Snow White

The snow did in fact come, and Daddy went out to shovel the snow off the driveway, but wow - it is cold out there.  The temperature never got above freezing, and with that in mind, many events tonight were cancelled throughout the state, including our services at church tonight.  In fact, early on tonight, school was cancelled yet again for tomorrow, so we know we get to sleep in once more.

It was an online learning day, which meant that Madison still had classwork to do.  She was working with math, and social studies, learning different types of land forms, including volcanoes.  This prompted us to pull out the old pictures from our Hawaiian honeymoon, looking at all the photos of Mommy and Daddy visiting Haleakalā on Maui, and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the "Big Island."  Of course, this led to us looking back at all those old photos, which was fun.  

Daddy spent some time writing today, beginning on our new series coming up after "Elevate."  We spent some time debating the title of this series, and are currently leaning towards the name "Legends."  Because it was snowing outside, Daddy started writing the message based on "Snow White."  

SOMEDAY IS TODAY

     As Snow White sat by the wishing well, she sang a song many of us know:  “Someday my prince will come.”  It’s a sweet moment and of course, it’s a happy one too.  Little does she know her prince is already there, ready to sweep her off her feet!

     Some time ago, a Samaritan woman went to a well herself with a similar longing in her heart.  Though it wasn’t a wishing well, she went there with a hope deep within.  She knew that someday a Messiah would come, and after that, there would be a happily ever after. 

     Little did she know, her prince was already there.  At that well, she began talking with a man unlike any other.  And by the end of that conversation, she began to realize that Jesus is the prince we’d all been waiting for.
     She must have felt unworthy of him, especially after he reminded her of the sinful things she had done.  In her life, sin was like a poisoned apple, one like Adam and Eve bit into.  But we’ve all taken a bite of that tempting apple, haven’t we?  It doesn’t take looking into a magic mirror to see we’re all far from perfect. 

     Yet despite all this, He’s had one love, constant and true.  He’s had one song, only for us.  Zephaniah 3:17 tells us, “He will sing for joy because of you.”  He longs for us to be with Him, spending eternity together in a kingdom in the clouds.  Heaven awaits, and God wants us there so much that He sent His only Son to take our place, and take the punishment for our sins.

     The woman at the well told Jesus she knew that someday her prince would come, and that someday we’d all find forgiveness.  He looked at her with love, and told her that someday is today.  Though your sins are as scarlet red, they can be snow white.  The Prince of Peace is here, and some day… is today.

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Madison never got out in the snow today, but not too many others did either.  Whereas you usually hear kids out there screaming and playing, it was a little more quiet today.  The snow was more of a weak powdery stuff, resting on top of a layer of ice.  But the real deterrent was the fact that it was so cold outside.  The temperatures were way down, and the windchill made it feel even lower.  

We did some LEGO Dimensions today, actually closing in on finishing up the story mode.  We'll probably be defeating Lord Vortech tomorrow, perhaps.  It's been a fun game to play together, as long as there are plenty of blankets piled up on top of us on the couch there!

There was piano practice as well today, but we never left the house.  Last night, we put the trash cans out, although we don't expect garbage trucks and mail trucks to be going through our neighborhood today.  The shady parts of the roads are covered with snow and ice still, and on the radio you can hear about all kinds of issues with people trying to make it up icy hills, or abandoning cars alongside the road.  No thanks - we'll stay at home!

We did some reading tonight, and our fast continues, of course.  As we close up for today, here's the latest fasting entry in the devotional.  Stay warm!

“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” Philippians 1:21 NIV

     Fasting isn’t about losing weight. It’s about gaining vision. It isn’t about losing food, television, video games, social media, or any of those other cravings that you may be thinking a lot about. It’s more about what you’ll gain.
     Consider this: you’re a climber, and you’re about to go to a new level, higher than you’ve ever been before. It’s going to be exciting! On the counter before you is a hamburger, a video game controller, a cell phone, an ice cream, and some climbing gear. What do you pick up if you want to go higher?
     It’s not a trick question. You pick up the climbing gear, right? But in order to do that, you have to let go of all the other stuff for a while. You don’t see pictures of mountain climbers struggling up the side of a steep ledge, while holding a bacon double cheeseburger!
     And that’s how it is with this fast. You’re letting go of all of these other things, all because you’re ready to go further.
A lot of the time, we tend to focus on what we’re doing without. Our minds want to focus fully on craving sweets or anything else we may be giving up for a season. But during this fast, don’t focus on what you’ll be losing. Focus instead on what you’ll be getting.
     You could be dying for a banana split right now. But when you kill those desires, and instead focus on God, you’ll be gaining so much more! Paul put it even better, in Philippians 1:21: “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”