From the Desk of Jill Keenon, Operations Director:
On my exciting New Years Eve I was cleaning out my jewelry box. I had quite a few nice things I had forgotten about. The problem was that around twenty necklaces were all tangled up. As I started the painstaking task of detangling them, I thought about how this compares to our sin. Each strand was beautiful on its own, like one of our talents. But, when it is all tangled up with the other encumbrances, it was useless!
When we sin it gets entangled with the other parts of our life that may be good, and all is lost. Every area of our life has to be straight and unencumbered. It cannot be just isolated into separate compartments. We cannot be godly in most areas and keep sinning in others and think it will not affect the rest of our life or how we live.
I came to the last strand of chain that was stubbornly holding on to a favorite earring. This made me think about how stubborn I am in a few areas of my life, making it impossible for Jesus to use me either as "the earring" or "the necklace". Both of those gifts are unusable until I say, Lord, I let go!
I still dont know what makes it for us a time we will let go but another time we hold onto for dear life, but I have identified a few things that I am "holding onto" with all I've got and have decided to let go.
Sin is powerful only as long as we let it wrap its way around us. It loses its hold as soon as we release its grip. It really was not that hard to detangle the necklaces if I identified each one and followed it around to the beginning. Then, it just seemed to slide off with no effort.
This year admit you are encumbered and throw it off and run the race at a new speed. Keep your eyes on the goal! (See Phil. 3:14 - ed.)
COLOMA PLACE
- There are some concerns with the situation at the home. We are meeting with the Dyers today. Please pray we will know how to handle any situation that is arising and for wisdom.
QUICKS BOYS HOME
- Things with Pat and his mom don't seem to be changing. There is an unhealthy tie that is hard to pin point. I would fight to the death to get my child back and do anything that was asked just to get everyone out of my business. This is vocalized by the mom but no action is being taken but manipulative behavior to keep control. Pray for clarity.
KEENON HOME
- At Christmas we received some generous gifts (personally) that made it possible to pay our bills and give some at Christmas. We had a very blessed time with family and friends.
- Margie did great. Pray for her to keep changing and growing. Pray she can get healthy this New Year and lose her weight. It obsesses her but it is a concern.
- Melissa still needs a miracle. Pray, pray, pray.
- This time off from school has been heaven -even with me getting a bout with the stomach flu. Pray for me to organize myself and my home and prepare for the next stretch at school.
- Carmen and her children are moving in on Sunday. Pray for it to be good situation for all. Pray for healing from the divorce, stability for the kids, a job and healing for Carmen.
Have a great start of a new year!
In Christ's Service for the Community,
Paul & Jill Keenon
Open Door for Teens, Inc.
