Our Vet's day

We spent Veteran’s day in service to different people and areas of our city in need of help. Over 150 campus crusade students gave up their vacation day to help the hurting areas and people in our midst. Many of us spent time in Franklinton, one of the poorest areas of town, rebuilding gardens necessary for food for the folks in that area. Others worked in food pantries, while others helped in homeless shelters. Bart and the guys in the Bible study he leads went to volunteer at Habitat for Humanity for the day. What a joy! Bart spent a couple hours of the day with a guy he met named Ray. They were picking up appliances for people to take back to the Habitat restore. Ray opened up quickly about how he had lost his wife and 2 of his kids in a house-fire, the pain it caused, and the difficulties in trusting God following that tragedy. Bart had the joy of talking to him of the trustworthiness of God and empathizing was Ray about the horrors of being in a world fallen and tainted by sin. Bart also got to help Ray’s understanding of faith, which he had a few questions about. More than a couple times upon the trip, Ray said, “God meant for us to ride together, Bart. Thank you for everything.”

Monday morning thoughts...

Another week, and I'm pretty excited about it. Which has been rare for me the last couple weeks.

I was finding myself just really really tired. Emotionally, physically, spiritually, you name it, and I seemed to be drained. I was feeling a heaviness just about every day and in just about everything. I think, in very subtle ways, I began to abandon the Gospel the grace, even while simultaneously I taught it! I had made ministry and my life about my tasks and my work. I had been making leading and building students a job done out of myself alone. It's no reason I've been so tired.

Bunyan says, in The Pilgrim's Progress:

"Run John, run, the law commands
but gives neither feet nor hands.
But better news the Gospel brings,
it bids me fly and gives me wings."

I had made life about the law. I was about my tasks and responsibilities. I'm choosing repentance. I want to be about the Gospel. I want to be about the God that gives life. I'll find my joy and heart renewed in the person of Jesus. Join me. Leave the rat race and rest on the Lord.

"Come all you who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest."