Category: Tornadoes

Not Just Another Week… Gone

There is no possible way the  past week can be called “Just another week” in my life; or in anyone’s life for that matter.  Events, life changing events have taken place.  For many people around where I live they have been life ending events; at least as far as physical life is concerned.
For many it has meant life will never be the same.  There are  probably many who are angry at God, and are starting a downward running away from Him.  Let me just say, Don’t run.  Stop!  Turn to Him.  Surrender!  He wants your heart, your life, your all.
My have experienced one of the most fierce tornadoes ever experienced in Joplin, MO.  Madge’s and my youngest son and his wife were in their house when it hit, destroying their home, but leaving them and their dogs untouched (physically), but very emotionally and spiritually drained.  Please pray for them and all who are in such chaos of heart.
Since that tornado hit I thing I have a new fascination for tornadoes; and maybe I shouldn’t say “New”, but that I have grown more fascinated with them.  They remind us of the awesome power in God’s created order; but even more; if this creation has such power and force; think of the awesome power of creation’s Creator GOD.
It has not been just another week.  It has been a week for faith and growth.  Growing faith.
-Tim A. Blankenship

Dorothy Doesn’t Live in Kansas Anymore

In the film the Wizard of Oz Dorothy and her puppy are swept away by a tornado in an altogether house, and kept safe as they journey on the “yellow brick road”.
There have been many storms across this country of ours.  Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, with flooding causing devastation in many places; and tornadoes doing even more damage.  That is why the title.
There has not been much safety in the tornadoes of late.  People have died.  People are lost, and are not found, or found dead.  We may not like that word d-e-a-d, but that is an honest to goodness word.  People die in these things.  Maybe someone would like hearing the term “Cessation of life”.  Is that better.  They are still d-e-a-d.
Dorothy is not in Kansas anymore could not be any more true.  There are Dorothy’s, Tom’s, Tim’s, Tammy’s, Jane’s, Joyce’s , Joe’s and James’ who have experienced the damage of Joplin, Missouri last evening.  Our son and his wife were involved in the tornado which practically leveled Joplin.
They heard the sirens, James sent Amber to the bathroom, he went and got their “boys” Skillet, Pillar, and a guest; and by the time they joined Amber debris followed James into the bathroom.  When the tornado was over they came out and found a tree in their living room, windows blown out, roof missing, and devastation all around them.  The joy of it all for all of us was they were not harmed.  No cuts, bruises, or broken bones; and they were alive.  For the work of our Lord Jesus Christ in this we thank Him and give Him praise.
To all those families who lost loved ones I am praying for you.  For all those families who have yet to find your loved ones I pray for you as well.  May God put His Almighty hand on your life and draw you nearer to Him.
As Paul wrote;  “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.”  Romans 8:28
Thank YOU Lord for YOUR grace and mercy.  Thank YOU for saving the lives of all that YOU have.
Have YOUR way in the storms of our lives; and  be forever glorified.
-Tim A. Blankenship

There are Storms A Plenty

It has been amazing the amount of rainfall we have recently received, and more in the weather forecast.  What is even more amazing are the numbers of storms, and especially tornadoes which have struck the Southern States of Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia and if I missed anyone I apologize.  

At my last reckoning there were 329 deaths associated with these devastating winds and twisters.  To those families my heart goes out to you along with my prayers. 
One of the things which amazes me too is the strength and grit of the human being.  You see it our resiliency to go on despite the storms of life.  Some have that because God gives us zeal for life and living, and we thank Him for it.  Others, wrongly, just give that to the human spirit which is virtually dead to God.  Let me say to all of you; Hang on.  Turn to God now if you haven’t yet.  He loves you.  He gave His Son Jesus to die for your sins, and raise Him again to life.
As the title suggests “There are Storms A Plenty”.  Not all storms are made up of physical clouds, and wind.  Some are going on in the political realm.  Some in the matters of health.  Some are financial.  You get the picture.  With all the hot air that is coming out of Washington D.C. and the truth of God’s Word there are upheavals in our Nation.  With a President who claims to be Christian, but seems tto give more honor to the muslim than to Christ we are in for one doozy of a storm.

Disruptions or Designed for Faith

There has been an abundance of hurricane problems lately, especially for the folks along the coastal areas, and the Gulf. If you live in those areas know that I think and pray for you, and your faith to grow.
Living in Southwest Missouri we have our storms, tornadoes, etc., and we do receive some of the benefits and troubles of the hurricanes, when they come up from the Gulf.
Last evening when my wife and I went to bed for the evening, and rest, there was a calm rain coming down from the residual affects of hurricane Ike. Like I said it was a calm, mild pouring rain; no troubles right?
About 2:30 a.m. I awoke to complete darkness, similar to being in a cave with no lights on. Our house has never been so dark. Our electric power was off, the air was not on, nothing was running, no refridgerator, or freezer, and worst of all no light. I needed to get up for a little while, so I got out of bed found the wall with my hands, and worked my way to where I knew there was a flashlight. I got the flashlight, turned it on. Oh, how good it was to be able to see. Oh, how good it is to know that God has given me that ability to do so. I pray that I never lose the heart of thankfulness for my eyesight, or anything the Lord has given me.
When I got up this morning about 5:15, the power was back on. I am thankful; for I know that there are millions in Houston today who do not have power, and will not have it for a few days, maybe weeks; let us pray for these good people.
The water which crosses our road after we get out of our driveway was up over the road, and deeper. When we needed out to go to worship our Lord, it was down enough to cross it. That is when I saw that it had risen higher than it had been before, to my knowledge since we have lived here. We wouldn’t have been able to get out at the depth it had reached.
We arrived at our church, had no Bible Study class, and we had three people present; including my wife and I. We had a hymn, read the fifteenth chapter of John, had prayer and came home.
I ask was this storm a disruption, or was it a design for faith. I choose to make it a design of faith. God always knows what He is doing. The prophet Nahum has written, “The LORD hath His way in the whirlwind, and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of His feet.” 1:3 (KJV).
We must learn to trust Him through every storm. The one’s which are made up of wind, lightning, rain, and tornadoes and hurricanes; and the one’s which are made up of our troubles, trials, fears, and sicknesses and diseases. Even these are in His hands, and He brings us through them, prepares us for the glory that is ahead.
-Tim A. Blankenship