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Dear Shiloh Family,

The markets were swamped and busy as bee hives as folks buzzed around searching for the staples of life...milk, bread, eggs, and of course, toilet paper. Laying hens couldn't keep up with supply and demand, and Flossie, the milk cow, was drained dry. WalMart shopping carts were non-existent, and parking spaces were as scarce as Falcon fans at the Super Bowl. All this because someone dared to utter the dreaded four-letter-word...SNOW.

The weather prognosticator's forecast of potential 58-inch accumulation wreaked panic throughout the South (which makes folks in the Northern and midwestern states chuckle). People scurried to find tire chains, kerosene, propane cylinders, and blew dust off heaters that hadn"t been fired in 10 years. I find all this a bit humorous considering a winter storm hadnt been correctly predicted in our area in over 30 years (Yes, I understand how difficult weather forecasts can be in the Chattanooga area). We all prepared for the worst even though we were at best, half convinced.

However, in 1993, the TV stations rang out the news of an impending winter storm. It would be the best chance and have the greatest potential of major snow in the South since the 60's. Even though the weather men and women were adamant about the coming danger, the general public sneered and turned a deaf ear. That night, the "Storm of the Century" dropped more than 3 feet of winter wonderland across the southeast. It piled drifts up to 5 and 6 feet. Some of the naysayers were stranded and a few lost their lives. Parts of some counties were without power for over a week. All the signs were there, but the day before the mele, we were in short sleeves, jeans, and tennis shoes. We didn't heed the warning, but the warning came to fruition.

The key word to this letter is potential. In both cases, the town cry was of potential catastrophes. No one knew if they would actually arrive until they came...or didn't.

Matthew 24:36-39: 36 But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only. 37 But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. 38 For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, 39 and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. NKJV

God's word plainly tells us that Jesus will call his children home. He will judge the living and the dead. Our Savior will return in glory and power. There is no potentiality to these promises. And yet, we cruise around in our spiritual "short sleeves, jeans, and tennis shoes" like it may or may not happen. I wonder how full and busy our churches would be if we actually believed in the rapture. If we knew Jesus was coming Monday, how valuable would parking spaces be at the local assemblies on Sunday?

Shiloh, we have friends and loved ones who are lost and in danger of being stranded for all eternity. However, the church has the necessary essentials to save and prepare them for the impending glorious event. Let's do our part and win the lost at any cost. Let's lead them to Jesus and bring them in out of the cold.

Colossians 1:27-29: 27 To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28 Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. NKJV

What preparations would be necessary if we knew Jesus was coming for a visit? He's already here!

God bless you all,
Pastor Derrell

PS. I will leave the new members and baptisms up for one more week. I encourage all ministries to read the lists and seek out any person who isn't locked in a small group at Shiloh.