As I write this it is 1am CST on Thursday, March 1 (happy birthday Gegot!), and I cannot sleep. I attribute that to the Coke I drank about 2hrs ago. Caffeine withdrawal headaches are mean. I went all day Tuesday without a Coke, and paid the price on Wednesday. Wednesday was probably my 2nd worst day in this job.
My first major task for the GAC was to book hotel rooms for the conference MBB and WBB teams who would be participating in our conference tournament here in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, where I am writing from. Coming into Bartlesville, I was confident that all rooms were secure and accounted for. Around 4pm CST Wednesday I found out just how wrong I was. There was one AD that I just completely forgot to book, so that was my fault. There were about four other instances where the hotels dropped the ball as well. My representative with the Bartlesville Sports Commission is a saint, an angel, etc. God used her in miraculous ways today, and we were able to place everyone in a room Wednesday night with issues to be sorted out for the remaining nights, hopefully. Even I changed rooms tonight! I went from having 2 Queen beds to 1 King to help our GAC Sports Network guys out, so that was a blessing. I am writing this as a testament to how awesome God is even when I drop the ball.
I was also reminded of something powerful, and I must chronicle it. I do not care if 'chronicle' is not a verb, I just made it one. It struck me as powerful that Jesus Himself was humble enough to be born in a manger in a city where there was no room for Him in an inn. He could have been born in a palace, surrounded by servants, etc. Instead He chose a manger surrounded by animals and smelly shepherds. I remember the ordeal today where an AD did not have a room, and it still mortifies me. Granted, it is my job to supply the rooms, and for the most part they were all ready, but still...it is expected, nothing less than the best. I am not saying the AD should be prepared to sleep outside, not at all. Surely, I would relinquish my own room and sleep in my truck (Scarlet made the trip to OK!) than have my failure cause a detriment to someone else. I hate failure, yet I fail so much. My greatest fear is to fail the GAC, which means I fail UGA, which means I fail my family, etc. By the grace of God, through the BSC and Conoco-Philips, all of the GAC affiliates have a place to lay their heads tonight...and I cannot sleep. The irony is palpable, but blessed. I am desperately dependent on the Hand of God to keep me alive and functioning. He has brought to my heart things to pray about that I can guarantee nobody else in this city is praying for, and it keeps me awake. Someone as insignificant as me can still irreparably harm an event like this, and it terrifies me. I'm all well and good with getting no recognition for any small good thing I do, hey, it's my job. However, when one small failure could instantly bring all wrath down on me, I stay up at night praying. I am excited about this trip. I have been looking forward to this trip. I pray God's blessing on this tournament this weekend. I pray for safety for everyone involved, and for a fun time for all. I pray for healthy competition for His glory. No matter what He sees fit to do with me, I will honor Him. I am fully aware of how wretched I am, and that allows me to be more aware of His grace and mercy in my life. I am unworthy of it, but I pray for it in abundance because I need it. I am like a toddler knocking everything over, and not yet potty-trained, and I feel that He is a loving Father who puts up with me because He loves me. I pray for that love to shine through so that everyone around me can see it despite myself.
There was no room in the inn in Bethlehem for the Savior, but because of Him Bartlesville, Oklahoma, rests peacefully tonight on the eve of the GAC Basketball Tournament. I pray I shall soon be asleep peacefully as well. If you read this, please pray for us out here. And as Paul said, "Pray also for me..." because I sure need all the help I can get. Amen.
For the Kingdom,
Stuart L. Kingsley
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Friday, February 10, 2012
James, the brother of Jesus
We had our 8th grade guys read James last week. I don't ask the students I lead to do thing I wouldn't do myself, so I read James as well. Here are my thoughts:
James 1:5 tells me that if I lack wisdom, which I do, I should ask God for it because He gives generously. James 1:6 tells me that I should ask in faith though. James 1:7 tells me I should not just assume that God will give me anything. God is Father, not Santa. We have all declared war on God, so it's a miracle that He even deigns to save one person! He owes me nothing, yet He gives me everything. That blows my mind. James 1:12 tells me that if I persevere to the end, I will get the crown of life. James 1:13-15 tells me to avoid temptation. It is not God who tempts me because He wants me to grow closer to Him. He does allow me to be tempted, however, and I cheat on Him daily :( I am Gomer, yet I do not want to marry a Gomer (read Hosea). I am a wretch who expects comfort! I am detestable, and made potable only through the blood of Christ. James 1:19 tells me I should be:
James 2 starts off dealing with partiality. I've been a very partial person. I prefer rich and overlook poor. I've judged books by their covers. I am guilty of not loving others as I love myself. James 2:10 says that if I break one of the Commandments, I am guilty of breaking all of them. I admit my guilt. James 2:13 assures me that mercy triumphs over judgment. God is Just, so the fact that He has mercy on just one person is a miracle. We need to recognize just where we stand before God before we can claim to have any little understanding of God. No one knows the mind of God. We are like dogs following our master. We understand signals, and we obey or disobey. When we realize where we all stand, that we have all declared war on God, we realize that rich/poor, White/Black, American/not, etc. all are equally in need of a Savior. We are convinced that the harder we work, the better we are, yet in terms of salvation that is not the case. James then goes on to say that faith without works is dead. Faith is not salvation. Faith is belief in the unseen that leads to action. I have faith that a chair will hold me, but if I don't sit down then what good is that chair to me? If I have faith that Jesus saves, yet I don't dedicate my life to that belief, then what good is Jesus' salvation for me? I still have to reach out and accept a free gift. True belief leads to action. If I believe I'm going to be hit by a bus, I jump out of the way. I believe that Jesus saved me despite anything I've done, so I dedicate my life and livelihood to my Savior. Jesus saves those who enter the relationship with Him. That relationship lasts for eternity. He is not a "get out of Hell free" card even though we escape His absence (Hell) by gaining His presence (Heaven). Our goal tends to be to escape Hell without truly realizing what Hell is. Same with Heaven. We perceive Heaven as "good", but we overlook the fact that it is good because it is God's intimate, eternal presence. If we don't want a relationship with Him on Earth, we will be disappointed in Heaven. The point is to fall more in love with Jesus to the point where we obey Him more than we love ourselves. He gives to us so that we can give to others. We live in pursuit of Him to one day be with Him. If we love someone, we act on that love. We pursue, engage, marry, etc. As a man, I will either live for my family, or stay single, but either choice will be for the glory of God. Because I believe in Jesus, I work hard to advance His kingdom in the hearts of people regardless of who my employer is. If I just sat at home and did nothing, it would be apparent that I had no true beliefs.
James 3 tells me about how wicked my tongue is. No arguments there :/ James 3:9 says that I use it to both bless and curse. Amen. James 3:1 tells me that teachers will be judged with greater strictness. I have been called to teach, and I take that responsibility very seriously. It gives me accountability.
James 4 warns against worldliness. James 4:4 says friendship with the world is enmity with God, and vice versa. I realized last summer that this world has absolutely nothing to offer me. This world is Satan's dominion, and I'm on the opposing team. He hates me and wants to destroy me, yet the worst he can do is kill me. Either way, God gets the glory and I get to spend eternity with Him. James 4 also points out that conflicts occur over resources and possessions, but that shouldn't be because God gives generously. We don't have because we do not humbly ask Him for it. We're taught to fight and take, not love and ask. James 4:6 says God gives grace to the humble. I am so thankful that God humbles me without humiliating me. I can humiliate myself enough on my own! James 4:7-8 tells me to resist Satan and draw near to God. Satan tempts me away from God, yet God wants me to draw closer to Him. Of course, God is preferable, but my flesh longs for it's old idols a lot. I lose more than I win :( I honestly don't know why God still puts up with me. James 4:10 says "Humble thyself in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up." I love that song too. I serve God because He saved me, not because I hope to gain anything from Him. Still, He promised to take care of me. It's crazy. That's where humility is vital.
James 5:16 tells me that the prayers of a righteous man are powerful. Since there is none righteous, no not one, I pray in Jesus' name.
For the Kingdom,
Stuart L. Kingsley
- James is only 5 chapters.
- James and Paul seem to contradict on faith vs. works-based salvation. If you plant an apple seed, an apple tree grows. If the seed of the Spirit is planted in your heart, you should bear fruit. The works don't save you, but they should make your faith evident. Remember, you can fool others, but you can't fool God. Check your roots.
- This particular James is Jesus' brother, as in Mary and Joseph's son. Remember, Joseph wasn't Jesus' father. God is the Father. The Bible clearly states (Mark 3:31, etc.) that Jesus had brothers and sisters through Mary and Joseph. I don't know, if I had to grow up hearing "Why can't you be more like Jesus?!" every day, I'd probably resent Him too. In Luke 4:24 Jesus says that a prophet is not acceptable in his hometown, meaning it's hard for the people who have known you your whole life to accept any authority from you. Jesus was rejected in His hometown. He told them that their rejection would cost them salvation, and they tried to kill Him in His hometown.
James 1:5 tells me that if I lack wisdom, which I do, I should ask God for it because He gives generously. James 1:6 tells me that I should ask in faith though. James 1:7 tells me I should not just assume that God will give me anything. God is Father, not Santa. We have all declared war on God, so it's a miracle that He even deigns to save one person! He owes me nothing, yet He gives me everything. That blows my mind. James 1:12 tells me that if I persevere to the end, I will get the crown of life. James 1:13-15 tells me to avoid temptation. It is not God who tempts me because He wants me to grow closer to Him. He does allow me to be tempted, however, and I cheat on Him daily :( I am Gomer, yet I do not want to marry a Gomer (read Hosea). I am a wretch who expects comfort! I am detestable, and made potable only through the blood of Christ. James 1:19 tells me I should be:
- Quick to hear: Sometimes I listen. Sometimes I just wait for my turn to speak. I need to be a better listener, and pray for discernment and wisdom to serve those I listen to.
- Slow to speak: This was never me! Nobody would say I'm slow to speak. I really need the Spirit's help with this!
- Slow to anger: I turn all of my anger inward on myself. I don't ever explode. I do, however, get frustrated extremely easily. I panic, tell everyone, and then I have to update everyone when things change. I am annoying! I am sorry if I've annoyed you
James 2 starts off dealing with partiality. I've been a very partial person. I prefer rich and overlook poor. I've judged books by their covers. I am guilty of not loving others as I love myself. James 2:10 says that if I break one of the Commandments, I am guilty of breaking all of them. I admit my guilt. James 2:13 assures me that mercy triumphs over judgment. God is Just, so the fact that He has mercy on just one person is a miracle. We need to recognize just where we stand before God before we can claim to have any little understanding of God. No one knows the mind of God. We are like dogs following our master. We understand signals, and we obey or disobey. When we realize where we all stand, that we have all declared war on God, we realize that rich/poor, White/Black, American/not, etc. all are equally in need of a Savior. We are convinced that the harder we work, the better we are, yet in terms of salvation that is not the case. James then goes on to say that faith without works is dead. Faith is not salvation. Faith is belief in the unseen that leads to action. I have faith that a chair will hold me, but if I don't sit down then what good is that chair to me? If I have faith that Jesus saves, yet I don't dedicate my life to that belief, then what good is Jesus' salvation for me? I still have to reach out and accept a free gift. True belief leads to action. If I believe I'm going to be hit by a bus, I jump out of the way. I believe that Jesus saved me despite anything I've done, so I dedicate my life and livelihood to my Savior. Jesus saves those who enter the relationship with Him. That relationship lasts for eternity. He is not a "get out of Hell free" card even though we escape His absence (Hell) by gaining His presence (Heaven). Our goal tends to be to escape Hell without truly realizing what Hell is. Same with Heaven. We perceive Heaven as "good", but we overlook the fact that it is good because it is God's intimate, eternal presence. If we don't want a relationship with Him on Earth, we will be disappointed in Heaven. The point is to fall more in love with Jesus to the point where we obey Him more than we love ourselves. He gives to us so that we can give to others. We live in pursuit of Him to one day be with Him. If we love someone, we act on that love. We pursue, engage, marry, etc. As a man, I will either live for my family, or stay single, but either choice will be for the glory of God. Because I believe in Jesus, I work hard to advance His kingdom in the hearts of people regardless of who my employer is. If I just sat at home and did nothing, it would be apparent that I had no true beliefs.
James 3 tells me about how wicked my tongue is. No arguments there :/ James 3:9 says that I use it to both bless and curse. Amen. James 3:1 tells me that teachers will be judged with greater strictness. I have been called to teach, and I take that responsibility very seriously. It gives me accountability.
James 4 warns against worldliness. James 4:4 says friendship with the world is enmity with God, and vice versa. I realized last summer that this world has absolutely nothing to offer me. This world is Satan's dominion, and I'm on the opposing team. He hates me and wants to destroy me, yet the worst he can do is kill me. Either way, God gets the glory and I get to spend eternity with Him. James 4 also points out that conflicts occur over resources and possessions, but that shouldn't be because God gives generously. We don't have because we do not humbly ask Him for it. We're taught to fight and take, not love and ask. James 4:6 says God gives grace to the humble. I am so thankful that God humbles me without humiliating me. I can humiliate myself enough on my own! James 4:7-8 tells me to resist Satan and draw near to God. Satan tempts me away from God, yet God wants me to draw closer to Him. Of course, God is preferable, but my flesh longs for it's old idols a lot. I lose more than I win :( I honestly don't know why God still puts up with me. James 4:10 says "Humble thyself in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up." I love that song too. I serve God because He saved me, not because I hope to gain anything from Him. Still, He promised to take care of me. It's crazy. That's where humility is vital.
James 5:16 tells me that the prayers of a righteous man are powerful. Since there is none righteous, no not one, I pray in Jesus' name.
For the Kingdom,
Stuart L. Kingsley
Arkansas 2
I am sorry my blogging has been slacking. I've been rather lazy, to be honest. When I'm not working, I'm usually watching TV or playing video games in my nice apartment. I've been trying to get plugged into a local church, and so far I've only found a youth group to get involved with. I miss the Spirit-filled community of WFBC, but I'm doing what I can at RFBC. I spent 2 weeks with the 6th grade boys, and they were cool, but they desperately needed another leader with 8th grade guys. I jumped in with the 20+ 8th grade guys, and I've been working with them these past 2 weeks. It's been good, but since it's only once a week I am still hurting spiritually. I still have Scripture, and I still have the Spirit, so I'm nowhere near dead, but I'm not as vibrant as I was last year. I know God has a purpose in bringing me out here, so I'm just taking it one day at a time.
I spent last weekend in Weatherford and Oklahoma City, OK. I'd never been to OK before, and the parts I saw were nice. OKC is very nice. So far I have seen 8 of our 9 schools play basketball against each other. I also saw one of our provisional members play last weekend. So, technically, 9 out of 10 schools. I'll get to see the final one tomorrow most likely. Since I live right down the road from Arkansas Tech, I have seen most teams when they come to play Tech. I saw SWOSU, HSU, SAU and OBU on the road. All the rest I've seen at Tech. I've met a lot of nice people, and I'm enjoying myself.
I got all of our teams placed in their hotels for the basketball tournament, so I get to spend the next two weeks making sure everything stays straight with that. I'm really looking forward to our week in Bartlesville, OK. The Bartlesville Sports Commission has been fantastic in coming alongside us to put this event on. After this I'll still have to work the Golf, Tennis, Softball and Baseball tournaments, so I will be kept busy.
I'm Athens-sick, but I'm surviving out here. I spent a good chunk of my spiritual life as a spiritual loner, then God showed me what Christian community should be, now I'm back to being a loner. I guess if you could sum up my emotions in a word it would be "longing". Longing for what I've lost, longing for a purpose, etc. I have a job to do, and I will do the best I can (Colossians 3:23). I know God will not forsake me :)
For the Kingdom,
Stuart L. Kingsley
I spent last weekend in Weatherford and Oklahoma City, OK. I'd never been to OK before, and the parts I saw were nice. OKC is very nice. So far I have seen 8 of our 9 schools play basketball against each other. I also saw one of our provisional members play last weekend. So, technically, 9 out of 10 schools. I'll get to see the final one tomorrow most likely. Since I live right down the road from Arkansas Tech, I have seen most teams when they come to play Tech. I saw SWOSU, HSU, SAU and OBU on the road. All the rest I've seen at Tech. I've met a lot of nice people, and I'm enjoying myself.
I got all of our teams placed in their hotels for the basketball tournament, so I get to spend the next two weeks making sure everything stays straight with that. I'm really looking forward to our week in Bartlesville, OK. The Bartlesville Sports Commission has been fantastic in coming alongside us to put this event on. After this I'll still have to work the Golf, Tennis, Softball and Baseball tournaments, so I will be kept busy.
I'm Athens-sick, but I'm surviving out here. I spent a good chunk of my spiritual life as a spiritual loner, then God showed me what Christian community should be, now I'm back to being a loner. I guess if you could sum up my emotions in a word it would be "longing". Longing for what I've lost, longing for a purpose, etc. I have a job to do, and I will do the best I can (Colossians 3:23). I know God will not forsake me :)
For the Kingdom,
Stuart L. Kingsley
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