Slideshow image

Dear Shiloh Family,

I knew it was coming; I had heard the forecast for days prior. The air was heavy with moisture, and the torrents began as if poured from the proverbial bucket within minutes of the projected time. The anticipated southerly winds drove the droplets against my bedroom window with a vengeance. None of this was alarming, and the weather events mostly became absorbed in my nocturnal stupor as if they were part of a dream. However, the ensuing phenomena rocked my world.

Suddenly, the darker than usual night became illuminated as if a thousand flash photos had been snapped simultaneously. It was as if the lightning bolt was wired directly to my eyelids; they went from tightly closed to wide open. Within seconds, a clap of thunder rattled my windows. The reverberation sat me immediately upright in the bed. It took a minute to recalculate my bearings, but eventually, I realized I had underestimated the prognostication of the impending storm.

As I counted the lengthening seconds between lightning flares and thunder booms, it was obvious the storm was moving toward the north and east. I realized my storm was dissipating, but it reminded me of the various storms that have been bombarding our church family. Many of you are approaching, leaving, or are in the middle of unexpected turmoil.

Luke 8:23-24 23 But as they sailed, he fell asleep: and there came down a storm of wind on the lake; and they were filling with water​, and were in jeopardy. 24 And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, master, we perish. And he awoke, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm.

Consequently, are they really unexpected? We are told in God’s word that we will face trials and tribulations - storms. We know they are coming; we even see the signs. Inevitably, earth-shaking, life-changing, world-rocking event shakes us into what seems unbearable measures. 

James 2:2-3 2 Count it all joy, my brethren, when ye fall into manifold temptations; 3 Knowing that the proving of your faith worketh patience.

I try never to pray for patience and am not a fan of situations of which patience is the only recourse. However, when the Lord, Satan, or just life in general rattles my windows, I am convinced that my God is greater than any storm, he is the shelter from the raging winds, he is able to deliver me from my present situation, and he can protect me from future threats. I fully trust in Him; and I am here to report…SO CAN YOU! 

 2 Timothy 1:12 For which cause I suffer also these things: yet I am not ashamed; for I know him whom I have believed, and I am persuaded that he is able to guard that which I have committed unto him against that day.

“The Lord’s my rock in Him we hide, a shelter in the time of storm. Secure whatever ill betide, a shelter in the time of Storm.
Oh Jesus is the rock, Jesus is the rock, a shelter in the time of storm.” 

The storms of life magnify the solitude of the Lord. 
 
We will be baptizing again this Sunday in the second service. 

God bless you all,
Pastor Derrell