By the Breath of God Ice Is Given

Posted on January 4, 2014 by Todd D. Nystrom

Job 37:10-13 – By the breath of God ice is given, and the broad waters are frozen fast. ¹¹ He loads the thick cloud with moisture; the clouds scatter his lightning. ¹² They turn around and around by his guidance, to accomplish all that he commands them on the face of the habitable world. ¹³ Whether for correction or for his land or for love, he causes it to happen.

The waterfall on Flat Fork Creek is nearly frozen over with ice after a bout of sub-zero temperatures. Caesar Creek State Park, Waynesville, Ohio.

Today’s passage from the book of Job reminds us that God is sovereign over all of his creation, even the winter weather, for “By the breath of God ice is given.” One question often asked by those who doubt God’s sovereignty is, how a loving God can let bad things like storms or natural disasters happen?” Even as Christians we do not always understand God’s purpose behind the events in our own lives, let alone those in the larger world around us.

But, as we read here, God is most certainly in control and his purposes are achieved, for the clouds “turn around and around by his guidance, to accomplish all that he commands them on the face of the habitable world.” We also read of some possible reasons behind God’s actions, they may be “for correction or for his land or for love,” even though we may not fully comprehend the reasons at the time.

With prayer, patience, and perseverance perhaps in time we will understand God’s purposes, whether in the little things or the big, or perhaps not. Either way, in the mean time we need to rest in the hope and promise of Christ and in the words of Romans 8:28, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”

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The Sky Is Red

Posted on December 27, 2013 by Todd D. Nystrom

Matthew 16:1-3 – And the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and to test him they asked him to show them a sign from heaven. ²He answered them, “When it is evening, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.’ ³And in the morning, ‘It will be stormy today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times.

Sunset over Caesar Creek Lake from the Fifty Springs Picnic Area, Caesar Creek State Park, Waynesville, Ohio.

“Red sky at night, sailor’s delight; red sky in the morning, sailor take warning.” Perhaps you have heard this saying, or some variation thereof? Obviously this little weather forecasting adage was well known even in Jesus’ day. By the way, there actually is a scientific explanation behind this saying; and, it is a reasonably useful indicator of the weather coming your way.

What was not quite so obvious to the Pharisees and Sadducees, though, was that the long expected Messiah had already come and that he was, in fact, the very one they were presently challenging. Certainly a part of their problem was that they expected a Messiah who was an earthly king, not the humble son of a carpenter, the babe born in Bethlehem and laid in a manger. Even though, by this time in his earthly ministry, Jesus had already performed numerous signs and miracles, the Pharisees and Sadducees were seeking something more spectacular, or at least something that was more suited to their own expectations.

When we take things to God in prayer we need to make sure our hearts are in the right place. God does answer prayers, just not always in the way we desire, nor with the timing that we expect. Rather than approaching him with selfish motives, like the Pharisees and Sadducees, we would do well to recall these words from Isaiah 55:8-9, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

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Rising Very Early

Posted on December 17, 2013 by Todd D. Nystrom

Mark 1:35 – And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he [Jesus] departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.

Early morning, “blue hour” photograph, waiting for the sun to rise over the lake. Caesar Creek State Park, Waynesville, Ohio.

If you are into outdoor photography or have read any books or articles on the subject, you have probably encountered the term “golden hour,” and possibly “blue hour.” Simply stated, the golden hour refers to the warm, glowing quality of light in the hours just after sunrise and just before sunset which make for much better photography than the harsher light of mid-day. The “blue hour,” while perhaps not quite as well known a term, refers to the periods just before sunrise and just after sunset, where the cooler blue tones tend to be more dominant, which are also better times for photography than mid-day.

I enjoy photographing sunrises and sunsets for a couple of reasons. First, there is simply the sheer beauty of it all. From pale pastels of pink, violet, and blue, to bold reds, yellows, and oranges and just about everything in between, the colors change continuously over the course of a single sunrise or sunset, transforming even an ordinary landscape into a spectacular sight; God’s majesty and artistry are so clearly on display. The second reason is the peace and quiet I find at these times of day, but particularly at sunrise. Except for the avid fishermen or hunters, depending on the time of year, there are not too many people up and out before the sun. Even the most dedicated hikers usually don’t hit the trail until at least a little while after sunrise. And, of course, the picnickers rarely show up until near lunchtime.

I do not often have the opportunity to get out early in the morning to do sunrise photography, it is only a hobby after all, but I still enjoy this time of day and find it to be the best time for me to go to the Lord in prayer and spend some quality time in his word. It is a time of solitude, before all the busyness and business of life come blasting in, a time when the house is quiet and my thoughts are still uncluttered by the cares and concerns of the day.

As this single verse from the Gospel of Mark tells us, Jesus also took time away early in the morning to go to his Father in prayer. I don’t think there is much speculation involved in saying that he probably chose this time of day intentionally, and for many of the same reasons, the peace and quiet, the lack of interruptions, and a clear mind after a good night’s sleep. Christ in his humanity, and despite his divinity and perfection, still needed to get away, he still needed time alone to converse with his Father. So we, in our fallen and sinful state, surely need these times far more than Christ did!

Early mornings may not be best for everyone, whether due to inclination or situation; however, I would urge you to follow the example of our Lord and Savior, himself, and find a time and place that you can get away and go to our Heavenly Father in prayer, to study your Bible and reflect on what he is telling you through his word. Whether it is a few minutes or an hour alone with the Lord each day, taking time away from the noise and clutter of everyday life will benefit your walk with Christ more than you can imagine.

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They Are New Every Morning

Posted on December 10, 2013 by Todd D. Nystrom

In loving memory of my dear baby sister

Teresa Lynn Bercel (Nystrom)
December 10th, 1969 – October 18th, 2013

Lamentations 3:21-25 – ²¹ But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: ²² The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; ²³ they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. ²⁴ “The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.” ²⁵ The LORD is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him.

Morning sky reflected in the waters of Caesar Creek Lake just before sunrise. Caesar Creek State Park, Waynesville, Ohio.