We got to celebrate Saturday by starting off with our monthly breakfast meal. We had a good gathering of folks, Joey picked up William as we also got to celebrate his birthday, Lomax and Stephanie were passing through on their way to Texas and joined us. Joey did an outstanding job of cooking our bacon, eggs and biscuits. Put it on your calendars, 3rd Saturday of each month, join us at 8:30. Our friends living outside were struggling to stay warm, or some of them were! The railroad folks have given Turner a wood burning stove and firewood to go in it. He has set it up right next to his cardboard house keeping the area nice, warm and toasty. Our other camps are not so well. Rain and wind makes life hard living outside, please keep our friends in your prayers. Bread was wrapped. Lunch was served to our basketball team. Fun times at the center.
Monday and Wednesdays continue to provide joy and blessings to us all. Lots of help allows us to have one on one with our children making for quality time in reading, not to mention, quality time in developing relationships.
Monday was a big day, as Abbey and her band of servants hosted a large group from Centenary. Lots was done in and around the center, as well as continuing to make new friends from the school. Thanks to all for making it such a special morning.
Tuesday evening, the women and men gathered in the chapel to watch the movie War Room. If you have not seen it please do so. After the movie, so many of us commented, Ms Abbie must have a twin sister she has not told us about! Brother George closed us in prayer to inspire us to continue to be the prayer warriors God is looking for.
Thursday evening was wet and cold, but the message and music was hot and lively in Chapel! Brother George shared the Word, while Ms Abbie shared her gift of music. Brother George's church prepared the meal, with the help of Allison, while others shopped for clothes and groceries. A good evening of fun and fellowship.
I have been very slow in getting the times for our basketball teams games. Chuck has put the complete list of games on the bulletin board in the office. This weeks games are Monday 1/25 Bill Cockrell Park at 7:15. Thursday 1/28 David Raines at 6:15.
Prayers for Matt and Vicki as they continue the challenges of Matt's mom's health. Prayers for Tom Dark, a long time friend of ours, with the passing of his dad this week. Prayers for our relationships with our families, community and beyond as we move forward under God's direction.
Who's in charge? That's a strange question, isn't it? In charge of what? Our lives, our homes, our businesses, our church, our relationships, our community, who's in charge?
I was asked that question, early last Saturday morning in my truck, minding my own business, on the way to the center for breakfast. My radio was not on, my phone was in my pocket, no one else in the truck, that question came to mind, who's in charge?
After looking around, checking the radio to be sure it was off, and reflecting back on the question, I said, you are Lord, of course. Then I heard, then let Me! Then let Me! Then Let Me!
Reflecting back on that 30 second moment last Saturday, I kind of felt like Peter. Reading in Luke 22 verse 33, Peter says to Jesus, Lord I am ready to go with you to prison and to death. Jesus says, I tell you Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me. And as Peter did later in the chapter, verse 56, when a lady looked at Peter and said you were with him verse 57 But he denied it. Peter goes on to say, Woman I don't know him.
Of course we know, I know, God is in charge of my life, my every moment, but do we show it, do others see it, do we live it? We go through our challenges and struggles of life everyday, trying to make things right, but where does God fit into our lives? We make decisions everyday about our health, our love one's health, our family, our community, do we go to God first? Or do we make those decisions based on what we feel is right, then when things don't work out, we go to God?
For whatever reason, we have chosen a path where we get to experience life at it's most real stage. Living in poverty presents challenges most of us have never seen or experienced. Following a path chosen by God, presents us with challenges that most of society does not have to deal with. Living a life where God is in charge is hard. That maybe strange to say, but for me it is true. God puts people, circumstances, realities of life before us that is sometimes hard to deal with, but that is the path we have chosen. How we meet those challenges, is what God is asking of us.
Who's in charge of our lives? Let's begin to live our lives, so when someone walks up to us and says, wow, not sure I would have done it that way. Let's be able to be bold in our faith and say, God's in charge! Amen.
Hope you all have a great week. Start warm. Keep praying. Lvoe always.
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