YGT: Singing in the Rain (A New Baby!)

He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 

Matthew 5:45b

In life, there are moments of intense pain, loss, and tragedy; the car accidents that rob parents of children or the diseases that stubbornly evade a cure.  Then there are moments of great joy; walking across a stage at graduation or the birth of a child.

In my family's life, we have recently experienced great pains and great blessings.  We continue to hope for relief for our Granny's Alzheimer's.  Like many, there always seems to be more month than money.  At the same time we are also celebrating the news that we're having another baby soon... (wait, what?!) Yes, we're pregnant!!!!!

Of course, this is AMAZING news.  We're overjoyed and can't wait for the next addition to our family (who is due this December).  However, it's sobering to remember that many people don't have the opportunity to have children, have complicated pregnancies, or struggle to raise their children.  How can I be ungrateful about what happens in my life when I've been so blessed?  If I don't complain about the joys why do I complain about the pains?  (Many of my complaints could likely be classified as "first world problems" - thanks T.K.)

When disappointment rains down, rather than opening an umbrella of pity, why not just let it fall on us?  If it's gonna fall anyway, why not try singing in the rain?  I sing because relief is on the way.  I sing because rain is a sign that God is still on the throne.  I sing because new life is on the way!  

So, back to the title... when it rains, open your mouth and sing!!!  Need a song?  How about the classic "I Won't Complain".  Here's a version by John Legend...

Lord, please forgive us for complaining about what we go through when others suffer so much.  Thank you for the gift of a new life.  We're blessed to be stewards of Your glory.  Please reveal Yourself to us again.  Until we see Your face, we'll be singing while You reign... Amen.

Saying thank You Lord,

j.a.g.

YGT: Watch the Throne

Excerpt from a recent sermon:

1Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem thirty-one years. 

2 He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord and followed the ways of his father David, not turning aside to the right or to the left.

3 In the eighth year of his reign, while he was still young, he began to seek the God of his father David. 

...When Josiah was born, his grandfather, Manassah, reigned as king of Judah. Manassah was evil and then turned his life around and followed God. Manassah reigned fifty-five years and was buried in his palace. (check out II Chronicles 33)

When Josiah was six, his father, Amon, reigned as king of Judah. Amon did what was "evil in the sight of the Lord". He never repented. Amon was killed in his palace by his own servants after reigning for two years.

Josiah was made the king of Jerusalem at eight years old. I imagine he had to decide what kind of king he wanted to be. Would he be like his grandfather or his father?  Josiah chose to follow the example of his grandfather and follow after David.  I believe this is because Josiah remembered how his grandfather ruled and how Manassah had turned his life around.  This had a profound effect on Josiah.

If we want revival in our youth, that revival must start in us!  Our children are watching the throne to see who is ruling in our lives.

...How powerful would it be if we told our children: I'm going back to school.  Or we're going to pray together every night before we go to sleep.  Or (hold onto your seat) I’m going to stop using the N-word?  (Whoa!)  ... Our children are burgeoning royalty.  They're looking to the throne to decide what kind of rulers they want to be.  What kind of legacy are we leaving them?...

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.(Ephesians 1:18-23 NIV)

Squinting,

j.a.g.