Sonnet XIII

On The American Election 2008 - A Sonnet To My King
By Jonathan D. Eller

My God, Your wisdom far exceeds my own,
And I draw comfort from this very thing.
For by Your great omnipotence You've shown
That You determine president and king.
Yes, You know all men's hearts - this fact is true -
And render unto them a payment just,
Rewarding men and nations what is due.
Lord, in Your goodness I have learned to trust.
Your discipline is sorrowful for sure -
Your wrath and blows seem ever so severe -
But chastisement is sent to make us pure,
And by its cleansing helps us to draw near.
My God, this nation's nothing without Thee.
Please cleanse our hearts and truly make us free.

November 5, 2008

Sonnet XII

My God – A Sonnet To My King
By Jonathan D. Eller

My God, My God, who loves as well as You?
Your patience is more broad than all You’ve made,
And though all men are false your word proves true.
Your promises, vast as the stars arrayed,
Speak goodness, love, and mercy without end.
Your power stuns my intellect and yet,
The helpless and downtrodden You defend.
Your heart’s inclined to forgive and forget
The sins confessed by children penitent.
But anger flares towards those who mock Your path
And scorn Your truth with actions insolent.
They, sowing foolish seed, invite Your wrath.
Lord, let Your kindness cause them to repent.
Please draw them to the Holy Lamb You sent.

October 27, 2008

Undone

I was utterly undone by this song this morning.

Sonnet VII

My Treasure – A Sonnet To My King
By Jonathan D. Eller

Oh Lord, how sweet Your presence is to me.
Its worth exceeds by far the whole earth’s gold!
And yet I find sometimes I run from Thee
To cherish something not worth laying hold.
A foolish man I am, and there’s no doubt
To think that the created may compare
To He who made and stretched the heavens out
And notes each fallen sparrow’s end with care.
Yes, fool was I to choose something ‘fore Thee
When lovingly You wanted me to wrap
Up tightly warm within Your arms safely
And snuggle there with You upon Your lap.
“My son if you into My arms will fly
Your joy will grow as each new day draws nigh.”

October 14, 2008

Fearfully And Wonderfully Made

You can see a picture of the molecule over at Deborah's blog, Thoughts Along The Way. That's where I found the video.

Taking Love Up A Notch

Today's post at Our Daily Blog went right along with something else that I read today. How interesting it is that such a coincidence should occur.

The morning after Korah's rebellion, a large mob of Israelites formed around the Tent of Meeting. The mob called for retribution against Moses and Aaron because of their role in God's judgment of that rebellion. As the cloud of God’s presence enveloped the Tent of Meeting, Moses could already feel God’s growing wrath.

The moment he and Aaron fell on their faces, a terrible plague began....

...Even though the Israelites had come to threaten them and possibly kill them, Moses and Aaron were still willing to risk their lives to save them. It should be no different in our lives; no matter how obnoxiously people treat us, or how threatened we are by their actions, we must be willing to call out for their salvation and deliverance in prayer.

This is also true when it comes to the sins and wickedness influencing the very life of our own nations today. For example, my personal aversion to homosexuality and other forms of perversion must not stop me from praying and crying out for those bound by these terrible sins.

At times, like Aaron, you and I may even be called to stand between the living and the dead. That’s right, God may even call you to personally reach out to the very people you have been praying for from a distance.

Whether it is someone bound in a homosexual lifestyle or a person addicted to some illegal substance, God may need your actions as much as He needs your prayers....

...Today, the Holy Spirit is calling you afresh. He is calling you out of your comfort zone into a place of service which will change both your heart and the hearts of those around you.

- Jim Laffoon @ Our Daily Blog

The post is really excellent. It would be worth reading in its entirety.

Today I also read about a new ministry that is encouraging Christians to "Adopt A Terrorist" on the Presidential Prayer Team website .

A new web-based ministry is urging Christians to adopt a terrorist and pray for them as Jesus Christ had instructed his disciples to love and pray for their enemies.

Adopt a Terrorist for Prayer (ATFP) agrees that the military needs to fight terrorism, but advocates prayer as a counter-offensive strategy not utilized by generals and politicians. ATFP founder Dr. Thomas Bruce believes the war on terrorism is a spiritual struggle against fear.

“The terrorists are just the highest profile intimidators in Satan's arsenal,” Bruce said in a released statement. “They think they are serving God.”

You should really check out that article as well. I believe that Dr. Bruce offers some relevant insights that I won't be covering in this post.

It is so easy to get locked into an "us against them" mentality. It is pervasive in American culture. Heck, my other blog is even named "Xs and Os!" And truly this has been my default setting when it comes to people that I perceive to be opposing me in some way. I can't say that I am beyond responding this way, but God has been working in my heart to teach me to take a more diplomatic tone with people who disagree with my position on things.

It is our job to show love to our neighbors and even our enemies by serving them when we can (individually) and by praying for them. In many of the cases already identified in this post the eternal destination of our enemies is at stake. If we really understand how horrible hell is, we shouldn't desire that anyone go there. Perhaps our prayers can avert that terrible end for even our enemies.

Wonderful News!

OK, this is a little late, but I figure better late than never. I got some great news from Luke D a former member at StillWaters about the medical condition of his son, Josh. Some of you may remember that Josh nearly died several times as a result of complications from a surgery that he had. It was really touch and go there for quite a while. I'll let Luke give you the details:

Just so you know the context...
Many doctors said Josh might not eat by mouth again.
Josh ate solid food at Thanksgiving.
Some doctors said Josh would not get off the vent.
Josh hasn't used the vent since December 21st.
One PICU doctor raised questions about Josh's future "quality of life" and suggested that we just take Josh home and "let nature take its course".
We know that God determines what Josh's life will be, and because He loves Josh, we can rest in that hope.
Virtually all the doctors (except pulmonology) said he'd never get rid of the trach.
(You know where this is headed...)
TODAY DR. SIMPSER REMOVED JOSH'S TRACH!

Out it came, and Josh continued breathing normally! In fact, he has not had to be suctioned once since the trach's removal at 2:15 pm EDT! He is on his bipap now sleeping comfortably and enjoying this new turn of events. We will change the gauze over the small hole in his neck tomorrow, and the hole should be half the size then. It should close off completely in a bit and all that will be left is a slight scar.

There is still more to be done in terms of Josh's strength and speech, but therapy is dealing with that. This trach issue has long been viewed by Josh as the summit of the mountain he needed to climb. For some time, he has expressed that he will be "normal" when he gets the trach out. No matter how much encouragement and prayer we have given him, he still has struggled with his image. Since mid-afternoon today, Josh has been positively glowing.

Josh's life and successful independence from the trach is testimony to God's faithfulness and the efficacy of prayer. Perhaps you are facing a huge challenge that is causing you to doubt God's goodness and His care for you, but let this story encourage you that God loves YOU and is working for YOUR good. Don't give up - even when the "experts" (like the "doctor" that thought they should just stop wasting resources on Josh and let him die) tell you there is no hope. With God there is always hope. NOTHING is too hard for our God.

That certainly doesn't mean that the road won't be difficult. If you knew the whole story behind this wonderful report, you would know that there were some very dark days and some heart-wrenching cries to God, questioning how He could allow this to happen. You would realize that there were excruciating weeks spent in hospitals where there was little hope offered and exhausting hours spent caring for this brave little soldier.

But God has come through! Take Him at His word when He says, "For I know the plans that I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope."

Facing the Flood

The moment you have victory over temptation in one area of your life, you will immediately be assaulted in another area. When you find yourself under the relentless attacks of the enemy, it is critical that you do not lose your perspective.

In my own life, I have discovered that this level of warfare is normally a signal that I am approaching a unique time of spiritual breakthrough or transition.

... many times God does His greatest work at the darkest moments in our lives. Whether it is Joseph going from the prison to the palace, or Paul and Silas experiencing the power of God after they had been beaten and put in prison (Acts 16:16-40), God delights in displaying His power in the weakest moments of our lives.

- Jim Laffoon @ Our Daily Blog

Worth Millions in Baseball

In recent days a sports-related item has made the leap to the news pages of papers all across America, and I suspect, Japan. One Mr. Alex Rodriguez has signed a ten-year deal to play (may I stress that a moment?) PLAY baseball for the New York Yankees in return for a mere $305 million dollars. Uh huh, the Steinbrenner boys are willing to shake on this one.

I am a baseball fan.
(except for the five years following the strike in the Nineties)
I am a staunch free-market Capitalist.
("Yeah!" Founding Financial Fathers)
I am more than a little surprised, and scary jealous.

What if I had actually kept playing the game into my adulthood? What might have been the career outcome of my dedication to the art and science of America's pastime? What makes A-Rod worth more per minute than THOUSANDS of teachers... first-responders... single Moms... pastors... and almost everybody else besides plumbers, Union Sanitation Engineers, or global warming-gurus? (Trust me on that last one, friends.)

305 Million U.S. Dollars for ten years comes out to exactly $3,481.73 per hour. That's almost 3500 bucks for every hour Mr Rodriguez breathes for the next 120 months. Asleep. Awake. Visiting friends in the Dominican Republic. All the time. "Ca-Ching!"

Here is a snippet of info from Wikipedia regarding said, A-Rod, "Since 1996 (his first full season) through 2007 he leads the Major Leagues in home runs (HR), runs scored, runs batted in (RBI), total bases and extra-base hits. Of all players in baseball history at age 31, he is first all-time in HR, runs scored and total bases; second in extra base hits and RBI, and 4th in hits. To this point in his career Rodriguez has more HR, RBI, runs scored and more base hits than all-time leaders Hank Aaron (RBI), Barry Bonds (HR), Rickey Henderson (runs scored), and Pete Rose (hits) did prior to their 31st birthdays."

Well, more power to him (since he already has everything else).

Makes me think of other ball players in the "Bigs" who can cash large checks for hitting the ball once every three times they are at bat. Millions. Batting .333 is considered something of the "gold standard" for hitters in the Major Leagues. Did you hear me, MILLIONS for doing something one third of the time your employer / spouse / girlfriend / mother expects you to. Seems like good work if you can get it. Oh, and you get to guest-star on scores of TV shows, too. Then there is the whole "endorsement" genre of stealing, uh, making millions more for eating a certain kind of peanut butter, or smiling as an announcer declares that "A-Rod wears only bio-degradable cleats from Green Weenies Shoes."

One-out-of-three is good, huh?
Well then, the parties StillWaters hosted last evening in Salisbury and Mooresville were hugely successful because over a third of the folks invited from the neighborhoods actually attended! Add to that the many folks who served and supported the outreach events and you are up into the platinum strata of performance. Woo Hoo! Yeah God.

Join everyone who cares about the spiritual and community health of our neighbors by praying for some lasting benefit from the dual events. The intention of each of the hosts and helpers last night was that relationships may be developed and deepened in order that Jesus the Christ might be known and followed by LOTS more of the people near us where we live. Perhaps, due in no small measure to the selfless efforts and prayers of so many StillWaters families, some folks may come to a saving knowledge of the Son of God in the days ahead. What an honor to lift us His Name at this time of the year when He is almost forgotten by the larger community in America, and elsewhere, as shopping and celebrating avarice and excess is rampant.

Gentle reminder people of the world, "It's CHRIST-mas."
Enough said.

This year I will not be buying presents in the volume, at the rate, or to the expense of years gone by. Finances play their part in the decision Carol and I have made, but even more important is the notion of making a difference (for good) in the lives of the folks around us. We hope your hearts are full this Christmas, dear friends. Your participation in the Kirker and StillWater families has certainly caused ours to overflow. Thank you... really.

While Mr. Alex Rodriguez EARNS just under one dollar per second for the next 315,360,000 seconds (no, I am not bitter...) the rest of us Christians may take comfort in the fact that every one of those dollars will remain on earth till they burn, while our redeemed spirits will soar to the heavens to dwell with Jesus in Paradise eternally when we leave this tired old planet.

So, my advice to you is this, "trust in the Lord Jesus Christ and be saved! You and your household."

Oh, and also teach your sons how to throw a baseball 60.5 feet left-handed at about 100 mph.

Both of these are excellent retirement programs.

Like you, I don't think $305 million dollars would change me.

Right.

Funny How Things Work Out

The joint Thanksgiving service at Back Creek Presbyterian Sunday night was once again thoroughly enjoyable. The church building itself is 150 years old this year and the church has been there for over 200 years. The building is beautiful, but the church is far better still!

It is funny, though, how insular we are even as brothers and sisters in Christ. At the start of the service we had to be desegregated from our individual congregations. Self-consciously, we had huddled in our little familiar groups. I am glad Pastor Thrailkill had the courage to shake things up a little at the beginning of the service and force us to mingle. In fact, he did it again right before the fellowship, challenging each of us to sit at a table with someone who wasn't from our church. I met some wonderful people as a result - people that I'll look forward to seeing again. Once again it was proved that we (Christians) ARE all family.

The text for the sermon Sunday night was Psalm 118. It begins and ends, "Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His love endures forever." What a great place to begin our meditation during this Thanksgiving holiday! It must have been on the Lord's mind, for in my daily Psalm reading in the One Year Bible the past two days has been in Psalm 118. Funny, huh? I wonder if He is trying to tell me something?

Well, seeing how God seems to be speaking this Psalm to His people right now (or at least to me), I plan to make it my meditation this week. I pray that God will help you to reflect on all of the things that you have to be thankful for in the midst of all of the holiday's chaos. Have a wonderful, blessed day of Thanksgiving.

Reformation Day 2007

History was made today.
In some ways, history began today.
Some of us will never forget today.

While fully expecting to post a message about our 490 years of Protestant heritage since Brother Martin Luther posted those historic "95 Theses" on the door of Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany on this date in 1517, I must defer to a more timely and ultimately more important event which occurred this very day.

It seems that another was even MORE fully expecting!
In Salisbury, North Carolina, at precisely 10:45 am Eastern Time, within the comfortable confines of the Rowan Regional Medical Center, a marvelous arrival was heralded as LYDIA MARIE VRIESEMA was welcomed into the arms and lives of her delighted, humbled, and pretty much exhausted parents, Katherine and Chad. These three along with the staff in the birthing suite pulled an "all-niter" as the labor progressed for almost twelve hours. All are doing well. Amen.

The Numbers.
First child of Katherine & Chad Vriesema.
Weight: 8 pounds.
Length: 20 inches.
Future: eternal.

That's a pretty grand miracle to be wrapped in so diminutive a package! She is a series of miracles, really. Every child is. Your parents thought the same of you all those years ago. At least, I hope they did, because they would have been right.

Before Lydia moved into her third hour of brighter light, louder sounds, and breathing air I was afforded the memorable privilege of holding this perfect angel in my arms. Thank you, Katherine and Chad, I shall never forget the honor or the awe I experienced when you placed the mother of your grandchildren into my ready hands today. Okay, that may seem like I am rushing things a good bit.

Nevertheless, Lydia is tangible evidence that our Creator God is exceedingly loving towards His people, as He has entrusted the care and nurture of this precious little one primarily to Katherine and Chad, yet additionally to her extended family, and her extended faith family as well. We are ready. We are eager. We are able to assist loving and shaping her in the years ahead because Christ has placed within us the desire and granted the permission to love her in His name.

I could not help myself from singing a phrase or two of "Jesus Loves YOU" as she peacefully looked up at me. If memory serves, I also said something like this to Katherine, "Perfect! Beautiful! And so is your daughter!"

Prior to holding her, with the proud Papa and maternal Grandmother along side, I watched through the Newborn Nursery glass as Lydia passed all her neonatal tests with flying colors, and donned her very first piece of clothing, a fairly sporty and casual tiny tee shirt, followed quickly by a hand-knitted pink cap made especially for her. Not surprisingly, both were perfect fits.

Okay, StillWaters, let's allow the Vriesema family to establish their own "normal" routine before we inundate them with our presence and our presents. They all need their rest right now, and for the foreseeable future. Each of us wants to be, and will offer to be available to help in various ways, no doubt, so let's be sensitive to their needs, wants and desires now. Sandy, Katherine's mother, is here from Durham until next Tuesday, so let's coordinate with her on things such as meals and helps of all kinds, including visits simply to see the baby.

Nearly five hundred years ago today the spiritual world was influenced for change by an event which would reverberate throughout human history forever onward. Today in Salisbury, North Carolina the lives of the Vriesema family members were forever changed for the better, too. A covenant child birthed on Reformation Day -- how memorably wonderful. And, while the Reformation teachings will fade away when time and space are concluded on this old earth, Lydia will continue in her eternal spirit in paradise for all eternity! (Told you this was a more ultimately important event.) What an honor to pronounce the first benediction over her, knowing that our Lord will continue the choruses of blessing and joy over her for eternity. His song is already resounding through the halls of heaven over Lydia. (Zephaniah 3:17)

Welcome Baby Lydia.
Well done Katherine (and Chad, too).
We worship You, oh God, for this marvelous gift.

History was made today.
History began today for the "Three Vriesemas." We will never forget.
God's best to you, dear ones. . . is that the sound of baahing from a new sheep I hear?

A Message From The Word (and the Administrator)

"I am going fishing."

The Same Yesterday, Today, and Forever!

Here is a great link to a video about a Muslim Imam who had a "road to Damascus" experience and gave his life to the Lord!

Muhammed's Story

How exciting to know that God didn't and doesn't limit His exploits to the ones we have read about in the Bible! He truly is the same yesterday today and forever! We don't follow a dead religion or a guidebook of dos and don'ts. We serve the Living God who created all things! Can we believe Him to do exploits through US?

Quote Of The Day

If we believe the Lord is sovereign, as I firmly do, then perhaps hardships are meant to expose His acceptance. If we never face rejection, then we never truly know what we have in His acceptance. I know of His love and acceptance and it is sweet. Once you let Him in those areas of hurt and rejection, man's approval is dull and not worth the pursuit.

- Deborah @ Thoughts Along The Way

Quote of The Day

People all around us are dry and parched -- craving to be "rained" on by His presence. The Lord blesses us with daily opportunities to join Him in "raining on people" the truth of His existence. He so deeply wants us to pass on the joy, peace, love, etc. we find only in Him to those people who don't even have a clue what it is that they are missing!

-Deborah @ Thoughts Along The Way

A Message From The Skipper

Dear Friends

"Even now, declares the Lord, return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning. Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity." Joel 2:13 NIV

The God of grace is the God of your reality.
The Lord of glory is the Lord of your heart and spirit.
The King of Kings and Lord of Lords is your strength and help.

That is why He is so approachable, even though He is holy and sovereign. It is His desire that each of us have our heart's desire to delight in Him. It is my heart's desire to be a leader among many who do exactly that... daily.

This Sunday morning and evening should prove to be important in our corporate life as a congregation after God's own heart.

I will make my plea here: please join the gatherings on Sunday as they may well set the course for our immediate and longer range future as an extended family of faith. It is important to me, and I hope you will join me and Carol, and the rest on Sunday.

Worship gathering at KidSports 10:30 am,
"What Happened to THEM?"

Oasis Diner at Kirker home 5:30 pm,
"Christmas in October" - Carol is roasting Turkey and you may bring all the trimmin's! Rick and I will present some of the opportunities relating to parties in the months to come.

God's best to you, now and always,
Cameron
Romans 1:16,17

Why The Name "Conspiracy Of Kindness"?

So, perhaps you are wondering about this unusual name, "Conspiracy of Kindness." What does it mean? Why did you pick this for the name of the blog for Stillwaters church?

Well, there are a couple of different reasons. I had originally thought to name the blog Philadelphia, after the church mentioned in the book Revelation, because the name "city of brotherly love" matched the mission that our church has identified here in Salisbury. I also liked the message that Jesus gave to the church at Philadelphia. However, and not unexpectedly, the address that would have contained simply "Philadelphia" was already taken.

As I was pondering another name that would convey what we believe that we are supposed to be doing, I thought of Steve Sjogren's book Conspiracy of Kindness. Here is a picture of the book with a link to Amazon:


I don't remember where I discovered this book, but when I read it, I was totally captivated by a church's plan to show the love of Jesus to Cincinnati, OH with no strings attached. They were going to follow their plan with no hidden agendas. If no one came to their church it was OK. If they didn't see anyone get saved as a result of their outreach that was OK too. They were going to intentionally continue to share the love of Jesus with the people of Cincinnati in practical ways regardless of the outcome.

They call it "Servant Evangelism" because their modus operandi is to do practical things to let people know that Jesus loves them. The first project that they came up with was to go door to door in downtown Cincinnati and offer to wash the businesses' toilets for free "to show them God's love in a practical way." The effect was electric. Not everyone would allow them to serve them, but it sure got people talking.

As they expanded their program, not everyone got saved. Not everyone came to their church. But because they had been laboring, many people (even some that they hadn't served) DID get saved. Many people DID come to their church (although many of them had never been served by them.) And the city of Cincinnati became a much friendlier place.

Ever since I have read this book, I have been convinced that its methodologies are worth emulating. What better way to be relevant to the society in which we live? What better way to help people understand who Jesus is and what He is about than by trading words for action?

The beauty of Servant Evangelism is that it doesn't require a head full of theology to be effective. Even the newest believer can be involved in it. Even the most shy can be a servant evangelist. Oftentimes, the people that are being served don't even know that something has been done for them until long after the person serving them has left, but the effectiveness is not lessened one iota by the lack of direct contact.

There is also a serendipitous benefit that derives to the one doing the Servant Evangelism: their courage and boldness to actually talk to others about the gospel is increased.

So, in the near future you will be hearing about plans for Stillwaters to "Show God's love in a practical way." One is in the works right now. Start thinking of ways to serve your neighbors. How would you like to be served? What would make your day if someone did it for you out of the blue? With a little planning, a little work, and a little money we will see our city transformed by the love of Jesus demonstrated through our hands.

Fear Or Faith?

"No matter how wonderfully you have built your life, sooner or later, you will face a situation that forces you to choose between faith and fear. It is in these moments that the very foundations of our lives are revealed."
-Jim Laffoon @ Our Daily Blog

Just go ahead and click here and read the whole article. Excellent, excellent, excellent.

This devotion sums up what I have been learning for the past 8 and a half months in the crucible. (...Make that the past 20 years in the crucible...)

Are we doing the things that we do out of fear or out of faith? Is our "wisdom" really fear disguised as wisdom or is it real godly wisdom? I submit that we are hounded by fear more than we have been willing to admit. There is a full post coming soon that will deal with the subject of fear. In the meantime, let my old friend Jim Laffoon open your eyes to something you may have not seen before.

Happy Birthday!

I woke up this morning to discover that I had been given the most wonderful birthday present that I could imagine! And it came from someone who rarely packages gifts for special days. That isn't to say that this person is not generous - just the opposite. He gives gifts to everyone every day. He is so generous that we often take His gifts for granted.

This morning I woke up to discover that God gave me rain for my birthday!

I have been begging for rain for the past few weeks. And I begged in earnest yesterday. But God made the rain wait for my birthday. I had even said earlier this week that that would be the best birthday present ever! What an old softie!

Jesus loves me
This I know
For the Bible
Tells me so.
Little ones
To Him belong;
They are weak,
But He is strong.
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
The Bible tells me so.