Our Refuge!


  

      When you hear the word refuge, what immediately comes to mind? I think of a place of safety. Some isolated reinforced bunker like structure that one hopes to be near when say, an F-5 tornado is heading your way.  Refuge is a secure word; it offers a harbor when the seas are just too rough.  

Life is often rough. Goals we set, seem at first attainable, then setbacks cause us to reassess just how reachable they really are.  We get weary.  Dreams I have often said,  are goals with deadlines. What do you do when the dream and the deadline can’t be found in the same calendar, or even year?

Pray! Pray? Yes…Pray! To who? To the only one who can synchronize dreams and deadlines!  Let me explain.  

I happen to Pastor a wonderful Church in Southwest Wyoming.   HillTop Baptist Church is a growing Church.   I will tell you why…loving Churches grow, and growing Churches love!  And HillTop is growing, so much that we have been in a very lengthy building campaign.    

A brand new 450 seat auditorium has been under construction for many years. We are closer than ever before.  Yet the much needed completion seems to elude us.  Progress… we have certainly seen it!  It has been slow however, and that takes its toll on leadership and membership alike. We have often rested our souls on the goodness of God and He has made things happen that only He can.

Today after walking down to pick up the mail, I was reminded of Psalm 46:1-3:

1God is our refuge and strength,
   a very present help in trouble.
2Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,
   though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
3though its waters roar and foam,
   though the mountains tremble at its swelling. (Psalm 46:1-3).

Why were you reminded of that passage  you ask? In the mail today October 31st 2011 was a card from a Church in another state.  They are aware of our ongoing, continual, everlasting, enduring, protracted building project! The leadership of that congregation decided to help, to reach across the miles and in a tangible way remind us, that we are not alone, that we have a refuge!

Their kindness profound, their gift incredibly generous! 

The Church, “Heart of the Springs Baptist Church” in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The Pastor is my younger brother Mike. The amount... not saying or typing…until I share this Sunday with a congregation that will yet again be reminded….

1God is our refuge and strength,
   a very present help in trouble.

 Mike’s note in part read:

Our Church has been abundantly blessed, and we believe strongly that God has called us to be a blessing to others. We want you to know that we celebrate your growth, and the impact you are having for the Kingdom of God. Consequently it is our joy to come along side of you in your work and have apart in your building project- confident that God will carry it on to completion.

And the one, the only one who “can synchronize dreams and deadlines” is smiling! 

The following song " You are my hiding place" always reminds me of our Lord...our Refuge! 

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