It’s 5 a.m. I love the quietness of the pre-dawn.
I am waiting for the first hints of sunrise to go out for a prayer walk, to spend time with Jesus. I have my lists of people to pray for, but often I spend most of the time just in awe and praise. I find Jesus so wonderful, I am continually surprised by His care, His forgiveness, His presence.
Last night we hosted our Bible study for youth. We call it “ARRE” which means Giddy’Up, but it loses a lot in the translation, so I won’t bother confusing you with that.
We are in the Book of Mark—so simple, so to-the-point for these 16-year-olds—and go through it expositionally. Last night Jesus told of a man who went out to plant, but some of the seeds fell in unfortunate places, yielding unfortunate results. We passed a little bowl of seeds around and all of us took some, as we talked about what it means to be fertile soil who hears, receives, and gives forth fruit.
Then, in Mark’s rendition, Jesus then tells we are not to be lights under a basket. So, of course, we shut off the lights, lit a candle, and put it under a basket. Everyone’s attention was full on, and Jesus was speaking with those young hearts.
We are so privileged to be where we be, and to do what we do!
And we are privileged to be trusted with your gifts to us. We dare not take it for granted. Living by faith is always an adventure. These past few months (when things have been “tight”) provide such an opportunity for us to remember Whom we keep our eyes on, in Whom we trust, Who has us safely in the palm of His hand. Thank you for caring about the work here, thank you for believing in Olive Tree, thank you for investing in us.
The sun is wanting to sneak out from behind the hills that surround out valley, so I will sign off.