After the Rain

After the rain, there is growth and beauty.  Sunbaked Texas has endured drought conditions for years.  Crops are failing, cattle are starving, the lakes are down and the aquifer needs replenishing.  Rain is perpetually on our prayer list.  This past month, we were blessed with sporadic showers.  That was all that was needed for the cactus in my back yard to blossom.  A beautiful yellow flower appeared from a dry, prickly pear cactus after the rain.  Life is like that.  Believers will have a dry spell. The pain may seem overwhelming, and then God sends a breakthrough.

Psalm 30:5

For His anger is but for a moment,
His favor is for life;
Weeping may endure for a night,
But joy comes in the morning.

It is comforting to know when we return and repent, God’s anger dissipates.  His favor rains down on us continually, giving us new life.  Just as the cactus blossom appeared after the rain, following a season of pain and tears, our joy will come in the morning.



 

Arrow of Light

The highest award in Cub Scout is the Arrow of Light Award.  Boys work on their outdoor skills, physically fitness, and learn more about citizenship and working with others to earn the honor.  Upon completion of the Arrow of Light, a Cub Scout can bridge into a Boy Scout Troop. Jared and Zachary both have this plaque hanging in their room as a reminder of their transition from the den to the challenges of the Boy Scout Pack.  I have come to see the boys as an arrow leaving my side, soaring to heights I can only imagine.

Psalm 127:3-5

Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord,
The fruit of the womb is a reward.
⁴ Like arrows in the hand of a warrior,
So are the children of one’s youth.
⁵ Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them;
They shall not be ashamed,
But shall speak with their enemies in the gate.

Our children are a gift from God.  Like small arrows we hold them in our hands for a short while.  We sharpen, polish and prepare them for the bow because arrows are not meant to stay in the pouch but are destined to soar. With prayer and purpose, we aim them toward our intended target, accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

 It has been an honor and a joy to have groomed, encouraged and ministered to my little arrows, Jared and Zachary.  This weekend, my last arrow will launch from the quiver.  I look forward to watching where both boys land.  I have no doubt, the skills gained from the Cub Scout Arrow of Light will help them along the way, but it will be the God of Light that makes their path straight. Parting ways is difficult, but watching them fly makes it all worthwhile.

Mouth Guard

Some things are better left unsaid.  Celebrities, political types and yes, NBA owners have ignited a fire storm with their unfiltered words not meant for public discourse.  It seems mouth guards would be a good investment both on and off the field.  Left to our own devices and inclinations, we have all said things we later regretted.  Praise God, as believers we do not have to depend on self-regulation to guard our words.

Psalm 141:3

Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth;
Keep watch over the door of my lips.

 

Did you know our mouth comes with a door or guard attached?  The tongue does the talking while the lips serve as a mouth guard.  On our own, we are ineffective mouth guards.  We are able to guard the door only by the grace of God.  David’s prayer is for God to deliver him from hurting others or dishonoring God by governing his tongue and keeping his lips closed.  Our prayer should be the same.  “Lord, I can use some help with my mouth guard today. Control the hinges of my lips so that the door to my mouth remains wisely shut by your direction and open when warranted.”  I highly recommend the use of a mouth guard to avoid the need for damage control and to prevent self-inflicted injuries.  Don't leave home without it.

It’s play-off time!  I’m an avid or some would say rabid San Antonio Spurs fan.  I not only watch the game, I listen to all of the sports shows on Sirius radio.  On Friday, it was reported that Serge Ibaka was upgraded from will not play to day to day.  The radio host then made a profound statement.  “Aren’t we all really just day to day?”  I was startled by the naked truth that we are always one breath away from leaving this earth.  Each day is a gift.  When we unwrap the gift of life, how do we use each day?

Psalm 90:12

So teach us to number our days,
That we may gain a heart of wisdom.

In light of the fragility of life, we ought to use each day to the fullest.  Whether Serge Ibaka plays this Sunday will be a day to day decision which may change the outcome of a basketball game.  The choices we make each day carry much more considerable weight determining not only our destiny but also the quality of our day to day journey.  Count your days wisely.

Thank You

 

Growing up, my parents insisted we use the two magic words, please and thank you.  Children are pretty quick to utter please because it gets you something.  Thank you on the other hand has to be cajoled out of a toddler who willfully struggles to force a thank you pass their lips.  Thank you requires an humble spirit as we acknowledge our  gratefulness for the gift we have been given.  I have seen it time and time again in my office, two and three year olds prepared to miss out on a lollipop because they defiantly refuse to say thank you to the dismay of their red faced parent.

Thessalonians 5:17-18

¹⁷ pray without ceasing, ¹⁸ in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

As children of God, we have been commanded to use the same two words.  Our “please” is to pray without ceasing.  We are to say thank you not for just our perceived “good things” but in everything give thanks.  I learned that this week.  Acknowledge what God has already graced me with and give thanks.  Unlike a toddler, He should not have to drag a thank you out of me. We all might do well with a little less please and a lot more thank you(s).

Invited Guest

 

Remember the HEB commercial where Tony checks his guest list for Tim Duncan’s name.  To refresh your memory, click on the video below.  This is one of my all-time favorites.  Pop gets a free pass to go fix his plate while Ginobili and Duncan are held up at the rope line.  Have you ever been in a situation where your name was not called, when you could not get in the club, sorority or frat or security turned you away at the door?  You can be confident in this one thing, when you go to God in prayer, you will not be turned away.  Believers have the luxury of unfettered access to God.  He invites us into His presence.  There are no body guards, rope lines, receptionists or automated answering machines.  Hebrews 4:16 tells us,

 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

God has an open door policy.  His desire is that we bring all of our cares to Him.  Your name is on His list.  You are invited to the party.  At His party, the guest receives the gifts.  He gifts us with mercy to cover our sins and grace to provide for all of our needs.  Be just like Pop, walk past the crowd directly into the throne room and serve your plate.

Are You Happy?

In scripture, the word happy is used interchangeably with the state of being blessed.  Therefore, the question is not? Are you happy?” but rather “Are you blessed?”  Replace the word happy in the lyrics and it becomes an even more joyful song.  Can’t nothing bring you down when you consider how blessed you truly are.  Bad news cannot dissuade or discourage us when we begin to comprehend the incredible blessings bestowed on all that place their trust in Jesus Christ for salvation. 

Psalms 32: 1-2

Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven,
    whose sin is covered.
  Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity,
    and in whose spirit there is no deceit.

 

Just think.  Our mistakes have been forgiven, our sins are as though they never happened and we have been judged not guilty.  We don’t deserve it, yet we are blessed.   On top of that God adds family, home, friends and the universal church.  I’ve tried to list them all but I don’t know how.  Blessings overflowing to thee and thou.  Just tell me are you happy now?