ROCK Solid Foundation

"And the wolf huffed and puffed and blew the house down." That's a line from "The 3 Little Pigs", a children's story where one little pig built his house with straw, another built his house with sticks and the third built his house with bricks. We all know the story -- the first two pigs' house fell because of the weak construction, but the 3rd pig, because he built his house using bricks, saved the day for all 3 pigs -- especially when the wolf couldn't blow that house down, but determined to go through the chimney to get the 3 little pigs, only to jump into a pot of boiling water. He ran away and never returned.

I thought about that story when the two boys and I worked on our Minions' Gingerbread House yesterday. The icing that came with it just wasn't substantial enough to hold the walls together. It kept falling apart....until I saved the day by making some homemade icing which held it all together. You can see our before and after photos here. Another little construction activity we had were our shrinky crafts -- of course they were Star Wars figures. ;-)

Speaking of solid construction, in Matthew 7:24-27, Jesus was talking about His teachings and if we build our lives on those teachings and adhere to them, we'd be like the man who built his house on solid rock. The rains, floods, and winds came, but the house stood because it was built on THE ROCK. While the one who built his house on shifting sand....the things of this world....the house succombed to the elements, and the house fell.

I'm convinced the way to our ultimate success in this new year, is to hear the words of the Master Carpenter -- and build on the SOLID ROCK. My Texas family went to help with cleanup of the recent damages from the tornado that destroyed so many homes, churches, clinics, etc. As unfortunate as that devastating storm was, it is inevitable that storms will come to all of us in some way -- whether it be a literal storm that can damage or destroy our home, a storm that comes with a challenging illness, or a time of great financial or relationship stress. Bottom line -- a good foundation is essential, for buildings AND for our lives. The storms will come. Just as a Texas tornado can come up out of nowhere to buffet a building, problems and tragedies can arise unexpectedly in the happiest lives. But, those who build their lives on a firm foundation, will take the storms in stride.

We've personally been in some pretty devastating storms, but those storms only proved the stability of our faith's foundation. We'd say in the toughest times, "I'm not sure how we're still standing, but we're still trusting in God, and there is peace in His presence in this storm, and we will come through this storm stronger." And, we did.

As I send out my best wishes, prayers, and thoughts to all of my FB friends and family for the best, most blessed new year EVER, I'm also sending out the "how to" message of how it really can be. If we start this year out with putting God first and foremost in our lives, ONLY trusting in Him and His Word, we'll be standing on the sure foundation that never fails. I sing these words today for you, and me, from an old hymn written in 1834, "On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand." If this author penned those words before electricity and conveniences and technology were invented, how much more applicable are they to us today.