When I started worshipping at R&C in the fall of 1993 as a college student, there were several people who left an impression on me which helped me keep attending at R&C. Mark Copeland and I talked about my high school chemistry teacher who Mark knew since both attended Harding at the same time. Jackie Horton, every time we worshipped would come by and shake every college student’s hand either before class or Sunday night worship. Then…. there was David Koone. For some reason, he took an interest in me, and I am so thankful he did, because he, Michelle, Kayla, and Owen have been a blessing to me and my family for 14 years now. One could easily say he was just doing it because he was a deacon and felt obligated. Or maybe, just maybe, it is because he is a good man with big heart and loves the souls that God has put around him. Maybe it is because he purposely chose to get involved in a young college student’s life and make a difference. Over these 14 years, I have watched him and his family serve not only this congregation, but those around them. He and Marty Knight taught the gospel to co-worker Michael Davis and the Lord converted him because of their willingness to teach the gospel. This is not the first time David, or Marty have shared their faith with fellow co-workers. David, Michelle, Kayla, and Owen have all been a part of Barton Bible Camp and served it well as counselors and campers. Space does not allow for me to elaborate more, so I will close with this thought. My life is simply one of literally 100’s that the Koone family has influenced and blessed, not because of being a deacon or a deacon’s family, but because they are Christians trying to do what God wants them to do. I have full confidence that they will continue to serve those around them because they are Christians. That is what the last 14 years have shown me. Let’s follow their example as they follow God. Prov. 27:17; 1 Cor. 11:1; Rom. 12:10-16; 1 Ptr. 2:17.
Yesterday seemed like any other Trillium Park service, until we opened the front doors and stepped into the foyer. A lady sitting in her motorized wheel-chair asked if we were there to conduct worship services. I said, “Yes mam! Would you like to join us?” She responded with a chuckle and said, “Oh, no! Probably not, I’m Catholic.” I told her that was fine, she could still join us and that I was pretty sure that God took everybody and that we did to. She politely declined. As we rounded the corner out of the foyer, sat another lady and she asked if we took hypocrites too. I said, “Yes mam we do. Everybody is welcome to join us.” I tried to stress the word, “everybody,” to her and all the other residents sitting there in foyer. When we got to the meeting room for worship, another lady asked us if we practiced open communion, because she was Methodist. Albert and I both informed her that we do. After these three encounters, I changed my devotional topic to talk about Christ’s inclusive, not exclusive invitation to Him and the Father. We looked at the parables of the great banquet, the lost sheep, and the lost coin, in Lk. 14 & 15, respectively. I read Lk. 19:10, where Jesus says He came to seek and save the lost. I read Jn. 14:6, where Jesus says that He is the way, the truth, and the life, and that no one comes to the Father, but through Him. You know, God/Jesus wants everybody to repent and come to Him, 2 Ptr. 3:9. Money, job, house, car, skin color, background, past sins, etc., are NOT admission criteria for God. He wants the homeless, poverty, stricken man as much as He wants the upper-middle class man. My hope and prayer are that we Christians, reflect the same attitude, love, and inclusiveness to the poor, the homeless, the addict, the homosexual, the liars, the robbers, etc. as God does. He wants these people just like He wants us Christians. In fact that is what He wants us to do, make them Christians by baptizing them into Christ. I hope and pray that God will soften your heart and let you see everyone the way He sees them, precious souls; some saved, some not saved. I hope and pray you will look for the opportunities He gives you to seek and save the lost and to bring to Him the people He wants…everybody.