Fire And Ice!By Paul Hayden January 13, 2025This past week early in 2025, there have been disastrous events regarding these extremes - both Fire and Ice! Here in the Midwest where I live, we got lightly buried in a beautiful fluff of snow, that is, unless you got stuck out in it! It really amounted to only a foot of snow or less, which is not much compared to areas that get feet of snow - like northern New York and the other far northern states. South of Interstate 80 we tend to be sissies regarding the frozen stuff. And there's no way we are going to stay home and let the road crews do their work. The horrors of the fires in Los Angeles are utterly overwhelming. I have spent some time in my life in that area, and I remember the Santa Ana winds that would swoop into the region with such force. Add fire to that scenario and it is absolutely unimaginable. The devastation would move so quickly that truly very little could possibly be done. Most of us have never faced such a magnitude of devastation as has recently been seen in North Carolina and Tennessee, or with these fires in Los Angeles. Getting stuck in some snow or traffic is insignificant compared to having everything you own swept away and destroyed with such force and swiftness. As many have expressed, at that point if you and your loved ones are still alive, you can simply be thankful. The aftermath of disaster, whether it be fire or ice, or wind and flood, brings a torrent of seemingly endless discussion about it all. The “News” as well as the commentary on social media drones on and on about what should have been done, who is to blame, whether people deserved it or not, and what can be done now on behalf of the victims. So much of the discussion is ridiculous and pointless, and even hurtful and quite counterproductive. When a “journalist” asks something like how much water it would take to stop the fires, or “What are you going to do now?” to someone who just lost everything they own - WHAT ARE THEY THINKING? They feel they must fill the silence with something, no matter how empty it might sound, as if there is a fear of just feeling something and being quiet! And what can you do, really? Pray for those affected, look for ways to give (that are legitimate!), and take great care in looking out for yourself and those around you. Be thankful for what God has given you and how He has helped you in your life. And count your blessings as you share this life with those around you. Blessings, and love! Paul Hayden
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![]() "I was raised by a Christian minister, Kenneth Hayden, until his death when I was 10. Then my mom Bonnalee Hunt Hayden married a farmer. So I was raised in a very down-to-earth home. My faith has grown through the years, but both in conjunction with the institutional church and through small groups and individuals, including books as well as group settings, where deep, sincere faith is shared that aligns with Biblical truth."
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