Catastrophes

Romans 8:28 (ESV)

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

The Grand Canyon Park bookstore operated by the National Park Service found itself in the midst of some controversy a few years ago when they were selling a book written by creationists much to the ire of the National Center for Science Education.

The book detailed how the Grand Canyon could have been formed from a "catastrophic" event -- a catastrophe such as the flood of Noah's day. Imagine that, it may have been a catastrophe that created such beauty!

Nearly 2000 years ago, the disciples witnessed a catastrophe -- the crucifixion of our Lord. But the Lord used this tragedy to redeem all mankind. This great catastrophe was turned to ultimate beauty.

Each of us has experienced tragedy in our lives. Inevitably the question arises -- Why? Let's be encouraged by one of God's most beautiful masterpieces. The Lord can turn our great catastrophes into great beauty -- into great victory!

Let's turn to the Lord with our catastrophes. He can turn the most difficult tragedy into an incredible work of art!

Dear Lord, we thank You that You can even turn the catastrophes in our life into incredible things. Help us to trust in You. IN the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

That's once

Proverbs 17:22 (ESV)

 A joyful heart is good medicine,

    but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

I came across a joke that'll surely make the ladies laugh out loud -- and you too men -- that is, if you know what's good for you, lol!

A small-town couple was celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary and their long, loving relationship had long been the talk of the town. For this special occasion, a local newspaper reporter paid them a visit to inquire as to the secret of their happy marriage.

"Well," explained the husband, "it really all goes back to our honeymoon. We visited the Grand Canyon and took a trip down to the bottom of the canyon by pack mule. We hadn't gone too far when my wife's mule stumbled. My wife quietly said 'That's once.' We proceeded a little farther when the mule stumbled again. Once more my wife quietly spoke: 'That's twice.' We hadn't gone a half-mile when the mule stumbled a third time. My wife promptly removed a revolver from her purse, hopped down off the beast, and shot the mule dead. I began to protest over her treatment of the mule when she looked at me and quietly said, 'That's once.'''

I hope you liked that. Now, I've heard that children laugh 300 to 400 times a day while we adults laugh only a mere 15! Believe it or not, experts say that laughing aids digestion, lowers blood pressure, reduces stress hormones, increases muscle flexion, boosts the immune system, triggers the release of endorphins which are the body's natural painkillers, heals broken relationships and produces a general sense of well-being!

Let's not take everything so very seriously! Let's start laughing at ourselves a little, and laughing at our enemy's attempts to keep us burdened and oppressed! God has our victory --always! And there's so much work to be done!

Dear Lord, help us to be so filled with joy that laughter burst forth out of us. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Great catastrophe, ultimate beauty.

Romans 8:28 (ESV)

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

The Grand Canyon Park bookstore operated by the National Park Service found itself in the midst of some controversy a few years ago when they were selling a book written by creationists much to the ire of the National Center for Science Education.

The book detailed how the Grand Canyon could have been formed from a “catastrophic” event – a catastrophe such as the flood of Noah’s day. Imagine that, it may have been a catastrophe that created such beauty!

Nearly 2000 years ago, the disciples witnessed a catastrophe -- the crucifixion of our Lord. But the Lord used this tragedy to redeem all mankind. This great catastrophe was turned to ultimate beauty.

Each of us has experienced tragedy in our lives. Inevitably the question arises -- Why? Let’s be encouraged by one of God’s most beautiful masterpieces. The Lord can turn our great catastrophes into great beauty -- into great victory!

Let’s turn to the Lord with our catastrophes. He can turn the most difficult tragedy into an incredible work of art!

Dear Lord, we thank You that even in catastrophes You can bring great things. Help us look for the good in thing rather than the bad. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

Are You Noticing God's Beauty?

Deuteronomy 11:7 (NIV)

But it was your own eyes that saw all these great things the Lord has done.

As I read about the Grand Canyon I love to imagine what it would be like to fly over it. I read one person’s description that went like this.  As you descend from the clouds above, you begin to see an amazing terrain below. A landscape filled with countless mountains raised high above the valleys, presenting a canvas of true majesty and magnificence. What a sight to behold! That the Creator, who blueprinted the perfection and splendor that had been carved out by His mighty hand.

Do we take the time to notice the amazing things God has made for us to enjoy? Sometimes we don’t take the time.

Sadly, we are blinded to the most amazing, yet simplest truths of life. Truth of how much He loves and delights in us. How He is all sufficient for our needs and how He calls each of us to come and know Him personally. But, thankfully, by His grace, when our eyes are open, we can see all things with a brand new view!

The day our hearts change and God reveals the fullness of His grace, we begin to see everything with a fresh new look. As God clears the clutter of sin out of our hearts, it is replaced with a new ability to love more, to be filled with great compassion and to extend forgiveness to those that hurt us. Words cannot express the gratitude we have for God's plan for our lives. We just accept, embrace and receive it.

Dear Lord, we pray that You will open our eyes to see more than what's in front of us, so we may share Your handy work with those around us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.