Light the Darkness

Fully Human

Yesterday Belinda and I went to a talk by Mako Fujimura, the leader of the International Arts Movement. He is a facinating speaker. I could listen to him for hours. His faith is robust and his character is Christlike. He lives in New York City and works with artists of every ethnicity. He spoke about walking the line where Christians condemn you for being too secular and nonbelievers in Christ think you are too Christian. It is the space where the message of creation, fall, redemption and glory can get a hearing.

He used a phrase that really caught my attention, he said it is only when we are in Christ that we can be fully human. Every person experiences joy, sorrow, fun, disappoint and meaning.  And all of us have moments of transcendance, like when a dancer leaps and seems to defy gravity or a singer sings in such a way that he/she is raptured beyond the moment. So we all taste transcendance but only in Christ can we experience the presence of the Holy Spirit who makes what seems abnormal and unusual possible on a regular basis. This is when we become "fully human." Anythings less is settling for a life that is short of that which is all that we were meant to be.

I want to be fully human, how about you?

Gary Kendall

Repaying Kindness

At  Indian Creek we are using these "Kindness Cards" to invest in others. I'm hearing some great stories already!  The idea is to buy a person's coffee, or to pay for some other tables's meal, or do any number of kind deeds in the name of Jesus. We acknowledge that God has given us grace and we are repaying the kindness to others in sort of a Pay it Forward manner. We hope to inspire a movement of grace and kindness among others. We hope the cards will cause a ripple effect of people serving one another. You can pick these up in the atrium at the Welcome Center. Please use them and in so doing become the hands and feet of Jesus to serve His children.

I've already been the recipient of four intentional acts of kindness (there was nothing "random" about this!):

• The day we passed out the cards someone gave me a card with $20 to go buy a meal for my family.  Thank you, I will!  And I will also pass it on! 
• A person in our church heard we were going to buy new tires and they made it possible that we could get new tires for our Jeep free of charge! Oh yeah!  
• Someone paid for my breakfast at First Watch. My table never even knew it happened until we wondered where our bill was. The waitress told us.
• Someone gave us money to pass on to someone else for a need that they knew of. In this case we get to be the one who blesses someone else to protect the autonomy of the giver.

Man, I'm going to fall behind in the give away side of things if I don't get going! I love the generosity of our congregation. It is blessing me and motivating me to pass it on.  Now you see why we are always saying giving is something that is "for" us not just "from" us.

Gary Kendall

God Revealing Himself

Tonight I had a conversation with someone who was seeking. She found himself caught between doubt and faith. Belief was growing but the hangup was the sense that there would be some kind of moment of clarity when it all made sense. Several of us who were in the conversation commented that it was common to have both doubt and faith at the same time. Faith is a choice we make, often in the face of doubt.

A story that encourages me is the story where the man brought his son for healing. Jesus asked him if he had faith and he said, I believe but help my unbelief. (Mark 9). Jesus heard his heart and healed his son. When I shared that story she got a look of relief on her face and said, I think I just felt something inside. I said, God is revealing Himself to you. I shared the truth of Romans 10:9, 10--if you believe in your heart that Jesus is Lord and you confess with your mouth you will be saved. She said, I do believe. The relief and the peace that flooded her face was obvious. Tears of gratitude welled up in her eyes.

I just never get tired of seeing God revealing Himself to His children and it is the privilege of my life to get a front row seat when it happens!

Gary Kendall

Integrity 360

Belinda  and I plan to attend. Please consider this great opportunity right here in Kansas City.

Just a few seats remain for Faith Incorporated's Integrity 360° Event on April 17...and online savings still apply! Don't miss the chance to save on Faith Incorporated's Integrity 360° Event. Register now and secure your seat at the event that will launch a workplace revival.   Your peers will be there. And so will ...   Chip Ingram Author, Pastor and President of Living on the Edge, the nationally syndicated radio program that helps Christians live out their faith. Chip's passion is helping Christians by raising the bar of discipleship. Carey Casey CEO of the National Center for Fathering, past President of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes Foundation and former member of the Virginia high school team depicted in the movie "Remember the Titans." Michael Franzese Author, sought-after speaker and formerly one of the mob's biggest money earners since Al Capone.  Michael's Damascus Road experience led him to do the unexpected: Quit the mob and follow Jesus. Wes Cantrell former CEO of Lanier Worldwide, Inc., co-author of "High Performance Ethics" and a member of the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans. Rick Boxx President and Founder of Integrity Resource Center, Management Consultant, CPA, Former Bank Executive and author of 4 books and the daily devotional email "Integrity Moments." Register Today and SAVE!   Imagine a room filled with hundreds of Christian leaders just like you.  You will:   Renew your commitment to be a person of honor, honesty, and integrity, all the time, in every situation Meet others who share your ethical and business goals Take away real-world applications of how you can weather this economic storm and lead your people with integrity for life Be encouraged by a praise and worship band and powerful video testimonials Our incredible panel of speakers and the interactive format make this one of the most worthwhile and enriching days you'll spend all year.    Reserve your place now!    You lead with a heart of integrity, just like King David: And David shepherded them with integrity of heart; with skillful hands he led them. Psalm 78:72   As a shepherd in today's field don't miss this groundbreaking event dedicated to transforming the marketplace - on a national level or in your own office or congregation.    Secure your seat, save on the door price and prepare to be inspired!   I look forward to seeing you at Integrity 360˚.     Faithfully, Rick Boxx Founder Integrity Resource Center P.S.  We would really appreciate it if you would help us spread the word about the event to your friends and colleagues. Please forward this email to others you know.

____________________________________________ Faith Incorporated's Integrity 360° Event April 17, 2009 · Kansas City Convention Center · 11:30am to 4:30pm Featuring dynamic speakers: Chip Ingram · Carey Casey · Wes Cantrell · Michael Franzese · Rick Boxx Learn · Worship · Network · Lunch · Fellowship

Do we Only Call them Human if they are Wanted?

Despite facing threats of disqualification, a 12-year-old girl took first place in a speech contest when she eloquently argued for the rights of unborn children – after an offended judge quit. "What if I told you that right now, someone was choosing if you were going to live or die?" the seventh-grader begins in a video recording of her speech on YouTube. "What if I told you that this choice wasn't based on what you could or couldn't do, what you'd done in the past or what you would do in the future? And what if I told you, you could do nothing about it?" The girl, a student at a Toronto school identified only as "Lia," continued: "Fellow students and teachers, thousands of children are right now in that very situation. Someone is choosing without even knowing them whether they are going to live or die. "That someone is their mother. And that choice is abortion."

This is an excellent presentation and a super example of a common person who is on the justice journey we've been discussing on Sundays in February.  She stands up for the unborn who can't speak up for themselves.  Good for her.  May her tribe increase!

Gary Kendall

08 Leadership Summit

I've been going to the Leadership Summit for 11 years and I think this was my favorite one.  I'm hard pressed to say which session was my favorite.  I'll plead the fifth and say that I liked different ones for different reasons.  Honestly I think the women stole the show, Wendy Kopp and Kathrine Rohr were completely awesome.  I love their vision, drive, spunk and tenacity.  What they accomplished is nothing short of amazing.  You can find notes, comments, blogs and downloads at Summit Next Steps.  There is some great stuff there.  I especially like what they call the scripturopia, the opening segment, where a variety of people quoted great scriptures supported by cool drumming and roaring electric violin. 

I was very intrigued by Craig Groeschel who talked about "it."  Do you know what "it" is?  He didn't either.  But I loved his honesty.  He said some churches have it and some don't.  I think it is a combination of the SpirIT, vibrant community, purpose, joy, momentum and grace.  I appreciated the Franciscan prayer he asked us to pray if we dare.  I've posted it here for you in hope that it will become a regular part of your prayer life and mine too.

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 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, starvation, and war, so that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and to turn their pain in to 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.

Influencing Culture

One of my heroes and friends is Jeremiah Enna, the Director of The Culture House.  Time spent with him is golden.  He totally gets what is so important to me, that the worldview of a Christ follower needs to get out in the culture in order to win a hearing, much less win the day.  That is why I so strongly believe in the Arts.  It is songs, movies, stories and lives that touch the heart of people.  When those are built around the truth of God's word it can get inside before people even get their guard up. 

Films are the new common medium we share in culture.  I wish it was God's word but that is for a different blog.  If you want to find a common starting point to talk to someone who doesn't know the Bible but wants to talk about life it is easier to start with some story in a popular movie than any other place.  I feel compelled to watch and learn from movies so I will understand what the culture thinks and I will have a reference point we share to discuss life.  From there I can insert God's truth and life principals.  But how do you know what to watch for and how do you discern what is good and what is dangerous?  Jeremiah is going after that question by bringing in a friend, Ellis Potter.  Click on the link and read the print that is too small to read here.  Attend if you can.  I will be out of town but I'd love to hear what you think.  After attending leave me a comment.  Thanks!  Enjoy!

The Culture House Presents... Ellis Potter's Lecture "How To Read Films" is Saturday, MARCH 29th at 7:00  at The Culture House March 2008 Dear Gary, Ellis Potter spend over 15 years on staff with Francis Schaeffer at L'Abri in Switzerland.  His unique combination of backgrounds in philosophy and ethnomusicology give Ellis a fascinating approach and understanding of the arts and culture.   Mr. Potter has traveled the world lecturing in front of world leaders as well as with just a few sojourners camping in the wilds of the jungle.  Recently, Ellis and his wife Mary have invested years of their lifes work into renewing the minds of those in Eastern Europe ravaged by Communism.  We are fortunate to have Ellis at The Culture House to give a lecture on "How To Read Films".  With movies being the most powerful artistic phenomena in the past century, Ellis will bring a perspective that will surely stir your thoughts and ideas.  FREE to the public.  Don't miss this great opportunity.  Saturday, March 29 7:00 - 8:00pm   (lecture and Q & A) The Culture House Refreshments will be served All are welcome.

April Lecture !! Plan NOW to attend. Note: This lecture will be held at Indian Creek Community Church as part of a larger conference on the arts by Lillenas Publishing.  Saturday, April 26, 2008 7:00pm Indian Creek Community Church 12480 Black Bob Road Olathe, KS  66062 JEREMIAH ENNA, Co-Founder of The Culture House "How to Raise Artistic Kids to Succeed in Life, Faith, and the Arts" Join Us for an Inspiring Evening Call for info. 913-393-3141