We made it!
Today began with an early morning departure shortly after 6:00, followed by a 10 hour drive. We were blessed to have Martha Conant and some of her volunteers available to provide us with breakfast gift bags, as well as Rev. Schuster's presence to send us off with a prayer. Although this was a long day, we arrived in Lawrence, Kansas for our summer mission trip without any significant delays, unexpected problems, or even minor hiccups.
Upon our arrival in Lawrence we discovered that Kansas is HOT (and I don't mean it was a hip place, I mean it was baking)! Despite the extreme heat and high humidity, Lawrence is a very pleasant city with some gorgeous scenery. As we got closer to the city, it was definitely a welcome change to see trees again! When we arrived at First United Methodist Church in Lawrence we were greeted by David Dalke's daughter and grandchildren and by another volunteer from the church, Karen. We were then treated to a LARGE sloppy joe dinner, which some of our guys decided was eating contest material after a hint from your's truly. What a great way to unwind after a long road trip. Also, what incredible hospitality!
After dinner we had a time for devotionals, reflection, sharing, and prayer. Our devotion tonight centered on James 2:14-26. The scripture and discussion questions can be found below OR you can download the PDF of our entire weeks Devotional Book.
We actually just had lights out at 11:00 and will be up again at 7:30! In fact, tomorrow will be our first day of work, so a good night's sleep is greatly needed. Prayer would also be much appreciated!
That's all for now! Thank you to all who have supported us during this time. We look forward to sharing with you when we are back in Fort Collins!
Devotional: Day 1
Faith Without Works Is Dead
14 What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works?
Can that faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food,
16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the
things needed for the body, what good is that? 17 So also faith by itself, if it does not have
works, is dead.
18 But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from
your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19 You believe that God is one; you
do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder! 20 Do you want to be shown, you foolish
person, that faith apart from works is useless? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by
works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that faith was active along
with his works, and faith was completed by his works; 23 and the Scripture was fulfilled that
says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was
called a friend of God. 24 You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.
25 And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she
received the messengers and sent them out by another way? 26 For as the body apart from
the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.
Reflection Questions:
1. Do you think your actions reflect your faith?
2. Can you think of a time when your faith was stronger than your
works? What about a time when your works were stronger than
your faith?
3. What could you do to balance your faith and your works more
equally?
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