Texas

Well, we are back. I had a great time in Florida, and had the chance to meet brothers, and sisters in Christ that have forever impacted my life. I will be posting more now that I am home. The last few months have been quite the adventure, and I will reflect on them soon, but I wanted everyone in Florida to know we love them and will be praying for them. I wanted everyone in Texas to know we are home, and look forward to fellowship with them with Christ being our central focus.

Press on

I think often about the hardships of this life, the woes of this body, and worries of finance. I think I feel better now, without a "job" then I did when I was striving to get ahead, whatever that means. I mean, I worry about what we will eat, and how we are going to pay rent, but I am working toward the goal now, that I should have always been working toward, and that is, a home not made with hands, and a life that reflects my Lord while I am here. I still see areas where we could streamline somethings in our life, and get by on less, but more than that, what I really see is how sinful I am, and my need for repentance, in my life. I am not saying we should all quit our jobs, but in this season I have greater time reflect on my wickedness. It is hard to go from Lost, to saved, to comfortable, to convicted, to repentant, to striving for a holier life, I must say I have seen guys try it, and they looked like they were being legalistic, and I do not want that, and I know we must fellowship. I would love to live in a cave, but that is not what we are told to do. We are to be a light, and to be salt. I must pray that, by the Holy Spirit, I may walk in a way worthy of our King, and battle against the sin that rages within, and urging those that we fellowship with to do the same. No time for rest on this front, no time at all. Sin is ever present in this weak vessel of flesh.

Head First

I wonder when they threw the disciples out of a city if it was head first?

We had a meeting with the pastor of the First Baptist Church in Plant City, and one of the deacons, which owns a building downtown that is up for rent. It was to be a formality on the way to finalizing the rental agreement, but once we got into the meeting we soon realized that they were going to deny our request to rent this building. The reason was they wanted us to succeed, and they didn't think that was possible for us to do if we were so close to the "Biggest Church in town" why we would just be "in their shadow", and they wouldn't want that to "damage our chance of being successful".

The Problem is this, they measure success the same way the world does, and we measure it, not by numbers, but by growth in the lives of those in which the Lord brings us to teach, and Shepard.

Kingdom on earth building is a cancer that has swept our "Churches", and I pray that we will repent from such nonsense, and realize that it is the Lord that builds His Church, and If we are five blocks away, or ten miles away, there are many , many Lost, and many Christians that will not go to a Church like that. The fact is I know many people that will not go into one of these mega complex Churches, for the simple fact that they are not willing to deal with the plastic smiles (to their face), and dirty looks (behind their backs).

It was my turn to preach Sunday, I feel that the Lord was very merciful. We had about twenty five there, and I had Acts 1:12-26 for my text to teach on. I felt the Lord was leading me to bring out the fact that Judas was an unconverted man, and that was why he was able to betray Christ, also the prophecies about him had to be fulfilled. It is a huge honor to be called to preach, I am still amazed that God would even save, let alone call me to preach this glorious gospel.

Oh God, You, who know the hearts of all men, Thank You for Fellowship we have in Christ. Thank You for calling us out of the darkness, and into Your marvelous light. Where we have fellowship not only with the King of all Glory, but you have decreed it to be, that we may also share in fellowship with believers here on earth. I am overwhelmed by your mercy toward us. Tonight, I reflected on the past few weeks, and my heart is bursting with praise. You Lord, only You, could create such a rich bond so quickly. To Love, Brothers in Christ, as though we have had a lifetime to bond, when in fact it has been hours. This is something I have always been taken by. In the past it has had this same impact, but I have never had a chance to express it. I remember late nights in Keller, very late, where it felt like the world stood still for us, as we spoke of the King with such passion, and fire. Then again times like tonight, where we meet families that share the same Spirit, and it is like we have been friends forever. Never wanting to leave, because we enjoy the time together so much. I praise You Lord, for without You, we would never know Love. We would never have this commonality, or share the bond, of Christ that holds all things together. Only through Christ are we adopted into this family. I long for the day, when we can lift our voices with one accord, in praise to the only one worthy. All Hail King Jesus, The Lamb that was Slain.

I am ashamed by my behavior, my lack of trust, and my lack of faith, in the past week. I have realized this, only because God is merciful, and wants me to see my error. He could have allowed me to drown in despair, but rather He deemed it necessary to show me my weakness, and grant me repentance. I have no strength of my own, it is only through Christ that I can do anything. My faith comes from Him, and my repentance is from Him as well. There are those that will say "it is up to you to repent, then God forgives" I doubt they understand the power of God very well. It is God that grants forgiveness, and repentance, as a gift to man. They will say "yes, but you do not have to accept it" my dear friend. Try to deny the next breath that God gives you, as a gift. If God gives you the gift you can not but accept it. It is not a matter of want to, but rather it is a matter of necessity. God has granted me repentance, for my pathetic sulking, and my lack of faith. He not only has done this He has also provided for me, so that I will give Him the glory , and dare not try to claim some glory for myself. He is truly my provider, He has proven Himself faithful, when I have doubted. Oh God, that you be given all the praise from my mouth, is my one desire. And I know that even this desire is wrought only from your works.

Help my unbelief.

Well, the fears of not providing for my family are starting to creep into my mind almost momentarily now. I have only been here a week and a half, but my faith seems to already be wavering. The battle has begun. I find myself questioning the move, and the doors that were opened by God seem somehow to have been my own desires now.

I am like a child that has so many questions, and does not like the answers given. Is it my time to suffer? Am I to be taught the reality of God's provision by not having employment? Is this to humble me?

I find myself at times drifting back, and forth. I wonder how long it will be until I realize that God really is all knowing, and He does all things right. I need a job, but I know that God will provide one in his timing. I laughed at the thought of coming out here in the first place, but when a job seemed to be waiting I jumped at the chance. Oh, how I feel like a fool. I am ashamed of my doubts, and yet there they are laughing at me. I long to be holy, yet I find myself laying in the filth. If it were not for the Christ I would have gone insane by now. So weak, and still pride finds a way to fill my heart. Cleanse me my God, and strenghten my feeble mind I pray.

Today was the first service that we had as an official Church. I am encouraged to know that there are Brothers, and Sisters in Christ, praying for us as we try to give right honor to such a glorious King. The task seems to be impossible, and it really is. We are nothing to speak of in ourselves, and are by no means great Theologians, yet we do have one thing in common, and that is, we share a passion for the glory of God. We have been wanting to do this for several months, and have seen God do many great things to get us here. A dear Brother (in Texas) told me I should remember the zeal of this time, and how excited I was during our move leading up to now. He warned of the doubt that would come, and how hard it could be. I thank God for the wisdom He has given this Brother, and pray that someday I too can pass on something so precious to another. Today was full of mixed emotions, I was so excited, and felt so foolish all at the same time. I have doubts arising almost everyday, and conformations each day as well. I know without a doubt that I am here to learn from God, and I pray that it is enough just to know that He has me here for His glory.

Open doors

Here we are a few days from "the move", and I am amazed at how God is still giving us open door, after open door. I praise Him for the provision He has given us. We sold enough to get there, including the moving truck, and gas,and to pay first, and last month rent for the house He has provided. I called today to make sure that I still had a job waiting, and was told that they filled all the positions that were open, but that he remembered talking with me, and would give me a job when I got there. God is bringing all these things together, and I am still overwhelmed by His grace, and sovereign workings in all these matters. I am getting very excited about this work in Florida. I am looking forward to see what God has in store for us there.

Thank you, Father for my sin.

I am amazed at how our Lord has made all these things come together for this move. Why did I ever doubt? Unbelief is a tricky thing. In a converted man still remains this lack of faith, a lack of trust when things seem to hard, or to big. I am amazed that the God of heaven is mindful of man. Yet, I know that He has sovereign control over every speck of dust many times I forget to apply this truth. I tend to revert back to trusting in my ability to handle things. I tend to trust my flesh to accomplish works, and deeds. Why is it so tempting to trust this mind of a fool, or this weak body that has to eat for strength, or drink for refreshment? Why do I forget that the Lord of all creation is for me? I am in need of constant reminding, and I thank the Lord for the sins that I struggle with. Here I would make the claim that it is these sins that are a reminder, that I am in need of something outside myself. God, in His wisdom, has left man to struggle with sin, even after conversion, to remind them that they are nothing without Him. This should be looked at with joy. Many would no doubt have a problem with me saying that I find joy in my sin, and I do not by any means say I enjoy the sin in itself., but I thank , and praise God for the sin in my life which serves as a reminder for me of my dependence on Him, and my need for the atoning work of Christ. I am a foolish man that leans on Christ more day, by day, through His grace alone. I am thankful to be mindful of my sin. There are those that never realize their standing before God will be that of unmeasurable guilt, and eternal punishment their due penalty. To be aware of sin is a blessing, and repentance is a must, but we will never repent on our own. I am thankful that it is not left to me to decide, to believe, for I never could have. I am thankful that it is not left to me to repent for I never would have. Only through Christ working in me is anything done rightly.

Change

Tonight I spoke with a friend of mine that moved to Missouri a few years ago. Since then he has planted a Church there in Joplin. I was very excited to talk with him, and to fill him in on the things that we have been going through here. He had some words of encouragement , and warning (I appreciate the warning as much as the encouragement.)

I remember years ago going to the East Coast with him, and a bunch of other BMXers we were driving down the road in the van when Steev asked "so you don't believe in God?" I was an atheist, or so I thought, and had been for years. I answered him back "No I don't" I had never had someone preach the Gospel, nor had I ever been confronted about my beliefs. Thinking that he would preach to me I said "I just don't like people shoving religion down my throat" he then said "OK, If you ever want to talk about it let me know" That was all that was said about the topic. However, his life was a constant witness to me, and the others around him. His unwillingness to compromise was always impressive to me. Steev, and his family moved to Missouri, and years later the Lord saved me, and I was soon reminded of Steev ( he was the only Christian I really respected before I was born again), I wondered how he was, I wondered if he would remember me, I wondered how he was doing. I called him, and was an emotional wreck, I was so excited to be saved, and to share this news with him, and his family (I still really didn't even understand what had happened to me) I remember him telling me that he had been praying for this for years. That meant a lot to me then, and even more now. Over the last few years we have talked every so often, about once a year, every time it seems that I am going through a huge new stage in my walk with Christ, and I thank God that I have a Brother that I can call, and share these stages of my life with. I pray someday to fellowship with him, and his family, as we worship the King of all Kings and the Lord of Glory, If it is not here, I know that someday we will join in praise together giving Christ the Glory for He is Worthy of all.

By God's grace I have been saved, and by His grace will I remain.

We are moving to Florida to help with a Church Plant there. God has opened up doors that seemed to be nailed shut. He does that well, He does all things well.

As many know I am a bit hard headed at times, yeah alright most of the time. Anyways I said "I am not going to Florida" one day, by God's grace, I pray that I will learn to keep my mouth shut in times like those, well here it is a few short weeks later, and what do you know/ We are selling our belongings, and going to Florida.
I will try to keep up with this site, as a way to log the journey (those emergent guys have ruined all the good words), and to call out false teachers along the way. I hope you enjoy, most of all I pray God be glorified with the use of a fool.


Kenny Kirk

Reason for this Blog

My very first Blog entry Testing Testing is this thing on?

The reason I wanted to do this Blog?

1. I want people to be able to keep up with the progress of the Church plant in Florida.

2. I want to be able to vent.

3. I want God's name lifted to the highest esteem, and want to call down those that exult themselves over the King of all Glory. This is by far the most important reason to do anything.

Why Stone the Prophets for the title?

1. That is what happens to those that stand for truth.

2. That is what happens to those that go against "the system".

3. I like the name.