Our Saturdays continue to be colorful as we go about God's work! Our visits to the camps brings us comfort and joy, our work with our basketball team brings us peace and compassion, our work in the kitchen with bread, gingerbread houses, and lunch brings about blessings and smiles.
We have come to a close of our first semester of our learning to read program. Our children received goody bags on Wednesday. Such sweet children, such caring leaders, brings us laughter and excitement.
Tuesday evening, the men and boys of the community gathered for the reading of the Word. Matt read from Matthew 7 verses 7-12. Ask, Seek, Knock. All action words, requiring us to get out of our comfort zones to find Jesus. Are we willing to do so? What will you find if you do?
Santa and Ms Abbie led our chapel with songs of the season. Brother Chester led our worship with words from God's book. Our Christmas banquet was enjoyed by lots of our neighbors and friends. Santa joined in on the fun, handing out smiles and candy to the children. Pictures of the evening are posted on our Face book page. Seeing old friends, meeting new family brings us blessings and peace.
Continue to lift up Karl as he continues to heal from his pacemaker procedure. It was a good week for Ginellen with no pain, so please continue your healing prayers for her. Prayers for one of our longtime friends, Amanda. She had knee replacement surgery and is home recovering. She is in lots of pain and discomfort.
This Friday starting at 1 until?, we will be at the center getting our Christmas Market ready for Saturday. You are welcomed to come and enjoy the afternoon. Then Saturday morning starting at 9, the Market will open for business. All sorts of jobs will be avaiable for you to come and have fun.
Next Thursday, Christmas Day, we will have a meal starting at 5.
Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. Do you want to know Jesus? Do you want to have a relationship with Jesus? Do you want to experience the blessings of Jesus? Ask, seek, knock! Pretty simple, straight forward, no gimmicks, just do it!
It hit me Tuesday afternoon, we can seek Jesus in many different ways. We can seek Him through scripture. We can seek Him through relationships. We can seek Him by being obedient. We can seek Him by being faithful.
Tuesday afternoon, I took my wife shopping for the first time in six months. It was the first time she has felt like getting out. As we parked the car and walk towards the store, she grabs hold of my hand and we walk hand and hand! During her trials this year, we have prayed for healing but also, I think God is healing us in ways we did not expect!
Tuesday evening, we had a room full of young boys in the circle for Bible study. Many months ago, Matt, Byron and others were clearing a vacant over grown lot, full of weeds and trash, preparing a place where basketball could talk place. We were hoping the neighborhood children would come, but we had no idea God wanted more. Now we have a group of boys, not only learning to work together as a team, but learning about Jesus! Our boys now have a league in which to compete in!
Last Thursday, Lisa tells the Board about all the unexpected funding we have received this month. Allowing us to receive a new air conditioner and heater for the chapel, to complete the renovation of the Bright House I, and meet our financial obligations for the year. We have been asking for God's direction and asking us to follow His will not ours all year long.
Did everybody see Ardis' post in Facebook about her and Vicky's experience at Wal Mart this week? They are in line, with baskets full of toys, hoping not to break the budget. A gentleman asks what is all the toys for, his heart takes over and takes half of the toys and pays for them himself!
We have been experiencing God's grace and blessings in our community for years. Over and over, He comes through, just when it seems all is lost. God is always there for us. He wants a relationship with us. He will provide for us. All we have to do is Ask, Seek and Knock!
As we come to the fourth week of Advent, as we celebrate the birth of our Savior, let's pause for a minute or two or three and know for everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; the one who knocks, the door will be opened! Not maybe, not sometimes, but the door "will" be opened! Opened to a world of blessings we have no comprehension of what God can do! Amen!
Enjoy this week with your family and love ones. A special time, a joyous time, a time to experience what Jesus can do for us all!
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