It was a beautiful sunny day today - except for the crazy wind! These high winds actually started during the night last night. At one point Ken even commented that it sounded like "blizzard wind". I believe that we would have had a genuine blizzard if the temperature was 20 degrees colder and if there had been precipitation. The wind blew all day. Even though it was close to 40 degrees, it felt much colder. In typical Chicago weather, you never know how to dress or what kind of coat/jacket to wear. It certainly felt like March was coming in like a lion!! A roaring lion at that.
Anna's birthday was a bit ago, but for her family get together, she decided we should go bowling!
The last time we bowled together (which was last year for Lia's birthday - I think), Anna was really not interested in the game. But four is so much older than three when it comes to these events!We have found a really nice place to bowl sort of equal distance for all of us. So we meet there for a fun lunch time bowl.
Last weeks news was flooded with stories about Billy Graham after his death. Rev. Graham's life and legacy are so amazing. I read that he has preached the Gospel to more people than anyone else, EVER! What an awesome party there must be going on in heaven right now. The song that has been on my mind is Thank You for Giving to the Lord, by Ray Bolz. The point of this song is that each one of us will have made an impact on many people that we do not even know about. Imagine just how many people will be there to thank Rev. Billy Graham. The lose of Rev. Graham was certainly felt around the world. And there has been a shift in the Spiritual realm also. Many, many people are believing that there will be a new wave of evangelism and new powerful preachers will step up to fill the void left by his death. Yes, winds of change are blowing. If there was ever a time when the United States needed those winds to blow, it is now in 2018. I had an interesting conversation with someone who is especially concerned about the issues and problems facing inner city youth. After a long discussion, it became clear that knowing about all the problems does not get you any closer to solving them! With such a large and complex issue like this one, there is no quick and easy solution. While I applaud the desire to make a difference and to see things change, I also can see the enormity of the problems! I went to bed, thinking about that conversation. I woke up with an assurance that Jesus was the only answer to that situation. Yes, we need those winds of change to blow across our inner cities, and change the hearts of the people.
In my small group we have been discussing the opposite of "love" is not "hate" - it is FEAR. Fear is the root of all that comes against love. Every emotion, every action, every deed that is not love, comes from a place of fear. All of us - our families, our neighborhoods, our cities, our countries - need more love! And God is love! As the seasons change, as March comes blowing in like a lion, as Billy Graham has graduated into glory, let us all pray for a powerful move of God. Let there be open doors for evangelism and even more important than open doors, let there be open hearts to receive the love of Jesus.
"There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear.." 1John 4:18
Jesus, thank you for reminding me that you are what is needed. Holy Spirit, show each of us our part of this amazing plan for our world. Give us all courage and boldness to share Jesus with those around us. Draw us closer to you Jesus, especially when the problems seem so overwhelming. Thank you for children, for family and for fun times. And Jesus, thank you for winds of change. Amen
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