Lost in the Snow

Hello All,

How do we calm the storm within our hearts? How do we soothe the turmoil of our souls? How do we find rest in restlessness?

There are times in our lives when we feel so lost. We do not have the strength to trudge through the chest-deep snow. We are so lost in the deluge of snow around us.

Lost in the Snow

By Joanne Liaw Sook Ling

The winter wind cuts through my bones

I pull my coat tighter 'round me

Snow pelts hard against me like stones

I'm lost in the snow around me

The winter wind howls wretchedly

Oh, how do I endure this storm?

Oh, I need someone to save me!

I'm lost in the snow of this storm

The winter wind pierces my heart

I scream in pain and clutch my chest

Snow hit hard against me like darts

I'm lost in the snow of unrest

Am I all alone in this storm?

Is there no one to rescue me?

But hope is starting to take form

I'm lost in the snow of mercy

Why should I fear the howling wind?

My Saviour tells them to be still

I know I'm wretched; I have sinned!

But my heart, with mercy, He fills

My Saviour's blood washes my sin

Until they are as white as snow

Through Christ, I'm glorious from within

His mercy like a river flows

The winter wind still cuts me deep

But Christ is my Shelter and Shield

Though darkness, around my head, creeps

In His hands, my faint heart, I yield

Points for Reflection:

Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.

(Psalms 42:11 ESV)

·       In the never-ending trials of life, it is natural to lose sight of the hope we have in Jesus Christ.

·       When the wind of despair is howling so deafeningly in our ears, we lose sight of the solid and eternal hope we have in our Saviour.

·       God may or may not remove the deluge of snow in our path. But He gives us the strength to trudge through it.

·       Turn your eyes from the snow and storm to the Saviour who loves you dearly.

·       The winter wind still cuts me deep, but Christ is my Shelter and Shield. Though darkness, around my head, creeps; in His hands, my faint heart, I yield.

The Fragrance of Winter

Hello All,

Can you sense fragrance in the stench of despair? Can you see the good in the bad? Can you see God’s love behind the atrocities of life?

There are many sorrows and tragedies that we may not be able to come to terms with. It’s all too natural to question God’s goodness in the pit of suffering and pain.

We may not have any answers to the brokenness of this life. But God has the answers, though He may not reveal them to us in this life. His ways are higher than ours and He can see what we can’t.

The Fragrance of Winter

By Joanne Liaw Sook Ling (9 November 2017)

The fragrance of winter is in the air

Elegant snow is falling everywhere

Where does fragrance come from in this season?

The trees are bare; the flowers have fallen

The fragrance of winter is in the air

There’s beauty in the winter of despair

The sweet fragrance comes from the ground below

Do you see blue flowers beneath the snow?

The fragrance of winter is in the air

God gives hope in the winter of despair

Can you smell the lovely fragrance of myrrh?

It issues from the tomb before Easter

The fragrance of winter is in the air

God’s grace lifts us from the tomb of despair

The fragrance of the Cross is shared with all

Who believe in Jesus after the Fall

The fragrance of winter is in the air

Spring comes after the winter of despair

There will be a day when all is made new

When stale rivers become fresh morning dew

Points for Reflection:

God will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.

(Revelation 21:4 ESV)

·       Despite our questions and maybe even anger at the unfairness of life, we can draw comfort from God’s sacrificial love shown through the death of Jesus Christ.

·       We may not understand the purpose behind our pain, but we have a God who has gone through excruciating pain to save us from the hell of eternal torment. He knows your pain. He knows my pain. He knows our pain.

·       The suffering that we may be facing now is truly hard to endure but it will not last forever. For those who trust in Jesus Christ, we can look forward to the day when we see God in heaven.

·       Heaven is a joyful place with no tears. It is a place where broken relationships will be made whole. It is a place where we can enjoy being with God and His people forever. Do you long for that day? I know I do.

·       The fragrance of winter is in the air. Spring comes after the winter of despair. There will be a day when all is made new; when stale rivers become fresh morning dew.

Beneath a Blanket of Snow

Hello All,

Winter marks the end of the cycle of seasons. It reminds us of the year that is coming to an end. What has passed is now buried in the snow and when spring comes, it will be no more.

The year carries with it its highlights and heartaches. All that falls in between is usually forgotten.

As you reflect on the year that is coming to an end, what would you consider your highlights and heartaches? What were your happiest and most painful moments?

Winter, though gloomy, is beautiful. It possesses the beauty of hope. The hope of spring, a new beginning. But there is beauty not only in its future hope but in its frozen rivers and bare trees. In our scarcity, we find the plenteous mercy of God.

Beneath a Blanket of Snow

By Joanne Liaw Sook Ling

The land lies beneath a blanket of snow

The river is frozen and does not flow

The leaves have fallen and the trees are bare

Winter is dressed like a maiden so fair

The land lies beneath a blanket of snow

Its beauty and fairness blossom and grow

And yet there's sadness and grief in the air

Sadness is dressed like a maiden so fair

The past lies beneath a blanket of snow

It's frozen but still there, and does not flow

The past is now gone, but memories are there

The past is dressed like a maiden so fair

My heart lies beneath a blanket of snow

My tears are frozen and do not flow

My grief is silenced and my mind is bare

Sorrow is dressed like a maiden so fair

My heart lies beneath a blanket of snow

My soul is frozen but Jesus knows

He knows my sorrows and His hand is there

His hand guides me when my feelings are bare

My hope lies within a manger so low

A manger too humble for Christ, I know

Born of a virgin in a place so bare

But great was His mission - our sins to bear

My hope lies beneath the great Tree that glows

On that Tree, my Saviour's blood streams and flows

My sins have fallen for my sins He bears

The Tree is dressed like a maiden so fair

My life lies beneath the great Throne that glows

From that Throne, the River of life flows

Jesus sits enthroned and white robes He wears

Joy is mine for in His Kingdom I share

Points for Reflection:

For to us, a child is born, to us, a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace, there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness

from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.

(Isaiah 9:6-7 ESV)

·       Despite our past and present circumstances, our eternal hope lies within a manger and beneath the Tree. Our hope lies in the birth and death of Jesus Christ.

·       Jesus became one of us through a miraculous virgin birth and He saved us from God’s wrath through His death on the Tree. Through His death and resurrection, sinners like us are made righteous and are ushered into God’s Kingdom.

·       Jesus now sits enthroned in the heavens and we will see Him face to face in our future and eternal home.

·       Because of this hope, we can be comforted and strengthened in the gloomy winters of our lives.

·       There’s beauty in winter and all that lies beneath a blanket of snow.