New Dwelling

Well I am not officially moved into my new camper yet...I still have a bunch of random things in my old camper, but I'm living in the new one. I'm pretty excited about it, there's a bit more space - especially closet space! - and a little living room area and kitchen area. I worked on cleaning it the other day, it was a bit gross with dirt and grime. But a bit of bleach and a good scrub worked wonders. Today Brit and Loes (two of the most daring girls) tackled the bathroom, which I hadn't gotten time to get to...they did an amazing job and they even washed the curtains for me!

Welcome in to my living room..don't mind the bucket..it wont be there long, just until I know everything spick and span
I was commenting to the girls last night, it's kind of like a mini apartment. Though I still cannot imagine housing a whole family in one of these things for over two years.

A whirlwind of activity

Things have been a whirlwind since arriving back in Lakeshore. Last week was spent gearing up for this big week of volunteers. The Lord has provided 150+ volunteers this week most of them being skilled. I'm sure it will be a great week and much will be accomplished.

I'm having a hard time just sitting down to write a blog post, so I will try to write a little throughout the day and if it seems like a bunch of random thoughts, it probably is.

Wow, we have people working all over the community – it's pretty cool. They are doing all sorts of jobs from clearing land, demolition, framing, sheet rock, insulation, plumbing, electrical, etc, etc...

It's been a busy day, but very productive day. We also got another trailer for sleeping volunteers and got it set into place.They are also converting a shipping container into our children's church.
I took just a few minutes this afternoon to stop by a newly framed house to check on an inspection. As I was there I was reflecting on all the things that were taking place - the fact that I was standing in a house constructed by mainly teenagers, that at that moment we had 160 mainly skilled adults and young people taking on projects at almost every house we are working on at the present time and out visiting many in the community...but as I looked out the hole in the wall, which soon will have a window placed in it, I was reminded of all the destruction that is still around and the long road ahead of residents here in Hancock county and all over the gulf coast. Out behind the home there was dozens of trees snapped off about 30 feet up, some debris still visible from the woods, and an empty concrete slab that once a house sat firmly atop. It is amazing to see the Lord orchestrating all of these efforts in the people and skills he brings to the area and sustaining us as we try to guide the volunteers.

Wrapping up vacation

I'm heading back to Lakeshore tomorrow, Lord willing. Here's a few pictures from my vacation in Platteville.

Sitting in front of the computer at my parent's house

I'm talking with my aunt about planning a trip to Lakeshore.

Just having fun in the snow

This is me with all the babies...who knew you could have 11 kids at one family Christmas party under 7 years old. And my sister's dog, which is just like one of the babes.

More fun in the snow

Santas and Carols or Christ and the Gospel

As I almost have forgotten tomorrow is Christmas, the day set aside to celebrate the birth of the risen savior, I am pondering the meaning of Christmas. Most everyday has gone by since I have been home without a mention of Christ. I've read and prayed on my own, but I've only met once for corporate worship (services were canceled this past weekend on account of the weather) have spent very little time around fellow believers. This is very different than what I am used to - working, serving, and living around other Christians all the time.

It is when I am away from the fellowship, encouragement, correction, and the sharing and discussion of God's Word that I realize how blessed I am. But when I am away it also reminds me of the great need to share the gospel and I am convicted at the lack obedience I have when it comes to sharing the gospel with family, friends, and acquaintances.

I came across a clip of John McArthur sharing the real Christmas story. It helped me set my mind on Christ this Christmas eve as I am away from fellow believers, who share the joy of the birth, life, and sacrifice of the Christ.

pray for leading

I've made it through all the family get togethers. It was great to see family and spend time talking with them. I have about 5 days left here in Platteville before I head back to Lakeshore. I fully intend to get some sleep and try to visit some folks here in town.

I am praying for direction as I think about whether to continue serving in Lakeshore. As of this time I have no leading to move away from Lakeshore. I am asked on a daily basis what my plans for after May 2008 are. I have been talking with the North American Mission Board and considering their US/C2 position - a 2 year position. Things sound like they could work out for me to stay on in Lakeshore

Honestly I can't think of anything else I'd rather do at this point in my life than to continue serving in Lakeshore. I've been asked a lot this week what I find attractive about Lakeshore or why I'd want to stay in Lakeshore. The main reason I stay in Lakeshore is the need for the gospel. There are a few faithful Christ followers in Lakeshore spreading the gospel to those who do not know the Lord, but still the gospel needs to be spread. I'd like to ask for prayers that the Lord would reveal to me direction and that I'd be obedient to whatever way he leads.

How to Spend the Day with God pt. 2

How to spend the day with God - part 2

Temptations and Things That Corrupt

Be thoroughly acquainted with your temptations and the things that may corrupt you - and watch against them all day long. You should watch especially the most dangerous of the things that corrupt, and those temptations that either your company or business will unavoidably lay before you.

Watch against the master sins of unbelief: hypocrisy, selfishness, pride, flesh pleasing and the excessive love of earthly things. Take care against being drawn into earthly mindedness and excessive cares, or covetous designs for rising in the world, under the pretence of diligence in your calling.

If you are to trade or deal with others, be vigilant against selfishness and all that smacks of injustice or uncharitableness. In all your dealings with others, watch against the temptation of empty and idle talking. Watch also against those persons who would tempt you to anger. Maintain that modesty and cleanness of speech that the laws of purity require. If you converse with flatterers, be on your guard against swelling pride.

If you converse with those that despise and injure you, strengthen yourself against impatient, revengeful pride.

At first these things will be very difficult, while sin has any strength in you, but once you have grasped a continual awareness of the poisonous danger of any one of these sins, your heart will readily and easily avoid them.

Meditation

When alone in your occupations, improve the time in practical and beneficial meditations. Meditate upon the infinite goodness and perfections of God; Christ and redemption; Heaven and how unworthy you are of going there and how you deserve eternal misery in Hell.

The Only Motive

Whatever you are doing, in company or alone, do it all to the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31). Otherwise, it is unacceptable to God.

Redeeming The Time

Place a high value upon your time, be more careful of not losing it than you would of losing your money. Do not let worthless recreations, television, idle talk, unprofitable company, or sleep rob you of your precious time.

Be more careful to escape that person, action or course of life that would rob you of your time than you would be to escape thieves and robbers.

Make sure that you are not merely never idle, but rather that you are using your time in the most profitable way that you can and do not prefer a less profitable way before one of greater profit.

Eating and Drinking

Eat and drink with moderation and thankfulness for health, not for unprofitable pleasure. Never please your appetite in food or drink when it is prone to be detrimental to your health.

Remember the sin of Sodom: "Look, this was the iniquity of your sister Sodom: She and her daughter had pride, fullness of food and abundance of idleness" - Ezekiel 16:49.

The Apostle Paul wept when he mentioned those "whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame -- who set their minds on earthly things, being enemies to the cross of Christ" - Philippians 3:18-19. O then do not live according to the flesh lest you die (Romans 8:13).

Prevailing Sins

If any temptation prevails against you and you fall into any sins in addition to habitual failures, immediately lament it and confess it to God; repent quickly whatever the cost. It will certainly cost you more if you continue in sin and remain unrepentant.

Do not make light of your habitual failures, but confess them and daily strive against them, taking care not to aggravate them by unrepentance and contempt.

Relationships

Remember every day the special duties of various relationships: whether as husbands, wives, children, masters, servants, pastors, people, magistrates, subjects.

Remember every relationship has its special duty and its advantage for the doing of some good. God requires your faithfulness in this matter as well as in any other duty.

Closing the Day

Before returning to sleep, it is wise and necessary to review the actions and mercies of the day past, so that you may be thankful for all the special mercies and humbled for all your sins.

This is necessary in order that you might renew your repentance as well as your resolve for obedience, and in order that you may examine yourself to see whether your soul grew better or worse, whether sin goes down and grace goes up and whether you are better prepared for suffering, death and eternity.

May these directions be engraven upon your mind and be made the daily practice of your life.

If sincerely adhered to, these will be conducive to the holiness, fruitfulness and quietness of your life and add to you a comfortable and peaceful death.