The roll of the wind & Typhoon Haiyan

I was sitting on the deck today, reading and I couldn't help but notice the wind.

I've said before that wind happens to be one of my favorite things. Most of the time it reminds me of a gust of refreshment and the powerful presence of God, but today the wind reminded me of something else.

 

Today the Los Angeles Times reported that more than 11 million people have been affected by Typhoon Haiyan, as well as 660,000 people are homeless. Some people have estimated that the death toll will be around 10,000 and others have guessed around 2,000. No doubt, the Philippines has experienced the most powerful storm yet.

 

Erik De Castro/Reuters

 

 

Noel Celis AFP/via Getty Images

 

 

We've experienced plenty of tropical storms here in the south, but nothing to the magnitude of Typhoon Haiyan. As I sat on the deck this morning, the wind spoke to me.

 I heard it in the distance.

I saw it through the trees.

Yet, I wasn't being affected by it.

 

I was in the calm, while others were in the storm. Just like we are in the calm over here in America, while the people of the Philippines are in the storm. Aside from actual storms, it's the same in life.

 

As I watched the leaves struggle to hang on, the branches sway to and fro, and the dirt be lifted off the ground, it made me think of the times in life when we struggle to hang on...when we sway to and fro...and when we are thrown off our feet.

 

Times of divorce, sickness, and death can feel like a storm. Either we are the ones experiencing the storm or we watching a person face that storm. Both places aren't fun places to be in. Although I didn't experience Typhoon Haiyan, it still makes my stomach hurt and heart ache to think about the emptiness, sadness and anger they must be feeling. It's not an easy place to be in.

 

Storms like these often make people question the character of God.

However, times like these are simply the reality of life.

Thankfully, these times don't last forever, even if it may feel like it.

They are followed by a time of stillness, quiet, clean up and rebirth.

 

In the still and the quiet, we are able to clean up the mess, while realizing that God did not send the wind to destroy us. He didn't send a typhoon to kill thousands of people (at least I don't think He did). You know why I think that?

God is love and I can't seem to bring myself to believe that love would kill and destroy.

 

The reality is, we are in a battle between good and evil.

Ephesians 6:10-20 says, " Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,  and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak."

 

Jesus conquered the grave already and He will bring victory once and for all, when He comes again. For right now, we are in the middle of this tug-of-war match. Sometimes the bad wins, but in the end, good conquers. Jesus is the one who is walking with us in the these storms and lends a hand to pick us up. He is in the business of rebirth and redemption. Just like Apostle Paul says in Ephesians, we must put on the armor of God and stand firm in His promises. Like the trunk of a tree and the ground that is holding it in place, God's promises can ground us through the wrestling of the wind.

 

Hard times will come. The roll of the winds will break and we'll be able to catch our breath and receive peace. Our thankfulness for the quiet times becomes magnified and if we never faced the roll of the wind, we would take the calming times for granted. The gusts of wind sometimes force us to cling to God our vine, look toward hope, and appreciate the quiet times even more.

 

Lets pray for those around us who are in the middle of a storm, as well as our brothers and sisters in the Philippines. Let us also pray that we have strength to stand firm and remember God's presence in our lives even when a storm rolls through.

 

Bible reading plan this week:

 Jeremiah 35-52

 

Carry the hurt

 

Illness. Death. Depression. Financial issues. Divorce. Disappointment. Loss.

We've all we've been burdened by one of those or maybe all of them.

I think it's safe to say we're hurting people.

 

Lately, I've read a lot about people suffering including Christians. I think some people think that Christians live an easy, happy life, but the truth is, everyone faces hard times. Christians just realize that they have a Savior they can lean on. 2 Corinthians 4:8-10 says, "We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body."

 

Not only have I read about suffering people, I know suffering people. Not only do I know suffering people, I see suffering people. People on the corners with signs crying out for help. People in hospitals wishing they were anywhere but there. People counting out pennies just to get food for their family. People in their homes yearning for a loved one to be with them.

 

For all these people, my heart hurts for them especially for my friends, Alisa and Jaime. It seems like holidays only make this hurt intensified and I just wish I could take it away. Although I can't take it away, God tells me that I can do something..."Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ," Galations 6:2.

 

Angie Smith talks about this verse in her book, Mended. The Greek word for burdens is "baros" which is translated into "heaviness, weight, burden, trouble". She says, "Baros is the type of weight that is only of this world - the difficulties that come from living in a fallen world as a fallen person and with fallen people. It includes a sense of weight that is burdensome." It's crazy how Christmastime brings joy, but a lot of times we experience a heaviness. Is your heart heavy for someone right now?

 

Christmas is often labeled as the "season for giving". I think we should be giving throughout the whole year, but anyway, if you know someone who is suffering right now, share their burden with them. I know that may not sound like a fun time, but it's what we are called to do. You may not have money to give or a spectacular gift, but you can give them your time, a listening ear, and a prayer. It's okay to feel heavy for someone. God gave us emotions for a reason. He has given us experiences for a reason too. Maybe you can relate to someone who is suffering right now.

 

2 Corinthians 1:3-8 says, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ. But if we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; or if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which is effective in the patient enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer; and our hope for you is firmly grounded, knowing that as you are sharers of our sufferings, so also you are sharers of your comfort."

 

With that being said, reach out to those who are hurting right now.

Share your experiences. Give your love. Offer up prayer.

They will be comforted and you will too.

 

Today's scripture for the year long reading plan was 2 Corinthians 1-4. Yesterday's was 1 Corinthians 15-16. If you would like the full plan check it out here or shoot me an email and I'll send it to you!

 

Joy abounds

Pastor Nathan's sermon today was called "Joy Abounds".

I've talked about joy before, but his sermon was so good, I have to share.

 

Before Pastor Nathan got deep into the details, he wanted to make sure that we all knew what joy is...exceeding gladness. It can't be forced, but just happens. It's not a shallow happiness, but a deep happiness that comes from our souls and overflows. True joy comes from God and only God.

 

The main point that stood out to me was, "Joy is not the result of proper circumstances. Joy is the result of the right response to the Lord of our circumstances." Read that again because it's important. He continued with the example of Mary, Jesus' mother. She was a young girl, whom an angel visited and said she would give birth to the son of God even though she was a virgin. She wasn't married at the time, but was marrying another man who was not the father of the baby. Culturally, it wasn't a good circumstance to be facing. However, she responded with obedience and she found joy. Luke 1:46-49 says, "And Mary said: 'My soul exalts the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. For He has had regard for the humble state of His bondslave; For behold, from this time on all generations will count me blessed. For the Mighty One has done great things for me; and holy is His name."

 

This made me think of my friends, Alisa and Jaime. In case you don't know their story, check it out here. They gave birth to their precious son this past Friday. Because of the the baby's fatal birth defect, they were given the option of abortion, but they quickly declined. They knew that God had given them a baby despite the many doctors who said she would be unable to get pregnant. They couldn't stand the thought of ending their baby's life so they decided to make the most of their time with their baby. They went to soccer games, basketball games, carved pumpkins, and went to see Santa...things that you would do with your child outside of the womb. Alisa knew it was risky to carry, but she was going to anyway because she felt that's what God wanted her to do. Doctors were unsure if London would be alive by the time Alisa would be awake from the anethesia, so that was a case for worry. Guess what?! Baby London came, spent 71 minutes here on Earth (more than what was expected for the circumstances) AND he got to spend time with his mommy while she was awake.

 

71 minutes doesn't seem like a lot of time, but it was more than expected. Looking at pictures of their special moments, I could tell that although it has been a difficult time, Alisa and Jaime had so much joy during those 71 minutes. I can't imagine being in their position. I know they have shed some tears of sorrow since their baby boy is no longer with them, but I know they have shed tears of joy because of their gift from God. They've also found joy in that God revealed Himself through their situation to thousands and thousands of people. God chose them to be the parents of London...a boy who would show people all around the world what faith looks like. His parents have put their trust in God's will despite their circumstances. To me, that is true faith...obeying God even through the hard times and trusting that His will is better than ours.

 

quote from Jaime

 

I have cried and cried for my dear friends, but I've also been in amazement....amazed by their strength, faithfulness, and most importantly, how God has moved through this situation. Pastor Nathan said, "Your faith can only grow through suffering." I agree with him from first hand experience and I know they would agree too. No doubt, this has been extremely difficult for them, but I do believe that they have and will experience joy because they responded to the Lord of their circumstances in the proper way...trusting and loving Him no matter what.

Please continue to pray for Alisa and Jaime as this is still a very difficult time.

 

 

If you are facing a hard time and you just don't understand why, trust in God.

Know that He is strengthening you through the hurt and the pain. 

Respond to Him in the proper way...obedience, submission and love.

We live in a tough, sinful world, but God is bigger.

 He can work through those times and strengthen our faith in Him.

He reminds us that we will face roadblocks, but He can get us through.

Life isn't easy, but He has bigger and better things in mind for us (not to mention, a perfect paradise in Heaven for all eternity) when we believe in Him.

 

Check out this song, "My soul magnifies the Lord"



Day 19 In Him we find...

 

You know how news reporters like to say "hunker down" or "find shelter" when broadcasting about a hurricane? Even if you haven't experienced an actual hurricane, I'm sure your life has been windy and rough at times. I'm sure you've just wanted to escape and run for cover.

 

Psalm 46:1 says, "God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change And though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea ; Though its waters roar and foam, Though the mountains quake at its swelling pride. Selah. There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, The holy dwelling places of the Most High. God is in the midst of her, she will not be moved ; God will help her when morning dawns." I think that paints such a pretty picture. I picture people hiding under God, taking cover from all the havoc around them. He's not a flimsy roof with thin walls, but a strong, concrete roof with concrete walls, where nothing can bring it down. Everything outside of the shelter is rough, but everything inside the shelter is calm because it is safe from all harm. Ah I love it.

 

In Him we find refuge.

 

Today's scripture for the read-your-Bible-in-a-year plan is Acts 1-3.

Day 18 In Him we find...

 

If you don't know, my whole motto behind my blog is about being transformed and renewed, especially during hard times. If you don't know my story, check it out here and my post everything happens for a reason . I think there are times in our lives where restoration is needed. It may take a trial to shake us and to wake us up or maybe we just need a new day to realize that we need a change. We can try a new diet or exercise plan in attempt to transform our bodies, but can they even come close to touching our souls? When a new year rolls around, we are so quick to change our outer bodies, but what about what's inside? We can try setting new goals or making a career change or go to counseling, but even when we do that, are we really being transformed as people?

It's when we realize that we aren't god and truly in need of a savior, when our lives can be transformed. Like I said, sometimes it may take a lot to get to that point and even then, the transformation is not over. You see, God is in the transformation business. When we come to that point of throwing our hands up, God is ready to take all that we are dealing with. It can be some messy stuff, but that won't stop God from using it for His glory. He likes to make BIG statements. During this act of trusting God, He can open our eyes to much more than we ever could imagine. Instead of letting the bad stuff get you down, let God transform you through it. The transformation doesn't stop either. After the initial transformation, God continues to transform and refine as His servants.

 

Whatever you've done or gone through, He can make you new. That might sound familiar...yep, it's at the top of my blog. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, "If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, the old has gone, the new has come." Nothing is too big for Him. Ecclesiastes 3:11 says, "He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end." Even when you give it up to God, things may not make sense, but hold on, things will come together. I've said it before and I'll say it again...no matter where you've been or what you've done, God can make you new. He is a forgiving God and He wants you to trust Him with your life. When we trust Him, we become vessels to show His glory.

In Him we find transformation.

Please, please, pretty please check out this song by Tenth Avenue North, "You Do All Things Well" You won't regret it.

If you are journeying through the Bible in a year with me, we start the book of Acts tomorrow!