For much of this week, temperatures have soared north of 85 degrees! Today, as I write this message, it is snowing heavily and will continue for most of the day, blanketing the trees and grassy surfaces but is not likely to cause any major disruption to normal school, traffic, or business activities.

“Be always on the watch and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen” (Luke 21:36a NIV).

Always Ready (Semper Paratus)

With just eight days before it will be officially spring 2026, winter is throwing what may be its final cold punch of the season. Heavy snow this winter has canceled schools, closed churches, snarled traffic and led to numerous treacherous accidents in December, January, and February. But not this time. It is snowing hard, but the earth has spent at least a week storing up heat, putting on armor if you will, preparing for anything that could delay the arrival of spring.

Semper Paratus, Latin for “always ready” is the motto of the U. S. Coast Guard. It implies that the Guard is vigilant 365 days of the year. Whether or not that is truly the case may be arguable. But Jesus admonished us to make that motto our reality. “Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen.” Pray yourself hot in advance of the battle. This is how we are prepared when a stone-cold punch is thrown at us. Watch! Pray! Store up heat (prayers) like the earth did this week in advance of today’s snowstorm! Put on the whole armor of God and be Semper Paratus, always prepared, always ready!

Is this too elementary? Does this make sense to anybody? It is what He gave me!!

Focus Quote: “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thess. 5:17

KJV).

Special Note of Thanks: Thank you to everyone who responded to last week’s message, “The Low Way Up,” with such gracious words of encouragement to my wife and me on our efforts to make our new non-profit, CTASO, (Children’s Trauma Awareness and Support Organization) fully operational. Our mission is to: educate organizations about the impact of trauma and create safe and compassionate spaces where youth can heal emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. Please continue to pray for us as we work with our board of directors to streamline and focus the vital and critical work of this organization.

Blessings, Peace, and Love,