Even through the storms, God speaks to us

A man walked into the church building during staff meeting this morning. I asked, "May I help you?" "Are you taking donations for disaster relief?" he wondered. I said that, in fact, we were forwarding offerings to our denomination's disaster relief efforts. He asked how to make out the check and did so on the spot.

Later on, a Living Water member currently shut in by recent surgery called and asked if I would drop by in the afternoon. She and her husband wanted to give me a check for disaster relief.

This warmed my heart.

One of the deepest and least acknowledged needs of human beings is the need we all have to give. We were made for community and to care for others. That's how God made us, though that, of course, is often obscured by our sin. But when situations like the recent damaging hurricanes arise, all of us--believers and unbelievers alike--find God whispering His call for us to fulfill our humanity and give for the good of others. God is still speaking to us, if we will only listen.

[Blogger Mark Daniels is pastor of Living Water Lutheran Church in Centerville, Ohio.]

How we can help the victims of Hurricane Harvey

For the disciples of Jesus who make up Living Water Lutheran Church (and anyone else who might be interested):

How can we help the victims of Hurricane Harvey?

The North American Lutheran Church (NALC) disaster response team is already on the job. A shipment of items from our denomination’s went from our Caldwell, Ohio warehouse yesterday. Items included were flood buckets, cleaning supplies, bottled water, and other emergency supplies.

If you would like to donate money to the NALC disaster relief efforts or make a flood bucket or provide other items, go here to learn how you can connect online.

If you’d rather donate money through Living Water, we will be receiving special offerings for Harvey Relief during worship for the next two Sundays, September 3 and September 10. Make checks payable to Living Water Lutheran Church and write NALC Disaster Relief or NALC Harvey Relief on the MEMO line.

Most important of all, please pray for the victims of this historically severe storm. Ask God to bring them safety, relief, and encouragement. Pray for the safety and inspiration of rescue teams. Pray similarly for those neighbors in Texas who are joining first responders and others in rescuing people from waters that continue to rise. And please pray that God will use this event to draw people to the God we know in Jesus Christ. He is our only true refuge and help. Thanks and God bless you!

[Blogger Mark Daniels is pastor of Living Water Lutheran Church in Centerville, Ohio.]