Dinner for Many

1:45pm - Got up this morning at 6:20 and left at 7:00 with my dad for the [church] men's breakfast. We both woke my brother up, but he said I hurt his toe when I tapped his knee and so he didn't feel like going. We arrived eight minutes late, at 7:38, but were still able to get some grub. [The hostess] made ham, eggs, biscuits, and some sort of bread that covered a cookie sheet and was cut into squares. We ate.

After we had feasted, Pastor ___ skipped around the NT epistles and read Paul's prayers for the churches. We discussed the differences between his prayers and our selfish gratification-based prayers today. His prayers are constructed on such lofty levels while ours are so limited to physical subjects. We need to have more of a focus on spiritual matters such as the salvation of the lost and the strengthening of believers than we do right now.

It was a good time of encouragement for all of us and I am looking forward to next time. This church sets a high standard for the level of spiritual activity which I will be looking for in future churches. It is also a fantastic role model for what I hope to maybe pastor one day, a role model for both congregation and pastor.

3:45pm - Everybody has been outside making smores, hotdogs, and such. I'm in my room doing Latin. I just took a break and played  guitar for twenty minutes or so. A family we know is coming over at six for dinner. I'm going to to pick up Grandpa ___ for mama about twenty minutes before so he can eat with us. [My sister's best friend] is spending another night with us... they are having a blast!

I've been reflecting over something Daddy said to me recently. He doesn't think I should be using examples like how I drove Grandpa ___ back and forth to church for a year in scholarship essays because that is the Lord's work. I can see where he is coming from with the pray in secret kind of mindset... and he used George Mueller as an example. Mueller trusted in the Lord for his provision, why can't I?

There is nothing wrong with scholarships, but God's reward for my deeds is far better than man's money. Maybe I should only use examples that do not have anything in particular to do with ministries that the Lord has privileged me with.

It would be a more thorough test of my faith, if I were to keep things that I have done in service to the Lord separate for Lord. The Lord can certainly provide everything that I need, why not give Him the chance to do so without me trying to do things my way? When I had lunch with Pastor ___ a couple days ago, he made the point that the local church was responsible for training pastors. Should it be responsible for helping to provide for those pastors to go to college and/or seminary as well? Is this the provision that the Lord would desire to use?

9:49 - Well, the [family that came over] left a little bit ago and we just finished up KP duty. [My sister] spent most of the day  making chicken pot pie for everyone, as well as a salad and two cobblers--peach and pear. The parents stayed at the table with Grandpa ___ when the rest of us, except my little brother and sister, went out to the den. Dinner was great with plenty for everyone.

After dinner we played my sister's version of charades. It was interesting to say the least! Everyone was paired up: Mrs. ___ and Mama, my friend and my brother, my my sister and her friend, my other sister and Daddy (in place of her party-pooper friend), and Mr. ___ and myself. The teams took turns conspiring together before acting out their skit for the other teams to guess. Some of the things that were acted out and guessed were: Pride and Prejudice (Mama and Mrs. ___), Somewhere Over the Rainbow (same), a snob (my sister with Daddy), Star Wars droids (my brother and friend), a Turkey in bowling (Mr. ___ and myself), Pilgrim from Pilgrim's Progress (same), and Pontius Pilate (my sister and her friend).

Grandpa ___ was ready to go by the time all this was finished, so I took him back home to his place. He (and I) forgot his food, so I dropped him off at his place and then got his food and brought it back to him.

The night was fun, but it sure has been a busy day. I'm looking forward to some prayer and Bible reading before tomorrow, Sunday. I have found that it completely changes my entire time at church if I take the time the day before to prepare my heart for worship.

P.S. - When I got home from the men's breakfast I helped Daddy with the lawn... he mowed and I weedeated.