In Harm’s Way

Posted on September 7, 2017 by Lynn

As yet another catastrophic hurricane smashes into the Caribbean Islands on a trajectory route towards the U.S. Gulf coast once again, I am glued to the news channels.  First Hurricane Harvey and now Irma, followed closely by Jose, threaten to destroy everything in their path.  Having visited Varadero, Cuba twice, I wonder what will be left of that small resort town after Irma blows through.  There are Canadian tourists stranded there, not to mention all the wonderful people who live and work there.  My heart is heavy with worry for them all.

In Houston, the mop-up after Harvey is barely started, and they may need to brace for another wallop from Irma.  If not in Houston, then Florida can expect to take a hit.  I have friends who holiday there, Canadian Snowbirds who escape winters here to head for warmth there.  What will happen to their holiday retreats I wonder?  The economic impact of Harvey will be felt for years and I’m sure Irma’s havoc will be even more costly.

Then of course, there’s the human toll.  Frightened families who have fled or are fleeing the storms, trying to explain to terrified children why they are forced to sleep on cots in evacuation shelters, or that their homes are no longer habitable.  I cannot imagine it.  But, I have seen the resiliency of people, the heroism and bravery of first responders as well as ordinary people who have come to the aid of those who have lost so much.  I will say it again, crisis can bring about the very best in humanity.

I cling to that as I watch Irma’s rampage now.  There are already people gearing up to come to the aid of all those in need once again.  I can’t be there physically, but I can do my small part by sharing with my readers a few links to credible organizations who will act as the comforting hands and feet of Jesus to those who need it.  Please share this post with all your contacts so that they too may give generously of their time and finances to these organizations:

American Red Cross

Canadian Red Cross

Samaritan’s Purse

NAMB (North American Mission Board) Disaster Relief

SBC Disaster Relief

When you have responded financially to the people in need, then join with me to pray for those in harm’s way right now.

Dear Jesus,

I come humbly before You, asking that You calm the storms that are now spinning out-of-control in the Atlantic Ocean right now.  I pray for Your hand of protection on those people who are in harm’s way right now.  Shelter them, comfort them, and lead them to safety.  Lord, those that do not know of You, may they learn of You and experience You by seeing how Your children come to their aid.  May Christians model what it means to be a follower of Christ, even in the darkest of days or in the most tragic of times.  May we all be found faithful to lift one another up in prayer during this time.

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen.

 

 

 

Posted in Proverbs 16:9 - Journey Thoughts | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

25 Encouraging Bible Verses to Read in the Morning

Posted on September 5, 2017 by Lynn

I am a morning person.  I get most of my “to do” list done before noon, or else it doesn’t get done that day.  For me, my day begins with my morning devotions.  I usually read in Oswald Chamber’s “My Utmost for His Highest” before reading a passage of scripture in my Bible.  Then I like to journal and spend some time in prayer.  It has become a habit now, and if I miss that quiet time for some reason, I feel like I’m not as prepared for the day as I would like to be.

Do you need a morning wake-up call?  Enjoy these verses to help you strengthen your walk with God and to start each morning off right.

Psalm 5:3  “In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning  I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.”

Lamentations 3:22-23  “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.  They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”

Ephesians 6:11  “Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.”

Isaiah 50:4  “The Sovereign Lord has given me a well-instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary.  He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being instructed. “

Psalm 118:24  “The Lord has done it this very day; let us rejoice today and be glad.”

Philippians 4:6-7  “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Zephaniah 3:17  “The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves.  He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.”

1 Thessalonians 5:11  “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”

Isaiah 43:2  “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.  When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.”

Joshua 1:9  “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Matthew 5:16  “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

Proverbs 18:10  “The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.”

2 Corinthians 1:3-4  “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort,  who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”

Proverbs 3:5-6  “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

Psalm 42:5  “Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me?  Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.”

Isaiah 41:10  “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Psalm 46:1-3  “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.”

Psalm 86:13  “For great is your love toward me; you have delivered me from the depths, from the realm of the dead.”

James 1:5  “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”

Romans 12:2  “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Matthew 6:34  “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

Psalm 32:8  “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.”

Psalm 73:26  “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”

Psalm 30:5  “For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.”

Philippians 4:6-8  “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

Posted in 25 Encouraging Bible Verses - Topical | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 47 Comments

Imagine

Posted on September 1, 2017 by Lynn

John Lennon wrote an iconic song, “Imagine” in 1971.  “Imagine” was the best-selling single of his solo career, and has since been recorded by dozens of performers making it one of the most performed songs of the 20th century.  Its lyrics encourage the listener to imagine a world without the barriers of borders or the divisions of religion and nationality, and to consider the possibility that the whole of humanity could live unattached to material possessions, and just live in total peace with one another.  For a young teenager, going through a turbulent coming-of-age time, I hung on to the sentiments of that song and dreamed of the utopia that could be obtained if everyone embraced its message.

As an adult, I will admit I have become less of a dreamer and more of a pragmatist.  The world is more divided than I’ve ever seen it in my lifetime.  Hatred abounds.  There is no “freedom” of speech.  If someone has an opinion of any kind, for or against or neutral, social media bullies come out in force and hide behind their faceless, online personas and attack.  Far-left, far-right, progressives, conservatives, moderates, liberals, supremacists, or anti-anythings divide communities and nations.  Doctrine preached in the post-modern era is less and less about relationship with the God of the universe, and more about teaching congregants to conform to the world around them.  Acceptance and tolerance,  have become the catch words of this millennia.  You are immediately labeled a bigot if you  speak out against anything that counters Biblical truth.  Opinion, for or against, is met with hate-filled retribution.

It’s been a tough week.

Out of control forest fires continue to rage in Western Canada.  Thousands of people have been evacuated.  The smoke hangs heavy in the air, here on the “Ponderosa” (what we call our acreage and homestead near Cochrane).  We’ve had drought-like conditions now for months.  When it does rain, lightning strikes in the mountains ignite more fires.  Firefighters and evacuees are weary and want to go home, but the reality is that for many there are no homes to go back to.

Hurricane Harvey has lashed out its fury on the State of Texas and other communities along the U.S. Gulf coast.  The devastation is unfathomable.  The fourth largest city in the U.S., Houston, took the brunt of the storm.  I’ve seen what damage a flood can cause, having witnessed it firsthand in Calgary in 2013.  It will take years for Houston, and the other communities to recover and rebuild.  That said, a natural disaster always seems to bring out the very best in humanity.  There are stories of heroic rescues by ordinary people coming to the aid of people trapped in their homes.  It is especially interesting to note that the rescuers did not put labels on the people they rescued.  It didn’t matter what colour, race, religion, gender, age, size, ability or disability labeled you before in society…if you were a victim of the flood and needed help, you got it.  I quoted someone on Facebook:

August 29 at 11:01am ·

“America is not what happened in Charlottesville.
America is what is happening in Houston.”
#greatquote #prayforhouston #journeythoughts

The hate-filled rioting that led to the subsequent tearing down of historical monuments in Charlottesville, should not define a nation.  Helping someone in need, caring for another, showing compassion, mercy, and love, that’s what makes a nation great!  It would be wonderful if all the nations of the world remembered that without ever experiencing a devastating hurricane, flood, fire or war firsthand.  For a few days this week, the great city of Houston actually lived out the sentiments in John Lennon’s song.  In crisis, all the barriers that divide people are forgotten, all that matters is love for fellow-man.

 

 

Posted in Proverbs 16:9 - Journey Thoughts | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment