"There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars ... And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory." - Luke 21:25, 27 

Throughout this summer, the aurora borealis (or more commonly known as the "Northern Lights") have been visible on numerous occasions in the Cleveland night sky. Scientifically speaking, this natural light display is caused by charged particles from the sun hitting gases in the Earth's atmosphere. The solar wind carrying the particles interacts with the Earth's magnetic field which results in a stunning show of glowing, swirling curtains of lights that range in color from green to pink and scarlet. Non-scientifically speaking, consider it a "big sneeze by the Sun." 

Astronomical science ... or is it? 

The Bible tells us that there will be signs in the sky, with power and great glory. Truly, the Northern Lights are phenomenally beautiful, as the photo above from a neighbor recounts. 

The astronomical explanation may be technically correct, but the biblical explanation is worth contemplating as well. 

Father of all that is, let us look on Your wonders, from the big sneezes to the small hiccups, with awe and amazement, not processing the meaning, but meditating on Your message. Amen. 

TAGS: Prayer, Story

"Let no one deceive himself. If any one among you considers himself wise in this age, let him become a fool so as to become wise." - 1 Corinthians 3:18 

You've done it. We've all done it. You say or do something that just doesn't let your best side show. You regret it because you embarrassed yourself, you acted foolhardy, or you simply didn't allow the light of Christ to shine through you. 

Unfortunately, you cannot change the past. What you said is what you said; what you did was what you did. Maybe, then, it seemed like the right thing to say or do. You were so dead set and headstrong at the time. But, now, you sure wish you could take it all back. 

Instead of being a "bunny butt," when you find your self in a heated situation, stop, take a deep breath, and think about it. Maybe even walk away from it for a bit. Ask yourself these questions: 

Am I letting my emotions control my action? 

Will I be sorry for my action? 

Will I offend someone by my action? 

Am I being Christ-like with my action? 

O God, help me to control my words and actions so that I may think first about what Jesus would do in a similar situation, instead of responding of my own accord. Amen. 

TAGS: Inspiration, Prayer

"All the days of the earth, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease." - Genesis 8:22 

Well, did you celebrate the recent three day holiday? You didn't miss it, did you? You know which holiday. The one that occurs four times every year and lasts for three days. 

We'll call it the "seasonal holiday." Four times a year, there's the last full day of the expiring season (Day 1), the arrival of the new season (Day 2),  and the first full day of the new season (Day 3). 

With the most recent holiday, we celebrated the last full day of Summer, the arrival of Autumn, and the first full day of Autumn. It was awesome, wasn't it? 

From beach balls to colored leaves ... all in the blink of an eye. Similarly, we go from leaf rakes to snowmen, snow shovels to glistening buds, and tulips to lawn mowers. 

There is an enduring nature to God’s creation. Despite the changes in seasons, there is a divine order and stability that governs the natural world. God is the ultimate creator and orchestrator of the changing seasons. Like birds, who recognize the changing seasons and adapt accordingly, so should we remain attuned to God’s timing and purposes, even amidst the changes of life. 

Hope you took some time during this recent three day holiday to relax and soak in the beauty of God’s handiwork in the world around you. 

Awesome God, may I always find comfort and reassurance in the constancy of Your presence, even amidst the changing seasons of life. Amen. 

TAGS: Prayer, Reflection