THUNDERSTORM CAUSES ACCIDENT

The thunderstorm was what caused it!

I was driving alone late at night on an interstate. I noticed lightning ahead. I gave it little thought, except to wonder if I would have to drive into a storm. But, thankfully, the storm was moving fast and was soon gone before I could reach it, but the highway was wet so I slowed the car.

Suddenly, I felt the car hit deep water on the highway. My tires were shooting water everywhere, even covering my windshield. Worse, the deep water was causing my tires to lose traction.

The words, “Help me, Lord,” were on my lips as I realized a feeling of total helplessness. I knew I had absolutely no control of the car. I tried desperately to keep the car moving straight ahead, but it was sliding and weaving all over the highway. I pumped the brakes, slowing the car even more, but I was not able to stop it.

In a moment of panic, I saw that my car was going off the highway. With the car almost, but not quite, stopped, I went off into a water filled ditch. The car finally stopped with only the front of the car in the water. Immediately water began seeping in, quickly covering my legs. As I got out of the car and waded out of the water, another motorist came and helped me get to a telephone to call a wrecker.

Looking back, my main impression of the incident was a feeling of helplessness. I like to be in control—as we all do—but there was no control that night!

Life is often like my experience on the flooded highway. Things happen to us unexpectedly and suddenly. Darkness hides our future, and we are unable to see the water on our pathway. Unforeseen circumstances may cause us to lose control of our lives.

What can we do? God speaks to us about this in Proverbs 3:5-6; "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."

FOLLOWING GOD'S DIRECTION

Years ago, I found myself without an income. I had labored for eight years as a minister of music and education in a church, only to be judged by some in that church as too old to minister effectively. After all, I was fifty-nine years old!

Because of the attitude of some of the members, I was left with no income. Fortunately, I had housing. My mother's small house in my hometown was available to us, so we made the move, not knowing how God would provide for us.

It seemed to me something like the experience of Abraham, who was instructed by God to "a place where I will show you." And like Abraham, God provided all that we needed. Within two months my wife and I were both gainfully employed, and our grandson, whom we were raising, was happy with new friends.

To add to all this, within two months a local church had called me to be a bi-vocational minister of music—even at my "advanced age." And, this has been one of the most rewarding ministries of my life. In fact, I am at this point still ministering to this great church twenty years later. Age? They say, no problem.

"By faith Abraham obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went." Hebrews 11:8

FEAR OF THE DARK

As a teenager, I worked for a short time as a dishwasher in a small café. It was summer and I was staying with my sister and her family. My shift ended at ten P.M. Usually my sister would drive me home.

Sometimes she was unable to come for me and I would walk home. The darkness did not bother me. But as I neared her home, I would begin to be afraid. The closer I got, the more apprehension I felt, until I would be literally running to the door.

This fear I felt as a teenager reminds me of how we sometimes feel as we face the struggles of life. There are times when our fears overwhelm us. That’s when we must run to safety—the safety of God’s protection.

It’s good to realize He is with us, always.

Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. Joshua 1:9 (KJV)

Water

A barren desert lies between two splendid mountain ranges in southern New Mexico. This desolate area is the home of magnificent sunsets, colorful cacti and exotic wild life. Although it is beautiful in its own way, the one dominating factor in this environment is the absence of water.

But in the midst of this desert lies the little city of Tularosa with its green lawns, colorful shrubs and tall trees. The difference: a small river brings water from springs in the nearby mountains. This life-giving water is allowed to spill over to irrigate lush gardens and lawns, creating a veritable desert oasis.

Many of us often find ourselves facing the arid realties of life. Sometimes our spirits just seem to dry up much like a cactus plant in a New Mexico desert.

Remember, God offers his gift of thirst quenching spiritual water. Jesus said to the woman at the well, "Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. John 4:14 (KJV)

REFUGE

I remember how secure I felt when I was in the care of my parents. I had no worries, no needs, and no fears.

So it was somewhat of a shock as I grew older, and realized for the first time that Mother and Daddy were human, and therefore vulnerable to life and death, as were all others around us. I can remember lying in bed at night, worrying about what fate would be mine should anything happen to my parents. Such are the frailties of human existence.

But our relationship with God is different. God is not subject to our human frailties. He never ceases to exist. He is always there to offer shelter, to sustain us in our weakness, and to help us in times of need by His very presence.

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1 (KJV)

CARING FOR THE SHEEP

As a small child, I enjoyed ranch life. I remember the times Daddy would bring an orphaned newborn lamb into our kitchen for shelter from the cold. Lambing season was always in the winter, so it was not unusual for one or more newborns to be snuggled in a box behind our wood-burning kitchen range.

When that happened it was my job to care for these lambs. Mother would provide warm milk in a baby bottle and I would hold the bottle while the lamb sucked it. Sheep are extremely vulnerable at best, and an orphaned newborn is totally helpless.

Jesus used the analogy of sheep and the shepherd to illustrate how God cares for His people. He said, "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” John 10:27 (KJV)

”I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.” John 10:11 (KJV)

JOY

I stood with Mother, my sisters and my brother beside the casket. We shared a deep sadness, for we loved my father deeply. However, as we stood together, there was something much more deeply felt than our tears.

In spite of our sorrows, we knew God’s peace, and we knew a profound joy. Joy is totally different than happiness. We weren’t happy, but we felt the assurance of God's loving presence with us that day. And that brought joy.

Some who read these words may be finding life hard to live. Sorrow, illness, depression may be taking their toll. But there is hope! Stop to think about all God has done for you. As you do, you’ll feel His joy, His peace.

And my soul shall be joyful in the LORD: it shall rejoice in his salvation. Psalm 35:9 (KJV)

A NEW YEAR

I had watched as my sisters and brother went off to school every day, and I could hardly wait for my turn. On my first day of school, my sisters and I started out to meet the school bus. But suddenly I was afraid. I told my sisters I had decided to stay home. They argued and pled, but I was not going.

Finally, they had to go on or miss the bus, so they sent me back home to Mother, who was totally surprised to see me. Then Daddy came in from the ranch and—after the spanking—drove me to school.

A new era can be exciting and it can be frightening. That’s true today, as we start an uncharted, untried year. What will 2008 bring? We don’t know, but with God, all is well.

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV)

A YEAR ENDS

When I was growing up my family lived far out in the country where my father was a ranch foreman. He always had to get up early, as is typical of farmers and ranchers, so it had never been the practice of our family to stay up late, even to see in a new year.

But when I was thirteen our family moved into town. I was thrilled when a friend invited me to a New Year’s Eve party, but I didn’t think my dad would approve. But my friend lived only a few houses away, and my parents knew his parents. Mother and Daddy talked it over and gave their approval.

I was excited. This was my first experience with seeing an old year out and a new one in. It was a great feeling when the moment finally came when one year ended and another began. I felt I had seen history in the making.

So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. Psalm 90:12 (KJV)

FEAR OF THE DARK

As a teenager, I worked for a short time as a dishwasher in a small café. It was summer and I was staying with my sister and her family. My shift ended at ten P.M. Usually my sister would drive me home.

Sometimes she was unable to come for me and I would walk home. The darkness did not bother me. But as I neared her home, I would begin to be afraid. The closer I got, the more apprehension I felt, until I would be literally running to the door.

This fear I felt as a teenager reminds me of how we sometimes feel as we face the struggles of life. There are times when our fears overwhelm us. That’s when we must run to safety—the safety of God’s protection.

It’s good to realize He is with us, always.

Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. Joshua 1:9 (KJV)