Habakkuk signifies an embrace, or one who embraces another, takes him into his arms. He embraces his people, and takes them to his arms, i.e., he comforts them and holds them up, as one embraces a weeping child, to quiet it with the assurance that, if God wills, it shall soon be better.
Dr. Charles Feinburg.
““Behold the proud, His soul is not upright in him; But the just shall live by his faith.” Habakkuk 2:4 NKJV
God gives mankind the only two choices available.
Notice the two groups that are mentioned.
The lost, those that believe in themselves, and those that trust in the Lord.
The ain’ts and the saints, the two people groups of this world.
Don’t wait and take a chance, believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved….
“The Lord your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.”” Zephaniah 3:17 NKJV
Visible water line and mucky floor…Lunch provided by the homeowner…Blue Hat Russ, looking good…Our Chaplain even ministers to the pets…
“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”” Acts 1:8 NKJV
Our Chaplain and her team attending Resurrection Sunday services at SBC Brownsville…Lunch with a gator…AZDR Blue hat Russ, leads the way for his team…AZDR Lenny and our Chaplain…This is the AZDR way, helping and serving anywhere possible…
“The multitude of camels shall cover your land, The dromedaries of Midian and Ephah; All those from Sheba shall come; They shall bring gold and incense, And they shall proclaim the praises of the Lord.” Isaiah 60:6 NKJV
Gold, incense, but no myrrh. Wonder why? Myrrh spoke of Jesus’s death at His first coming. His second coming is victory!
Why read the Old Testament? Why study prophecy?
Prophecy is the mold into which history is poured…
Usually, our teams stack up a debris pile near the curb to be picked up later…The smallest of details need to be completed…Our team gives every family a Bible, signed by each team member…Status board…a record of ministry…All of God’s hands and feet…
“We grope for the wall like the blind, And we grope as if we had no eyes; We stumble at noonday as at twilight; We are as dead men in desolate places.” Isaiah 59:10 NKJV
Darkness! The reality of every person that does not have a personal relationship with God! Believe on the Lord, Jesus Christ today…
“Christ has come, and in Him the heavens have bended down to touch, and touching to bless this low earth, and man and God are at one once more.” Alexander Maclaren.
Devotion time gets exciting whenever AZDR Lenny gives one…Waiting…AZDR is always pet friendly…This family’s home is ready to begin rebuilding…Thanks to FBC Brownsville for housing our team…
““I create the fruit of the lips: Peace, peace to him who is far off and to him who is near,” Says the Lord, “And I will heal him.”” Isaiah 57:19 NKJV
“God alone can speak peace to the heart of the sinner.”
The best way to begin your DR day and end it is with devotions…It is hard to explain why we are so happy to be in this ministry!Details. Getting this house ready for the rebuild…Ducks and flowers…Our Chaplain, doing ministry. AZDR Chaplains take care of the homeowners, keep careful watch on their team and work with them when all is well…
““For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, And do not return there, But water the earth, And make it bring forth and bud, That it may give seed to the sower And bread to the eater,
So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it. “
“For you shall go out with joy, And be led out with peace; The mountains and the hills Shall break forth into singing before you, And all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress tree, And instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree; And it shall be to the Lord for a name, For an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.”” Isaiah 55:10-13 NKJV
Even ducks like AZDR…Flood recovery is a dusty job…AZDR Mark is looking good…AZDR Michelle tackling the tough part of a house, the closet…AZDR Lenny, you know you shouldn’t….🤣😳
Our Chaplain and her team on the job. Working with a few Texas DR members, they started their first home. DR Lenny and Michelle pull nails to save money for the homeowners…Break time, one of the best opportunities to do ministry…Preparing the home for rebuilding…Dogs and cats, love our DR servants…
“Sing, O heavens! Be joyful, O earth! And break out in singing, O mountains! For the Lord has comforted His people, And will have mercy on His afflicted.” Isaiah 49:13 NKJV
God is setting the stage of which Israel is the center. Right now, everything is out of place. Israel should be in their land, serving God, receiving blessings. Not happening! The church should be in heaven with Christ. Has not happened, yet! Satan should be in hell, yet he is still going around the earth seeking those to devour. The Lord Jesus Christ should be sitting upon the throne of the earth, ruling the earth, but He is at the right hand of God.
Still many things need to be sorted by our Heavenly Father… if you are a child of the King, you and I have a glorious future to look forward to!!!
Early morning push…This unit saw service in California, now on its way to Texas…Sometimes, surviving the change in your eating habits is harder than working…Our Chaplains accommodations in Brownsville…
“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.” I Peter 2:9-10 NKJV
A recovery team from Arizona SBC Disaster Relief has departed for Brownsville Texas this morning. It will take two days of driving to arrive. They should be on their first homesite Tuesday. Please keep them in your prayers…
“Remember the former things of old, For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me,” Isaiah 46:9 NKJV
Chapter 46 is all about idols. Today, idols are all around us and in the church. For many people today, just going to church is a burden. Like a worthless idol, or ritual that has to be performed.
God wants to tell us something, He has something to say to each and every believer. God doesn’t want us to carry Him, as we would an idol, God wants to carry us!
Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and He will carry you…
Norma and the Beast have developed quite the relationship these past few weeks. I think they like each other…
We read this update/report from Kendrick Neal, the California Disaster Relief director. We have served with Kendrick on at least four deployments and enjoyed his leadership and dedication. This article that Kendrick wrote just has to be shared…
CSBC Family, As I sit here in the garage of Church on Pearl in Santa Monica, reflecting on the past 73 days, I’m overwhelmed with a deep sense of both awe and gratitude. This room—once our Incident Command post for the devastating fires in Los Angeles—now serves as a space for closure. While California Southern Baptist Disaster Relief teams will continue to assist residents with personal property recovery, our formal deployment is concluding, and many teams are returning to their respective states.
The impact of these days is immeasurable. Our teams served tirelessly, preparing over 11,000 meals and assisting more than 400 families in recovering personal belongings from homes destroyed by fire. We also distributed more than 400 Bibles. But the most significant impact can’t be captured in numbers—it was seen in the lives touched, the relationships formed, and the Gospel shared. More than 6,500 people were ministered to, and nine individuals made the life-changing decision to profess Jesus as their Savior for the first time. Even in the midst of heart-wrenching loss, God’s presence was undeniable, and His power to bring life out of devastation was on full display.
Disaster relief work often begins with the expectation that we are going to serve— that we’ll teach others about Jesus, share His hope, and bring comfort in pain. But like most mission trips, I’ve found the journey to be just as transformative for those of us sent as it is for those we serve. This deployment was no exception. As the primary Incident Commander in my own state for the first time, I expected to offer help, hope, and healing to those affected by disaster. Yet God also used this experience to stretch, challenge, and shape my own understanding of Him and His Church.
I’ll be the first to admit—I faced plenty of frustrations in my own decision-making. About two weeks into this journey, I confided in a mentor about mistakes I’d made and decisions that seemed to cause more chaos than peace. He wisely reminded me, “Good decisions come from experience, and experience comes from bad decisions.”
Despite my missteps, God’s grace covered every mistake. I learned to trust His control over my own. In the midst of chaos, I found peace, not in controlling the situation, but in surrendering to God’s perfect plan. I quickly realized: everything was under control, just not mine.
This experience also deepened my appreciation for the Church. As a former pastor, I’ve seen God work through the local church, but this deployment showed me the beauty and strength of the Church in a new way.
I wasn’t just seeing the Church—I was living it. I saw God’s people rise up in the face of destruction and despair to display His glory. I witnessed the power of prayer, the outpouring of generosity, and the selfless service of volunteers from across the country. The Church stood united—not just in belief, but in action. We never lacked what we needed, because God’s provision through His Church was more than enough. In fact, we were often blessed out of His abundance, allowing us to do far more than we’d planned.
What stood out most was the unified spirit of the Church. Local churches, Associations, state conventions, Send Relief, Gateway Seminary, and California Baptist University—all were united in mind and spirit, contributing to the effort. Over 280 volunteers from 12 Southern Baptist conventions left their families, used vacation time, and gave of themselves to serve. Together, we became a living testimony to the love of Christ, reflecting His heart through our actions and attitudes. We didn’t serve out of obligation, but out of love for one another and for those we came to help.
The three churches that housed our teams embodied true Christian hospitality. We weren’t just guests or volunteers. We were family. The love and warmth extended to us was overwhelming. We became part of the local church family—welcomed at worship, invited to fellowship, even included in the celebration of Chinese New Year.
What’s more, the love our teams shared didn’t go unnoticed. Homeowners and community members saw how we cared for each other. From Gold Shirts at the ice cream shop to those working late on a church fence, the way we served and supported one another spoke volumes. It brought to life the truth of John 13:35: “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
This powerful display of love and community wasn’t just for us—it was a witness to a watching world. We were reminded that the Church is alive and active – a force that cannot be ignored – alive, vibrant, and ever-growing.
As I near the end of this deployment, I’m deeply moved by what God has shown me. I’ve often found myself defending the Church against the attacks of the world, but through this experience, God reminded me that He is in control. He does not need us to defend His Church. He calls us to be active participants in it. When we love one another, accept one another, forgive one another, and serve together, we embody the fullness of God’s love. That’s when the Church shines brightest, and when God is most glorified.
So, Church, I encourage you—as God encouraged me these past couple of months—let’s stop being defenders, critics, or spectators of the Church. Let’s be the Church. Let’s continue to live out our faith in love and unity, and may the world see the power of the Gospel through the way we care for one another and for those in need.
May God bless you, and may His Church continue to be a beacon of help, hope, and healing -not only for those affected by disaster but for all in need of a Savior!
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.
By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”” John 13:34-35 NKJV
When you see these wildfires it always strikes you that you will never find anything of value…A property surrounded by so much vegetation…One last property, as AZDR teams depart for home tomorrow…
“But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief.
You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness.
All of these sites have one thing in common, they are extremely hazardous to work. The Blue Hat is in charge of the safety of his or her crew, and must carefully evaluate these properties. No standing structure can be trusted…Perhaps a hard hat 🧢 is needed…
“Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, And rely on horses, Who trust in chariots because they are many, And in horsemen because they are very strong, But who do not look to the Holy One of Israel, Nor seek the Lord!” Isaiah 31:1 NKJV
The message for us is clear, when we turn away from God and start trusting in anything else we are traveling the wrong road…
“Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; But we will remember the name of the Lord our God.” Psalms 20:7 NKJV
Some trust in money or material things, some trust in so called experts. Have you asked God???
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV
Our Chaplain is moving like the wind, so I lost a day and am trying to catch up…The fire was bad in this area…He does- tell someone…Our teams encounter so many Christians…Our Chaplain’s new team…
“If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.” Romans 12:18 NKJV
There is never really a day off in Disaster Relief. All of the crews, stood down from recovery efforts to clean and restore all trucks, tools and equipment to working order. They worshipped at the church on Pearl. Some I know personally, caught a well deserved nap. Often thoughts drift to the next day and prayer enters in. Prayer for the property owners, prayers for showing the Gospel, and prayers for safety…
“Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient, “The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone,”
and “A stone of stumbling And a rock of offense.” They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed.
But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.” I Peter 2:7-10 NKJV
Every day for Disaster Relief missionaries begin with food to fuel our bodies and, most importantly, food for our spirits…Contrasting views. From beachfront to port-a-potty. This can be a good or bad thing…Mostly good…Chow time…It’s strange, but we can get pretty picky about our N95 masks 😷…Two teams come together to make a final push to find what is important to the property owner…
“No human wisdom or understanding or plan can stand against the Lord.” Proverbs 21:30 NLT
Beauty to the front, destruction behind…A property high up in the hills…Dogs love AZDR teams…Our team continues to bless the community and bring the hope of Jesus…The team, along with our Chaplain, enjoys a night out…
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,
who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” I Peter 1:3-5 NKJV
Every so often, you need to stop and look around and see the beauty that God has given to us…Our Chaplain (my Chaplain), takes a moment…New growth is evident, God is restoring the land…Nothing but the best Tyvex suits for our AZDR teams…All of our DR teams are hurrying to stay ahead of the demolitions that are going on with the personal property recovery effort…A lift chair with a view…A very difficult site to work…
“You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail.” Proverbs 19:21 NLT
Beauty among destruction. A good start for our Chaplain. Their team found items that brought the property owners closer to bringing this tragedy, this page in the journey complete. Ready to go to the new page of life. The AZDR team giving the Gospel by their actions…I found this image profound. Our team drove past this property many times, commenting every time, and every time I thought that would make a cool picture, but I never stopped…Who knew…
“I will give him the key to the house of David—the highest position in the royal court. When he opens doors, no one will be able to close them; when he closes doors, no one will be able to open them.” Isaiah 22:22 NLT
““Write this letter to the angel of the church in Philadelphia. This is the message from the one who is holy and true, the one who has the key of David. What he opens, no one can close; and what he closes, no one can open:” Revelation 3:7 NLT
What a FANTASTIC way to live! To place our lives in the hands of Him, Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God, who is able to open or close any door!!!!
Norm departed yesterday for the Pacific Palisade’s fire. Meeting in Quartzite with the rest of the team. She is testing out the new and improved gate on the ‘Beast.’ Hopefully she can come to terms with this behemoth…
The reality of driving in southern California…
“God called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night. So the …evening and the morning were the first day.” Genesis 1:5 NKJV
The morning is coming
The night of weeping will soon be over
The new day will dawn
Man’s evening of failure, sin and darkness will end
Our original team, from left, Chris, Lenny, Shanna, and our California DR Chaplain Robin. These guys did some good ministry. It was our motto, “We do Ministry.”Our second week we lost Shanna and Robin, but gained Chaplain Jim. Our team motto was, “You had one job.” That job was Ministry and we presented Jesus Christ to this community. Arizona, California, New Mexico and Missouri, all doing Ministry…
“Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”), that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.” Galatians 3:13-14 NKJV
A couple of days ago, Missouri Disaster Relief Josh, told about going into a bomb shelter on a property in Pacific Palisades. A new one for me…DR Lenny, left and DR Chris on the right looking for jewelry…New growth…Our equipment
“The Lord is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble; And He knows those who trust in Him.” Nahum 1:7 NKJV
This is what we see most of the time. A never ending line of cars…California Boys…we fit right in…Hip-Cats…There is a certain sadness in these two photos…Arizona Recovery Team 002, Personnel Property Recovery at its best…Our first property owner, Dreama…Great to have met her…This image and many others reminds me so much of the Lahaina Fire…Thanks a bunch to the Church on Pearl for housing us these past two weeks…The Texas bunkhouse has arrived…
““Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the Lord, “Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool.” Isaiah 1:18 NKJV
This picture does not really show how far that is to the bottom where we worked. A tough first job …DR Lenny and DR Chaplain Jim prepare for our first worksite…This site looks to be ready to rebuild…Some of what we recovered…Hard to see the bananas in the tree…
“Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: “Whom shall I send, And who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.”” Isaiah 6:8 NKJV
The backyard view from the first property this morning…Very nice family that needs prayer, Jared and Nora…thanks…Our second property owner asked if what we do affects us, emotionally. Sure does, some more than others …A wet and cold day…
“Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, The Creator of the ends of the earth, Neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, And the young men shall utterly fall, But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:28-31 NKJV
Chaplains Jim and Deana have a good time…Our first property…Interesting…We found this property owners card holder. She put my card in it…Great lady with our team…Found this in my clean laundry today…
“The way of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, which shines ever brighter until the full light of day.” Proverbs 4:18 NLT
DR Blu hat Bob, got our day off to a good start a great devotion…The property owner from this morning recommended this chair from IKEA. It survived the fire…A Scientology siting in the neighborhood today…DR Lenny and Chris getting ready to work in one our toughest job sites so far…
“Haven’t I ordered you, ‘Be strong, be bold’? So don’t be afraid or downhearted, because Adonai your God is with you wherever you go.”” Y’hoshua (Jos) 1:9 CJB
We had a day off, which is not really a day off. It was a day to do everything but personal property recovery….World’s smallest bus stop…The Pacific was angry today. DR Chris got a couple of shots from the beach…Fine dining at its best. Dinner tonight…
““Don’t you understand yet?” he asked them.” Mark 8:21 NLT
Loaded and ready to go…Our first property…From tears to smiles…This was one of our best work sites…This is was a Porsche…or what’s left of it…Pacific Coast Highway…A DR selfie…Stairway to nowhere…
“And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”” Matthew 1:21 NKJV
Sometimes you just have to relax and wait…Our first of the day finds…This property will be a challenge…A lot of celebrities had homes in this neighborhood…Our team, from left, DR Chris, DR Leonard, DR Shanna, and DRCA Robin. A great group of servants for the Lord!!!The Disaster Relief director in California, White Hat Kendrick, graced our humble group with his presence…And tries to lure more of our AZDR volunteers to defect to CADR…
“Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6 NKJV
AZDR rising to the occasion, DR Leonard leading our team and CADR in devotion Some of our finds from our last job.Another reason to not like the beast, def delivery left a lot to be desired. An old garden hose and funnel that had been hanging around in the recovery unit has made def installation very much improved…I still do not like or have come to terms with the beast…
“But I will sing of Your power; Yes, I will sing aloud of Your mercy in the morning; For You have been my defense And refuge in the day of my trouble.” Psalms 59:16 NKJV
Homes along the PCH don’t look big, but they are pricey…It took us two and a half hours to go 5 miles! That has to be some sort of record…Every home burned around this house…We had a photographer with us today. We’re famous!!!Back to work, DR Shanna and DR Leonard found the piece that property owner Michael was looking for…The ocean is to the right somewhere…We stopped at the Santa Monica pier…
“For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.” Isaiah 9:6-7 NKJV
Some photos from along the Pacific coast highway…DR Leonard and our guest Chaplain from California, DR Robin…DR Shanna is behind the beast…This is how most of our day looked…Our team with property owner, Jennifer…The beast is loaded and looking for some personal property recovery to do…We were sent to this property to do an assessment…The doors are missing off of this late model Audi…
“Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.” Isaiah 7:14 NKJV
Our first day in the burn area. Things were pretty hectic with lots of equipment running around. We completed 2 properties, both with great families. Please pray for Rosie as she is struggling with the loss of her home…We have some nice dining in Disaster Relief….
“Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: “Whom shall I send, And who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.”” Isaiah 6:8 NKJV
California traffic is not to be taken lightly. Long day in the saddle…The Beast and Recovery trailer safe in Santa Monica… My bed looks like I have already slept in it…
““And in that day there shall be a Root of Jesse, Who shall stand as a banner to the people; For the Gentiles shall seek Him, And His resting place shall be glorious.”” Isaiah 11:10 NKJV
The Flatbed Beast is ready for departure…Just some of our new equipment. Thanks DR Terry and many others for all of the gear we need to keep the Recovery Unit on go status…
“Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, When it is in the power of your hand to do so.” Proverbs 3:27 NKJV
A recent NY Times opinion column1 asked the question: What is available worldwide, requires no new technology, costs no money and could save more than 800,000 children’s lives a year? The answer was “breastfeeding.”
While the opinion was written while the authors were in Kenya, the implications are worldwide. Many African women give water, instead of breast milk, to their babies during the first six months of life. Unlike more developed nations, this water comes right out of rivers and is not treated. Babies do not have fully developed immune systems, so they are at risk from pathogens found in river water.
However, the estimate of saving 800,000 newborns a year is a world-wide number, based on data suggesting less than half of all babies born around the world are nursed by their mothers. Apart from water, the major replacement for mother’s milk is artificial baby formula. The components of formula, while the best effort of humans, falls short of natural mother’s milk. For example, colostrum, the milk produced for 2-4 days after birth, is highly concentrated with white cells, stem cells, antibodies, and immune factors that protect the baby from infection. Transitional and mature milk continue providing these ingredients and nutrients in less concentrated form.
Why the decline in breastfeeding? Some mothers are unable to produce enough milk. Some cultures have a social stigma connected with publicly feeding a baby. Some claims imply formula is as good as mother’s milk.
I want to focus on the divine plan that was, perhaps, unintentionally inserted into the NY Times article. The authors stated, “In many ways, breast milk is miraculous. It has been custom designed for babies’ health over thousands of years.”
The word “miracle,” from the Latin miraculum, was used to translate ancient Hebrew and Greek words for “wonder” or “sign.” Of all the miracles mentioned in the Bible, none deal specifically with breast milk. There are, however, scriptures indicating its vital importance in health and well-being. The Lord likened the ignorance of wicked Israelites to babies who were plucked from breastfeeding (Isaiah 28:9). To grow in our faith, we must be like newborns who crave spiritual milk (1 Peter 2:2). We learned to trust in God when at our mother’s breast (Psalm 22:9).
It is impossible to separate the wonder of breast milk from the custom design for a baby’s health. We believe God never acts against the ultimate order He has created. Yet we have only a superficial knowledge of the creative order. The Bible simply states that God created humans (Genesis 1:27). Just as no complex physics algorithms were offered in the creation of the universe, so too, we have no biological details of the complexity of human life. We have, though, discovered how carefully God designed milk for newborns. While manufacturers may be reluctant to admit their formula is no match for what the Lord had designed, we cannot but stand in awe of God’s almighty creation, from gametes to babies to breast milk.
I wonder if more of us considered mother’s milk to be a miracle, whether we would be more motivated to help all mothers see this wonder; not from a humanitarian perspective, but from reverence to the divine design.
In chapter 4, God is going to try to win Jonah over to His point of view. This chapter will show us that God will never interfere with our Free Will. God will not force on us any issue whatsoever, we are all free moral agents.
God has actually moved heaven and hell and has come by way of a cross to knock at your heart’s door. But, He will not come any farther than that until the door is opened from the inside.
“So the people of Nineveh believed God, proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest to the least of them.” Jonah 3:5 NKJV
All God has ever asked of any person, any sinner, is to simply believe Him. Believe what He has done for you. Believe that Christ died for you- you and your sins. Believe that He was raised from the dead. Believe that He is now at the right hand of God. If you want to be with God the Father, you will have to go thru His Son, Jesus Christ.
The people of Nineveh believed. Then they demonstrated their faith by proclaiming a fast.
Moon over desert… Not sure what is happening here…Heading towards Alamogordo Climbing out of the White Sands Missile range…God provided us with a few rainbows on our journey…
“There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother.” Proverbs 18:24 NLT
What a great gift we have been given, by God, to have the privilege of working with brothers and sisters who love the Lord Jesus Christ and love each other. This allows us all to share and show the love of Christ with each homeowner and individual we spoke to. Praise the Lord for the leadership shown by NMDR, made our work easier. Praise to AZDR and their dedication to our deployment. Thanks to all of our church members praying for us…
We went back to Dexter New Mexico and were greeted by Lucky and his friend, Diamond…This house was demolished today…The kitchen…Michelle doing the grind of drywall removal…The kitchen before, DR Bill took it all apart…Our mobile work shop…
“Then they said to the woman, “Now we believe, not just because of what you told us, but because we have heard him ourselves. Now we know that he is indeed the Savior of the world.”” John 4:42 NLT
Tools of the trade, to defeat mold…This is Lucky and his unnamed friend…Lucky likes our Chaplain…DR Ken deals with no less than 4 levels of flooring…The homeowner speaks no English so we put our Chaplain to work…
“And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.” Philippians 4:19-20 NKJV
Our AZDR dually and recovery trailer, looking good in Roswell…If you’re a car guy (and everyone should be a car guy) this is sad. A 2014 Corvette submerged in flood waters…DR Ken wondering what our Chaplain is doing???..Power washer in action…DR Michelle cleaning up the mess I made…AZDR’s newest Blue Hat, DR David…Mud and nails…AZDR RC001, a very jiggy team!!!
“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians 4:8-9 NKJV
I have been looking at these Alien eyeballs for the last three days, I like them…DR Bill checking out some huge barbed wire…This house is very close to FBC Roswell, where we are staying…Part of the historic district, Lea avenue…
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.
He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever.” Psalms 23:1-6 NKJV
The house next door…The neighborhood dog, we think her name is Scruffy, and she is, loves bacon…Scruffy enjoying her back rub. Waiting for more bacon…We have a great team, thanks to The Lord Jesus Christ…Trash disposal that is out of this world…This is miserable drywall to remove…Not sure what vegetables are growing here…DRNM Wayne performed a couple of songs after the evening meal…
“So teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom.” Psalms 90:12 NKJV
Dogs love AZDR…DR Bill and DR Ken made short work of the bathroom Our newest Blue Hat leads by example…Our Chaplain, when the homeowner is not there, this is her happy place…DR Terry is always a welcome member of our team…These guys, DR Michelle and Diana have been working in this room for two days now…
“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9 KJV
There is just nothing like a church full of believers in the Lord Jesus Christ sing songs of worship to our Savior. Thanks to FBC Roswell…Chaplain Norm seems to enjoy the locals…DR Mark, not so much…While we were enjoying a coffee downtown, a car caught fire. Fortunately no one was injured…A relaxing down day…After sleeping in a little, Bible fellowship, worship, lunch, and relaxing, we headed to a really nice steak dinner…
“Let Your work appear to Your servants, And Your glory to their children.
And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us, And establish the work of our hands for us; Yes, establish the work of our hands.” Psalms 90:16-17 NKJV
Roswell finally came through with better weather. Freezing cold this morning (remember, we are from Arizona) the sun warmed the day quite nicely…a new job start today…Dramatic water line…DR Ken is removing a flooded air conditioner and our Chaplain is yanking nails…DR David cut a lot of drywall today…DR Bill installed new batteries in the AZDR flatbed and removed the entire kitchen too…DR Diana (standing) and DR Michelle getting this room ready for drywall removal…
“And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” I Corinthians 13:13 NKJV
Another muddy day in Roswell. The locals tell me it is never muddy here, I don’t believe them. This basement had water two inches past the ceiling rafters. Mud on the floor and walls …We had help from Wyoming Disaster Relief, Cas and Steve, great workers and fun to be around…DR Ken working the pressure washer making the basement look and smell better…Our humble debris pile…Water poured through these window wells and broke the glass and twisted the frames. DR David and DR Bill made temporary ones out of plywood, painted them and sealed them to the openings…Alien approved coffee shop. It was good…AZDR in downtown Roswell…
“Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.” Philippians 2:4 NKJV
We got straight to work today as we had to keep moving to stay warm…I forgot to mention that last night we were treated to a free meal at a local restaurant. It was great…Our newest Blue Hat, DR David really gets into his work…This kitchen did not go without a struggle…We found this as part of the kitchen cabinet…Our Chaplain is a closet dog whisperer…Today was cold, wet, muddy and miserable so we headed to a local coffee shop for some hot brews…
“Trust in the Lord, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.
Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass.
He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, And your justice as the noonday.
Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass.” Psalms 37:3-7 NKJV
It looks like we are making videos, but these items are standard issue for AZDR…Take my word for it, this is our team member DR Diana…DR Michelle is wheeling our monster shop vac out for a good cleaning….Our Chaplain, hard at work…DR David working in the hallway, this house is about 2/3 complete…DR Bill is just finished in the bathroom…DR Ken rocking the latest in DR safety gear…I would love to say all dogs love us, but apparently, this dog is the exception. For two days we have fed this dog cheese, dog bones and talked to her, and for two solid days she has barked nonstop at us. I can only surmise, not all dogs love us…
““You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:13-16 NKJV
Every day is better when it’s started with prayer. We all circled up to lift NMDR White Hat Ed and his wife Loretta up to the Lord as they are facing some giants of this world. They are two great servants of the Lord Jesus Christ and our teams are always better with their leadership…A much needed break with time for fellowship…Dogs love us…AZDR spreading the Gospel in Roswell New Mexico…
“I will bless the Lord who has given me counsel; My heart also instructs me in the night seasons. I have set the Lord always before me; Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; My flesh also will rest in hope.” Psalms 16:7-9 NKJV
Our first day of serving in Roswell. It can get cold…We had a beautiful morning …The day became very energetic, first some people showed up to take video and photos of us. The big push was when this group from the US Air Force honor guard from Holloman AFB. They worked hard for three hours, and then our Chaplain prayed for them before RTB…Our day finished in excitement as a seven year old little boy walked up to us and asked if we knew his Mommy. His name was Leo and he caught the wrong bus, as his Mom had to move their family after the flood. So, he hung out with our Chaplain as she quizzed him on math, astronomy and God…Dogs and kids, they love us…
“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10 NKJV
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