Rain rain, come again...

I'm going to admit something that doesn't make me too proud.  I've been kind of frustrated with God lately.  The western/midwest portion of Indiana hasn't seen rain for nearly 9 weeks.  Sure we've had 15-20 minute showers every other week but nothing to sustain our water table.  Crops are dieing, trees are drying up, personal gardens have turned into a waste of time.  I told Tina we're starting to look like those old black and white pictures taken during the dust bowl days of the 20's.  I'm just waiting for a bunch of guys on horses to drive a thousand cattle thru our town.  I know God is in control and I know that He knows best too.  But, I can't help but think why.  I asked God for understanding and this week I got some. 

Every once in a while Sean (our youth minister) can't be there Sunday morning and needs someone to fill in, this week I was blessed to be that person.  We were in Psalms this week and verses 13 and 14 hit me.  Psalms 139:13,14  For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.  I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.  It's very humbling to think that the creator of everything we know took the time to "knit" me in my mother's womb.  God...the one who spoke the cosmos into existence also made me.  Well, this put me in my place.  Of course God knows what's best for me because He knows me better than I know myself.

Later that morning Craig (our childrens minister) taught us from Psalms 91 and took it to a whole new level.  Psalms 91 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.  I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”  For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence.  He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.  You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day,  nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor the destruction that wastes at noonday.  A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.  You will only look with your eyes and see the recompense of the wicked.  Because you have made the Lord your dwelling place, the Most High, who is my refuge  no evil shall be allowed to befall you, no plague come near your tent.  For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.  On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.  You will tread on the lion and the adder;
the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot.  “Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name.  When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him.  With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.”  I included the entire Psalm because I didn't want to leave anything out.  He is my protector, period.  He will protect me, my family, my friends...but not just me, He will protect you too.  It says that He will send angels to guard us.  He cares deeply for me and you.

Last but not least, we were singing the invitation song "It is well".  I've sang that song a thousand times, I know this one by heart.  But this morning verse 3 gave me the knock-out punch.  And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight.  The clouds be rolled back as a scroll; the trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend, even so, it is well with my soul.  He has not and will not forget me.  One day my faith will become sight and I'll see His face.

In your time Lord.

Peace...

totalheel

Service with a Speedo

I know it's been a couple of weeks since my last post but I felt like I wasn't allowing God to use me the right way.  I guess it's hard to explain, it was like I was forcing the topics. 

Anyway...I wanted to share with you about a man from our congregation his name is Jack Willard.  Jack was the guy that could and did do anything in the church.  He was usually the first person in the building and the last one out.  If I try to list all the things he did I know I'd forget something.  I guess my title needs a little explanation.  Jack loved to help with the lawn care from time to time.  Rumor has it that his favorite mowing and trimming atire included red Speedos.  I never had the priveledge of seeing Jack in them.  I'll consider that a good thing.  I can't tell you how many times I shook his hand when he opened the door for me.  His desire to serve others far outweighed his own needs.  Jack went home a couple of weeks ago to spend eternity with his Lord and heaven has one more greeter at the gates.  We already have stories and jokes about St. Peter at the pearly gates, well...we can now include Jack in those because he'll be right there with him. 

That reminds me of a great passage from Ephesians.  Ephesians 2:8-10  For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.  This scripture was sent to me recently from a friend via a text.  Isn't it great when God uses others to remind us of how great and awesome He is.  Jacks life was all about serving.  He didn't do it to gain favor with God or get access to heaven.  I bet he understood this passage better than most.  It's God's grace that saves us, a free gift for our taking.  Works won't get us anywhere.  Verse 10 however spells out why Jack and the rest of us do what we do.  We are His workmanship, His creation...created to do good works in the name of Christ Jesus. 

I want to make this last statement without sounding judgemental or mean.  Good people are going to Hell every day.  Good deeds are worthless when their not done in love or through the saving graces of Jesus Christ.  God doesn't need your lip service, He wants your love.  I want to close with this scripture,              1 Corinthians 13 1-3  If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.  And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.  If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.  Whatever we do and say we do out of love.

Hope I didn't confuse you.

Peace...

totalheel