If you don't like the weather we are having, just wait! We hear that phrase a lot in this part of the world. This week was no exception. From beautiful sunshine weather in the 70's on Monday, to wet, cold rain in the 40's on Wednesday. Then back to sunshine and the 60's Thursday. What a ride, hope your week was full of adventures!
We got our week started off with lots of activities on Saturday. Bright and early we had a big group of men from Mr Matt's church, Airline Baptist, mowing, trimming, weeding, cutting the grounds. What a special group of men, having no clue who we are, spending the morning working for us, what a huge blessing they were.
While they were working, some of us made our visits to the camps. Turner is doing fine, talkative for Turner! Robert and his camp were full of humor and stories. Still no sign of Richard. Tim and Matt visited the other camps and concluded their visits with Catfish. Catfish seems to be on the right track and doing much better. Glad to have our relationship going again with Catfish.
Later on in the afternoon, we had our first concert. Two young students from Parkway, members of Brookwood, sang and played the afternoon away, a blessing to all who attended. What a treat to see young people sharing their talents for Jesus.
Tuesday afternoon, Joey and Lomax took some of the children to a movie for this week's field trip. Everybody had a good time.
Tuesday evening, the men of the community gathered for Bible fellowship. Mr Matt read from Luke 17. We talked about forgiveness, faith, thankfulness and the Kingdom of God. If a follower says he is sorry, forgive him, do we? The disciples asked Jesus, increase our faith, how do we do that? Only one of the lepers came back to Jesus and praise God for healing him, don't we do the same thing, taking God for granted? The leaders of the Jewish nation asked Jesus, where is the Kingdom of God? Jesus said, it is not something you can see or a place where you will say, here it is. Jesus said, God's Kingdom is within you, among you. Each one of you are a part of the Kingdom, because it is in you.
Wednesday afternoon, in the driving rain, the cold weather, Joey, Lomax and I visited a new friend of ours. One of our first interns, Ms Anna had begun a friendship with Joshua at the Yellow house. Joshua has moved not too far from us, so she asked us if we could visit with him to let him know we are a community to help young students like him. Hopefully we will begin a relationship with this young man and help him in his journey.
What an afternoon we had Thursday. About 4:45 I get a phone call from Pastor Willie, saying he was at the doctors office with his wife and could not make it for chapel. Noel agreed to say a few words and as he was preparing, Ms Dorothy sitting down in the back of the chapel began to sing. Then others began to sing and before you knew it the chapel was filled with such sounds of gospel music, you could not believe. Wes came to play the piano, he started playing and more of the community started singing. Just as we were finishing our songs, in walks Pastor Willie. He had us open the doors to the chapel, and more folks from the outside came inside! Unbelievable, what a blessing!
We had a new friend come by Thursday. Ms Jean, who runs Catholic Services from St. Cathrines, came by to see Ms Dawn and visit with us. She wants to see if we can all sit down together and share what each of us do and work together to serve the community. Very exciting to see where this cooperation might lead.
Following our chapel time, we were treated to some new helpers from Grace. The confirmation class joined us and helped, serve, passed out plates, washed the dishes, handed out grocery bags and cleaned the tables. Have never seen so many young people running around helping out. What a great Thursday meal.
Prayers continue for Joe and Abbie. Joe is still in the hospital. His recovery is very slow, trying to gain strength in his legs. He fell just as Joey and I visited with him Wednesday afternoon. So far, no details from the doctors on what caused Joe's seizures. Continue to lift up William and James as they deal with life. Prayers for Ms Dawn as she was under the weather Thursday.
Remember, next Saturday, the 20th at 8:30 will be our breakfast. Don't want to miss that.
We have been asked by Pastor Eddie, to be one of his sites for a summer feeding program this summer. We are in the process of asking the community to help us run the program. Can't wait to see how it all goes.
Keep thinking about what we read in Luke chapter 17, talking about the Kingdom of God. The Kingdom is not something you will find, or see, but it is inside of us, among us. The center is not a place where you open up a door and find lvoe. You go in this room and find peace. If you sit in this chair, you will experience joy. The Kingdom is not a thing or a place you can see. The Kingdom is you and me. The walls of the center cannot show joy, only you can. The floors cannot provide comfort, only you can. The ceilings cannot show lvoe, only you can.
Folks don't go to Grace for the nice carpet or the comfortable chairs, they go because they have found something special through the people of Grace. The same can be said for our community when they come on Thursdays or Saturdays or any day of the week. They don't come for the white sticky chairs, or the tables all marked up by our creations over the years, they come because they know they will be respected and not judged.
They come because of each one of you are allowing the Kingdom of God to flow through you and show God's special lvoe to all. Thank you for continued passion is serving others and showing all, the Kingdom of God is real and alive in Cedar Grove!
Hope you all have a great weekend and joyous week! Amen.
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