Reba Bailes-Faith Filled Inspiration

Hello there, I’m still here. It’s still Saturday, and I’m continuing to write. Unusual for me to sit this long, I know. It is stormy, cool, and writing is on my heart. With some cooking meals in between. 😊

As I wrote the first “Washed” blog, I didn’t make mention of our nation’s recognition of the loss of American lives on 9/11/2001. Those lives were no less important than Charlie’s life, or any life for that matter, but his sudden, shocking news was the primary topic at the moment. I want to make certain that those lost on that tragic day in our history were not forgotten nor unnoticed. I’m thankful that we live in a country that doesn’t forget and serve a God who continues His Love, Grace, and Mercy toward us. This side of Heaven, we may never know who the enemy used in this attack, but we know it was sifted through our Lord’s hands first, and He will use it for good. Nothing, no scheme, or evil devises slip by our Sovereign God! We can rest in that! Lord, please heal the many broken hearts, give them peace, and use this to bring them closer to You. Thwart the enemy’s schemes to destroy our nation and use it for Your Glory. Amen.

As I mentioned in my previous blog, the Lord allowed me to pray a blessing over someone at our hotel. This one revealed more of God’s perfect timing, even when we are unsure. This is how the event played out…

 I encountered a lady in the breakfast line who quickly offered to clean my accidental spill on the counter. I thanked her and told her how kind she was to do that. When she looked at me, I sensed a weariness about her, a sadness in her eyes. As I ate my breakfast, the Lord nudged me to pray Numbers 6:24-26 over her.  At that time, I thought she was another guest of the hotel. She had quickly disappeared, so I wondered why I had that nudge, because the opportunity seemed to have vanished as quickly as it came. So I went back to our room, where David was ready for us to check out. When we went to the front desk, there she was! She was an employee, not a guest! I thought then, “Ok Lord, my opportunity is back!”, only to realize she was very busy, way too busy for me to interrupt. By then, I was thinking, “Do I need another cup of coffee to hear You clearly, Lord?” 😊

Next, my husband and I moved our bags out front, where I waited for him to retrieve our car. During my brief wait, out steps the woman who needed the blessing. Wow! The timing was perfect! She had just finished her shift on the job, so I didn’t have to wonder anymore. I knew this was my opportunity to speak to her. I approached her and said, “Excuse me, ma’am, the Lord said you need a blessing. Do you mind if I pray for you?” She looked surprised, as you can imagine, and said “ok”. I seized the opportunity that was so timely given, took her hand, and spoke the words. “The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord lift His countenance upon you and give you peace.” As our eyes met, she gave a sigh and with a genuine tone of voice said, “Thank you, I really needed that.” I told her that the Lord knew, He sees her and loves her. We knew He had the perfect timing for our encounter. The Holy Spirit was there to give her a “wash” of His Love and care for her. I got to partner with Him for that “wash” as well. No need for a beach there, right?

Loaded and ready for our next leg of our journey…

As we were making our plans for this vacation, we were going to stop to visit old-time friends, Don and Linda, who live in Florida. Linda’s health was in a serious declining state. We knew she wouldn’t remember who we were, but he would, and could use the support. A short time before getting our date set for our trip, we got word that she had passed. We agreed that our timing to visit him would work out appropriately. He needed a little time before he was ready. So, we planned our visit during our trip back home. He was ready, as about four weeks had passed. As we visited, Don told the most heartwarming story of Linda’s passing that I will share with you. I consider it a gift from God, and so does he.

Linda was in the last moments of life under Hospice care. Her attending nurse was on one side of her bed, and Don on the other. Don was telling another story of his and Linda’s lives together. Over fifty years’ worth, so you can imagine how many the nurses had listened with kindness and compassion. Don said as he continued recounting another of his memories, the nurse raised her hand to stop him and pointed down at Linda. Don said in that moment, they watched her chest rise as Linda took her last breath and then stepped into the arms of her Savior. As peaceful as it has ever been witnessed. No pain, struggle, or fear, just crossover. You can imagine the comfort this has brought to Don. Now that is a gift!

We spent the rest of our time reminiscing about marriage, old times in the military, old friends, parenting, grandparenting, government (a little politics, we wanted to keep blood pressure healthy😊), our health, our church, and plans for our futures. Most of all, our topics brought us back to our Lord, so I’d say it was a good visit and perfectly orchestrated by our Lord. We even got to treat him to a fine dinner before our departure. God is good all the time, and every friend is a gift from God. Let’s work toward not taking them for granted, as we often do. As I stated in my poem titled Friends in “Blue Skies, Butterflies, and Battlegrounds”

“And if you’ve been blessed with one true friend,

   please don’t take them for granted…

For some day you might be left with only

   memories they have planted.

So lift up your hands to our Lord above and

   thank Him for your friends,

Chosen by God’s only Son, He’s overjoyed to send!”

Now, Friends, I want to close with the blessing over you that the Lord nudged me to speak over the women at the hotel (reminds me of the woman at the well).

“The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord lift His countenance upon you and give you peace.”

Blessing and Keeping, Favor and Grace, and Peace.

Thank you for allowing me to continue sharing the fruit of my reflection, meditation on God’s Word, and focus on God’s trustworthiness. Though the dark evil surrounds us, let those of us remaining be found faithful as the voice, hands, and feet (Body of Christ) to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ with great expectation as we are “washed” in His blessings, kept in His hands,  highly favored, covered by His Grace, and filled with His Peace going forward.

Thank you for continuing to read what I write and for your kind words in your comments.

I don’t take you for granted,

Reba

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My friends, writing after the events of the last week has required extra reflection, meditation on God’s Word, and focus on God’s trustworthiness. The Holy Spirit has been faithful in reminding me of the truth that guides me forward. I’m here again to express the fruit of my reflections, meditations, and focus on God. You don’t have to look far to see the multitudes that are trying to do the same. And then there are those who love to spew hate and downright evil. Lord help us pray for our enemies because it does not come easily.

My last blog on September 5^th was about “my many whys”. Then, 5 days later, it happened: the assassination of Charlie Kirk. Why Lord? Why? Why? Why? And in my many whys, the Lord began a process of revelation for peace, hope, comfort, to move forward with great expectation. Yes, the Lord is doing a mighty work, and as my sister Karen and I (and many others) discussed this, we agreed that the devil will not gain credit by seeing it as an assassination. Charlie Kirk was martyred in the name of Jesus and for the glory of God!

Quickly, after the shock of this news, my heart was burdened for his wife, Erika, and their two small children. The thought of this kind of pain was deep, dark, and heavy as I tried to imagine myself going through such a tragedy. I could only allow those thoughts for a moment. They were entirely too heavy. Then the Holy Spirit’s faithfulness reminded me of another great promise of God. Isaih 26:3 NKJV “You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You”. So get your mind in focus, Reba!

I quote another statement from my September 5th blog… “And when we have those questions that we don’t understand the answers to…, “We don’t have to understand the why of God’s ways.” Sometimes we accept it, as my Dad said, “Because He said so, that’s why.” That is why our comprehension of His trustworthiness is of paramount importance. Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV “ Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.”  Bigger questions, bigger trust!” We can only imagine Erika’s big questions, but growing bigger trust.

As the Lord walked with me on the shores of the vast ocean,  I was washed in His Love, surrounded by the incredible beauty of His creation. His creation…hard to describe in words, but it speaks volumes to soothe our aching souls. Psalm 19:1 NKJV “The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork.”

 It appeared that I walked unaccompanied on the beach; my husband found relaxation in his preferred spot… the shade. As I have frequently done in the past, I offered to take pictures of those I passed by so they could have a better shot of themselves together, including the various hues of aqua, turquoise, and deep ocean blue of the water and the skies above. Frequently, their pet was included, as we were in a section where dogs were welcome. I wondered what Howie would have thought of the ocean and sand. For a moment, I felt a wave (no pun intended) of sadness and longing for my pup. Again, I brought my thoughts into focus.

As I did so, I was back among people from everywhere (even three young ladies from Sweden) who were also soaking in this piece of heaven. As always, seeing everyone’s response to my offer to stand in as a photographer brought much pleasure. Such a small gesture of kindness on my part, but so graciously received and greatly appreciated on their part.

Some were eager to chat, and discovering more about them was another added pleasure. What I found even more interesting was how a surface-level conversation with total strangers could lead to a discussion about the Lord. Yes, His name would just pop right out of my mouth! 🙂 That is not surprising for anyone who knows me. After all, He is what it is all about, right? Opportunities everywhere to speak of Him. The words to an old song started playing in my thoughts…”This is my story, this is my song. Praising my Savior all the day long.”

This one young woman in particular was open to talking. Since making some tough decisions about her relationship with her boyfriend, she was at a difficult crossroads in her life. I directed the conversation to the most important relationship first: her relationship with Jesus Christ. This is an overall summary of our discussion of our Savior…

I shared with her my experience with a loving God that showed me that I could never measure up to His righteousness, no matter how “good” I tried to be. If I could be good enough, then Jesus wouldn’t have come to pay for my sins, right? He is the only way to the Father, John 14:6. Another essential aspect of the Christian life that we talked about is forgiveness. “When” we sin, not “if”, we are to confess it. God sees all sin the same. There are no “big” sins or “little” sins to God. Most of us can get confused when it comes to conviction. The Lord convicts us of our sin for correction. If we confess (to acknowledge and agree with God that one’s actions are sinful), He is faithful and just to forgive us of our sin, 1 John 1:9. The enemy uses it for condemnation. He tells us we’re not real Christians if we sin again; that we were never Christians to begin with. You know, Satan’s twisted lies…doubt, confusion, and defeat are his weapons, and his goal is to kill, steal, and destroy! Same old tactics throughout the ages.

I continued by sharing with her how the Lord saved me from my sinful ways and that I am a work in progress through the Holy Spirit living in me. We both knew that the Lord wanted to clear up any confusion in her mind and that He was touching her heart. So she allowed me to pray with her right there in front of God and everyone. It was as though she, I, and the Lord were the only ones there. She got “washed” on the beach, also.

It was a very special moment for me because I had asked, as I regularly do, for the Lord to send someone in my path so that He could use me for His purpose. Taking pictures was the avenue He used. I am humbled that He would trust me to follow His lead, and the Holy Spirit was the guide and sustainer. He trusts me because He knows I trust in Him. She and I shared our contact info and are keeping in touch. I trust the Lord to complete the good work He began in her, and to water the seeds that are planted in her heart. A continual “washing” in God’s Word, His promises to us, and the working of the Holy Spirit as we surrender to Him.

My thoughts go to the multitudes Charlie Kirk spoke to, bringing them out of those confused, dark places. No wonder the enemy tried to shut him up! But actually, it backfired on satan again, just as God had preordained (for the saving of many souls). Charlie’s ministry has exploded into the greatest movement our nation (and others) has ever seen, and we get to be a part of it!

Now back to the beach…

As each evening approached, David and I excitedly returned to the beach to experience the sunset. Yes, I mean experience it.

Although we view sunsets from our home regularly and have a sincere appreciation of them, there is something exceptional about them in that environment. The openness of the sky and the vastness of the horizon make one feel incredibly small. And when it appears that everyone around you is experiencing the same appreciation of God’s creation, it evokes a feeling of oneness with God and mankind. No killing, sadness, hate speech, politics, or anger. Simply all eyes on the magnificence of the works of our Creator’s hands. Another washing, so to speak. I found a change in my heart, which is the fruit of my reflections, meditations, and focus on God. The peace that surpasses all understanding that I long for.

Now, as I think of Charlie Kirk and his martyrdom, I don’t have to ask why. I have consolation that God is in control of this whole universe and His ways are always good. We can trust Him to be showering Charlie with his rewards for a job well done. And He is continuing the work that He began in Charlie. It is already evident across the globe!

I am reminded of another unexpected soothing of the soul. During my first walk on the beach, shortly after hearing the news of Charlie, I discovered this piece of a sand dollar.

 I thought of the numerous pictures I had already seen of Charlie’s family on the beach. I imagined the walks, talks, sunsets, and “washings”  they experienced there. I knew that this heart-shaped piece was representative of the Lord’s and Charlie’s love for his wife, Erika, his children, and all who loved him. As I took the picture, I noticed the cross lying across the heart. The cross of Jesus covers it all. It “washed” up on the beach as if a treasure from our Lord. Thank you again, Lord, for surprises from Your creation.

I could never finish writing about the meaningful events and open-door opportunities to reach out in kindness or pray for a stranger that have happened since first stepping on that beach. And I would also be negligent if I didn’t mention that those opportunities are for us every day. We don’t have to be on the beach to “wash” others with our words, actions, and the Love of God. The avenue He used for me to connect with strangers was my offer to take their picture while admiring the beauty of His creation. But on our way home, He allowed me to pray a prayer of blessing over someone at our hotel.

I will gladly tell of this event in my next blog. Until then, let us do as 1 Peter 3:15 instructs. This is the Amplified Version: “But in your hearts set Christ apart (as holy-acknowledging Him, giving Him first place in your lives) as Lord. Always be ready to give a (logical) defense to anyone who asks you to account for the hope and confident assurance (elicited by faith) that is within you, yet (do it) with gentleness and respect.”

By this, we can “wash” others with the Word and Salvation of Jesus Christ, no matter where we are, as in my upcoming hotel event.

God bless you wherever you are. He sees you, He loves you, and He is pursuing you,

Reba

Good evening, instead of morning this time. I hope all is well with you. Thank you for clicking on my blog. I do hope you gain something of value from your time reading it.

Occasionally, I jot down a note on topics that I would like to write about. Sometime later, as I settle at my desk to write, the right one comes popping up in my notes. As I quickly selected My Many Whys and started this blog, I glanced up. The first thing my eyes landed on was a note card from a Bible study our ladies’ group had done the previous spring. It was titled Trustworthy by Lysa Terkeurst. It was great studying the results of our choices and God’s trustworthiness through the ages. I love the notecards that came with the study guide. They serve as handy reminders that I posted right there in plain sight on my desk hutch. This particular card says, “We don’t have to understand the why of God’s ways. But we do have to keep choosing to follow them.”  I am a bit amused that I chose the topic, glanced up, and saw a study note that confirmed my selection. The Lord often puts a smile on my face. 😊

It is common for most children to begin asking questions at an early age. After all, there is a whole big world that we need answers to, right? I have to be at the top of the list, maybe a record breaker, in the number of questions I asked. My go-to person for most answers was my Dad (My Mom was for the domestic and girly things). I thought Dad knew absolutely everything there is to know. Keeping in mind I have four older siblings, so I thought he had all the answers figured out by the time he got to me. Actually, by the time he got to me, he was understandably worn out with the barrage of the previous inquiries! And remember, I was not only over-the-top inquisitive, but there were times I would ask questions only to strike up a conversation with my Dad.

My poor Dad would occasionally tell me to stop asking so many questions, and at times, he would tell me to “think” before I asked a question. Why would I do that? I wanted the answer from him. Lol! And if he didn’t answer the question to my satisfaction and I came back with another “why?”, he sometimes said, “Because I said so, that’s why!” Keep that in mind because there is a connection.

A few months before my eleventh birthday, my parents had my baby sister. As she grew, I learned quickly about young, inquisitive minds. Reflecting on it, it is really kind of cute. “Why do some animals sleep standing up?” Now, that is a valid question, right? “Why do I have to go to bed early while you stay up late?” Another one with validity. “Since worms are so sticky, why don’t they stick back together when they get broken apart?” Correct me if I’m wrong, but that could be an original of mine. I remember actually asking my Dad that question! I think that was one of the times his answer was, “Don’t ask so many questions.” Lol!

By the time I entered elementary school, my Dad had not accomplished his fatherly duties in satisfying my ever-growing list of questions.  Now it was the teachers’ turn. But at the wise old age of six, I had decided that Dad was right. I asked too many questions, and I needed to “think” first. Coupled with being very shy, my many questions ceased, for a while anyway. It took some hard years of silence and growing out of my shyness before I was brave enough to speak up again. On the positive side, by listening to others, learning to research, and “thinking” before asking, my questions became more valid. But, as always, there are more questions than can be answered in a lifetime.

Now I have a question for you. 🙂 Do you remember when you discovered that your parents didn’t have all the answers? Somehow, it helps us realize they are human, just as we are. So we need to give them the same Grace that the Lord gives us, right? Remember how God created us? He does! Psalm 103:14 NKJV “For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust”.

As we journey through our lives, we have many things that we may never understand or have answers to. And for those of you who never knew your Father, or either parent for that matter, this can bring up even bigger questions.

By growing spiritually and getting to know our heavenly Father better, we can be certain that He has all the answers.  We are His children, and He loves it when we seek answers from Him, our all-knowing God. When we are seeking Him and His ways, He says in Jeremiah 29:12-13 NKJV, “Then you will call upon Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.” And in Matthew 7:7 “Ask and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: for everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.” Wow, not only will we discover more of our Father’s character, but more of His answers for our every need.

And when we have those questions that we don’t understand the answers to…, “We don’t have to understand the why of God’s ways.” Sometimes we accept it, as my Dad said, “Because He said so, that’s why.” That is why our comprehension of His trustworthiness is of paramount importance.

Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.”  Bigger questions, bigger trust!

When you continue to read the second half of the notecard, it completes the thought… “But we do have to keep choosing to follow them.” Follow His ways even when we don’t understand, because we can trust that His ways are always better than anything we can devise ourselves. In our Trustworthy study, we took a deeper look at nine of the Kings in 1^st and 2^nd Kings in the Old Testament. If we weren’t convinced previously that following God’s ways is better than our own, these Kings’ choices convinced us. So we don’t “have” to choose to follow God’s ways, we get to! And we receive all of the benefits of a life well lived in Christ, the Fruit of the Spirit.

So, as I conclude My Many Whys, I thank God that I can ask all of the questions I have for Him, and He welcomes my seeking Him and His ways. I don’t have to understand because I am confident in His trustworthiness to have all of the perfect answers and to direct my path in His perfect ways.

This could be why He gave me these words at the end of my poem, The Perfect Plan in “Blue Skies, Butterflies and Battlegrounds”.

“Finally, I tell you, He does hear our requests,

He will answer in His time, so put your mind at rest.

He created the universe…so surely, for His children, He knows what’s best!

And each Resurrection Day, we proclaim His control, even over His own death,

 As we celebrate the Master’s perfect plan with every God-given breath!”

Isaiah 26:3-4 NKJV “You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever. For in Yah, the Lord, is everlasting strength.”

God bless and keep you even in your many whys and all your ways,

Reba

Hello, today, the day after my 71^st birthday. Yes, I am that old and thankful for it. Ha!Ha!  I say 71 is wonderful in Christ! My day yesterday and today has been filled with an extra big dose of love and well-wishes. I’m off to a great start to a good year and reaching 72. That is, if the Lord doesn’t take me home or return meanwhile. Any way it goes, I’m a winner in Christ. You are too, my friends.

If you have been reading my poems, narratives, and blogs, you know that I occasionally share a dream that I’ve had. Not just any dream from eating too much pizza, or from watching a movie. 😊 Some of you know what I am referring to. Those special dreams, the ones that you know the Lord is reaching out to you with a message. I’m here to share one of those with you today.

This dream occurred about five days ago. It was short and very thought-provoking. In this dream, I was drinking out of my right hand as I cupped it. It wasn’t very easy to get much water, but it worked somewhat. As I finished trying to quench my thirst on my own, I looked up. As I did, two masculine hands appeared. They were cupped with plentiful water cradled inside. The hands and water were all I could see, except the cuffs of a garment. The cuffs belonged to a royal garment. As I peered at the hands, water, and cuffs, my thoughts went to my efforts in drinking with one hand. Then I heard these words, “Here, it is much easier to drink from two hands. See how full it is! Then, I woke up!

As I lie there reliving that dream, there was an abiding love and a sense of peace within me.

His hands of strength, guidance, provision, comfort, power, creation, protection, blessings, and yes, loving discipline were there to represent a message to me. They brought to my memory numerous verses from different poems I have written, all based on His Word. I looked them up so you won’t have to. 😊

The first I would like to share comes from “Blue Skies, Butterflies, and Battlegrounds” pages 56-57…

“You grip my hand, guide me through, the very one I’m desperate for.

While drenching me in Your cleansing power,

You’re transforming me even more!”

Here are several verses in the same book from The Rest of Our Story pages 8-9…

 “He restores our land with a wave of His mighty hand…

Some verses later…

With the touch of His hand, blind men see, pretty incredible wouldn’t you agree?’…

He is above all things, yet we can feel His touch… He laid it all down to give us so much!”

And in Dust to Diamonds page 31, the verses that say,

“Through the hands of our Creator, see what you become;

 In His time, with His refining,

Into diamonds, dust succumbs!”

In The Ballerina’s Dream, pages 35-36, the entire poem was about my sister, Karen’s vision of dancing in Jesus’s hands. Isn’t that both interesting and incredible? Please read it to see if you agree.

My Quiet Heart Speaks, pages 82-83, tells of His hands during the tragic loss of a baby. This one still makes me tearful, but I’ve had numerous moms tell me that this poem helps in their healing. Just as it was meant for. Thank You, Lord.

“He’ll give you hope in a future, of your dreams of watching me grow.

So take our Creator’s healing hand; He’ll heal your broken heart

               And lead you here where I am, where we will never part”.

Written In Red pages 88-89 says …

“We must remember agape love will always hold us

Restoring us to wholeness, in His time, His way, just as He told us.”

His hand of deliverance is in these verses in The Land of Regrets, pages 143-144…

               “My knees hitting the floor, I am finished with strife!

Asking my Father for a beautiful new life…

“I am here my child, I hear your plea,

Now take My hand, removing your misery.”

From tormenting regrets, I am free and unbound

Through Jesus, land of peace is found.”

In my first book, “Inspire Me”, there is more. Sea of Forgetfulness, pages 12-13, says this…

               “So there in the midst of my many sins in the sand

Kneeling before Him, I took “Gift’s” nail-scarred hand.

I asked Him for forgiveness, now in my heart, I believed

And the Gift He offered, I humbly received.”

I’m sure you can see it coming in Sinking Sand page 14…

“He rose again from our sinking sand

And brought us out with His mighty hand.

Surrender to Him, take His hand,

Stand on the Rock, you’re on dry land

Saving Grace, His Promised Land, overcomers of

Our sinking sand!”

Peace Be Still pages 18-19… His hands again, a great place to find peace…

“So when I go to dark places that I don’t understand

I lean not on understanding, I just rest in Your hands.”

I will end these poem references with my very first poem in this same book, “Inspire Me,” pages 8-9. Expressions of His Endearing Love is my youngest sister’s story and my custom birthday poem for her. Here are some verses that refer to the hands of our Lord…

“With God’s Grace and Mighty hand of protection

The baby was born of the Creator’s perfection…”

Several verses later…

“And as the Lord gives back, to us tenfold

I see in His Mighty Hands, us sisters He always did hold.”

I don’t have to wonder why He gave me this dream. It serves as a reminder of what His hands represent, causing me to rejoice in all that He is to us. And remember the picture I used in my last blog says, “He’s got the whole world in His hands!”

And I thank you for allowing me to share what He has given in this dream and what I believe is its purpose and the poetry. I hope this will cause you to pause, remember, and drink in the “Cupped Hands” instead of your single hand on your own.

Here’s His invitation… drink from His Royal hands of strength, guidance, provision, comfort, power, creation, protection, blessings, and yes, loving discipline that He extends to you. Ask yourself, “Why would I drink alone in a single hand?” Then join me in saying… “Praise God! To Him be all the glory forever and ever!”

If this has been meaningful to you, please share it with others, and thank you for leaving your comment.

Reba

Surge defined: A sudden, powerful increase or rush of something, often a physical force or a feeling. It can also refer to a sudden, large increase in a quantity; A sudden, powerful forward or upward movement, especially by a crowd or by a natural force.

Welcome, I’m sure you are wondering what this surge is all about. I will explain what it pertains to in my case and why I chose to write about it.

David and I have been catching up on chores, everyday tasks, and other commitments since we attended a three-day event called Trade Surge this past weekend. We signed up for this event at Life Surge. Life Surge is a one-day event that was held the previous weekend. Sounds like a lot of surging! Lol!

For three days, we experienced a powerful increase in our understanding of how we can build our family financial legacy and add to His Kingdom.

How God orchestrated this opportunity for David and me to learn how to build this legacy and add to His Kingdom is nothing short of incredible. Even at this late stage of our lives, He brings opportunities. How many of you know that with God, age doesn’t matter? After all, look at many of the Bible characters. I bet Abraham and Sarah came to your mind first, as they did for me. Case in point. 😊

We frequently thank God for His timing, opportunities, provision, and for being our guiding light on our paths. Only when we follow do we truly receive His full abundance. So we signed up for the instruction on trading the market and are off on a new journey with the Lord and a huge community of believers.

I know some would say, “Oh no, another prosperity preaching!” I understand because some are taught that money is evil. Read the scripture NKJV 1Timothy 6:10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows”. The verse right before it, V9, says, “But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition”.

Many live what we call “paycheck to paycheck” or poverty by misunderstanding a few verses of scripture (there are plenty more). We do need clarity, and hopefully, as you read on, we will find the truth of what God wants for us.

I find it interesting that I just wrote a series on The Dangers of Prosperity. Wow, these blogs speak of what happens when a nation “falls in love” with money…straying from their faith, becoming greedy, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

All of the Life Surge events are faith-based, biblically sound, and covered in prayer. In our Surge Trade event, there were 8-12 people at each table. There were approximately 240  attendees, so I believe there were 20 tables. Each table was asked to present a verse of scripture that speaks of the abundance the Lord has provided. Here are a few examples:

 John 10:10 NKJV “The thief does not come but to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly”.

Luke 8:38 NKJV “Give, and it shall be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.” Can we see that the Lord is saying not to be greedy with what He has given us? And keeping it in context, the verse before speaks not to judge, condemn, and then He tells us to forgive. Then we will not be judged, condemned, and we will be forgiven ourselves. This is abundant living as we move on to giving instructions. More abundance!

Now I will quote a verse in Proverbs (the book of wisdom), chapter 3, verses 9-10 NKJV “Honor the Lord with your possessions, And with the first fruits of all your increase; So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine. Sounds like abundance to me.

Additionally, chapter 10:22 NKJV “The blessing of the Lord makes one rich, And He adds no sorrow with it.” I want to point out that the King James Version says “it maketh rich”. It does not say “makes one rich”. I believe that both versions convey the idea that the blessings of the Lord bring wealth. But wealth is not exclusive to money. We can be rich in love, peace, joy… the Fruit of the Spirit. What an abundance! Why would we desire material wealth only for self-indulgence?

The Lord indeed gives us more so that we can give more! No love of money! Just blessings in the abundance of the Lord. Many scriptures tell of His desire for His people to live in abundance. Why would He not, we might ask? Only if we “love” money that causes us to stray from our faith. He loves us too much for this, and if we love Him, we should not desire anything above Him.

Consider this: why are there so many sermons on this subject? I did a quick search, and there are over 2300 verses in the Bible pertaining to money, wealth, and possessions. It was the most talked-about subject by Jesus. My understanding of why is that Jesus knew money was a heart issue and that it is one of the most likely reasons for someone to choose not to follow Him, or even give up on Him. God gave us money to use as a tool to invest in His Kingdom and to leave a legacy for our families so they can do the same. “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:21 NKJV. It is a heart matter for sure.

Therefore, this abundance came with a warning and instructions because He knows us better than we know ourselves. Remember that He looks at our hearts, where“many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition”.

These lessons bring to mind several of my poems, many of which I have included in previous blogs. My last statement about the Lord looking at our hearts reminded me of my blog What a Closet Can Reveal Part 2, and the poem Cleaning Out The Clutter. I referred to so much of the darkness in our hearts while giving the solution. I do hope you will read the blog (posted on July 1^st, 2025) and the poem in my first book, “Inspire Me,” and see the close connection to the message in this blog.

And there are two of my all-time favorites on this topic, Liking Stuff and Gain, in “Blue Skies, Butterflies, &Battlegrounds”. I know this could sound boastful, but it is not. It is what I can share with a grateful heart, giving thanks to God for helping me see where I go astray and finding His solution. He has allowed me to share it with others to assist in knowing that He has this for them also.

My poem Liking Stuff ends with these verses:

Now the Lord is teaching me, I like the wrong stuff.

I need eternal treasures that are more than enough.

He gives me what I truly need and even more to share,

So I can store real treasure with Him up there.

The lasting stuff that won’t be stolen, rust, or get rotten.

The kinds of stuff that will never be forgotten.

The souls that are won by investing in them,

The ones I help, leading them to Him.

So it’s good to like stuff if you choose the right stuff…

Souls won for heaven, now that’s more than enough!

So, I am committed to surge in life to fulfill not only my mission, but to support others in their mission to add to His Kingdom and leave a legacy for my loved ones.

In Philippians 4:18, the Apostle Paul wrote to the Christians in the city of Philippi that the things they had sent to support his ministry were a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God. Then in verse 19, “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus”. V 20 “Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.”

I hope you will seek what the Lord has for you if you are not already walking in the abundance I have been writing about. It is His will for us to prosper in all areas, including finances. Josea 4:6 NKJV “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge”… God is saying to His people that a lack of knowledge can lead to poor decisions, flawed understanding, and ultimately, negative consequences. We need clarity of the Word of God, so we can know the Will of God and Walk with Him in His Ways. His Word, Will, Walk, and Ways always flow in abundance in every area of our lives. Thank you, Heavenly Father, for bringing the abundance of Heaven to earth through Your Son, Jesus, for all who believe.

Philippians 4:20 “Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.”

And again, I thank you for your time; new subscribers, comments, emails, and readers everywhere.

Reba

comments

Good day, everyone. Here we are, a few days into August, and I will conclude my series on the floods in Texas. It has been difficult to finalize as more accounts pour in, as I shared in my previous post, “The Lord had been giving more pieces than I anticipated, and He won’t stop here.”

This is the time to wind this up, though, and I believe I have found a good place to do it. What better place than the first-hand account of a twelve-year-old girl, Skyler, who was a flood survivor from Camp Mystic in Hunt, TX? This young girl was on Fox & Friends News, one of our National television news stations. She told of her nightmare experience as pictures of the aftermath of her camp were being displayed behind her. Her story recounted the healing and hope that came from the inspiration to rewrite the lyrics of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” song.

Skyler wrote the lyrics with the help of her mom, Lacey Derrington. “It was very emotional and healing like song therapy,” Lacey said of working with her daughter. Does this remind you of King Saul when he was depressed, calling for the shepherd boy, David? David played his harp and sang to bring “healing like song therapy”.

Skyler sang her song, broadcasting across our nation, like a professional, while displaying courage and her giftedness. She began…

“I heard there was a giant flood

But we were washed in Jesus’s blood

And you don’t really care for my news, do ya?

On July the fourth 2025

The water rose, we went adrift”

Later in the song, Skyler sang,

 “Our faith was strong, you showed us love

Like only God from up above

Your prayers, your hugs, and your love overwhelmed us

We cried we  prayed, we did our share

You clothed us , fed us, brushed our hair

And from our lips we drew the Hallelujah.”

She ended the song with these words…

“We did our best, we left a mark

A light that shines within the dark

I told His truth, I didn’t come to fool ya’

She continued…

“Even though it wasn’t long

We stand before the Lord of songs

With nothing on our tongue but hallelujah

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Halle looooo jah!”

These words resonate in my mind, and they also bring tears. Tears for healing are always good. I thank God for them.

After her performance, Skylar was interviewed and asked about her faith. Her testimony was grounded in God’s Truth and was impactful even on the interviewers.

She also stated that she wants to be a Christian singer like Lauren Daigle. One of the hosts asked her if she would like to say “Hi” to Lauren. She looked right into the camera to say hi as Lauren walked onto the stage to greet her in person.

The surprise was genuine, and a moment this youngster will never forget. Lauren was complementary and encouraging to Skyler. One thing she said that stood out to me was, “Tragedy happens in so many people’s lives, and what you experienced was unbelievable. But you took a tragedy and you turned it into something incredible. You turned it into something beautiful.” She continued… “That, to me, is so telling of your faith. It is so telling of the hope that you have in Jesus that you could take a tough situation and turn it into something beautiful. I just want to applaud you”.

The singer also revealed that she is releasing a new single on August 1^st titled “Let It Be a Hallelujah,” a song written nearly a decade ago but never released. Lauren stated that she did not know why the delay but with this event, she now knows. There is no coincidence in the title or the song.

So, how about we give a resounding applause to our Lord? Only He can orchestrate such as this! I stand amazed and humbled at His wonderful works in the “Battlegrounds” of our lives.

  “You grip my hand, guide me through, the very one I’m desperate for.

While drenching me in Your cleansing power, You’re transforming me even more!

Now pure as blue skies, I glide with butterflies amid the beauty of You.

Thankful through life’s battlegrounds, I’m homeward bound, beyond the sky so blue!”

“Blue Skies, Butterflies, & Battlegrounds” poem, pages 56-57. Written during the destructive 2020 worldwide pandemic. God was there also.

As I have shared what I have found to be healing when we don’t understand, I pray it has accomplished or set you on that path. We first looked through our dear cousin, Kathy’s, vantage point and the emails shared by her sister-in-law, Carol. There was a clear analysis of the event from Schreiner University staff.

As I stated in this first part…

 “I believe this is a good starting place to give us a glimpse of the depth (please, no pun intended) of the pain and crushed hearts that we may never understand. Throughout this process, I hope you will see God still working in the hearts and lives of people”.

In part two, I continued with a portion of the university president’s description of the monstrous night and subsequent days. He also shared one of the most heartfelt prayers I’ve ever read, written by the Rev. Dr. Dongwoo Lee, Schreiner’s University Minister. “How could I ever add to this? This prayer describes our God… Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, who He is and who we are in Him. Strengthened, empowered, full of compassion, hope, and healing as we each function as parts of His Body. We commonly call it the “hands and feet” of Jesus. And remember, you don’t have to be there to contribute. And with His help, we won’t forget and we won’t stop!”

As I moved on to part three…

 “Each day, more news is coming in about the tragedy, the cleanup, recovery, and how God is allowing good to come from it. It would be impossible for us to be aware of all of it, but I believe I am to share some of what I have found that has deeply touched my heart and others’.”

Therefore, I continued by sharing a Facebook post; another source for the healing balm the Lord was spreading over crushed hearts that could not understand. The writing titled Where Was God In The Flood?, was by a man named Scott. May God bless this man for his incredible compassion, insight, and wisdom. He wrote of absolutes about God and our responsibilities as His people. I found his call to the Ekklesia (the church as a community of believers in Christianity), and his mention of the anchor, along with numerous other key words, in agreement with many of my recent posts. God is speaking to His people everywhere. Let’s take heed.

With this wrap-up post, I believe this young girl’s testimony and song will continue this process of healing, even if we were never involved in a tragedy like this. As I stated previously, many of you have experienced much worse. By taking this look together, we can gain more trust in Him and His ways, even in any type of tragedy we experience in life. The Lord has supplied more than we imagined through our look at first-hand accounts, prayers, poetry, songs, and testimonies. No doubt He hasn’t stopped here.

As we continue to pray, support, uplift, and encourage one another, we find the compassion of Christ living in us and working through us (His Body of Believers). His hands, feet, and His heart in this painful world. To accomplish this, we must break free from the Dangers of Prosperity not only in America, but in many nations around the world! Let’s agree together to do our part.

I do pray God’s blessings on each of you. My appreciation of you grows with each blog.

May God continue to spread His healing balm over your lives,

Reba

Hello, again, from the unusually hot region of Northwest Arkansas. From the looks of the weather map, most of our nation is hot and dry, more so than usual. I pray for those whose jobs require outdoor work or unairconditioned buildings. They probably do not allow themselves to get too accustomed to the air-conditioned temperatures that most of us do. God bless them, for what would we do without them?

I am drawing closer to wrapping up my blogs on the floods in Texas. Each day, more news is coming in about the tragedy, the cleanup, recovery, and how God is allowing good to come from it. It would be impossible for us to be aware of all of it, but I believe I am to share some of what I have found that has deeply touched my heart and others’.

For now, I am moving to more healing words from yet another source. This was posted on social media, namely Facebook. It is titled, “Where Was God In The Flood?

WHERE WAS GOD IN THE FLOOD? 

Written by Scott 

“Over the past few days, my heart has wrestled deeply with the tragedy unfolding in Texas. The floodwaters have swept away more than cabins, they’ve shaken families, broken hearts, and left many of us asking the hard questions. As a shepherd, I’m supposed to have answers, but sometimes, I just have tears. This isn’t a post filled with easy explanations, it’s one born out of pain, prayer, and the unshakable truth that even in the flood, God is still present.

This is the heart-wrenching tension we must sit with, one that stretches both the human soul and the theological framework of even seasoned believers.

Could God have stopped the flood? 

Yes.

Could He have preserved every life? 

Absolutely.

Did He have the power to send angels, divert waters, or awaken every camper before danger came? 

Without question.

And yet, He didn’t. Not in the way we prayed. Not in the way we hoped.

This is where we enter the sacred realm of mystery.

Even the Apostle Paul, caught up to the third heaven, confesses: “Now we see through a glass, darkly…”  1 Corinthians 13:12

There are moments in life where divine sovereignty doesn’t align with human expectation, and in those moments, our theology must not collapse, it must deepen.

We often ask, “Why didn’t God act?”, but what if the deeper question is, why does He sometimes choose restraint, even when it breaks His own heart?”

The cross is our clearest example. Jesus could have called twelve legions of angels to prevent His crucifixion, but He didn’t. Not because He couldn’t, but because there was a greater purpose at work, a redemptive plan hidden within suffering.

Could this be one of those moments?

We do not claim to know the full mind of God (Isaiah 55:8–9), but we do know this, His delay is never His absence, and His silence is never His apathy.

Sometimes God restrains His hand so that a greater Kingdom revelation might emerge, even through the ashes of grief.

This Is Not Judgment. This Is Travail.

Let’s be clear, this tragedy is not a sign of God’s judgment on these children, this camp, or this region. This is not wrath, it is travail.

Creation is groaning. The earth is trembling.

And the Kingdom is advancing through birth pains, not comfort (Matthew 24:8).

This flood did not take God by surprise, but nor was it His delight. We serve a God who weeps with us (John 11:35) and enters into our suffering with scars of His own.

What We Do Know

Though we cannot answer every “why,” the believer’s voice must anchor the people of God in what is unshakably true:

He is still good, His goodness is not circumstantial, it’s covenantal. The cross remains the proof of His love, not our circumstances.

He is still just. His justice may not be immediate, but it is inevitable, every tear will be accounted for, every injustice will be made right, every hidden pain will be healed.

He is still present. Even in the storm, He was there, in the cries, in the chaos, in the quiet miracles. He is “Emmanuel,” God with us, in the flood as much as in the fire.

He is still working. As Romans 8:28 declares: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.”

This does not mean all things are good, it means that even the worst thing, like a flood that takes young lives, can become the soil for divine redemption. Let’s not allow mystery to give way to unbelief, let’s not allow pain to steal our posture of faith.

This is the time for the Ekklesia to weep and war, to mourn with those who mourn, to declare the goodness of God even in the valley, to contend for a generation that has been shaken.

We don’t have all the answers, but we have a God who still speaks, a Gospel that still saves, and a Kingdom that cannot be shaken.”

Written by someone named Scott

The wisdom that this man shared from his aching heart is another example of God’s healing balm that I mentioned in each of these blogs. “The Lord has been giving piece by piece messages that are like a healing balm for aching hearts and clearing minds that cannot understand”. The Lord has given us more pieces than I anticipated, and He won’t stop here. NKJV Philippians 1:6 “being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;”

In my final blog on this topic, I will share the testimony of a twelve-year-old girl for whom the Lord is doing just that… “Completing the good work He began in her.” As for the ones who perished…I will quote Scott, “We don’t have all the answers, but we have a God who still speaks, a Gospel that still saves, and a Kingdom that cannot be shaken.”

As you continue with me, I appreciate every moment of your time. Someday, we will meet from all nations and join together in our praises to Him. Meanwhile, we can join together even at a distance and praise Him through it all!

Reba

Good Sunday afternoon. We had a powerful worship, fellowship, and message at our Church gathering today. I hope you did as well.

I am writing on this day that we set aside for the Lord and for us to rest. Writing because we are not finished with “When We Don’t Understand”. I know that many who were affected believe the rest of us have moved on with our lives and have forgotten them. We have not! The Lord is reminding multitudes of us to keep you lifted in prayer and support. The Lord prompting me to write about this tragedy 22 days later, and the responses to my first part of this blog are evidence of this.

Therefore, I will continue with a portion of the letter from the President of Schreiner University, Charlie McCormick. Only a portion, because he describes that fatal night that I have already shared in the first part of this writing.

Again, this is copied from the email I received from our cousin Kathy in Kerrville, TX. I will pick up where he describes the events from his vantage point at that time.

“Over the last 24 hours, several people have told me about the 1987 and 2002 floods on the campus.  Those were scary times to be on campus.  Yesterday, though, and based on no logic other than the chaos of wind and rain and river, the campus fared well.  And very quickly, the Schreiner community was able to jump into action.  Creek levels were monitored by Security and Resident Directors; buildings were checked for leaks by Facility staff; and our Western Art Academy students were carefully shepherded by their Director and student mentors.  The Vice Presidents launched “call trees” to make certain everyone in their areas were accounted for (everyone is reported to be safe at this time).  Student Affairs made sure all on-campus students were accounted for, too.  Our food service provider mobilized its team so that it stood up the Diner for full-service throughout the day and for anyone who needed it.  Other staff – and Facilities first among them – prepared the Event Center as a site for community members to shelter.  Our nursing faculty came to campus at a run to address any health concerns.    And slowly but surely we learned the terrible news.  More lives lost.  More people still missing.  Everyone you talked to knew someone who had been lost or who was missing.  And collectively, and with our friends throughout the Hill Country, we grieved the news that our long-time Board member and dear friend, Jane Ragsdale, had passed.  As the day progressed, we were asked if Schreiner could shelter some campers that had been evacuated from their camps.  The women of Schreiner – Danielle, Erica, Cindy, Bri, Anna, Megan, Caitlyn, Cayce, Emma, and Stacy among others – sprang into action and created a space where some very fragile girls who had been through hell could find peace and a place to sleep.  Throughout the night they kept watch, managing the despair of families desperately seeking information on their missing loved ones and the extraordinary reunion of each camper with her family.  Some 50 first responders stayed on campus that evening, too, grabbing a few hours of sleep before leaving again for the rescue and recovery work.   By the time day broke on Saturday, most of the campers had been reunited with their parents, and the first responders were back at work.  Attention turned at once to preparing for the out-of-town linemen who were coming to help and additional support crews that would help Kerrville and the Hill Country try to stitch itself back together.  Processes have now been developed and volunteers secured to manage the check-in and check-out of these heroes for the next several days.  And before the afternoon had barely begun, we learned we were going to be sheltering counselors from still another camp that had been devastated.   I suspect this will be the pace of life for the next several days and maybe the next several weeks.  We will turn this campus into a community resource and tend to our friends and neighbors in their hours of need.  We should expect to pivot and then to pivot again and to plan and prepare only to not need these plans and preparations.  We’ll prepare food for a hundred and feed only ten.  That is the nature of a disaster.   But what an extraordinary opportunity it has been to spend time in the company of and on the phone with and texting alongside the Schreiner community the last 36 hours.  I will never be able to express how proud I am that when the pain was as its peak, one Schreiner person after another responded with compassion and a humanity that is humbling and awesome.  You have my thanks and my admiration.  But more importantly, you have the thanks of this community.  Some days we’d like to forget.”   “But for those we cannot, let us cover the memory of that day with something that redeems it.  The Rev. Dr. Dongwoo Lee, Schreiner’s University Minister, provides us just such a covering through this prayer he wrote for us:”   “God, Be Near: A Prayer in the Midst of Flooding” “God of mercy and steadfast love, we come before you as floodwaters continue to rise and the danger has not yet passed. Our community remains unsettled. Homes are still at risk, roads are uncertain, and many live in anxious waiting. We lift our eyes to you, not because we understand all things, but because you are the One who walks with us through deep waters. Still, we don’t always know how to pray in moments like this, but we know we need you.  We pray for the people of Kerrville and the surrounding areas who are still watching the rivers and skies. Some have already been displaced. Others are preparing for what may come. Lord, we confess that many of us are afraid, unsure of what will come next, and struggling to stay hopeful. Be near to those who feel overwhelmed, especially the elderly, children, and those with nowhere else to turn. Let your presence be a calm in the storm. Let your wisdom guide decisions made in haste. Let your Spirit stir courage in all who serve on the frontlines. For those coordinating emergency efforts, those offering shelter and supplies, and those keeping watch through the night, we ask your strength. Give them clarity and compassion. Help them endure what they cannot predict. Let them know they are not alone. And for all of us, teach us to be attentive and responsive. Help us stay united in heart and in purpose. Let no act of care be too small. Let no neighbor feel forgotten.  In this time of great need, we are grateful for the opportunity to open our doors to the community, offering shelter, meals, and rest. Let this campus be a steady light, not for our sake but as a witness to your love at work among us. May prayer guide what we do. May compassion shape how we serve. And as students, faculty, and staff care for others, may they also experience hope and strength that come from you.  Jesus, you knew what it meant to live among storms. You calmed the waters with a word, and you entered into our fear with your presence. Through your Spirit, remain with us now. As the rain falls and the rivers swell, we place our trust in you. Guard the vulnerable. Strengthen the weary. Lead us not only to safety but toward a deeper compassion for one another.  We pray in the name of Jesus Christ, our companion in the flood and our hope beyond it, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen”.  Sincerely,   Charlie McCormick President Schreiner University How could I ever add to this? This prayer describes our God… Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, who He is and who we are in Him. Strengthened, empowered, full of compassion, hope, and healing as we each function as parts of His Body. We commonly call it the “hands and feet” of Jesus. And remember, you don’t have to be there to contribute. And with His help, we won’t forget and we won’t stop! The confirmation of this keeps pouring in, so I have more to share in part #3. I do hope you join me, and as always, I pray that what I write will help you through your storms of life. John 16:33 NKJV “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” Be of good cheer, in Christ, Reba

Hello dear ones, now to write about the tragic loss of lives in the Texas flash floods this past July 4^th holiday weekend.

You may remember this is how I began my last blog. “The Lord has been giving piece by piece messages that are like a healing balm for aching hearts and clearing minds that cannot understand. I will try to explain”.

This tragedy was on my mind when I began that blog, but my thoughts were quickly directed to the state of our nation as I acknowledged what we were supposed to be celebrating that weekend. My ‘Dangers of Prosperity’ series is what developed instead. As I concluded this series, my final thought was that in my next blog:  

     “I will write about the incredible, faith-filled responses to the catastrophic floods in Texas this past July 4^th. Yes, during our nation’s time to celebrate, that turned into mind-boggling, tragic devastation. Yet, more healing balm for aching hearts and clearing minds that cannot understand. No, this is more like crushed hearts that we may never understand. But we can take a look together and gain more trust in Him and His Ways even in the devastation”.

I will begin with cousin, Kathy, and her husband, Gene. You may remember that they were the ones who generously gifted us a stay in their “Little Paradise” condo after we sold our house to downsize in 2021. I wrote about it in The Gift of Little Paradise poem and the narrative in “Blue Skies, Butterflies, and Battlegrounds”.

Since that event, they downsized and moved to the city of Kerrville, in the county of Kerr, TX, less than one year ago. Yes, that is the county that sustained the most fatalities during the July 4^th flash floods. Our cousins were safe, but greatly impacted by the devastation all around them. It has been too sad to express accurately in words, but there have been some valiant attempts. I am taking the liberty of copying them to share, as I’m certain they were written for that purpose. More healing balm straight from our Lord, especially when we don’t understand.

I will begin with an email that I received from Kathy shortly after I inquired about their safety. This email was sent on July 5^th, one day after the tragedy.

Reba, this came from my sister-in-law, Carol. She’s on the board at Schreiner University. The writings may seem lengthy, but they describe well the disaster we have been living through. 

A clear analysis of what happened from the Schreiner University Texas Center

The July 4 Flash Flood   This is a tough email to write.   In the early morning hours of July 4, the remnants of two tropical storms—one Pacific, one Gulf—converged over the Hill Country of Texas and dumped a deluge of rain on the headwaters of the Guadalupe, Llano, and San Saba rivers. The forecast the day before had been 40% chance of scattered thunderstorms. No one saw this coming on July 3.   Apparently, at 1:15 am on July 4, the National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning—long after the retirees, vacationers, and young campers had turned in the for the night on this holiday weekend. Of course, this is a region known for spotty cell phone coverage which, in happier times, adds to its tranquility.   Just not this night. As cowboys and counselors, campers and caretakers slumbered on, the rain came. A jogger in Kerrville, a dozen miles downstream, might have noticed a spitting rain. But upstream, the bottom had already dropped out of the sky. It hit the rocks and drought-baked soil of Kerr County and it ran like it was power washing concrete. An hour later, it came toward Kerrville . . . heavy.  The Guadalupe River valley served as a funnel, and the once trickling stream became a roaring messenger of doom.   The river rose about half a foot a minute for an hour. Ancient cypress trees lost their grip on the earth and became battering rams heading down stream at velocity. Houses and cabins—many occupied—floated away, their terrified inhabitants trying to formulate an escape plan. Recreational vehicles carried their vacationing owners downstream to uncertain—but often predictable—fates. Some clung to trees and awaited the rotor wash of rescue helicopters.  Many would survive, some did not. The water spared no one—the young and the old, the innocent and the wizened.    As one meteorologist is reported to have posted, “nearly 2 trillion gallons of water fell across the Texas Hill Country. To put that into perspective, it could supply 11 million homes with water for one year, or fill 1.5 million Olympic swimming pools.”   And it fell in a matter of minutes.   Think about all this swift water. For a short minute, that fast water is a little more than ankle deep. Three minutes, it is nearly knee high—even higher on a little kid. The force of that water is making it hard to keep your feet. At five minutes, its nearly waist high on an adult, and your chances of keeping your feet are growing mighty slim.   If you do go down, you are racing down a roaring river clogged with trees, cars, trailers, cottages, butane tanks, siding, and assorted debris. The Gudalupe is also a very rocky stream in this part of the very rocky Hill Country.   Amidst this pandemonium, two camp owner/directors, at Mystic and Heart of the Hills, heroically surrendered their lives attempting to rescue their young campers. They knew the danger—anyone who has lived here any length of time does—but they had to try, no matter the cost.   The aftermath has been devastation. The list of dead, and missing, is long. It includes retirees who had their little piece of heaven in Texas. It included friends enjoying a holiday weekend that would be highlighted by a Robert Earl Keen concert and fireworks show at Louise Hays Park in Kerrville. It also includes young families—mom, dad, and the kids—who have vanished.    This storm was a killer, a destroyer. Not just in Kerr County, but across the middle of Texas. And it still is.   We at The Texas Center are high and dry. Schreiner University has served as a reunion station for people separated, or who lost everything they owned in the world. We are now transitioning to a staging area and housing facility for the hundreds of emergency workers who had rushed to the aid of their fellow Texans.   This also hits close to home. Dallas Meadows, one of our own here at The Texas Center, has a nephew missing. No word one way or the other. He was asleep in a cabin on a ranch upstream. Dallas is our in-charge for the annual Western Art Academy, and she is throwing herself into her responsibilities to keep her mind off of the great unknown. In an interesting twist, Dallas’s nephew came out a few weeks back to lend a hand as a model—since he is a real-life buckaroo. Now there are student-artists from Houston, unaware of the gravity of the chaos just miles away from the safety of their studios and campus apartments, using his image as a model for their painting projects.    Hope remains that he is yet alive, and simply has not been able to check in. Time will tell.    The sounds of helicopters going overhead, and the sight of emergency vehicles—especially ambulances—driving slowly just reminds us that this massive debris field (trees, cars, trailers, etc.) may be slow to give up its secrets.   There is a fund at the Community Foundation of the Hill Country to help the thousands of people who lost much, if not all, of their possessions get their feet back under them.   Pictures of the aftermath were shown that I did not include here. The gorgeous riverscape of Kerrville is now populated with splintered and broken trees.    Well, there is nothing for it now. To quote Governor Greg Abbott, Kerrville has proven to be “quintessentially Texan” in our response to this crisis. Or, as Secretary of Homeland Security echoed, Kristi Noem said, “you are an example for the nation.”   Sometimes, you make history. Sometimes, history makes you. Both of those forces are at work here in Kerrville right now. They probably always have been.   Thank you to all who have inquired. We have caught our breath, rolled up our sleeves, and are getting about the tasks at hand.   Like Texans.   (And I say like AMERICANS!)   Hard to write indeed, but the writer pressed forward! The writing was so articulate in painting a picture of the step-by-step unknown disaster brewing just ahead. Pause for a moment and think of the anticipated fun-filled days ahead, that so swiftly and unexpectedly transformed into their worst nightmare, as the writer’s word picture portrayed. The picture was monstrous, just as the storm. So many of the innocent were soon to be victims. The raging waters were no respecter of persons, animals, or earthly things. Just to envision the fear, panic, and chaos they experienced would break even the coldest of hearts. And then the writer honored the two who surrendered their lives in a fatal attempt to save others. “They had to try, no matter the cost.” No greater love than this! Then we move on to the helping hands. The comfort, hope, and sacrificial service as they were suffering as well. Texans as Americans, pulling together as the heart, hands, and feet of our Lord. I find it interesting how the Lord can take what the enemy intended for bad and turn it for good. Good in that we turn from our selfish ways, reach out to others, and realize that we could have so easily been victims ourselves. I believe this is a good starting place to give us a glimpse of the depth (please, no pun intended) of the pain and crushed hearts that we may never understand. Throughout this process, I hope you will see God still working in the hearts and lives of people. People of a nation that, in many ways, have gone their “own” way, as in my most recent blogs. America was founded to be God’s light to all nations, and God is not finished with her, even in all her straying, as the prodigal son or the lost sheep. And as the most frequently quoted verse in the Bible says in John 3:16 NKJV “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. “Emphasis mine. That means you, no matter where you are.   In my next blog, I will continue with more faith-filled responses to this tragedy with a letter to the University Campus from President Charlie McCormick of Shreiner University. I know many of you across the globe have experienced tragedy like this (in some cases, much worse) and need some hope and healing from things we cannot understand. By taking a look together, we gain more trust in Him and His ways, even in the devastation. I’m reminded of the metaphor that the Apostle Paul uses in Romans 8:22 NKJV: “We know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now”. There is a universal groaning, not just within humanity, but throughout all creation as it awaits the ultimate redemption and renewal with the return of Christ. Our hope of future glory and liberation from the effects of sin is in Him alone. God bless you and remember that He loves you more than you could ever know. And He is good all the time, no matter the circumstances. He is returning to make all things right. Are you ready? Reba

As I said previously, “Dear Lord, I sure need your help here”! As I do in all things.

You may have some misgivings about what I have written thus far, but I am asking with genuineness of heart that you consider allowing the Lord to search your heart as you search the scripture. Ask yourself, is He speaking to you about the dangers of prosperity? Allow the Holy Spirit to be your guide.

With His help, as I approach the final part of this series, I believe we need to revisit the beginning, again, back in the Garden of Eden, to Adam’s disobedience and Eve’s being deceived. We will do this as we take a look at the “church” and where it is today.

The Church, the Body of Christ, all followers of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior across every tongue and every nation, His family, that’s who we are in Him. We gather in buildings that we call churches to worship, praise, pray, learn together, and equip us to go into the world to spread the Gospel of Jesus, adding to His Kingdom.

But some churches have been deceived into spreading a gospel other than the Gospel of Jesus Christ. By that, I mean they teach that there are other ways to the Father than Jesus. John 14:6 NKJV “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” Some reject the Holy Trinity: the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Matthew 28:19 Jesus gives the Great Commission and is very specific about the Trinity. “ Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” NKJV. The Trinity is a core Christian belief! Some twist, delete, and water down the Holy Scriptures to meet their agenda. They do not teach the Truth out of fear of losing numbers of people and the revenue they bring. They allow “anyone and everyone” to be leaders in the church instead of following the requirements of Church leadership taught in the scriptures. 2 Timothy 4:3-4 NKJV “For the time is coming when people will not endure sound doctrine, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.” Has that time come?

Remember what the church I’m speaking of is: a place for individual followers of Jesus Christ to gather in corporate worship, praise, pray, learn together, and equip us to go into the world to spread the Gospel of Jesus, adding to His Kingdom. No wonder the enemy works so hard to deceive us, and our human flesh follows him in disobedience! Just like Adam and Eve!

And what about those of us who judge others’ sins while our hearts are just like the Pharisees?

Looking at the Church today could be condemning, but recognize that condemnation is from Satan himself, also! We must remember that God never condemns us. He lovingly corrects us as we have all gone astray. He is the Good Shepherd, and Jesus made the way back to Him. Just as the prodigal son in Dutch Sheets’ prayer for our nation…

“But also like the prodigal, we believe in Your mercy. We believe in the power of the blood of Jesus. We believe it cleanses us from all sin and unrighteousness. And we believe in restoration. We believe that You are restoring America to You and to our calling. We place our faith in Christ’s blood and boldly declare, “America shall be – and is being – saved!”

As the Lord reveals my times of going astray in my sinful nature, and judging others, I thank Him for making the way for not only me, but all of us to come back to Him.  Hopefully, you have seen a glimpse of my confessions throughout my poems, narratives, and blogs. The Lord does not bring our sins to the Light for condemnation, only for correction for our “good” and His Glory.

I stand on the words I wrote in “Casting Stones” and the associated scripture. This is in “Blue Skies, Butterflies & Battlegrounds”. It begins on page 149 and ends on page 150. I hope you will read it in its entirety and the narrative, as well. This is our warning not to “cast stones” of judgment on others.

When regarding others, do you have a bit of smirk

And your critical eyes around corners still lurk?

Do you gossip, ridicule, and point the judgment finger

And when you’ve departed, your hurtful words still linger?

You might say no to any or all of this

But your view of yourself could honestly be amiss…

Only our Lord knows what  is in our hearts;

It is there where this evil in each of us starts.

He reveals things in my heart I did not know,

To show me the stone is not mine to throw!

We must not “blame” or “cast stones”. “Disobedience and blaming, what misery they bring”… “No stones will He cast; Only forgiveness He imparts”!

His healing balm, His Word, His Truth, His way back to our relationship with the Father, is the same yesterday, today, and forevermore.

As we apply it through reading, studying, and obeying it, His Word does what He says it will do. We, as believers, our families, governments, schools, and our nation will function and serve their purpose as designed by God.

So, with my mixed emotions, I approached my keyboard. And piece by piece, He has given messages for the healing of the hearts of those of us who mourn over the direction our great nation has chosen. Have we forgotten those who fought so fiercely and sacrificially for our freedoms? Worse yet, have we forgotten the price our Lord paid with the sacrifice of His only Son? He made the Way back to the Father through Jesus Christ, the only way! He made the greatest sacrifice ever for all mankind. There was no other way!

I thank the Lord for helping us examine the dangers of prosperity because it helps clear our minds to understand how we have been deceived into believing that our way is the better way, and that somehow, God is withholding “good” from us. I, for one, move from the sadness, discouragement, and shamefulness of what we’ve done. With humility and confession, I receive the Lord’s forgiveness and walk in His Godly prosperity, not man’s prosperity.

As I will continue to profess, “His Way is always the Better Way!” And He certainly has “The Perfect Plan”, pages 104-105 in Blue Skies, Butterflies, and Battlegrounds. I hope you will read it and be encouraged. For those of us who know God’s Love, Grace, and Mercy, this is more than encouraging. It gives us hope for all of us and the future of our families, governments, schools, churches, and every area of our lives.

Romans 12:2 NKJV “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God”. Emphasis mine.

In my next blog, I will write about the incredible faith-filled responses to the catastrophic floods in Texas this past July 4^th. Yes, during our nation’s time to celebrate, that turned into mind-boggling, tragic devastation. Yet, more healing balm for aching hearts and clearing minds that cannot understand. No, this is more like crushed hearts that we may never understand. But we can take a look together and gain more trust in Him and His Ways even in the devastation.

God bless you and thank you for sharing in my journey, through my mission to glorify God through writing, sharing His Word, and my life experiences, communicating the love of Jesus Christ to add to His Kingdom.

Reba