"We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in him. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them." 1 John 4:16 (NLT)
It cannot be explained. It is hard to understand or to comprehend how big it got. To think about how many lives were touched, how much was lost and wrecked our nation was is almost too much to handle. It truly is surreal.
I am talking about Hurricane Katrina. Do you remember where you were when it hit? Have you watched, like I have, hours of news footage, read countless accounts and stories, prayed for help and mercy and much more. Every American felt the pain of loss. Every Christian and compassionate person saw the endless need and reached out to help.
Yesterday marked the one year anniversary since the storm took our nation and it's gulf coast by surprise. It was not the biggest to ever hit, and it is not the last. Yet we ought to remember a few things about this storm.
The faith we heard about.
The help and healing that poured from God's people to those in need.
The fact that God touched lives and held his family close to him.
The testimonies, some close and personal and some far off, of people who met and saw God from this event.
Our nation will never be the same. I attended seminary in New Orleans and have kept a close eye on the advancement of the school. How amazing it is to know the extent of the damage and to know how fast these precious people, students and staff, acted to save lives and have now put the pieces back together.
Fact is: people need God. In the storm, people need God. Fact is: more storms are coming. What will we do to give people what they need?
In my lifetime ... 9-11, Katrina, Iraq, Tsunami, Middle East, bombing in Oklahoma City, Space shuttle loses (2 of them) and so much more.
Far too often, we leave the events of the history is what may be called a haze or fog or cloud. Maybe we remember some or learn a little. But we must remember what we have learned from the Lord. He is faithful. He provides. The storm is not bigger than Him. Nothing removes Him from our lives even in the middle of the storm or in its aftermath.
Katrina was so very real. Now there is a block of time between us and that point of history. Yet never has there been more of a need for us, God's people, to follow and share Him with those around our world.
Even in the storm God must receive the glory. And He wants to work there. Will we let Him?
"O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge." Psalms 62:8 (NLT)
It cannot be explained. It is hard to understand or to comprehend how big it got. To think about how many lives were touched, how much was lost and wrecked our nation was is almost too much to handle. It truly is surreal.
I am talking about Hurricane Katrina. Do you remember where you were when it hit? Have you watched, like I have, hours of news footage, read countless accounts and stories, prayed for help and mercy and much more. Every American felt the pain of loss. Every Christian and compassionate person saw the endless need and reached out to help.
Yesterday marked the one year anniversary since the storm took our nation and it's gulf coast by surprise. It was not the biggest to ever hit, and it is not the last. Yet we ought to remember a few things about this storm.
The faith we heard about.
The help and healing that poured from God's people to those in need.
The fact that God touched lives and held his family close to him.
The testimonies, some close and personal and some far off, of people who met and saw God from this event.
Our nation will never be the same. I attended seminary in New Orleans and have kept a close eye on the advancement of the school. How amazing it is to know the extent of the damage and to know how fast these precious people, students and staff, acted to save lives and have now put the pieces back together.
Fact is: people need God. In the storm, people need God. Fact is: more storms are coming. What will we do to give people what they need?
In my lifetime ... 9-11, Katrina, Iraq, Tsunami, Middle East, bombing in Oklahoma City, Space shuttle loses (2 of them) and so much more.
Far too often, we leave the events of the history is what may be called a haze or fog or cloud. Maybe we remember some or learn a little. But we must remember what we have learned from the Lord. He is faithful. He provides. The storm is not bigger than Him. Nothing removes Him from our lives even in the middle of the storm or in its aftermath.
Katrina was so very real. Now there is a block of time between us and that point of history. Yet never has there been more of a need for us, God's people, to follow and share Him with those around our world.
Even in the storm God must receive the glory. And He wants to work there. Will we let Him?
"O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge." Psalms 62:8 (NLT)
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