Sea
 of Galilee 

Where is Jesus in the Storm?

“Lord where are you?”  This is my cry in the storms we are enduring in our lives at this time.  Living in the fear that the waves of sickness and disease will overpower us and we will be tossed by fever, aches, coughs and other painful symptoms of this Coronavirus (Covid 19).  Will we drown in the throes of this unseen enemy?  Will it sweep us off our feet and into a hospital bed?  Lord, can you hear me crying out to you to calm this disease and take it away? 

In the midst of  fighting this disease, we are staying at home, going to stores when necessary, wearing masks over our nose and mouth, keeping at least 6 feet from other people, and avoiding people if at all possible.  People without masks or getting closer than we like are looked at with suspicion and often anger.  We have become isolated in our fears of contracting this disease. 

For some, isolation leads to depression, loneliness, and anger.  Others will become accustomed to this isolated life and not want to leave home when the restrictions are removed. Lord, where are you in our time of loneliness, fear and anger?  Why can’t you hear us?

Matthew 8 recounts a time in the life of Jesus and his disciples  when he heard their pleas and stilled a storm. Jesus had been teaching, healing all day by the Sea of Galilee to a large crowd of people.  They had been following him for several days and Jesus gave of himself over and over to fill their physical needs and taught them with parables to fill their spiritual needs. 

Being pressed by the crowd, Jesus got into a boat to continue teaching until he was completely exhausted.  Can you not see his drooping shoulders, hear his rasping voice and see his hands and legs trembling? He stumbled to the stern of the boat, sat down, put his head on a pillow, stretched out and fell into a deep sleep.  

Matthew recounted the event in this way:

“23 Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. 24 Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. 25 The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”
26 He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. 27 The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!”

I can see the disciples bailing water out of the boat as the waves washed over the sides, sweat running down their faces, fear causing them to panic and bail faster.  They knew they were in danger of being engulfed by the waves as the boat sank and would lose their lives in the deep, dark waters of The Sea of Galilee.  

During all this frantic activity, Jesus was sleeping soundly!  Can you imagine the dismay on their faces as they looked at each other and then at this man sleeping while they were in danger?  What was his problem? Was he deaf to their cries?  Did he not care? 

Shaking Jesus awake, they screamed above the howling winds “Lord, save us for we are going to drown.” Jesus looked at them with tired eyes and asked, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” 

Then he looked out over the stormy sea and told the waves to be calm and they became calm.  The winds stopped howling in fury, and I believe Jesus went back to sleep.  

These men who had walked and talked with Jesus. Heard his teachings asked “Who is this man that the sea and the winds obey his commands?”  Where have they been?  

Where have we been?  We have the Bible to tell us that Jesus knows our every thought, knows where we have been, where we are, and what we are facing tomorrow.  We are his children, living in his kingdom, and have the blessing to talk to him in prayer all the time.  He is in the boat with us!!

He has heard me every time I asked Him to remove this terrible disease.  He knows mine and your frustrations and fears.  He knows how afraid we are of being sick or possibly dying and could and will calm this “storm” when it is time.

Why has he allowed this period of sickness and death to sweep our world?  I don’t know but I do know He is in the boat with us and will comfort us and give us peace as we ride out the storm.

Psalm 4:8 (ESV):”In peace I will both lie down and sleep;  for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.” John 16:33 (ESV): 33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

What more do we need?  These 2 promises tell us that we can lie down and sleep in peace for we will be safe,  He has overcome the world and won that victory for us. 

Where are you Lord?  Right here with us.  He will calm the storms in our lives and give us peace so we can face the storms of life with the knowledge he is here in the boat with us. 
Amen and amen

Frances 

Sea of Galilee

PEACE IN THE MIDST OF THE STORM

A few hours were opened today for exercise on the beach in Crescent Beach FL and I was so happy to take a long walk on the sand and put my toes, or both feet, in the water.  That wonderful feeling of the sand and sea was what I needed right now for some peace and joy. 

Being in the midst of a pandemic is one of the most depressing events I have experienced in my lifetime.  The Coronavirus Covid 19, is a deadly disease that is covering our world in darkness, sickness and death and is forever changing the world as we knew it just a couple of months ago. 

Our countries were not and are not prepared to take care of all the sick and many dying patients.  Our health workers are completely exhausted, not enough equipment, too few testing kits and other medications, and no experience in treating this unique virus. Our world is experiencing a disaster which we have only seen in movies, read in books and said that it is Science Fiction with the emphasis on Fiction.  It will never happen here or in our lifetime, has been the attitude of most, including me.   

Well, it is here! It is happening and we are clueless in many ways in controlling it or taking care of our ill and dying.  We have been told to quarantine ourselves in our homes unless we are “essential or necessary”.  What does that mean?  There are as many opinions on who these people are as there are people.  We are told to keep at least 6 ft. from another person, unless it is family that lives together.  Good idea but many people ignore the directive and meet for parties, dancing in the streets, funerals and worship services and many other group activities. The illness is being spread each time this rule is broken and a lot of these people in these groups seem to care less.  They think they are invincible and “It can’t happen to me” is the thinking of these people.  Can you say “clueless” or “stupid” would be appropriate to label these people?

Masks worn over the nose and the mouth will help the spread of the virus enormously if people would only wear them.  We soon exhausted the supply of masks and instructions began to appear on many websites on how to make them even if you can’t sew.  Many of us began to sew masks, some by the hundreds to give to health care workers, family members and others.  But, many people will not wear them and look at you like you are crazy when you wear one.  

We are in St. Augustine FL today and over half the people we saw had no face masks on, even children with parents.  What are they thinking?  Maybe they are not thinking.  I pray the children will be safe and that parents will realize how serious this time is in our world.  

The beaches in Florida were opened today  from 6:00 am to 12:00 pm after being closed for several weeks, to give people an opportunity to exercise by walking, running, etc.  No gathering in groups, suntanning, chairs, umbrellas  or partying.  Our beach we use was full of people following the guidelines and loving the chance to enjoy the sun, sand and sea.  However; in some areas, the rules were completely ignored and partying, suntanning, and other group activities were being enjoyed by many young people.  This type of behavior is dangerous for them and others and could result in the beaches being closed down again. 

What is it with some people?  Selfish, self-centered and arrogant seems to be the attitude and I am sad that these people do not seem to care for anyone but themselves. Hopefully they will not become sick or infect others. 

Walking the beach this morning, feeling the sunshine and ocean breeze on my face and arms, I thanked the Lord for a beautiful world and finding peace and joy to refresh my soul.  Several Bible verses were running through my mind.  “ The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.” (Psalm 19:1) , “I lift up my eyes to the mountains — where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” (Psalm 121:1-2), "For the Lord is the great God, the great King above all gods. In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him. The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land." (Psalm 95:3-5).  

My prayer was one of praising God for the beauty  I was experiencing but primarily I prayed that God would remove this terrible virus from our world. Knowing that God’s plan for this time is perfect, I had to pray, not my will but Yours be done.  It is hard for us to remain faithful and at peace because we don’t see the whole picture but only a tiny bit and we don’t understand His whole plan for this particular minute God give us wisdom to know no matter what is happening or will happen is unknown to you and that you will walk through it with us and shield us.  

I wish you could be with us as we are enjoying this beautiful area of God’s creation for a little while.  May you rest easy wherever you are in the arms of our Lord and Savior. 
Frances 

When I Am Afraid

Dear Lord, sitting outside in the quiet of the late afternoon, listening to the quiet sounds of birds settling in their nests for the night, a brief splash of a fish in the pond, watching the sun set in lovely pinks and blues, I am fearful of tomorrow and the days after.  The world is fighting a microscopic enemy named Covid 19, a deadly virus and I am tired, weary and afraid. 

Because we are isolated from our friends and family, we are lonely and disheartened.  Friends die and we cannot have funerals, they are sick and we can’t visit, financial difficulties plague their businesses and livelihood and the list goes on.  We try to comfort by social media, notes and phone calls but is that enough?

Father, I plead with you  each and every day to remove this virus from our world and you don’t seem to hear me.  I have begged for your mercy but it is still here and illness and death continue to multiply around us.  Have you not heard me?  Why don’t you answer me?  Are you there?

In desperation, I turned to your Word and began to search for a message from you to ease my fears and give me courage to face the coming days.  You, oh Father, led me to  James 1:6
“But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind”.  As I have prayed, begged and pleaded, have I doubted that you could take this virus away?  Am I being blown and tossed about by the news on the TV and Internet?  Have I listened to negative people who don’t know you and the salvation that you have for them?  Am I like the waves of the sea tossed around by the news media not always telling the truth?  What can I believe? I must believe in you and you alone for you are the creator and have it all under your control even when I don’t see your plan.  Your plan is perfect, Lord give me faith. 

Is there any help for me, oh Lord? Psalm 27:1 “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? “ Here is your answer and why have I not remembered?  You are the light in the darkness and my eternal salvation so why do I fear anything in this world?.  You are my strength when I am weakened by doubts and fears of the unknown and I should not be afraid of anyone or anything. You will light my way and give me the strength to walk in the confidence that you, oh Lord are my strength and my salvation. 

Isaiah 26:3  tells me  “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!”, Thank you dear Father for the perfect peace which will calm my fears, give me joy even in the middle of the storm, and may I keep my thoughts focused on you and not the world with all its noise and tumult. 

Psalm 91:1-2 “Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him.”  Forgive me Father for not remembering that we are sheltered in you and find rest in your shadow.  You are our safe place, our God and Father and my trust is in you alone.  Forgive me for being afraid and showing a lack of trust in your love and care for me and all your children.  

I praise you Father God for being there for me even when I doubt and am afraid.  You are my refuge, my fortress and my deliverer.  I love you and praise your Holy Name.  I praise you for even now answering my prayers. 
Amen and Amen

THE ROARING SEA

The ocean today is wild and wind tossed with beaches covered with grasses and foam. A day most would stay inside, but I love the sound of the roaring surf and the wind blowing strongly - almost blowing me away.  It is a tempestuous day filled with sound and fury.  I enjoyed the power and majesty of the ocean and heard our mighty God speaking through all the tempests.  The words He sent me today come from the lyrics to Psalm 46 ( Lord of Hosts) by Shane and Shane.  The refrain that kept flowing through my mind is:

“Though oceans roar, You are the Lord of all,
the one who calms the wind and waves and makes my heart be still.
Though the earth gives way, the mountains move into the sea,
the nations rage, I know my God is in control.”

As I walked and prayed about the turmoil in the lives of many that I love, I know He heard my prayers and is answering them as I spoke them from my heart.  We often feel that our lives are filled with angry waves and strong winds that toss us and throw us up on the beach of life.  Our lives are sometimes beyond our control and we can’t see the steps ahead for the foam and water covering the way.  The promise found in the words of the Psalm assures me that He can and will calm the winds and waves that wash through our lives.

Though all around us may be giving way and filled with rage, I know our Father  is aware of every event and all the troubles in our lives and is there to fill us with His peace and love.  Sorrow, sickness, family problems, and other difficulties are ever present and can wash over us like strong waves and the wind my buffet us and try to blow us away, He is there in the midst of it all with his strength which is ours.

The oceans roar can be a beautiful symphony filled with deep bass notes that assure us that the power of God is supreme.  The strong winds can blow away our worries and leave us cleansed and ready to receive God’s filling of love.  

I love the wild sea as well as the calm sea for both are God’s creation and He is in control.  Thank you Lord for the assurance that you know all and are in control of all. You are an awesome, powerful and loving God who cares and loves us beyond our comprehension.  Praise your Holy Name.

What's Your Problem?

Reflections by frances robson

Good evening and come on in.  Today has been a different day for me for I have been reflecting on several matters today and I want to share with you.  If you want a recipe or a little humor, today is not the day for I have some thoughts on life to talk through.  Writing them down will help me and hopefully you also.

Not sure why but this morning I was dwelling on some of my "problems" and was feeling a little down so I began to clean house.  This is my way of dealing with problems or what I consider "problems" at the time so part of my house is a little cleaner and so is my mind. 

As I cleaned a verse of scripture kept running through my mind: 



Psalm 46:10 (NIV)

¹⁰ He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”

 

As you know it is almost impossible for my body to be still but as I cleaned, my mind was still and I was so aware of God's presence and began to praise and exalt him as I swept, dusted, washed and dried clothes and other chores.  I began to think about the "problems" which had been worrying me and God began to show me a new perspective on "my problems" that I think is worth sharing.

 

I have friends and family who are coping with "real problems" like these:

• A child fighting cancer with radiation and chemo
• Coping with cancer and facing an uncertain future here on earth
•  Lost their home to foreclosure due to job loss and unable to find another.
• Several of my friends and family looking for a job and unable to find one
• Friends with serious medical problems which will probably grow worse unless new medications can be found
• My sweet husband coping with early stages of Parkinson's Disease
• Some have children who  are giving them heartaches
• Some with heartaches over marriages being torn apart
• Others who are lonely and need a friend to comfort them
• Caring for aged parents who are in bad health and some who have recently lost parents.
• And the list can go on and on.

So asked myself again, "What is my problem?" and my answer was "I don't have any."  What I do have is the blessing and responsibility as your friend to help you carry your problems, comfort you, pray with you, and walk beside you as you carry your burdens and lighten your load a little bit. I can pray for and with you, write you a note, message you on Facebook, encourage, and brighten your day with love and compassion. 

Can I take your problem away?  Probably not but I know the One who knows the future and has been there before us and is ready to walk with us through the coming days.  His steps will match ours as I walk with you and He walks beside us to encourage and comfort.

What is my problem?  Can't remember  for I was still and listened to my Father God and exalted Him from my heart and soul.

God be with each of you who reads this and peace and joy in your soul.