A muddy task

Despite the rain and the really muddy conditions it left, folks from Immanuel Baptist Church, First Baptist Church Athens, and Grace Heritage Church worked together to spread three piles of dirt turned mud to prep for the raising of a big event tent on the church's recently purchased property. Teams worked the first half of the week clearing the wooded area and then worked Wednesday to get the dirt spread so, hopefully, the tent will be erected by the end of the week.

A New Start on a New Home

This week brings teams from Alabama, Mississippi, Kentucky, and Kansas. Teams from First Baptist Church Athens, AL and Immanuel Baptist Church in Louisville, KY combined their efforts to get posts cut, drilled, and dropped into the holes at Miss Diane's new home.

Miss Diane's home split into three pieces during the storm and the home where her parents once lived was pushed from it's blocks during the storm and was gutted after the storm. Miss Diane was going to try to salvage that home to live in, but decided it was beyond repair. So the home was torn down and Miss Diane's new home is getting started. She is ecstatic.

the restful life

So I’ve noticed it has been a couple of weeks since I’ve posted anything here. The past couple of weeks have been a bit hectic. I finished up my Systematic Theology class at NOBTS. I really enjoyed that class this semester and once I figured out how to balance school and responsibilities at the church the semester went much smoother. (I still have yet to figure out how guys who go to school, have a job, and have a wife and children do it.) Anyway I am glad I had the opportunity to take the class and grow in knowledge.

After class last Thursday I jumped on a plane bound for Wisconsin. My little sister graduated from Viterbo University in La Crosse, WI with honors. So I was excited to be able to go to her pinning ceremony (for nurses) and the graduation. Way to go Jen!

The rest of my time here I am trying to spend relaxing, cooking, sleeping, reading, and hanging out with friends.

An Afternoon at the Beach

Britt and I took some time today to hit the beach for a little while before she leaves Wednesday. Boy what a day...

Catching crabs...

Wading through the water...

Rock climbing...

And of course....surfing...

I asked the Lord that I might grow

One of these days I will update ya'll with things happening here in Lakeshore, but in order to get things wrapped up for my theology class that ends in a couple of weeks, I must devote most of my free time to that. So school must take priority over blogging. Until then...I continue to read from the Onley Hymns and enjoy it a great deal. Here's another sleceted hymn by John Newton.

I Asked the Lord That I Might Grow
John Newton

I asked the LORD that I might grow
In faith, and love, and every grace;
Might more of his salvation know,
And seek, more earnestly, his face.

’Twas he who taught me thus to pray,
And he, I trust, has answered prayer!
But it has been in such a way,
As almost drove me to despair.

I hoped that in some favored hour,
At once he’d answer my request;
And by his love’s constraining pow’r,
Subdue my sins, and give me rest.

Instead of this, he made me feel
The hidden evils of my heart;
And let the angry pow’rs of hell
Assault my soul in every part.

Yea more, with his own hand he seemed
Intent to aggravate my woe;
Crossed all the fair designs I schemed,
Blasted my gourds, and laid me low.

LORD, why is this, I trembling cried,
Wilt thou pursue thy worm to death?
“’Tis in this way, the LORD replied,
I answer prayer for grace and faith.

These inward trials I employ,
From self, and pride, to set thee free;
And break thy schemes of earthly joy,
That thou may’st find thy all in me.”

Behold I am vile!

I wasn't able to get out much this week to take any pictures for the crews out working, Lord willing next week. But it was a good week. Both platforms for the quanset huts were completed and the quanset huts put up, air conditioners were fixed and hooked up, dirt was made ready for concrete to be poured, and flowers and plants were planted at peoples homes.

I have been really enjoying reading from the Onley hymns by John Newton and William Cowper this week and continue to stand in awe of God, who saved me and still loves and forgives me even though I sin against him.

Behold I am Vile
John Newton

O LORD, how vile am I,
Unholy, and unclean!
How can I dare to venture nigh
With such a load of sin?

Is this polluted heart
A dwelling fit for thee?
Swarming, alas! I in every part,
What evils do I see!

If I attempt to pray,
And lisp thy holy name;
My thoughts are hurried soon away,
I know not where I am.

If in thy word I look,
Such darkness fills my mind,
I only read a sealed book,
But no relief can find.

Thy gospel oft I hear,
But hear it still in vain;
Without desire, or love, or fear,
I like a stone remain.

Myself can hardly bear
This wretched heart of mine;
How hateful then must it appear
To those pure eyes of thine?

And must I then indeed
Sink in despair and die?
Fain would I hope that thou didst bleed
For such a wretch as I.

That blood which thou hast spilt;
That grace which is thine own;
Can cleanse the vilest sinner’s guilt,
And soften hearts of stone.

Low at thy feet I bow,
O pity and forgive;
Here will I lie and wait, till thou
Shalt bid me rise and live.