Sorry about last week, after prepping for my sermon I just did not have any time to sit down and write out an article. So much has happened in the last few weeks. It is a short week for us as I am taking the family camping this weekend, so it make more sense to just combine last week and this week. My sermon last week was about fear, so I was following trending news stories that had to do about fear...stemming mainly from disease, drug abuse and North Korea. But then Hurricane Harvey ransacked Houston and completely left me speechless. The deluge that dumped 60 inches of rain in some areas could only be compared to Biblical proportions. Our prayers definitely go out to those who have been affected, many losing everything they have worked for in life.

But the story that really stood out was that of Joel Osteen's Lakewood Church in Houston. News reports went out stating that the well known church had closed their doors, then Mr. Osteen stated they were always open and it was just a misrepresentation made on the news. Now, I am not here to pick sides and to claim what is truth and what is fallacy. What I do know is that there was a social media frenzy against Joel Osteen and the Lakewood Church. All of a sudden he was under attack, not only because the stadium that houses the church was apparently closed, but everyone insisted that Mr. Osteen should be housing people in his mansion.

But as for the Lakewood Church, perhaps no one asked them to be used as a shelter? Perhaps they did not have the proper supplies to convert into a shelter? Or perhaps they didn't want to put anyone, in this litigious society, in harms way. Again, not here to praise or condemn the Lakewood Church, but I do want to reflect on our own efforts. We have to ask ourselves...in a time of crisis, would we be a church of refuge? Would we take in the world and offer them shelter, if asked...even if not asked?

We really have to think about what measures we have in place, a "crisis plan", to consider something like this happening in our hometowns. Tornados, floods, ice storms, even electrical failures are all possibilities of what could happen in an instant and affect many lives in the surrounding areas that we call our "mission field". Or would we sit back and allow the volunteers to figure it out? I think it is a valid question and one that would be a true litmus test to the compassionate spirit within your church.

The good news is, the human drive to survive will kick in and volunteers will be there to help. I saw one scene in Houston of a long line of citizens waiting...not for food, shelter or handouts...but they were there to help those in need. The interstates were full from people bringing boats, RV's and other aid. Sporting goods stores are running out of boats and canoes as Good Samaritans are purchasing them in order to help save humanity. Not everyone can help, not everyone can be that mobile or has the resources...but that doesn't stop us from thinking about if that happened in our town, what would we do? Would we keep our doors open? Or would we keep silent while others jumped in?

Thanks for reading and continue to keep not only Texas, but India, Bangladesh and Nepal in your prayers for the catastrophic flooding that is affecting lives all around the world.

Lord Jesus, please come soon.

Your 10-Day Outlook

Saturday, September 2nd
• Sermon, Kim Thompson, 11:15am
     "My Favorite People"
• Sunset, 8:00pm
• Open Gym & Game Night, 8:30pm

Tuesday, September 5th
• Evangelism Council, 7:00pm

Wednesday, September 6th
• Weekly Bible Study, 7:00pm

Friday, September 8th
• Sunset, 7:52pm

Saturday, September 9th
• Sermon, Gary Rustad, 11:15am
     "It's All In The Name"

These announcements may not be ready for the upcoming week at the time of this publication, but below is the link to access our video announcements at any time. They can also be accessed on our website in the "announcements" section.

The current week's announcements will be uploaded by Saturday morning.