Matthew 19:26:   “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Jesus was responding to a question from his disciples who had just heard him say that it was easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than it was for a rich man to en

ter the kingdom of God.  They asked, “Who then can be saved?”  In other words, “Is it possible for anyone to make it to heaven?  It seems too hard!”

Jesus was trying to teach us that when we look away from man to God, the impossible suddenly becomes possible.

During the Korean War, a company on patrol, Baker Company, had become cut off from the rest of their battalion, and they found themselves soon trapped in a valley with the enemy closing in.  They had lost radio communications for some time, and Headquarters kept trying tirelessly to make contact with Baker Company.  Finally, they heard a faint signal and established communications again.  The radio operator said,  “Baker Company, this is Headquarters; do you read me?”  The reply came back,  “Roger, Headquarters, this is Baker Company, over.”  Headquarters asked, “What is your situation?”  Baker Company replied, “We’re in a tight spot….the enemy is to the north of us, the enemy is to the south of us, the enemy is to the east of us, and the enemy is to the west of us.”  After a long pause, the Baker Company radio operator finally announced with determination, “The enemy is not going to get away from us now!”  Although surrounded and outnumbered, he was thinking of victory, not defeat!

Thinking about what is possible—that’s what keeps people going!  Remember, from a faith perspective, God can overcome any situation and enable us to overcome and achieve anything.

All things are possible!

I don’t know about you, but I still enjoy watching the snow fall! At this stage in my life, snow takes on a fresh perspective through the eyes of my two young daughters. Watching my 16 month old run around pointing outside and saying, “sknnnow, daudy, sknoooww,” is priceless. (For those who fear I cannot spell, imagine how hard it is to spell words that sound just like the way my daughter pronounces them. )

Our 4 year old couldn’t wait till morning so she could go out side and play in the snow…and build a snowman of course. While playing outside, she looked at my wife and said, “Mom, I will build a snowman and you can build one too. I will call mine Frosty and you will call yours Bob.” I couldn’t help but laugh out loud. Kids bring out the wonder of simple things. (The picture below is the building of Bob…LOL.)

Which brings me to my point: snow, as simple as it is, changes our perspective in a unique way. My neighborhood is still full of the same streets, houses, fields, cars, trees, and so on. Yet, when the snow falls they all look different. Even the ugly parts. You know what I am talking about…those areas that are run down, covered in piles of rocks, debris, and areas that are unattractive. Notice that all snow does is cover up what was once ugly easy to see. The new fallen snow brings a new perspective.

Perhaps Isaiah thought the same thing when he proclaimed that our sins may be as red as scarlet, but God washes us white as snow. Our sins may be easy to see and we allow them to define us, but God is saying, that he will change everything. Just as the snow covers up what is ugly, God’s life transforming power covers our sins and makes what was once ugly into something beautiful – transformed by his power.

The only difference is that snow eventually melts away revealing those ugly areas again. But PRASIE BE TO GOD for his “snow” does not melt away! It covers our sins once and for all. It is an eternal change that begins on the day we receive his son, Jesus Christ, as our Lord and Savior, and grows more beautiful as we place God first in our lives.

Enjoy your snow day! May God wash you as white as snow!

“Come now, and let us reason together,”
Says the Lord,
“Though your sins are like scarlet,
They shall be as white as snow;
Though they are red like crimson,
They shall be as wool. (Isaiah 1:18, NKJV)

An LFA Behind the Curtain look at the controls of LFA Radio

The Super Bowl is upon us as players and fans are getting ready.  Fans are getting parties planned, buying food, and inviting friends along with co-workers.  Players are reviewing plays and studying the opposing team.  Something we may not always think about though is the touchdown celebration.  With Chad Ochocinco playing for the Patriots, you can almost bet he is planning something in case he gets in the end zone.

Touchdown celebrations have come a long way.  Not many people remember the “Ickey Shuffle” back in 1989, but today with Terrell Owens, Chad Ochocinco, along with others, some may say that things have gotten out of control.  It went from a two steps to each side and spiking the ball to now we have the “Lambeau Leap”,  players making snow angels in the end zone,pulling out a sharpie to sign the ball, or a cell phone to call home. And, who can forget DeSean Jackson, dropping the ball to celebrate before he ever made in the end zone!

Still there are things that we as a church can learn from football celebrations.  As a church, we all celebrate at the large events when hundreds of people get saved.  There’s the deafening applause and rejoicing even sometimes with 50 or 25, but what about one?  Just one?  Usually you may hear the token golf clap, but does the Bible not say that all of heaven rejoices?

Players celebrate just one touchdown that hasn’t won them the game.  They also celebrate a good play or any forward motion.  What if we as the church took more time to celebrate and encourage one another, even just in the first downs of our daily walk?  What if we truly got excited about each step forward in someone’s spiritual journey?

Joseph, a levite from Cyprus, was called Barnabas (meaning Son of Encouragement) by the apostles.  What an honor to be recognized for being an encourager and even called so publicly in your name.  Barnabas was definitely a lifter of people.  When you look at his life in the book of Acts, you see he believed in Paul before anyone else (Acts 9:26-27).  What may have happened to Saul who became Paul, known as the first great missionary, if he didn’t have a Barnabas to help him in the beginning?  Let’s plan our celebrations and make sure not to miss an opportunity to encourage and celebrate with those around us.

Have you ever found yourself wondering or asking God. why am I at this job? Why am I in this place of leadership? Many times in my life I have found myself in this same situation asking the same question. During these points in my life, I am often reminded of the story of Esther. Esther was a Jewish girl who became the Queen of Persia. At one point while she was queen, the Jews were under the threat of annihilation and she was asked to help. Her relative, Mordecai, came to persuade Esther to help. He tells her, “…and who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” ( Esther 4: 14 NIV). When I read that, I am reminded God has me here for such a time as this, and He wants to use me for His good. I just have to be willing to allow God to use me. Jeannie Mayo makes the powerful statement, “We need to be Jesus with skin on” to all those we come in contact with us because we may be the only Jesus they ever get to see.” God has you where you are for such a time as this. Let Him use you to make a difference.