Fear vs. Hope

Hurricane Patricia (is that an appropriate name, or what?) has brought much fear to many dreading destruction of property and possible loss of life. Catastrophic cataclysms in the natural world cause humanity great trepidation because we are totally powerless in the face of them. Our modern technological advances can do little other than warn us that hurricanes, mud-slides, sinkholes, erupting volcanoes, or earthquakes are about to take place or have already done so.

Fear can be a crippling part of life to Christ-followers and non-believers alike. I just read a newsletter from friends involved with Wycliffe Bible Translators. The newsletter featured the story of an isolated tribe in Papua New Guinea who have lived in constant fear of evil spirits for centuries. When the New Testament was translated into their heart language, they began to understand that Jesus Christ was greater than any evil spirit. The freedom they realized from believing in the God of the Bible totally freed them from fear.

It’s easy for us here in the USA to pooh-pooh the idea of evil spirits because, for the most part, our eyes are closed to them. But Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians, as well as other books in the New Testament, warned his readers that we are not in a battle with flesh and blood (human beings) but in a battle with spiritual forces (Ephesians 6:12)

Here’s the good news. Just because there are forces out there we can’t see that are stronger than we are, doesn’t mean we have to be fearful. I John 4:4 tells us “greater is He that is in us, than he (satan) that is in the world.”

Sarah Young writes in her book, Jesus Calling (based partially on Psalm 21:6) for October 22—“…remember that I (Jesus) have created this day; it is not a chance occurrence. Recall that I am present with you whether you sense my presence or not. Then, start talking with Me about whatever is on your mind. Rejoice in the fact that I understand you perfectly and I know exactly what you are experiencing.”

I’ve been slowly re-reading I John and was struck by some fantastic words in verses 17-19 of chapter 4 which are introduced with the awesome statement—“God is love.”  Because of His love made complete in us, “we can have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world, we are like Him (full of love, not fear). Vs. 18—“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment….” Vs. 19—“We love Him because He first loved us.”

Two thousand years ago, Jesus calmed a sea that threatened to capsize the boat He and His disciples were sailing. He can do the same for a category 5 storm or the most vicious life circumstance we face. Dare we hope in such a great possibility? I think so.

Texas Travelogue

Time for me to get back to posting some entries. I just returned from Ft. Worth visiting my son, Jeff and celebrating his birthday. Got to visit friends--some old, some sort of new, feasted my eyes on the Ft. Worth Botanical Gardens, listened to lots of classical music on the radio and got to see Jeff pretty much finish his kitchen. As for my own personal endeavors, I finished writing the first draft of Deborah the Judge and got well into the story of Debra Haskins.

Jeff’s birthday gift was initially going to be a half load of gravel or mulch on his front yard but when he discovered a day’s rental of a roto-tiller with delivery and return was going to cost almost as much as purchasing one, he went to Plan B which still had to do with curb appeal but dealt more with moving rocks. To help with that, I bought him a wagon—a little black one, not a little red one  

And it even dumps!

Jeff and a partially filled rock column

Partial rock wall Jeff built at back steps

Ate lunch in Dallas on Sunday with some of Jeff’s friends at the Bop, a Korean restaurant. 

After ice cream at the Truckyard (unfortunately I didn’t get pix so no one will believe a description of this place:) 

Children's Tiny House Playhouse--Jeff standing on porch to give perspective

Made a trip to the Botanical Gardens and despite a dearth of roses due to some disease/fungus, saw many beautiful flowers AND a real Tiny House—a playhouse with a loft for children to play in located in a real vegetable garden.

Spider lilies--Botanical Gardens

Jeff had to work on his birthday but he had a piece of his favorite birthday cake we’d bought at a bakery the evening before and I, of course, fixed dinner complete with home-made biscuits.

Doing finish work on the kitchen was on the top of the list, so Jeff found the pieces of crown molding he’d saved from the kitchen demolition and set me up for sanding and painting. When the time came for him to put up the pieces which had to be fitted carefully like jigsaw puzzle pieces because part of the kitchen had been re-configured, he was sure he needed, and had, more pieces. But they were not to be found.  

Choosing to persevere, he decided to put up what pieces he had. In so doing, we got to experience a “Loaves and Fishes” miracle. When he finished, he actually had a 12- inch piece of crown molding left over! Talk about  a practical example of supernatural multiplication!

Face plates on outlets and several items checked off to-do list

When you travel somewhere, at least on this planet, you generally have to come back. So on my return trip, Brian picked me up at the Salt Lake City airport and then we started to visit Animal Shelters. On our second stop, we found Gidget – and that finishes the story. We both feel she is a perfect ending.