MARCH 2008 Update
 After seven months of preparation ... writing, recording, traveling, emails, emails, and more emails ... the "RESTORE" recording is finished, delivered and shipped to all who have pre-ordered. It was also formally released during February in Asia at "New Creation Church" in Singapore. Though it has taken considerably longer than we had anticipated (which often seems the case with these types of things), we have seen over and over again that His ways are always the best! Kathy and I have been amazed at God's goodness during this extended process.
So, why the title "RESTORE"? This word has taken on a much broader meaning for Kathy and me in the past few years. Although the CD concept came through a personal sense of restoration beginning in 2004, a broader and greater understanding began to form in our hearts as a result. After 35 years of ministry, we are finding once again the absolutely awesome goodness of the Gospel, and as well, just how much religion has sneaked into our walk and added a big dose of leaven into our understanding of how God reaches out to mankind.
 Restoration for us is being manifest in a modern day renewal of Christianity's very unique message. Unique in that the gospel is truly all about what HE has done for mankind, and nothing to do with what we have done, good or bad.
In the past few years, we've become increasingly aware that the vast majority of Christian communication through radio, television, books, CDs, seminars, and the pulpit, are a subtle (and many times not so subtle) mix of legalism and grace, a mixture the Bible calls deadly.
 Jesus clearly said, "Do not put new wine into old wine skins, or it will burst." It is a mixture that puts the Christian message of the side that focuses on man's sin, rather than on God's victory over sin at Calvary.
The events of 9/11 were a great wake up call to the Church ... a clear display of what religion's efforts to please God will do: destroy us!!! Kathy and I both have seen in a very personal way the destruction that comes when the good news Jesus brought is tainted by emphasis on our efforts to clean ourselves up: "do the right thing," "make the right choices" and a host of other phrases that essentially make man and his efforts the key to salvation.
 Some Christian leaders very publicly declared on the day after 9/11 that this was God's "Judgement" for the sins of America (later wisely recanted by some of those very public ministries). In my heart on that day it became abundantly clear that the end result of man's attempts to be pure is death and destruction, while God's love, blessings and restoration are in fact the result of His amazing gift in Jesus. The songs on "RESTORE" are a personal declaration of this amazing gift, and prayerfully an encouraging reminder to all who hear just how good the "good news" really is.
 I want also to say a great big "thanks" to some very special people who took part in this project. Most importantly, my family! My amazing wife Kathy by my side, and our four children there worshiping with us on the night of the recording! Andy (our oldest son) blessed us all by his "close call" arrival to the recording (another story at another time) and participation by singing, playing and writing for the project.
 Amy Clarke is a long time aquaintance from my years of worship leading and Youth Pastoring in California before our moving to Hawaii over 25 years ago. Amy's fantastic vocals added that special edge now and then that blesses me every time I listen. Jamie Owens-Collins, one of my favorite singer/songwriters of all time ("The Battle Belongs To The Lord", "The Victor") and a close friend of the family, whose voice on "Glad" is the audible picture of what it means to be ... GLAD!
 Kelly Willard, the female voice of worship for many, many years, on countless worship recordings, back again after a long break and season of profound restoration herself. Kelly's voice so needed to be heard once again in the family of God. The band of musicians just amazed us all. Don Harris, on bass, is a long time aquaintance and one of my favorite songwriters and musicians.
 And finally, and certainly not least, Mr. Tom Brooks, a brother who has blessed the world with his skill as a producer and musician, and who has become in this process, a very close friend indeed. Tom's skill is obvious. It's his amazing kindness, calmness and wisdom that made him God's gift to this recording. I look forward to our next project together!
Kathy and I believe that God is restoring the message, the people and the glory of His Church in the earth these days, and our prayer is that the songs on this recording will be a reminder of just how much HE is ... ”In Love With You"!
Many blessings,
Bob and Kathy
|
Now filling orders for the new "Restore" CD from Bob Fitts. To order your copy click on the CD cover. Produced by Tom Brooks, this project features all new music performed in a "live" worship recording event held this past summer. It also features the inimitable voices of Kelly Willard, Jamie Owens-Collins, and Andy Fitts. Order your copy today!