So, there is a Camp of the Hills counselor reunion this weekend. It is official: I am pumped.
Paris & Shelbyville
Over this past weekend our team gathered in two very important locations. One of these places was Paris, Texas – “the second biggest Paris in the world” – where the Davidson clan is spending time with their supporting church, the Lamar Avenue Church of Christ. The purpose of this gathering was to get to know members of this congregation who have been so supportive, encouraging, and loving towards the Davidsons, as well as to get some business and some fun done. Thankfully, we were able to accomplish all of these goals in style, and we were overwhelmed by the warmth and hospitality of the entire church. As a team, we look forward to partnering with the Lamar Ave. congregation for many years to come. It was truly a joy to see the Lord working powerfully through an amazing group of Christians.
The other location was Shelbyville, Tennessee, where the Thompson family traveled to spend time with the Fairlane Church of Christ. This church is interested in partnering with the Thompsons for our future work in Peru. While Justin, Alison, and Cailyn were severely missed in Paris, we are incredibly excited about the opportunities that this trip might bring. So, please be praying for the Thompsons and the Fairlane congregation as they seek to discern the Lord’s leading in this matter. As a team, we have been constantly been reminded of our need to rely completely on the Lord. What a great place to be – resting in the loving arms of our great God!
Mark 10:35-45
Read this text several times over the next few days. It is one of the three major passages in the later half of Mark concerning discipleship (8:31-38; 9:33-37; 10:35-45). Mark begins his gospel by letting the reader know the true identity of Jesus (1:1), but the disciples seem to be clueless about Jesus’ identity, as well as his teachings (4:13, 41; 6:50-52; 7:17-19; 8:14-21). Then, they appear to understand who Jesus is when Peter makes his confession, “You are the Messiah” (8:29), but in reality they merely want Jesus to be the kind of Messiah that they want; the disciples want to be the ones calling the shots (8:32; 10:35).
Mark uses the second half of the gospel to flesh out what it means for Jesus to be the Messiah: he will be handed over to the Jews, then he will be killed, but on the third day he will rise again (8:31; 9:9-10; 10:32-34). And at the same time, Jesus teaches the twelve what it means to be his disciple: you must deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow Jesus (8:34). And as we follow the Savior, we learn that we must love as he loved (Eph. 5:1-2) and serve as he served (10:42-45), even if that means that we sometimes have to sacrifice our own well-being for the good of the other (1 Cor. 10:24, slightly out of context, but still applicable, I think…).
Mark 10:35-45 is a beautiful passage that I need to reflect on more as a disciple of Jesus. It is the passage that I preached at the Westgate Church of Christ this past Sunday, but unfortunately it is not a passage that I often live out in my own life. That we may all follow in our Savior’s footsteps nearer everyday, that is my prayer.
Potential Support
Please keep my teammates in your prayers. In the past several days, there have been several positive developments in their search for support, but the road ahead is still uncertain. As a team we continue to wait, in faith, for the Lord’s provision. He has provided so much already, and we are confident in his plan’s for our future.
