Today, my thoughts have been circling around the idea of showing up—how simple, steadfast presence shapes families, communities, and even the course of history.

Learning from the Great Characters

Recently, I’ve committed to a “great characters” study of Old Testament figures. Spending time with the lives of Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Ruth, and others, I’m struck by how their faith was not just expressed in the grand moments but in daily acts of trust and service. Abraham set out not knowing where he was going, Joseph forgave and provided for his brothers, Ruth gleaned faithfully in the fields, Moses endured years in the wilderness with a people often hard to love. In each story, faithfulness showed itself most in the willingness to simply show up—again and again—where God placed them.

The Early Church: Community in Action

This thread carries into the New Testament, especially in the story of the early church. Acts describes a group of ordinary people who devoted themselves to teaching, fellowship, breaking bread, and prayer. They pooled resources, cared for the poor, and made space for each other’s burdens. It wasn’t just the big, headline moments that defined them—it was the habit of gathering, praying, sharing needs, and finding creative ways to serve. The essence of their life together was being present for one another.

Buna: Where the Old Lessons Still Matter

What amazes me is how much those ancient practices still matter, even in a small community like Buna. Our challenges may look different than those in scripture, but the calling is much the same: show up for your neighbor, be generous with your time, share a meal, lend a listening ear, and offer practical help where you can. Whether it’s fixing a phone system for the EMS, planning a library program, or checking on a friend who’s had a hard week—these are the acts that bind a community together.

Faith, Partnership, and Small Steps

If there’s a lesson I keep learning, it’s that real progress—spiritual or practical—comes from faithful presence and partnership. Nobody does it alone. Sometimes, the work is slow, and not everyone pulls in the same direction, but day by day, small steps add up. This is as true in ministry as it is in building out broadband, running a business, or serving on a community board.

A Prayer for Today

As I look ahead, I’m praying for wisdom to keep showing up where I’m needed, patience to keep working even when the results are slow, and gratitude for the people God has placed alongside me on this journey.

To anyone reading: Don’t underestimate the power of being present. Whether you’re called to something big or small, your willingness to show up—consistently, quietly, faithfully—matters more than you know.

Here’s to carrying forward the lessons of ancient paths, right here in the heart of Buna.

— John

Posted on July 8, 2025

In July 2025, central Texas was struck by a devastating flood that claimed over 100 lives, including more than two dozen children at Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp. The Guadalupe River, swollen by heavy rains from the remnants of Tropical Storm Barry, surged from 1 foot to 36 feet in hours, turning a place of joy into a scene of unimaginable loss. As communities mourn, two narratives have emerged: one highlighting the floods’ predictability and preventability, and another decrying the rush to pin blame on political figures. Yet, as Christians, we are called to look beyond headlines to find God’s presence in tragedy, resist divisive impulses, and seek wisdom for the road ahead.Drawing on Psalm 46, the Parable of the Wise and Foolish Builders, and the timeless teachings of John Wesley and Augustine of Hippo, this article explores three questions: Where is God in the power and pain of nature? How do we overcome the temptation to cast blame? And what wisdom can we gain from Christ to respond with faith and action? The Texas floods challenge us to wrestle with suffering, but they also invite us to build our lives on the rock of God’s truth.God in Nature: Refuge in the Storm

The Free Press article, “The Texas Floods Were an Avoidable Tragedy,” paints a sobering picture: the floods were not a freak event but a recurring risk in Texas’ Flash Flood Alley, where the Guadalupe River’s limestone bed amplifies rapid water flow. Historical records and paleoclimatology show centuries of extreme flooding, from 1846 in New Braunfels to today. Despite advances in mitigation—flood fatality rates dropped by two-thirds from 1958 to 2018—the 2025 tragedy was worsened by inadequate warning systems, making it “preventable.

”Psalm 46:1–3 offers a powerful lens for understanding nature’s dual nature: “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam.” The psalmist acknowledges nature’s chaos—roaring waters, crumbling earth—yet finds God as a steadfast refuge. This promise resonates with flood survivors clinging to hope amid loss.

John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, provides theological clarity in his sermon “The General Deliverance” (1781). He teaches that natural disasters reflect a fallen creation, marred by humanity’s sin, where floods and earthquakes disrupt God’s original harmony. Yet, Wesley insists, God’s providence governs all events: “God is over all, and… He doeth whatsoever pleaseth Him in heaven, earth, and the sea.” The Texas floods, driven by the Guadalupe’s geological quirks, fit this view—a natural order permitted to produce suffering but never outside God’s sovereign care. Wesley’s hope lies in a future where creation is redeemed, free from such pain.

Augustine of Hippo, in City of God (Book XI), complements this by affirming God’s role in creation. He sees suffering as part of God’s plan in a fallen world, where God’s providence “orders all events to the fulfillment of His eternal purpose.” For Augustine, the floods are not divine punishment but opportunities for redemption—moments when God brings good from evil.

The community’s outpouring of support, from animal rescues to prayers for Camp Mystic, hints at this redemptive work: God’s love shining through human compassion. As we reflect on the Texas floods, Psalm 46 calls us to “be still, and know that God is God” (v. 10). Nature’s power can terrify, but God’s presence comforts. Have you seen God in nature’s beauty or trials—a sunset over a river, or hope amid a storm?

The floods remind us that God is both creator and sustainer, inviting us to trust Him even when the waters roar.

The Trap of Blame: Choosing Humility Over Judgment

The New York Post article, “Malicious Critics Are Trying to Blame Trump for the Texas Floods,” highlights a human impulse to point fingers after tragedy. Critics accused former President Trump and Elon Musk of gutting the National Weather Service (NWS) with 10% staff cuts, allegedly causing the high death toll.

The article counters that the NWS issued timely warnings—starting days before the flood, escalating to a flash flood emergency at 4 a.m. on July 4—yet the Guadalupe’s sudden surge overwhelmed response efforts. The rush to blame, labeled “malicious” and “fact-free,” reveals a deeper issue: our tendency to judge rather than seek solutions.

Jesus confronts this impulse in John 8:7, when He tells an accusing crowd, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone.” Facing a woman caught in sin, Jesus redirects judgment to self-examination. Similarly, in Matthew 7:1–2, He warns, “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged.”

These words challenge the political blame game surrounding the floods, urging us to look inward before casting stones. John Wesley, in “On Divine Providence” (1786), cautions against rash judgment: “Let us not rashly charge God with injustice… but humbly adore His unsearchable wisdom.” Wesley sees blame as a distraction from trusting God’s plan, which weaves even tragedies into a tapestry of redemption.

The NWS’s warnings, as the Post details, show human effort, but the tragedy’s scale suggests shared responsibility—local officials, communities, and individuals all play a role. Blaming one leader oversimplifies a complex failure.

Augustine, in Confessions (Book IV), reflects on his own grief and warns against blaming others: “I was miserable, and so is every soul… who seeks to blame rather than to seek You.” For Augustine, blame stems from human frailty, diverting us from God’s healing presence.

In the flood’s aftermath, pointing fingers at Trump or Musk risks ignoring practical steps, like improving warning systems, as the Free Press advocates.

The Texas floods expose our temptation to judge, but Jesus calls us to humility. When have you been quick to blame? How might Matthew 7:1–5 shift your perspective? By resisting blame, we open space for collaboration and healing, trusting God to guide us through human imperfection.Wisdom from Christ: Building on the Rock

The Texas floods demand more than reflection—they call for wisdom to respond with faith and action. Jesus’ Parable of the Wise and Foolish Builders (Matthew 7:24–27) offers timeless guidance: “Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew… yet it did not fall… But everyone who hears these words… and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand… it fell with a great crash.” This parable speaks directly to the floods, where preparation (or lack thereof) determined outcomes.

The Free Press article underscores the tragedy’s preventability, noting that despite known risks in Flash Flood Alley, inadequate warning systems failed to save lives.

The Post highlights the NWS’s efforts, but the deaths at Camp Mystic suggest gaps in local response. Jesus’ parable warns against hearing truth—like flood warnings or historical data—without acting on it. Wisdom means building on the rock of Christ’s teachings: obedience, preparedness, and trust in God.

John Wesley, in “The Cause and Cure of Earthquakes” (1750), applies this principle to disasters: “God permits these evils, but He calls us to use our reason to lessen their effects.” Wesley sees human responsibility as a divine mandate, urging practical action to mitigate suffering.

The Free Press’s call for better warning systems echoes this, suggesting that wisdom involves learning from past floods to protect future lives. Whether through infrastructure or community planning, we’re called to act as stewards of God’s creation.

Augustine, in On Free Choice of the Will (Book III), teaches that wisdom comes from aligning our will with God’s: “God allows evil to exist… that we might learn to choose the good and find Him.” Suffering, like the loss at Camp Mystic, is a chance to grow in virtue—compassion, resilience, faith.

For Augustine, the Christian community’s response, from counselors’ bravery to animal rescues (Post article), reflects God’s grace transforming pain into purpose.The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Builders challenges us to act on Christ’s wisdom. How can we “build on the rock” in response to the floods?

Practical steps might include supporting disaster relief, advocating for improved warning systems, or fostering community preparedness. Spiritually, it means grounding our lives in prayer, Scripture, and trust in God’s providence, as Wesley and Augustine urge.

Living Out the Wisdom: A Call to Action The Texas floods of 2025 are a heart-wrenching reminder of nature’s power, human frailty, and God’s enduring presence. Psalm 46 assures us that God is our refuge, even when waters roar. Jesus’ teachings in John 8 and Matthew 7 call us to humility, resisting the trap of blame. The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Builders, enriched by Wesley and Augustine, equips us to face suffering with wisdom—building lives and communities that withstand the storms. As we mourn the lives lost, especially the children at Camp Mystic, let’s commit to practical and spiritual action:

• Pray: Lift up flood victims, survivors, and responders, seeking God’s comfort and guidance.
• Support: Donate to relief organizations or volunteer with groups like the animal rescue mentioned in the Post article.
• Advocate: Push for better disaster preparedness, as the Free Press suggests, to prevent future tragedies.
• Grow: Deepen your faith through Scripture, prayer, and community, trusting God’s providence as Wesley and Augustine teach.

The Texas floods challenge our faith, but they also reveal God’s presence—in nature’s order, human compassion, and Christ’s wisdom. Let’s build on the rock, living as lights in a world desperate for hope. What’s one step you’ll take to respond to this tragedy with faith and action? Share in the comments below, and join us in praying for Texas.