December 30 -Lead On!!

“I am the good shepherd....” - John 10:ll.

“My sheep hear my voice, I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish, no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is geater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand” - John 10:27-29

Ever get the feeling that you've been somewhere out in front of God as you've moved through the past year? You've bumped up against trial after trial,. and though you know from Scripture that God would work all things together for good, if you trusted Him, somehow, somewhere along the days and months you have gained the idea that He's been behind you, armed with a dustpan and brush, ready to do a cleanup job on you, your problems, and failures – remember last years New Year resolutions?....say no more! (Mine had been broken within the first week - OUCH!!!)

Do we really feel as though God's principal activity in our lives is to follow behind us, leaving us to our own devies, before throwing a rope after we've fallen headlong into a trial> then we need to read John 10:2-4 over and over again. A shepherd never follows his flock, He leads. Jesus Himself says that He goes on ahead – John 14:1-3. He blazes a way over the rocky places, the dangers and pitfalls we have to negotiate throughout our lives. He charts the way, giving us the courage and strength we need to follow.

Never is God surprised by our trials, challenges, and blunders. Never does He push us out ahead while He lags behind with His dustpan and brush. God is out in front (Psalm 23).

Whatever the New Year, 2019, throws our way. Whatever the dangers, trials, and troubles that may lie ahead; no matter our failures, griefs and broken promises, remember that we will never be left to face things alone. No matter the situation, there is nothing we can do, or say, no depth so low, that God will reject us. Just say His name, and reach out He is there, waiting to lead us on toward Home.

What can we expect? 

In pastures green? Not always; sometimes He
Who knoweth best, in kindess leadeth me
In many ways where heavy shadows be.
Out of the sunshine warm and soft and bright –
Out of the sunshine into the darkest night,
I oft would faint with sorrow and affright,
Only for this – I know He holds my hand;
So whether in the green or desert land
I trust although I may not understand.

And by still waters? No, not always so;
Ofttimes the heavy tempests round me blow,
And o’er my soul the waters and billows go.
But when the storms beat loudest and I cry
Aloud for help, the Master standeth by
And whispers to my soul, “Lo, it is I.”
Above the tempest wild I hear Him say,
“Beyond this darkness lies a perfect day.
In every path of thine I lead the way.”

So whether on the hilltops high and fair
I dwell, or in the sunless valleys where
The shadows lie – what matters? He is there.


So where He leads me, I can safely go,
And in the blest hereafter I shall know
Why, in His wisdom, He hath led me so.

by Rev. John F. Chaplain

Music to take us from 2018 into 2019 is “Sometimes it Takes a Mountain” (LIVE) Click on the picture, as usual, to liisten.

December 24 – At the stroke of twelve

“But the LORD will still give you proof. A virgin is pregnant; she will have a son and will name him Immanuel” (Isaiah 7:14) A child is born to us! A son is given to us! And he will be our ruler. He will be called, “Wonderful Counselor,” “Mighty God,” “Eternal Father,” “Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6)

The star had been followed, the journey had been made, a resting place found, and now, at midnight, a child was born – a baby boy, the Son of God. Born to Mary, little more than a child herself – a thirteen year old virgin, and her fiance Joseph. A miracle of love.

Considering the awesome role he had been called to fulfilL, little is said in the Scriptures about Joseph, but what a remarkable man he must have been! His commitment and depth of his love for Mary is undoubted. His one aim throughout was to protect her. Joseph also demonstrated his implicit faith in God, and his desire to obey His word.

Can you imagine the gossip, the sniggering and finger pointing that would have gone on? And that was only the neighbours and fellow temple worshippers. What about Joseph facing his parents, and Mary's?....”Mum, Dad, Mary is pregnant....but we had nothing to do with it – honest!” I can imagine that going down like a sack of bricks - especially when they said it was all down to an angel!

I wonder, was there a sudden demand in the neighburhood for carpentry orders as people visited the workroom hoping to chat up Joseph and get him to give them an 'exclusive'?

There are so many questions I want to ask when we all get to heaven....Who delivered the Baby, was it Joseph, or the inn keeper's wife? Who cut the umbilical cord, and did Joseph take a turn in the night when the Baby needed changing and feeding?

What about the 'Egyptian years'? What happened between the flight into Egypt and the family's return to Damascus? - important years in the Child's education and development. Where did they live, and how did they financially support themselves?

Then there are the silent years between the family's return to Galilee and turning water into wine at the Cana wedding. What was happening in Jesus' life during that time? So many questions about the Miracle of Love, the Baby in the manger. It's a good thing that life will be everlasting!

Music this Christmas time is “The Miracle of Love” sung by Cliff Richard.

Click on the picture to listen.

December 10 - Celebrations!

“If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved”. Romans 10:9-10

Black Friday started it – the BIG SPEND, as the minds and eyes of almost every household are focusing in on stocking up with enough food to feed a regiment, ready for THE DAY, Christmas day. Ask about the need to buy a month's groceries for what amounts to two days maximum, and the reply comes back, “Well, we're having a party!”

The story goes that a church was holding a cookie party to raise funds for the church. The price of entry to the party was for each person to take a tray of cookies, which were then shared.

There was only one snag. The local minister didn't know a cooking tray from his elbow – and all he had in his cupboard was half a tin of beans which he offered atthe door on the night. How he wished he had learned to bake, but he had left it too late....too late to get into the party....too late, without help.

Another party will soon take place – sooner than I think we anticipate. World conditions day after day highlight the fulfilment of yet another prophecy, showing Jesus will soon return.

So, forget Black Friday, forget the BIG SPEND beause the table is set ready for the Lord's party to begin. We have received our invitation to attend – an invitation to give our hearts and lives to Jesus, to accept Him as our Saviour....no tray of cookies or half tin of beans.  No need of fancy clothes - the invitation says to just come as we are.  But what about the entry charge? No charge, the price has already been paid for each of us. The baby in the manger, thirty-two years later, died in our place to ensure that we will have eternal life, reunited with our loved ones, and FREE ENTRY TO THE PARTY OF ALL PARTIES! 

Did they let the minister in? Yes, thanks to one of the ladies who had made an extra tray of cookies – just in case. She stood in the minster's place, and paid the price of his entry.


While we are enjoying time this Christmas with our families and friends, I pray we will give thanks for the Baby in the manger, and remember, we owe our fre ticket to Him.

See you at the party. I'll be looking for you!

Click on the piture to listen to "I'll meet you in the morning" (LIVE)

November 22 – A very funny thing...

'Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them”' - Psalm 126:2 NIV

You'd think the survivors would never smile and laugh again after witnessing the horrors and slaughter of World Wars One and Two, yet, these wars were to produce a plethora of comedy, and classic actors, such as Sid James, Michael Caine etc who, after the wars, went on to appear in the Carry On films and numerous others, many of which were war based. Their sense of humour had survived and throughout their lives they brought laughter to millions of fans.

Over the past couple of years I have been receiving treatment for a bacterial infection. What a blessing that has been, and what a learning curve! So many people have come and gone each day during the course of treatment...some who looked as though their faces would crack if they allowed it to smile, (far from therapeutic). . Then there were those whose visits brought sunshine with them, even on the most dismal day.

These people, whether they realised it or not, by having a 'merry heart,' were, not only speeding up my recovery, but taking the stress out of their workday and extending their own lives.

What does the Bible say about laughter? Laughter is an amazing ability that God gave us all. Laughter helps us cope with sadness and life. The Bible gives examples of when to laugh and when not to laugh. The Bible also gives us the strength to be able to laugh at the wicked. “The wicked plot against the godly; they snarl at them in defiance. But the Lord just laughs, for he sees their day of judgment coming” (Psalm 37:12-13). (Bible Study Tools)

Proverbs 17:22 says that “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine,” and Robert Louis Stevenson agrees saying, “A happy man is a better thing to find than a five pound note.”

Laughter should be on prescription instead of pills....'Take a dose three X's a day, or whenever feeling low.'

It's true. It's good to laugh. I'd even go as far as saying that the gift of laughter should be considered as much a ministry as the calling to preach. A ministry, I'm convinced that was demonstrated by Jesus during His time on earth. It was no coincidence that Jesus chose to perform His first miracle at a wedding....likely to have been a family wedding as Mary, Jesus, and His disciples were invited together - (John 2:1-11.

Eastern weddings are far more than the one afternoon jobs we are used to, theirs can go on for a week....food, music, dancing, good wine....and laughter.

Jesus, His mother and is disciples were invited to a wedding, and when the wine ran out, Jesus delivered a sign of his glory by turning water into wine. Can you imagine Jesus sitting impassively in a corner and not taking part in the celebrations? Or, playing with children and having a face like a stern school master? Spending leisure hours with a group of rough fishermen without laughing at their antics? - let alone all those meals in people's homes? He wouldn't have got far in spreading His Word if His demeanour had been politely aloof.

I'm not talking about us and senseless giggling, but the upsurge of joy that comes up from the heart and bursts into laughter....faith dancing. Joy because we have a Saviour, and the assurance of eternal life. Sheer exuberant laughter because we are free. In light of that, why are so many Christians po-faced?

When I get low day's, it's good to settle down with Gervais Phinn. Gervais, until retirement was a School Inspector in Yorkshire, UK. He is author of books based on the sayings and humour of the children he met on his rounds – for instance: 'Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star,' and 'Wayne in a Manger.' Another book to encourage a good laugh is titled: 'Even the Angels Must Laugh Sometimes.' This book relates hilarious 'happenings' in churches across denominations. If you prefer video's, go on youtube and check in with Mark Lowry, an accomplished singer and part of the Gaither Vocal Band, Mark is also a very funny Christian stand-up comedian. Click on the link to listen to a sample.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3lp0z981iM

'He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy' – Job 8:21.

Listen, and you'll hear Jesus laughing.  He triumphed over sin, evil, and death.  HE LIVES!  Because of His sacrifice, so will we.


So, go on, enjoy, for “This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it” - Psalm 118:24. NKJV

Click on the picture to listen to Mark Lowry singing 'Jesus Laughing.'

November 11 – Remember them

“And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet” - Matthew 24:6.

“There will be signs in the sun and moon and stars, and on the earth dismay among the nations, bewildered by the roaring of the sea and the surging of the waves. Men will faint from fear and anxiety for what is coming on the earth and the heavens will be shaken. At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.…” - Luke 21:25.26

Jack and his pals Snowy and Joey marched with the rest of their troop – the Australian 1^st Light Horse Cavalry, along the road towards the city of Ypres as the battle of the Somme continued to escalate. Tired, exhausted and sick to the stomach at all the horrific atrocities they had witnessed, they marched relentlessly on, not knowing what lay ahead – would they themselves be the next victims?

Many of the troops had signed up underage, as had Jack, Snowy and Joey, swept up by the hysteria of the publicity scene and what they saw as an adventure. By the time their parents knew it was too late to intervene, and the boys were shipped to France. They would be heroes. They would save the world from tyranny. Instead they now faced the true reality of warfare....bodies blown apart....screams of wounded dying men, cryimg for their wives and mothers – calling on God to save them. The nauseating stench of death, explosives and smoke choking their burning lungs. Overhead, allied planes endeavoured to provide cover as they marched on towards Ypres. In the distance the whole sky over the city was glowing as it burned.

Jack recalled his first sight of the Hall. Ssilhouetted in the flames against the night sky, was a cross, standing high and defiant against all the evidence uf man's inhumanity to man....a symbol of hope and promise.

The war on the Somme continued to escalate and at it's height Joey was killed as he and Jack fought side by side. Snowy was injured and weeks later Jack received a serious life threatening bayonet wound to his left side, and a bullet in his neck. In a Paris military hospital Jack and his pal Snowy were reunited.

As I write this blog, BBC TV is presenting the Festival of Remembrance to mark the 100^th anniversary of the end of World War One, the so-called 'War To End All wars' - a war that would herald lasting peace, understanding, and tolerance between all nations of the world. In truth peace reigned for only twenty years before the outbreak of World War Two wnich followed – meaningless slaughter of generations of our youth...many of them still little more than children. Since these wars peace and safety in the world has been unknown.

The total number of military and civilian casualties in World War I, was around 40 million. There were 20 million deaths and 21 million wounded. The total number of deaths includes 9.7 million military personnel and about 10 million civilians. On the Western Front alone (location of the Somme) 45,000 Australian troops were killed.

They gave their today for our tomorrow.

Despite the carnage and slaughter that surrounded them, the sight of the cross at Ypres as it burned, brought a message of hope and peace to the troops of WW1,. Christ too had given His today for our, and their, tomorrow. He too had died, voluntarily, for the very results of sin and evil that surrounded them. The cross, and His resurrection, promised the dead would, at His coming, live again and have eternal life with their loved ones.

The world today is in turmoil as nations jossle for prominence and power, invading territories that do not conform, threatening war and retribution . Environmentally, we pollute the earth, seas and air. Socially? Marriage is no longer the norm'. Christian and family values have broken down. Narcotic addiction affects the lives of many as they turn to drugs in an attempt to make it through yet another day. Violence towards 'the different' increases weekly, as does homelessness and sleeping on the streets. It's a sad reflection on our society that in 2018 there is a need for foodbanks as government financial benefits are cut to the bone and the National Health Service slides into meltdown as treatment for some depends of the postcode you live in. This is not what the troops of WW1 and WW2 gave their lives for.

I am convinced that the experiences of Jack, Snowy and Joey as they fought on the battlefields of the Somme, and the sight of the cross above the flames of Ypres, points us to our only hope for the future - Jesus our Saviour. The promise of the cross is forgiveness, resurrection and new life – reunion with our loved ones – peace and safety....a cross that whispers, “all will be well”.

It's time for us to put our house in order and accept His sacrifice on our behalf, as today, this moment, is the day of our salvation. Let us be glad and rejoice in it.

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” - John 15:13

Music choice today is from Bryn's collection - Wintley Phipps singing “Let there be peace on earth.” Click on the picture to listen

October 30 -No thanks!

“Your pride has deceived you. Your capital is a fortress of solid rock; your home is high in the mountains, and so you say to yourself, ‘Who can ever pull me down?” - (Obadiah 1:3)

“Where there is strife, there is pride, but wisdom is found in those who take advice” - Proverbs 13:10.

They say history repeats itself. What goes round, comes around, so, we've all met them...those people who are 'know it all's.' They wouldn't listen to a word of advice – even if their lives depended upon it. The result is, that when problems arise in their lives, they try to cope alone with an impossible situation, and fail miserably.

Perhaps you, like me, have over the years, faced your 'situations,' and also felt too independent to take advice, or even too proud to ask for help in the first place? Not a great admission....but we live and learn. Sadly this 'learning' often affects the lives of others in our personal circle - result of our pride. Seems too that the higher up the social and corporate ladders we climb, the more reluctant and proud we are to listen to well-meaning advice.

William Barclay writes of two well-known characters from history whose pride and independence resulted, not only in their own deaths, but in the loss of many innocent men.

Napolean had ambitions to invade Russia, but winter was approaching and he had been warned by the experts not to go ahead with the invasion. Napolean was told that in that particular year the birds had migrated far earlier than usual – a sure sign that a specially severe winter was ahead. Napolean thought this was a huge joke. Didn't they know who he was? - that advice was for lesser men than him.

Napolean refused to listen to the advice and went ahead with the invasion. He and his Grand Army perished in the snow, ice, and blizzards of Russia.

In Napolean's case, he never sought or accepted advice, but Roland did.....eventually. Roland and Oliver were friends and headed the rearguard of Charlemagne's army. One day on the battlefield thay found themselves surrounded by the Moors

As chief rearguard Roland carried on his side a great horn whose blast could be heard many miles away. Seeing they were surrounded Oliver told his friend to blow the horn, “and Charlemagne will come back and help”. But out of pride Roland refused to call for help.

The battle raged on and Oliver continued to advise his friend to blow the horn, signifying thar urgent help was needed. One by one their men were slain. Oliver too was killed and Roland lay dying.

Then, and then only did Roland blow the horn sending his cry for help across the hills and valleys. Charlemagne returned, but not a man was left alive. Roland had sent the call for help – too late. What about us, are we struggling to cope with a situation in our lives – perhaps a decision we urgently have to make and are too independent or proud to ask for, or accept advice and help?

As William Barclay writes: “It is one of the tragedies of life that so many errors and so much heartbreak could be saved, if people were only humble enough to accept advice.”

Gaither Vocal Band - “Chain Breaker (Live) provide today's music. Click on the picture to listen.

October 22 – Press on

“So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing” – James1:4

Stalegmites go up, stalegtites come down. By the same reckoning, we expect waterfalls to flow down, not up. Yet, last week, I was watching the early morning weather forecast update on TV when they showed the most incredible sight, on the Isle of Skye in Scotland. A waterfall was being blown into reverse flow by the high winds of Storm Callum on the Isle of Skye, (above). This picture was captured by a local man on his telephone during an early morning walk.

If pressure can 'bend' a cascade such as the power of that waterfall, why are we surprised at the effect life and lifestyle, pressure can place upon us? We may think that life should be a bed of roses, but if that’s our take on life, we’re in for a big surprise—trouble happens! The issue is not if we will face trials, it’s how we will respond to the inevitable pressure that the problems of life bring.

Joseph and Job, are both examples of life under extreme pressure – lives that were allowed by God to hit rock bottom, only to rise, triumphantly, to receive the promises God had waiting for them.

Read the whole book of Exodus and there you will see how Moses had identity problems as a result of pressure in his life. How he needed some anger management classes, started his political career with the wrong foot (by killing his adversary) then ran away to hide from everyone including God. Yet, there was certainly a specific calling waiting for Moses.

So, when I read about Peter, seemingly being a dumb, rude, stupid, uneducated man, and how Jesus suddenly changed him into a smart preacher, I think this perception is far from the truth. Yes, he denied Jesus, which was one of his biggest failures. Yes, he was a little foul mouthed in his denial. He was also a hypocrite, as Paul called him later, but, Jesus didn’t choose a guy using some sort of "Eeny, meeny, miny, moe" game, or, by spinning the wheel of some heavenly roulette table. He knew Peter very well and because He knew him, He chose him.

God knows us too. We may have a few failures in our records, but we can learn from Joseph, Job, Moses, Gideon and Peter that despite weakness and failure, we can be used mightily by our all-powerful God, because He knows us and He is willing to discuss and debate with us his plans and his reasons for calling us.

When the storms of life press down on us, when the pressure gets too intense, don't let us be blown off course and start looking for ways to bail out from under the thumb of circumstances that seem too much to handle, or let our attitudes have free rein - feeling angry, bitter, or even mad at God—or anyone else we can blame our problems on. Let us keep our prayer lines open, hanging in there, assured that God is on our side.

Thankfully, James offers some great advice to us about why it’s so important to stay under the pressure. He reminds us that God has a purpose in mind when He allows trials to press down on us. Like turning coals into diamonds, some things only happen under a lot of pressure. Staying under the pressure is how God tests our faith in order to make us “mature and complete” (James 1:4)..

So, let us embrace the process and permit God to do His work of making us more mature and usable, for our good and His glory. Believe me—the pain will be worth the gain!

Acknowledgements BeliefNet (Cornerstone)

Music today is "Thank God for the Promise of Spring", sung by Cynthia Clawson.

October 7 – Happy face

“A merry heart doeth good like a medicine” - Provers 17:22

This is what the AV says, 'like a merry heart', but check the margin and you'll find it says ' a merry heart does good to a medicine'. Moffat translation says ' a glad heart helps and heals', while the ARSV goes even further by saying 'a cheerful heart is a good medicine'. It's a medical fact that those who laugh most do live longer. Many a GP wishes they could write on their prescriptions, 'to be taken three times a day with a merry heart'. A healthy laugh expands the lungs and is good for everyone.

“A happy man” said Robert Louis Stevenson, “is a better thing than finding a five pound note” - and almost as hard to come across!. Yet, some of the happiest people I have met over the years have been in hospital's and hospice's. Despite their personal position they have a ready smile, and are the first to offer words of comfort and consolation to visitors, who are otherwise well and healthy, but have had a rough day at work. Talk about taking grapes to the patient, then sitting on the bed and eating them!

When one of my nephew's was in such a position, he (and the nurses) eagerly looked forward to receiving my homemade cards containing christian jokes – jokes I knew would bring laughter, not only to his room, but to the beds of every patient on the main ward. The gospel message was spread, by sharing laughter.

William Barclay writes, “There are so many people whose faces are liable to crack, if they allow themselves to smile. And there are still many congregations who are a little shocked, if they are compelled to smile. Somehow they cannot connect laughter and the worship of God.”

I find this difficult to understand because laughter has existed since before the world began. The book of Job tells us that at the foundation of the world 'the morning stars sang together, and all the children of God shouted for joy', Job 38:7. Can you imagine Jesus having a miserable face at the wedding in Cana? Would children have crowded round Him, clambering onto His knee if He had been grump of the year?

Barclay summarises: 'There are people in whose company the sun begins to shine even on a rainy day; and there are people who can put out the sun, even on a midsummer's day.

There is no-one more valuable to meet than the person you leave feeling that life is not such a grim business after all.'

Click on the picture to hear today's music, Nat King Cole singing “Smile”

September 25 – Spit'n image

God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule…” … God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.” —Genesis 1:26, 31 

My family, like most others I suspect, only seem to get together en masse for births, deaths or marriages. This happened recently with my family, so we made the most of our time together and spent two/three hours catching up and exchanging news. The thing though that was so striking, was, as the years had passed, how much they had grown to resemble each other – voices, mannerisms, humour - particularly the males. Those who were not alike in looks were spit'n images of their fathers. One nephew in particular. Yet, they had had such diverse lives.

Leaving genetics and inheritance apart, I got to wondering about my image. Looking in a mirror, yes, in looks I do resemble my parents – especially my nose – just like my dad's. But what about my REAL image? Over the years, have I grown and developed in my christian walk to resemble the character and image of Jesus?

Arthur Schoonveld, writing in “Today”, June 2, 2014 suggests that 'Sometime today take a few moments to look at yourself in a mirror.

When you do, don’t look for wrinkles or gray hairs or for things you don’t like about yourself. Try to ignore whatever blemishes you see, and, while looking at yourself, say out loud, “I am made in God’s image.”

We were made to look like God—not physically, but with the ability to love, to choose, and to communicate. Psalm 8:5 tells us we were made “a little lower than the angels and crowned … with glory and honor.” Psalm 139:14 adds that we are “fearfully and wonderfully made” by God himself.

Perhaps it’s difficult for some of us to believe we are special. Maybe other people have made you feel that you are insignificant and worth very little. Maybe you are in a stage of life in which you feel useless. Perhaps you are confined to your bed, unable to do the things you want to do. If so, you need to know that you are special no matter what—because you bear God’s image.

Because we are made in God’s image, he cares about each one of us. Isaiah 49:16 says that we are engraved on the palms of God’s hands. He wants to use each one of us in his goal of renewing his creation.'

It's wonderrful to know

“Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely” 1 Corinthians 13:12

A good old favourite “Face to Face” is today's music. Click on the picture to listen.

September 15 – Eye of the storm

" Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the LORD, who has compassion on you – Isaiah 54:10

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” – Philippians 4:6-7

In the center of a hurricane, there is an area where there is almost no wind, no rain, and you can see blue sky (or stars at night)! This is called the eye of the hurricane. The eye is only a few miles wide – 30-65 km. When the eye travels over an area, someone will experience calm weather only, as long as the eye is present. The 'eye' is surrounded by the eyewall, a ring of towering thunderstorms where the most severe weather and highest winds occur, and return when the 'eye' has passed.

(Wikipedia)

It was such a storm, headed towards Cindy Sasnett's Oklahoma home, that local weather forecasters announced mid morning that day. Police toured the streets with loudhailers, urging residents to evacuate the area immediately. The storm had changed it's direction and was now headed towards their town.

Allen G. Breed Associated Press May 25 2013

Cindy and the children's lives were saved because she heard that whispered voice urging her to listen, and obey. Had she not done so, the above would have been very different - an obituary instead of a testimony.

Reading it, I got to wondering how differently some situations in my life would have turned out had I too listened to the whispered voice. Times, and relationships, when I have been advised by the voice, “No. Go,” and not always listened, and obeyed?

Every day of our lives we are bombarded with unexpected storms which affect us and loved ones who, as a result, need our support. We ask God to help and direct us. With a whispered voice He answers us, but we don't hear Him because we are not listening – either that, or it's not what we want to hear – particularly in the case of relationships when God says, “No. Go!”. At the time we are experiencing 'the eye of the storm,' where all feels quiet and peaceful – we are lulled into a false sense of security, oblivious, as the storm rages around us. What a shock we get when the 'eye' moves on and the true blast of trouble hits our lives. When God says, “No. Go!”, do we? - even though our eternal lives could eventually be at stake?

It comes down to a question of 'Can we trust God?' Is He dependable in times of need? Will He do what He says?

Do we have a relationship with Him, and confidence in Him, that we believe He is with us always, regardless of situation?

Music today is provided by Ben Speer - “'Till the storm passes by.” Click on the picture to listen