Psalm 19

I have heard of doing this before, but have you ever tried "Praying the Psalms?" I often pray a slightly edited version of Psalm 23 at night before I fall asleep. Here's another short Psalm that could easily be used during prayer time. It's about God's creation, testifying to His glory.

"The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands. 

²Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge.

³Without speech or language, without a sound to be heard,

⁴their voice has gone out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens He has pitched a tent for the sun.

⁵Like a bridegroom emerging from his chamber, like a champion rejoicing to run his course,

⁶it rises at one end of the heavens and runs its circuit to the other; nothing is deprived of its warmth.

⁷The Law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is trustworthy, making wise the simple.

⁸The precepts of the LORD are right, bringing joy to the heart; the commandments of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes.

⁹The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever; the judgments of the LORD are true, being altogether righteous.

¹⁰They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb.

¹¹By them indeed Your servant is warned; in keeping them is great reward.

¹²Who can discern his own errors? Cleanse me from my hidden faults.

¹³Keep Your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then I will be blameless and cleansed of great transgression.

¹⁴May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer." - Psalm 19

That last verse (v14) is an absolutely perfect prayer!

Verse 1 in a prayer could sound like this:

"The heavens declare Your glory, O God; the skies proclaim the work of Your hands."

We don't do enough praising in our prayers. Maybe by including this, or something like it, we can make our prayers more pleasing in God's eyes.

Another bunch of Psalms that can turn into prayers are the Psalms of Ascent (Psalm 120 - 134). Here's the first verse of Psalm 121 as an example: 

"I lift up my eyes to the hills - 

    where does my help come from?

²My help comes from the Lord,

    the Maker of heaven and earth."

Listen at the 3:49 mark of the following song and see if it doesn't sound familiar.

Praise You In This Storm - Casting Crowns

FoTS - Love

Welcome to a short little Bible study on The Fruit of The Spirit. A list of these fruits can be found in the Book of Galatians, Chapter 5.

Today's lesson is about the first fruit - Love. The key verses (v22-23), along with some context (v16-24) are where we'll spend most if our time. Paul is writing to the church in Galatia (Southern Turkey). He specifically taught in Antioch, Icomium, Lystra, and Derbe. The text:

"But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. ¹⁷For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. ¹⁸But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. ¹⁹Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, ²⁰idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, ²¹envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. ²²But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. ²⁴And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

²⁵If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit." - Galatians 5:16-25 ESV

Today we'll be reading what the Bible says about 'LOVE' and just what that looks like in today' world. First, let's look at the word 'love' to determine what kind of love Paul means.

The Interlinear Bible tells us the Greek word used for love in this verse is 'agape.' Why is that important? The Greek language has as many as nine different meanings for 'love.'

'Agape' love is defined as: "a holy, self‐giving disposition that originates in God, is displayed perfectly in Jesus Christ, and is implanted in believers by the Holy Spirit." - GotQuestions.org

Basically, it is a selfless feeling or act for, or to, someone else. Example:

"Walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." - Ephesians 5:2

Questions:

1. Who do you love, unconditionally, in the agape meaning of the word?
2. How have you demonstrated agape love to others today?
3. Who would you be willing to sacrifice your life for?
4. What other acts of agape love can you think of?
5. In terms of agape love, what do you think He means when Jesus said, "Love your enemies" (Matthew 5:44)? He used the same agape word (agapate).

That's it for this time. The next time you see the 'FoTS' title, we will be talking about 'Joy.'

First and Last

Do you enjoy the stillness of the early morning hours, before the cars start whizzing by your house and the neighbor's dog starts barking? I sure do. That's when I like to write and read. No distractions.

I am reading through the Gospels right now. They seem to be carrying an extra amount of "pay attention" with them this time through. I'm not sure why but I am taking my time so as not to miss anything. Perhaps that's why this verse carried so much weight when I read it this time.

"Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed." - Mark 1:35

As I stop to think about it now, that's when I usually pray - after I awake and before I sleep. My first and my last. I pray throughout the day as well, but for me that's more of an ongoing conversation.

There is a biblical concept about giving God our first fruits. And there is also an example when Jesus prayed using His last breath.

"Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last." - Luke 23:47

This prayer was originally offered by David in Psalm 31. Interesting how Jesus was  thinking about others, even with His last breath.

As I write this, it is 5:14 on a Saturday morning, my prayer is that I would always find myself thinking about God and others, until I breathe MY last. My needs pale in comparison to those of others.

Yes, I still pray, even about small things. But I pray to a God who hears ALL the prayers of His children. Even the little ones.

In The Wee Small Hours of The Morning - Chris Botti and Sting

P.O.V.

We've all seen those annoying Facepost posts that say "P.O.V." followed by some random comment (P.O.V. stands for Point Of View).

Well, here' a P.O.V. story for ya!

My wife was on her way home from Appleton on Tuesday when she turned onto the road that leads to our subdivision. We live out in the country so you never know what you might see. Last week it was a recliner. Just sitting the under the stop sign.

So, my wife saw something in the road ahead of her and slowed down to find out what it was. It could have been a baby bunny or a gopher, but it wasn't moving. What was it?

It was ear of sweet corn! And another, and another, and another . . . 17 ears of corn and, thanks to my wife, they are now in our garage refrigerator!

Here's my P.O.V.

God provides!! Jehovah Jireh!! Which actually means "the Lord will provide." The phrase comes from the Book of Genesis, when Abraham was about to sacrifice his son Isaac.

"And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son.

¹⁴And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovahjireh: as it is said to this day, "In the mount of the Lord it shall be seen." - Genesis 22:13-14

Now some will say, "Pfft. Some farmer took the corner too fast. He probably filled his wagon way too full."

To that I say, "There are 17 ears of sweet corn in our fridge. God provided them for a few of His children. Prove me wrong."

We all have different viewpoints as we travel through this life. Which one is right? Are ANY of them worthy?

My P.O.V. on that is this: Why not trust the One who never lies; who IS the way, the truth, and the life. Has God ever been wrong? I'll wait.

"This God - His way is perfect; the word of the Lord proves true; He is a shield for all those who take refuge in Him." - Psalm 18:30

Training Up A Child

“He said ‘Love… as I have loved you.’ We cannot love too much.” - Amy Carmichael

That was a quote from one of my morning news emails - The Pour Over. This past week at VBS I ended one of our teaching sessions with this question:

Why do you think they have two "old guys" teaching this class?

There were several answers.

"Experience."

"Because you're old."

"They couldn't get anyone else."

Funny. I then asked this: "What is the first and greatest commandment?"

No one had the answer. Slightly disappointing. So, I told them what it was.

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. And love your neighbor as yourself." - Matthew 22:37

I continued . . .

"We're teaching you about Jesus because we love you. It's as simple as that. We know what awaits those who don't know Jesus. It is because of that knowledge, and our love for you, that we teach. We know what will happen to you if you don't repent of your sins, and refuse to humbly turn to Jesus. It isn't good. We would love to see you placing your faith in Him and begin following Him in your life."

The kids just sat there, staring. "They're not getting it," I thought. But just when I was about to lose hope for this youngest generation, something happened.

Each day we have a contest for the kids. A student from each age group gets randimly picked to receive a prize. In the oldest group a dude named Silas won. He got a big bag of treats. Yes!! He ran up on the stage and grabbed his prize. Just as quickly he returned to his classmates.

But instead of gloating about his treasure, he dumped the bag on the floor and shared it with his friends! He gets it!

Silas chose Jesus last summer and was baptized at our church picnic. Hope is a wonderful thing. But sadly, my buddy Silas and his faith are an endangered species. Their numbers are dwindling.

Thankfully, his parents are both believers and are "train(ing) up their children in the way they should go." - Proverbs 22:6

12 Years of Age

This past week was Vacation Bible School at our church. The daily fun and teaching is all over now, but not the lessons learned, by the kids, AND by the adults.

If you are a regular reader of these stories, you would have read about a girl named Kortney. She's the one who had a heart and double lung transplant. When I first met Kortney, she was 12 years old. The same age as our oldest kids in VBS.

When the surgeons removed Kortney's heart and lungs, she was literally dead, even if it was only for a moment. But then they installed the donor's heart and lungs and got them working, she came back to life!

I told the kids how God gives gifts to us and enables us to do some pretty amazing things sometimes - like Kortney's surgeons did for her. "That's a Wonder!" as we' said about Jesus in VBS this year.

As I told Kortney's story, they ALL were listening very intently. As I showed them her picture, I examined their faces. They were not only hearing the message, but they were also receiving it. And here's why. Part of the VBS teaching that day. Jesus did even MORE amazing things than Kortney's doctors did.

"While he was still speaking, there came from the ruler's house some who said, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?” ³⁶But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.” ³⁷And he allowed no one to follow him except Peter and James and John the brother of James. ³⁸They came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and Jesus saw a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. ³⁹And when he had entered, he said to them, “Why are you making a commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but sleeping.” ⁴⁰And they laughed at him. But he put them all outside and took the child's father and mother and those who were with him and went in where the child was. ⁴¹Taking her by the hand he said to her, “Talitha cumi,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.” ⁴²And immediately the girl got up and began walking (for she was twelve years of age), and they were immediately overcome with amazement." - Mark 5:35-42

Children like to have fun and goof around. That's a given. But as teachers, it's our job to get them to listen. And, if at all possible, to get them to think. It's one thing to hear a story from the Bible. It's another thing to hear about the same thing happening to someone in real life. 'It hits different' as they say.

That's why our own testimony about how Jesus changed OUR lives is so important. Because is really happened to US, no one can argue against it.

How did God change you?

The Journey of The Lost Disc

So . . . a guy comes walking up to me in church . . . carrying a golf disc.

"This is not normal," I thought to myself.

"I have something for you," he said. "You'll never guess where I found it."

"Okay. Try me."

"The Apostle Islands, a half mile off shore, in the winter. At night."

Well, he was right. I NEVER would have guessed that. How the heck did it get out there? There IS a disc golf course in Bayfield, Wisconsin, but it's not a half mile off shore IN Lake Superior.

So he gave it too me, knowing that I was a disc golfer. It's a faster speed disc than my ancient arm can handle, so I was planning on giving it away to someone else, but that's when the idea for this story popped into my head.

Think about the story I just described to you. If tou remove the word "disc" and substitute the word "soul" in it's place, it would go something like this:

My friend was out walking in the wilderness one day when he came across a lost soul. He stopped and lifted up that pour soul, ultimately taking it back to his own house.

After staying there for a while, the lost soul was introduced to someone who knew exactly what it was going through. This person had seen many other souls sink out of sight. He knew the dangers of being alone in the cold. He also knew what awaited this lost soul if it wasn't rescued. Jesus saves us all from sinking into the pit.

The Lake Superior ice has melted now as I write this. If it wasn't for my friend, this disc would have been lost for a very long time. But my friend saved that disc by lifting it up and putting it into the hands of someone who he knew would find a safe place for it.

Isn't that what Jesus does for us? He lifts us up. And He WILL take us someplace safe one day.

I now carry that disc in my golf bag. I seldom use it, but what a conversation starter!

"O Lord, you have brought my soul up from Sheol, You have kept me alive, that I would not go down to the pit." - Psalm 30:3

The Meg

My wife and I watched The Meg a year or so ago. That was enough for us. It was pretty lame, almost laughable at times. But one scene caught my attention.

The scientific cruise ship had just been capsized by the giant shark. The entire crew went flying into the ocean. Some of them landing a hundred feet or so from the ship. Yeah, right.

Anyway, two of these distant crew members (a man and a woman) conveniently landed right next to each other. And here comes the shark! Er, excuse me . . . The Meg! (Short for megalodon).

At the 3:45 mark of the clip below we see that man and woman in water quite some distance from the boat. And a shark in the distance. But not for long.

"Jaxx. You're gonna make it. You're a good person. Don't look back."

The guy starts beating the water to draw the shark to himself. He's sacrificing his own life so that the woman could live.

The woman makes it back to the boat safely but she is in tears, thinking about what her friend had done for her.

Several things . . .

Yes, this man sacrificed his life to save someone else, but I'm not going to compare what HE did to Jesus' sacrifice for OUR sins. WAY different.

He told the woman that she was a good person. Wrong. That's not what Jesus says.

"No one is good except God alone." - Mark 10:18

But the thing that struck me the most was the womans tears. She wept at what had been done for her. My question is this:

Did WE weep when we learned that Jesus died for us? I'm guessing no. I didn't.

My next question is "Why not?"

Difficult to answer. Everyone's different, but we never walked with Jesus personally. We didn't interact with Him on a daily basis.

I think the disciples probably wept at His death, but I'm just guessing. His mother and Mary Magdalene probably wept as well.

I don't know about you, but I feel incredibly unworthy right now. His sacrifice . . . our Savior and our God . . . on a cross. And I didn't shed a tear? I need to learn to weep. David did.

"My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning? O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer, and by night, but I find no rest. Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel. In you our fathers trusted; they trusted, and you delivered them. To you they cried and were rescued; in you they trusted and were not put to shame." - Psalm 22:1-5

Sacrifice - The Meg

Great Is Thy Faithfulness

I guess this story started at my friend John's funeral June 25th. The service was at our church and John had selected some songs for us to listen to. The second selection was Great Is Thy Faithfulness by Chris Rice. I love Chris's version of that old hymn.

A few days after his funeral I contacted my friend Kortney. I've written about her before. Heart transplant and double lung transplant at age 30. I known her since she was in 8th grade. Youth group kid.

Anyway, we set up a coffee date for July 9th. That morning, shortly before leaving for our favorite meeting place, I opened up YouTube to kill some time. That's when I noticed a video by Chris Rice. Yep, the same guy who sang Great Is Thy Faithfulness. What was he doing in a hospital bed, I wondered. So I clicked on the video.

Chris was thanking everyone for prayers as he was about to be taken in for surgery - a heart transplant.😳 Just like Kortney had 6 months ago.

Okay. I'm now on high alert. I had an uneasy feeling as I drove to meet Kortney. I arrived at the agreed to time and location. Kortney was not there. Maybe she forgot (not likely) Now, I'm sitting here writing this story. No reply to two texts. She is now half an hour overdue. 

Well . . .

My friend had simply slept through her alarm. Understandable considering that she was up until 3am. This demonstrated something to me. About me. About all of us.

Did you check my reaction when something that was SUPPOSED TO happen, DIDN'T? My brain began coming up different scenarios all by itself. And, of course, I fixated on the worst possible one - my friend was in the hospital. So, I began to pray.

I think we're ALL kind of wired that way. We want answers. We want everything to be okay. So, why do we navigate to the worse possible scenario in our brains? Is it us? Is it Satan working on us to create this uncertainty?

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:6-7

"Do not afraid of bad news; have a strong heart, and trust in the Lord. ⁸Have a stready heart; and do not be afraid." - Psalm 112:7-8 (Bob version)

Maybe I should have just started singing that old hymn.

Great is thy faithfulness, O God, my Father;

There is no shadow of turning with thee.

Thou changest not, thy compassions, they fail not;

As thou hast been, thou forever wilt be.

Great is thy faithfulness,

Great is thy faithfulness,

Morning by morning new mercies I see.

All I have needed thy hand hast provided;

Great is thy faithfulness,

Lord unto me.

Great Is Thy Faithfulness - Chris Rice

Q & A

I have been struggling with something for quite a while now. I'd call it a frustration but it's really more than that. It's a deep sadness, as well as that feeling of being frustrated.

It has to do with "the world" in which we live. For example, the evening "news." But I have pretty much given up on that. Social media is another source of frustration and sadness. So, I try to keep my interaction on that platform to a minimum as well. Apparently, King David had similar feelings.

"Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? - psalm 43:5

Amen, my brother! Why, indeed! It's very easy to get frustrated and downcast. But that's because we are focusing on the wrong things. We should be focusing on God instead of the things of this world. The second half of that very same verse above goes like this:

"Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God." - Psalm 43:5

Same verse, in two dramatically different parts. The verse contains both a question AND the answer.

The more we read the Bible, the more we understand just what God's will is. And that changes us. At least is should.

I've read the Bible 18 or 19 times now. I am still being changed by it. Knowledge keeps increasing, but I will never "know it all," much less understand it all. That's called sanctification.

What frustrates me is that "Christians", who say they believe in God, do not do what He tells them to. I'm guilty of this as well. It's like reading a 65mph speed limit sign and then doing 120 into town to get milk. That's called disobedience.

And that brings me to the sad part. By reading the Bible, we can get a pretty good idea who will and won't be going to heaven. I'm not judging here, I'm just reading, and writing. For example, what do you think this means? Remember, Paul is writing to a church.

"Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, ¹⁰nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were." - 1 Corinthians 6:9-11

Here's some advice from God through the prophet Ezekiel. 

"I take no pleasure in the death of anyone. Repent and live." - Ezekiel 18

We need to stop doing what displeases God and start doing what we wants us to do. That's simply called obedience.

We need to spend a little more time thinking about what is pleasing in the eyes of God, rather than satisfying our OWN desires our what "feels good" in our own hearts.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight." - Proverbs 3:5-6

If we disagree with what the Bible says, who do you think is right or wrong? Us, or God? The born sinner? Or the Righteous One?

“If you love me, you will keep my commandments." - John 14:15

Weakness

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” - 2 Corinthians 12:9

Just another verse from the Apostle Paul? Or is it the beginning of understanding?

Two social media posts from friends this week testify that the opening verse of this story rings true.

The first post was from my friend Kortney. She shared a video to mark the sixth month anniversary of her heart and double-lung transplant. She nearly died six months ago but was given the gift of life.

The second was from another friend, coincidentally named Paul, who suddenly fell ill three months ago. He too almost died, yet somehow he lived. Why? Why were these two people given life rather than death? Let's go back and read some more from the Apostle Paul's second letter to the church in Corinth.

"Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. ¹⁰That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." - 2 Corinthians 9-10

How can we become strong when we are weak?

In our weakest moments - when we are sick, or in desperate need - that's when our prayers have the most strength. It is in OUR weakness that we become strong. Not through our own strength, but through God's.

In our daily prayers, how do we become weak? By humbling ourselves first. By getting our hearts in the right position, one of humility and surrender, FIRST. THEN we pray.

"See, O LORD, how distressed I am! I am churning within; my heart is pounding within me, for I have been most rebellious." - Lamentations 1:20

"Because of the loving devotion of the LORD we are not consumed, for His mercies never fail. ²³They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness!

“²⁴The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in Him.” - Lamentations 3:22-24

Both of my friends praised God and gave Him thanks, because of they recognized their own weakness. May we do the same when WE are weak. When we seek Him with all of our hearts.

Great Is Thy Faithfulness - Chris Rice

Seven Spirits

The number 'seven' often has special meaning in The Bible. It is considered the number of completeness or divine perfection. So, what does THIS mean in chapter 5 of the Book of Revelation?

"And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth." - Revelation 5:6

What are the seven spirits of God? Isn't there just one Holy Spirit? I have heard it said the The Bible proves The Bible. Well, if that's true, the answer should be found in the Bible somewhere, right?

"And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord." - Isaiah 11:2

First off, who is the "him" that Isaiah is talking about? The answer is found in the Bible! Just one verse earlier.

"Then a shoot will spring up from the stump of Jesse, and a Branch from his roots will bear fruit." - Isaiah 11:1

Look at the capital B in 'branch.' This prophecy is about Jesus! Now we can understand verse two.

Let's go back to our question about the seven spirits, knowing that Isaiah was talking about Jesus. Read it slowly, and start counting.

1. The Spirit of The Lord
2. The Spirit of Wisdom
3. The Spirit of Understanding 
4. The Spirit of Counsel
5. The Spirit of Might
6. The Spirit of Knowledge
7. The Spirit of the Fear of The Lord

Hmm. Seven Spirits. Perfection. Jesus had all of these spirits. And He was perfect.

Do WE consider these spirits in our daily lives? Solomon sought wisdom and it was given to him. Which of the spirits listed here would YOU ask for? And do you have any of these spirits already?

The Seven Spirits of God - GotQuestions.org

The Overhang

This is a picture of the overhang on our house. There are several reasons houses are equipped with these things but their most important function is that of protection.

I have never actually thanked my overhangs for their protection. They ARE inanimate afterall. They have no feelings or emotions. They simply do what they do.

When I designed our house I just naturally put overhangs on the roof because "that's what people do." The housing company that I worked for had them on THEIR houses so . . . why not.

Overhangs allow us to open the windows when it's raining. They provide shade when the sun and heat are trying to get inside. They divert the rain AWAY from the house, helping to keep even the foundation dry.

"But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may exult in you." - Psalm 5:11

Hmm. Isn't that what Jesus did for the disciples when they were in the boat and a storm came along?

"A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. ³⁸Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”

³⁹He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.

⁴⁰He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

⁴¹They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!” - Mark 4:37-41

Jesus protected those He loved from the storm. They should have had more faith in Him, but they didn't really know Him, asking, "Who is this?"

One way to keep the weather outside our homes is to have overhangs on our roofs. The key to avoiding the effects of "storms" in our daily lives is knowing Jesus. Trust in Him today.

Knowing You, Jesus - Graham Kendrick