Let it rain

I am reading a book as a part of churches on going staff development program. The book is Wild Goose Chase by Mark Batterson. In a section that speaks of challenging assumptions he tells a story of how his son Parker is asking all kinds of questions. As part of the process he decides to show his son that there are questions with no easy answers. So he ask this question, "Parker, why does it rain?" Without a moments hesitation, his son lowers his voice to a let-me-tell-you-the-way-the-world-works tone and replied, "Because everything is thirsty."

"BECAUSE EVERYTHING IS THIRSTY." What a concept, God sends the rain because everything is thirsty. In verse 23 of Joel chapter 2 God promises to send the former rain and the later rain as well. Then in verse 28 He gives the promise of the pouring out of the Holy Spirit. The later rain on a thirsty church.
In Acts chapter 2 we see the fulfillment of this prophecy or at least the beginnings of it. In verse 39 Peter declares, "For the promise is to you, and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord shall call." So if we have been called out of our sins we are able to have part in the promise of the infilling of power through the Holy Spirit. This is not for the privileged few but to all who are thirsty.

We want the spirit to move and to fill our hearts and lives and also our church so I guess we have to ask ourselves,"How thirsty are we?" If the rain falls because everything is thirsty then I pray we become so thirsty that the rain can't help but fall.

Lord we pray send the fresh rain of your Spirit for we are thirsty for you.

Another life lesson

Yesterday once again I was given a reminder of just how blessed we really are, and how little we say thank you for it. You see I went with the staff and a few of the young people from our church out to some of the migrant workers camps to distribute food and clothing. It did not take but just a couple of minutes to see just how blessed I am. You see I have good clothes. I have a job. I don't have to sit around and hope that someone comes by and notices that I don't have any food. God continually provides for my needs and even sometimes gives me what I want even though I may not desire it. So you see I am blessed.

The Bible says in all things give thanks and Paul stated in one of his writings that he had learned to be content in whatever state he was in. Boy, if we ever learn those lessons completely we would be so much better at ministering to others in their time of need. You see when we're not always looking at whatever small problems we may have, then we can see the huge troubles others may be experiencing. This is when we can be the effective church we are called to be.

I am blessed and may I never forget that is true!

Paul Carrell