Scott and Dawn made the rounds to visit our friends. Everybody seem to be doing ok. We will need to bring some warm clothes this week, suppose to be cold.
With school out for the holidays, children's activities are still quiet. School is back in Monday, so our next semester will get underway this coming week.
Tuesday evening, New Year's Eve, the men gathered to listen to Rickie led in the reading from 1 Peter 1: 1-13. We talked about submitting to God's authority in our lives. Only then we will experience the full blessings from God. Why do we try to resist so and try to do everything ourselves?
Thursday we got the evening started off with our friends Heather, Derek and Richard in chapel. Followed by a meal cooked by Abbey and her crew. Lisa and Rickie gave out groceries bagged up by Ms Abbie. We are in the process of moving our clothing room, so it is not opened yet. Our older neighborhood boys continue to provide a challenge to us in their behavior. We are trying to see if some of our community men can talk with them to settle down their emotions. The guys from our Macroni camp washed and cleaned all the dishes. Summer Grove youth pastor led children's church. All and all it was a good night.
We have youth groups from Bossier coming Friday and Saturday of this week to help around the center. Lots of work will be done in the clothing room. Rickie is putting in a new floor for us in the office. Almost completed, go by and take a look. We are trying to decide if we want to continue this flooring in the hallway and fellowship hall.
Ms Abbie said Ms Dorothy has been released from the hospital and into the care of Hospice. Prayers for her and her family as she goes through the final stages of her life. Not sure if she is home or with her sister.
Pastor Richard talked about Nehemiah in chapel Thursday. He came up with a word DAP. Nehemiah "decided" to follow God's word in building the wall. He "acted" on his decision and Nehemiah "persevered" in his endeavor. A good way for us to remember as we begin a new year, decide, act and persevere.
Many of us will have new challenges in the coming year. Some will have the excitement of new jobs. Others the challenges of being born again in Christ. Some, the responsibilities of leading others to Christ. We will face financial challenges. Some will be facing the obstacles of sickness in ourselves and our love ones. We just don't know what is ahead of us in this new year. We will have God with us to meet these challenges.
Nehemiah decided to go to Jerusalem and build a wall, only to find resistance and persecution. We will do the same in our journeys. Following the will of God is not the way of the world. But that is ok. As long as we stay in God's will, He will provide.
Many times our challenges this year will seem overwhelming. It would be easy to say this is too hard. I can't do this. This is not what I signed up for. But remember, who is in charge! It is not "I" but God within me doing this. God will be with you every step of the way.
The other thought is persevere. Or sometimes I think of the word I hate! patience. Often times when we are going through the challenges of our decisions, struggling with what people are saying about our actions, we do not see the blessings of it all, unless we persevere. The older I get the faster I want to see things happen! God's timing is not ours, so sometimes we must persevere in order to reap the awards of God's timing. Something I am learning, not sure I like it, but always, things work out for the best when we follow God's timing.
All of this goes along with what the men talked about Tuesday evening, submitting to the will of God in our lives. We can not, should not go it alone as we go about our lives in this new year. God is in control, accept it, embrace it and live a life worthy of His glory.
Exciting times ahead for us. Let's "decide" to follow Christ, "act" as Christ would and "persevere" in our journeys this year. Can't wait to hear about all your stories! Amen.
Hope your week is a filled with many blessings!
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