Good evening brethren, and a happy, windy, wet Sabbath, courtesy of Hurricane Florence!  

A few notes before before getting into the letter this evening:

1) Sabbath Services in Charlotte, Hickory and Columbia have been canceled for tomorrow.  Because of this, there will be no announcement bulletin this week. Any pertinent information will be sent out via e-mail in the next few days.

2) At the moment, Atonement services are planned to proceed as scheduled, with each congregation meeting at their normal time and location.  Depending on conditions, it is possible that Atonement services will be canceled in your area. Please pray for God's guidance and wisdom if these decisions become necessary.

3) Next Sabbath, 9/22, there are no local services scheduled in Hickory.  Again, depending on conditions, services are planned at their normal times and locations in Charlotte and Columbia.  We do expect quite a number of visitors who will be traveling through on their way to the Feast.

4) Due to traveling for the Feast, this will be the last Sabbath evening letter until after the feast.  Also, there will be no announcement bulletins until after the Feast.

Are you ready?

Most all the brethren in our area have been 'checked up on,' either by myself or others, and are ready for the storm.  While we all face possible fallout, it seems it is our brethren in South Carolina who are in the most imminent danger at the moment, and consequently, in the most urgent need of prayers.  Although the overall strength of the storm has been downgraded, loss of power and massive amounts of rain have been, and still are, the biggest threat to those of us inland.

Who's in control?

In describing punishment sent on Israel for their continued sin, we read in Psalm 78:26 (NKJV), "He caused an east wind to blow in the heavens; And by His power He brought in the south wind."  While not all weather events are punishment from God, it is a reminder of who is ultimately in charge of the weather.  Christ also said in Matthew 5:45, "for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust."  Though God may not directly make every wind blow or every drop of rain come for a particular reason, we need to remember that He ultimately is in charge.

This should give us great comfort.  I say 'should,' because even as I write this, I look out my window and see an 80 foot oak tree swaying in the wind as if it were a blade of grass.  I 'should' be comforted knowing God is in charge. The reality is, I get a little anxious just like everyone else.

More than the weather

There's a story in Mark 4 that comes to mind when we think about storms - be they weather related or other events in life.  Mark 4:36-40 reads, "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.  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, "Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?"  Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace, be still!" And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. But He said to them, "Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?"

Those with Jesus feared for their lives because of the storm.  But He easily calmed them with a few words. How about the storms that encompass our lives?  Do we take those to Christ just as His disciples did their concern while they were on the boat?  Of course, that's only part of the challenge. The other part is stopping what we are doing and letting Christ take care of things.

Now that you have food and water on hand, your lawn furniture tied down, and cell phone fully charged, what is there left to do?  Quite simply, trust God and Jesus Christ. Hurricanes come and go, as do the storms of life. Do what you can to prepare, and then put your trust in Him who is truly in control!