Trees are a beautiful part of God's creation. They can also be very dangerous.

Hurricane Ike visited our home, September 2008.

It's Thursday morning, August 27, 2020, and we all are continuing to nervously watch the progression of Hurricane Laura. Our across the front door street neighbor is relatively new to our area having moved here from California. They were here for Harvey and were a part of the nearly over one week without power. He mentioned to me about the trees in and around his home. I told him we well knew what he was talking about. We were nearly done in by Hurricane Ike, coming up on 12 years ago in September. We were out of our home for over 4 months. While the tree did its damage, it was the 18 inches of rain that came through the ripped open eve and ceiling eventually inundating the downstairs. The wife and I were hunkered down under the stairs as the 100+ miles per hour winds persisted for hours. And, truth is, we are still surrounded by a huge number of large trees. For this current threat, we are mostly concerned with winds that might impact our power situation. When limbs start flying here and there, typically, electrical power transformer outages are not far behind. But, our attention and prayers for those more directly in the line of danger. This includes many we know who live in Louisiana. We do know God is aware of all that is happening and He is Sovereign. That doesn't mean we can make sense out of everything that happens, but, we can count on His faithfulness and His love. Therefore, we make our prayers to Him on behalf of all who are impacted by this weather system. We call out for His mercy, grace, and His provision at this time. Amen. .....More later.

Galveston, Texas, after Ike.

People ask were we scared. I can't be sure because we were mostly in a state of stupefied shock. There's always fear and apprehension when uncertainty is acute. When, or if, will it ever let up? With the help of God, family, and friends we made it through and recovered. Many thought we were in imminent danger because of the tree, but, we were blessed to not have suffered any injuries. Probably the most exasperating, challenging, and life collapsing issue was in dealing with our insurance company. Nearly thirty years with the same company and yet we ran into obstacle after obstacle. I'm not talking about one of these fly by night firms. We were with a major carrier. Desperation was the watchword at times. We were blessed about halfway through the process to have our coordination kicked up to a senior administrator fellow. This was a Godsend as we were able to get on with all the rebuilding and finish our home. I would be remiss in not reminding everyone of the house loaned to us through a dear Sister-in-Christ, Sister Pat. She was able to arrange for us to stay in a practically new home in our area owned by her sister-in-law who lived out of state. See what I mean? God does His work through people. We continue to thank Him for helping us get through that time.

Here are some thoughts on storms from a Biblical perspective lifted from the Bible Study Tools website, https://www.biblestudytools.com/. ~ In the Bible, there are many times that God provided protection for His people from natural storms. While we still seek shelter from physical storms today, we can look to scripture for encouraging words during the symbolic storms of our life. Times of grief and despair can be represented by storms as moments to endure until the sunny days of happiness and safety arrive. The Bible provides wisdom and guidance to get through the storms of our lives and follow the path of God through difficult times.

Isaiah 4:6

6 It will be a shelter and shade from the heat of the day, and a refuge and hiding place from the storm and rain.

Matthew 8:26

26 He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.

Nahum 1:7

7 The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him,

Psalm 107:29

29 He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed.

Psalm 89:8-9

8 Who is like you, LORD God Almighty? You, LORD, are mighty, and your faithfulness surrounds you. 9 You rule over the surging sea; when its waves mount up, you still them.

Isaiah 25:4-5

4 You have been a refuge for the poor, a refuge for the needy in their distress, a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat. For the breath of the ruthless is like a storm driving against a wall 5 and like the heat of the desert. You silence the uproar of foreigners; as heat is reduced by the shadow of a cloud, so the song of the ruthless is stilled.

Luke 8:23-25

23 As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger. 24 The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!” He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. 25 “Where is your faith?” he asked his disciples. In fear and amazement they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.”

Psalm 107:28-31

28 Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress. 29 He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. 30 They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven. 31 Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind.

Psalm 91:1-5

1 Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” 3 Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. 4 He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. 5 You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day,...

Praying for everyone's safety, and may God add His blessings. Amen. .....More later.