I awoke at 3:00am this morning thinking I heard an explosion in the distance.  Since we live around chemical plants this would not be too out of the ordinary.  I looked out the window to see if I noticed any fires in the distance.  I saw nothing.  As I laid down in bed again, I noticed another noise.  Thump, thump, thump, etc.  I went out in the backyard and discovered that our neighbors on the street behind us were playing basketball.  At 3:00 in the morning.  What is this world coming to?

I couldn’t go back to sleep so I stayed up and read my Bible and prayed for a while.  I always enjoy early morning prayer times, there is something special about the Lord’s presence that early. 

I went back to bed about 4:30 and was awakened by the phone at 6:23am.  It was from a person I didn’t know.  I said, “Hello.” No one answered.  6:27am someone else called from a different number, still I did not know them.  I said, “Hello.” No one answered.  6:40am yet another call from another person I did not know. I said, “Hello.” No one answered.  6:57am another call.  7:18 another call.

It was kind of a weird morning.  I am always alarmed when someone calls early.  As a pastor, you know that it is usually someone in need.  But five people whom I don’t know and none of them want to talk to me.  It was just plain weird.  It seemed kind of like one of those weird dreams you have that everything goes against the grain.  Where everything you pick up falls down or you cannot get your car started when someone is chasing you.  It was just a weird morning.

In spite of all of that, God is good!  We serve a great God who is high above all other gods.  This is the day that the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it. 

Last week was a busy week with two deaths in the church family.  One was 84, the other was 39.

As I prepared for both funerals, I was required to ponder on how life is lived.  84 years is a good long life, 39 years is short.  Regardless of how long we live we must live life in light of eternity.  The 84 year old died after a long struggle, the 39 year old suddenly and unexpectedly.  One had a long time to prepare for his eternal destiny, for the younger one it came more suddenly.

Life has radical turns and changes that come without warning.  We are not guarunteed our next breath.  Our life can be cut short in a moment…in a flash.  We must be prepared for eternity at all times.  We have no guaruntees that we will have a long approach to our death.  Therefore we must live like we will die in the next moment…we must live life for Jesus Christ.

Most people do not like to think on these things.  It is much too morbid for us to dwell on.  But on the other hand, if we never think on this, we will never evaluate our spiritual lives.  Are we ready to meet the Lord?  The Bible says, “It is appointed unto man once to die and then the judgment.”  We will all face the grave.  We will all meet our maker!

Are You Ready?  Jesus Christ is the way to prepare.  You must surrender your life to Him and choose to live for Him.  Living life for Jesus is the greatest thing anyone can do.  Any other life is empty and vain.

I am never one to dog my favorite team, but what is going on with the Astros?  Can they turn their season around?

A read where Tim Purpura is going to make some changes in the line up once Bigio gets his 3000th hit.  Burke will see more playing time and I agree, that is a good move. Give Burke a chance to play and hit.  He’s a hustler, he will add some spark to the line up.  Many say, “well he is not a power hitter.”  You cannot have everyone in the line up be a power hitter.  We have Carlos Lee, Lance Berkman, Hunter Pence, even Luke Scott has power… Morgan Ensberg used to but now it is time to give his spot to Lamb. 

I am not an expert on running a baseball team but there is a consistent trend here…starting pitchers are keeping us in the game but the bullpen has blown it.  They have allowed 32 runs in the last 21 innings.  We need a different strategy.

Good luck Astros, even if you are in last place you will still be my team!