Losing Life

Modern Ekklesia

The Story of Restore from Restore Community Church on Vimeo.

Church - Ekklesia

CHURCH - Week 5, day 1

The Greek word for church means "the called out ones."  So in case we are tempted to see church as a place to go, we are reminded that the church is a community called out by God for the benefit of the world.

This calling out began with the Isrealites whose father is Abraham.  Check out what God said to Abraham:

"Look up at the heavens and count the stars - if you can count them....so shall your offspring be."  Genesis 15:5

Although I am not of Jewish decent, I am an offspring of Abraham...adopted into God's family because of Jesus.  I am one of those many stars that Abraham was gazing at.  How great is that?

When are you going to have a building?

On Sunday, November 16th, 100% of Restore Community Church's offerings will go towards building a church building in Haiti.  The cost of land and construction for this church is around $50,000.  Our offerings are normally between $6,000 and $8,000.  So as you can see this will be a stretch for us.

Restore's partnership with C3 Missions began as most things do, through relationships.  They had some friends who plant churches, they introduced us....and over time it has become clear that God wanted to challenge the people of Restore to serve a community in Haiti.  And here we are, building our first church building....in Haiti.

For a church that meets in a High School this question is common,"When you are going to build a building?"  Now we will have an answer.   "Oh, we have already built a building...you should go see it sometime."

I will have to give my check ahead of time, since I won't be in church on Nov. 16th.  I just found out yesterday that I will be in Haiti that day.  How perfect is that?

If you, like me, cannot attend Restore on the 16th of November....no worries, you can give here, from anywhere in the world!

Incomparably Great Power

HOLY SPIRIT - Week 4, Day 5

"I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which  he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.  That power is like the working go fhis mighty strength..." Ephesians 1:18-19

I don't know about you, but I want some of that....

ANOTHER reason to Love Kansas City!

Tristan Thomas Bowman...one of the world's cutest babies...lives down the street from me.

Another reason to love Kansas City

 

Our neighbors own this beautiful horse.  They invited Judiann to go for her very first horse ride ever.  She loved it.

Here is why I love Kansas City.  This horse farm is 10 minutes from my house.  And if you stand on the road in front of the farm, you can see the Kansas City international airport.  I can get to a horse farm, the airport and Target....all within 10 minutes.  Gotta love it.

The Gift of the Holy Spirit available to all

HOLY SPIRIT - Week 4, Day 4

"Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forbieness of your sins.  And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."  Acts 2:38

At my small group on Tuesday we asked the question, "How do you experience the Holy Spirit in your life?"  The answers that were given demonstrated the many different ways the Holy Spirit works in our lives.  Here is some of what was said:

• I can read the Bible and understand it

• I think things or have ideas that are not usually like me

• I have an idea to do something that doesn't make sense by the worlds standards

• I feel peace when there is chaos around me

• I feel overwhelmed with emotion when I am talking about God, singing about God, or praying to God.

How do you experience the Holy Spirit?

Holy Spirit's Annointing

"The Spirit fo the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor.  He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."  Luke 4:18-19 and Isaiah 61:1

By the Holy Spirit Jesus preaches, proclaims freedom and recovery, releases the oppressed.  We too have the power of the Holy Spirit living inside of us.  What can I do today that is "by" the Holy Spirit?

Holy Spirit brings Leadership and Relief

HOLY SPIRIT - Week 4, Day 2

Moses said to the Lord, "May the Lord the God of the spirits of all mankind, appoint a man over this community to go out and come in before them, one who will lead them out and bring them in, so the Lord's people will not be like sheep without a shepherd."  So the Lord said to Moses, "Take Joshua...a man in whom is the spirit, and lay our hand on him.  Numbers 27:15-18

Whenever the spirit from God came upon Saul, David would take his harp and play.  Then relief would come to Saul....  1 Samuel 16:23

I'm not gonna lie, this passage about Saul and David is confusing to me.  I will have to have a conversation with my Bible scholar friend Josh to get the inside scoop on this one....

The thing today's reading shows me is that in this period of the Old Testament, God chose when and whom and for what purpose the Holy Spirit would dwell in individual people.  I am grateful today, that because of Jesus' death and ressurection, the Holy Spirit can indwell all beleivers all the time.  And the things He brought then, he still brings today....among many other things, I have certainly experienced the leadership and relief that the Holy Spirit brings to my life.

The Breath of Life

Holy Spirit - Week 4, Day 1

"The Lord God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life and the man become a living being."  Genesis 2:7

All life begins with God.