As I walked around Joplin today and attended the Moment of Silence, outside of St. John’s Hospital , I had the opportunity to talk with a few of the local people that lived in the neighborhood. They were all very hopeful and extremely friendly. As I looked around at the devestation, my heart sank into my stomach. The only thing I kept thinking is “why God” “why”. I felt so extremely sad for everyone that lost their family, friends, their home.
I put my mind into imagining what I would feel like had I have gone through this devestation, what would I feel like, what would I feel? I walked silently around an older neighborhood that was very quiet. I was surprised to see the homeowners were not there salvaging their belongings, it was quiet. Maybe they were else where and were coming back later. I walked and prayed for the people of the area. I believe in prayer and God, I believe something good will come from this terrible tragedy.
As the tornado approached, a father and his two young children were outside in their yard. They did not have enough time to get in to the house for cover. The father of the kids threw himself on top of his babies and they were on the ground. The father dug his hands into the ground as the tornado plowed right over them. The soles of his shoes, that he was wearing, ripped right off. He LOST the Soles to his SHOES!! Amazing! The father and the children stood up, after the tornado moved on, UNHARMED. The 4yr old little girl looked at her daddy and said “Daddy I saw that big butterfly holding you down”. Think about that…
There were all kinds of “butterflies” around that day. I believe they were Angels but the only words the young children could use to describe them was to call them butterflies. There is no doubt in my mind an angel was holding down that father as he protected his babies. How could the soles of his shoes be ripped off and he not be swept up by the tornado? The “butterfly” held him down…
My life is changed, life is short and should be lived minute by minute. I do not have fear of death, my future is secured. God loves me and His promises keep me safe. I continue to pray for the people of Joplin , they have a long road ahead of them. The angels are with them, with us all. Have no fear.
Good morning, Dewey! I really enjoyed your Cup today, particularly what you wrote about God’s promises. I loved your definition of the word promise: “A promise is the assurance God gives His people so that they can walk by faith while they wait for Him to work!” I chewed on that one for a while, especially the “walk by faith” and “wait” parts. So much easier said than done. As you know, I’ve been dealing with lower back pain and instability for a while now. I’ve been blessed with so much prayer, concern and help from others, which has been a great comfort. While there has definitely been healing and improvement, my back continues to be a source of pain, weakness and limitation. I admit, after 14 years of living with this condition, it brings great fear to my life. Last night, as I was talking with God about this again, I remembered (or should say, the Holy Spirit reminded me of) a precious Bible promise I’ve leaned upon in various difficult times in my life. In fact, God gave this promise to my wife and I after experiencing two consecutive miscarriages early in our marriage, as we wondered whether we’d ever be able to have children. That was almost 9 years ago, and God has given us 3 precious children since that time. Truly, He “turned our mourning in to dancing.” [Ps. 30:11]
Here’s that precious promise:
Isaiah 41:10 Fear not, for I [am] with you; Be not dismayed, for I [am] your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.
In fear and frustration with my back again last night, I embraced that promise in a new way. I’d never seen it in relation to my back. I’m sure there are other readers of your Cup who live with chronic pain and pray and wait for God’s healing. Please give them this promise as an encouragement to keep believing and waiting for Him to work. Father God, help us to fear not. The mourning will end and the dancing will begin!
Victor
Victor thank you for this posting, it encourages many!!
When we need the promises of God, (for me, everyday!) you discover these promises to be as Scripture says, “exceedingly great and precious,”—-but only my friends, but only (and this is where people mess up) Put your whole weight down on them……all the way…..not half way…..all the way.God wants all of you……God’s promises belong in our home right beside the fire extinguisher, on a wall in a red box with a glass front that reads, “In case of emergency, remove hammer and break glass”!!!!! When you make these truths your own,(like Victor has) they’ll become intensely personal! So much my friends you will “FEEL” the covering of the Lord. I have to share with you I have been going through very tremendous challenges and yesterday I “FELT” the covering of the Lord and I felt my LORD holding me up and a vision came to me and it was like my Dad, Wally, at 55 years of age walking right beside me giving me a pep talk! Telling me not to give in!!!!!
I covet your prayers for my family and ministry, for extra strength!!!!
May you see or feel butterflies today!!!!!
let me close this segment with this…..
Keep in mind that God even sympathizes with the challenge it is for us to LEAN on His promises………
“He knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust” Psalm 103:14…….WOW!! WOW!!!!
God has not left us wondering about what is going to happen, or uncertain about the future, or overcome by fear. He makes promises to you and I so we can get through the long nights and tough days.
Posted: 5:10 pm EDT September 9, 2008 Updated: 6:35 pm EDT September 9, 2008
WINDBER, Pa. — Police in Somerset County are trying to figure out how a
radio tower went missing in Windber. Police say a group of people had a
very thorough plan to get all 120 feet of steel and copper down from the
old Windber radio tower.
Police believe the thieves threw cables over the guidelines of the tower
and yanked it down with a truck. Police also found cut bolts and torch
marks on nearby grass. Police say the tower had to be cut into small
pieces in order to get it out of the wooded area, but they can’t figure
out how they did it without anybody noticing.
“There’s probably a half a dozen routes that come in and out of that
area. At least 20 four-wheelers and ATV riders go through there a day,”
said Paint Township Police Chief Rick Skiles.
The thieves also got away with a 300-pound Penelec transformer full of
copper.
The radio tower hasn’t been used for years, but the family who owns it
was in talks with a company to use the tower to bring wireless Internet
to Windber.
“There was an Internet company that approached my son. That’s all gone
now, so what’re you going to do? He lost a good bit of money,” said Jay
Shaffer.
The Shaffer family is offering a $1,000 reward for any information
leading to an arrest. The police chief said convicted could face felony
charges.
If you have information call police at 1-800-362-5060.