Finishing Strong

We had a great day at Center Grove today. I really have a sense that God is going to do something special with His church there in 2009. I know all pastors say those kind of things or at least they should be hoping for them, but I have a great peace and excitement that God is in the midst of some amazing works. To God be the Glory!

You will not be seeing any blog entries from me for a week or two. I've got to finish this draft of my dissertation and I'm going to have a focused intensity. The only things that can interrupt my writing until it is done is God, family, and church. Anything else is going to have to wait. I feel like I can finish this thing quickly if I give it great priority until it is finished. I must do this, I must finish strong.

I can't wait to see what God has in store next. He is overflowing my heart and mind with such great ideas and I'm praying diligently for clarity of vision for the weeks, months, and years. Much of that vision will include the purpose of this blog in the first place, and the vision God has given me to make an impact in such a way that brings Him the greatest glory!

So have a great close to 2008, and a great start to 2009! If you think about it say a prayer for diligence, clarity, and focus as I write and finish this phase of my journey with a great, amazing, precious Savior and look forward to the next steps. See you next year!

Merry Christmas

What a glorious day in Welcome, NC. The sun is shining as we celebrate the birth of the SON! I rejoice in time with family, in the meals we will share together, the laughs, the stories, and just an overall good time. But most of all I rejoice that God demonstrated his love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us. I celebrate that God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that WHOSOEVER believed on Him would not perish but have eternal life.

I celebrate JESUS! I pray that you and yours will have a Merry CHRISTmas and celebrate JESUS!!!

Grandma Ruby

It is about 6:15 am on a Thursday morning. Not much different than a lot of mornings Caleb woke up and needed a little bit of attention. Only this time he was in Nana and Paw-Paw's room of the hotel while his mom, sister, and I were in ours. So going to get him has me up a little earlier than planned.

In a little less than 8 hours I will help perform the funeral of my Grandma Ruby Kiker. She is such a sweet lady. I remember so many times growing up going to her house (for a few years it was just a 10 second sprint from mine) and just enjoying being around her. Man, could she cook. You probably won't believe what one of my favorite things she cooked was? Green Beans of all things. She cooked green beans better than anybody I've ever known. She could take a box of plain old Kraft Macaroni and Cheese and make it taste better than anybody else could.

While at Wingate College (It was college, they changed it to University the year after I graduated, I don't think there was any connection). Grandma and Paw-Paw would come get me and take me with them to church on Sunday. I didn't have a car and man was that meal better than the cafeteria food I'd eat all week. During the summer between my Freshmen and Sophmore years they helped me buy my first car (basically they bought it and I was there:)

I'll miss Grandma, but not as much as I know Paw-Paw will. You know how long they were married? 62 years, 2 months, and 3 days. You know why I know that? I think he told everybody that went through the line last night at visitation. What a testimony. I'll close by sharing with you what I said as I stood over grandma's casket last night. I said "Grandma, I love you, I know you are with Jesus and I'll miss you for a season. I'm happy for you, and I'll meet you there!"

I'm grateful for my Grandma, but oh THANKS BE TO GOD WHO GIVES US THE VICTORY THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST!

Busy Season

Wow, it's been almost two months since I've posted. Sorry about that. I truly believe once this little thing called a dissertation is passed this is something God has called me to spend more time on.

I pray that each of you take some time to slow down and celebrate Christmas. Worship together as a family, tell the Christmas Story, rejoice in the great gift we have been given through Christ Jesus.

2008 has been an incredible year for me personally, the Kiker household, and for Center Grove Baptist Church. I praise God for all that He has done, and look forward to finish this year out strong. There are four weeks left until the year is over. I challenge you to even now begin developing some habits that will carry strong into a new year.

God bless!