A winter storm whirled through our neighborhood toward the beginning of Fall. Ice hardened leaves into bowls, and snow filled them. Fresh powder blanketed our lawn. I pushed back my living room curtains for a wider view and heard a loud cracking sound. Then a thud. 

The early arrival of snow placed too much weight on branches full of leaves, causing them to fall—some on power lines. So, we lived by the heat of our fireplace for a day while work crews fixed the connections.

Our power outage taught me that the flow of a season is important. Every season has a purpose and prepares creation for the pressures of the next season.

Just like maple trees, we too live our best when we embrace the season we are in without rushing to carry the weight of the next season.

BUT HOW CAN WE EMBRACE OUR SEASON OF LIFE?

This past Sunday, I heard the best sermon I have ever heard on the importance of placing our faith in the character of God. If you would like to hear the sermon, go to http://www.hillsdalebiblechurch.org/sermons . (You might want to wait a few days since it may not be posted yet; he just preached it yesterday.)

After meditating  on it I came to realize what a game changer it can be in our lives and in the lives of our children. We need to quit asking the questions the world asks and start asking the questions of life in a more Biblical way.

Title: Abraham, characterized by unwavering obedience

Aim: To encourage trusting God through life’s tests.

Scripture: Genesis 22:1–19

God’s stark command to Abraham, Genesis 22:1–2

In Genesis 20, we see Abraham repeating a sin he had committed earlier (12:10-20). Specifically, after moving into the Negev, Abraham again identified Sarah as his sister in order to protect himself.

Title: Abraham, characterized by unwavering obedience

Aim: To encourage trusting God through life’s tests.

Scripture: Genesis 22:1–19

God’s stark command to Abraham, Genesis 22:1–2

In Genesis 20, we see Abraham repeating a sin he had committed earlier (12:10-20). Specifically, after moving into the Negev, Abraham again identified Sarah as his sister in order to protect himself.

It feels euphoric. You hit the deadline and get props from the boss. Receive a compliment on your outfit. Have a romantic second date with a stellar guy. Watch your kid sink the winning shot. In moments like these your confidence surges; you have or do something the world determines to be valuable. But, what about when you miss the deadline and the boss goes off? When your outfit gets a disapproving stare. When no one asks you out. When your kid doesn’t even make the team, much less the winning basket. In moments like these your confidence plummets; you don’t have or do what the world determines as valuable. It’s like riding a roller coaster. And it’s absolutely, painstakingly exhausting.

I want everyone to feel valued, especially kids, and nothing makes a kid feel more valued that receiving a nice shiny trophy. 

Win or lose…show up or just signed up… everyone gets a trophy no matter how they played or whether they even tried; but, everyone is happy so that’s good, right?

Title: Abraham, a life of faith
Aim: To emphasize that faith is a lifelong journey with God.
Scripture: Genesis 12:1–9
 
God summons Abraham, Genesis 12:1–3
 
Genesis is the book of beginnings. In this historical narrative, we find the beginnings of the material universe, human life, human sin, divine judgment on human sin, covenant promises, and the Israelite tribes—to name just a few.