IT WAS JANUARY 13 and Frank and Cindy had gone outside to look around after the ice storm was over…

The night was clear and very cold. Returning to the cozy confines of their den and sipping on hot cups of coffee, the couple began sharing their recent observations. Frank said, “Did you see those trees that were uprooted by the weight of the ice? I bet we will have some roof damage, and I sure hope the pipes under the house don’t freeze tonight.” Almost oblivious to her spouse’s grumblings, Cindy exclaimed, “Weren’t the stars beautiful?”

They both were standing in the yard surrounded by the same icy devastation, but there was one key difference. Frank was looking at the damage, while Cindy was looking at the stars.

Exactly the same thing happened, when the twelve spies entered Canaan shortly after they were freed from Egyptian bondage. All of them saw the same beautiful, productive land, but ten of them focused on the giants that inhabited the land. Only Caleb and Joshua were able to see God and His power waiting to give them the land of promise.

Our challenge for 2012-2013 is to look for the blessings of God rather than the problems of the world. May we spend our time walking through the doors that He opens for us rather than complaining about the ones that are closed.  Don Loftis

“Then Caleb quited the people before Moses, and said, ‘Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it.”  Numbers 13:30

Mike Benson