Kendale Acres Blog

The Sun Still Rose

admin — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 02:10:20 +0000

            Yesterday had much the feel of the day after the World Series or the Super Bowl. Millions across this great country exercised their right and got out and voted for the next leader of these United States of America. After making sure every bubble on the ballot was completely shaded in and fed into the machine; the process was over. All we could do is wait for the results. We had picked our team, supported our team, and voted for our team. As morning dawned it was official Obama would be the next president of the United States. For many it was a time for celebration for others it was like a shot in the gut that took the breath away for a moment. All the hype and it was over just like that. Now the media has gone from play by play to Monday morning quarterbacking.
          I am not sure about you, but my day did not change. I still got up, hit the shower, got the kids off to school, and went to work. The sun still rose. My day will be much the same tomorrow and the next day and the day after. Come to think about it, my day has been like this no matter what party was in office or what promises they were making. I guess this is because instead of placing my trust in a candidate, my trust and faith is in the Lord. With all the talk of change that hovers around each of these elections, I have my trust in someone that never changes - the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. Yes a government can make it easier or harder to practice my faith, but no government can change it. One thing that has stood true from the beginning of time, God has always protected his children and provided a way for His word to be heard.
          As the breath entered back into my lungs from the shot in the gut I remembered some things. I do not pray to the president to supply for the safety and needs of my family. I do not pray to the president for my daily bread and the supply to make it from one day to the next. I do not pray to the president for wisdom. I do not pray to a president for the safety of our troops. It is God that provides all and sustains all. It is God that has seen me through to this point and it is He that will see me through the next part. I think some times we put too much faith in our government to accomplish those things that only God can accomplish. Great and powerful leaders and countries have fallen, but God still reigns. Presidents have come and gone, but God still reigns.
I think it is time that we stop looking for the government to heal what ails us and start looking to the creator. It is time we quit looking for a man to have all of the answers and look to the answers that have been given to man.
          Wherever you stand, whoever you voted for, the election is over the sun still rose, which means we have been given another day to make a difference. I do not believe that difference will come through a voting booth or through the oval office. I believe that difference will come when men and women stop looking to the government for life’s answers and start looking to God. It will not happen on a campaign trail, it will happen on our knees. I am reminded of the disciples, they thought the change would come through government and then their leader was beaten, hung on a cross and murdered. Their hope was shattered and their future uncertain, but then the SON ROSE. He is still on the thrown, look to Him in the uncertain days.

2Ch 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

1Ti 2:1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;

Knocking At The Door

admin — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 11:15:11 +0000

For the second time in a month, death has knocked on the door of a member of Kendale Acres Church. On September 3, 2008 Rhonda Wall (40) went home to be with the Lord and just this past Thursday evening September 25, 2008 Ed Laird (48) lost his battle with cancer and entered in to the heavenly city of our Lord. Two very different people, two very different passings; one as sudden as the blink of an eye from a heart attack and the other after a four-month battle with a dreaded disease. The one thing both had in common is they were so young. Neither of these loved ones had reached their fiftieth birthday and both seemed to have so much more life ahead. It really puts into perspective how short this life really is. In the book of James we read “Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.” James 4:14. Not knowing what tomorrow holds, let us live today as if it will be our last. Not frivolously and without care, but purposefully and for our Savior. We each have an appointment with death, “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:” Hebrews 9:27. It may come at the end of a long journey or our time may come early in life. It may be at the end of battle with illness or it may be the result of a tragic accident. No one knows for sure how, but we do know for sure it will happen. May we, as these two friends were, be ready to stand before our maker.

Thou Shalt Not Steal

admin — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 11:50:26 +0000

We talk often about how far this country has fallen from its once “Christian” morals. This weekend, I experienced it first hand. There was a day when churches were off limits when it came to thieves and vandals. You might steal from your neighbor or even your parents, but you just did not mess with or around the house of God. It seems today that there is no such conscience. We see churches broken into each week, people stealing anything from computers to sound equipment. We have even heard of cases where they are stealing women’s purses while they were in prayer meetings. I became a victim myself this week as I had a GPS system stolen out of my van glove compartment while at church. To make matters worse, from the prints they found it looks like it was a child. What does a kid need with a GPS locator? It will not attach well to a bike and when is the last time you got lost riding around the neighborhood. It is sad really, even under the shadow of the church steeple some will continue to sin against their creator. We are definitely in need of a revival of the morals in this country. I believe if it is going to happen, it will start at home. We need to teach our children respect for God and respect for fellow man. But until that time keep your doors locked.

Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. (Matthew 22:37-39 KJV)

VBS ~ It Was Worth it.

admin — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 00:27:23 +0000

We are just a week removed from VBS and I am finally getting some free time to update the church web site. I have gained a whole new respect for those who work with children. This is the first time I have ever really taught a big group of children. If you think you can just get up and make it up as you go along, then you have never done it. I probably put just as much time if not more into the messages for these children each night than I do for the regular Sunday morning message. I wanted to make sure I brought it down to their level and that they received the message that was being taught. From what I am hearing, it was a success. What a joy to see these children worshipping God each night. I can tell you all the hard work was worth it. I would also like to thank all of those in the church that put in the long hours along side us. To hear these children answering questions about what they learned the night before and seeing them sing the songs each and every night, it brought a joy to my heart that I cannot explain. I could see by the end of the week why children have such a special place in the heart of Jesus. We will be looking to do many more things with the children and for the children so keep your eye on the church calendar and come join in the fun.

Vow Renewal

admin — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 12:59:14 +0000

I am preparing this week to perform a vow renewal ceremony for a couple in the church. I have been giving them a hard time saying I was naive enough to do it once, and I was not sure my wife could talk me into doing it again. I had a deacon when I pastored in South Carolina that used to tell his wife, “I told you I loved you when I married you, if I ever stop, I will let you know.” I think I can speak for him when I say that both of our comments were made for the simple value of humor. I have been thinking though, what a wonderful thing it would be if we would all make a renewal of our vows. I am not speaking of our marriage vows, but our vows that we made when we gave our lives to Jesus Christ. As you read the Bible, the church and thus believers are referred to as the bride of Christ. I wonder how faithful we have been to our vows. We invited Him in as Savior, the one that guarantees us a home in heaven. The one who paid hells payment for us that we might be set free from the weight and bondage of sin. We also invited Him in as Lord, the one that we would serve. The one that would lead us and guide us as we continue this journey called life. Few have a problem with the Savior part, but many stumble when it comes to the Lordship of Christ. Jesus tells us in John 12:26 “If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.” Let’s take some time to realize the promise that we made when we accepted Jesus into our heart and let’s renew the vows we made to Him. Let us be servants. If you have never accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, maybe now is the time that you enter into this wonderful relationship. “And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” Revelation 22:17

Let Your Voice Be Heard

admin — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 02:43:14 +0000

We are just 10 months away from what could be one of the biggest days in our nation’s history. On Tuesday November 4, 2008, Americans all across this fine nation will travel to the election booths and cast a ballet on what will decide the very future of our nation. With this in mind, I want to call your attention to the seriousness of what is at stake.

Many would have you think that this election is about a war in Iraq, and though that may be an important part of this election, it is not the most important part. This election is about much more than a war overseas; it is about a war right here on our own soil. This election is about the protection of millions of unborn babies that are brutally murdered every year in what is called “a choice”. The Bible says “Thou shalt not kill”; that is not a choice, it is a commandment from God. This election is about the protection of the sanctity of marriage as we know it. The Bible defines marriage as a union between one man and one woman in holy matrimony before a Holy God. People have the freedom to disregard the word of God and live in sin if they so choose; however, they will answer for that sin one day. We do not have the right, however, to rewrite the Holy Word of God. This election is about the freedom to preach “Thus saith the Word of God” without it being classified as hatred. It seems as though the only ones who are not protected by the freedom of speech are those who want to speak out and let their voice be heard for the Lord. This election is about protecting our great nation and the freedoms we enjoy from those who seek to destroy such freedoms and, thus, the nation as we know it.

I am not writing today as a Republican, a Democrat, or an Independent. I am writing as a child of God. When we step into those electoral booths and pull that curtain behind us, we need to forget our loyalty to a Party and remember our loyalty to our Lord. We do not need to vote Republican or Democrat, we need to vote Christian. It is time for believers in Jesus Christ to be proactive instead of reactive; we must let our voices be heard. It is time that Christians stop talking about what is right, and take a stand for what is right. God has blessed this great nation abundantly, but I wonder how much longer He will tolerate our blatant disregard for His Word. I wonder how much longer He will let America knowingly place those in office who are known to be adulterers, who are known to support the murder of unborn babies, and who are known to support same-sex marriage. My fellow Americans, how much longer will we test the patience of God? He proved with His own people, the nation of Israel, that He would only allow so much. We have a chance on November 4, 2008 to take a stand for what is right. Let your voice be heard; take a stand for the family, and for our country.

“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14). It is time not only to hear His voice but to respond to that voice. Take a stand; let your voice be heard; make it count; VOTE. Until next time, may God’s blessings be upon you as you seek and serve Him.

Outraged

admin — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 11:19:49 +0000

I find myself asking when will it stop, how far will we let it go. This past week Kathy Griffin decided to take freedom of speech to an extreme level as she blasphemed the name of Jesus and then concluded the speech with sexual vulgarity directed at our Lord. I am not speaking out against freedom of speech; I am questioning the lack of outrage that was produced by what was said with that freedom. I try to watch the news every morning and then again for a few minutes each evening. It was not however on the news that I heard about this incident. It was during our Sunday school class as some one made reference to it. You better believe that if such an attack were spewed out against any other group than Christians, the media would have been in an uproar. Take for example the Don Imus incident. I am not saying that his derogatory remarks toward these women had any bases, but look what happened. The media talked about it for weeks and he even lost his job over those comments. Has Comedy Central pulled the plug on Griffin? They have not and they will not because she is bringing in the big bucks for them. Out of curiosity I pulled up the speech online. I thought at least there would be an awkward silence from the audience as these words were said, maybe even a ‘boo’. Not only did I not hear the silence, I heard laughter and applause. Friend if that is comedy I do not want any part of it. One of the most wonderful things about this country is the freedom we enjoy. Freedom of speech is part of that freedom. I would not dare take that away from anyone. What is confusing though is how one can blaspheme the name of Jesus and get applause but when a preacher stands in the pulpit and preaches against sins such as homosexuality people want to have him arrested for a hate crime. People it is time that we open our eyes. It is time that we take advantage of our freedom to speak and let our voices be heard for Jesus. And just as a note to Ms. Griffin, had God not given you breath in your lungs you would have no award.

Reprogrammed

admin — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 11:50:55 +0000

A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. Eze 36:26

I spent 2 hours yesterday trying to get a web site template to do what I wanted it to do. I tried everything I knew to do but could not get it to behave the way I wanted it to. I changed the appearance, I moved some things around, I even tried to rename some things. Still nothing. Finally I opened the template in my web site editor and went inside, rewrote some code and what do you know it was just like I wanted it. I began to think; this is the same think that happens when a person gets saved. We can change the outward appearance, we can move things around, and we can even try and rename our sin to something more attractive. The fact is until we invite Jesus to come into our heart and reprogram us, there is no hope. We must have the old heart cleansed and allow God to write the code he desires upon our hearts. We must be born again.

Hello All!

admin — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 19:54:01 +0000

Welcome to our Kendale Acres Blog. We hope you enjoy keeping in touch through this new ministry of the church.