2024 Eclipse

If you are reading this, the eclipse is over, and you survived. People seem to get crazy about things, and with social media every crazy person has a stage. One lesson we might learn from this is that just because it is on the internet does not mean it is true.

Another lesson I want to think about is, how do we know when an eclipse is going to occur? You can actually look up when and where the next solar eclipse will happen, and you can see that information for years to come. How? Because of the order of our universe. We can predict where the earth and moon will be as they rotate around the sun because of the course they have been set on. How did they get set on this path? How did they get this order? It is like they were designed. They were, and design demands a designer. I think this is just another proof for the existence of God. Psalm 19:1 says, “The heavens are telling the glory of God; and their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.”

I was reminded of another lesson when I saw Renee Miller’s post on Facebook about people being without glasses and unprepared to view the eclipse. I am that person. I have known for a while that the eclipse was going to happen but did not think it to be a big deal. It seems I was wrong. The kids seem to want to look at it, and so we began a search for those elusive glasses. To no avail. (Do not feel bad for us; we got to see one a few years ago in Sevierville, TN.) As we scurried about trying to find some glasses, my thoughts turned to Matthew 25:1-13. I feel like a foolish virgin who was unprepared, and now there is nothing I can do. It is one thing to be unprepared for an eclipse but a real problem to be unprepared for the Lord’s return.

The creator of this world is coming back. Are you ready?

Perspective

Linda Wallace sent me a picture of this poem the other day. After searching on the internet, I found out the author’s name is Chanie Gorkin.

Today was the absolute worst day ever


And don’t try to convince me that


There’s something good in every day


Because, when you take a closer look,


This world is a pretty evil place.


Even if


Some goodness does shine through once in a while


Satisfaction and happiness don’t last.


And it’s not true that


It’s all in the mind and heart


Because


True happiness can be attained


Only if one’s surroundings are good


It’s not true that good exists


I’m sure you can agree that


The reality


Creates


My attitude


It’s all beyond my control


And you’ll never in a million years hear me say


Today was a very good day

Now read it backwards. Life is so often about perspective.

Thank You!

• To those who lead the church, Thank You!

• To those who lead in worship and those who participate, Thank You!

• To those who teach class, Thank You!

• To those who set up, clean up, and show up to help, Thank You!

• To those who organize and those who participate in what we do, Thank You!
  

• To those who show up every time the doors are open, Thank You!

• To those who bringing others to Bible class and worship, Thank You!

• To those who wrestle small children through service, Thank You!

• To those who pray for the church, Thank You!

• To those who give so generously, ThankYou!

• To those who sing out, Thank You!

• To those who seek out, greet, and make our visitors feel welcome, Thank You!

• To those who have been married 50, 60, 70 years, Thank You!

• To those who visit, Thank You!

• To those who call and text, Thank You!

• To those who send cards, Thank You!

• To those living like Christ in your family, workplace, everywhere, Thank You!

• To those engaged in evangelism, Thank You!

• To those who are serving others, Thank You!

• To those who encourage, Thank You!

• To those who cook and bring such wonderful things and those who eat it so we do not have to take it home, Thank You!

• To those that I have missed, I am sorry, and thank you for what you do for the cause of Christ.

Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. Galatians 6:9