Monday, November 17, 2008

Susan's Poem of Praise

Our Pilgrim Pal Susan posted the following concerning their church, Kindred Community Church. We have much to praise God for! - David


By the grace of God

Our church still stands


From the fire and winds

Sparks and embers flew wild


The peril was great

The dangers many


He gave courage to men

Emboldened them to take a stand


The fire burned close

As it neared our beloved cross


Fire burned hot

Ash rained down


Prayers of the faithful were raised

Pleading for God’s mercy and grace


Homes nearby went up in flames

By God’s grace…lives were spared


As ash and cinders fell

Flames dared to touch the sign


But God used men

Everyday heroes to accomplish His will


By the grace of God

Our church still stands


May we never take for granted

That this building will be here one more day


May we thank God for the privilege to worship Him here

The body of Christ united…at Kindred


By the grace of God

Our church still stands


Susan Bunts Wachtel

November 15, 2008


How easy it is to be complacent…take for granted that our church will always be here for us to assemble and worship our Lord and Savior.


But as the ash rained down…and smoke filled the sky when we looked toward the east our hearts were burdened to pray for God’s mercy and grace in these circumstances.


Thank you Lord…for answering our prayers…and protecting the building called Kindred Community Church. We are most grateful. Thank you for sending brave men…ordinary citizens…to stand in the gap. We thank you for the firefights who willingly put their lives on the lines. We pray for those who have lost their homes in the fires. We pray for relief for all effected by the fires.


The pictures above are of our beloved cross…the sight of which I love so very much. They were taken just last Sunday…on a cloud filled rainy day. When I see it from a distance…it so reminds me of God’s love and His power in my life and circumstances. When I see it…my stress level starts to melt away.


Who would have thought that just a week later…our church building would lie in the path of wildfires. Well our God knew that…nothing takes Him by surprise. Today…He protected our church home. While tomorrow…we will not meet as a church body…you can be sure that the members of Kindred will be one in giving thanks to our God for His mercy and grace bestowed upon our church.


Just a few miles away…in the middle of moving to a new apartment, my husband Chris and I looked up into the sky as the smoke clouds increased and the sun turned red.


We were amazed at God’s hand upon us as we heard the news that apartments we had considered moving to just a couple weeks earlier…had just gone up in flames. 50 apartment homes were lost. By the grace of God…so far no lives have been lost.


Below are the pictures taken with my cell phone. The ash was poured down…and breathing was difficult…and we were several miles from the fire. I can’t even imagine how horrible it would be for those much closer and in the path of the flames.







3 comments:

Amrita said...

Praise God for His protection.

Terry said...

Dear Susan.. It IS very incredible that no lives were lost and that your church still stands.
Probably with all those people who have lost so much, the members of the Kindred Church will be offering helping hands.
I am so glad that you hadn't moved that apartment building like you were going to.
"Before they call, I will answer".
Still thinking about you and praying ...Love Terry

Felisol said...

In times of need, we easier believe and find comfort in the Almighty God.
He never fails to prove that He is who He has promised to be.
Amen.
From Felisol