Inner View

By Scott W.

"And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever. Take heed now; for the LORD hath chosen thee to build an house for the sanctuary: be strong, and do it." (1 Chronicles 28:9-10)

It was only ten weeks ago that I found myself sitting on a dusty hillside next to a beautiful pond speaking with the Lord Himself. I could hear His voice echoing in my ear as my emotions began to swirl around inside of me. "Are you willing to sacrifice everything to serve me, Scott? I want your friendships, your leaders, your house, your career, your future children, I want your church and most of all I want You!" "But Lord, this means my whole life as I have known it will change." God immediately asked me in a very stern voice, "Is this a problem for you?" "I don't want it to be, Lord," I stated, "but for some reason it is." Jesus responded without hesitation, "What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's." (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

In only four short weeks I found myself living among a people I had never known, in a city I had never lived, worshiping with voices I had never heard, loving children I had never seen, celebrating the goodness of a faithful Father who had directed my steps to a people passionately in love with God!

God's dream in the earth is very clear in His word. He is longing for a people to call His own, a people in the earth who will become a place of habitation for His Spirit. The whole earth lies in darkness, but the Lord is looking for a people to whom He can reveal Himself and change into His very own image. Restoration Church, we are that people! "But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord." (2 Corinthians 3:18) We are a people in the midst of great change and transition. But we must understand Jesus has looked over the region of Central Wyoming, His eyes running to and fro throughout the whole earth looking for a people whose hearts are set on Him so He can prove Himself strong on their behalf. As Jesus Himself looked upon Restoration Church to see what manner of people we were, a sound came to His ears, "Lord, we want to be a real church. Holy Spirit, we really want to know You, Father. Have mercy and save our city." Restoration Church, rejoice and be glad for the Lord has answered our cry and He has come among us!

We have sought the Lord and we have found Him. Let us not turn back from Him, as the Israelites did in the days of Moses. They also sought the Lord and He heard their cry and delivered them to make them a people that He could call by name. Jesus brought them out of Egypt and as they crossed the Red Sea they celebrated, for the Lord had come. But in the midst of the change and transition they forgot that it was the Lord and his favor that had brought them to this place, and they longed for the way it had been. They rejected God, so God rejected them. We are in great seasons of change as Jesus is bringing us out of an old day of walking with Him into a new day of His power and glory. We have been called to build Him a sanctuary using our very lives as the stones for its walls. Let us understand we each have a part that no one else can fill, our lives and talents are invaluable in these days. Yes, this is a great season of change, but above all it is also a great season of celebration for we are being changed into His likeness; we are being changed into His CHURCH!

"He is longing for a people to call His own, a people in the earth who will become a place of habitation for His Spirit."

RFC Training Center

An Insider's View on the Training Center

By Lisa T.

"Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. Let all your things be done with charity." 1 Corinthians 16:13-14

This verse does well in describing what is being accomplished in the lives of those involved in the Training Center. I know that many in the church body aren't really aware of all that is going on, or what it is about, so here's an insider's view on life in Restoration Training Center.

I have to admit that I had a really hard time trying to summarize what the Training Center is and what we do, because we're all still trying to figure it out ourselves. The official Training Center Handbook puts it this way: Our Vision - Making disciples who build the Church to extend the Kingdom for the glory of God. Our Values - To love the Lord God with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength and to love one another as Jesus loves us. Our Ways - Doing Father's will, Father's way.

So what does that entail? In a nutshell the whole purpose of the Training Center is to raise up a generation of leaders who can be sent out into Wyoming, the surrounding regions, and eventually the nations, with the sole purpose of building the church and expanding the Kingdom of God on the earth. Right now that means learning how the church is built right here in Casper, being practically trained on how to do that, and receiving the knowledge and academic credentials that will equip us to accomplish that in the future.

Being involved in church life is one of the most time-consuming, but vital, parts of student life. Since relationship is one of the main aspects of life in the body, we are highly encouraged to constantly be in relationship with each other and the rest of the church, not only during the scheduled meeting times, but also throughout the week. It has been a stretch for many of us, but we have made the effort and have already been richly blessed! Serving in the body is another required element of the Training Center. We are encouraged to be involved in not only the lives of the people here, but also the many ministries that are taking place. If you look around, you can spot us serving in several areas of the Church, including nursery work, children's ministry, Church school, worship team, day care and many others.

The academic side of the Training Center is a little less enjoyable but still important. Leadership Training Classes convene on Tuesday and Thursday nights. They last about two hours depending on the graciousness of the teacher. Last month's classes were The Secret Place, taught by Bob Kelly, and The Kingdom of God in the Marketplace, taught by Randy Raver. Future classes include Healing and Deliverance, The Church at Ephesus, Spiritual Warfare, and Making Disciples, just to name a few. All of these classes are taught not just with the purpose of passing a test or writing an essay, but are focused on the practical and actually applying what we learn in the classroom to our daily lives. Conventional methods of teaching are not necessarily the standard and group discussion and "soul-baring" are becoming common.

Additional classes are also being taken through Christian Life School of Theology and are offered once a month via video correspondence. We are given three nights of lecture and then are allowed two weeks to read the text and take the test. These can all be taken for credit and will go toward earning a degree in Biblical Studies. CLST is also willing to give us credits for many of the Training Center classes we are taking as well as giving us additional credits for the practical "ministry" we are doing in the church. A class on The Anointing was the subject in September and October's course was Church Growth.

This has all become part of life for the seven of us who are involved in the Training Center program. Not only do we attend classes and build relationships, but each of us either has full or part-time employment (I think we study sometime). Even though we are spent and our time is pushed to the max, we feel it is worth it to see the Church built and the Kingdom of God impacting the earth!

Explosion

RFC Youth Group: Do we love God?

By Uriah B.

God is dealing with our hearts and He is not going to let us stay in the same place. We need to be hungry because we are not. God wants to do so much in our church, but if we don't participate with Him, He will pass us by!

We cannot let that happen. This is real and not a joke. I am not writing a happy little article that says how perfect we are. To tell you the truth, as a youth group we are not. Our hearts are hard, and we have lost our first love.

God still loves us, but our hearts need changed. We are back to the bottom line: Do we love God? Think about it. Matthew 15:8 says, "This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me..." I think that FORM has become so prominent in our religious lives that the heart is not engaged in true worship. It seems that things have become so mechanical about what we do that we have lost our intimacy with God. We need to repent for lost intimacy and pray for revelation of where God is and where we need to be. We need to allow the revolution of change to blast us out of our apathy and religious routines, allowing our renewed love for God to launch us into a totally new day.

I don't know about you, but I really feel that this is where we are at. I know that God needs to change my heart as well, but I believe if we would let God change us then we would see something happen in Casper, Wyoming, that no one has ever seen before. If we would let God completely consume our hearts, then we would see a generation serve the Lord.

We need to blow off the old mind sets of worship, relationship and what the church is. We need to become desperately hungry for God so that we can be transparent with each other, and pursue God with a burning passion that will impact the world.

"Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?" 2 Cor. 13:5

Kingdom Perspective

The Bridegroom Letter - A Prophetic Word

By: Scott W.

I have seen a picture of a bridegroom and his bride who have celebrated their union as one. Shortly after their celebration the bridegroom took his loving bride home to share the secrets of their union together. But after they arrived at the place that was to be the bed chambers of their new life, the bride left the chambers and ran from the heart of her lover.

She gave herself to the life around her even though she was fully adorned in garments that told of her vows in marriage to one alone. She found herself looking for answers in the eyes of the adulterer. Many things won her look and the attention of her heart and love. She had given herself to the ways of life around her only to become blemished and spotted by its countless prices and demands.

The bridegroom rested at a table with his head lying motionless upon its fabric. Tears were streaming down his face as he thought of the bride he had so willingly forsaken all to attain. Embracing a pen in his hand, on a piece of paper He began to tell the unbelievable story. He sent off the letter shortly after and it found its way through the city streets to the hands of a once beautiful and gleaming bride. But the hands that now held this priceless tale told of a different life. She took a deep breath and with a heart that found itself trembling in fear, she shook as she read the faded and tear stained words.

My Dearest Bride,

How my heart is racing within me at this moment. How often my thoughts are turned toward you in these days. Tears fill my eyes as I reflect upon the many private moments together we alone have shared. How I have been searching for you day and night, calling out your name diligently through the streets of every city, looking for your dwelling. I am longing to embrace you again. Even now as I write to you, tears warm my face. My heart so longs to feel you close to me. How I am yearning to gaze deep into your eyes again and see the love of your heart being poured out only over me. To have you feel the loving brush of my hand next to your face and for you to feel my sweet breath passing over you. To feel you collapse into my loving arms where the strength of my own heart holds you up. To embrace that one moment couples long to share... intimacy! Inside of me I am aching. For you see, I am unsure to what you have given your love or whom has embraced your very heart besides me, my love. I ache knowing your heart lies in the arms of another. But I am still here, waiting, longing, and hoping for your soon return!"

The bride trembled as she read these words. She knew her own heart and its decisions. There was no truth to be found in her. She felt ashamed as she began to look at all of her surroundings. She began to reflect deep inside of herself. The very bridal gown she had celebrated her union in now testified against her. The gown in which she had covenanted and made her vows of loyalty was the very garment she still wore. She was still dressed like the bride even though her life told a different story. Its tattered and worn life told of her unfaithfulness with every glance. She began to weep and cry aloud, "Don't you understand? I am unclean now. My wedding gown is no longer white. It is worn and dirty. The marks of other lovers cover the very threads that allow it to cover my own nakedness. My skin is no longer soft with innocence. Why are you dealing with me so? she cried.

"Oh, how my heart is turned toward you, my bride. Even after all this time, I remain captured by your beauty. I have forgiven you! Even now as you hear these words, I am waiting for your return to me. The love within my heart remains for you alone. Even now I stand patiently at the doorway awaiting the close of another day, in hope of your return to me. I want you to know, my bride, my unchanging heart for you. Waiting for you on the mantle of our bedchamber is a bridal gown, unworn, unspotted, unstained, unseen by another. My bride, the glory of this gown I have purchased is greater than the glory of the gown you now wear. It is waiting for the day of your return to me, my love, that I might redeem you for myself, a chaste virgin, as in the early days of our courtship when purity and innocence was all you knew. Hurry, my love; hurry back to me. My heart grows faint waiting for your return! My bride, even in your wanderings, though your choices have pulled you far from me unaware, though our bedchamber lies barren, I know the fruit of our union is yet to come. For my heart bears your name alone. You are and forever will be the bride of my choice! No matter where you are, my love, no matter how far you are away from me or how close beside me you may come, know that I will always carry the dream of us. Please hear the cry of my heart, My Bride, My Love, please.........come home!

Forever, Your Loving Bridegroom, Jesus"

This is the very heart of Jesus to his church right now. He is calling for his bride even though she has wandered in her own heart in many ways. She sees her wedding gown that she is certain testifies of her union with the bridegroom, only to realize that what was once a white flowing gown, has become faded and torn through compromise and complacency. She has had her heart and eyes attracted by the adulterer. So from the bridegroom to his wayward bride the consecration required is, "Come home and exchange your worn gown for a new gown for a new day, purchased, with the price of blood."

Kid's Church News

A Living Legacy

By: Ryan L

Kid's Church is an awesome place to be able to minister to our own "living legacy". The children here at Restoration Church are great to work with.

Recently in Kid's Church, we have been teaching about the armor of God, mentioned in Ephesians 6. We are trying to show them that the armor of God is vital and necessary to living a Christian life.

One of the pieces of the armor is the belt of truth. It doesn't seem to be a really big part of the armor, but the belt holds all of the rest of the armor in place. Like truth, it supports our righteousness and protects our waist.

Another piece of armor is the breastplate of righteousness. The breastplate was designed to protect all of the vital organs including the heart and lungs, and it plays just as important a part spiritually. We talked about how God didn't give us armor on our back, so when we run away from the devil he has an open shot at us. Instead if we turn and face the enemy like warriors, then the breastplate of righteousness shields us.

We've also talked about the shoes of the Gospel of Peace, or as Ephesians 6:15 says, "And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;" Here we used the example of Philip and the Ethiopian in Acts 7:25-40. Philip was walking along when he met an Ethiopian eunuch. The eunuch was reading the book of Isaiah but he wasn't able to understand it. When Philip started talking with him he began to understand what he was reading. Philip was ready with the Gospel of peace and that man was saved because of it. We taught the kids that the Gospel isn't just something that you put on when you need it, but it is something that you should wear all the time.

God has been faithful to help the Kid's Church leaders teach His Word to these children so they can understand it. A word that God gave to me after I started working in Kids Church was, "Break it (His Word) down, but don't water it down." Like with a baby, you don't give him a whole piece of bread hoping that he can chew on it for a while and not choke. Instead you break off little pieces and feed it to him. And if you give him milk you don't fill the cup with a little milk and then fill the rest with water because then it will be weak and he won't get any nutrients out of it.

It's not always easy to do what God has told me, but my heart is for the kids here. I consider it a joy to be able to work with those who will eventually be the leaders that will one day turn this world to Christ after we are gone. That is our living legacy.

Body Life

USS Friendship

Dedicated to Dana B., my friend and fellow sailor

As I rose this morning I could feel the sun as it broke through the morning sky and began to shine down on my face. I turned my eyes out over the port bow to look off into the distant future; I could feel the excitement begin to rise in me as I thought about what the day I was facing might bring. Where would I be going today? What did the future hold for me? Who will I find alongside me to make this journey? Will I find the wind at my back filling my sails or will it be set against me? "Wise choices must be made today," I thought.

I was not sure of my fate in the unknown waters of life that lie ahead of me, but I knew that the crew around me and the very planks of the ship I stood upon was ready to face whatever trials or triumphs should come. The men that surround me are the best of stock. Born for the seas, a band of men ready to die to see that the trip is made. This is one of our first real journeys together as a crew, but each man has a record of his own, qualifying his life to board the ship that will see us through our trying journey. It was only months ago that we actually headed out of port and truly began this trip together. You can see in each man's eyes and hear in the conversations among them that they are ready to be a crew of one!

I have made many journeys over the years of my life. I have had many close calls and made many memories, but I have never had the privilege of placing my life in the hands of men like the captain has selected for this trip. I watch them as they wander about the ship, becoming familiar with her and the characteristics she alone bears. Each man is wondering about his specific duties. We are becoming more aware with every leg of the trip that someone else's life depends on our knowing our role and loving them beyond ourselves. If something should go wrong, would you die to save the crew? Each one of us is coming face to face with this very thought. Am I ready for this journey with these men upon this ship of which I am so unfamiliar?

Our ship, O she's a dream! Very few men have found themselves aboard a ship like her. She was built for the roughest waters. Her planks are held fast to her side and deck by the nails of commitment and loyalty. The sweat of vision and purpose built her. She was made for open waters; smooth and fast upon the seas, she glides like no other. With every wave that would try to tear her apart, each man stands firm. We face her right into the storm, knowing she'll cut through the raging waters like the dividing hand of God Himself. The land and men that resourced her making have sent her off from themselves with great hope of untold stories. They what she is made of. They know she'll sail where they have never been before. They have talked in great length about her journeys as they have pulled every rope tight to hold her together.

Her sails are mighty and seem to rise to the heavens as they wait for the wind to set her course toward her destiny. We love to stand upon her deck in the midst of her security, and feel the wind at our backs, the fresh air of uncharted waters blowing in our faces. Our crew is becoming like a family, and our ship a safe home for every man's dreams.

She is the "USS Friendship" and her tales have reached the heavens themselves. Men talk of her all over the earth - her greatness, her safety, her journey of survival, and the myths of whether or not she really does exist. O, she exists; I can testify of her. Though I am young aboard her, I am but one of the many crew that she carries in safety. And we have become as much a tale of wonder in the earth as the USS Friendship herself, for we are known as friends, and thought we are unnamed in history, we are mighty and we are one.

Dana, let's sail together - Feel the wind at your back and arise my friend!