This morning we were out of propane in our external tank (it seems to go faster in the cold weather) and our hot water pipes were frozen.  Our water tank which can be used with a water pump was a fifty gallon block of ice.  I ended up walking across the snow to get to the bath house across the street to take a shower for church.

We had another good sermon this morning.  Pastor Doug was talking about King Ahaz, who was a godless king, and in spite of that, God sent Isaiah to him as he prepared for a battle that had him worried.  God told Ahaz through Isaiah to take care and be calm, because God was going to fight the battle for him.  I don’t think Ahaz believed him, because then Isaiah told Ahaz to ask for whatever sign he wanted, but Ahaz declined.  God was persistent and said, “Then I’ll give you a sign.  A virgin will bear a son and his name shall be Emmanuel.”  If God would keep reaching out to a godless king and promise that He would fight for him, then God must be willing for any one of us to boldly ask for what we need.  God keeps reaching out to us even when we don’t have faith that God can help.  I went up when invited and prayed for a sign.

Today is the second Sunday of Advent.  A friend of mine sent me a link to a list of 107 names of Jesus that describe the different roles He plays in our lives:  http://www.bibleresources.org/names-of-jesus.  It’s something to contemplate.

Tonight after dinner we will be lighting two Advent candles and reading Luke 1:5-25 and 57-80 — the story of the promise to Zacharias that he and his wife, Elizabeth, would have a son in their old age and the carrying out of that promise in the birth of John.  God is faithful even when we have our doubts, just like King Ahaz.  Take care and be calm.  God is going to take care of everything!