When Floodwaters Come

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Posted by Erin Roberson, October 2, 2024

For the past several months, my husband and I have been living temporarily in a small cabin on property owned by friends. Cabin living has been an adventure for many reasons, but we recently had a harrowing experience. The cabin sits on a flood plain with trees all around. There’s one especially large (and very old) tree directly in front. During storms, the heavy rain makes a deafening sound on the tin roof, and heavy winds cause large limbs to fall from the old tree. Minor flooding is common due to the creek that runs right behind the cabin. 

We all remember (and many will not soon forget) Hurricane Helene. The massive storm ripped through a large area of the Southeast causing widespread destruction and death. I am going to share my own experience with Helene, but please know that I realize my ordeal does not compare to the extreme devastation experienced by others. My purpose in writing is to pass along an important teaching that the Holy Spirit brought to mind!

Knowing the dangers of riding out a hurricane in our little cabin, we prepared for the coming storm. We put our clothes and important papers in large plastic tubs, just in case the roof blew off or the big tree fell onto the cabin. We emptied the bottom cabinets in case of flooding.

The storm came through our area on Thursday, September 27. We spent the night at the main house, because it sits on higher ground and is much more sturdy than the little cabin.

On Friday morning, we were grateful to have come through the storm unscathed. When we returned to the cabin, we could tell that the electricity had been off, but there was no damage to the structure.  Although the work day had been canceled for both of us, we decided to go to our offices and get caught up on some work.

When I arrived back at the cabin several hours later, I was surprised to see that the road leading to the main house was covered with water. Water was rising toward the cabin as well, but I didn’t think much about it. I started to feel a little anxious when the water kept rising. After an hour or so, I heard the toilet making a gurgling noise, which couldn’t be good!

The water kept coming and coming, getting closer to our little cabin home. We decided it was time to evacuate when we jumped up and down on the porch and water came up between the boards!  We spent the night in a hotel and prayed that water would not enter the cabin. 

When we returned the next morning, we could see that water had been right up to the door of the cabin, but it had not come inside. Thankfully, the water level had crested and was starting to go down. It was another 18 hours before we had a working toilet, but we had escaped the damaging floodwaters. As we celebrated our own “near miss,” our hearts were saddened by photos of severe flooding that destroyed entire towns, wiped out interstates, and tore apart homes and bridges.

The flooding caused by Hurricane Helene made me think about an emotion that tends to flood our minds - worry. We all have times in our lives when worry threatens to overtake us, invading our minds like polluted, dangerous floodwaters and damaging our lives. Sometimes worry comes like a flash flood, crashing in unexpectedly. Sometimes worry creeps in slowly, building and building. We can see it coming, but we can’t stop it.

Worry is different from concern. Concern motivates us to do something to solve problems or plan helpful ways to cope with them, but worry keeps us stuck on problems and distracts us from helpful ways of dealing with them.

As believers, we can hand over our anxious thoughts to God and trust Him to take care of us. Although we know this truth, many of us fight a daily battle to keep worry at bay! As human beings, we have a natural tendency to worry (and sometimes it is with good reason); however, constant worry can cause sleeplessness, gastrointestinal problems, and other negative health conditions.

When you feel the floodwaters of worry coming closer and threatening to engulf you, remember that God is in control of everything. He loves you, and He will be with you through any situation.

Jesus showed us how to handle the most difficult trials of life. The night before He died, he surrendered His future to the Father. He said, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” (Matthew 26:39). He trusted his Father to handle the situation perfectly. It didn’t mean the path would be easy or free from suffering. Jesus trusted God to be with him through the suffering and to carry out a good plan. 

Rather than focusing on the floodwaters of worry around us, we can focus on God’s Word. 

It’s easy to think about the “what ifs” when life gets overwhelming, so meditate on verses like these instead:

Deuteronomy 31:8 - The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.  Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.

Psalm 18:30 - As for God, His way is perfect; the LORD’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him.

Isaiah 44:8 - Do not tremble, do not be afraid. Did I not proclaim this and foretell it long ago? You are my witnesses. Is there any God besides me? No, there is no other Rock; I know not one.

Matthew 6:34 - Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Philippians 4:6 - Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God and the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

John 16:33 - I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world!

As soon as you recognize that damaging worrisome thoughts are flooding in, make a conscious choice to replace those anxious thoughts with God’s truth and invite God to take over the situation that is causing worry. 

Prayer is a powerful weapon! 

Ask the Holy Spirit to renew your mind and take worrisome thoughts captive (see 2 Corinthians 10:5 and Romans 12:2). It might help to write out some affirmation statements based on God’s Word to continue to reinforce the truth of God’s Word in your heart.

We are very thankful that Hurricane Helene resulted in only minor inconveniences for us, and we are in prayer for the many people who continue to deal with the horrific aftermath of the storm.  

One thing I know for sure - even if the cabin had been destroyed by Hurricane Helene, God would have been with us, and He would have continued to provide.  

When the storms of worry come your way, you can trust that God cares about you and will carry through!

Erin Roberson is a wife and mother of two wonderful grown boys. She is a lifelong educator who loves learning and teaching others. She believes our primary focus should be on our relationship with God, learning who God is, who God says we are, and how God wants us to live.

Belief, Faith And trust

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Posted by Priscilla Carr, October 2, 2024

Have you ever experienced Niagara Falls? I had heard a lot about the Falls, but several years ago, I flew to Buffalo, NY, to experience it for myself. What I remember most, what took my breath away, were the deafening roar of the Falls and feeling the power of the Falls as seemingly tons of water crashed from the peaks to the rocks below. I couldn’t be at the Falls and not take the famed Maid of the Mist boat ride; I earned my commemorative blue plastic Maid of the Mist raincoat as we were sprayed with the mist of the Great Falls. As the boat approached the Falls, the mist heartily greeted us along with the roar.  Niagara Falls is majestic; it was a wonderful experience. 

Do you know the story of Charles Blondin’s tightrope walks across Niagara Falls? In July 1859, Charles Blondin stretched a tightrope between the Canadian side of the Falls and the American side of the Falls and walked across it. He actually walked back and forth several times!  It is reported that the tightrope was stretched the quarter mile between the Canadian and American Falls at 160 feet above the bottom of the Falls. He, of course, had a huge audience, and it’s said that he even crossed Niagara Falls on a bicycle, on stilts while pushing a wheelbarrow. Can you imagine? Blondin was greeted with huge applause and cheers from the onlookers who encouraged him on each increasingly challenging trip.  He’d ask the crowd, “Do you believe I can cross the Falls on a bicycle?”  “Walking backward?” “On stilts?” The enthusiastic crowd always excitedly shouted their belief that he could complete the task.  Then he asked, “Do you believe I can carry a person across in this wheelbarrow?” The crowd ecstatically shouted their belief that he could do it. But when he asked, “Who will get in the wheelbarrow?” there was silence and no volunteers.

As I write from Georgia, we are over the worst of Hurricane Helene’s landfall. There is still a hearty breeze, but now the sun is out, and the temperature and humidity are lower. Before Helene’s landfall in neighboring Florida, news reporters informed us of the potential damage she could cause in west central Georgia. Most of us had faith in the weather forecasters’ predictions and responded accordingly. We stocked up on non-perishables and stayed at home to avoid the ravages of flash flooding and potentially damaging wind. But I watched an interview this morning with a young woman who had to be rescued because she heard the warnings and believed them but didn’t have faith in them. After being rescued from her car, she advised those considering going out while the warnings were in effect to “stay home.” She now had faith in the weather forecasters.

In the Bible, James wrote, “You believe that God is one. Good! Even the demons believe—and they shudder” (James 2:19). From this verse, I learn that the demons believe in God. But, since they are described as demons and not former demons, belief and faith are not the same; they believe in God but do not have faith in Him. By definition, believe can mean, “hold (something) as an opinion; think or suppose.” And faith is defined as “complete trust or confidence in someone or something.” Charles Blondin’s audience really believed he could traverse the tightrope pushing a wheelbarrow. They had seen him perform the feat several times. But the exercise of their belief did not result in a faith that he could actually push one of them in a wheelbarrow safely across the Falls—no one volunteered to put their complete trust or confidence in him.

Thirty-four years ago, I put my complete trust and confidence in Jesus to save and recreate me. In that act of faith, I instantly went from death to life; I experienced the miracle of rebirth. But 34 years later, when I struggle to get into the wheelbarrow by sharing my faith or in believing God has a purpose in my pain and the pain and sickness of my friends and loved ones, what should I do? Sometimes I’m like the father who said to Jesus, “I believe. Help my unbelief” (Mark 9:24). I’m learning that maybe that’s a key part of what I do; talk to Jesus about it. Don’t sugarcoat it. Don’t pretend. Tell Him what He already knows but is waiting for me to admit.

He wants me to trust Him with my deepest concerns, with the depths of my feelings. 

And I watch Him. I watch what He did in His Word and presently in the lives of His children. I remember that what we have is a relationship and that deep relationship takes time. And I accept the grace that He offers to me when I ask Him to “help my unbelief”. I also remind myself that He’s not asking me to push the wheelbarrow! He is pushing the wheelbarrow. He just asks me to have faith in His ability to get me safely to the other side. He can be trusted. He’s done it countless times.

Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus.

Just to take Him at His word.

Just to rest upon His promise

Just to know, “Thus saith the Lord”

I’m so glad I learned to trust Him

Precious Jesus, Savior, Friend

And I know that He is with me

Will be with me to the end

Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him

How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er

Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus

Oh, for grace to trust him more

(Louisa M.R. Stead, 1882)

Charles Blondin’s story adapted from 

Creative Bible Study, An Acrobat, 

A Wheelbarrow, and a Challenge of Faith

(date unknown)

Priscilla Carr was born in NYC, but has lived in metro Atlanta since 1979. She is a Navy veteran trained in electronics which God used for a 30-year career at the FAA. She uses her training to provide audio support to Touching Hearts Ministries, and is the Editor and Producer of “A Burst of Hope” podcast. She began her adult new life in Jesus in 1990 right before leaving the Navy, and today she exudes her love for Jesus. She is the proud mama to two rambunctious fur kids, Gracie (Lab) and Faith (Pit-mix). Priscilla was encouraged by elementary teachers to write. She took creative writing courses in High School and college, but in the mid-eighties, she stopped writing. The desire to write has been recently reawakened, and she is thriving in her new writing adventure.

Not Invisible

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Posted by Karen Kinnaird, September 25, 2024

It was a hot day in July of 1958 at the Socony Mobil Building in the heart of Midtown Manhattan. A young lady who had just completed secretarial school returned from lunch to her office in this 42-story building, adjacent to Grand Central Station. That’s when he saw her! A handsome young man, also returning from lunch, asked his friend, “She’s cute, why can’t I meet a girl like that?” To their surprise, all three walked into the same building.

It was love at first sight. Several times over the next few days, they exchanged glances in the lobby of the building. He had to meet her! The following day they saw each other again, and he followed her into the elevator. Exiting with her on her floor, he introduced himself and invited her to lunch the next day. She accepted. Four days later, he told her he loved her and proposed a week later. They were married in May of 1959 and enjoyed 62 years of marriage until her death in August of 2021.

This is my parents' love story. Roy, Lyn and baby Karen...

We all long to be seen. We long to be known, valued, and understood.

We long for our own love story.

In Genesis 16, we read about a woman who felt invisible. The Egyptian slave Hagar was sexually used and verbally abused, then driven away by her mistress Sarai. She ran away to a spring in the desert only to have a transformative encounter with God. The fact that God saw and heard her afflictions was so impactful that she named the well You-Are-the-God-Who-Sees. God promised her that she would have a boy, whose name would be Ishmael, meaning God hears. The well-known well of Beer Lahai Roi is believed to be in the Negev region of southern Israel. 

The angel of the Lord found Hagar near a spring in the desert; it was the spring that is beside the road to Shur. And he said, “Hagar, slave of Sarai, where have you come from, and where are you going?”

"I’m running away from my mistress Sarai,” she answered.

Then the angel of the Lord told her, “Go back to your mistress and submit to her.” The angel added, “I will increase your descendants so much that they will be too numerous to count.”

She gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her: “You are the God who sees me,” for she said, “I have now seen the One who sees me.” That is why the well was called Beer Lahai Roi; it is still there, between Kadesh and Bered.

El-Roi (El raw-EE) is the Hebrew phrase meaning “the God who sees me.” Not only does He see you, but He knows you, understands you, and values you.

Nothing escapes His notice.

He is deeply intimate and personal. He is the One who numbers the hairs on your head. He knows your past, present, and future. Regardless of your circumstances right now, He sees you right where you are, and He has a good plan for you.

Take comfort in Psalm 121.

I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from?

My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber;

indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.

The Lord watches over you—the Lord is your shade at your right hand;

the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.

The Lord will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life;

the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.

El-Roi, thank you for seeing me. Keep my sight focused on You and not on my circumstances. Fill me with hope and expectation of Your plans for my future. Amen

Karen Kinnaird brings the vast experience of having served as a ministry wife for nearly 40 years. Her husband has served as a church planter, senior pastor, state denominational leader, agency specialist at NAMB, and Associational Missionary Strategist. Karen currently serves as the Executive Assistant for Forgiving Forward, a ministry dedicated to helping people experience the freedom of the Gospel through the power of forgiveness. Karen and Jimmy, also known as Gigi and Poppy, have 3 children and 4 grandchildren.