Busyness

We have come to the end of another week or I guess I could say, the beginning of a new week. I like the latter better, the beginning! Our summer weather has creeped back into our world, hopefully it hasn't in yours!

We got started off our last week, with some new friends from First Methodist joining us Saturday morning. This is the first time we have had adults join us. They worked hard all morning long in and around the center. Hopefully this is only the beginning of this relationship. Our visits went well, everybody trying to stay cool and keep hydrated. 

Sunday night we hosted Grace's Discovering Discipleship class. A good way for us to be able to share our community with others.

Monday and Wednesday afternoons you will find us busy with our new group of children from Atkins Elementary. We have been testing them so we can put them into groups. While they were being tested, others were involved in games, exercises and challenges. A new beginning of working with little ones wanting to do better in the classroom. We can always use your help. Please join us between 3 - 5 in the afternoons.

Tuesday evening, Rickie led our men's Bible study reading from James 1: 1 - 8, trials and temptations.  Verse 2 begins by saying, consider it pure joy, whenever you face trials of many kinds . . Where does the joy come from when we are in the mist of our struggles?

Thursday evening was packed full of adventure and fun. Brother George, Spencer and his friend Zach led us in chapel. Our long time friends from Clearview Church brought food, served and cleaned up. The Market was full of shoppers. The Clothing room was overflowing with community looking for bargains. A very nice evening.

The Hunters will be headed to Dallas, prayers for safe travel. Prayers for God's direction in our lives and in our community.

In one of Max Lucado's devotionals this week, said, "The key to spiritual growth isn't increased church attendance or involvement in spiritual activities. People don't grow in Christ because they're busy at church. They grow in Christ when they read and trust their Bibles".

Are you all a part of a Bible study group? Do you read your Bible every day? Do you take time to listen to God? Do you have quiet time with just you and God?

You all are such caring people, I worry you do not take time for yourselves. You are part of a community that puts you in the middle of the struggles of living in poverty. Because of your compassion for others, you want to help everybody, but you don't take time for yourselves. The demand on your time, your resources, your family can become overwhelming. It is easy to loose focus on where God is leading you and focus on the despair of your community. We must stay focused on God and His way for our lives.

In verse 5, "If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God . . . We need to go to God for our answers, not others. We need to seek after Him through His Word.

Not taking anything away from what you all do, you are truly servants of Christ, but don't let your lvoe of others surpass your lvoe of Christ. We must stay grounded in our Lord, and His Word, then all things will be given to us. Amen.

In the coming week, let's find something in His Word, we have not read before. Let's find time to spend with Him. Amazing things will happen to us all! God is good . . .