Perseverance: 1. steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose, a state, etc., especially in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement.

2.Theology . continuance in a state of grace to the end, leading to eternal salvation

My area of the world has been hit with a huge challenge.  I am not going to pretend that I was personally hit hard by Hurricane Sandy but I will say my state was.  All of the North East Coast was rocked beyond belief.  Towns like Point Pleasant, Belmar, Seaside Heights and even world-famous cities like Asbury Park and Atlantic City will never be the same.  Up north in Long Island, NY, many people not only had flood and wind damage but they also had a huge fire that burnt a town to the ground.  There are many more towns and people who will never be the same.

What will happen now?  What will people do?

Many are just thankful they are alive as well as their families are alive.  I do send my condolences to those who lost loved ones.  People will pick themselves up.  They will rebuild.  They will now become stronger.  They will PERSEVERE.

James 1:2-4 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.  Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Again I will not pretend I know what these people are going through.  I only lost power and a tree.  I do know that this is just a trial and these people will be stronger physically, mentally, and spiritually if they hold on to hope and hold on to faith.  They will succeed at rebuilding their houses, lives, and homes.  They will not be alone because they will have help from their brothers and sisters.  We will all pull together and persevere.

So here is what we can do.  Donate……. Money, Items, Time!  Any will do.  Something as small as a clean pair of socks can go a long way.  There are many organizations collecting items right now.  I will list some here that I know of.

http://www.facebook.com/#!/events/134282933386328/

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=tn_tnmn#!/events/191327464325617/

http://www.facebook.com/events/501536356532394/?suggestsessionid=1351903573

http://www.facebook.com/events/501536356532394/?suggestsessionid=1351903573#!/events/417299598325338/

217Church at the AMC Hamilton will be collecting Sunday November 4, 2012 10am Service and 11:30 Service.

I know I am very fortunate, by the Grace of God, to not have had my house taken from me.  I also know that if I do nothing then I waste God’s Grace.  I must act!  I must help my brothers and sisters.  I will not sit on the sidelines.  I will get in the game and help others PERSEVERE.

James 2:14-17 What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

Let us do good works for our brothers and sisters so they may have faith.