It warmed up to melt ALL that big snow (about an inch) in Tulsa and tomorrow, the weather guy is forecasting 70 degrees. Since Oklahoma was our home for 38 years, I can vouch for the authenticity of this sign in the photo, as well as the distinct four seasons that could happen in a week, accompany all those weather conditions. Sounds humorous, but we’ve seen some devastating results from those conditions. During those times, we witnessed the incredible humanity and rescue efforts of Oklahoma’s citizens.
I posted about the sprinkling of snow in Tulsa on Friday. I was so amused when this Facebook Group popped up in my newsfeed. "Oklahoma Winter Recovery" -- not because of the great idea of people helping people, but having lived in Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada for seven years, with its 40+ below temperatures, over 30 inches of snow, and remembering that Winter Recovery there included plugging our cars’ heaters in at night, being always prepared to shovel snow off of cars and driveways, and dressing in many layers. The City of Winnipeg was resilient in handling the abundance of snow. Their snow remover vehicles had the streets cleared long before we needed to drive to work. I was also amused that the Tulsa schools were closed on Friday. If they did that in Winnipeg, school would be out for the entire winter.
It warmed up to melt ALL that big snow (about an inch) in Tulsa and tomorrow, the weather guy is forecasting 70 degrees. Since Oklahoma was our home for 38 years, I can vouch for the authenticity of this sign in the photo, as well as the distinct four seasons that could happen in a week, accompany all those weather conditions. Sounds humorous, but we’ve seen some devastating results from those conditions. During those times, we witnessed the incredible humanity and rescue efforts of Oklahoma’s citizens.
I posted about the sprinkling of snow in Tulsa on Friday. I was so amused when this Facebook Group popped up in my newsfeed. "Oklahoma Winter Recovery" -- not because of the great idea of people helping people, but having lived in Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada for seven years, with its 40+ below temperatures, over 30 inches of snow, and remembering that Winter Recovery there included plugging our cars’ heaters in at night, being always prepared to shovel snow off of cars and driveways, and dressing in many layers. The City of Winnipeg was resilient in handling the abundance of snow. Their snow remover vehicles had the streets cleared long before we needed to drive to work. I was also amused that the Tulsa schools were closed on Friday. If they did that in Winnipeg, school would be out for the entire winter.
This was a post I saw under the Oklahoma Winter Recovery Facebook Group -- **At this time, please only post a new thread if you or someone else is stuck. This will help to keep the page easier to get assistance to the motorist** When posting about a vehicle that is stuck, please make sure to list the location, make and model of vehicle and at least one good phone number (either yours or the stranded motorist if you personally know them). This will help in getting assistance more easily and quickly, and this way it will be known whether or not they have been rescued already, so that someone else does not head that way. If you have Google Maps on your phone, drop a pin. This will also help determine the exact location. Be excellent. Make good choices.”
Impressive, right? Technology provides for people helping people -- and caring enough about their fellow man that they set up a place for support and help during winter storms. Isn't that the mentality and heart for having an attitude to serve and help others.
Helping others is such a great diversion from so much negavity in social media, the news and even those who are bound and determined to look at the "glass half empty". Doesn't it makesense for us to rewind, reload, and shoot some straight arrows toward targets that sincerely make a difference. Instead of being relentless to look for something else to complain about, wouldn't it be great to refocus on matters that matter? Matters like doing what we can to serve and support each other; doing what we can to “love our neighbors as we love ourselves” (Matthew 22:39); and “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” (Luke 6:31).
Just maybe our little caring "stone" could cause a ripple effect to a world that needs role models and examples of TRUE Christianity. TRUE Christianity is when our love for Christ is at the core of our life and He becomes so bright in us that we radiate that love and light to others in how we live, how we talk AND walk. So much so, that we can’t help ourselves….we see a need, we desire to meet it. We see someone hurting, we endeavor to ease the pain. We act like Him….He Who was willing to model “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (John 15:13).
Maybe it's time when we ALL could enlist for being a recruit on God’s Recovery Team!
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Showing posts with label matthew 22:39. Show all posts
Showing posts with label matthew 22:39. Show all posts
Monday, January 9, 2017
God's Recovery Team -- Welcome to Oklahoma -- Birthplace of the BlizzaFloodQuakeNado
Monday, June 13, 2016
In Times of Pain and Broken Hearts.....
Yesterday morning, the media broadcasted about the horrendous tragedy in Orlando. For those of us who feel safe in our cozy and comfy homes, it seems a far stretch to understand such an assault on human life. I was endeavoring to put words together for my post today, but then I saw this moving post by Dr. Jim Denison who writes for The Dallas Morning News and The Christian Post. It really doesn't matter who he is, I think he "nailed it" when it comes to what our reaction to this tragedy should be. His comments follow:
I am writing this Cultural Commentary on Sunday morning as reports continue to come in from Orlando. At this point, we know that the Pulse nightclub tragedy is the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history. We know that the shooter has been identified as Omar Mateen and that authorities are investigating his possible ties to Islamic terrorism. I feel compelled to write this essay from my heart.
As I have watched the news reports, I have sensed the grief of our Father for His children. While Pulse is one of the best-known gay nightclubs in Orlando, Baptist ethicist Russell Moore was exactly right when he tweeted, "Christian, your gay or lesbian neighbor is probably really scared right now. Whatever our genuine disagreements, let's love and pray."
Here's how you and I can "love and pray" for Orlando right now:
One: With hearts broken as God's heart is broken. Scripture is clear: "The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit" (Psalm 34:18; see Psalm 147:3). Our Father wants us to love all our neighbors as ourselves (Matthew 22:39). If people had to be perfect to deserve our intercession, for whom could we pray? Who could pray for us? We are all broken people who need each other and our Lord.
Two: With honesty as we share the pain of those who grieve. David prayed, "Be gracious to me, O LORD, for I am in distress; my eye is wasted from grief; my soul and my body also" (Psalm 31:9). We can be this honest with God. In fact, it is biblical to pray words of anger and frustration. If Jesus could cry, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46), we can ask our questions and express our pain. The Lord already knows our hearts. He wants us to open them to Him and to each other.
Three: With hope as we trust the redemptive power of God. The psalmist proclaimed, "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way" (Psalm 46:1–2).
Whatever comes of this tragedy and others that may come in the future, our Father is still our Father. Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). He loves us as much today as when He died on the cross for us. Our Lord promises, "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you" (Isaiah 43:2). No matter how deep the river, His love is deeper still.
As he stood at the grave of Lazarus, "Jesus wept" (John 11:35). I am convinced that he weeps today over Orlando. Let us join Him now.
I am writing this Cultural Commentary on Sunday morning as reports continue to come in from Orlando. At this point, we know that the Pulse nightclub tragedy is the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history. We know that the shooter has been identified as Omar Mateen and that authorities are investigating his possible ties to Islamic terrorism. I feel compelled to write this essay from my heart.
As I have watched the news reports, I have sensed the grief of our Father for His children. While Pulse is one of the best-known gay nightclubs in Orlando, Baptist ethicist Russell Moore was exactly right when he tweeted, "Christian, your gay or lesbian neighbor is probably really scared right now. Whatever our genuine disagreements, let's love and pray."
Here's how you and I can "love and pray" for Orlando right now:
One: With hearts broken as God's heart is broken. Scripture is clear: "The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit" (Psalm 34:18; see Psalm 147:3). Our Father wants us to love all our neighbors as ourselves (Matthew 22:39). If people had to be perfect to deserve our intercession, for whom could we pray? Who could pray for us? We are all broken people who need each other and our Lord.
Two: With honesty as we share the pain of those who grieve. David prayed, "Be gracious to me, O LORD, for I am in distress; my eye is wasted from grief; my soul and my body also" (Psalm 31:9). We can be this honest with God. In fact, it is biblical to pray words of anger and frustration. If Jesus could cry, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46), we can ask our questions and express our pain. The Lord already knows our hearts. He wants us to open them to Him and to each other.
Three: With hope as we trust the redemptive power of God. The psalmist proclaimed, "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way" (Psalm 46:1–2).
Whatever comes of this tragedy and others that may come in the future, our Father is still our Father. Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). He loves us as much today as when He died on the cross for us. Our Lord promises, "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you" (Isaiah 43:2). No matter how deep the river, His love is deeper still.
As he stood at the grave of Lazarus, "Jesus wept" (John 11:35). I am convinced that he weeps today over Orlando. Let us join Him now.
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