Job During the Storm

There are two types of people: those who pull over on the side of the road to crawl into a ditch, and those who pull over to take pictures of the tornado coming straight toward them.

I live in Oklahoma, or "Tornado Alley."

Yesterday we had multiple F4 tornadoes rip through this beloved state of mine. In fact, the first tornado of the day started directly above my house. I assure you no damage was done, but the raw fear within my heart was damaging enough.

I have lived in Oklahoma all of my life and witnessed many serious tornadoes, including the most famous of them all: the F5 May 3rd.

Because I have grown up with these giants, I have nearly become immune to the fear they cause. Not yesterday.

Reminders of previous devastations popped back into my head as I watched the threatening funnel begin to lower.

"Please protect us today," I whispered in prayer. "Please protect me and my family and my loved ones. Please watch over us."

Unfortunately, there were many damages caused by these tornadoes, including a fatality.

But blessed was I, being able to look up at the sun's promise after the storm as though nothing ever happened.

God answered my pleads. But why was I afraid in the first place? I must always have faith in God; we all should!

Even if the tornado took everything I had, I should remember the story of Job in the Bible. Job lost everything he had, including his health. But Job never turned his back on God.

Whatever happened during the storm, I had to remain faithful that God would protect me.

For those who did lose everything, including loved ones, in yesterday's storm, I pray that they don't curse God's name, but instead look to Him for help and new blessings.

Whatever your storm is in life right now, you must look to God and remember that if you call upon him in faith, He will protect you and provide for you.

"...When God sends us something good, we welcome it. How can we complain when he sends us trouble?" Even in all his suffering Job said nothing against God. Job 2:10

Job Inspired--Stevie

Trust Equals Provision

Being half way through college, my future is quickly upon me.

My personality is to know what to expect at all times so I plan, plan, plan.

I become quite anxious and overwhelmed when it comes to the unknown and unfortunately the future is a big cloud of the unknown.

After a great sermon at my church, Lifechurch.TV, I recognized that my worry was not representing my trust in God; especially with my future.

Ever since that lesson, I have prayed everyday that I give my future up to the Lord.

It has been about 7 months since I began praying about this aspect of my life and God has been more than great in responding to my prayers.

I have recently been given opportunity after opportunity to better my future.

Consistency and patients were required in this journey, but God has done more than reward me.

I continue to pray that I give my future to God, for it is His anyway. I also get the blessing to pray that God equips me with the knowledge and skills required to succeed at the opportunities He has gifted me with.

If you feel uncertainty, worry, or angst, remember that God will provide. We must trust in Him.

"He is our God, we are the people He cares for, the flock for which He provides. Listen today to what he says."
Psalm 95:7



Trustfully--Stevie

Tempted

What's your biggest temptation in life?
Food? Sex? Money? A bad habit?

The devil loves to try and control us by waving our biggest weaknesses in front of us. When this happens, our godly alarm should go off and our shield should go up. Unfortunately, we are human and this doesn't always happen.

We fall into temptation everyday. Some bigger than others, but nonetheless sins. Don't worry, though. This is when God's forgiveness has its greatest power.

I made a choice about a year ago to restrain from a certain temptation. It seemed easy at the time, but it haunts me more than I thought it would.

One of the hardest parts about my temptation, is that most of the world doesn't see it as something wrong. This leaves me fighting against this sin alone.

To put it in other terms, I feel as though I'm treading water while the depth continues to increase; eventually I'm afraid that I will get tired and drown.

I want to encourage my readers to remember that they ARE NOT alone. Everyone has their own down fall, whatever it may be. Some are secretive and some are known, but they all cause trouble. Luckily, God can defeat anything, especially if it's to better the relationship you have with Him.

God will not let you drown.

"Keep watch and pray that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak." --Matthew 26:41

Stay Strong,
--Stevie

The New Beginning

Should I end this?
This whole blogging thing?

I thought about it more times than not. I even wrote a post saying goodbye to the blogosphere.
But something about the last day of blogging class changed my mind.

I'm not ending my blog, but I am changing it.

In my life I don't like change, but changing the theme of my blog is necessary for me.

Instead of telling semi-fictional stories, I'm going to capture and share real stories and situations in my life and then find a Bible verse that relates to it.

Life is one big story with twists and turns when you least expect it. The Bible is the living word because it moves along with your life and can be interpreted differently depending on your current situation. That is what I want to share with my readers.

I hope y'all follow along with my life, as the Bible follows along with it.

Welcome to the new beginning...

"Then God commanded, 'Let there be light' -- and light appeared. God was pleased with what He saw" Genesis 3-4

--Stevie

So Long Sophomore

Here I am at the final week of my sophomore year.

Some people have criticized me for being young but in reality, I'm exactly half way through my college career. No matter what anyone thinks, that is a huge accomplishment.

What I can't wrap my mind around is how quickly the half-way point came. I only have that much longer before I'm kicked out into the "real world" and have to use my degree as a survival kit.

I have been a full time student my entire life; I know nothing different. To not have homework, papers, or exams will be strange...but oh so amazing!

But for now, I still have another half to finish off strong.


--Stevie

"Cs Get Degrees!"

Well, finals week is peaking its head around the corner, laughing and whispering negative thoughts into your ear.

Can I give up already and claim defeat? 

Why as students do we work all semester, but it's the last couple weeks when we want to drop dead?
I caught myself holding my own eye lids open during a class today!

I normally am responsible and never miss a night of necessary studying. Last night, I didn't even open my backpack.

At the beginning of every semester I tell myself that this is going to be a 4.0 semester. By the end, I chant "Cs get degrees!"

I'm not going to tell you to push through and finish strong! Nah, because I personally am going to be running away from finals week and its responsibilities until it swallows me whole...

Oh, and summer classes? Those were a good idea before my brain got burnt like a crisp by this semester. 

Never again!


Unmotivated--Stevie

Gray Waters

The gargantuan waves crashed onto the infinitesimal rock pieces that made up the beach. The belligerent thunderstorm formed over the gray water forcing the wind to whip and roar.

Although this scene was meant to be cantankerous, to me it was beautiful.

The white caps where oceanic paraphernalia. The miniscule crabs ducking back into their safe holes were cute but frightened. The way the rain united with the vast ocean was inseparable, like a mother nourishing her child.

The claps of the thunder reminded me of an over friendly female who you try to avoid but can't seem to run away from.

I’ve always enjoyed thunderstorms and their pugnacious attitudes, but this colossal thunderstorm had a winsome smell to it. It was almost affable.

I would even venture to say it made me feel safe as I traipsed the beach. The storm practically walked along with me; no, it sauntered!

The storm began to grow and crawl closer and closer to me. Before I knew it, my observations of this storm dispersed and I quickly realized that I was its main accessory.


"The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever." -Jacques Cousteau



--Stevie