Is it a Christmas miracle or that which will doom February to the doldrums of the year?

Today as I was driving into the church, I found myself relishing in the fresh powder that was all over the place. For just an instant I was warmed by the illusion of warm fires, hot chocolate, family, friends, stockings hanging from the mantle, presents, the smell of mint, and presents of gold, myrrh and frankincense.

It came to an abrupt end as I was forced to slam on the brakes as some soccer mom in a minivan was completely disillusioned by the presence of snow on the

road. Apparently, green lights are only applicable in dry road conditions! This pericope brought to mind the attitude that Kansans take toward snow. Most Kansans that I have spoken with associate snow with family gatherings; gingerbread cookies; and various other Yuletide amenities; but what happens when there is no light at the end of the tunnel? Where does this affinity for the flakes go when the hope is gone?

It is my contention that the only thing that makes snow suffer

able is the understanding that Christmas comes directly following it. Where is your Christmas carols in February? Where are your presents in January? And during the final unexpected snow in March, to what portly man in red pajamas will you turn? Rest assured the man you wish was there, Old St. Nick, has abandoned you and left you with a cheap imitation known as the Easter Bunny (other than as slippers; he owns no heart warming capabilities!)

Understanding that snow is a great idea now and an inconvenience in February does well to hedge our emotions now. So if you run into me and expound on the beauty of snow; the crispness of the air; and the joy of catching snowflakes on your nose; chances are good that I will remind you of all the negative aspects of snow during your spring break (swimming suits + snowfall = frostbite); slipping on the ice and busting your face; or I will remind you the back breaking shoveling that comes with it?

Persecution in Central Park

For the last couple weeks in Jr. High Youth group, we have been studying thankfulness (see my last post). Two weeks ago we discussed how Paul was thankful for the community that he was a part of.

This week we discussed Paul's thankfulness for salvation. I think Paul had a little bit better grasp on salvation than we do. Why this is I can only speculate; however, I think it is because getting saved by God was an every day occurrence. If you read through Paul's list of tribulations in 2 Corinthians 11.24ff.:

Five times lashed by the Jews

Three times he was beaten with rods (Acts 16.23)

Once he was stoned (Acts 14.19)

Three times he was shipwrecked (Acts 27)

He was in danger from Jews (Acts 9.23ff.; 9.29; 13.50; 14.5;

He was in danger from Gentiles (Acts 14.5)

He was thrown in prison or under guard (Acts 16.23; 23.35)

Paul seemed to be saved by God a lot during his work. I wonder if that is why Paul seems so much more thankful for the work of Salvation. Salvation, for Paul, is a constant occurrence.

This is what I wanted our jr. highers to understand when we talked about being thankful for salvation. On Wednesday night, our jr. high students met at the north end of Central Park Park. Each group 0f 4 or 5 students was led by a sponsor or parent. Their job was to make the perilous trek 800 yards to the south in to the back room of our church. The room has no windows and only one entrance. Their enemies were 8 of our high school kids with the mission of persecuting our jr. high kids to no end (purple nurples, chest taps, noogies, whatever it takes). Once our students entered the back room I spoke to them about being thankful for their salvation, not only for their evading the persecution, but for their eternal salvation.

I played some gunfire in the background and the muslim call to prayer to let them experience what other Christians are going through around the world. It was a lot of fun. We took communion to end the night; as a celebration of what Jesus did for us to save us from our sins.