HAITI - are you Weathering the Storm of Your Life? Fighting for your very soul .. While others watch and wonder about God's Wrath against Haiti's Pact with the devil? According to the RedNeckRush - contrary to all that is being said about Pat Robertson - he may very well become the "patron saint" of Haiti! while Haiti was under the boot of the French, they may very well have made a pact with the devil! I listened and it was clear to me that Pat Robertson was "troubled in his soul" .. and moved to speak what he knew would not be accepted and would be controversial. If you think "pins in voodoo dolls" ... and "chicken blood" is what SAVES - Dream On!

The problem with Haiti might be that the last time they experienced a “mountaintop moment” in that country might have been when they gained their freedom from the FRENCH. I am by no means a historian , but I believe the French were big on Catholisism in all their provinces. Now I wonder what the "statistics" are on "religion" in Haiti?

Every time I hear something about Haiti ... two or three images come to my mind. Some old scenes from a James Bond movie Live and Let Die - remember Actor Geoffrey Holder as the Haitian voodoo loa of the dead .. maybe the worst villian ever ? The next mind picture may be that of Dr. François Duvalier, known as "Papa Doc" who was the President of Haiti and he announced himself President for Life. He ruled until his death in 1971 in a regime marked by autocracy, corruption and state-sponsored terrorism through his private militia .. and thirdly ... and most predominatly the mind image or mind picture I get of Haiti is "VOODOO" ..

After a little on line research, here is what I find ... and you really need to wonder about this? Roman Catholicism is the official religion of Haiti, but voodoo may be considered the country's "national religion" ... The majority of Haitians believe in and practice at least some aspects of voodoo. Most voodooists believe that their religion can coexist with Catholicism. Let's Be CRYSTAL CLEAR FOLKS - there is no Voodoo in Christianity!

If you are Haitian please remember that Jesus is the "bread of life" .. the "lamb of God" .. and when the storm arose while Jesus slept .. and His deciples were out on the Sea of Galilee and their fear took over amidst the roaring waves crashing over the boat - Jesus’ chosen ones failed to recall the lessons they had learned and "witnessed" about the power and purposes of their leader - Jesus Christ.

When trouble strikes, we sometimes forget our knowledge of God too. We struggle to recall past answers to prayer, specific guidance provided by the Holy Spirit, and lessons learned in previous crises. Only the present seems real... all the destruction and injuries - our minds spin with desperation and our troubled emotions inhibit clear thinking. In our own strength, we lack sufficient resources and abilities to meet life's challenges - and the practice of VOODOO does not please God. So God provides what we need, as we need it - sometimes even disaster, suffering and pain.

Remember this as you learn again to pray - this whole earthquake in haiti is not some big surprise to God. He knows everything you are going through, and He is orchestrating your circumstances according to His good will. Reflecting on the divine purpose in hardship can help us respond to trials in a God-honoring way - like turning toward God in prayer. Take a moment and fix your attention on the Lord GOD of the Bible - and seek to understand what he wants all of us to learn through this disaster - Haiti's Dark Moment.

Could God possibly be seeking a "cleansing" or "baptism" of the spirit in Haiti? I know that in my life, because of my own "flesh nature" and my own "self-absorbtion" in the world we live in - it is easy to develop wrong attitudes, selfish and mixed-up priorities, and many ungodly habits - most resulting in sin. The pressures that bear down on us from catastrophic events and stormy situations are meant to bring these "impurities" to our attention and direct us to a place of repentance. We know that "trials" such as this are intended to purify and guide the soul back toward godliness, not to ruin our lives - for I do not believe that God enjoys our destruction.

Could God use this Haitian tradgedy and all this human difficulty the world is witnessing so that others will be compassionate and seek to bring comfort to others in Haiti? God's work we witness in our life is not always intended for us, but is designed to reach a world that does not recognize or acknowledge Him. How many people might see the challenges in Haiti as a means to equip and bring the Gospel of Jesus ... the words in "RED" to others. As we all experience suffering, pain, hurts, lonliness, and fear - we will learn about God's sufficiency, His comforting presence, and His strength to help us endure - IF WE TURN TO HIM.

Imagine the "real life testimony" that so many Haitian's will bring from this pain and time of fear and all the times of difficulty that so many will experience as authentic. Those to whom God will minister .. will recognize that God alone fully knows and understands your pain in Haiti. Remember what God promises you - He'll provide a path through any trial.

Just meditate on the Psalm of David... Psalm 23..

1 The Lord is my shepherd;
I have all that I need.
2 He lets me rest in green meadows;
he leads me beside peaceful streams.
3 He renews my strength.
He guides me along right paths,
bringing honor to his name.
4 Even when I walk
through the darkest valley,[a]
I will not be afraid,
for you are close beside me.
Your rod and your staff
protect and comfort me.
5 You prepare a feast for me
in the presence of my enemies.
You honor me by anointing my head with oil.
My cup overflows with blessings.
6 Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me
all the days of my life,
and I will live in the house of the Lord
forever.

The most important thing God gives us is an awareness of His presence. If you believe you are alone in this terrifying earthquake and amidst all this disaster - just recognized JESUS for who He is - the Son of the Most High God! Let your focus be on Him and your fear will be changed to relief and hope - not in America, or France or any other nation or government - BUT IN JEHOVAH SHAMMAH - Your God and Your "ever-present" Friend! Right now you may not sense God's presence during this crisis - you may be focused on your pain, your missing fingers, the head wound or the death of so many loved ones around you - But GOD has promised always to be with us in Hebrews 13:5 - for He Himself has said, "I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU," - this assurance that the Lord will never leave you provides immediate comfort, an infusion of courage, and a sense of confidence to endure - you have God's Word if you are willing to accept it!

No one enjoys suffering and pain - But in the hands of almighty God, these trials can become tools. He uses hardship to shape and motivate believers into the people He intends them to be - maybe to stand against VOODOO - because He has something far more important to teach the people of Haiti? Just remember - JESUS wanted the disciples, His own personal, "hand picked" and closest friends - to recognize their own helplessness, His sufficiency, and their dependence on Him.

Ask God to reveal His abiding presence in the midst of your trouble. We will do our best to continue to lift you up in prayer and ask God to provides for your spiritual needs .. and those phisical needs - both to your benefit to endure and grow stronger in our Christian faith.