God's Blessings

"And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, ¹⁸ may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, ¹⁹ and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.²⁰ Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, ²¹ to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." Ephesians 3:18-20. I have read this verse many times and always marveled about God's abundant love, grace, and provision. We often pray for God's guidance and provision as we serve Him with all that He has laid upon our hearts, asking Him to let us hide behind the cross as we give all the glory to Him. One day this week we were blessed beyond what we could have ever imagined, not once but three times in the same day. The greatest and best of all was when we were praying for an abundance of fresh produce as we were going to celebrate a back to school celebration at the colonias. We had earlier collected many school supplies for the elementary kids who would otherwise be unable to even provide a pencil for themselves. We received the largest amount of vegetables, tortillas, bread, and even donuts than we have ever received.  A gentleman we have known for awhile "just happened" to donate notebooks, pencils, pens, and other school supplies as he said God laid it on him to purchase these items for our use. Thus we were able to supply the older kids with supplies also -things that they needed as they, too, started a new school year. God always knows what we need before we do. The others amazing blessings that day were for us personally - things that we never dreamt of - unbelievable blessings from God. What a God we serve.

As I said, we helped host the back to school party held on Friday at one of the colonias that we serve. Besides the food distribution, school supplies, clothes, additional food baskets, there was a hot meal, a special children's Bible study session, snow cones, etc - so many things to help encourage all these kids as they begin a new school year. There was enough produce (over 70 boxes/bags),school supplies, and clothing for everyone. We even had 2 extra boxes of wonderful bananas that we handed out in addition to those we added to the food boxes. Although it was extremely hot, humid, and lots of work which left us drained, it was a wonderful feeling as we saw the smiles on the kids and adults as well .

some of the veggies - tomatoes and Mexican squash

God truly provided

these bags contain clothing to be spread out on tarps as the ladies' preferred method of "shopping"

one of the many sweet kids whose eyes just sparkled at the banana we provided

more clothing, rice ,beans, canned tomatoes, and even cranberry juice concentrate

almost 75 boxes and bags waiting for their owners- we do have to wait until everything is over before distribution, as many folks would just pick up the donations and leave before hearing God's inspiring Word

setting up for the dinner -

The new church on park here has a new minister ( not a CRM chaplain ) and name - ""The Salt and Light Community of Alamo Rec Veh" as a result of our church split last year. We sincerely hope that this church flourishes for  those who would not attend a Sunday service unless it was provided here in the park. It really is ironic as we read our morning devotions which referred to belonging to a community of believers - and then mentioned again the sermon this morning  based on the Trinity. A bishop in the 1600's stated that in essentials there should be unity, in non-essentials there should be liberty, and in all things charity. We need to be willing to stand for our essential beliefs, not to be too concerned about the non-essentials things, but always willing to agree to disagree. We need to be strong in the important things, - our faith and the things that bring us together in our doctrine and theology. What really makes us Christians different??? God the Father chose you, along with the Holy Spirit and through obedience to Jesus. We cannot explain the Trinity - we try such as comparing it to water or eggs (different parts of the same thing) but we cannot truly understand it. We know that by reading Genesis through revelation, the Trinity is ever present, especially in Jesus' baptism. Jesus (the Son) was present, God (the Father) spoke, and the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus. God is constantly at work through us, now and throughout eternity through the Trinity. We need to be in community as the Trinity is in community. God gave us enough to know that the Trinity is real. So join a community of believers and live as if we are one - separate unto ourselves but one in the community.

Continue to be a part of a community - your neighborhood community, your city, but most of all in the community of fellow Christians.