“The Ship’s Last Storm – Euroclydon”

Ok - so I am going to cheat.
I have submitted this as part of an article to the Faith & Truth (a paper sent out through the general church conference), but I want to post it on here since it is already typed. :)

We had Campmeeting last week in the NC Conference.
The invitied speaker who preached campmeeting is currently from SC.

After reviewing the sermons that I heard, I chose my favorite as “The Ship’s Last Storm – Euroclydon.” Bro. Steve pointed out that there is damage in hearts. Just as the storm in Acts 27 damaged that ship, our lives (likened to a ship) are damaged by storms. We can be tossed by the storm and the resulting damage means that we can’t sail as well.

The ship in Acts had that one last storm – Euroclydon. The storm we are in could be the VERY LAST storm our ship has to ride out. Just as the ship in Acts had to make a stop for repairs (and use helps), we should find a harbor and stop to make repairs and get help. Don’t be ashamed to get help. If we stop for repairs, do not decide that the repairs are too great to fix. Do not stay sitting there too long, or the ship will sink in quicksand.

Who is counting on you to make it through the storm? Quit trying to hide the damage from the raging storm. Again, how many people are relying on you to make it?

We can’t do anything about Euroclydon, but we can brave this storm with the help of God. The people on the boat with Paul had lost hope that they would make it. Have you felt that “I can’t make it”?

When Euroclydon comes, you need to lighten your ship. Throw your heartache overboard. This may be the last storm of your ship. Hearts are being damaged by the storm – not by some person or some organization – but by Euroclydon.

The ship in Acts faced 14 days of no hope and no light – just darkness, wind, and rough waves. You are heading to the worst part of the storm. Quit “monkeying” around and prepare for the storm – come in for repair and help. Around 276 people were under Paul’s protection on the ship; it is not just you by yourself with Euroclydon, but a whole bunch of others. You better pull into the harbor for repair – the storm is going to get worse.

You may have seen some “mighty” ships go down – ones that you would have never expected. Discouragement can eat away the wood of your ship. Quit looking at the storm, take account of the damage, and tell God you need repair work done. When you get your repairs made at the altar, you can go on. Will You Let God Repair Your Heart???????? You have to weather the storm and get repairs. If you plan to give up (or have given up) – what was your reasoning for your decision? God is much greater than any wave or wind. God is going to bring you through the storm, but you have to be willing to let God repair your heart. If you do not repair your ship, your choice can affect other lives. You can’t run from the troubles and find a way to get off the ship. Who has enough courage to cut the ropes to escape and say “Stay on Board?”

Quit trying to direct your own life, cut the bands, and let God have his way with your life. Let her “drive” – whatever will be, will be – quit worrying. Hoist the main sail and let God drive you home.

You can make it to the land where no one has ever came back to tell you about it. Your heart can be lifted up with the cry – “Land Ahead.” Are you trying to get there? We are getting closer to this land. The best place to fall apart is when you reach the other side and make it to land/shore. But, you can make it to the shore on a piece of the ship.

So, how about some repair work? This might be your last storm, just as Euroclydon was the last storm of the ship in Acts 27. Are you ready? Are you prepared to ride out the rest of the storm? Have you made repairs?

I know that this is a long description of a message; however, I could not decide if I wanted to cut any part. This message from God touched my heart. Just like Euroclydon tossed the ship that Paul and the others were on, the devil is trying to destroy the ships that are heading towards Heaven. At the end of the chapter, the verse reads as….And the rest, some on boards, and some on broken pieces of the ship. And so it came to pass, that they escaped all safe to land. Acts 27:44

I want to make a safe landing.

Busy Days

I thought I would add a lot to my blog in May.
I thought that I would mark several items off of my to do list.

But, too often the best laid plans - they just do not go well.

My time - it flew to many activities since my last post.
45 hour work weeks.
Revival.
Helping at my sister's house - for MANY hours.

See - she and her husband now have this nice house.

And here's a touch from me with the ribbons near the names...

My nieces have a VERY girly room! :D

After quite an exhausting, draining weekend, I worked on the holiday.

Yep, a 12 hour shift on Memorial Day. Then went to a cookout.

Crashed the following day.

Found out that caffeine pills work, but have bad after-effects.

Read some new books in the past few weeks.

Practiced some more kitchen skills.
Totally hooked on "ultimate chocolate chip cookies" recipe.

[Check out the recipes on crisco sticks.]

And loving a crock pot full of chili beans.

Not loving a spring cold - too many tissues used.

Celebrated some birthdays at work.

Grocery-shopped for me some easy meals.

Took some pictures for a graduation, for a fun day.

At that fun day - brushed up on my frisbee throwing.

My goodness - that was fun, but I am now SORE.

Let's just say, you have to run around when you play with little kids.

They do not throw straight.

For that matter, it took me a little while to get back in the groove.

And while I am not an expert, I can throw straight, most of the time anyway.

I had a wild ride on a scooter racing my nephew.

Felt like I would fall down.

And loved playing badminton.

(Desk job and not exercising = an out of shape me. Double Ouch.)

Fireworks to end the fun were great too.

And to give credit, my sister AR has some good planning skills.

Going on to the next day, the last day of May...
Listened to an annointed Sunday School lesson on Samson.

Heard some wonderful preaching.

Capped the weekend with phone calls involving 2 of my favorite people.

AND finished my "Proverb a day" activity for May.

At least I had some accountability with posting my plans in a public place.

And for the first day of June...

forgot to set my alarm on the cell, almost overslept

hurried to a K5 graduation for my nephew

celebrated afterwards with a trip to McDonalds

had a short work day 12-5 (that was Sooooo Nice)

cooking some pancakes for supper - yummy

worked on a lot of photo editing

spent some time on-line

some IM conversations

some blog reading, this blog posting

next - a devotion time

AND a LATE am bed time.

Par for the course though.

My thoughts right now:

I am listening to "The Secret Place" on repeat.

I do not want to have anything that I do not want to face in my life.

I want to have it all fixed.
I want to focus more on Jesus.

Everyone in the world has Jesus on their hands (i.e. like Pilate).

But what will they do with Him?

I want to put Him FIRST, serve him with my whole heart.

Surrender my life. Use my time wisely.

I have Heaven on my mind these days.

And God cares - wants even "me" to make it to Heaven.

He is working on my life.

He is longsuffering - thankfully.

I Love Jesus!

And I love these lilies that He created - see Matthew 6:28-29.

(Photo taken at the fun day mentioned above)

If God cares enough to create a pretty flower,

how much more does He care about you and me?

And while I am busy, busy, busy -

He is not too busy that He can't reach down and touch my life.