Daily Devotional for Tuesday, September 23, 2008 Have you missed any of our devotionals? Remember they can be found in the Archive section of our Website
http://www.gospelines.com "I Survived Ike" "Your life is a journey you must travel with a deep consciousness of God. It cost God plenty to get you out of that dead-end, empty-headed life you grew up in. He paid with Christ's sacred blood, you know. He died like an unblemished, sacrificial lamb. And this was no afterthought. Even though it has only lately - at the end of the ages - become public knowledge, God always knew he was going to do this for you. It's because of this sacrificed Messiah, whom God then raised from the dead and glorified, that you trust God, that you know you have a future in God." 1st Peter 1:18-20 (The Message) Have you noticed any "I survived Ike" t-shirts lately? It should be big business if someone has branded our recent misfortune along the Gulf Coast and the devastating path of Hurricane Ike. Many in the Houston area suffered damage; some sustained more damage than others. Toppled trees, broken fences, damaged roofs, flooded streets, were the norm. Over 2 million were without power at a time when even ice, water and gasoline were scarce commodities. But nothing we endured came remotely close to the devastation in Galveston, Kemah, Surfside or other communities directly on Ike's path. Some lost their vacation homes, some lost their primary residence and some lost their lives as a result. A large percentage of people in those areas haven't been able to return to recover any belongings that may be salvageable. What a painful experience it must be. There are many such stories in the naked city, but one, in particular, garnered my attention - the story of Galveston's historic Reedy Chapel AME. Reedy Chapel was the first African Methodist Episcopal church in Texas. Land was purchased in 1848 for slaves to worship (outdoors initially until a building was constructed.) Freed blacks were transferred ownership after the Civil War. Reedy has had a tortured past. The first church edifice was destroyed in the 1885 Galveston fire. After rebuilding in 1887, it was severely damaged in the Great Storm of 1900. Again, it was rebuilt. As co-pastor Salatheia Bryant-Honors remarked, "This grand structure has endured its share of hardships and always found her way back. It has survived hurricanes and fire to remain a constant shelter from the storms of life for those in need of a spiritual haven." The church recently celebrated its 160th anniversary. Luminaries, members, friends and families entered the sanctuary at that service singing "We've come this far by faith, leaning on the Lord. Reedy Chapel has miles to go on her journey." GospeLines Prayer: Father, I whined along with others after being without power for a week. It wasn't always comfortable. Considering the Hurricane's wrath, thank You for sparing me, my family and friends. I honestly didn't have anything to complain about, but a minor inconvenience. As I experienced the magnitude of the storm hunkered down at home with Ziggy, my cat, I prayed the Blood of the Lamb would protect and cover us. And, You Lord, answered my prayer! I slept well most nights knowing that You would provide and as Pastor Bryant-Honors reminds us - "Our faith is about the worst thing happening to us, but not overcoming us." No matter the storm, You continue to see us through! In His Love, Carla ΓΏ Amen and Amen! _____________________________________________________ O.Addison Getherse-mail address : [EMAIL PROTECTED] or [EMAIL PROTECTED] window live messenger: [EMAIL PROTECTED] aim: durangoadd64 skype: cowboys62 yahoo messenger: OADDISONGETHERS --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Deaf-Blind Inspirational Life Group" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/DBILG?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
