Already the end of the second week in January - we have lost almost 3 weeks already in illness, but at last we are recovering Almost everyone you speak with, even those from other parks, as well as at least 3/4 of our chaplains, have been ill since the holidays. It does feel great to be able to function at almost 100% - we praise God for our recovery and the recovery of everyone who has been hit by the flu or the congestive bug that has been going around. Hopefully it has played itself out!
So very glad we are functioning up to par as these next few weeks are going to be super busy in addition to our normal pace. This coming week is the Winter Texan Expo where CRMI has a booth. Thousands of folks come through to visit the booths, get all sorts of free bees, and see what is happening in the Rio Grande Valley. CRMI has a booth to show parks and potential chaplais what we offer - a place to stay for the cold winter months, a place to minister to folks in the RV parks as their chaplain (or substitute minister while they are away from home) and an opportunity to bring God to those who know Him and those who don't know Him. If you are in the area and plan to attend, please stop by our booth and say hi.
The following week is going to be a week long renewal (or as we older folks call it "revival"') . Each evening a chaplain will present a message based on "Freedom in Christ" and an alter call after an evening of gospel and praise music presented by many talented musicians. Our country is in desperate need of a spiritual revival and this may be just a small pebble on the beach, but we hope to bring those who do not know the Lord into a wonderful relationship with him. We also hope to bring those who have drifted away from this relationship to be renewed in faith and mercy. If you feel called tobe there, or if you just wish to be renewed in Christ, remember the dates: January 22-26 at Bethany Baptist Church, 751 Breyfogle Rd., Mission, Texas from 7-9 PM. There will be consulars on hand to answer all of your questions and pray with you.
Another event in the making is the 10th annual God's Worthy Women retreat. I cannot believe that it has been 10 years since Sally Maloney had a dream of a retreat for ladies of the Valley. From a meager beginning of 24 ladies to over 150, we have grown and hopefully inspired all the women who have attended these past years. Obviously, this year's theme is memories, based on all of the remembrances of God's promises. It is going to also be a fun day with perhaps a few surprises. The date? Saturday, February 17th, from 9AM -3PM at the Victoria Palms Ballroom in Donna, Texas. The cost is $35 for the whole day, including a continential breakfast, luncheon, and most important fellowship with Christian ladies (perhaps some are not Christian yet, but what an opportunity to minister to them!). Plan to join us for this day of spiritual journeys. Call Leila Preuss at 479 -957-6683 for tickets and more info.
The weather here in S Texas is still as fickle as ever - warm and lovely one day, cool to cold the next. Mornings are in the 30's and 40's but sometimes do warm up during the day. It is wonderful o see the sun shining and everyone out and about - walking, riding bikes, visiting on the patios, enjoying the activities here in the park. I love to see the park full of activity and everyone smiling. I do miss them
all in the summer when it is almost deserted, but still do enjoy quiet.
This morning's sermon was not a very popular subject - giving. All some people say they hear from a church is give, give, give. But giving is the best description of a Cristian that you can think of. God is a giver - He gave us life, creation, His Son, an opportunity for eternal life to name a few. Most people don't understand giving - all the think of in terms of giving is their pocketbook. What really is giving and what happens when you give? Giving is actually worship which is defined as to honor with great respect and devotion. We give our life, energy, and resources to what we worship. After the flood, the first thing Noah did was to build an altar and sacrifice to the Lord. Moses went up to Mt. Sinai and received the 10 Commandments as well as other instructions for living. One of the instructions was to take an offering and build a temple so that God would always be with them If you read the instructions God gave Moses on how to build the temple, you may wonder where did these Israelites get all the gold, silver, and precious cloth to give? Remember when they left Egypt and were given gold, silver, and precious materials - God had prepared the way already. God doesn't want anything from us that we don't want to give. He wants you to give from what He has already provided to you! Do we worship God or our own personal desires? We need to give to God with a generous worship, to give freely of our whole lives. God offers us an invitation to participate in His plans. Everything we possess, God possessed first. All belongs to Him - how we steward these things belongs to us.
On a happy note - guess what appeared on the grocery shelves today - PEEPS!!!! Bright, yellow fluffly bunnies!!
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