Ike Heads For Texas
The Edgewood Yacht Club in Rhode Island is submerged by Hurricane Carol's storm surge in 1954. (Photo C. Flagg).It appears Ike is going to make his landfall along the Texas coast and after loosing strength, head up our direction, dumping rain and bringing some wind to us. I have been watching the weather channel and praying hard for those folks along the coast. I grew up along the coast of New England and have had my fair share of seeing the windows taped up and making all the preparation. Right after I was born, just days really, Carol hit the New England Coast with fury. The very road we lived on lost every big tree on one side due to the fury of a hurricane, so you had a daily reminder, just by seeing one side of the street with young trees and the other side lined with huge old maple trees. I guess coastal living comes with a price at times. My mother loved keeping track of hurricanes and every year kept a special map where she could track the storms. She kept it on the table next to her chair in the living room and updated it every evening when the news gave the latest location. When storms were coming and the surf was building, we often would go watch the big waves. I carried that tradition on after I had my own car and one time, a huge wave came over the wall, swamped my car and I just simply turned on the windshield wipers and then decided it was time to leave ! It is indeed hard to put a wise head on a young body ! My mother was far more cautious then I was.
Right now they are showing all the folks leaving Houston, seeking safer ground. Melissa's in laws live not too far from Houston, not sure if they are staying put or not.
There are few places we live in this world that doesn't have some natural disaster possible. When we lived in California, we had fires, mudslides and earthquakes to deal with. Here we have tornado's. And the coastal areas have hurricanes. We all have the power of prayer no matter where we live and wisdom to make good choices as to when to leave and when to stay.
The thing of it is, God is in control of the weather. Even Global warming must be allowed by Him. Just read Job 37 for a deeper look.
1 "At this my heart pounds and leaps from its place.
2 Listen! Listen to the roar of his voice, to the rumbling that comes from his mouth.
3 He unleashes his lightning beneath the whole heaven and sends it to the ends of the earth.
4 After that comes the sound of his roar; he thunders with his majestic voice. When his voice resounds, he holds nothing back.
5 God's voice thunders in marvelous ways; he does great things beyond our understanding.
6 He says to the snow, 'Fall on the earth,' and to the rain shower, 'Be a mighty downpour.'
7 So that all men he has made may know his work, stops every man from his labor.
8 The animals take cover; they remain in their dens.
9 The tempest comes out from its chamber, the cold from the driving winds.
10 The breath of God produces ice, and the broad waters become frozen.
11 He loads the clouds with moisture; he scatters his lightning through them.
12 At his direction they swirl around over the face of the whole earth to do whatever he commands them.
13 He brings the clouds to punish men, or to water his earth and show his love.
14 "Listen to this, Job; stop and consider God's wonders.
15 Do you know how God controls the clouds and makes his lightning flash?
16 Do you know how the clouds hang poised, those wonders of him who is perfect in knowledge?
2 Listen! Listen to the roar of his voice, to the rumbling that comes from his mouth.
3 He unleashes his lightning beneath the whole heaven and sends it to the ends of the earth.
4 After that comes the sound of his roar; he thunders with his majestic voice. When his voice resounds, he holds nothing back.
5 God's voice thunders in marvelous ways; he does great things beyond our understanding.
6 He says to the snow, 'Fall on the earth,' and to the rain shower, 'Be a mighty downpour.'
7 So that all men he has made may know his work, stops every man from his labor.
8 The animals take cover; they remain in their dens.
9 The tempest comes out from its chamber, the cold from the driving winds.
10 The breath of God produces ice, and the broad waters become frozen.
11 He loads the clouds with moisture; he scatters his lightning through them.
12 At his direction they swirl around over the face of the whole earth to do whatever he commands them.
13 He brings the clouds to punish men, or to water his earth and show his love.
14 "Listen to this, Job; stop and consider God's wonders.
15 Do you know how God controls the clouds and makes his lightning flash?
16 Do you know how the clouds hang poised, those wonders of him who is perfect in knowledge?
17 You who swelter in your clothes when the land lies hushed under the south wind,
18 can you join him in spreading out the skies, hard as a mirror of cast bronze?
19 "Tell us what we should say to him; we cannot draw up our case because of our darkness.
20 Should he be told that I want to speak? Would any man ask to be swallowed up?
21 Now no one can look at the sun, bright as it is in the skies after the wind has swept them clean.
22 Out of the north he comes in golden splendor; God comes in awesome majesty.
23 The Almighty is beyond our reach and exalted in power; in his justice and great righteousness, he does not oppress.
24 Therefore, men revere him, for does he not have regard for all the wise in heart?
18 can you join him in spreading out the skies, hard as a mirror of cast bronze?
19 "Tell us what we should say to him; we cannot draw up our case because of our darkness.
20 Should he be told that I want to speak? Would any man ask to be swallowed up?
21 Now no one can look at the sun, bright as it is in the skies after the wind has swept them clean.
22 Out of the north he comes in golden splendor; God comes in awesome majesty.
23 The Almighty is beyond our reach and exalted in power; in his justice and great righteousness, he does not oppress.
24 Therefore, men revere him, for does he not have regard for all the wise in heart?
Psalm 148: 7 Praise the LORD from the earth, you great sea creatures and all ocean depths,
8 lightning and hail, snow and clouds, stormy winds that do his bidding,
8 lightning and hail, snow and clouds, stormy winds that do his bidding,
Comments
You and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Jackie
The book of Job is so magnificent in describing God as the Creator of the universe--the language and imagery delight me each time I read it.