scores, John Shurna, who was on the bench for the game with a concussion.

With 3.5 seconds to go in the game, Northwestern fouled Ohio States leading scorer, freshman, Jared Sullinger. The place is rock'n as Sullinger steps to the line to shoot the first of two free throws. He clanks the first one of the rim! The crowd kicks up the noise a couple decibels. Sullinger hits the second free throw shot, 57-58. Ohio State wins, but not without being almost upset!

Look Backing, Looking Ahead

As 2010 draws to a close it's another time to reflect and see God's goodness to me. His provision for a church body, friends that encourage me in my walk with Jesus, and a family that is pursuing Him too. I'm grateful for the job he has provided for me to do during the last 14 years.

I see the Lord at work in me and others through the biblical counseling ministry at church. None of us, as believers, are to stagnate in our growth. Paul writes to the church in Colosse, "So then, just as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness." (Colossians 1:6-7)

I'm expectant of God's work in and through me the new year to come. Grateful for the promise "that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." (Philippians 1:6b).

As the sun sets today, my heart is full knowing that God's on the throne and His goodness is real.

Expectant to know Him more and make Him known in 2011.

Light.

"For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ" (1 Corinthians 4:8).

Lights are everywhere during the Christmas season. They decorate people's houses, candlelight luminaries light sidewalks, Christmas trees are garnished with lights, and Chicago skyscrapers are lit with lights for the season. I am grateful for Jesus Christ - the Light of the world - who took on flesh as a little baby in order to live and die for my sins. Isaiah prophesied of his birth, "The people walking in the darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned" (Isaiah 9:2).

In the New Testament, John writes of Jesus as the light of men. "Through him (Jesus) all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it" (John 1:3-5).

Grateful for the Light, Jesus Christ, who came into the world to save men from their sins.

Thanksgiving: Considered

As I look back over the last year, the Lord has brought me through a lot and continues to sanctify me through His Word, life’s circumstances, and people. Through reflecting on this year the word “consider” comes to mind. In order to reflect on a year I’ve got to stop and consider.

As I look to God’s Word for there a number of verses of scripture that appropriately and concisely sum-up a heart of thanksgiving for 2010.

God’s Care & Love. “When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?” (Psalm 8:3-4).

Thank you Lord that in your infinite love and love for me.

Christ Better Than Anything Else. “But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ” (Philippians 3:8-9).

Heavenly Father, thank you that You are again now and for eternity and everything else this world has to offer is losse!

Trials. “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds.”
(James 1:5)

Lord, thank you for the trials. They show me Your greatness, my dependence on You, and refine me to be more like your son, Jesus.

The Gospel. “However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given to me – the task of testifying to God’s grace.” (Acts 20:24)

Thank you, Heavenly Father, for the gospel.

Rewind: Nashville & Knoxville

It’s a three day weekend to Nashville and Knoxville. I finally get to see my good friend, Stephen, and see the UT Vols take on the #1 ranked Oregon Ducks. I have not seen this brother since he was graduated from Moody Bible Institute in 1996.

Before head’n out to Knoxville, we hit the sights, sounds, and food fixins in the ‘Ville. Last time I was in Nashville was many years ago. We walked down Broadway, checked out some sweet guitars, cowboy boots (didn’t buy none ‘dem), and the country music. Lot o’ country here, but didn’t buy no vinyl either.

On to the food fixins, Jack’s Bar-B-Que on Broadway is the place for it! Not only were there Oregon Duck fans at Jack’s, but Vandy and LSU fans for the game on Saturday in Nashville, and Oakland Raider fans for the Tennessee Titan game on Sunday. These fans were decked out with their team’s jerseys 1 to 2 days before the game. A lot of crazy team spirit was in the house!

A couple hours after my arrival to Nashville, it began to rain. With the remnants of a tropical storm moving through Eastern Tennessee, it kept raining during most of the 3 ½ hours drive to Stephen’s house outside of Knoxville. I asked the Lord if He could hold off the rain for the game. The rain kept coming through the night. It was looking like we were in for a rainy Saturday football game. Not fun.

We went to buy rain suits at Gander Mtn. So did the rest of the fans as planning to attend the game. Their stock was rapidly selling out. Thankfully, we got what we needed.

The skies began to clear and the sun came out! Thank you, Lord. We watched the weather report at a friend’s house and there was an approaching thunderstorm headed to hit Neyland Stadium at kick-off. We decided, let’s go for it!

Neyland Stadium is one of the largest stadiums in college football with a seating capacity of over 100,000.

The pomp of an SEC (South East Conference) football game is amazing. Of course, it’s the UT spirit that makes the atmosphere what it is -- electric! The game started and it began to rain, not too hard, but enough for me to take cover and watch it so I wouldn’t get wet.

The unranked Vols put 6 points on the board with two field goals. Wow, they’re beating the #7 ranked Ducks – Go Vols! Lightening was sighted the football teams cleared the field. The public address announcer asked the fans to take cover.

It began to rain sideways! The severe thunderstorm produced monsoon like conditions. I haven’t seen it rain like this in years. Some fans tried to make a dash to the cars. They got soaked. The game was delayed over an hour minutes. We watched the rain and talked to UT and Duck fans while keeping dry.

The game resumed. It was tied at the end of the first half. The Ducks got after it in the second half racking up 35 points. Final score: Vols 13 Ducks 48.

Hell.

Note: There will be no firemen putting out fires in Hell. This photo is strictly provided to capture the intensity of what one can experience in Hell for eternity.

This year summer officially ended last week, September 21. It was one of the hottest summers on record for the Chicago land area. Some would say, “It’s been hotter than hell.” All of this heat reminded me about hell and, a series of messages on this doctrine that my former pastor, Scott Ardavanis, preached over 10 years ago. Since then, I don’t think I’ve heard any messages on hell.

As a young boy around 7 or 8 years old, I remember learning about the reality of Heaven and Hell in vacation Bible school. Then there was a movie series on the End Times that I watched with others at church. I thought to myself, if I die today, will I go to Heaven or Hell? Heaven and Hell are real places where one will spend eternity forever. This got my attention. Through the work of the Holy Spirit through the Word of God, I was convicted that I am a sinner in need of a Savior. I did not want to spend life in Hell after I died.

Yet, the sobering reality is the neighbor next door, co-worker, Starbucks barista, mail clerk, sports fan, or person walking down the street today does not even consider the reality of hell. Some trivialize it. Others don’t believe in hell. Others don’t know what they are saying when statements are made like, “That was one hell of a game!” or “He made a helluva play.”

As I listened through these messages on Hell I was gratefully reminded of what I have been saved from, living for my sinful selfish desires, and being “born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (1 Peter 1:3).

What does the Bible say about Hell?

1. Jesus says more about the topic Hell then He does about Heaven.

2. Hell is a real place of both eternal fire and complete darkness. Have you ever thought how this could be – fire and complete darkness in the same place?

“In a similar way, Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns gave themselves up to sexual immorality and perversion. They serve as an example of those who suffer the punishment of eternal life” (Jude 7)

“They are wild waves of the sea, foaming up their shame; wandering stars, for whom blackest darkness has been reserved forever” (Jude 13)

“And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 25:30).

3. Hell is eternal.

“Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake fire is the second death. If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire” (Revelation 20:14-15).

4. Hell is a place of torment, fire and punishment.

“The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. So he called him, “Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I a in agony in this fire” (Luke 16:22-24).

“Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life” (Matthew 25:46).

There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

“But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 8:12).

5. Hell is complete separation from God forever.

“This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels. He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the majesty of his power” (1 Thessalonians 1:7b-9).

6. Hell is not only for sinners, but for those who do not believe in God.

“Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe in him stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved the darkness instead of light because their deeds are evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God” (John 3:18-21).