February 9, 2017
Everyone is talking about the snow. We are all wondering, just how high can the snow get? We have received a record snow fall in Nelson and more is on its way. As I was shovelling the stuff, I got thinking about the tiny, little, delicate fluff that falls from the sky. Snow can be so beautiful, but such a hardship as well. Just how many of these little flakes would have to fall to make a four foot blanket on my back yard? And to think every one of them is unique. Can it be? Considering the sheer number of snowflakes and if each one is unique, just how many patterns are there? It just seems impossible. So I thought I would check to see if it was true.
Apparently other people wondered too, as the question was put to meteorologist Hans Verlinde professor at Penn State University. "It depends upon how we define snowflake," says Hans Verlinde, associate professor of meteorology at Penn State. "Let's be specific, and define a snowflake as a single, vapor-grown ice crystal. I would say with a great deal of confidence that all crystals are different on a molecular level, purely because there are differences in the atomic structure of the atoms making up a water molecule, and hence, in the water molecules themselves. “However”, says Verlinde, “two molecularly different ice crystals may look nearly identical, even under a microscope, making the question of whether every snowflake is unique more complicated. You have to decide what you mean by 'unique.' Molecularly, yes. But if you constrain your definition to visual distinctions, you will find some that are very similar looking, and you'll have a different answer to your question."
The human race is much like the snowflake. We are all unique, but similar as well. There are a few of us, over seven billion actually. It is said that everyone has a twin. Some suggest we have up to seven doppelgangers. While we are all different we are all similar as well - made up with a body, a soul and a spirit.
Recently I was attending a lecture. Suddenly, I got a random thought, “How many in this room are going to heaven?” By the lifestyle and confession of faith, I was sure of at least three. For the others only God knows the answer. That bothered me a lot.
That afternoon, I had one of the young men in the church who is a new convert, drive me to Salmo to visit a new family coming to church and to visit a person in the Trail Hospital. On the way there, out of the blue he asked me this question, “Why are Christians not more concerned that people are going to go to hell?”
That is a good question. It is something we should take a moment and ponder. God gave up his Son to die on the cross, so we could have eternal life. It is God’s perfect will that none should experience eternal separation from God and heaven, known as hell. 2 Peter 3:8-12 (NIV) “But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat.”
We don’t know when the world will end. Some think with the election of Donald Trump. It may be sooner than we first thought. We do know for certainty that the personal world of every one of our friends, neighbors, loved ones, and enemies will end one day.
In 2016 the world of two individuals who were very close to me came to an end without warning. The world will end one day. My personal world will end one day. This is what the Bible and our personal experience tell us. We need not consider this day with fear, but with rejoicing; knowing that we have a Saviour in heaven. But for those without faith in Christ this is a fearful and dreaded thing to contemplate. So as a culture we ignore it.
Sadly, for the most part, churches ignore it too. We choose to emphasize the here and now more than the hereafter. Yet the Apostle Paul said, “If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men.” (1 Corinthians 15:19)
We are eternal beings and one day we will all stand before God and have to give an account. This should drive us to prayer for our loved ones. This should cause us to reach out to our neighbors. This should make us go to the ends of the earth, leave no stone unturned, cause us to weep for the souls of those we care about. God desires all to be saved. Will you join with Him and us, praying for each soul in your circle to be united with God? If you are one of those not sure of your eternal destiny, will you reach out and email me today? Prayer is powerful. Just like snow.
I leave you with this quote. “As white snowflakes fall quietly and thickly on a winter day, answers to prayer will settle down upon you at every step you take, even to your dying day. The story of your life will be the story of prayer and answers to prayer.”
― Ole Hallesby
International Tasting Faire RE-SCHEDULED
Today’s Tasting Faire has been RE-SCHEDULED due to weather conditions.
We will now Taste wonderful food on March 2nd. This is good news for all of you who have not yet bought tickets. If you want tickets for March 2nd, please contact us.
If you have tickets and but cannot attend on March 2nd your options are as follows: 1. Donate the full amount and receive a full tax receipt for the same. 2. Contact KCF or a member of Nelson Daybreak Rotary for a full refund.
Thank you all who bought tickets. We will have a great time on March 2.
Communion
This Sunday we will be coming to the Lord`s table. It is a time for all of us to share the emblems we have chosen to represent the body and blood of our Lord. We do this in response to the teaching of our Lord, as he taught; we are to do this often. It is a time of reconnecting with Jesus and each other as we share God`s grace together.
A Weekend Away!
Part of the Alpha course includes a weekend away at Dutch Harbour with teachings on the Holy Spirit. If you want to come to camp but are not registered in Alpha there will be a $25 registration fee which includes meals during your stay. We will be travelling to Dutch Harbour Camp and enjoying a stay at the Lodge on Friday March 3 and returning home the evening of Saturday, March 4th. Registration in advance is required. Last day to register is February 26th as space in the lodge is limited.
Growth Groups
The start date for Growth Groups is drawing closer. On March 9th (1 week delay due to new International Tasting Faire date), we will have our first gathering. This is our opportunity to meet together in small groups.
Interested in knowing more or signing up? Contact the KCF Office 250.352.1722 or office@kcfoffice.com or sign up on Sunday at the Guest Table.
Calendar of Events
Visit our website at http://www.kootenaychristianfellowship.com for all the news, sermons, and places to donate.
Pastor Jim
E-transfers to office@kcfoffice.com
Kootenay Christian Fellowship520 Falls Street (1/2 Block up from Baker Street)Nelson, BC V1L 6B5