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Christian Living

Why I Love Spring

My Favorite Season

Spring is my favorite time of year. And with this year’s winter being longer, colder, and snowier than most, the promise of spring is even more welcomed. Here’s why I love spring.

I won’t say I hibernate during winter, but it is a season when I hunker down; my goal is survival. I’m not sure if it’s the limited daylight, colder temperatures, or white precipitation, but something about winter wears me down.

Winter is a season when I attempt to maintain the status quo. It’s an ill-advised time to take on new projects or pursue grand initiatives.

Then as the snow melts, I figuratively emerge, groggy-eyed from my self-imposed cave—that is, the sanctuary of my home. Warmer temperatures beckon.

Melting snow reveals brown grass, soon reborn to glorious green. Flowers bloom with forgotten color and tree buds burst forth in praise.

With refound ambition I anticipate what lies ahead; with renewed focus my plans give way to action.

Spring is a grand time. I wish it could be spring year round, but without the bleakness of winter standing in contrast, I fear I’d soon forget the wonder of springtime. So I accept winter as a precursor of what follows.

To me, spring is the antithesis of winter; it’s a great time to be alive. Spring signals new life, opportunities, and a fresh start. Spring also reminds me of God and the new life, opportunities, and fresh start he offers. This is why I love spring.

Thank you God for spring.

Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.

Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.

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Categories
Christian Living

When Will Winter End?

Always Winter and Never Christmas

In C. S. Lewis’s classic book The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, the land of Narnia is under duress: it is always winter and never Christmas. As winter drags on this year, I feel the same way.

In Michigan, we enjoy all four seasons and in about equal proportions. According to the calendar, winter lasts ninety days. However, this year our winter weather started sooner, piled snow deeper, inflicted frigid temperatures, and lasted longer.

Everyone I talk to is anxious for spring. Even people who claim winter as their favorite season, look forward to warmer weather.

A couple weeks ago enough snow melted to where our deck was bare (aided by my snow shovel—an act of desperation on my part). On Facebook, I asked about setting out our patio furniture.

The answer was “no.” They were right, of course, and I was rushing spring. Winter will remain with us a while longer, causing us to ask, “When will winder end?”

Yet as I wait for spring to arrive, I focus on the future and forget the present. In some ways, I’ve placed my life on hold, squandering today as I wait for tomorrow. I need to stop doing that.

On Tuesday it snowed some more. Today the temperature is above freezing. I’m declaring an end to winter. And even if that doesn’t happen, I won’t waste another day waiting for something better to come along.

Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.

Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.

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10 Essential Bible Reading Tips, from Peter DeHaan

Get the Bible Reading Tip Sheet: “10 Tips to Turn Bible Reading from Drudgery to Delight.”

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Categories
Christian Living

Welcome to Summer

Technically summer doesn’t start for another month (June 21). Summer then lasts for three months (until September 21).

Though the Summer Solstice and Fall Equinox formally mark the beginning and ending of the summer season, the weather and our response to it shows we don’t care too much about the official dates.

From a practical standpoint, many people in the United States view Memorial Day Weekend (this year, starting on May 25) as the beginning of summer and lasting until Labor Day (this year, September 2).

This perspective means summer started this past weekend!

Although spring is my favorite season, summer follows as a close second. Fall isn’t too bad either, except that it foreshadows winter, my least favorite time of the year.

My energy level and, therefore, my ability to tackle projects and complete tasks is highest in the spring and summer. In the fall I try to bring major projects to completion, before my energy wanes.

Winter is a time when I place a hold on accepting new assignments and making commitments.

Less this appears I’m writing off a big part of the year, let’s compare this to our energy cycle during the day. I’m a morning person and that’s my time to make things happen.

When I’m at my peak, I can complete something in minutes that might take an hour or more to do when I’m tired—and it still might not be my best work.

Therefore, I do important things when I’m at my peak and save less important things for later on. It doesn’t matter if the span is a day or a year—my goal is to work smart.

Regardless if summer is your favorite season or not, I wish you a great one!

Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.

Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.

Bogged Down Reading the Bible?

10 Essential Bible Reading Tips, from Peter DeHaan

Get the Bible Reading Tip Sheet: “10 Tips to Turn Bible Reading from Drudgery to Delight.”

​Enter your info and receive the free Bible Reading Tip Sheet and be added to Peter’s email list.