Sunday night. We had the Church in, tonight. Our meeting night is Sunday, now. We're studying the book: Acts.



I am really enjoying the interactive sessions in the scriptures. I really love the questions that our folks are asking and the give and take in our times together. It is an honor to have John Weiss, my father-in-law, with us here. He planted at least 14 churches in the Philippines, where no other missionaries were working. Judy, my wife, grew up during that time and has had her dials set on radical mission-living.



He was 50 when he started, and the churches are really fruitful. Now he's about 75. His wife, Judy's mom, passed away eight days ago, right here in our new home. We are all doing well, though. Our hope is in the resurrection and the Life, Jesus.



Tonight's discussion of the first chapter of Acts really rocked. We spent a lot of time on the baptism of the Holy Spirit. It's a radical topic, since so many Christian communities just kind of go on without it.



We Started the meeting with a meal under a beautiful stormy sky. The storms stayed South of us for the whole meal time, so we ate under the fast-moving clouds.



Then we started up some fun singing on the lawn, but the rain started up. Once we got situated in one of the smaller first-floor rooms, we sang again and got to prayer for the kids. We prayed for Phillip, Zach and Hannah's dad, my brother-in-law, who is switching into a job in DC. A hard time for Judy's sister's family- losing mom and moving from Texas...

We prayed for me to finally get our basketball hoop up...

...and for Judy's sister's trip back to texas to pack up and wrap up their lease stuff...



Then we hit the word:



The first Scripture was just after the singing: 2Cor.5:1-10

We looked especially at how the Judgment is a serious consideration for all Christians, even those who are obedient...



Then John Weiss Shared a bit about Satan and how, as Christians we don't have to be under his influence. He talked about us living to please the Lord and growing into His likeness... And how the antidote to the Devil's activity in our life is found in John 14:30-31, and James 4:&8. It's encouraging to know that we don't have to worry about the Devil, even though he's real and on the prowl (1 Peter 5:8-9). We can resist him if we are willing to SUBMIT to God.



Then we hit Acts, hard. Chapter 1. We discussed Matthias' apostleship, and the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, and the Great Commission and the Last Words of Jesus. It was so fine!



Scriptures:

Jn. 20:22

Matthew 25: the ten virgins

Jn. 14:17- Spirit with/Spirit in...



Silas as another apostle

Where is it in Proverbs where it says, "the lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord"?



Acts 1:7-8

Power (dynamic/supernatural/divine)

to be a witness (clear/truthful/verbal)

in Jerusalem (home/family)

Judea (our friends and sphere of influence)

Samaria (neighbors and people in our region/city/state)

and the uttermost parts of the World (mission-life)



We discussed whether Peter was right to lead the first group of Christians to cast lots for the 12the apostle's place.

-product of a prayer meeting

-never corrected in following accounts

-decision of Matt.16 leader of the church

-based on illuminated scriptures

...and some other stuff weighed in heavily for us to trust that it was more than OK...



Well, this is a recap. We hope you all walk worthy in obedience.



Till Soon:



Lew