August 2 – “The Ezra Announcement”

Yesterday was a big day at church, in a different kind of way.  First, it was our first day in our new normal, with our new co-pastor taking on roles in worship.  Kel led several prayers.  Noa handled the Facebook Live camera.  Ezra assisted Miss Lauren at the worship computer.  All quite exciting additions. 

 

And secondly, we had a baptism.  That’s always a big day, because we get to end the service by walking down to the beach.  This one was really special.  He started out in Galveston as a homeless guy with a lot of problems.  He was rescued out of that through the grace of God and the concern, commitment, and downright tenacity of some Seasiders who insisted on being the church to him.  To mention a few, Lauren gave him rides and offered a listening ear.  Doug gave him a place to stay.  And Bob encouraged him spiritually.  It was definitely an exciting experience to see him baptized to solidify his commitment to the Lord.  We love you, Mark.

 

A pretty big group of us went to Salsa’s after church.  That place serves really big portions.  Micah couldn’t even finish his burrito.  My quesadilla will feed me for at least three days.  And Chris brought home two shrimp tacos.  On the way there Ezra had an announcement to make (He and Micah were riding with us).  Here’s the interchange:

Ezra: “DadDad, I’m gonna take over at Seaside and be the pastor. 

Me:  “Oh, you are, are you?”

Ezra:  “Well, my Dad is.”

Me: “Well, you’ll just have to take over for him.”

Ezra (excitedly): “OK!”

Watch out, Seaside.  The next generation is already being groomed …

 

Speaking of that next generation, we have Kel’s kiddos for the next few days.  He and Christina are celebrating their anniversary a little early by getting out of town for a day or two.  Sunday afternoon down time, right?  Not this time.  Media time was more than loud.  Josiah was playing his new Virtual Reality games.  We had to stay out of his way as he roamed around the room, swinging his arms and reaching for the air.  Noa was watching some kind of nonsensical stuff on a phone.  Ezra had some games going on a different contraption.  Micah was dividing his time between the Astros game on the regular TV and whatever he had going on his phone.  Then Brennan came over and the big boys retired into the office where the X-box they brought with them had suddenly been attached and was running.  A whole new set of sounds.  Wheeeee!   With all hopes of a nap dashed, I tried to concentrate on the Astros game.  All my concentration didn’t help them win, though. 

 

Things finally calmed down by around seven or eight.  We settled in to watch some Olympics events.  Micah was kind of frustrated that people who were born in the United States were competing for other countries … and winning.  I heard “Traitor!” more than once.  I guess in a sense he had a point …

 

Romans 8:31 says, “What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?”

 

Father, thank you that we can trust you to always be for us.  Amen.