Skip to main content

I ♥️ Louisiana

Louisiana is a special place to me. While I am not from there, I feel like it is home. I lived there for my college years and met some of the finest people I have ever met. The southeast Louisiana culture is one that is refreshing. The sense of family and community run deep in the small towns that litter the bayou. 

Seeing pictures of the wreckage after Hurricane Ida was difficult. I was hearing from friends when they returned home from evacuation. They stated it looked like a warzone. Their places of work were destroyed and their livelihood is at risk. Schools remain closed and superintendents commit to reopening instead of being closed for the year. Thousands remain without power. September heat in Southeast Louisiana can be stifling to endure without air conditioning.

Not being there, it's easy to get on with our routines and to ignore the tragedy God's people are enduring. The news cycle moves on to other affairs and the people left in Ida's wake are soon forgotten. Yet their needs still remain.

Paul tells us in Romans, "Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality"
(Romans 12:13 NIV). When we bless people in need, we glorify God. The image of hospitality resonates. When we have guests, we clean up our homes, prepare a fine meal, and make extra effort to create a space that is loving and inviting.

 In Matthew it says, "In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven" (Matthew 5:16 NIV). Through our good deeds God's light shines in the darkness for His people. God's glory is on full display by the kind acts we bless others with. 

Our support of the people in Louisiana gives our little church a chance to let God's light shine through our generosity. We get to share our hospitality with His children As the people of Louisiana face fear, despair, and loss, our gifts can share the hope only found in Christ. 

So, on behalf of God's children in Louisiana, I thank you in advance for your gifts, beyond your normal offering, to help their recovery and show the love of Christ.

Be blessed and be a blessing,
Matt Ennis


Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Anchor House: Week 6 Buried Treasure

When I started at Anchor House I committed to write at least one blog per week. Writing is something I enjoy and a way I get to interact with God. I can recall wanting to write about Anchor House in the days before I started, but my knowledge was limited..  To be honest I felt like I knew three things before I joined Anchor House. First,  Anchor House was a mission at Port Manatee (the Seaport, not the jail) Second, I knew it was a mission that my church, Westside Christian Church, supported with our Show Love funds.  Third, I knew God was calling me to serve Him there. However, what happened at Anchor House day to day was something of a mystery to me.   After being here for a few weeks I have learned quite a bit. I know where to look to find out when ships are coming in or departing.  I have learned that I am just tall enough to hit my head where most seafarers don’t. I have learned that flexibility is the key to serving at a seaport. One of th...
Post a Comment
Read more

Tables

In the communion and offering meditation, Mindy shared a picture of their family's dinner table. She described the numerous activities that happen around that table. The one she said that stuck out the most to me was forgiveness.  There is one particular table in the Bible that comes to mind. It is where a significant moment in our history occurred. At this table, Jesus is dining with his closest followers, just hours before He will be arrested. He gathers with them to partake in the festival of unleavened bread. During this meal, this table is the stage for truth, betrayal, denial, lies, promise, and forgiveness.   As Jesus identifies his betrayer (Matt 26:20-25) and predicts Peter's denial of Him (Matt 26:31-35), He is fully aware of what is to come. He will pay a ransom to free God's people. Even as these bonds of trust and friendship are broken, Jesus doesn't relent. He still breaks the bread and still drinks of the cup. He offers forgiveness, "T...
Post a Comment
Read more

Waiting

Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. Psalms 27:14 NIV Waiting is hard. When you are waiting to take part in an activity you enjoy or are waiting to hear very important news or are waiting for something to arrive, each minute you wait can feel like eternity. In this instant access age, I think it's even harder. We want it now and if we can't get it now we want updates.   If you've ever ordered from Amazon, you know they are experts in this. They send notifications to update you as to where your package is on the delivery route. Once your package arrives, they take a picture and send it to you. That way no matter where you are you get to enjoy knowing your waiting is nearly over.  To me there is no agony like the pain of waiting for a pizza delivery. You're hungry and looking forward to delicious pizza. Time seems to slow. Seconds tick away like minutes and minutes like hours. Many of the pizza chains have added their own update...
Post a Comment
Read more