A Mighty Force

Caron said: This is from my cousin Louise near Longview.... where they had hurricane force winds. We lost five trees, but none in the yard or on the house, thanks to our Awesome God, right? As many as we have around here, He was the only one who could have protected us in all that wind and with the ground already saturated. As I spoke with Mom this morning, she said, "Look at the tiny stem of the Spider Lily. God protected them as a sign to us of His power and care for the smallest details :)"
"In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust; let me never be put to confusion." Psalm 71:1

Eileen here: Caron and Lee's house at Surfside still stands, though the town lies forty miles down the coast from Galveston! How blessed we are this day to serve a Mighty King. Thankful that though many we love are without power as I write, they still have their lives. It's easy for me to say "things" can be replaced, but it's true.

Read the inscription on the inside wall of the beach house. We do have God as our Anchor when we make the choice to hang on! Despite the wind, despite the rain, despite the tree branches, long lines, no gasoline, heat--despite it all, we HAVE it all when we have Jesus!

A Mighty Force. Unfathomed.

Truly One to be worshipped.

Amazing Grace.

Just As We Are

Sunday after church several of us headed to our favorite chow hall: Grady's. Nothing like their catfish dinner or chicken fried steak. Disclaimer: the picture on the blog is one from the Internet! Not our friends. But they could be!

I know this because at lunch I sat with a couple I'd never met before and thoroughly enjoyed their company. We were brother and sister in Christ. Another couple joined "our" church band and fit like fingers in a glove. Different churches, but no denominational barriers existed. New friends, old friends.... just ordinary Jesus lovers happening into the same dining room at the same time, having a "family reunion."

Isn't it amazing that we can differ in opinions yet share the same faith? Our love of Jesus is what is paramount. I was blessed Sunday with the ease and comfort of sharing our table with others.

Wonder who the people in the picture are? Wonder if they could claim the same relationships we did? For that's what it's all about: relationship.

Today think of one person you could contact and strengthen your relationship. Who knows! Maybe it's the guy in the Stetson.

Colossians 1:3,4 (NLB) We always pray for you, and we give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. For we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and your love for all of God's people.

A B C

August 25 about a zillion teachers and students will begin their trek uphill (both ways) to school. Some excited, some filled with dread: teachers and students. So I want to pause and say HALLELUJAH for the hallowed halls of learning!

Teachers: you can do this. Yes, you can memorize all those names. You can present material in a thought-provoking manner. You can grade one more set of papers. You can perform duty, before and after school. You can hold a parent conference. You can attend yet another workshop. Why? Because you're called to teach.

Kids: You can finish that paper on time. You can put your phone away and not text for a few hours. You can eat cafeteria food. Why? Because this is your time to be a student. It's your job!

Each one who reads this post, say a prayer of gratitude because someone somewhere taught you that letters make words, words- sentences, sentences- paragraphs, paragraphs- books. It's all as easy as ABC.

Bless each of you as you begin the 2008-2009 school year!! You CAN do this!!

I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me.

Look Out Below!

Melody really wanted to update the flooring in her house. The carpet's luster was long lost and she decided hardwood floors would add pizazz. However, her pocketbook and her husband did not agree. Hardwood floors remained a dream... a desire.

On the way home from church recently, Melody prayed about her flooring. "Lord, you know the desire of my heart. I release the situation to you. I'll be content with what we have." With a sigh, she let go of the idea.

Two days later, the couple returned home from work to discover a huge piece of sheetrock had fallen from their eighteen foot high ceiling! No one was home-no one was injured. But the insulation and .... ewww.....gook from a leaking pipe caused a good bit of damage. Fortunately insurance would cover all their needs. And a desire!

Yep. God's got it all in his pocket. He owns the cattle on a thousand hills AND a good parcel of hardwood flooring. Seems like letting go let God work. Isn't He awesome?

What desires do you need to release to the Lord? Ready for His blessing? You never know how it will arrive. Look out below...........

Kristy Dykes: She won!

There are people who pass your way and make a lasting impression despite the miles which separate you. Kristy Dykes was one of those. Kristy, a well-published author, was bright, bubbly and fun. Several months ago, she was diagnosed with a GBM brain cancer. Her husband, Milton, kept up her blog. www.ChristianLoveStories.blogspot.com You should experience some of this journey by visiting their blog. His words about his beloved wife have touched thousands. Monday, he released Kristy's hand for the last time. I wanted to share some of what he wrote.

Milton here:

I had dreaded the prospects of standing with Kristy and holding her hand when she died, but the Lord had spoken inside my heart to "not miss the moment." It was a mental alerting to pay attention for there was going to be a "moment" a "special moment" and I was not to miss it.When was the moment going to come? She had stood at death's door over and over and I wondered if each time this was the moment or was it another unknown moment?

Monday afternoon I felt something fill the room covering me, cocooning me, surrounding me and surrounding Kristy. It came ever so slowly and more gently than gentle could be.As Kristy lay there moving toward death's door, I began to sing to her, "God is so good, God is so good......"

Then a prophetic exaltation began to come from deep within my soul proclaiming the virtues of Kristy, "You are pure, You are holy, Your gifts bring glory. They are precious, excellent, and loving. For you have been a blessing to all those who know you. You have shown the goodness of the Lord. The Lord is pleased. The Lord is gloried by your life. For the Lord is Holy, Holy, Holy."

I told Kristy that Jesus was soon to open heaven's gates for her and she would be walking on streets of gold with her mom, dad, grandparents, aunts and uncles, and all those who have gone before her. I

Her breathing was harder. I said, "Kristy. You did great. You did good. Good job Kristy!"The room was filled with the sacred, holy presence of God. It was awesome. Kristy was almost gone, but as she looked at me one last time I said, "Good job, Kristy. You won. You won. You won. I'll see you soon. The gates of Heaven are opening for you. You can go in. Jesus is waiting! Good job, Kristy, you win! You win! You win!" and Kristy left my hand and took the hand of Jesus as we cheered her into the gates of heaven an on to streets of pure gold."

At 6:42 PM on Monday, Kristy was gone into the glory world. She won! She won! She won!These were the most sacred moments of my life next to my salvation and marriage ceremony to Kristy. It was glorious, holy and awesome to escort Kristy and cheer her into the gates of heaven. Kristy is whole, well, and healed. There is no more pain. She is walking on streets of gold.

Can You Hear Me Now?

Our pastor friend, Devin, sent us this amazing story!



The Africa project was great. God seemed to be working at every turn and every word. It was a really great, but hot time. One day, we went to a little village to visit a very sick girl, Fatu, with plans to take her to see a doctor. When we arrived, she was in bad shape, just next to death. Here was a 16 year old girl who looked 12, her arms no bigger than two stalks of celery. We tried to explain to her parents that if she stayed there she would die, but if we took her to the hospital, there was a chance she could live. The local witch doctor had given her drugs--turned out this was good or she would have been in a great deal of pain.



Paul, the missionary accompanying me, tried his cell phone to call his wife because she spoke the language better. Maybe she could convince the parents to let Fatu be taken to the doctor. Even though there was no cell service in the area, from that little room-- the call went through! Despite Susan's pleas the parents insisted the girl was tired, and they were too, and she should stay home. We were heartbroken.



Paul sat on Fatu's bed, stroking her hair, and she reached up and began playing with his phone. She put it to her ear and pretended to talk. I told Paul to call Susan back. Again there was no cell service in the area, and again the call went through. I told Susan we would put the phone on the girl’s ear and Susan could tell her about Jesus.



Here in this tiny, dimly lit, tattered room, Susan was able to tell the girl about Jesus while all these Muslims stood around and watched, not knowing what was being said since Fatu was listening though a cell phone. Susan asked a bunch of questions: Do you believe Jesus can save you? Do you want Him to? Do you want Him to forgive you of your sins and make a home in heaven for you? On and on. Susan said she quoted John 3:16 to Fatu, saying, “For God so loved Fatu that He sent His only Son…” Each time, Fatu answered ‘Wow’, which is Yes in the Wolof language.

There was a young man in the room that spoke the best English in the village. Our missionaries had been talking to him for quite a few months. As Fatu finished with the phone, she asked us to pray for her, she asked the young man to pray for her. He did and wept as he prayed. This is very, very unusual in that culture for a Muslim man to pray and show emotion in public. I prayed aloud as well, but only the three of us, and God, understood my English. It was a very moving time. As we left their small home, Paul tried to make another call. There was no phone service.

God's Touch

Mary stepped from the van and heard her ankle pop. Thankfully it wasn't a break, just a nasty sprain. After several weeks and therapy it grew stronger. Then, months later, another misstep pulled at the stretched ligament. She couldn't locate her ankle brace, so she wrapped it in an Ace bandage. However, the pins to hold the bandage in place were lost. Mary made do with a safety pin.

Arriving at Bible study a tad early, Mary slid the bandage tighter and told a friend about her ache. The friend suggested prayer! So when others arrived, the group gathered about Mary and prayed, after annointing the injured area with oil.

Later Mary related, "During our study, I felt a warmth creep over my ankle. I knew God had healed it." And He had! She's not had to use a bandage or anything to stabilize her foot. Our God is good, all the time!

He showed His mercy to Lew Shaffer Sunday night. Lew's wife, Sandy, happened to call during our prayer meeting time. She asked us to pray that Lew might have pain relief. Since his back surgery, he's suffered because he cannot handle pain medications well. So our group prayed. And Lew had the best night's sleep he's had in weeks. Thank You, Jesus for Your faithfulness.