Just a few thoughts . . . .

First, my heart goes out to all the people bracing for the landfall of Hurricane Gustav. I can't imagine what it must be like to evacuate your home not once but twice in three years. I hope and pray this storm hits a sparsely populated (and totally evacuated) area.

Second, I have to comment on John McCain's selection of Sarah Palin for his running mate. This was a brilliant tactical decision and one that will definitely impact the election . . . and from a Christian perspective, it is quite refreshing to see a true conservative on a Republican ticket. When was the last time you heard any politician anywhere say how important it is to have a "servant's heart"? This has been a fascinating election so far and it's only getting more interesting by the minute . . . .

And finally, I love Sundays for so many reasons: the fellowship, the teaching, and most of all, the time spent worshiping God. I especially love it when that worship time brings a sense of awe and reverence--a sense of the presence of God. It puts me in the mood to worship all day. . . .

I was listening to one of Keith Green's albums this afternoon, and one song in particular touched my heart and made me think about how hard the Christian life can be sometimes. Life comes against us with all of its worries and fears, and it's so easy to forget just how much God loves us. So many times people have said to me, "I pray, but God doesn't hear me," or "Where is God? Everything is falling apart." We all suffer through these desert times; times when we feel orphaned or abandoned--and they are some of the most painful days of our lives.

I don't have the answer for why we worry or grieve; I don't know why a good man loses his job or a wonderful mom dies of cancer. I can't offer any profound words of wisdom. I only know that God says He loves us, and I have to cling to that love even in the darkest times. Keith Green wrote:

My eyes are dry,
My faith is old,
My heart is hard,
My prayers are cold.
And I know how I ought to be,
Alive to You and dead to me.

Oh what can be done
for an old heart like mine?
Soften it up with oil and wine.
The oil is You,
Your Spirit of love.
Please wash me anew
In the wine of Your Blood.

I think that in these dark hours, when our faith feels old, we can only step beneath the shadow of His wings and be comforted by His Spirit of love. During the darkest times of my life, I cling to this verse:

Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.
My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me. Psalms 63:7

Life is hard, but something wonderful always seems to happen the moment I step beneath the shadow of His wings . . . .

Have a great week!