Show me the path where I should walk, O Lord
To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. I trust in You, my God! Show me the path where I should walk, O Lord Point out the right road for me to follow. Lead me by your truth and teach me for You are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in You. Remember O Lord your unfailing love and compassion which you have shown from long ages past. Forgive the rebellious sins of my youth…Archive for May, 2008
‘favorite’ Bible book?
It’s been awhile since I’ve been asked this. The first time was probably a month or so after being baptized (back in 2004 I believe) – it was a hard question to answer then, and it still is now. I can’t honestly say I’ve read the Bible several times fully. Let’s see – I *think* I’ve read it fully twice … and I’m on round 3 right now and am in Nehemiah.
new Carytown kids playplace … and coffee!
We don’t live in Carytown or even near it, but it’s awesome to see this place about to startup! I remember talking with him about this months ago….
It will be just a few buildings down from the Byrd Theatre on Cary St (I believe at the intersection with Colonial Ave): 2820 W. Cary Street
View Larger Map
Read more about it @ The Area 10 Project
growth, II
I had written before about this growth group thing that is starting up. So far it is just myself and another guy really, but I have hope that there will be some other guys that may join up at some point (as things change and time opens up).
So what has it been? A whole lot of getting to know each other, things happening in our lives, things that have happened in our lives. Laying some tough stuff out there on the table and being real and open about it. Issues all guys struggle with. I initially wasn’t very sure if in this group we would be as personal, but like the other guy in the group pointed out, without some deeper understanding and relationship with each other, it’s going to be hard (if not impossible) to be there for each other. Here’s where I am, and what has past. How about you? After this, we will move onto growth.
We’ve talked a little bit about books, in particular several by C.S. Lewis. He’s even graciously provided a comprehensive set of his books for me to read then pass on (connect with me if you’d be interested in ‘Out of the Silent Planet’ – part one of his sci-fi trilogy). Oh and if you’re into books and the whole social web, then check me out on GoodReads to see what other books I’ve read, am reading, or plan to read. As part of the growth group, the idea is to as a group pick a book to read and discuss every week – since it’s just two I’m not really going to push for this yet. But we did talk about some possibilities – and he mentioned the author Ted Roberts who of course has a blog. He apparently has a ministry called Pure Desire whose purpose is to be:
devoted to healing men and women who have become addicted to sexual behaviors harmful to their social, family and spiritual well being. By supporting local churches, PDMI is setting men and women free, so they can walk in the saving Grace of the Lord.
I’ve written a bit before on the topic of pornography but that is just scratching the surface of the issue of lust. Daring topic – we’ll see if we get to it, but a serious one for every guy…
We fasted and earnestly prayed
I’m following on the heels of my last post (being a leader that seems to have failed) about the book of Ezra. I now read about the author (Ezra) and him about to start the journey back to Jerusalem. It’s interesting because in Ezra 8:22, he said to the King that “Our God’s hand of protection is on all who worship him, but his fierce anger rages against those who abandon him.” But Ezra must have still been concerned (who wouldn’t? it was a 4 month journey!) for protection. So what did they do? (8:23):
We fasted and earnestly prayed that our God would take care of us ….. and he heard our prayer.
Sounds simple enough and I have definitely stopped to pray about some things, especially big things that are about to happen. But have I “earnestly” prayed about something for God to take care of? I read in my Life Application Study Bible (which rocks for someone that hasn’t really ever read the Bible before… like me) this note:
Their prayers and fasting prepared them spiritually and showed their dependence on God for protection; their faith that God was in control, and their affirmation that they were not strong enough to make the trip without him. Ezra knew God’s promises to protect his people, but he didn’t take them for granted. He also knew that God’s blessings are appropriated through prayer, so Ezra and the people humbled themselves by fasting and praying. Fasting humbled them because going without food was a reminder of their complete dependence on God. Fasting also gave them more time to pray and meditate on God. Too often we pray superficially. Serious prayer, by contrast, requires concentration. It puts us in touch with God’s will and can really change us. Without serious prayer, we reduce God to a quick-service pharmacist with painkillers for our every ailment.
I pray that God can show me what means to “earnestly” pray – to seriously concentrate on the prayers – and to understand the purpose of fasting – and the times when it is appropriate.
do you live down by the river?
I met two guys today named Steve and Jerry. Jerry calls Steve ‘Bawana’ (Jerry said that’s because he can live anywhere; and that it is Swahili; apparently it also is an address of respect) – he’s the guy in the second picture with the brown hat on. Steve calls Jerry ‘Captain’. They both help each other out and usually live by the James River. I was curious if you could eat the fish – they said some people say maybe one fish a week, but neither of them do; Jerry who used to be a fisherman said he’s definitely eaten fish and would definitely not eat from these waters.
Someone also mentioned that CARITAS is reducing … one more facility won’t be available. Last time we were out at Monroe Park, another person mentioned this before… sure seems like maybe I should contact them and see how one (or a handful) can help the organization out other than offering a facility (which we don’t have) for nightly shelter.
[UPDATE: I emailed and received a response from CARITAS staff. He said there are definitely opportunities in assisting a host church in all their work, or one-time projects at one of their facilities. I asked for more information about what host churches are near us and what these one-time projects might be. He did include with his email some idea of what could be involved in assisting a host church:
- Make and serve an evening meal for 40
- Make bagged lunches for 40
- Provide travel to and from showers
- Provide travel to and from a laundromat or wash guest’s laundry at home
- Provide personal care packets (travel sized shampoo, toothpaste, deodorant, etc.).
- Serve as overnight volunteers
- Provide snacks as they await transportation for overnight accommodation
- Help with unloading or loading of cots and sleeping materials on Saturdays
]
