Happy Mother's Day

 

Jesus . . . said to her, “Woman, here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home. — John 19:26-27

In many countries at some time of the year there is a focus of thankfulness and celebration for the life and influence of mothers. This Sunday is such a day in the United States and Canada as we celebrate Mothers Day.

On this day we generally celebrate the mothers who gave us birth, or adopted us, or stood in a mother’s place for us (such as an aunt or grandmother). We give thanks for and honor the people who have cared for us and loved us.

In God’s family the basis of our relationships is love and care as well. Being part of God’s family is about recognizing the love and provisions we receive from God, coming to faith by God’s grace, and then connecting with others who have a similar relationship with God—and inviting still others whom God wants us to welcome into his family.

As we learn about how the early church developed, we see that the mother of Jesus became part of the household of the disciple John. She also became a “mother” to John and took care of him. Jesus made sure that this relationship of mutual adoption formed their future even as He paid the ultimate price for all our sin.

Let’s not forget about this important link between Mary and John. The early church was noted for their love for one another in Christ. May we follow that example today too and live out that truth.

Have you held an unrealistic view of the model Christian woman? Did you grow up believing the ideal godly woman was an over-worked, exhausted wife and mother, whose kids were perfect, home was spotless, and who always maintained a selfless and sacrificial attitude, — regardless of her circumstances or state-of-mind. Traits that, at the time, I thought were needed for any devoted, Bible-believing, woman of God. Have you been one of these women?

To me - being a Proverbs 31 woman is no longer about getting everything right, keeping the perfect house, being the perfect mother, or even having the perfect attitude all the time. After all, perfection is unattainable for anyone other than Christ. It’s about giving it all you’ve got, striving to keep a positive perspective. The real woman described in this passage, is a God-fearing, dedicated, and independent woman. She bravely dives into leadership roles and takes on challenging positions with courage and confidence. Really, it’s impossible for any woman to live up to the full description of the Proverbs 31 woman, but I believe this passage is meant to inspire us to be the unique, persistent, fearless women that God created us to be. Therefore, let’s push past the boundaries that our society sets, and those we set for ourselves, and embrace our God-given potential with God’s ever-present help, persevering when the task at hand is difficult, taking care of yourself and caring for the needs of others, and embracing your God-given abilities in order to reach your God-given potential.

Let’s join together - mothers and all women - and allow Proverbs 31 to inspire us to be the fearless, dedicated, faithful, women of God, He is calling us to be. Will today be the day you put aside any hurt, shame, or self-condemnation and run with courage the race God has for you?

You are all wonderful women - mothers, grandmothers, stepmothers, caregivers, aunts, sisters, and best friends and deserve to be honored on Mother’s Day. May this Sunday be a truly blessed day for you all.

The above is a devotion that I gave to the ladies in the colonias on Friday. After the distribution we had a short devotional time, gifts for all the ladies, a meal, and then the ladies had a Bible study group. We left  because we had more items to lead and get ready for Tuesday as well as a move to Iglesia Bautista De Emanual church, where Caring Hearts Ministry will be distributing all the time now. The church has a new pastor and wants to become more involved in the ministry, and we are so grateful for the help. On Tuesday we were blessed with a group from Iglesia Bautista Nueva Esperanza (New Hope Baptist Church). They are interested in the ministry, as an outreach for the youth in their church. What a wonderful help they, too, were

                                         

                                                they parked their van under one of the few shade trees in the yard

                                       

                   lots of help - even the youngest did help although he rather enjoyed eating the candy

We have a lot of things in storage containers that we need to get moved to the church, rather than  leave them in the heat. The building in the colonias is gong to be moved to the church soon so we cannot store them there. 500# of cheezits, 1000# of cereal, and a ton of beans. Thanks to the wonderful help of Linda Smith, we bagged all of the cereal and cheezits this last week.. Monday will be bagging 500# of beans, and Thursday another 500# - a difficult job well done.

                                  

Linda bagging cereal - I opened the bags, Linda filled them, I handed them to Fred and he packed them in boxes. 

                                           taking a break from the cheezits - same process s the cereal

                                                               Linda working on the cheezits

Chloe's name means Green Herb. She is the emblem of fruitful grace and beauty. Paul was a guest in her home when he heard of  the problems among the leaders of the early church. not much else is known of her background except the fact that she as the head of a Corinthian household and well known in her community. She is mentioned in I Corinthians 1:10-11. 

Today is all about ladies as Vance's sermon this morning was about the lady at the well, taken from John4.We don't know her name, probably so we can identify with her. She had a conflicted past and an uncertain future Jesus left Judaea to reavel to Galilee because the Pharisees had heard of the baptizing by Jihn and Himself. Jesus went through Samaria, even though He did not have to as the Samaritans were hated by the Jews Most people took the way around Samaria. There He met a woman at the well. He spoke to her which was unheard of at that time because there was a lot of racial and religious tension between the Jews and Samaritans. The Jews hated them because they were half-breeds and had different religious celebrations. Jesus had to go to Samaria instead of around it so He could have a divine appointment with God. He had to met not only a Samaritan but a Samaritan with a past. It was inappropriate for Jesus to talk to her. Because her community knew of her past, she came to the well alone as she was almost an outcast. She knew she had a complicated past but it was not too complicated for Jesus to overcome. Jesus knew it all and was not surprised by anything she said. Jesus is the only one in the universe who knows you but still loves yo completely. Jesus told her to call her husband, but He knew she had 5 husbands,. She did not deny this and thought Jesus was a prophet. He knew she was spiritually bone dry. She tried to change the subject because He was getting too close to the truth. The most important issue we must deal with is who Jesus really is. The one relationship that can fill you completely can only come from Jesus, the living water. Only He can live with your past, present, and future. The woman went back to the town and told everyone what Jesus said and did. The Samaritans then believed that Jesuis was the Savior of the world. Jesus accepts you just as you are, but He wants you to come to Him. If you won't let your past die, it won't let you live.  

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Day of Serve

 Today as we tried to access our home church service in Prairie Grove online, I just could not get today's service to come up, when I realized that this is the day of serve at the church. After a short service, the church congregation went out into the community to serve the community - building wheel chair ramps, weeding gardens tending lawns, general handyman work,  whatever was needed, either for individuals or for the parks, senior center, nursing home, etc. Those who could not do the physical work stayed at the church and packed meals, and whatever mission work was available. That is what I love about our home church and small community - everyone works together and serves everyone.  The mission statement of the church is Love God, Love Others, Serve Others. Prairie Grove Christian Church certainly lives up to that!!!!

Work is still as busy in the colonias - the food is as plentiful as ever. As we picked up early at last Friday at Border Missions, we had a lot of help loading the produce. It really goes quickly as 3 vehicles are loaded at the same time, everyone pitching in and helping. After arriving at the colonias, we again had lots of hep from our faithful ladies.  Everyone was in a great mood, enjoying the cool morning and companionship.  

                                                       loading 3 vehicles at once, lots of help

                just as it was drizzling the first three vehicles were loaded and on their way, some to                                                         Mexico.  I was sitting in the truck, waiting our turn next. 

                                                  mmmm twizzlers - even the colonia kitties love boxes. 

another bagging completed - this time it is bacon bits.

The weather is been really hot and humid here in S Texas, although the other night we had some wonderful showers which were much needed. the pace seems much slower with the Winter Texans gone - not the seemingly rush to attend all of the activities and entertainment offered in the area. There are a few music jams, some huge flea markets, even the flea market next door has their weekend music which we can listen if we are outside. Traffic seems lighter and the stores and restaurants are not so busy. When we get a chance, we just sit outside and enjoy the quiet - except for the birds and those huge frogs whose mating calls sound like ships coming into port!

Candice - whoever thought that was a Biblical name. The meaning is Queen or Ruler of Children - actually not the name of a particular person but used for years by the Queens of Ethiopia, just as Pharaoh was the hereditary title given to ancient Egyptian kings . According to Luke, the eunuch, a man of great authority, was returning through the desert to Ethiopia. He was interested in Old Testament Scripture when Phillip found him sitting in a chariot reading Isaiah 53. Phillip preached to him the full truth of the cross and preached also about Jesus. The eunuch was converted to God, was baptized there in the desert, and returned rejoicing to his country. He witnessed to his Candice and she too embraced the Christian faith. Ultimately many souls were saved, and the eunuch became the bishop of the first Christin Church in Ethiopia.  

This was a most interesting week, as I learned how important it is to wait upon the Lord. Patience is not one of my virtues, and I tend to become discouraged when things I want did not happen fast enough, forgetting that everything is in God's hands and will happen according to His own timing. I humbled myself before Him, asked forgiveness for my impatience, accepted His will, and promised to try to do better. When I find myself trying to get ahead of Him I realize that it just does happen that way! Be still and wait.

Asking for prayers for our son-in-law who will be having surgery the second time for a detached retina tomorrow morning. 

                                   

Lazy Days

 Very quiet here in the park - I believe all of the Winter Texans are gone and the permanent residents are just relaxing and enjoying the quietness. It is quiet warm out (actually hot) so there is no one moving around, except those who walk their pets occasionally.  We know the season is really over when the gates are locked and only opened to residents or visitors who are allowed in. It is a bit of a secure feeling, but hard to believe that it is going to be summer soon. Lots of the trees that were damaged in the freeze are being removed all over the cities, and green prevails everywhere. We took a few hours to regroup yesterday and went to IHOP for an early evening meal (I had a gift certificate). Not a lot of folks there (the Hispanic people eat later) and the food was wonderful. I had a spinach/mushroom omelet with Hollandaise sauce . We enjoyed the quiet time and planned for the up coming week. We had loaded about 500# beans which will be bagged this week. We are going to deliver to Iglesia Bautista Manuel on Tuesday - a church where we  previously delivered. Hopefully, we will again be able to reach more needy people. 

We have our place here for sale in anticipation of returning to Arkansas and other ministries there, and am really disappointed in the rudeness of  people. we have it listed on Facebook Marketplace and have had many inquiries - even appointments made, and only one of the appointments have been kept. Otherwise no apologies, no phone calls to cancel, etc. We understand that they may have have changed their mind, but we waste time sitting at home waiting for them to show up. No concept of common courtesy. As I was volunteering at the thrift store this week, a lady asked to use the restroom. Because of Covid, we keep it locked ( we do not even have a key). I explained it to her and she huffed and puffed and said she was going to spend $20 there that day but decided spend nothing and left. I hope she heard in her heart my prayer for her! Sorry for the rant - but there are times I am disappointed by the human race (just imagine what Jesus thinks of us). 

Bithiah, who is referred to in I Chronicles 4:18, and whose name means "a daughter of Jehovah". She was a woman of position, spoken of as the daughter of Pharaoh. this Pharaoh may have been an Isreaelite (Pharaoh in this case meaning a king rather than being used as a name). Like Ruth, she denounced her country and took an Israelite husband and to have Israel's God as her God. She married Mered, a descendant of the tribe of Judah.

The sermon this morning was not actually a sermon, but answers to questions form the congregation, sent in inline as a continuation to the series on marriage. Youth minister, Matt Tibbet, read the questions right from the computer, not preparing beforehand, but answering those which he felt were important at this time. The first question was is it ok to withhold dark details of your past from your spouse, even though that spouse knows there is a past? If you are  follower of Jesus, you are forgiven. But have you forgave yourself? When a person sins, there are two relationships that become a struggle - a struggle with God and a struggle with your spouse. If you are asking this question, you are answering it yourself. This information is creating a distance from your spouse. Are you struggling with the issue - perhaps you should discuss it with your spouse. Allow your spouse set the level of transparency to proceed. Sometimes this spouse need time to process the information - space to understand it all.   

The second question has to do with the throwaway society of today? How can a spouse defeat the easy divorce society of today?  what control do we have over that society. Years ago people would not divorce because the church was the home team. It was less common than it is now. As a church it is time to stop expecting the world to be like the world! Why are we not surprised that the world is not surrendering to the Lord? who let it get this way? We did - it happened on our watch. We have to show the world how a marriage works - and it does take work. We can control it by looking in the mirror. Is a marriage ever  past the point of reconciliation? Theoretically, no. Marriages are struggling now - if both spouses would humble themselves and do whatever ir it takes to make the marriage work, it will survive. The problem is, both individuals have to be broken and humble. Humility is the beginning of Jesus' love for us - it began when He humbled Himself at birth. If you want your  marriage to work, focus on humility. There were other questions, but those need to be viewed at the website - go to prairie grove  christian church and click on online church and watch both services - different questions at each service. 

  

Deja Vu

 Memories of Cheezits! Earlier we had many pounds of bulk cheezits to bag - the orangey, cheesy, messy ones. This past week we again had many more pounds of them - but - they are the white cheddar, not so messy kind. Fred and the amazing man who supplies us with these wonderful items bagged over 500# of them, as well as 500# of the ever present sweetened cereal. We also received boxes of rice krispie treats ( the small, white chocolate ones), and cases of sour Twizzler packages. I am always amazed at the variety and quantity of items we receive. We even had a few crates of some kind of bean pod which the people seem to love. This coming week, Fred and a very helpful lady are going to bag 1000# of beans, as I volunteer at Children's Haven Thrift Store. I would stay and help, But Linda loves to help bag beans and I always seem to be in the way as those two seem to have a system of their own. We have a new sealing machine - it just seals the bag with a bit of red tape and works quite well. I used  it this last week as I bagged and sealed 240# of frozen, breaded chicken breasts. 

The weather was frightful this past couple of days. Friday it was 90 degrees, with a nice breeze. Saturday, it was cold, rainy, and 60 degrees. We spent the afternoon with the wife of one of our chaplains who passed away unexpectedly two months. She seems to be doing well, coping with all that needs to be done. The most difficult area was the legal part of it all - the state where they are from is a community state, while Texas is not. Therefore, all of their vehicles, as well as their new trailer home here in the Valley, had to have title changes, otherwise all their assets would have to be divided up between all of the living blood relatives. It was a long and trying process, but she seemed to have managed it well. Right now she is taking each day as it comes, until she knows for sure the path the Lord had laid out for her. We had a long and wonderful lunch and then relaxed in her new home and reminisced. She is a remarkable woman, with a trust in the Lord.

Bilhah, another one of the Bible's "bad girls" was a slave girl, the handmaiden of Rachel, Jacob's beloved wife, whom Laban gave to his daughter when she married Jacob. Because Rachel had no children for many years, she gave Bilhah to Jacob as a "secondary" wife in order that there would be children of Jacob. This was in accordance to the traditions of the time, totally allowed by law. Bilhah ranked above a mere concubine but did not have the station of a free born mistress. She bore Jacob two son, Dan and Naphtali. Rueben, Jacob's first son with Rachel's sister, was guilty of incest with Bilhah, and Israel heard of it. Therefore, Rueben was deprived of his birthright which was then given to the sons of Joseph. 

We just finished reading through the Book of Deuteronomy, which lists the laws the Jewish people must follow. It made my head swim just to try to understand all of them - no wonder the Jewish people had so much trouble following the laws - over 600 hundred of them, some of them so complicated that it would be difficult for anyone to understand and follow. 

Vance continued with the series on marriage today. I believe he has broken this down into a 3 part series, helping us all to  understand the intricacies of a relationship.  We live and act in freedom in Christ in every aspect of our lives. We are free to say we love God. "For freedom in Christ has set us free, stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery". Galatians 5:1. Religion is I obey and therefore I am accepted. Gospel is I am accepted therefore I obey. We are empowered by Christ because we have the freedom in Christ. Make a covenant in your marriage. Love and faithfulness is what you need to do. Use your freedom in your marriage to make a missional task to accomplish God's purpose. What can you do to serve God and support each other?  Be resilient in the face of adversity. Resilience means to bounce back - we can do that especially in the events of this  past year. We can get discouraged. We have a cultural pressure moving against our families. Men need to step up and fight for the family. Freedom is Christ is to be able to die a little to live for Him. Take up a cross for Him. There is power in dying to live. Die a little to live a lot. God will reward you. Using the power of your freedom in Christ is to resolve resentments quickly before they destroy your intimacy. Satan uses a Trojan horse to slowly destroy your marriage. Growing resentment forms a wedge in marriage. A drop of resentment is a poison that grows and ruins marriages. Unresolved bitterness can destroy a marriage. "Be angry and do not sin: do not let the sun go down on your anger and give no opportunity to the devil". Ephesians 4:26-27. Unresolved anger builds in a marriage and opens the door for the Devil to get a foothold. Wrong behavior will not bring right results. The Devil is an accuser. If you have gone to bed angry, you have consulted with the Devil. There are better ways to get a hold on resentment. We are free to take responsibility because of our freedom in Christ. Your spouse is not the enemy - Satan is. Satan is a snake that slithers into a marriage. "Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you." Ephesians 4:32.     

 

Yards of Blossoms

 After the freezing cold of a few weeks ago, most of the trees seem to be coming back and greening out. The fruit trees for the most part look good, but I am sure there will be no grapefruit or orange crop this year. We still buy grapefruit from a few street vendors and it is very good. Perhaps it comes out of Mexico. As we were loading produce last Friday, I noticed the yard beside the warehouse - full of those beautiful little pink blossoms that abound everywhere. The grass was covered with them reminding us of a new beginning after the storm.

                                                              carpets of beauty

The Rio Grande Bible Institute is here in the Valley, and is a college for those going into ministry who come from Central America and Mexico or those wanting to learn Spanish language. Study here involve a person to be totally immersed in learning. They have just built a beautiful new administration building where a truly remarkable work of art hangs. Artist Chris DeJong painted this huge mural (27 x 7) in 6 panels, originally intended for a museum in Washington, D.C. For some reason, it never was destined for there. Chris packed it away for awhile, never imagining that it would end up in the Rio Grande Valley at the Bible College. Through a series of God planned circumstances, Chris found out about Rio Grande Bible Institute and realized that was where her mural was destined to be. Her amazing work of art, "The Promise",  takes you on a journey with Abraham and God from Creation to Revelation, and shows a connection between Abraham, Angels, and Airplanes. I have seen it twice already and still stare at it's awesomeness and see something new each time. It is truly breathtaking. You can go online to www.thePromiseStory.com and read more about it and see the mural for yourself. I think you could probably purchase a gorgeous full color book explaining each panel and showing in detail the amazing work of this self taught artist. It will truly take your breath away.  

                                      

                                              Perhaps you can enlarge this to really appreciate the beauty of it

We are still keeping very busy with large amounts of produce and other items for the colonias. The number of families we serve continues to grow, but the Lord always seems to provide enough for everyone. Along with our regular items, we also had Rice Krispies Treats. We were also donated Wal-Mart bags full of "goodies" - chips, drinks, energy bars, etc. to be handed out. We used to just unload and stay a bit and then leave to reload, but we have been staying through the whole distribution as we have so much to hand out. God is good.

Back to the women of the Bible, we see a woman guilt of incestuous conduct, Bernice. She was the eldest daughter of Herod Agrippa I (ad 38-4) and is described as the one who "vexed the church". She was forst married to Marcs, then she married her Uncle Herod, king of Chalcis. After he died, she had evil relations with her brother, Agrippa. She left him, and married Poleman, king of Cilicia. She then left him to go back to her relationship with her brother. She became the mistress of Vespasian and then his son, Titus. When Titus became emperor, he cast her aside. Bernice and her sister, Drusilla, were the most corrupt and shameless women of their times. 

Pastor Vance started a 3 weeks sermon series concerning marriage, called Love and Respect. The attitudes towards marriage in these times are changing. Ideas that marriage is not such a great idea - it is God's idea. When we become Christians, God has a goal for our lives and relationships. "Therefore, be imitators of God, as beloved children." Ephesians 5:1. This verse was a challenge form Paul to use the power of the Holy Spirit in you to live your life for Christ. We have to settle our relationships with Christ. "Submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ." Ephesians5:21. Because we are follower of Christ we become imitators of Him. We have to submit to others by putting the other one first. Selfishness is the root of all relationships. You have to  live your life for your spouse and not for yourself. Put each other first. The first step in a good marriage is to act like Jesus - don't try to work on the other person but work on yourself. Are you living as a Christian? Are you doing things the right way (God's way)? God put rules in place for men and women  complementary and not competitive. He designed these roles to promote fulfillment of these roles. Let God transform your attitude in God's designed role. He is the Creator and Designer. Quit competing and start complementing each other. We have to recognize the difference in men and women to avoid conflict. Let the response that you give in a relationship empower them and not tear them down. "However, let each one of you love your wife as himself and let the wife see that she respects her husband". Ephesians 5:33. A women has a basic need to beloved and respected. In order to feel good about each other, a wife feels to beloved and a husband needs to feel respected. women need to have security in their husbands. When she does not feel that, she feels resentment and then the husband feels disrespect. What is most important in a marriage is how we treat one another. Men and women are different but still become one in marriage. When you get into a confrontation slow it down. You are both on the same team. Your response is your responsibility. Be imitators of Christ. Focus on being a better person.  

He is Risen

                                                             He Is Risen

There are no other words to describe Easter Sunday. Because God sent His Son to  die for us, we are wiped as clean as snow, forgiven of our sins, and guaranteed life with Him in eternity if we confess that He is indeed our Savior and take Him into our hearts forever. We rejoice because He is alive. 

Surprising, this mornings sermon by Pastor Vance Eubanks was not about the resurrection of Jesus, but of another person - Lazarus. Jesus says, "I am" as a statement of His deity.  John 11 is the the story of an encounter with Jesus just as we should have an encounter with Him. At this pint in the story, the disciples have not yet figured out where Jesus was going - they still thought He was going to be an earthly king. This is a story of a family - Lazarus who is the strong, silent one, his sister Martha, who pays strict attention to details and organization, is the perfect hostess, and always concerned about order, and his other sister, Mary, who was the fun one who was busy living life, walking through and feeling everything. They all lived together in Bethany. Jesus and hid disciples stayed with them often in their travels and were good friends. Lazarus was sick and the sisters sent for Jesus who was nearby to come and heal their brother. Mary and Martha expected Him to respond immediately. Jesus loved the family and stayed  two more days where He was. God loved them but waited so that they would learn something. It was a slow and grow situation so that they and we too, could grow in Him. Jesus had the final word about death. We need to have this active waiting on the Lord. We need to let God grow us in that in-between time. God had a perfecting plan for us - one to allow us to grow. What have we learned from this in-between COVID year? We have to let go and let God. We need to die in self in order to live. When Jesus finally showed up in Bethany, Lazarus was already dead and buried. Martha confronted Jesus and said that if He been there her brother would not have died. Jesus then told her that Lazarus would live again. He knew Martha needed someone to speak the truth to her - "I am the resurrection and the life". Jesus meets us where we are to calm us down and tell us the truth. Jesus then sent for Mary who cam to Him immediately and feel at Hs feet. She too, told Jesus that if He had been there, Lazarus would not have died. Jesus comforted her . He then went to the tomb of Lazarus and asked for the stone to be moved away. He called for Lazarus to come out. Jesus proved that He is indeed the resurrection and the life. He can exceed your expectations. Remember, Jesus may seem slow to answer your prayers, but He will never be late. He knows you and will meet you where you are. If you trust Him, He will exceed your expectations. 

I do not express my political views which I try to keep to myself or sometimes share with my family. This is not a political statement,  but whatever reports you hear on the news regarding the border crisis, it is worse. This picture is of the bus depot nearby, where tent cities have been setup (right in downtown) to house either refugees or the children. There is indeed a huge influx of people that must be addressed. I can understand the need for folks to want to come to the land where they feel they can be free and have a chance at a good life, but I beg of them to do it legally. America is indeed the melting pot - my relatives came from Europe - my grandfather was born in Rome and migrated, as well as the other relatives from Italy and even Germany. All have the right to want a better way of life, but doing so illegally is really not a good beginning of that life.  

We had an amazing week for Caring Hearts Ministry - not only being blessed with an abundance of food and other items, but with the company of two wonderful missionaries - Dennis and Paula Key. We met them at the last chaplains meeting as they attended to "check out" CRM and possibly joining our organization. They are great servants of the Lord and serve in many different areas of missionary work. Friday was not a "normal" distribution day (as if there is such a thing) as  it was Good Friday. We had to load produce on Thursday as our distribution point was closed on Friday (luckily the weather was cooler). As a result, we packaged donuts here at home for a change so that job was already done. We did not have to leave as early as usual, so the Keys joined us. It was a great day with lots of boxes filled, lots of folks picking them up, and many people blessed. The Keys were troopers and pitched right in, doing whatever was necessary, including packaging those prickly cacti! After all was almost done we had lunch together (thank you again Dennis and Paula) and spent time fellowshipping together. I sincerely hope they do join CRM and we get to see them again.

We hope your Easter was blessed and that you remember to wait on the Lord - your time, too will come. 

 

End of a Season

 An end to another busy week, another one full of surprises for the ministry. As we prepared to deliver on Friday and arrived at the distribution point, there was a  picnic table full of cases of bottled flavored water and orange drink. Another ministry had extras and had delivered them for use for our people. What a wonderful surprise. Along with the overflowing supply of produce we also received bottles of hand sanitizer which made for overflowing boxes to hand out. The previous Tuesday we handed out to 80+ families and Friday was over 200 families. We are so very thankful for our helpers and the suppliers that we too are awed by what we receive. Fred spent one day with a supplier bagging up 500# of sugar coated cereal (not very healthy but the kids love it). I know I should not be amazed, but I am every week with God's provision.

One of our chaplains purchased a mobile home in his park for use of chaplains and preachers who need a place to stay for a few days- either as a much needed break and a time to relax, or as a stopping point in a change in appointment, during training, or any reason. He is naming the home "Simon's place" in reference to Luke 7:36 when Simon the Pharisee invited Jesus to come to his house to rest. How very appropriate. 

We took a few hours one afternoon and browsed through a huge flea market close by when if you can dream it, it probably could be found there. The merchants cater tot he Winter Texans, so there is a multitude of things there from fake nails, to boxes of cards. silver jewelry sales, Amish canned items, all sorts of fresh fruits, leather belts and purses, diabetic socks, fabric, etc. A nice place to visit to relax. Along with those tempting items, the smell of donuts and restaurant food abound - the best being the freshly made kettle corn. As we were making our way through the stands, Fred stopped to ask the vender a question when I noticed something different about him. He was of Hispanic descent, but had blue eyes!! We have a grandson whose father is from Honduras and he too has the Hispanic look but his eyes are sort of a blue gray. I told the vendor that the blue eyes were not common to his culture and he explained that his grandparents were from Spain, (Castilian). He seemed very proud to share this information with me.  This is also true of our grandson. It is truly a striking combination.

                                                              

                                    

                                     our youngest grandson as well as our youngest grandchild, Calton

The end of the Winter Texan season has arrived and a lot of the residents have left for their Northern homes. We will miss them throughout the summer, but will the enjoy the quietness of the summer months. The stores and roads will not be so busy either. We have year round folks here, so we will have a bit of company though.

Now we come to the one of the most famous women of the Bible, Bathsheba, whose name means daughter, the seventh daughter,  or daughter of opulence. She was a woman whose beauty resulted in adultery and murder. She came from a God-fearing family, the daughter of Eliam, one of King David's gallant officers. She then became the wife of Uriah, the most loyal of David's men. I think you know how David saw Bathsheba bathing on a roof, coveted her, and finally had her husband killed in order to  marry her. You can find the full story in 2 Samuel 11. God was displeased with David, and allowed his son with Bathsheba to die within a week of His birth. this incident with Bathsheba was the only blemish upon David's life. God forgave both of them, blessed them with another son, Solomon, and Bathsheba brought him up with godly diligence.  After that, the Bible is fairly quiet about her. A lesson that we can learn from Bathsheba is that we can be assured of God's forgiveness. She used her mistake as a guide to better conduct. 

Jesus identified Himself to claim His deity. "Jesus told them, "I am the Way and the truth and the Life", no one comes to the Father except through Me," John 14:6. Don't let your hearts be troubled. (John Hannity ends his nightly news broadcast with these words). Jesus told us that in this world we would have troubles.  Jesus himself had a troubled heart. He had the sorrow of losing a loved one, Lazarus. He was troubled when He told Phillip and Andres that His hour had come. He was troubled when He revealed that His disciples would betray Him. It is ok to have a troubled heart. Even in trouble, take heart, for Jesus will overcome the world. We have to trust Jesus as the Son of God. We can be assured of this because He has prepared place for us (John 14:2)/. This world is the land of the dying that we are going to leave for the land of the living. There is a story of a lady with a terminal illness who was giving the undertaker instructions for her funeral. She asked to be buried with a fork in her hand. When asked why, she explained that after a church dinner and before the dessert, she was told to hang on to her fork, as the best is yet to come. She wanted to hang on to her fork and be ready for the best to come. God has promised to come for us. God has provided a way for us to get to Him - through His Son.  Place your trust in Jesus as a way to the Father. Tell others about this. Live your life for Jesus.

This is Palm Sunday when Jesus was praised and welcomed as He rode into Jerusalem. Less than a week later, they demanded His crucifixion. Use this week to focus on the greatest event of all - the resurrection of our Lord and Savior.