Saturday was another rainy morning. For most of the year, our Saturdays have been dry, not this fall. It is a challenge to the guys living outside to keep things dry and to stay warm. We are able to share with them a hot cup of coffee and some warm conversations, trying to lift their spirits up so they can make it through the week. The basketball team practiced off campus and then enjoyed an Italian lunch provided by Vicki and Tim. The bread was wrapped and stored away for Thursday. A good day to find hope.
Monday and Wednesdays we started back up our afternoon activities. It was great to have our children back with us, seeing their smiling faces and inexhaustible energy. Hope was everywhere!
Tuesday evening, the men and women of the community gathered for Bible fellowship, finding hope in being surrounded by God's amazing people. The men read from Hebrews 12: 1-10.
Wednesday evening, the Board met to hear the many voices of hope being brought to our community. Centenary, South Highlands school, Girl scouts, various churches, all wanting to be a part of our community. Lisa reminded us about the Book Fair being held, Monday, December 7th at Barnes and Noble from 5 - 7. Also, a gathering of people at the Great Raft Brewing company bringing presents for our Christmas Market happening on Friday evening December 11th from 4 - 9. Challenges continue to arise as with any community as you continue to reach out in ways God puts before you. Through careful thoughts and deliberate prayers the Board will meet those challenges providing hope to our community.
Brother Chester and Spencer led chapel Thursday evening to begin our first Thursday of advent finding hope in the singing of Christmas hymns. No matter how often you have sung the hymns, they still bring hope to your heart. Allison and Ms Abbie worked all afternoon preparing our meal, served up by new friends from one of our elementary school's teachers. We had new visitors come by to see our story being unfolded before their eyes. The Market and clothing room stayed busy all night long. Our time together on Thursdays provide hope to all who come.
Continued prayers for all those who are need of healing. Prayers for those who need direction. Prayers for our Board. Prayers for those who need to find hope.
Sorry for the late notice, but we will be having our monthly breakfast this Saturday. The servants at Red River will be working at the Bright House II completing their work on the walls, so Joey will be serving breakfast at 7:30! I was thinking, maybe we could have a second feeding at 8:30 for our later arrivals? Come and meet some special people providing hope through their hands and feet of Christ.
Reading Hebrews this week, most of the time spent in the men's group was on verse 1, the end of the verse saying, . . "And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith."
We seem to go through life, reacting to this and that and live our lives that way. Or we go through life living in ways we think we should, or ways we have been told to live. Most of us become angry, bitter, disappointed in the way our life has turned out. We change jobs, move to another city, change relationships thinking life will be better, but usually it does not. We become frustrated, agitated and resentful. As it says in the verse, God has the race marked out for us, we just need to follow it! Pretty simple.
Our son has become a runner. He gets up in the mornings, before the children wake up and runs on his treadmill. Most Saturdays, weather permitting, he takes one of the children in a stroller and runs in the park. He has even joined a running club. They meet regularly to encourage each other, set up running courses and frequently has races. As a by product of all this work, our son has lost weight, eats healthier, feels better and has a better outlook on life.
I just love the verse saying, let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus. When our son runs in these races, he is focused on that little line marking the trail for the race, knowing that if he follows that line he will reach the finish line. Sometimes when he runs in these races, his body will shut down. Only through his perseverance and determination can he fight through those challenges and complete the race.
The same can be said for us in our spiritual journeys. We need to stay in God's Word to prepare us so we can stay focused on the race God has laid before us, persevere as challenges come before us, keeping our eyes on Jesus. Then we too will reach the finish line! No better hope than that! Amen!
Have a great week. For those of you in town, hope to see you at the book store or at the Friday happening.
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