Light the Darkness

Oh Christmas Tree

On Saturday night we loaded up the CD player and started putting up the Christmas decorations.  The tree was the first.  Belinda and I got the tree put together just fine.  I plugged in all the lights and one of the preset strands of lights would not work.  It took over an hour to get that strand off.  Then there was a trip to Home Depot and a new line of lights was in place.  However, we didn't argue one time and we worked together wonderfully!  It was a Christmas miracle!  You probably think I'm joking but I think we set a record this year for the fewest arguments putting up the Christmas decorations--none.  It went really well :)  We ran out of time on Saturday night.

So after the Creek@Night I finished getting most of the other decorations out.  The various decorations bring back so many good memories of Christmas past.  Belinda caught up on some work so it was back to the Christmas music, Third Day, Hillsongs, Vineyard Christmas, and Wow's double CD reminded me why I love the season.  God's precious gift of love to us grows more meaningful to me every year.   

These next two days Belinda and I are going on a retreat with 19 other Pastors and leaders from Olathe.  We are going to pray, get to know each other and listen to what God would say to us as a people.  What a great way to start the Christmas season.  I don't know what kind of access I'll have to the Internet but I'm hoping to get a great connection to God.

Gary Kendall

Shift Generosity

There is snow on the ground but it isn't sticking to the roads.  Here is the view from where I partked.  Come on out and enjoy the community at Indian Creek. If you ever wonder about our snow policy, it is very easy to remember.  If it is Sunday we are open.  There's nothing better than relating to God surrounded by over 1,000 of your friends.  Here is a copy of today's message in case you want to share it Download Shift_Generosity Final.  You could download it and listen if you prefer by going to Resources, Media on the Indian Creek Web Site.

Gary Kendall

Not Guilty Anymore

Aaron Keyes is a great writer and singer.  He wrote a song entitled, Not Guilty Anymore.  I hope you will watch it and identify with the truth of what he says.  I've posted that link first.  After you watch him talk about the song, I linked to a video that encorporates the message.  I pray that God will use this today to give you grace and encouragement.  I thank God for His grace and I hope you revel in it.

Here is the video that goes with it. 

Expectations

Today was a great Thanksgiving Day however, it was quite different that what we expected.  Our son Jeremy went into the hospital yesterday morning.  His wife Jesi found him passed out in their restroom about 2:30 a.m. She called us about 5:30.  We spent the rest of the day running back and forth between Olathe Medical Center and work.  He passed out three times in all.  Fortunately, after many tests, they decided that he had a case of severe dehydration and they released him today just before Noon.  I drove all over town trying to find a place to fill the prescriptions so we ate lunch from HyVee.

It is funny how experiences shape your expectations. Before Jeremy got sick I was thinking that a good Thanksgiving looked like sleeping in, having a great quiet time with God, watching some football, eating a Thanksgiving meal and catching up on my favorite blogs.  When we were worried about Jeremy it all changed.  Just getting him home became the greatest Thanksgiving, everything else was a bonus.  The bonus was pretty good. In a real cool, act of kindness, Margaret Outler's community group (Outlers, Roses, Rileys) brought a complete turkey dinner over to Jeremy and Jesi's so we did have a Thanksgiving dinner in the evening after all.

It is funny, there were times during the day I battled disappointment, other times I felt real joy and gratitude.  I had to examine my expectations.  Once I got my expectations in line the rest of the day went very good.  Next time you feel discouraged, do what I did, examine your expectations and see if it changes your view.  Happy day after Thanksgiving!

If not Esther Who?

Who knows but what you were made for such a time as this, those are the famous words of Mordecai, the uncle of queen Easther found in Esther 4:15.  I've heard many references to this verse to seize the day and I think that is an appropriate translation.  You have a purpose and there is something unique for you to do, I believe that. 

But there is another part to the verse that I've not heard people write about or speak about and that is the first part of the sentence.  Listen to this, If you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverence and relief for the Jews will arise from some other place...  I think that this statement is a powerful statement about the faithfulness of God. 

Both parts of the verse encourage my heart, there are Esthers who will step up and we need that for the kingdom of God. I want to step up when I'm called by God.  However, if I was one of the Jews back then who needed deliverence I would be greatly relieved to know my future was in the hands of an eternally faithful God not in the hands of a person who may or may not obey. 

Put your faith in God.  You don't have to know where the help will come--just that if you are obedient and faithful it will come.  This is a great Thanksgiving day scripture. Belinda and I wish you a Happy Thanksgiving. 

Gary Kendall 

Faith

Today during my quiet time I felt tremendously encouraged by God.  I love the way God uses the scriptures and prayer to lead us.  I journaled today about the story of Jonathan's daring plan recorded in 1 Samuel 14.  Jonathan was zealous for God.  He knew the truth, for nothing can hinder the LORD.  He can win a battle whether he has many warriors or only a few.  He didn't just know it he staked his life on it.  I love the response of his armor bearer, "I'm with you completely, whatever you decide." 

Together they crossed over a valley and climbed up a cliff.  Of course they knew they would be sighted by the Philistines and be in range.  They determined a signal among the two of them as to how to discern what God wanted them to do.  And after the trek and the climb they took on 20 men. By God's help two defeated twenty.  Their faith set up fear in the Philistines and the whole army fled.  Israel won a great victory that day even though it was only two that lived out their faith.

Hebrews 11:1 says, Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.  The next two chapters give example after example of people who's faith was pleasing to God.  The chapters reveal numerous examples of God coming through for the faithful.  Chapter 12 ends with these words, So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees.  Mark out a straight path for your feet. 

If life has you down today spend time with God and His word.  Let Him inspire you for faith living.  God can do what He wants to do but He has chosen to work through you.  Step up today.

Gary Kendall

Shift_Freedom

If there is some reason you can't be at Indian Creek today here is the message Download Shift Freedom Final .  This is the one I felt so inspired about last Tuesday.  It is a fresh look at the story of the Rich Young Ruler, I call him Rich for short. The essence of the message is that God wants to give us freedom.  We must trust Him and trust His ways.  He offered Rich the invitation of a lifetime--to follow Him!  When we talk about this story we often focus on what Jesus asked Rich to give up.  We overlook the fact that Jesus chose that, his riches, which was his bondage.  It wasn't that Jesus was after his money, He never asked him for it, Jesus was out to set him free and he missed it.  He chose money over mission. 

There is a great story by Stephanie Motsinger I hope to put on YouTube later.  Have a super day!  God is Good!

Gary Kendall

Transformation

John Ortberg, in The Life You've Always Wanted", said something about spiritual transformation that is good to remember.  He said real change is marked by honesty and authenticity.  It is a work that begins on the inside and works its way outside.  It is humble and keeps the focus on God and his mercy and grace.  But, John says, there is a pseudo kind of transformation that manifests itself with the exterior things.  When the real is missing one concerns himself/herself with the things that seem spiritual but are actually shallow shadows of the inner work of the Holy Spirit.  It is legalism played out in what one can do or not do, say or not say, wear or not wear, watch or not watch.  Security that one is spiritual comes in keeping a list of rules.  It looks for the approval of others who keep the same code. 

When I heard that in this weeks video I did some review of my motivations and invited God to check my spirit.  Seems like a good thing to do on a regular basis.  What do you think?  Do you agree with John?  Do you have anything to add?  Let's invite God to bring true spiritual transformation on the inside.

Gary Kendall

A Friend Goes Home

Wylena Burns breathed her last breath here on earth last night and woke up in heaven.  There she enters her heavenly reward and is reunited with her husband Lowell.  Belinda and I went to see her two weeks ago.  It was precious to sit beside her and talk about how she was doing in this life and how she felt about the life to come.  I think these are some of the most privileged conversations a pastor gets to have.  I asked her if she felt ready to enter eternity.  I explained that just like a doctor needs to ask a patient how they are doing physically a pastor needs to ask, just to be sure, if the person has peace about meeting God.  She said, "Oh yes, I'm ready."  I explained grace again and she shook her head in gratitude agreeing that we are saved by grace through faith.  Everything in her body language suggested to me that she felt confidence about God's willingness to welcome her home.   

I felt confident even before we talked but after having the conversation I feel great gratitude that God gives us the peace we need to leave this life.  Isn't it great that the God of the universe can give us personal assurance in His grace?  I've talked to many believers in their last days and what God does for a believer in that challenging time of life is nothing short of amazing.  What could be/should be the biggest unknown ever can be handled with a smile and the nod of a head.  Wow! How else but by God's grace.  What a good God we serve!  I'm happy for Wylena even though I will miss seeing her in her familar place at Indian Creek Community Church.

Gary Kendall

Training vs Trying

Tonight we completed the last class of John Ortberg's The Life You've Always Wanted and it was great.  Honestly I felt a little sad that we won't be in regular contact.  This group is a carry over from the ALPHA class so we've been together, about 30 of us, for 14 weeks.  I've been privileged to see tremendous growth during this time.  They have two good options for community groups as we go forward. There are some strong leaders in this group.  Praise God for spiritual transformation.

John Ortberg said something that hit home tonight, he described spiritual discipline as training not trying.  He said in training you don't always get it right, that's the truth!  In training the goal is something positive not something negative.  For example, instead of trying to refrain from doing this or that, training in self discipline is about learning to save yourself for that which is best.  In trying you make tons of effort and the weight in on your shoulders to get it right.  With training you can picture the Holy Spirit coaching you, right at your side, giving you the strength to learn a new skill set.  His point was that we are being trained in godliness when we exercise spiritual disciplines.  It is not about having to say no, it is about the freedom to say yes to the things of God.  I get it! How about you?