LivingSent Blog Archives

There is a story building that is your life. It has drama, heartbreak, action and chapter breaks—that’s where nothing seems to be happening of any significance. In your story you play the main character. You see things from your perspective. Someone encouraged you. Another time you got hurt. You thought you saw the boogey monster but it was just a shadow, and on it goes throughout your life.

I was thinking about this today as I reflected on this mission trip…

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Two years ago I was on a two week mission trip. During the trip I got to know my translator, a university student well. We had lots of time to talk on the bus between stops. She was dating a young man who was not a believer and she questioned whether she should stay in the relationship. At the end of the trip our team gathered around her and prayed that she would discern God’s will. Most importantly, we prayed that the boyfriend would choose life in Christ. She felt like God told her to stay in the relationship and be a witness to her boyfriend. We supported her decision…

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Jesus taught us to pray, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven, see Mt 6:10. I confess I’ve prayed more for His will to be done than for His kingdom to come on earth. The Good News is that Jesus established His kingdom when He came, see Mk 1:15. The bad news is that although His kingdom is here we don’t often see earth become like heaven…

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Belinda and I went to see Avatar last week. I loved the movie, it is epic in nature and the special effects are incredible. The 3D was fun; it had me dodging things right in my seat. I want to see it again now that I know the storyline so I can take in the richness of the setting and notice the many parallels to the Gospel. I know there are many differences too and that is part of what makes me curious.

There was a line in the movie that was repeated several times, I see you…

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You know that the first words you hear from someone make an immediate impression. Often we will remember the first impression even if we later forget most of what we heard. It is similar with the last words. Parting words are powerful and have a long lasting effect.

This morning as I prepared to leave for China (at 2:30 A.M.); I started thinking about Jesus first and last words. Do you know what they are?

I should say I’m speaking specifically about His first and last words to His disciples…

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Do you believe in resurrection power? I do! Indian Creek ran a ministry called Share the Blessing for several years with the purpose being to connect the excess of some with the needs of others. At a point in time we had to close the ministry because we didn’t have the funds or volunteers to continue.

Recently William Simmons caught the vision. With God’s strength and the help of some friends he’s resurrected Share the Blessing. Wherever you are, take a moment and shout Yahoo! and Praise God!

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Numbers of people asked me the same question, how are you doing? I didn’t get tired of hearing it because I know you were expressing your care. Thank you. Okay, seems too vague. Good, is overly optimistic, I’m trying hard is a little more revealing. The answer I finally settled on was I feel like I’m on the playground trying to jump on the Merry-Go-Round.

Have you ever tried that? We used to push the Merry-Go-Round as fast as we could…

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We are so privileged to have had the kind of celebration we did for my Dad, Paul Kendall. Campus Pastors Steve Southards and Ben Stears contributed in significant ways. Long-term friends Chester Meeks and Ed Richards shared stories that were both touching and halarious. My son, Luke Kendall, talked about his Grandpa in ways that brought tears to my eyes. I think he accurately summed up what the grandkids were thinking. Belinda wrote a biography of Dad’s life that captured much of the flavor of his life across the years. My brother Brad sang Finally Home. I loved it. I got to share the closing thoughts. I didn’t share what I planned because the night was getting later. So I thought I would attach it here. Paul Kendall Memorial Message GK part.doc. It was a fitting and honoring way to pay tribute to my Dad’s life. I am so grateful for the heritage he leaves. I closed my thought with the invitation to pray the prayer Elisha prayed when Elijah died. He asked for a double portion of Elijah’s spirit. I know it is Christ that we are to follow but I do pray I could be like my Dad x2.

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When my Dad died last Saturday night one of the things it meant was that I would not get to share a message that I enjoyed writing. Actually Ben Stears, Steve Southards and I wrote this together. I was looking forward to sharing it. I knew after the events of the week ended like they did that I wouldn’t have the emotional strength to share so Steve shared very well on Sunday in my place. I’m glad he did and I’m thankful once again in still another way for the ministry of Indian Creek.

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I’ve never experienced a time in my life where I put everything on hold to serve like I served these last two weeks. I know there are many who are a pro at this. My wife, Belinda, is one who will drop everything to serve someone in a time of need and I admire her for it. My mom devoted her last seven years to basically letting everything else go to serve my Dad. What service! 

I don’t give myself any credit for doing this; I’m simply remarking what a sacrificial service it is to put your life on hold to help someone else. It might be the greatest sacrifice. There is a lot to learn just sitting beside a hospital bed waiting to be summoned for a sip of water or to do some errand your love one can’t (like get the bedpan).

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