Like a Rushing River

Years ago I lived in South Texas. It is not unusual to see rivers that for about 80% of the year are dry. The floor of the river is dry, cracked and dusty. If you dig down deep enough, you will come across damp soil and eventually water, but sometimes you might have to dig for a very long time. During the rainy season when the rain may fall at the rate of 1-3 inches and hour this area is prone to flash floods. It is an interesting phenonomon watching a river "come down" as the locals call it. First in the center of the bed of the river there is the slightest trickle of water. That trickle grows into a brook, then a large stream and then one can hear the water from a way off. It sounds like rolling thunder. And then you see this massive wall of water surging over the river bed, closing up all the cracked, dry, soil. The water replenishes the area around the river and brings life back to the river bed, the banks of the river and everywhere the life-giving water touches.

This is how I have experienced the Grace and Blessing of God, when I am dry and my life looks barren, when things look the most difficult and the mountain before me seems huge, God surprises me with a flash flood of grace and blessing.

We are in a time and place when it might feel that we are in dry river bed with no hope of experiencing the refreshing touch of God's blessing, but I know that God is in control and I can almost hear the roar of the water coming down the river!

Finish the Race Well

In WOW (Women of the Word) we are studying Ezra, Nehemiah & Esther. Ezra & Nehemiah chronicle a time in the history of Israel when they were asked to build the temple in Jerusalem and then rebuild the city. They faced obstacles, challenges and people who said it couldn't be done. They knew in their hearts that God had called them to the challenge and with His help they would accomplish what they were asked to do.

I imagine that if we spoke to every person, young and old, that attends Washington Cathedral we would have hundreds if not thousands of stories that would tell of the challenges that we all face.

God has called us as a church to build the Randy and Rod ReCreation Center. He wants us to use it to bless the communities that surround us. We are in the last several miles of the marathon called the Deepen Our Roots campaign. We can see the finish line. Our lungs hurt, our legs hurt and sometimes feel like rubber. We are thinking, I am not sure I can cross the finish line. But there is good news! We are not doing this alone, we are a group of saints that have joined together to build the ReCreation Center and with God's help, it will be built.

Join us on the greatest adventure and race of your life!!!!!