Two favorite passages in the gospels deal with storms. In one, a fierce storm arises on the Sea of Galilee, and while his disciples “freak out,” Jesus is asleep in the boat. They wake him, crying out, “Master, we are perishing!” Jesus simply speaks to the wind and waves, commanding them, “Peace. Be still.” And, in an instant, the surface of the water becomes like a sheet of glass. 

In the other, his disciples are fighting a storm on the Sea of Galilee, and Jesus comes walking to them on top of the water. He is indeed Lord over the storms of this life! What is over our heads is under his feet. 

Those are good reminders for us as we face a literal storm coming up in our area. Unlike the sudden storms that arose over the Sea of Galilee, hurricanes give plenty of warning. I hope you are heeding those warnings, and getting prepared. 

Let’s do that by praying for all in the path of this storm, but also preparing. As I write this on Tuesday morning, we do not yet know what exact track the hurricane will take or what effects it may have on our region. At this point, we are still planning on having worship this Sunday. 

If we do not have to cancel Sunday, we will have a special guest in our pulpit. (I am scheduled to preach a One Day Revival Meeting at Hillcrest Baptist Church, here in our city.) I am very, very excited for you to hear from Miguel Yustiz, who serves on our FBC staff as our Lead Maintenance Supervisor. Miguel is called to the ministry, and, in addition to his work at FBC, is earning his seminary degree. He comes from a wonderful family in Venezuela. His dad is a pastor there and leads a Bible Institute there. (You might have met Miguel’s parents recently, as his dad preached on a Sunday night.) Please keep Miguel’s mom and dad in your prayers. They are wonderful people, and they are making a huge difference in a troubled country. They have also done a wonderful job raising their son. Our pastors have come to think very highly of Miguel, and his wife, Leslee, who teaches in our Weekday Preschool. They are a precious couple, with incredible potential in ministry. 

Miguel is an excellent preacher, as you will discover this Sunday, provided we still meet. Stay tuned throughout the weekend for news on that. 

Stay close to Jesus, and take the necessary precautions to stay safe. I love each of you. 

By His Grace, For His Glory, To The Nations, 

Dr. Thurman Hayes, Jr.