A Shamelessly Stolen Christmas List

Sometimes this year we are making lists of things we want or wish for. Paul made a list of some things we just did. I thought I would drop it here so it would not be so quickly forgotten. I suppose someone might think this is bragging or something - but that would only be the case if this blog was seen by tons of people. Who sees this anyway? This is a journal to remember what we've been up to. Thanks Paul for remembering.

1. We distributed over 300 blankets to people who had only recently received FEMA trailers or were still living in tents, thereby demonstrating the love and compassion of Christ to Biloxi(ans?), the Division Street CoC, and our own children. Many seeds were planted!

2. We provided encouragement to the Division Street CoC through the angels and other donated items at a crucial time (immediately after receiving discouraging news that the insurance settlement is inadequate to rebuild). We all need to know that we are not alone in the face of adversity.

3. We demonstrated the unity of the body that Christ prayed for in the garden (immediately before His arrest, knowing full well what lay ahead – Jn 17:20). “There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, black nor white, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Gal
3:28, Gibbs Modern English Translation, 2005). This was also an answer to our own prayers.

4. We discussed the possibility of the Division Street congregation visiting Central on some future weekend, as yet to be determined.

5. As a result of our example, the Division Street congregation was challenged to focus more outward on the community instead of their own struggles by Paul Warren on Sunday AM.

6. We have been searching for the past few weeks for clear direction about how this relief effort should be continued, and I believe that that answer was provided during this trip. Just as so many other churches have been rebuilt by relief teams, we now have the opportunity to serve the Division Street church in the same way. This is a great opportunity. We have the necessary skills. It would encourage the spirit of the church and further increase the unity of the body at Central. As so many others have already said, the Division Street church needs to be there to
minister to the local community. I do not know if it is the Lord’s will for the church to remain in that location, but I believe that this is an answer to prayer, and if it is so, He will provide the means and the materials to complete this work. It would be most fitting to do so on MLK
weekend, which give us a month to prepare. I hope that we can all join together to meet this need if given the opportunity.

-Thanks Paul


And then Lisa added....

7. Don't forget the nursing home visit.

8. And another biggie--the impression made on our children. Here's how the weekend was seen through one set of those eyes (attached)..... Which led to Morgans post below!

Merry Christmas all!