A Stormy Week

This time of year in Mississippi is what I call the "transitional season". Winter is almost over and Spring is just a few weeks away and the weather is confused! Unfortunately, it usually translates into strong storms which quickly turn severe and pose a tornadic threat.

We have 3 opportunities this week to see active weather.

Tuesday morning, between 3am-Noon, a warm front will lift north through the state. Storms could form west of I-55.

A cold front will approach west Mississippi and slow down Wednesday. This will keep the weather unsettled and stormy in the morning which could continue through the afternoon.

A cold front will finally move through the state Friday. Therefore, storms will be possible throughout the day time and night time.

With all 3 events this week, we need to stay weather aware. We always get complaints when viewers lose their electricity or the satellite feed from their provider. This is all the more reason to have a NOAA Weather Radio so you are prepared should that happen and you can be woken up should a tornado be spotted in your area.

I'll be with you throughout all of the events on WLBT, my Facebook and Twitter pages.

Transparent Prayer

I've been trying to teach my young children the importance of praying about everything. Whether they are not feeling well one day or if they're needing help understanding something with their school work, prayer needs to be their first line of defense.

If we pray for healing, it will be to be of better service to God. But if we stay sick, we will strive to honor God through it. If we pray for a job, it will be to use our position and resources to build his kingdom and not our own. But if we can't find a job, we will use our time and struggles to glorify God. No matter what we're praying about, we will put God first in everything. All prayer should lead us to him.

Psalm 66:19 says, "But certainly God has heard me. He has given heed to the voice of my prayer."

Why we pray influences what we pray for. If we pray primarily to get what we want, then our prayers will become selfish and short-sighted, serving only our interests. But if we pray to know God and to glorify God, then our prayers will put God right where he belongs--at the center of things. This means we will pray for those things that honor and make God happy, even if we are praying for our own needs.

I had seen a bumper sticker on a car the other day that read: Prayer Changes Things. And while that is true, I'll take it step further: prayer changes me and then I change things!

Dealing With Fear

Driving up the Natchez Trace to Tupelo was an easy ride. I enjoyed the slow drive, not rushing and looking at the farmland and vegetation. Driving south back home on the Natchez Trace was totally different. The fog was as thick as pea soup, it was dark, raining, and I heard all sorts of animal calls and insects. It wasn't fun. In fact, it was downright scary.

There will be times in your life when things are easy and enjoyable. And then something will happen suddenly that turns your pleasantness into fear and suffering.

2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 says, "Now may the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work."

God's greatest gift to us is the Holy Spirit. Our gift to God is ourselves, offered as living sacrifices. But God needs a tool, or a chisel, to transform our lives. And the tool He often uses is adversity--difficult times, struggles, opposition and suffering. Adversity is necessary for growth. In our adversity, God becomes present and active. The gift He gives us in our hour of need is Himself; nothing more, nothing less.

We often ask God for tangible gifts or outcomes to our cries for help. Many of the things we ask for are legit and reasonable.

But what we really need is simply God, present and active in our lives.

Severe Weather Saturday

After receiving 6.16" of rain in Jackson since February 1, more rain is on the way tonight and Saturday.

For anyone traveling across south Mississippi, the Mississippi Gulf Coast or New Orleans this weekend, pack your rain boots and your NOAA Weather Radio.

As an area of low pressure hugs south Mississippi, plenty of moisture will stream in from the Gulf of Mexico helping to fuel the unstable atmosphere. Heavy rain will begin to move in overnight Friday. By Saturday morning, storms will break out and increase in intensity. These storms could contain damaging winds and isolated tornadoes.

Here's a graphical depiction from the NWS. Find your county/area and see what's expected:

Make sure you stay weather aware throughout the weekend. The severe weather will be gone early Sunday morning and we'll be left with some sunshine and cooler temperatures.

(Barbie will be the guest speaker at Williamsville Baptist Church near Kosciusko Saturday morning.)

Valentines Blood Drive

Mississippi Blood Services has a great need right now---blood donations of all types.

That's why Clarion Ledger editoral cartoonist Marshall Ramsey and I are teaming up again for a Valentines Day Blood Drive Tuesday beginning at 6am!

Blood donors will receive free lunch and dinner provided by the Pizza Shack and will be entered to win free movie passes from Malco Theatres, dining for 2 at Olga's and a gorgeous black baroque pearl necklace from Carter Jewelers (valued at $1,200).

Everyone who has participated in our twice yearly blood drives at Valentines and Halloween always enjoy collecting Marshall's newly designed t-shirt. It's a "must have" this year:

Marshall and I will be there throughout the day signing t-shirts and personally thanking all of those who come out to give the gift of life Tuesday. We'll see you there!