June 1st entered loud and bright in the early hours of the morning. Literally. Loud thunder. Flashing lightening. I can never help but count the seconds between, to calculate how close it actually is. The time between was short, deeming it nearby. I watched.
I am an armchair storm watcher; I like to observe but not be in it, preferably with a cup of coffee. I’ve never been a proponent of actually being out in the storm.
It’s in watching the power of the storm, that I’m convinced that the One who created the power of the storm is more powerful than what can ever be fathomed, always present in the storms of life.
In the middle of God’s message is the awesome book, Psalms, with powerful and personal words in the 46th of the 150 chapters, describing God during a storm like no other. The thing is . . . God is not an arm-chair storm watcher . . . but is present in the storm to be the refuge and shelter.
I learned the words as a child from my first Bible, in the no-one-hardly-uses-anymore-King James version, which phrases it well:
God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1, KJV).
The words are powerful: “God is my refuge. God is my strength. God is my very present help in trouble.”
In other words, God is our everything. Always.
Storms do come. No one is immune. And. In the midst of the storm, it’s easy to feel alone. Through the years, in every storm, I’ve found that God is always my everything.
May God be your everything. It Matters–Kerrie
Take a look at the latest news from The Red Door Leadership. And. There’s a new form below to sign up for The Red Door Community Church!
Listen, if you want to be a part of this exciting time–let us know. The easiest way is to email me at kpalmer@thereddoorsalemchurch.com or Pastor Kathy at ktogstad@thereddoorsalemchurch.com.
Anyone and everyone is welcome to attend.
We have ways for you to invest into this new work beyond attendance–here’s some ways with a form to fill out and submit:
1. Missionary team–those who take a leave of absence from their community of faith to serve one year as a part of the core team.
2. Core team–those who are the strength and the “backbone” of the beginning of the church–their combined DNA will be the DNA of the church. The big deal–is their presence, setting the attitude, believing The Red Door Community Church is necessary in the community and an amazing part of the work of God in this world!
3. Giving team–those who give of their time, talent, and/or resources to be a blessing by contributing to the work of impacting individuals, creating a community of faith, and blessing the community. Some who are a part of this team may rarely, if, ever actually attend but want to participate in this new work of God. (The Red Door Community Church defines blessed as to know the activity of God and to bless to be a part of the activity of God.)
4. Prayer team–those who pray. We are asking each to be willing to set their alarms for 9.13 am/pm (9.13–launch day) and to pray big and bold for the favor of God. Some who are a part of this team may rarely, if, ever actually attend but want to participate in the new work of God. We also will be adding a prayer list with specific needs of others.
(Written by Kerrie Carlisle Palmer © 2015 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED)
