Accountability for bible Readings - yikes

Accountability for bible reading . . . yikes!
Today, I got a phone call = from the same person who has called me every day for a week. A little annoying, actually - but it was a good call. Did I read the Bible today? It's my accountability partner - asking me about my Bible reading. Eight women, who have finally admitted that they are often too busy to read the Bible every day in a focused manner (they usually read it fairly haphazardly) are reading a chapter of Proverbs each day and journaling what strikes them (since today is the 30th, we all read Proverbs 30).

It's been good for this week - although some of us read other stuff, too. I came across so many verses that applied to stuff going on in my life. We started a notebook with pages dated 1 - 30 and each day, we moved to the next chapter - after writing a verse or two down. The next month, we will come back to that same chapter and target another verse to ponder. . . .

It's a good exercise to help get into God's word.

Odd Battlefields

The battle is fought in interesting places. Yesterday was our Celebrate Recovery meeting - and last week was chip night - an exciting night where everyone gets to get their "coin" for so many days/months/years of sobriety and freedom from some hangup.

Hope - 24 hours from codependency regarding her mom - which is huge, because her mom calls her 10 times a day and Hope has chosen not to answer her phone calls- for today.

Terry and Caryn both made a decision NOT to smoke anymore - at the writing of this blog, it has been 7 days. Jim, now has 3 weeks under his belt.

Joe-Bob showed up from out of state - said he couldn't make it without his family and he needed the Army. He has dealt with his 15 warrants in Florida, got permission from his P.O. to "go home" - and showed up on the bus, eager to see everyone again. I think he was a little surprised at all the new faces - but he was glad to see the old ones still around. I was overhearing the conversation at the lunch table, and he was asking "What's with you and God?" The response was - "I LOVE God. God loves me! What's with YOU and God!?"

And lately, it's been on Fridays after all the hustle and bustle has died down. Tiffany has been riding me to take people home and we talk about God and her life and her addictions. she says if she can keep busy until after 10:30pm, she'll be okay - she can go home and go to bed. But before 10, she'll stop by the convenience store for a beer (only one - but it's the quart), or call a friend (she says she is his mattress but it works for her - how sad is that . . . ). So last night she had "shotgun" and she talked about her week of clean (since our drive last week) and how she was nervous about tonight (saturday) which usually is when she falls on both counts. So tonight she will go over to the corps about 6pm to hang out with whoever else needs to hang out and maybe next week she will have two weeks.

Little pockets of warfare - and Chris is the victor in all of them.

1 cor. 15:57 57But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Sundays are always good but some Sundays shine brighter . . .

Today was incredible. Sundays often are but this one was especially nice.

We had Sunday School - and this starts the new session of lessons - with the new teachers and classes. 25 in Adult Sunday School and about that many in the kids classes.

Sunday Holiness Meeting - the music just keeps getting better! I appreciate Chris and his able team leading the way for us to march into the presence of God.

We prayed over the Campbell Family. They are missing Jessica. I love when the whole church prays for people.

We had special guests from DHQ, Cindy C and her husband, Gil - and they participated in the program. Cindy presented a trophy for the corps because the kids who went to Music Camp did such a great job last year - and $500 - oh, yeah.

We commissioned 15 youth local officers - and sent them into the battle!

We also commissioned ten junior soldiers - and they looked smashing in their uniforms! Dan led them in the pledge and they are gonig to make a big difference in the Revolution - I can tell!

Captain Don finished his sermon series on 1 John and gave good word! He finished it with a challenge in the form of a video by Lifehouse - Everything. Catch that here . . . Over 40 people were at the altar. Lots of praying and crying out to God.

We enjoyed lunch with each other afterwards and finally made our way home.

The nap was well-received.

Uniforms

Uniforms, uniforms, uniforms.

We've been dealing with sizes, and measurements, and pants and tunics and blouses for two weeks now - and the rush is only getting worse.

Why uniforms now when only a few years ago - there was such an "death glow" to them? I see people getting excited about them because they are part of something - they belong.

We have people who have been enrolled as adherents who finally get enrolled at soldiers - and it is with much care and respect that they try on their tunic - gingerly, hopefully - and it is with much pride that they view themselves in the mirror. Pride is not such a good thing - except when it comes in the form of belonging to Christ - being part of His family - becoming more like Him.

Soon, we will get the final order of revised sizes and the final try-ons will begin.

We even ordered hats!