This is the first time I have ever been in the state of Oklahoma. I have yet to see the sun here. It has been raining since the moment I cross the state line! Being in Alabama and Kentucky, many of us haven’t seen rain in a long time, speaking of which I want to post a message on the NFC message board here on P&P.
I just talked to Tom about an hour ago who made me aware of a wildfire in his hometown of Cape Coral, Florida. As I write, this wildfire is less than one mile from his house. It is over 2,400 acres strong and growing by the hour. According to local news, it is the largest fire in Cape Coral history and the worst drought in 100 years. Officials say that it is 45% contained, but we need to pray for the residents of Cape Coral. South Florida is not unfamiliar with natural disaster, as it has been frequented by hurricanes on almost a yearly basis. However, in this case, it is not the amount of rain but the lack of it. Several from Grace Baptist (where Tom is pastor) are here, and they have a 30 hour drive tomorrow. In the meantime, let us pray to Him who makes the wind and sea obey Him and remind ourselves of the words of Martin Luther – “let goods and kindred go/ this mortal life also/ the body they may kill/ God’s truth abideth still/ His kingdom is forever.”
The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit.
Praying for them and ya’ll.
I know this is weighing on their minds. I pray the conference finishes well and this is not a distraction.
Wish I could have attended since you’re just 20 mins away. Too busy this week.
Timmy:
Thanks for posting this. As you know, we received a phone call near the end of the evening session tonight informing us that a brief deluge fell to “knock down” the fire and bring it under control. The following was posted at 9PM Eastern time on a local TV station’s website:
From Connie Barron, City of Cape Coral: “About 10 minutes of heavy rain helped knock down the fire. We will be sending engines home and keeping brush trucks on scene for a few more hours as needed. Burnt Store Road will reopen at 9pm. Residents are being allowed back in their homes.”
I live just off of Burnt Store Road. Some church members have told us they have never seen it rain that hard. According to my calculations, that rain began to fall about 45 minutes after your post went up and shortly after the conference prayed.
We are very grateful to the Lord for His mercy in this.
This is great news Tom! Praise God for his gracious providence.
Let me make a quite administrative note about my live-blogging. Towards the end of Roy Hargrave’s message Thursday night, my browser crashed and computer locked up (yeah, I know, get a mac!). Consequently, I was not able to publish my notes from hismessage. I will try to get that up as soon as possible.