Michael C Kekel

Happy New Year!

2012-01-02T00:17:00.000-08:00

A new year

(Arthur Pink)

"Go forward!" Exodus 14:15

Is not this a timely word for each of us as we enter into, and journey through, a new year?

We need to clearly realize that there is no such thing as remaining stationary in the spiritual life. If we do not progress--we inevitably retrograde. How that solemn fact should search our hearts!

Christian friend, your history this year will be either one of going forward--or backsliding. This new year will mark either an increased fruitfulness in your soul and life, to the glory of Him whose name you bear--or increased leanness and barrenness, to His reproach. It will witness either a growing in grace--or a decline in your spirituality. It will record either an increased love for the Word, use of the Throne of Grace, strictness of walk and closer communion with Christ--or a growing coldness and a following of Him afar off!

"Go forward!" Exodus 14:15

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We have published Arthur Pink's superb 2 page article, "Identification of the Godly".
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Feel free to forward this on to your friends.

Merry Christmas

2011-12-24T22:11:00.000-08:00

“You don't choose your family. They are God's gift to you, as you are to them.”

(Desmond Tutu)

This statement perfectly expresses our feelings about you all; you are our family and a gift from God to us. You inspire and challenge us everyday, and we count it a privilege to serve the Lord together with you.

Our prayer is that God will supply all your needs and bless you with every good and perfect gift, that His presence will encompass you and His grace will uphold you. From our heart and home to yours, Merry Christmas!

Love,

Mike and Tanya Kekel

NTCC Music Website- New Content

2011-12-01T17:46:00.000-08:00

"You can knock off the harps. We just got Segovia"

Announcing the launch of our new website, NTCC Music! Browse the links on the website for a preview of the exciting content coming your way.

New content has been added to the left sidebar links; Hymns, and Chord Chemistry. Check it out!

NTCC Music

Happy Thanksgiving

2011-11-24T11:22:00.000-08:00

We would like to wish all of you a very Happy Thanksgiving! We're thankful for God's innumerable blessings, but one of the greatest blessings of all is true friends.

2 Thess. 1 (3)

³ "We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth"

God Bless all of you!

Love, the Kekels

More Pavilion Pics by Mike Kekel

2011-11-23T13:04:00.000-08:00

Here's a bunch more pics of that Pavilion at the Campground. It will have an octagonal metal roof with a vent at the top. Steps will be created in the hillside, leading down to the Fellowship Hall.

Camp 'ground' gets Facelift

2011-11-23T10:35:00.000-08:00

Over 90,000 square feet of blacktop was laid last month, expanding the paved surface area of the NTCC Campground and making safer conditions for pedestrians.

The man who did the work is a Christian, and donated the paint striping machine to the Camp. Wow, parking spaces! The road around the back lake and singles dorms was repaired, and in front of the Fellowship Hall, the road was widened. This will ease congestion around the Fellowship Hall, and facilitate access to the new Pavilion. (The Pavilion is scheduled for use in April 2012)

Other areas were also widened and repaired, including the area near the minister's quarters and the RV Parking area. In the Spring, I hope some crosswalks can also be painted, we'll see.

Here's the view from the Fellowship Hall road, looking toward the Tabernacle and Lodge.

Follow Michael Kekel on Twitter

2011-11-16T18:24:00.000-08:00

That's right! If you want quick updates about things from the inside, subscribe to my blogs and my Twitter. Twitter is more than some 'cool' toy for teenagers, but it's being used by many organizations today for 'getting the word out quick'. I can shoot a few sentences and even a picture or two, out to followers in seconds, from my mobile phone. You can also receive them on your mobile phone. Here's how...

Go to http://www.twitter.com and setup a simple User ID and Password for to establish your account. Then go to KekelMC and simply click the "Follow" button. Tell Twitter where you want "Tweets" (things published) to go to, and you're done!

On the right column of this blog, you will always see my latest tweet. If you already have Twitter, just click the "Follow" button. The most recent from the time of this writing was days ago letting followers know that the concrete for the Campground Pavilion was finished. Try it, you will like it!

Mike Kekel

New Photos of the Pavilion

2011-11-12T17:04:00.000-08:00

If you would like to see updated photos of the brethren working on the foundation of the new NTCC Campground Pavilion, go to the ntccgoodnews.org website and click the links on the home page. It looks like it will be useable in the April Camp Meeting!
M.C. Kekel

Introducing the Pavilion

2011-11-11T15:34:00.000-08:00

With the weather already getting colder in Missouri, the brethren are racing to get the foundation for the new Pavilion laid before the freeze. As of Thursday 10 November, the foundation is ready for concrete, which is scheduled for Friday. Rev. J. L. Johnson, General Overseer, flew to Missouri with plans in hand, (courtesy of Elliot Gesang our on-staff General Contractor) and brethren came in from various places to assist Rev. Johnson and Rev. Smart (Camp Curator) in the work. Its location is right across from the Dining Facility. Simply walk out of the Dining Hall with your food, up a few steps and 'voila' you are THERE!

The race is on to get the foundation in, so that the Pavilion will be ready for use during the April Conference. The portion that will be under the metal roof is 50' x 50', with a central firepit for barbequeing or just ambience. Other amenities will be some short walls for seating, electricity for those who wish to setup musical instruments, or coffee pots, whatever. It will be a place where you can hang out for late night fellowship, singing and of course, eating. There will also be a serving bar with a sink and running water for food preparation.

On the other side of the Pavilion will be areas designated for funtime activities, such as volleyball (with a permanently installed net and sand), frisbee, etc. Yes, we'll still have church and prayer meetings too. Bring your stuff, your football, your BBQ, your camera or your guitar, (yes, even your banjo) and let's have a blast! Don't forget, you can come in early if you like!

Good News for Trumpet Subscribers

2011-11-11T15:18:00.000-08:00

NTCC's monthly magazine, TheTrumpet, was first published in April 1983 as a simple two-page newsletter to keep NTCC members informed and to share good reports. This simplistic publication was created using very primitive means and corner-stapled. It was a blessing in its time, but was only meant to be a Newsletter. For a time it was unpublished, but then the Newsletter idea was revived and, as a result, we have enjoyed The Trumpet for many years and watched it get better. It isn't coming to an end, it's really just beginning.

After the recent Conference and board meetings, the plan was clear; The Trumpet would be discontinued after the December 2011 issue; it would then be published online and integrated with the existing NTCC Good News website (ntccgoodnews.org). Things have now evolved into something even greater than we ever imagined! Let me explain.

Part of the decision was based on the fact that it cost appx. $3.00 per magazine to publish. That would be $36.00 per year for a subscription, just to break even. That's right; it cost money, it never made money for the Printshop. The only thing that doesn't run in the red is the business cards. As always, proceeds were to go to the Printshop, but there weren't any. There are many man-hours involved to produce the magazine, and we weren't really publishing much news or relevant articles in the magazine. Putting out the same information by email Newsletter will give us much more flexibility, reduce cost and labor, and gets the content to you faster.

For the Trumpet magazine alone, it takes two men about a month (a stressful month) collecting the material, proofreading, situating the columns, formatting, etc.; add to that trimming each magazine, doing the mailing paperwork, separating them all by zip code, bagging separately just like the Post Office demands, and taking it in for bulk mailing, which means waiting in line for an hour, plus the time to go through it with them. Pay them for the mailing, then go back and do the email part, and the first class mailings to overseas subscribers,..sigh.

So we're totally reworking everything, to give you MUCH MORE for NO COST to you, in addition to offering new products available in smaller quantities and bulk discounts, plus a fully functional new Online myPrintshop Store, where you can browse products, create your own products from templates, add them to your cart and checkout /pay so your order goes right to production. 8-)

A year ago we embarked on a journey into the 21st century, by changing the entire structure of both NTCCA and NTCS, which now enjoy state-of-the-art Online Admissions and Administrative systems with many new features. This moved accounting from Quickbooks for small businesses to an online-hosted, Oracle-based system with much more capability than ever. The Admissions portion however, focuses primarily on the Seminary.

Seminary Teachers post class assignments and grades to their online grade books, distribute files and class materials, and receive written assignments from the students, in an online drop box with just a few clicks. Students login to access their classes, transcripts, assignments, download outlines and files, view class schedules, trimester breaks and announcements, to name just a few. All this, is already in place and being used.

Over the next few months however, the websites are going to explode with even more new features!

*Overhaul of the NTCCA and NTCS website design, and integration with database directories with customized access for ministers, choir members, etc.

*A new website for every church, created, uploaded and maintained by each Pastor

*Online registration and payment for Campmeetings, special events, etc

*Online Minister's License renewal

*Online subscriptions available to various Email Newsletters

*A monthly Trumpet Email Newsletter loaded with extras, links, resources and of course, news and updates about NTCCA and NTCS; featured articles and contributions from people you know, and searchable archives of past issues over two decades

*An NTCS Newsletter with NTCS Campus news, and contributions by students and alumni.

*Fund raising Newsletters for special projects

*A World Missions Newsletter with contributions from missionaries and online donation, pledge and payment capability. You can login, track your giving, check your pledge balance and print your own receipts.

*Secure logins for ministers to upload their own websites, update their address and phone information. This direct feeds databases and directories available in optional ways (like mobile phones, etc.)

*Online Admissions for potential NTCS students to apply to the college, receive information, maps, contact info., prerequisites, be notified of acceptance and more!

*Online Virtual tours of the NTCS Campus

*Online Virtual tours of the Campground

*Online payment processing including credit cards, paypal, or auto-deduction.

I have been working toward this goal for many years, and it's a blessing to see it coming to pass. I'm thankful for my Team members who have been great resources for ideas and development, and have stood by my side through all the pioneering involved. My prayer and earnest desire is, that it will free me to do many other things, including traveling to churches, fellowship meetings, etc. One beautiful thing about the new setup is, we don't have to worry about backups, security, an IT man on staff, etc., because the Content Management System (CMS) will allow the Office Personnel to upload the content using a "Wizard" type approach. Not to mention, you won't have to wait on many things that you will be able to do yourself. Truly, God is good!

In His service,

Mike Kekel

(Read this article on the Good News Website and read the first Trumpet from 1983)
http://www.ntccgoodnews.org/trump-news.html

R.W. Davis donates 40-acres

2011-11-10T16:27:00.000-08:00

The New Testament Christian Seminary Campus just got bigger! Today, R. W. Davis, founder of New Testament Christian Churches of America, Inc., donated a 40-acre parcel of land for the expansion of the New Testament Christian Seminary Campus in Graham, WA. The land is located just south of the NTCS Campus along Orting-Kapowsin Hwy., and is earmarked for construction of additional housing for Seminary students and ministers. Title was conveyed to New Testament Christian Churches of America, Inc. this morning and, with the help of Leroy Surveyors and Engineers,

the project has received final approval from the Graham Advisory Commission and the Pierce Country Hearings Examiner.

In the 1990’s the land was listed for sale by a company called Herbrand-McGowan Timber, but only after they harvested and sold the timber. Apparently, that was their reason for buying it. Though unsure what the future needs of NTCS would be, Pastor seized the opportunity to purchase it and, though he retained personal ownership, titled it to NTCCA. He has since personally paid all related expenses of development including applicable taxes and fees, labor and materials.

The State Dept. of Ecology placed a 6 year moratorium (temporary prohibition) on development of the property to allow recovery from the logging, and to protect the wetlands that cannot be used. The moratorium however, wasn’t the only obstacle; the properties between the 40 acres and the NTCS campus were acquired and developed by parties not connected with the Seminary, effectively ending any hope of having frontage all the way south along OK highway.

In addition, when attempting to acquire permits to build on properties adjoining the 40 acres, Pierce County demanded that the title first be transferred out of NTCCA’s name. In light of these circumstances, Pastor decided to retain ownership and financial responsibility for the land, and placed it in my name, even though it technically remained his. Legal counsel advised that, even if the land had been a gift to me, I had fulfilled any tax liability resulting from the change of title.

The project will add 8 lots to the existing 35 rental properties on Campus. The only tax-exempt properties are main church grounds, (no parsonages or housing allowances exist) and are approved by the State of Washington and the Dept. of Revenue. In accordance with the law, the properties are used strictly for the purpose of the mission of the non-profit organization and Seminary, and therefore generate no business related (outside) income nor personal benefit. Cost of rentals is kept way below market rental value, to provide affordable options for students and ministers.

Single students pay $65.00 per week for dorm residences, comparable to the 1979 price of $20.00! Seminary classes that cost $20.00 then, now average about $60.00 each. Not bad for 32 years inflation! Tuition is also kept very low, to make it affordable for students, especially in this economy.

It has been determined that the 40 acres will indeed be used for Seminary housing, which represents a giant leap forward for the work of God at the New Testament Christian Seminary, and we are excited about all that God is doing! I am thankful for the wisdom of Pastor Davis through the years, who has tried to teach all of us how to take care of ourselves financially and spiritually; the income from these properties is used solely for the Seminary and greatly helps to keep the work of God in motion.

God bless you,

M.C. Kekel

Fall Conference 2011

2011-10-08T00:22:00.000-07:00

^“Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! ⁹ For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.” (Psalms)

Fall Conference 2011 was satisfying indeed! There was fellowship at the Dining Hall on the Saturday Evening before the Conference and then church twice on Sunday. Rev. Wright (Angeles City, Philippines) preached in the morning, and Rev. Webster (Vilsek, Germany) in the evening.

A stream of people flowed onto the Campground over the weekend and settled in their rooms making sundry preparations. By Monday Eve. all was ready. The NTCS Choir kicked things off with a couple new songs from Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir’s repertoire; ‘He’ll Welcome Me” and “Heaven on my Mind”. After a great time of worship, Rev. Ashmore (Western Div. Overseer) preached the opening service message. Rev. Jones (Western Div. Overseer) preached Tuesday Morning and, after lunch, many returned for the Mastering your Music Workshop Part II.

Tuesday night’s preacher was Rev. Barfield from Anchorage, AK. The next morning Rev. Goff from Newport News, VA, preached. We took a break for lunch and came back at 1:30 for the Servicemen’s Ministry Workshop. Rev. Kinson narrated a slide presentation of the history of Servicemen’s work that will later be posted to our website, in case you missed it. Wednesday Evening service was one big Hallelujah breakdown! No one ever got to preach, as wave after wave of God’s presence flooded the place. There was sustained applause for about 15 minutes or more, and we shouted and danced until it was time to float out of the place.

Thursday was slightly different; instead of a service and a workshop, the whole morning was devoted to a World Missions presentation by all the missionaries. Each brought photos of their works and were allotted approx. 10 min. each to make a presentation; it lasted much longer, but no one seemed to care. It was inspiring to see what God is doing around the world, and share in the visions of these dedicated workers. The slideshow relating to these presentations will be on the ntccmissions.org website. In the final service, I preached the theme “Approving Excellent Things”.

You can view a compilation of these slides at http://www.ntccmissions.org
(You have to restart the audio track manually each time it finishes)

You will also find financial reports for the World Missions program.

Conference Announcement

2011-08-31T23:41:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone,

The Conference is really close, and many of you are making last preparations. I'm passing on this information from Pastor Davis concerning Camp access;

The bridge on route D is closed - between Route zz and just east of the gravel road Mcr 623 that leads to the camp.

People coming from St Louis who take the route through Bowling Green, will have to go into Perry on highway 19 instead of turning left onto Route D.

People coming from Mexico who take route ZZ will have to stay on route Z to route D. From the intersection of routes D and Z the road is open to the camp on route D.

Team Spirit

2011-07-02T11:04:00.000-07:00

I have posted a new sermon outline on my "Sermons, Lessons and Other Stuff" blog. This sermon will also appear in the recent issue of our periodical 'The Trumpet'. Read it carefully, including the scriptures, as it explains many things. It's a compilation of messages I preached in Graham, WA, over 4 or 5 services. God bless you, enjoy!

M. C. Kekel

http://mckekel.wordpress.com/2011/07/02/team-spirit/

False gods

2011-06-07T11:26:00.000-07:00

THE MANUFACTURE OF GODS

One of the strange and dreadful powers of men is the ability to make gods for themselves. No matter how ordinary their talents, and unsuccessful their efforts in other directions, here in the deity constructing business they always excel, and from the successful manufacture of one, they can soon turn out “gods many.”

In fine scorn and irony the prophet addressed an idolatrous people, and said, You take the trunk of a tree, make an image of it, call it God, and then afterwards burning it up, fail to see the silliness and absurdity of the whole proceeding.

But this and all other arguments fail to deter idolaters from their God manufacture; so intellectual Greece had thirty-three thousand false deities, military Rome possessed as many, and benighted Africa owned as great a multitude.

No tribe, no matter how degraded and poverty-stricken, seems to be poor when numbering their gods. They are legion, and they are of brass, iron, wood, stone, and anything and everything but spirit. In enlightened America we have as many false gods as the countries mentioned ever possessed. Men are still busy making gods. It is true that in this nation men have better conceptions of the Divine Being than the Asiatics and Africans possess; they know that God is a spirit and is not to be constructed in the forms and images which the heathen fashion for themselves. Nevertheless, all misconceptions of God are idolatrous. All wrong ideas which result in the robbing him of certain moral attributes, or which deny his Will and Word and Work, inevitably make an idol or false God.

It is marvelous to see what impertinent and sacrilegious hands men lay upon the Almighty. They take from him attributes which belong to him and clothe him with qualities which he plainly disclaims, and which are perfectly alien to his character. The result is of course a false God.

Evidently the God of the Bible does not suit people in America, and so they have gone to work to cut him up, shave him down, and then add a certain worldliness, weakness, and general molluscousness to his character which really brings another false God upon the scene, whom men worship, and whom at last they will find powerless to save.

It is a sickening thought that there are so many Christian congregations in the land today who are worshipping a false Christ. About all some of them have of the real, true Savior is the name Jesus Christ. That a certain divine man named Christ died on Calvary two thousand years ago is the one fact and truth they start out with, but after that comes in their handiwork in all that remains. Instead of changing their hearts and lives to suit the Holy One of the Bible, they alter him to suit their worldly and sinful lives. So a soft, easygoing, worldly Christ is lifted up in their Church as the object of worship.

As a God he is indifferent to the amusements and business life of his followers. He winks at card-playing, theater-going and Sunday traveling. He does not mind white lies, gossip, and various kinds of diversions in the family and church. He is perfectly satisfied that his people come to his temple twice on Sunday, sing him an anthem or two, bow slightly in the pews, and if convenient attend the prayer meeting on Wednesday night. The rest of the week can be spent anywhere and everywhere, it suits them; it is all the same to him.

We have not the shadow of a doubt in our minds that we have churches throughout our country called “The Church of the Redeemer,” or “The Church of the Messiah,” that if the real Christ, as he is, should walk down its aisles, the congregation would not know him and if he preached a single sermon they would never hear another; and if he persisted in his rebuke they would kill him as certainly as did the Jews.

It is purely an imaginary Christ that many congregations are worshipping. They have manufactured a God to suit themselves. The boundary lines of his salvation have been so run in and out as to allow not only questionable things, but matters forbidden by the Law and the Sermon on the Mount.The Christ of the Bible, demanding a complete consecration, a devoted service, and a rulership without a rival in the heart, is one being, and the one they call Christ who permits compromise, a half-hearted following, and actual sin and worldliness is another person altogether different. The first is the true God, the second is a false one manufactured by the worshipper and unable to save in life, comfort in death or deliver at the Day of Judgment.

In our goings about we have often heard the following expression: “My God allows me to do so and so, or this and that.” We never heard the speech, but felt that some kind of sin was being covered. In numerous instances the proof was finally given to verify the suspicion.

The explanation of the phrase is that the man, being plainly forbidden by the God of the Bible from committing certain things, or acting in various ways, immediately proceeded to make a God for himself who would allow him to do whatsoever he desired. This manufactured deity he calls “his God.” Then in due season we hear the words, “My God allows me to play cards,” or to “go to the theater,” etc., etc.

These gods of course are very diverse, as people do not all favor the same kind of sin; and so they differ and are numerous as well. If a town has a population of three thousand people it is perfectly safe to say there are over one thousand false gods in the community, while a city of a million would have an array of man-created deities that would make the thirty-three thousand idols of Athens look like a corporal’s guard.

It stands to reason that if we would wield a harsh, slanderous tongue, we must be under the necessity of creating a God who will allow this, so that we can in the indulgence of such unkindness and spleen be able to say that our God continues to smile upon and bless us. The God of the Bible is against such words and such a spirit; so the counterfeit deity is struck off, elevated into position, and then, with hands wet with the blood of a brother’s reputation, the deluded man looks upward, while the lips say, “My God allows me to do this,” “My God continues to bless and prosper me while I do and say such things.”

If a man wants to be divorced from his wife for other than the scriptural cause, he is under the necessity of making a God to let him do it, for the true God forbids it. Hence we do not have to travel far these days to hear a man or woman say, “My God allowed me to get a divorce; and the ground was incompatibility” Another God-maker! If a person would like to gossip, or repeat evil reports; if he would condemn a fellow-being unheard, and nurse a grudge; he must manufacture a God to permit such a spirit and life, for the true God is against it all.

No one need be surprised to hear people, who are well-known to be guilty of these things, stand up in testimony meetings and say that God dwells in their hearts, and they never enjoyed religion more in all their lives than now. The explanation is that a God has been manufactured to suit the unloving, unChristlike life. It is true that their tongue is sharper than a serpent’s tooth, and their conversation is one of abuse, detraction, and slander; yet here comes the stereotyped expression, “My Lord was never nearer and dearer to me than now. He fills me now. He keeps me blessedly all the time.”

In spite of the bold declaration many of the readers of this chapter will recall how the God of the Bible failed to make his presence felt at this juncture; and how, when the testifier sat down there was a peculiar silence, unctionless, ominous and oppressive.

False gods allow us to retain right eyes and right arms that offend. They grant seats at Jezebel’s table, and most distinguished favors and attentions from the world. They generate no fears, whisper nothing about a coming judgment, but rock the soul to sleep with the nonsensical but soothing doctrine of Final Restoration.

It is dreadful to mark the confusion and horror which comes with the light of the death hour revelation to men who have worshipped gods of their own creation. They find with a sudden and unspeakable shock that they have been adoring fantasies, delusions, and silly imaginations of their own. They find vanishing illusions where they wanted a divine Person, and mental fog where they needed the arm of the Omnipotence.

They compassed themselves with sparks of their own kindling, and now, says the prophet, they lie down in sorrow. They took their own desires to be divine leadings; their personal spleen to be righteous indignation, and their pitiless treatment of their fellow-creatures to be zeal for the Lord. With Christ’s own statement that no one who cast out devils in his name could speak lightly of him, and could not be against him, yet they proceeded to condemn and cast out from their regard and presence all that did not “follow with them,” no matter what miracles of grace these same people were performing in Christ’s name. This strange anomaly and contradiction was their religion, and this un-Christlike Christ was their Lord.

Of course at death no such God appeared to help and save. The true God had been substituted with a false one, and he was not only powerless to deliver, but being a mere concept, and a vain one at that, he was not even present to comfort, and so the now undeceived soul was left to flounder in darkness and despair in the hour of death. Better far to serve the true God, though that service cost not only the right eye, and hand and foot, but all of earth beside. What are our members to us if we be cast with them in the Lake of Fire? and what shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose his soul?

If the reader has a God, he should take it at once to the Bible and see how it compares with the Holy Being revealed there. If dissimilarity exists, and the prodigious blunder has been made of making a God instead of receiving One who never had a beginning, there should be an instant destruction of the idol, the abandonment of the false, and a cleaving now and forever to the one true God, high over all and blessed forevermore. It is infinitely better to discover a great spiritual mistake in life, than in death, when the senses are failing, the mind wandering, devils are assailing, and all the strange, trying and paralyzing sensations attending dissolution sweep like dark billows over the soul.

It would be a dreadful thing in the midst of dying gasps, fading faces, and a receding world, to discover in the last moment of life that we had worshipped a wretched counterfeit, a base imitation, a helpless idol, a God that we ourselves had manufactured.

Alas for the man who has created an imaginary God; served all his life a false God; and dies at last with no God!

From "Bundle of Arrows" (Chapter 4) by Beverly Carradine

Letting Go

2011-06-06T22:43:00.000-07:00

"There are people who can walk away from you. And hear me when I tell you this! When people can walk away from you: let them walk. I don't want you to try to talk another person into staying with you, loving you, calling you, caring about you, coming to see you, staying attached to you. I mean hang up the phone. When people can walk away from you let them walk. Your destiny is never tied to anybody that left."

"The Bible says that, they came out from us that it might be made manifest that they were not for us. For had they been of us, no doubt they would have continued with us. [1 John 2:19 ] People leave you because they are not joined to you. And if they are not joined to you, you can't make them stay.Let them go. And it doesn't mean that they are a bad person it just means that their part in the story is over. And you've got to know when people's part in your story is over so that you don't keep trying to raise the dead.. . You've got to know when it's dead. You've got to know when it's over."

"Let me tell you something.. . I've got the gift of good-bye. It's the tenth spiritual gift, I believe in good-bye.. . It's not that I'm hateful, it's that I'm faithful, and I know whatever God means for me to have He'll give it to me. And if it takes too much sweat I don't need it. Stop begging people to stay. Let them go. If you are holding on to something that doesn't belong to you and was never intended for your life, then you need to... LET IT GO!!! If you are holding on to past hurts and pains... LET IT GO!!! If someone can't treat you right, love you back, and see your worth... LET IT GO!!! If someone has angered you ... LET IT GO!!! If you are holding on to some thoughts of evil and revenge... LET IT GO!!! If you are involved in a wrong relationship or addiction... LET IT GO!!! If you are holding on to a job that no longer meets your needs or talents ...LET IT GO!!! If you have a bad attitude... LET IT GO!!! If you keep judging others to make yourself feel better... LET IT GO!!! If you're stuck in the past and God is trying to take you to a new level in Him... LET IT GO!!! If you are struggling with the healing of a broken relationship... LET IT GO!! If you keep trying to help someone who won't even try to help themselves... LET IT GO!!! If you're feeling depressed and stressed... LET IT GO!!! If there is a particular situation that you are so used to handling yourself and God is saying 'take your hands off of it,' then you need to... LET IT GO!!! '"

"The Battle is the Lord's!' During the next 60 seconds, Stop whatever you are doing, and take this opportunity. .. (Literally it is only ONE minute!) All you have to do is the following: You simply say 'The Lords Prayer' for the person that sent you this message: The Lords PrayerOur Father, who are in Heaven, Hallowed be Thy Name, Thy Kingdom Come, Thy Will be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day, our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.For Thine is the Kingdom, and the Power, and the Glory, forever.Amen. Next, send this message to everyone you know.

In a while, more people will have prayed for you and you would have obtained a lot of people praying for others! Next, stop and think and appreciate God's power in your life, for doing what you know is pleasing to Him. Jesus said, ‘If you are ashamed of me, I will be ashamed of you before My Father’If you are not ashamed, send this message... only if you believe. 'Yes, I love my God. He is my fountain of Life and My Savior. He Keeps me going day and night. Without Him, I am no one. But with Him, I can do everything, Christ is my strength.' This is a simple test. God loves YOU and watches over YOU everyday."

By T. D. Jakes

Conference 2011

2011-06-02T22:20:00.000-07:00

The Spring Conference in Graham was incredible! We hope that you had a wonderful time of spiritual refreshment and your accommodations were beyond your expectations. I value your input, as it provides helpful insight as we Strive for the Mastery together.

Check out http://www.myntcc.org for information about the Fall Camp meeting in September. Click on the "campground" link on the home page. There's a printable map and a Google link to print step-by-step directions to the Camp from any location. The Calendar on http://www.myntcs.org has also been updated, just use the Calendar link in the sidebar to view Seminary breaks and Fall Conference dates. God bless you,
M.C. Kekel

Consider this...

2011-03-27T15:26:00.000-07:00

"The less you associate with some people, the more your life will improve. 

Any time you tolerate mediocrity in others, it increases your mediocrity. An 

important attribute in successful people is their impatience with negative 

thinking and negative acting people. As you grow, your associates will 

change. Some of your friends will not want you to go on. They will want you 

to stay where they are. Friends that don't help you climb will want you to 

crawl. Your friends will stretch your vision or choke your dream. Those that 

don't increase you will eventually decrease you." 

Consider this... 

"Never receive counsel from unproductive people. Never discuss your problems with someone incapable of contributing to the solution, because those who never succeed themselves are always first to tell you how. Not everyone has a right to speak into your life. You are certain to get the worst of the bargain when you exchange ideas with the wrong person. Don't follow anyone who's not going anywhere. 

With some people you spend an evening: with others you invest it. Be careful 

where you stop to inquire for directions along the road of life. Wise is the 

person who fortifies his life with the right friendships. If you run with 

wolves, you will learn how to howl. But, if you associate with eagles, you 

will learn how to soar to great heights. 

"A mirror reflects a man's face, but what he is really like is shown by the 

kind of friends he chooses." 

The simple but true fact of life is that you become like those with whom you 

closely associate - for the good and the bad. 

Note: Be not mistaken. This is applicable to family as well as friends. 

Yes...do love, appreciate and be thankful for your family, for they will 

always be your family no matter what. Just know that they are human first 

and though they are family to you, they may be a friend to someone else and will fit somewhere in the criteria above."

Colin Powell

2011-03-26T14:44:00.000-07:00

Workshops for the NTCC Spring Conference 2011

2011-03-12T12:21:00.001-08:00

NEW! Click the poster above to see the animated version

Click here if you would like to view the cool poster for the Mastering your Music and Worship Workshop. The afternoon workshops on Tuesday and Thursday will last about an hour, and presenters will remain afterward for Q and A, discussion and more. We plan to stay as long as needed, so bring all your questions!

On Wednesday after lunch, there will be Workshops and Presentations by Children's Ministry workers at the NTCS Educational Classrooms, with open discussion of related topics and creative ideas.

Conference 2011 Attire

2011-03-02T13:33:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone,

We are definitely doing the conference countdown around here; it’s going to be a family reunion of the best kind.  By now most of you should have received confirmation of your hospitality in the Seminary Dormitories or host’s homes; if not please contact my wife at 360-893-5355 or tanyakekel@hotmail.com.

We’ve had inquiries concerning the dress code for Conference so here it is:

Casual for the Morning Services and Workshops.  Dress clothes for the evening service. If you have any other questions or concerns please feel free to call or e-mail.

Yours In His Service,

M C Kekel

All Things

2011-02-11T12:17:00.000-08:00

Jesus said to Peter, "What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter."In John 13:7

Here the Master was giving us the foreword to the promise that the apostle Paul would later be inspired to write in Romans 8:28.

Vance Havner wrote;

"When before the throne we stand in Him complete, all the riddles that puzzle us here will fall into place and we shall know in fulfillment what we now believe in faith-that all things work together for good in His eternal purpose. No longer will we cry "My God, why?" Instead, "Alas" will become "Alleluia," all question marks will be straightened into exclamation points, sorrow will change to singing, and pain will be lost in praise."

"God marks across some of our days, 'WILL EXPLAIN LATER'."

Fight or Flight

2011-02-04T21:53:00.000-08:00

The article below was written by a doctor. I preached this message using his facts, because I think this very thing is at work in Christians today who can't seem to find the joy the bible describes. You can search out "fight or flight" and easily find it, and there's also a link at the center of the article if you care to follow up.

TEXT: II Tim. 1 (7) “ For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

BR: II Tim. 1 (6-14)

I What is the "fight or flight response?"

This fundamental physiologic response forms the foundation of modern day stress medicine. The "fight or flight response" is our body's primitive, automatic, inborn response that prepares the body to "fight" or "flee" from perceived attack, harm or threat to our survival.

II What happens to us when we are under excessive stress?

When we experience excessive stress—whether from internal worry or external circumstance—a bodily reaction is triggered, called the "fight or flight" response. Originally discovered by the great Harvard physiologist Walter Cannon, this response is hard-wired into our brains and represents a genetic wisdom designed to protect us from bodily harm. This response actually corresponds to an area of our brain called the hypothalamus, which—when stimulated—initiates a sequence of nerve cell firing and chemical release that prepares our body for running or fighting.

III What are the signs that our fight or flight response has been stimulated (activated)?

When our fight or flight response is activated, sequences of nerve cell firing occur and chemicals like adrenaline, noradrenaline and cortisol are released into our bloodstream. These patterns of nerve cell firing and chemical release cause our body to undergo a series of very dramatic changes. Our respiratory rate increases. Blood is shunted away from our digestive tract and directed into our muscles and limbs, which require extra energy and fuel for running and fighting. Our pupils dilate. Our awareness intensifies. Our sight sharpens. Our impulses quicken. Our perception of pain diminishes. Our immune system mobilizes with increased activation. We become prepared—physically and psychologically—for fight or flight. We scan and search our environment, "looking for the enemy."

When our fight or flight system is activated, we tend to perceive everything in our environment as a possible threat to our survival. By its very nature, the fight or flight system bypasses our rational mind—where our more well thought out beliefs exist—and moves us into "attack" mode. This state of alert causes us to perceive almost everything in our world as a possible threat to our survival. As such, we tend to see everyone and everything as a possible enemy. Like airport security during a terrorist threat, we are on the look out for every possible danger. We may overreact to the slightest comment. Our fear is exaggerated. Our thinking is distorted. We see everything through the filter of possible danger. We narrow our focus to those things that can harm us. Fear becomes the lens through which we see the world.

We can begin to see how it is almost impossible to cultivate positive attitudes and beliefs when we are stuck in survival mode. Our heart is not open. Our rational mind is disengaged. Our consciousness is focused on fear, not love. Making clear choices and recognizing the consequences of those choices is unfeasible. We are focused on short-term survival, not the long-term consequences of our beliefs and choices. When we are overwhelmed with excessive stress, our life becomes a series of short-term emergencies. We lose the ability to relax and enjoy the moment. We live from crisis to crisis, with no relief in sight. Burnout is inevitable. This burnout is what usually provides the motivation to change our lives for the better. We are propelled to step back and look at the big picture of our lives—forcing us to examine our beliefs, our values and our goals.

When you finish reading about these fundamental principles of the Fight or Flight Response and the Relaxation Response, don't forget to visit our home page at www.TheBodySoulConnection.com to discover the very practical ways you can utilize these principles in order to achieve greater health, happiness and peace of mind in your own life.

IV What is our fight or flight system designed to protect us from?

Our fight or flight response is designed to protect us from the proverbial saber tooth tigers that once lurked in the woods and fields around us, threatening our physical survival. At times when our actual physical survival is threatened, there is no greater response to have on our side. When activated, the fight or flight response causes a surge of adrenaline and other stress hormones to pump through our body. This surge is the force responsible for mothers lifting cars off their trapped children and for firemen heroically running into blazing houses to save endangered victims. The surge of adrenaline imbues us with heroism and courage at times when we are called upon to protect and defend the lives and values we cherish.

V What are the saber tooth tigers of today and why are they so dangerous?

When we face very real dangers to our physical survival, the fight or flight response is invaluable. Today, however, most of the saber tooth tigers we encounter are not a threat to our physical survival. Today’s saber tooth tigers consist of rush hour traffic, missing a deadline, bouncing a check or having an argument with our boss or spouse. Nonetheless, these modern day, saber tooth tigers trigger the activation of our fight or flight system as if our physical survival was threatened. On a daily basis, toxic stress hormones flow into our bodies for events that pose no real threat to our physical survival.

By its very design, the fight or flight response leads us to fight or to flee—both creating immense amounts of muscle movement and physical exertion. This physical activity effectively metabolizes the stress hormones released as a result of the activation of our fight or flight response. Once the fighting is over, and the threat—which triggered the response—has been eliminated, our body and mind return to a state of calm.

VII Has the fight or flight response become counterproductive?

In most cases today, once our fight or flight response is activated, we cannot flee. We cannot fight. We cannot physically run from our perceived threats. When we are faced with modern day, saber tooth tigers, we have to sit in our office and "control ourselves." We have to sit in traffic and "deal with it." We have to wait until the bank opens to "handle" the bounced check. In short, many of the major stresses today trigger the full activation of our fight or flight response, causing us to become aggressive, hypervigilant and over-reactive. This aggressiveness, over-reactivity and hypervigilance cause us to act or respond in ways that are actually counter-productive to our survival. Consider road rage in Los Angeles and other major cities.

It is counterproductive to punch out the boss (the fight response) when s/he activates our fight or flight response. (Even though it might bring temporary relief to our tension!) It is counterproductive to run away from the boss (the flight response) when s/he activates our fight or flight response. This all leads to a difficult situation in which our automatic, predictable and unconscious fight or flight response causes behavior that can actually be self-defeating and work against our emotional, psychological and spiritual survival.

VIII Is there a cumulative danger from over-activation of our fight or flight response?

Yes. The evidence is overwhelming that there is a cumulative buildup of stress hormones. If not properly metabolized over time, excessive stress can lead to disorders of our autonomic nervous system (causing headache, irritable bowel syndrome, high blood pressure and the like) and disorders of our hormonal and immune systems (creating susceptibility to infection, chronic fatigue, depression, and autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and allergies.)

IX To protect ourselves today, we must consciously pay attention to the signals of fight or flight

To protect ourselves in a world of psychological—rather than physical—danger, we must consciously pay attention to unique signals telling us whether we are actually in fight or flight. Some of us may experience these signals as physical symptoms like tension in our muscles, headache, upset stomach, racing heartbeat, deep sighing or shallow breathing. Others may experience them as emotional or psychological symptoms such as anxiety, poor concentration, depression, hopelessness, frustration, anger, sadness or fear.

Excess stress does not always show up as the "feeling" of being stressed. Many stresses go directly into our physical body and may only be recognized by the physical symptoms we manifest. Two excellent examples of stress induced conditions are "eye twitching" and "teeth-grinding." Conversely, we may "feel" lots of emotional stress in our emotional body and have very few physical symptoms or signs in our body.

By recognizing the symptoms and signs of being in fight or flight, we can begin to take steps to handle the stress overload. There are benefits to being in fight or flight—even when the threat is only psychological rather than physical. For example, in times of emotional jeopardy, the fight or flight response can sharpen our mental acuity, thereby helping us deal decisively with issues, moving us to action. But it can also make us hypervigilant and over-reactive during times when a state of calm awareness is more productive. By learning to recognize the signals of fight or flight activation, we can avoid reacting excessively to events and fears that are not life threatening. In so doing, we can play "emotional judo" with our fight or flight response, "using" its energy to help us rather than harm us. We can borrow the beneficial effects (heightened awareness, mental acuity and the ability to tolerate excess pain) in order to change our emotional environment and deal productively with our fears, thoughts and potential dangers.

ADRENALINE means “on the kidney” which is where the adrenal glands are. There are many types of glands throughout the body which perform different functions.

GLANDS discharge chemical substances into the bloodstream to produce certain and instant results. The adrenal gland is one of the most remarkable!

Right on the kidney is where it immediately hits the a main artery and fresh blood. The kidney delivers fresh, filtered blood to the body and dumps the poison out into the urinary tract. We need a fresh washing with the blood of Jesus, to remove the poison from the heart.
Adrenaline makes the arteries constrict, so that if a person is bleeding, they won’t lose as much blood. Amazing! You can squeeze by with the remaining spirituality you have, but only for so long
Notice that the fight or flight is triggered FIRST, by PERCEPTION. Attitude! Not by POSITIVE attitudes, but by FEAR! Threats! Often our "threats" are only perceived.
This article from the internet is about things of the body that affect the mind. When a Christian experiences these things, it can make them want to flee from the work of God. They begin to view everyone around them as a threat, and they question the sincerity and motives of even their closest friends.
One of the biggest enemies of aging Ministers is their fear that they won’t be taken care of in their old age. This fear causes them to resort to secular education and employment, abandoning the call of God; but the key is taking care of their old age, in their youth. Then, the wives go on jobs too, which is against the bible, and they find that the same spending habits that got them into the mess, rob them of happiness, even with a double income.
The adrenaline burst from the body gives you energy for whichever choice you make; fight or flight. God evidently thought that it takes as much energy to RUN as it does to STAND since He designed adrenaline to help us with both. If you choose to flee from your problems, then you must make excuses and work the public opinion to save your reputation, but you’ll always know you failed, you ran, you sold out your loved ones. You'll tell them you're doing the right thing, and you're still with God, but you will always know in your heart, what the truth is.
For the priesthood/ ministry, God established a financial plan that, if followed, takes good care of people in ministry. If they are lazy or ineffective having no flock, they will not have what they need (I Cor. 9). If we spend our lives sowing on stony ground, we’ll never reap anything, and we can't blame the seeds.
No matter what a person’s occupation, they have to take the pay they receive over the years and multiply it, if they want to have what they need when they get older, God's work is never to blame.

M. C. Kekel

When God makes a man

2011-01-23T23:28:00.000-08:00

When God wants to drill a man,
And thrill a man
And skill a man,
To play the noblest part;
When He yearns with all His heart
To create so great and bold a man
That all the world shall be amazed,
Watch His methods! Watch His ways!
How He ruthlessly perfects
Whom He royally elects!
How He hammers him and hurts him,
And with mighty blows converts him
Into trial shapes of clay which
Only God understands;
While his tortured heart is crying
And he lifts beseeching hands!
How He bends but never breaks
When His good He undertakes;
How He uses whom He chooses,
And with every purpose fuses him;
By every act induces him
To try His splendor out--
God knows what He’s about!

from The Disciplines of Life
by V. Raymond Edmond

Astonishment

2011-01-12T19:38:00.000-08:00

I'm astonished!

(Not really, this is just a note for clarification)

In my recent blog announcement concerning Spring Conference 2011, I stated that Conference was voluntary, of course. Saying "voluntary of course" meant only that it's not mandatory, and it has not been mandatory for some time, as you well know. I wasn't discussing whether it was ever mandatory, that wasn't even the context of the announcement. Since then, I have heard that there is some stir about it, saying that I was "denying that Conferences were ever mandatory".

"He that hath an ear, let him hear"; Conferences have sometimes been required. I'll go further than that; Ministers were supposed to have their licenses revoked if they failed to attend mandatory Conferences, but that's never been enforced and I don't know of anyone who actually lost their license over it.

Is it wrong to require ministers to attend Conferences?

Is it "life control" to require this, as some say? What about morning formations in the military? Staff meetings on your job? Union meetings? Would you muster yourself to attend an activist event on Pennsylvania Avenue in protest of injustice? Would you clamour to attend an event in support of your favorite cause? Would you attend the huddles if you were on a football team, if they weren't mandatory?

Is it too much to ask God-called, Holy Ghost-filled ministers of God whose whole life is dedicated to the cause of Christ to the point that they seek full time ministry, to attend an annual event? Why must one view an event, so integrated with their life's goals, as an unbearable burden imposed upon them? Why would it HAVE to be mandatory? Especially knowing the critical healing process that occurs during a conference, and that God never fails to restore our vision, purpose, resolve and zeal.

Maybe some have integrated too many other things into their lives, or maybe their cause has changed. Pastor has required Conferences at times, but it has never worked beyond giving someone that little extra "push of themselves" to get there, which they never regret. By the way, that makes the requirement worthwhile. Those who don't WANT to be there, still won't come. To further demonstrate their lack of a sense of accountability, they don't even have the courtesy to offer an excuse as to why, or let someone know they won't be there. They have all kinds of money to go everywhere else though, or to buy new toys, whatever they want, but not for the fellowship of the saints.

Conference is going to be a great time in the Lord, as always. It was no different in the days when I could not afford it. Besides, it makes for better church services when everyone is there by choice. Amen!

Got Ears?

Rev. 13 (9) "If any man have an ear, let him hear."

M C Kekel

Holiday Blessings

2010-12-25T11:08:00.000-08:00

To our Friends, Family and Co-workers,
Merry Christmas! As we celebrate His incarnation today, we pray and hope that you will enjoy and abound in every good gift that He came to bring; hope, joy, peace, abundant mercy and amazing grace!

Love and Prayers, Mike and Tanya Kekel

Isaiah 9 (6) “ For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.“

NTCS Choir Carols South Hill Mall

2010-12-21T11:52:00.000-08:00

The New Testament Christian Seminary Choir gladdened the hearts of many with song last Saturday, first in the morning at the Silver Creek Retirement Home, and in the afternoon at the Pavilion of the South Hill Mall near Puyallup, WA. It was a blessing to see the gathering shoppers listening and applauding, and carrying church postcards. It's so wonderful to bring joy to others, the smiling faces of all the precious people made it worth it all.

There were so many people gathered that they were blocking the store and mall entrances. Some were singing along and taking photos. Our sincere thanks to the Mall Managers who were so helpful in putting it all together, and also the Choir and Rev Malone for their hard work during many months of preparation; it was truly a spiritually uplifting experience. If you'd like to sing along, here's a link. Not exactly Christian Charioke, but a blessing nevertheless!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xv0i1rfXgo8

Thank you Sis. Martinez for putting the video together with such short notice!)

NTCS Graduation
The New Testament Christian Seminary Graduation will be held at the NTCS in Graham, WA on Friday, June 10, 2011

Fall Conference 2011
The Fall 2011 Conference will be held at the National Campground, Mexico, MO
September 12-15, 2011

Message Outline; Striving for the Mastery

2010-12-04T22:35:00.000-08:00

Speaking of Striving for the Mastery, here's an outline of a message I recently preached, if you're interested. The topic of self-mastery however, should be of interest to everyone, whether a Christian or not, Preacher, congregant, anyone; self-analysis with the intent to improve how we live, how we serve (minister) and how we treat others.

To me, this is the true essence of pioneering; finding solutions for problems and challenges; making a road where there is no road. There are many who say they pioneered or are pioneering churches, but in fact they sat/ sit there lonely, overcome by challenges. The true pioneer takes a project through all its obstacles to success. If you think you have arrived, you haven't even begun.

TEXT: I Cor. 9 (25)

BR: I Cor. 9 (19-27)

¹⁹ For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. ²⁰ And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; ²¹ To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. ²² To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. ²³ And this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.

²⁴ Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. ²⁵ And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. ²⁶ I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: ²⁷ But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

MASTERY

The authority of a master : dominion; The upper hand in a contest or competition : superiority, ascendancy; possession or display of great skill or technique.

Skill or knowledge that makes one master of a subject : command.

INTRO: There are many passages of scripture that instruct us to work at improving ourselves in every area of our lives. Besides instances like Paul saying “grow in the grace and knowledge of God,” etc., the II Epistle of Peter begins by telling us that the knowledge of God has given us ALL THINGS that pertain unto life and godliness, and that God has called us to Glory and Virtue.

THAT’S ALL THERE IS TO IT!! He has given us ALL!! But then he says (5) “Beside this.........???” I have to do something too? Yes, here’s few of those things we must do.

I STRIVE

...make great efforts to achieve or obtain something

(5) Beside this, GIVING ALL DILIGENCE...

DILIGENCE means... careful and persistent work or effort

So these things listed don’t just come “bundled” in a package that comes with being saved nor with having the knowledge of God.

II ADD

II Peter1 says to be diligent in “adding” to your faith. You must do this...

Look at verse 8

*You must do this to be fruitful

*You must do this to ensure the stability of your calling and election

*You must do this to get to heaven (11)

*You must do this to keep from FALLING (10)

III RUN

( ) ...so run that ye may obtain

2 Pet. 1 (9) “He that lacketh...”

This man isn’t going to obtain anything, because he’s moving backward; he lacks them, because he hasn’t ADDED them, or he FORGOT them.

Be Temperate

He had no obligation to anyone (I Cor. 9:19) “though I be free from all men.” Yet he became a servant, and did whatever was necessary in terms of self-restraint, to reach others. He wasn’t a tin-pot dictator with a bully-pulpit, he actually LOVED and therefore SERVED.

You must strive lawfully

2 Tim. 2 (1-5)

^“Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. ² And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. ³ Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. ⁴ No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. ⁵ And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.”

See 26 and 27

*Incorruptible crown (eternity minded)

*Some people fight but fight uncertainly (26)

*When a punch misses, it takes strength out of you

I KEEP UNDER my BODY

(I KEEP MY BODY UNDER) He restrained himself from even things it was okay to do, if it helped someone else.

Striving for the Mastery

2010-12-02T16:13:00.000-08:00

Time is flying as Conference 2011 draws near. From what I've heard, many have already made their own arrangements to stay with people. That's great! It looks like there's going to be a great turnout this spring. Some here in Graham will be extending hospitality for Ministers to stay with them during the Conference. If you haven't made your own arrangements with anyone here, and you wish to stay with someone but no one has invited you, or you don't know who to stay with, send me your name and I'll add you to the list. We don't have a list of who wants to open their homes yet since it's a little early, but when we do, it will be first come first serve.

There are free lunches!
Lunch will be served to out of town guests during the daytime activities. We'll probably start in the morning with some workshops of various kinds with breaks in between, then lunch, and back to a few more workshops or a skit. Evening meals will be your responsibility, but we will have fellowship each night after church. Sandwiches and snacks will be available for purchase.

Workshops
The "Striving for the Mastery" Conference Workshops are about discussion, questions and answers, sharing, obtaining information and generally bettering ourselves to do better work for Christ. Have a sound system challenge? We'll have a workshop for that. Want to put together a small singing group, band or choir? We'll show you how we do it (but we're still striving for the mastery). Need resources about legalities surrounding church administration? We'll give you access to valuable information to help you ensure your success. That means accounting, counseling, liabilities, organizational structure and more.

Just want to get together and jam on some Christian music, fellowship and perform our songs for a few hours or so? Be at the fellowship hall Monday morning with your favorite instrument, and lets make joyful noises together! (No lunch on Monday).

Workshops will be short (approx. 45 min) and followed by Q and A, discussion, etc. Some workshops may be going on at the same time. The structure isn't set yet, but we're thinking about 4 each day with breaks and lunch in between. There's so much more, and I'll keep you informed as things are set in place.

God's blessing upon you,
M C Kekel

2010-11-08T23:15:00.000-08:00

Let the Countdown Begin!

Both Conferences of 2011 will be exciting- and voluntary of course- but Spring Conference 2011 in Graham, Washington is going to be a spiritual feast!

New Note: We'll also be having Conference-style services and activities during the weekend before the official Mon. Eve. incoming-fellowship service; more later!

Conference highlights

Where?
New Testament Christian Seminary
Graham, Washington

When?
4th-7th of April 2011

What?
Services and teachings
Skits and demonstrations
Workshops about ministry related topics such as music, choirs, PA systems, Church Admin, Children's Church and more!
Food and fellowship every day and night on campus
Seminary Campus tours and information packets for potential students and aspiring ministers
Prayer meetings

Why?
Because it's going to be awesome!
Because it will save you money on food and hotel expenses*
Because of all the great things going on!
Because it's a chance for your members to visit the church in Graham and experience Conference
Because Washington is beautiful!

Got ideas??
Send them to me at mckekel@hotmail.com
Some things listed above are subject to change, but the date and place of the Conference is confirmed.

*Lodging arrangements are the responsibility of attendees; information about local hotel accommodations will be available on request; it will also be posted on the myntcc.org website, along with maps and directions, and pertinent information. As for people who wish to stay with someone locally, enquire by email to mckekel@hotmail.com

Posters will soon be available for your church to promote attendance by your church members. Encourage them to come and see what New Testament Christian Church is all about.

http://www.newtestamentchristianchurches.org/conference2011.html

God bless you everyone!

M C Kekel

The Power of Perseverance

2010-11-07T16:02:00.000-08:00

"Divine Stick-to-it-iveness" Excerpt from New Testament Christian Seminary-Practical Theology

"But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience." (Luke 8:15)

"There must be perseverance in the face of obstacles within and without, if there is to be fruitfulness. Many of us have all of our strength exhausted in mere endurance, and have let obvious duties slip from our hands, and if we had done all that we could do when we had forced ourselves to submit… You do well if you do not sink under your burden, but you would do better if with it on your shoulders, you would plod steadily along the road; and if you did, you would feel the weight less. It seems heaviest when you stand still doing nothing. Do not cease to toil because you suffer… still bear up and steer right onward."

-Alexander Maclaren –

Many successful pioneer veterans have written to the author of this book urging him to admonish the pioneer worker to develop a divine stick-to-it-iveness. Several of their quotations follow:

"Zeal in Pioneer work is the combining of enthusiasm, ambition, and stick-to-it-iveness."

"Perseverance – willing to keep working for the Master whether you are able to see any fruit or not."

"Determination – willing to stick when the going gets hard and black."

"Faithfulness to the task begun, regardless of other opportunities coming your way."

"Stick-to-it-iveness under all circumstances, patience and more patience."

"Willingness to undertake pioneer work, determination to stay with it until victory comes."
"Downright stick-a-bility with patience and confidence based upon faith toward God."

"Workers must be willing to face all difficulties and be dependable so that the work can be successful"

"Stick-a-bility, endurance, determination to see it through. (Luke 9:62)

A willingness to stay even at great personal sacrifice until a work is on its feet. A change in the early stage is something dangerous, both for the work and the worker. One must keep his eyes on the final goal: That is, that you are not working for a superintendent or people or denomination, but you are working for the Lord. This in itself will change the whole work for Christ.” (Unknown)

“PERSISTENT PEOPLE BEGIN THEIR SUCCESS WHERE OTHERS END IN FAILURE.”

(Edward Eggleston)

What good are highly trained soldiers who make but one heroic charge, and then give up and lose the battle and the war? One dear old lady said, “Did you ever notice that when the Lord told the discouraged fishermen to cast their nets again, it was right in the same old place where they had been working all night and had caught nothing?” Perhaps, to this point, you have been casting your net at your own direction; how about waiting on the Lord a little more, and a little more frequently, and getting your orders from Him. He is still the Master Fisherman!

Once upon a time, two frogs fell into a great milk can of a farmer. Before the farmer was aware of what had happened, he put the cap on the can and drove off to the creamery. It is alleged that the following conversation ensued between the frogs after both were painfully weary from trying to keep afloat. “Let’s give up and drown,” said the discouraged one. “Oh, no,” replied the other, “I’m going to keep on kicking and hope for the best. Maybe things will turn out all right yet.” The first frog gurgled and went to the bottom, the other threw back his head and kept on kicking. And, lo when the farmer got to the town and lifted the lid, there was a lucky frog on top of the pad of butter which he had unwittingly churned from the cream at the top of the can as he kept on k-i-c-k-i-n-g! The lesson: keep on k-i-c-k-i-n-g!!!

Professor Drummond once saw a glass model of a famous mine on display at a fair. The original owner drove a tunnel a mile through the rock at which he believed contained the gold. He spent $100,000.00 and a year and a half in the effort and failed. Another company later took over the property and drove the tunnel one-yard farther and struck the precious metal. So the gold of our God-given GOAL may be only one yard away when we feel like quitting. “Winners don’t quit, and quitters don’t win!”

The Scriptures say:

"IF THOU FAINT IN THE DAY OF ADVERSITY, THY STRENGTH IS SMALL" (Pr. 24:10)

"The LORD, He it is that doth go before thee; He will be with thee, …fear not, neither be dismayed.

(Dt. 31:8).

Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, the hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also finish it; and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto you. For who hath despised the day of small things? (Zech. 4:8-10)

Hang on! Cling on! No matter what they say

Push on! Sing on! Things will come your way

Sitting down and whining never helps a bit!

Best way to get there is by keeping up your grit

Don’t give up hoping when the ship goes down

Grab a spar or something – just refuse to drown

Don’t think you’re dying just you’re hit

Smile in the face of danger, and to your grit.

Folks die too easy – they sort of away

Make a little error and give up dismay

Kind of man that’s needed is the man ready wit

To laugh at pain, and trouble, and his grit

(L. E. Thayer)

Of your divine Master it is written:

"Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Heb. 12:2)

"It pleased the LORD to bruise Him; He hath put Him to grief: when Thou shalt make His soul an offering for sin, He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days… He shall see of the travail of His soul, and shall be satisfied." (Isa.53:10-11)

Take heart, the Scripture says:

"If so be that we suffer with Him, that we may be also glorified together. For I reckon the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. (Rom. 8:17-18). To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with Me in My throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in His throne. (Rev. 3:21)

A Lesson in Humility

2010-10-16T17:48:00.000-07:00

This is an excerpt from Practical Theology class. I was recently teaching from this section, and I thought some might glean a blessing from it. A word of thanks to Bro. Dorsie for doing the typing on the entire 80 plus pages of the notes. The first 40 pages cover the "Primary qualities of a pioneer worker and minister for God." This is part 6 of the Secondary qualities (pages 41 to 81) It reveals the thinking behind people who leave and rise up against people they once revered.

6. THE PIONEER WORKER MUST BE HUMBLE, LOWLY, AND CONTRITE IN HEART.

“God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time.” (I Peter 5:5-6). “Seekest thou great things for thyself? Seek them not.” (Jer. 45:5). “Who hath despised the day of small things?” (Zech. 4:10).

“Many times Christians are God-fearing and humble as long as there is distress and difficulty in their lives; they are humble as long as they have a small assembly and when the Movement they belong to is in disgrace, trampled upon and belied. It is then they are humble and are drawn close to the heart of God, but when people begin to recognize them and see success marking their pathway, then that humble feeling leaves the heart and another takes possession of their head. If you are proud because of success you may have had, you will be sure to lose that success.” -Anonymous –

P. C. Nelson said that if he were to begin his ministry again with the experience which the Lord had vouchsafed to him, he would among other things: “FIRST – SEEK THE HONOR OF CHRIST AND THE ADVANCEMENT OF HIS CAUSE in the salvation of souls and the edification of the saints.” He added, “Do this in utter forgetfulness of self, or personal interests, honor, place, comfort or gain. SECONDLY, BE ENTIRELY IMMUNE TO FLATTERY AND PRAISE, remembering that any good service you can render, or any good thing in yourself is all from Him, and by His grace done. (I Cor. 4:7). Remember how utterly helpless the most talented, learned and experienced among us is without Him. 'Without Me ye can do nothing.' (John 15:5). 'My strength is made perfect in weakness.'” (I Cor.12:9).

Said an old preacher: “Tell my younger brethren that they may be too big for God to use them, but they cannot be too small.” Daddy Welch said, “Just as soon as you get your head an inch above anyone else’s head, you are out of place. Leaders in the church are not to be exalted above the rest. There is plenty of room to go down, but there is no room to go up.” Jesus said, “I am meek and lowly in heart” (Matt. 11:29).

He bid us learn of Him as we take His yoke upon us.

“Put your finger into the ocean, and then pull it out. So much will the world miss you after you are gone. Joshua stepped into the shoes of Moses before they were cold. So God can spare any man. But we cannot spare Him.” -Anonymous-

“The love of power is innate in the soul of man. The man is maimed who does not have it. All virile and vigorous men are ambitious. It would be strange if ministers of the gospel had no ambition. The love of prominence, the craving for distinction, the desire for exalted rank, these are deep-seated instincts in our human nature, and a course of study in theology does not eliminate them. Like all the native appetites of the soul, they may become abnormal, bringing to their victims suffering and death. No other sin has wrought such havoc among the ministers of Christ as the inordinate life of place and power. What is the story of a thousand years of Church history but the tragic narrative of how the ministers of Christ, little by little, compacted themselves into a hierarchy which became at least the most blighting and intolerable despotism that the world has ever known. Every man has in him the elements out of which Rome built despotism which enslaved the world.”

“It is worth noting how many things conspire to develop in the minister a proud and imperious disposition. His relation to Christ, the Son of God, the consciousness that he is the ambassador may easily pass into a vice. The fact that he is entrusted with the oracles of God, and is ordained to minister in holy things, separates him from men engaged in secular occupations, and this if dwelt in, has a tendency to beget the feeling, ‘I am holier than thou…’ The shepherd idea… can be constructed in such a way as to imply that laymen are weak and silly creatures, while clergymen are wonderful beings endowed with supernatural powers, enjoying unique and exclusive favors from Heaven."

“No other man, but the retired millionaire, is such a monarch of his day as is the minister. He can read on Monday morning, or write, or walk, or mingle all three, just as he deems best. On Tuesday morning, he can attend to his correspondence, or catalogue his library, or eat the heart out of some new book, or meet a company of friends, just as he decides. The order of his going out and coming in is largely at his own discretion. Living within wide liberty is dangerous; it has spoiled thousands. He can adapt any style of preaching that he likes, he can follow whatever line of thought he chooses … and … (this) begets in certain types of men a tone of mind which says: “I am Sir Oracle, and when I open my lips, let no dog bark.” … Here is a true description of ministers not a few: ‘They love the chief places at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, and the salutations in the market-place, and to be called of men, Rabbi.’ There are preachers who by the expression of their face, the pose of their body and the character of their gestures say quite plainly: ‘This is God’s truth! Do not dare to deny it! Take it! Take the whole of it! Take it immediately!! By the Eternal, I will make you take it!!!’ It is not necessary to put grass into the sheep’s mouth. Cram the grass down the sheep’s throat, and the animal is so flustered he will not eat at all. Put the grass within reach of the sheep, and he will eat it himself. So it is with the truth… Dictators are out of place in the pulpit. Dictator-ship is a form of carnal striving after power."

“In the realm of parish administration, a puffed-up shepherd exhibits symptoms which have been often deplored. He resents all divergence from his opinions. Men who do not agree with him are set down as his foes. He treats them as traitors to the cause of truth. All who will not carry out his wishes have the mark of the beast. He is irritated by the least opposition. He is mortified by the failure of a single plan. Any independence of thought he considers a personal affront. Many a minister has in the church meeting made a triumph, only to discover the next day that he was overthrown. A majority of votes were secured for his project, but that amounted to nothing because of the number of hearts which were estranged. What cannot be secured by a sweet persuasion had better be done without. It is only a bully who tries to tyrannize or club people into advocating his projects, and the minister who attempts it is a man whose heart has been eaten out by the over-winning love of power. It is a good thing for a minister to be defeated now and then, in order to find out that he is not invincible, and that there are other people in the world beside himself. Victory is often only by

way of the cross. A good shepherd ought not to shrink from an occasional crucifixion.”

“The pastor is possessor of a power that is extraordinary and hence, he must be evermore on his guard against the temptation to play the Lord. Peter, in writing to the pastors in his day, said: ‘Tend the flock of God, not as lording it over the charge allotted to you, but making yourselves ensamples to the flock.’ In other words – your power is not denied no man can take it from you. It is given to you by God Himself. Be careful how you use it. Do not strut. Do not clothe yourself in pomp.” - The Ministering Shepherd – by Charles E. Jefferson-

“Be clothed with humility. Pray that you may always feel that you are nothing, less than nothing. In this spirit speak and do everything; giving all the glory to Him that lives and rules in your heart by faith.” – John Wesley. D. L. Moody used to like to quote these words of another, “Faith gets the most, love works the most, but humility keeps the most.” Oh, how D. L. Moody loved to put himself in the background and other men in the foreground.

“To be humble to superiors is duty, to equals is courtesy, to inferiors is nobleness, and to all – safety.” – Anonymous - Birds, such as the Lark and the Nightingale, which soar the highest, build their nests on the ground.

“Only the strongest people can be humble. How strange we should ever think that humility and meekness indicate weakness! They call for greater strength than any man has - - only the omnipotence of God can bring to pass the miracle of true humility in man. Here, for example, is a remarkable statement made many years ago by Archbishop Benson, which describes the truly humble man and at the same time - - as all will admit upon reading it - -the most extraordinary character. This was the expressed desire of that great Christian: ‘Not to call attention to crowded work or petty fatigues or trivial experiences. To heal wounds which in times past my cruel hands have made. To seek no favor, no compassion: to deserve, not ask for, tenderness. Not to feel any uneasiness when my advice or opinion is not asked, or is set aside.’ There is only one way by which a human being can live a life as miraculous as this, and that way is the way of death. Entering unto Paul’s experience which God would have us all know; ‘I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me:’” - The Sunday School Times –

“Humility is to have no trouble. It is to have perfect quietness of heart. It is never to be fretted, or vexed, or irritated, or sore, or disappointed. It is to be at rest when nobody praises me and when I am blamed or despised. It is to expect nothing, to wonder at nothing that is done to me, to feel nothing that is done against me. It is to have a blessed home in the Lord. Where I can go in and shut the door, and kneel to my Father in secret, and am at peace as in a deep sea of calmness, when all round and about is trouble.” - Anonymous –

“The Christian is like the ripening corn; the riper he grows, the more lowly he bends his head.” - Guthrie – “He that swells in prosperity will shrink in adversity.”

THE WAY UP IS THE WAY DOWN! “If thou wouldst find much favor with God and man, be very low in thine own eyes. Forgive thyself little and others much.” - Leighton - “Much misconstruction and bitterness are spared to him who thinks naturally upon what he owes to others, rather than on what he ought to expect from them.” - Mad. Guizot - Do people criticize you? They would criticize you more, if they knew you as you really are.

“There is no greater pride than in seeking to humiliate ourselves beyond measure; and sometimes there is no truer humility than to attempt great works for God.” – St. Cyran –

“John Bunyan had a great dread of spiritual pride; and once, after he had preached a very fine sermon, and his friends crowded round to shake him by the hand, while they expressed the utmost admiration of his eloquence, he interrupted them, saying, ‘Ay! You need not remind me of that, for the devil told me of it before I was out of the pulpit!!’” –Southey-

WHOSOEVER EXALTETH HIMSELF SHALL BE ABASED; AND HE THAT HUMBLETH HIMSELF SHALL BE EXALTED.” -Jesus (Luke 14:11) –

“For thus saith the High and Lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.” (Is. 57:15).

Forget each kindness that you do

As soon as you have done it;

Forget the praise that falls to you

The moment that you have won it;

Forget the slander that you hear

Before you can repeat it;

Forget each slight, each spite, each sneer,

Whenever you may meet it.

Remember every kindness done

To you, what’re its measure;

Remember Praise by others won

And pass it on with pleasure;

Remember every promise made

And keep it to the letter;

Remember those who lend you aid

And be a grateful debtor.

-Unknown-

God bless you,
Michael C Kekel

Missing out of the Move of God

2010-10-12T23:58:00.000-07:00

The first move of God on record is found in Gen. 1 (2) and represents the very definition of the word; to go or pass from one place to another with certainty of direction and by continuous motion. In Genesis, the Spirit of God was passing over the destruction, and God spoke re-creation. “Let there be light.”

It’s also defined this way: to put into activity or rouse up from inactivity. When a congregation is milling about before a service starts, though God is probably active, no one is getting healed, saved or filled with the Holy Ghost for the most part. But when the saints begin to call on God and He is roused to greater activity among the crowd, it is said that “God is moving.” And, He moves the people, as a button actuates or causes a machine to move.

Judges 13 (24)

“And the woman bare a son, and called his name Samson: and the child grew, and the LORD blessed him. ²⁵ And the Spirit of the LORD began to move him at times in the camp of Dan between Zorah and Eshtaol.”

In Chess, players make moves. When God moves, He executes an advance that has an obvious effect. That is, He DOES something. He allows His presence to be felt, in a clear and evident way, followed by various physical and spiritual manifestations. When a thousand people simultaneously erupt in loud worship, -as it happened in this last conference- and the presence of God passes over the place in undulating waves you actually feel, God is doing something. And He DID.

Letting God move in your life

Some synonyms of the word “move” are, actuate, drive, impel, set or keep in motion.

Move is very general and implies no more than the fact of changing position 〈moved the furniture〉. Actuate stresses transmission of power so as to work or set in motion 〈turbines actuated by waterpower〉

When God moves in your life -with your permission of course- He transfers power to you and sets some wonderful things in motion. "Ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you." (Acts)

II Peter 1 (21)

“For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.”

Mark 1 (40-42)

“And there came a leper to him, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him, and saying unto him, If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. ⁴¹ And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean. ⁴² And as soon as he had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed (moved) from him, and he was cleansed.”

Now when I got saved, I was in the military barracks and had never heard of NTCC. I was greatly moved, weeping with joy, experiencing for the first time the actual feeling of the peace and love of God. My hands went up! I leaped across the room for joy in the Holy Ghost! Nobody taught me to do that, they didn't have to. Nowadays, if you lead a worship service and say "raise your hands and praise God!" the living dead will say "why does he have to force us to raise our hands?" Yeah, good question.

Psalm 5

¹¹ “But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee. ¹² For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield.”

Thing is, it was total spontaneity, I knew nothing about God and had never been exposed to worship or church. The next day, I met a brother from NTCC and I’m thankful that the Lord led my life from there, to be part of the mighty move of God in these latter times through NTCC.

I’ve worked with thousands of people over the years, and have seen God move in different ways to many effects. When this happens, anyone in tune with God immediately knows it, and spontaneously responds.

Others however, look on skeptically. Their hands are half mast at best. They think its just emotion generated by a preacher; they are without a clue. One man I worked with in bible school days, was even a teacher in the bible school -which makes you nothing if you are wrong- I was young and spiritually green, but I was saved, and what I felt and knew, was no joke or imagination with me. I was so excited one day about some scripture I had read, I began to share it with him. He (H.M.) went “wooo!” with a perfectly straight face. I instantly knew why his preaching was always so dry, as he mocked and smirked about my enthusiasm. When you see people respond like this during a move of God’s Spirit, or mocking enthusiastic worship and rejoicing, mark it down; they aren't just "laid back," but they don’t get it, because they never got it. They will not make it, unless they begin to truly BELIEVE.

II Chronicles 5 (11-14)

^11” And it came to pass, when the priests were come out of the holy place: (for all the priests that were present were sanctified, and did not then wait by course: ¹² Also the Levites which were the singers, all of them of Asaph, of Heman, of Jeduthun, with their sons and their brethren, being arrayed in white linen, having cymbals and psalteries and harps, stood at the east end of the altar, and with them an hundred and twenty priests sounding with trumpets:) ¹³ It came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD; and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of musick, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the LORD; ¹⁴ So that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of God.”

Fall Conference 2010

2010-10-01T21:09:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone,

I was scheduled to preach the first night, which was a rare thing as I usually preach the last night, if at all. I used comparisons from the battle of Pointe du Hoc at Normandy during WWII. There was more than I could touch in the limited time, but I included it all in the outline I will post here soon. I don't normally spend an entire message on history, but it worked in this instance.

I consider it a privilege to address God's people on any occasion, and may the Lord help me in doing so, that I may both impart and receive a blessing. I had a great time because I enjoy preaching. I figured I would be able to "skate" the rest of the week. The second night, Rev Jones preached and then Rev. Ashmore came to sing an altar call, but waited. People packed the front, and prayed in hushed tones. Then everyone felt it simultaneously as a wave of the Holy Ghost moved through the place. Hands and voices went up everywhere as people began to rejoice in the Lord. Pastor exhorted some, and by the time things settled, we could have all gone home and said it was a good conference!

Wednesday night was similar; when Rev. Olson finished preaching, the choir came up and God moved incredibly again and in much the same way. Pastor had taught each day, so his voice was growing weak. Thursday morning I asked about his voice for the evening service, and he said he was going to try anyway, "but if not, guess what." "What?" I asked. "You're my backup." My aorta trembled slightly. I was ready, since Tuesday morning. Well, in spite of his voice, he preached and it was a good service, God is so good! It was great to see so many people, and though no one was required to be there, the place was packed. The Spring Conf. dates should be set and published soon, don't miss it! God always does special things during conferences, and that has been evident as long as I can remember. People whose heart is perfect toward God want to be there, and God always makes a way, and rewards such, that they don't leave disappointed!

God bless you,

Michael C Kekel

It's time to cast the devil out!

2010-09-14T18:20:00.000-07:00

Here's a sermon outline for you preachers out there.

Text: Acts 16 (18)

Bible Reading: Acts 16: 16 "And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying: 17 The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation. 18 And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour. 19 And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the marketplace unto the rulers, 20 And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city, 21 And teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans. 22 And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them. 23 And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely: 24 Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks. 25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them"

Intro: Paul grew weary of the woman mocking him, knowing she was of the devil. SO he turned, and sent the devil packing. You would think the religious men would be happy they were rid of that devil, but they were upset about Paul's teaching. They rose against them, and beat them, and put them in the deepest part of that prison; but they were still free and focused on praising God.

I God threw Lucifer down
Isa. 14 (12-15) "How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! 13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: 14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. 15 Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit."

Luke 10 (18) "And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven"

That was his first attempt to overthrow God

II God will throw him out again
Satan regained power when Adam sold God out, and satan became the prince of the power of the air

Eph. 6 (12) Satan now rules the world and its behavior

I John 5 (19) "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. "

And I John 5 (19) "And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness"

Rev. 12 (7-11) His imminent downfall is already written

7 "And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, 8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. 9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. 10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. 11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death."

Rev. 10 (1-7) Jesus announces that it's about to be over

1 And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud: and a rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as it were the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire: 2 And he had in his hand a little book open: and he set his right foot upon the sea, and his left foot on the earth, 3 And cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth: and when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices. 4 And when the seven thunders had uttered their voices, I was about to write: and I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not. 5 And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven, 6 And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer: 7 But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.

Rev. 11 (14-15) The Third Woe
14 The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly. 15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.

Rev. 12 (7-11) The Third Woe is the wrath of an angry devil
. 7 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, 8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. 9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. 10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. 11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

III Throw out the devil and move King Jesus in!

This is done by being born-again.
Col. 1 (12-13) "Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: 13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son"

When you are a Christian, though you are IN this world, you are not OF this world, and no longer obligated to obey the dictates of satan and the flesh.

Rom. 6 (17-18) "But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. 18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness."

John 17 (11-16) "And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are. 12 While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled. 13 And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves. 14 I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world." (Jesus)

IV We have to keep Jesus on the thrones of our hearts

*God loved the world (Jn. 3:16) but He doesn't love their behavior
*Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. (I Jn. 2:15-17)

To which of this world's pleasures have you ceded your heart's throne? It's time to become grieved at the constant taunting of the devil, (like Paul in Acts) failures, negative thinking, insecurities, wordliness, and anything else unlike God, and "cast the devil out!"

BTW: Notice anything missing from this blog?
God bless you, Michael C Kekel

Pumpkins in Jugs- by M C Kekel

2010-06-06T17:16:00.000-07:00

Earl Nightingale told the story of the Farmer and the Pumpkin

The farmer walked through his field when his crop of pumpkins was just beginning to develop. A passing motorist had tossed a glass jug into his field, so for an experiment the farmer carefully poked a very small pumpkin through the mouth of the jug. Months later, harvest time came and he saw the jug again. The pumpkin had completely filled the jug, but the other pumpkins were larger and fully developed. They were on the same vine, but the one in the jug had not been able to grow beyond the confines of the glass prison and was shaped to its exact dimensions. What size and kind of jug are you going to poke yourself into or allow someone else to poke you into? (paraphrased)

He’s right! Oh! How often we stymie our growth in God by allowing the limitations of others to become ours! What they think; what they say; what they are!

I Conformity to the right thing

Rom. 12:¹ “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”

² “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

It’s no small thing to obey the first verse, announcing “here am I!” Even when coupled with a life that is holy, (totally pure and reserved for God’s use) God views it as but a reasonable service to Him. ‘Reasonable’ (Greek Strongs 3358) logikos) is logical, i.e. a service that is agreeable to reason. It is not surprising then, that God wants all in our service to Him, but many don’t get that far. It is often due to unwillingness to follow the second part; “Be not conformed to this world.”

Here’s a snippet from a Wikipedia article on conformity that speaks volumes:

II Transformed by the right One

This article is about the psychological concept of conformity.

Conformity is the process by which an individual's attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors are influenced by other people. This influence occurs in both small groups and society as a whole, and it may be the result of subtle unconscious influences, or direct and overt social pressure. Conformity also occurs by the "implied presence" of others, or when other people are not actually present. For example, people tend to follow the norms of society when eating or watching television, even when they are at home by themselves. People often conform from a desire to achieve a sense of security within a group—typically a group that is of a similar age, culture, religion, or educational status. Any unwillingness to conform carries with it the very real risk of social rejection. In this respect, conformity can be seen as a safe means of avoiding bullying or deflecting criticism from peers.

Herein lies the problem with many people’s religious experience; trying to conform to religious beliefs by assuming the expected behavior, (often excluding the proper attitude by the way,) but a true Christian has a transformed life (Rom. 12:2 above) because he has a renewed mind. A Transformed Christian isn’t conforming to Christianity, neither is he pressured by peers and possible social rejection. There are many pitfalls we all wish to avoid, such as hell, rejection by others for our sins or even rejection from God, yet these are not the proper motives for reasonable service to God, neither should it be church expectations that cause you to live right. It must be the natural behavior following a true conversion by the power of Jesus Christ.

The scriptures in Romans 12 are instructing us not to conform, but to remain as we are; Christians. That means, when adversities come and the normal “cares of life” encroach, or if even desire overtakes you, do not allow yourself to be influenced. When you are reproached for Christ’s sake, happy are ye! (I Peter) Don’t allow social rejection to influence you to conform to this world. Read the rest of that chapter and see Paul’s descriptions of the worldly behavior we are supposed to refuse. Self adoration (verse 3) merciful, but with strings attached (8) laziness (8, 11) being inhospitable (13) unloving (16-18) and much more. Funny, he didn’t talk about outward appearance, clothing and so forth, when he spoke of worldliness in these verses.

Jesus spoke of this is the parable of the sower in Mk. 4 (1-20) but note esp. 14-20:

¹⁴ The sower soweth the word. ¹⁵ And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts. ¹⁶ And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; ¹⁷ And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word’s sake, immediately they are offended. ¹⁸ And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, ¹⁹ And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful. ²⁰ And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred.

III Limited by the success of others

You can allow someone else’s success to limit you like the pumpkin in the jug.

II Cor. 10:12 “For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.”

Judging yourself by others is not wise.

In our story, the other pumpkins were not responsible for the little pumpkin’s limitations. He could look through the glass and blame them, but the jug was his only. Remember, no one can poke you into a jug of limitations but you. You may think someone else's pasture is greener than yours, (because they are better, or are doing something bigger and better,) but your grass is just as green as theirs. To obsess about what someone else is doing, is to imprison yourself within the glass walls of mediocrity.

The cow who ventures over the fence to eat the greener grass, only winds up fertilizing her neighbors lawn.

The more you despise the success of others, the more you lose.

You must see your line of work, whatever it might be, as an opportunity and not a burden. Those who view the ministry as something that ‘doesn’t pay’ are probably too concerned about the pay, and not concerned enough about the opportunity before them or the true reason for ministry; which means “service.”

No line of work is without a cross to bear, but attitude has everything to do with our strength for the task. When a thief plies his trade, no object is too heavy! He can move mountains under the cover of darkness, oh, but day work is a different story. Jesus said it this way; “to him that believeth, nothing shall be impossible.” Therefore, we cannot be limited by anyone else and can burst the confining glass walls of fear, doubt and unbelief, and begin to grow to full maturity in Christ!

Have you ever noticed the difference between the pre-Gethsemane Jesus and the post-Gethsemane? He took up His cross after He changed His attitude; i.e. when His focus shifted from ‘sorrowing unto death’ Matt. 26: ³⁶ Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder. ³⁷ And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy. ³⁸ Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. ³⁹ And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.

He looked to the joy set before Him, (Heb. 12:1-5) thus His imminent death He shoved aside, gazing upon the will of Him that sent Him. Then, He could move forward; now He resolved to reach a peak even higher than Calvary.

When our eyes are on other things, things in Egypt, the past, or things of others, we create an opportunity to return to bondage. The children of Israel were not long departed from Egypt before the memory of its burning sand was a green pasture. Their inability to perceive opportunity robbed them of the promised inheritance.

Preparation is the key actually. Once you feel you have attained the summit of your field or ambitions, you will relax your preparation and assume no more crosses. Enthusiasm is a memory, and the only push you have left is the pull of life’s cares.

Hebrews 12

¹ Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, ² Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. ³ For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

And Again, ¹² “Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; ¹³ And make straight^c paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed. ¹⁴ Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: ¹⁵ Looking diligently lest any man fail^d of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; ¹⁶ Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. ¹⁷ For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place^e of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.”

IV Conformity to the right thing is NOT a limitation

Romans 8 (28-30)

²⁸ “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

²⁹ For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. ³⁰ Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.”

GIVE ME A BRAKE!!

2009-04-09T12:17:00.000-07:00

Before we were Christians most of us lived our lives pedal to the metal, no holds barred, running to the ʻexcess of riot,ʼ described by Peter (I Pet. 4:4). But now as Christians we are commanded in Romans 6:12-13-“Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.”

You are in control
I contend that a STOP sign has never once made your car stop. A yield sign has never made it yield, nor has a speed limit sign made the car slow down. As a driver you have often seen these signs and, by using the accelerator or the brake, have brought your car into compliance. So it is spiritually; no rules or bible commands can make us obey, we must choose to bring ourselves into compliance, we must yield! Through the Holy Spirit we have the power and authority to maintain absolute control. I say this because the fruit, i.e. the evident product of the Spirit is, in part, temperance (Gal. 5:23). We have the God-given power to take control, and all Christians must exercise this power as part of holding fast the confidence to the end (Heb. 3:14).

Many years ago when our son was small, we took him to Frontier Park in Graham, WA. We noticed a dog show going on nearby, so we wandered over to watch. After a few minutes of witnessing the interaction of the people with their pets, it became clear to me that it was time to leave. I was uncomfortable and troubled in my spirit by the atmosphere. Another time a few years ago we went to an annual event in Tacoma called Wintergrass; basically one hour acoustic music lessons/workshops taught by professionals. Iʼve played guitar since 1966 and Iʼm always trying to improve, so it was an absolute treat for me to listen to these pros play and teach. Later in the evening when things started jumping, and started to get crazy, we looked at each other and said something like, “letʼs get out of here!” These are just 2 examples of many kinds of situations that we as Christians may find ourselves in and no one can hit the brakes but us! Here’s another scenario; Restaurants that serve alcohol. If you refuse to eat at such places, youʼre left with McDonalds and the BK; but the environment is quite different on Tuesday afternoon than it is on Friday or Saturday evening when the crowd is rockinʼ and prowlinʼ. So then, is it the PRESENCE of alcohol, or the activities INVOLVING it that is wrong? For that matter, alcohol is present at the supermarket, but walking near it should not be a temptation for a Christian. If there is no lust (desire) for it in your heart, there should be no temptation (James 1:14-15)- “But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” Even if you WERE tempted by it, you still have a brake pedal beneath your foot. Use it! If a certain place put you in a position to be tempted, then you should avoid even going there.
I Thess. 5 (22) “ Abstain from all appearance of evil.” APPEARANCE ( from the Gk. Eidos, sight, meaning 'when it appears')

Spiritual Judgment
Drunk drivers have brake pedals too, but their judgment is impaired by their intoxication. I Cor. 2 (12-16) sheds light on why some people’s judgment is anything but objective, even somewhat twisted; they think with a natural mind, their judgment is impaired by their intoxication. They are drunk with carnality, jealousy, their own self righteousness, their speech is slurred with resentment toward that which is truly spiritual and sweet to the soul. They propose a toast to evil, and pronounce curses upon good. The Corinthians’ bickering, protests, emulations and pride (I Cor. 3:3-4) manifested their carnality and lack of true judgment. “I am of Paul,” and “I am of Apollos” they insisted, even as some now say “I was close to the Pastor,” or “you are closer to the Pastor than we are,” etc. Such people vaunt themselves, and seek to nullify their own feelings of inferiority by “who they know” or “insider information they’re privy to.” Later in that same letter (Chapter 6) Paul rebuked them for poor judgment
(I Cor. 6:2-3) “Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? 3 Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?"

A successful Christian life requires proper judgment, and that is only possible by having the mind of Christ (I Cor. 2:16). God expects you to control yourself and Heʼs put you behind the wheel. No church policy, or Seminary rules can control your life or give you proper judgment; they only impose a discipline that you should be putting on yourself to an even greater extent. You must judge when to hit the gas and when to hit the brakes! But if you are intoxicated with your issues, how can you even see or speak clearly?

Years ago, Bro. and Sis. Cespedes were descending the hill to Orting when the brakes went out on their van; their runaway ride to the bottom of the hill is quite a story, (ask them to tell you about it) but Christianity is not a ‘runaway’ ride. We have control if we want control, because God’s brakes can never fail! The devil can’t ‘cut your brake lines.’ Think about the reckless drivers youʼve witnessed or known; those who have a penchant for running red lights also love speeding, they seldom yield on freeway ramps and never signal lane changes. It is their habit and way of life. Likewise, there are law-breaking Christians, who refuse to restrain and discipline themselves and, even though they might brake momentarily for one of Godʼs ʻspeed trapsʼ, they keep the accelerator floored, making haste toward whatever, as if God wasn’t even watching.

Paul admonished us in Eph. 5:15 to walk circumspectly (akribos), which means accurately and exactly as a result of our carefulness. It also carries with it the idea of alertness. This is how we determine when to hit the the brake. Always alert and carefully examining situations and circumstances: does this edify me, does it glorify God? In I Cor.10:23 Paul said; “All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.” He was willing to do whatever it took to reach the lost, and willing to pay any price in order to know Christ and the power of His resurrection (Phil 3). Let us live our lives with this exhortation ringing in our hearts and minds; “For ye are bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are Godʼs.”

M C Kekel

Beautiful Music

2009-03-27T10:36:00.000-07:00

My son had a piano recital recently. All parents of children in lessons can relate to the mixed emotions these events evoke; the joy and pride as your child performs, and the twitchy tolerance as you listen to everyone else’s child perform.

 As recitals usually do, this one began with the smallest performers first. All in the audience grinned and clapped after the first small student played her little 2 finger, 2 measure piece; but then the teacher announced that he would be playing a duet with his student. Oh, what a difference! Two figures on the bench; a tall, confident and most assured man, and a little girl who’s hands were shaking. Taking his cues from her, they began to play; and together they made beautiful music. As they played, the scene shifted before my eyes. I saw myself and my heavenly father together; going through my days, living my life and trying to accomplish His will. Me with only 1 or 2 shaking fingers playing a simple 1 note melody, trying out all that He’s been teaching me, and Him on the other side of the bench, gently and intuitively leading the way, affirming my abilities, and filling in all the gaps, turning my struggling, tiny and sometimes inept efforts into something beautiful and productive. The apostle Paul expressed it like this in 2 Cor. 4:7- “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.” Without Him I can do nothing, but with Him I can do all things. Even better is the fact that He isn’t just working beside me, He’s working in me mightily, and I’m being changed into his image from glory to glory!

I love you all and pray that today you and He make beautiful music!
TMK