Colorado burning...

Those are scary headlines and the pictures are real.

What does it mean? 

Unprecedented fires are bringing suffering, loss and anxiety.  

“Unsettled” would describe the general attitude across Colorado.

Just yesterday Richard Clinton, Pastor of the Colorado Springs Vineyard was standing with a group of people who had just watched their homes burn to the ground.  They were in shock as Richard listened, and prayed with several of them.  

C Springs churches are rallying together, and churches across the state are mobilizing to go and help with cleanup and relief efforts.  They are estimating several months for that work, and the fires are only 5% contained…

I’m sure God is grieving over the losses, the damage to His people and to His creation.

What can we do?

We can pray…

For rain
For the firefighters
For those who have lost their homes
For those being threatened
For local church communities as they reach out to comfort and serve

We can look for ways to respond…

Right now we are organizing cleanup and relief efforts with the C Springs Vineyard -- Info on when teams are going will be provided in the next few days
Email reliefefforts@shvchurch.org if you want more info or to be part of a team
We are already partnering with Convoy of Hope with financial support in their efforts with Ft Collins churches to provide relief in Northern Colorado
Give Online as we’ll be turning designated donations into relief efforts with families in C Springs 

Here is more info from the Denver Post 

http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_20935254/how-assist-colorado-wil

FYI, our food bank will continue serving those who show up

It is always good in unsettling times to seek God, to humble ourselves and pray.

I’ll continue our teaching series on “experiencing Trust” this Sunday and give an update on relief efforts.

Check out these Scriptures of hope

The prayer of a person living right with God is something powerful to be reckoned with. Elijah, for instance, human just like us, prayed hard that it wouldn't rain, and it didn't—not a drop for three and a half years. Then he prayed that it would rain, and it did. The showers came and everything started growing again.  James 5:17-18 MSG Version

The thief comes with the sole intention of stealing and killing and destroying, but I came to bring them life, and far more life than before.  John 10:10 JBP

Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14 NLT

Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep.  Romans 12:15 NLT