Well this is over two weeks late, so I have to work on that! It was good to return to the house we helped paint and spackle last year. This house has so much coolness and character to it, it's hard to describe, the pictures don't do it justice. I would love to have the $$ to put into this house, but I don't. So, we came together to help where we could, we cleaned, painted, scrubbed, lubricated, and unjammed a whole bunch of stuff in this house. In the process we got to know each other better, and had a good time helping out a non profit trying to help people out. Also Kat and Rick M, came as new folks to the CSBA. They attended some events last year, so it was good to meet and work with them. We also got a chance to work with Jim the same job foreman as last year, and that was real cool. The head of Keystone Opportunity Center came out and payed us a visit, thanking us for our work. Keystone owns the house and is trying to refurbish that house to eventually allow a family coming out of homelessness to live and get back on their feet. They are a successful ministry that truly makes a difference in people's lives and we are glad to be partnering with them.

I had a chance to fix and lubricate the front door and deadbolt. I then vacuumed out all of the window sills and channels from the dust and debris of time and a harsh winter. I ensured all of the storm windows were closed and the windows all functioned as they should. After that I wiped down all the second floor doors to remove dirt and dust. jlasure was cleaning up stuff, putting outlet plates back on, and fixing windows plus networking with folk since he was our liaison for this project. johnric42 was scrubbing and scraping to clean one of the bedroom floors of all the dirt and paint splats that were left behind. XIII and Rick M were doing a bathroom paint and polish on the 2nd floor bathroom. J-mac was doing electrical and hvac work on the house. Kat was doing a kitchen clean up makeover on this place. Everything that was on the list to do, we got done. The house still needs a bunch of work, and we are considering returning in the Fall to get to it. Thanks again for all that came and made this project a success.



For the Scripture reading I did something different, I read a devotional reading, simply because I thought it was excellent and it spoke to me. It is a compilation of different selections of Scripture, as well as, quotes from ancient authors. It is written by Peter Scazzero and the book is called the Daily Office. The Daily Office is a practice that the ancient Christians used to practice where they would stop 2-3 times a day to be silent and contemplative, to read Scripture, pray, and encounter God. Here is one of the readings:

Psalm 119:27-32 27 Cause me to understand the way of your precepts, that I may meditate on your wonderful deeds.
28 My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word.
29 Keep me from deceitful ways; be gracious to me and teach me your law.
30 I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I have set my heart on your laws.
31 I hold fast to your statutes, Lord; do not let me be put to shame.
32 I run in the path of your commands, for you have broadened my understanding.

The most famous "Rule" in the Western World was the Rule of St. Benedict, written in the sixth century. In a non stop, distracted world like ours, it brings balance and simplicity, inviting us to a life which seeks, everything in proper measure: work, prayer, solitude, relationships. Benedict begins his Rule with a call to listen and an invitation to surrender to God: "Listen carefully, my son, to the master's instructions, and attend to them with the ear of your heart. This is advice from a father who loves you; welcome it, and faithfully put it into practice. The labor of obedience will bring you back to him from whom you had drifted through the sloth of disobedience. This message of mine is for you, then, if you are ready to give up your own will, once a for all, and armed with the strong and noble weapons of obedience to do battle for the true King, Christ the Lord.

Therefore we intend to establish a school for the Lord's service...Do not be daunted immediately by fear and run away from the road that leads to salvation. It is bound to be narrow at the outset. But as we progress in this way of life and in faith, we shall run on the path of God's commandments, our hearts overflowing with the inexpressible delight of love."

The question to consider: What would it look like for you to run on the path of God's commands?

Prayer: Lord, you know my world can be non-stop and complex. Help me today to balance the demands coming at me, remembering you while I work and keeping you at the center of all I do. In Jesus' name, amen.