Steve Sikes Blog  

“Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit.’  Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.  Instead, you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that.’”  James 4:13-15

Last Sunday, the mother of Olympic skater, Joannie Rochette, died of a massive heart attack after arriving in Vancouver, British Columbia to watch her daughter compete.  Therese Rochette was only 55 years old.  Two days after her mother’s death, Canada’s Joannie Rochette skated her short program and on Thursday night completed her free program.

AP sports’ writer, Barry Wilner, wrote the following (2/24/2010): “With fans still applauding her performance, the 24-year-old skater, composed herself and awaited her marks.  When she saw she was third, Rochette again began sobbing while blowing kisses to the crowd and patting her heart.”

“I have no regrets,” she said in a statement released by Skate Canada.  “It was a very nice welcome – hard to handle, but I appreciate the support.  I’ll remember this forever.”

This is just another story that reminds me that life on this earth is fragile and not to be taken for granted.  We are truly here for such a short time!  So…
“LET US hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.  And LET US consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds… LET US encourage one another-and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”  Hebrews 10:23-25

God is good all the time!  Mr. Steve

I’m “technically” proud of Devon Westcott!  Devon finished his pharmacy tech program two weeks ago and passed his certification exam with flying colors!  He began his pharmacy tech internship this past week at a nearby Walgreens.  Devon has also held down one to two jobs all through this year’s schooling – leaving for school at 6 am and returning home from work after midnight.

I’m “technically” proud of Marlon Bundridge!  Marlon will complete his electrical tech degree program the first week of March.  Marlon is also a hard worker and is making plans to begin his three-plus year electrical tech apprenticeship soon.

I’m “technically” proud of Dwayne Bundridge!  Dwayne still has about 6 months to go in completing his tech degree program in auto-mechanics.  However, he has landed a job at Glassboro Firestone where he is getting some very important field experience!

Since last September, Devon, Dwayne, Marlon, and I have got together for a weekly Bible study.  Jay Lindsey even stopped in for a study or two while on break from culinary school.  I love the spiritual hearts of these young men and their school and work ethic.  Like I said – I’m “technically” proud!

Plus, I’m “technically” proud of:  Terrance Elie working on his marketing degree; Khalif Church working toward his computer graphics degree; and Neil Fair working on a tech degree in music.  Let’s encourage all of these young men to keep up the good work and finish strong! 

Imagine the day when:
• You need to go to the pharmacy to pick up some antibiotics and Devon is there to assist you;
• Marlon offers to help you solve an electrical problem;
• Dwayne fixes your car;
• Jay feeds you;
• Terrance and Khalif make you more computer marketable;
• And Neil puts it all to music!

What a team!  I’m “TECHNICALLY”proud!! 

God is good all the time!  Mr. Steve

After spending the last three weeks meditating upon 1 Corinthians 3-6, I can’t get a certain couple out of my mind!  Before I tell you who they are, let me remind you a few things Paul tells the Corinthians:

• We are the temple of God, indwelt by God’s Holy Spirit (3:16; 6:19)

• God is our builder (3:5-7)

• Jesus is our foundation (3:11)

Plus, according to Paul, not only are we the building…
• We are also His “fellow workers or builders” (3:9)!

Now what does this mean?

As God’s fellow workers, it appears we have choice of what material to use in building upon the foundation of Jesus!  We can build with gold, silver and precious stones or we can use inferior building material like wood, hay and straw (3:12)! 

Whatever material we use – it will be revealed in time.  I have seen more than a few “fellow workers” build upon the foundation of Jesus with inferior materials of legalism, man-made traditions and a graceless gospel – which is no gospel at all!

In contrast, let me tell you about one godly couple (of many) in our congregation: 

Over 47 years ago, this young married duo moved to South Jersey after graduating from college to teach in our public schools and strengthen the Lord’s church in the Northeast.  Now, almost five decades later, they continue to co-labor with God using gold, silver and precious stones as their spiritual building material!  Upon the foundation of Jesus Christ, they have lived, taught and mentored the true gospel of Christ: the cross of Christ; the mind of Christ; the love of Christ; the holiness of Christ; the servant-heart of Christ; and the mission and purpose of Christ in their life’s work.  Many are the fruit of their labor!  Today I thank God for GPS (Gold, Precious stones, Silver) builders—Dwight and Mary Lea Thompson! 

God is good all the time! 
Mr. Steve

There’s a confession somewhere in this article, just bear with me.  When I was in my early teens, I started buying a certain candy bar about once every three months or so. 

You probably thought that was my confession.  It’s not.

This past week my mind went back to my early teen years when I saw my first Snickers’ commercial on TV.  My football hero was eating one!  He had a flat-top haircut, a number 19 on his football jersey and wore black, high-top football cleats.  You guessed it.  My all-time football hero is the late quarterback for the Baltimore Colts, John Constantine Unitas; I thought if Johnny “U” ate Snickers – then I’d eat Snickers!  Pretty strong mind I’ve got, don’t you think?

My confession is that not only has Snickers been my favorite candy bar for over four decades, the Colts have been my favorite football team for even longer!  I guess you know who I’m rooting for today in SuperBowl XLIV?!  Go, Colts!

Now my point:  making decisions based on association is not only very powerful, it can be extremely dangerous!  I’m 57 years old and I still eat Snickers, and it all started because Johnny Unitas – “The Golden Arm” – ate Snickers!  What are you doing because someone you admire is doing the same thing?  Maybe a better question is: Who is looking up to you and imitating your likes, dislikes, decisions, etc.?

When Paul told the Corinthians to imitate him as he imitated Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1), he meant – “AS HE IMITATED CHRIST!”  I NEED TO BE VERY CAREFUL THAT MY LIFE IS GROUNDED ON IMITATING CHIRST MORE THAN ANYONE ELSE – even a hero with a flat-top!  GO, CHRIST!!

God is good all the time.  Mr. SnIcKErS