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Cal's Pastoral Epistles
"It Is Snow Big Deal"
January 12, 2011
If you want someone to thank/blame/send the bill for removal to for this
recent series of snow storms I suggest you speak to Keliegh Arian. She is a
southern girl who has been praying hard for snow since the week before
Thanksgiving.
She claims I am giving her too much credit but I can't think of anyone
else I know who gets so excited at even the slightest hint of snowfall. She
is like a kid waiting for a snow day so she can enjoy the winter wonderland
that we call New England.
This morning I want to thank her. Her snowstorm gave me the
opportunity to walk the talk of faith. It is easy to debate theology and
ponder what Jesus would do. It is a much more difficult to live it.
With almost a foot and a half of snow on the ground, I decided to get
outside and begin to clear our walk. Thanks to my friends at Benny's I had
a 100 foot cord for my snow blower and was ready to go. I had my i-pod
dialed in to some country rock music and was in my own little world.
As I finished one section of the driveway I happened to look over and see
a man trying to get his car out of the snow. As I continued to work on my
walk, I looked back and saw my neighbor rocking his car back and forth.
He was in deep. That's when the first thought hit me. "I should go help
him." It was immediately countered with "What good would it do? There is
too much snow."
I kept an eye on the situation for the next ten minutes and finally decided
that if our places were reversed, I would welcome the help. I grabbed my
shovel and walked across the street. For the next fifteen minutes we
shoveled and pushed and finally managed to get the car free.
He thanked me and as I walked back to my house it struck me that this is
what Jesus was talking about when he encouraged us to love our neighbors
as ourselves. Too often we define "neighbor" as someone we know or
someone like us. But He tried to point out that a neighbor is anyone in need
that comes within your vicinity.
The great thing about living out our faith and loving our neighbor is that it
often comes back to us in unexpected ways. I have found that when I
reach out to someone, I am often blessed in some way before long. God
likes it when we bless others out of the goodness He has put in our hearts.
It reveals His glory.
So go out and love a neighbor today. Do something kind for someone you
meet. Be the answer to prayer for somebody in need. Let your faith guide
you as you make it real. God will be glorified and you will be blessed.
God bless. See you in church! Cal
January 12, 2011
If you want someone to thank/blame/send the bill for removal to for this
recent series of snow storms I suggest you speak to Keliegh Arian. She is a
southern girl who has been praying hard for snow since the week before
Thanksgiving.
She claims I am giving her too much credit but I can't think of anyone
else I know who gets so excited at even the slightest hint of snowfall. She
is like a kid waiting for a snow day so she can enjoy the winter wonderland
that we call New England.
This morning I want to thank her. Her snowstorm gave me the
opportunity to walk the talk of faith. It is easy to debate theology and
ponder what Jesus would do. It is a much more difficult to live it.
With almost a foot and a half of snow on the ground, I decided to get
outside and begin to clear our walk. Thanks to my friends at Benny's I had
a 100 foot cord for my snow blower and was ready to go. I had my i-pod
dialed in to some country rock music and was in my own little world.
As I finished one section of the driveway I happened to look over and see
a man trying to get his car out of the snow. As I continued to work on my
walk, I looked back and saw my neighbor rocking his car back and forth.
He was in deep. That's when the first thought hit me. "I should go help
him." It was immediately countered with "What good would it do? There is
too much snow."
I kept an eye on the situation for the next ten minutes and finally decided
that if our places were reversed, I would welcome the help. I grabbed my
shovel and walked across the street. For the next fifteen minutes we
shoveled and pushed and finally managed to get the car free.
He thanked me and as I walked back to my house it struck me that this is
what Jesus was talking about when he encouraged us to love our neighbors
as ourselves. Too often we define "neighbor" as someone we know or
someone like us. But He tried to point out that a neighbor is anyone in need
that comes within your vicinity.
The great thing about living out our faith and loving our neighbor is that it
often comes back to us in unexpected ways. I have found that when I
reach out to someone, I am often blessed in some way before long. God
likes it when we bless others out of the goodness He has put in our hearts.
It reveals His glory.
So go out and love a neighbor today. Do something kind for someone you
meet. Be the answer to prayer for somebody in need. Let your faith guide
you as you make it real. God will be glorified and you will be blessed.
God bless. See you in church! Cal
Pastor Cal Lord writes these weekly epistles to
help us see God in every day things.
help us see God in every day things.
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