Storms

Written by cycleguy on November 13th, 2014

Well…we saw our first series of snow flakes today. Didn’t come to anything (thank you Jesus) but it is a precursor to what is coming…WINTER.  I don’t complain about the weather since I have nothing to do with it and can’t change it, but….I’m just sayin’! 😉

Last winter was a nasty one for us. Way too much snow which I had to shovel. Way too bitter cold which I had to get out in. I had knee surgery in November which put me inside on the bike trainer (how many times can I say B-O-R-I-N-G?).

They are saying our winter may be like last year…lots of storms.

Sort of like life. I have been talking to some folks recently who seem to be going through one storm after another. We wish it could be “one and done” like college basketball players, but for many it appears like they are no sooner done than another storm hits. Unfortunately, like the weather, we really have no control over those storms. We can “control” how we react toward them, but can’t just speak the word and the storm is calm.

The disciples did have an experience with Jesus in Luke 8: 22-27 while in a boat on the Sea of Galilee. Sea-hardened fishermen afraid seems like it is so out of character. But they didn’t need to fear, as they found out. The ONE who could calm the storm was in the boat with them. Just like with us. The storm hits and we feel out of control. But the ONE who can calm the storm is in the boat with us. Sometimes (as a song once said) He doesn’t calm the storm; He calms His child.

My sermon Sunday is on the Miracle of Peace. Peace is not the absence of conflict. Peace comes to those whose confidence is in the Calmer of the Storm. I’d appreciate your prayers. As an added “bonus” I will be showing this video before the message. Maybe it will mean something to you as well.

 

28 Comments so far ↓

  1. You never know which direction the storm is coming from.

  2. the Old Adam says:

    “Peace is not the absence of conflict. Peace comes to those whose confidence is in the Calmer of the Storm.”

    Spot on, Bill!

    You are in my prayers.

  3. Daniel says:

    I will be praying for you in my devotionals in the morning.

    As for me, I often find myself begging God for just a moment of peace. My life is dominated by the storms of anger, regret, and loneliness. What does this say about my relationship with God? It can’t be that where there is peace there is God and where there are storms there He will not be … can it?

    • cycleguy says:

      First, thanks for your prayers Daniel. I don’t take those lightly. Second, I don’t think storms which hit say anything about your relationship as to how good/bad it is. I believe God is in the boat while the storm is going on.

  4. Betty Draper says:

    Powerful song…I posted it to my fb wall. Praying brother for you and those will hear the message God has given you to share.

  5. We have a couple we’re friends with. I don’t want to go into detail about all they’ve been through – but they have just had heartbreak upon heartbreak upon health issue upon family issue upon job loss upon financial issues. It has been a roller coaster ride for them for sure.

    But God is good. He’s been with them every step of the way. They’ve had their emotional ups and downs but have held close to him in the storm.

    • jeff says:

      You can’t leave us hanging. How good has God been. Is it all ok now?

      • cycleguy says:

        Can’t speak for Loren Jeff but some people’s idea for God being good is taking the storm away and making things all okay. Sometimes the gift of peace He gives in the middle of the storm is all that is necessary.

        • jeff says:

          It has always seemed odd to me that he would give a gift of peace over a financial problem and doesn’t appear to give two twits about all of the children starving to death around the world. Do they not get a gift of peace?

          • cycleguy says:

            Seems to me that you are expecting the gift of peace to be more of a tangible thing. I can’t explain the actions of God to your or even my satisfaction because His ways are not mine and His thoughts are not mine. Man has created his own hell of a hole he lives in, not God. OVCF participates in Operation Christmas Child and I have seen children show contentment and peace in the smallest things and even in a country wracked with civil war and the squalor.

            • Dave says:

              Hi Bill, it’s been a while. Jeff still keeping you on your toes, I see. I had a long-winded comment, but I think I’ll refrain – this time. I do agree with you, though, Bill. Man does make his own hell hole, not God. So if he makes it himself, then he has to turn and get himself out of it. I think it’s called repentance. I’m out of the loop. Is that a word that gets used by preachers nowadays?

              • cycleguy says:

                Yep he still is, but wouldn’t have it any other way. I would think Jeff didn’t like me anymore. 😀 I can answer that question for me: yes I still do. Man, it is great to hear from you again. Believe it or not I had been wondering about you last week or so as I went back looking through an old post and saw your comment. 🙂

                • Jeff says:

                  Of course I still like you Bill. I like everyone. I think you missed my point. I doubt children show contempt and peace while they are starving to death. And I am pretty sure they didn’t make the mess themselves and according to Dave need to turn and get themselves out of it.
                  So the question is still why would God have anything to do with calming financial storms and ignore far larger storms of the innocent.
                  As a non theist I am not expecting God to do anything. And I have never seen any evidence to suggest he does.
                  I only wonder why some people think he does things for them and totally ignores others.

  6. TC Avey says:

    How quickly we can forget that the creator of everything is with us! He’s not outside our boat (us), He’s IN us…in the boat!

    God bless.

  7. Interesting that we’re both writing about stormy seasons today, Bill … God’s up to some healing work!

    I hope your weekend finds Him hard at work in the lives of your people!

    • cycleguy says:

      With today being my day off Linda, I have not had a chance to read other blogs. I will make sure to read yours though. You might say something which can be used Sunday. 🙂

  8. Pam says:

    Peace in the midst of the storm is something I have experienced over and over and it is all because of Jesus. Knowing He is with me and fully aware of any and all situations I face, enables me to have peace when circumstances are beyond my control. Blessings as you bring His message on Sunday, Bill!

  9. ike says:

    •These bad things happened to you because I intend to work it together for your good (Romans 8).
    •These happened so that you would rely more on God who raises the dead (2 Corinthians 1).
    •This happened so that the gold and silver of your faith would be refined (1 Peter 1).
    •This thorn is so that the power of Christ would be magnified in your weakness (2 Corinthians 12).

    Trust does not demand more than God has told us. And he has given us immeasurably precious promises that he is in control of all things and only does good to his children. And he has given us a very thick book where we can read story after story after story about how he rules for the good of his people.

  10. Dave says:

    And by the way, the only reason you think you can’t do anything about the weather is because you think you can’t do anything about the weather. Give it a try and don’t be shy. Speak boldly. Discordant weather conditions are not of God either. You too are a son of God, I hope, so be like Jesus.

    • cycleguy says:

      My experience so far has been I can’t change it. Reckon never know though. 🙂

      • Dave says:

        Bill, your words are always seasoned with grace. That’s why I’ve returned to your blog. I’ve been around and about and some of the things I’ve seen that are called “Christian” — well, I’ll leave it there. I don’t judge them. I was once a very carnal Christian myself (or, actually, I listened to the wrong voice). If you don’t mind, I’m going to hang about a bit. And perhaps we can learn from one another. Maybe together we can still some storms.