A Good Kind of Tired

We’re tired after a long Sunday but its a good kind of tired. We’re becoming more and more comfortable in our new environment of Springdale working and worshipping with Robinson Avenue.

We’re hosting fellowship meals in our home each Sunday evening after services. We’re doing this alphabetically (last week everyone whose last name begins with the letter “A” was invited over; today it was the “B”s…). We’re having a lot of fun getting to know everyone.

The “B”s were an especially talented group. Milton Ball entertained the kids with a series of magic tricks. At the end of the night Loyl Bradley played some songs on the banjo. Clay said that tonight’s gathering was like a talent show – he loved it!

We’re enjoying getting to know this special group of people. ‘So much to be thankful for this year.

Loyl serenades Kylie

 

 

 

Kids and Stairs

I don’t know what it is about kids and stairs. The Kilmer kids love their new home and especially the stairs leading up to their room.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Michele wants to take a picture of the kids like this each year as they grow.

Kylie sporting pigtails

Saluting our Veterans

I just spent an enjoyable morning with our Robinson Avenue Seniors ministry.  Today was devoting to honoring our veterans. Harry Fitgerald did a wonderful job of putting together an interesting and informative slate of activities and speakers.

Charles Coward spoke about the Glory Flight that he and Lee Pense were recently apart of. Each year Wal-Mart and Tyson sponsor a trip to Washington D.C. for a group of Northwest Arkansas vets. This years group was able to go and see the WWII Monument and other points of interest in D.C. Charles shared a series of pictures that his daughter Marsha took during the trip.

I was especially interested in listening to and visiting with Carlos Reyes; he is a former major in the U.S. Army who participated in Operation Desert Storm. Major Reyes is also a native of Santiago, Chile. He was converted in the 1950’s when Evert Picatz was a missionary to Chile. I enjoyed sharing with him some of my experiences in his home country.

 

 

 

Spirit Filled

“I’M LOOKING FOR A SPIRIT-FILLED CHURCH! THIS ISN’T A SPIRIT FILLED CHURCH!” Those were the agitated words of a first-time visitor to one of our Sunday morning assemblies in Chile. I had only asked for her name - instead I got  an ear-full of disappointment.

I understood the source of her disappointment. The Pentecostal movement has spread like wildfire throughout South America; she had seen our church building and assumed it to be another gathering of those who come together to experience  miraculous manifestations of the Spirit. During our assembly no one spoke in tongues, no one was healed and no visible miracles were witnessed.

I tried to explain to her that I had seen plenty of evidence of the Sprit’s presence during our time together: Jesus was worshipped as Lord, hearts were stirred, and we were in the company of Christians whose lives were characterized by the Spirit’s fruit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

I too want to worship with a Spirit-filled church. Truth be told, I feel more sorry for those who deny the Spirit’s presence altogether than I do for those like that sincere first-time visitor who get  too caught up in dramatic manifestations of the Holy Spirit’s presence.  I’ve heard some make the claim that the Spirit doesn’t actually indwell God’s people and that a to be “filled with the Spirit” is just another way of saying “be filled with the Word of God”.

The Indwelling Spirit is a present reality for God’s people!

Look at what the Bible says:

• Ezekiel 36:27 “And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.”
• 2 Tim. 1:14 “Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you – guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.“
• I Cor. 6:19 “Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God.”
• Acts 2:38 “Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’”

I’m thankful for the power provided by the Spirit! Ministering power is provided through spiritual gifts given to individuals for the collective good; moral power enables us to obey God’s commands and live godly lives.

“Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” Gal 5:25

 

 

Missionaries, Disciples, World Changers

I’m reading some interesting thoughts from Leonard Sweet’s book So Beautiful. He begins with an appeal for churches to stop practicing APC Christianity (Attractional, Propositional, Colonial) and start practicing MRI Christianity (Missional, Relational, Incarnational).

An attractional approach to ministry is basically one that says to the world: “You come to us. We’ll host a meeting, a seminar, or a friends day that we want you to attend.” I’m not ready to throw out the attractional approach baby with the bathwater. I still believe there is value in providing opportunities for outsiders to come hear the Gospel and be introduced to God’s people. But we must also be missional in our approach.

A missional approach to ministry is one that says to the world: “We’ll bring Jesus to you through our lives and deeds.” Jesus said to the apostles: “As my Father sent me, I am sending you.”  Jesus wants/expects us to be missional in our approach to ministry.

Sweet further argues that MRI Christianity leads to a different result than APC Christianity:

APC Creates                                      MRI Creates

A     Members                                      M     Missionaries

P     Believers                                       R     Disciples

C     Consumers                                   I      World Changers

 

 

Picture This

We’ve finally gotten around to uploading pictures from the last couple of weeks. Here are some of our “transition time” pictures.

Loading the trailer in Sulphur Springs

Wed ladies class at League St

Halloween night in Springdale

Kylie and Bubba in our new home

First Week

Its been a wonderful first week in Springdale.

Sunday was a blessing. It felt good to begin the process of getting to know our new family at Robinson Avenue. Everyone was so gracious and welcoming. The only negative about the day was that Kylie wasn’t able to be with us; she got sick over the weekend and ended up staying home with Nana on Sunday morning. Clay began feeling a little sick during the morning assembly so Michele stayed home with all three kids on Sunday night.

My sermon texts Sunday morning were Acts 1:8 and Acts 10:36-43; I preached about Starting from Center  (listen here) geographically and theologically. Just as the book of Acts demonstrates the expansion of the Gospel from Jerusalem to the “ends of the earth” our prayer is that Springdale will be a starting point for the message of Jesus to radiate out in ever-expanding, ever-widening circles. The message that needs to be shared is “the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all” (Acts 10:36).

It’s exciting to already be witnessing the enthusiasm of church members who have a heart for sharing the message of Jesus. I’m fired up about the future here in NW Arkansas.

The kids are doing great with their adjustments. Clay and McKenzie are in school today for the third day; they love their teachers and classmates and Hunt seems to be a terrific school. McKenzie was already asked to be some boy’s girlfriend; wisely she declined and told him she would be his friend. That’s my girl! Clay came home excited that the school library had the new Captain Underpants book (whatever happened to superheros like Superman and Batman?).

If any of our kids is struggling to adjust, surprisingly, its Kylie. Of course getting sick didn’t help but she hasn’t been herself since we arrived. She is fussy all the time. We know she’ll adjust soon.

Once we locate all of our computer cords and cables I’ll try to post some pictures of the kids here in Springdale.

How Much Junk Do We Own?

I’m tired of boxes. It seems that every time we unpack a box four or five more appear out of nowhere. Right now, I’m sitting in my new office (no internet access at home yet) and even here I’m surrounded by unpacked boxes.

We’ve been tremendously blessed by our new church family here. There was a big crew at the house on Tuesday morning when we arrived. They unloaded the truck, assembled beds and furniture, and connected appliances. Also, lots of individuals came by with food – we still have a fridge full of really delicious dishes and snacks.

The kids joined us here yesterday after spending the first part of the week with Aunt Lynn. They had a great time and it was great for us to have time to prepare the house for their arrival. We’re so glad to all be back together now and start this journey together.

We’re really looking forward to this Sunday and the start of our new ministry here! Thanks for all of your prayers!

We have arrived

I don’t know how coherent this post will be – I’m so tired I can’t see straight. Its 6:23am Tueday morning. We arrived in Springdale about 12 hours ago.

Sunday was an emotional day but we held it together pretty well. At League Street so many kind words were spoken and we received some wonderful (and thoughful) gifts. We’re so thankful to God for the wonderful life-long friends we have made and how God has blessed us through our association with League Street.

We packed up the truck yesterday morning. Dwain Horner is moving us. Our crew at the house to help us load included Bill Grant, Clay Price, Butch Smith, Mark Bell, James Blair, Sean Sartain, Ray Boatright, Chuck Lawrence and David Bragg. It meant alot that those guys came to lend a hand. A few of them have bad backs and hips and probably shouldn’t have been there.

In a couple hours we’ll meet Dwain at our house on Rock Springs here in Springdale. There will be a crew of our new brothers and sisters from Robinson Avenue to help us unload. We’re looking forward to bonding with them as start to get the house in order.

‘More later.

 

Pack, Party, Pack, Party…

Our last week in Sulphur Springs is turning into an interesting balance of packing our belongings and getting together with friends.

Today is Michele’s Birthday. I’m home with the kids while she is “out on the town” with some of her church friends. I should have given her a curfew but I didn’t

Me and the Birthday Girl

The kids had a big day yesterday. Wateroak Elementary held a going away party for Clay and McKenzie.  We’ve been really blessed having them in Wateroak with such quality teachers who care.

 

McKenzie and Mrs. Berning

 

Patrick hosted the kids surprise party

Last night at church Clay, McKenzie and Kylie were all given a going away party by Patrick, Bevin and the elementary Bible class teachers. It was so nice of them to do something special for the kids. One of the things that Michele and I have appreciated most about living here has been how much the League Street congregation loves our children. All three of the kids love to go to church because they feel loved by everyone.

 

Kylie wasn't forgotten

Now if Michele gets home at a decent hour we’ll get back to that packing…