Praying for Rain

Rain.

At times we bemoan it. “Rain, rain, go away. Come again some other day.” Until we don’t have it.

We fuss when our game or picnic or plans are ruined. Yet it is so essential to life on Earth.

In most of the United States this summer we should be singing, “Rain, rain, come and stay. Come and stay til next Thursday.” Or whatever day of the week suits you.

We join the farmers and the wildfire fighters and the folks coping without air conditioning. We pray for rain. Essential, life-bringing rain.

Life and growth can be sustained without rain for a while. But not too long. If you are fortunate enough to have an irrigation source, then you can go longer than others.

Unity in a church is much like rain. You can continue to exist in a church without unity for a while. You can draw on memories of past unity to carry you through dry, disunified patches. Yet you can only go so long.

Local church unity is a sacred trust. If you are part of a local church body, unity is your duty. That doesn’t mean you always agree. It does mean you are not disagreeable, seeking understanding and mutuality in differences. It does mean you are considerate, believing the gracious best of others.

Unity in the church, like rain on the Earth, is essential to continued health and growth.

Every local church body has to answer two questions. Who has God called us to be? What are we doing to get there? These define your church. These are your being. These become your mission. More like Jesus. In your love for God. Your love for others. In being who God created you to be. United in purpose. Growing in love.

We pray for rain. We pray for unity.

There is one difference.

You can not produce rain. You can produce unity.

As for me, I would seek God,
and to God would I commit my cause,
who does great things and unsearchable,
marvelous things without number:
he gives rain on the earth
and sends waters on the fields.

Job 5:8-10, ESV

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Habits Naturally

I settle into my desk chair after being out of the office. Looking down reading, my right hand rests on my Apple Magic Trackpad in order to wake up my MacBook Pro. Looking up to the stand where my computer sits on my desk it's empty. Out of habit, I quickly slide my fingers side to side thinking, "Why won't this thing wake up?"

It computes in a nanosecond: There is no MacBook Pro on the stand. Not on my desk. Not in my hand. "You are looking at thin air, Doofus." I laugh out loud. Really.

My MacBook Pro is where I left it. On my coffee table. And I am a Doofus. Really.

Habits.

I wish other habits came so naturally as resting my hand upon that trackpad.

I wish when I am lazy, I'd naturally work purposefully.

I wish when I feel angry, I'd naturally bridle my temper.

I wish when I think judgmentally, I'd naturally assume kindness.

I wish when I desire gluttony, I'd naturally restrain appetites.

I wish when I react pridefully, I'd naturally exercise humility.

I wish when I am tempted, I'd naturally resist all advances.

I wish my bad habits—all those default sinful shortcomings—did not come so naturally.

I wish good habits—as those of exercised in the life of Christ—did come ever so naturally.

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life I live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20, KJV

"Not I, but Christ."

That exchange is not unnatural. It's supernatural.

Make it a habit. Supernaturally.

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How You Run the Race

Had my fifth kidney stone recently. Painful may be too merciful a description. I've written about the nasty little boogers previously.

This one hung on longer than any predecessors. Five days. It was either delusions from pain or delusions from pain meds. At least I had an excuse for my delusions. Those five days.

It took five days for that stone to move one inch. I'm no longer using, "Slower than molasses in January." My now ultimate slowness quip is, "Slower than a kidney stone in a preacher."

With the dawning of day five, however, I was just tired of it. Nasty little booger wouldn't move an inch. So I made a decision that morning. No matter the pain. No matter the drag of the pain meds. I was going to choose to have a good attitude that day. I was going to be an overcomer even as I was feeling beaten. I was going to be focused even though I was wrung out tired.

Not being able to run while on the ropes with a stone, my thoughts turned to running. Running marathons. Brutal self-torture as my wife sees it. And then a thought came to this mid-pack marathoner, kidney stone sufferer, everyday philosopher's mind: It's not where you finish; it's how you run the race.

What about you, Dear Reader?

What are you dealing with right now that you wish was just flat done over? 

What are your greatest challenges? To your strength? Your perseverance? Your grace? Your faith?

An illness. A person. Your past. Your future. You name it.

And then you choose. Choose to run the race differently.

You still may finish mid-pack or back. Your finish may even come before the finish line.

It's not where you finish. It's how you run the race.

My five day stone got the message. Within hours of that decision. It passed. The pain was gone. And this stone prone preacher boy had learned a lesson.

It's how you run the race.

I have not yet reached my goal, and I am not perfect. But Christ has taken hold of me. So I keep on running and struggling to take hold of the prize. My friends, I don't feel I have already arrived. But I forget what is behind, and I struggle for what is ahead. I run toward the goal, so I can win the prize of being called to heaven. This is the prize God offers because of what Christ Jesus has done. Philippians 3:12-14, CEV

And all God's people - with all our struggles - said, "Amen."

Run on, Dear Reader.

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Better Than Botox

Botox. It's pop culture. You know its used cosmetically. You know or know of someone - or many someones - who have had it.

For those concerned with wrinkled foreheads, laugh lines, or crow's feet it provides a minimally invasive, highly effective treatment.  Its a bit spendy. But in our no matter the cost for whatever makes me feel good and look good culture... Well, folks pay.

Botox works by relaxing muscle contractions. Its a powerful neurotoxin. Injected with a fine needle for precision and minimal discomfort, the cosmetic effects take place in a few days and last for four to six months.

But did you know that Jesus is better than Botox?

Ephesians 5:25-27 uses marriage as an example of how Jesus purifies and perfects his bride, the church. That's you and me, Christ Follower.

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.

There you have it. No stains. No wrinkles. No blemishes. No needles. No neurotoxins. Just Jesus.

Guaranteed to improve your appearance. And your life.

Better than Botox.

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The Nebraska Preschool Polar Bear Club

We have plenty of snow. Record one-day total.

It's 15 degrees outside. Fahrenheit.

20-plus mile per hour winds. Mercilessly from the north.

The wind chill is below zero. Ouch.

Yet. Here is my five year old son. Swimsuit & goggles on. Looking at the snow. Ready to jump in the pool. Indoors.

We're not members of the Nebraska Preschool Polar Bear Club. That's crazy.

We're are members of a climate controlled health club.  That's nice.

And as members we enjoy access to all the club has to offer. Including an indoor pool. So what are a Daddy & a rambunctious boy to do on a sub-freezing day to burn some energy? Swimming!

We had a great time. In spite of the weather.

Like you can. As a Christ Follower. Abiding in Christ.

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

Psalm 91:1

Leave a comment about your shelter in Jesus. And especially if you just Googled Nebraska Pre-School Polar Bear Club.