Stories after Ike

I have heard many stories of how people have helped each other out after hurricane Ike. Some of our members have told me that they got to know their neighbors because everyone was spending more time outside on their street. Streets were having meals together so that no one would go with out food. Others were helping each other with trees or other yard work.

Do you have stories like this? Were you helped by someone or did you get to help someone else? This is where we had the opportunity to be the church outside the walls of our building. The stories that are told now will be passed on to generations about how we helped each other out through the aftermath of the storm.

Please comment on this blog with your story. Or you can email your story to me at: eddie.boyer@gc-4.net We'd love to hear from you!

Life After Ike

Well, you always wonder how people will react after a major catastrophe...for that matter you wonder how you will react!

As I sit here working on a few brochures for an upcoming ministry fair, I received a phone call that puts things back in perspective. A former youth of mine called about a co-worker who lives about 20 minutes from our building. They live in a trailer that was all but destroyed by Ike. FEMA gave them a measly $4,800 to repair.

I know that won't even cover the cost of the roof, let alone the holes and other damage sustained by this individual. This former youth of mine described this individual as someone who is always giving to others, but has a hard time asking for help for herself.

Thank goodness there are some folks that donated on Sunday to help out in these situations. I know that her story will not be the only one, maybe not even the most tragic...but I pray that we respond to them with the grace and peace that God responds with to us even in our darkest hour.

Light

Light is a funny thing. In a dark place a little light can have a huge impact, in a bright place a large light is barely noticeable. Not enough light and you can't see...too much light...and you can't see either!

In Matthew 5 (Jesus' sermon on the mt.) we are called to be a light. The Message says it this way, "You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept."

Sometimes we shine so brightly that people around us can't see. They can't see the real us the part of us that struggles, the humanity of who we are. They look at us and think, "that can't be real...they seem so fake." On the other hand sometimes we shine so dimly that people can't tell that we are Christians at all, that we have something and someone to live for. Even if they do know we are Christians they might not be able to tell what God has done for our lives.

You see we have to not only show people what we are saved from, but what we are saved for. More on this later!

Driving

You know a funny thing happens when I am driving...the haze of my life seems to clear. I have covered 10 states and over 7,000 miles in the last 6 weeks (including about 2,200 in 3 days this past weekend). There is something about being with friends on a road trip with the music blaring that helps you see life more clearly. So here are a few thoughts I have had...

1) There are common every day things in life that we take for granted. A bed to sleep on. Real meals. Meals that aren't fast food. A nice shower. Houston humidity. Sitting in a chair. Sometimes we have to look around at our common everyday lives and be thankful...for all of the little things that are around us all the time...except when they're not!

2) Friends. I am very blessed to have friends around me that lift me up. That point me toward Christ. Friends that I can count on in good times and bad. Friends that I can spend 7,000 miles on the road with and still like...and more importantly that still like me!

3) Family. We all love our family. Some are better at expressing it than others, but at certain level all of us feel a loss when there is physical separation. Somehow a phone call is not enough, we need to see and feel our loved ones. When I'm gone from them it reminds me just how much I love them...and how much I am loved!

So what are you taking for granted? Who do you need to express gratitude to? If you're not sure take a road trip, some of you might only need a short trip, for some it might take a bit longer. Either way I pray that you come back more grateful than when you left. I know I did!