1 Thessalonians 2:4 
On the contrary, we speak as men approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts.

How simple that 1 verse seems, but how difficult it can be to follow.  It doesn’t matter whether or not you are on church staff, and educator, a factory worker, or any other profession- it is too easy to become a people pleaser (even when you are really trying to follow God.)  I constantly tell myself not to worry when someone is talking negatively about me or a leadership decision I have made, yet when I get the news I tend to let it consume my thoughts.  My wife told me a quote she heard:  “Self pity halts all spiritual growth.”  This is so true, and applies here.  When we are angry, sad, hurt, or upset over what others are saying about us we are simply throwing a grand party for our self pity. 

If you follow God, situations will arise in which you will make people unhappy.  Sometimes their reasoning will be ridiculous, and other times their points will be crystal clear and understandable.  While our goal is to always seek peace and unity, as a leader there will undoubtedly be times when we have to make decisions that we know God is happy with (even if nobody else is.)   It can be difficult, especially if those we may hurt with our decisions are close to us, or have influenced us in the past.  As the verse above tell us, Please GOD-not men.  Remember this though, you are to first love God, and then love men.  Even if they attack you, criticize you, or anything else- Love Them.   If you choose to hate and be bitter with those that disagree with you  for following God, you are living out a huge contradiction.  You can’t follow God and not love people.  Especially people you are called to lead.

We worked with the Knox Area Rescue Ministries in Knoxville, TN on the way home.  It is an amazing facility with an awesome staff.  While there we picked up trash outside (and found everything from mouse traps to crackpipes,) did laundry, worked in the kitchen, washed dishes, and served meals.  It was a life changing experience.

We spent the day at a Widow’s Ministry Center and Jonathan seemed to steal the show.

This is a picture of Chloe on our free day.  We went to a great place and went down the mountain suspended from the trees.  It was so much fun, and made the trip even more memorable!

Sam was organizing clothes in the warehouse.

Carrie went out for a girl’s night, and left me in charge.  Lauren actually liked it, or at least she liked the beans.

Carrie and Asher at his Ear, Nose, and Throat Specialist. (the visit went fine.)

One last picture before we leave KHO.

Rebecca taking a break from tearing off an old roof.