Steve Sikes Blog  

This past Wednesday afternoon, I took my wife’s laptop to the health center and showed Illeane the before and after pictures of her trailer and yard. Two Sundays ago, Tim Davis and a group of teens, parents and young adults (36 total) cleaned up Illeane’s rental property and trailer and in so doing took part in a “triumph” and a “sweet-smelling” extravaganza! How? Read on!

“But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place.”    2Corinthians 2:14

Over 25 years ago, I pasted the following article in my Bible, between 2Corinthians 2 & 3.  (The author is unknown to me.)

“In a Roman Triumph the procession of the victorious general marched through the streets of Rome to the Capitol in the following order: the state officials and the senate; the trumpeters; the spoils taken from the conquered land; pictures of the conquered land and models of conquered citadels and ships; the white bull for the sacrifice which would be made; the captive princes, leaders and generals in chains; the lictors bearing their rods; the musicians with their lyres; the priests swinging their censers with the sweet-smelling incense burning in them; and after that came the general himself. He stood in a chariot drawn by four horses. After him road his family; and finally came the army wearing all their decorations and shouting lo triumphe!”
“Paul thinks of himself and his fellow apostles preaching the gospel of the triumphant Christ. To those who will accept it, it is the perfume of life; to those who refuse it, it is the perfume of death.”

“For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing…” 2Corinthians 2:15-16

CHURCH, KEEP SMELLING SWEET! GOD IS GOOD! Mr. Steve

What if you didn’t believe in angels or spirits? What if you majored in adhering to law where “an eye for an eye” literally meant “AN EYE FOR AN EYE!”? What if you didn’t believe in the resurrection – either Jesus’ or you own?

When I was growing up, my mother told me about an aristocratic group of priests in the Bible called SADDUCEES that supported the above beliefs. “Stevie,” she said, “If you didn’t believe in angels or in the resurrection of the dead – you, too, would be SAD…. YOU SEE!” I’ve always remembered her play on words, but never more than this week as I re-studied Peter’s second sermon found in Acts 3:12-26.

Peter opens his discourse following a miracle and the observers’ misplaced amazement. Peter redirects their amazement to, “The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers (verse 13).” “HE IS NOT THE GOD OF THE DEAD BUT OF THE LIVING! (Matthew 22:32).”

Then in less than 15 verses, Peter unfolds the Gospel story in a very unique way. Like a mender of nets, Peter amazingly weaves God’s redemptive work using divine thread by pen-ning the following ten descriptors of His Son: His servant Jesus, the Holy and Righteous One, the Prince of life, the One whom God raised from the dead, Jesus, His Christ, the Lord, Jesus the Christ, a Prophet, and His Servant!

Nearing conclusion, Peter exhorts his audience, some of them Sadducees, to repent and turn back to God! Why? 1) That your sins may be wiped away. 2) That times of refreshing may come. 3) That God may send Jesus for you!

JESUS IS NOT DEAD! JESUS IS RISEN AND I’M GLAD….YOU SEE! AMAZING!

God is good all the time! Mr. Steve

“Where can I go from Thy Spirit?  Or where can I flee from Thy presence?  If I ascend to heaven, Thou art there; If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, Thou art there…For Thou didst form my inward parts; Thou didst weave me in my mother’s womb.  I will give thanks to Thee, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; wonderful are Thy works, and my soul knows it very well.  My frame was not hidden from Thee, when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth.  Thine eyes have seen my unformed substance; and in Thy book they were all written, the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there was not one of them.”  (Psalm 139:7-8, 13-16, NASV)

The Psalmist infers the following truths about God the Creator and Sue:

1. The womb is God’s creation room.

2. God rolled out Sue’s individual blueprint in the womb.

3. God sculpted Sue with marvelous material both physical and eternal; body and soul.

4. God knew and knows Sue inside and out no matter life’s stage or location.  “Oh, let me rise in the morning and live always with you!” (Psalm 139:18, the MESSAGE)

5. God is breath-giving and breathtaking and worthy to be praised! 

Sue Schneider was first a lover and follower of God and second a faithful wife to Jay and mother to Bethany.  Sue and Jay made up an amazing ministry team of two – Bible studies, Parke Place, mission trips, neighborhood outreach, etc.  Sue and Bethany were more than mother and daughter, more than friends…so much more.  As Sue’s spiritual family, we were not privileged to see Sue’s blueprint, but we witnessed God’s finished work, and He is worthy to be praised! 

GOD, YOU ARE SO GOOD! 

We love and miss you, Sue!  See you soon!  Mr. Steve

There is always something new I learn when I re-read the Bible.  This past week I learned how to select mates for my daughters that is better than eHarmony.com!  Of course, one daughter doesn’t want a mate and the other is not ready to tie the knot, but when she’s ready…

Here’s Caleb’s one-item compatibility test for his future son-in-law: “I will give my daughter Acsah in marriage to the man who attacks and captures Kiriath Sepher.”  (Joshua 15:16; Judges 1:12)

Wow!  How do you get a son-in-law who already has the characteristics of being a leader of men, courageous in battle and willing and ready to fight for his future bride?  You tell him to go out and conquer an entire city and then come back and pick up his new wife! 

Notice what Caleb didn’t say: “Find a handsome lad who is popular and bring him home; find a wealthy young man who can support you in the way you are accustomed; or, find a young man who is a scholar or an athlete.”  No!  Caleb said, “I want a courageous warrior for my daughter!” 

In Caleb’s day, possessing ‘courage under fire’ stood for someone who was faithful to God’s commands and lived a life dependent on Him.  Now that’s the kind of man I want in the family! 

But the story doesn’t end there!  Othniel, Caleb’s new son-in-law, not only took the city, he became the first of 15 judges in leading God’s people!

All right, is there any young man out there ready to take on an entire city for God?  Whoops!  I almost forgot.  If I want an “Othniel” in the family, I’ll need to become more like a “Caleb”!  God is good.  Mr. Steve

Did you hear about the CRAZY CYCLE couple on their 10th wedding anniversary?  Dr. Eggerichs shared this story in his book LOVE & RESPECT.

The wife was wondering if her husband would remember this very important date because he had forgotten their anniversary more times than not.  However, without any hints from her, he went to Hallmark, purchased a colorful card with just the right words and excitedly brought it home.  When he arrived at the house he went into another room, signed the card and even added a couple of tiny hearts over her name! 

Proudly he handed his wife her card.  She’s happy!  He’s happy!  However, that all ended when the wife read her card.

“What’s wrong?”  He asked.

“Nothing.”

“There is, too.  What’s wrong?”

“Well, it’s not bad… for a BIRTHDAY CARD!”

“You’re kidding!” said the husband.  “Unbelievable!”

“No,” she responded, “YOU’RE unbelievable!”

The husband blinked in the face of his wife’s very real anger and said, “Well, honey, I made an honest mistake.  Give me a break.  Good grief!”

She snapped, “Give you a break?  You don’t care about me!  I’d rather you hadn’t bought me any card at all!”

“You know what?” he quipped.  “The way you’re talking I’m glad I got you a birthday card for your anniversary!”  And with that parting shot, the husband stormed out of the room.

SHE DOESN’T FEEL LOVED; HE DOESN’T FEEL RESPECTED.  Now what?

“What causes fights and quarrels among you?”  James 4:1

If you are looking for some excellent marriage enrichment and helps in getting out of the CRAZY CYCLE – you are encouraged to take part in our LOVE & RESPECT class beginning Wednesday night, March 17. 

God is good all the time.  Mr. Steve

You know how it goes… without love she reacts without respect and without respect he reacts without love and without love she reacts without respect…!  Dr. Emerson Eggerichs calls this the “CRAZY CYCLE” because it’s CRAZY!!  Have you experienced it?  Most of us (who are engaged or married) have at one time or another.

But Emerson, in his book LOVE & RESPECT, doesn’t leave us hanging!  He goes on to discuss two other possible relationship/marriage cycles:

• ENERGIZING CYCLE: his love motivates her respect and her respect motivates his love!

• REWARDED CYCLE: his love regardless of her respect and her respect regardless of his love!

If you were able to just pick one of the above cycles, which one would you select?  I don’t think there is a sane person anywhere who would willingly choose to live in the CRAZY CYCLE – yet many do!  Why?  We are basically selfish.  We want what we want when and how we want it.

What does God (through Paul) have to say about LOVE & RESPECT?  “Nevertheless, each individual among you also is to love his own wife even as himself, and the wife must see to it that she respects her husband.”  Ephesians 5:33

In other words, God says, “JUST DO IT!”  LOVE HER even when you don’t “feel like” loving her; RESPECT HIM even when you don’t “feel like” respecting him!

If you are looking for some excellent marriage enrichment, or wanting to be a “cycle breaker” or considering marriage in the future – you are encouraged to take part in our LOVE & RESPECT class beginning Wednesday night, March 17.  God is good all the time.  Mr. Steve

“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

I got a surprise when I looked inside my office mail slot this week.  The first thing I noticed was a little paper church building glued to a grass-green piece of cardstock that said, “The Foundation.”  The second thing I noticed was the writing all over the walls and roof of my miniature building:

• Handicapped programs for kids in the community.
• Clothes collection for the poor.
• Addiction programs, meals, talks, testimonies.
• Free yard work and house work for shut-ins.
• A night the homeless can come to the church building, eat a meal, spend the night, and we’ll wash their laundry.

As I read and re-read what was written, I felt (to some extent) I was on holy ground looking into the heart of God through our teens.  Of course, I wasn’t the only one with a church building in my mail slot; all of the elders and Dan had buildings also – each with different statements of vision, service, connection and outreach.

Last Sunday night, the teens had 28 in their “Small Group.”  Tim Davis had the group break-up into eight smaller groups to put their church buildings together and come up with foundational ideas of what Jesus’ body in action should look like.

I’ve made a decision to keep my little church building and foundation close to my computer this year.  Just looking at it from time to time will be a reminder how much God desires to have a voice through our children and teens.  May we become more and more a people under the BASILEIA/REIGN OF GOD!

“Seek ye first His BASILEIA/REIGN OF GOD and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.”  Matthew 6:33

God is good!  Mr. Steve

Did you know that the United States Constitution is the shortest and oldest written constitution still in use by any nation in the world today?

Why do you do what you do?  Say what you say?  Live how you live? 
What would you state is YOUR foundation for all of the above? 

(Foundation: the basis or groundwork of anything.)

Before interviewing and eventually moving to Pitman, I had never been to Philadelphia, PA.  I had never seen the Liberty Bell, visited Independence Hall, or been so close to the Constitutional history of our United States!  And even though it was just a “copy”, I had never read the Preamble to our Constitution in such historic atmosphere:

“We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”

The U.S. Constitution was written and adopted to be foundational to how our United States operates.
Now, what’s foundational to how you operate? 

I am thankful for the Constitution, and so thankful to be an American.  However, my personal foundation for why I do what I do, say what I say, and live how I live – is not based on the Constitution of the United States or even being an American citizen!

My foundation is Jesus Christ and Him alone! 

Listen to God’s preface or “preamble” through the Apostle Paul – “For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 3:11).” 

NOW THAT’S FOUNDATIONAL! 

God is good!  Mr. Steve

“Success, recognition, and conformity are the bywords of the modern world where everyone seems to crave the anesthetizing security of being identified with the majority.” 
(Martin Luther King, Jr. “Strength to Love” speech, 1963)

A few months before the 1996 Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta, I chaperoned our oldest son’s High School music group to Georgia’s capital city.  After their performance at Six Flags over Georgia, we toured pre-Olympic sites, saw a Braves baseball game and viewed the “Sweet Auburn” neighborhood and home church of Martin Luther King, Jr. 

I was reminded that although King was the youngest person to receive the Nobel Peace Prize (1964) for his efforts to end racial segregation and racial discrimination, his life was far from peaceful!  He was assassinated on April 4, 1968.  So it is when a person goes against the flow of society, even when it is best for society to listen and make changes!  Running against majority’s flow continues to be socially unacceptable and reputation threatening – if not life threatening.  Just ask Jesus!

Keeping our eyes on Jesus and going against the flow can become so wearisome.  Take heart!  Pay careful attention to the following words of togetherness and hope in an old freedom song sung during the Civil War Era: Walk Together Children. 
                                                                                   
Walk together children
Don’ you get weary
Walk together children
Don’ you get weary
Oh, talk together children
Don’ you get weary
There’s a great camp meeting in the promised land

Sing together children
Don’ you get weary
Sing together children
Don’ you get weary
Oh, shout together children
Don’ you get weary
There’s a great camp meeting in the promised land

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

“Preparation: the work or planning involved in making something or somebody ready or in putting something together in advance.”

Like many Christian mothers, my mother started praying for me before the cradle.  At times, it must have seemed somewhat hopeless – her prayers for my spiritual growth and change – but her knees only revealed her perseverance.  Mom set the stage in my spiritual preparation by giving me Scripture to memorize at a young age (before five).  And when she would correct me, she would often use Scripture to do it.

I remember coming home one summer from college and sharing a joke (just a little “shady”) to my family around the dining room table.  I don’t know where Dad was, but he wasn’t there that day.  After the joke everyone laughed except Mom.  I still remember Mom’s eyes as she looked at me with love and not a little disappointment, and said, “Steve, you will be held accountable for every idle word you say.” 

Then she quoted Matthew 12:36-37: “But I say unto you, that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.  For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.” 

I remember feeling so ashamed.  Preparation of the heart is hard, and in some cases (like mine), takes a lot of time!  I apologized to Mom and vowed to myself never to tell a “shady” joke again, no matter how funny it is.  I’ve really tried to remain faithful to that 36 year-old vow.

I say all of this to simply state the following: Scriptures shared in love by someone who lives Scripture, is a powerful tool in preparing hearts for God’s will and use. 

As preparations are still being made for the construction of our new church building, may we voluntarily open our hearts to God’s construction on us and say, “O Lord, prepare me!”  God is good all the time.  Mr. Steve

My first experience with this particular person was listening to her brag on her children.  Each one was so talented; each one could do just about anything!  She was proud of her family and it showed!

Last Saturday she called me and wanted to know how my back and knee were getting along.  Just like a nurse, she encouraged me to finish my appointments with physical therapy, do my exercises, and take care of myself.  She said, “Steve, we need you; I need you.”

As she talked to me over the phone I could tell her breathing was labored.  I knew she was on oxygen and morphine and yet she was calling me to encourage me and check up on my health status!

As a nurse, she is affectionately called, “Sarge.”  Around here we call her “Inspiring,” “Amazing,” “Example,” “Sister-in-Christ,” and “Friend.”

Some words and phrases come to mind when I think about Tanya McBride: tough, faithful, hard-working, compassionate caretaker, considerate, self-sacrificing, supportive, giving, family-oriented, humble, positive, persevering, encouraging…

I thank God for Tanya McBride!  If Tanya had lived in another century, I truly believe her name would have been included in Hebrews 11.  I definitely think of Tanya when I read the first few verses of Hebrews 12: “Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you may not grow weary and lose heart.”  Hebrews 12:1-3

In my book, Tanya McBride is already walking among the clouds!  Tanya motivates me to daily fix my eyes on Jesus and run my race with faithful endurance.

Thank you, Tanya, for being a heroine of faith to so many!  We love you!!! 
God is good all the time and all the time God is good.  Mr. Steve