Pastor’s Prattle

February 2026

As I write this article, Memphis is anticipating a major winter storm. There is the possibility of damaging ice followed up with snow. That can create real problems, especially if there are widespread power outages. All we can do is prepare the best we can to be able to face whatever happens. 

I suppose this situation can be similar to what life is like. We know that there will be “storms” in life that will come to us. We don’t know what they will be or when they will come. They can be little drizzly rain or major, violent storms. We can only be as prepared as possible to handle them when they come. 

We also know that there is a storm coming one day that will be beyond anything we have ever seen. It is when the Lord will come to bring judgment on the evils of this world and bring everything to an end. All that is evil will be drawn into the abyss for an eternity without God. 

At the same time, all that is good in God’s sight will be taken into his presence and spend eternity in glorious light. More than being an ending, it will be a new beginning of a life where there will be nothing evil. 

So, how do we prepare for that “storm?” What will it take for us to be ready when that day comes? How can we be certain that we will be taken into God’s presence? 

There is just one way—and it is what Lent is all about. The season of Lent is a time for us to admit that we don’t deserve anything good from God and to throw ourselves on his mercy. We take an honest look at ourselves and, when we do, we see that we have failed miserably at aligning ourselves with God’s will. We realize that we deserve to go down into the abyss. 

At the same time, we hear the good news of God’s unimaginable love for us. It is a love that led him to sacrifice his Son for us. Then comes Easter! We see new life for his Son, which means all those who are bound to Him also have new life. That life means all the more because we have honestly examined ourselves and were found to be lacking. The coming “storm” does not cause us to fear, for we know that in Christ we will be safe. 

I pray that you will take advantage of the opportunity this Lent to discover how great is God’s love for you and that your Easter celebration will be all the more magnificent. 

Pastor Jim