Life is Often Like a Wild Water Ride

Aw! Water! Refreshing, cool, thirst-quenching water. I’ve been packing a lot of water over the last week or so. The warmer weather and being outdoors requires it.

But, today, I’m talking about the beautiful water features that I’ve been enjoying. My Austin family and I spent the last week at the Gulf of Texas’ Port Aransas. The ocean, pictured here, was like I had never seen. Multiple waves were always billowing in. It was easy to stand in it and get cooled off. But in the early morning, it was always high tide which meant it billowed way into land. See this lovely sand castle being carved? I left the beach before this expert sand castle sculptor finished it. The next morning when I walked the beach, it had been consumed by the high tide.

Now, back at home, I enjoy my community's lake views -- still waters with a backdrop of magnificent sunrises. Over the years, our family has enjoyed every water feature you could imagine. We frequented lakes and rivers all over the U.S. and Canada where we camped, fished, skied, fished, river rafted and kayaked. And there are no adequate words to convey the beauty of the majestic oceans and seas that we cruised. I recall my sweetheart sitting back, delighting in the stillness and beauty of those moments in all of those water places. He loved taking it all in. He was "home" by the water. I'm quite sure he's made sure that our mansion in heaven is right by the River of Life.

What if life was like living by a pond or lake that represents stability and tranquility? It doesn't change much. With the exception of a severe storm (like the tornados we encountered many times), a lake is a secure place with clear boundaries, stable waters, and a quiet shore. There is a sense of order, control, and safe predictability about a lake, with few major surprises from day to day.

I have found life to be more like traveling down a river. It's extremely unpredictable and filled with many twists and turns, highs and lows, rapids and calms, unseen obstacles and unexpected objects. It can also be filled with exhilarating experiences that are packed full of adventure. You can ride the currents of a fast flowing river in a raft or kayak, but you have to avoid the potential dangers that can be devastating to a rider. We know that for a fact. When our kayaks tipped over, we were pulled into the rapids. But for the grace of God, we could have lost our lives. Our kayaks went on down the river….without us in them. Thank God, we had on life preservers.

As we journey on, we want life to be safe and secure for us and our loved ones, like my subdivision's lakes with borders -- no big changes or surprises. But, in reality, life is more like a river as it is continually moving in ways that we cannot control, predict, or expect. Doesn’t it feel like that’s exactly where we’re at right now? Every day is unpredictable – well, in our eyes – certainly not God’s. He is always in control.

The good news for us is that our security, stability, AND sanity are not found on the rivers of our lives, but in the Lord of our lives. Our hope is in Him who knows the way through the obstacles and the twists and turns. Our peace is found in the One who directs our course. Our hope is fixed upon the One Whose hands not only created the waters, but calms them, and He is THE ONE Who causes the unpredictability of the waters to work things together for our good. (Romans 8:28). I’m so certain – that all we have encountered in the last few months is a part of God's providence in our lives and through it all, we are secure in God's sovereign hands.
Isaiah 43:2 "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you....."

When You Pass Through the Waters.......

I'm back home after a week of family fun in San Jose del Cabo. The experiences and daily inspirations are still with me, so rather than my sand and beach blogs, now I'm taking it to the open waters and the chills and thrills of some water adventures.

My oldest and youngest grandsons headed out on stand-up paddle boards. That is a feat in itself -- to get yourself upright on the boards. I'm doing good to get in an upright position from the ground -- never mind, on water! (Gasp!) The waters were smooth and the tide was slow coming in. No concern. No life vests needed -- after all, they didn't plan on going out very far from shore. What started out to be a 15-minute joy ride, turned into massive concern for their lives when the wind picked up and the waters started rolling out, and so did the boys. They continued to get taken further out from shore. They'd make a little progress forward, but then the waves would take them even further out. Both guys started to get very concerned when their paddling and leg strength was gone. Braden was about to get Bryson to move over to his paddle board because it would be better than getting separated when all of a sudden, after an hour of struggling, the winds stopped, the waters smoothed out and they were able to easily paddle themselves back into shore. Big Braden admitted to how concerned he was for their lives.

I understand there are benefits to paddle-boarding, besides the fun. You can get a tan, burn more calories in an hour than most sports because of the combination of strength, balance, core, and endurance. So I'm assuming my Braden and Bryson burned a lot of calories. But, there are also detriments.

Brennan and Bryson's adventure is a reminder of the times that our faith journey has highs and lows, scary and, sometimes, painful times. It’s in those times that we don’t take life for granted and we press in for divine intervention. Every day, whether we are aware of it or not, our lives may be spared as we may be in near-death situations, near-devastation circumstances – but God is with us in those stormy, perilous waters times. The reassurance of it all – God NEVER leaves us or forsakes us in ALL of life's adventures. We just need to hang on for dear life and enjoy the ride that, no doubt, will soon come to an end!

The next day, Bryson wanted to snorkel so he put on his equipment and headed out. I kept an eye on him as he seemed to be with a couple of other kids and stayed quite close in when all of a sudden the three of them plus a guy on a paddle board seemed to get further away. I became concerned about their safety and rushed to them along the shore when the guy on the paddle board signaled the "OK" sign and I realized he was one of the water attendants, and so was the third guy in the water. Those two kids were well protected by two trustworthy guys.

Bryson's snorkeling adventure reminds me of when our faith journey is more routine, uneventful, calm and filled with joyful and peaceful times. And, like those smooth-sailing waters times and like those attendants watching over the kids, God is with us and we come to know God's faithfulness to us.

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6

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!

When You Pass Through the Waters, I Will Be With You

I showed this map of the Sea of Galilee and the places of many of Jesus' miracles to my kids when I was sharing with them about my recent trip to Israel.

The question most of our tour group had was how could there ever be such winds and waves in this small body of water that could cause such fear in those who were sailing from one side to the other? Our guide told us that there have been waves that exceeded eight stories on those waters. No wonder the disciples were concerned for their lives.

Over the years, our family has enjoyed every water feature you could imagine. We frequented lakes and rivers all over the U.S. and Canada where we camped, sailed, fished, river rafted, canoed, and kayaked, and there are no adequate words to convey about the majestic oceans and seas that we cruised.

I recall my Sweetheart sitting back, delighting in the stillness and beauty of those moments in all of those water places. He loved taking it all in. He was "home" by the water. I'm quite sure he's made sure that our mansion in heaven is right by the River of Life.

What if life was like living by a pond or lake? A lake can represent stability and tranquility. A lake doesn’t change much from year to year. With the exception of a severe storm (we were at the lake on plenty of occasions when a tornado was coming through), a lake is a secure place with clear boundaries, stable waters, and a quiet shore. There is a sense of order, control, and safe predictability about a lake, with few major surprises from day to day.

I have found life to be more like traveling down a river. It's extremely unpredictable and filled with many twists and turns, highs and lows, rapids and calms, unseen obstacles and unexpected objects that go drifting by. But, it can also be filled with exhilarating experiences that are packed full of adventure. You can ride the currents of a fast flowing river in a raft or kayak, but you have to avoid the potential dangers which can be devastating to a rider. We know that for a fact – when, one time, our kayaks tipped over and we were pulled into the rapids, and but for the grace of God, could have lost our lives. Our kayaks went on down the river….without us in them. Thank God, we had on life preservers.

As we journey on, we want life to be safe and secure for us and our loved ones, like that lake with borders -- no big changes or surprises. But, in reality, life is more like a river as it is continually moving in ways that we cannot control, predict, or expect.

The good news for us is that our security, stability, AND sanity are not found on the rivers of our lives, but in the Lord of of our lives. Our hope is in Him who knows the way through the obstacles and the twists and turns. Our peace is found in the One who directs our course. Our hope is fixed upon the One whose hands not only created the waters, but calms them, and He is THE ONE Who causes the unpredictability of the waters to work things together for our good.

Isaiah 43:2 "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you....."

When You Pass Through the Waters, I Will Be With You

Over the years, we’ve enjoyed every water feature you could imagine. We frequented the lakes in Texas, Oklahoma and Missouri. And then there was Saddleback Lake in Canada where I officially became a Master Angler when I caught an 8 lb 9 oz Walleye. Mama brought home the fish. Papa had it mounted, and it's prominently placed in Mama's office!

We had fountains in three of our homes that provided such calming sound effects in our backyards. We had a pond at our Sapulpa OK home where our grandkids loved to hang out with Papa. In fact, they all learned to fish there. There's a fishing pond where I live now. We camped, fished and river rafted, canoed, and kayaked in rivers and there are no adequate words to convey about the majestic oceans and seas that we cruised on.

I recall my Sweetheart sitting back, delighting in the stillness and beauty of those moments in all of those water places. He loved taking it all in. He was "home" by the water. I'm quite sure he's made sure that our mansion in heaven is right by the River of Life.

What if life was like living by a pond or lake? A lake can represent stability and tranquility. A lake doesn’t change much from year to year. With the exception of a severe storm (we were at the lake on plenty of occasions when a tornado was coming through), a lake is a secure place with clear boundaries, stable waters, and a quiet shore. There is a sense of order, control, and safe predictability about a lake, with few major surprises from day to day.

I have found life to be more like traveling down a river. It's very unpredictable and filled with many twists and turns, highs and lows, rapids and calms, unseen obstacles and unexpected objects that go drifting by. But, it can also be filled with exhilarating experiences that are packed full of adventure.

Larry, Staci, the kids and myself recently enjoyed a trip to the Illinois River. When the Tenkiller Dam is closed, the river flows nice and slow, and it’s easy to swim and relax, even fish while standing right in the middle of the river. But when the gates at the dam open up, the strong force of those waters is a force to be reckoned with. You can ride the currents in a raft or kayak, but you have to avoid the potential dangers which can be devastating to a rider. We know that for a fact – when our kayaks tipped over and we were pulled into the rapids, and but for the grace of God, could have lost our lives. Our kayaks went on down the river….without us in them. Thank God, we had on life preservers.

As we journey on in life we want things to be safe and secure for us and our loved ones, like that lake with borders -- no big changes or surprises. But, in reality, life is more like a river as it is continually moving in ways that we cannot control, predict, or expect.

The good news for us is that our security, stability, AND sanity are not found on the rivers of our lives, but in the Lord of of our lives. Our hope is in Him who knows the way through the obstacles and the twists and turns. Our peace is found in the One who directs our course. Our hope is fixed upon the One whose hands not only created the river, but calms it, and He is THE ONE Who causes the unpredictability of the river to work things together for our good.

Isaiah 43:2 "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you....."