{"id":5992,"date":"2015-03-03T22:12:15","date_gmt":"2015-03-04T02:12:15","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?p=5992"},"modified":"2015-03-03T22:12:15","modified_gmt":"2015-03-04T02:12:15","slug":"pastors-ponderings-a-stormy-month","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?p=5992","title":{"rendered":"Pastor’s Ponderings: A Stormy Month"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u00a0Pastor Jim sent the following devotional on 2\/28\/15…<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

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Greetings Friends:<\/p>\n

PLEASE READ: Mark 4:35-41<\/p>\n

On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, \u201cLet us cross over to the other side.\u201d Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. <\/span><\/p>\n

And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke him and said to Him, \u201cTeacher, do You not care that we are perishing?\u201d Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, \u201cPeace, be still!\u201d And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. <\/span><\/p>\n

But He said to them, \u201cWhy are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?\u201d And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, \u201cWho can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!\u201d<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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\"SnowBench-100_1910\"<\/a>The weather during the month of February for many on the receiving end of this email has produced many cold days and nights while giving us a fair share of wintry precipitation (For those of you in other lands who have enjoyed warmth and sunshine, God bless you!). For many of us the opening lines of a familiar song are resounding, “Well, the weather outside is frightful….” The weather is much like our lives. Some days are sunny and we feel good and then suddenly all can change and leave us feeling cold, gloomy, and wondering if this will ever pass.<\/p>\n

The Scripture passage cited above reminds us that even when we go through storms of any kind in this life, our great God and Savior Jesus is “in the boat” with us and we can call out to Him at anytime.<\/p>\n

One of the great hymns of the church was originally titled, \u201cMy God is the Rock of My Refuge<\/span><\/strong><\/em>.\u201d I share the following story<\/a><\/span> behind the hymn and the lyrics and pray we all will be encouraged.
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Ira Sankey<\/a><\/span> found the poem which makes up this hymn in a small newspaper in London (The Postman). He then wrote the melody and chorus that is simple to sing and easy to remember. The catchy tune and uplifting words work well to help many people through all kinds of storms of life, whether they are related to the weather, spiritual battles or just tough circumstances. <\/span><\/p>\n

\"Rock-cliffs-404051__180\"<\/a>It is reported that this poem was a favorite of fishermen who had to weather the frequent storms of the northern coast of England, and was often heard being sung by the fishermen as they came into the harbors during a storm. In 1885, Ira Sankey copyrighted the text with his music and chorus. It was titled \u201cMy God Is the Rock of My Refuge.\u201d It was based on the following verse: <\/span><\/p>\n

Psalm 94:22, \u201cBut the LORD is my defense; And my God is the rock of my refuge.<\/span><\/strong><\/em>\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

The hymn was first published in one of Ira Sankey’s song books: Sacred Songs and Solos and Gospel Hymns No. 5.<\/span><\/p>\n

1. The Lord\u2019s our Rock, in Him we hide.<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0 A shelter in the time of storm;<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0 Secure whatever ill betide,<\/span>\n A shelter in the time of storm.<\/span>\n ( refrain)<\/span><\/p>\n

2. A shade by day, defense by night,<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0 A shelter in the time of storm;<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 No fears alarm, no foes affright,<\/span>\u00a0 A shelter in the time of storm.<\/span>\n ( refrain)<\/span><\/p>\n

3. The raging storms may round us beat,<\/span>\u00a0 A shelter in the time of storm;<\/span>\u00a0 We\u2019ll never leave our safe retreat,<\/span>\u00a0 A shelter in the time of storm.<\/span>\n ( refrain)<\/span><\/p>\n

4. O Rock divine, O Refuge dear,<\/span>\u00a0 A shelter in the time of storm;<\/span>\u00a0 Be Thou our helper ever near,<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0 A shelter in the time of storm;<\/span>\n ( refrain)<\/span><\/p>\n

REFRAIN<\/span>\n O Jesus is a Rock in a weary land,<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0 A weary land, a weary land;<\/span>\u00a0 O Jesus is a Rock in a weary land,<\/span>\u00a0 A shelter in the time of storm.<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/p>\n

Friends, what a comfort, what an encouragement to know that our Blessed Lord is in the midst of the storm with us.<\/p>\n

He will not forsake us (Hebrews 13:5<\/a><\/span>c)…<\/p>\n

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,\u00a0\u00a0 “Never will I leave you;\u00a0 never will I forsake you.”\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/em> NIV<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

He will be with us always (Matthew 28:20<\/a><\/span>b)…<\/p>\n

… And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.<\/span><\/strong><\/em>\u00a0 NIV<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Our great God is with us wherever we go (Joshua 1:9<\/a><\/span>)…<\/p>\n

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.<\/span><\/strong><\/em> \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 NIV<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Over and over, the Bible tells us that God is with us in the middle of the storm.\u00a0 Here are just a few of them:\u00a0 (all quotes from The Living Bible<\/em><\/span>)<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t

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