We had several young men from a fraternity at Centenary join us Saturday. One of our long time pastor friends, Ellen Austin's son Nathaniel joined us and brought some of his friends. We met Ellen when she and Nathaniel came up from the hurricane in New Orleans. We then made several mission trips down to her church to help restore it. Now, many years later her son all grown up, starting his life, is helping us restore our building, pretty cool!
Hanging around the center Saturday morning, got to see all the activity that goes on. What a treat to look up and see Matt and Tim lead their group of children, with trash bags in hand out into the neighborhood. Only imaging what God is doing through these young people. Ardis and her children busy wrapping bread, cooking up delicious cinnamon toast for everybody. Lauren and Jan hosting Black History month activities, through art and song.
Scott and Dawn made their way around to the camps. No drama this week which is a good thing. Smokey being Smokey, had a fried fish lunch for Dawn and Scott as they arrived! What a true servant of God, always wanting to give back.
Tim brought some new friends. You could hear guitar and dulcimer songs throughout the building.
Pizza smells came from the kitchen at lunch time, being enjoyed by everybody. A great morning, happening every week, come and enjoy.
We got a nice surprise Monday morning, as our floor guys showed up to strip away the old flooring in the hallway and fellowship hall. It has been a long time coming but it is good we can remove some of the old flooring to make way for new flooring. The new look will put everybody in a better humor!
Tuesday evening, Matt read from Matthew 7: 13-29. A full circle of men, sharing their hearts about what God has done in their lives. Talking about producing good fruit. Learning why and how we can produce good fruit.
Thursday evening was a challenge, with the floor being removed stuff was everywhere, but as usual God provides and everybody had a great time. Pastor Eddie brought a friend of his to share the Word in chapel. Ms Abbie and the community choir led us in songs. Cypress Baptist brought our meal and helped serve it. Grocery bags were given out. Clothes were taken. Prayers were exchanged. It was a good night.
Prayers need to be lifted up for the congregation of Grace Methodist. Pastor Roger, who has spoken at our chapel several times needed a leave of absence and will not be returning to Grace. Prayers for all during this time of transition. Prayers for Sarah and Scott as they make their way to their new home in Dallas and their new church. They will be missed by us, but will always be a part of our family. Prayers for our community as we continue to move forward, listening to God for our direction.
We read in Matthew about producing good fruit. We talked about our actions. We talked about why we do what we do. The folks said to Jesus, we did all these things for you and Jesus said to them, Get away from me, you who do evil. I never knew you.
There seems to be a fine line of doing good and doing for God. Who doesn't like to hear, oh what a fine job you are doing! I hear good things about what you are doing! Wish I had time to do what you are doing. Our humanness gets in the way many times, wanting praise, gratification, glory. It seems if we are doing things for us, at some point and time we will burn out. The praise will stop. The adulation will subside. Then you are left with an empty heart and exhasuted.
Our new pastor in chapel read from Romans 10, the first few verses talking about trying to save all the Jews. Most of them were trying to obey the laws, doing the right thing for the wrong reason. Jesus is not interested in what you do. He is more concerned about why you do it.
We can do all the right things for the wrong reasons. Jesus is concerned about our hearts. If we have lvoe for Jesus in our hearts, then anything we do will be for the right reasons.
We talked about Tuesday night, most of us produced bad fruit in our lives or no fruit at all. Why, because we did not have Christ in our hearts. Now that we have found Christ, keep Him in our hearts, now we are producing good fruit. I see it every week when I see each one of you.
Our goal is to reach out to others and share that lvoe. We need to let them see something in us, that they see no where else. When someone come up to us and says, you sure are doing good works. Say to them it is not me, but Christ within me.
As we know, Christ changed our hearts. Change in our community will come when Christ enters their hearts. Let us build a Kingdom where Christ's light shines so bright, so full of energy, that everybody who comes will be changed. God is preparing a place, a community to do that, right now - right here! Very exciting! Very humbling to be a part of it all! Amen
Hope everybody has a great week. Let your light shine brightly for Christ this week!
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