Work Day 2 - Self Denial

The weather cooperated better today in terms that it didn't rain, but the heat was turned up!  It got up to at least 85 today (add about 10-15 degrees for those on a roof).  The crews got a lot of work done today, and not just in the houses.  Kacey, Clarissa, and Andrew shared that they did a lot of painting today and they got to make some new friends.  They learned a little more about the house they are working on - it is a temporary place for kids up to age 22 to go and get help to get their life on the right track.  Kacey shared that by talking to the kids staying at the house and inventing them to join their crew for devotions she realized they are just regular kids who have had some struggles.  Clarissa and Kacey also went around scrubbing the drips of paint off the floor, they scrubbed and scrubbed and scrubbed.   Erik and Don are working at the same house.  Erik got to play some catch and basketball with the kids in the house.  While painting inside (with paint that smelled like rotten eggs and gasoline) Erik and Andrew learned that if you open a window the house alarm goes off.  Colton met a dog at the worksite, and got attacked by a swarm of wasps but he managed to escape without a single sting!  Isaiah got to know the owner of the house he and Colton are working on and realized just how Much this project is touching his heart and how thankful he is for the work they are doing. Deana and Katie's crew got the shingles started on the roof.  Katie had a chance to walk around to the neighbors and share what we are doing this week and why, a few wanted more information about the ministry.  Katie was also interviewed by the local paper for an article they are writing about Mission Serve projects happening in the area. Caite and Allie finished scraping the last side of the house - even when there wasn't anything left to scrape.  Jana said that the site they are at is full of bugs but her and Allie got a good portion of the porch painted today.  There were also some good, deep conversations that took place while working.  Mark spent most of the day roofing. He did have an opportunity to talk to the neighbor across the street.  The neighbor has been an alcoholic most of his life and was shot in the heart.  In 1998 due to the gunshot he was told he wouldn't live long, but he is still here!  Abby spent the day laying shingles and one side is almost complete and shingles were taken of the entire other side of the roof.  Unfortunately they ran into some wood that needed replaced and things took a little longer so they stayed and worked for an hour longer than scheduled.  we are beginning to see that it really isnt about the roof or the paint, its about the people of the house and surrounding houses.  All crews worked hard and there was some good fellowship and witnessing that happened today.   Everyone was very hot today and our bodies (at least the adult bodies) are starting to feel the effects) - needless to say we are all thankful that tomorrow is a 1/2 day!

Our worship tonight was a little different.  we had a Concert of prayer.  We've posted a picture so you can see how awesome the stage was.  There was a lot of prayer, a lot of music, and a lot of tears.  Gods presence was very strong tonight.  The message was focused on self denial and our scripture was Matthew 16:24.  We discussed 3 important steps to denial of self.  Step 1: empty yourself of everything within.   We were given a small empty cup upon entering.  this was to represent our lives and how we must empty it of ourselves.  Step 2: take up our cross.  Step 3: follow Jesus.  We again read Romans 12:1 about following Him.  The picture of Jesus was painted (upside down) by an artist during music towards the end of worship, it was great to watch the image come together.

  In our church group devotion we discussed how the cup should be empty of ourselves and its up to us to keep it full of Jesus.  A few of us accidentally broke our small plastic cups, but we realized that just as easily as they cup broke, sometimes we break our relationship with Christ when we don't deny ourselves and the world.  The cup didn't break itself just as Jesus doesn't break our relationship.....it is us, we choose what to fill our cup with.  

Sometimes we fear denying ourselves or the world for fear of judgement.  The fear of judgement is one of the biggest road blocks to self denial.  Self-judgement can be an even bigger road block - sometimes we are our own worst critic.  But there is nothing we can do to stop others from judging us, we know that no matter where we go people will be judging us but we have to have the courage to be strong. Knowing that we will be judged by others, the question we all must ask ourselves is do I want to be judged forms doing something wrong, doing something right, or for doing nothing?