Running toward chaos

A well-respected pastor I know, Dr. Brian Clark, says as Christians, “We should run toward chaos, not away from it.”

Brian knows our natural inclination when we see calamity gathering steam is to fly from it. It takes an act of the will and God’s abundant grace to choose to move toward it.

Here in the South, we have abundant chaos.

Hurricane Florence ravaged coastal cities and inland her destructive path has left many areas underwater.  Wilmington N.C., isolated by floodwaters needs food and water airlifted into the area. Rivers still on the rise from torrential rains threaten to set historic records.

Here in Georgia, at first we thought Florence might take a swipe at us, but forecasts changed and she moved more toward the east and north. With sunny skies today, it might be easy to forget our neighbors are living a nightmare.

But let’s not do that. God would call us to run toward this chaos.

One of my favorite ways to do this is through Samaritan’s Purse who addition to their Operation Christmas Child efforts also provides disaster relief.

That’s why I was especially excited to be asked to submit to several collections through Grace Publishing. Authors receive no royalties through these collections and all proceeds are donated to Samaritan’s Purse.

Just last week, the newest collection released, Moments with Billy Graham. When I read the subtitle, I criedAmerica’s preacher whose ministry led to our changed lives. Those words certainly reflect the way I felt about Billy Graham in the piece I wrote for the collection.

I have two new books out, Faith in the Fashion District and The Key to Everything, and yes, yes, yes, please buy them, but now I’m asking you to buy Moments with Billy Graham. Billy Graham’s ministry will continue to change lives through this collection as the proceeds go out to provide relief.
 
In a statement on the Samaritan’s Purse website, I found CEO Franklin Graham echoes the theme of this post, “We don't run from disasters – we run to them. We go to help people in Jesus' Name. We work all over the world like this. And in every heartbreaking situation, I hear people from all walks of life say: ‘We’re just glad we have our lives and each other,’ and, ‘My faith in God is the one thing that’s giving me hope.’”

Billy Graham’s daughter, Gigi, wrote the forward to this collection and in a few weeks, I hope to have the privilege of meeting her at a special presentation in Asheville.

So friends, here’s an opportunity to do one small thing to run toward chaos  and also read amazing testimonies of how Billy Graham’s ministry has changed lives.

"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble" (Psalm 46:1).

HERE for Moments with Billy Graham.
HERE for more about Samaritan's Purse and volunteering with them.

If you are reading this on your phone and would like to explore more at One Ringing Bell, scroll to click on the web version  at the bottom of the screen.

So grateful for all God is doing with Faith in the Fashion District--how one woman's life on Seventh Avenue launched a lifetime in ministry. If you don't have a copy  or need one for a gift, HERE. 



The Key to Everything has just released as an ebook. Available HERE.
A key can open more than a door. 

A story of forgiveness.