I Love Missions Convention!

I love the message, the people, and the foods of our annual Missions Convention!

You cannot help but refocus on the message of the good news of Jesus and our responsibility to go, carrying that message everywhere. It always burns deeper in me after this week.

Although Facebook is great, Missions Convention is a time to reconnect “face to face” with some of the greatest people on the planet – missionaries. It is a joy to share with people who have committed themselves so sacrificially to the cause of Christ. Bernie and Brenda Smith truly exemplify that as they represent us in the nations of West Africa. What a joy to have them with us today!

And then there is the food. Seems our “Flavors Around The World” Banquet gets bigger and better each year. One friend dubbed it “around the world in eighty bites”. What a great assortment. There was something for everyone.

I cannot wait until Wednesday!

Memorial Day Remembering

I have had some difficulty attempting to embed a video on this post today. Since it will not come up, let me just encourage you, while you take time for family today, be sure to also remember and give thanks for those who have paid such a high price for the freedoms we enjoy.

God bless you and have a good Memorial Day.

Sound Bites

I’ve been a little behind in posting this week since returning from Fort Wayne. Judy and I, along with Pastor Billy and Karen, attended the Indiana District Council of the Assemblies of God earlier this week and I have been trying to get caught up ever since.

As well as taking care of business we participated in three different worship services. Dr. George Wood, General Superintendent of the U.S. Assemblies of God and Indiana District Superintendent Don Gifford were the primary speakers. Here are a few “sound bites” out of my notes.

“It is easier to blow up a bridge than it is to build one.” (The implication is: build one anyway.)

“McDonalds 3:16, Keep your eyes on your own fries.” (A call to purity in lifestyle.)

“As Spirit filled people we play from all the keys on the piano of life; from miracles to hardship.” (Don’t stop believing for miracles, and don’t stop trusting during the hard times when you do not experience miracles.)

Keep Moving!

There are times in life, for all of us, when it seems the ride is over. “Stinkin thinkin” takes over: “What’s the use… I can’t… Might as well quit… It’s over…” Sometimes it comes from us, sometimes from others.

During the Habitat ride this past week, one man who watched me struggle up a hill midway through the ride suggested that I ride in a support vehicle for a while. I am so glad I did not listen to him. It would have robbed me of the joy and success of finishing on my own.

Maybe you're tempted to give up today. But God is grabbing your attention to say, “Don't become weary in doing good . . . the harvest you've hoped for is coming.” (See Galatians 6:9.) He doesn’t want you to miss a great victory!

Too often we assume what the end will be while we are still in the middle of the ride. That's when we start leaning on our own understanding instead of trusting in the Lord with all our heart and we stop moving.

Don’t give up in the middle of the ride. The Lord has a way of giving strength to the weary, and He is never late. Keep moving!

What A Ride!

It is history; the longest bike ride of my life is over and I am still alive to write about it.
It was a beautiful day and four of us from the Linton area rode in the Habitat for Humanity ride from Linton to Bedford. Congratulations to Mark, Rich, and Carolyn, who all finished ahead of me.

We were able to raise some money for Habitat today and there might be a few good sermon illustrations come out of the experience as well. All in all, a good day.

Grateful for the beautiful day, health (tomorrow may be another story), friends, and the opportunity to do something to benefit others.

Two Days And Counting

Approximately 40 hours from now the adventure begins; a 60+ mile bike ride through the hill country of southern Indiana. I completed my last training ride early this morning. Now all that’s left to do is wait and deal with the questions: What if it is rainy and cold? Should I make any more adjustments to the bike? Can I really ride a bike over 60 miles on rough, hilly roads? Will I make it all the way?

Human nature prompts the questions. Moses questioned his ability to do what God called him to do. Abram followed but more than once tried to take things into his own hands when it seemed God wasn’t coming through. Peter stepped out of the boat in obedience to Jesus’ call, but all too soon took his eyes off Jesus and began to sink.

Whether physical or spiritual challenges, it is time to focus, move past the questions, and ride!

60+ Miles

Wow! That sounds like a LONG way! I rode 20 miles this morning prepping for this Thursday's 60+ mile ride to benefit Habitat for Humanity. (Check out the previous post for a link to pledge support.) The course is quite challenging with many bumps, curves and hills, but my goal is to endure and go the distance.

Sounds a bit like life doesn't it; bumps, curves and hills? Some days we are on a smooth downhill run, but other days everything seems like a hard, bumpy, uphill climb. If you are on the uphill climb today as a Christian, here are a few words of encouragement from God's Word.

Hebrews 12:1-3 says: "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."

Just one more, from Galatians 6:9, "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."

Let's keep looking to Jesus and go the distance!

Funny Math

“When do 12 + 26 +1 = 1?” What do you think?

Here are a few hints. I am doing some bike riding to get in shape for a 61 mile bike ride from Linton to Bedford to benefit “Habitat for Humanity”. As a pastor, I had a very full, busy Sunday.

Do you know what it is yet? It will probably take more than a mathematician to get this one. So, here goes: Riding a bike for 12 miles plus 26 more miles (all in less than a 20 hour period) plus one good, busy Sunday = one grumpy pastor on Monday. Guess I have a ways to go to be like Jesus, or even Lance Armstrong.

By the way, you can join with me in supporting this worthy cause by sponsoring me on this “Habitat” ride. Check out the following website to give support: http://www.active.com/donate/2009coverindiana/davidatkins.

Swine Flu Prevention

Do not do this:

Hmm, don't you wish everything was that simple.

Have a good day!

Better Health, Better Flavor

Judy and I have one of those Britta water pitchers at home in the frig. It is the kind that you pour in the water and it filters out things that flavor or make the water unhealthy.

Wouldn't it be great to have that kind of filter for our minds? There is such a thing! It is found in Philippians 4:8 "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things."

Those eight words serve as an eight-layered filter. If thoughts come that are not true, noble, right, pure, lovely..., then do not dwell on them. It is a choice we can all make. Too many go through life without giving a second thought to their thoughts. But you are what you think.

When we choose to use the filter of Philipians 4:8, it will remove unhealthy thinking and enhance the flavor of our lives. Better health and better flavor; I want that for my life. How about you?