What a crazy couple of weeks. Haiti, VBS, a Tornado, The Fourth of
July....As i arrvied home from Haiti and prepared myself for Vacation Bible
School I was so happy with the number of people who promised to support me by
praying for all that I have going on. Those events went off with no hitches and
all that I felt was exhaustion, but don't we all. I was beginning my ramp
up for Christian Athletic Camp and Active Christian Training (counseling and
deaning) when I was sitting at my desk figuring out paperwork when I got a call
from a friend that said Portland had expereinced a Tornado and as many as 70
houses were damaged. They told me it started out by Friend Rd., now that
wouldn't shock many of you, but when you live in Portland and Friend Rd. is
less than half a mile from your house, you might get a little scared. I called
my neighbor, he didn't answer. I worried...Called my other neighbor and he was
driving in the sub division and said wait until he got in the drive. After
walking around our houses, he informed me "your grill is moved." I
was relieved and laughed. It wasn't in it's normal spot where he sees me
grilling on a weekly basis all year long. What I want to tell you is that
although our neighborhood was spared, many in Portland were not. It turned out
to be a 50ft. wide 10 mile long runway of destruction. I know you've seen it on
the news, through Facebook, and through Redeemer's efforts to help raise money
for the Portland Church. The United Methodist Church in Portland lost the roof
and the Baptist Church and Congregational Church were damaged even more. Over
80 houses and mulitple businesses were affected by the little funnel of wind
that decided to set down in Portland. What I saw after that was Portland
Strong. The community came together for clean up efforts, football teams
stopped lifting to move downed trees, downtown was full of people, chainsaws,
gloves, and trucks as we spent nights along the streets, in back yards, and
businesses. This strong feeling was even more on display as the four (4)
churches damaged joined together under the roof of a High School Auditiorium
that became a Worship Center for our community. It was amazing to see!
Baptists, Methodists, Wesleyans, and Congregationalists all came together for
Community Worship Experience (and they will for the next four weeks scheduled).
Isn't it neat that God doesn't care what we label ourselves. We are His sons
and daughters when we believe in Jesus. It was an honor to be at the first
joint service and I was shocked to see our Bishop Deb Kiesey there. it made me
proud to be a United Methodist and a member of Redeemer United Methodist.
Thinking of my younger years; a song hit my brain during that community service
and although we didn't sing it, I was still humming it all day Sunday. R. Kelso
Carter penned these lyrics and music.
Standing on the promises that cannot fail, when the howling storms of doubt and
fear assail, by the living Word of God I shall prevail, standing on the
promises of God.
Standing, standing,
standing on the promises of Christ my Savior; standing, standing, I'm standing
on the promises of God. (vs.2)
So no matter what storms hit us, we know that we can hold onto the Promises of
God. Fear, Doubt, Tornados, or whatever we encounter we can know God is by our
side. We have been fortunate to be hearing a great sermon series of being Set
Free and last Sunday was a home run by Pastor Rod. Just breaking down those
verses and promises that God has given made me feel even more confident that
the Promises of God are Strong and we can Stand on them.
God Rocks and We Roll
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