We had a busy Saturday in and around the center. We visited the camps, checking in on the guys and girls. One of our stops, was over flowing with people. Our regular friends met a man and woman passing through with nothing to their names. They said, hang with us and the church people will be by soon to help you out. Very nice. The servants of the Church at Red River were busy again getting the house ready for texturing. It is completed and now awaiting paint! How cool is that! The basketball team was busy practicing and later enjoying a delicious lunch. Great to see all the activity God is providing.
Monday and Wednesday we continued to learn and to teach our children. Wednesday afternoon, Allison had a treat for them. Some of the ladies from a local organization called the Junior League, set up work stations as they showed the children how to make and eat healthy meals. Everybody had a great time.
Tuesday evening, the men and women gathered for their Bible fellowship. Rickie led the men, reading from Isaiah 38: 1-8. Hezekiah, a great king of his time, was sick. He did what was not normal for a great commander, he humbled himself and cried out to God for help. God heard him and granted him more time. God hears us, if we talk to him, do we?
Thursday was a chamber of commerce kind of day in our part of the world, so I walked into Joey's office and said, Joey, talk me out of moving chapel outside. He said, great idea mr brian. Just about that time Ms Abbie walks by, we ask her to talk us out of it. She smiled and said, great idea let's do it, so we did! Chapel outside in God's house of beauty was spectacular! Willie and Wes led us in our singing and praising. Allison and Ms Abbie prepared a meal fit for a king, Shannon had the Market up and running and Jennifer and her crew opened the doors to the clothing room. It was nice to have Ardis back with us after a much needed time away to relax. A good evening.
Prayers for safe travel for Jim and John, some members of their church and 30 other members of various churches around the city as they leave for Israel Monday afternoon. What an opportunity, to walk, to visit, to see where Jesus spent his years on earth. Prayers for safe travels for Momma T and the Hunters.
Grace is hosting a visiting pastor from Dallas, Dr Elaine Heath this weekend. Some of us have had the opportunity to visit with her about the church and community and what that might look like in the future. She has been to Common Ground and is excited about we are doing there. Please come to Grace to hear what she has to say and let her know you are a part of our community. Exciting times ahead.
For those who go to church on Saturday nights and looking for something to do on Sunday mornings, Abbey is hosting a large group from the Simple Church, this Sunday from 10 to noon. Some painting will be going on at the Bright House II, some garden work will be happening and other projects. Come and join in on the fun.
I have been thinking about relationships this week. Why, because we lost one of our dogs Monday evening. Madison our 13 year old Boston Terrier, had a massive stroke Monday afternoon and was never able to recover. For all of you who are pet owners, you know the loss we are feeling at the moment. It is even more sad, because our surviving dog is also grieving for her. Oliver would bark at the wind, but has not barked since Monday evening. He is sad of loosing his friend Madison.
Why do we feel such lost when one of our pets die? Over the years, going into homes like I do, I have learned to never ask the house wife, where is Jack, knowing his health was not good. The house wife will go to crying talking about Jack, I go to crying, it is not good! I can ask about a spouse passing, I usually don't get the same response!
Even God thought animals were special? Back in Genesis 6, God talks to Noah about what He is about to do, flooding the earth. But God told Noah, to build this ark and told Noah to bring two of every living creature. I am thinking God could have destroyed everything but He didn't. Why? Wonder if there is something we can learn from the animals?
What comes to mind is love that is unconditional. We hear about lvoing others unconditionally but what does that look like? Our pets ask nothing of us, don't expect anything from us, they just want us to lvoe them and in return they will love us. No strings attached, no hidden agenda, no scratch my back and I will scratch yours. A pets love is pretty simple, feed me and I am good.
We try to make God's way so complicated. We try to add our agendas, our traditions, our language to something that so simple. Let's take a page out of our pets lives, let's lvoe God and lvoe others unconditionally.
Have a great week. God is good!
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