Scripture
His anger last for only a moment, but his favor lasts for a person’s whole life. Weeping can stay for the night but joy is coming in the morning.
~Psalm 30:5, NIrV
Quote
Only God can turn a mess into a message, a test into a testimony, a trial into a triumph and a victim into a victor.
~Image Quotes
As I was leaving work the other day, I noticed Rex and Sherry walking through their yard looking over the storm damage. I pulled in and talked to them about the storm that basically destroyed their home. Rex said, “It all happened so quickly, we heard the sound, then got in the floor and in 10 seconds it was gone.” During that 10 seconds, it moved their mobile home and their furniture. Some of the furniture ended up on Rex and Sherry. Rex had to dig his way out. When I read Psalm 30 yesterday, “His anger last for only a moment,” Rex testimony came to mind immediately. The tornado was bad but there were two good things about it: no one was hurt badly and it did not last long.
In John 16:33 Jesus said, “Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” Psalm 34:18 reads, “The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.” In His synagogue address in Nazareth Jesus said, “The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is upon Me, for the LORD has anointed Me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent Me to comfort the brokenhearted.” One of the first things you learn as a pastor is–someone is always hurting: while one family may be rejoicing over a blessing, another is crushed beneath the weight of a burden. I’ve gone from the hospital where a family was celebrating a birth to the funeral home where another family was grieving a loss, all in the same day. The good news is: Jesus came to comfort the brokenhearted and heartache, disappointment and sorrow are temporal. One day we {believers} will say like Rex, “It was frightening, but it did not last long.” I love the way the NIRV translated verse 5, “Weeping can stay for the night but Joy is coming in the morning.” We will allow sorrow to spend the night but we are not giving her permanent room and board. She has to move on because JOY is coming. Amen!
This Day In 2000
I visited Gregg Garner, Carolyn Matthews and Linda Owens. I ate lunch with Seth at Danville elementary {I’m thinking he was in Kindergarten} and I purchased an airline ticket [Flight 773, Birmingham to BWI {Sanctity of Life Rally most likely}. Johnny Huey {Pastor at Enon} stopped by the office for a visit and I enjoyed a rare evening at home just Big Mama and me.
Loving the weather. Construction work is not bad when you have weather like this: Thank YOU Jesus. GOLDEN GIRLS in the morning, Cracker Barrel at 9:00. Eventually, we are going DUTCH but this month, it is our treat.{Big Mama’s decision and you don’t want to cross Big Mama} I promise I will let you buy your own breakfast in February.