|
September 2001 Table of Contents
A View From The Front Lines
By Kirk Lyons
 Has it been 3 months again already? When I received my friendly little deadline reminder for this edition of The Communicator, I was taken aback! Not because I had to write something of value but that time passes so quickly. I have noticed that during our conference season it picks up another gear or two.
I was able to get out of the office long enough to attend the Big Apple and Smokies events. The time spent away was just what the doctor ordered. If you have never been to a J&J conference, I would highly recommend one. I don't say that because I work at J&J but more importantly because of what happens at these events. They are so spiritually uplifting, refresh and renew your mind and soul. Many Ministers of Music have told me that there is nothing like them anywhere! The most refreshing thing for me was finally being out there meeting many of you, hearing all the great things God is doing in your ministries and seeing how God's Spirit ministered to you during the times of worship. One of the things I realized was how easy it is to lose sight of the big picture of what we are here to do. Like the old saying goes: Sometimes you can't see the forest because of the trees. We are so focused on the everyday grind of running the business we miss the fruit of all the labor. A second thing I noticed was the difference in conversation. Working every day at the office you would swear we never do anything right. It seems there are days that you can't fix the problems fast enough. It was so exciting to be at these two conferences where we could do nothing wrong! So many thank you's, smiles, hand shakes and pats on the back. Like I said earlier, just what the Doctor ordered for a tired soldier. I pray that everyone had as good a time as Shanda and I.
We have seen some distinct sellers for the Christmas season. I won't talk much about them other than to say they are listed at the end of my article for your review. Okay so I'm going to talk about one… If you have never had a candlelight service for Christmas Eve, please, please, please jump from your comfort zone and delight your congregations with Watch Night. This work from PraiseGathering is my humble choice for this year's best Christmas Musical.
I'd like to close with something that's been on my heart. If you haven't noticed I refer to Jeremiah 29:11--13 quite frequently. You see it's my life verse and for a good reason. Several months ago I received a letter explaining that I was misinformed about this scripture and I should not be quoting it in the context that I often do. The letter went on to tell me exactly what God meant with this scripture and listed several other scriptures that would be more appropriate for me to use. I have pondered this now for several months and feel like I should share how God used Jeremiah 29:11-13 to save my life. I only have so much room so this will be the abbreviated version.
It was a cold February evening in Nashville, TN. I had just left a meeting to dissolve a business partnership I had been involved in and was sitting out on my porch overlooking Hickory Hollow Mall. I had been on a roller coaster ride for 6 years since accepting Jesus as my Savior and the ride had just come to a screeching halt. You see, at one time I thought I had all the world had to offer, but now this stuff was interfering with my relationship to Christ. For 6 years He had been knocking at my hearts door but I was not interested in anything more than the fire insurance I received when accepting Him into my heart. The problem is, Jesus isn't happy with that type of relationship. He wants to be your best friend, take on all your cares, worries and be intimately involved in everything we do. So slowly over 6 years He started taking my “stuff” away.
Until one cold February night when it was all gone. I sat on my porch alone (so I thought) flat broke and scared. So scared I decided it would be a good idea to jump off my porch and end it all.
After convincing myself that I was so great a failure that I would certainly mess up even killing myself, I lay down on the cold concrete and cried like I have never cried before. I kept asking God “why, why, I have lost everything and have nothing to live for. No reason to go on.” And then it happened… that still small voice broke through the silence of my tears and said, “Kirk, you have lost everything that this world has to offer you, but you will never lose me. I'm sorry you had to come to this point, but you needed to know that I'm all you need now and I'm all you'll ever need. Kirk, I love you and I know the plans I have for you. They are plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you a hope and a future. All you need to do is seek me with all of your heart!”
Well, I'm on a different roller coaster now. When you know Jesus Christ not only as your Savior, but also as Lord of your life, you better strap in because it's a wild ride! He is truly a God of excitement and change. So I say to my brother in the Lord that sent me that letter, thanks for all the scripture references, they have been very helpful. But to a young man on a cold February evening, who didn't think life was worth living anymore, Jesus applied His Word exactly the way He meant it that night. That is what's so exciting about God and His Word! They are both alive and breathing, and if we'll spend time with Him, and in His Word, He'll speak to us in ways He won't speak to others. That's why we call it a personal relationship with Christ.
Looking for a cloud!
Kirk
email Kirk
Back to Top
|
