Here we go!
Sam and Cassie's wedding - We pulled it off somehow! It was my first wedding to officiate, and it seemed to go well. It felt very Sam/Cassie-ish was the overall feedback. We kept things simple, and I only talked for 15 minutes on covenant ... moving on to the reception after about a 30 minute ceremony. Good times!
Book update - We made some good progress on the first book, in a series of maybe eight, that is a bit of a summary of the journey we have been on. It is a chronological narrative through history with an emphasis on what was going on in the spirit realm, along with tracking the Jew-Gentile reality. We insert current events and application points as relevant, and there are quite a few teaching/doctrinal issues that come up ... as the history of thought and morality is also a theme. Overall, it's a book series on finding your identity, so we may call it Kingdom Identity. Who am I? What is my purpose? These types of questions will be addressed in a fresh way.
Holidays - The fall High Holy Days just wrapped up, so that is always a busy season. We have found so much rest, order, and revelation in observing a more Jewish calendar.
Food study - We just started a study on food, and folks will be participating in the research this time. Topics include: Fasting and feasting, blood consumption, Genesis (history/food before the dietary restriction on the Jews in Exodus), passages on food in the New Testament, and food's link to worship. We will also address the philosophical clash between dualism, gnosticism, and humanism - as manifested in how we idolize our bodies ... yet neglect them. Why not study the Bible for God's perspective on food instead of remaining in our confusion!
Wichita conference - The fourth conference, in the past 3 yeares, for the Kansas prayer movement was held in September. These are increasing in their anointing and results, addressing the sin of our state/nation. It is hard to explain the significance of these corporate gatherings with state and national leaders in full participation. They are very encouraging for me to attend, and we are hoping that more young people in Kansas will begin to see the importance of prayer, obedience, and repentance (as 95% of the folks who attend are age 50+). We are a small group of several hundred compared to the 3 million in Kansas, but powerful nonetheless.
Moseley classes - Tom, Eric, and I went to Arkansas for a week of graduate school classes. It was a long, but rewarding, time with several key revelations.
Walters transfer - We were able to bless our first couple, Justin and Jacklynn Walters, into the Messianic Jewish synagogue here in town. They have been faithful with us for two and a half years, and they felt it was time to invest at Adat Yeshua. One of our goals is to be a bridge for people like this, who need an introduction to Messianic Jewish life before fully committing to it. We describe that night as a powerful, unifying moment between Gentiles and Jews.
New People - Quite a few new people are coming, and several of them are wanting to go into the mission field with what we have learned. We starting another new group for newer people to come check things out before committing to an actual small group. It's quite necessary given that we are non-traditional in a few areas. I'll lead as well as Tom and Eric, giving me time to also visit the existing small groups.
Well, that's plenty for now ... Blessings and Shalom!
Paul & Lauren
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