Blessings Amidst the Storm

Ike laid waste to much of Southeast Texas. One city–Bridge City–completely flooded, 99% of homes and businesses destroyed. Trees down on homes all over the area. Galveston, Houston, Orange, Beaumont, Labelle, Port Arthur, Groves, Nederland–all of these damaged beyond belief. People lost loved ones, homes, belongings and some lost everything. Where is God amidst the tragedy?

I've seen Him. He is in the believers who have been in the mud out houses, passing out food and water. I heard Him. He was there in the storm. Not in the rumbles of thunder or the roaring of wind. He was there, whispering to me, "Everything is going to be okay."

His presence is evident. I've heard great stories about Christians being able to use these tragic events to tell their neighbors about Jesus!

God has even used Ike to bless my life. I thought I was not going to be able to go to seminary because of the storm. But because of the storm, I will be nearly debt free by the time January rolls around! God uses every situation to His own glory! And yes, the glory is His!

A Great Truth

I have had a blog for about 6 months, but this is actually my first post. I just could not figure out what the heck I wanted to write about. So why I am I finally on here now?

1. I have nothing to do. I am currently a Gustav evacuee; not because I'm afraid of the storm, but because work shut down because of the storm and it was a good opportunity to visit family.
2. A friend mentioned that she just started a blog, and I remembered that I had one.
3. I finally have something to write about. So here goes:

In church this morning–in the midst of worship–a very wise woman said something that stuck with me. There are some worship songs that annoy me. Not because they are bad songs, but because they are overplayed–either on the radio or in worship services. And for the most part, they are played badly. One of those songs that has really annoyed me for a while is "How Great is Our God" by Chris Tomlin.

I think this disdain for this song comes from my parents' church. The music minister there–amazing man of God, I love the guy–just cannot seem to find new songs to sing in church. One of them is the aforementioned song. It seems that every time I am there, the praise team does this song... and badly. I guess it's not THAT bad. But he plays the same strumming pattern on his guitar for EVERY song. And that particular strumming pattern does not fit with the song. So I dread going to church there because I know there is a good chance that song will be played.

I know that at this point I am coming off spiritually shallow, but I am getting to the point... I promise.

In worship this morning at my sister's church in Sugar Land(I'm an evacuee, remember?), I was standing next to my mother(the very wise woman a mentioned). We sang one song, and then a next, and then guess what? " ...sing with me, how great is our God..." I kind of laughed, leaned over to my mom(she knows my feelings toward the song), and said, "I can't escape from this song." What she said next stunned me, disarmed me, and changed my heart immediately. She looked up at me and said, "Wow, what a great truth."

Think about that. Just imagine. I'm standing there singing, and all the while thinking I am worshiping. Then a song comes on that I don't really care for. Not because it is not a good song, but because most previous experience with it has been less than pleasant. So I just stop singing. I'm annoyed. My so-called "worship experience" is rudely interrupted. I jokingly complain. And my mom slaps me in the face with great wisdom.

That is when I started to think about the song and it's words and what it is I said about it.

I cannot escape from this song...

What a great truth...

How great is our God! Sing with me, How great is our God! and my heart will say How great is our God! Name above all names! You are worthy of all praise! My heart will sing how great is our God!