A RADICAL RESTORATION CLASS

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 Finding the worst house in the best neighborhood will insure a good return on your investment. Seasoned renovators have trained their eye to see past the mess and envision the final results. No matter how nice we may think we appear on the outside, we are the wreck before we have been through the radical restoration God performs on us. He can sees past our sin, and knows what lies on the other side.

 Just as a property changes ownership at the moment of purchase, so do we, after being purchased out of our sinful state. God talks about that purchase throughout the Bible. We are instructed to hand the keys over to Him and grant Him rightful ownership of our lives, since the price has been paid in full.

 When we purchase a home, it’s wise to have a thorough inspection done both inside and out to discover any hidden problems. A small leak, termites or black mold could have gone unnoticed for years yet cause damage that, by the time it becomes evident, could be a massive problem. God performs a similar inspection on us, and hands us the report. The results may be shocking, but in order for the restoration to begin, that information is vital to the process.

 One of the most exciting - and most exhausting - days of a renovation is the day you start ripping out the UGLY and seeing what lies beneath. Years of so called 'improvements' have to be erased from the memory of the house. Old walls need to be torn down. It may be a wall of unbelief, or worry, discontentment or bitterness. The Bible has much to say about these walls and how important their demolition is for God’s restoration project to advance.

 Once the demo is done, it’s time to rebuild. The foundation might not be the most exciting part of the house, but it is arguably the most important. Just as a building needs to be built on a solid foundation, so does our faith. This chapter stresses the importance of knowing what’s in the Bible, in order to build on the truth. It also examines the differences between a Christian worldview and Secular Humanism.

 The open floor plan is very much in demand today. This design creates spacious, informal interiors that connect common areas. Once found only in modern homes, the open floor plan has now become popular in almost every style of home. Christians need an open home; one that is open to others. We look at the difference between hospitality and entertaining, and examine the concept of being open to interruption for those who may be in need of a listening ear.

 In many ways, the process of finding your decorating style is very similar to finding your purpose as a follower of Christ. 

  A home’s exterior is crucially important for the sale of a property. If the building is run down and the property unappealing to buyers, they will probably not even make it inside to see the fabulous job you have done on the interior.  

  Can I get a drum roll please? The time has finally arrived for the best part of any restoration project – the reveal!  

  Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “A man builds a fine house; and now he has a master, and a task for life: he is to furnish, watch, show it, and keep it in repair, the rest of his days.” If you’ve owned a home for more than a few years, you know that’s true...  

  After years of buying and renovating houses, there comes a time when you just want to be done! Even if you are not actually finished with the project, there may be a tendency to slack off a bit and accept the undone state of things as good enough for now.  

  Walking through room by room, we remember the sweat of our labor, but we conclude that it has all been worth the effort. We now have a fine home in which to live happily even after. And then what?  

Although anxiety occurs in all cultures, there are a variety of factors which affect Western society, and particularly Americans more than other cultures. We’ll look at some of the factors which contribute to our chronic anxiousness.

 Can you imagine what your life would look like if all fear and doubt in God’s provision and protection were erased? Can you even fathom a life without concern for your own comfort and safety? So much of our energy is wasted in worrying about things which we should be leaving in God’s hands. So many opportunities are missed because, like the disciples, our fear is often larger than our faith.