Bitter cold.

If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant. 
If we did not sometimes taste of adversity, 
prosperity would not be so welcome.
 –Anne Bradstreet


In my part of the world, January has been a month of frozen pipes and furnace failures, snow forts and snow rollers. Some days, the cold seems to seep straight into our bones. The sunshine, while brilliant, does little to warm the frozen landscape.

It’s been challenging. And we have survived.

When have you experienced a “spiritual winter”? A season when, despite brilliance and light all around, our souls feel cold and alone. God seems so very far away, his voice barely a whisper (if we can hear him at all). Spiritual winter comes to each of us, perhaps for a day, a week—or a seemingly interminable stretch. We may feel like something is “wrong” with us, and choose to isolate ourselves, rather than come together in love.

Bad choice.

We warm one another and draw on each other for strength and light. Just as removing a coal from the blazing fire and setting it aside leads quickly to the coal losing its fire, so, too, do we “flame out” when we stay too long away from our faith family. We need regular engagement with one another, in good times as well as during spiritual dry spells. God’s very nature is one of community. Christ calls his church to nurture one another.



Monday Is there someone you haven’t seen in church for a couple weeks (even though it’s been miserably cold)? Pray for them; then take a few minutes to drop them a line or make a phone call. Ezekiel 34:11-16

Tuesday If your neighborhood is like mine, we often lose touch during the cold months. Reach out today to a neighbor whom you haven’t seen recently. Romans 13:9-10

Wednesday Today (or another day this week), if you stop for a coffee or a bite to eat, consider paying for the person behind you in line. (Once begun, this often spreads like wildfire and goes on for a long time.) Luke 6:37-38

Thursday Pray today for those who are hospitalized, especially those who have come from out of town to be served by our wonderful health communities here. Pray, as well, for those travelling for surgical care. 1 Peter 2:9-10

Friday Pray for folks who volunteer in our community: in schools, in hospitals, serving meals to the homeless. Consider volunteering your time or perhaps making a donation to a local organization. Ezekiel 36:26-27

Saturday Today as you pray for yourself, give thanks for the many opportunities you have to reach out to others. Pause and think for a few minutes: how is your life a living Gospel? 1 Corinthians 1:17

Sunday Pray for our local students of all ages, especially those who have come to study at Case University or any of our exceptional colleges and universities. Give thanks for their curious minds. Proverbs 1:20-21 


In the depth of winter, I finally learned 
that within me lay an invincible summer. –Albert Camus

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