Subscription Lists
Chip Shots from the Ruff of Life
by Tom Kelley
New Orleans is still reeling in the aftermath of the deadly hurricane that assaulted her two years ago. The city's population is nowhere close to being what it was and many of its mainline businesses have not returned. Displaced homeowners have relocated to other areas of Louisiana or have moved completely out of state. The devastation that the city experienced was simply too much for many of its people. It is difficult to restart businesses in communities that don't exist anymore within a city.
Enterprise, Alabama lost some of its brightest hope for the future when a school building collapsed as the result of a tornado. Young lives were lost as teenagers were unable to avoid the sudden crush of debris when brick and mortar gave way to winds in excess of one hundred and fifty miles per hour. The teens that were interview were in a state of shock that it could have happened just that quickly. One moment they were walking through a hallway. Moments later, their classmates were buried under the rubble.
The wind is a powerful force. Amazingly, for such a powerful force, it cannot be seen, only felt. Yet, its effects are so painfully visible that we know its existence all too well. Wind has whipped up huge waves that have flooded cities. It has uprooted trees that were thought to be indestructible. It has rendered powerful utility companies completely powerless. Its wake is one in which man stands in humility realizing that, for all his ingenuity, he has yet to be able to protect himself against the wind's ravages.
Last evening I listened to the effects of the wind at the home of one of our church members. As I approached Marie Warfield's back porch I could hear her wind chimes playing their random notes that somehow sounded as sweet as any song I had ever heard. Yes, the wind can be a terrible force, but it can also be a wonderful blessing. A cool breeze on a hot summer day breaks the heat and refreshes us. Several areas of the United States have harnessed the wind's strength to produce energy where other sources are not available. What is truly fascinating is that the writers of the Bible used two words for wind to describe the Spirit of God.
"Ruach," in the Hebrew, and "pneuma," in the Greek, are both words which mean breath or wind. Both are used by the holy men of God who were inspired to write what we call the Bible. What was it that inspired them? "For prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit." 2 Peter 1:21 Moved by the Holy Spirit, the "pneumatos hagiou." The sanctified, set apart wind. How well we serve the Son of God is greatly determined by how well we allow that sanctified wind to move us. The Holy Spirit is the power of God in our lives. How appropriate that He is likened to one of the most powerful forces we know on earth.
Rate it:
...He was the Minister of the Minorsville Christian Church located near Stamping Ground, KY.
...Becky and Tom have three children; John, single and in worship ministry in Nicholasville, Kentucky; Sean, married (Jennifer, elementary school teacher) with twins (Grace and Patrick, b.d. 10/31/04) and regional director of Papa John's Pizza in Central KY; Kara, married (Vince Taylor, prison guard) and working with Hospice East in Winchester, KY.
...Tom went to be with the Lord on November 13, 2009 after a lengthy battle with cancer. If you have been touched by Tom's writings please send an email to Tom's son at jkelley@catalystchristian.net
Receive the newest devotional each week in your inbox by joining the "Chip Shots from the Ruff of Life" subscription list. Enter your email address below, click "Go!" and we will send you a confirmation email. Follow the instructions in the email to confirm your addition to this list.