Ep 51: Some Water in the Basement

Speaker 1: Well. Good morning. I'm Daniel Dorp, and this is for your Sunday Morning Drive, the short podcast with the goal of providing you some motivation, drive and encouragement on those hectic Sunday mornings. We are partnered with the Ministry League Network of podcasts. And if you're ever interested in checking out some of the great shows and resources that Ministry League provides, I do encourage you to download their app or check out Ministry league.com. Today's episode is inspired by some of the recent storms throughout the country, and as such, I thought it might be appropriate to provide you with some information on some brotherhood organizations that seek to aid those in disaster situations. Two such groups that you might want to support are Project Unify and Churches of Christ. Disaster Relief Effort. Project unify is partnered with Ministry League and provides disaster relief as a form of evangelism and Churches of Christ. Disaster relief effort provides assistance to those undergoing and recovering from natural disasters. Both of these are great organizations, and I know they would be good stewards of any support that you could provide. I think that about sums it up for today. Let's go ahead and get the show on the road. This is episode 51 Some Water in the basement. Let's go to church.

Speaker 2: Are we there yet?

Speaker 1: Well, it's spring, so of course that means that storms and severe weather seem to be at their peak in our area alone. God has already seen us through a few tornadoes, including some torrential rain and incredible flooding. In fact, in the last couple of weeks, we've been down in our basement a handful of times just due to tornado warnings. We've even been able to provide shelter for some dear friends that didn't have a basement to take refuge in. During one recent storm in particular, our basement got pretty crowded. We had five adults, two children, five dogs, and even a pet snake huddled down there to ride out the storm. But you know, that's okay because the company was excellent. Even sitting in the dark with the strange aroma of mismatched candles for light, God saw us through. In the next morning, we were able to regroup and assess the damage outside. And honestly, other than some limbs, a tree or two and the kids swingset, nothing really irked me too much or was cause for too much concern. But then my wife went downstairs to the basement and she stepped in a puddle that got to me. Those that know me know our basement is kind of the best room in the whole house. It gets used every week for our standing Dungeons and Dragons game. All the geeky stuff, from game systems to Ninja Turtles finds its way down there. You know, I wouldn't exactly call it a man cave, but it's for sure a geek sanctuary and the thought of water damage, wet carpet, and just the general annoyance of cleanup that really got me frustrated. But then I got on Facebook and I was humbled real fast.

Speaker 1: Some people lost everything and the storms in other parts of the Tri-State and also in other areas of the country. They were just devastating. Congregations of the Lord's people lost their places of worship. People lost their lives. What were a few trees and wet socks to losing your entire home? My family was safe. My friends were safe. We still had shelter. We still had a home. What a blessing. And this realization, this shift of perspective. It caused me to check my attitude and it caused me to think of times in the Bible where the apostles needed that attitude check as well, specifically when they're weathering the storm with our Savior. In Mark chapter 436 through 41, Scripture tells us, leaving the crowd. They took him along with them in the boat, just as he was, and other boats were with him. And there arose a fierce gale of wind, and the waves were breaking over the boat so much that the boat was filling up. And Jesus himself was in the stern, asleep on a cushion. And they woke him and said to him, teacher, do you not care that we are perishing? And he got up, and he rebuked the wind and said to the sea, hush, be still! And the wind died down and it became perfectly calm. And he said to them, why were you afraid? Do you still have no faith? And they became very much afraid, and said to one another, who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him? They were in the boat with the only one who could provide peace, comfort and stability. And yet they didn't trust in him or take refuge in the knowledge that he was the Son of God.

Speaker 1: They allowed the sea to be the focus instead of the Savior. And I think sometimes, at least I am. I think we're guilty of that. You know, my heart certainly goes out to those who lost much in the recent storms, but I'm glad that I was humbled. And as in most situations in life, that shift in perspective was eye opening. And from that, I think we can learn to not focus on the little things when it comes to inconvenience, especially when others are suffering so much. Instead, let's trust in our Savior and rejoice in the refuge that he provides. Psalm 46, verse one through three says this about our God. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change and the mountains should slip into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam. And though the mountains quake at its swelling pride. So whether it be some water in the basement, some trees in the yard, or some shingles off your roof, or even the spiritual equivalent of that. Trust in him and let it all be water under the bridge. Well, those are my thoughts for your Sunday morning drive. Now it's time to hear yours. Our discussion questions for this week are. What are some things in your life that might not seem as overwhelming, provided a godly shift in perspective? What are the storms you are currently weathering in your own life? And do you know of someone who is struggling? What can you do to help them this week?