Category Archives: Storms of life

Life experiences, Storms of life

SEEING THROUGH YOUR SOLSTICE

solsitice

Here we are at December 21 and the winter solstice that marks the shortest day and the longest night of the year. The sun appears at its lowest point in the sky, and its noontime elevation appears to be the same for several days before and after the solstice. Hence the origin of the word solstice, which comes from Latin solstitium, from sol, sun and stitium, a stoppage. Following the winter solstice, the days begin to grow longer and the nights shorter.

Your solstice could be the darkest night of your life.  The time when you feel like cannot see your way through.

Here are a few thoughts on seeing through your darkest times of your life.

Usually God’s purposes are revealed and His power displayed, in our darkest experiences when like Gideon you ask, “If the Lord is with [me], why has…this happened?” When there seems to be no rhyme or reason, God’s promise is, “I will give you the treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the Lord…who [calls] you by name” (Isa 45:3 NIV).

Anybody can be faithful in good times, but standing “by night in the house of the Lord” (Ps 134:1 NIV) takes real commitment. Hymn writer George Matheson wrote: “Will I remain in God’s house at night…love Him for who He is…know I desire not the gift but the Giver? When I can remain…during the darkness of night and worship…I’ve accepted Him for Himself alone.” When the Israelites faced their greatest challenge, the Red Sea, the Bible says, “All that night the Lord drove the sea back” (Ex 14:21 NIV). Be encouraged, God is working, even though you can’t see Him.

After all, how can God give us “songs in the night” (Job 35:10) if the sun always shines? Jesus said, “What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight” (Mt 10:27 NIV). It’s in life’s dark places that God shares things which strengthen you, and encourage those around you.

The Solstice or darkest night of your life can be an opportunity to see  what you cannot see in the bright of day.

Take the darkest places and let God transform them into your brightest places.

Weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning. Psalm 30:5

Be the light my friends and especially in the darkest places.

All the best.

Steve

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Storms of life

The Weather Vane

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A weather vane  – is an instrument for showing the direction of the wind .

This year two guys in my church presented Brenda and I a weather vane for pastor appreciation month.
Wow, this thing is beautiful and has a real special meaning for Brenda and I.

We have been through a real testing season in our lives .  Without getting into the details, I will just say is was a LONG LONG season of trials, test and storms.
As a couple, we prevailed long enough to come out the other side and can now look back and say wow….”we never want to do that again!” (can you relate?)
We have found out over the past five years that storms can really help you with understanding somethings.
1. They will define you.
2. They will let you know what your core values are.
3. They will help you get rid of things you don’t really need.
4. They let you know who you can count on and who are your fair weather friends.
5. 70% of people in your life will not even know or care you are going through it.  29% of people will feel like you deserve it and 1% of people in your life will actually care and have compassion on you.
Here is an amazing scripture found in Acts 27:14 that will let you know that God will bring you through the storm!

“There arose against us…Euroclydon.” Acts 27:14

Euroclydon! It’s the only storm named in Scripture. It means “typhoon,” and Paul had to sail through it to reach his destiny. Observe:

(1) To reach your goal you’ll have to go through storms. “When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and the storm continued raging, we finally gave up all hope of being saved” (Acts 27:20 NIV). There will be days when you’ll wonder how you’re going to make it. But by God’s grace you will!

(2) Storms reveal how well you know God. “Last night an angel of the God whose I am and whom I serve stood beside me and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul,'” (Acts 27:23-24 NIV). It’s the tough times that reveal the strength of your God-connection.

(3) God can make a success out of a shipwreck. Notice some important things in this story:
(a) Sometimes you’ll have to throw stuff overboard (See Acts 27:18).
(b) In spite of your best efforts you’ll occasionally run aground (See Acts 27:26).
(c) You must remember what God told you and stand on it (See Acts 27:25).

(4) Often the worst thing that could have happened turns out for the best. God used this shipwreck to reach Malta with the Gospel. And notice what happened to Paul and his traveling companions as they left that island: “They honored us…and when we were ready to sail, they furnished us with the supplies we needed” (Acts 28:10 NIV). Stop worrying, God will provide what you need in ways that amaze you. If you’re His child you’re not the victim of circumstances. Your future is not in the hands of people, it’s in the hands of God. And what He owns, He takes care of!

Every time I pull into my drive in my car or after a bike ride I will look up at that weather vane and be reminded of  this.

A PREVAILING faith + a FAITHFUL God = a TESTED and Stronger person.

My test will be my testimony.

Don’t give up on your dream.

Steve

Just a side note.

Riding my Form Prevail 29er in Sedona – Yes, I bought a bike  from FORM cycles  named “Prevail” to help me prevail through the storm.

Think what you want….. but there were many a time when I was out in the forest alone where it spoke to me and maybe kept me moving forward when everything seemed to be a confusing night mare.

Do what ever it takes.

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Life experiences, Storms of life

SEEING THROUGH YOUR SOLSTICE

solsitice

Here we are at December 21 and the winter solstice that marks the shortest day and the longest night of the year. The sun appears at its lowest point in the sky, and its noontime elevation appears to be the same for several days before and after the solstice. Hence the origin of the word solstice, which comes from Latin solstitium, from sol, sun and stitium, a stoppage. Following the winter solstice, the days begin to grow longer and the nights shorter.

Your solstice could be the darkest night of your life.  The time when you feel like cannot see your way through.

Here are a few thoughts on seeing through your darkest times of your life.

Usually God’s purposes are revealed and His power displayed, in our darkest experiences when like Gideon you ask, “If the Lord is with [me], why has…this happened?” When there seems to be no rhyme or reason, God’s promise is, “I will give you the treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the Lord…who [calls] you by name” (Isa 45:3 NIV).

Anybody can be faithful in good times, but standing “by night in the house of the Lord” (Ps 134:1 NIV) takes real commitment. Hymn writer George Matheson wrote: “Will I remain in God’s house at night…love Him for who He is…know I desire not the gift but the Giver? When I can remain…during the darkness of night and worship…I’ve accepted Him for Himself alone.” When the Israelites faced their greatest challenge, the Red Sea, the Bible says, “All that night the Lord drove the sea back” (Ex 14:21 NIV). Be encouraged, God is working, even though you can’t see Him.

After all, how can God give us “songs in the night” (Job 35:10) if the sun always shines? Jesus said, “What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight” (Mt 10:27 NIV). It’s in life’s dark places that God shares things which strengthen you, and encourage those around you.

The Solstice or darkest night of your life can be an opportunity to see  what you cannot see in the bright of day.

Take the darkest places and let God transform them into your brightest places.

Weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning. Psalm 30:5

Be the light my friends and especially in the darkest places.

All the best.

Steve

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