STORMS

In case you wondered, I am alive, I have been real busy and some other things have effected my getting back out here and posting. Can I throw in a plug for a radio program? I have been listening to these guys for about two years now. They have a morning show that is based out of Alabama and I listen to them on the net. You can also hear them on 1250 am here in the Lexington, KY area Saturday Mornings. They are Rick Burgess and Bill "Bubba" Bussey, who hosts the show know as The Award Winning Rick and Bubba Show. You can find them on the net @ http://www.rickandbubba.com Check them out sometime.

Okay now here is the post. It is from a man I admire, who's preaching has had a dramatic impact on my life. he is Dr. James MacDonald, read how he looks at Storms.

And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. Matthew 8:26


We can avoid storms in our lives about as often as we can divert weather patterns over our city. Go stand outside and try. The reality is you will always face times of uncertainty. In the landscape of your life, you will enjoy a few blue-sky days, but mostly there will always be a dark cloud gathering somewhere on the horizon of your life, reminding you of the daily need to trust God with tomorrow. You can’t set your hope on the illusion that somehow you’re going to sort everything out one day. There will always be enough to keep you on your knees. And just about the time you think, I don’t really need to pray that much this week-wham. Face it; on this side of eternity, there will never be a day when you won’t need to trust the God who loves you.


My future and yours will be ravaged by the waves until we embrace the fact that God allows these storms for our good. He won’t let us drown. Can you imagine how it would have wrecked the Gospels if it went down like this: There was this storm and Jesus was asleep and four of the disciples drowned? Of course not! He would not let them--nor will He let you--drown.



But back in the moment, the disciples were wild with fear. Even the professional fishermen knew things were out of control. In the original language the disciples said just this: “Lord, save!”Notice Jesus’ response to them: “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” (Matthew 8:26). Bible scholars debate whether or not that was a rebuke. Matthew was clearly fond of reporting how many times Jesus said it: First, here in Matthew 8:26, when they feared the storm; then in Matthew 14:31, when Peter took his eyes off the Lord and began to sink; again in Matthew 16:8, when they forgot about the miracle of multiplying bread; and again in Matthew 17:20, when they failed to heal the demon possessed boy. “O you of little faith!”-Jesus said it to them a lot.



In my mind’s eye, I see Him smiling when He says it here in the storm. I think it’s tender, like He’s saying, “You don’t get it yet, do you?” He’s not mad at them, but sad that they didn’t think He could take care of them.



Makes you wonder how often He says “O you of little faith!” to us.