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| One of my life mottos is - "It's An Everyday Thing!" This mantra of mine came into existence while I lived in Mississippi. I was serving as a Student Pastor at First Baptist Church Richland and we decided to change the entire student ministry philosophy. This slogan, in its extended form, became our mission statement to help explain our ministry's vision and the ministry's new name - plus it gave me something cool to end my emails and letters with. My desire was for the teenagers to realize that our relationship with Christ is not a Wednesday thing or a Sunday thing, but truly an everyday thing. What an awesome responsibility to know and understand that Christ is with us everyday and we are to be His ambassador everyday.
Recently, I gained a greater understanding of this. Kim (my wife) and I had planned a lunch date with our Pastor and his wife. I was looking forward to this because Dr. Alex and Meredith Himaya hold a special place in my heart. He got me started in the ministry and still is my mentor not only in ministry but also in life. Meredith has been a dear friend through the ages and a person that I admire and she just connects with my spirit. The problem is that I don't get to see them very much because they choose to spend their time in an unwise manner. Just kidding, they are extremely busy.
The day of our gathering arrived and I picked up Kim from her work and drove us to the restaurant. It is important to note that the conditions of my job and Kim's job are not in any way similar. In fact, it is like night and day. The major difference can mostly be summed up with Kim has a boss and I don't - one of the perks of being self-employed. Kim has to make sure she keeps a prompt schedule to appease the higher ups, while I on the other had, can do what I want. Well, lunch was great and the fellowship was much needed. I admit, I was thoroughly enjoying myself and soaking in the time. Kim was too, but she soon realized we had better start getting ready to leave because her hour lunch break was up. This is where my stupidity kicks in.
Kim mentions that it is time to go but I misread the statement as, "We might want to think about going here in a little bit." Kim meant it as, "John, I have to go RIGHT NOW!" I linger and talk and then 15 to 20 minutes later begin the process of leaving. We get in the car and I look at Kim and she is visibly upset. Uh oh. Kim explains her situation and frustration. I apologize and try to talk about it but she doesn't want to because she is about to go into work and she doesn't want to be flustered and teary. My personality is to talk it out right then and there, but she would rather not. So she gives me the silent treatment on the way back to her work. This makes me upset so when I drop her off I decide I'll show her the "what for" by speeding off a little. Bad move. I hit the gas so hard that I spin out a little and squeal the tires so loud that her coworkers hear. Of course one lady asks her what was going on and Kim tries to explain. Her comment to Kim is that she thought I "wasn't like that." That stings. This coworker is a brand new Christian and came to know Christ through Kim. She has become a good friend of ours and is just getting out of a relationship with a guy who confesses to not believe in Jesus and here I am, the guy who does, acting like an idiot and reflecting the Father poorly. Needless to say, I completely felt convicted by my actions and had to ask forgiveness from my wife, thankfully she granted my request. Mandy, I ask too that you would forgive me for not properly representing the amazing grace of the Father.
It truly is an everyday thing. Everyday and every moment we are acting on behalf of the God who made us. We are constantly reflecting our relationship with the Father through Christ to the world around us. This doesn't mean we have to be perfect or that people cannot see us mess up. In fact, it just means we are to be honest and open and transparent that we are sinners saved by grace and learning how to live in freedom from sin and being transformed into a slave of righteousness. The world needs to see how we are different in every situation: when things are great, when things are bad, and even when we mess up. So here is to us living for Jesus each and everyday and living our lives in such a way that it makes our Father look attractive, gracious, and awesome. Until then, watch the clock, the hour is almost up.
It's An Everyday Thing!
John Hickman
www.johnhickmanonline.com | | |
| Fear the LordRead I Samuel 15 My church is big on themes. It seems like we have a new one every month. The Simple Life, March Madness, Who's the Boss, Mapquest, The Tabernacle. These are all names of former sermon series we have done. Our current series is called 7. With each new series comes a new set design, new bulletins, new videos, etc. The truth is, our pastor loves to have the service, and everything that goes into it, tie into a single thread. This allows the staff to collectively market the desired direction to our members in a way that they can understand. The theme communicates what we are focusing on. This helps eliminate confusion; if we do get off track, our theme leads us back. Every New Year I like to have a theme, a direction, a word (or words) for the upcoming days and months. One of my themes for 2007 is to "fear the Lord." Recently, I came across this verse: "The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and delivers them (Ps. 34:7, ESV)." Too often I get caught up in the friendship of God and forget His Kingship. We are friends but I should be the fearful friend. The story of King Saul is a great reflection of this principle. In I Sam. 15:24, Saul explains that his reason for not obeying the command of God was that he feared the people. His fear of the masses overrode his fear of the living God. As humans, it is easy to go along with the crowd. We don't want to be disliked or unloved and we fear the crowd's rejection. However, we must put God's feelings first. I should fear Him more than anyone or anything else. I believe we fall into the trap of people pleasing because the people are near and God is distant. Their reaction is much more tangible. We see the white in the eyes of the crowd while we just can't even imagine what God looks like. The answer seems to be, bring God close. Find out what He looks like. What is the heartbeat of God? Draw near to Him and He will draw near to you (James 4:8). The closer we get to God the more we realize how to please Him. Go to Him. Go to Him with fear. We can approach the throne of grace with confidence, but we better do that with respect. God is not a just a friend, He is the King of kings. He is not safe, but He is good. Saul made the decision to value the crowd's acceptance over the Lord's. We must choose fear, the fear of the Lord. It's An Everyday Thing! John Hickman | | |
|  | Currently Watching
Akeelah and the Bee (Widescreen Edition)
By Keke Palmer, Laurence Fishburne, Angela Bassett, Curtis Armstrong, J.R. Villarreal, Sean Michael (IV), Sahara Garey, Lee Thompson Young, Julito McCullum, Erica Hubbard, Eddie Steeples, Dalia Phillips, Tzi Ma, Jeris Poindexter, Sara Niemietz, George Hornedo, Craig Wasson, Katie Kerwin McCrimmon, Marjorie Harris, Jacques Bailly
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Read Lamentations 3:40-66 Vs. 58. "You have taken up my cause, O Lord; you have redeemed my life (ESV)." I have taken up many causes in my lifetime. Some have been quite wise and others have been outright foolish. While I was attending Oklahoma Baptist University, the internet boom began. Although it was still in its infancy stage, it was starting to grow rapidly. One of the reasons for that growth was the benefit of email as mass communication. Someone intelligent decided that it would be extremely prudent to send out pertinent (and not so pertinent) information to multiple people at the same time. One day, I received such an email. Despite my busyness, I deemed that email deathly important. The message explained to me that evil was occurring in the form of Proctor & Gamble, a company that makes many of our everyday products. I quickly read through the frightening information. It explained that the president of the company announced, on a popular talk show, that he donates a portion of the company's profits to the Church of Satan. I was shocked to find out that most of my bathroom products were distributed by this vile corporation. I decided at that moment I would stand in the gap for Jesus and no longer brush my teeth with Crest toothpaste. Of course, being the concerned man I knew myself to be, I decided that I must also warn others. I could not allow the name of Christ to be hurt any longer by Tide laundry detergent. I did what every good Christian and American should do in those types of situations; I forwarded the message. I sent the email to every person I knew in OBU's email directory and prayed that, ultimately, I would help destroy the prince of darkness. I felt so good about what I did: it isn’t everyday you get to look the Devil in the eyes and kick him in the knee. I even had classmates stopping me to say, “Thank you for taking down the gates of hell!” I truly believed I was fighting Satan and his wretched workers. I was a hero, I was already dreaming about my book deal...until a fellow classmate came up to me and said, "You know that email is not true; it's a lie." Of course, I backpedaled like a champ and told him that it had to be true. I mean, come on, I received the email myself. I left that conversation with a strong desire to prove him wrong, but with an undeniable fear in my heart that he could be right. Sure enough, I did my research and found out that I was a fool. The email was completely and utterly false. I was embarrassed. Even worse, I knew that I needed to let people know they could go back to using their Pampers, Old Spice, Charmin, or Head & Shoulders. In defeat, I humbly sent out another email explaining my stupidity. The worst part was that I could not remember all the people I had sent the email to. Occasionally, I had to tell people in person (even the pretty girls) that I had been duped. I realized I had gotten mixed up in an unworthy cause. I am amazed that Christ would get mixed up with us, a bunch of unworthy causes. The truth is, Jesus died for our cause even though we were sinners (Rom. 5:8). The cause of Christ is to redeem the lost and that means God considers us worthy causes. I love how the author of Lamentations (quite possibly Jeremiah) stated this: He needed God to take up his cause. He was distressed and depressed because no one liked what he had to say. Many wanted him dead, but the Lord found him, took up his cause and redeemed his life. When we give our life to Jesus, we have been redeemed. We have been bought with a price. Christ has taken what is unworthy and unholy and declared us the opposite: worthy and holy, fit for the Kingdom and fit for His family. I thank God He has taken up my cause. Trust that He will take up yours too. As the writer cried, "Do not close your ear to my cry for help!" Listen to the Lord as He draws near and says, "Do not fear!" Until then, avoid the Pringles (P&G makes them too). On a personal note, married life is going great. I have been so blessed! God has given me the most wonderful girl in the world. I hope all of you get a chance to meet Kim, she truly is a gift from God. We have been going through so much change. Be praying for us and for the ministry. Many blessings to you all. It's an Everyday Thing! John Hickman | | |
| Please go watch my proposal video!!!! Send the link to anyone you know.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVKQS7dvrx0 | | |
| Wanted to give some love in this blog. For the past two weeks I have been blessed in being asked to speak at two great camps. During this time period I have meet many wonderful students and adults. I love being the "Camp Pastor." I love speaking the Word of God and hanging out with teens. So the past two weeks have been incredible! Thanks for all the prayers and support. Please continue to pray that I would get speaking events. I had an event in July cancel on me so I would love to pick up some more stuff. Thanks for all the love I receive from each one of you. Currently I'm in good ol South Carolina hanging with Kim. We are having a blast. I'll be back in Tulsa early next week! God bless!
It's An Everyday Thing! | | |
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