Safety, snow and snowballs

Praise God for safety! The snow has ceased.... for a time. In the last 12 days we have had over 50 inches worth of snow, and I think I am being conservative with that estimate. The grounds crew has worked tirelessly throughout the past 6 days, often going 12 -16 hours without rest. I have been thoroughly impressed with their work and have told them so many times. So to any of my friends that are reading this that spent countless hours out in the snow shoveling and ploughing.... hats off to you!

According to the weather gurus, Virginia is in for another snow on Sunday... although we are not expecting another blizzard. Despite the enjoyment of the flurries and the thrill of snowball fights, the snow really needs to melt. The roofs are not taking the weight of all the snow very well. We had several leaks in the roofs of two of our buildings that damaged the ceiling. Hopefully no lasting damage was caused. Random side note, I enjoyed the snow immensely. I threw a few snow balls, shoveled the side walks with friends, and was on the recieving end of a hail of snowballs while on Security. I threatened to ticket the offenders.. haha... it was all in jest, except I was the one wearing the snow. :)

We had school cancelled for Wednesday and Thursday this week so I have been able to catch up on some homework, chat with friends and family, and play some sports. It was like a weekend in the middle of the week. My personal calender is all screwed up right now.

My activity of the last weekend, besides the occasional shoveling, was writing a paper for Western Civilizations. I read Blaise Pascal's Pensees (French for "thoughts", and thats not the entirely correct spelling) and felt inclined to write about the nature of God, the nature of man, and the role of human reason in the relationship between the two. It was an intriguing subject which had me glued to my chair.... so much so that I stayed in an office that I have access to for almost the entire weekend.

I am rather worn from the work this week and am in serious need of rest. However, we have a basketball tournament this weekend. Lord willing, we will do well. I suppose I can rest after that.

In regard to Scripture, I have had a reoccurring thought, and the more I read, the more I feel the truth of it is confirmed. The truth I speak of is that of the nature of our faith. The more I examine the life of Christ and the lives of those who sought him truly, the more I am convinced that our is a Gospel of Suffering. The direct application of this truth is frightening to me, as it ought. I read passages like Psalm 116: 12-16 which says:

"How can I repay the LORD for all his goodness to me? I will lift up the cup of salvation and call upon the name of the LORD. I will fulfill my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people. Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints. O LORD, truly I am your servant; I am your servant, the son of your maidservant; you have freed me from my chains."

While I echo the last statement of the psalmist, I am undone by the sentence before it. For if "precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints," ought that to be my desire? Should I not desire to bring glory to the LORD God, even in death... in a death that He finds precious? These have been my thoughts of late.... and I do indeed marvel at what an uncomfortable Gospel we are called to proclaim.

Praise and Prayer:

Thanks be to God for the safety and well being of both students and staff here at school during a literal blizzard. Safety is something so easily taken for granted of....

Praise for the safety of my sister who was in a second accident the same day as her first one. I am unsure of all the details but it amazes me how God protects lives...

Praise God for the snow! Even in the midst of the chaos of it all... the might of the Creator and Sustainer of the universe is proclaimed! Man and all that surrounds him ought to be brought to his knees in awe of such a display.... and we were, figuratively at least :)

Pray for my parents ministry in Kenya. Pray that my father's teaching will reflect our Fathers teaching, and that the students of NEGST would be able to understand and put into practice the truths being taught.

Pray for Mom and Dad's health as well. In my conversation with them today, mom told be of the various ailments that both of them are battling. It seems the enemy is striking our family where we are most human... health and finances. Please pray that we all will continue to place our faith in the Word of God! (See John 1:1-5)

Prayer for wisdom and guidance in all that I think say and do... I desire to be more like Christ... which means I have alot of work to do...

Prayer for dedication to the schoolwork. Its so easy to be distracted.

That I will proclaim the love of God to all whom I interact with...

Thank you for taking the time to read. I apologize because I promised pictures... but sadly I am struggling to find a good way to incorporate them into the blog. I will remedy the situation soon. Blessing upon you, in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

In Him,

Martyn