February 15

, Psalm 46
It has been an interesting year. A year ago today, we had the coldest day on record for Stillwater, Oklahoma. That led into a drought and a long hot summer. We set records for heat during the summer. In the fall as the drought began to weaken (we still haven’t recovered), we had on the same day tornados, thunder storms and an earthquake. The extreme cold, the extreme heat, the drought was devastating for our farmers and ranchers. In November, Quad Graphics, a large employer in Stillwater announced an impending shutdown of their plant. Mercury Marine, a long time Stillwater employer, closed their plant in December. Last week, Frontier Engineering announced a layoff of 20 employees. All told we have lost hundreds of jobs in Stillwater in the last year. We have gained some too, so I am not sure of the net loss. Oklahoma’s 45th infantry deployed to Afghanistan. We have lost a lot of young men there. Stillwater has had its share. The good news is that our men in Iraq have come home for the most part. OSU almost won a national football championship-just one interception away.
Mountains seem to be falling upon us as the ground literally trembles beneath us. The desolation of drought robbed many of income for the year. The closing of industry robbed others. Wars might be coming to an end, but our young men still die. What is God trying to teach us in the midst of all this? Primarily He is trying to teach us that He alone is our mighty fortress. He alone is our protection. He alone is our income. He alone brings us safely through war. His water of life alone can make us glad. Neither bumper crops, large herds, great employment, domestic or foreign peace or even national football championships can make us glad in a significant way. His river of life alone makes us glad, and that is His glory! Let us behold the works of the Lord as He works desolations upon the face of the earth. Let us be still and know that He is God! Let us exalt Him among the nations for He is our refuge! Indeed we serve a glorious King! Speak His glory to someone today!
--Pastor John