Work of the Holy Spirit

It’s amazing how our human (sin) nature likes to rule everything – what we do, think, feel, etc.  When we ask the Holy Spirit to come in and take over, it’s not like this wrestling all of a sudden goes away – it increases, because our ‘sin’ nature cannot live in the same dwelling as the Holy Spirit – something has to give.  We wrestle with God (like Jacob, Gen. 32.24) every day, but some days we ‘give up’ more than others, and as we give up more of ourselves (become less self-centered and more God-centered), it gets easier.   By having a thankful heart constantly, the negativity of this life won’t bother us so much.  It’s that complaining spirit that really hinders growth.  I have found that the past month has been more difficult for me, but as long as I remember to say ‘thank you’ to God for everything, no matter how hard it is, I get back in tune with what God wants to do through me. 

When God brought us to Colorado, we knew we would have a tough work to do – working with people, churches, city, etc.  But we also know, it wouldn’t be forever – we knew we would be here 2 years or less.  God has given us an approximate time-frame now of when we would be leaving – sometime this winter/before spring, so we are currently looking for someone/or a group to take this place over to continue what we have been doing.  Here is the letter we’ve put out there:

William and Roberta Hayes of God’s House of Vision will be moving back to Oregon sometime after the first of the year.  God sent us here one year ago, knowing that it would be about 1-2 years.  We had no idea ‘what’ we would do, only that we would start something, then hand it off to someone (a group) to continue (just like we did with our Ashland ministry:  http://sonstoglorymenofthunderministries.org). 

We are looking for someone (or a group) to take it over.  First and foremost, they must be born-again, Spirit filled believers ready to preach the gospel, hold prayer meetings/bible studies AND must be able to teach all forms of art.  Our intent was to bring people in through the arts to bring out their creativity with free lessons AND give us opportunity to share Jesus.  We have met that goal with story after story of changed lives.  This is a fully-stocked art house and whoever takes it over will get it all (we are not asking for $$, only that it continues).

This is an opportunity for someone to continue this gift to the community.  We had some other plans, but lacked the funds to pull it off – this is the perfect spot to hold live music and offer snacks/coffee/tea on Fri./Sat. nights.  There is nothing in this neighborhood for the people to do except go to the bar – we wanted to give them an option.  Hopefully, this can still be done.

The cost involved: 

·         Be willing to give your life to the people

·         $500 rent

·         $15 water

·         Average $35 mo. electric

·         Winter average $100 mo. gas (however, we put 12 bundles of insulation in the attic to lower this cost)

However, Mar./Apr./May averaged $350 income (the rest of the months had some, but those were the highest); with more people knowing about the place, I believe this fall the income will go higher.  This is a donation-based 501c3 ministry.  Come in to see us at 101 S Main St.  Tues-Sat 10-5 or call:  719-209-0883 or 541-778-3184.

We had a great talk, interaction time with another of our neighbors last night.  For the past few weeks, he (and sometimes his roommate) comes by about dinner time, so he can eat with us.  God has provided miraculously for us every night – we literally hadn’t  but a few pennies all week, very few groceries, and an empty tank.  Yesterday, William only had enough gas to get to work, so his boss loaned him $60 for gas the rest of the week.  That’s good, because I guess his boss has him driving all over CS to do various jobs AND he gave him a Lowes card to get supplies as needed.  Wow, that’s cool that William is so trusted – with a new boss even!

Anyway, with this being ‘farmer’s market day’, I was hoping to put some stuff out to sell and get enough for TP and dinner – which I did – exactly the amount needed!  Finally, a Tues. with no rain/storm – every week farmer’s market has been rained out.  The kids ‘exploded’ in here after school – they all come in at once, dozen + of them!  Wound up, excited, excess energy – I kept telling them to run around the block and calm down!  Anyway, they all wanted to ‘sell’ something too – they sat up a table to do face painting and another batch set out lemonade and other things.  I stuck around until after 6 to try and keep them calm; however, another’s grandmother helped out.

I was reading Acts 6 – we cannot do anything without the power of the Holy Spirit, especially His Wisdom.  I was really struck by vs 8-13 – having wisdom AND that the church even comes against those full of the Holy Spirit.  I find that I am ‘living’ the bible.  It is amazing how when you ask the Holy Spirit to rule your life, how the scriptures come alive so totally.  It wasn’t until I actually experienced the Gospel, experienced the Word, that I can see so much more clearly what the Word actually means – there are layers upon layers, depending how much of your life you are willing to give up.

Our garden keeps producing more zucchinis!  I need to make zucchini bread now.  I’ve given some away to neighbors, and I see dozens of flowers on those plants … for sure a plentiful harvest.  I got my second cucumber as well.  I can’t believe how fast these are growing – from barely an inch one week to full-sized the next.