Skip to main content

Peace in the Storm

After some of the tornadoes out west this week I happened upon this photo that was shown on major newscast and on several places around the web.  I had heard the popular praise song on the radio since with have been in the States.  The lyrics of the song are just so incredible...

"Praise You In This Storm"

I was sure by now
God You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say "Amen", and it's still raining

As the thunder rolls
I barely hear Your whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

[Chorus:]
And I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
And every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm...
{Casting Crowns}
 
 
Interesting isn't it that we often see God as the Great Hero in the sky who is just sitting there waiting for us to make a call on that red phone and He will come swooping down to save the day... 
 
And yet, often we wait.  My mom tells the story of praying for an uncle for more than twenty years.  The family had long since moved away and had little contact during the course of time, but the prayers continued.  One day they received a call that said uncle had made a great change in his life and had accepted the Lord Jesus as Savior.  
 
I'm sure many had given up hope.  
 
How can we praise the Lord in the middle of our sufferings and keep on, pressing on when things seem so dim and hopeless?
 
I'm not a good one to talk, as they say.  Somedays I'm up and ready to conquer the world and somedays I'd rather just stay in my comfy bed and forget life.  But "experts" say and I agree with the following five points...
 
1.  Get up and make your bed right away each day.  You'll be less tempted to get back in!
 
2.  Get up and get dressed as if you're going somewhere each day.  Even if you aren't going out that day.
 
3.  Volunteer somewhere, anywhere, to do anything.  Schools, rest homes, hospitals.  You'll feel needed.

4.  Pray, pray, pray!  Specifically, regularly, daily.

5.  Study God's Word for encouraging words...




Comments

Popular posts from this blog

The Big Orange Cat

Do you boys remember that big orange cat at the mission house in North Carolina?  That was a special day for me.  I don't have a new story for this Friday.  I've had a long week, but my mind kept going back to that cat this week as I thought about what I would post for you boys today.  Click on the link down below to go back to my big people blog and reread the cat story if you like. Oh, by the way, this morning I made a special trip down to the other end of our town to see the guinea pigs being sold at a grocery store.  This particular store sells medicine and feed for all kinds of animals.  This month they are selling guinea pigs, baby chickens, and dachshund puppies!  Their guinea pigs looked very healthy.  They are selling them for BR$10 each or BR$15 for a pair.  Uncle Byron said that he was glad I didn't bring any home with me! One more thing - this week a mama possum came in our yard.  The dogs chased it and Girl Dog let out a squ...

My Promise Verse

Job 23:10 But he knoweth the way that I take:  when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold. This verse has been a favorite of mine since I was a teenager. When I was a high school senior at a Christian school in Virginia, Job 23:10 was chosen as our class theme verse. At our graduation commencement, the valedictorian and saludatorian in their addresses that day divided the verse in its two natural parts as a basis for the core of each one's address. I was the salutatorian of my senior class that year.  I chose to speak of how God would one day reward our faithfulness and thus, we should always strive to remain true. For many years though, the first part of the verse haunted me in a way. As a missionary especially when times were lonely or difficult, I assumed it was my "trial" or "test," and as such must be accepted in all humility. As I have grown older, I have begun to look more toward the pearly gates and have reconsidered the thr...

Catching Canoes with Tennis Shoes

This was originally posted on my old Yahoo!360 blog on November 8, 2006.  Today is a good day to re-post it!  For years we have prayed for a man to come along side Byron and help him with the work of the boat and the camp.  Recently it seemed that God had, in a unique way, answered those prayers.  Then suddenly everything was turned upside down this week, and I began to wonder if I would have to start "catching canoes with tennis shoes" again!  But our God is indeed an Awesome God and knows all things.  Read on and a little later I'll tell the rest of the story with our recent test of patience and prayer in the area of the camp and help for our work here in Sobradinho. The photo below was not included in my original post, by the way... Children's Retreat, July 2010 November 8, 2006--- I have no photo today since no one had a camera in hand during this little adventure.  As we were leaving the canal where the boat is usually kept to go ...