by Pastor Cecil | Jun 2, 2015 | Psalm
Psalm 107:29-3
“He calms the storm, so that its waves are still. Then they are glad because they are quiet; so He guides them to their desired haven. Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men!”
Well, guess what? The storms of life are upon us! June 1st marked the opening of the Atlantic hurricane season. Hurrah! Sorry to be so facetious, but it seems like every day, or at least every other day, there are storms that are beyond description.
The weather prognosticators (those who guess at the weather) predict that this year’s hurricane season will be somewhat calmer than usual. They say that there will be fewer hurricanes in the Atlantic, and those that do develop should be smaller than normal. Those who know me know that I am a weather nut. I feel like I am a charter member of the Weather Channel. These devoted meteorologists have all the latest scientific input to track and forecast weather systems. But even they are confounded many times by the severity and unpredictable nature of weather.
There are many types of storms. Hurricanes can certainly be huge and violent, but there are also typhoons, tornadoes, violent winds, flash flooding, dust fronts, and on and on it goes. In the last few weeks there has been violent flooding in the South. Over and over officials warn people not to drive into standing water. They say, “Turn around! Don’t drown!” In spite of this warning, people still perish.
There are also spiritual storms in life. The enemy of our souls will do anything and everything to cause conflict and chaos across the world. His aim is to deceive and destroy! It is Jesus who came to seek and to save. He is our lifeline in the time of storm. If you are going through a storm in your own life at this moment, cry out to Jesus. He hears! He cares! He will lift us up! PRAISE THE LORD FOR DELIVERANCE!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jun 1, 2015 | Psalm
Psalm 49:13
“Sing, O heavens! Be joyful, O earth! And break out in singing, O mountains! For the Lord has comforted His people, and will have mercy on His afflicted.”
Some of the funniest things . . . I should say in the most embarrassing things, have occurred when I was conducting either weddings or funerals. It was a cold blustery winter day and I was officiating at a graveside service. The wind was blowing so hard that the sides of the canopy had been lowered. Things were progressing without incident. Most of the family was seated on the front row, except the son-in-law was standing about 5 feet from me on the left.
I was quoting the 23rd Psalm. I think I had just uttered the words; “He maketh me lie down in green pastures.” I heard the intake of breath and as I glanced to the left I noticed that the son-in-law’s trousers had slipped down and were now around his ankles. Rather than being angry the family dissolved in laughter. When I finished the service the son-in-law sheepishly approached me and said, “I think you’ve never seen that happen before?” I agreed with him that it was the very first time that I had ever encountered that.
I was conducting a wedding in a resort setting. There were perhaps 250 to 300 people in attendance. The wedding party had come into pre-recorded music and we were waiting for the bride’s March to be played which would announce the entrance of the bride. There was only silence. Both mothers stood and the audience stood, still no music. I looked over at the sound technician who had not been present at the rehearsal. He shrugged his shoulders and acted lost. I asked people to be seated and walked over to him and ask what the problem was? He wanted to know what he was to play and I told him the bride’s March. He did not know what it was! I don’t think the bride was too happy with the sound man!
There humorous situations that we will encounter in our life. If we have no music these situations can become intolerable. I am so glad that Jesus brings music into the heart of those of us who cannot even carry a tune. It’s His music! That’s the music I desire!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
