How Can We Lie Down in Green Pastures? They're Flooded

One of my go-to scriptures, especially when I’m encouraging someone who is bed-fast because of an injury or illness, is Psalm 23:1-3 “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul.” I share: “Obviously, God is wanting you to rest and lie down in His pastures (His place of restoration) so you can re-coup, be restored and refreshed. He knows your journey up ahead, and He knows what you need to go the long-haul.”

But, how can I say that to my family and friends in Oklahoma whose pastures are filled with rushing (not still) waters and even their homes are completely demolished by the tornadoes and flood waters that left little to hold onto?

Or how can I tell them to “get on the roller coaster and throw your hands up in the air and enjoy the ride” like I might say when someone is starting a long journey of medical treatments and procedures? I often describe our faith journey as a roller coaster ride -- twists and turns, and ups and down, and throwing our hands up in the air and enjoying the ride!! But, in the case of these life-altering storms, those rides are out-of-order entirely!

It’s easy to say to my precious friends and family: “Let go and let God! He is in control. Have peace in the storm! Only have faith and believe. God is for you and with you!” But I’m not in my storm shelter, hearing the storm warnings or bailing water out of my home or trying to find something of value in the remains that were left behind from the storm. My words, of themselves, are meaningless. But God’s words are life and God is life….even abundant life -- when we believe them in or out of the storm.

“I Will Praise You in the Storm” was a song written by Casting Crowns’ lead vocalist Mark Hall. It was inspired by the band's experience with a young girl who had cancer, Erin Browning. They met Erin before one of their concerts. Erin had performed a dance at her school to one of their songs. Erin died shortly after that. Hall said, "Watching Erin's mother walk through this really showed me the truth about my worship. Watching her walk through a real storm showed me that my worship was extremely situational". Hall began writing the song before Erin's death.

I, too, know devastating storms in my own life and praising God in the midst of those storms was my survival mode. The song and the lyrics, I know, will minister to those of you who have gone through recent storms or are right in the middle of them today. No matter the storms, we continue to praise our Lord because we know His promises are true and that He never leaves us. We glory in all He does for us in the storm:

I Will Praise You in the Storm
I was sure by now, God you would have reached down
and wiped our tears away, stepped in and saved the day.
But once again, I say amen; that it's still raining
As the thunder rolls, I barely hear your whisper through the rain, “I’m with you,”
And as your mercy falls, I raise my hands and praise the God who gives and takes away.
And I'll praise you in this storm, and I will lift my hands
That You are who You are, no matter where I am,
And every tear I've cried, You hold in your hand.
You never left my side, and though my heart is torn,
I will praise you in this storm.

Listen to this beautiful song and be assured that God is with you in the storm.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DoqbKyeKOBI

While we may not know what our future holds, today we can rest in the fact that we are known by the One who holds it and somewhere in the middle of that fact…..He promises to be working it all out for our good. (Romans 8:28).

Peace in the Storm

I was reviewing my daily FB “memories” yesterday and I ran across this post from eight years ago:
“Sitting in my hall bathroom -- no windows or outside walls, following the warnings of the newscasters -- surrounded by blankets and pillows -- waiting out the tornado warnings and thanking God that I'm sheltered in His arms and knowing Jesus is on board my ship! Peace.....be still!”

Yes, I’ve been there – right alongside those of you who are weathering the storms where you are today. After all – we lived in tornado alley for many years. We witnessed many tornadoes, as well as the aftermath. We watched our barn roof be taken off, trees being ripped apart, and damage to our home that backed up to Lake Keystone -- the path of the tornado. We took to our under-the-stairs closet and prayed for safety each time when the winds were at ferocious velocity. Yes, it was scary.

Also at Lake Keystone, a tornado brought devastation to our International Faith Bible College. Dad, the president of the college, and Mom heard the reports -- they were in the line of the monster twister. They made their way to the commercial shower stalls. The twister hit strong and almost leveled the entire building, save the area where Mom and Dad were standing and praying for God to be their refuge and strength. They came out without a scratch. They knew where to go in the time of trouble – to a central area in the building AND to God.

In reality, there seems to be no certainty in anything, anywhere, EXCEPT that our God is stable, secure, and is our ANCHOR that holds in spite of storms, conflicts and any other force that comes against us. We have the choice to cave and yield to the chaos and prevailing winds and storms of our life or we can take the storm by a conquering, overcoming spirit through Christ Jesus. "We are more than conquerors." (Romans 8:37). We've been notified that WE WIN and "Greater is He that is in us, than he that is in the world," (1 John 4:4) We can take the offensive position against the enemy of our souls instead of cowering down to his tactics that try to paralyze us with fear of what the storms can do to us. We can find peace in the midst of the storm by trusting in God's faithfulness.

Sincerely, our thoughts and prayers go out to those in harm’s way today. Our awareness of hurting people gets stronger in times like this and we realize the need and urgency to pray for their peace, comfort, and resilience. We know that homes can be rebuilt. Healing will come and life will carry on once again as they place their trust in the Prince of Peace, Who brings peace and comfort and joy once again. We will all carry on -- and we'll even find the beauty that is found, even in tragedy.

Maybe life seems overwhelming to you today. I've been there. Each time I was there, I found my answers in the One Who is our Solid Rock. I came to realize that the overwhelming circumstances were ultimately for my good because they drew me to my Source of all answers and my Solid Rock. I urge you to go to Him today. In Jesus' words to the tremendous storm when the disciples were reeling in fear and despair, we pray He speaks to the storms in our lives today: "Peace, be still". In the meantime, let's praise Him in the storm!

Goodness and Mercy in the Storm

Goodness and Mercy in the Storm
I love to share about God’s goodness and mercy that follows us all the days of our lives (Psalm 23:6) but then comes along another storm or battle that rocks and reels our world again. So many people in the Florida Panhandle are facing “life AFTER the devastation from Hurricane Michael”. The National Weather Service reported it to have been the third-strongest storm ever to strike the U.S., calling it a catastrophic and unprecedented event.

It's a cinch to speak "goodness and mercy" from my place of comfort, security, and safety this morning. I could go on my merry way and not give a second thought to those precious people who are suffering and are reeling from this disaster. But I can’t. How could I be so callous to not consider those whose homes are destroyed or at the very least are dealing with damages that will take a long time to restore. Our awareness of hurting people should be even stronger in times like this as well as the urgency to pray for their peace, comfort, and resilience. We should also be praying for first responders, emergency relief organizations and those who are providing love and support in tangible ways.

I don't take my comfort for granted because I’ve been through some mighty serious storms in life, and in weather. In fact, I could be right here in the comfort of my home and still be reeling from storms that could be in and around me. I could be completely lost and hopeless -- longing for inner peace and rest in my soul. How grateful I am that I found that God's goodness and mercy did follow me in those times because 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.

There will always be storms in our lives. It’s predictable whether they are from the forces of natural disasters or those from the pain of broken relationships, disappointments, discomfort from illness or loss of loved ones. In all those storms, no matter what comes our way, there is only one Constant that can carry us through each and every storm. We can be hope-filled conquerors because our trust is in God, our Good Shepherd Who promised His goodness and mercy to be with us.

Maybe life seems overwhelming from the storms you may be in today. I've been there and each time I found my answers, my peace and my comfort in the One who is our Good Shepherd. I realize those overwhelming circumstances drew me to the Source of answers, the stable foundation, and my shelter in the storm. I urge you to go there for your place of refuge today. I pray that Jesus' words to the disciples as they were reeling in fear and despair are His words to calm you today: "Peace, be still". In the meantime, let's PRAISE HIM in the storm! And, may His goodness and mercy follow you all the days of your life.

Peace is Possible….Even in the Midst of a Storm

In my post, yesterday, I mentioned that maintaining peace is what I protect the most. I do my best to stir clear of conflict and if, by chance, that I do encounter some less than peaceful moments, I just ease in closer to my Prince…..of Peace. Since I know that Jehovah Shalom, my God of peace, is also my Prince of Peace, I purposely stay connected to Him throughout my day. Every day we are given the opportunity to lose our cool and our temper and when we LOSE, we also lose our peace.

Buddy (the Wallace family dog) and I take early morning walks. You’d be pleasantly surprised to see, smell and feel the peace that’s found in those early morning hours. I’m reminded of an old song called “In the Garden”. The lyrics went like this: “I come to the garden alone, while the dew is still on the roses, and the voice I hear, falling on my ears, the Son of God discloses. And, He walks with me and He talks with me, and He tells me I am His own. Oh, the joy we share, as we tarry there. None other has ever known!” Yes, that’s the way I feel when I’m in my Prince of Peace’s presence. For several days, in a row, we’ve encountered doves and each time, I’m reminded they symbolize peace, which reminds me of God’s peace. I welcome Him.

There's not a promise in the Bible that says we will be free from troubles, but God promises something better. He promises peace in the midst of our storms. In the fiercest of battles, while the storm is at its strongest, the trusting soul can know inward peace and tranquility. There can be a deep down calm and quiet confidence. PERFECT peace is a condition of freedom from disturbance within the soul. The Hebrew word for peace, "Shalom," has the idea of soundness of health. Being filled with spiritual peace is to be spiritually healthy and free from all discord in the soul. There is no room for jealousy, envy, discontentment, uncontrolled temper, selfishness, pride, intolerance, harsh criticism, fear of anxiety, in the soul that is filled with peace.

My photo inspiration, today, gives visual to this PERFECT peace, and so does the story that accompanies it.

There once was a King who offered a prize to the artist who would paint the best picture of peace. The King looked at all the pictures, but there were only two he really liked. One was of a calm lake. It was a perfect mirror for peaceful towering mountains were all around it. Overhead was a blue sky with fluffy white clouds. All who saw this picture thought that it was a perfect picture of peace. The other picture had mountains, too. But these were rugged and bare. Above was an angry sky from which rain fell, in which lightening played. Down the side of the mountain tumbled a foaming waterfall. This picture did not look peaceful at all. But when the King looked, he saw behind the waterfall a tiny bush growing in a crack in the rock. In the bush, a mother bird had built her nest. There, in the midst of the rush of angry water, sat the mother bird on her nest ... PERFECT peace. Which picture do you think won the prize?

The King chose the second picture. Do you know why? "Because," explained the King, "peace does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble, or hard work. Peace means to be in the midst of all those things and still be calm in your heart. That is the real meaning of peace."

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." John 14:27

"I have told you all this so that you may have 'peace' in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world." - John 16:33

Enough said. I wish you this PERFECT PEACE today!

What is PERFECT Peace?

A couple of weeks ago, I awoke with the words "perfect peace" going on in my mind. I'm always quoting Isaiah 26:3 "You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you."  I don't think I've ever thought about PERFECT peace before.  What is PERFECT peace?

I did a little word study and this is what I found. When that Isaiah 26:3  promise was given, Israel was in a dark period of her history. Now, it helps us during this time when we are surrounded by gloom, doubt, fear and worry. When all is going well, it's easy to read a promise like this in a very superficial way, but when clouds of trial, disappointment, anxiety and alarm blow across our skies and the sun is hidden, these words become very precious to us.

There's not a promise in the Bible that says we will be free from troubles, but God promises something better. He promises peace in the midst of the storm.  In the fiercest of battles, while the storm is at it’s height, the trusting soul can know inward peace and tranquility. There can be a deep down calm and quiet confidence.  PERFECT peace is a condition of freedom from disturbance within the soul.  The Hebrew word for peace, "Shalom," has the idea of soundness of health. Being filled with spiritual peace is to be spiritually healthy and free from all discord in the soul.  There is no room for jealousy, envy, discontentment, uncontrolled temper, selfishness, pride, intolerance, harsh criticism, fear of anxiety, in the soul that is filled with peace.

My photo inspiration, today, gives visual to this PERFECT peace, and so does the story that accompanies it.

There once was a King who offered a prize to the artist who would paint the best picture of peace. The King looked at all the pictures, but there were only two he really liked. One was of a calm lake. It was a perfect mirror for peaceful towering mountains were all around it. Overhead was a blue sky with fluffy white clouds. All who saw this picture thought that it was a perfect picture of peace. The other picture had mountains, too. But these were rugged and bare. Above was an angry sky from which rain fell, in which lightening played. Down the side of the mountain tumbled a foaming waterfall. This picture did not look peaceful at all.  But when the King looked, he saw behind the waterfall a tiny bush growing in a crack in the rock. In the bush, a mother bird had built her nest. There, in the midst of the rush of angry water, sat the mother bird on her nest ... PERFECT peace. Which picture do you think won the prize?

The King chose the second picture. Do you know why?  "Because," explained the King, "peace does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble, or hard work. Peace means to be in the midst of all those things and still be calm in your heart.  That is the real meaning of peace."

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."  John 14:27

"I have told you all this so that you may have 'peace' in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world." - John 16:33

Enough said.  I wish you this PERFECT PEACE today!