Last Sunday was a really great day. It started out for me at Pathway Community Church. Kevin Schutte who has become a friend, is the pastor and has a huge passion for God's Kingdom. Kurt and Emily Rietema, YouthFront staff members who head up our ministry in Croc, Mexico, were commissioned and prayed for as ministers in this community. I was invited to participate and speak about Kurt and Emily's life and calling. It was a sweet opportunity. The church also introduced a refugee family they have committed to sponsor. The family just arrived in Kansas City last week from a refugee camp outside of Rwanda. Kurt and Emily were the contacts with Catholic Charities to initiate this relationship.
After the service was over I raced over to Jacob's Well for an Appreciation Lunch for 300 or so of our volunteers. I love hanging with my friends. Everyone was buzzing about the amazing service I had missed and the awesome message delivered Isaac Anderson. I had nearly two dozen guest that were visiting during the evening service so I was really looking forward to worshiping with my community. Mike Crawford and the rest of the musicians were amazing in leading us into worship through prayer and singing. Isaac Anderson spoke about the Law and the Blessings that came when God's people were faithful to the covenant and the curses that came from their disobedience. Isaac tied in the shaping of Matthew's Gospel and showed how events in Jesus life tied into the life of Moses (ex. both Moses and Jesus escaped from Kings who wanted them dead, both introduced Covenants, etc.). Isaac shared examples of blessings and curses that would come based on the Israelites behavior toward the first covenant. Isaac then turned to Jesus' Sermon on the Mt. and reviewed all the blessings. He ended by reminding us that the hearers of Jesus message in the 1st Century, 2nd Temple culture of Israel would be bracing for the curses to follow Jesus' blessings. Isaac revealed the lack of curses was the result of Jesus being accursed on the Cross so that we could have Life to the Full. With all the original music and the Eucharist... it was all more than a little overwhelming. You could hear sobs throughout the sanctuary. What a great night.
After the service it was off to McCoy's in Westport with Tim Keel, Kevin Schutte, Kurt Rietema and several other church planters and denominational leaders for good food, drink and conversation.
On Sunday we continued a series we have been doing on Being Blessed and Blessing.
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