The Phil Files

For those who are used to white stuff falling from the sky, snowfall is no big deal — it may be an irritation, but you are used to winters with ice, snow, slush, flakes, and slippery muddy goo a part of your daily routine. For those of us who live in West Texas, however, an accumulation of snow is a rare event. When we do get it, it’s usually what we call dandruff snow — light flaky stuff that doesn’t stick and blows around in the wind.

This year, however, we are on our sixth major snow. And most of the snow is the moist, big flaky kind of snowfall that lets you throw snowballs, build snow men, and create snow angels. This morning’s offering looks like this from our front door:

I am doing a funeral today for a sweet lady who lived her years well and loved her Lord all those years. As I look a the snowfall today, rather than thinking about the inconvenience and mess we’re going to face for the funeral, I’m choosing to focus upon two great promises hidden in the snow:

1. The grace that is ours because of God’s great love. Even in one of Israel’s worst times, God promised that if they turned to Him, He would cleanse them: “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow,” God said (Isaiah 1:18). These sins are not buried under the snow and hidden from sight, but these sins are forgiven and transformed into pristine righteousness by grace!
2. While the snow looks so much the same, underneath the surface view is a world of variety, specialty, and uniqueness — no two snowflakes are the same. And in a world crowded with people, all who want to find their place and be a part of a group and belong, each of us is uniquely made by our Creator’s loving hand while still in the womb of our mother (Psalms 139:13-16) and remade by grace as the artistry of our redeeming God to be useful to doing His Kingdom work (Ephesians 2:10).

Whether we are shut inside with those we know well and love, stuck trudging through difficult driving conditions and harsh weather, or whether our exterior world is sunny and bright, let’s make a point to appreciate the treasure God gives us in the people we meet today and let’s seize the opportunity to help them know God’s grace and artistry He has invested in them.

“I’m not a gooseball!” I died laughing.

That’s what one of the sextuplets said as his dad, John, joked with him about having his shoes on the wrong feet. But to understand, I need to tell you something.

But before my confession, I need re-assert my masculine side. So … I love sports, played quite a few, and even went to college on an athletics scholarship — well, kinda an athletics scholarship, it was golf. On a recent trip to DFW, I took my daughter with me to what she calls, “A Man Mall” — Bass Proshop and other manly destinations which she describes more delightfully in her blog. In addition, I am a bow hunter — please, before animals lovers get mad, let me remind you of two things: 1) I eat what I shoot, and 2) they call it hunting and not killing because mostly you sit and admire the scenery. So even though I’m over the hill and balding, I am still a full blooded, testosterone carrying, male. Whew, my identity was a bit confused for a minute, glad I got that out of my system.

So here’s my confession … (dramatic pause) … one of very favorite TV shows ever is called, Jon & Kate + 8. While the TV plays down their faith, it runs through every program and you can see the Scripture memory verses in the background. They have twins and sextuplets, yet manage it remarkably. While neither of the parents are perfect, I think I would have had many more moments I wouldn’t want shown on TV as a dad and husband than Jon and Kate have, and we only have two children. How they do it is remarkable — and in part thanks to a wonderful family and some cool friends that help them.

Part of my attraction is that as the preacher guy for a pretty big church and also president of Heartlight.org my life is filled with stress and chaos. So I guess I enjoy watching someone else try manage absolute chaos — something I would compare to juggling warm Jello®. Yet I have to admit that a big part of my interest in the show is just plain admiration. John and Kate know their 8 children, call them by name, know their children’s toys and clothes and comfort toys, do the same kinds of things with their children most families do, and still manage to joke with each other about it. Yes, they do have bad moments, but all in all, they are incredible. And they do it all in front of a camera.

In the end, however, I am reminded every week that each child — Jon and Kate’s, yours, mine, and everybody else’s — is a distinct creation of God. Filled with personality, needs, wants, talents, interests, purpose and unique flashes of God’s image (Psalms 139:13-16 NLT).

Our family prays for this family and these parents and these children that their lives don’t lose touch with our Abba Father, the Creator and Sustainer of us all. John and Kate, the Warehouse gang loves you guys and you have never met us. Don’t let the camera mess it all up for you and don’t lose sight of how precious each of you are to each other and your kids! So until next Monday night, God bless. And stay off those “hair panes”!

Oh yeah, and did I mention I went to a NASCAR race earlier this year? (Just didn’t want that manliness to get lost in the sentimentality!)

P.S. — Be sure and look at their videos!