Severe Weather Possible

Happy New Year! I was scheduled to remain on vacation for the remainder of this week. However, with severe weather forecasted for the state, I am coming off my vacation early and will be on WLBT tonight. Here's the reason why.

A significant severe weather event is shaping up to affect central Mississippi this afternoon and overnight. A strong cold front will invade an unstable airmass and combine with intense winds in the upper atmosphere to create the development of severe weather.

As the cold front moves closer to the Mississippi River, it will slow down. Several rounds of heavy rain will form ahead of the front. Should this occur, widespread severe weather will be possible in the overnight hours.

Tornadoes, some which could be strong, damaging straight-line winds up to 80 mph, large hail and heavy rain will be possible. Areas along and east of the Natchez Trace Parkway could see 2-4 inches of rain. The weather will begin to deteriorate after 2pm and continue until 4am for areas east of I-55. Here is today's graphical depiction from the NWS:

No matter your New Year's Eve plans, please be weather aware. There could be a need to break into your evening programming. I'll have more for you beginning on the WLBT 4pm report. You can also follow my weather updates on Twitter @BarbieBassett or become a fan of the "WLBT First Alert Weather" Facebook or "Like" my page on Facebook, "Barbie Bassett WLBT".

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

The Lesson in Rudolph

Last night, we drove the kids to Canton to see the lights in the downtown square. I admit, it's one of my favorite things to do and it doesn't take much effort. All you have to do is just soak in the colored lights and figurines!

You may disagree, but I believe this is Satan's favorite time of the year, too. Think about it, people are stressed about money, attitudes get the best of us and some families get even more divided than they already are. I spoke to a lady the other day who had just started reading my book. She was having trouble with one of the "keys" I write about. "My mother-in-law just says the meanest things to me and my daughter," she said. "Every time I'm around her, she hurts me with the things she says and does. And it's putting strain on my marriage." She asked for prayer right there and we did.

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer was stressed to the max, too. In watching this beloved show the other night, it hit me. His red nose made him different and often brought ridicule. His father tried to cover up Rudolph's nose in a few ways, but it was plain to see. Rudolph was faced with a choice. His choice was to either let his light shine or to continue hiding it. The story concludes with Santa needing Rudolph to guide his sleigh in the thick fog. Other reindeer could've done it, but Santa needed someone with a light. In steps Rudolph!

Zechariah sang this song when he heard of John the Baptist's coming birth in Luke 1:77-78, "..for you will give people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God." As Christians, we all have that challenge before us.

The people you and I encounter this time of the year need a light. We can snap back with attitudes, snippy comments or hateful looks. Or, perhaps we can shine the light of Jesus. The light you have may be the only one your family member, your co-worker, or the person in the check out line sees all year long. And if you're a Christian, shining your light isn't an option; it is a command.

I hope you have a Merry Christmas and enjoy all that God has blessed you with!

(Mississippi stores have SOLD OUT of Barbie's book! If you are wanting one as a gift for someone before Christmas, order today at www.barbiebassett.com and it can arrive before Saturday!)

Let's Roll!

When you get to the point of feeling there is nothing else you can do, that's is God's opportunity to work.

I've been a Christian since I was seven years old when I accepted Christ as my Saviour. In all of those years with each storm that came my way, I can't remember God ever telling me, "Just relax." However, I've heard Him many times says, "Trust me." I may writhe my hands wondering what could be coming next, but when I sense God saying, "Trust me," I begin to rest in His presence and His care. When I let go of my need to fix my own problems, He handles all of the details of my circumstances perfectly.

David placed his hope in God and not in his own ability as ruler and king. Psalm 55:22 says, "Cast your burden upon the Lord and he will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken." The word cast here literally means to "roll over to God". David is urging you and me to roll the burdens of our hearts onto the Lord. He alone has the power and ability to handle it.

When the skies seem to darken and sin and hopelessness gather around you, ask God to reveal Himself to you; and start rolling!

The Warped View

In recent days, I've heard of several people who are going through difficult situations. Some are facing death in the eye, some are dealing with financial hardships, and some have mountains that need to be moved in their life.

There is a warped religious view in the world today that is totally opposite of what the Bible teaches. It tells us that if we have enough faith, believe and trust in God, we will never see hard times in our life. In reality, nothing could be farther from the truth. Hard times will come and some will be easier to survive than others.

When adversity comes, ask God to help you understand what His will and purpose are in the difficulty. He may not tell you everything, but over time, you'll find that He gives you exactly what you need to know at the right time. We can experience God's hope by reading His Word because His unconditional love and restoration are mingled all throughout the Bible. You'll learn you are not alone as even the strongest saints faced tremendous trial and discouragement. They had the same fear and feelings of defeat as we do, but they were convinced God would deliver them from sorrow and heartache; and He did.

I Corinthians 1:3-4 says, "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God." The awesome truth is that He is willing to do the same for you today!

The Beacon

The Mississippi College alumni magazine called the Beacon was recently released. I was honored, and frankly shocked, to be their cover story. If you're not an MC alum and want to read the full story, click here: http://www.mc.edu/beacon/feature-stories/barbie-bassettThere are 4 "web exclusives" which are video interviews. You'll get to see some footage of the behind-the-scenes at the family photo shoot and some of my co-workers at WLBT. When you click on this link, you'll see the 4 on the right hand side of the page:
http://www.mc.edu/beacon/fall-2010/web-exclusives/barbie-bassett/a-port-in-someone-elses-storm

I hold many fond memories of my years at MC and still hold those friendships dear, even to this day.

(Barbie will be signing books today at the Mendenhall G&G from 10am-Noon.)

The God of Restoration

If you live long enough, you're bound to be disappointed. It's what you do with the disappointment that propels you forward.

God promises restoration. Joel 2:25 says, "I will make up to you for the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the creeping locust, the stripping locust and the gnawing locust." Have you ever felt like problems were swarming around you, creeping, eating or gnawing away at you or even stripping away at you or your dreams? In this verse, the Lord was speaking of Israel, but there is an eternal principle involved that you and I can apply to our lives. When you trust God with your circumstances, He will not only solve whatever problem you're facing but He will restore all that you've lost in the process.

We face difficulties that are sometimes beyond our ability to handle. God promises hope and restoration when our faith is in Him alone. Deuteronomy 30:1-3 says, "So it shall be when all of these things have come upon you, the blessing and the curse which I have set before you, and you call them to mind...and you return to the Lord your God and obey Him with all your heart and soul...then the Lord your God will restore you."

In our difficult times, God develops character and strengthens us spiritually, all while helping us to grow deeper in our faith in Him. His restoration of what you've lost will come, perhaps in a way you had not even thought of! Nevertheless, it will come and you will be able to sense God's goodness in the process.

(Barbie will be speaking tonight at Calvary Baptist Church's ladies dinner. She will be the guest speaker at Monticello Baptist Church's ladies dinner Tuesday night, and speaking at the Rankin County Baptist Association's Secretaries luncheon Thursday.)

When Critics Come

Have you ever wondered if what you're doing is really worth it? You work hard, you sacrifice for the benefit of others, you spread yourself thin and you stay true to what you feel God has called you to do. And then, you are pummeled with negativism! Immediately, you begin second guessing what you're doing. I've had one of those weeks. With criticism all around, including right here on my blog (you can read the comment below this post, "A Look Back At The Severe Weather"), you're willing to throw in the towel.

When you give up, you limit God's use of your life. There will be times when it seems the battle you are facing is too much to handle. You may not know how you'll come out of it, but God does. He knows exactly what you need and when you need it. If you give up now, no telling what you'll miss!

The children of Israel allowed negativism to get the best of them. They were told by spies to turn away and not pursue the plan God had for them. An entire generation passed away before Israel had another chance to go into the land God had given them. Only Joshua, Caleb and Moses survived. The next time they checked out the land, they came back and said in Joshua 2:24, "The Lord has surely given the whole land into our hands; all the people are melting in fear because of us." The first time around, Israel missed it. The second time around, they learned a lesson in obedience and entered into God's promised blessing.

That's not to say God doesn't allow adversity to prepare us for an even greater blessing and mission. God has a purpose for the pain and hurt we encounter. Are you ready to step over into the promised blessing God has prepared for you? Or are you being tempted to cut and run at the thought of having to endure for a while longer?

(Today Barbie will be speaking at the MAIS Educational Conference, MEC's Leadership Mississippi Graduation luncheon and is the guest speaker for Fannin Baptist Church's ladies dinner this evening.)