Honestly Human

Today I was driving back from a camping trip in Wisconsin. It was a quite trip home, my wife was sleeping in the passenger seat and the cool fall air was refreshing, leaving me plenty of opportunity to think. Some where in between thoughts I began to wonder if I really believed, what I claimed to believe in. Have you ever felt like that? As if you know deep in your heart there is something right and true, but wondering if that is what you are seeking? If you’re like me, we’re not the only ones who have doubted. John the Baptist had his moment of doubt as well, and he was the guy who was sent to prepare the way for Jesus. There also was Thomas, a man who spent nearly three years with Jesus, and yet still doubted that Jesus had risen from the dead. These guys knew Jesus personally, and they still had their moments of doubt. I don’t know why I doubt from time to time. So if you’re like me or John or Thomas, I thank God for you. I also thank God for his grace so even in my doubting he still loves and rescues me. This I do know for sure, his love and grace are big enough to rescue even the deepest of doubters…some days that doubter is me.

“My Lord and my God!” Thomas exclaimed. Then Jesus told him, “You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.” –John 20:29&29

Glorious Rain

The rain and snow come down from the heavens
and stay on the ground to water the earth.
They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for
the farmer and bread for the hungry.
It is the same with my word.
I send it out, and it always produces fruit.
It will accomplish all I want it to,
and it will prosper everywhere I send it.
You will live in joy and peace.
The mountains and hills will burst into song,
and the trees of the field will clap their hands!
Where once there were thorns, cypress trees will grow.
Where nettles grew, myrtles will sprout up.
These events will bring great honor to the Lord’s name;
they will be an everlasting sign of his power and love. –Isaiah 55:10-13

We have all experienced rainy or snowy days. Sometimes they bring great joy and other times we just can’t wait for the sun to come back out and warm up our hearts and our days. Yet God is in the rain and the snow, they are gifts to us that make our world green and beautiful. The rain and the snow are reminders of God’s faithfulness; with out them we would surely parish. Sometimes we look to see God in big things like getting an A on that big test, or getting into the college of our dreams, maybe it is trying to buy your first house, saving your marriage, or hoping for healing of a loved one; these things are important to God. God is faithful in all things, just as the rain makes the earth green so his word brings joy and peace everywhere he sends it. The next time you hear and feel the rain or snow remember, you are hearing and feeling the faithfulness of God.