Unexpected Surprises

Our sermon on Easter morning was about how we can look at life like it is a tragedy or we can live our life like it is a comedy. Comedies always show how something turns out better then expected. We often expect the worst and are therefore living as if tragedy is our life. But the comedy brings surprises, the unexpected. The Bible is a comic book if you really look at it. There are tons of examples of surprises and God doing the unexpected from blessing Abraham and Sarah with a son in their very old age to Moses and the parting of the Red Sea, to the king of all kings born in a barn. Life brought me an unexpected surprise this Easter morning. I got on the scale hoping to see that my 10lb weight gain from our family reunion cruise had decreased in the last 7 days since our return. I had to get on the scale twice and then ask my daughter to get on it just to be sure it was working right. I proclaimed it to be an Easter miracle! I lost the full 10lbs and was back at the starting weight I had before the cruise. Unbelievable. As I thought about this wonderful blessing, I realized that my sun poisoning and swollen ankles probably contributed a bit of water weight which was why it seemed like I gained so much. No matter the reasoning, it was a glorious unexpected surprise! I saw another surprise that God brought to a family in Nebraska. We went and saw the movie Heaven is for Real. 4 year old Colton Burpo had seen heaven with details that are unbelievable but our Father loves surprising us with the unexpected. Who says you have to die to go and see Heaven? There is no limit to what God can do. I pray that you will come to love the surprises and the unexpected and live for them and for God.

365 Days of Spirit-Filled Fruits Challenge-Day 177

My heart was breaking last evening as I heard a story on the radio about a father who couldn’t make it to the school in time. The tornado brought the school down on the children inside and he found out many hours later that his nine-year-old daughter did not survive. Having a 10-year-old daughter who has always been freaked out about a possible tornado coming to our town, I felt so much sadness for what the parents must be going through. I prayed to God to that they would be strengthened and comforted by Him. No matter what the world brings us, God will help us through it. What words can one give to someone who has lost their home, child, all their possessions and community in one fell swoop? Only God can console, comfort and give them strength to get through the tragedy. Keep praying for the people of Moore, OK.

Lamentations 3:32 Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love.

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 142

It is the 100 year anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic today. In thinking on this, I am so comforted by the thought that people do matter. Even a hundred years later, though we don't know specifically who these people were, we feel compassion and sadness for what they had to go through. Nobody wants to go out tragically, but we cannot escape tragedy in this world. Thankfully, we have an awesome God who can take tragic events like this and use them for good. I have not personally had to deal with a tragic event but I will not worry about it. I will continually prepare myself by cementing in my faith with a solid foundation that will not be shaken. Is your faith growing day by day or are you at a standstill?
Isaiah 28:16 See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who trusts will never be dismayed.