A Work in Progress

Sweet Dreams : Prints Available

As I have watched the progress of the Coffee Shop/Gallery for the last five months, I am reminded that I too am a “work in progress”. Sometimes when I look at all of the destruction & demolition, it is hard to imagine how everything will come together in the end considering all of the chaos. And this rings true in my life as well. I look at all of the faults and selfish ways of my flesh, and wonder how the Lord could ever use me for anything good. And yet, He sees the end result, into the future if you will, of what the finished product will be. So I am often reminded that no matter what it looks like, smells like, seems like, feels like, that we should “Trust in the Lord with all of your heart; lean not on our own understanding. In all our ways acknowledge Him, and He will make our paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)

One of the first things that we check out when purchasing a building, is the Foundation. If the foundation is crumbling, there is just too much cost and work involved with trying to repair it, and therefore, we don’t pursue the purchase of that building any further. It is the same in EVERY aspect of our lives. Isa 33:6 says, “In that day He will be your sure FOUNDATION, providing a rich store of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge. The fear of the LORD will be your treasure.” I tell my children often that in order for their relationships with one another to prosper, that they must make sure their relationship with their Heavenly Father is in right standing. It is not a matter of surrendering your all one day to the Father and then thinking you are on cruise control from there. Every morning I get up, I must make the decision of whom I shall serve. Joshua 24:14 says “So fear the LORD and serve him wholeheartedly……serve the Lord alone.” And I promise you, when you begin to surrender your all to God, your flesh will try to takeover. But you must persevere beyond this so that you die to the flesh. Just as it says in Romans 6:6-8 “knowing this,that our old self was crucified with Him,in order that our body of sin might be done away with,so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; for he who has died, is freed from sin. Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we should also live with Him.” It is a difficult task, especially when you your flesh is used to being in control.
I listened to a sermon the other day and the pastor said, “you are not what you think, but what you think, you are.” It was a profound statement for me because I know that a lot of times, our thoughts wonder and think of things that are not pure and holy. But in Philippians 4:8-9 it says “And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise….then the God of Peace will be with you.” And 1Timothy 6:11-12 says “so run from all these evil things. Pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you.” A friend of mine once told me, every time we are tempted to sin, there is always another doorway out. It is our choice, period!
So as we get closer to the finished building, I already know what it will look like because God has shown me all of this. It is just a matter of fitting all of the pieces of the puzzle together to make it whole. And when we look at our life, we often see it as a mess of broken pieces that in no way looks like it amounts to anything. But God Almighty has dreamed over us from the very beginning and sees all of the broken pieces of our life, but He also knows the Master plan for that which He has in store for us and knows that in the end, all of the pieces will fit together perfectly to make a beautiful work of art to bring glory to His name. “But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Phil 3:13-14
In closing, I leave you an entry from a devotional book I read; “Changed Heart” “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” Prov 4:23 ‘Who hasn’t secretly wished for one good rub on Aladdin’s lamp or one mighty swish of a magic wand? The desire to instantly receive something we want but the dread of putting in the time to receive can be powerful – especially on the heels of genuine repentance and change. Actions have consequences, even for the devout, for those seeking to follow the Savior. Most often, God changes your heart – not your world. That, my brother, is your mission, a changed heart, starting with the one you may have wrecked. (taken from God Moments)
There was a song I started listening to years ago that spoke such truth in my life, & still does today. I started listening to it about the time I started letting go and letting God. It seemed everywhere I turned (books, songs,& sermons), was talking about surrender, & I had never been taught that before. There is a link to the song “Welcome Home” by Shaun Grovers here: Welcome Home I pray it blesses you this day! God Bless
Here are some images of the Coffee Shop. We appreciate your prayers during this process. Thank you _74A3335

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2 Responses to A Work in Progress

  1. Aaron Barth says:

    Kevin,
    I am very grateful to read this reflection & catch a glimpse of your heart & current progress with Bryan & the team. May God fulfill the deep desires in you & the visions he’s shown you of how he’s working through/in you. Yes, trust in the Lord with all your heart & don’t lean on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge him & he WILL direct your paths.
    I’m very thankful for you & your faithfulness to the Lord, Kevin.
    -Aaron

  2. Waylon says:

    I wanted to thank you for this wonderful read!!
    I absolutely enjoyed every bit of it. I’ve got you book marked to look at
    new stuff you post…

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