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.
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