Rain, Grace, & His love.

The past couple of weeks the weather has been amazing. The high has been between 75 and 85, so perfect. What's even more perfect is the fact that we have been getting alot of rain! Tonight we had an amazing storm. 

It started with a little bit of thunder and lightening, then a little bit of sprinkling. Not much, but I wasn't complaining. So Anns and I decided to go outside and enjoying the rain while it lasted. We were joking about how we thought God should open up the flood gates. Not even 5 minutes later after a few loud cracks of thunder and flashes of lightning, it began to rain. No, pour. Just this drenching rain that was probably one of the most amazing things I have experienced. 

I love everything about the rain! The cool feeling, the thunder, the lightning, the big black clouds, the way it smells, the rainbow afterwards, how everything looks clean when it's done. 

It's beautiful.

So as Anns and I are literally dancing in the rain, I realized that just like rain was pouring down on me, God pours out His love and grace on us. In every way shape and form. Sometimes, we feel like He just sprinkles it on us but then it pours. And we can't get enough of it. How awesome and mighty He is, and how He makes me speechless everyday. 

Just like the rain, I can't get enough of my Jesus. 

Distractions.

As usual an idea for a blogged happened while I was sitting in church. 

Last Sunday started off just like every other Sunday. Sunday school went well, except for the usual lack of talk. [I'm surprised I haven't blogged about that one yet] 

Then service started. Opening time, meet & greet, sing some songs, and then the sermon. 

Every week, without fail, as soon as Pastor Hoyt starts preaching people seem to lose focus. It starts off small with a few people trying to get settled with their papers and pens. Then a quarter of the way through people begin to get up and down. More papers rustling as well as one of the doors shutting. Then you have the cell or two go off about half or three-fourths through. Of course it wouldn't be a service without a baby crying during the service now would it? 

You might call me picky, or even negative at this point but here's my thoughts. 

Why do people feel the need to come to church and be a distraction? That may not be their intention, but it seems as if its the same people week after week who are causing a stir. Why are they not thinking outside of their personal bubble and thinking that they could be distracting others? 

I know, I know. We all have been a distraction at one point or another. But, have we have actually stopped and thought that we could be preventing others from doing something. Distractions are going to happen wherever we go, but you would think in church that there would be less. I would hope that we are all there to learn more about God and His will for His Kingdom. Sadly, it seems the opposite of that. 

Why are people not turning of their cell phones, putting their babies in the nursery, going to the bathroom beforehand, or fixing their papers? Why? 

I don't get it. 

I realize that I have indeed been one of those people. I hope that now that I am aware of what it does to me when people do that I can now focus on not being a distraction. I mean the whole meaning of a distraction is taking someone's full attention away from something. 

I just want to be able to sit down in a service and be able to actually focus on what's being preached. 

Callmecrazy.