Journey to Pentecost

April 8, 2010      Luke 24.48

In Acts 1.8 scripture declares that as followers of Christ we would be “His” witnesses.   Webster’s on-line dictionary defines a witness as “one who has personal knowledge of something” and “attestation to a fact or an event.”   The word testimony comes to mind and literally means an “open acknowledgement.”   When you tie all this together for a definition you come close to my definition of the word witness: “having a personal experience with a fact or event that you willingly and openly discuss in public.”

You and I as believers in Christ have a deep responsibility to witness our personal experience with Him.  It is based on facts.   It is based on our personal crisis experience with Jesus.   It’s something we should be talking about publicly.  I have noticed over the years that people are more willing to talk about their church than they are their Lord.  I guess it’s less intimidating or something.  I don’t know.  I think to the degree that we have a personal experience with Jesus is the degree we will share our faith publicly.

I want to encourage you to begin considering sharing your faith with others on this journey to Pentecost.  The root of our faith is in sharing it.  It is alive within us and the only way to keep it going is to share it.  I challenge you to make a strong effort to share your faith with someone this next week.  Talk about Jesus.  Don’t be afraid to mention His name.   Speak it out with a balanced boldness that doesn’t leave any doubt as to who you believe in as your Savior.  Share your faith.

I want to step into my blog tonight and share how proud I am of my wife, Kim.  Tonight she spoke at Victory Hill’s Mother’s Banquet.  I know she was nervous.  I spoke with her several times today and she was concerned about ministering successfully to her ladies tonight.  She just wanted everyone to get something out of what the Lord had laid on her heart.   Kim is one of the most intelligent people I know.  She is articulate and passionate about her vision to see young women “step up” and carry the baton of ministry into the next generation of believers.  She is an awesome wife, mother, grandmother and a true woman of God.  I want to especially thank her womans board for their continued support to her visionary leadership.   Each one of you brings to the table the needed part to make Harmony Women’s Ministries the success it is.   Tonight there over 150 women at her banquet.  For those of you who would second guess Harmony’s place in leading our church forward – this amounts to half of our adult attendance on Sunday morning.  Thanks also to the guys who helped serve and work the kitchen for us.  We couldn’t do it without you.

I listened to the CD of her message tonight.  I was moved and personally challenged.  She brought tears to my eyes as I listened.   We will make copies available for you if you want to hear her message.  Kim personalized her challenge and at the same time made it a relevant challenge.  I am extremely proud of her!  Without a doubt she can be considered a “spiritual mom” to those she leads.  You will have to look far and wide to find someone of her compassion for people and her willingness to labor and sacrifice for the kingdom.

I want to share with you what an awesome mother she has been to my two sons, Brad and Josh.  She is prone to worry…to say the least.   I am so proud of both of our boys.  They have become young men who have developed a rock solid work ethic.  They are bright, articulate and in love with Jesus.   They are young men who respect women.  They are not afraid to express their love to their mother and at the same time stand firm as strong men.  Kim did an awesome job in teaching these two guys some powerful life principles. 

Brad and Josh both exemplifyy chivalry.  Josh treats our beautiful daughter in law with utmost respect.  He is considerate of her and works hard to care for and provide for her and our granddaughter, Bella.  Our daughter in law is a gem!   She is an awesome homemaker, wife and mother.  While not ever wondering what is on her mind she will pour out of her soul in to the lives of others the agape love of Jesus at great personal sacrifice.  She is a woman of faith and is passionate about having a home of faith!  Brad has survived a critical blow to his life as a young husband.  His faith has been a huge part of his survival.  In reward for his faith and his willingness to stand firm in his testimony of Christ the Lord has brought a beautiful young woman into his life.  Chantielle cares for him and presents herself well to our family.  She is in love with Jesus and has a passion to grow closer to the Lord.  We are proud to have her dating our son adn we have all fallen in love with her!

I say all of this because Sunday is mother’s day.  I am going to be preaching on Mary, the mother of Jesus.  The Lord said she was highly favored of God.  She had the unique opportunity to do something no one else in the world will ever have.  She gave birth to, raised and then watched the Savior of the world die.  She was there at His resurrection.  She was in the upper room on Pentecost.   A unique woman who was on the quiet side.  She said little but left an impact on the world that we are still discussing today.  I want to challenge all our mom’s to do what Kim has done successfully in life – leave an impact on others.  You can see Kim’s thumb print in the life and faith dynamics of our sons.   You can see it in others.  What about you?  Who are you impacting?  What legacy of faith will you leave behind?