The weather forecasters say we have another snow storm headed our way today. It’s coming to us via Arkansas so this area may receive about three or four inches of what they describe as a white fluffy, dry snow. Well, at least it will be great for some more snow ice cream. Right? I was amazed to learn that there are some members of the younger generation that has never heard of making ice cream out of snow. I had one say to me, “No way. You’re kidding me; right?” Maxine Lirley told me that several of the residents of the Heart of the Ozarks Healthcare Center got together and made huge tubs of snow ice cream and served it to other residents that desired to taste it. She said that it was a big hit around there, and most wanted a second bowl of it.
I looked at my calendar this morning and discovered that, officially, spring will begin in forty days. Its due date is March 20. It was announced on T.V. that the Ground Hog did not see it’s shadow and stayed out side for a while which is supposed to indicate earlier spring weather. We experienced a hint of warmer weather over a week ago, and it surely gave us hope of more to come soon. By the time this article arrives at your home, it may be fifty degrees or more outside. Now, that’s going to feel great!
There were several missing at Red Bank Church this Sunday. The country roads are still very slick and difficult to drive over. That may have been a deterrent for some. We also had reports of sickness among our church family. We are praying for a speedy recovery for each of them. We missed each and every one of them very much.
Brother Jerry Huff began the morning service by welcoming our members and guest. Brother Jake Hampton was reportedly feeling ill and unable to attend so Gary Lirley led the music for both parts of the morning service. Celebrating a birthday was Barbadeen Laughlin. Brother Les chose Matthew 18 for his sermon text this Sunday. We find in this Scripture Jesus’ disciples asking him this question, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” In answer to their question, verse 3 says, “Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them and said, ‘Verily I say unto you, except ye be converted, and become a little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.’” We need to realize that our souls are lost in sin until we come humbly to the throne of grace believing that God sent his Son, Jesus, to die on that Old Rugged Cross and shed his blood as atonement for our sins. In other words, he took our place of punishment. Brother Les said, “God is our maker, he knows all about us. He knows how to fix us when we are broken. It’s like a story I once heard about Henry Ford stopping to help a man who was having car trouble. Henry was supposed to have said to him. ‘Don’t worry; I know that I can fix your car because I’m the one that made the car in the first place.’ That’s how our Father in Heaven feels about each of us.”
Condolences go to the Hershal Adams family for the loss of their loved one, Dwayne Adams. We were also sorry to hear about the passing of Weldon Sanders.
My son called from Oklahoma City this week to see if we were weathering the winter storms alright. He said that it was really tough to get around there with all the snow they were getting. He was almost hit by another automobile when its driver lost control and the vehicle skidded across to my son’s lane. He told us that when he saw that the two cars were about to collide, he had no alternative but to head for the ditch and hope for the best outcome. As it turned out the cars missed each other by a very narrow margin. That’s why we pray daily for the safety of our children and their families because we know that God can make that narrow margin possible, when needed, to deliver them from sure disaster. We taught our children how to pray, and it’s good to know that they pray for us too.
My niece who lives in Valley Center, Kansas told me on the phone today that they had snow drifts on their deck about waist high. They were getting more snow as she spoke. They are fortunate to have good neighbors that try to help them out because her husband just recently went through a serious spinal surgery. She said that one neighbor even brought their mail to them and helped shovel a path to their car. It is most important to have helpful friends and neighbors. I know that we are surrounded with them. We would do anything we could to help them too.
Don’t forget that Monday is Valentine’s Day. That’s always a great time to tell your mate, your closest friends or special family members that you love and appreciate them. Remember, you don’t have to have a fancy card or a gift to do that.
Take care and know that God cares for you.
