Did someome say 'Snow'?

It's the 'Blizzard of the Century'! Not really. That's just how this snowstorm is being hyped on TV. I know it's a serious and dangerous storm, but come on, it's nothing we haven't seen before in the Texas Panhandle. I admit this is a pretty impressive storm. Some parts of the area have 12 inches of snow already and 4-foot drifts!

In the Panhandle, we're used to snow. We're used to wind. Put them together, though, and everyone freaks out, especially TV weathermen. If you listen to them, you'd think this is 'Snowmageddon.'

It's funny to watch the TV coverage of the storm. They have one weatherman stationed "out in the field," which is code for just out the back door in the parking lot. Then, there's another weatherman in studio, and he gives the "very latest conditions," which is code for "Hey, it's still SNOWING!" I think we can figure that out if we look out the window.

Before the storm, people made a run on grocery stores and gas stations. The stores were packed with people stocking up on food. Come on, do you really think you're going to run out of food if you have to stay in the house for two days? I didn't stock up before the storm, but I really don't think I'm going to starve. If you do run out of food, you can run out for some great snow ice cream. I used to love that as a kid. Just watch out for the yellow kind!

All schools in the area were closed today, and some businesses shut down. That's good. Everyone needs a Snow Day! But it's funny because as soon as the snow stops flying, people want to get out and head over to the park to slide down the hill on cardboard.

Some people have been stranded because of the blizzard. My two aunts were here over the weekend and were supposed to leave today. I think they're going to be here awhile! I told my aunt from Wisconsin that I ordered the snow so she'd feel at home while she's here.

A lot of people hate the snow. You can't do anything about it, though, so you might as well settle in and enjoy it. If everyone just uses a little common sense, we're all weather the storm fine.

7 Days Without Church Makes 1 Weak

People often say to me, "You're always going to church." Some even say, "Wouldn't it be easier just to stay home sometimes?" Well, yes, it might be easier to stay home some Sundays. But the rest of the week would be a whole lot harder.

 

We all need to go to church. We need each other. Most of all, we need to meet God there. It is there, with other believers, that we are encouraged and find strength for a new week. I can tell you it makes a difference in my life.

 

There are many reasons why we should go to church. It is at church where we find and fulfill our purpose in life. We find our purpose through a relationship with Jesus Christ — and others. Church is where we learn to be a part of the family of God. We learn how to love and share with each other. In 1 Corinthians 12:26, it says, "If one part of the body suffers, all the other parts suffer with it."

 

By coming together with other believers, we can grow together in God's love, and we will grow spiritually. Ephesians 4:16 tells us, "As each part does its own work, it helps all the other parts grow, so the whole body is healthy."

 

Being a Christian and living the Christian life is more than just a commitment to Christ. It's a commitment to other believers, too. The Bible tells us to be involved in each other's lives. God says to love each other and bear each other's burdens. Hebrews 3:13 says, "Encourage one another daily."

 

The Bible tells us to encourage one another, serve one another, teach one another, accept one another and be devoted to one another. In Romans 1:12, Paul says, "I want us to help each other. Your faith will help me, and my faith will help you."

 

Many times, when we've stumbled or had a tough week, we may feel like staying away from church, but those are the times when we need it most. That's where we find God's grace. Our church family can help us through the hard times. As it says in 2 Corinthians 2:7, "When people stumble, you should forgive and comfort them, so they won't give up." How true it is. We need each other in the hard times as well as the good times.

 

I read a great quote once that really sums it all up: We need church "because it gives us a purpose to live for, people to live with, principles to live by, a profession to live out and power to live on. There's no other place on Earth where you can find all these benefits in one place."

 

If you haven't been going to church, try it next Sunday. It will change your life!

Stick To Your Guns... And Bibles

The debate on gun control has sparked a heated discussion. People are adamant in their stand for or against gun regulations. If you listen to talk radio or read Facebook, you'll find passionate pleas from gun owners. Many have even quoted the old NRA slogan, "I'll give you my gun when you pry it from my cold, dead hands."

 

Those are pretty strong words! The people, on both sides of the argument, are sincere in their beliefs, and they're not going to be silenced. They are willing to fight for what they believe in.

That made me wonder: Would people be as passionate if the debate was about the Bible and our religious freedoms instead of guns? What if the government tried to ban Bibles? Would there be as much outrage as there's been over gun rights?

We are blessed in America to have the freedom to worship as we choose and to read the Bible. I pray we never lose that freedom. Our religious freedoms are already under attack. There may come a day when the government will try to ban the Bible, and that day may come sooner than we expect.

The current administration already has attempted to restrict Bibles at some military hospitals. A guideline memo issued by the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in September 2011 stated that religious items, including Bibles, could not be used or given away during visits with patients at the center. Fortunately, the rule was never enforced and was rescinded four months later.

Other religious freedoms also have faced restrictions. Last year was the 50th anniversary of the ban on prayer in public schools. It was a hotly debated issue at the time and now, decades later, the debate rages on. There have been various attempts to allow prayer back in school. However, many Christians remain virtually silent on the issue. The same is true on abortion. We've been silent for too long. It's time to stand up for the rights of the unborn.

The attacks on our religious freedoms will only increase in the last days. The Bible tells us to hold firmly to the hope we confess without wavering.

In 1 Corinthians 15:58, we're told, "Stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain."

We need to get fired up! We should be as passionate about the things of God as we are about guns. The day may actually come when they try to take our Bibles away. What will we do then? Will we let the Bible slip through our fingers or will they have to pry them from our hands?

Big Daddy WHO?

When I told Mom that Big Daddy Weave is coming to Pampa, she said, "Big Daddy WHO?" She thought I was talking about a man, not a group. If they traveled with the Gaithers, I'm sure Mom would know exactly who they are.

Big Daddy Weave is Mike, Jeff, Jay, Joe and Jeremy. Together, they are one of the most popular contemporary Christian groups, and they are coming to Pampa this weekend with the Redeemed Tour. Chris August and Citizen Way are also on the tour.

I've been to a Big Daddy Weave concert before, in Amarillo, but I didn't think they would ever come to our little town. This is big for Pampa. We're getting three groups for this night of praise and worship. I haven't listened to Chris August or Citizen Way as much, but I'm sure it will be a great concert. Tickets are only $10 at www.itickets.com. Can't get a deal like that in the big cities!

I hope people will come out and enjoy the concert. Let's pack M.K. Brown auditorium Sunday night and all worship the Lord together!

Mom asked if I thought she'd like their music. I don't know. It might be a little loud for you, Mom, you better stick with the Gaithers! Then again, she might really enjoy the concert. The night is about worshipping Jesus, and that's what we should all be doing all the time!

If you're in the area around Pampa, I hope to see you here this Sunday night! It's going to be good!

No Room For Compromise

When asked about their secret to a long marriage, the happy couple answered: "Compromise!" The husband then quipped, "My wife and I always compromise; I admit I'm wrong, and she agrees with me."

We live in an age of compromise. Sometimes, compromise is good. If we had more compromise in Washington, our country might not be in the mess it's in. But one thing we should never compromise is our commitment to God and His Word.

In Joshua 1:7, we're told, "Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left."

God gave us a standard in the Bible and expects us to follow it unswervingly. If we do, God promises "you will be prosperous and successful" (Joshua 1:8). But when we compromise and go our own way, we pay a high price.

In the Old Testament, the prophet Amos was called to speak out against the people of Israel who had been unfaithful to God and compromised their beliefs by worshipping idols and pagan gods.

In a vision, the Lord showed Amos a plumb line. It represented God's standard of holiness for His people. Israel was "out of plumb" because it had turned away from God's standards. God's wrath came upon Israel as punishment for unfaithfulness to His laws.

This should be a lesson to us today. God's standards never change. He does not compromise His values, and He will punish any nation that doesn't keep His standards. There will be constant attempts by the enemy to get us to let down our guard and conform to the world's standards. However, Romans 12:2 says, "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world."

Jesus warns in Matthew 7:13, "You can enter God's kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way."

The narrow way is one without compromise, but many will follow the broad way that leads to destruction by compromising their beliefs. God demands our absolute obedience, and there is no room for compromise in our love, obedience and devotion to Him.