“All the believers were together and had everything in common.  They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” Acts 2:44-47


What’s Happening:
I knew I was slacking on getting the blog out, there have been so many exciting things happening. I kept thinking “Okay, I get this thing cleared up and I have to let everyone know!” I looked this morning and I haven’t blogged since the 3rd of January!

In a nutshell:
We have corrections to be made on the plans that we submitted to the city. Kirk and Rowdy are working on getting those done and as soon as those permits are cleared, we will be starting on-site construction of the building.

Oltmans Construction came onto the project with a generous donation of labor. We will be able to use their labor talents to build the foundation for the façade. Lennar Homes will do the framing for the façade. Oltmans will finish the stucco and color coat and help with other projects. Behr paint will be donating the paint for the project. PlyGem windows gave us a great donation of 22 windows, 3 donated and the rest at cost. Sea Gull Lighting donated lighting. Home Depot gave us a substantial donation of gift cards. Robertson Concrete is giving us a great cost on concrete.

Rowdy is working on the drainage issues of the parking lot. New sidewalk has been poured and changes are taking place.

Mattresses:
Many heard Chuck announce that Crossroads would be donating 80 mattresses to the project. That gave me multiple calls and follow-ups trying to coordinate all of the donations and connections. The final decision was to accept an offer by Laura Castro of World Bed. They produce a tempur-pedic type mattress. She offered to donate all the mattresses for the project! I approached Crossroads and they will now be using the funds dedicated to mattresses to purchase bunk beds, unless God is getting those donated also!

Closing thoughts:
Playing on the floor with my granddaughters is always an adventure that leaves me sore the next day. It’s tough crawling around the floor being the horse, or the dragon that is slain by the beautiful princesses. At four & two years old, getting them to share always becomes a point of correction from grandpa. You are always waiting for that shout of “Mine, Mine!” or the older one using distraction techniques to get what she wants from the younger one.

As adults we find it’s easier to share when we have excess; it’s not easy to share when we feel our sharing will be a sacrifice. As adults we think that we have learned the art of sharing, which generally is not true. What we have learned is to give what we have in excess or those things that we really didn’t want any more, the art of distraction. It is the appearance of sacrifice, when we are actually just giving from our excess.

“Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” Ephesians 5:1&2

Each of us have those things we hold precious, prestige, time, money, we all have something we hold precious. In the Book of Acts they gave what they had to those in need. They gave three things, property, possessions and time. This was above their tithing, Peter is preaching to the Jews in Jerusalem at this time. How much more, having the full knowledge of Christ’s sacrifice do we give or sacrifice those things precious to us, or do we give from our excess?

Opportunity to Serve
Steve & Silvia Cervantes are new at leading the Saturday food service in God’s kitchen. They could use some help. This would be a good way to start the New Year in helping someone else. Contact stevelcd@yahoo.com cell# 951-833-1348