A Fire. A Journal. A Blessing

A few days ago, my daughter sent me this text message: “Do you know when the fire in our home was?” Of course, she could ask me that because she knows about my daily journal writing. It’s a routine that I’ve been quite consistent with for decades. I write about significant details of my day, notable happenings of my family and little nuggets from God in our time together during my devotions. Staci was asking that question because a couple who was at their church the next Sunday after the fire and heard their “victory” testimony of God’s amazing grace, asked for the date. It was a pivotal story for that couple. It touched their lives so much that they starting looking at life differently – with gratitude in the midst of chaos and disappointment.

On this day, when Staci asked about that specific horrific, yet victorious day, I was able to go right to my 2002 journal because I remembered it was when Payton was two years old and Alexia was 9 months old. We received the call that their garage and home in Prosper, TX were on fire. It was a 4-alarm fire caused by a squirrel eating through electrical wires and when they switched on their lights, it ignited the fire. Their home was unliveable because of so major damage.

We lived in Tulsa and we headed right out to retrieve the little ones. My husband and I kept them for two months while the home was being restored. That, of itself, made many pages in my journal! Over and over I’d comment how exhausted we were at the end of each day, but most precious to me were the words I wrote about how helpful Ron (Papa) was with the kiddos. It made me love him even more. One of these days – I’ll just sit, reminisce and re-read all my entries – but there’s no sitting for this gal right now. Too much to do and accomplish before “sitting days” set in!

Here’s the blessings that came out of what could have been a tragic day of monumental proportions. No one suffered physical harm. They were able to retrieve important original music and speaking tracks from Staci’s recordings, Larry’s college rings, Staci’s jewelry, her scrap books and treasured pictures. They ended up getting enough back from their insurance to do some major remodeling in the home that they had been wanting to do. Things that mattered were saved and other things were replaceable.

But here is the ultimate, best news. People were watching them and how they handled a crisis. God gave Staci a song as she sat on the curb while watching her home burning. She experienced the peace of God that passed understanding. I called her and asked her to give me those words for this blog and she sang them to me. With holy chills, I share them with you of what peace looks like in the midst of a fire or any storm:

“Thanks for the joy that You’ve given to me.
Thanks for Your love -- unconditionally.
Oh, thanks for peace in the midst of the storms.
Lord, I thank you. I thank you.
Because, You’ve been faithful, faithful to me.
Lord, You’re faithful. Your mercies I see.
And when I look back on my life,
The message is clear, You’ve been so faithful to me.”

People are watching us every day. What do we look and act like in times of crisis? How do we live our faith out loud? How do we display our faith and character when we’re pinned up against a wall? Who do we turn to in times of tribulation? I don’t know about you – but I like to think that I go to the Rock of my salvation. When all the earth around me is sinking sand, on Christ the solid Rock I stand. When I need a shelter; when I need a friend – I go to the Rock! I just couldn’t help myself. I broke into song when I was typing this! God is faithful and as we stay faith-FULL in the ups and downs of our lives – may we find the blessings in the midst of the fires, the storms, the winds and the waves -- because -- God is faithful!

My Anchor Has Holding Power

I prayed with a friend a few days ago, and out of the blue (that “blue” being heaven, I’m sure) I said: "Lord, anchor her so she doesn’t drift with the winds and the storms. May her anchor hold fast and no matter the winds and the waves, may she stand strong, unscathed and unwavering."

You see this young woman was struggling with family concerns that had her looking from a natural, going-under mindset. We all understand those times. We have winds and waves vision that doesn’t see the possibilities of a better day and outcome. We can only see that HUGE wave coming to take us down. Remember Peter when he asked to go to Jesus Who was walking on the water? Jesus told him to come and his faith got him out of the boat and, with his eyes on Jesus, he was literally walking on the water toward Him. But, then, instead of keeping his eyes on Jesus, he turned and looked at the rough waters and he began to sink. We know the beautiful ending of that story. His loving Friend, the Lord, picked him up and saved him. I’ve got to hand it to Peter. He, at least, got out of the boat!

I think we can all agree that we are in perilous times and the winds and the waves are all around. If ever we need to be sure-footed, and sure-anchored, it's today. We will fall to the pressures and concerns when we aren’t “anchored” to our “Solid Rock”. When we think of an anchor, we usually picture the heavy object that's tied to a ship that keeps it secure to the bottom of the sea. In Scripture, an anchor is used to represent God and faith -- that which keeps us steadfast and gives us hope during the trials and storms of life. Hebrews 6:19 tells us that it is our hope that is the "anchor for our soul".

God provides Himself as our anchor so sure that no storm can overwhelm us. An anchor brings “comfort” to sailors because it gives them assurance that they’re not completely at the mercy of the elements. And our Anchor gives us assurance that we aren’t at the mercy of our circumstances. Believe me. I’ve been at the mercy of the storms -- feeling hopeless. But when I grab hold of my Anchor -- and hold fast to Him as He holds fast to me, I find my peace and confidence.

God is our HOPE ANCHOR. Hebrews 6:19 " We have this HOPE as an ANCHOR for the soul, firm and secure." His anchor draws us to Him for peace, joy, comfort, refuge, balance, security, wisdom and all those other "necessities" that cause us to be strong-footed and tethered to THE ROCK that keeps us unwavering in our hope and faith. Today I pray that you are anchored in God so that you don't drift with the winds and the storms. May your Anchor hold fast and no matter the winds and the waves, may you stand strong, unscathed and unwavering. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen!

HELP! If You Have a Great Passage – Send it my Way!

When we are far removed from the turmoil and fear that others go through during storms, tornadoes, torrential rains and now flooding, we pray and give positive thoughts and hopes for them, but still, we’re not in the middle of it. It's not touching us, so we go on about our business.

But this is Oklahoma, where our roots were for over 38 years, so my heart naturally gravitates to my friends and family there. Social media gives us visuals that tenderize our hearts. This photo is of Skiatook, OK (near Tulsa) that is under water right now. The relentless rain has raised the river and lake waters and can’t hold back the deluge. My friend’s drug store is under water. My sister and brother-in-law were helping to evacuate some of their employees because the flood waters are expected to cover their homes and more rain is on the way. Reports are that never has there been flooding so serious as is expected.

I saw a frantic FB post two days ago from a Tulsa friend. Her children were in the middle of the storm. She tagged me in her message. This is an excerpt of this desperate mom: “I can’t even keep tabs on them all, 40 plus tornadoes since Friday, now all over the State of Oklahoma -- homes lost, lives lost, flooding everywhere. Almost to the top of our bridges. Now time to be prepared to go down into our fraidy hole, again! I will be up all night now worrying about all our loved ones/friends and complaining it may seem, but I'm actually just venting and fear-filled, so please guys, pray for Oklahoma! Donna Wheat Wuerch if you have a great passage/message, please send it my way, Thank you and GOD BLESS AMERICA!”

Bless her heart. I did pray. The fact she called out my name put me on the spot of prayer and encouragement. I am humbled and honored that she called out my name while she was calling out God’s name. This is some of my response to her and it is my response to you today because you may be in a physical or spiritual storm and you need words of encouragement too:

“Oh, yes, sweet girl, I know those concerns. We lived in Oklahoma for 40 years and am well acquainted with storms and tornadoes. We knew those violent winds. I remember those times of concern when we went to our safe place in the middle of our home many times. It can be scary but we always trusted and placed confidence in God. We would speak to the storm, "In the name of Jesus, be gone!" I recalled scriptures like this one: "But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in Him." (Jeremiah 17:7) As Jesus did, we spoke to the storm "Peace be still!" And then we'd hover until the storm passed over. Eventually, it did. It's a huge test of our faith to be in a storm and trust in God, but it's those times, we have nothing left to do but to hunker down and trust in His mighty hand. Sweet girl, let peace in the storm be yours. God was always faithful to us and He will be to you, too! I pray for "cease and desist" to those storms now, in the mighty name of Jesus! I read your words: "I will be up all night now worrying…” Precious girl, worrying gets you nowhere, but praying God's Word, believing in His faithfulness and being confident that He is with you and your family gets you somewhere. Here are some to pray:

~ Nahum 1:7 "The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him."
~ Psalm 107:29 "He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed."
~ Psalm 91:1-2 "Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”
~ Isaiah 41:10 "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God."
~ Isaiah 26:3 "I will keep Him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Me."
~ Matthew 8:26 "He replied, 'You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm."

Stand strong for you and your family. Be the faith-talker, God-can-do-anything, nothing-is-impossible-for-Him, mighty woman of God you know you are! God’s peace be with you. Love you much. <3

Dear Jesus, wrap your loving arms around these families and bring a peace that is unexplainable and unending. I pray that a DIVINE sense of your presence invades their hearts and homes right now. Thank you for bringing light and hope to their lives. Thank you for the safety of my family and friends today. In Jesus' mighty name I pray, Amen!

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.

Solid Rock Foundation

"And the wolf huffed and puffed and blew the house down." That's a line from "The 3 Little Pigs", a children's story where one little pig built his house with straw, another built his house with sticks and the third built his house with bricks. We all know the story -- the first two pigs' house fell because of the weak construction, but the 3rd pig, because he built his house using bricks, saved the day for all 3 pigs -- especially when the wolf couldn't blow that house down, but determined to go through the chimney to get the 3 little pigs, only to jump into a pot of boiling water. He ran away and never returned.

That story always comes to mind when the boys and I start working on their Gingerbread Houses. After a couple of years of really iffy construction and those walls and that roof just wouldn't stay together, I one-upped the directions. Instead of using the icing for the mortar....this year I used Gorilla Wood Glue! Alas, this year we had uneatable, but most certainly, a solid structure. This last photo is one that my nephew posted -- the easiest-to-build Ginger-Bread House ever! LOL!

Speaking of solid construction, in Matthew 7:24-27, Jesus was sharing about how, if we build our lives on His proof-positive-for-success teachings, and adhere to them, we'd be like the man who built his house on solid rock. The rains, floods, and winds came, but the house stood because it was built firmly on the solid rock. Unlike the "shifty" guy who built his house on shifting sand....the things of this world....the house succombed to the elements, and the house fell.

I'm convinced the fast track to our ultimate success in this new year, is to hear and do the words of our Master Carpenter -- and build on the SOLID ROCK. While we'd like to think that this 2017 year will be storm-free, it's quite unlikely that it will be -- whether it be a literal storm that can damage or destroy our home, a storm that comes with a challenging illness, or a time of great financial or relationship stress. Bottom line -- a good foundation is essential, for buildings AND for our lives. It's inevitable....the storms will come. Just as a tornado can come up out of nowhere to buffet a building, problems and tragedies can arise unexpectedly in the happiest lives. But, those who build their lives on a firm foundation, will take the storms in stride.

We've, personally, encountered some devastating storms, but those storms only proved the stability of our faith's foundation. We'd say in the toughest times, "I'm not sure how we're still standing, but we're still trusting in God, and there is peace in His presence in this storm, and we will come through this storm stronger." And, we did.

As I send out my best wishes, prayers, and thoughts to all of my FB friends and family for the most blessed new year EVER, I'm also sending out the "how to" message of weathering the storms. If we start this year out with putting God first and foremost in our lives, ONLY trusting in Him and His Word, we'll be standing on the sure foundation that never fails. I sing these words today for you and me from an old hymn written in 1834, "On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand." If this author penned those words before electricity was invented, and before all the conveniences and technology we know, how much more applicable are they to us in a "shifting" world today.