Pastor Kemp’s blog for the Week of September 5, 2010

My dearly loved PEPpers and far flung family and friends,

Hello!  Remember me?  I’m the person that is supposed to be updating this blog every once in awhile.  To be honest, it has been a chore trying to find a balance between boring you with the trivia of my life and informing you of things that really matter.  In addition, trying to find the time has been a challenge.  It seems that every waking hour of my life I am either preparing for a sermon, lesson, devotional or meeting or am participating in one.  So to find the time for yet one more writing task has been a little challenging as well.  I know, you didn’t log on to hear me whine! J 

But I think I’ve found a solution.  I am going to commit to you to update my blog once a week on Saturdays.  That way there will be smaller doses of the trivia but hopefully I will be able to update on you things that matter.

Here is the format that I am going to try.

• First: I will update you on important dates and issues that I’d like for you to be aware of.
• Second: I will try to recommend a weekly resource (book, DVD, CD, website, etc.) that I think could inspire you.
• Third: I will give you a sample from my affirmation files for you to work through for the upcoming week.
• Fourth: I will try to bore you to tears with life in “Kempsville” (hint: Papa Kemp stories)

 

So here goes…

IMPORTANT DATES & ISSUES:

1. In September I will be preaching a series on the next leg of our Mission.  If you remember, I believe Jesus is calling us to be a baptizing church, a church that practicing true community and a church that is growing devoted followers of Christ (missionaries).   Starting on September 12, I will call us to focus on the “community” aspect of the Mission.  Practicing true community has the potential to drastically change how we “do church” at FMCOG.  Please be in prayer in preparation for this series…more details coming.
2. As far as this Sunday…it is Front Line Appreciation Sunday.  We will be taking a few moments in both services to give special honor to all the dedicated men and women who serve us as parking lot attendants, greeters and ushers.  We have 100 dedicated volunteers that rain or shine, glad or sad, show up on Sunday and extend a helping hand and an encouraging word to all us as we drive up on our campus and make our way into the House of God.  Why don’t you join me tomorrow in giving a special “atta boy/girl” to these wonderful people.
3. Also mark September 19^th on your calendar.  The Lee University Campus Choir will be with us on that day.  In addition to their anointed excellence one of our own Stephen Kawakami is a member of the choir.  You’ll not want to miss that.
4. Annual Marriage Conference – every year Sonja and I conduct a marriage seminar in September.  The date is September 24-25.  If you are married or have plans to be I’d highly recommend you making plans to attend.  We’ll make it worth it, I promise!
5. And finally… NO PM service for Sunday, September 5, 2010. 

• As a side note, when I choose not to have a service on a Sunday night it is not because I do not value public worship and the preaching of the Word.  However, I am mindful that we live in an extremely busy 24/7 world.  Furthermore, our church is staffed by many hard working volunteers that give long hours to the service of God and our church family.  The occasional “No service” Sunday nights are my way of giving us a little Sabbath rest. 

 

RESOURCE OF THE WEEK: Our Secret Paradise, Jimmy Evans

 Sonja is currently teaching a series from this book.  I know everyone does not attend her class, nor should.  But I do believe every married couple should spend significant time and resources in investing in their marriage.  Sonja and I have found this to be one of the most helpful resources that we have ever read.  You can order it on Half.com or one of the full price on-line sites or at one of our local Christian book stores.

AFFIRMATIONS OF THE WEEK:

I call the following affirmations my “Reality Check” affirmations.  They are designed to touch on key “pressure points” in my life that if neglected will cause me to run aground on my journey of life.  I have found them to be very helpful over the years.

• Reality Check: Who am I trying to please?
• Reality Check: With whom am I competing?
• Reality Check: What am I trying to acquire that defines security for me?
• Reality Check: To whom am I accountable?
• Reality Check: Do I have any sense of goodness about myself?
• Reality Check: In the eyes of others, what am I valued for?
• Reality Check: Does death have any relevance in my thinking?

 

 Life in Kempsville:

The most significant thing that happened in Kempsville this past week was that Sonja turned 50 (but don’t tell anybody!).  In a moment of inspired genius I came up with the idea of getting Ronnie Campbell to pick Sonja up in a hearse and have John Aiton to escort her to a Sounds of Praise party that was scheduled on Wednesday (a day before her actual birthday).  It was a hoot!  To see a short video go to my Facebook page; if we are not friends just request to be and I’ll be honored to accept.

Just in case you’re worried, I did do a much better job the next day on her actual birthday.

All joking aside, I have been living in the fifties for almost four years before Sonja ever got there.  I have not found them morbid or sad.  But I have come to understand more than ever how precious life is.  Living in the fifties reminds you that you will not live forever (at least not in this life).  My days are more important to me now.  Life is more precious.  I used to think of life more in terms of future events.  In my mind I’d use words like, “someday”, “when”, and “eventually”.   But now I think more in terms of the moment.  I use words like “now.”  During the sixth decade of your life funerals start happening with much more frequency and they are closer to home.  You come to understand that you can never assume that when you leave in the morning that everyone will gather back together in the evening.  Waiting unto the weekend or the big vacation or the long holiday weekend is not good enough anymore.  I now have a passion to seize the moment now.  “Later” has a way of never arriving.  “Someday” has a way of never arriving.  As the years have gone by I’ve come to realize that doing it now is best.  Saying your “I love yous” daily (several times a day) is the only way to do it.  Yes, my fifties, for the most part have been very kind to me…I am a blessed and happy man.  But some mornings when I’m feeling the whisper of the approaching “winter years” chill in my bones and I remind myself, “David, make this day count.” 

So how does it feel living in a home with another 50 year old?  Wonderful!   In only a few days we will celebrate 32 years of our 50+ years as man and wife.  When you’ve weathered the storms of life together that long you become more than lover and friend, you become soul mates.  Today my dearly loved wife is more beautiful to me than ever, and those are not just words I mean it.  I see her through the lens of tears and laughter, good times and bad.  We’ve stood together at the crib of our newborns and at the graves of our loved ones.  We’ve celebrated wonderful achievements and we’ve consoled each other during dark nights of the soul.  Truly, seen through those lenses, Sonja is the most beautiful woman in all the world to me. 

You ask me if I’d do all again?  You betcha! 

Patiently progressing with great joy,

Yours truly…

david l. kemp