Hurricanes

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. Colossians 2:6‭-‬7 NIV

For the past few days, all of Florida has watched as Hurricane Irma set the whole state in her sights. Not knowing what the full impact might be, we prepped as best we could, from stocking water and canned goods, filling up on gas, charging every electronic we own, to evacuating if in vulnerable areas. We packed important papers, dusted off our insurance policies, grabbed cash and clothes, and hunkered down...waiting.

As we watched Irma come through, trees swayed, roads flooded, oceans roiled, and bays overflowed. Although there is considerable damage from flooding and high winds, Floridians learned a thing or two since Hurricane Andrew in 1992. Structures built since then withstood the high winds better than older ones. We learned to build homes and other structures that can hold up in inclement weatber, specifically hurricanes. We've rooted ourselves in knowledge, strengthening our homes against disaster. In the process, we have learned how to help each other in times of need. Understanding what the aftermath of a storm can be, we can be of greater assistance.

We can't give what we don't have which is why we should learn more about Jesus every day, learning his teachings and passing them on. Rooting ourselves in our faith, we can withstand the winds of the world when the storms come. We can also help others in times of need. To do this we must spend time in God's word, in prayer, and in practicing our faith. It is then we can be grounded and ready for anything.

We know storms will be coming. Do you have a plan? Are you prepared and grounded in Jesus?

The Bucket List

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. Romans 8:1‭-‬2 NIV

Last night I was looking for a movie to watch on Netflix and found 'The Bucket List' with Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson. I had heard bits and pieces about the movie but has never seen it. From the trailers it looked to be a comedy and I was expecting something along the lines of 'Wild Hogs'. Well, that's not exactly true. The movie was poignant and well done. Both men faced cancer. Both were given less than a year to live. It was how they faced the mortal news that was the premise of the movie. Two unlikely strangers faced their final days together, doing things they never thought they'd do. It was as if they were attempting to set themselves free of the death sentence by ignoring it. Or maybe they hoped for a miracle that by living so freely they could beat the disease that was eating them alive.

I believe that as humans we know we are mortal but we don't think about it much. We spend our days trying to free ourselves from the law of death. We eat right. We exercise. We take care when working with power tools. We don't walk under ladders. We don't drink to excess. We do all this hoping to squeeze a few more years out of this life.

But our attempts are vain. We have an expiration date. Well, our physical bodies do. In order to preserve our souls for eternity, we must believe in the one who has set our spirit free from death. Free from sin. Free from eternal separation from God. Jesus offered up himself so that we might live forever. Sure we might be sad that our life hete is ending. People will mourn our passing. I think I will miss my family. But I will see them again because our God has conquered death so that we might live forever with him.

So no matter how much time you might have left, put God first on your bucket list.

The Least of These

In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ” Acts 20:35 NIV

What a perfect verse for today. The world has been watching as Hurricane Irma churned its way to be the strongest cyclone on record. She comes on the heels of Hurricane Harvey that devastated Houston and other parts of Texas. A great many people have lost everything, some have even lost loved ones. We have seen the news as Florida has been making preparations over the past week where people could not just up and leave. All they have will be wiped away by wind and rain. There were some who are unable to leave on their own accord, whether elderly or disabled, or even without the proper resources. For a family struggling to pay bills, there's no money for extra gas and supplies, or for a hotel if they evacuate. Where will they go?

For many, Hurricane Irma will be a defining moment in their lives. And because of this, right now in Osceola County, staff members and volunteers of the Osceola Council on Aging have set up their special needs shelter, put out the cots and linens, fired up the kitchen and generators, and laid in supplies. They are manning the shelter around the clock for the most vulnerable citizens. In Tallahassee, staff members of local community service agencies went out on foot ensuring those who have no shelter know that a storm is coming and where the shelters are that they can seek refuge. All across Florida, first responders and emergency personnel are stocked and ready to go, working 12 hour shifts around the clock to ensure no one gets left behind. As we sit and wait to see what Irma does and how much impact she will have on our little town, I marvel at how much advance preparedness there was this time. No one was taking chances. As the old saying goes - prepare for the worst and hope for the best.

But in all this, people are helping people in need. Helping the least of these - the sick, the weak, the elderly, the disabled, the low income. These are disproportionally impacted by disasters and it is to these that Jesus called to his followers to help. The healthy person doesn't need a doctor, the sick person does. At least that's the way my dad always said it. He meant that we should help those that need help if we are able.

So in your preparations, remember there are people who will need help. Be kind. Be compassionate. Be patient. And most of all, remember that it is more blessed to give than to receive.

Desperately Seeking Something

One thing I ask from the Lord , this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple. Psalm 27:4 NIV

A lot of people are asking the Lord for lots of things right now. Safety from the storm. Capacity to rebuild after. Safety while travelling. Resources to prepare. Grace and strength for those suffering loss. These are just immediate needs that we ask help for from a divine power. We are almost helpless in some situations and we know there is no other way out except to get through it, which requires help from God.

David knew this all too well. He knew heartache. He suffered loss. Which is why his songs and prayers have a depth and range of human emotions that we can relate to. Yet through all this, he did not ask God for divine intervention in his struggles. He asked simply to be able to dwell with God for eternity. Why? To gaze at God's beauty. David knew the ugliness of human existence. He longed to look into the face of his savior forever.

His request is so simple yet so profound. It makes me almost ashamed of what I asked God to help me with today. But God cares about our earthly existence because he has a plan for us. And while he works in us, we should want to seek after him. In our seeking, we begin to see what he sees. In seeing that, we understand what he wants and it becomes our want. It is then we find true peace.

Be a seeker of God. Be a seeker of his temple.

Heed the Call

And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’ Acts 2:21 NIV

What a perfect verse. Of course, God always has the right word at the right time. It's up to us to apply it to our lives. In the wake of Hurricane Harvey and in anticipation of Hurricane Irma, troops and relief efforts mobilize to ensure public safety during and after the storm, in addition to settle in for the long rebuilding period.

Unfortunately, these storms are unpredictable and devastating, especially for those who are vulnerable. We can prepare all we want and it could still not be enough. True, most will be physically safe, even if they lose their homes or businesses. And rescue personnel will do all they can to help people be safe.

But the truth is tbey won't be able to save eberyone. This is a reality we must accept, if even reluctantly. There is simply not enough manpower or preparation that can be 100% fool proof, allowing 100% citizen safety. Exacerbating this is the fact that not all people listen and respond to calla to evacuate. They refuse to leave their homes, or they simply cannot.

But God. I love that phrase..but God. God will save everyone...everyone that comes to him, that calls on him. All who believe will be given eternal life. He wants no one left behind and he has infinite resources to ensure your eternity with him. All you must do is heed his call. Evacuate from your sinful life, the one without God. Leave the darkness even though the light may be strange and new at first. The reward is worth it.

So in this hurricane season, if you are in the storm's potential path, be safe. And for everyone, call on the one who can save you with 100% certainty.

Do Good

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10 NIV

Just like you, I have seen the photo going around taken during Hurricane Harvey. Amid the destruction and chaos, a man rescues a woman and her baby. He carries her through the flood waters to safety as she's cradling her infant. Much has been said about this photo, both good, bad and indifferent. Some say it's humans at their best. Others say it's the natural order of things showing a man rescuing a woman.  Others are using it in the war on gender, saying stereotypes like this are what's wrong with the world.

No matter which side of the fence you reside on, this photo is a direct physical, earthly example of this verse. We were created in God's image, endowed with his spirit to do good works among us. The verse goes so far as to say that God prepared us in advance for that task. In advance. No on the job training here. We are already trained to do good. That good includes a lot, from taking care of our families no matter how blended, to doing well at our jobs, and if the time comes, to rescue someone in need of help. I am a woman and if I see a man in need and I can help, I should. I'm not going to sit and debate my gender, race, national origin or class status. I'm going to help him because it's the right thing to do.

I also hope that if a day comes when I need help that someone will help me,  and if it's my husband who comes to rescue me, I won't see it as a patriarchal show of machismo that I had to have a man rescue me. I will view it as an act of compassion because that's what it would be. My family taking care of me. Me taking care of friends.

We are pre programmed to do good, God's handiwork, created in Jesus to do good. Then let's do good.

No Hollywood Here

Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked. Psalm 84:10 NIV

Hollywood glamorizes the high life. Money. Fame. Big houses. Fancy cars. But besides money, it all comes with a price. Multiple marriages. Addiction. Families torn apart. It's all fun and games until you find out there's a price that must be paid in the end. There are some examples of Hollywood done right, but those don't sell tabloids. It may look like crime pays, and some may even get away with it for a while, but at some point they'll lose it all.

More subtly we may be presented with situations every day. A co-worker asks us to lie for them. We do something wrong or cross someone to promote ourselves. We are given extra change back and just keep it, or walk out of the store forgetting to pay for the bag of ice on the bottom of the cart and not going back in. I'd rather pay for that ice than to know I deliberately left without paying.

I'd rather go through life with a few less "things" knowing my reward is in heaven. Life is in the details and sunsets and quiet times and babies and small blessings and family and friends and that bill that gets paid.

God is in everything and because he's in everything I want to be with him.