A Blog from Pastor Bill

I was sliding around on some snow during the last snow storm and I was reminded of a day of skiing. I was skiing at a small Colorado ski area. I was enjoying some runs that begin above timberline and are known for their deep dry powder. This was a particularly cold day after a storm had deposited around 16 inches of very cold dry powder.            

The run began above timberline, descended to tree line then was divided by a grove of trees. The two paths came out onto a wide very steep slope.            

I was feeling good, bashing powder. The snow was very fast. I chose the path down the right side of the trees. To my left across the slope, was another skier he chose the left side of the trees. We were both skiing very fast. I came to the lower side of the grove of trees and made a turn beneath the trees.            

The other skier had done the same on the left side. We were on a collision course. The other skier turned sharply up hill into the trees. I made a difficult downhill turn. The collision was avoided, but just after my track crossed his track the powder broke loose from the harder packed snow under the powder.            

I was instantly consumed by an avalanche.            

Everything happened extremely fast. I tumbled as if in a clothes dryer. There was no controlling my fall. I felt pummeled from every direction. Finally, the motion stopped.            

I was very dazed. My goggles and hat were gone. Snow had completely covered my glasses which in some amazing way were still on my face. I could not tell if I was right-side up or if I was upside down. I could not tell if I was buried or above the snow. My Jacket had been partially unzipped and partially removed. Both skis were gone. This was before snow break technology and somehow one strap had come undone and one had broken.            

Everything seemed quiet. Then there was chaos, yelling and people everywhere. People were pawing at me and asking a million questions about what was broken.            

As I became aware of my surroundings, I realized I was in a sitting position, like sitting on a chair. I was buried to about my mid chest and I hurt everywhere. Not like broken bone pain but like I had been repeatedly punched everywhere over and over.            

The ski patrol freaked out! They closed that part of the ski area and I had my first sled ride down a mountain. The patrolman who helped me the most told me I was unique because I was not buried and I was not injured. He repeatedly told me it was unbelievable.            

I was fine. Shaken, scared, very bruised, but fine.            

I didn't know Jesus then. But I remember thinking someone was looking out for me, protecting me. The avalanche was not huge about 100 yards wide and it traveled about 150 yards down the slope. Where I was sitting the snow was about 12 feet deep.            

Just over a year later I would come to Christ. I often remember this amazing adventure and now It reminds me of God's sovereignty. He knows everything possible to be known. He knew exactly what was going to happen that day. He knew everything possible to know about my life and He had a plan for me.            

God sovereignly knows you! He loves you and has great things planned for you. As a believer seek Him, Praise Him and yield to His leading. Rejoice that you have by God's plan been rescued and adopted by God.   

If you are not a believer, put your faith in Jesus. Let God's love rescue you from being buried by the avalanche of life. Let him lift you up and adopt you into His family.

In Him,

Bill