November 5th, 2024
by Dr. Ron Harvey
by Dr. Ron Harvey
We are still in the hurricane season in S. Florida, and to date, we have seen our fair share of storms this season. Don’t you agree? I think I heard a big “Amen!”
Some thoughts about this…Is it just me, or does it seem to you that meteorologists get a little excited, dare I say even happy, when a storm is coming and, conversely, they are a bit disappointed when a storm fizzles or fails to reach its hurricane potential? Perhaps, their terminology betrays them. They use otherwise positive terms like “strong” or “healthy” or “powerful”to describe an otherwise scary, threatening and dreadful system. Personally, I would prefer the use of other words from our lexicon like terrifying, devilish, or nightmarish. They describe a “healthy eye wall” in a hurricane admiringly as though they are describing a rare work of art from the Louvre of Paris. Then when the “eye wall” finally implodes (which is a good thing), they call it a collapse as though they are describing a failure of nature. Don’t get me wrong, I think they have our best interest in mind in providing timely warnings, but I also think their ratings go up when storms are coming in. One other thought about this—what is the deal with TV weather personalities who warn us to seek shelter from incoming hurricanes while standing right smack in the middle of one? I have seen weather reporters blown down to the ground and others standing in the midst of a storm while dangerous objects are blowing past them. What is going on here? Do we really need to experience the storm vicariously by watching meteorologists encounter a hurricane perilously? I don’t think so! Further, I don’t get it—but then again, there is this thing called TV ratings…and, yes unfortunately, we keep watching!
Speaking of storms, one of the stories I followed during the Milton hurricane was of a 54 year old, Joseph Malinowski, who chose to ride out the storm on his 20-foot sailboat tied to the dock at Tampa Bay Harbor. He was dubbed “Lieutenant Dan” on social media after the Forest Gump character who survived a major hurricane on his fishing boat. Malinowski was warned by authorities to find safe haven away from the storm, but he chose to stay in harm’s way. He posted to his social media account throughout the night of the hurricane. A Go-Fund-Me account was begun for him and raised that night alone more than $39,000.00. In addition, a well-known on-line streamer, Adin Ross, announced an offer to donate up to $100,000.00 to purchase him a bigger and better boat.
Unfortunately, for “Lieutenant Dan” the streamer withdrew the offer later that evening when he found some unsavory news about Malinowski’s criminal history. So it would seem that “Lieutenant Dan” riding out a Category 3 Hurricane in a 20-foot sailboat was not his first questionable decision in life. God bless him!
This news story does serve to illustrate this: Although we must all go through storms, we are not all in the same boat! In Mark 4:35-41 we find the story of Jesus’ journey across the Sea of Galilee when a “furious squall came up” and the disciples turned to Jesus saying, “Teacher, don’t you care that we drown?” You will recall that Jesus stood and rebuked the storm, “Quiet! Be still!” The wind and waves became completely calm.
That day on the Sea of Galilee, the disciples saw Jesus like never before. They witnessed this awesome miracle over nature and were simply amazed at His power! Their fear of the weather was replaced by their faith in the Savior. The disciples never viewed Jesus the same. They were beginning to learn the lesson of faith in Him. The Lord brings us, as well, into difficulties to strengthen our faith and enrich our lives. Hopefully, we too will begin to get the lesson of faith.
One more thing—Mark tells us there were “other boats” in the storm that day, but without Jesus. Though they were all in the same storm, they were not all in the same boat. The “other boats” were in the same storm without the Lord with them. It begs the question: “How do people go through the storms of life without Jesus?” How fortunate for us, as believers, to know the blessing of Jesus in the boat with us. We just need to learn to trust Him in our storms! Can I get an “Amen?!”
Devotedly yours,
Pastor Ron
P.S. This Sunday I am excited to return to our new series COURAGE TO STAND STRONG and I will share a message on Courage (Daniel 3). Worship Services 9:30 am (Classic) & 11:00 am (Contemporary). Invite a Friend! See you then!
Some thoughts about this…Is it just me, or does it seem to you that meteorologists get a little excited, dare I say even happy, when a storm is coming and, conversely, they are a bit disappointed when a storm fizzles or fails to reach its hurricane potential? Perhaps, their terminology betrays them. They use otherwise positive terms like “strong” or “healthy” or “powerful”to describe an otherwise scary, threatening and dreadful system. Personally, I would prefer the use of other words from our lexicon like terrifying, devilish, or nightmarish. They describe a “healthy eye wall” in a hurricane admiringly as though they are describing a rare work of art from the Louvre of Paris. Then when the “eye wall” finally implodes (which is a good thing), they call it a collapse as though they are describing a failure of nature. Don’t get me wrong, I think they have our best interest in mind in providing timely warnings, but I also think their ratings go up when storms are coming in. One other thought about this—what is the deal with TV weather personalities who warn us to seek shelter from incoming hurricanes while standing right smack in the middle of one? I have seen weather reporters blown down to the ground and others standing in the midst of a storm while dangerous objects are blowing past them. What is going on here? Do we really need to experience the storm vicariously by watching meteorologists encounter a hurricane perilously? I don’t think so! Further, I don’t get it—but then again, there is this thing called TV ratings…and, yes unfortunately, we keep watching!
Speaking of storms, one of the stories I followed during the Milton hurricane was of a 54 year old, Joseph Malinowski, who chose to ride out the storm on his 20-foot sailboat tied to the dock at Tampa Bay Harbor. He was dubbed “Lieutenant Dan” on social media after the Forest Gump character who survived a major hurricane on his fishing boat. Malinowski was warned by authorities to find safe haven away from the storm, but he chose to stay in harm’s way. He posted to his social media account throughout the night of the hurricane. A Go-Fund-Me account was begun for him and raised that night alone more than $39,000.00. In addition, a well-known on-line streamer, Adin Ross, announced an offer to donate up to $100,000.00 to purchase him a bigger and better boat.
Unfortunately, for “Lieutenant Dan” the streamer withdrew the offer later that evening when he found some unsavory news about Malinowski’s criminal history. So it would seem that “Lieutenant Dan” riding out a Category 3 Hurricane in a 20-foot sailboat was not his first questionable decision in life. God bless him!
This news story does serve to illustrate this: Although we must all go through storms, we are not all in the same boat! In Mark 4:35-41 we find the story of Jesus’ journey across the Sea of Galilee when a “furious squall came up” and the disciples turned to Jesus saying, “Teacher, don’t you care that we drown?” You will recall that Jesus stood and rebuked the storm, “Quiet! Be still!” The wind and waves became completely calm.
That day on the Sea of Galilee, the disciples saw Jesus like never before. They witnessed this awesome miracle over nature and were simply amazed at His power! Their fear of the weather was replaced by their faith in the Savior. The disciples never viewed Jesus the same. They were beginning to learn the lesson of faith in Him. The Lord brings us, as well, into difficulties to strengthen our faith and enrich our lives. Hopefully, we too will begin to get the lesson of faith.
One more thing—Mark tells us there were “other boats” in the storm that day, but without Jesus. Though they were all in the same storm, they were not all in the same boat. The “other boats” were in the same storm without the Lord with them. It begs the question: “How do people go through the storms of life without Jesus?” How fortunate for us, as believers, to know the blessing of Jesus in the boat with us. We just need to learn to trust Him in our storms! Can I get an “Amen?!”
Devotedly yours,
Pastor Ron
P.S. This Sunday I am excited to return to our new series COURAGE TO STAND STRONG and I will share a message on Courage (Daniel 3). Worship Services 9:30 am (Classic) & 11:00 am (Contemporary). Invite a Friend! See you then!
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