Living the dream, pursuing your goals, follow your heart, are common phrases today. Suggesting that one might want to live a “pure” life, seems prudish, non-sensical and even outlandish by many. Instead; outcomes, how one feels, and personal happiness is what really counts. The idea of refraining from temptations, sin, and immoral lifestyle is not even considered in the world of “me first.” And why not. Shouldn’t the pursuit of happiness be our right and first goal. Don’t try to cramp my style with out dated views on morality, truth telling, ethics and integrity. But there is a problem. While we espouse living a life with no rules, we are dying with drug overdoses, sexual diseases are rising (even in the senior population, a new phenomenon), anxiety and depression are at an all time high. Is there a connection? I believe so.

Sin is pleasurable for a season. But after it is poison to our heart. At first, we don’t feel there is any problem when we transgress God’s law. Deceit, gossip, flirting, a casual hook up seems innoxious, but then something happens.

God feels distant. Relationships are harder to maintain. Our mental health is challenged. Our trust level diminishes, pain in our heart becomes normal, and life becomes increasingly complicated. In the famous Beatitudes (teachings of Jesus called the Sermon on the Mount) Jesus said, blessed be the pure in heart.

The word “blessed” means to be supremely well off. Why, because they will see God. Seeing God has a double meaning. On one hand, only the pure in heart will have a place in heaven. That is achieved not by our works, but through the righteousness imputed to us through the work done on the Cross by Christ. The second meaning is that the pure in heart will see God working in their lives. God will manifest himself in your relationships, in your business decisions, in mental and physical health, and most importantly, your spiritual life will be filled with the presence of God.

This Sunday, Sharon Verishine will be continuing with my WHY series and be sharing on the subject, Why Purity. Sharon, a mother with two pre-adolescent kids, is young enough to understand the challenges of this subject but experienced enough to understand the “WHY” of it. I know you will be encouraged as you will hear not how to be pure, but why this is so vitally important.

SHARE Housing Initiative Update

Good news. Yesterday we received word that we have been approved for project development funding. This means that we now have funds to engage all the different players (architects, engineers etc.) to create detailed plans. We are now actively seeking to engage a Construction Management team to oversee the project. This is the last step before final funding is announced. To create all the necessary detail drawings and background work will take about three months. This work will then be reviewed by BC Housing and barring any unknown surprises, we should be able to start construction soon after.

Growth Group

Growth group is a wonderful opportunity to grow in God and with each other.  We meet in small groups to share our lives, study the previous Sunday’s sermon, pray and eat dessert together.

Registrations for the next start-up are now underway.

Group gatherings will begin on Thursday, September 13 and will run until November 22. 

Contact the KCF office to register or sign up at the Information Table on Sunday.

Our Daily Bread

Want to make a difference? You can make a significant impact with a hungry person by donating to Our Daily Bread in Nelson, BC. We have seniors, children, women, young and older people come for food, community and support. Individual lives have been changed forever by the love shown at Our Daily Bread. Please help someone today by donating $100 or what ever you can online at http://kootenaychristianfellowship.com/dat/?p=odb-donations Our Daily Bread Nelson Hot Lunch program. Thank you for supporting those that need it.

S.H.A.R.E. Nelson

Want to know how to get a good deal on some great items? Follow the S.H.A.R.E. Nelson Facebook page and don’t miss out on any sales.

S.H.A.R.E. is accepting and receiving donations and new items are being put out for sale every day. If you would like to volunteer at S.H.A.R.E. we currently have great opportunities.  Call the store at 250.352.1222 or stop by the store to inquire.  Click on this link to check out S.H.A.R.E.’s video! Check out our FB page.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0aZX9v7gxdM

Reading the Bible

If you follow the monthly reading program, you can successfully read the Old Testament once and the New Testament twice in a year. I have attached this month’s prescribed reading to this newsletter. Start something new and watch God's word make a difference in your life.

Calendar of Events

• Vocal Coaching Workshop for Worship singers and leaders, Saturday August 18, 10am – 2pm at KCF, Registration required
• Group Groups begin Thursday, September 13^th, Sign up now open!
• Ladies Conference – Freedom! Sept 21-22 Hosted by KCF, Register at KCF office   

Visit our website at http://www.kootenaychristianfellowship.com for all the news, sermons, and places to donate.

Pastor Jim

August 2, 2018