08 Jul Sometimes you just marvel…
8 July 2025
Happy Wednesday everyone!
Yes…Wednesday…apologies for not getting this through yesterday…the week has started off interestingly.
A couple of quick things…
First…thanks to everyone who has asked about the flooding in Texas. That’s a heartbreaking tragedy. I’ve spent many hours on the Guadalupe River, and lots of time in the Texas Hill Country. The issue is more one of geography & topography than anything else. The topsoil is pretty thin & there’s mostly limestone underneath. It’s the upside of an old geologic uplift. The creeks are narrow & the riverbeds shallow in places. So when there’s rain, it runs off very quickly, & 600+mils of rain in less than 24 hours is a recipe for disaster. The Guadalupe River rose 8 or more metres in less than an hour, in the middle of the night. Even though there were warnings, the speed of the flow of water overran everything downstream from the rain event. It saddens me that the news media is trying so hard to assign blame before all the folks involved are accounted for, and others are trying to score political points over the bodies of the dead. Let’s grieve the dead, bind the wounded, pray for them all (especially the families of the young girls at the camp that was directly inundated & so many died), and pray for the road ahead in rebuilding lives, families & communities.
Everyone I know who lives in that area seems to be all present and accounted for. None of my family is out that way any longer, but I’ve been up in that region more times than I can remember & have taken young people to camps up there, and been myself in my younger days. It’s a special part of God’s creation…just beautiful. But…it’s no place to trifle in a flash flood. I’m in contact with a church there…there’s nothing we can do from here really except pray, and leave judgment to those to whom that role is assigned.
Second…I often read the Bible thinking of the gospels as Jesus painting the big picture of salvation & our being reunited with the Father, & the letters as being how the apostles taught the church to live as Christ’s people in the every-day aspects of their lives. I guess there’s truth to that…but today I was reading Luke 12…and Jesus captured my heart again:
Jesus said, “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food to eat or enough clothes to wear. For life is more than food, & your body more than clothing. Look at the ravens. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for God feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than any birds! Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? And if worry can’t accomplish a little thing like that, what’s the use of worrying over bigger things? “Look at the lilies & how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today & thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? “And don’t be concerned about what to eat & what to drink. Don’t worry about such things. These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers all over the world, but your Father already knows your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, & he will give you everything you need. “So don’t be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom.
Sometimes you just marvel…There is nothing more ordinary & every-day as food, drink, & clothing. And yet we worry overmuch about those things Jesus said the Father specifically provides for us. It quiets the chaos of my soul to remember that our gracious saving God has his heart attuned to the smallest of needs in our lives & is actively working to bring good to us. At the same time, he has chosen to give us his Kingdom. Our destiny, as well as tomorrow night’s dinner, come from the same source…the Father’s abundant grace. Let that be a comfort in any distress you face. You are not going to fall into something where the Father’s reach can’t hold you up. I find peace there too when I think about those swept away in rising flood waters…I also find peace here: Psalm 29:10-11
The Lord rules over the floodwaters.
The Lord reigns as king forever.
The Lord gives his people strength.
The Lord blesses them with peace.
Looking at our journey ahead…
- Zoom Bible Study Catch-up
Friday 11th July 2025 @ 1:00 p.m.
Join Zoom Meeting — https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89674789066 — Meeting ID: 896 7478 9066 - Thursday 10th July – Ladies Fellowship – 1 John 3:11-24
- Saturday August 23rd – Albury Men’s Convention – I’ve signed up! I reckon we’ll have a good group going from here.
- I have an interesting opportunity coming up on July 29th. Once I know details, I’ll fill you in…but it’s a new thing for me and quite a public witness too. I’m excited, so please pray for me.
Like I mentioned last week, we’re in the school holidays & many are travelling. Please pray for safe journeys, joyous homecomings & great love renewed. Also keep praying for those year 12 students. The clock is winding down on their school careers. Pray for wisdom, diligence & persistence. Ask God to bless their efforts with favourable results.
See you Sunday…or sooner if God blesses us that way!
John
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