A Word of Encouragement

August 21, 2026

Pergola, After the Wind - July 2024

Grace, Hope & Peace, Friend;

In July 2024, we experienced a windstorm that, in addition to taking the ridge cap off our roof, blew down a lot of trees in the Missoula area - damaging a lot of homes! I was reminded of this as I read Psalm 148 - another Psalm believed to have been written around the time of the dedication of the second temple in Jerusalem.

Titled 'The Whole Creation Invoked to Praise the Lord,' it calls on everything in the Universe - from immense stars to little children - to bring praise to the creator.

As I read it, these verses brought back memories of our windstorm;

Praise the Lord from the earth, sea monsters, and all the ocean depths; fire and hail, snow and clouds; stormy wind, fulfilling His word;
emphasis mine	Psalm 148:7-8

All creation serves God!

When the disciples were caught in a storm, with Jesus sleeping in the boat, they were terrified and woke Him saying, "Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?" (Mark 4:38)

He got up and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, "Hush, be still." And the wind died down and it became perfectly calm.
	Mark 4:39

Jesus asked His disciples, "Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?" - "Don't you trust Me yet?" The disciples said to each other, "Who, then, is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?" (Vs. 40-41)

"Who then is this?" The answer is clear, "This is God, who all creation obeys! - Even death yielded to Him!"

We were helpless before the storm in 2024 and several similar storms before and after that. All we could do was trust God as the house shook and we watched another pergola destroyed!

"I know the plans that I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans for prosperity and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope."
	Jeremiah 29:11

Yahweh-HaRibbon - Lord, only sovereign - thank You that You are in control of every situation and You call on us to trust You.

They are to praise the name of the Lord, for His name alone is exalted; His majesty is above earth and heaven.
	Psalm 148:13

Even the storms of life,