Doing Our Best to Stay in Peace

Watching the news report of another devastating hurricane approaching the U.S. coasts -- I continue to pray for divine intervention for those precious souls who are evacuating and have no idea what they will come home to – if anything at all.

Last night my church held a Holy Hour to pray for all those affected by Hurricane Harvey and for those in the path of Hurricane Irma. It sure made my heart glad to know that we were a united front, pounding on heaven’s door with prayers of intercession for our brothers and sisters in harm’s way. Many lives have been turned upside down and inside out….literally. I can only imagine how they long for peace and the very least we can do is to pray and PRAY HARD. “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14

While in prayer, this old song came to me:
Turn your eyes upon Jesus.
Look full in His wonderful face.
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim.
In the light of His glory and grace.

That sounds like it’s taking all this devastation too lightly, but on the other hand, that’s what we must do – we put the spot light on God’s grace and keep our eyes focused on He who is the essence of peace.

No question – it’s a work-out to strive for peace at all times and especially at times when there are families displaced by war, little children on streets begging for something to eat, out of control fires ravaging homes and families…..and now these hurricanes. Doing our best to stay in peace, regardless of the natural form of storms, as well as the storms of the soul that rage (and I’ve had many) must be our greatest determination.

Isaiah 26:3 says “Him I will keep in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on ME!” I know the world's peace depends on calm seas, favorable circumstances, getting our way, things going as expected, with very few challenges. That sounds so good, but as soon as the storm clouds start rolling in (literally and figuratively), we tend to go the way of anxiety and concern.

Here's the peace I know well -- the peace Jesus gives. That peace helps me face circumstances with a quiet confidence that guides me -- not contingent on what's going on around me, but what's inside me -- better yet, WHO'S inside me. Jesus said, "Peace, I give you -- my peace I give you -- not as the world gives I you! Let not your heart be troubled." John 14:27

Here I am, this morning, all safe and sound in my home in Frisco, TX -- my needs are met. I’m comfortable and secure. But, I could be here, and not know Him -- and be completely lost and hopeless -- longing for inner peace and rest in my soul. How grateful I am that when I searched, I found that safe place in the person of Jesus Christ, and what a difference it has made in the many storms I’ve encountered.

Don’t you know that it breaks God’s heart to allow the storms to come? As parents, doesn’t it break our hearts when our children encounter storms and though we don't ever like to see our children suffer, sometimes having them cuddle up to us for reassurance and peace, just feels good. Should we think that our Father is care-less about His kids? I believe He could be strategic in allowing some things....that He knows draws us closer to Him. “ Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.” James 4:8.

I continue to pray for our country – on so many levels and above all, I pray that not only does God bless America, but more importantly that America blesses God and turns to Him for “peace in the midst of the storms”.

Is There a Rainbow Yet?

We’ve all been watching with concern as Hurricane Harvey and its flood waters ravage the countless communities and cities in Texas, and now Louisiana. I haven’t been able to blog about “raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens, blue satin sashes, and warm woolen mittens” when our precious brothers and sisters (we're all God's children) have been suffering so much. I pray that we all continue praying faithfully for those impacted and for those who are bravely serving.

Yesterday I saw heart wrenching stories of nursing homes being evacuated, apartments with people being trapped inside but being rescued, and people holding onto trees in the wake of rushing waters being rescued, because there are heroes who are risking their own health and well-being to do so. A pregnant woman in labor was helped to an emergency vehicle by a human chain getting her across the waters. So many people with such tremendous losses are experiencing hope because of “Good Samaritans” who just couldn’t stand by or walk by or ride their boat by those in such need.

This picture of an older couple being rescued on jet skis drew me in yesterday, especially when I saw their stately home (obvious from the beautiful furniture inside – the grandfather clock being almost completely covered) with waters. The man, J.C., said they knew they had to evacuate. He said “It may sound funny but I called Chick-Fil-A and ordered two grilled chicken burritos with extra eggs AND a boat. Can you believe one of the managers of Chick-Fil-A sent her husband to pick us up on his jet skis. We are so grateful and so thankful.” The reporter said, “I know you had possessions that you loaded up on that jet ski so there was no room for you, and then other jet skis showed up.” J.C. said, “Karen got on one and I got on the other one. They evacuated us to higher ground and we are ever so grateful." Then this optimistic man went on to say "The future of Houston is indeed very, very bright -- the medical capital of the world; the space capital of the world;the energy capital of the world, and about to be the port capital of the world.” The reporter replied “Well, J.C. and Karen, the world is certainly a brighter place with both of you in it.” The rescuers even took J.C. back to his house later because he had forgotten his wedding ring and his wallet. He said, “I couldn’t save my house, but I could save my marriage.” The reporter said, “I love his sense of humor and he even killed a snake on his way back to his home.”

Having been in Oklahoma for the last 40 years, I know what disaster looks like from the destruction that tornadoes bring. More and more people are taking precaution and buying steel storm shelters for their homes. But what good would steel storm shelters be in South Texas? How can we be disaster proof wherever we are? What is our back-up plan in case of an emergency? What safety measures can we take to be protected no matter where we live? It’s a wake-up call, for sure. But more important than all the extra groceries and water in a cellar somewhere or valuables placed in a safety deposit box, or knowing what roads to take in case of evacuation, what would be our attitude as followers of Christ? Would we be fear-driven, have feelings of hopelessness or would we dig deep into our hearts -- where Christ lives -- with faith and hope and be like J.C. and Karen and be thinking and declaring "something good is going to come out of this”.

This is what I know about God. Our concerns are not a surprise to Him. Turning over our cares and worries to Him, is how we show Him that we truly trust Him, and His unwavering love for us. When we bring Him our attitude of praise and thanksgiving – regardless of the circumstance we're in, He gives us peace to take us to the other side -- whether it's by car, plane, bicycle or boat. And in that case, we can sincerely believe EVERY cloud really does have a silver lining” and “every flood has a rainbow”. Just check in with Noah. The grace of God carried Him, his family and tons of animals through to dry land. We pray that dry land quickly comes for our brothers and sisters in the South, and the rainbow shows up once again......very soon.

He Rescued Me

Over the last few days, I’ve seen such remarkable and heart-stirring scenes of people being rescued out of the rushing flood waters of Hurricane Harvey, off of roof tops, and from cars and homes. Thanks be to God for America where our people – first responders, volunteers, churches, charitable organizations, and so many others are stepping up to do what we do in times of crisis. As divided a country that it seems we are -- in times like this, our true colors – good hearts and spirits show up.

As I watched those rescue scenes, I couldn’t help but think of one of my all-time favorite memories with much loved friends who are Gospel songwriters, artists and musicians, Jimmy & Becky Pearce, and the song they wrote, “He Rescued Me”, that blessed our hearts so much. Before singing the song, Jimmy would always tell the story of his dad who rescued three elderly people whose boat had capsized and they were clinging to a fallen tree in the middle of stormy waters. Jimmy’s dad managed to get them all into his boat. The elderly woman clung to his legs and said “I don't want to let him go. He rescued me. He rescued me.” Jimmy and Becky put those words to song that not only carry the message of those being rescued in South Texas in a natural way, but those words explain the good grace of our Heavenly Father Who rescues us from the storms of this life that can be equally devastating. He is our rescuer and we never want to let Him go.

HE RESCUED ME
On the stormy sea of sin I was sinking, never to rise again.
The wind and the rains ‘round me crashing,
Had battered and torn me within

But He rescued me, Jesus rescued me
From the cold dark waters of sin’s troubled sea.
He rescued me, new life I can see
Jesus reached down in love, and He rescued me.

I could feel death’s arm around me, as I struggled for my life.
I could see his angel waiting to claim me for his prize.
In my hour of desperation I almost lost my mind
But somehow I cried to Jesus and He saved me just in time.

So many people in South Texas have lost everything. Everything they had worked for all their lives is gone. There are those who worked from pay check to pay check and they don’t have a job to even go to because the business they worked for is gone. Fear is probably gripping their hearts. They need rescuers and we pray and hope that their needs will be met in such ways they recognize the love of God through people.

Fear gripped the hearts of Christ’s disciples when the storms, the winds, and the waves came to them on the Sea of Galilee. I refer to that scene because it is so clear in my mind after having been on that sea in June. The best part of that scene, scripture says that Jesus saw them from afar and came to them walking on the water to save them. (Matthew 14:22-33)

Though that story is over 2,000 years ago, it is still relevant to us today, and particular to those who have been affected by the devastation in South Texas and those who have fear gripping their hearts about what tomorrow holds. That fear may also be gripping those who are about to give up because matters have gotten worse and they fear for the loss of their marriage or their job or their loved one who is so ill. Jesus – the same – yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8) has the ability and wants to come walking on the water into all of those lives. His grace. His love. His mercy. He’s reaching out even now to RESCUE you and me from whatever fear we are facing today. Let’s reach up to those arms.....and let Him.

Comfort and Coziness Can Be So Trivial

Getting a good night's sleep is high priority for me so having the just right room ambiance, cool temperature, white noise playing, and several pillows to accompany me are all on my "must have", nighttime list. Last night, as I laid down in my cozy and comfy bed, I realized how blessed I am as I thought about those who are displaced and even homeless because of the tremendous disaster of Hurricane Harvey and how, not just a bed of comfort, but food, clothing and a roof over their head is so wanted and needed.

Yesterday I received these words from dear friends in the Houston area: "We seek for your prayers to ask God to command the hurricane to stop moving inland and the rain to cease. Our little house in the Dickinson Bayou is under chest level water and now we are staying with my daughter in Pearland. Please pray for us and those who are in harms way. Thank you all. Lord, have mercy on us."

Suddenly, this disaster became so real because it was affecting dear friends. Shame on me for feeling so distant and taking my own comfort for granted.

I heard it quoted by the head of FEMA "This disaster is going to be a landmark event -- a storm that the United States has not seen yet." The National Weather Service describes the damage as "unprecedented" and "beyond anything experienced." Over 50 inches of rain is predicted in the Houston area -- the highest amount ever recorded in Texas. Thirteen million people are under flood watches stretching from Corpus Christi to New Orleans. A FEMA spokesman warns that "the recovery effort is going to be going on for weeks, months, and probably even years."

Though I responded back to my friends in an email with prayers and offering any tangible assistance we can give them, it seems so inadequate. I know God has already shown up in the prayers, support and hands-on responses to the needs that are there. It's one thing to go through storms, but it's a whole other thing to know we're not going through them alone.

Our Father promises us, "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you" (Isaiah 43:2). His word assures us, "There is nothing in all creation that will ever be able to separate us from the love of God which is ours through Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 8:39).

Rescuers have saved thousands of people across the Texas Gulf Coast. Donations from across the country are supporting relief agencies. My heart was touched when my pastor shared how one of his fellow priests' church in Rockport was devastated, so I helped support the relief efforts. We can't do everything, but we can do something. We can pray fervently, asking God to redeem this tragedy by using the "body of Christ" (1 Corinthians 12:27) to share the love of Christ with millions in need.

Today may seem so dark to those ravage-torn Texas families, but tomorrow will come and lives and homes will be rebuilt, the healing will come to families and life will carry on once again. Beauty will be found, even in tragedy. We may not know what the future holds.....but we do know, WHO holds the future -- and the future is still very bright!

Yes, we may not know what the future holds.....but we do know, WHO holds the future -- and the future is very bright!

A man from a small town on the Texas coast was interviewed as he unloaded his boat. A reporter asked him what he was going to do. "I'm gonna try to save some lives," the man responded. Let's join him.

Lord have mercy! We ask for sustaining courage for those who are suffering; wisdom and diligence among agencies and individuals assessing damage and directing relief efforts; and for generosity to flow as powerfully as rivers and streams, as we, your people, respond to the deep human needs that are being experienced in the wake of the storm. Lord, have mercy!