Tag: #texas

Beryl Barreling Across the Country

Posted on by jonithetentmaker

Hey everyone! How’s your day going? If you’re in Houston, Texas, I bet you’re feeling the rain—we all know living at or below sea level has its risks. Back when we were in Fulshear, just outside Houston, we saw it firsthand.

Why choose to live where storms practically beckon their arrival, wreaking havoc on land, homes, and lives? The people. That’s why. When Hurricane Harvey slammed our area, communities rallied. People like Mattress Mack and JJ Watt stepped up, providing water, shelter, and support before official help arrived. First Responders were superheroes, on duty non-stop.

Our small church was right there, too, being the hands and feet of God. It’s the same spirit you’ll see with Hurricane Beryl. Houston isn’t just big—it’s a giant family.

The Bible gets it right about community. We don’t just survive with government directives; we thrive with neighbors, friends, pastors, and churches who embody Jesus’s love. Galatians 6:2 nails it: “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ.”

What is the law of Christ?

Jesus told them in Matthew 22:37-40 when asked about God’s law: Love God wholeheartedly, and love your neighbor as yourself. That’s it. That’s the ultimate truth—a fist-bump moment! Imagine being there when Jesus dropped that mic.

And that is what we need as a country to become one big family! Put the politics aside in the months to come and give it to Jesus to resolve. I heard a Pastor in Charlotte give an amazing imagery concerning politics and the anxiety it can bring you. Below is my representation.

Having the lamb in the right place in our lives will make it so much easier!

Don’t forget to see how your church or family can help those affected by Beryl.

God Bless You!

I Asked God for A Sign

Posted on by jonithetentmaker

On Tuesday, June 16, it was time for my five-year colonoscopy and upper endoscopy. Have you ever noticed how time flies when these medical re-checks come around? I thought about holding a protest over the “five-year” rule and demand it be every eight years. To my great disappointment, media interest was null, so I dropped my protest idea.

All joking aside, the day before the procedure had arrived and prep time was a “go!” After doing the first part of the prep for the colonoscopy, I had to wait until 3 am Tuesday morning for the second part of the prep. Knowing I would not sleep anyway, I found myself mindlessly channel flicking throughout and into the early morning hours. Can you imagine not one good old movie was on! Before my 3 am alarm went off, I thought it was the perfect time to read my bible and say my prayers.

During my prayers, I asked God to give me a sign everything was going to be okay, it was all under His control, and He was there with me. Also, to make it simple for me to understand. Even though the procedure would be at an outpatient facility, and we were notified of the protocol because of COVID 19, I was a little concerned.

After doing my 3 am prep, 6 am and time to leave for the facility arrived quickly, especially when you are in the bathroom the whole time. We left and made it to the facility with 15 minutes to spare, and by ten til 7, I needed to go inside and use the restroom. By 7 am, we were inside and going through the admittance procedures, and then we would sit in our socially distant seats to wait for the nurse to call me back. Buddy would have to go to the car to wait for me when I went to the surgical area. No sign had appeared yet.

About 15 minutes later, the nurse came to the doorway and called my name. I had my plastic insert from my purse, which contained my phone and some other items they wanted me to have with me, like my inhalers. Upon reaching the nurse, the first thing she says to me is, “Buc-ees!” The back of my phone has a Buc-ee the beaver button. I inhaled a deep breath and sigh. There was my sign!

Spending the last eight years in Texas, you get to know Bucees. It is a glorified gas station and store. Buc-ees sells items made by people in Texas, and it has some of the best food and BBQ, and the cleanest bathrooms in the world. I am not joking about the bathrooms because these are their pride and joy. Eighteen wheelers are not allowed, and there are spaces to walk your dog with poop bags provided. They pay above regular wages, give great incentives and insurance to their employees. Finally, a business done right! And the owners will never franchise because they have incredibly high standards that they do not want to depend on others to initiate.

You are probably wondering how Buc-ees can be a sign from God. My nurse was raised in Dallas and went to college at A&M at College Station, Texas. We talked about Texas and Buc-ees. And I felt very peaceful.

For this to be a coincidence is very unlikely, especially since we are in North Carolina now. And yes, I believe when God planned my future, He knew then that I would ask for a sign. So if you think about how every detail had to be aligned in both of our lives to make this happen, it is mind-blowing. And that is how much God loves all of us!

He loves you the same way!

As always, God Bless You!