Last week it made more sense for me to stay in Pensacola for the weekend and return on my auction journey form Monday through Thursday in Orlando and Tampa. Unfortunately there were predictions of a tropical storm (Karen) and most forecasts were for pretty bad weather. I listened but something told me riding Into The Storm was the right thing to do rather than fearing the outcome. As it turned out, Karen did little damage and fizzled out into a few moments of rain.
 
Sometimes life leads us into danger, but we must always remember, the Lord is with us, and in fact storms are a significant part of our walk as Christians. If we hold to our faith we are often criticized and led into controversy aside from the normal battles of life, and God teaches us that riding Into The Storm with him can make us stronger, and sharpen our faith. Which led me to write this poem on a plane yesterday while riding through some turbulent weather.
 
Into The Storm 
 
There are times when we lose ourselves, in the daily grind of making the proverbial grade
We strive to provide, to improve, to succeed, and most of all to just survive, we must get paid 
And in those times the light and dark are often intersecting, one moment happy, one moment sad, and not sure why
We want everything to be right, put our faith into action, but often we fail and are left only to cry 
Oh Lord I didn't know we'd be headed into a storm, I thought it would be a smoother ride, that would be the norm
Forgive me for thinking that your word was all about joy, but making us think that way, that's the devil's ploy
I found out my Father, that you love us even more, when we ride into the storm with nothing but you
The rest of life comes in second place, unless our faith gets a little black and blue
My God, you are so much more than we could ever be, in us you live for others to see
One day soon, I'll be on my way to meet you, and at that moment I hope you will say
"Well done my son, despite your flaws and the battles you lost, you too have paid the cost
Of following me whether in joy or experiencing pain, when you took me into your storm, heaven was your gain!"
 
Words from my heart that I hope will comfort you in whatever situation you are in. Sometimes riding Into The Storm isn't such a bad thing!
 

For many of us, life used to be all about me,myself and I. We could never get enough attention, praise, love or just enough of anything in general. The only difference we ever made was in making the other person's wallet next to us a little lighter, or in getting what we wanted out of any situation that we could manipulate. We were takers, never givers.

I look around at some of our folks involved at ATB and in Campus, and I see givers who seem to always be giving. They are making a difference. I see recovering people who are really recovering and also making a difference. These past few weeks, a woman whom we have helped financially sent a letter to the church along with a small repayment check....making a difference to those who had helped her. One of our men stopped and prayed with his co-workers before their job began, something he had never done before in any situation. One of our ladies is always making coffee, giving others rides and becoming quite a role model, again, both making a huge difference.

A couple in our class has a business in which they are always hiring and helping people who may be un-employable, giving them some way to earn their way back into society while bringing them to church and teaching them a different way. There are two couples who constantly provide food on Monday nights, cards, letters and anything else needed to fit the situation....what a major difference they make. And there are two elders who are heavily involved in ATB that will take on a challenge in a heartbeat because that is just the way they are...servants who really serve.

I could go on, but if anything compels me to be a better man, it is things like these that fuel the passion for ministry, and things like this that are a whole lot like Jesus was in the way he talked about and treated people. Not just any kind of people, but especially the angry ones, the downtrodden ones, and the outcasts who had no one else to care about them- especially the sinners and thugs who were broken down by the kindness of Him. It's funny, but with all the prisons and laws, the simplest way to help change dysfunctional behavior is to be like Jesus and watch others respond.

Today is my birthday, so I am making a public wish- let's make a difference in this world because He has made a difference in us. Instead of me, myself, and I, let's make it all about you. Do you have a need today, do you hurt, do you feel isolated and alone? Call us, we have some difference makers who will quickly help to make a difference in your life.

Don't hesitate because we may be busy helping someone else.....that's what he taught us to do!

Glenn