Light the Darkness

A Teen Gets It!

Even the teens at Indian Creek are getting generosity:

You never know if  your teenager gets it.  When we had the reverse giving Sunday, Nicholas was sitting in front of us.  When it was time for the offering,  Marianne and I where up to do prayer partner so I was going to give Nick some money to put in the offering.  When I tapped him on the shoulder, he turned and had $5 dollars out.  It was $5 I had given him for lunch.   I asked him what he was doing with his lunch money and he said, I do not need it, someone else does.  So he gave his lunch money for someone else.  It may have only been $5, but that was all he had.   I praised God for letting me know, HE GETS IT!!  Rick Keaton

 

I heard two great stories yesterday. Keep trusting God and let Him give you your own story.

 

Gary Kendall

Consumed

In case you didn't get to make it to Indian Creek on Sunday here is a link to the message if you'd like to read "Consumed" which is week two of Crazy Generosity:  Download Consumed

God is doing a new thing among us and it is divine. Let Him have his way :) If you want to watch the media from last week you can find Part One here and Part two of the message  "Pursuit" here. Give it some time to load, it is worth the wait!

Our theme this month is, we are learning to let our heart lead our head. There are some spiritual lessons we can only learn if we practice this level of trust. Let's learn together.

Gary Kendall

The $100 Gift

All week long I kept hearing and reading of ways the generosity is flowing at Indian Creek. God is moving in divine ways! And Wednesday Belinda had an experience that continued the string.

We were at Citywide Prayer early in the morning when someone pressed a $100 bill into Belinda's hand. She was shocked and grateful at the same time. It was like God saying, I see you and I love you!  On the way back to Indian Creek to work Belinda shared with me that she had someone in mind that she wanted to help with $100. We discussed if we had the money to do so and decided we did. Now we had an extra $100. So we were able to pass on $200 to help someone else! Isn't God great! Love it!

Gary Kendall

Thank you, thank you, thank you

Here is another story of generosity from las week at Indian Creek. Shana and Mark Sowles share this story. 

I had the first real night's sleep in a while last night, and I just want to say thank you, to not only you and the rest of the staff at ICCC but also to our entire congregation. I watched the video about adoption during the service. Afterwards, you said something like --- who wouldn't want to be a part of a story like that? I remember thinking to myself, I'd LOVE to be the person giving! Never did I think we would be the ones receiving.

 

It's hard to take charity. It's hard to depend on someone else. It's hard to lean on the community for support. You always want to think you've got it all under control. Lately, Mark and I have been spiralling out of control financially.  Through it all though, we've leaned on each other, cried with each other, prayed with each other and told each other that God would provide, somehow, someway, He'll provide. He always has.

 

But the waiting on Him has been hard. Sometimes, I just felt like being mad at Him or screaming at Him or doubting His plan, but I always came back to KNOWING that He's in control and TRUSTING that.

 

Sunday, He surprised us again, and we are so proud to know it was our church family He used to surprise us. I was preparing for the offering, and as I scrambled through my purse for money, change, anything to put into the offering bucket what I found was a measly .76 cents. That's all we had this week. Not even my checkbook, because I haven't been carrying that because we'd probably bounce any check I wrote anyway. But that .76 went into the offering bucket gladly. When you said there would be a reverse offering, both Mark and I choked back tears. We felt like, wow, was this our answer to prayers? But then as the baskets came back our way, I couldn't even look at it. Our need was great, but there were surely others whose needs were more important. We were crying and singing and holding hands and we just let that basket pass us by.

 

When the service ended, we were getting up to leave when it appeared that you MATERIALIZED in front of us. I don't know how you knew to come talk to us, or why, or whether it was just coincidence, but to us it was divine intervention. It was all I could do to not break down even further. Then to find out that there was enough in that offering bucket to hold the tide back from us a little more, so we at least have a CHANCE to catch up. WOW. My heart was overwhelmed.

 

It was an awesome reminder to NEVER give up on God. He will give us what we need WHEN we need it. Not when we think we're going to need it. We've still got some things to work on, but nothing was as urgent as what we were able to pay today. It reminds us that it is not charity to receive God's love. It reminds us that we are SUPPOSED to depend on someone else --- our heavenly father. It reminds us why we come to church every chance we get --- because the Church, with a big C, is a family of believers who look out for each other. It reminds us that WE'RE not the ones who are supposed to be in control, that God is.

 

Thank you. I can't say it enough. I know it was God at work, but our church family allowed Him to work through them, through you, on our behalf. For that, we are eternally grateful.

Gary Kendall:  Can you tell God is at work?  What's next? How will you let Him work with you?

God Does It Again

It seems like every day this week I hear a new story of someone trusting God for crazy generosity. God is amazingly faithful! Give Him a chance in your life. Here is Mike Gee's story from Sunday.

I normally don't carry cash on me and have always tithed with a check.  I had some cash left over after driving to Topeka last week (to pay the tolls) and had left it on the kitchen counter.  As we were heading out the door to go to church, I felt compelled to take the money with me.  I now know that this was God speaking to me.  When I heard Gary talk about the reverse offering I remembered the cash in my wallet ($17) and figured I could throw in the two one's, because I had plans for the rest.  Then I heard God say, "Throw in the five," so I did.  It was only $5 so I wasn't expecting anything in return - especially after hearing Rick Keaton's $200 story. Anyway, in today's mail was an envelope from OIathe Medical Services which I thought was another bill.  Nope, it was a $40 check for an overpayment they discovered during an internal audit! 

Keep the stories of God's generosity toward us coming. And remember, He gives back because He loves us and He wants us to trust Him in every way. He wants us to find the joy He's found in serving the needs of others.

Gary Kendall

Generosity story Part Two

Gary,

Here is part two from the story where Rick felt led to give $200 to a complete stranger. Here is Kevin's story:

To God be the glory. There is more to the story...My wife and I gave to a childrens ministry in Brazil. I wanted to save the funds for the trip there but the Lord had us give it. We obeyed. Now we've recieved back over double what we gave. There is an old saying, You can't out give God.

Rick:  Well Gary, as you can see God was at his usual best.  To see how God worked out this whole reverse offering, wow! The reverse offering done on Sunday had effects all the way to Brazil.  To know a Children's ministry was involved brings tears to my eyes.  I know that he also received money from the offering so this is one of those stories that will be told for ages about God's provisions.

Thank you for doing the reverse offering.  To know this far reaching effect strengthens ones faith. 

Gary Kendall says, Wohoo!  How true!  Praise God! Keep the stories coming.

Reverse Offering

Yesterday I shared Melissa's story. Here is another one and it is a two part story--so read again tomorrow to hear the exciting way this story builds.

God did a crazy thing today and it would make a good story.

 

During the 10:45 service, a gentleman came over for prayer.  He was obviously moved and was trembling. As normal, I introduced myself and asked how I could pray for him.  He asked me,  was it true, could he actually take money out of the offering?  I said absolutely please take what you need.  Well, he went on to explain to me that he and his wife are a missionaries and his wife was currently in Brazil. He was trying to get enough funds to make it back to Brazil as he has not seen her for 6 months.  I must admit I was a little skeptical, but he gave me his card and it looked legit.  His name was Kevin Shaner and his Ministry is KSEA Ministries (I did look it up when I got home).  So, I prayed for him and he went back to his seat.  I know he checked with the ushers and they assisted him. 

 

Then God moved in my heart to help him on my own.  The number $200.00 kept sticking in my mind.  Like you said today today in the message, I was not sure I heard God correctly, that I should give him that much money. I was thinking Marianne would kill me.  You see, our dishwasher just went out and we where going to buy a new one right after the service.  I thought, man she is going to ask me if I was crazy, using our money for a dishwasher for this guy I did not even know.  But,  I just knew I was suppose to do this so I gulped hard and gave him the money and started trying to come up with something to say to Marianne.  Well, we got  in the car and I told her.  As I should have known, she said great,that was the right thing to do (she is so wonderful, do not know why I was so worried).  Well, the story does not end there.  We decided to go ahead and look at dishwashers, knowing we had $200 less now, but we wanted  to see prices and compare.  God, true to his nature was at work. We get to Home Depot and asked to see dishwashers.  We told the sales person what we where looking for and he lead us right to the model we wanted.  And to our amazement, he said since it was a display model, one he needed to sell to put in a new model, he marked it down and , get ready for this one, he marked it down $200 off.  Yep, $200 off.  Wow.  That is crazy.

I just thought you would like this story and like me, give thanks to God for being so crazy.

Rick Keaton

Thanks for sharing Rick--read on tomorrow!

Gary Kendall

Generosity at the Creek

Yesterday people started telling me stories about generosity as soon at the services ended. Before the day was over two people wrote me about how God was at work.  Here is one of them I will share the other tomorrow.

 

To be completely honest when I sat down in church this morning I sighed to myself at the thought of hearing one more sermon on giving. I have been going to a Christian church since I was born and it seems like I have always been a Christ follower, so I have heard PLENTY of sermons on tithing and have a hard time feeling challenged to do anything new

 

after today's sermon I was undone...

 

 

I have never in my 30 years witnessed or took part in anything so genuine or tangible when it comes to generosity to give now - and see God work later.  At the risk of authenticity - it has been hard to stop crying as I replay the show of generosity and the sincere hearts of the pastors encouraging such a heartfelt act.

 

 

As a family, we do tithe and the only cash my husband and I carried this morning was our weekly allowance - which we gave joyfully. I'll spare you of all the details but within two hours of leaving the church God brought to us four times the amount we put in! NOT that we gave to receive BUT we just couldn't believe that that was a coinsidence. 

 

 

Thank you for your dedication to the believers - thank you for spurring generosity in new ways - and thank you for showing us in REAL ways what Christ would desire from his people I admire your bold faith and I will never forget what I saw God's people do today! Thanks for the inspiration and encouragement as we look for new ways to be generous this week

 

 

Melissa LaFreniere

 

Thanks Melissa for sharing your story. Go God!

 

Gary Kendall

A Morning at Gardner Campus

If you haven't been to Indian Creek's Gardner campus you got to go soon! I was struck immediately, even as I turned right on Mulberry street at the Indian Creek yard sign, at how well prepared the Gardner team is for guests. The signage was easy to find and follow. The lunch room at Wheatridge Middle School is set up so well it looks like an atrium. It looks and feels like Indian Creek south. The team there is friendly and outgoing. It was fun to reconnect with so many I've come to love and respect through the years.

The service was great. Lindsey Phillips did a super job leading the worship team. I enjoyed the passionate, well prepared songs and I felt the presence of God. Ben and Sarah are providing excellent leadership to the Gardner campus. They were connecting and encouraging their team and welcoming guests. Belinda Kendall spoke yesterday as part of the Warrior/Beautiful series. I thought she did as good of a job as I've ever heard her share. I was proud of my wife! I think she helped women and guys too understand what God was up to when He put the desire for beauty and goodness in our hearts. And the best part about it is that we get our beauty, identity and fulfillment in Him!

As I was leaving a new attendee stopped me with these words, I don't know if you know how much Gardner needed this church. I asked her to tell me more. I'll paraphrase her words but this is essentially what she said. I used to attend Indian Creek in Olathe but we live in Gardner so I looked for a church here. I visited nearly evey one but when I came to this campus I felt the immediate love and acceptance I felt in Olathe. I knew I was home. I asked her to tell me more about why she felt that. She said there is a welcoming spirit, we teach the Word, we have a contemporary worship and we meet needs in our community. She teared up as she described how life giving this is for her family.

If you haven't been to the Gardner campus arrange your schedule to participate. Support and encourage our team there. Pray for them and help out on service projects like Trunk or Treat. This week on Thursday they are meeting to canvas the neighborhoods inviting people to Trunk or Treat this coming Saturday, Oct 31, at 6:30 p.m. in the Wheatridge parking lot. For more details contact Judy Sturman at judy.sturman@indiancreek.org

Praise God for what is happening at Gardner! 

Gary Kendall

Dangerous!?

Today Steve and Erin Southards shared the second message in the Warrior Beautiful message series at Indian Creek's Olathe campus . They did a super job talking about finding healing for the wounds warriors incur in the battles of life. One of the things Steve said that stood out to me was the comparison between the person who sets out to play football not to get hurt vs the one who goes out to play to win whatever it takes. I know the difference because when I played football I had to work through the reality that I could get hurt and it wasn't until I let that go that I could really enjoy the game and play all out.

It started me thinking about the Christian life. I realized there have been times in my life as a Christ follower where I played not to make a mistake which is similar to playing not to get hurt but slightly different.  Steve said the goal of Christianity is not to make us followers who are afraid to make a mistake but it is to make us dangerous.

That statement rang the bell for me because just this morning in a prayer time I told someone they could live all-out for God. They didn't need to go around worrying that they would miss God's will. God knows them so well that He knows how to communicate to them and He would do it quickly if they were out of step. Until or unless that happens they could just go for it as they felt led (assuming it was biblical of course).

I put two and two together from what Steve said and what I said in that  prayer time. God is pleased when we use the best of what He's given us and we are so dedicated to Him that we don't doubt ourselves every step of the way. Just like the ball player who is afraid to get hurt or afraid to make a mistake is playing not to lose so is the Christ follower who is second guessing every choice. It is a paralyzing place to live. And no doubt cuts down our fruitfulness.

I hope you will live to be dangerous to the devil. I pray you will go for it and know that yes, you could get hurt but you live for the One named the Healer. I challenge you to go all out! Don't be second guessing yourself--invite the Holy Spirit to lead you and to correct you and then give 110% confident that He will throw up the stop sign if necessary. We have enough Christ followers who are playing it safe. We need more who are willing to play to win the game! Steve, thanks for making me think tonight and inspiring me.

Gary Kendall