Palms of His Hands

"Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it." ~ William Arthur Ward

• Oct. 10, 2008 - Hurricane CP

My husband lost his job.
I've lost my job.
We've lost our church family.
We've lost our home.
If something miraculous doesn't happen we will all lose our friends, our town, and our lives as we've known it for six+ years. What has happened? We've been struck by hurricane Church Politics.

Hurricane CP is similar to Gustav, Ike, or Katrina. It brews for a while over warm waters of discontent and hurt feelings. There is always the possibility it will dimish and amount to nothing leaving peaceful waters for smooth sailing. Then again, if the desire for power and the power players are just right, it will grow into a full blown storm reeking havic on everyone in the church. There is no controlling CP once it gets it's momentum ...it will hit though predicting exactly when and where it will make landfall is a little tricky.


CP made landfall this week at our church. It was a category 5 storm. And while it has affected everyone, only the pastor and his family (a.k.a. us) lost everything. Everyone else still has their job, their home, their friends and neighbors, their town, and pretty much the lives they've known for the last 6+ years.


Did I say we lost everything? That's not really true. We still have our integrity. Our family. True friends.* And a God who says, "I am the LORD, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?"



(* Actually the majority of the church overwhelmingly supports us and for that we are truly, truly grateful, but a fight will only cause more damage. Such is the life of CP.)
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• Oct. 10, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by KarenW
I am so very sorry. You are in my prayers.
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• Oct. 10, 2008 - Just not right!

Posted by Anonymous
This is so not right and it's breaking my heart. The kids and I spent extra time praying for you this morning.

Travis said "Lord, help Mr. Raymond see you" and I think that was one of the best things prayed. I am praying that each of you WILL see the Lord thru this horrible storm...that you will see His love for you shining bright and when the storm waves are crashing, He stays your focus and guide.

I love y'all and literally mean it when say "we're here for you!"

I love you,
Elysa
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• Oct. 10, 2008 - A sympathetic shoulder.

Posted by Marcia
My husband and I have walked a similar road this past year. We left a church that we had been apart of for 12+ years. We lost people who we thought were our family. We lost relationships that we thought we would have for a lifetime. As we've limped through this year, God has met us. It's been one of the hardest years I have every gone through, but looking back I feel we are in such a better place now than we ever were. We had no where to turn, but to God. We had no safety net or security except God. I have sat and cried many times with only God to lift me up. We are still on this road, but I'm starting to see a light at the end of the tunnel. I pray that as this chapter of your life ends, God will open up an even better chapter for you and your family.
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• Oct. 10, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by learning4fun
Praying for you

I am so sorry this has happened to you and your family

Tammy
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• Oct. 10, 2008 - I'm so sorry

Posted by Tonia
I'm so sorry...we love you and are here for you!!!!
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• Oct. 10, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Anonymous
Oh, Drewe Llyn - I am so sorry!! I know we haven't talked much in person, but you mean so much to me. You have left me sweet comments and emails and I appreciate you more than you know. Now is a time for me to step up and be there for you. I am here for you and I want to help in some way. I love you, my friend. I am praying for your family and will continue to pray!!
- Ashley
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• Oct. 12, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Allie
Lifting you up to our LOVING Father. I am deeply sorry for the wounds the Body of Christ has inflicted upon your precious family. I know this was not from Him but that He will sustain your family and bring you in to an open place. He sings over all of you! And loves you with an everlasting love! Be still and know that He is God and has your best interest at heart. He will Redeem this situation and has drawn you to Him. I speak peace in the name of Jesus to your hurting hearts. Praying for all of you! Keep your eyes on Him and be of good cheer. :)
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• Oct. 13, 2008 - ((((hugs)))) and prayers

Posted by kympossible
Sorry to hear about the hurricane. Have lived through CP storms of varying severity ourselves and its heartbreaking that the Body cannot deal with disagreements better. Praying that you will weather this storm!

Blessings,
Kym
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