My dearly loved PEPpers and far flung family and friends,
This week I was reminded of an important truth. You can get a lot done if you just stay with a task long enough. What I am thinking about in particular is our study of the book of Philippians in our daily devotional that I prepare for us each week. The devotional you will receive this week is the next to last one you will receive for our study of the book of Philippians. However, I am always at least one week ahead of you which allows time for proofing and printing. And just like I hope you do, I include the daily devotional as part of my own personal devotional time. Well anyway, this morning I was surprised to discover that I am on the very last two verses of Philippians! It seems that it was just a few days ago that we began our study of this book. But that is what happens if you just keep plugging away at something. As the old saying goes, “inch by inch anything is a cinch.”
When I was a little boy, homes were not as well heated as they are today. “Central heating” would have been more likely to be the name of the Electric & Gas Company in the little town of Central, South Carolina than a system in a home for keeping the entire house heated. So as winter progressed and it grew colder and colder mother would just add another blanket (usually a homemade quilt) on the bed. Some of my fondest memories as a child are waking up in a warm, cozy bed under a pile of homemade quilts on a cold winter’s morn. There’s nothing like it. My poor wife still suffers to this day because of my penchant for cold houses at night.
I’ve often used that example to encourage people to stay committed to making time for daily devotions. Fifteen to thirty minutes a day may not seem like it is doing much, but compound that over a week, month, a year and then years and eventually a lifetime and you will discover that layer by layer you have become a warm and thriving Christian who has weathered the storms of life with grace and dignity and still has your joy and peace intact.
It was Napoleon that once said, “The secret to my success is that I learn the importance of five minutes.” Let that be a lesson to us all. Let’s stay focused day by day on simply showing up; putting one foot in front of the other and simply giving our best in the little things without fanfare, complaining and drama. Let’s keep loving, believing, and giving. Ultimately we will discover that we have finished the course and we will hear, “Well done!”
IMPORTANT DATES & ISSUES:
October Staff Appreciation Month
- Remember to join with Sonja and me in doing something special for our church staff this month. We are truly blessed to have such a dedicated team and in honoring them we show that their labor has not been in vain. Remember, a part of giving our B-E-S-T is E-encouraging people. Encouragement is “soul food” that gives strength for the weary soldier and the courage to go another day. Take the time to do something special for someone on our staff that has been a particular blessing to you.
Shepherding groups training
- This Sunday night in the C4D at 6:00 p.m.
Firm Foundation
- Begins October 31, 2010 \ sign-ups will be available in the lobby, bulletin and by calling the office at 803.547.2629
Long-range planning
- November 13, 2010 – Annual Mission’s Banquet
- November 14, 2010 – Annual Mission’s service
- November 19-20 – Annual Single’s Conference
- December 3-5, 2010 – Annual Fine Arts Christmas Production
- December 11, 2010 – Annual Christmas Banquet, special guest Aaron Wilburn
- December 12, 2010 – Special guest Aaron Wilburn in service
- January 2, 2011 – Presentation of Annual Theme (AM services)
- January 2, 2011 – Annual Vision Casting message (6:00 p.m.)
- January 15, 2011 – Frontline Team Training (Contact person Pastor Wayne / Aubrey Tickle)
- January 15, 2011 – Student Ministries Executive team Get-a-way planning trip
- January 19, 2011 – Day 1 of 40-days
RESOURCE OF THE WEEK: http://www.biblegateway.com
- This web site is my number choice for bible research. It has an excellent search engine and all the important English translations plus Spanish and many other languages.
AFFIRMATIONS OF THE WEEK:
I appreciate humor and can especially laugh at myself.
- This affirmation and the previous one (humility) are really connected. The person that is taking themselves to seriously has trouble laughing about anything, especially them self! It seems such a small thing; but the ability to laugh is a tale-tale sign of a healthy soul.
I am loyal.
- I’ve heard it said of people that they are loyal to a fault. I pray for the wisdom to be pro-actively and positivity loyal; not looking the other way when people are straying away from God and right but to be a friend that cares enough to confront.
I am motivated: taking responsibility myself to keep the inner fires of passion and purpose burning brightly.
- 101015: One of the ways that I keep myself motivated is by continuing to grow. As I learn and understand how life can be better I develop a “holy discontent” which in turn motivates me to push forward. IOW, personal growth and study is fuel to keep the inner fires burning brightly.
- 090803: Today I read about how Bernie Mac described himself – “a quiet storm.” I like that description. I’m not a flashy, flamboyant person, but there has always been the deep motivation to get up and go, to make something out of myself, i.e. “a quiet storm.”
I have a positive mental attitude: choosing to live my life in order to bring the most glory to God.
- 090803: John Piper’s theology sums it up well: “God is most glorified when I am most satisfied in Him.”
- 080820: Holy Spirit please help me to live up to this affirmation always. Give me a hunger to grow in my faith; for in order to keep a positive attitude I must renew my mind and the best way to do that is to spend time in study and prayer.
I am a man of integrity = that my life is built on the Word of God and held together by making decisions based on the principles taught in God’s Word.
- 080905: Integrity has to do with interconnectedness. For example, if a bridge is to have “integrity” (able to fulfill its function) then all the different parts of the bridge must be in synch with each other. The same is true in my life. I must practice what I preach at home, work and play. There must be a consistency in all my life. This cannot be something that I just do; it must be something I am. Holy Spirit, please help me with this!
I am intelligent and I am knowledgeable.
- 101016: I don’t know why, but today I thought of my THINK before speaking affirmations; especially the “N” which is: Is it necessary that I speak. Just because I know something doesn’t mean that it should be shared. Knowledge is having an accumulation of information, intelligence is knowing what to do with it and when to share it!
- 090808: Sonja mentioned reading about “what is harmful for the heart is also harmful for the brain.” That was a wakeup call for me to be more diligent in taking care of my body for it is possible to forfeit the intelligence and knowledge that God has helped me to achieve by damaging my brain with a poorly functioning body.
- 080222: My intelligence was “seeded” by God (endowed), but it is my responsibility to be a good steward of that intelligence by continuing to grow intellectually. I feel that I give a good account of myself in this generally. However, vigilance is required. I cannot rest on yesterday’s accomplishment; but must keep pressing toward the “high call” of Christ upon my life. I will give an account to Him one day in this area. Please help me in this endeavor Holy Spirit!
LIFE IN “KEMPSVILLE”:
Well as you can imagine, the birth of Ella Grace dominated life in Kempsville this week. There was a sobering moment in her arrival that really put a special emphasis on the “grace” part of her name.
Sonja and I were sitting in the waiting area, when around 12:00 noon we heard within just a few moments of each other, the little tune that is played over the P.A. system every time a child is born. Each time we looked at each other hopefully wondering if one of those times meant that our little granddaughter was born. Sure enough in just a little while Lee came out and gave us the good news. However, we later learned that the other little child that was born died very shortly after birth. That news put Ella Grace’s arrival in a much clearer perspective. Lee and Jennifer are no more worthy than the other parents, God doesn’t give extra credit because Lee and I are in the ministry. There are vast mysteries when it comes to God’s will and way in this world. I don’t know why God says to one child, “Live” and to another, “Come back to Me.” All I know is that in the midst of our rejoicing we must never forget that all we have to rejoice about is due to the undeserved grace of God; and we must never forget that in the midst of our rejoicing there are others that sorrow.
One day when the time is right, I hope God, in his grace, will me live long enough to remind little Ella Grace what the grace in her name stands for and to remind her that to whom much is given, much is required.
But in the meantime, never forgetting the wonderful grace and mercy of God, I am rejoicing in the fact that I am now the proud papa of the most beautiful little girl (tied for number one with all the other little girls) in all the world.
Patiently progressing with great joy and thankfulness,
david l. kemp
The ONE THING 