[Faith-talk] Fwd: Morning Thought for Feb 28, 2011

[Amy Ragain]

Begin forwarded message:

> From: Stephen Smith <stevesmith1943 at me.com>
> Date: February 28, 2011 7:25:52 AM CST
> To: Morning Thoughts 1 <stevesmith1943 at me.com>
> Subject: Morning Thought for Feb 28, 2011
> 
> Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
> (John 14:27, NIV)
> 
> - From Bible Promises for iPhone
> http://biblepromises.reigndesign.com/
> 
> It's dawning, and the storm of last night has passed.  All seems quite normal except for the effects of the blowing wind, although now only a small fraction of the velocity I felt during the height of the activity, just a few hours ago.  A quick look out the front and back reveals nothing much is out of place.  The brown leaves still hanging on the pin oak trees testify to their survival until the appointed time in the spring, when new growth finally pushes them from the branches that gave them life all year long.
> 
> The Lord has been gracious to us.  He has passed over our home, leaving relatively little, if any damage in the wake of last night's storm.  But He touched our lives in a most powerful way as we responded to the sirens.  We had just settled ourselves in bed, for a blessed night's sleep, when out in the night there arose such a clatter.  We knew by the sirens a storm was approaching, so we gathered ourselves and headed for the stairs.  Gathering the flashlights, blankets, a bottle of water and our shoes, we set up "camp" in the comfort of a dry basement.  Returning for the laptop and a cup of instant coffee for my bride, I turned on the radio (no TV down here) and logged on to Facebook, and waited.  We heard the wind, the rain and the occasional hail stone as they hit the exhaust pipe for the furnace.  The storm only lasted a few minutes as the squall line passed.  When all seemed quiet, I returned to the living room, where we had left the TV on.  No disruption in service, I could immediately assess the position of the storm from the weather coverage that was being broadcast on a local St. Louis channel.  All was clear.  Yet, because of the nature and shape of the squall line, loved ones, just 100 miles south were still waiting for it's impact.
> 
> Last night we experienced what we would call an operational readiness inspection in the old days on the Air Force base.  Were we prepared?  How quickly could we respond?  What would be our plan for survival and recovery?  Who would we rely on to guide us through?  This is not the normal season for tornadoes, but the time is quickly coming.  How gracious is our Lord to give us a glipse of what might lie ahead.  Will we take advantage?  Has God not repeatedly given us a glimpse of what lies ahead for those whose trust is in anything other than Himself?  Has He not provided for our very salvation through His Son, Jesus Christ?  What is our plan now?  Will we return to the normal routine of the day, or seize this very moment to prepare for the inevitable.  Will we not share our plans with our neighbors and loved ones?  Will we not pray for the salvation of the lost?  What have we "taken away" from this storm last night, if not the heightened commitment to prepare for and evangelize those we can, to the very real need for preparation - to face the final curtain and pass through the veil of uncertainty to the victory that awaits!
> 
> Blessings to you as you ponder and prepare - and evangelize the lost.
> 
> <3Steve:-))