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First Word Smile at the Storm The cold winds of secularism, skepticism, sin, and death blow strong in our day. This “perfect storm” tries to steer the ship of faith onto jagged, brutal rocks of agnosticism, even atheism. For many, trust in the God of the Bible is tested like never before. A friend e-mailed me this concern: He had heard (on radio, no less) a report that another CoG7 minister and I no longer endorse the Bible truth about Christ, that we “think it’s all a lie.” Let me explain why someone may have thought that. Two years ago, the premature death of a close friend and co-servant sent shock waves into my spiritual core and left hairline cracks at the surface. I reflected on my partial recovery in this space last March, well aware that many readers have been through much worse — and with less soul-trauma. Though I admit to being a recovering addict to the unresolved whys and wherefores of God’s ways with man, still I assured my friend that I’ve resolved to remain a Jesus follower and die in this faith at the end. So help me, Lord. Staying afloat in this storm means we need fresh, divine encounters that keep us both anchored and ruddered toward Kingdom Harbor. In a Rio Grande Valley Sabbath morning class on the tabernacle, I asked, “What is your Most Holy Place — that earthly location in which God came nearest or where you go to meet Him regularly?” Several students mentioned the church; others, their pillow or a car, a hospital bed — even childbirth. More than one related stories of severe illness or testing. One asked what my answer would be. For me, God whispers loudest in His Word; through His people — the love, acceptance, and forgiveness shown by fellow pilgrims; and in the outdoors, on any nature trail. Encountering heaven’s God often happens in very earthy ways. In reading the Book, in our mutual fellowship, and in a dozen or hundred places each week, we sense anew that God is faithful even when we are less faith-full than we’d hoped (2 Timothy 2:13). Our hope is that items in this BA, like those on prayer (pp. 4-6, 8-9), will help keep you trusting the Christ who rules wind and wave. Gales persist. Torrents rage. Collateral damage appears. A man goes overboard. The tempest may worsen before it’s finally spent. No fear: The grand old ship of faith goes on steadily. Our Anchor holds! — Calvin Burrell
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