Are You Stormy?

Texans invited Irene to dinner, but she obviously declined preferring the East Coast instead. A couple of tropical storms born in the Gulf of Mexico turned us down also. I guess we need to work on our tourism advertizing. You don’t think our border control is a little too tight turning the storms away, do you? Not! We came oh so close to enjoying a rain shower the other day, but it just wouldn’t happen. Looking to the north and seeing those black clouds coming toward us lifted the spirits of the whole city. A nice cool breeze started blowing and the smell of rain was in the air, but after a few teasing sprinkles of rain, the clouds blew on by. What a let down. Well, if nothing else, we were blessed with a less than 100 + degree afternoon and evening, giving our air conditioners an overnight much deserved rest. The drought is serious enough that people are really concerned about the health of the trees and other plant-life in the area. The threat of fire is increasing every day and the sad appearance of wilting tree leaves, and the demise of some trees, is very apparent as one looks into the undeveloped roadside fields and woodlands, proof that the lack of rain is truly beginning to take its toll on the environment. I don’t like to water, but it’s gotten to a point where I’m trying to help my yard trees survive more than worrying about grass growth. One of my pecan trees has already begun to abort its fall crop of nuts. The tree has made no apology nor issued an excuse for its behavior, but I guess it’s because the tree is simply unable to nourish them to maturity. Looking on the bright side of the current situation, we’re one day closer to the next rain and enjoying the blessings that will grow out of it.
An older gentleman was on the operating table awaiting surgery. He insisted that his son, a renowned surgeon, perform the operation. As he was about to get the anesthesia he asked to speak to his son. “Yes dad, what is it”, asked the son. “Don’t be nervous, son”, began the father, “do your best and just remember, if it doesn’t go well, if something happens to me, your mother is going to come and live with you.”
[Acts 9: 1-31; Chaps. 21-28] At times the storms of life have a tendency to sneak up on us totally by surprise, but at other times we know they’re coming but do little to prepare for their arrive. The storms of life, no matter how big or how small, change our outlook on life and how we live. The Bible is full of storms and stormy people; hence, the Bible is a great learning tool in dealing with life and living. The Old Testament is a teacher of faith and Jesus is the perfecter of faith. The Apostle Paul (Saul) was a storm producing at times fear, uncertainty and great joy in the lives that he blew through. He was known as one who was willing to defeat the Way (Christianity) using any means to do it. Then he encountered the great storm, Jesus, on the road to Damascus. Jesus completely changed Paul’s life. From the time of his conversion until his death, Paul was a hurricane for Christ. In the Book of Acts, Paul testifies to his conversion to common people and kings alike convincing many, almost convincing some and was totally rejected by others. The Bible is warning of an impending storm that each and every one of us will have to go through and how to prepare for it that we might survive (1 Thessalonians 4:13 – 5:24). You are a storm in someone’s life whether they like it or not. You can be destructive or you can patiently nurture them with love and kindness to the understanding of God’s truth. How many souls will your faith bring to Christ?