packing/unpacking and digging in the closet

I wish we could say that we are half way moved in to the cottage at Waypoint, but I went to our home in Commerce last night to do some more packing and I am afraid to say we a have a lot more to pack. It is funny what a newlywed couple can accumulate in such a short period of time. Joel and I have memories from our childhood, family pictures, children's books & toys. We were blessed with a few inherited pieces of furniture bed room suits, tables and dishes. Not to mention the overflow of beautiful new wedding gifts we received. This stuff in our home reminds me of how quickly we store up things in our hearts and in our minds. Our bodies are like a building and if we don't slow down and take a mental, spiritual and emotional inventory of what we have stored up we will become so full that there is no room to move or to add new memories. We focus on the old pictures, the chipped glasses, and complain that we never use the "good china" that is still in the cabinet. I can relate this to my Christian walk. On a regular basis I need to observe my habits, my gifts and my motives to what I have and what I need to improve.

Sometimes the men that need a place like Waypoint are at a place where they feel trapped, no where to move. They have memories of their childhood that are not good. Pictures in their head that this is the only way to live and "I can't breathe, there are so many piles of clutter." "If I try and clean this house now it would take forever to make it straight and fresh, this is impossible, where do I start?" The men are overwhelmed by the junk in their life that they just want to walk away. I praise God that there is a place like Waypoint. That there are godly leaders and teachers. That there are godly lessons and applications that can help these men.

So please pray for these men to keep focused, to dig into the back closets of their heart and head to clean out all the clutter that is keeping the men from living a godly, clutter free life. There are lots of memories, plans, and thoughts that they need to give over to God, to be laid at the cross and to be thrown out completely. There are lies that the men have been told that they need to work through. Please pray that these lies will be replaced with God's word and God's truth. That Christ will be the cornerstone of a new foundation for these men to live by.

For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 4:6

--Impower--

I know I have mentioned this before but I want to reitterate it again and to stress the importance of your prayers for these men, their families, and our staff here at Waypoint.  We are always in need of volunteers, money, and donations.  However, these gifts can never impower a man in recovery like the power of prayer.  Prayer is more than calling upon God to bless these men.  Prayer is intereceeding for someone who lacks the strength or faith to ask.  A man coming out of addiction is at his lowest point in his life.  Why else would he be here!  He needs to be focused on getting sober, staying clean from drugs and alcohol, and working through his relationship with God.  I want to encourage you to pray for the men, their wives, their children and their parents.  More speciffically please lift up the man and his constant reflection of looking into his own heart, his daily struggle of being at Waypoint and his future.  Each man needs prayer for his place in the work force, his role with his family, and the transition for both. 

Each man is burdened by the weight that others carry in order for him to be here.  Imagine if you were sick all the things that would go undone while you were getting treatment.  The yard work, the home improvement projects, tucking your kids in bed, helping with the bills, the cost of the treatment, etc.  All of which are insignificant to his life being saved and restored.

Yet, we have not because we ask not.  I am asking each of you to consider praying for one guy daily.  Please lift him up to the LORD.  Ask the LORD to meet the needs of each man and his family.  Their needs spiritually and physically, emotionally and socially. Your commitment to pray will provide rest for the man so he can recieve healing from God.  So he will recieve power and strength to stick with the program.  Everyday the men wake up and no one is forcing them to stay.  It takes commitment and hard work to continue on their journey.  Your prayers are important and life changing for these men and their families.  Please pray!