Treasures in the Dark
It's daylight in Dallas, Texas the last day of the Year of Our Lord 2010. The sun is shining as the decade comes to a close. Wherever you find yourself on this day, I am sure you would agree it has been a roller coaster ride the last ten years. We started the decade off fearfull of Y2K (remember all the food and flashlights). And perhaps we are closing the decade with a glimmer of hope that the economy is finally going to turn around. At least Americans spending during this season would indicate we think we will be able to make payments on that plasma screen (with no interest until 2012).
The second year of the decade changed the world "as we know it." The attack in New York showed us we're not invincible. It brought a "darkness" created by the falling ashes of an empire. God's promises are true. He does give us the treasures of darkness. The place where what matters MATTERS. Where the main thing (our relationship with Him) becomes the MAIN thing.
Our country went to war, and we are still fighting the battle today. Whatever side of the political fence you find yourself on, I know I'm thankful there are men and women willing to sacrifice their time in the familiar, time with their families, time with controlled temperature and good food, and even their lives so that WE can have (and choose) all of the above.
"God, make a fresh start in me, shape a Genesis week from the chaos of my life." Psalm 51:10 The Message
I pray the next 365 days will be like "in the beginning;" a Genesis week - creation from the chaos of the locations I find myself in. The creation of salvation stories from places of poverty and pain, illiteracy and illness.
"Then those whose lives honored God got together and talked it over. God saw what they were doing and listened in. A book was opened in God's presence and minutes were taken of the meeting, with the names of all the God-fearers written down, all the names of those who honored God's name. God-of-the-Angel-Armies said, "Their mine, all mine. They'll get special treatment when I go into action. I will treat them with the same consideration and kindness that parents give the child who honors them. Once more you'll see the difference it makes between being a person who does the right thing and the one who doesn't, between serving God and not serving Him." Malachi 3:16-19 The Message
Every time "we" meet together, whether in person or in emails our God is taking notes and names of the "God-fearers." He is listening in and preparing for His action in our lives to impact the days and weeks and years we have assigned to us.
The treasures we find during dark times, the secrets we discover in the hidden places does not make us modern-day "Pirates of the Caribbean," it assures us we are Ambassadors to the King.
"Our God makes His entrance, He's not shy in His coming. Starburts of fireworks precede Him." Psalm 50:3 The Message
Happy New Year!
Sunshine After Rain Ministries is a 501c3 organization. Contributions to the ministry are considered tax deductible by the IRS. Donations for the calendar year 2010 must be postmarked by midnight December 31 or made through Paypal via our website: www.sunshineafterrain.org
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