The Peace of God

I'm continuing my look back at the changes that occurred in our life ten years ago this month...

 

I don't have much to add to this post.  I'll just call it my Paul Harvey post, "and now you know the rest of the story..."

 

My post yesterday was really the end of a chapter.  Today, I'll tell you about the chapters we have lived since September.  In September we had our annual Youth Alive services.  That Friday night the choir sang "Cover Me" by Mark Condon:

Peace of God, cover me
Cover me, cover me
Peace of God, cover me
Through the storm, cover me.

Only in You I am safe
Only in You I'm secure
Only in You I find peace
So cover me, cover me 

Cover me when I am hurting
Cover me when I'm not strong
Cover me when I am going through the storm
Cover me when it all seems hopeless
Cover me when my faith is gone
Let the peace that passes all I understand

As I stood on the platform singing, I thought of friends who were hurting.  I sang for them.  But sometime in that song I felt like I was singing for me.  I didn't know it that night, but my life was getting ready to be stormy and I would need peace like never before.  I haven't blogged about every part of the storm we went through, but here it is...

Peace of God, cover me

Cover me, cover me

On the following Saturday, September 15th, Dad was hospitalized in Fresno, then transferred to San Francisco.  This started a very long journey that we are still on today.  Dad spent 7 1/2 weeks in San Francisco (hospitals and rehab center) before returning to Fresno.  He was back in San Francisco in December for surgery and is now back in Fresno.  (I'll just add here that my Dad passed away on March 5, 2013.  We were home from our second trip to Hawaii and I was able to spend several days with him.  I still miss him very much!)

Peace of God, cover me

Through the storm, cover me.

On the weekend of October 7-8, Les and I traveled to Fresno.  That Saturday Kim and I drove to San Francisco to visit Dad.  On Sunday morning, Les and I went to church in Truth Tabernacle.  We drove home that afternoon with plenty of time to make it to church that evening.  When we got home, we discovered that our house had been broken into.  Nothing was taken, the police said they were looking for cash and jewelry.  But it was a horrible feeling!

Only in You I am safe

Only in You I'm secure

Only in You I find peace

On October 22nd, Les was laid off his job.  In today's economy, we knew it might be a while before he found something else.  That ended up being three months.  But during that time, everyone of our needs were met.  We paid our bills, we had food on the table.  We were covered.

Cover me when I am hurting

Cover me when I'm not strong

Cover me when I am going through the storm

The same week that Les was laid off, Dad had his worst week in San Francisco.  For several days we were very concerned that his body was just shutting down.  His chemicals were completely out of balance.  The doctors were concerned about his heart.  After a few days back in the hospital, he started doing better and returned to the rehab center.

Cover me when it all seems hopeless

Here we are four months later and the peace of God has covered us through the storm.  There were days that I felt I was barely hanging on, but the peace would come.  Days when I worried, until I prayed and found peace again.  It's been a journey, but one that I never walked by myself.

Cover me when my faith is gone

Let the peace that passes all I understand

 Peace of God, cover me

Cover me, cover me

Peace of God, cover me

Through the storm, cover me.

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
~ Philippians 4:7

30 Days of Thanks, Day 19: Weathered

None of us are going to make it through life without facing storms.  I'm not thankful for all the storms I've faced, but I AM thankful for a God Who has been with me and has helped me weather those storms.  Way back in 2011 I wrote a post called "Storm Survival."  It's so great how God will use two different men to bring encouragement during the storms of life:

 

Les preached a great message yesterday morning called "Storm Survival." His text was from Matthew chapter 14. It is the story of the disciples in a storm when Jesus comes to them walking on the water.

Les made many great points, but the one that stood out to me was from verse 22: "and straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship..." The disciples were exactly where Jesus wanted them and they still faced a storm!

It's so easy to question when we're in a storm. "Lord, I thought this is what you wanted me to do..." Just because a storm comes doesn't mean you're out of the will of God or that you've done something wrong. God knows exactly where you are. The same story is told in Mark chapter 6, verse 48 says that Jesus "saw them toiling in rowing."

Pastor Julio May from Memphis, Tennessee was in service with us last night. His message was "From Bad to Worse." Amos 5:19 says, "As if a man did flee from a lion, and a bear met him; or went into the house, and leaned his hand on the wall, and a serpent bit him."

Bro. May talked about how sometimes life can go from bad to worse, but then he made this statement: "When you're living for God, a bad day just means a better day is coming!"

As I played the piano for both altar services, I watched people who are going through storms. Unemployment. Sickness. Financial Strain. Things I don't even know about ~ but God was at work yesterday! They're still in their storms this morning, but I believe they woke up with hope instead of despair.

I know that there are people reading this blog who are in storms. Storms are part of life. While the disciples were still in the storm, Jesus said, "Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid." So remember, God knows exactly where you are in your storm today and a better day IS coming!

Cover Me

Our choir sang Mark Condon's "Cover Me" for service last night.  This is truly a powerful song.  I testified a little before we sang.  The complete testimony is one I posted on January 21, 2013 and felt to repost it this morning.  I don't know what you're going through today, but let the peace of God cover you.

My post yesterday was really the end of a chapter.  Today, I'll tell you about the chapters we have lived since September.  In September we had our annual Youth Alive services.  That Friday night the choir sang "Cover Me" by Mark Condon:

Peace of God, cover me
Cover me, cover me
Peace of God, cover me
Through the storm, cover me.

Only in You I am safe
Only in You I'm secure
Only in You I find peace
So cover me, cover me 

Cover me when I am hurting
Cover me when I'm not strong
Cover me when I am going through the storm
Cover me when it all seems hopeless
Cover me when my faith is gone
Let the peace that passes all I understand

As I stood on the platform singing, I thought of friends who were hurting.  I sang for them.  But sometime in that song I felt like I was singing for me.  I didn't know it that night, but my life was getting ready to be stormy and I would need peace like never before.  I haven't blogged about every part of the storm we went through, but here it is...

Peace of God, cover me

Cover me, cover me

On the following Saturday, September 15th, Dad was hospitalized in Fresno, then transferred to San Francisco.  This started a very long journey that we are still on today.  Dad spent 7 1/2 weeks in San Francisco (hospitals and rehab center) before returning to Fresno.  He was back in San Francisco in December for surgery and is now back in Fresno.

Peace of God, cover me

Through the storm, cover me.

On the weekend of October 7-8, Les and I traveled to Fresno.  That Saturday Kim and I drove to San Francisco to visit Dad.  On Sunday morning, Les and I went to church in Truth Tabernacle.  We drove home that afternoon with plenty of time to make it to church that evening.  When we got home, we discovered that our house had been broken into.  Nothing was taken, the police said they were looking for cash and jewelry.  But it was a horrible feeling!

Only in You I am safe

Only in You I'm secure

Only in You I find peace

On October 22nd, Les was laid off his job.  In today's economy, we knew it might be a while before he found something else.  That ended up being three months.  But during that time, everyone of our needs were met.  We paid our bills, we had food on the table.  We were covered.

Cover me when I am hurting

Cover me when I'm not strong

Cover me when I am going through the storm

The same week that Les was laid off, Dad had his worst week in San Francisco.  For several days we were very concerned that his body was just shutting down.  His chemicals were completely out of balance.  The doctors were concerned about his heart.  After a few days back in the hospital, he started doing better and returned to the rehab center.

Cover me when it all seems hopeless

Here we are four months later and the peace of God has covered us through the storm.  There were days that I felt I was barely hanging on, but the peace would come.  Days when I worried, until I prayed and found peace again.  It's been a journey, but one that I never walked by myself.

Cover me when my faith is gone

Let the peace that passes all I understand

 Peace of God, cover me

Cover me, cover me

Peace of God, cover me

Through the storm, cover me.

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
~ Philippians 4:7

Into a Deluge

We had rain most of the day today.  I got in an early 8 mile run and Les headed out to do the "Island Loop" - a 111 mile ride around the island.  He checked in periodically and I knew he was getting wet.  At about the 70 mile mark, he sent me a text saying, "Not sure I should continue as it's now actively raining.  Lots of splash, puddles, runoff, etc."  I had already agreed to pick him up if necessary, so off I went.  Traffic was heavy and slow going...

On our way back, it got even worse and I took these pictures as Les was driving.

As I was driving, I just kept saying, "Jesus! Protect me!"  I knew He would and I'm thankful He did.  Then I thought of precious people across the ocean, Filipinos who are facing so much worse.  The death toll from Super Typhoon Haiyan is rising, with some estimates of 10,000.  I sat in my safe, dry car and prayed for them.  Will you join me in praying for them today?

Preparing for Flossie

The State of Hawaii is under a Tropical Storm Watch. Tropical Storm "Flossie" is on track to hit the Big Island of Hawaii early Monday morning. Oahu is about 200 miles from the Big Island, but heavy rainfall, winds, and flash flooding are all expected for Honolulu on Monday and Tuesday. This is a first for me! I've gotten use to running in a little rain around here, but I'm not sure I want to be out in tropical storm conditions.

Honolulu forecasters repeated today that "abundant tropical moisture associated with Flossie will bring elevated potential for very heavy rainfall and flash flooding" throughout the state Monday and Tuesday.

I just want to know - Who names these storms?

The Peace of God that Covers

My post yesterday was really the end of a chapter.  Today, I'll tell you about the chapters we have lived since September.  In September we had our annual Youth Alive services.  That Friday night the choir sang "Cover Me" by Mark Condon:

Peace of God, cover me
Cover me, cover me
Peace of God, cover me
Through the storm, cover me.

Only in You I am safe
Only in You I'm secure
Only in You I find peace
So cover me, cover me 

Cover me when I am hurting
Cover me when I'm not strong
Cover me when I am going through the storm
Cover me when it all seems hopeless
Cover me when my faith is gone
Let the peace that passes all I understand

As I stood on the platform singing, I thought of friends who were hurting.  I sang for them.  But sometime in that song I felt like I was singing for me.  I didn't know it that night, but my life was getting ready to be stormy and I would need peace like never before.  I haven't blogged about every part of the storm we went through, but here it is...

Peace of God, cover me

Cover me, cover me

On the following Saturday, September 15th, Dad was hospitalized in Fresno, then transferred to San Francisco.  This started a very long journey that we are still on today.  Dad spent 7 1/2 weeks in San Francisco (hospitals and rehab center) before returning to Fresno.  He was back in San Francisco in December for surgery and is now back in Fresno.

Peace of God, cover me

Through the storm, cover me.

On the weekend of October 7-8, Les and I traveled to Fresno.  That Saturday Kim and I drove to San Francisco to visit Dad.  On Sunday morning, Les and I went to church in Truth Tabernacle.  We drove home that afternoon with plenty of time to make it to church that evening.  When we got home, we discovered that our house had been broken into.  Nothing was taken, the police said they were looking for cash and jewelry.  But it was a horrible feeling!

Only in You I am safe

Only in You I'm secure

Only in You I find peace

On October 22nd, Les was laid off his job.  In today's economy, we knew it might be a while before he found something else.  That ended up being three months.  But during that time, everyone of our needs were met.  We paid our bills, we had food on the table.  We were covered.

Cover me when I am hurting

Cover me when I'm not strong

Cover me when I am going through the storm

The same week that Les was laid off, Dad had his worst week in San Francisco.  For several days we were very concerned that his body was just shutting down.  His chemicals were completely out of balance.  The doctors were concerned about his heart.  After a few days back in the hospital, he started doing better and returned to the rehab center.

Cover me when it all seems hopeless

Here we are four months later and the peace of God has covered us through the storm.  There were days that I felt I was barely hanging on, but the peace would come.  Days when I worried, until I prayed and found peace again.  It's been a journey, but one that I never walked by myself.

Cover me when my faith is gone

Let the peace that passes all I understand

 Peace of God, cover me

Cover me, cover me

Peace of God, cover me

Through the storm, cover me.

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
~ Philippians 4:7

Storm Survival

Les preached a great message yesterday morning called "Storm Survival." His text was from Matthew chapter 14. It is the story of the disciples in a storm when Jesus comes to them walking on the water.

Les made many great points, but the one that stood out to me was from verse 22: "and straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship..." The disciples were exactly where Jesus wanted them and they still faced a storm!

It's so easy to question when we're in a storm. "Lord, I thought this is what you wanted me to do..." Just because a storm comes doesn't mean you're out of the will of God or that you've done something wrong. God knows exactly where you are. The same story is told in Mark chapter 6, verse 48 says that Jesus "saw them toiling in rowing."

Pastor Julio May from Memphis, Tennessee was in service with us last night. His message was "From Bad to Worse." Amos 5:19 says, "As if a man did flee from a lion, and a bear met him; or went into the house, and leaned his hand on the wall, and a serpent bit him."

Bro. May talked about how sometimes life can go from bad to worse, but then he made this statement: "When you're living for God, a bad day just means a better day is coming!"

As I played the piano for both altar services, I watched people who are going through storms. Unemployment. Sickness. Financial Strain. Things I don't even know about ~ but God was at work yesterday! They're still in their storms this morning, but I believe they woke up with hope instead of despair.

I know that there are people reading this blog who are in storms. Storms are part of life. While the disciples were still in the storm, Jesus said, "Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid." So remember, God knows exactly where you are in your storm today and a better day IS coming!