Louisa Interim

In Christ Alone

This morning, we again worshipped in unique fashion. ONe of the songs we sang which was especially meaningful to me was In Christ Alone. I do not know if we have sung this one in either service, but it is especially meaningful when you realize that many of the people here live this motto daily. We may have, but if not, I would highly recommend it to you.
 
Here are the words:
 
In Christ Alone
Songwriters: Getty, Julian Keith; Townend, Stuart Richard;
 
In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
 
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand
 
In Christ alone, who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless Babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
 
'Til on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live, I live
 
There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again
 
And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ
 
No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From a life's first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
 
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Could ever pluck me from His hand
'Til He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I stand
 
I will stand, I will stand
All other ground is sinking sand
All other ground, all other ground
Is sinking sand, is sinking sand
So I stand
 
It's a powerful song when sung in English - even more powerful when sung in multiple languages. We need to sing this in worship some time. It is very moving when you think of its message. Many people criticize contemporary songs for not being very thoughtful. This one is powerful.
 
I met a young man from Bangledesh who traveled to the BWA meeting with no sponsoring organization. He took out a loan in order that he could come. His name is Michael. He has started a prayer center there for the Lord's work. He is originally from the country and is one of 10% of the people who are Christian. The majority are Muslim and have little use for Christian people. Besides persecution, the Muslim government do not allow the Christians to seek better jobs so most Christians live in poverty. It is a challenging time for these people. Pray for Michael and his ministry to the people there. It gets very disheartening for him. He is visiting the US for the first time in his life.
 
 

Hear the Spirit

The Baptist World Congress began with a beautiful display of music and worship. We began singing to our Lord with the wonderful song, Hear the Spirit. Then I witnessed an amazing display of devotion and worship by the Olivet Baptist Church choir and dance team. It made me realize how important it is to see how worship many time reflects the cultures in which we reside. The Hawaiian dance team did a beautiful interpretation of an Hawaiin dance that led us to worship.

Then we lifted our voices in many languages to How Great Thou Art. WOW!

One important display was a meaningful tradition called Ho'okipa. This tradition is a chant that welcomes guests to the shores of Hawaii. The leader shared these words," We welcome you to Hawaii, to our home. We are an island community in the middle of the bast Pacific Ocean. Because of this we are sensitive to the winds that blows around us, to the waves that crash upon our shores, to the rains that fall to nurture our precious lands. We are dependent upon one another to survive. All that comes to us from our great God is precious to us.

"We look upon the pua (flowers) that grow profusely in our gardens rich with color and fragrance of symbols of the special people in our lives. We fashion these flowers into lei and share them to honor a guest in our homes, to commemorate a birth or a passing, a graduation, or a job promotion or just to say, "I love you."

"The lei is always with us. We wear one proudly knowing that we are embraced in the great affection of our family and friends, each flower representing someone close , the ring of flowers representing that warm embrace. It is an old and treasured custom here in Hawaii."

I wish we had better traditions and customs that welcomed people with such warmth. We are a wonderful people that need to be welcoming because of the grace of God. Maybe we need a lei, but more importantly, we need love to share. May we be that type of people.

Hawaii Is Beautiful

Everything they say about Hawaii is correct. It is beautiful. Teresa and I arrived yesterday to clear skies. As we flew in, we could see beautiful beaches, picturesque mountains, and places like Pearl Harbor.

Congress starts this evening. I am looking forward to the worship and gathering of the people from across the world.

I am a having a little challenge getting used to this time zone. It is six hours from Eastern time, and I woke up about 4 this morning Hawaii time. Hopefully, I will get use to it.

I was amazed at number of surfers already out at 6 am this morning. They start early in Hawaii.

I will give you a further report later, but I can tell God's creation is beautiful. This place really is a paradise.

Nice Compliment from a Former College Coach

Jacob received a nice compliment from a former college coach at the end of his last game. The man complimented on his attitude, and he could tell how he is a quiet leader of the team. He told him he is going to keep a watch on him as he plays in high school. That made Jacob feel pretty good since he did not feel so good about the team's losses.

What's next? We are on the road Tuesday and Wednesday. I am ready to see my dogs.

We received word that someone is looking at our house this morning. We are praying for good news. Of course, we have to get some things taken care of around the house since we have had someone living in it for the last year. Also, I read an article today in Wall Street Journal that there is a glut of houses on the market again. The housing market has slowed. I wanted to scream, but I am trusting that the Lord is going to take care of the house and our situation.

Is anyone reading this blog? If you are, just drop me a note that tells me you are. If not, I will probably stop writing this.

One book I have enjoyed reading this week is one called Who Stole My Church? by Gordon MacDonald? More about that later.

Tournament Comes to End

U-Turn Richmond Warriors Classic Tournament ride came to an abrupt end on Monday morning. The SC state Champs, Phoenix South, were just too much for the Warriors to handle. Jacob Kessler led the way for U-Turn with 22 points and 9 rebounds, but the speed and good offensive movement of the South Carolina team were tot much for the Warriors. But it was fun while it lasted. The final score was 75-61.

So now, we deal with the aftermath of a loss. We just decided to go to Disney. You know that Super Bowl Champions always say they are going to Disney after the win. We just decided we were just winners for making past the first round of the tournament. So we headed to the Magic Kingdom with our daughter-in-law, Stephanie. She got us into the parks at no cost since she works there. That made it even more magical.

Tow of my favorites every time I go are The Carousel of Progress and the Hall of Presidents. I had not seen the new Hall of Presidents presentation since President Obama had been in office. To me, that is an amazing presentation.

We will leave Orlando tomorrow afternoon. It's been fun, but I am ready to get back. Plus, Jacob has another tournament Saturday and Sunday - the last of the season.

Then on to football?

Victory in First Round of Classic Tournament

Jacob's team won their game this afternoon, 60-56. It was their first game of the Classic tournament. They had a 22 point lead in the first half, and they had to hold on at the end. The other team had more energy and will than we did in the second half. We were almost coasting rather than playing our game. Our team scored 44 points in the first half, but only 16 in the second half.

Jacob had a steady game, but not a great game. He finished with 10 points and about 7 rebounds. He missed two short shorts at the end of the game that could helped with the span of victory. Thank goodness it did not cost the team.

Now, we move on to second round of the tournament tomorrow at 11:00 a.m. I hope my heart holds out! We are going to call them the cardiac kids.

Day has also been busy with making decisions about our house in Raleigh. We have to get it back on the market and of course that means getting it ready. Realtor is busy helping us take a look at things that need to be done. Hopefully, we will have some good news soon.

 

 

Headed into Classic Bracket

Jacob's team is headed into the Classic Bracket of the tournament this afternoon. A third loss yesterday meant they were the fourth seed out of their pool of teams.

We are hoping for a whole new team attitude and play this afternoon. Now we are in the part of the tournament where if you win, you play on. If you lose the tournament is over.

Jacob had a very good game yesterday with 21 points and 9 rebounds. He felt good about his play, but is very disappointed for the team. He wants the team to do well.

We got to spend time as a family last night. We went to play mini-golf at Pirate's Cove. Dad won again! The boys are trying to catch up with me, but not yet!

Another Loss at AAU Tournament

Two day at AAU Tournament led to another loss, but Jacob had a better day. The team lost to a team from West Virginia, 70-59. Jacob ended up with 17 points and about 10 rebounds. It is obvious that Jacob's team is not really up for Division 1 basketball. Some of these boys are really good. I think Jacob said something about changing his concentration to baseball.

One of the joys of the day is watching our three boys get together and just have a good time together. They left this afternoon for a day at the parks. Since Stephanie works at Disney, Kevin, Bryan, and Jacob were able to go without cost. Now that is a bargain.

We are re-thinking our Hawaii trip due to the change of the house situation in Raleigh. We are still trying to evaluate. I have others who have volunteered to go for me!! I think I know what we will decide, though. It is hard to turn down a trip like this one.

Sunday article for bulletin

Ken's Korner

Have you seen the story about Reverend Robert Schuller and his retirement? Dr. Schuller has been the pastor from the very beginning of the Crystal Cathedral in California. His Hour of Power television show has been broadcast for many years all across the country. Now, he has handed the official leadership of the church over to his daughter.

Since the announcement, the church has received many emails from people who are concerned about what will happen to them without their pastor. The remarkable thing is that most of the emails have come from people who do not live in California.

A pastor friend asked, "When did a television preacher become a pastor?" Has our view of a pastor become so centered on preaching that we fail to see the real value of a pastor for a church? I know the importance of communication and preaching, but it really does concern me that for many people, the most important thing about the pastor is the preaching style or preaching mechanics.

To me, the most important qualities of a pastor are found around vision, compassion, leadership, and shepherding. Preaching is important because it is the opportunity to impact people with the Word of God and to call forth people to live those other qualities. I know many pastors who are not the best communicators on Sunday morning, but their churches consider them great pastors. What are the reasons for that? I think because the best sermons come out of lived life, not just prearranged words. Again, don't get me wrong. I think preaching is a lost art in many ways. But the best preaching comes from a person dedicated to the work of the Spirit in his or her life.

I pray that Lord helps you see that the real value of a pastor is someone living alongside you, preaching and equipping you to do the Word. I hope you are looking for more than a TV preacher in your life journey.

Welcome Jim Ailor this morning. He is a true man of God and a great friend and colleague of mine. He has also been a big help to your Pastor Search team. Give him a good Louisa welcome.

Helping a 14 Year Old with a Bad Defeat

Jacob had his first basketball game today. His team lost 66-14! Ouch! They played a great AAU team from Indiana, and it was not pretty.

Jacob usually averages 15 points a game and about 10 rebounds. This game, he had 0 points, took only three shots, felt frustrated on defense, and just wanted to disappear.

He was very discouraged and down on himself after the game. What do you say to a young one who has had one of the worst experiences of his sporting life?

I remember seeing an episode of Happy Days many years ago where Howard offered Richie a lifesaver when he missed the last shot. Dads try to do anything.

I had mixed emotions. Part of me was really frustrated that Jacob was not trying harder. But another part of me knew I just needed to encourage him. He was beating himself up enough.

After the game, he was really tough on himself. I just reminded him sometimes you just have to forget the last game and look forward to the next one. And I reminded that we believed in him and knew he could do better tomorrow. It did not seem very comforting, but it is true - we believe in him.

I am grateful God does not give up on me. There are many days I am sure he gets frustrated with me. I never measure up like I should, but He keeps on believing in me . . . and you!

And I can always remind Jacob after the tournament that football season starts soon!!!