I was driving out in the country this week and was overwhelmed with the beauty of God's majesty! Not sure I have ever seen such pretty colors. Drove across one of our lakes and witnessed formations of ducks and geese flying in the brightest blue skies. Thank you God for creating this world and all your creatures. God is so good!
I should know by now, you never say something to our friends who live outdoors and don't deliver. Scott felt the raff of Turner as I let him down by not delivering one of our Thanksgiving meals last Thursday. Our friends don't have a lot of contact with the outside world and we have become their source of enjoyment and anguish! Being the kind of person Scott is, his big heart, he went to a local cafeteria this week and picked up a dinner for Turner and delivered it to his camp! Thank you Scott!
No afternoon reading and school work this week with schools out for the holiday.
Tuesday evening, the men gathered in the chapel for fellowship. A packed house of young boys and men sharing the lvoe of Jesus with each other. Matt read from John 3: 1- 16. Being born again was discussed and what that looks like.
Thanksgiving Day as I pulled up to the center around 4, we had a crowd already gathered! I was again reminded, hunger, loneliness, despair does not take a day off. Sorry Abbey, the black bean soup didn't look appealing to me, so we came up with a menu of biscuits, potatoes, ham, pork and beans from Tom and a pan of brownies. We need to remember, we have become an important part of our community. They look to us for a place where they can come out of the cold. A place where they can feel a sense of family. A place where hope can be found. A place where lvoe is shown. The community helped serve. Watched a little football. Life was good for an hour or so.
Was checking my calendar and forgot to wish Beth Ackerman a happy birthday last Thursday. Sorry Beth, hope your day was a good one. This week, one of our first young leaders from Centenary will be celebrating her birthday, Macy. Macy lives in New York at the moment. Macy's birthday is Friday, Dec. 5th.
Christmas Market is quickly coming up, Dec. 20th. Spread the word to your family and friends, help will be needed Friday to set up and Saturday to shop.
In verse 3 of the third Chapter of John, Jesus says, Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again. My Bible app, says the Greek translation for again also means from above.
Never thought about that before, to be born again, we have all heard that, but sometimes I think we go through the motions not really understanding what Jesus is asking of us?
We say we are born again, but does our actions show that? We are a changed person, but do we still do the same thing? We hear a good talk by a pastor and say Amen, but do we take it to heart? Do we start following the pastor, the man, rather than the Word?
The question was asked to the men on Tuesday night, why should these young men, in their teens, want to be born again? What's in it for them? They will become persecuted in their circles at school, in their neighborhoods, in their homes, so why suffer the abuse?
Like the Greek translation suggests, we are to be reborn into God's lvoe. The Holy Spirit that resides in all of us, will control our lives as we allow it to. When we face a test, a challenge, an angry mob, God is there by our sides. When it is late at night, by ourselves and we need someone to help us through, God is there. His strength will get us through it. He will never leave us.
In our community, we have many young people coming. We see them coming to play basketball, to prepare a meal, to do some homework, to eat a meal, to learn about life. They see, they are curious, they hear, they wonder what God is all about. Their best example of God's lvoe is you!
They will see your actions and begin to understand who God is. They will begin to ask questions and we can lead to them to their own relationships with Christ. What an amazing time we have before us. Allowing young people to be born again into the Father, allowing them to know Jesus in their own special way, will empower them to have the greatest companion for the rest of their lives! Amen.
Have a great first week of December, as we begin to focus on the birth of Lord and savior Jesus Christ!
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