We are now a few days removed from Hurricane Ike. The storm passed over town during the afternoon on Saturday. There was no parade to welcome its presence but only families huddled away in their homes. Even though the storm blew through on Saturday its presence is still being felt by people without power. I watched the awesome power of the storm as it blew down trees and sent rain falling sideways. It was the first hurricane in my memory where you could notice the front end, the eye, and then the back end. Looking back, the only proper response to it seems to be wow!

On a practical note, a huge thank you should be given to the men and women who were working during the height of the weather. There were several people who gathered at our City Hall taking calls on various crises. Some went out in the storm to clear downed trees. A few went out in the weather to take in those with medical needs. We provided shelter in our church to a few people in need of different things. It is possible that the responses to calls were not always perfect. However I saw first hand that they did try their dead level best. The fire fighters, police and EMTs did what they could to ease the stress caused by the storm. I thank them for that effort.

Needless to say we did not have church on Sunday. I spent part of the afternoon going about to check on some of our people who live outside of town. All were without power at that time but all had a good attitude regardless. Several individuals were also out assisting those in need of clean up or other problems. It never ceases to surprise me how we can come together in times of distress. Life would be so much better if we did this as a matter of habit rather than it being an occasional occurrence.

Storms come to all of us at various times of life. Not all of them are category 1 hurricanes. Some storms are deliberate yet much smaller in stature. Now our news outlets are screaming the headlines of financial storms across our country. We may not always have major hurricanes but we can be sure we will always face trials of some type. Tonight we will pray for those with medical issues that create a storm. I heard this week of various people facing trials of differing causes. God never promised that we would live a problem free life. It really shouldn't surprise us when we do run headlong into difficulty.

God does promise that He will never abandon us in difficult times. I know that is hard to see when the winds and rains are blowing but it is true. He will not even leave us after the storm passes and we face the task of cleanup. In fact, my observation is that it isn't always the trial itself that is hard. Our problems grow when we see the mess it leaves behind. Life like hurricanes budge us from our routine and scatter our carefully made plans. We can trust that all that is blown about is still under God's control. We can learn to listen afresh to Him for guidance. We can open our hearts to pour out our deepest hurt to a God who understands grief and loss. We can pull together for support rather than pushing others away in pain. We make the choices that determine if we come through the storms as better people or as simply bitter. I hope and pray that you choose wisely.

Bro. Trey

Another ministerial casualty fell this week. Seems like every day is a new story of someone being dismissed without thought not due to something illegal, immoral or fattening but just because it seemed the thing to do. Why do we do this? When did we decide that ministers were hired like anyone else? When did we lose the idea that ministry is to be a mutual work? At some point we opened the "Pandora’s box" of treating ministers as pieces of a machine that can be replaced on a whim. Is it any wonder that the unchurched world wonders at our ability to truly be authentic Christians?

Once upon a time there was a minister who dealt with so much of the pain my brethren and some sisters face. His call to ministry came late in his life. That life was not without controversy before his call. That controversy continued even as he began his journey. His first attempts of ministry were a huge failure. He was subject to abuse, scorn and mockery yet he soldiered on. His initial success finally led to even more difficulty. He would be questioned on every decision that he made. He would not always exhibit the godliest attitude yet he would repent and regroup to push forward. Those he led would take up all his time with trivial matters yet he patiently listened to give advice when needed. After awhile, he simply could not do enough to keep them happy. They tried replacing him in a near unanimous vote while he was away. He returned to face a hostile crowd who needed revival in a desperate way. Even his own assistants would try his patience and spiritual life by their decisions and even their betrayal. It is a wonder that he didn’t give up in all the years of his ministry. Perhaps it is that God chose him for that most unique of situations. God wired him to lead and care for those in need. He spent time alone with God to bring messages that came right from heaven itself. When you look at the whole picture the crises originated from his human failings as well as those of his flock. Ministry is a two way street often beset with the unexpected curves of being human. I suppose Moses learned that as well as anyone over his 40 plus years of ministry.

Jesus prayed for and desired His people to live in unity. He knew that it would not come either easy or cheap. He lived with his twelve disciples long enough to know people can do some very odd things. Sometimes we do those things because we simply make mistakes. But, we can also do those things from a selfish and sinful heart. We decide as ministers that we know more than God so we let our ego get over inflated. We decide as ministers that we are the only ones who can know God and His will. But, many if not most ministers are good men or women who simply want God’s best for those around them. Not every one of them delivers the best sermons. Not all of them are the best organizers. Not all of them can sing like angels. Many are simply trying to do the best as God made them. Trust me, we are very aware of our shortcomings and weaknesses. Trust me that we would do almost anything to correct those weaknesses. I do not know personally very many ministers who wake up in the mornings with a plan to fail or lose friendships. We are human beings too. We hurt, we cry, we laugh, we do all the things other human beings do. We even make mistakes along the way in ministry.

We are reaching a time where it seems we have little regard for the families of those who lead us. How many of the rebellious people in the world look back to their hurt as children of ministers? There are far too many people doing jobs other than ministry because they could not physically take the abuse any longer. This is no apologetic for the choices that people make but it is reality. Do we truly want wives and children to no longer want to be part of God’s church in the world? Almost every Baptist State convention now has an office specifically oriented to assist minister’s families in times of crisis. It is true that scripture says that God’s people can expect persecution and suffering. However, I do wonder if Paul envisioned that coming from God’s people rather than the ungodly that resist His work. At some point we must remember that God’s work is not about us. It is ultimately and eternally about Him.

Someday all of this has to stop. We cannot keep doing business as usual with the casualty count going higher on a regular basis. We have to take control of our tongues so they speak good and not evil. We have to yield our hearts to God to share His concern for all. We have to remember to seek God’s kingdom and not ours. We need to talk to God about others more than we talk to others about stuff. We need to remember that at our best, we are all still very human. We need to pray for God’s best for those already damaged in the process of doing church. We must repent of our sin and ask for forgiveness from God who is the One who loves us eternally.

Bro. Trey