My wife and I are going to the tornado effected area Monday to visit our daughter.  We are taking pictures and will try to publish some on this site as soon after as possible.  It is Sunday and time to get ready for church services.  Our church is a very large church, though no greater or special in our Lord's eyes than the smallest,  and the sanctuary is expected to be overflowing due to the special service to pray for the victims and all affected people as all churches are doing this Sunday...and we have many, many churches in this state.  I smile when I say that.  Glory to our most holy Father for his blessings.  He is our strength and our courage in crisis, and has proven it everyday since Sunday when the destruction began.  But...now, the rebuild begins, and with his strength and love, we shall be stronger than before.

    The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.

Psalm 28:7


OKLAHOMA TORNADOES HAVE NOT DEFEATED WE PEOPLE OF FAITH IN THIS STATE BLESSED BY OUR LORD

    Concerning the tornadoes that have wrought such horrific and horrendous ruin over such a large area of Moore, Oklahoma City, Shawnee, Carney, Edmond, and other locales in Oklahoma, our spirits in this hard hit area of the United States have been uplifted and revitalized by people's donations and prayers from all over this beautiful world our Lord has created.  The most holy spirit has radiated out from within so many to ease the pain and suffering of those affected by this life shattering event to turn it into a Life enriching event.  After all, is it not about people?  I have heard time and again from the victims that things can be replaced but people cannot.  As with other survivors of catastrophic events, survival burns away the superficial and allows the holy spirit to shine inspiring them to uplift and make foremost the really important aspects of life...to bring the spiritual life to the forefront as it should be.
     Let this not be a disaster but an opportunity to let the love and giving our benevolent and most holy Lord shows to us be reflected forward upon our brothers and sisters in need.  Doesn't it bring a smile and a warm feeling within when you give expecting nothing in return?  Yet, the feeling itself is payment many times over what you have given.  We can tell from the feelings within us if the actions we are doing are correct and acceptable in our Lord's eyes.  How great his rewards for the most minimal acts, in our eyes, of giving.  Never neglect doing the most trivial acts of love and kindness, for, how often, are we presented with opportunities to do earth shattering, enormous acts of love and kindness.  Most opportunities seem trivial, insignificant, but are the foundation of Christianity and our Lord Jesus' teachings.  Take care of the small things and the big things will take care of themselves. Isn't our Lord so powerful and beautiful.  He is always teaching me, teaching me, teaching me....his lessons always simple yet powerful and righteous.
      Our Lord is not a wearisome, dull, or monotonous God.  He moved the spirit and gained the minds of thousands everywhere he  went upon this earth.  He walked up to men and women and they followed him instantly.  His personality, words, aura, spirit radiated love and good.  People still follow the extremely simple yet so powerful words he spoke then two thousand plus years ago.  His words, actions, deeds, stand the test of time.  He created me and gave me a gift of faith...yet, I have a substantial sense of humor.  I feel an intelligent sense of humor in our Lord when I read some passages in the Bible.  Being a Christian does not mean being a dreary, uninspiring person.  Quite the contrary, our Lord wants you to be glowing, energetic, effervescent in the spirit to show others how great the effect the holy spirit has upon you.  Please, do not keep it bottled up...let it out...let it shine...let the love explode from you through the holy spirit.

1Sing for joy to God our strength;

shout aloud to the God of Jacob!

2Begin the music, strike the timbrel,

play the melodious harp and lyre.

Psalm 81:1-2

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Colossians 3:17

     We accepted donations and loaded them in trucks at our church's community center.  I then drove to the church and, with many others, put together lunches for 500 victims and wrote personal notes to put in each one.  Our church through it's congregation has raised over 1.2 million dollars to help provide for the victims in rebuilding their lives.  Most other churches are doing similar collections in Oklahoma City.  In conversations with other church members today, we are in agreement that we think we should not accept Federal Government aid.  We think we could do it on our own from donations locally and nationally and worldwide, and do it in a much more personal and efficient manner.  

     Surely someone is cursing your Lord over this catastrophe I heard a national news anchor ask a minister in a TV interview. I didn't get to hear his reply, but mine would have been, if they are cursing our Lord over this, then he is not their Lord. 

     Saw one of the local television stations taking donations form viewers who drive to the tv station.  A semi trailer truck had just pulled up loaded with contributions from people in Indiana.  Surely, God has blessed  you folks in Indiana and all over who are giving so generously.  I sincerely hope we have the opportunity to help you in some way.   

     I did so little today, but it takes so little per person when so many are helping and all was done for our Lord's glory...not ours.  God Bless you all.

The LORD hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles.

Psalm 34:17

     In Oklahoma City, we have been hit hard by this world's troubles this week with the tornadoes, but we stand strong in our faith in our Lord Jesus.  We are what is called the Bible Belt of America.  We are indeed.  We have churches on most corners as they say.  We are the heart of this country.  The Lord stands strong around and within us.  Due to our faith, we will recover from this and any other natural or man made calamity that comes upon us.  Our churches are answering the call for help in a way that only God's hand can do.  God is showing his powerful and loving face to the affected and the world in this disaster.  We gain strength from this...not from easy, even, calm seas. Our Lord shall raise us from the ashes stronger yet.  I will give further details soon.  We are working hard to get aid to the people and the area affected.  We need your prayers.  In our Lord God we stand united and strong.  I have heard from so many from all over the world.  Your faith strengthens our faith.  Our Lord praises and blesses you for that.  Know that the heart of this country is strong in faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.
     Our God never promised a life upon his earth without troubles, but he did promise that through faith in him through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, that he would walk beside us and carry us through any and all troubles with eternal life as a reward for our faith.  We will glorify his name by our actions in his name to give comfort, love, and aid to those affected... For in giving, we receive...in loving, we are loved... in forgiving, we are forgiven.  AMEN

There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.

John 4:18

    

4There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. 5There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.

7Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues,^a and to still another the interpretation of tongues.^b 11All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.

1 Corinthians 12 

     What spiritual gift do you possess?  I have found my gift to be faith.  How have you been blessed by God through the Holy Spirit?  Search yourself and spend time thinking on this.  Ask others in the faith what their opinion is.  It is important that you learn your gift for it is the gift our Lord wants you to use to serve him and his children.  Be strong, go forward with confidence and passion in our Lord.  Learn the beauty of your gift and use it to it's fullest.  Let our Lord be your power and strength through this gift.  He definitely does not leave us without the tools to serve him and be an asset to his kingdom's growth.  You are blessed...In turn, be a blessing to others.  Our Lord is pouring out his power through your gift.  Exert that power with love and compassion and great humility for him who sacrificed it all for us. And do it with a warm smile on that beautiful face God has blessed you with.  AMEN

This I declare about the LORD: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him.

Psalm 91:2 

     Trust comes with faith.  I had an episode yesterday where my faith, my trust in God was tested.  I was not perfect by any definition.  Each day I improve...little by little.  I pray the same for you.  It doesn't happen overnight.  Have patience.  Be of great joy for the Lord our God lives within and around us.  He cares about the smallest grain of sand.  Would he not care about you?  Of course for what is a grain of sand compared to you.  

Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?

Matthew 6:26 

     Who speaks such powerful words and with such great authority...only Him, our Lord Jesus.  I always find such strength, power, comfort, and, most of all, love in his words.

"If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.

John 15:18

Remember what I told you: 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also.
John 15:20

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
John 16:33