More Snow....

This afternoon, we got another generous helping of snow.  Well, at least for this part of the world where it doesn't actually snow and stick except for maybe once every 50 years or so!   The kids' school was closed today because there apparently was no heat in the buildings (why not???) and also because some of the teachers couldn't get to school because the roads were closed in their areas.  Two of the kids and I spent the day at the library while I prepared the bible study for Wed night, and not more than 30 minutes after we got home, it started to snow!  Got got dressed and got outside to play a bit - snowball fights, snow angels and snowmen - all the usual fun for snowy, wintry days!  Here is a foto collage of the fun (click on the foto collage to enlarge it - you might have to click a couple times)...

 



 

Snow!

This afternoon, we had a cold front come up from the South Pole and it brought with it some snow (mixed with sleet, hail and rain).  This is the first time I have ever seen that much snow falling, here in the Wellington area.  A few people who have lived here for decades said they have never seen this much snow either.  Unfortunately, it was too wet to really stick - would have been fun to make a snowman!  Or at least a snowball or two.  ;-)  Anyways, the kids thought it was pretty cool so they got out for the few minutes - ahhh, memories of fun times in the snow in Germany.  Makes me homesick for the Freiburg and Germany.  Here's a short video clip...

From Vids - snow

Brethren...

Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell My brethren to go to Galilee, and there they will see Me."  Matthew 28:10

Jesus said to her, "Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, 'I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.' "   John 20:17

In the Bible, there are some encouraging passages where Jesus calls us “servants” and “friends” and these are amazing and special relationships we have with Him.They speak of an intimate, close, personal relationship.

But, as I was reading in my devotions this week, I came across these passages where Jesus calls us His brothers!  It really spoke to me - this is an even more intimate and special relationship. Why or how?

Because it is a BLOOD relationship!  Brothers are related by blood.  It is the blood that makes this a unique relationship.  Sure, brothers can be friends and they can even be servants to one another.  But friends and servants cannot be brothers in the true sense of the word, unless there is a blood relationship between them.

So consider what it means when Jesus calls us “My brethren” - what is the blood relationship that we have with Him?  Ahh, we have a glorious relationship with Jesus based on blood that was shed at the Cross!  We are Jesus’ brethren based on His blood, which was poured out for our salvation!  In fact, not only do we have this blood relationship with Jesus, but with all believers of all countries and all ages!

The apostles Paul and Peter and John are my brethren.  Martin Luther, John Calvin, Jonathan Edwards, the Wesleys, George Mueller, Spurgeon, C.S. Lewis and Billy Graham are my brethren.  Believers throughout the world are my brethren.  You are my brethren, if Jesus is your Lord and Savior.  All because of this unique blood relationship we have with Jesus!  So consider what the author of Hebrews wrote…

For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren, saying:

"I will declare Your name to My brethren;
In the midst of the assembly I will sing praise to You."   -  Hebrews 2.11-12