Storms...

I've been "Tivoing" the History Channel show Axmen all season. If you haven't watched the show it's the story of some seriously tough loggers from Oregon filmed "Deadliest Catch style". I finally made it to the end of the season and was amazed at the Typhoon that hit the Oregon coast in the last two episodes. The storm was unbelievable, 100+ mph wind for three days, constant rain, flooding everywhere. This storm destroyed the loggers homes, businesses, roads, and the trees they harvest to make a living. The amazing thing is I never even heard about it on the news. These dudes just sort of cleaned up the mess and went back to work...

It reminds me that Storms happen everywhere! Once in a while we focus our attention on a big disaster like Hurricane Katrina...but the truth is there are storms everywhere on a consistent basis...storms that we just "don't know about".

I think it's the same in people's lives. My heart is breaking for the local pastor's family dealing with the loss of their child, friends who are struggling financially in spite of their best efforts, the list goes on and on...but these are just the storms I "know about". Other people all over this area are dealing with less visible storms in their lives that perhaps even their neighbors aren't aware of.

So how do we deal with "Storms" in our lives? Why do they happen? Is God angry with us? Did we do something wrong? Would our lives be "smoother" if we had more faith? ...if we were "closer to Jesus"? I'm gonna be dealing with all those questions in the sermon on Sunday. Meanwhile I have a lot of thinking and praying to do...