"Times of trouble send our hope deep down into fundamental truths." ~ Charles Haddon Spurgeon (1834 - 1892)

Hope everyone is safe from yesterday's swath of thunder bumpers, I'm talking about the ones that came through our area here in Southeast, Texas. Today is Thursday, April 24, 2025, and, as always it's a good day to stop, think about it, and give deserved praise to the God above, for He is the maker of heaven and earth. We see this clearly declared in Psalm 146:6 "He is the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them--He remains faithful forever." I mention the thunder storms here because they caused the electrical power to go up and down like a yo yo and just when you thought it was back on again, bam!, off it went. Oh well, I might be a slow learner but I did quit setting the clocks on the stove and microwave ovens after the third time. Genius. Right? Storms. They are a part of our existence. No one is immune. The Word of God speaks directly to these difficulties in the life of those who occupy the planet. You often here the preacher say this, "You are in a storm, coming out of a storm, or, getting ready to go through a storm." That uses the storm as a metaphor for the ups and downs, troubles, sorrows, and challenges we face in life. While that sounds somewhat of a downer, it actually is a part of our development. The good news is how God has promised to be with us regardless of the situation or circumstance. (Hebrews 13:5 ....God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.") Truth. Sometimes I bring the storm on myself. Sometimes God allows a storm knowing what is best. Other times we just deal with the storms that come from living in a sin cursed world. A shepherd boy named David was inspired to pen these famous words, "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me." (as recorded in Psalm 23:4) My personal experience says this: God is faithful, period. That's what I am holding onto as we continue our journey here.

I will have to tell you I was a wee bit miffed by the power going on and off. Aggravating. Annoying. But, why let something like that get me all bent out of shape? Maybe because I am me, myself, and I. That doesn't excuse it, but, it does explain it. I'm unhappy while other folks are surveying the damage or even worse some are being treated for injuries brought on by the storm. Storms typically do not come at a convenient time and I had things to do that being without electricity presented obstacles to getting them done. However, not just in the grand scheme of things, in any scheme of things, my issues were nothing compared to what others were dealing with. I noticed on social media how folks in our area were all riled up with the power company. They were saying things like, "Something needs to be done about this." "It happens all the time." "They are picking on us." How easy for anyone to get on the band wagon when it's really not that big of a deal. It isn't. The outcome? The power came back on, stayed on, made it to Wednesday evening Bible study, and, here I sit on a Thursday morning with everything working. Why the fuss? Again, me, myself and I. "I think I'll go flag down one of those repair trucks and find out why they can't get this all working again." Maybe next time. I would pray for patience but I am well aware of what the Bible says about that, ( ...knowing that tribulation works patience, Romans 5). What is the answer? 1st Thessalonians 5:18, "in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you". I need to go work on that. Today, tomorrow, the next day, and every day for the rest of my days. Amen.