September 16, 2016
God is doing BIG things in the BIG COUNTRY. He has been showing us collectively as a team the scripture Isaiah 6. “In the year that King Ussiah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!” And the foundations shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke.”
His holiness, His presence, is the very thing we seek after. It is want we want. We desire to live our lives in such a way that welcomes the presence of God and His holiness. As we are in preparation for the next couple of months, our hearts are focused and intentional about keeping the Main thing, the Main thing; His glorious, holy, tangible presence. We desire to be a dwelling, a resting place for God Himself. The writer of 2 Corinthians chapter five explains it in a different way, “For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the Heavens. For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling… He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the spirit as a guarantee.”
God has prepared us! Because of Jesus, we are now clothed in His righteousness, in His holiness. We have become a tabernacle. We are a temple for the presence of God to rest in, and upon. From a place of abiding in Him, we can walk in our identity as sons and daughters in Christ and we can truly live out, and fulfill the great commission! Loving God, and loving our neighbors as we love our self. But what does it truly look like to love our self?
Starting in October we will be partnering with Restoring the Foundations and launching our first eight-week training intensive. During these eight weeks, students will be trained in Issue- focused Format, which is a format that deals with one specific issue, in a three hour time period. We will also be training students in Thorough Format ministry, which is a fifteen hour ministry that deals with issues throughout the span of life up to present time. Through this training, students will have the opportunity to learn, and to receive. They will receive fresh eyes, new insights, and most importantly, they will connect with God in such a way that will bring healing to lifes’s struggles and hope for a renewed future. Please consider joining us in prayer as we approach this training!!
We hosted some fun retreats this past month and had the opportunity to connect with some sweet friends and family!! We are thankful for all that God is doing here and all that He will do in the days to come! Visit our website for updates on pictures, newsletters, events, and more!! If you would like to come visit us, please go to our website, campbarkeley.com, or, Irisabilene.org to book your reservation now!! We would love to connect with you!
Love and Unity,
Iris Abilene: Camp Barkeley Family