Sunday Sermon Summary....Running, Running, Running!

If you have read my blog in the past few weeks, you know that a group from our church just returned from a mission trip to Kenya. You also know that our church supports several evangelists and other churches in Kenya both prayerfully and financially. You also know that individual members of our congregation have "adopted" several African Aids orphans, and we support them prayerfully and financially as well. You also know that our lead pastor Ken, along with his mom Emily, and 9 others were part of the mission group that went to Africa. This morning Ken's sermon was titled "Running, Running, Running". Ken started by saying that when you are on a mission trip, you have a one track mind; because you are looking for God in everything...then he began with a story. While in Kenya, they were walking from one place to the next during lunch time. While walking, the school children were let out for lunch; because they aren't fed lunch at school. The children were eagerly walking to find something to eat when they crossed paths with Ken. As they were walking together, one of the little boys took hold of Ken's hand....then shortly another took hold of his other hand....see picture above! Ken said although the boys were being teased by other boys....they continued to hold his hands tightly. In the village, he could hear the swahili word for "white man" all around him; and wondered if these two little boys....who were holding his hands tightly....had ever seen a "white man"....yet they trusted him. As they approached the market, the boys dropped his hands and headed the opposite way from Ken. Ken told Bishop William, who was walking with them, that he wanted to buy those little boys a banana for lunch. Bishop William shouted after the boys....in swahili....and they came running back eagerly and happily to accept their bananas. Ken asked the lady selling bananas how much they would be, and she relayed to Bishop William "20 shillings". Ken had 200 shillings with him which is the equivalent of $3.00, so he handed it to her; and told Bishop William to tell her to "keep the change". He began walking off with his group to their destination while the little boys went the other way, and he heard louds shrieks and yells; so he looked back....it was the lady who he had given the 200 shillings....she was so thankful and happy that he had given her the money, that she was yelling loudly. Ken said he thought that was the best $3.00 he had ever spent and again was humbled at how the African people are so poor yet so happy and grateful.

Ken witnessed God there in Africa over and over, but he said that God is in our hometown as much as in Kenya...maybe we should quit racing and hurrying and look for God. The Kingdom of Heaven is all around us all the time....we just have to take the time to see it. Ken gave the following example....when you are a parent of a young child, and you are trying to just get out the door....it can take FOREVER! Parents are always in a rush and hurrying along while children stop and look at every little detail. They marvel at all things. We need to have childlike faith...childlike wonder....childlike trust! If we do that, we can experience the Kingdom of Heaven every day. As adults, it's hard to slow down....to be childlike....and sometimes to be faithful; but God instructs us to do so.

Passage Matthew 18:3:
3and said, "Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.

I started this blog in September after I attended the funeral of a wonderful man....Lonnie! He was the Building Superintendent for our church for over 21 years. He was funny, happy, quite the practical joker but most of all thankful! EVERYONE at church adored him. At church this past Sunday, we dedicated a street on Lonnie's behalf, which passes from our church to our new parking lot, this street is now named Lonnie Moore Way. Lonnie's family attended the worship service and dedication. In the service, as Ken talked about the Kingdom of Heaven....he talked about Lonnie. He said that in the midst of everyday life experiences, Lonnie experienced the Kingdom of Heaven by the way he served others and treated others! I have to agree with that, and I also believe that those who knew Lonnie might have experienced a little bit of Heaven as well!

Hidden Treasure
44"The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid again; and from joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field."
A Costly Pearl
45"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls,
46and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it."

In Memory of Lonnie Moore!