Water

Many of you know that I love water. As I get older, I realize more and more that I need it. Growing up I only liked water if it had Kool-Aid mixed in it. Water was boring and my taste buds were just not impressed... Several years ago I started running, and realized very quickly that I needed water! It's funny but I am not a big fan of ice cold water. It's easier to drink when it is served slightly colder than room temp. Before a race or a long run I have to start hydrating a few days before. Lots of, you guessed it...water.

Here in South East Asia it's hot too. Just like home but it's hot all the time, and about 10 to 15 degrees warmer than our typical heat.  We drink a lot of water here. I don't think that I have felt really hydrated since I have been here but my body is starting to adjust.

I read a book by Ravi Zacharias called Jesus Among Other gods about a couple of years ago. In his book, he poses a great question about water. (Paraphrasing here) He asks which is the greater miracle, a drop of water it's self, or the fact that Jesus walked on it...? He argued that a drop of water is greater. The reasoning is all the factors that it takes to create that drop of water. I'm not a chemistry major, but it's pretty complex. He then argued that is it too far fetched to think that the Creator who made the water, couldn't walk on it... Give Matthew 14:22-23 a read if you get a chance too!  

There are other things that water is good for besides drinking. Another is for cleansing. We had the opportunity to go to an Indian hindu festival today called Thaipusam. It is a festival where it's devotees are paying a debt homage to their god(s). I just felt a spiritual darkness there that I have only felt a few other times in my life. Many of the people go as far as placing giant hooks in their backs and pull people through the streets. While I was there, my prayer was for God to pour His mercy and grace on these people like a mighty river through these streets. Ezekiel 47:1-12 was on my heart during this time. It describes a mighty river flowing out of God's sanctuary and everything the water touches will bear fruit and it will never fail. Verse 12 talks about the "fruit being used for food and its leaves for healing." Jesus also talked to the Samaritan woman about living water in John 4:10-14. My prayer is that they also taste this Water and know that the Lord is good. Amazing Truth there!

Here is a picture of a man from the festival. His back was full of hooks and there were ropes attached. These ropes were used to pull another man through the streets.

Walking down the street at the festival. This photo does not do justice to the amount of people who where there and how large the event was. Reports in the paper said that there will be 1 million people at the festival. I believe it!

So when you think about water or use it, please remember to pray for the nations! There are so many great organizations that make water available all over the world as well. One is Neverthirst. Please check out their website at www.neverthirstwater.org. My small group and some other friends have raised support to have a well dug in parts of the world where water is not accessible. Please check it out and pray about getting involved!