Weather can be fickle! We've seen the ups and downs. Just when we think we've made it through and spring will surely be on the way, winter stages another offensive. But we have a way of weathering the weather changes. Life is like weather. Interruptions and frustrations come at the most inopportune times. Problems are inevitable; joys too. Sometimes we have to "roll with the punches," to find joy amidst our up-tightness. It might be thought of as resilience like a bent tree in the wind that does not break.

I guess we can learn from life and Scripture that frustrations need not be as fatal, and failures not always final. They may cause us to change plans, for the weather of life is a bit fickle.

Dr. Boreham of Australia told the story of a man who lived in a fine house by a river. He had a rather large basement and in it he raised some prize chickens. One evening the river flooded and the chickens drowned. He immediately went to the landlord and announced he was moving. "But why?" said the landlord. "I thought you really enjoyed the house." The tenant replied, "I do, but the basement is too low...It flooded last night and my hens all drowned." The landlord quickly replied, "Oh, don't move on account of that. Try ducks!" I believe that in the great game of life God doesn't permit a door to be closed without opening another one.

In the 84th Psalm we read, "Blessed are those whose strength is in Thee, in whose heart are the highways to Zion. As they go through the valley of Baca they make it a place of springs; the early rain also covers it with pools." No such valley in Palestine has yet been identified. However, the word 'baca' means 'weeping' and may refer to a valley filled with balsam trees, which, because such trees exude beads of gum, resembling tears, was called a valley of weeping.

Whether the valley exists or not we understand that life is both tears of sorrow and tears of joy. The Lenten season is that very special time of the year when we travel on with Jesus and see winter lose its grip, sorrow turn to joy, despair to hope, defeat to victory.

Life always has its changes and the older we get the more we see it and sometimes the less we can face it with resilience. Our Lenten journey is one that teaches us not to let life bowl over us, but to face new opportunity and new challenges bravely.

When we come to a detour sign, don't curse the interruption, but thank God for a new road to travel. It is easier said than done, but that is our challenge in life day by day. Whether you handle it well or not in the midst of our transitions in life remember there is love; a love that never changes, constant and true. This is the lesson we have in Jesus. What a great time lent can be! Winter to Spring; frustration to life, we are in it together, and together we shall be free to live.

Have a very prayerful Lenten Season!  Rev. Ron W. Purser

Readers got off to a great start! The meeting opened with welcomes and prayer requests from the group of 17, which included the author, Neta Jackson of The Yada Yada Prayer Group, and her friend and speaking partner, Pam Sullivan. Our www.meetup.com guests traveled from DeKalb, Rolling Meadows and St. Charles to join us, and Nancy Doerr brought 4 friends! Much of the discussion centered on women supporting each other through prayer and fellowship, and international, multi-cultural worship. Neta read scripture and explained that the Hebrew word yada means "to know" Yahweh (God) and to be known intimately. The word yada appears in the Bible 947 times. Learn more about Neta and husband, Dave (also an author) at www.daveneta.com.

Next Book: Through My Eyes by Tim Tebow

Next Meeting: February 27, 7 pm, Parish Hall

www.meetup.com/LHC-Wayne-IL-A-Book-and-a-Prayer-Readers

Pledge Update: As of week 10 we have received 66 pledges totaling $157,805.00. This is up from last year by six pledges and $2,500.00, but still down from 2010. If you have pledged, thank you! If you have not yet sent in your pledge, we are still accepting them.

$15,000 Matching Gift Challenge: Facing a significant deficit for 2011, many members and friends contributed to the challenge netting almost $45,000.00. A celebration of this great blessing took place on January 29 at the 5th Sunday afternoon worship service and potluck.