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!

What Storms Threaten Your Life Today? Praise Him in the Storm!

Here I am – comfy, cozy, warm, dry, safe and sound – while so many people on the East coast are reeling from the devastation of Hurricane Matthew. More tornadoes, more surges of over 9 feet, power lines down and no power for hundreds of thousands of people. And then seeing the thousands of people in Haiti, who had so little in shelter and comfort anyway, who lost what little they had.

Living in Oklahoma, where tornadoes can be abundant and seeing the loss of homes, precious loved ones lost, and then the thought of rebuilding in those areas brings trepidation – “What if it comes again?”

Sincerely, our thoughts and prayers go out to anyone in harm’s way today – whether here, there, or in places and countries of turmoil and risking their lives on a daily basis. Our awareness of hurting people becomes even stronger in times like this. And our need to pray for their peace, comfort and resilience becomes heightened.

There will always be storms in our lives. It’s predictable – whether they are from the forces of natural disasters, those that come from raging battles and wars, or from those that come from the pain of broken relationships, disappointments or the discomfort of illness and loss of loved ones. But 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 THE SON, Who is always shining in our lives.

Last night I watched a news report where a group of people in Nassau, Bahamas, with their church destroyed, still praising God in the middle of the storm. In my own life and those who put their trust in The Almighty…..know that homes can be rebuilt, healing will come to families and life will carry on once again, because we KNOW the Prince of Peace, who brings peace and comfort and joy once again. We will carry on -- and we'll even find the beauty that is found, even in tragedy. Yes, we may not know what our future holds.....but we do know, WHO holds our future.

Maybe life seems overwhelming to you today in the storms you may be in. I've been there..... and each time that I found myself in places like that, I found my answers, my peace and my comfort in the One who is the Rock, and I realize those overwhelming circumstances were ultimately for my good....because they drew me to the Source of answers, the stable foundation, my shelter and my SOLID ROCK. I urge you to go there for your place of refuge today In Jesus' words to the tremendous storm where the disciples were reeling in fear and despair, we pray He speaks to the storms in our world today "Peace, be still". In the meantime, let's PRAISE HIM in the storm!

Lean on ME

Yesterday, I posted about getting ourselves off our minds, and to understand why God placed us here -- at this time and this place. What if He has us here for a bigger-than-life purpose -- to be here as His messengers and His hands and heart extended to others?

A year ago, this week, devastating tornadoes hit Moore, OK and hundreds of homes and lives were taken. As tragic as it was, the outpouring of love and the real tangible ways that communities, organizations and people stepped up to make a difference in those hurting people's lives -- displayed the beauty that comes when we care and take action beyond our own circumstances. Not just in the most crtical times, but everyday, people are experiencing tremendous pain and hurt in ways beyond what we can imagine, and I think about those who step up to help in untold ways that express God's hands extended to them.

If you are one of those messengers who heed the call of God's dispatcher, I just want to say "THANK YOU" for being, doing, and living St. Francis' words "Preach the Gospel at all times.....and sometimes, use words!" May God bless you for loving and caring and BEING that Good Samaritan and that friend, brother, and sister to those who need you. I'm thanking God for your heart of compassion. You know why you are here, and you're making the world a better place.