Last night I was pretty tired. So, I went to bed early and got up late. After some pleasant weather in recent days, I discovered it was snowing and we had three to four inches on the ground.

After some office work, I decided to go shovel snow from the driveway. I was able to get my power wheelchair going, so I used it instead of my riding lawn mower to push the snow shovel. While I was working on my drive way the recycling truck pulled up and the driver go out and commented about my creativity and industry.

I noticed my neighbors driveway across the street needed to be plowed, so I thought I go over and help them out. Then I noticed our neighbors to south needed some snow removed. I then noticed other driveways that had snow on them. As a matter of fact out of the seven houses on our cul-de-sac only one was cleared. So I did them all.

What was going to be a quick job before lunch ended up being my three hour neighborhood project. I’m glad the weather was warm enough to melt some of the snow as it was cleared.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “I want you to remember, my friends, what happened to our ancestors who followed Moses. They were all under the protection of the cloud, and all passed safely through the Red Sea…All ate the same spiritual bread and drank the same spiritual drink. They drank from the spiritual rock that went with them; and that rock was Christ himself….But even then God was not pleased with most of them…all of this is an example for us, to warn us not to desire evil things…We must not put the Lord to the test,…We must not complain…All these things happened to them as examples for others, and they were written down as a warning for us.” 1 Corinthians 10:1,5

I am reading through the Book of Numbers. Outside of continuing instructions on sacrifices and rituals, we find accounts of God’s people in persistent rebellion and refusing to trust the Lord and obey Him. All of this in spite of the visible sign of God’s presence and all the miracles He performed.

For a group of slaves, they were as Moses said, “stiff-necked and rebellious.” They used every opportunity to complain about their present while they minimized the agony of the past and refused to look toward the future God had promised.

We read of the spies being sent into Canaan. They survey the land for 40 days and come back with a detailed report. Two of the spies are filled with faith and confidence and ten are discouraged and even speak disparagingly of the land. “…the men who had gone with Caleb said, “No, we are not strong enough to attack them; the people there are more powerful than we are.” So they spread a false report among the Israelites about the land they had explored. They said, “That land doesn’t even produce enough to feed the people who live there.” (Numbers 13:31,32)

When the Lord spoke judgment against the people for their lack of faith, some changed their mind and against the Lord’s instructions tried to entered into the promise land in their own strength. They suffered a brutal defeat.

Moses found his leadership challenged by his own sister (Miriam) and then by Korah and 250 followers that he convinced to join him. After God judged Korah and his followers, the congregation rose up and said, “you have killed the Lord’s servants.” (When things go bad, sometimes they continue to go bad,)

Grumble, complain and rebel. The Children of Israel did more of that after leaving Egypt than they did when they were slaves in Egypt. As a result they forfeited receiving the fulfillment of the promise of God and their own words, “we are going to die in the desert” and lack of faith, became their destiny.

As Paul writes to the Corinthians, who were having their own issues at the time, he reminds them of the history of God’s people. The harsh reality is that people were pretty much the same in Moses’ day as they were in Paul’s day, as they are today. We are quick to complain, easily become disgruntled, lack the patience and perseverance that is needed to experience God’s best for our lives.

And that is exactly why Paul said these accounts are recorded. The challenge remains for us today, to have confidence that the God of miracles of the past, is the God of miracles of the present. We must avoid testing the Lord and giving into the human tendencies toward evil and disobedience. We are to keep from grumbling and murmuring and instead, allow our minds and heart to be filled with reminders of God’s promises and faithfulness.

There is some of the wilderness generation of God’s people in God’s people today. Those actions were displeasing to the Lord thousands of years ago and still are today. May the Lord who is full of love and grace, grant us the love and grace we need toward others and strengthen us to be a faithful followers and not a crowd of complainers.

It was a full day today. We had some work done at the house first thing this morning and then after some early morning duties in the office, I joined some fellow ministers in Northern Colorado for an annual meeting in Windsor. It was good to see many friends that I have not seen for a while and to learn of those who have been praying for us and following my progress.

I had a dentist appointment and found that I do need a filling and a crown. Nothing too urgent but considering almost five months of hospitalization does not promote good oral health, I am glad that I have done as well as I have.

This afternoon when I arrived home, I completed my registration to become a “professional lobbyist.” Now I just need to get some clients and see if I can get back into some earned income.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “…we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all…by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body…let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings….” (Hebrews 10:10,20,22)

In my Bible reading program I have finished Leviticus and then went onto read Hebrews. It is interesting to read those two books in succession. Some years ago a friend who was reading through the Bible for the first time commented about the impact of reading those two books one after the other. That made me consider the contrast the the writer of Hebrews draws between the “old covenant” and the “new covenant.”

The Old Testament law contained the regulations of sacrifices and offerings and the conduct that was vital to have relationship with a Holy God. But scripture is clear that those sacrifices were “reminders of their sin” (Hebrews 10:3). The law was also used as a “schoolmaster to bring us to Christ.”  (Galatians 3:24)

When Jesus came He fulfilled the role of Priest and sacrifice together. In His role as priest (one who stand between the people and God) Christ “lives to make intercession for us.”  Hebrews says this is the result, “…he [Jesus] is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.” (Hebrews 7:25)

The simple assurance is when we draw near to God, “He draws near to us.” (James 4:8) No more sacrifices, no more questions about our status with God. Christ through His life fulfilled the law and through His sacrifice provided forgiveness of sins for all who believe.

We believe, we belong to God’s family, walking in relationship with Him and others and we become, what He has planned for us to become. We live life with a new purpose and a new destiny.

It was good to be back into the swing of things today. I was able to get in some errands and to get in a good workout at the fitness center. I also received a call about my first, small, lobbying opportunity. I’m glad for just a small start. Reminds me of my first steps with a walker.

As I share about father’s today, I did not find a picture that I was thinking about with my father, my son and his son. So I am posting a picture of Christian reading to his boys a few years ago. (it looks like four years ago! Riley on the right, has turned out to be our voracious reader.) It is always heartening to see your children not only turn out to be good adults, but good parents as well.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling.” (Psalm 68:5)

As I watched the Superbowl and the famous commercials, I was pleased to see at least three different ones that promoted the value of fathers. Fathers who care, fathers who are there, fathers who teach and take action.

If there is a glaring need in our society today, amidst the decline of the nuclear family, it is the lack of fathers. Fathers that will be true parents. My friend Doyle Robinson in his ministry to homeless youth has adopted the mission of “restoring the heart of the ‘Father’ to a fatherless generation.” With the growing awareness of the crime of “sex trafficking” much of the root issues that create vulnerability relates to an absence of fathers, or fathers who abused instead of nurtured.

Fathers don’t need to be perfect, but they need to be present and available. That in and of itself can be a challenge with the demands of our society and economics and “making our mark.” Fathers need to be involved. It seems like we hear more about “helicopter mothers” than “helicopter fathers” (not that any imbalance is good). One of the most interesting verses of the Bible is about King David and his role as a father. “….his [Adonijah’s] father, King David, had never disciplined him at any time, even by asking, “Why are you doing that?” (1 Kings 1:6)

Father’s need to be affirming. I was attending a funeral for a fellow pastor a couple of weeks ago. As his daughter shared about her college days, she told of how her father would remind her, “I love, I believe you in, you can do this!” When I reflect on my fathering, I recall too many missed opportunities.

However, the message of hope for father’s who are not in heaven (perfect) there is a Father in heaven (who is perfect) and not like earthly fathers. The Lord can help fathers in their responsibilities and He can bring healing for wounds from failed fathers. We can know love, forgiveness and freedom. And as we experience that it enables us to be to others what our heavenly father is to us.

We have had a good day and as I write the first half of the Superbowl has just come to an end. We will be putting in a longer Sunday mornings over the next 13 weeks with Debbie helping with the grief care class. It will bring back some memories of our days of pastor ministry.

After returning home this morning, I took care of some personal business and then after lunch decided I needed to take a nap to get ready for the game. I will get back into my fitness center routine tomorrow.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…  “When they heard Paul speak about a raising from death, some of them made fun of him…” (Acts 17:32) “…I am on trial here because of the hope I have that the dead will rise to life!” (Acts 23:6) “…All they [the Jews] had were some arguments with him [Paul] about their own religion and about a man named Jesus, who has died; but Paul claims that he is alive.”  (Acts 25:18,19)

As we were in church this morning we sang the song that contains the faith affirming words, “I believe in God, the Father, I believe in Jesus Christ…I believe in the resurrection, for He has given me new life…” The Apostle Paul would love that song and this affirmation of faith was one he embraced.

A few days ago as I was  finishing my read through the Book of Acts, I took note of the final chapters of Paul’s arrest, trials and imprisonment. The reoccurring theme and event was Paul’s conversion. And what made Paul’s conversion so impacting is that Jesus, who he was persecuting, appeared to him on the road to Damascus. When Paul writes to the Corinthians about the resurrection he lists himself as those the resurrected Christ appeared to. “…last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.” (1 Corinthians 15:8)

The resurrection of Christ became the basis of Paul’s message and the foundation of his faith.“.. if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead.” (1 Corinthians 15:14,15)

Paul clearly states that the resurrection of Christ is the basis of our faith and our hope for the future. So he asserts with confidence, “But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.” (1 Corinthians 15:20-22)

As Paul testified about the resurrection, the same call is on followers of Christ today. “…in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.”  (1 Peter 3:15) The reason for our hope is the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Jesus performed miracles, was a great teacher, and “went about doing good.” But all of that would not give us forgiveness and hope for the future had He not died on the cross and rose from the grave.

We are still two months away from Easter and the global celebration of the resurrection of Christ. But remember that each “Lord’s day” The first day of the week we gather in a continual reminder and celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. In between those times of corporate gatherings as Christ followers we can daily live our lives by “faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.“ (Galatians 2:20) and rose to life for me.