When God spoke the world into existence the Hebrew word for "created" means "from nothing". We might say nothing existed before He created it. He spoke the world into being. However when the Bible says that God created Adam and Eve there is a different Hebrew word used. He "created" them from existing matter, from the dust of the earth. I like to think that God was willing to get His hands dirty in creating us. There is something meaningful to me that God shaped us with His hands and then blew His breath in us so we could have a living soul. So it is no surprise that when we die our body, made of the earth, stays here. While our soul, made from that which is eternal, lives forever. 

Here is where it gets good, when God says he creates in us a clean heart, the scriptures use the word for--guess which one--from scratch. Isn't that great? He doesn't use the recycled material of a heart gone wrong. He starts fresh. He creates a new heart from nothing! So when you are forgiven you are not just made new as in renewed--your heart is brand new--as in never soiled! That really encourages me. It makes me appreciate grace and God who gives it more than ever. I hope it does you too!

This thinking started this morning when I had my quiet time. I wondered, is it possible that God has a different goal than I do? What I have in mind is a particular outcome. However, maybe God is more interested in doing a work in me than he is in changing my circumstances? If that is true then the more I am fixated on my result the more frustrated I become with God and stuff I don't think fits my plan. That makes what God wants to do in me take longer.

When I decide to cooperate completely with God and invite Him to do His work in me even the challenging things have purpose. For that reason I chose joy--independent of my circumstances. I can't even find the words to tell you the freedom thinking this way brought me  today. 

Give it a try. Every day you have a choice not based on circumstances, you get to choose your attitude. Chose joy!

I want to share a memory about each of them today. On one of our visits to see my parents while they lived in Oregon my Dad wanted to take us to see a waterfall. He had bought a book about the waterfalls of Oregon and on his day off he and my Mom would go to the ones near their home and hike in to see them. He wanted to share that joy with our young family. My Dad was determined this hike was not going to be boring for our boys. He got them to walk across some downed trees that fell across a ten foot ditch. Of course dead trees have bark that can easily come off and Jeremy ended up slipping off the tree. Somehow he miraculously caught himself before he fell. On the way back Dad said he would lead the two boys to a shortcut. He didn't ask permission from the parents he simply darted off into the woods with Jeremy and Luke in close pursuit. We stayed on the path and when we got to the car Dad and the boys were nowhere in sight. We waited what seemed like an eternity but was probably only twenty minutes. Then we heard their excited voices. They found their way back to the parking lot by smelling the Port-a-Potty. That was a hike we will never forget--the funny thing is, I don't even remember the waterfall.

I have to dig a little deeper for a Megan memory. One of my favorite things to do with Megan was to turn on the music really loud and dance around the living room. She would squeal with delight. Whenever I would stop she would jump up and down in my arms as if to say, keep dancing! She would hung my neck tight and smile like this was the best fun she ever had. One day not too long after she got a mouthful of teeth she bit me really hard on the shoulder. I didn't see it coming so I yelped in pain and suprise. This startled Megan so much, and probably hurt her tender heart, that she began to cry. She was inconsolable! I held her close and let her know that I was all right and that I still loved her. Soon we were dancing again.

It helps to remember. You may or may not have known my Dad or Megan but thanks for your support as we heal and move forward.

Gary

I've been trying to find someone serving this kind of meat for the dreams God's given for years. To change metaphors, I often feel like I"m speaking Spanish in attempting to create a reproducing movement in a city and nation. Now here is a team of people speaking advanced Spanish. But I understand it and it gives me handles, illustrations and talking points for communicating what can happen as we help people find their way back to God.

From there we seek to connect them into groups that reproduce and reach their neighborhoods. They bring transformation in the community by being the hands and feet of Christ. When there are several groups in a community they have the nucleus for a new campus. Lives are changed, families are healed, communities are transformed and eventually we reach a city together. That's the dream and today God is feeding that dream, speaking Spanish to me and helping me understand He is in it.

My story really begins in the 70's. A time where alcohol, drugs and sex where key tools of Satan and becoming a norm for our society. I was one of those. Many a morning I would awake not knowing what I did the night before, not knowing how I even got home. As I look back on this time, I know God was with me every night I drank or used drugs. Only through God's hands did I not die a horrible death in an auto accident, or even kill someone else. Truly proof that God is with everyone, no matter what they are doing. I did mentally hurt a lot of people during this time with my destructive ways.

Finally in the 80's I was able to stop my destructive ways, unfortunately, I did this with out God in my life. Not having God caused me to fall back into my old ways and this time it once again hurt someone who I loved deeply. It was 14 years ago when my wife was pregnant with our son. I left her, all alone, pregnant and giving birth to our son on her own. But it was during this time that God proved who He is to me. How He is true to his word about his love, forgiveness, mercy and the power of prayer. It was one day during this time that Jesus came knocking at my heart. I know now that many times during my life he had been knocking, but this time for some reason I answered that knock. It was a few years later I found our why.

During this time one day, my wife stopped you at church and asked you to pray with her about me. As I look back on that, wow, why would she want to pray for me. I had left her, alone with child and yet she asked you to pray with her for me. Unbelievable, but that is our God, he can take what we know as impossible and make it possible. I am not sure if it was the next day or not, but I know soon after you both prayed for me, Jesus knocked at my heart and I answered. Why, because of my wife's forgiveness and love and for your dedication to serve our God. God saw the faith in you both and well, let's just say he slapped the back of my head and woke me up. Soon after this I wrote to my wife asking for forgiveness and to my amazement, she forgave me and took me back into her life. Today, I am happier, more peaceful, better than I have ever been. Our marriage is strong as God is the center of our marriage.

As I look back on my life I realized, God had always been with me, I just did not see him. How many times did He save my life? How many times does He save anyone like me from physical death. Anyone I talk to that has an addiction, I always ask them, how long can you walk that line between death and living. God is saving you from our destructive ways for some reason, wake up and accept his salvation before it is too late.

The greatest gift I learned from all of this is God's forgiveness and the power of prayer. My wife taught me what true forgiveness is through Christ. I now know why she forgave me, because Christ forgave me. Her love for Christ has taken me from death to life. Her forgiveness through Christ saved our marriage. And her and your love showed me the power of prayer. The faithful prayer of a Christian is more powerful than anything our minds can imagine. I now take prayer as the corner stone of my relationship with God and urge everyone to see my story and learn of the power of God's love, mercy and forgiveness.

For those that have been hurt you can release that burden to Christ, like my wife did, and be free. For those that have done the hurting, like me, you can be released from the bondage by Christ and forgiveness through His Blood on the Cross.

Blessings
Rick Keaton

The whole experience was powerful. I can't describe the emotion I felt when I held the whip, handled the crown of thorns, picked up the nails, laid my regrets at the foot of the cross, put a crown on my head and looked in the mirror, threw my crown at the base of the throne, stood at the well of living water. It took me almost five minutes to stop crying once I left. They were tears of joy and gratitude. I'm ready for Easter now!

Pass this on to your friends and invite them to come with you to Indian Creek for Easter. We ask the questions, What is your impossible? and What if you didn't have to do it alone? The service is an awesome celebration of the resurrection.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZPBxxfTJng&feature=channel

The service times are 9:00 a.m., 10:45 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on the Olathe campus and 10:30 a.m. on the Garder campus.

Impossible is Nothing!

In Olathe it was the largest Spring Fest ever, 1400, and the best one. Way to go kidzAlive!, Journey and Live Out teams for leading the way! The extra effort to get the flyers out to so many schools and ministries really paid off. The planning and organization was solid and I especially liked the way we put people first.

In Gardner there were over 200 present for Spring Fest and the excitement was high. Gardner got to have their egg hunt outside because they did their hunt after the morning service today. The 3,000 door hangers they passed out yesterday created a lot of interest not only in the Egg Hunt but also in the worship service.

Ministry really is a tag team effort. Many of you invited friends. Once you got them here the volunteers were ready. The send off with a Palm branch and an invitation to Sunday services gives the Sunday teams like First Impressions, worship, Café, Speaking and Prayer teams a chance to let God work through them.

We do what we do so people will find their way back to God. What happened today opens the door for what happens next. Pray with me that we allow the Holy Spirit to use us to transform lives until all KC knows. Give God a chance to work in you!

Keep praying, keep inviting, Easter’s coming!

P.S. I even had a chance to hold my grandson Landon and to see Jeremy and Jesi. That is always a highlight to any day!

During this trip to China, we visited many churches. I lost count of exactly how many. One was 134 years old and had been founded by Swiss missionaries. Alongside the original stone structure was a brand new building with clean white walls and large airy spaces. Some were partially built and the people were trusting God for the funds to complete. I saw a field of grass that a congregation dreamed of building a church on one day. Over a shared snack of mangos and bananas we looked at blueprints. We walked up to a church dedication to the sound of drums and cymbals. In another church, I sat at the back of an older building, sweating while lazy fans turned above me. The hard, straight-backed wood pews were packed.
China is ready to grow. There’s no shortage of enthusiasm, vision or workers. Gary says ‘China is the engine and we’re the fuel.” The good news is that fuel is cheap there. The average pastor in China lives on $600 a year. Two dollars a day. I probably spend that much on coffee. As Jan likes to say, “it takes so little to make a big difference.” I was thinking of our money and China’s human resources and the potential of that partnership.
I might have lost count of the number of churches, but I’ll never forget one pastor’s face, her eyes filled with tears, as a member of our group put $200 Chinese Yen in her hand. That’s only $25 US and yet it made a big difference in her life.

During this trip to China, we visited many churches. I lost count of exactly how many. One was 134 years old and had been founded by Swiss missionaries. Alongside the original stone structure was a brand new building with clean white walls and large airy spaces. Some were partially built and the people were trusting God for the funds to complete. I saw a field of grass that a congregation dreamed of building a church on one day. Over a shared snack of mangos and bananas we looked at blueprints. We walked up to a church dedication to the sound of drums and cymbals. In another church, I sat at the back of an older building, sweating while lazy fans turned above me. The hard, straight-backed wood pews were packed.

China is ready to grow. There’s no shortage of enthusiasm, vision or workers. Gary says ‘China is the engine and we’re the fuel.” The good news is that fuel is cheap there. The average pastor in China lives on $600 a year. Two dollars a day. I probably spend that much on coffee. As Jan likes to say, “it takes so little to make a big difference.” I was thinking of our money and China’s human resources and the potential of that partnership.

I might have lost count of the number of churches, but I’ll never forget one pastor’s face, her eyes filled with tears, as a member of our group put $200 Chinese Yen in her hand. That’s only $25 US and yet it made a big difference in her life.

Thanks Tim for your investment in the Jesus mission in China

Take 3 today to allow awe to produce wonder and worship at just how BIG our God is. And to think that He also cares about our smallest need--incredible! "The heavens declare the glory of God and the earth shows His handiwork." Psalm 19:1. Praise God!

The difference is subtle but profound. To pray that God reveals His presence, His will or better yet His purposes in a situation reminds us He is always here. He’s never left us. We are never abandoned and never alone. We know that is the truth because Jesus said so (John 14:16). The beautiful thing is that He is so willing to reveal Himself.

He wants to reveal His glory. He wants to reveal His truth. He wants to reveal His presence. He wants to reveal His power. The truth is—He is does but we don’t always recognize it. He is always at work ahead of us whether or not we know it. That’s why when we pray, “reveal Yourself” or “reveal Your glory” or “reveal your purposes” we are aligning ourselves with Who He is and what He is already doing.

Lately I’ve been praying in many situations, “Lord, reveal Your glory here.” He is here. He is working. He is sovereign. He is purposeful. He is ahead of me. He is ahead of the enemy. He is everything we need.

Lord, reveal Yourself!

I am conscious today of the reality that it is very possible to pray without communing with God, to sing without really worshipping, to serve without being refueled by love as we serve. In other words we can have the form of Christianity without the reality. I refuse to live there.

I want to see Christ revealed in my life in ever-increasing ways. I’ve been a follower of Christ for many years but it is repulsive to me to go through the motions. I want to experience the reality of Christ so powerfully that every day is a new adventure with Him. I want to see His miraculous provision in my daily life. I want to obey so passionately that it is apparent that the kingdom of God has come to earth.

There are too many idols and not enough crosses. That’s the thought that went through my mind as I toured Lantau Island outside of Hong Kong. There is a huge Buddha on the island and the shops around there are full of his image. In addition there are shrines to ancestors in abundance. But I didn’t see one cross or church on the whole island.

That got me thinking about the U.S. We may not have as many images but we certainly have idols. We may have more crosses and churches but that doesn’t mean that we have what the cross represents and that is surrender.

I strongly believe we have what we need in resources to care for the planet in every way, physically, emotionally, relationally and spiritually yet there is a huge disparity in the way the resources are distributed. We don’t have a resource problem as much as we have an allocation problem.

God trusts us to be his stewards of the resources. We are the managers not the owners. God told me very clearly that I’m not to go through life as a consumer but as a man on a mission to serve my Savior and do His will. I’m going to give myself to that knowing that it means displacing idols in my life and determining to carry His cross.

Have you ever lost a child? I’ve had a child die. My daughter Megan died when she was 21 months old. That loss affected my wife, Belinda, and me in ways I can’t describe. I’ll put it this way. We will never forget what it was like to love her and we will never love her less. We are forever marked by that loss. There is an ache in our souls. But we aren’t crippled because we are loved by a Father who willingly gave up His only Son so His children could live eternally with Him. He understands and we understand what drives Him.

His love is a searching love for those still living without the knowledge of His love. He has loved and lost (His loss was our salvation and because He is eternal, the loss wasn’t final). He is determined to reach as many of His children as possible. I told you about our new brother that chose Christ on this trip. I wish I could tell you his name but that’s not the point. The point is that God put him exactly where he could hear of His love and then He left the choice to him. This way it is true love.

On the plan I was seated next to a young lady who is also seeking. We had 14 hours to pass. I started praying soon after being seated. I didn’t force any conversation. I let it go wherever it went and just trusted the love of the Father to be revealed. Before long she asked me what I teach and I had the chance to share the bridge illustration. It is a pictorial story of how God makes a way we can become right with the Father through Jesus. I don’t know what she will do with the story but that’s how He loves. He will keep drawing her and she will get to keep owning her own choices.

Have you ever lost a child in a park, or a public place? How did you feel? Do you feel that way for those around you who haven’t yet found their way back to the Father? Why not? What will you do about it?

He also reminded me that He loves every person I see as much as He loves me. I’m not here as a consumer. I’m here as an obedient son sent to do my Father’s will.

Last night I experienced a lot of spiritual warfare. It is not surprising. There was a sweet victory after a time of struggle. I told Kristen about it in the morning and she described it in a very accurate way. Ask me about it personally when I get back and I will tell you. Thanks so much for praying for us all the way through to the end. The enemy loves kick backs and if he can get some in he will. I’m glad that we serve the One, True, Living God and that we are covered by the sacrifice of Jesus. It is a joy to do His will even if we suffer for Him.

Here's one thing I can share. Steve Igarta who was our apprentice leader on this trip had prostate surgery just three weeks before coming. He overdid it in Hong Kong on the first day and he had problems all along the way. He was a trooper and inspired all of us with his tough resolve. He had to go to a hospital or clinic three times but every time God provided just what he needed. The last two nights held an emergency room visit for him. He is on a plane now headed home to CA so please pray he will have God's providence for this trip.

Another way that God showed up was in the creation of this team. I don't know that I've ever served with a team that was so clearly put together by God. We are like a body that has all the parts in place and each one is playing the role God determined ahead of time that they would play. His preparation is so apparent. Kristen is doing a super job leading us.

We'll be headed home soon so pray us home. We love you and miss you!

Here’s the rest of the story.  After I wrote you I felt led one morning to write some thoughts and scriptures for him to study on the van. I started with God’s love and then went through why we need forgiveness, what Jesus did for us on the cross, how to receive his offer of grace and what happens when we receive His Holy Spirit. I wrote it in outline form and put the supporting scriptures then gave it to him in an Indian Creek Journal. I said I would be glad to talk about any of that but that would be his choice.

Later the same day he talked to one of the young men on the team that was his age and Dan walked him through the whole page with illustrations and explanations from his own life. I asked him later in the day if it was all right to give him the gift and he said yes, it was good.

Before he went to be he talked to each of the other two translators about their experiences as followers of Christ. He asked many questions. They had good conversation late into the evening. The next day on the van he leaned over to me and said now I believe. I don’t know what to do.

We were stopping at a service station at that moment so I said, let’s go for a walk. I explained how to pray to invite Jesus to forgive you and lead your life and invited him to pray. He wanted to pray so we did. The joy of Jesus was all over his face. He looked like a new person. I went over the difference between faith and feelings and gave him scriptures for assurance and then we boarded the van. I asked him if he wanted to share his decision with the team. He did and there was great celebration! No doubt there was a celebration in heaven too. And now I hope there is a celebration in wherever you are as you read.

Here’s the rest of the story.  After I wrote you I felt led one morning to write some thoughts and scriptures for him to study on the van. I started with God’s love and then went through why we need forgiveness, what Jesus did for us on the cross, how to receive his offer of grace and what happens when we receive His Holy Spirit. I wrote it in outline form and put the supporting scriptures then gave it to him in an Indian Creek Journal. I said I would be glad to talk about any of that but that would be his choice.

Later the same day he talked to one of the young men on the team that was his age and Dan walked him through the whole page with illustrations and explanations from his own life. I asked him later in the day if it was all right to give him the gift and he said yes, it was good.

Before he went to be he talked to each of the other two translators about their experiences as followers of Christ. He asked many questions. They had good conversation late into the evening. The next day on the van he leaned over to me and said now I believe. I don’t know what to do.

We were stopping at a service station at that moment so I said, let’s go for a walk. I explained how to pray to invite Jesus to forgive you and lead your life and invited him to pray. He wanted to pray so we did. The joy of Jesus was all over his face. He looked like a new person. I went over the difference between faith and feelings and gave him scriptures for assurance and then we boarded the van. I asked him if he wanted to share his decision with the team. He did and there was great celebration! No doubt there was a celebration in heaven too. And now I hope there is a celebration in wherever you are as you read.

I was thinking about this today as I reflected on the mission trip. There are so many things happening that are good and I’m seeing them from my point of view. This is my trip and it is about me getting my needs met, right? I know better but often that is the way I’m feeling before I think it through.

And then it hit me. Regardless of what I think or you think about what is happening in our story the reality is that we are NOT the main character. The main character in every story is Jesus—but we don’t always recognize that. There are periods of time where we don’t see Him at all. That doesn’t mean that He isn’t there. It just means that we don’t perceive where or how He is working. Another problem is that even when we see Him we don’t realize it’s not about me!

Every story is really His story. History is His story. We come in and out of the grander story like actors who have a bit part. We mustn’t get confused that the story is about us or it doesn’t make sense. Realizing it is really His story and we have a small part to play brings many things, formerly confusing, into clarity.

Thinking about my story in this way causes me to interpret life more accurately. I think to look for Him everywhere. I remember to keep Him in the center—well, I try anyway. Thinking this thought this morning was like tumblers falling into place. It was exactly the orientation I needed.

This year I met my translator and he told me, are you ready for this, that he is the boyfriend of the previous translator.  I couldn’t believe it! That was two years ago! This is a new team! I was in a completely different part of the country!

As we sat and talked today I found it surreal that I was sitting next to the very person I’d prayed to come to Christ. I assumed he had chosen to follow Christ. I asked him to tell me the story and he said he is in the process of deciding. We had a great talk about Jesus, the Bible, faith and the things that only God can give—peace and purpose. I invited him to pray but he said he needs more time. He is reading the New Testament and has started attending church.

Can you believe this? Only God! What are the odds? I can hardly wait to see the rest of the story unfold. Will you pray with me for my new friend to know the love of Jesus personally? Thanks for your prayers so far—obviously they are working.

Jesus, in Luke 4:16-18, put the kingdom of God in motion and today all He spoke is ours to live and to proclaim. What would it be like if we simply told people around us that the kingdom of heaven is here? That's what Jesus did and that is what He told His disciples to preach, see Luke 10:9. They didn't have to know what was going to happen next. They simply proclaimed the truth and let God take it from there. Could we do that? I believe we can and I'll say it even stronger, it is our mission. If we do then His anointing will flow. Good News will come to the poor. Captives will be released. The blind will see. The oppressed will be set free and God's favor will come. What truth are you proclaiming today.

So why don't we? That is a question we will have to answer. I'm not going to waste another day simply praying for His will do be done. We know what it is, to live out His mission and when we do we will see earth become more like heaven. I'm going to believe it, live it, speak it and watch God show up in grace and power.

There was a line in the movie that was repeated several times, I see you. They used it to mean that one could see into the heart and soul of another in such a way as to truly know what was going on inside that person. I loved it because it captured a concept I’ve come to believe in life, that we often see but don’t see. I believe I can look into my wife, Belinda’s eyes and say, I see you. I see her now in a way that I couldn’t see her even a few years ago because of all we’ve experienced in life and marriage. Let me explain.

The Bible often speaks of people who observe things with their eyes but don’t conceive what is really happening behind the scenes. For example the Israelites saw God deliver them from Egypt but didn’t really see God. Job said at the beginning of his trial, are your eyes like those of a human and you see things only as people see them? Job 10:4. It is possible; even likely, that we might be in the middle of God’s work and yet not know what He is up too. We might see others but not see who they really are.

I think the truth is that often we couldn’t look into the eyes of another, our spouse, a child, a co-worker or our boss and say with sincerity, I see you. That is concerning considering how much time we might spend with that person and how important it is to truly see them. It is even more vital that we see God for who He is. Jesus said the people of His day had eyes but didn’t see (Mt 13:5) and then He revealed why—their hearts were hard. In Rev 3:18 He begged the people to ask for ointment for their eyes so they could see.

My question for this trip and to you who read this, who in your life do you see but not understand. I’m immersed in a different culture. I see people and powerful symbols like dragons but do I really see? I see the rich, amazing, beautiful, wealth and activity of Hong Kong but do I really see what is in the heart of my Father for these people, this city, and this country? I won’t if I am self concerned with whether I am jetlagged, like the food, find what I want as a consumer and treat the trip as about me getting what I want out of it.

But when I lay down my selfish concerns and ask God to help me truly see—the people, the place, my team and most importantly HIM--a whole new world opens up.  The wonder and the revelation is like Job expressed in 42:5, I’ve heard about you but now I’ve seen you with my own eyes. I want to be able to look into the face of God and say, I see You. I believe He invites us to come that close. I want to see, to really see those in my life. I pray today to be other-centered so I truly see.

This morning as I prepared to leave for Hong Kong (at 2:30 A.M.); I started thinking about Jesus first and last words. Do you know what they are?

I should say I’m speaking specifically about His first and last words to His disciples. When He called His disciples He said, Come follow me and I will make you fishers of men. Mark 1:17 Surely He meant I will teach you to “catch”. Many of my fishing trips netted nothing and I don’t think He meant that; I’m positive He meant, Hang with me and I’ll teach you to do what I do help people find their way back to God.

Jesus book-ended His awesome life on this earth with these words, Go into all the earth and make disciples… teaching them to obey all I have commanded you. Matthew 28:18.  Get the message? I think He is saying here is the end purpose of everything—it all starts and stops with making disciples. The middle part is example and illustration.

I love the middle part but we can’t get so caught up with the how that we miss the purpose. It is entirely possible to get so caught up in the tactics that the mission goes unfulfilled. What if we started and finished every day with the end in mind? I’m going to think on that more on this trip.

I appreciate your prayers. On this trip no news is good news. I know it is hard to raise interest, prayer support and funds without the details unless you remember what is first and last. I pray you will.

Recently William Simmons caught the vision. With God’s strength and the help of some friends he’s resurrected Share the Blessing. Wherever you are, take a moment and shout Yahoo! and Praise God!

Needs like the ones below will get met in ever-increasing ways as we rally around the words of Jesus, as you have done it to the least of these you have done it unto Me. See Matthew 25:40. Here is the latest story:

This last weekend we had an individual who donated a Bed, Hide Away Couch, 2 dressers and a Dryer. Amazingly we had a Family in need of those items only 6 blocks away. We picked the items up and took them directly to the Family in need and saw an immediate impact of the Ministry in a Family's life. A Mother who is expecting slept on the floor the night before so that her Kids could share a bed. The children were ages from 3 up to 10 and they were so very happy to know that they would have their own bed and dresser for each room.
 
William says, “There is an increasing need in several areas and I would ask that you get the word out to see what we can do to help meet the demand of what is happening as a result of this Ministry.”
 
** Because of the Huge Demand we are asking for any donations of Furniture Items, Appliances and any other household needs that would help a family get a fresh start or help them in a time of need.

Beds, Sofas, Chairs, Refridgerators, Washers and Dryers, Appliances, Tables, Chairs, Televisions, Computers and any other items that would supply the furnitures needs of a family. Here is how it works: Contact sharetheblessing@live.com with donations or needs. The phone number is, 913-254-4402.
 
Volunteers are needed in the following areas
 
"Holy Hauler Team" - Tuesday and Wednesday evenings from 6:00 until 10:00 PM to pick up donations and deliver to the Warehouse "My Father's House".
 
Warehouse Team - Saturday Mornings from 8:00 until 1:00 to help sort and organize at "My Father's House".
 
Fullfillment Team - Delivering items from "My Father's House" to families in need. Tuesday evenings and Saturday Mornings

Spread the word and lend a hand. Together we can change someone’s world.
 

Have you ever tried that? We used to push the Merry-Go-Round as fast as we could and then jump on. It sounds fun and it can be provided your aim is good. If you don’t get your speed up to match the speed of the Merry-Go-Round you can either get the metal piece in your butt or another tender place I won’t write about. Timing is everything!

The problem with jumping on is that emotionally I’m not up to speed. It feels like things that happened just before my Dad went in the hospital happened months ago. It is hard to remember details. It is like my part of the world stopped, like I jumped off the Merry-Go-Round, while the rest of the world kept spinning. Now that I’m trying to jump back on it is hard to get up to speed. I’ve taken some blows to the back side this week (I have more padding there!). People have been great to us; understanding and patient. The challenges come from having a lot of work pile up when I’m emotionally worn out.

I’m sure I will get up to speed.  I’m not worried about that. I’m missing my Dad appropriately but I’m also happy that he is not in pain. My Mom is doing well; she is giving herself time and grace to settle in to a “new normal.” No doubt there will be waves of emotion at different times—and probably when we least expect it.

I find the presence of God is meeting me at every turn. Thanks for your prayers and support. We feel loved and supported—that makes this bearable. Thank you.

We enjoyed the support of our friends, Indian Creek, and Brad's church, Woods Chapel Church of God. There was a ton of food and it was super to see friends old and new and soak up the support. Thank you so much! I've often heard people say, I feel carried by people's prayers--now I have a new first hand experience.

The inurnment was the next day at Oak Lawn Memorial Gardens. It was snowing throughout the ceremony. It as so beautiful with great big flakes. It reminded us of Dad because he loved Alaska and he loved snow. Ed Roche did a great job leading us through some devotional thoughts and prayer. Kristen Levitt, my daughter, summed up our thoughts as a family. We are thankful for the legacy of Paul Kendall and we want to continue it through the generations to come. It was a touching time. And we wrapped up in typical Paul Kendall fashion with a snowball fight. It all seemed so fitting. Thanks for your prayers. They are greatly appreciated!

But I do want to share the message so I'm going to offer it I love this church.docx. There is content here that didn't get shared on Sunday because we ran out of time. The interview with James Vogt was super and you may want to watch that on the media podcast. Just go the Web Site, click on media and choose last week's service, part B.

Thanks for the great outpouring of love and support for my family. The Celebration service for my Dad, Paul Kendall, is tonight at 6 p.m. at Indian Creek. Here is another reason why I love the Church with a capital C.

I’ve never experienced a time in my life where I put everything on hold to serve like I served these last two weeks. What a privilege. I know there are many who are a pro at this. My wife, Belinda, is one who will drop everything to serve someone in a time of need and I admire her for it. My mom devoted her last seven years to basically letting everything else go to serve my Dad. What service! I wouldn't have it any other way. I'm so glad I did what I did.

I don’t give myself any credit for doing this; I’m simply remarking what a sacrificial service it is to put your life on hold to help someone else. It might be the greatest sacrifice. There is a lot to learn just sitting beside a hospital bed waiting to be summoned for a sip of water or to do some errand your love one can’t (like get the bedpan).

It makes me appreciate the ministry of the Holy Spirit. He is always ready to listen when we want to talk. He promised never to leave us or forsake us. He is constantly supplying our needs even when we don’t recognize His help. He protects us from who knows what!

I also appreciate Indian Creek and the staff who’ve handled nearly all my responsibilities so I could put my life on hold. It is a learning experience and a place where I know I need to grow.

If you haven’t heard the details yet, my Dad’s Celebration service is Thursday, Feb 4, 6 P.M., at Indian Creek Community Church, Olathe, KS. In lieu of flowers the family request donations to the Paul Kendall Memorial Fund at Cornerstone Bank, Overland Park, KS www.cornerstonebk.com

Thanks for your tremendous support and all the prayers offered on our family’s behalf.