Mariachi

This is the time of year the Mariachi bands enter competition and put on performances, We went last night to the Basilica of Our Lady of San Juan to see 4 area school Mariachi bands perform, some of the them had won National Championships. They were wonderful as usual - the kids are so dedicated and perform with such exuberance and energy! There was also a group of dancers performing authentic Mexican dances, all participants ranging in ages  from about 10 to perhaps 17. They, too, were excellent. This afternoon there is a group coming to our park, which we are planning to see. This type of music is very revered here in the Valley and competition is great to be involved. The kids are awesome.



Cooler weather this morning as we headed to Mission Bell and church services with Pastor Jim Maxson. We were treated to a men's quartet for special music. It amazes me that men of retirement age have such wonderful voices that harmonize so well. Pastor Jim preached a sermon on Trials and Tribulations - sometimes referring to the  Kris Kristofferson song "Why Me, Lord?". How many times in your life have you wanted to ask that question?  Just thinking about the mountains and valleys in my life alone makes me know I have thought that. I see others doing so many sinful things, defying the Lord's commandments and still breezing through life without a worry, when I try to follow His Word and still run into brick walls. When we find ourselves in valleys, no matter how small it seems, as in Pastor Jim's life when a rat chewed through his water and sewer lines, or when life threatening illnesses strike us, we always need to praise the Lord for the good things - such as Pastor Jim being able to repair his chewed up lines, or overcoming or dealing with an illness or death.
It is difficult to do - to try to remain faithful to the Lord! But how we react to the hard times in our lives is definitely a reflection of our Christianity - so don't say those words when you hit your thumb with a hammer, or you get a flat tire. Praise God that you are not bleeding to death, or that perhaps you can take time while you are waiting to have your tire repaired to examine all the praises you can give to the Lord.

Our CRM organization allows us to write a devotion to the Winter Texan Times. I wrote one a few weeks ago which was published. I hope this is not a sign of being boastful, but more than one person has said how much it meant to them - one lady even cut it out and saved it. I would  like to reprint it here for your now - perhaps it can put a new light on your happiness.
 "What is happiness? If you ask 100 people what happiness is or what makes them happy, you will probably receive 100 different answers. If you look up happiness in the dictionary, you will read. "happiness is the state of being happy". No help there. Happiness is a mental or emotional state of mind ranging from contentment to euphoria, depending on where you are at the moment.
Psalm 144, verse 15 reads "Happy are the people who are in such a state: happy are the people whose God is Lord." God's people were living in a time when their barns were full, their livestock were productive, and there was peace in the villages. They were happy, living living in a time of abundance. Psalm 144 is all about praising God for His grace and provision.
What makes you happy? Are you so wound up  in the world happenings and possessions, thinking that the more you possess, the happier you are? Or are you happy or content that Jesus is your Savior, the Lord of Lords, and King of Kings who died for your personal salvation? Yes, He died for YOU as well as me and everyone else.
The Book of Psalms refers to happiness many times. Psalm 3:13 reads, "Happy is the man who finds finds wisdom and the man who gains understanding". Wisdom is not in reading books or listening to the news. Wisdom reading God's Word until you really know and understand it. Wisdom is knowing that God want you to live His Word as well as read it - to make it a part of your daily life. God wants you to be happy. When you gain wisdom from the Lord, you will live in total happiness and contentment.
Life presents many mountains and valleys that may make us happy beyond belief or may leave us depressed. How we deal with every situation in life depends on how we trust the Lord. He is always with us. Rejoice and be happy in every area of your life because he lives."

I just reprinted this because it seems to fit in with this morning's sermon - all the trial and tribulations in this life are only the preparation for the life eternal with the Lord.