Warm hellos to you dear brethren, co-workers, and spiritual family on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico and scattered children of God, from our offices here in Spanish Fort.

Whether we all concur or not, media drives and affects what we take note of and pay attention to. This year has brought one thing after another to our attention, and generally very little “good news” is focused on. It is a proclivity of humans to focus on the negative when given an option.

As I write, already the news is preparing us all for a tropical storm and storm surge which they say will likely be issued for a portion of the Gulf Coast later today.

Cristobal, which is currently over land in Mexico, is expected to move north through the Gulf of Mexico and make landfall along Louisiana’s central coast late Sunday night or early Monday.

It is that time of year again for us here on the coast. For the last several weeks, we have been quite dry here in the Lower Alabama area on the Gulf Coast. A severe drought has consumed much of Mobile and Baldwin counties as rain levels during the first 14 days of May reached all-time lows. One news station reported that it was the driest month of May since the mid 1880’s. These last couple of days have brought rain, which is welcomed, but in some cases the wind, thunder and lightning that accompanies it brings vivid memories to my mind.

Where I grew up in Nebraska, we had a lot of severe weather. I have personally seen tornadoes, and witnessed and felt the aftermath of such with destruction left in its path. So when the rain comes down hard, strong wind, and challenging weather, it causes me to take even more notice.

It seems that the past several years have seen a number or weather catastrophes here in the United States, where I live, and events such as Hurricanes, the mega-rains and flooding in Houston and other parts of Texas, and tornadoes in Texas and Oklahoma. The lives of many people have been adversely affected and disrupted and there has been loss of property and life.

How does one prepare for such sudden destructive events and catastrophes? We must make prudent preparation for unexpected events in our lives. Having insurance policies to cover medical costs, damage to our homes and cars, and paying for funeral expenses, etc. is appropriate. Exercising discipline to put away funds in a savings account for the future makes sense. Giving attention to our health and diets and exercise to maintain good health is important. But in spite of all of these efforts, the unexpected still takes place. The Scriptures inform us that “time and chance happen to them all” (Ecclesiastes 9:11).

Some hold on to a promise that God will protect us from all things no matter what. Is that accurate?

Whether one is a notable, wealthy, or talented person or not. The car sometimes breaks down. The storm hits our location. Criminals target our home or credit cards. Our bodies’ age and we are impacted by arthritis, thyroid malfunction, high blood pressure, decreasing energy and yes even cancer.

We have just celebrated another of God’s festivals, the Feast of Pentecost and pondered what it means in God’s plan for us. There is a reason we observe these days year after year.

God wants you and me to keep the big picture in mind.

In Matthew 6 Jesus addressed the physical needs we all have in living life. He emphasized, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33)

When unexpected trials and challenges come our way, we’ve got to again revisit God’s promises and hold on to the hope of God’s calling, knowing that God is working with us and through these events to prepare us for serving with Him in His kingdom. There is more than this physical life, although we can easily be distracted and forget.

I don’t enjoy trials or when my life doesn’t go the way I planned it, and know you probably don’t either. Jeremiah comments on having right priorities. “Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, Let not the mighty man glory in his might, Nor let the rich man glory in his riches; But let him who glories glory in this, That he understands and knows Me, That I am the Lord, exercising loving kindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight,” says the Lord.” (Jeremiah 9:23-24)

We have all heard or individuals who lost everything in terms of physical possessions in a fire, tornado, or perhaps even during the recent looting and demonstrations. We may have personally suffered loss. But most survive the event and are forced to stand back and evaluate what was really important. We all realize that family, friends and our faith were ever so much more important than the physical things.

The Jerusalem resident apostle James opens up his letter addressed to the twelve tribes by evaluating the approach to trials and troubles. There may have been wars and conflicts that some of the Israelites and the members of the body of Christ were experiencing at that time in the area where the ten tribes were exiled. “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.” (James 1:2-3) Albert Barnes’ NT Commentary observes, “Here, however, the word is used in the sense of trials, to wit, by persecution, poverty, calamity of any kind. These cannot be said to be direct inducements or allurements to sin, but they try the faith, and they show whether he who is tried is disposed to adhere to his faith in God, or whether he will apostatize.”

The apostle Peter give us some encouraging words about the realities of life and the trials it brings. “In this you rejoice, though now for a little while you may have to suffer various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold which though perishable is tested by fire, may redound to praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 1:6)

You and I can’t always figure out the “whys” of events that come our way, but we can have faith that God will build faith and endurance and trust in Him that will enable us to endure to the end!

Arms up friends! Our prayers and thoughts are with you daily. Please do pray for us as well.