Winds Blow

The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit. (John 3:8 KJV)

Hurricane Dorian has definitely proven the statement that no one can tell where the wind is going to blow! I have children and grandchildren and many friends in Florida, Georgia, and in South Carolina. They all live within close proximity to the shore, so I have been avidly watching the tracking models and praying. This morning the Bahamas is suffering under great winds and may for many more hours to come as Dorian is moving at only about one mile per hour. The Grand Bahama International Airport is under five feet of water! 

The latest forecast for this morning is that Dorian will probably not make landfall on the east coast of the United States. However, that does not mean there won't be a lot of damage from the wind and water. Matthew never made landfall in Florida and it caused tremendous damage. Our home and a vehicle were damaged when the carport roof was ripped off and a tree fell on the lanais. Everything was repairable. We were more fortunate than many.  

Dorian has had everyone wondering where it will go for over a week now. Who can tell where the winds will blow! So, be prepared!

And, so it is with the Spirit. The Spirit moves in unexpected ways when we least expect. These are two things that humankind cannot control: the blowing of the wind and the movement of the Spirit of God. Regardless of the turbulence we might encounter; we know that whatever happens God is with us.

May God be with us, filling us with the Spirit of Christ, as we face every wind; every storm, that might assail us.

God's Peace - Pr. J

The Wind Blows

Flagler Beach, Florida

"The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”  John 3:8 NRSV

I was at the beach at sunset last night. The winds and the waves were really moving. The wind has been blowing pretty heavily since Hurricane Irma went through three weeks ago. There was no swimming or surfing in the Atlantic last night; but, it felt just fine. The wind will blow where and when it chooses.

And, so it is with the Spirit. The Spirit moves in unexpected ways when and where we least expect it. There are two things that humankind cannot control: the blowing of the wind and the movement of the Spirit of God. All that we can do is go with it, making the best of the experience. Regardless of the turbulence we might encounter as we ride with the winds; we know that wherever the wind blows or the Spirit moves; God has a plan; a good plan for you.

May God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit guide you in His way.

God's Peace - Pr. J

His Way Is The Right Way; Whether We Comprehend That Or Not

Street in front of our home after Hurricane Irma.

Whom did the Lord consult to enlighten him,
    and who taught him the right way?
Who was it that taught him knowledge,
    or showed him the path of understanding?
                                 (Isaiah 40:13-15 NIV)

Who can comprehend anything that the Lord has done. The question is often asked why God would let bad things happen to good people. Maybe, the question should be why does God allow good things to happen to bad people. In truth, none of us are good. Without the righteousness of Christ to cover us we are all sinful beings and deserve nothing. But, because he loves us enough to make sure that his righteousness will cover us we love him and strive to love and care for our neighbors as even God loves them.

Hurricane Irma has come and gone. My household has been truly blessed. We lost power for only a very short time. Most of my neighbors still do not have power. We still do not have water due to the very high water in the creek. Spectrum has not yet fixed the television or the internet so I have not been able to write any blogs for quite a few days. But, yesterday my granddaughter was over to clean my house and she mentioned that she didn't think Verizon was giving out hotspots to hurricane victims like they did when Matthew was around last fall. After she had gone, with nothing better to do, I checked if just maybe Verizon had gifted us with hotspots. They have. So I am back to it on my computer this morning. "Thank you, Verizon!"

Thank you, Lord! We cannot fathom His ways; but, we can be confident that He is quite aware of everything that goes on in the world; both the good and the bad, and He is with us working things out for the good. We may not be able to comprehend or know it. But, we trust that this is true. 

It is most difficult to keep up with everything that goes on in the world; let alone what God has in store for us. We know that God's thoughts or ways really are not our ways. His path is not our path. Our path would lead us to destruction. His will lead us to eternal life. 

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
    neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord.
“As the heavens are higher than the earth,
    so are my ways higher than your ways
    and my thoughts than your thoughts.

                                          (Isaiah 55:8-9)

It will continue to be difficult (impossible) for us mere mortals to understand why God would allow bad things happen to good people until we can more fully grasp the idea that we are not such good people. 

May we be the righteousness of Christ cover us. May God help us to follow in the right path; in the path that Jesus has set before us: loving him and loving and serving our neighbors in time of need.

Gods Peace - Pr. J

Shepherd's Psalm

Psalm 23 NIV

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
     He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
     he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
    for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk
    through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
    for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
    they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me
    in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
    my cup overflows.
Surely your goodness and love will follow me
    all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
    forever.

As the storms brew; whether they are hurricanes or threats of nuclear missiles or something more closely related to your personal life may we all find peace in the knowledge that God loves us and that all who trust in Him will dwell in His house forever.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Irma And Decisions

Keep me safe, my God,
    for in you I take refuge.
                                   Psalm 16:1 NIV

There are a lot of decisions to make as Hurricane Irma gets closer to Florida. Shall we evacuate before we're ordered to evacuate? If we don't, there just may not be any place left to go and there also may not be any gas left to get there. What about the pets? If we don't leave now, how will my parent with alzheimer's deal with the stress of the move to a motel room two states away or a local shelter. There are a lot of things to think about. Even if you leave you still have to ensure that you have enough food, water, and other essentials when you do return because even if the storm has passed by you may not have power or water and sadly maybe not even a home.

We live in a mobile home in an area that usually gets evacuated; but, we've pretty much made the decision to stay home as long as we can. If it looks like a Cat 3 roaring by Flagler Beach and the evacuation orders come then we will most probably go stay in a shelter. We will see where the winds decide to blow and how fast they are whipping the air, land, and sea about before we make the decision. Yes, I know we're suppose to figure out what we're going to do in advance and we have stocked up on essentials. But, I just don't want to leave home. I don't want to sit in a motel room or a shelter in Georgia or South Carolina for days on end. There's stuff to be done here. Worship has not been cancelled this Sunday and I don't plan on cancelling it. If the hurricane is upon us, don't drive. Stay where you are. But, God willing, I will be there for anyone who feels the desire or need to worship and pray.

May God keep you all safe wherever Irma may travel and may Irma head out to the very deep sea very quickly.

God's Peace - Pr. J

The Mighty Waters Will Not Reach Them

Therefore let all the faithful pray to you
    while you may be found;
surely the rising of the mighty waters
    will not reach them.
                                            (Psalm 32:6 NIV)

In time of trouble we pray. Well, not always. Sometimes, we get so caught up in the turmoil that we forget that we can go to God in prayer for comfort; for deliverance. With Hurricane Irma bearing down on the Caribbean and heading ever closer to Florida, we prepare for what might come to us. But, whether Irma decides to visit us in Flagler County or not; she will surely visit someone and so we pray for all people who will be affected by the strength of her power. We pray that God would diminish her power.

I received a prayer request from Chaplain Edward M. Reistetter of the Flagler County Sheriff's Office last night. He asked us to do what we Christians do best:  Pray. He asks that we keep in our prayers today and in the coming days the follow petitions and whatever else God places on our hearts:

"1. That Hurricane Irma weakens and causes little or no damage, flooding, etc
  2. The safety of our Sheriff Staly and his Deputies, and Bunnell and Flagler Police Departments as
  they maintain safety and order during the storm,
  3. For the safety of all First Time Responders who may intervene in perilous situations,
  4. For the safety, health, and welfare of all Flagler County Residents, and Florida State residents,
  especially the disabled and the aged,
  5. The safety for everyone's pets.
  6. Assistance to all those affected by Hurricane Irma who live in the Caribbean area,
  7. Anything else the Lord places on your heart

Let's agree in faith, knowing and believing that God does exceeding beyond what we can imagine or think!  Let's anticipate wonderful testimonies of answered prayers.

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, we ask that you guide us so that we might be filled with courage and with love so that we will think of and help all of our neighbors through and after this storm that threatens us.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Peace In The Storm

Eastern Shore of Puerto Rico

"Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in all ways. The Lord be with all of you." 2 Thess 3:16

One of the most peaceful places I have ever visited was Puerto Rico. The warm winds were blowing as they do all year. We made the journey a couple of years ago to visit a friend who was in hospice. We did not make it in time to visit him as he died before we even got on the plane. We were able to visit with his wife and sons.

In spite of the grief, there was serenity surrounding the visit. The wife, a friend of mine, is a very faithful woman. No matter what trials or tribulations she has faced over the decades, she has faced them with courage and with the peace of heart that only God can give.

Today we watch the weather as once again a mighty storm, Hurricane Irma, threatens the island as well as the many islands in the region. The winds and rain; the stirring up of the ocean will create much havoc. It is a troubling time for the people in these Leeward Islands. It may be a devastating time for not just those on the islands; but, for the people on the mainland coasts. Who can tell where that mighty wind will go!

We face many storms in life. They come and go. As we face the storms, whether they are physical or spiritual, may God grant us His peace at all times and in all ways. The Lord be with you all!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Time and Season for Change

There is a time for everything,and a season for every activity under the heavens.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 NIV

Every season brings change. People must adapt to the season. We must be prepared for every season or in the winter we will freeze; in the summer we might suffer from heat stroke. The earth itself has changed over the generations. It has not only had four seasons; but, seasons of entire climate change. There were times of great flooding. There were times of almost global drought. There was that ice age. In order to survive, people had to adapt. Recently, Hurricane Matthew came through. That called for a few weeks of doing things differently for millions of people. Change sometimes has to happen whether we are comfortable with it or happy about it. Sometimes, we have no choice; but, to reevaluate how things are done and make some changes for the well-being of all people.

The church has its seasons as well; both short term and long term. If we do not adapt, if we flat out refuse to change to meet the changes that come with each season; we may find ourselves suffering. We will leave others out in the cold to suffer and die. We may find ourselves all alone without water to sustain either our bodies or our souls. 

Change comes with growth. Growth comes with change. What was good for yesterday is not always what is good for today. What we are called to do specifically to help God's children depends on the circumstances surrounding us. What are their needs? Are they spiritual? Do they need to be lifted up at this present point in time? Maybe they need food or shelter? Maybe, their physical needs are so great that until those needs are met we cannot begin to address spiritual needs or maybe as we meet those needs their emotional and spiritual needs will also be addressed?

There is a time and a season for every purpose under heaven. May the church on earth be granted the wisdom and ability to know when and how to change with the seasons for the glory of God.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Trust His Plan For The Future

Some rebuilding required after Hurricane Matthew

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

The Israelites had been taken into captivity. Jeremiah wrote to them from Jerusalem. He sent them the word of the Lord. He encouraged to go on living in Babylon. Don't give up; build homes, grow your families; live life!  He promised that in all they had gone through and all that they would go through, God had a plan; a plan to give them hope and a future.

Sometimes, things get a whole lot worse than better. In order for us to be reconciled to our Father in heaven, there was a heavy price. His Son had to die for us. It was a dark day the day our Lord hung on the cross for us. But, without the events of that day, we would all still be living in permanent exile from our Father's Kingdom.

God has a plan; a good plan for His children. It doesn't always look or feel like it. We don't usually get to know the details of the plan. But, He is the master builder; after all, and has built for us a future that is more glorious than any of us can begin to fathom.

So no matter what happens that might cause you to feel like all is lost at times; trust Him, to build your life. Trust Him as you continue to live life in Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord. Amen.

God's Peace - Pr. J

How Majestic Is Name Of The One Who Created All Things!

Psalm 8:1-9

Lord, our Lord,
    how majestic is your name in all the earth!

You have set your glory
    in the heavens.
Through the praise of children and infants
    you have established a stronghold against your enemies,
    to silence the foe and the avenger.
When I consider your heavens,
    the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
    which you have set in place,
what is mankind that you are mindful of them,
    human beings that you care for them?

You have made them a little lower than the angels
    and crowned them with glory and honor.
You made them rulers over the works of your hands;
    you put everything under their feet:
all flocks and herds,
    and the animals of the wild,
the birds in the sky,
    and the fish in the sea,
    all that swim the paths of the seas.

Lord, our Lord,

    how majestic is your name in all the earth!

As I wandered around the Village in awe of the devastation cause by the wind and water of Hurricane Matthew, I was acutely aware of God's creation around me. Stately magnolia trees were overturned; snapped like twigs. The alligators are no where to be seen. I am not sure where they have evacuated to. And, the fish.... there have been huge swarms of fish swimming together in the creek since the storm has passed. (Okay, they're called schools; but, I like the word swarm better). Much like those fish hanging out together; were the many people God has created. Neighbors were helping neighbors as they gathered together to clean up yards or share meals cooked on a grill. It is quite amazing how God manages to pull his creation together in community in the worst of times.

God has truly created an awesome world. All things to working together for His glory. How majestic is His name in all the earth!

God's Peace - Pr. J