The Threads Blog

The city I grew up in, Knoxville, TN, was also the home of the 1982 World’s Fair. The Sunsphere was created as the theme structure for the World’s Fair. It is noted for its unique design and highlights the Knoxville skyline. Most of the World’s Fair site is now a public park and a convention center, but the Sunsphere remains. It has become a symbol for Knoxville, appearing in postcards, logos, and just about everything else. When I think of downtown Knoxville, I think of the Sunsphere (and vice versa).

This week’s lesson brought our research back to mind. After studying for this lesson, it seems to me that many believers still live lives that closely resemble a “searching life.” That’s why the world around us scratches its head when we talk about Christ, salvation, hope, and heaven. If Christ’s way of living is so wonderful and different, why do our lives look the way they do? Why do our churches look and act the way they do? Why do we put so much hope and trust in things other than Christ?

Okay people. It’s January and I need some things to look forward to in order to make it through this month. To that end I have begun compiling a list of little and big things that are keeping me moving forward on the conveyor belt of life. (Please feel free to make additions.)

How was your 2008? Fear and despair seemed to be the two prevalent feelings about 2008. People losing jobs, companies closing the doors, mortgages going unpaid, stock market taking a dive and the list could go on but the picture is of a rather depressing year. That is exactly why I am glad God is in control. No matter what the landscape around us looks like, we can have hope. No matter had bad things look in the economy, we can have hope. No matter how long wars rage around us and terrorism threatens, we can have hope. It is times like this where what we believe matters most and comes to the surface.