I was looking out of my back window as I ate breakfast this morning. I witnessed the effect of warming temperatures and a bright sun upon the remains of a snow and sleet storm. The small piles of white crystals were doing what they could to resist the rise in temperature, but to little avail. The result was a continual dripping flowing from the bench to the surface of the deck. Initially, the drops were periodic and small. As my cereal diminished, the drops became larger and more frequent. I thought to myself, “Whether the snow realizes it or not, it doesn’t have a chance.” At one and the same time, God was demonstrating His paradoxical power and control over our atmospheric conditions. The remnants of a significant snow storm now melted from the warmth of one of God’s stars that is suspended in space 93 million miles away. And yet, a few days ago, the warming rays of that same sun didn’t fair too well against a combination of arctic winds and a nor’easter that deposited its efforts all over the northeastern part of the United States. The psalmist once asked, “Who can stand before your cold?” The answer, at least in our culture, is no one, unless you’re inside a warm home with decent insulation and a cooperative furnace. We opted for the latter as we waited out the white deluge last week. And yet, there is now renewed hope of a coming spring. If you doubt me, simply make an inquiry of my wife. She is now the resident “Ms Weatherperson.” Each morning, the first thing to register in her ears is the prognostication from our local weather analysts. The next thing she does is to inform her husband what to expect during the day. I smile at her routine simply because her countenance is a dead give away as to what I should expect. But I digress. As a resident on this planet, I have a hard time understanding those who have less than a Psalm 19 perspective on this rotating globe. It’s marvelously created! And in spite of our sinfulness and its effects upon our earth (Genesis 3), this planet is beautiful and amazingly complex in its design. Paul has helped me comprehend some of fallen man’s dilemma by his words in Romans 1. However, I’m particularly glad that the Spirit of God had him write chapter 8 of that same book. It helps me understand the frustrations and weight of our sin upon this world and give me renewed hope that John’s words at the end of Revelation will take place soon. If for no other reason, than the relief that this wonderful earth will experience. “Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus!”