Monday, September 5, 2011

Some things are more important

To my readers,

Normally every Monday I write a post entitled "Movie-Quote Monday." However, there are situations when traditions are broken- there are times when something is much more important.

I believe sharing this was more important.

I got on Twitter today to find these tweets:
ANY fire fighters in Central Texas that have fire fighting experience are strongly asked to call 512-978-1187 #txfire #centraltxfires
Stay safe tonight. See statesman.com for updates, @CenTexRedCross has shelter info, @austintexasgov posting evac info. #centraltxfires
Oh, my. Wildfire in Bastrop, TX. My heart is breaking for those fire fighters having to fight this. Please watch & pray. youtube.com/watch?v=wELdKg…
For you who tweet, #centraltxfires is trending.  If you want to get involved in how to help- go watch this trend. Eventually I came across my boss' tweet which read:
@cadillaczak: video of the fire in bastrop...DRAMATIC: youtu.be/wELdKgk80e8”// unbelievable

This is the video he posted:


Please pray for rain but more so pray for the lives of families near and the brave folks that are fighting these fires.  Pray for safety and that these fires would die.  

If you or anyone have any experience fighting fires and are not far from Central Texas, they could use your help. 

Pray and if you know God is pulling on your hearts to do more- then do it.  

How can our communities help these that are hurting? 

Simply,
Tex G.M. Rule

Saturday, September 3, 2011

Vandals & Motel 6


To my reader,

Our campus laundry mat was vandalized. 

Because of this, our laundry mat was shut down. They literally locked it up as I was carrying my clothes over to the mat and told me the news. As you can assume, this may have thrown off my schedule for the week.

You see, I have nothing to wear.  Now, when I say I have no clothes to wear, I literally mean that the clothes that I am wearing are the last set of clean clothes I have. 

I needed clothes for the next day and it was 10 o’clock at night on the south-side of San Antonio.  What was I going to do?

A 24-hour Washeria!

This idea is what began a very long adventure for my roommate and I as we started driving.  We pulled into the first Washeria to find it was open 24 hours however, since it had been broken into recently, was closed.  No big deal.

The next was the same. We continued to drive intent on finding a laundry mat. We drove around aimlessly until hope started to seem lost. Apparently someone has been knocking off washerias with the intent of making my washing schedule impossible.  We decided to go home- until I got a crazy idea.

As we approached the entrance to my apartments, we pulled into a Motel 6.  I ran inside and spoke with the clerk at the counter.  I explained my story and proceeded to ask if there was any possible chance she could let me use their motel’s washer and dryer. 


She let us inside.  I was able to wash my laundry.

Jesus shares this parable of a man who is dire need of food to feed a very important guest at midnight.  He runs to his neighbors house and begins to knock on his door begging for food.  This man continues to knock even though his neighbor has told you him to go away many times. He furthers says,
But I tell you this- though he won’t do it for friendship’s sake, if you keep knocking long enough, he will get up and give you whatever you need because of your shameless persistence.”  Luke 11:8, NLT.
How often do we let one closed door stop us?

Why do we give up so easily?

When we face obstacles we cannot look at them once and turn and walk away.  A hurdler must practice continuously. And when (not if) they trip, they must pick themselves up and try again.

Christ was persistent.  He came to heal this broken and lost world.  The scriptures said Jesus set his face like flint towards Jerusalem, and even though he knew what awaited him there, he pressed onward enduring everything to bring us freedom in order that we can have a relationship with him. 

I’m thankful that Jesus never gave up on us.

Don’t give up so easily.  Trust in the one that endured everything, and overcame. When you do this and opposition arises, you can stand firm on what you know he has called you to. 

Keep knocking and don’t give up.

Simply,
Tex G.M. Rule
But I tell you this- though he won’t do it for friendship’s sake, if you keep knocking long enough, he will get up and give you whatever you need because of your shameless persistence.  Luke 11:8, NLT.