Light the Darkness

Calling

One of my favorite things to do on vacation is to read.  I told you about the book It, by Craig Groeschel, which was inspiring and instructional.  The second book I read was Calling, by Frank Tillapaugh. Tom Bassford recommended it to me and loaned me his copy.  I'm so glad he did. I wish I had read this book twenty years ago.  I don't know why it didn't become a best seller like one of his other books, Unleashing the Church. 

I love the focus of the book which was an Ephesians 4 calling to the church to empower the laity of the church to lead in serving.  You would have thought we took our "live out" idea and our developing people ideas from Frank.  However he says what he says in memorable ways and he was definitely ahead of his time.  I will definitely use the words and the ideas as we center our target on loving God, loving people and living out.

Here is one quote, Managerial guru, Peter Drucker tells us that the lesson of the last 50 years is that 'the mission must come first' before the sermon, before pastoral counseling, before board meetings, before adult socials, before pastoral care, before the whims and the wills of the congregation.  In the words of our Lord in Luke 14:25-33, it must come before family, before creature comforts, before self-actualization, before self-esteem, before self-help and before self-realization.  The mission must be pre-eminent.

When we love the Lord, our God, with all our heart, soul, mind and strength and our neighbor as our self then mission is the natural result.  So I got all inspired about mission even while on the beach.

Gary Kendall

Trilogy in Maui

The name got my attention.  Their customer service warmed my heart and the experience of sailing with them will be something I remember forever.  I read the add in one of the flyers, "if you can only do one thing in Maui, this is the one."  They all say that I thought.  Then I saw a guy who was wearing a Trilogy T-shirt so Belinda asked if the claim was hype.  His wife said they have been coming to Hawaii for their vacation for 20 years running and the Trilogy trip was the one thing they do every year.  Wow! That was high praise.

We signed up and looked with anticipation to a day of sailing on a catamaran, snorkeling, seeing dolphins and riding a speed boat around the coast of Lanai. We were to leave at 7 am the next morning.  Then Belinda lost her phone and we spent a couple of hours retracing our steps in the evening.  We knew the best chance of finding her phone was to be up with the dawn and to revisit an open market when it opened.  That meant we would miss our trip.  We knew they run full all the time so we went to the check in time and pleaded our case to reschedule.  The young man was great.  He fully understood and said he would do the same thing.  He felt confident they would work us in somehow. 

We did find the phone, praise God!  And at 9:00 am we went to the Trilogy office to see what they could do.  The lady who served us could not have been better.  She considered everything and assured us they would find a way to make this work for us even though we were leaving in three days and then she did!  This was a great example of how to treat customers in such a way that they will brag about you on their blog!  We already felt great about Trilogy and we hadn't even left the harbor.

The trip lived up to the billing.  The crew was funny and confident.  The three men, two captains and one apprentice worked together wonderfully and they had great chemistry.  The snorkeling was the best so far.  We got to swim with turtles, enjoy the coral, and follow large schools of yellow fish. It was phenomenal!  Later we toured the island of Lanai and learned about the history.  The native who gave the tour sang the praises of Trilogy when I asked why Trilogy had the exclusive rights to serve that island.  She talked for five minutes about all the ways that Trilogy gives back to the island and how well they treat the people.  For example they give turkeys to every family on the island at Thanksgiving.  On holidays they take children on speed boat rides around the island.  They built a pavilion and donated it to the island sharing the use of it.  On the fourth of July they host a BBQ for the whole town.  Now I know why the young man responded as he did and the lady at the sales desk too.  The giving culture runs throughout the company.  They've treated people this way since they opened the native Hawaiian quipped. 

Then we jumped in a speed boat and sped along the coast often dipping into bays and venturingg within feet of the surf as it crashed on the rocks.  The captain was daring and you could tell he was having a blast!  

Finally once we were back aboard Trilogy VI they spread the sail and we headed back to the harbor in Lahina.  It was a great day all the way around. Belinda and I both remarked with praise and respect about both the people part and the God part of the day.  It probably won't surprise you to hear that the founders are Christians and that they serve as Elders in their church to this day. I want to be known for the same kind of qualities of serving God and serving people like Trilogy.

Gary Kendall

The Heavens Declare..

the glory of God and the earth reveals his handiwork so the psalmist says and yesterday we saw more evidence.  We've been at the ocean every day and Belinda wanted to do some exploring on land.  We drove north from Kahana, were we are staying, along the coast.  We saw a place where there were a several cars parked so we decided to stop.  What we saw was breathtaking.  There were cliffs that must have stood 300 ft above the ocean.  We were able to stand right on the edge and watch the surf crash against the rocks below.  The ocean is an incredible color of blue until it hits the rocks then it turns a brilliant white. We hiked along the edge for 45 minutes working our way closer and closer to the ocean.  At one point where we worked our way out to  a point where there was some kind of Coast Guard signal and ocean on three sides Belinda broke into the song, How Great is Our God! 

We hiked back up to our car and then drove along the road a little further to a place they call the "Blowhole."  Surf goes up into the rocks and then when the cave gets full there is a hole where water shoots into the air for about 30 feet.  It is spectacular.  We had to hike down lava rock for about one half hour.  It would have been better if we had come prepared with something more than flip flops but we made it.  Belinda fell once when the ankle she broke last year rolled on her sending her sliding down several feet first on her backside and then she finished sliding face down.  However, she collected herself and wanted to continue.  We made it down, enjoyed the show from a front row seat, so to speak, and then climbed back up.  She limped most of the way but she did it!  I was really proud of her. 

We've had a great time in the ocean and on the shore.  All we see keeps reminding us of the glory of God.  I'm thankful to be His son!

Gary Kendall

 

Swimming with the Turtles

I love to snorkel. There is something otherworldly about life beneath the surface of the ocean.  This is just God showing off!We went to Molokai yesterday, which is a little crater off thecoast of Kehai, Maui.  We dropped anchor on the end where the current brings the fish to you and there were a lot of them, all colors, shapes and sizes. My favorites were the yellow fish that looked like "Dori" in the movie "Finding Nemo." How's that for being scientific?   

In my other snorkeling trips I've always fought my mask filling up with water.  It takes discipline to keep your face in the water while the mask is slowing filling up.  Salt water up your nose takes away from the fun.  When I asked why this always happened I was told it was because of my mustache.  The side the mask cannot seal.  So this time I was prepared.  I purchased some silicone jell and put it in my mustache.  Walah!  No leaks.  Now I could keep my face in the water for long periods of time. By the way I have a borrowed computer that doesn't have software for my pics so these from a Maui website will give you an idea of what it looks like.

We also went to a place they call turtle town.  There is a shelf that extends out from the shore for probably one-half mile.  There are 5 caves where the turtles hide out.  The adult turtles can hold their breath for up to 30 minutes but inevitably they must come up to get another breath.  We were there for nearly one-half hour when there were three that came up right together.  One swam right up beside me and was within the length of my arm.  We looked at each other and he didn't seem to be in any hurry.  He hovered there in the water and I decided I would just stay right there with him.  After what seemed like the longest time he started slowly swimming.  I swam right along with him.  He didn't go deep.  He was about one foot beneath the surface.  He didn't seem to mind the company.  I'm sure he could have sped away or of course he could have gone to the depths but he gave me a huge thrill by allowing me to tag along.  Finally he took off for the bottom and left me one happy snorkeler. 

I have a confession to make, I prayed I could see a turtle.  I may lose my man card for this but Beth Moore has this prayer that she prays, Lord delight me!  She knows the depth of God's love for us and the scriptures say He sings and dances over us, so she says it is perfectly legal to pray this prayer.  I was happy to let God show off for me and he did!  Wow!  This is something I'll remember forever.  Thank you God!  Thanks for creation, thanks for your love and thanks for connecting me with your creation. How would you like for God to reveal Himself to you?

Gary Kendall

A Day at the Beach

This is the view out of the restaurant, the Gazebo, where we ate breakfast.  It is in Kapalua, Maui.  The Macadamia Nut pancakes are tasty. Can you imagine having breakfast with this kind of view? We took this picture from Belinda'a phone before we headed out for a day at the beach.

While we were there a school of dolphins swam into the bay and played like Flipper.  We could see them rise out of the water and fall on their side.  Sometimes they rose up and fell backwards.  A couple of times they jumped completely out of the water and one time one of them did the Flipper move where they stand on their tail.  They could give those of us who are work-aholics a lesson on play (maybe I'm just talking to myself).  It was fun to watch!

I finished reading It by Craig Groeschel.  It is a super book.  I highly suggest you read It.  I'll close with It's benediction:  May God bless you with discomfort at easy answers, half truths, and superficial relationships, so that you may live deep within your heart. 

May God bless you with anger at injustice, oppression, and the exploitation of people, so that you may work for justice, freedom, and peace. 

May God bless you with tears to shed for those who suffer from pain, rejection, and starvation, so that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and to turn their pain into joy.

And may God bless you with enough foolishness to believe that you can make a difference in this world, so that you can do what others claim cannot be done.  Amen.

I'm willing to pray this prayer, how about you?

Gary Kendall

Atheist no more

Here is another story from the latest Alpha class.  Four people have chosen Christ in the last ten days.  Or in this case, we don't know the day but the result is certain.  Here is a note to Cheryl Scott, Alpha team leader. 

I just wanted to take a moment to tell you the impact that Alpha has had on my life.  Several months ago, my wife Shay had started to attend the Alpha class at Indian Creek.  She asked me to go, but she pretty much knew the answer was going to be a resounding NO.  Besides, having her go with the children would give me an evening to myself, or an opportunity to work longer on the evenings when she was preoccupied.

She completed the classes, but never said much about her experiences.  I continued to see emails from Pastor Gary come through on our home computer, but really didn’t pay much attention. 

I grew up in a family that didn’t place much emphasis on church, religion or GOD.  As I grew into an adult, I continued to keep faith at an arms distance, although I was occasionally talked into going to church by my wife.  She would continue to tell me “a family that prays together stays together”… and that was enough to get me to go to church for a week.

After completion of her Alpha class, I was glad to get the week on a “normal” schedule… but horrified by the question when she decided to ask me to go with her to the next class.  I cowered at the thought of having to spend 10 weeks with a bunch of strangers talking about the bible and religion.  I never believed in God or Jesus, I thought that I was firmly planted in my beliefs that they were just stories, and the stories were only to teach a lesson, and not really based in reality or history.  I would have been classified as a “Atheist”, and had no intention to learn why I was wrong.

When Shay asked me to go, I could hear in her voice that this was very important for her.  I said yes.  Not because I really wanted to learn, but because I love my wife and it was something that was important to her.  As the first class approached, I kept telling myself, “Free food, I love my wife and am doing it for her”.

We were in the “Light Blue” table group, with Lisa Aguire as our table leader.  At the first session, my wife pretty much laid it out to the entire group that I was not a believer, and I was terrified at the thoughts of being judged and had visions of other table members standing on their chairs to declare to the 150 people in the room that “HERE IS THE NON BELIEVER!”  Much to my amazement, no one pointed and screamed. 

Throughout the 10 weeks, I pretty much kept quiet.  I listened to the conversations, participated when absolutely necessary, but overall was just a fly on the wall.  I enjoyed the great jokes, ate the food, listened and learned.  I even started to plan on Sunday as being a church day.  After a few weeks of attending, I started noticing a change…  I was suddenly compelled to do “something”.  We volunteered for the church’s volunteer day and we spent a whole Saturday working at a transitional housing facility.  We took the truck and equipment from our landscaping company and worked the entire day.  Oddly enough, it was fulfilling to help and volunteer our efforts.

I can’t tell you the time, day, week or even the month that it happened, but God must have snuck into my life.  I can only notice it now, as I look back, but my heart has changed.  My relationship with my children and my wife has changed.  I had heard many stories from different people stating the “exact time” when they felt God enter their lives, but I’m not one of those people.  All I can describe is that he must have snuck in the back door and taken up residence in my heart.  I had started Alpha with a thought that I couldn’t possibly be worthy of God’s love, I have said too many bad things, done too many bad things, and forsaken him at every opportunity.  I thought that the doubt I had, must mean that I’m not a believer. 

I don’t know when God entered my heart and life.  I only know that he did.  I look at everything differently and can’t figure out why.  My wife and I are more loving to each other.  We are more compassionate with each other and more thoughtful.  I find old scars in my mind and heart to be gone, resentment to be vanquished and a peace that I have never experienced.

Pastor Gary asked to testimonials on the last night of Alpha.  I felt that maybe my story wasn’t “good” enough.  The other speakers had far more difficult situations in their lives.  My story wouldn’t possibly be moving enough for me to share.  My wife cried.  I thought at first that she was moved by the other stories… but I think she was mostly moved by the fact that she felt knew God entered my heart.  Our marriage is very complex.  We have a blended family with 6 children.  We have always loved each other, but never really had that “tight, respectful and loving” relationship.  For the first time in 7 years, I know truly what it is to love and honor my wife.  I know how to be thankful for what I have, and gaze adoringly at my beautiful children.  God saved my life, God saved my marriage.  Maybe we would have gone through our lives and tolerated our journey together, but now, we can look forward to ENJOYING the journey together.  God has made me a better man, better father and better husband.  I know now that it is not enough to just make money, do the chores, or play the role of Dad and husband, I know what it means now to do all those things with the love of God in my heart.

I would like to tell Pastor Gary thank-you from the bottom of my heart.  Not only have you helped me to save the things I cherish, but you have taught me to cherish the things most important in my life.  I may not be a outspoken Christian, but I will do all I can to be the best Christian I can. 

Thank you.

T.C. Kim

Princor Registered Representative

Financial Services Representative

Principal Financial Group

7300 W 110th St Suite 620

Overland Park, KS 66210

Office: 913-317-6611 x 3508

Mobile: 913-284-8765

Welcome Home Valera

A friend, prayer partner, mentor, parishoner and teacher to my children graduated from here to her heavenly home this morning.  Valera was a part of the original core team at Indian Creek.  Valera and her mother Margaret were a part of the first twenty-seven brave persons who trusted this young pastor as we launched a new church.  We had no idea what we were doing but this saintly lady who was in her fifties decided to jump on board.  Maybe she knew I needed the prayer!

We built the church on prayer.  We met every Sunday night for years and then when I dropped out of that group to give attention to starting small groups Valera continued praying on Sunday nights until recently when her health slowed her down.  Our family will never know the effect of her daily prayers for us but I'm sure that what she gave us was priceless!  My theory about prayer is that she will still be praying for us daily in heaven.  Jesus is, so the prayer choir of Indian Creekers in heaven is one person larger!

Valera taught each of our children in Sunday School classes.  She was a wonderful teacher.  She had a way of making every child feel important.  Maybe it helped that she could look them in the eye :)  Valera would do funny little things for me every so often to brighten my day.  For example, she would call my phone at the church and leave me a message, only her message was usually something funny she saw or heard.  She would tell a joke, sing me a hymn (because she thought I'd forgotten them), tell me the virtues of cats (because I definitely have forgotten them) or advise me on something that was going on at church.  She was always gentle to remind me that she loved me as her pastor and that she knew it was a hard job.  

Belinda and I feel like we had a cheerleader, mom, confidant, friend and mother all rolled into one.  We will miss her tremendously.  Who else would say the day before she died, now you go to Hawaii and celebrate your anniversary.  If I die before you get back I want everyone to wait so you can do the funeral.  It is not about me anyway I'm going to my new home in heaven.  Isn't that just like Valera?  Valera, I'm happy for you but we will surely miss you.

Gary Kendall 

Indian Creek and Triiilogy Coffee

Yesterday we hosted over 250 persons from the Olathe business community in our facility.  The occasion was the Ribbon Cutting for Triiilogy , a culture center for the performing arts that is a partner with Indian Creek Community Church and located in our building.  Bridget and Damon Taylor run Triiilogy as a Christian ministry dedicated to raise up artists who will develop community and impact our world.  Check out their Web Site.

It was cool to say to have the Chamber members in our auditorium to tell them that we are all about helping people find their way back to God.  They responded positively to our emphasis on partnering within the community and to our goal of planting 20 neighborhood reproducing churches.  Many were in the facility for the very first time but we hope it won't be the last. 

I love the vision and passion our team at Indian Creek demonstrated to our city as we lived out the love of Jesus.  This was a great open door.  Let's pray that it touches hearts and changes lives.

Gary Kendall

40 minutes of miraculous stories

This is the last night of this semester's Alpha class at Indian Creek .  Attendees invite their family and friends to come to hear the stories and get a preview of Alpha.  The next class starts in the second week of September. There were 100 people in attendance and they heard 40 minutes of miraculous stories.  I won't share names but here are their stories (and I'm sure I won't capture all of them in this one blog).

A young lady shared that her husband left her two weeks ago.  She was devastated.  Last week she heard the Alpha lesson that God heals.  She believed it but tonight she said she has experienced it.  She said she is heartbroken but she knows God is her rock and He is giving her strength.  A young lady shared how when she came to Alphashe was having an affair but she's broken it off and rededicated her life to God.  A young man revealed that at the end of last week's session he prayed to receive Christ.  This week he learned his steady girl friend is moving but know he knows that with Christ in his life he will make it.  Two former alcoholics spoke of the freedom they've found in Christ.  One who is heavily tattooed cheered on a young lady who said she didn't expect to be welcomed at church because she had tattoos but gratefully she learned she was wrong. Now she says that since she's found Christ she doesn't care what people think.

Right in the middle of the stories a man said he wanted to accept Christ tonight so we stopped and I prayed with him.  The whole room burst into applause.  A beautiful black lady shared how that she grew up in a white church and always saw pictures of a white Jesus so she figured that there was no place for her.  At Indian Creek she's found she is welcome and accepted.  She now feels the love of Christ and the love of this church.  When the class ended a young man asked his table leader if he could pray to receive Christ. Also after class a lady who is a recovering alcoholic shared that she was heavily triggered right before class and she was tempted to go to the liquor store.  However because she had Alpha coming she found the strength in God to pray, deliver me.  She made it to class without drinking and was smiling from ear to ear.

I'm sure that the only reason there weren't twice as many stories is we ran out of time. It is such a privilege to help people find their way back to God.  This is why we do what we do! 

God at Work in His Body

Every so often someone will write something that I simply choose to import.  It is so good and it needs a wider platform.  This came to me today from Nancy Mitchell who leads Prayer Ministry at Indian Creek. 

I must express my heart this morning. What I saw last night in Alpha was an amazing, beautiful work of God. From the very beginning, Indian Creek was a church that valued connecting to God’s heart personally through prayer, praying for others, and seeking His power and direction.  Indian Creek has been and by God’s grace will continue to be a community where people can find healing and grace. We understand that the church is not the solution for the pain and challenges in our lives and our world. We are the carriers of the His hope. It is the power of Christ Jesus that is the hope in our hearts that brings healing and transformation in this age and eternal life in the next.

Over the years many have prayed for a powerful move of the Holy Spirit in the church and city to help people find their way back to God. One day several years ago I was prayer walking the church property and I heard the Holy Spirit speak this thought to me – Nancy, when the whole church prays you will see. I didn’t understand fully but I have pondered this dream in my heart since that time. I saw a glimpse last night at Alpha. The topic was healing. At the end of the session we always pray for people but something new began to happen – people were praying everywhere. As we started, Belinda came into the room and announced that Valera was on her way to the hospital unconscious. Everyone began to pray. Valera responded in transit in the ambulance and was fine by the time she arrived at the hospital.

The people continued on in prayer with others - no protocol – no waiting in line -  just a group of Christ followers praying alongside people with the heart of God all over the room and in the Prayer Room. People came to Christ, people sought healing for addictions and emotional healing, physical problems were laid before the throne of grace. We do not know all that happened last night but no one wanted to leave until every person seeking prayer was touched. We acknowledge God answers in different ways but believe when we pray we are assured mercy and grace.  I knew many of the stories of God’s love in that room. I saw the outpouring of that love into the lives of other people through prayer and encouragement. That is multiplication! No one seemed to care what time it was. People were present to the moment. I was so moved that it was not about a person – just people loving God and each other and bringing glory to Him. The word of our testimony is growing into a holy roar of praise to our God.

I must praise God this morning for His mercy, love and for His encouragement. I am so grateful and so joyful to be a part of a local church like Indian Creek Community Church   – a church that loves God and loves others – and prays.  Nancy Mitchell

There is nothing like the local church when the church is working right!  Thanks for being the church last night Indian Creek. I'm excited to be a part of a community of faith like this one!  You'll also want to read Belinda's blog where she tells Valera's story.

Gary Kendall