Divine Assistance

Have I ever told you about the man that lived by the river?

Frank Cartwright lived in a modest home not far from the Androscoggin River. One day, there was a radio broadcast saying that a dam upstream had failed and the surrounding areas would be flooded. Local authorities were issuing mandatory evacuations. Frank grew up as a devout Christian, and he reasoned that if he prayed, God would come down Himself and save him.

As the waters rose, a neighbor came by in a rowboat and offered to take Frank to safety. Frank smiled and declined saying that he loved the Lord all his life and if God loved him, He would come to personally save Frank in his plight. A little while later, the flood waters had risen higher and Frank was in his bedroom on the second floor. A bright light came through the window and he heard a loud voice. It was the National Guard in a helicopter offering to lower a basket for Frank to climb into and they'd take him to safety. Frank grabbed his bullhorn and told the pilot that if God loved him as much as Frank loved Him, then He would save him.

Well, Frank drowned. Standing at the Pearly Gates, he looks at Saint Peter and DEMANDS an audience with the Lord. He goes before the Almighty and states his case plainly. "Lord," he said; "I loved and served You my entire life. I thought that when I really needed You, You would save me." The Lord thinks about this statement for a moment, looks at Frank and says "My son; I do love you, more than you can possibly could imagine. I tried to save you, three times. I sent you a radio broadcast, a neighbor in a rowboat and a National Guard helicopter pilot. I have one question for you. What in the Hell are you doing here?!"

I tell this story because sometimes when we're in need of help from God, we expect Him to personally intervene. Frank was counting on that so much that he ignored the three times that God tried to save him. My point is this, sometimes God sends help in ways we don't expect.
Please share this with your families and friends. I don't take credit for coming up with the story. I actually don't know who told it originally, I only added some details.

Back where I belong

"In my Father's house, there are many dwelling places." John 14:2

 I felt like it was about time to start going to church again. I had been away for almost a year, and things were weighing down on me. I stopped going last year after I started having doubts as to whether I should stay involved in a ministry. It was not my will that prompted me to attend church services, however. It was the Spirit calling me back into the house of my God, my Strength, my Redeemer and my Lord. The Lord was softly knocking on the door to my heart, and I answered. Anyone that knows me can tell you that I grew up as a Catholic and I still am, mostly. When I was living in the UK a few years ago (a decade, now that I remember <shock>), I attended Evensong services at the local Anglican church (Saint John's; Bridge St, Derby) as a way of centering myself after a long day. I would attend Mass on Sunday at the local Catholic church, but the Anglican parish was more welcoming and warmer (in more than one sense). Anyhow, I went to the 10 o'clock service at Saint Thomas on Sunday and felt at home almost right away. There was a banner in the vestibule that said "welcome home", and this was echoed by the congregation members that I met and Reverend Garrity. It had been awhile since I used the Book of Common Prayer and a separate Hymnal, so that took a wee bit of getting the hang of, but I think that will get easier with practice (and some Post-it notes). I think that I might have found a new community, but we'll see I guess.