Hurricane Irene

I am posting because I am completely terrified right now. I live in CT. and they are now saying this hurricane is possibly going to be a direct hit for this area. I know I need to keep my focus on the Lord please pray for me to do so. There are so many here that could be affected and I want to be strong in the Lord but right now I am just filled with such fear. I miss where I use to live, the weather was predictable and I for the most part always felt safe. I am so ashamed of myself for being so fearful about all of this. Please please pray if you feel led to that God would be with us through these coming days, that HE would guide us in what to do and that I would not feel so completely alone.

Thank you all I really have no one else to come to with this request but to all of you here.

God Bless
maryjane

Dear MaryJane,
Will start right now to pray for you!
If possible. Keep us update how things are going with you there. and ASK for ALL the prayer you need. There are Brothers and sisters who care for you and know how to pray for you.
Shalom
browny.

I don't remember the bible saying anything about judging your fear sister but to build you up and encourage you in Christ Jesus. :) Praying for sure, I live in Kansas and I have never been in any other type of weather other than tornados but those are like second nature to me now. I most definitely would be scare to being I have never been in one before.

MaryJane,

We have had numerous hurricanes in the past. Although we live two hundred miles inland, we still had sustained winds of 65 MPH and they can be destructive.

Here are some practical suggestions:

1. If you live close to the ocean, leave. When hurricanes threaten the MS Gulf coast, all motel rooms in the state get filled up with evacuees.

2. If you choose to stay, make sure you have lots (and I mean LOTS) of water. Fill containers with it, your bathtub, get a barrel and fill it if you can. It is utter foolishness to know a hurricane is coming but then fail to make this provision for yourself.

3. Get all your laundry done up ahead of time.

4. Make sure you have plenty of batteries and lanterns operated by batteries to provide you with light.

5. Make provision for maintaining your food that requires cold temps.

6. Board up your windows.

7. Get games around that will keep your family occupied while the wind is howling.

8. Electricity will go off, so be prepared to live without it and make preparations to do so. Get a camp stove to assist in your cooking if you expect to be out of power for a long period of time.

9. Make sure you have food on hand that can be prepared without heat. Think camping in the wilds.

10. If you have large trees close by your house, move out.

11. And do not fear. Be sensible. The people who die are the ones that do foolish things - as a rule.

12. Have the entire family involved in making preparations to deal with it. Don't be paranoid, don't panic but be sensible - like do not go outside while the wind is howling. The wind can be fierce and send a projectile your way and hit you, killing you.

13. With all this, pray. Asking God to give you wisdom as you make preparations. Just do not fear.

God bless and will keep you in our prayers...

ginnyrose

He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:29-31 esv)
Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10 nkjv)

Ginny, that's some great advise, and as another person that lives within 50 miles of the coast, I have been through many of them, even Carla back in the 60's, as you said you can't be to prepared.

Thank you all so very much for your prayers and encouragement. Its been hard moving clear across country and still not having really been able to find a fellowship to meet with. I am doing better now, I have stepped away from the weather reports for awhile and just following your advice ginnyrose and getting things done and praying, talking with JESUS. I live about 60 miles from Long Island Sound, I am in Enfield CT that is more inland. The real struggle for me is just there is so much unknown and not having any brothers or sisters to be with and share with. I do repent of this fear and worry and I do ask Jesus to strengthen me that I might be of use to HIM.

Thank you so very much words can not express what this has meant to me this morning knowing you who are in Christ having been praying for me!

with much love for you all
mj

Mary Jane,
May Jesus hold you in His arms of Love, and give you His Peace.
He has promised never to leave you nor forsake you.
Heb13:5 {Paraphased}
Nellie

Praying for you.

Ps 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Ps 46:2 Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
Ps 46:3 Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.

Maryjane

Do you live near the coast? If so you probably need to go further inland. Get yourself batteries from a radio as well as water and some non perishable food. You want to be able to have a supple of foods for at least a week because you don't know how much damage it will do. Use common sense with this storm.

I live in Central Florida and back in 2004 we had 3 hurricanes move through here. luckily we only lost power for 12 hours but we had a food supply and I had batteries. Then if and when the power does go out you can sing songs to God to take your mind off of the storm and use the time just to pray.

Let's be practical with this storm and not so superspiritual with it. There is a time and a place for everything.

He led them in safety, so that they were not afraid, but the sea overwhelmed their enemies.
(Psalms 78:53)

Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.
(Colossians 3:2-4)

… casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you.
(1 Peter 5:7)

Dear sister,
I live in Portsmouth, VA. I am going to go through the same hurricane with you. Let me invite you to rejoice in the Lord with me. You see, when trouble comes, it forces us to remember that we are dust, and to throw ourselves upon Christ. Far from being a curse, it is a blessing to the children of God, that we may see our Lord with greater clarity. When you look around you and all you see is a storm, you are forced to look beyond the storm, where the Lord is. Do you see the cleft of the rock? Go there… You will find peace that surpasses all understanding. There you will even see the glory of the Lord!

Safe in Christ Jesus,
Renoncer

A friend of mine said yesteday... "earthquake and a hurricane in one week. This means Jesus is coming real soon!"

I said "No... it just means there is a fault line in Virginia, and it's hurricane season

-------------------------------------------

Let's think about that first quote, Jesus is coming because of 2 natural disasters? Now, is that really discernment of the spirit? It is more like an overgrown child is reacts to a situation rather than understanding the situation.
My wife is from the Philippines and they get earthquakes and typhoons ALOT. Does this mean God is constantly judging that nation as a result? THey live along the ring of fire and are in line of the typhoon zone. Yet, is that a judgment of God.

Again I say to those in the path of this storm, while you are singing your praises to God get your practical needs together in case the house is damaged in whatever condition. You don't want to be in a position of having to rely on others for your needs. It would be better to have your needs already met there and then if you have plenty you can use it to help others. You just might become a witness of God after the storm but don't become a spiritual balloon in this.

MaryJane, being 60 miles inland should put you beyond the path of the ocean/water surge which causes extensive flooding. The biggest problem you will likely have is downed trees which can cut your electricity and phone service. Also make sure your cell phones are fully charged but make no unnecessary calls. The probability also exists that its service will be affected as well.

Just do the common sense thing and trust the LORD. He did give you a brain and expects people to use it! :-) And it sounds like you are! :-)

Prayer offered to the Lord on your behalf sister.

Jason Smith
Eastern Oregon.

Our prayer group prayed for you tonite, MaryJane....may the Lord flood you with His peace....

strengthen her lord in the power of your might

fill her with the spirit of your love that can cast out all fear ,,,hear you severnts lord amen

MaryJane,

There is one more thing I want to warn you about...

When storms are predicted, people will stock up on necessities, emptying shelves making some essentials hard to find. Then there may be someone who does have it and they will engage in what is called 'price gouging'. This is when the seller will charge outrageous prices for an item that is desperately needed by the people. So, I would encourage you to be sure you have plenty of gasoline, ice and other essentials on hand before the storm gets close. These are items that if you won't use during the storm can be used later.

Years ago during a hurricane this problem got bad in MS. Prices of ice and gasoline went through the roof. In response to this the state enacted laws prohibiting this practice.

(I think it was after Katrina, there were people from south Missippi who came up here with barrels to buy gasoline because there was none in the southern half of the state.)

Storms will provide a community an opportunity to show what you are. Will you loot because there is a flood, or your things are strewn about because of wind? or, will you leave things be? Something to think about...if it ain't yours you leave it or try to find its owner! (My husband has a relative whose car was stolen in the aftermath of the tornadoes back in April.)

God bless.

Thank you all so much for the much needed prayers, encouragement, and advice. I am still struggling with fear,(but God has given me peace too)I am taking time to stop every now and again to just pray, take a deep breath and rest in JESUS. I know God is in control through this all. I have done up all the laundry, cleaned my house from top to bottom and bought water, and some non perishable food items. I also made sure I had my bbq stocked with propane for cooking. I spoke with the water company and they did say that they are on generators so we will have water.(thank you Lord) They are saying the power will go out and could be out for days( praying for best case scenario here) we are expected to get many downed trees and this has me most worried because we have already had lots of rain(ground is soaked) and the trees in my back yard are huge twenty year old pines. Praying none of them come down. All my neighbors homes are surrounded by trees so praying for everyone! As far as flooding, I am not close to the CT River so that is good, there are some wet lands and small river about half mile from my home but I am up a hill from it so not considered a flood zone. Praying the drain systems will work well in the neighborhoods.

Both my son and husband are expected to be in to work on Monday so life does carry on. Its strange to me that no employers allow for time after this kind of thing but perhaps its better to keep people busy working I guess?

Those are some of the practical side of getting things done. For what truly matters in all of this, I am praying for the families around me to be safe, that during this time all of us would reflect on life and how empty it is with out JESUS! I pray that all would see their great and desperate need for CHRIST! My own boys, I pray and have been sharing with them, they sometimes think they are young and have all the time in the world but no one ever really knows the hour and day they will stand before the LORD. I am praying for them to see "now" is the time to seek GOD and to live for HIM only no matter what comes during or after this storm. The rain is suppose to start tomorrow and then on into Sunday, with the wind picking up Saturday night and at its worst Sunday. I will be praying often. I am trying not to give into fear, and to just trust in JESUS. HE really is all that matters.

Thank you again everyone over the next few days I will be really praying for any others in the midst of this storm and grateful for the prayers of my brothers and sisters here on SI. I pray that many hearts will turn to the LORD. God is awesome and I am reminded that if HE is with me all things are possible!!

God bless
maryjane

MaryJane,

There is one more thing I want to share...

I find storms fascinating, not because of the damage they inflict upon nature, but to witness the sheer power unleashed by that wind. It is awesome!

You see, hear that wind blow and there is absolutely nothing any human being can do to stop it! NOTHING! All you can do is work to protect your hide. You cannot stop that wind; no state legislature can stop it; no President can - whether he be Democrat or Republican, no dictator nor king. No amount of technology can stop it. It runs roughshod over everything.

To me this is a powerful demonstration of the power of God. He controls it because He is the Creator. When I heard, observed the wind we had during Katrina, I was amazed. It was awesome, if I may say so. Did you know this wind stayed here in our town at treetop level? And it roared...

Excessive wind damages buildings, uproots trees and any other thing that happens to get in its way. Somehow, when I see this happen, I also sense that God does not value things like man does. "Throw it away - get rid of it!" You don't do that to anything of value, but God does it to his creation..."get rid of the junk, got to clean up...!" Is God using storms to help people rid their lives of the junk that is there? the junk that interferes with repentance?

Ahhh, the power of God. And to think that someday He will roll the sky back and come with clouds! Can you imagine that? The wind we experience is but a hint of the power that will be demonstrated some day in which no man can limit or hide from.

Yes, storms are a powerful teacher - if you are a serious student.

Blessings,
ginnyrose

Ginnyrose,
I agree; it reminds us of the power of God, that He is to be greatly feared.

By His power He stilled the sea; by His understanding He shattered Rahab. By His wind the heavens were made fair; His hand pierced the fleeing serpent. Behold, these are but the outskirts of His ways, and how small a whisper do we hear of Him! But the thunder of His power who can understand?"
(Job 26:12-14)

When He gave to the wind its weight and apportioned the waters by measure, when He made a decree for the rain and a way for the lightning of the thunder, then He saw it and declared it; He established it, and searched it out. And He said to man, 'Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.'"
(Job 28:25-28)

"And now no one looks on the light when it is bright in the skies, when the wind has passed and cleared them. Out of the north comes golden splendor; God is clothed with awesome majesty. The Almighty--we cannot find Him; He is great in power; justice and abundant righteousness He will not violate. Therefore men fear Him; He does not regard any who are wise in their own conceit."
(Job 37:21-24)

It also reminds us of the coming storm that no one will escape, except those who have found shelter in Christ, our refuge:

Behold the storm of the LORD! Wrath has gone forth, a whirling tempest; it will burst upon the head of the wicked. The fierce anger of the LORD will not turn back until He has executed and accomplished the intentions of his mind. In the latter days you will understand this.
(Jeremiah 30:23-24)

Praise the Lord! He is to be feared!
(Psalm 96)

"our kids love to sit on the front porch with me and watch thunder storms roll thru... unless they start striking too close."

Me, too.

Nature's fireworks! Beautiful - just don't let it strike close or I might jump out of my skin!

Just wanted to come back one more time and say thanks again for the prayers. Right now in Ct. there are hundreds of thousands of people who have no power, and may not have it restored for days. There are many people whose homes are flooded and severely damaged by winds that they are now homeless. Its not just here in this state its many people all along the east coast. Please keep praying for these families as the days and weeks pass if the Lord leads you too. I know God is in control, He has been with me this entire time and I give thanks unto HIM. There will be many different opinions concerning this storm and the aftermath but for me I will always remember this time when I was in such great need and JESUS came for me. HE saved me as HE always does!

This afternoon as the clouds were clearing away and the winds had calmed down, I looked around my home, my neighbors homes and I gave thanks to JESUS for HIS love and mercy. Even when things are sometimes at there darkest, the light shines through.

God Bless you brothers and sisters
maryjane

“I know God is in control, He has been with me this entire time and I give thanks unto HIM. There will be many different opinions concerning this storm and the aftermath but for me I will always remember this time when I was in such great need and JESUS came for me. HE saved me as HE always does!”

AMEN MARYJANE !!!
Glad you are save!
Shalom,
Browny.

MaryJane,
You said, "There will be many different opinions concerning this storm and the aftermath but for me I will always remember this time when I was in such great need and JESUS came for me. HE saved me as HE always does!"

Praise the Lord! I am so happy to hear this!

Now that He has delivered you from the paw of the bear, you can have confidence before the giant. (1Samuel 17:37)

In Christ,
Renoncer

MaryJane,

How are you all doing? Did your husband and son get to work on Monday morning?

I check out the news a lot to stay informed about "Irene".... Many state governors declared their state a 'state of disaster' (or is it emergency?) before the hurricane hit. I think all of New England did except for Vermont and New Hampshire.

I keep thinking about Vermont. According to the news it says that all major roads in Vermont suffered flood damage. Other sources have also told me that New Englanders are stoic, independent people, closed to the gospel, being hardened by Unitarianism. My question: has this disaster softened their hearts towards God?

When we had those tornadoes this spring and you asked the survivors where they were they would end their story with "God was with us and protected us."

Just wondering...

by ginnyrose on 2011/8/30 3:55:50

MaryJane,

How are you all doing? Did your husband and son get to work on Monday morning?

I check out the news a lot to stay informed about "Irene".... Many state governors declared their state a 'state of disaster' (or is it emergency?) before the hurricane hit. I think all of New England did except for Vermont and New Hampshire.

I keep thinking about Vermont. According to the news it says that all major roads in Vermont suffered flood damage. Other sources have also told me that New Englanders are stoic, independent people, closed to the gospel, being hardened by Unitarianism. My question: has this disaster softened their hearts towards God?

When we had those tornadoes this spring and you asked the survivors where they were they would end their story with "God was with us and protected us."

Just wondering...

________________

Hi Ginnyrose
Thank you again for the great and much needed advice before this storm it really helped. We are doing fine. My husband and son were able to get to work but they did have to take alternate routes due to downed trees. My son in law works further south and was not able to get in because their offices are without water. Many towns along the rivers and down on the coast are really suffering the affects of this storm. Lots of flooding is still happening. There are still entire towns with out power as well.

Vermont is really been hit the worst. I just cried watching some of the videos. People there were not expecting what they got because so much attention was given toward NYC. I think it will be many weeks maybe even months before Vermont is able to come back from this. Some towns were completely under 4 or more feet of water.

Most of the churches in my immediate area are Catholic. There is a huge Catholic population here, more I think then any other. It has made finding fellowship very difficult. You hear a lot of people saying things like "mother nature took it easy on us," or "we got lucky and dodged a bullet." No one I have heard seems willing to give God the thanks HE deserves for helping us through. I will say this for as much history this area has in the Christian faith the people have lost that and its really sad to see. Sadly I have not heard people voicing the kinds of things you shared.

Thank you again for all your prayers. I do know all the glory goes to God, He was and is with us and I am thankful for HIS mercy.

God Bless
maryjane

Edit: I did want to clarify that what wrote above is just a sampling of those I and my family have come in contact around work and at stores. I do not know over all what others who have been hit much harder maybe thinking or their hearts on this storm in relation to God. I pray that many will call upon HIS name and I want to look for ways and opportunities during this time to share JESUS with those HE brings me into contact with.

Hope everybody's doing fine, I know many people were affected by the hurricane. My thoughts and prayers for you will always be there. Hurricane Irene left many deceased and several emotional scars not long healed. To add insult to injury, thousands now have to face the prospect of costly fixes to their damaged homes. And many concerned individuals are eager to help out those ruined by the natural devastation. But sadly, catastrophes like these also bring out those desperate to benefit from the already-devastated victims. The Better Business Bureau last Friday issued some steps you can take in sorting the legitimate from the unscrupulous. Article resource: Some contractors and charities taking advantage of Hurricane Irene. Stay safe people, pray for safety always.

"The Better Business Bureau last Friday issued some steps you can take in sorting the legitimate from the unscrupulous. Article resource: Some contractors and charities taking advantage of Hurricane Irene."

This caution and warning is justified! In the aftermath of the tornadoes that struck Tuscaloosa, unscrupulous contractors swindled people out of their money. A 'contractor' will ask you how much insurance paid you. You tell him and he will tell you he can rebuild you a house for that amount of money. You agree to let him do it, pay him and then he vanishes, never to be seen again.

Be very careful!

BTW, MaryJane, am glad you are doing OK.

Now we are eyeing a tropical storm on our coast and we are hoping so much it will come up our way and give us much needed rain. Our tree leaves are falling, yard grasses are turning brown: we are very dry. Yes, we desperately need rain..and Texans are wishing this storm would come their way and stay a while, as well!

ginnyrose

Yes I saw that Tropical storm Lee was heading toward the south. Will be in prayer for you to get the rain you all need so much. We are due to get more rain I keep praying these storms would head down toward Texas and give them the rain they need too.

Also thank you for the warning about shady people attempting to steal or take advantage of those who have lost everything. Sadly this happens all to often. We are beginning to see some tempers flare here due to the extended days people have been with out power. It has been very hard on the elderly and those families with young children and not much means for these kinds of events. The one thing I will say about CT it is so expensive and I mean that. Everything here is really expensive, in fact there are many families that barely make it because of the cost of living. This storm will only make things that much harder. God is still in control though and we place our trust and faith in HIM while looking for opportunities to be faithful servants to others.

God Bless
mj

Never pay a contractor up front. A good contractor will do the work first and then collect on the invoice.