Lost in You, Jesus. One With You, Jesus.

Today, as I sat on the aft deck, yes, at the back of a big boat on floor twelve, suddenly a small bubble came floating past me having originated somewhere above me on deck 15. I went to the railing and watched the little bubble float towards the welcoming waves created by the ship’s wake. 

I began to pray deeply within my own heart knowing what was about to happen to the little bubble. This was my prayer: "Lord, I want to be lost in You like this little bubble is about to be lost in the mighty waters behind the ship. Lord, I want to be one with You like this little bubble is about to become one with the awesome sea behind the ship.”

Then it happened! I saw the miniature bubble lose itself in the massive ocean. I saw the solitary bubble become one with the mighty waters. It touched me deeply within. 

My mentor, James Spruill, taught me to pay attention to the seemingly "unsacred" things of your day. Why? Because with God anything and everything we experience can all-of-a-sudden prove to be simply, yet profoundly, God inviting us into deeper intimacy with Himself. 

It seems I hear a paraphrase of John 15 in my mind since watching the little bubble fall into the open arms of the ocean. Yes, it seems I hear my Lord saying: "I am the Almighty Sea and you are the little bubble. Find yourself lost in me. By becoming one with Me, you can know the holy wonder of life beyond all human comprehension." 

My soul cries out: "Yes, Lord, Yes!!!! To be One with You, is my deepest desire!!! Amen!!!"

Presence Matters Most! No Invisible People!

UNITY!

Pastor Kerry Willis (somewhere on the open sea between Alaska and Canada.) 

A Fisherman’s Psalm

Today, I got to go crab fishing near Ketchikan, Alaska on a real Bering Sea steel boat with a seasoned crew. What an experience of a lifetime. 

I thought of my fisherman Dad, all day, Capt. Billy and now his favorite passage from the Bible is soothing my soul:

"They that go down to the sea in ships, That do business in great waters; These see the works of Jehovah, And his wonders in the deep. For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, Which lifteth up the waves thereof. They mount up to the heavens, they go down again to the depths: Their soul melteth away because of trouble. They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, And are at their wits’ end. Then they cry unto Jehovah in their trouble, And he bringeth them out of their distresses. He maketh the storm a calm, So that the waves thereof are still. Then are they glad because they are quiet; So he bringeth them unto their desired haven." Psalms‬ ‭107:23-30‬ ‭ASV‬‬

Presence Matters Most! No Invisible People!

UNITY!

Pastor Kerry Willis 

Trees Beside Streams and Streams of Peaceful Water

These two passages of Scripture from the Psalmist have been my personal deep places of sweet saturation today... 

"God blesses those people who refuse evil advice and won't follow sinners or join in sneering at God. Instead, they find happiness in the Teaching of the Lord, and they think about it day and night. They are like trees growing beside a stream, trees that produce fruit in season and always have leaves. Those people succeed in everything they do." ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭1:1-3 CEV 

...and... 

"You, Lord, are my shepherd. I will never be in need. You let me rest in fields of green grass. You lead me to streams of peaceful water, and you refresh my life. You are true to your name, and you lead me along the right paths." Psalms‬ ‭23:1-3‬ ‭CEV‬‬

Presence Matters Most! No Invisible People!

UNITY!

Pastor Kerry Willis 

Almighty Creator God, Part 2

Today, I cannot help but continue with Part 2 of yesterday’s blog titled "Almighty Creator God."

As our 39th wedding anniversary celebration voyage continued, around 10:30 a.m. on this very day, August 28, 2019, our ship pulled into an Alaskan glacier bay to view the world-renoun Hubbard Glacier. (I promise to post photos later next week after the journey, as my WiFi at sea is too weak for some reason to post on my blog.) Anyway, as we approached this gigantic glacier, it was a holy moment for our hearts. 

Even the cruise guide over the loud-speaker acknowledged Almighty Creator God with these words: "The world has ‘been made’ and is ‘still being made’. We are but in the morning of Creation." While her Words may not be completely biblical, here’s the undeniable point she was making: "Looking at this glacier, one can hardly deny a Creator!"

"By faith, we see the world called into existence by God’s word, what we see created by what we don’t see." Hebrews‬ ‭11:3‬ ‭MSG‬‬

We made history aboard the Celebrity Eclipse, today, in that, because of awesome weather, the ship’s captain was able to get the ship closer to the glacier than ever before. We could clearly see and especially hear the glacier "calving." "Calving" is like an avalanche on a glacier, but rather than snow falling down a mountain, ice falls from the glacier and becomes icebergs in the sea. The thunderous noise the glacier gave off reminded me of this verse in Scripture: 

"For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time." Romans‬ ‭8:22‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The sound of a glacier "calving" is a glorious groan I will never forget as long as I live. As the glacier groaned, I felt more alive than ever. Glorious groaning, indeed. 

Here’s my takeaway from visiting the glacier: My Almighty Creator God not only created the glaciers, but He also created you and me. Truly, to be in the hands of the One Who made us and Who continues to makes us, is to be in Good Hands. Holy Hands. I am humbled and grateful. My Creator is so absolutely awesome. 

My Almighty Creator God: 

You are mighty, 

You are massive,

You are marvelous, 

You are miraculous. 

You are caring, 

You are Creator,

You are comfort,

You are compassionate.

You are alive,

You are absolute,

You are awesome,

You are Almighty.

You are incredible, 

You are intelligent,

You know where i am.

You are the Great I AM!

You are good,

You are great,

You are glorious,

Your are GOD, all by Yourself!!! 

Amen. Amen. Amen. 

Presence Matters Most! No Invisible People!

UNITY!

Pastor Kerry Willis 

Almighty Creator God

My heart was driven delightfully to these opening verses of God’s Word yesterday as Kim and I sailed on a cruise ship between Vancouver, British Columbia, Cananda and Alaska, USA. What an overwhelming and amazing thought knowing that Almighty Creator God — yes the One overseeing the heavens and the earth is also concerned about us. 

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters. Then God said, "Let there be light," and there was light. And God saw that the light was good. Then he separated the light from the darkness. God called the light "day" and the darkness "night." And evening passed and morning came, marking the first day. Then God said, "Let there be a space between the waters, to separate the waters of the heavens from the waters of the earth." And that is what happened. God made this space to separate the waters of the earth from the waters of the heavens. God called the space "sky." And evening passed and morning came, marking the second day." Genesis‬ ‭1:1-8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Also, as I was loading this post, a song my Mom, Lady Melba, sung nonstop as she washed dishes and raised her three boys came tenderly to my mind. “It Took a Miracle!” 

https://youtu.be/Ts181r7m7qg

Presence Matters Most! No Invisible People!

UNITY!

Pastor Kerry Willis 

"Like a Bridge..." / Encore

Last week I posted a cover of this song, "Like a Bridge Over Troubled Water" by Kobi Lee, a blind and autistic young man with a pure gift from God.

This morning as my wife, Kim and I, walked across a majestic bridge in Vancouver, BC, Canada (where we are celebrating our 39th Wedding Anniversary) it was if I could hear the song again in its original recording playing through my mind. So much so, that I kept singing it lowly as we walked. 

And listen to this: At times it even seemed like the Lord Himself was singing parts of the old classic song to me. I know. Jesus singing Simon and Garfunkel?! Weird. Nevertheless, wonderfully weird! At least to me! And it may seem weird but the Lord singing over His own is consistent with God’s Holy Word: 

 "For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs." ‭‭Zephaniah‬ ‭3:17‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Anyway... Here it is again. An encore of the song:

https://youtu.be/elWwI_DSp_E

Presence Matters Most! No Invisible People!

UNITY!

Pastor Kerry Willis 

Pray Without End

Pray about yesterday.

Pray over today.

Pray for tomorrow.

Pray without end. 

Pray with heart.

Pray through thoughts.

Pray possessing soul.

Pray for strength.

Pray for her. 

Pray for him. 

Pray for them.

Pray for all.

Pray trusting God.

Pray remembering Jesus.

Pray in Spirit. 

Pray with confidence. 

Pray even now. 

Pray also then.

Pray every breath.

Pray without end. 

“.... AND NEVER STOP PRAYING!”

1 Thessalonians 5:17 CEV

Presence Matters Most! No Invisible People!

UNITY!

Pastor Kerry Willis

My Scripture Search Today...

My Scripture search today... resulted in solid gold. These words from God’s Word encouraged me -- heart, mind, soul, and strength. As you saturate in these same eight verses that moved me, may you also be renewed. 

 "Your teachings are wonderful, and I respect them all. Understanding your word brings light to the minds of ordinary people. I honestly want to know everything you teach. Think about me and be kind, just as you are to everyone who loves your name. Keep your promise and don't let me stumble or let sin control my life. Protect me from abuse, so I can obey your laws. Smile on me, your servant, and teach me your laws. When anyone disobeys you, my eyes overflow with tears." Psalms‬ ‭119:129-136‬ ‭CEV‬‬

Presence Matters Most! No Invisible People!

UNITY!

Pastor Kerry Willis 

Recent Happenings Illustrated

Sharing some recent happenings in images:

Presence Matters Most! No Invisible People!

UNITY!

Pastor Kerry Willis 

"Like a Bridge..."

If there’s one person who follows my blog who has not yet seen and heard this song by Kodi Lee, a blind and autistic young man of God’s own creating, I am humbled to share it. Be ready to have your spirits lifted. 

https://youtu.be/q8rexNlQXFE

Presence Matters Most! No Invisible People!

UNITY!

Pastor Kerry Willis

Revival Helps!

I have been blessed over my life, I mean my entire life, yes, since my childhood, to have had the help of revivals without end. 

As a young child, I used to sit on the front pew of our local church with my cassette tape recorder pointed towards the evangelist as the good news of Jesus was preached. 

As a young married man, and as the father of small children, revivals were often God’s way of showing me the way forward. 

Then, as a Bible College student, revivals often renewed my spirit and corrected spiritual slippage in my life. 

So, when I became a local pastor, revivals were immediately important and stayed important in the life of the local church I pastored for the full 24 years. It is impossible to measure the fruit God gave us during these focused seasons of seeking His face together.

Finally, I have preached revivals myself since 1992, two years before I pastored. Then, the local church I pastored understood that the words of John Wesley were branded on my heart: "The world is my parish" and so they supported me in preaching beyond our local church, encouraging other congregations to draw nearer to the Lord. 

As a district superintendent, I have continued to preach revivals. Nothing I do in this new calling will ever be more important than preaching God’s Holy Word in the pulpits of every place that invites me. 

Tonight, I closed out a four-service revival. My prayer is that true revival will continue long after the initial meetings are over. May the people be unified and our Lord glorified, even satisfied. In the Name of Jesus. Amen.

I must testify: "Revival helps!"

2 Timothy 4:5 -- "...do the work of an evangelist..."

Psalm 85:6 -- "Won’t you revive us again, so Your people can rejoice again?"

Presence Matters Most! No Invisible People!

UNITY!

Pastor Kerry Willis 

Investigate My Life

These powerful words paraphrased from God’s Word -- Psalm 139:23-24 MSG -- have been my personal prayer the last couple of days. 

"Investigate my life, O God, find out everything about me; Cross-examine and test me, get a clear picture of what I’m about; See for yourself whether I’ve done anything wrong-- then guide me on the road to eternal life."

And this sacred song "Pleasing to You" by Jared Anderson has been on a lovely loop in my mind of prayer along with the powerful passage from Psalms: 

https://youtu.be/QXHo4CPk9v8

Presence Matters Most! No Invisible People!

UNITY!

Pastor Kerry Willis 

The Mind of Christ in Us!

Early this morning I read these deep words of hope from 1 Corinthians 2:16b, The Living Letters Paparphrase of God’s Holy Word:

"Strange as it seems, we Christians actually do have within us a portion of the very thoughts and mind of God." 

My son, Grayson, taught me this prayer: "Dear Lord, take over my thoughts so I won’t have to worry about what I’m thinking." 

And this great old hymn of the ancient, Jesus-believers often is my very specific prayer, as it is even now -- "GOD BE IN MY HEAD AND IN MY UNDERSTANDING!"

Song link below: 

https://youtu.be/dBxSJWjB8vM

Presence Matters Most! No Invisible People!

UNITY!

Pastor Kerry Willis 

Chain Breaker / Prison Version

Hearing and seeing the Zach Williams Band playing and singing "Chain Breaker" inside Harding Prison while the inmates praise and worship provides such a powerful image of what Jesus has done for us all. 

Here’s the link:

https://youtu.be/6WtV1XtqsW0

Presence Matters Most! No Invisible People!

UNITY! 

Pastor Kerry Willis

Conquer Evil with Good

This powerful passage from Romans 12 is penetrating my thinking today:

"Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all! Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, "I will take revenge; I will pay them back," says the Lord. Instead, "If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads." Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good."

Romans‬ ‭12:14-21‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Prayer: Lord, help us to live by John Wesley’s words: (My paraphrase...)

1. Do no harm (to anyone).

2. Do good (to everyone).

3. Stay in (passionate) love with God.

* Special request: Please join me in praying fervently over the city of Philadelphia. Brotherly love is experiencing threatening days and nights there. Pray we will lean in with love and light and good and as a result the deeds of darkness will begin to disappear. 

Presence Matters Most! No Invisible People!

UNITY!

Pastor Kerry Willis 

A Day Off

Never underestimate the power of a day off. Even our Creator God worked six days and then took a day off. Okay, so maybe that’s not the best theological language, however, having taken a day off, today, I can say, "the power of a day off can refresh your perspective and reorder your own life."

Yesterday, I ended the day so very tired. How very tired was I? I was so very tired that I even had trouble falling asleep. I finally did. And when I awoke today and realized the only thing written in my calendar was the single word "rest", the load of living plenty of days -- perhaps too many days — overly vigilant immediately rolled off of my mind, off of my shoulders and off of my heart.

After a cup of coffee and a breakfast sandwich "to go" from a local eatery, I drove to the shore. I walked a nature trail beside a pond all the while within the sound of the sea. I saw swans and ducks and dragon flies and flowers and waves and dunes and birds. I prayed, reflected and even imagined. It was pretty wonderful.

Before the heat of the day got underway, I took a stroll through a neighborhood of quaint shops, didn’t enter even one. I only window-shopped. It somehow brought renewal to my spirit.

Next I drove to two antique shops. Spent a total of $2. I purchased a hand-carved bird, a miniature chickadee. It had wire legs but lacked a base so it could stand upright. So, I drove to the soundside of town and walked the marshline until I discovered the perfect piece of driftwood to support the fragile carving. (It’s sitting majestically next to me right now as I write.) 

The day ended with a home-cooked meal with friends and a free outdoor, oceanfront concert literally between the setting sun and the rising moon. So, the day is now over, nevertheless, the day off still continues to delight my soul. So much so, I’m gonna look in my calendar to schedule another day off as soon as possible. 

Good day, indeed, and to all a good night.

Presence Matters Most! No Invisible People!

UNITY!

Pastor Kerry Willis 

Images from August 2019

August is quickly slipping away. Here are a few images I’ve recorded along my way...

Presence Matters Most! No Invisible People!

UNITY!

Pastor Kerry Willis