Running to the Darkness

Ashes to Ashes Dust to Dust

As odd as it may seem, it is my pleasure to walk with people through the death of their loved ones. To me it is an incredible honor and literally the last thing that I can do for the one who has gone ahead of us. I love to serve them and their families.

Although painful to witness and difficult to watch it is fascinating to experience these sacred times with people! Each experience is unique!

Truly, nothing gives me greater perspective or awareness of our need for grace from one another and from God then the days, hours leading up to and immediatley following the literal passing from this life into the next. And we are only allowed up to the doorway. We truly cannot go with them. It does not matter how much we love them, how old or how young they are or how much they want us to go or we want to go with them. They alone walk through to the other side.

I think that that is the hardest thing for us as families as loved ones--the actual separation between us and them. It is a hard line--no one can cross it--no matter how rich or poor or how much influence or affluence we possess. When the time comes we are separated.

I believe God understands and knows all about our pain of separation. It is what He dreads for us. It is what He hates for us, if we don't choose Him and the gift of eternal life. It is what makes us cry our eyes out after our loved one is gone.

I love the new perspective Ecclesiasates 3:11 (NKJV) says... Also He has put eternity in their hearts...God created us to live forever. We were made for that. Anything less than that feels wrong. He made us to share love. Death and dying separate us from our loved ones and put an end to our existence here so it is painful for us...here. So we grieve! 

God understands. He SENT HIS Son, HIS ONE and ONLY Son purposely to die! When we encounter death generally it is unexpected and unwanted and seems anything but purposeful. But God willing gave His Son up and chose separation from Him that there might be a way made for us to live forever with Him and our loved ones in heaven!

That gives me hope! That enables me to be encouraged and to encourage others that we may grieve at the death and separation of our loved ones but we do not grieve without hope! Because of His provision we can be with Him this very day in Paradise!

That is why today when I walk with this family through the ceremony, celebration and ritual of saying goodbyes to their beloved husband, father, brother, uncle, son...I can be encouraged because it isn't forever! There is more to life than this!

In a few hours family and friends say, Goodbye to Charles Lewis Hunt. The   family grieves the loss of a husband, father, brother, uncle, friend, here today but have hope of seeing him in heaven.

Memories Memorial Day Weekend

Spent some of the day cleaning out closets, making room for Gary's parents. I dug into Kristen's closet in her old room and found some interesting leftovers amongst a  tub of clothes...her first jewelry box with a dancing ballerina in a pink tootoo, the button nose from her favorite teddy bear, her stamp collection from her Grandpa and Great Uncle, a case of barrettes, hair ties and headbands, postcards from all over the world...one from Hong Kong before she ever went. The note from her Dad, prophetic saying, I wish you were here. Let's make a date for next year. 

It was fitting to discover among Kristen's high school papers her written account of May 21, 1988, the day her baby sister, Megan died.

Memorial Day has been a day of remembering those who have died since I was a young girl. I often had the opportunity to travel to a variety of old fashioned cemeteries down in the hollers of Kentucky. My grandmother always wanted to visit the sites where her husbands, babies and other loved ones' bodies rested. I liked to go places so I was allowed to accompany her.And, yes, I know it is only their shells. There is nothing like seeing the lifeless body of someone you love to convince you that life is not in the body but the spirit. However, it was the form that you knew that you loved: the hand that you held the cheek that you stroked, the feet that you bathed, the lips that you kissed, the arm that you squeezed...yes, it is appropriate to miss the physical body and presence of a loved one even when we know that their spirit, the real being, still exits in a new home of heaven.

So we will always remember the Memorial Day weekend that we spent preparing to leave the body of our youngest in a place called Babyland that was really not for real babies but the sweet precious bodies of those tiniest ones who have gone somewhere that we can't go...yet.

But there will be a day...a glorious day when there will be no more crying, no more dying, no more remembering because we will be in the presence of those we love forever! Heaven is our real home! There will be no cemeteries there! Hallelujah!

 

What If...The Church Acted Justly Loved Mercy and Walked Humbly

Love What if THE CHURCH worshipped together, prayed together and served together? What if the world could see that we not only loved God, them and each other? 

Last year three pastors in the greater Kansas City metro area began to wonder, what if the church collaborated and demonstrated to the world a love for one another and their communities? So they devised a plan to rotate sharing the Sunday morning message in one another's churches, sharing a common worship experience, prayer experience and serving together! They called it, What If The Church and it was a great experience to raise awareness and broaden the perspective of Christ's Body, THE CHURCH! So they decided to invite nine other churches to participate this year. So this morning Dan Deeble, pastor of Heartland Community Church shared the message, What If The Church Loved Mercy while Pastor Gary Kendall  rotated to share, What If The Church Acted Justly at Hillcrest Covenant Church.

About 60 people filled the 8:00 a.m. service but the house was packed for the following two services and they couldn't have been a warmer crowd, literally and figuratively as their air conditioning was out! We made lots of good connections and were delighted to be a part of THE BODY of Christ! What fun to be THE CHURCH!

Now headed to Indian Creek Community to get to hear Dan Deeble's message, Love Mercy,  and connect with the people! We always miss Indian Creek the Olathe campus when we are away! But good to know God is God and we are all apart of HIs larger body! 

 

Drag People to Hell? Over My Dead Body!

This is so wierd! I posted this blog on Wednesday morning, inspired and pumped and it disappeared! A couple of people read it so I know I wasn't dreaming! I know that our battle is not with flesh and blood but principalities! But we don't have to be afraid because we know who wins!

I won't even put the link to the horror movie that is out that has the same name as the first of this title but it certainly inspired me to engage in this spiritual battle. I really don't believe that it is a coincidence that this week is the 10 days of Prayer leading up to the GLOBAL DAY OF PRAYER! I believe it is a strategy! This is a worldwide event and yet we hear nothing in the news or elsewhere!

  

The enemy has pulled out all the stops in trying to take The Church (including Indian Creek) down! Well, he loses! He has attacked our family personally from the beginning! He has attacked the families of the church personally! He has attacked the people, their children and now he is trying to tear it apart limb by limb (leader by leader) and he is NOT going to win! Even if he tears it apart and even if it is dead, our God can breathe life into dry bones and resurrect dead things! So what are we afraid of! We don’t have to be afraid, the LORD God Almighty Himself, Creator of the universe is WITH US!! And even if the worst thing we can think of happens to us, He is still WITH US!! He is still our God and we are still His people!

I believe God is raising up a people for Himself at Indian Creek! I believe that we are maturing in Him! And I do believe that the very gates of hell will not prevail against The Church!! One plus one plus one is indeed a mystery!!!! But the cord of three strands is not easily broken! God is on our side and we are on the same side! Let’s go for it! The stakes are high and we have nothing to lose!!!! And everything to gain!

 

Thanks for standing in the gap for so many who can’t stand! I am eternally grateful for the prayer ministry at Indian Creek and it is high time I took my stand on the wall as well! So I am all in! I will not let the enemy drag any more to hell on my watch!!!!

 

God will prevail over all!! And even what the enemy has meant for our destruction, (like King Xerxes’ decree to annihilate the Jews) God CAN and WILL use for our good and HIS GLORY!!

Stand strong on the wall today! I’ve got your back! And Christ has all of ours! Not by power or our might but by His Spirit, His Church will prevail!!

Let's spend Memorial Day weekend remembering The One who died for us all!

We Remember and Never Will Forget

Today I have already received a tweet from my youngest son, Luke, remembering that today is the 20th Anniversary of the death of his little sister, Megan. Megan, the one who evened out the boys and girls ratio in our family. Megan, the one who completed our tribe. Megan, the one who made us laugh at her endeavor to keep up with her sister and brothers. Megan, the one they all adored! Megan, the one who took Luke's place as the "baby of the family" and then relinquished it with beating him to heaven.

The first shall be last in heaven. We used to tell our kids that when they were fighting over who would be first in anything. Then Megan, our last born, proved it by finishing here ahead of all of us! Megan was a bright light when we were in the dark. She was a hilarious moment when we were taking ourselves too seriously. She was a joy for me as I relaxed into motherhood and let myself enjoy it! She was a love and character at church stealing everyone's heart but only having eyes for the men!  

Yesterday we received a note from my siblings saying that they remembered us and Megan and wanted to honor her by contributing to our favorite ministry. Really sweet to know that others remember. Thanks! We love you all and know you grieve her death as well.

A couple of nights ago I spent an hour or more on Mary Beth Chapman's Facebook reading about her memories of Maria and the tragic accident of her death in their very own driveway by her own son. My mother's heart ached as I knew we now shared a date of dread and sweetness because of the death of a loved one on this day.

So thankful for the place of peace where Kristen rests today. I celebrate with her as she shares her heart. Certainly, we greive but not as those who have no hope of seeing loved ones again. To find a place of rest in God in the death of a loved one brings hope and comfort to life...to know that going through the worst and still finding God at the bottom of the bottom...brings assurance and hope that life wins! Love wins! Hope wins! Joy wins!

Megan's funeral was sweet with some of our closest friends contributing in song and messages. For a child to beat us to heaven is not what any mother wants, but to know that she is safe in the arms of Jesus (song coauthored by Stephen Curtis Chapman and sung at his daughter's funeral) is every mother's ultimate desire for every one of her children and God's desire for each of His children here on earth. In the dying words of Rick Warren's dad that is why we press on to Save one more for Jesus.

A Chik-fil-A Birthday! Fun with Friends and Funds for Project Partner!

 It is his pleasure to serve you...even on his birthday! Gary loved taking orders for milkshakes and delivering them personally to those who joined Project Partner and Journey Student Ministry to earn tips and funds for a trip to China in August.

Thank you Indian Creek for turning out in droves to eat and celebrate Gary's birthday and Project Partner! 

Gary collected $410 in tips in addition to whatever 15% of the proceeds from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. What a fun night!

 With an ice cream eating contest, lemon squeezing contest and a chicken nugget eating contest made for lots of entertainment!

Brian beat out Logan and Matt in the ice cream eating contest and Kristen out squeezed Jesi and Tina.

Looks like lots of fun was had by all!

 Thanks to all for making it a successful and delightful evening and birthday!

A red velvet cake, Gary's favorite, made from scratch by Heidi Rollins topped off the evening! 

Happy Birthday Gary! I love you!

It is your birthday but I do feel like I am the one who got the present of you!!!!!!!!

Last night we gathered the family together a few hours early to surpise Gary to celebrate his birthday!

Diary Queen ice cream cake is our tradition. What a gift to have Paul and Ruthie here, Gary's parents to celebrate with us this year!

Ruthie told the story of Gary's birth.

Jesi listened hoping her delivery experience would be as easy!

What an adventure our life has been since we met! Today on your birthday I thank God for you! I am grateful that he brought Paul and Ruthie together to conceive and raise such an incredible man! 

I love your zest for life! I love your positive attitude and your gift of faith! I love your heart for people who are far from the God you love and know to love us with an everlasting forever love! I love the way you love me, unconditionally! I love the way you encourage me and see the best in me when I can't see any thing good at all.

I love the way that you are not afraid to lead through tough times and high water! God knew what He was doing when He gave you a will of steel! But a tender and compassionate heart and a mind that is always open to HIs leading and willing for that will to be melted and molded!

I love the way you are faithful and dedicated to your God and me! I don't know what the rest of life holds but I know it will be an adventure in love and faith with you and I look forward to each day!

Easter 1981!

What Does Giving Have to Do with Me?

 Yesterday I was waiting for a friend to join me for lunch. I wasn't really focusing my thoughts on anything but pondering the fact that my income was getting ready to change drastically as Gary and I decided to surrender my income to volunteer full time but be paid only part time or not at all. Since my love language is gift giving, I was regretting the fact that with less income my giving would be drastically reduced. It was then that I heard God say, It is easy to give out of plenty. But what about giving out of little? What about giving all you have? What about the widow's gift of her last mite? What about surrendering your one solitary life?

It was evident to me that God was reminding me that giving sacrificially whether out of much or little was really my choice and I could give any time and all the time sometimes it costs me more.

I was wondering, How much is my giving about me? How much is it about what I can control? Am I willing to be obedient and give what He says to give when He says to give it?

What If THE Church?

What if the church, churches, worshiped together, prayed together and served together? It is happening in Kansas City, Olathe and all over the world! Beginning on Sunday, May 17 , 12 churches are cooperating to share the same messages in each other's churches, pray together, serve together and worship together in one huge gathering!

He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. -- Micah 6:8

 

For the three-week period beginning May 17, teaching pastors rotate speaking in each other’s churches to share the message from God in Micah 6:8. Each of the churches values the impact of God’s Word, but also recognizes the value of a new perspective. The teachings are written by a team of pastors and focus on:

• What If The Church...Acted Justly? --Gary Kendall

• What if The Church....Loved Mercy? Dan Deeble

  •     Heartland Community Church

• What if The Church...Walked Humbly? Mark Stevenson

  •     Hillcrest Covenant Church

Gary and I are excited about worshiping with a couple of different churches!Indian Creek will hear from two pastors from other area churches. I encourage you to utilize the tools on What If THE Church. Join my there.Let's learn how to act justly, love mercy and walk humbly...

Participate in the prayer blog on the site and read the daily devotional. We are joining hands and hearts across denominations, creeds and differences and coming together to worship, pray  and serve!

On May 30 register at What If The Church to participate in Urban Serve Day, 8:30  a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

May 31 the entire globe unites to pray! The Church is being the Church and Jesus' prayer for His disciples is being realized!!!!!

Gary and I are recruiting prayer for May 25 to participate in the 10 Days of Prayer and Fasting with the Global Day of Prayer as Indian Creek fills the entire time with 24/7 prayer. Contact me at belinda.kendall@indiancreek.org or sign up on Sunday at Indian Creek.

Finally, The God of This City worship gathering concludes the series of partnership on June 3 at Theatre in the Park at 6:30 - 9:30 p.m. while thousands of us unite our hearts and hands and praise the Creator and everlasting King!

Go Deeper into Value

It seemed that I couldn't get past the surface on this assignment for a couple of days! It is probably because it is hard for me at times to remember the value I have for WHOSE I am! I hope that this encourages you.

What is it worth to you? This week’s focus, thread, is value. I utilized dictionary.com for a definition of value and discovered that VALUE is relative.  The dentition of the noun, value is relative worth, merit, or importance. Hmmmm. So it is subjective? Let’s think about it.

Can you name some things that have the most value when they are brand new?

What are things that are more valuable as they age? 

Some things are only valuable to a few specific people, what are some examples?

Some things are deemed valuable by everyone, can you think of examples of those?

What do you value?

The other definition I discovered is also for a noun, value, excellence of character or quality as commanding esteem: women of worth; usefulness or importance, as to the world, to a person, or for a purpose: Your worth to the world is inestimable.

What about you? Do you believe that you are of worth? Valuable? Important? Useful?

Go to the mirror. What do you see? Can you look into that mirror and declare that you are valuable, worthy, loved?

Gaze at yourself in the mirror and tell yourself this truth.

Read Isaiah 43:4 (New Living Translation)

…you are precious to me. You are honored, and I love you.

Beloved, is it as hard for you as it is for me to look into the mirror and believe that the God of the universe, the Very One who set the sun and moon in motion is The One who calls me His beloved? It is more than a stretch for me sometimes. It is next to impossible. Sometimes I am just waiting for Him to say, Okay, that’s it! You have done too much now. You have gotten so filthy that your face is unrecognizable to me. I am turning my back on you because of your choices. I am withdrawing my love for you.

I am so thankful that is not how He is! As difficult as it is for me to believe at times, the truth is: There is nothing I can do to cause God to love me any more! And there is nothing I can do to cause Him to love me any less.

I have struggled with believing that my husband could love me as well. He has said to me, Belinda, I wish I could put the love I have for you in my heart into yours so that you could experience it. I think that God is trying to communicate the same thing to me. I think He sent Jesus so that we could see His love demonstrated in living color.

It is so hard for me to believe that there is nothing I can DO to earn His love and esteem for me. It is because of my acceptance of Him and that is it.

Since God values me then who am I to say that I am junk? Do I believe Him or not? We can’t become arrogant, but we need to find a healthy balance somewhere between martyrdom and narcissism. Until we do everybody else's needs and opinions will be more important than ours. When that happens we can end up resentful and even living without things we don't have enough self-esteem to ask for because we don't think we deserve them.  If we don't believe in ourselves and respect our own opinions we'll finish up living to please everyone else. Have you experienced that? Who are you living to please?

You are precious to me. You are honored, and I love you. That's God's opinion of us. One way to make it ours is to tell ourselves the truth. Consider committing these two sentences to memory. Maybe even taping an index card to the bathroom mirror so that you can see it first thing in the morning and last thing before bed.

Another one of my favorite verses is Zephaniah 3:17                                      

For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior.
He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears.
He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.

The word rejoice actually means twirls around and jumps up and down! Quite a delighted God! Think about it. Isn’t every papa so proud? Maybe that wasn’t your childhood experience. Close your eyes and picture God as your Daddy scooping you up under your arms and twirling around with you to express His sheer delight in you!

The final proof of His exuberant love is that He sacrificed the life of His own son for me…and you. We are valuable, precious, honored and loved by Him. Dare we believe it? What would it look like today if you believed it? How would your day change? Why not give it a try? Let’s try reading these two verses every day for the next week and see if our opinion of ourselves changes.