As I sit here on the last day of 2012, I reflect back on the past year and what God has done for me and my family.
January started off with my first ISOM class of the year. My "sophomore" year. Got to meet and hang out with a bunch of really awesome people.
Following that, my sister- in- law got married out in California. So my wife, daughter and myself along with all of her sisters flew out for the wedding. We were out there for a week. What a beautiful bride. What a beautiful wedding. I was asked to participate in the ceremony. I was honored to do so. My new nickname for the family in Cali is Keven from Fortuna.
Early in Feburary I started a new job. The first time I had to get up and go to work in almost two years. It was doing assembly work on a assembly line. Work that I had never done before. Needless to say, it was a learning experience.
March I celebrated my 45th time around the sun. That's all I'll say about that.
In April, I began with a friend of mine to start coaching both of our daughters softball team. This would be the last year, as they would be to old for park district next year.
May thru July didn't really do much. Coaching softball, going to ISOM, meetings and church events.Nothing really exciting. Although I did have an interview to get my ministry credentials in July.
In August, my family and I took a family vacation out to see Mount Rushmore. We stopped in Sioux Falls to visit my wifes Grandma for a couple of days. We have some friends that live in Fargo, ND, We decided to take a ride up there to visit them on our way home. On the way to Fargo, we stopped in De Smet, SD to visit the Laura Ingalls Wilder museum and took a tour. My daughter is a huge Little House on the Prairie fan. Also in August, our daughter started her freshman year of high school.
October 11th, my wife and I celebrated our 4th wedding anniversary. Four years already, wow!
In November, I finally recieved my ministry credentials in the mail. I am a certified pastor now. Praise the Lord. God has been so good to me and my family.
Finally in December I took a trip with my mom, step-dad & nephew to South Carolina, to see my nephew graduate from college. We met my brother and his family down there. We were able to fly, while my brother had to drive. Praise the Lord my nephews graduation.
So now I am looking for an exciting 2013. I am excited to see what God has planned for me and my family! I hope that He has plans to use me in a mighty way! I am His, he can use me anyway He wants. My answer to Him is YES LORD!! God bless all of you!
Monday, December 31, 2012
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Merry Christmas vs. Happy Holidays
Yes I know that it is the day after Christmas, but this still bothers me, just a little.
People keep on wanting to take God or Christ out of everything. They take Him out of the court room. They take Him out of the schools. They want to take Him off of our currency. The White House now refers to the Christmas trees as the holiday trees. Now they even want to take Christ out of Christmas. That's not right in my book. Actually none of it is right with me. We need Him more than ever, especially now in these times.
I went to a local resteraunt here in town to pick up a gift certificate for my nephew and his girlfriend for their Christmas present. I told the cashier how much I wanted on the card, she rang it up and then with a smile she said "Happy Holidays". I must tell you that this took place on Chirstmas Eve. I looked at her and smiled back and said "Merry Christmas". What I really wanted to say to her was, "what is today? That's right it's Christmas Eve. Not holiday eve. What is tomorrow? Ohhh, that's right, it's Christmas Day, not holiday day."
I can understand not wanting to offend anyone. Heaven forbid we offend the Muslims. Or the Aethiests, or the Jewish people, but the Christians, we are a different group.
I drove past a sign on one of our local churches that read. "Keep Christ in Christians all year round." Amen to that.
People keep on wanting to take God or Christ out of everything. They take Him out of the court room. They take Him out of the schools. They want to take Him off of our currency. The White House now refers to the Christmas trees as the holiday trees. Now they even want to take Christ out of Christmas. That's not right in my book. Actually none of it is right with me. We need Him more than ever, especially now in these times.
I went to a local resteraunt here in town to pick up a gift certificate for my nephew and his girlfriend for their Christmas present. I told the cashier how much I wanted on the card, she rang it up and then with a smile she said "Happy Holidays". I must tell you that this took place on Chirstmas Eve. I looked at her and smiled back and said "Merry Christmas". What I really wanted to say to her was, "what is today? That's right it's Christmas Eve. Not holiday eve. What is tomorrow? Ohhh, that's right, it's Christmas Day, not holiday day."
I can understand not wanting to offend anyone. Heaven forbid we offend the Muslims. Or the Aethiests, or the Jewish people, but the Christians, we are a different group.
I drove past a sign on one of our local churches that read. "Keep Christ in Christians all year round." Amen to that.
Sunday, November 25, 2012
Assume
I made a pretty big blunder this past Thanksgiving weekend (2012). I logged onto Facebook and started checking out my news feed. The language that I have noticed the last few weeks had me on notice. Every curse word that I saw, I would automatically block that person. I wanted to delete them, but decided not to.
So I scroll down my page and I notice an old high school friend with a post that really made my blood boil. The post had both the 'f' word and Jesus in the same sentance. I immediately assumed that my friend had posted this, so I blocked them. Well in doing so, I alienated a friend. I replied with a post on my own page about this friend being a Christian and posting things like that, and attacking their denomination as well. A couple of mutual friends called me out on it. Asking my who am I to judge and said that I am a hypocrite. Wow, I could not believe it. How could they. How dare they!
Then I started thinking. Wow, they are right. I wasn't showing Jesus to my friend. I was showing a wordly attitude instead. I was being judemental and hypocritical. They made me see the situation from a different perspective. I thank them for that. I found out that my friends account had been hacked and the post taken down. If I hadn't blocked so quickly, I would have known this.
I checked a little while later in my friends list to see if they had un-friended me. They had. I understand why. It just makes me sad. This situation just makes me look at everything and check things out before assuming. You know what happens when you assume, right! Nothing good!
Forgive me Lord, for my poor representation of you this time! I am still a work in progress, and thank You for still working on me, in me and through me.
So I scroll down my page and I notice an old high school friend with a post that really made my blood boil. The post had both the 'f' word and Jesus in the same sentance. I immediately assumed that my friend had posted this, so I blocked them. Well in doing so, I alienated a friend. I replied with a post on my own page about this friend being a Christian and posting things like that, and attacking their denomination as well. A couple of mutual friends called me out on it. Asking my who am I to judge and said that I am a hypocrite. Wow, I could not believe it. How could they. How dare they!
Then I started thinking. Wow, they are right. I wasn't showing Jesus to my friend. I was showing a wordly attitude instead. I was being judemental and hypocritical. They made me see the situation from a different perspective. I thank them for that. I found out that my friends account had been hacked and the post taken down. If I hadn't blocked so quickly, I would have known this.
I checked a little while later in my friends list to see if they had un-friended me. They had. I understand why. It just makes me sad. This situation just makes me look at everything and check things out before assuming. You know what happens when you assume, right! Nothing good!
Forgive me Lord, for my poor representation of you this time! I am still a work in progress, and thank You for still working on me, in me and through me.
Thursday, November 1, 2012
My Credentialing.
This is the story of my credentialing process to get my ministry certificate.
I had to have my application in by the end of January, along with all of the fees and other stuff. I did that, and waited. I waited for my interview and test. And I waited, and waited, and waited some more. Finally in July, I recieved the date for my interview and test. Great news!
So the day finally came for the inteview and test. I passed both with flying colors. So I started to expect that my certificate would come in the mail. I waited, waited and waited some more. Nothing came. Then I recieved an email, stating that my wife and I had to attend another meeting to further along the process. So my wife and I attended the meeting, and got the go ahead for my certificate. Then I started expecting something in the mail again. Again, nothing came.
Then another email asking about a question that I left blank on my test. I replied back with my answer, and thought "what next". So one Saturday night, after a long day out, my wife and I arrive home. I walk out to get the mail and I see a letter from the Illinois District Assembly of God. I thought "what do they want now?" I walk into my garage for better lighting, and I notice that the envelope is addressed to Rev. Keven Foulk. Hallelujah, praise the Lord. I finally recieved my credentials! I am a pastor now. So after so many months and almost actually quitting the process, I received my credentials! The big question is:
Now what do I do with it???
I can not wait to see what God has in store for me and my family. I expect that He is going to do great things with us. All I can say is " here I am Lord, use me".
I had to have my application in by the end of January, along with all of the fees and other stuff. I did that, and waited. I waited for my interview and test. And I waited, and waited, and waited some more. Finally in July, I recieved the date for my interview and test. Great news!
So the day finally came for the inteview and test. I passed both with flying colors. So I started to expect that my certificate would come in the mail. I waited, waited and waited some more. Nothing came. Then I recieved an email, stating that my wife and I had to attend another meeting to further along the process. So my wife and I attended the meeting, and got the go ahead for my certificate. Then I started expecting something in the mail again. Again, nothing came.
Then another email asking about a question that I left blank on my test. I replied back with my answer, and thought "what next". So one Saturday night, after a long day out, my wife and I arrive home. I walk out to get the mail and I see a letter from the Illinois District Assembly of God. I thought "what do they want now?" I walk into my garage for better lighting, and I notice that the envelope is addressed to Rev. Keven Foulk. Hallelujah, praise the Lord. I finally recieved my credentials! I am a pastor now. So after so many months and almost actually quitting the process, I received my credentials! The big question is:
Now what do I do with it???
I can not wait to see what God has in store for me and my family. I expect that He is going to do great things with us. All I can say is " here I am Lord, use me".
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Left to Go Right.
I was watching a televangelist on tv this morning, and he was talking about how God has people going left, to get them to end up right. He was going on and on about things and then he hit right where I am at in my life. It was like he looked right at the camera and said "Keven, this is for you." He had my attention, that's for sure.
He started to talk about if you are at a job that you don't feel it is a right fit for you, that is God taking you on a left turn, to get you prepared for the right turn. When you are left, God is preparing an even greater thing for you, than where you are at right now. In fact I just posted this on my facebook page the other day, about "God, I sure hope you something better for me than this." I was talking about my job.
The job that closed down and sent me to un-employment paid over $22.00 an hour. As my un-employment was running out, I didn't have much choice in jobs, so I had to take one that was offered to me for $10.00/hour. Less than half of what I had been making. I made more on un-employment.
I am very grateful to have this job. It is local (Sycamore), it's first shift, and I am able to get Friday's off for ISOM. The pay is the only thing that stunk about this. But I had a job, thank You Jesus!
So I have been there nine months now, and I have been hired full time. But, and there is always a but, I am really tired of the long hours each and everyday. On top of that, they expect you to just work them. Excuse me, but I have a life. I have a family and friends that I would like to see and spend time with. I don't live to work here. So last week, I was down in spirit about this place and crying out to God, "there has to be something more for me than this."
That's when this televagelist comes into play. He was preaching about the job situation and staying there until God moves you onto something bigger and better. And believe me, there is going to be something bigger and better. So right now, God has me on a left turn, and I am trying to be patient until He moves me to the right turn. I know that He has something more for me, I can just feel it. So while I wait, I will worship and praise Him! To God goes all of the glory. He gets everything from me, the good and the bad! I lay it at His feet and let go. Thank You Jesus!
He started to talk about if you are at a job that you don't feel it is a right fit for you, that is God taking you on a left turn, to get you prepared for the right turn. When you are left, God is preparing an even greater thing for you, than where you are at right now. In fact I just posted this on my facebook page the other day, about "God, I sure hope you something better for me than this." I was talking about my job.
The job that closed down and sent me to un-employment paid over $22.00 an hour. As my un-employment was running out, I didn't have much choice in jobs, so I had to take one that was offered to me for $10.00/hour. Less than half of what I had been making. I made more on un-employment.
I am very grateful to have this job. It is local (Sycamore), it's first shift, and I am able to get Friday's off for ISOM. The pay is the only thing that stunk about this. But I had a job, thank You Jesus!
So I have been there nine months now, and I have been hired full time. But, and there is always a but, I am really tired of the long hours each and everyday. On top of that, they expect you to just work them. Excuse me, but I have a life. I have a family and friends that I would like to see and spend time with. I don't live to work here. So last week, I was down in spirit about this place and crying out to God, "there has to be something more for me than this."
That's when this televagelist comes into play. He was preaching about the job situation and staying there until God moves you onto something bigger and better. And believe me, there is going to be something bigger and better. So right now, God has me on a left turn, and I am trying to be patient until He moves me to the right turn. I know that He has something more for me, I can just feel it. So while I wait, I will worship and praise Him! To God goes all of the glory. He gets everything from me, the good and the bad! I lay it at His feet and let go. Thank You Jesus!
Friday, September 21, 2012
I Want to do Better!
They last few weeks I have been looking back on where I have been, and where God has me going. I would like a little more revelation from Him, but I will be patient, or at least try to be. I the meantime I will worship Him!
What I have noticed is that in my mind I have failed at all or at least some of these things lately. So I want to do better.
I want to be a better husband. I want to be a better father. I want to be a better son. I want to be a better brother. A better uncle, a better friend, a better co-worker, a better witness for my Savior Jesus Christ. I want the Holy Spirit to help me do all of this.
My prayer is that God will help me become the man that He wants me to be. My job is to be patient and be still and let Him be God! I know the desires of my heart, but I want more of God and less of me. I want what God wants first and foremost, not what Keven wants. I want to hear His voice and answer His call. I don't want to be to busy to hear God. I want to be busy about the Father's buisness. I want to be working with and for God.
I know I can do better. I WANT TO DO BETTER!!
What I have noticed is that in my mind I have failed at all or at least some of these things lately. So I want to do better.
I want to be a better husband. I want to be a better father. I want to be a better son. I want to be a better brother. A better uncle, a better friend, a better co-worker, a better witness for my Savior Jesus Christ. I want the Holy Spirit to help me do all of this.
My prayer is that God will help me become the man that He wants me to be. My job is to be patient and be still and let Him be God! I know the desires of my heart, but I want more of God and less of me. I want what God wants first and foremost, not what Keven wants. I want to hear His voice and answer His call. I don't want to be to busy to hear God. I want to be busy about the Father's buisness. I want to be working with and for God.
I know I can do better. I WANT TO DO BETTER!!
Sunday, August 12, 2012
Keep on pursuing God!
A pastor friend of mine gave an awesome devotion the other night, that really hit home with me. It was from 1 Samuel 30.
7 Then he said to Abiathar the priest, “Bring me the ephod!” So Abiathar brought it. 8 Then David asked the Lord, “Should I chase after this band of raiders? Will I catch them?”
And the Lord told him, “Yes, go after them. You will surely recover everything that was taken from you!”
9 So David and his 600 men set out, and they came to the brook Besor. 10 But 200 of the men were too exhausted to cross the brook, so David continued the pursuit with 400 men.
The pastor told us that sometimes in life you are going to come to a brook, or an obstacle that will be in your way of your pursuit of God. He told us to keep going. God has called you into the ministry and for you to persevere in that calling. Seek God, pursue God with all your heart, mind and soul. So I asked that question of God. "Do You want me to keep on pursuing this ministry thing?"
About a month ago, I was ready to quit going to ISOM. Things were not happening as fast as I would have liked. I wasn't being interviewed or tested for my credentials. I thought that God was closing that door to me and I was ready to give up. God told me to be like the 400 men in the story above who kept on pursuing. Pursue me, seek My face, don't quit and don't give up. I wanted to be obedient to the Lord, but I just didn't feel it.
About a week later, my pastor let me know that we were going to interview and test, later on that next week. I was excited. I sent my payment in for my next class. Got all of my rooming taken care of, and started studying.
The testing day came and went. I passed the test and the interview. Thank You Jesus! Thank You for giving me the strength to hang in there. To not give up and throw in the towel. The door was not being closed, it was being pushed wide open. I intend to walk through that door. I don't know what God is calling me to, but I do know that He wanted me to continue with my ISOM studies. Praise the LORD!!
7 Then he said to Abiathar the priest, “Bring me the ephod!” So Abiathar brought it. 8 Then David asked the Lord, “Should I chase after this band of raiders? Will I catch them?”
And the Lord told him, “Yes, go after them. You will surely recover everything that was taken from you!”
9 So David and his 600 men set out, and they came to the brook Besor. 10 But 200 of the men were too exhausted to cross the brook, so David continued the pursuit with 400 men.
The pastor told us that sometimes in life you are going to come to a brook, or an obstacle that will be in your way of your pursuit of God. He told us to keep going. God has called you into the ministry and for you to persevere in that calling. Seek God, pursue God with all your heart, mind and soul. So I asked that question of God. "Do You want me to keep on pursuing this ministry thing?"
About a month ago, I was ready to quit going to ISOM. Things were not happening as fast as I would have liked. I wasn't being interviewed or tested for my credentials. I thought that God was closing that door to me and I was ready to give up. God told me to be like the 400 men in the story above who kept on pursuing. Pursue me, seek My face, don't quit and don't give up. I wanted to be obedient to the Lord, but I just didn't feel it.
About a week later, my pastor let me know that we were going to interview and test, later on that next week. I was excited. I sent my payment in for my next class. Got all of my rooming taken care of, and started studying.
The testing day came and went. I passed the test and the interview. Thank You Jesus! Thank You for giving me the strength to hang in there. To not give up and throw in the towel. The door was not being closed, it was being pushed wide open. I intend to walk through that door. I don't know what God is calling me to, but I do know that He wanted me to continue with my ISOM studies. Praise the LORD!!
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