Eye of the Storm

The Lord gives strength to His people;
the Lord blesses His people with peace.  – Psalms 29:11

My east coast family and friends have certainly been through an emotional roller coaster this week - an earthquake and now a hurricane!  As I pray for their safety, I am reminded that whether we are dealing with a storm caused by nature, a personal storm (turmoil) caused by circumstances such as a job loss or health issues, or an internal storm caused by worry or stress, we can find peace and comfort in knowing that God is in control.

I recently read a devotion on the Christian Broadcasting Network website entitled “The Storm before the Calm.” I went back and re-read it tonight because it seemed so appropriate as Hurricane Irene begins to pound down on the eastern part of the US. CBN guest writer, Missey Butler said, “Oh, how we want to stay in control, when all the while God is saying, 'I don’t want to have to allow another Northeast wind to blow into your life in order to get you to release your hold on that situation. I long to bring peace to every storm that has been raging within you. Allow Me to speak Be still to every tempest and wave of adversity that pounds against your soul. Come and release to Me now the full reins of your life so that I may lead you to the lush green valleys of peace where the waters run deep and still, where there is a welcomed and restful calm after the storm.' ”

Jesus calms the storm

“Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!”
                                                                 - Matthew 8:23-27

THINK ABOUT ...

What are some of the “storms” that God
has calmed in your life?

     Have you thanked him lately?

What are some of the storms raging
in your life right now?

     Have you prayed about them lately?



One of the main concerns that affect everyone when anyone in their life is going through a storm is communication. Here are some tips...

1. To get information during a disaster:  Turn on your television or radio to a local station. If power is out, use a battery operated radio or your car radio.

2. To help communication systems work during an emergency:  Do not make unnecessary phone calls (too many calls could overload systems and may prevent emergency calls from getting through). If you get reliable information, pass it along to your neighbors.

3. Keeping in touch with family and friends:  Be sure to write down important phone numbers - don’t rely on the numbers stored in your cell phone. If you have a large family, have one main contact person or a relay system so everyone is not spending time trying to get a hold of everyone else. It really helps if the contact person is not in the threatened area.

CALMING SCRIPTURE ...

He stilled the storm to a whisper;
the waves of the sea were hushed.
They were glad when it grew calm,
and he guided them to their desired haven.
Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love
and his wonderful deeds for mankind.
-Psalm 107:29-31

In peace I will lie die and sleep, for you alone, LORD,

Make me dwell in safety.   – Psalm 4:8

When you go through deep waters and
great trouble, I will be with you.  - Isaiah 43:2

We are pressed on every side by troubles,
but we are not crushed. We are perplexed,
but not driven to despair. - 2 Corinthians 4:8

Shaking up the earth
God is always in control

Now calming the storms
       - Donna Weaver (haiku)

It’s Friday, Let’s “Sparkle” … action required…  Hurricane Irene is going to affect many people. So this week’s sparkle idea is to reach out to those in need. If you are in a threatened area, check on elderly neighbors that may not have family in the area – help make sure they are taken care of.  If you are not in immediate danger area, maybe you could be a safe house for people being evacuated. If you are in an area that will not be affected by the storm, offer up prayers ... begin right now and don’t stop until the storm has been calmed. You may also want to reach out to those around you that are going through personal storms in their lives. Words of encouragement offer hope, prayers offer comfort, a kind deed offers peace. And as I’ve said before, that’s what the journey is all about, my friends…God’s Peace!

Have a safe and blessed weekend everyone!
God’s Peace, Donna Weaver

“To share often and much ... to know even one life has
breathed easier because you have lived;
this is to have succeeded.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson

“The Storm before the Calm” by Missey Butler...
https://www.cbn.com/spirituallife/devotions/butler_storm-calm.aspx