After the Storm

Hurricane Ike was an unusual storm, to say the least. I've weathered other storms and can honestly say the damage from this one was much worse than anyone expected. Electricity and phone service was/is out from Galveston Island, TX to Lufkin, TX (170 mi. inland) and College Station, TX (140 mi. inland). East Texas is filled with lots and lots of tress. As pretty as they are and as they provide much needed shade for the HOT, HOT summer temperatures, they also cause a tremendous loss of property and business when something like this happens.

Hurricane Ike made landfall with category 2 wind speeds and a category 4 storm surge. We live nearly 100 miles inland and the winds were still howling at speeds of a category 1 with gusts up to category 2 when it arrived at our home. The damage from falling trees in our area devastated many homes. Galveston Island, Bolivar Peninsula, and Chambers County have been completely destroyed. The devastation down south is as bad as the hurricane of 1900. Because of modern weather technology and radio combined with television, tens of thousands were able to evacuate, thus saving lives, unlike the 1900 hurricane where no one knew it was coming.

We personally lost 5 trees, 4 behind the barn and chicken coop and our beloved 60+ year old pecan tree that shaded our front yard and house. God's hand of protection was certainly upon us when the pecan tree went down. It stood about 10 ft. away from our boy's bedroom and it fell toward the road. Our rabbit hutches were mangled and crushed by the falling trees, fortunately we are/were not raising rabbits as this time. The winds blew three roof panels off our barn and some of the siding off our house. We are so blessed that we don't have any significant damage, just a bunch of clean up. Psalm 91:9-10, "Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy inhabitation; There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling."

Part of our barn and chicken coop are behind all these tree tops. Aside from a temporary reduction in eggs, our chickens fared very well. Here's a photo of the damage to our rabbit hutches and dog house. Again, we are/were not raising rabbits at this time, and we didn't loose any of our animals.
Only three roof panels were lost on the barn. Fortunately, no one was standing in front of these flying panels as they were stuck into the ground as if they were spears thrown by a giant.
Missing siding from our house. Interesting that every time we decide to do a home improvement project we discover that our 65+ year old home was actually built out of what appears to be scrap and/or left over material from other building projects. The loss of siding isn't as terrible as some may think. Because of this we've discovered that the lower 3' x 3' corner of the house has rotten wood that needs to be replaced. As soon as our local hardware store gets a new materials shipment, Mr. B will repair all this, many hardware store shelves are currently bare.

I don't know what sort of news reports the rest of our nation is receiving with regard to Hurricane Ike, but if y'alls local news is anything like ours, they are most likely doing their best to report every negative story they can dig up. Therefore, I will share some of the "good news" we've been witnessing through all this.

~ Neighbors helping neighbors without having to be asked.

~ Families spending good, solid quality time together talking and playing because of the loss of computers, cell phones, video games, cable television, temporary closing of schools and businesses.

~ A cold front! Yes, our Lord sent us cool weather after this storm which is extremely unusual. The temperatures generally rise up to or over 100 degrees after a hurricane and no a/c or fans because of no electricity makes it unbearable. We've had evenings in the low 60's and daytime highs in the low 80's combined with low humidity - so refreshing, we wish it was like this all summer long!

~ Federal, state and local officials effectively working together so distribution of aid could begin less than 24 hours after the storm. Everyone living in the Gulf Coast area is consistently told to stock up with at least of 3 days water, non-perishable foods, and fuel because it generally takes a MINIMUM of 3 days to get aid to devastated areas.

~ Minimum amounts of flooding in the inland areas. The hardest hit inland areas received only 8-10 inches of rain. Yes, that's quite a bit for most folks, but it's a small amount for a storm of this size.

~ Our old church was selected as a point of distribution (POD) for ice, water and emergency meals. The positive comments from the National Guard and other volunteers from around the nation was wonderful. My source tells me that Texans received so many compliments because of their hard work, community spirit, and generosity even though they were personally experiencing losses of property and/or income.

~Our state has been blessed by thousands of aid relief workers and restoration personnel from all over the U.S. and Canada coming to help us. It has truly been a blessing to welcome all these folks. We appreciate everything they have done and are doing to help us get on the road to recovery.

John 16:33, "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."

Weathering Out

I was planning to post Part 2 of my article "Godly Stewardship" this weekend. However, it appears that our Lord has some other plans. Hurricane Ike is scheduled to make landfall this weekend. Although we are not close enough to be affected by the storm surge, dramatic flooding, and exceedingly high winds, we do expect some wind, a significant amount of rain, and a loss of electricity (especially since it seems as if we loose electricity everytime drops of water fall from the sky).

I realize that there are many folks out there who may be very frightened of this coming storm. If so, please know that we pray for your safety and peace of mind. We can't stop the storm outside, but our Lord can stop the storm of fear that rages within.

I am actually looking forward to the silence that comes from the absent buzz that one only notices when the electricity goes out. I am looking forward to eating supper by oil lamp. I am looking forward to a marathon game of Monopoly and maybe a couple rounds of Scrabble. I am looking forward to reading aloud to the children. I am looking forward to finishing up a crochet project. I am looking forward to indoor camping!!

So, when all settles back into routine (and the electricity will once again power this computer), I'll be back with "Godly Stewardship, Part 2". See you in a few days ...

We Have a Riddle Box WINNER!!

Mrs. Hester, the very first response, had the correct answer:

A RIVER can run but never walk, has a mouth but never talks, has a head but never weeps and has a bed but never sleeps.

(I hear the applause, don't you?) Thanks for playing!!

The Riddle Box

What can run but never walks, has a mouth but never talks, has a head but never weeps, has a bed but never sleeps?

(please post replies in "thoughts from friends")

My Kids Wore Combat Boots

Yes, my eldest child, AB and his wife, KM, are U.S. Air Force veterans. AB enlisted only a couple months after the U.S. invaded Iraq and KM enlisted a few months later. I am very proud of their decisions to serve our nation. They are now civilians and working on building a "normal" life.

A very close, dear friend of mine, just returned from her son's graduation from basic training. Her son and my son, JP, were/are childhood friends. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy. I am proud for her and her son. I am confident the Lord will use the U.S. Navy to continue growing her son into the man he was created to be.

As a mother whose experienced "handing the apron strings" over to the U.S. military, I can relate to the various fears, concerns, pride, joy, and yes, even sadness and sometimes helplessness that mom's go through while their children are serving our nation. We worry about their physical safety during this time of war. We not only worry about them being sent into combat, but we also worry about the angry, hateful, anti-military civilians who may inflict harm upon them because they choose to defend even those who hate them. We are concerned about their spiritual growth or maybe even lack of. We experience a pride that can come only from realizing that he/she has made a commitment to serve our nation unto death if necessary - that type of pride is difficult to express. We share in their joy and excitement of new adventures and experiences. We all share a sadness that comes from being separated from them, often by 1,000's of miles. Unlike those whose sons or daughters get into trouble or an accident while attending a college of their choice far away, we can't run to rescue our military children during a time of crisis because the military stands between us and them.

How does a mother handle this melting pot of emotion? AB had been out of high school for a year before he decided to join the military. Our family had been experiencing a very difficult time of rebellion with him, so his decision was actually a welcomed relief for us. Although relieved on one hand, I still experienced the above mentioned emotions. My first and primary emotion was one of fear since our nation had just invaded Iraq and tens of thousands of young men and women were being deployed into combat weekly.

My first born. Since I was a teen aged mother, I had literally lived my entire life for him. Words will never express the depth of fear that gripped me. When your child enlists in the military during war time, the possibility of losing that child is totally and completely in your face. During this time, I looked to the Bible for an answer to my fear. Our Lord is always so very gracious and kind to His children when they are heavy burdened. Jesus said in Matthew 11:28 - "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." In studying God's Word, I found not only the comfort I needed but the promises listed for each of my children in the left margin of this blog. Our Lord did more than answer one prayer, He gave me promises to cling to for each of my children - no matter what their futures may hold.

There are times, as I am sure with all mothers, that I experience emotions of doubt or worry regarding my children's spiritual growth, or maybe even stagnation of such. Whenever I sense these emotions creeping in, or I receive some discouraging news about one of my children, I look at a photo of my precious child and I quote the scripture promise the Lord has given me for that particular child. No matter the circumstance, no matter the nay sayers, I stand on God's Word. I know beyond any shadow of doubt that God will honor my prayers for my children because I know that God is a God of His Word. He will not forsake me. Isaiah 49:16 - "Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me."

I often hear people state that they wish they had a manual for life. In reality, if they own a Bible, they do. The Bible will address any situation we find ourselves in. The Bible provides us with comfort when our hearts are shattered beyond repair. It will stop fear and doubt dead in their tracks. It will show us a way to light and life when we find ourselves in the dark. It shows us how to achieve order when there is chaos. It offers us instruction and correction when we are lost. The Word of God will bring us hope when we are facing hopelessness. Today, I'd like to encourage you to look to God's Word, the Holy Bible, for comfort, peace and sustenance in all things.

Godly Stewardship, Part 1

"Abundant Living" is a very popular topic among today's Christian churches. It has been my personal observation that many churches whose primary focus is"Abundant Living" are seeing steady growth within their congregations. And why wouldn't they? A comfortable lifestyle is part of the American dream. Comfort and lack of hardship is a prime motivator in why so many Americans diligently work long hours thus, making America the most productive per capita workforce in the world. Most of us have a strong work ethic that has been passed down from generation to generation. Today, the fruit of this multi-generational labor is seen by the rest of the world in our national wealth. Although our nation is currently facing some economic challenges, the average American continues to enjoy an abundant lifestyle that is incomprehensible to 85% of the world's population.

As a Christian, I ask, "Are American citizens REALLY striving to maintain comfort and absence of financial hardship or have we been blinded by materialism?" From the view out my window, I see the later. I see a generation that has never known true hardship. I see a generation who has turned away from Godly contentment to the idolization of materialism. It is a fact that we, humans, were all created worship the Living God. When we turn our backs and refuse to worship Him, we will worship something because God created us to worship. If we study human history, and observe humans throughout the world today, we will see that every single living man, woman and child has and does worship something or someone. Some worship the true Living God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, while others worship other gods and idols, some worship world leaders, media icons, philosophies, ancestors, sciences, careers, materialism, the list is infinite. It seems as if we are genetically pre-disposed to worship. Being an American, who lives and works in America, it is easy for me to observe that materialism has become the false god of our nation.

What does abundant living and materialism have to do with stewardship? Actually, quite a bit. II Corinthians 5:17 says, "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." II Corinthians 6:16-18 says, " And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty." The Word of God tells us that in Christ the old man has passed away and becomes new. It tells us that we are the temple of the Lord and we are to separate ourselves from the idolaters of this fallen world and in doing so, we become His sons and daughters.

I find it unfortunate that many of today's abundant living churches are not teaching Biblical truth. Instead they are feeding the idol of materialism. I've watched several televised "abundant living" sermons (from very large prominent churches) that contain absolutely no Biblical substance. They were nothing more than motivational speeches about positive thinking and acquiring excessive material belongings. I've heard things like, "Do you want a bigger house? Do you want to wear finer clothes? Do you want private school for your children? Do you want a luxury automobile? As a child of the Most High Living God, you deserve it. God's people should be the wealthiest people on earth. If we don't have the best, the rest of the world will not want our God. By planting a financial seed, the windows of heaven will open and your bank account will grow ... blah, blah, blah." Matthew 6:31-34, says, "Therefore take not thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? For after all these things do the Gentiles seek: for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness: and all these things shall be added unto you." According to the Bible, God KNOWS our needs and if we SEEK Him and His righteousness, He will PROVIDE for our needs.

Why are Christians seeking the things of this world? Moreover, how could, in good conscience, some church leaders promote the acquisition of worldly goods over a closer relationship with God? America is a society blinded by the idol of materialism. Christians have allowed the, " ... we live under grace not under law ..." line of thinking to infiltrate today's Christian church. This way of thinking has allowed too much room for weeds of sin to rampantly grow. Today's average Christan regularly covets his neighbors possessions and projects a false image of his finances, time and relationships. The scientific reality is that grace does not, will not, and can not abolish God's LAWS. If God's laws are abolished and excused away by grace, our universe will cease to exist.

I'm sure some of you are thinking, "Wow! That's a stretch, how'd she get there?" I'll explain. When God created the universe(s) and planet Earth he put certain scientific LAWS into place. These include, but are not limited to, the Law of Gravity, Laws of Thermodynamics, Laws of Motion, Law of Sowing and Reaping with Principal of Increase, etc. If any one of the God created scientific laws were abolished, absolutely EVERYTHING God created would cease to exist. A God ordained Law is absolutely unchangeable. In removing or changing any Law implemented by God, everything we know to be reality and truth vanishes. New Testament grace does not and can not abolish Old Testament Law. Contrary to what many of today's Christian churches teach, Jesus Christ did not abolish the Law, He fulfilled the Law. We must realize that when God created this world and it's supporting Laws, both physical and spiritual, He created it for a sinless people. Because of Adam's fall resulting in our inherited sin, it is not possible for us to observe and fulfill the requirements of God's spiritual Laws. Because of this impossibility, He sent Jesus Christ as an atonement for our sins. Our reconciliation with God through Jesus Christ does not give us a "free pass" to continue in sin. Instead, it provides us with an avenue for repentance of our sins. Thus, Jesus' fulfillment of the Old Testament Law.

With all that stated, GRACE does not excuse the coveting of thy neighbor's possessions and barring a false witness. Grace does not make it permissible for Christians to emulate the unsaved world. The Bible specifically states that Christians are to be separate, different, peculiar, renewed. We are not to seek worldly goods and possessions, we are to seek the Kingdom of God and His righteousness so that these things can be provided for us. Luke 16: 10-13 says, "He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's who shall give you that which is your own? No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon." Stewardship is not the acquisition of goods and resources, it is the responsible management of the goods and resources God has provided us with. The key to Christians obtaining an abundant life is not the acquisition of possessions. The key to an abundant life is superior stewardship of God's provisions.

Waste Not Want Not

When I was a girl, my grandmother was always saying, "Waste not, want not". I am one of those people who took the words of past generations to heart. I am known for taking scraps of just about everything you can think of and and finding new use of them. If I'm not creating something new out of leftovers, I'm usually saving the leftovers because, "I might need them someday" or "Maybe I could use this for ... ".

Most recently, I made this crib sized granny square Afghan out of some scrap yarn. I wish the lighting for the photo was better so you could see how the black makes the other colors "pop". "Scrap-a-ghans", as I like to call them, are one of my favorite projects. Not only can I use up my leftover yarn but they are easy to make. After finishing a project, I simply make granny squares out of the leftovers and store them in my crochet basket. When I have enough granny squares for a crib sized or full size Afghan, I stitch them together, and crochet a ruffle around the edges. In no time at all I have a scrap-a-ghan!

I am not sure who this little crib sized scrap-a-ghan will go to but, I'm sure the Lord will bring a little one across my path soon.

(Note: This scrapaghan was recently donated to our church craft bazaar. The money raised will be used by the Women's Ministries.)

Riddle Box WINNER!!

Thank you for the great answers. I am so very excited to announce that my sweet dear son, AB, was the first to respond with the correct answer!

Yes, once given, your WORD must be kept.

(Can you hear the applause?)

Thank you all for playing the Riddle Box game.

Until next time ...