Awesome

Day 20

Rochester firefighter rescued a 22-year-old woman and her 2-month-old son early Saturday morning at a two-alarm house fire.  It happened at 75 Glendale Park on the city’s west side around 12:15 a.m.  When firefighters arrived there was heavy fire and smoke. And they heard a woman screaming from the third floor. Firefighters were able to get a ladder up to save the woman and her 2-month-old son. Firefighter Roberto Cabrera is being credited with making the rescue.  Both the mom and her baby were treated for smoke inhalation at Strong Hospital.    (WHEC, Rochester, NY)

Wow,  we know what to celebrate!  Mom will never forget Roberto Cabrera for saving their lives.  Can you imagine, one second facing a fiery death, clinging to your baby, gasping for your last breaths then BAM! A firefighter from out of know where hears your cry and saves the day.

CHICAGO (AP) — Thousands of fans surged out onto the streets of Chicago on Wednesday night to celebrate after the Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup. They wore team jerseys, waved banners, and carried memories long memories, in many cases.
"We're a hockey family, been down for generations and I honestly could not be more thrilled. This is a night I'll always remember," said Jeremy Holleb of suburban Highland Park, after the Hawks won the National Hockey League championship on the road with a 4-3 overtime victory over the Flyers at Philadelphia night.
Holleb was among the fans who gathered at Harry Carry's Tavern on Navy Pier near downtown, where Bobby Hull, a star of the Blackhawks' last Stanley Cup-winning team in 1961, was watching the game and signing autographs.
"Reason I'm here is because of my dad," Holleb said. "He's been dreaming for a while to see the cup come back. And what really got to me is the fact that he sent a picture of himself on the couch with a brick from the old stadium and a signed stick from Bobby Hull from the 1961 Stanley Cup finals."
For Greg Azzarelli of Kankakee, who was there with his 14-year-old son, the victory was bittersweet but still thrilling.
"This is unbelievable," Azzarelli said. "My oldest brother, we just buried him last week in a Blackhawks jersey. When I was 9 years old, he bought me my first Bobby Hull jersey and brought me to my first Blackhawk game, so it's really a weird feeling. I just wish he could be here to enjoy this because I know he was a huge Blackhawks fan."
Azzarelli said it was wonderful to be only a few feet from Hull during the game and have a chance to tell the star about his late brother, Ray.
Mary Poland of Wilmette said she could remember the Blackhawks' last Stanley Cup win in 1961 and that she had remained a fan even when they weren't good.
"It's really exciting, energizing. I've been watching these games since I was 10 years old," Poland said.
One of the most crowded scenes was near Wrigley Field, where aerial views showed several blocks completely filled with fans in Blackhawks gear.

Wow, we know when to celebrate!  Is there anything better than the victory of an underdog?  Do you know the previous owner of the Blackhawks  had stopped televising their games?  You know things are bad when the one who has invested the most in your team is no longer a fan.  As crowds gathered to celebrate the ugly overtime win they honored the current players and the their heritage.  For a brief time, every fan was connected by the Blackhawk victory.

Have you ever witnessed the congregation of a church shouting, dancing, crying, waving their hands around and asked yourself, “what is all the commotion about?”  Is God so vain He demands praise from His children?  The answers can be found in the story of the firefighter and the Blackhawks.

Sin was introduced into the world through Adam and the cost of sin is death.  Without someone to rescue us from our fate we will die in the flames like mother and infant.  Fortunately, God provided His son.  Through Jesus’ death and resurrection we have been saved.  Wow, isn’t this worth celebrating?

With Jesus’ sacrifice victory was won so none should parish.  We, the underdog, facing impossible odds have won victory over our enemy.  Unlike the Blackhawk victory, which will be celebrated a few days and then forgotten, our victory is everlasting; each of us connected through Jesus forever.  We too honor our heritage, the ones who fought and died to reach the world, but we do not mourn for too long because they share the victory with us.  Wow, isn’t it time to celebrate?

Sometimes the church emphasizes production over worship.  Congregations dance and sing because the music is powerful.  We forget there are people standing beside us who may be asking, “what’s all the commotion.”  Powerful music last a short time, our celebration will continue forever. Connections will seek to praise God at all times.  We promise to teach our neighbors why we celebrate.  Connection will encourage worship over production and style.

Through the sincere heartfelt worship of His children, God draws the attention of the world.  We have much to celebrate.  The following describes Isaiah’s encounter with God.  Isaiah was righteous by earthly standards but he immediately recognized how far he fell short.  Are you afraid to stand in God’s presence?  There is no hiding from God, He knows your sins.  The good news is, through Jesus’ sacrifice we each are made righteous and can approach God’s throne with confidence.  Time to celebrate yet?  VICTORY!!!

Isaiah 6:1-8 (New Living Translation)

Isaiah’s Cleansing and Call

1 It was in the year King Uzziah died that I saw the Lord. He was sitting on a lofty throne, and the train of his robe filled the Temple. 2 Attending him were mighty seraphim, each having six wings. With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew. 3They were calling out to each other,
  “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Heaven’s Armies!
     The whole earth is filled with his glory!”
4 Their voices shook the Temple to its foundations, and the entire building was filled with smoke.
5 Then I said, “It’s all over! I am doomed, for I am a sinful man. I have filthy lips, and I live among a people with filthy lips. Yet I have seen the King, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.”
6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a burning coal he had taken from the altar with a pair of tongs. 7 He touched my lips with it and said, “See, this coal has touched your lips. Now your guilt is removed, and your sins are forgiven.”
8 Then I heard the Lord asking, “Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?”
  I said, “Here I am. Send me.”