The Floods May Come, But We Pressed On

Keep me safe, O God, for in you I take refuge. Psalm 16:1

First I had to deal with no air conditioning in the house for four days. Now I know I should be tougher, but I've kinda of gotten used to my house being 78 degrees. When my bedroom reached 90 in the middle of the night, I'll admit it I complained. Lucky us this happened on Friday, so it couldn't be repaired until Monday.

This was not the best time in the world for the AC to go out either. We were beginning Vacation Bible School on the third day of our air being out. So I lacked sleep the first two days and never really caught up.

This year I not only had the privilege of being the director I also had the chance to teach in the Bible story room. This proved to be a challenge. One I wasn't afraid of, just meant more work.

Without much thought, I didn't realize I would be working with children 13 to 14 hours a day. This ended up wearing me out. Still there was a joy in seeing the kids absorb the Bible and the teachings. They could answer my questions and it was fun listening to their responses.

To top my week off, Wednesday for some reason the heavens opened up depositing 4 to 5 inches of rain in less than 3 hours. My helpers who arrived way before I could get there were texting me that streets were closed. Flooding was everywhere and they didn't know if they would make it. Then it hit me without the ones who were stuck, we were down a chef, craft leader, 3 guides and my skit performers. Oh my!

I was a bit overwhelmed as I was now trying to make my way to the church. Prayers were said and I'm happy to say everyone made it. We ended up having

a lot of fun!

So even when the floods come, obstacles try to steal my joy, and make me grumpy and tired I will continue to trust in the one who keeps me safe. He is my refuge and will always be my guide.

Around the Block Answers

Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. Mark 11:24 NIV

On my comfy couch I sat. I sat and prayed while enjoying the view of the tress out the window. This is my favorite place to pray, most of the time it's quiet and peaceful.

On this particular day, I asked for something and I believed it would happen. I've prayed this specific pray before and I knew that one day God will answer. To my surprise before the day was done God had answered my prayer. I believed it was all going to work out.

To my surprise though, God had a few detours for me to take before the final yes came. I admit while waiting I became distraught. I was totally confused as to why there were stumbling blocks in the path when I felt like God had already answered my prayer.

I believed that the answer for sure would happen on a certain day, and when it didn't I became worried. Did I hear God right? Was this just my plan and not His? Why did I think it was a yes when now it looked like a no?

During my prayer time that day, I still praised Him. I still asked. I tried to leave it at His feet, but again I picked it up. I wasn't done worrying about it. Finally by that evening, I surrendered everything to Him. I said, "whatever happens, happens."

To my delight God answer was a yes, it just came a day later than I expected. God's timing is always right on time even if He has to go around the block first.

Rule Follower or Rule Breaker

Keep my commandments and you will live; guard my teachings as the apple of your eye. Bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart. Proverbs 7:2-3 NIV

Rules they are meant to be followed, aren't they? Why else would the law makers make them? But have we gone a little crazy with some of the rules we have made?

Now most of the time I try to follow the rules. I stop when there's a red light or stop sign (at least most of the time, there was that time I never even saw the traffic light). I usually go the speed limit (at least most of the time, there are times when I'm singing or just thinking about something and I look down only to realize I'm going way to fast.)

While working I try to follow most of the rules set by the county, but I've been caring for children for twenty-six years. I believe I know what I'm doing, and some of this new stuff they come up with is just beyond crazy. I think most of the time the people who set these rules have never spent a day, let alone an afternoon, caring for children. Now don't get me wrong I try my best to keep the children I care for safe because I love them and don't want anything to happen to them. Some things though are just common sense.

Even in the church, there are some crazy rules put into place. I mean there's a book around 800 pages long just full of rules we as a body of Christ are to follow. Again, I try to follow them but teaching and serving God are the rules I like to follow.

God made a pretty simple list of rules for us to follow. Some people don't want those displayed anywhere because it might offend someone. But those ten rules are a lot simpler to follow than the thousands of rules set by man. They are pretty simple to memorize, in fact, there is a song the kids and I learned to help us out "The Ten Commandment Boogie"

www.youtube.com/watch?v=KF7FCw60laM

So if you were to ask me if I follow the rules, I'd say "Yes, I follow God's rules and I'm gonna dance them until I die."

Faithfulness Continues

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. Psalm 100:4-5 NIV

"Why am I feeling this way? It's not like tonight is her last night of dance," I questioned myself as my throat clogged up and I felt the tears coming. I thought I was ready and was tougher than this. Sure I knew tears would come, but not quite yet.

This baby of mine, we go way back. After the birth of our second son, I began praying for a daughter. Not for her to come right away, after all I wanted to enjoy my new baby, but one day. I told God several times I'd like a daughter.

When I found out I was expecting again a couple years later, I knew she was the daughter I'd asked for. Sure I still wasn't positive, but I had a mother's instinct. So when I went for an ultrasound to see her, I wasn't surprised when she wouldn't cooperate. She was being shy, and God was saying "Trust me."

On the day of her arrival, we barely made it to the hospital. She, like me, was born within fifteen minutes of our arrival. Joy filled my heart as my husband and I rejoiced at her birth.

Joy has filled me most everyday watching her grow up to be a creative young lady. I've tried to raise her the way God intended me too. Sure at times she gets a little quick tempered and doesn't always listen to me, but for the most part she tries her best to walk with God.

There are times when she's made me cry, when she's made me lose my temper, and when she's driven me absolutely batty. Her brothers have done the same. As we complete this journey of her childhood, I wouldn't change a single day, well there was that one day...

This weekend I am sure the tears will fall. I am sure there will be lots of hugs and kisses. I am also sure there will be joy and singing praises to God because His faithfulness to us has seen us through. So congratulations baby girl, I love you!

Now is the Time

Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Psalm 100:2 NIV

Darkness had fallen, I decided to do something I had never done before, I walked on the beach alone. I found a seat waiting for me, so I sat. I sat and I listened. Quiet, peace. The waves lapped at the shore, the moon shone down, I could see the water as it went on and on. As I marveled at the world God created, I began to sing praises to Him.

My family and I had climbed for an hour, my legs ached and I had to keep stopping to catch my breath. The trees cleared I looked out and was memorized at how far I could see: the cleared land of the town below, another mountain and another one after that, miles and miles of God's creation. Again I praised God and sang my praises to Him.

This week as I restudied Adam and Eve one of the questions got me thinking, Adam and Eve didn't have a church building to worship God in. They had a garden where they could walk with Him and talk to Him and sing praise to Him (at least until the fall).

Sometimes we get so busy worrying about the building, worrying about the attendance, worrying about what someone is wearing; we forget the reason we meet. We gather together in our places of worship on Sunday mornings to worship the Lord with gladness.

Church though isn't the only place we can worship the Lord. We can worship anytime, anyplace, alone or with others. Whenever we feel the urge to worship we shouldn't be afraid to, we should follow our heart and sing out our praises to God.

P.S. Don't forget to share, like, or follow my Diana Brink Facebook author page or comments for a chance to win a Hurricane Kit and a copy of "After the Storm"

We're Each Fearfully & Wonderfully Made

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. Psalm 139:14-16 NIV

Madness, that's what it is. Simply madness.

Doing something wrong doesn't make it right. It's been said "two wrongs don't make a right." I use that quote throughout my day to teach the children in my care.

I've learned a long time ago that when something wrong happens to me, I need to seek God and ask Him to help me forgive the person.  So I just don't understand how rioting, stealing, destroying, or reeking terror on others helps prove a point.

Each one of us was formed in our mother's womb. We each are fearfully and wonderfully made, no matter the color of skin, hair, or eyes. God was there when we were created. He knew us before our parents did. He wove us together and made us.

It grieves my heart when I hear of devastation happening anywhere. Whether it's by the hand of another or by nature. I understand that we live in a world where things happen. Sometimes people make wrong choices, it happens. The wrong choice is made worse when someone loses his/her life because of that choice.

Seriously the madness needs to end. We need to try and trust each other to do our jobs. When a mistake is made, then admit what you've done and seek forgiveness each of us. God has great plans for each one of us if we'd only ask Him then maybe peaceful solutions can be made.

How Fast Does News Travel?

Finally, brothers, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you. 2 Thessalonians 3:1 NIV

"What's going on with the Walmart?"

"It's closing for six months due to plumbing issues."

This was my first time hearing of this and apparently it was real recent news. This is not always the case for me.

I really wasn't surprised since one of the cashiers at another Walmart told me when I asked about the bathrooms being closed, "Costumers are real rough on them, I'm glad though I'm not at the other store theirs is even worse."

Soon the news was all over Facebook, all news sources, Twitter and everywhere I went. I was surprised though when I heard all the different rumors that went along with the closure. 

Wouldn't be nice if the news of Jesus and His love spread just as fast?