The silver lining

While a storm can bring many terrible results, God is able to take that which was meant for bad and turn it for good.  When life is turned up side down, the important things come to the top.  It is during this time that many people begin to turn toward God or at least pray to, or open up to God.  When the church recognizes such an opportunity, the community can be served and many lives can be changed for eternity.  It is in such times that the community can clearly see the incarnate love of God expressed toward them.  The church then becomes the embodiment of God's presence and love to the world.

These past few weeks have seen the body of Christ in First Baptist Harlingen be such an example to our community.  We have not only housed mission and disaster relief teams in our buildings, served them meals, and cared for their needs; but we have served our community with our own hands.  Our youth group (and others) filled sand bags alongside city employees before the storm hit.  We worked in yards and homes around the city, having the privilege of leading some into a personal relationship with Christ.  We have given out water, house supplies, and financial assistance to families in desperate need.  

Thank you church family for being the body of Christ - the presence of God in this community.  Thank God for being faithful to us in the midst of a storm, allowing us the privileges we still see in our community to serve others.

Thankful for every opportunity to love and serve,

Bro. Wade

Good-Bye Dolly

What a horrible experience.  No, I was out of town for the hurricane; the horrible part was being out town while my family was in Harlingen during the hurricane.  Not being with those I love as they endured a frightening few days and then to live without electricity for several days following, was so difficult for me.  I wanted to come home, and started to do so on many occasions, but my wife insisted that I stay and finish what I started in Dallas (doctoral seminar only offered once per year).  

God taught me so much in my seclusion in Dallas.  I learned so much about the priority and privilege of prayer.  I re-learned that the most important thing I could do for anyone is to pray.  Not the last thing to be done, but the first - and the most important.  God allowed me to spend quality time throughout the days praying for my family, my church family, my friends, and for the lost in our communities.

I am so thankful to be in a church family that truly loves my family.  They expressed their love so clearly as they took care of my family in my absence.  The storm brought an opportunity for us to see God's love in such a visible way.  The many visits, phone calls, meals, times of help on the house, and the constant encouragement offered to my family helped me in my absence.  I learned to trust the body of Christ, even with my family.  What a great lesson, not easily learned, but life-changing all the same.

Humbly thankful to be a member of the body of Christ.

Bro. Wade

Responding to Hurricane Dean

Please join me in:

1. Praying for those who live in the path of the Hurricane. Their lives will be drastically changed. Let us pray for the Lord's protection of those who need it today and in the days soon coming.

2. Prepare to be used by God to minister to those in the path of the Hurricane. We are already preparing to go where needed. Please pray about how God will use you to bless those who will need our help.

3. Continuing to pray for the path of the hurricane to pass over the least populated areas and to cause less damage than expected. Remember God can do more than we can ask or imagine.

May God hear our concert of prayer,
Bro. Wade

Living by Faith, not Fear

Our family has been in the valley for two years now and this is our first experience living as hurricane targets. With each day comes a new wave from the hurricane; either the media says it could come right at us, or they say it is probably going south of us. Only God knows where this hurricane will strike, the rest of us offer projections.

Through this process we all struggle with the need to prepare and plan, while fighting off the feelings caused by fear. The Lord knows exactly what is going to happen, while we live in the mystery. It is during times like this that we learn to walk by faith and trust the Lord to lead us, protect us, and work through us to help others.

It is important for us to prepare. Our family has made extra purchases in preparation for bad weather. It is important to plan. Our family is openly discussing various scenarios and what we would do in each. It is important to be patient. Our family is not allowing the media to dictate our feelings, emotions, or stress level. God knew long ago that this hurricane would be coming our way and as we continue to allow Him to lead us, we know that he will take care of each day as it comes.

Let us all respond to the storms of this life (no matter what name they may called) with faith in the Lord.

Trusting the Lord to lead and protect,
Bro. Wade