The Abundance of Rain

As I write this it is 2:20 a.m. I was awakened by thunderstorms rumbling through dropping heavy rains. I love the sound of rain on the top of the RV. It makes for sound sleeping only this time the rain came with a great deal of lightening and thunder. At times I think the rain is letting up only to have it increase in intensity. The sound is deafening at times and rhythmic at other times. I am at peace.

In the past week we have been blessed with about six inches of rain. The radar shows this rain will last until at least the start of school, which means rain for about another five and a half to six hours.

God is amazing. For over a year we experienced severe drought conditions. In just five days God has put a major dent in our deficient rainfall. As I have driven around in the past few days it has been amazing to see how ponds have begun to fill back up and how the dead grass in many areas started springing back to life.

I rejoice for the many farmers and ranchers I know. I rejoice that their heavy burdens are being lifted. I rejoice that with the rain comes hope for better days. What God has done in the past five days should not surprise us. He always comes through. He always shows Himself to be faithful in one way or another.

In these early morning hours that faithfulness is translated into rain. Later that might mean something entirely different. I think back on the all the prayers offered up pleading with God to send rain. Multiple times I have seen hand painted signs put up in pastures asking people to pray for rain. Many have worried and fretted through sleepless nights over the lack of rain. Few of us could have predicted we would see multiple inches of precipitation in only a matter of days.

As you read this I hope you will be reminded that in the same way God will come through for you in your situation. He will provide what you need in His perfect timing. That means we have to wait on Him and trust Him while we wait no matter what our eyes tell us. What we need to do is to remain patient and to never lose hope.

Only a few feet away from where I am writing this Turner is sleeping soundly right through the storm. He sleeps with me most nights in the RV. He has not been concerned with the lack of rain. He trusts perfectly. He does not know the meaning of the word stress or anxiety. He goes about his days carefree and happy trusting Brenda and I will meet his needs and trusting God will always come through. I have thought a great deal about his child-like faith.

If we could only learn to trust as a little child. Just a few weeks ago I drove through a pasture with a rancher friend of mine churning up dust over this parched grass. The topic of conversation was the drought. I smile as I think of my friend about to receive this rain as the storms rumble east. I smile as I think of God coming through once again for Him as He always does. God thank you for the abundance of rain. [I Thess 5:24]

The Blessing of Fatherhood

Out of the many blessings in my life I count being a father toward the top. I have countless memories built into life with Jennifer, Taylor, Tanner, Tucker, and Turner. Each of them has brought more joy into my life than I can possibly put into words.

I woke up this morning with Turner nestled up next to me trying to keep warm in the RV. He has been staying there with me for the past few weeks. Walking down the hall this morning Taylor (who is now officially taller than his daddy) stopped to give me a hug. How many sixteen-year old sons initiate giving their dads a hug? I relished the moment. Earlier I drove Tanner to his early morning football practice. Our parting words said ritually before he closes the door is, “I love you dad.” “I love you too champ.” Tucker is not a hugger (takes after his daddy) but I did manage to wrap my arms around last night to tell him I am proud to be his daddy.

I do not understand fathers who do not take the time to invest in their children. Spending time with my children is not drudgery but a delight. Taylor commented after we saw the new movie Courageous he was glad he saw that movie with his family. I second that sentiment. I loved sharing that experience with the four T’s as Brenda calls them.

I know all too well my children are growing up. Jennifer has been married for some time and is expecting her second child. Taylor is already sixteen and nearing getting a driver’s license. Tanner is in eighth grade and growing taller nearly looking me straight in the eye. Tucker is already in Jr. High and this is Turner’s last year at the elementary school.

I only have the boys for a short time and I am not about to waste those precious years. Fatherhood is a blessing. God has entrusted me to mold and shape those young and impressionable minds. It is not easy. They are bombarded by continual messages from people and organizations with an agenda. I also have an agenda and that is to point my boys to Jesus to live for Him, fight for Him, and to love Him for all of their days even if it means they stand alone.

It does not matter how large the church is I pastor. That does not determine my success. My success in life will be determined by my boys and Jennifer following Jesus and teaching their children and my grandchildren to follow Jesus.

That means while I have them I must guard their hearts and minds from destructive influences. I must pour the word of God into them. I must have continual conversations about things that really matter; dreams, peer pressure, persecution, surrendering to Jesus, enduring difficulties, eternity, quiet times, sex, alcohol and death. I want to be used of God to be a positive force for good in their lives. I am more interested in being their father than their friend at this stage. That means from time to time my decisions will not be popular. I pray those decisions will be guided by scripture.

I cannot imagine my life without my kids. Sure I have to make a few sacrifices in time, money, and priorities but the rewards are worth it. It is worth taking lunch to Turner and the rest when they ask. It is worth sharing my seat when one wants to sit in my lap. It is worth eating where they want to eat even if it is not my favorite. It is worth chasing them playing ball all over the place. It is worth it because of all the titles I wear in this world none means more to me than “Father.” Fatherhood is a blessing. My quiver is full. “Behold children are a gift of the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one’s youth. How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them; they will not be ashamed when they speak with their enemies in the gate.” [Ps 127:3-5]

It is Supposed to be a Prayer Meeting

For the past twenty-one years students have been meeting around the flagpole on their campuses to pray the third Wednesday in September. Hundreds of thousands gathered all over the state and many others around the nation and the world to gather around their flagpoles to pray earlier today.

What started out as a small gathering of students to pray for their campuses has turned into a full fledge production. Many bring in sound systems and worship bands and sing. Some have several students read scripture. Some even have a speaker to speak to the masses gathered before the start of schools. You can buy t-shirts, bracelets, and posters for See You at the Pole. Some churches provide elaborate breakfast while others opt for donuts and juice.

When I pulled into the parking lot this morning at the school we were one of the first to arrive. Another church provided donuts and orange juice. The boys and I waited until after 7:30 a.m. and the junior high early morning football practice was dismissed to attend. Dozens gathered to grab donuts and juice but I noticed no one ever went around the flagpole to pray. Finally three of the boys (Tanner was in football) went to the flagpole and joined hands and offered prayer. Nobody joined us.

We were on the high school campus praying and afterward walked up the hill to the junior high campus where Tucker and Turner and I prayed around that flagpole. We were the only ones. All the other students had gathered at the high school campus or were just arriving at school. When I drove out the parking lot later to take Turner to school I glanced down at the high school noticed no one had gathered around the flagpole to pray.

Turner and I went to the flagpole at his school and prayed together. I am sure others had already prayed and gone into the school. We prayed alone. Turner prayed for his teacher Mrs. Norwood. I felt honored to keep this long-standing tradition with my boys. I loved making the memory of praying with them around the flagpole and telling them the story of how it all began back in Burleson, TX with a group of students joining together to pray for their high school twenty-one years ago.

Over the years I have noticed what began as a prayer meeting has become anything but that on many campuses. I am not sure if they ever got around to praying at our high school today but I can tell you for certain praying was not the main business. This is supposed to be student led. While I applaud the energy our students put into worship I do not seem the same passion for prayer. Even my boys seemed pretty unsure how to pray this morning.

See You at the Pole is supposed to be a prayer meeting. The enemy would rather us sing, fellowship, and eat anytime more than engage in spiritual battle through prayer. We must pray now more than ever. There is power unleashed by God when His people gather to call on His name. We would all love to see the power of God unleashed through the gospel message on our children’s campuses and in the communities we live in.

What happened to the prayer meeting? Even among adults prayer meetings are among the least attended activities in the local church. Many of the ones I have attended in the past tended to focus on praying for the sick and infirmed more than for more laborers to go into the harvest.

I have often wondered why we have not seen God unleash revival fire in these twenty-one years of meeting at the flagpoles. I know many have prayed. Sadly some have had to pray alone as no one else joined them. I also know prayer has not been the sole focus of many of these gatherings in a long while.

We must be reminded it is supposed to be a prayer meeting. We can also be reminded it does not have to happen just one time a year. We can gather multiple times for the glory of God and cry out to Him to heal our land. I challenge all who read this to make See You at the Pole about prayer even if the size of the crowds dwindle. Remind your children, train your students, encourage your leadership to keep the focus on prayer.