Promises

We were recently on a trip to Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park with Kelli's family.  Neither of us had ever been there before, and it was beautiful.  We saw lots of wildlife, especially buffalo, and the scenery was not only amazing,  but restorative.


Seeing God's beautiful creation always brings such wonder and rest

to my soul.  Another reason to love the fall, as if I needed one!

We drove through the Tetons a couple of days and each day was so different.  The first morning a few clouds cleared to a crystal clear view of the peaks.  So high, so strong, so powerful, so enduring.







Late in the day we drove back past the range along another road with a different vantage.  Heavy clouds began to move in over the ridge, dark with rain.  The tops of the peaks were obscured and you could no longer see their defining shapes as they blended into the dark clouds.  There was lightning and rain as the storm moved through with a different kind of power.

The second day lighter clouds were more settled along the tops of the mountains and the strong shapes were lost in the gray of the sky.











It's a lot like seeing God's promises.  On a clear day, free of trouble, we can see those promises of peace, strength, love, and well-being standing so tall.  They look immovable and rock solid.  We can look from different angles and see new details and wonders of God's grace, provision, and sovereignty.

Then a haze descends over the land---busyness, distraction, fatigue, poor habits, and bad patterns.  Soon clouds settle in over the peaks---sin, upheaval, chaos, monotony, or discouragement.  Our view is lower and the promises are obscured and vague.

Then comes a day when the storm comes charging over the peaks---illness, death, tragedy, grief, loss, setback, failure, betrayal, or mistreatment arrives in our lives with a power that shakes us to the core.  God's promises blur and seem to disappear as darkness swallows up the peaks, the mountains, the entire landscape, and all we can see is the storm.  "Where is God now?" we ask.  "Where are His promises?"  We look every direction and see nothing to help us focus our minds and hearts on His goodness.

Yet in all these things have the mountains moved or have God's promises changed?  No.  Even the clouds of the storm can be the approach of His feet as He draws near.  We must intentionally choose to see His presence in the storm.  We must know that He loves us, and even this storm cannot overcome His hands and feet as He draws near to hold us close.  We are under the shadow of His wings, protected, comforted, nourished, and never ever forsaken.  We must choose to stay there no matter how loudly the storm is raging.  His promises are solid, true, and real even when completely hidden from our limited sight, and they are fulfilled in His presence.  He will never leave us or forsake us.

Legos, Really?

That's right, look closer, those are really Legos! We saw this exhibit called "The Art of Brick" at the Crown Center in KC. It was pretty amazing, and I'll probably share more another time. Today the heat was broken about 4:00 by a huge thunderstorm with really high winds. The temperature fell about 25 degrees as the front came through. Jon had to go out on calls, but it was really short. That was good because this heat has been really brutal for him to work in!! I'd really appreciate your prayers for him through this hot spell!

Thought for the day

There's nothing like Midwest weather...wow! We're always thankful when the storm has passed and all is well, but it always make me realize how great God's power is when a weather system comes through and there is nothing anyone can do to change it. We can be grateful that his love and power are on our side!

Jon Heads Out

Here are some pix from last weekend...the boys ready to trick or treat as Thing 1 and Thing 2, some shots from Emmy's early 5th birthday party, and a picture of her with Uncle Greg. Great fun!!!!

I'm sure you've all heard about the heavy snow and high winds out in the Black Hills area, well Jon got the call last night that he would be leaving today to go out there to help restore power. He spent all evening packing up lots of clothes and boots here and getting paper work done and the trucks ready to go over at work. One of the newer guys at work, Grant, will be going, too. Grant will take one of the big trucks and Jon will drive a pickup. They met this morning at the shop at 5:00 and left town around 6:30. Because the big truck was pulling a trailer they thought it would be better to take I80 to I29, but the on ramp was blocked by semis full of windmill parts so they had to turn around and drive through the Loess Hills anyway. When I talked to him a little after 9:00 they were just north of Sioux City. It will be a long drive since the big truck has a top speed of only around 65 mph which will feel really slow because a 75 mph limit is SD means you can drive 80 with no problem. It will be a long day for him with lots of long days ahead. They will be working from the REC at Newell, SD and fortunately probably in a plains area rather than the more mountainous Black Hills. Please pray for them both when you think of it. At least the temps will be comfortable---30's and 40's. Anyway, we appreciate your prayers for health and safety as they drive and work. He will probably bring home some impressive pictures that I can share later.

Thought for the day

We are very blessed when things like electricity and water are working, and it would be good to stop and thank God for these blessings even though they are "material and temporal". I know none of us want to be without them. Pray for those who are waiting for these services to return, too.