Steve Sikes Blog  

A week after my knee surgery, my back went out; I mean completely out!  I felt almost paralyzed for several days, literally not being able to move but a few inches a minute when necessary.  (I know there are several of you who know exactly how I was feeling.)

During my surgery and “recovery” time I missed many things:
• Dan Cooper’s presentation to area-wide preachers on breaking the 200 member barrier

• Our church family’s 24 hours of prayer (Thank you, Patti, for hosting our 12am–3am prayer slot!)

• Our shepherds leading the flock during Sunday’s service of prayer and song

• Witnessing Cassidy Davis being baptized (I am so proud of you, Cassidy!)

• Several Bible studies, mentoring classes, meetings, counseling appointments…

• Mallory Perine’s School Christmas Play (Sorry, Mal.)

• A wedding I was scheduled to officiate (Thank you, Pastor Krinks, for filling in and Rachel Cooper for taking care of Rehearsal night!)

• Pack the Pulpit Sunday and my Life Group helping the Manfre’s deliver the food to needy families

• Staff meetings, prayer sessions, planning sessions, fellowship time with Christ’s Body…

What I received:
• Prayers, calls, cards, meals, “CorNuts”, a huge fruit basket, along with many offers to serve and take care of any need

• Patti delaying her trip several days to KC (to visit our kids and granddaughter for Thanksgiving) so she could stay and serve her hubby

• The Petersons bringing over a Thanksgiving feast for Jessica and me

Thanksgiving 2009, will forever be memorable!  Thank you, church family, for your love, grace, mercy, encouragement, prayers, and service!  I love you!!  You have reminded me once again of one of the greatest of all truths about the Lord’s Body: “If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it” (1 Corinthians 12:26). 

God is good all the time and all the time God is good!  Mr. Steve

I awoke at the sound of my left knee talking to my right hand.  “I’ll never be as good as you.  I’ll never be a hand.” 

I shook my head.  The last thing I wanted to endure was to listen in on a conversation between two of my own body parts!  Being on oxycodone for five days, following a full dose of anesthesia for knee surgery, didn’t help matters.

I lay praying my right hand would just keep it quiet, but then it blurted, “You’re correct, you’ll never be as good as me!”

That did it!  The sane part of my mind raced to 1Corinthians 12 where body parts actually do talk to each other: some from an inferiority position – comparing themselves with others they see more important; and some from a superiority position – comparing themselves with others they see less important.

However, Paul makes it clear that there are no “movie stars” or drudges in the Body of Christ. 
1. The body is one, yet has many members.  (12:12)
2. God is sovereign.  He has placed each member in the body just as He desired. (12:18)
3. There should be no division in the body.  All members should have the same care for one another. (12:25)
4. If one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. (12:26)

The effects of oxycodone are lessening; my right hand just apologized to my left knee!  I’m relieved they finally realize that if the whole body were a hand, where would the walking be?
“Now, YOU are Christ’s body, and individually members of it (12:27).”  God is good.  Mr. Steve

Ps. Steve is gradually recovering from the effects of A-KO (Anesthesia, Knee surgery, Oxycodone)!

November 15, 2009
Orphan Sunday is one day out of the year when thousands of interested individuals and about 200 congregations located across the United States give monies to help the great work being done by Orphan’s Lifeline of Hope International.

If you would like to make a contribution, you can see me or send it direct.  http://www.orphanslifeline.org/orphansunday.html

There are over 143 million orphan children in the world; that’s almost half of the population of the United States of America!

Larry Bertram from Minneapolis, MN is taking care of any monies given from Pitman.  As I’ve stated before, Larry is also a member and past preacher for the Richfield church of Christ in Minneapolis, MN where the McEndree family worship. Scott’s dad is an elder at the Richfield congregation. 

“Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world (James 1:27).”

God loves orphans and HE IS GOOD!  Mr. Steve

(Sanctuary: A consecrated place)

Bruce Patterson and I have a thankful connection!  One day this summer, I shut my front door and realized, too late, that I had just locked myself out of my own house!  That very morning, I had been studying one of Paul’s exhortations to the church at Thessalonica: “In everything give thanks.”  Since this passage was so fresh on my mind, I just started thanking God for having a house that I could lock myself out!  Later, after getting help to get back inside and recover my keys, I met with Bruce and told him my story.  Since then, whenever we get together, Bruce will usually say to anything I share with him – OK, but were you thankful?!  We both smile.

This past August 30, I was standing by Bruce at our church groundbreaking as Aaron Pearl was jokingly sharing with the church family how he had really been the first one to “break ground” on our new property by getting his suburban stuck near the entrance!  Bruce turned to me with a twinkle in his blue eyes and asked, “Yes, but was he thankful?”  I laughed.

When Patti and I first came to Pitman, NJ, for the job interview (June 8-10, 2007), Mike Broyles led singing that Sunday morning.  The one song I remember Mike leading was, “Sanctuary” by Third Day: “O Lord, prepare me – to be a sanctuary, pure and holy, tried and true; with thanksgiving I’ll be a living sanctuary for You.” 
In other words:
• Lord, prepare me to be pure and holy
• Lord, try me to be pure and holy
• And through it all, Lord, help me to always be thankful!

Part of the Lord’s preparation of our being sanctuaries for Him is our learning to be thankful in ALL circumstances.  Tall order but extremely necessary! 

“For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God, or give thanks; but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened.”  Romans 1:21

It appears that honoring God and giving thanks helps keep “the light on” in our sanctuaries – otherwise hearts are darkened!  LIGHT CHECK!  GIGATTAATTGIG!  Mr. Steve