Momentum

I Love the Church

I guess why I love the church so much is because it is directly from God.  Martin Luther said, “If God is the Father, the Church is the Mother.”  The Bible says Jesus is the groom and the bride of Christ is the Church. 

 

For starters, I love the Church because it is from God, for God.  I also love the Church because I believe the Church.  The Church is the best way and place for me to grow.  I believe it’s the most powerful organism and organization on planet Earth.  It is an organism (body) of which Christ is the head and we are the body.  The best functioning body has the head attached J.  When I am in, with, and for the Church, I can do the best of which God elected, called, justified, and will glorify me for.  I can worship him in song, prayer, fellowship, preaching, confessing, realigning, prioritizing, forgiving, retracting, balancing, and much more.  Furthermore, I love the Church because I can witness things that will last.  God’s Word, via His Spirit, changes people. 

 

Last week I was the guest speaker/teacher/preacher/spiritual director for a church group of 35 people from Gibbsville Reformed Church in Wisconsin.  I was given the responsibility for two things: first, to be the messenger of God for personal renewal; and second, to give them insights on how they can function best in their local church for God’s highest impact and glory.  I observed with my eyes people reconnecting with Jesus; hurts exposed and prayed for; people with low confidence be filled with the Spirit’s confidence.  I witnessed thirsty Christians drinking from the well of the Word.  I saw some strongholds broken and some not.  I saw people change.  It was beautiful.  I love the Church!

 

 

Ready to Run for Rwanda

Only ten days to the half marathon.  Team Rwanda from Faith Church has 204 runners and walkers who will be pounding the pavement (literally) for 13.1 miles to raise money for World Vision, who we partner with to support children in the village of Karaba, Rwanda. 

I feel physically ready - although running while I'm in Colorado this week at high altitude definitely brings a new set of challenges.  I'm mentally ready, because I have a true passion for World Vision and for the kids we are supporting in Rwanda.  I hope that in the next ten days I will feel more financially ready to help World Vision in their work in Rwanda. 

If you are able to contribute to World Vision on my behalf, click on http://firstgiving.com/bobbouwer and follow the instructions.  If you are not able to give, please take a few moments and offer a prayer for the runners and walkers of Team Rwanda and the children we are running for. 

Rocky Mountain High

I am in Estes Park, Colorado this week speaking at a conference for a group of people from Gibbsville Reformed Church in Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin.  Their theme for the week is "Faith Journey."  Our journey together will help us understand how small things lead to big things...pebbles, stones, rocks, and mountains...and how that can impact their local church.  We are definitely being inspired by the beauty of the Rocky Mountains here in Estes Park!

I ask for your prayers this week: for everyone attending, that they will learn and grow as a group; for their leaders, that God will clarify and affirm their direction; for me, that God will give me His words and accomplish His purposes through this week together; and for safety as we travel locally this week and return home this weekend. 

More later!

Kid Team Rwanda

On Saturday morning I went around the back side of Lake Central High School to see a boatload of Faith Church kids warming up on the track for the Kid Team Rwanda run.  This delightfully organized event was a total success.  A huge shout-out to the team that organized it, the volunteers, the parents, grandparents and friends who came out to cheer on the participants.  I felt like a proud papa standing around taking pictures, greeting adults and high-fiveing the children.  This team of children raised well over $4,000 for the children of Rwanda, Africa.  I know for sure that our heavenly Father was cheering on each child as they gave their all for such a great cause.  Way to go, Kid Team Rwanda!  For more pictures click here.

Runnin' Reggie

For the past ten years I've had a running partner whose name is Scott "Reggie" Gibson.  Over the course of those ten years, we've experienced so much.  We've run on days when it was 104 degrees, and down to a -30 degree wind chill.  We've had people yell at us, tell us we were nuts, and almost been hit by a speeding car.  One day a man opened his garage door only to unleash two dobermans racing full speed at us for lunch.  Fortunately, the owner yelled "HEEL!" and they stopped like a speeding train screeching to a halt.  We've talked about sports, weather, marriage, children, church, politics, and of course our Lord and Savior.  We have a practice of always sitting down at the end of a run for 20 minutes plus for water and a wrap-up chat.

Why am I telling you about Reggie?  Because he is in the cardiac intensive care unit recovering from quadruple bypass surgery.  Can you imagine the shock he faced when he went it because he was experiencing some chest pain, never thinking it was that serious?  He's now on the recovery side of the surgery.  Please pray for him, his wife Dawn, and their four kids.

Scott has many names: he is Reggie, Paul, Scott, Gib, Gibbie, and maybe more but above all he is a man of God at a level that only a few people reach.  This blog is to honor God for who he has created and recreated in Jesus Christ!

"Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart."  I Peter 1:22

Jackson 10

I spent a little time last night reflecting on the death of Michael Jackson, after watching portions of his memorial service in LA.  Here are some of my thoughts.

1. I was thankful for a few words that spoke about Jesus.  Did you catch Mariah Carey's "Thank you, Jesus" and the choir's "Soon and Very Soon"?
2. I thought about how awesome Jesus' resurrection is.  The scriptures tell us that after three days He arose!  The Bible says, "How he does yet shall he live."
3. I thought of how hard Michael's upbringing must have been.  Growing up in fame and fortune, he didn't have a normal life. 
4. I was upset when Rev. Al Sharpton said Michael was "the greatest star to ever walk the earth."  Shame on him.  Mariah Carey was a better preacher than he was.
5. I observed that even Hollywood has technical difficulties.  They had a few mic issues.
6. I think about how people tend to make heroes out of almost anyone who dies.
7. I felt so sad for Michael's children.  I offered a prayer for them.  They were obviously loved by him.  Thank God!  "Love comes from God."
8. I was impressed by his music and dancing ability.  That came from God.
9. I can't imagine what was really going on in his head or behind closed doors.
10. I pray that someone close to the children and family are Christians who can point them to Jesus.

Do you have anything to add?

Summer Lovin'

Is it me, or has this summer been weird??  Normally when July 4th comes, I consider it hump day, meaning summer is half over.  This year, July 4th seems like the launch of summer.  I think it feels that way because of our wet, cold spring and some major things in my life schedule that had me unusually busy.  Regardless, I don't want to miss the good things of summer.  So here's my list of things that could make up the second half of summer.

1. Vacation or stay-cation
2. Go to the beach
3. Go to downtown Chicago (take the train)
4. Cook out on the deck as much as possible
5. Walk, bike, jog (even on 90 degree days)
6. Golf
7. Limit TV watching to news, sports and NASCAR
8. Sit outside at coffee shops and restaurants
9. Stop by friends that have pools, lakes, ponds, etc. (you get the hint)
10. Read books - fiction and non-fiction
11. Try something new outdoors.  I'm close to trying mountain biking.
12. Picnic with friends and family (sometimes they are actually both)
13. Slow down enough to think about the future

The bottom line is that we have ten weeks (or more??) left of summer...enjoy.  Did I miss any ideas?  Have any suggestions?