Issue 14 | Winter 2023 Kaua’i Christian Fellowship

ISSUE 14 • WINTER 2023 | K AUAICHRISTIAN.ORG

2731 ALA KINOIKI • KOLOA, HI • 96756

Where Everybody Knows Your Name Written by Dain Spore

R

ecently, I drove up to Kapaa to have dinner with some old friends of mine.

These were people I had known most of

my life. Some had been friends since elementary school, one was a college roommate, and though I had not seen most of them for decades, we had always stayed in touch (thank you Facebook!).

To say I was looking forward to meeting them is a huge understatement, which only added to my frustration of not being able to find parking near the restaurant. Arriving at the hostess stand a full 15 minutes late, I naturally assumed that I was the last to arrive and said as much to the hostess when I gave her my name. She cheerfully said, “Oh yes, they are already here. Right this way!” I followed her dutifully through the crowded restaurant, and when we reached the entrance to a back room, she pointed to a table at the far end and said, “They are waiting for you at the last table,” and left me there.

With great eagerness, I dashed towards the back table

came forth from Jesus when he spotted the diminutive

where I could see the heads of about eight people. But

Zacchaeus in the branches. “Zacchaeus, come down

something wasn’t right. The closer I got to the table, the

immediately! For I must stay at your house today.” Imagine

more it was clear that the hostess had made a mistake.

his surprise! And great joy as well. Now imagine if, at that

Even adjusting for age, and not having seen each other

moment, he knew who it was who was inviting Himself

for decades, none of these people looked remotely

(quite literally) into Zacchaeus’ life. And yet, this story

familiar. As my momentum continued to propel me

gives us two great truths to encourage us and one great

forward, I quickly found myself standing at the head of

truth to challenge us.

a table full of strangers who stopped talking and looked at me expectantly. “Oh…sorry,” I stammered. “I think I’m

First, notice that Jesus, without any prior introduction,

at the wrong table.” I waited for just a beat, perhaps to

calls him by name. This perfectly fulfills the prophecy

give someone at the table an opportunity to break the

from Isaiah (43:1); “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you

awkwardness with a witty reply along the lines of, “Well

and call you by name; you are Mine!” Is that awesome

hey! Pull up a chair anyways,” but instead, nobody said

or what? Were you aware that the Creator God of

anything, and, in silence, I turned and walked away.

the universe has not only offered us salvation, the forgiveness of our sins (and like Zacchaeus, we have

Heading back to the front of the restaurant, I passed

many!), but He knows us and calls us by our names?

by the empty hostess stand and went exploring on the other side of the room, hoping to find my friends there.

Sure enough, near the back of this room, I saw a large party of somewhat familiar-looking faces (just add 40 years to high school kids). This time, as I approached the table, and long before I had reached it, somebody shouted, “Hey! Look who’s here! It’s Dain!” Immediately there was a ruckus of chairs scraping the floors, loud exclamations of joy, handshakes, hugs, and introductions to unknown spouses and children who beamed with that unmistakable look of “I guess, if my husband/father loves this guy, I must him love him as well.” What a GREAT feeling it is to be welcomed by those who know you and love you.

I tell you this story because God has been teaching me

Secondly, as that verse in Isaiah also states, He says

about this aspect of His Kingdom. Quite simply, that we

we belong to Him. I love the way the NASB adds an

are known by name, we are loved, we are welcomed, and

exclamation point to the verse so that it reads, “You are

He has a place for us.

Mine!” In the Zacchaeus story, Jesus invites Himself to “stay” with him. This is a great picture of the Holy Spirit

Consider the story of Zacchaeus. He was a much-

dwelling within us. But for this article, I want to imagine

hated tax collector in first-century Judea. A turncoat to

our arrival into Heaven at the end of our time here on

Jews, he worked for the Romans, squeezing his fellow

Earth. Jesus said, “In my Father’s house there are many

countrymen for the hated occupiers. It is, therefore,

mansions…and I go to prepare a place for you” (John 14:2).

not hard to imagine how he would have expected to be

How awesome it is to imagine our arrival in Heaven. To

addressed by the popular itinerant Rabbi named Jesus

be greeted by name. To be received warmly. And to know

who was now entering his town. Climbing a tree, he

that there is a place for us; that we belong there.

perhaps hoped to simply observe the teacher from a distance. He was undoubtedly shocked at the words that 3

In Brennan Manning’s book, Abba’s Child, he tells

I was pondering all these things recently when

the wonderful story of an Irish priest who’s traveling

I arrived at a wedding that was taking place at

the countryside, and the priest sees an old peasant

the church. As it was, the bride who was getting

sitting by the side of the road. When the priest gets

married that day had been part of the church for

closer, he realizes this peasant is praying, and the

the entirety of her 22 years. I had held her the day

priest is impressed. He says to the peasant, “You

she was born. As I strolled up to the wedding, I

must be quite close to God.” The peasant looks up

was shaking hands, exchanging hugs, bumping

from his prayers and thinks for a moment, and then

fists, and greeting several people from not only

he says, “Yes, He’s very fond of me.”

Kauai Christian Fellowship but from numerous other churches on the island. I explicitly remember

“He’s very fond of me.” Do you know that God is

thinking, “These are all my favorite people on the

very fond of you? I often tell my friends, “You know,

island, and there is no place else on the planet where

I really like you.” And when they give me a funny

I feel like I belong more than right here.” Isn’t that

look, I will say, “Well, I’m required to love you, but

great? What a beautiful picture of who we are in the

I don’t have to like you.” Telling somebody I like

Kingdom of God. Wherever we go in His Kingdom

them is the best compliment I can give somebody. I

here on Earth, we are with “our people.” That doesn’t

recently raised this topic at my Bible study, and one

mean we always get along perfectly or don’t have

of the people there said, “You know, in all my life as a

trouble together. But ultimately, by participating,

Christian, I always knew that God loved me, but I had

engaging, and tenaciously attaching ourselves to

never considered He might like me!”

God’s people, we find ourselves in a place where we are known by name, we are welcomed, and there is

And lastly, though this might seem obvious, God

always a place at the table for us. We can do it with

knows us by name. In fact, according to the verse

God’s family here on Earth, and it is a great warmup

in Isaiah cited above, He calls us by name. When I

for our eventual welcome into Heaven.

put all these amazing Biblical truths together, I find my memory recalling one of the most successful

Imagine stepping into eternity and being met by

sitcoms ever aired, Cheers. The whole premise of

Jesus. He invites you to follow Him. A door ahead

the show was that the bar (named “Cheers”) was a

of you opens, and you follow Jesus into a room.

warm, welcoming place where the regulars would

Peering over His shoulder, you see a very large

gather at the end of the day to mingle and socialize.

banquet table, and though everybody looks a little

That premise was encapsulated by the theme

different (all of them being the very best versions

song at the beginning of the show. You probably

of themselves), you recognize that it is basically

know it, and after reading this, it might get stuck

all your favorite family and friends. There is an

in your head for the rest of the day! Remember?

aroma of amazing food with, perhaps, even a whiff

Here are the lyrics: “Sometimes you wanna go where

of fresh coffee being brewed somewhere close by.

everybody knows your name, and they’re always

Before you can even begin to take it all in, Jesus

glad you came. You wanna be where you can see

announces, “Hey everybody! Look, (insert your name

our troubles are all the same. You wanna be where

here) has come home!” This is quickly followed by

everybody knows your name.” And sure enough,

the sound of chairs scraping on the floor and people

whenever one of the regulars comes through the

streaming to come welcome you with exclamations

door, everybody at the bar calls out to them by

of joy, handshakes, and hugs. You are finally home.

name. “Hey Norm!”

Where everybody knows your name, and they’re always glad you came!

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Investing In Things That Last Written by Tony Leair

I

just had to write this year on a moment that

city next to the Tijuana dump and brought them out to

transpired in Mexico. There are times when God calls

surf with us and eat tacos. We spent time with another

us to stretch and really put ourselves out there, and

orphanage, got them tacos, and went to a movie with

when we answer the call by jumping in with both feet,

them. We also helped run a Spectrum community day full

God will often meet us in that moment.

of games, grocery giveaways, and face painting. It was a full week with lots of beautiful work being shared with

We were so excited to get our students signed up and

the community in Mexico.

ready for our annual trip to Tijuana to serve. We know the kind of impact that it can have on the students’

One of the mornings stuck out to me. We went out to

worldview to see how much of the world lives, and

a men’s home that takes in the elderly and gives them

honestly, we were excited to visit those who we’ve grown

care. The house is run by a saint of a woman who finds

to know and love over the last many years. Rick began

elderly men who are begging on the street and brings

going to Tijuana in his teens to serve the poor, and we

them to her home. The staff she has hired change the

have continued that tradition at KCF since the beginning.

men’s diapers, feed, and care for the men.

I have been able to lead around 12 trips, and I began to think that I have “been there, done that” in Mexico and

We played Loteria with the men (a very fun Mexican

could put the trip on cruise control. Not so much.

alternative to Bingo) and realized quickly that they were in a rough spot. Many could not see the cards because

This year we did all sorts of ministry. We fed breakfast

of poor eyesight, so our students would help them mark

to around 80 kids who are growing up in the Zona Norte,

their cards. Many were talking gibberish or saying things

or the red-light district. We built a home for a family

that showed they were not 100% in their mental space.

who had been waiting for one for over two years. We

Of course, our entire group went crazy anytime that one

brought two piñatas to two of our favorite orphanages

of the men won Loteria and we showered them

for a big party. We met up with the kids that live in a tent

with chocolates.

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When Loteria wrapped up, we picked up a guitar

Anyway, the third verse zinged me: “And on that day

and began to sing some worship with the men. This

when my strength is failing, The end draws near and

was a moment. I will never forget the echoes of

my time has come; Still my soul will sing Your praise

the music in the room and the way that the older

unending, Ten thousand years and then forevermore.”

men embraced the worship music with all that they

We were literally worshiping with men who had

had to offer. Some men were singing, some were

failing strength and were near to their time. The

bobbing their heads, and others even muttering

words were so beautiful and appropriate for that

prayers during the songs.

moment.

I remember one man in particular who was slumped into his wheelchair and hunched over with his head low in the chair. I saw him waving his hand back and forth in worship as that was really all that he could muster at the moment. That combined with the song hit me like a sledgehammer to the heart. I realized at that moment that I wanted to be like him when I grow up. I want to hold God and the worship of Him so deeply precious that when I inevitably come to the time when my strength is failing, the end draws near, and my time has come, I will also be waving my hand in the air with all that I have.

These types of lessons don’t always come to us. I do believe that when we stretch and sacrifice some of our time to serve others, God saves some special moments of teaching for us. I would challenge us all to get out there and do something about our faith.

One of our students grabbed the guitar and led us

Would we all be like the elderly man in Tijuana as we

in the song “10,000 Reasons.” You know it, “Bless the

worship our God together no matter what we have

Lord, O my soul, O my soul, Worship His holy name…”

to offer.

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Reflections of a 72-year-old Preschool Teacher Written by Jacqueline Hoban

W

hen taking a World History class as a

shame. That shame led to the acknowledgment that just

senior in high school, I was seated next

like everyone else in the world, I needed a Savior. Even

to an underclassman. Although his name

though I still believe that kid was theologically off, he

escapes me, I do recall that he was very persuaded that

didn’t deserve to be treated unkindly by me.

his particular church was the only church approved by God. In fact, he referred to all other Christian churches

In John 12: 31-33, Jesus says: “Now is the time for

who were part of Christendom as actually being

judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be

“Christendumb”.

driven out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.’ He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die.”

My family regularly attended a pleasant church near our home, and we enjoyed the message and the fellowship there. Although I wasn’t yet a true Christian, I noticed

That’s the thing that boy didn’t seem to understand.

lots of holes in his theology, and I soon grew tired of my

Jesus’ heart was to “draw all people to” himself. He really

classmate’s obvious arrogance and persistent attempts

loves all of us. The challenge for me is to communicate

to persuade me to “convert.” In hindsight, I’d like to

that well. How can I share the truth—the Gospel—

extend grace to him and choose to believe he probably

without sounding arrogant and annoying?

meant well. But there were some problems.

My mom believed that smiling at people or buying First of all, I was a pretty good kid. Like I said, my family

sandwiches for homeless folks she thought were

and I went to church every weekend. I attended the local

approachable was sharing Christ, but she didn’t have

youth group, I didn’t use profanity, I didn’t smoke, I didn’t

the courage to tell them why she wanted to do that. She

drink, I tried to be kind to everyone, even that pesky kid.

wanted to represent Jesus, but honestly, she sort of

Another thing to add to my list of “didn’t” is I didn’t know

missed the mark when she didn’t say it was His love that

that Jesus had died for my failures and sins. In fact, I

compelled her joy and generosity. Paul, in his letter to

didn’t realize He was a living Savior. That’s weird because

the Romans, asked, “How can they believe in one of whom

I did believe He had risen from the dead. I just hadn’t put

they have never heard? And how can they hear unless

it together yet. Maybe I was a Christian-dumb.

someone proclaims him? And who will go to tell them unless he is sent?” (Romans 10:14).

Anyway, to make a long story short, I turned the proverbial hounds on that boy one day in front of other

In case you were wondering why in the world I love

classmates. I wasn’t the only one bothered by him,

preschoolers and their families so much—it’s because

so I used all the sarcasm and superiority of my age

of Jesus. I am convinced that it is our huge blessing and

and “wisdom” on him until he withered, red-faced and

responsibility to tell everybody, young and old, how

defeated.

much they are loved. What else could inspire a 72-yearold woman to do what I do?

Years later, I would recall that pivotal event with heartfelt

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NEW DIGS!!!

Written by Kyler Schmidt

O

ver the past few years being a junior high

we received a text from someone saying they had

youth pastor, I have noticed that having

run into our contractor, and they asked if they could

creativity and flexibility is an absolute

talk to us about our plans for the youth room. We

must in order to survive as a youth leader. However,

met up to show them the room and discuss our

one day as I was working this spring, I realized this

plan to replace the floor, and instead the person

attitude may have gone too far.

expressed that they not only wanted to finance our new floor but also wanted to finance a remodel of

This epiphany came to me as I was on the ground

the entire room! We were shocked to say the least

duct-taping our worn-out couch back together,

and excitedly responded with a big yes!

hoping that it would hold up for one last youth night. As I began to look around, it became clear

Through this experience, I felt God speaking to me

that the room could use a little more love. It is one

and reminding me of two truths.

of the most used spaces in the church; we use the room multiple times a week to minister to students from all over the island.

Though the ministry we get to do is beautiful, the room was not. The carpet had a tear from one end of the room all the way to the other, burn marks had somehow ended up on the floor, the stage was in rough shape, and altogether the well-loved room was in need of a facelift.

After thinking about it, Tony and I decided that, at the very least, it was time to replace the floor. We reached out to a contractor and were ready to begin construction, but it turned out that God had bigger plans.

A couple days after reaching out to our contractor, 8

The first truth is that God’s ways are higher than our

desires for us to use those unique giftings. In this

ways (Isaiah 5:8-9). In our human experience on this

particular example, the individuals who donated

earth, we often think that we know what’s best and

financially to have the room renovated recognized

what is needed. We try to solve our own problems,

that fact. They realized that God had blessed them

answer our own questions, and be self-sufficient,

with their money, and they felt his calling to use it in

not relying on anyone else. Yet, time and time again,

this way to advance the Kingdom and Gospel. This

God has shown me that His way is always the best

experience served as a beautiful reminder that not

way, and that I can rely on him to have something

only do we serve a big God who provides in a big

greater in mind. While I was content in scraping

way, but also that we all have something to bring to

by with just replacing the flooring, God wanted to

the table in the body of Christ.

spoil our students with a space that not only serves their needs, but is completely geared towards them.

On September 27th, we had our grand re-opening

While I was happy with a duct-taped couch, God

of the youth room and revealed it to our students.

was already planning to deck the room out with

Because of one person surrendering their resources

brand new furniture.

to God’s purposes, our youth students were able to experience the love of God and their community

The second truth that God reminded me of is the

through someone caring enough to spend money

importance of each individual member of the body

on their youth zone. We are so grateful for

of Christ (1 Peter 4:10). Ministry is not a one man

this amazing blessing, and I look forward with

sport; it requires a team in order to accomplish

anticipation to see the many ways God is going to

the Lord’s mission. Because of this, God has gifted

continue using this space for His Kingdom.

each member of the church differently, and he

Playful Moments and Powerful Connections: Our New Playgroup for Moms and Kids Written by Jenna Marshall

I

n the heart of our community, something special

the exhilaration of finger painting, our little ones get

is happening every Friday morning. Moms,

to experience the world in a whole new way. These

toddlers, and preschoolers alike are gathering at

activities are not only engaging and entertaining

our church to be part of a unique experience that’s

but also promote fine motor skill development,

bringing joy, learning, and connection into their

setting them up for success in their early years.

lives. Our brand-new playgroup is not your average childcare—it’s an extraordinary blend of fun and faith, where little ones explore, create, and grow while moms bond and share moments that will last a lifetime.

Sensory Sensations: One of the highlights of our playgroup is the sensory station. Each week, we unveil a new adventure for the children’s growing senses. From the squishy texture of playdough to 9

Crafty Creations Art is more than just coloring within the lines. It’s about self-expression and creativity. Our craft station is where children have the freedom to let their imaginations soar. From making colorful paper plate masks to decorating picture frames, we encourage our kids to explore their artistic side, fostering their individuality.

Silly Snack Time Who says learning can’t be delicious? Our snack station is not your ordinary snack time. Each week, we carefully select snacks that tie into the Bible story we read, creating a meaningful connection between faith and everyday life. It’s a tasty way to reinforce the lessons we teach, all while enjoying something sweet and satisfying.

Bible Story Adventures Our playgroup wouldn’t be complete without taking a moment to read and discuss a Bible story. We believe it’s essential to introduce faith in an ageappropriate and engaging way. These stories are selected to instill values and teachings that will resonate with our little ones as they grow.

Singing and Free Play Fun doesn’t stop at our structured activities. We sing silly songs and let the kids engage in free play. These moments are when they bond with one another, learn to interact, and grow in social skills, all while having a blast.

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B

ut playtime isn’t just about our children. It’s also

invite you to be part of our fun-filled and faith-focused

about fostering connections between moms. The

journey.

bonds formed here often extend beyond our Friday mornings, blossoming into lasting friendships that

These sweet mornings are a reminder that in

provide invaluable support and encouragement.

these precious years, it’s not just about what our children experience, but also the connections we

Taking time to go play is an investment in our children’s

create. Together, we’re building a vibrant, close-knit

futures and in our own sense of community. We’re

community that will continue to flourish for years

excited to see the smiles, laughter, and growth that

to come.

each week brings. If you haven’t joined us yet, we

Why God Enjoys Hearing Us Say “Thank You” Written by Rick Bunschuh

T

his past week a couple dozen of our High

All of us know how easy it is to take what we have

School students returned from spending their

for granted and how quickly we gripe and complain

fall break in the dusty border town of Tijuana

when we were looking forward to a piece of toast for

where they had served the “have nots” by building a

breakfast and the toaster goes on the fritz or when the

house, taking a group of orphan kids on an outing to

line to put gas in our shiny late model car at Costco is

the beach and feeding breakfast to the young offspring

exceedingly long.

of hookers and drug addicts in the red-light district.

I have a hunch that we grumble and complain at Grabbing some of them after church on Sunday I asked

a much higher rate than we express gratitude and

about their experience and what, if any, impression

thanksgiving. In fact, I dare you to take a small note

it made upon them. Their response was varied but all

pad and divide a page into two columns; complain/

of them reported one thing in common; thankfulness,

grumble and expressing gratitude and thanksgiving.

in particular for the amazing life they have with good

Then with that note pad at hand travel through a day

hygiene, intact families, abundant opportunities and

monitoring what comes out of your mouth and see

lack of want.

what side wins. (Of course, the very fact that you are recording this will probably make your score on the

The shock treatment of taking young men and women

thankful side much higher than it would be if you were

into such situations is the fastest way I know to

not aware of what you say.) The reality is that you and I

produce gratitude, an element that is a rare but vital

probably grumble far more than we offer thankfulness.

attribute for every human.

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The reality is that you and I probably grumble far more

“They want to remain anonymous” was her smiling

than we offer thankfulness.

response.

Naturally we know that reversing course and becoming a

Stunned by the generosity of an unknown benefactor, I

person who oozes the sweet aroma of gratefulness and

studied each table as I slowly got up from my chair.

thankfulness to our spouse, our family and the rest of the

I saw several men, unknown to me and clearly visitors,

human race does amazing thing for those relationships.

sitting halfway across the room. One of them looked in my direction and then quickly dropped his head.

But what about thankfulness to God? How is that “Hmmm... a tell” I thought to myself.

expressed? How often does a prayer of thankfulness pass through our lips or leap to heaven from our heart.

As I passed their table I slowed and asked; “Did one of you It took a while, but I came to the conclusion that I was not

guys happen to pay for my lunch?” The gentleman who had

very good at offering God thanks. I needed to work the

dropped his head now looked up and broke into a smile.

desire to be thankful and express it, into a discipline.

“I saw you guys praying out loud over your food” he That’s why as a young believer I started to attend church

said, “And a long time ago God unexpectedly blessed me

services as a top priority; because it was a show of

financially and I wanted to find a way, in gratitude, to honor

gratitude that I would gather with other believers and

Him. So, I decided that if I came into a restaurant and saw

praise God. And I knew myself well enough to know that I

someone give God thanks for their meal, out loud, I would

can rationalize and say “I can thank God while I am surfing

pick up their check.”

on Sunday” ...but if I did, it would likely be a cheap shot quickie prayer with no equivalence to heartfelt praise.

A huge smile almost cracked my face and I thanked him for this generous gift and for the wonderful example of

I also decide to pray for every meal…out loud. Even when

gratitude to God that he had committed himself to.

eating out. No matter who I was with or what those in the tables around me might think. That discipline reaped an

And so, I still continue the discipline of telling God thank

interesting result.

you for the wonderful abundance, care and kindness he has shown me, in the quiet hours alone and out loud in a

It was lunchtime and I was with another believer at Brick

restaurant.

Oven Pizza. The restaurant wasn’t terribly busy, and our order came quickly.

Not because I am hoping to score another free meal or because he needs to hear our thanks or even because

As is now my custom, I bowed my head and out loud

He know we will end up becoming different people when

offered thanks to God for the provision which was

we are saturated in gratefulness, but simply because He

steaming in front of me.

enjoys hearing His kids thank Him.

Awhile later, as I pushed the remnants of my meal away, I signaled for the waitress to bring the check.

She walked up to the table and said coyly, “Your meals have been paid for.”

“By who?” I asked, scanning the restaurant for a face that look familiar.

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Those Who Will Change the World

T

here is something wonderfully subversive going

But cobbling together some temporary work arounds,

on in the large blue house at the extreme end of

the Anchor House set sail on time and was able to

the KCF property.

greet new students and a stunning array of terrific Bible teachers, apologists and experts in Christian

Bit by bit, idea by idea, action by action a couple

living including Dr. Hugh Ross, Jim Burns, Mark Gungor,

dozen young men and women are being crafted into

Kirk Dunston, Jon Collins (Co- creator of The Bible

revolutionaries, rebels and insurrectionist who will

Project), Dan Thomas, Dale Kuehne and many more.

be at the forefront of a generation whose mission is to challenge the ideology of our current culture

The Anchor House team all agree that watching the

with something more powerful, meaningful and

“lights come on” in the hearts and minds of our new

satisfactory; a life surrendered into the hands of Christ,

crew is one of the most exciting things to be a part of.

actions surrendered to the will of Christ and a mind

And something we hope to experience year by year.

surrendered to the thots of Christ.

And to that end, we have opened applications for It is the second year of the Anchor House School

the 2024 -2025 school year in case you know a young

of the Bible. And it is a year that for a moment we

man or woman who is looking to be part of those who

thought might not launch due to some confusion with

will change the world, starting with their own. www.

the county planning dept. (that seems to be working

anchorhousekauai.com.

out as of this writing).

(You can watch many of our lectures on the Anchor House Kauai YouTube channel)

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What is Walking Distance Written by Jon Enns

T

he comedian Stephen Wright once uttered, “Everywhere is walking distance if you’ve got the time.”

I’ve been ruminating on this premise while sitting in a little cabin in Wasilla, Alaska. My family has fallen asleep; night has come and morning is fast approaching. The cars on the road outside our cabin seem to complain about the cold as they pass by. When I contemplate how I got to this place in life, my Stephen Wright-minded response is always, “A plane, a car, and some good old-fashioned walking, silly.”

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But then there are the miscellaneous other things

changed and how much has changed around us.

influencing my life. A wedding brought me to Alaska.

I met the couple in Hawaii; both were my worship

5. What qualifies as success? Positive Interaction. Iron

ministry interns. My wife, Leah, and I have been doing

sharpening iron. Togetherness, challenge, movement,

premarital couples preparation weekly with them for

growth, beauty, interaction, learning, becoming

the last two months. Their story; my story, each seems

something new, embracing the newness in another

to be interconnected from reasons hiding in the past.

person. (This list goes on infinitely).

Walking to and from those meetings, planes, and cars, and now sitting at this table, in a cabin, in the woods,

As I sit here in this cabin, looking at the past five years

in Alaska, has led me to further questions.

of my relationship with my wife, Leah, I see a walk over time. I see what five years of iron sharpening iron has

1. How do people get anywhere?

done, and I am overcome by how much meaning has

2. Why do they go anywhere?

been sculpted into that walk. I’m also amazed at the

3. Are they coming back from there to here?

capacity of the mercy and patience of God to flow

4. Why would they come back?

from one individual to another. A relationship needs

5. What qualifies as success in getting somewhere?

immense mercy—far more than I am capable of—to continue, but my experience is beginning to inform

As I ponder, I wonder if my response is to point these

how I employ mercy, just as it does for Leah, and for

questions at the life of a disciple of Jesus, a married

anybody we encounter.

couple, or just any person interacting with the world at large. I look at my friends who are getting married this

My Alaskan friends, a newly married couple, will be

weekend in Alaska, and then I look at my own marriage.

walking similar steps, if they haven’t already. Walking

As I do, I ponder how these questions apply to us and

together with God and experiencing His mercy have

them.

gotten them through in the past, are getting them through now, and will sustain them in the future. I’ve

1. How do people get anywhere? Together. (Being

been watching, encountering and listening to stories of

somewhere is given quality by how people and

them walking with God for the past 12 months.

places relate to everything else around them… yeah. re-read that again, and then sit in that thought for at

Stephen Wright’s quote was intended to be funny, but

least a moment).

its potency cannot be overstated. As followers of the One who has walked countless steps with each person

2. Why do they go? Wanting to be with someone

through history, may we be most willing to walk in

requires movement on the part of both parties.

togetherness with others.

Because going somewhere together requires change, movement, stretching, and utilizing energy and

Would we be willing to invest each step as we walk

resources to navigate the terrain on the journey.

alongside those whom God has put in our path.

May you and I be vehicles of the mercy of the Father,

3. Are they coming back? Perhaps, but we will be

Son, and Spirit as we share our time.

changed by the time we return. If we come back changed, have we moved backward or have we reached a different octave of depth for the notes we used to play?

4. Why would they come back? Because revisiting where we’ve been informs us of how much we’ve 15

Kauai Christian Fellowship 2731 Ala Kinoiki Koloa, Hawaii 96756

A timeless allegory by Rick & Mason Bundschuh Available at KCF or online at www.thetimeihadcoffeewithjesus.com

Illustrated by Shawn K. Carson

The Mask is a riveting allegory of hope and redemption tinged with an essence of the Christmas season and set in the classic environment of a Dickens novel.