LANCASTER PENNSYLVANIA -- About 210 miles north/northwest of Lancaster City, a 4 hour trip on an average driving day, there resides a ground hog named Phil, which has become an annual national and international rodent-celebrity of sorts. He lives in captivity in the town of Punxsutawney, in Jefferson County, Pennsylvania, and comes out in the early days of the second month, to predict the weather for the next 6 weeks.

This past February 2, at 7:28 AM, on Gobbler's Knob, Phil saw his shadow, which, for some reason that has always escaped me and whatever logic I try to muster, apparently means that spring would be on its way very quickly (If Phil had not seen his shadow, it would have meant another several weeks of winter). Poor Phil. Poor us.

Wow, did Phil ever blow it. Prior to Phil's little act, we had a very mild winter. Since then...well, you know what's happened.

Incidently, a friend told me that another ground hog, a local rodent named Octoraro Orphie, made the right prediction. Maybe Lancaster County will have another tourist attraction in the future, and the traffic that comes with it.

But let me give Phil a break. Besides, he's just a rodent trying to survive as a bunch of men in bowler hats try to get people to patronize Punxsutawney's restaurants, taverns, novelty stores, and hotels. I sure hope Phil is treated well during the year between the Gobbler's Knob's annual events.

Nevertheless, one of my favorite films is the 1993 movie, Ground Hog Day, starring the actor/comedian, Bill Murray. It's not only purely entertaining in its own right, but it has a great deal of meaning. I think members of every religious group have at some point commented on the film's spiritual and religious meanings.

Murray plays a sarcastic and occasionally mean Pittsburgh newscaster assigned to cover Phil. The last place Murray wanted to be was in Punxsutawney. But something happens that is life changing to him and those around him. After the event, a snow storm rolls in that prevents Murray and his TV crew from going back to Pittsburgh. They stay over. But there is a problem. When he wakes up at 6 AM the following morning it's still Ground Hog's Day, February 2.

In case you haven't seen it, I won't give you many more details, other than to say that he keeps waking up time and time again on the same day. At first, he is utterly frustrated and angry. Even suicidal. Then he gradually realizes that he has somehow been given a chance to change his life. Instead of beating himself up because he is stuck in time, he finally begins to change his life in a positive and rewarding way with each "new" day.

Then Murray is released from his own captivity into a new world of promise and possibility. He was no longer captive to his own selfishness, sarcasm, anger, cynicism, or self-defeating behavior. He became a much better man. He finally woke up and was FREE. And it was actually the next day, the real next day.

In the Gospel of John, chapter 1, it says, From his fullness we have all received, Grace upon Grace.

Bill Murray, in a fictional story, receives grace upon grace. At first he squanders his opportunities, until he begins to understand that he was given a gift to turn his life around.

Our lives, however, are not fictions. We are for real. Let us use prayer and work God's truth in our lives not to squander our opportunities, for you and I have received Grace upon Grace.

It's now time to move on to the next day, to take account of our lives, and to live with Jesus Christ, Grace upon Grace.

Peace and Grace,

Pastor Bob White