JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Word of Encouragement is Snow.

Whenever snow is in the forecast, different people have different reactions. Some people immediately start to adjust their travel plans. Others look forward to sledding while others dread the thought of shoveling snow. Regardless of what we may think about snow, there is a lesson of faith that we can learn from it.

In the Bible, snow sometimes symbolizes purity. As David was confessing his sin in Psalm 51, he prayed, “wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.”

David recognized that God had the power to make his heart clean again.  If our heart is polluted by sin, God can give us a pure heart again that is refreshed in the glow of His grace. We can turn to Jesus for His forgiveness, and He will be faithful to make our heart clean.

Find encouragement in the grace of God to make us whiter than snow in the Year of Endurance.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Vision, today’s 20/20 Insight focuses on a spiritual metaphor of snow.

It’s found in Isaiah 1:18, where the LORD says, 

“Come now, let us settle the matter. Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.”

Just as a blanket of snow covers the ground, so the blood of Jesus has the power to cover our sins. His grace is able to make our hearts pure again. 

Repentance is the pathway to forgiveness. That is the picture of turning around from going in the wrong direction to get back on track with God. To a nation whose hands were full of blood, God said, “Take your evil deeds out of my sight; stop doing wrong. Learn to do right; seek justice.” 

In the New Testament, Jesus said, “Repent and believe the good news!”

Focusing on the grace of God to cleanse us from sin gives us greater clarity for living out the Christian life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

Roundtop Mountain Resort has scheduled a “Church Snow Day” for Saturday, January 6th.   WJTL will be on site with Kids Cookie Break Pop Up Party starting at 9 am in the Main Lodge.    Lisa Landis will be there with the KCB Car KCB Goodies, fun games, & and to take song requests!

To receive special rates, tickets must be purchased online before January 6th.

CLICK HERE FOR PRICING INFORMATION OR TO PURCHASE TICKETS

1.  Enter Club Name:  26196  & Password:  snow

2.  Choose “See Available Items” right below the Church Snow Day logo

3.  Click the date under “Pricing and Availability” and select Saturday, January 6th

4.  Select the time frame you’d like to arrive

5.  Select the quantity and type of product you would like

6.  Click to add to cart, and select either “Continue Shopping” or “Checkout”

7.  You MUST re-select the date every time you select a new product.  We’re sorry, but the nature of wanting to provide both skiing, boarding, and        tubing means that we’re confusing our software a bit.

8.  When checking out, Change/Set Purchaser to the information of the person with the credit card.  This is the name the tickets will be under, at Group Sales, on the date of your reservation.

9.  You will receive an email confirmation upon completion.  Ignore all information and merely count it as a confirmation that your purchase went thru!  Tickets can be picked up at the Group Sales office on Jan 6th.  We’ll email directions for pickup by Wednesday before your visit. 

Questions?  Please call the Roundtop Group Sales Staff (Josh, Lori, David or Lutricia) at 717-432-9631 x 3723. 

Please Note:  Church Snow Day Pricing is valid for BOTH individual and group ticket pricing.

The prize for this week’s Winning Wednesday (January 07, 2015) is family 4-packs of Roundtop Mountain Resort Snow Tubing passes! We’ll give them away all day long, so keep our phone number handy s0 you can call in and try to win! (717-392-FM90).

WJTL will broadcast live from the Cardboard Derby Sunday January 25 and we can’t wait to see the Toy Box Blast-themed sleds you’ve been working on! Click here for info! Or, click here to see WJTL’s Cardboard Derby photos!

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Moment of Celebration reflects on the beauty of a snowflake.

The design of a single snowflake is unique from all other snowflakes. In a similar way, God has made each of us with unique features. There is only one of you, which reflects God’s creativity in designing you as a distinct personality.  In pondering the way God knew him personally, David said in Psalm 139, “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful. I know that full well.”

Another dimension of snow in the Bible is how it is compared to purity. The mercy of God toward his people purifies His people from the guilt of sin. In Psalm 51:7, as David was confessing his sin of adultery and murder, referred to snow with this statement, “Wash me and I will be whiter than snow.”

The beauty of a snowflake reminds us of the unique way that God has created us, and the refreshing way that God cleanses us. Because of God’s powerful love, our formation and spiritual transformation are reasons to be glad in the Year of Celebration.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com