Light the Darkness

The Cycle of Life

We drove to Branson on Friday night to spend a week with Belinda's family.  We look forward to our time together annually.  We were headed back to the resort where we were staying when Belinda got the call from Jeremy.  Jesi's water broke and they were on their way to the hospital.  What to do?

Since it was 1 am we decided to pack the car and then get some sleep before jumping back in the car for the trip back to KC.   We made it in around 12:30.  While we waited for Jesi to push I decided to go see my dad who was in room 403.  He was doing much better, in fact he was sitting on the edge of the bed eating.  The Social Worker had just dropped off paperwork for the power of attorney.  My Mom, my Dad and I had a good long discussion about what to do at the end of his life.  He is ready to go and doesn't want heroic measures taken if his condition is irreversible.  It was comforting and inspiring to hear him discuss life and life after death.

It was surreal to be having that conversation knowing that just one floor above a new Kendall was minutes from being born.  Landon Michael Kendall made his grand entrance to the world at 2:48 p.m. weighing in at 6 lbs 13.5 oz and 19" long.  He is a cutie of course!  He looks so much like Jeremy did at birth.  I'm so proud of Jesi and Jeremy.  They handled everything with joy and class.  It is great to be a grandpa.  I was so excited when I posted my Twitter about the birth I left out the 6 out of 6 lbs so what was there was 13.5--people thought that was one huge baby!  No, just one grandpa needed texting lessons. 

You can find Belinda's version of the day by going to her page.  I don't have pics because I have a borrowed computer but I'm sure there will be many later so check back in a day.  I'm going to bed because we are going back to Branson in the morning.  Jeremy told us to go enjoy the Barkers because Landon will be waiting for us here when we return.  What a mature daddy!

God is Good!

Gary Kendall 

Baptism @the Creek

here is nothing better than a baptism service!  It started at 6:30 just after the evening service.  By the way, last night we had 146 attend the evening service that meets in the Atrium.  We call it, The Creek @Night.  I think it has grown every week since we moved it to the Atrium.  It could be the food!  But I think there is more.  The casual setting and the chance to make new friends while we sit around tables makes a difference too.  It was fun starting with 12 tables and having to add about ten more.  Then another hundred people or so came for the baptism.  It was a blast!

This first picture is Rebecca Reid being baptized by her husband Greg.  I got to meet them during Alpha.  It is great to watch them grow and to see the joy of the Lord in their lives.  Rebecca is a social worker.  The next picture is the picture of two sisters, Mercy and Floritina.  They are from the Philippines.  Both were baptized as 12 year olds by their parents and it wasn't their choice.  On this day they wanted everyone to know that they choose Christ.  I love the emotion, passion and celebration this picture captures!  Putting Christ first is such a satisfying choice.

The third picture is of Cyndi VanHengel.  Cyndi felt God prompting her to make the choice to be baptized.  She's debated it for years with HIm and let it at, Lord, if you want me to do this then just make it very clear.  And God did just that a few weeks ago.  Cyndi wrote to many of her friends, family and co-workers to invite them.  They came and celebrated with her.  What a great deal to get to cheer people on who are following the example of Jesus.  Of all the things Belinda and I get to do at Indian Creek this is one of my favs.

Gary Kendall

Yada Intimacy

Today I speak in Gardner on Intimacy as we continue the Yada, intimacy with God message series.  The Big Idea is that God want you to know Him through personal experience.  The word Yada is a Hebrew word that means intimacy and even has sexual connotations.  God is trying to communicate to us that it is more than than knowing about Him; we can know him in a way that even supersedes our best ability to describe the relationship. 

Is that the way that you know God?  The invitation to you is here from Him.  Check out the resources. 

I'm attaching the file Download Intimacy so you can read it if you'd like or you could go to the Indian Creek Web Site, click on Media then Video, top 5, and find the actual media piece there. Take the next step.

Gary Kendall

China Aid Concert Tonight

I can't wait.  Will I see you there?  I hope so! 

I regularly pray, God, let me join you in what you are already doing instead of asking you to bless what I'm doing.  He pointed me toward Project Partner and opened my eyes to what He is doing in China.  Will you join me, join Him in reaching the largest country on earth with the good news?  He is working there.  You can help by coming tonight to support and to enjoy the music.

See you there! 

Gary Kendall

WHEN: Saturday, July 18th 7:00PM WHERE: Indian Creek Community Church PRICE: $10 Tickets can be purchased in advance at Indian Creek Community Church and at the door on the night of the event or online. Win a FREE 2 hour stretch limo ride for yourself and 9 friends! Raffle tickets for the limo ride are $1 and can be purchased at the church or the night of the event. Other prizes available.  Not required to be present to win. For additional information visit the Chinaid page onFacebook.  All proceeds go to support the August mission trip to China. COME ROCK WITH US!

The Creek @Night Summer Sundays

 

Have you tried the Creek @Night since we've moved into the Atrium?  We serve a meal at 4:45 p.m. and the service starts at 5.  It is casual, people wear shorts and sandals. We sit around tables of six and the community is growing close, in part because they are getting to know each other better.  The songs are the same as Sunday mornings but unplugged and led by three leaders.  The message is the same and the speaker is the same as the Olathe campus Sunday morning. It is becoming one of my favorite offerings at Indian Creek.  I'd like to know what you think.

This Sunday we have a baptism following the Creek @Night at 6:30 p.m. I hope you will come and cheer on those who are following our Lord Jesus in baptism.  The number is between 11 and 16 right now so it will give your lungs a good work out.  It is not too late if you want to be included.  I can hardly wait until you get to hear some of these stories. See you there!

Gary Kendall

What I Learned

I received a note from a family who is heading out of town due to a job transfer.  The husband wanted me to know what he learned while he was here.  I share this to celebrate his growth and also to illustrate how that more is caught than taught.  This could be different for each of us depending on what the Holy Spirit emphasizes but here is what he caught.

Dear Pastor's Gary and Jim, Just a few parting words before I leave Olathe to move back to Ohio. After being unemployed for 5 months my biggest fear was where would I find work. Now that I have a new job, my biggest fear is where will I find another Church as GREAT at Indian Creek? Fortunately, I think we've found a suitable replacement in New Hope Community Church in Bryan, OH.

I can't tell you how much I've enjoyed Sunday mornings in Olathe! The music and spiritual messages were ALWAYS on target!Thanks for all you've done and continue to do. I thought I'd share with you my top three list of things that I've learned since attending Indian Creek. (I know, after 4 years I probably should have a top 10 list; maybe I'm just a slow learner.) Anyway, #1: Reap all of the blessings of God by offering a full tithe. #2: God is always on time; but seldom early. #3 I am a friend of God; He calls me friend!

Dennis

Thank you Dennis for sharing! 

Out of curiosity I'm wondering, what is it that you would say God is teaching you?

Gary Kendall

A Story to Share

I often get notes from people telling me about how God is at work in their life.  I wanted to share this one and Shawna said I could so here it is. 

 

The Little Engine That Could... (Recreated by Shawna Woods)

In the tale, a long train must be pulled over a high mountain. Various larger engines, treated anthropomorphically, are asked to pull the train; for various reasons they refuse. The request is sent to a small engine, who agrees to try. The engine succeeds in pulling the train over the mountain while repeating its motto: "I-think-I-can".

The story of the little engine has been told and retold many times. The underlying theme however is the same - a stranded train is unable to find an engine willing to take it on over difficult terrain to its destination. Only the little blue engine is willing to try, and while repeating the mantra "I think I can, I think I can" overcomes a seemingly impossible task.

Little railroad engine was employed about a station yard for such work as it was built for, pulling a few cars on and off the switches. One morning it was waiting for the next call when a long train of freight-cars asked a large engine in the roundhouse to take it over the hill "I can't; that is too much a pull for me," said the great engine built for hard work. Then the train asked another engine, and another, only to hear excuses and be refused. In desperation, the train asked the little switch engine to draw it up the grade and down on the other side. "I think I can," puffed the little locomotive, and put itself in front of the great heavy train. As it went on the little engine kept bravely puffing faster and faster, "I think I can, I think I can, I think I can."

As it neared the top of the grade, which had so discouraged the larger engines, it went more slowly. However, it still kept saying, "I--think--I--can, I--think--I--can." It reached the top.

What would you do to help a friend reach the mountain? Genesis

22:14

says so Abraham called that place The LORD Will Provide. And to this day it is said, "On the mountain of the LORD it will be provided." I think about the times in my life the load was just too heavy to bear. I had two children with only one parent. Many outstanding bills that needed paid with one dollar. The list goes on. I seemed too often to be coming up short. When I did, God came through. The last 60days have been no exception. 60 days ago I signed up for the role of a switch engine. I can tell you from experience one must go through a dark valley to stand upon the mountain. The load I carried I agreed to carry in faith bearing witness. The load I carry for friends who have spent so much time carrying their own heavy loads. How often do we say “Let go and Let God”? The better question is how often do we do it?  The economy has hit all time low. Families are being separated due to conflicts regarding money. We spend more time in worry about problems than we do with God that can solve them. I can tell you HE CAN. My testimony is this; I took a step of Faith and into the hands of God. I had no money, no job, no savings account, two children, many bills, and no income to fall back on. In 60 days I was humiliated with doubt, despair, confusion and pride to name a few. I can now reflect on all those things as blessings because all the while inward transformation was taking place. Throughout the last 60 days I have realized how blessed I am to have friends in my life that are selfless. I have friends that are unconditional in believing in me. More important they unconditionally in believing God. Friends that when I suffered through the valley called out “I know you can, I know you can”.

Friends who never let me fall financially, physically, spiritually or emotionally.  Friends I now stand firm in answering the question of what they will do to help me reach the mountain. They are God appointed friends. After 60 days, yesterday I reached the mountain. I was blessed with a new job. I was blessed with my first child support payment in over 10years. One in which covered almost to the penny what I needed to pay my monthly bills. God’s word claims if you put FAITH in HIM alone he will never leave you begging bread. In 60days I never went hungry. God made sure my family had enough. My testimony is this; there is NOTHING too big for God. You can’t do it, but HE CAN AND WILL!

Kumulani Chapel

On July 5th Belinda and I visited Kumulani Chapel.  We make sure we set asisde time for public worship even on vacation.  Every day we make time to pray, journal and read our Bibles because we are followers of Jesus first and vacationers second :)  But there is something so right and appropriate about creating space to honor and thank God while you are also resting. It's that Sabbath thing and it is given to us for a reason and that reason is to help us connect with God.  

Kumulani Chapel is a church that meets inside the golf cart shop on the grounds of the Ritz Charles golf course.  The setting is spectacular.  You look straight down one of the fairways to a view of the brillant blue ocean.  While you occasionally hear the sound of a ball being driven off the tee you can also hear birds singing along in the trees.   The Hawaiian breezes keep the outdoor service at a comfortable level even in July. 

The congregation is very friendly.  They seem genuinely glad to see guests and regulars alike.  The Aloha spirit is at work but it is more than that, the spirit of Christ is present before the service even began.  The worship was simple and heartfelt.  When one of the Elders stepped up to give the announcements and lead us in prayer it was obvious that prayer was more than something is perfunctory.  It was obvious that the Word, community, prayer and worship were important to this group.  I was especially interested to see what kind of mission mentality they had and it was there too.  Next week the youth will be sharing about their mission trip to the inner city of San Francisco.  And at the end of the service they made a pitch for packing backpacks.  Next Sunday they are asking the congregation to go to brunch together in Lahina where they will join local community leaders to pack the packs for school children.  I was glad to see love turned into mission. 

They have a lot of good things going.  I've heard about this church for several years from Tim and De Murguia who are regular guests each summer. I see why they like it.  Isn't it funny that I can write a whole article about the church and not even mention the message :)  It was good.  The Pastor was out of town and one of the Elders stepped up to speak about the sacrifice of Christ and how it led the way for us to enjoy true independence.  We had to check out of our condo at 11 so we left at 11:10 before we could share communion.  That made the service close to two hours but that's a small investment in saying thanks to God in a corporate way.  We left feeling blessed. 

Gary Kendall

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. We saw a school of dolphins that numbered more than twenty and they swam right along with us for a long time.  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