Where You Headed Captain? Day 401

Memorial day, 2012 a fantastic day fishing and boating in Smith Island for my friend Alison and love of her life, fiancee Denny.  At a glance, you would certainly think that life was great; Denny and Alison would to continue to love one another and grow old together. They even returned to Smith Island two weeks later.   However, there is no guarantees for our tomorrows.  Job 14:5 Man`s days are determined; you have directed the number of his months and have set limits he cannot exceed.

On June 27,  by chance(or one of God`s co-inky-dinks) I ran into Alison at a local convenience store.  She looked exhausted, "I`m so glad to see you, I was going to call you. God is so amazing he knew that I needed you."  Denny had a stroke, I`ve been at the hospital all night, would you please pray?

She explained that Denny had recently lost a considerable amount of weight and was feeling very fatigued with pain in his legs and feet.  However, Denny was very reluctant to visit the doctor.  Is that reluctance part of the free-will and control of our own destiny?  If God has ordained the number of our days can our choices shorten our days?  Just thinking and writing out loud!

Of course, I prayed with and for Alison and Denny. While also calling on prayer warriors, Facebook family and church family for prayer.   The very day that Denny visited his doctor, Alison came home to find that he had suffered the first stroke.   This was just the beginning of their lives being blindsided.  Further test concluded that Denny`s body was loaded with cancer that originated in the pancreas.  Four days later another stroke, this time more severe.  Denny`s daughter Pam and Alison were informed that  nothing could be done and that Denny would be sent home with Hospice care.

Alison leaned on her faith in God and prayers to deal with the shock of this devastating  news.  Less than two weeks after his first stroke in the comfortable surrounding of  home, Denny entering into eternal rest.  He was surrounded by Alison, Pam, family and had been visited by the people who loved him.

Billy, Alison`s son described Denny as a straight shooter who was like a father to him.  He lived well, loved and will be well remembered.  I never really met Denny, I only knew him through Alison and the love that she shared about him.  God did direct me to Denny`s bedside where with Billy, Pastor Jack, Rachael and I shared prayer!   My grief and the pain for Alison and the entire family is because of Jesus and how God made me.   Not sure what is better, to suffer through cancer treatments, extended life perhaps with or without quality.   Or like Denny "live" every moment until you die?  Rest in peace Denny Wolf.

James 4:14-15  Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow.  What is your life?  You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.  Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the LORD`S will, we will LIVE and do this or that. 

If you were blindsided by this type of news is your heart and soul right with Jesus?  Have you accepted His offer of salvation.   Hell is real.  Matthew 13:43  Then they will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

  Denny knew Jesus, he is in heaven!    I believe that Jesus Christ, son of God died on the cross for the forgiveness of my sins.  I ask for forgiveness of my sins, with all  my heart I surrender my will to the will of God and invite the presence of the Holy Spirit!

John 3:3  In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless is he born again.

 John 316-18  "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life  For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.  Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stand condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God`s one and only son.

 

Stormy Night Day 400

Nehemiah 9:3-6  Those of Israelite descent had separated themselves from all foreigners.  They stood in their places and confessed their sins and the wickedness of their fathers.  They stood where they were and read from the Book of the Law of the LORD their God for a quarter of the day, and spent another quarter in confession and in worshiping the LORD their God.........."Stand up and praise the LORD your God, who is from everlasting to everlasting."  "Blessed be your glorious name, and may it be exalted above all blessing and praise.  You alone are the LORD.  You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, and all their starry host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them.  You give life to everlasting, and the multitudes of heaven worship you.

What a weekend, an unpredicted devastating storm that arrived by darkness of night, Friday midnight, pounded down buckets of rain, howling winds uprooted trees while downed power lines darkened homes.  Our power was off for sixty hours.  Seven states endured a vicious angry storm that originated in Indiana, where it claimed ten lives.  By the grace of God, there where no lives lost in this area.   We were truly blessed, it could have been a lot worse!   It was a major inconvenience as thousands of homes where without power in the midst of our first heat wave of the summer.

Saturday morning as I walked through familiar neighborhoods, there was a sense of community that I  don`t witness on a regular basis.  Often as I walk, I might get a slight nod from passerbys definitely no eye contact, but today was different.  As people surveyed their damages, they were receptive to one another and willing to talk; sharing concerns for neighbors and property.  In the darkness of night had we gotten struck with God`s love "thy neighbor" lightening bolt?

Is it when we are taken out of our comfort zone that God`s love opens our eyes and souls?   Have we become a society that is so self-contained in our own little world, in the privacy of our comfortable homes.  Homes that  confine us to the prison of our luxuries, content to stay behind closed doors.  Just thinking out loud!  Perhaps, God`s trying to get our attention.

As the weekend progressed, I had flashbacks of my childhood; a slower way of life.  Not so many modern conveniences; I remember, no television(actually we got our first TV when I was six), no computers, no micowaves, no cell phones, and no air conditioners.   A time when neighbor`s talked to one another from front porches because it was too hot to sit inside. However, I`m embarrassed to admit that I barely know many of my neighbors; it`s so easy to get sucked into the ways of the world.  Don`t get me wrong, I have lots of friends, but I could certainly be a better neighbor.  Thank you, Father God for the wake-up call.

We survived the weekend, carried water from the river to flush toilets, bathed in the hot tub, cooked outside, talked to neighbors, visited family and friends, attended church on Sunday and bought a generator!  As Americans we have so much and  are so blessed, I thank God for His mercy and the awareness this storm brought to mind.  Father God, allow me to be a better neighbor here in Hack`s Point and to neighbors around the world.  Open my heart and soul to the needs of mankind, use me for your glory.   Amen!

James 1:12-14  Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.  When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me."  For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed.