We got our week started off visiting our friends living outside. Turner and Richard were doing fine. Richard had a story for us. Robert Harp is back with us. Robert was one day from completely his rehab, but bolted and has relapsed again, alcohol controlling his life. Terrible, terrible, he was not in a good frame of mind, wanting to quit but mad he did not. Prayers for Robert, he is struggling. We met Brad's friend Charles, who takes Brad to church each week and helps him out from time to time. Smokey had lots of stories to share with us. Matt, Sara and Tim made their way around to the other camps, visiting Catfish, Tim, Joey, Joe, Andy, Brian and Jimalee. Prayers for our friends living outside. Life is hard in normal circumstances, you add heat, mosquitoes, chiggers, sweat, troubles follow.
We had some friends visit us Monday afternoon. The youth from Temple Methodist church in Ruston came over. They helped with summer camp, picked up trash around the center, worked in the garden, all the while - smiling and having a good time.
Tuesday evening, the men gathered in the Fellowship hall for a full barbeque spread and then talked about Ephesians chapter 4, about supporting each other and lifting each other up. It was suggested we lift each other up in prayer during the week. One of the camps, told us they talk about our gatherings during the week, to help them get through the week, very inspiring.
The Summer feeding program continued. We lost our cook, but the other ladies have pulled together to continue serving our meals. It is great to see a play pen in the fellowship hall. One of the moms brings her child with her to work, pretty cool.
Sports was the theme for summer camp this week. Did you all see the pictures of the week, playing ball, jumping rope and completing the week by going to a skating park. The interns are doing a great job, the children seem to be having a great time. Thanks so much everybody making it all happen.
Travis and Dave have begun preparing the window frames for the windows we have ordered for the Bright House II. They have repaired holes around the house, getting it ready to start painting.
We got a text from our folks who come to chapel on the first Thursday of each month, telling us they were having a church function and could not come. We decided to just have our meal and hand out groceries. Not an hour later, Pastor Jackson texts and says, he would like to come sing and preach if we needed him! Isn't that amazing, God took care of everything. So Ms Abbie and the choir sang a couple of songs and Pastor Jackson shared the Word. TJ and his family spent all afternoon preparing a meal, Ms Lisa and Ms Abbie handed out groceries. All had a great time. We had a small number of folks show up, but that was ok, we got to sit down with many of them and visit for awhile. Thanks to all for coming out and sharing the lvoe of Christ.
Prayers for our Lomax as he, some from the Yellow house and some from First Methodist are helping in Haiti this week. Prayers for Lomax that he doesn't get lost from the group and doesn't come back home!
Prayers for William. The first of each month William has money. He usually spends it all on his addictions. He is trying to not do that this month but it is hard because he has been doing it for so long. Prayers for those involved with William that they can help him through this week.
Our electrician again, has performed his magic for us. He did so, taking time out of his holiday to unhook the electricity wire going into the Bright House II. Now our groups can scrape, prime and paint the house without having to worry about the electricity. Thank you John Williams.
Next week, summer camp will be treated to the enthusiasm of Brookwood's Baptist youth. For the third year in a row, the youth will host their Vacation Bible camp for our children. One of the biggest treats is our kids will get a t-shirt for the week. There will be lots of songs, dance, and activities going on. Come by if you get a chance and check it all out.
An old saying, it is hard to tell a Christian Monday through Saturday, has been rattling in my head this week. Matt talked about Tuesday evening, we need to support one another, lift each other up every day, not just on Tuesdays or Thursdays or when we meet. Pastor Jackson talked about the fig tree, bearing leaves, but no fruit, explaining to Jesus, it is not my season to bear fruit. Jesus saying, we need to bear fruit all year long, just not when it feels right for us.
How often have we said to someone in need, not now I don't have time for you. Why don't you come on Sunday? Or I will see you on Thursday? If something happens between us, we go to someone else and start gossiping behind their backs, instead of sharing our thoughts with each other. We criticize each other instead of lifting them up. Hard to find a Christian when all of this is going on. No wonder folks don't come to church, when they see Christians, fighting, spreading rumors or back stabbing.
The last verse in Ephesians Chapter 4 says, Be kind and loving to each other, and forgive each other just as God forgave you in Christ. Good words to follow, to live by, to show others the lvoe of Christ. Our community is about lvoe, not hate. Our community is about passion not greed. Our community is about others, not selfishness. Let's continue our walks, learning to lvoe others as we grow closer in our relationships with Christ.
Have a great weekend and a blessed week. See you around the center. Amen!
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