August 19 – “New digs”

I had another big staff meeting yesterday with Jim from church.  We have started getting together on Thursday mornings for prayer mainly.  We also can touch base about stuff going on around the church.  I’m going to enjoy working with this guy.  He has a real heart for ministry.  On my way home I stopped by fire station number seven in Pirates Beach.  I haven’t been by there since they moved back into their newly renovated digs.  It was done quite nicely.  First thing I noticed was how they opened up the kitchen area into the TV room.  It changed the whole feel of the place.  The oddest thing was the placement of a separate captain’s quarters clear on the other side of the bay from everyone else.  And the main radio is located in there as well.  Seems like that would go counter to the family feel of the department in the other areas.  But I guess there are reasons behind it.  It was very nicely done, though.  There are still a few things that are not completed.  Some workmen were there working on the garage doors in the bay.  They also have not begun yet on a little exercise room.  I sure hope the guys enjoy the new space.  After all, they spend 24 out of every 72 hours of their lives there. 

While we got ready for home group (you know, floor vacuuming, last-minute read-through of notes, and the like) we watched the U.S. women’s volleyball game.  Hey, it’s Olympics season, you know.  They ended up losing to Serbia, so they will play for the bronze medal tonight.  Go USA.  And while we are on the athletic side of things, the Astros continued their most recent meltdown.  This time it was the Orioles beating up on them 13-5.  Ouch.  Nevertheless … Go Astros.

We are headed up to Houston to a funeral in just a little while.  Teresa was a very sweet lady who used to come to Seaside.  She had cancer and handled it with great grace and characteristic sweetness.  Please pray for her husband Ben and the rest of their family.

1 Corinthians 10:13 says, “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.”

Father, please be with Ben and his family as they walk through times without Teresa.  Thank you for her impact on them and on all those she touched.  Amen.