Last Thursday Allied Van Lines arrived to unload all of our stuff at our new home in Lee’s Summit just east of Kansas City. It seemed like even more stuff that I remember packing! But I haven’t seen anything yet that wasn’t ours (BTW, for my ruminations on “stuff” see my post when we packed! https://thepreachersword.com/2012/05/22/some-thoughts-about-stuff/ )
As you can imagine we have been busy unpacking. Moving furniture around. Running to the store for something we couldn’t find. Unpacking. Going to McDonalds for internet service until ours is hooked up. Finding our way around The Summit. Unpacking. Taking much-needed coffee breaks. Meeting new neighbors. Unpacking. Taking time for midweek Bible study. Visiting a member in the hospital who had surgery. Worshiping with the saints on Sunday. And delivering my first sermon as the new preacher at Hickman Mills. And of course, unpacking!
As I reflect on the move, let me use my blog today for some personal observations of the first few days.
(1) The commonality of faith we share with brethren everywhere. We are meeting people for the first time. But there is an instant bond. We have the same Father. We serve the same Lord. We seek the same spiritual goals. Brethren have welcomed us. Lent a helping hand. Provided a place to stay until our house was ready. Brought food. And generally volunteered to help in any way possible. It is a unique fellowship that is difficult for those in the world to comprehend. When you are a Christian no matter where you go, you have a family!
(2) The beauty of God ordained worship is universal. On Sunday we sang. Prayed. Communed with Christ at His supper. Contributed our resources to support the work. And studied the Word. Hmm? That’s what we did in Tampa. In Tennessee. In Kentucky. I think we take for granted the unchanging nature of God’s plan. The security in the continuity of scriptural worship. The beauty of His pattern. Thank God for His Word that provides for our every need and gives us emotional and spiritual stability.
(3) The fundamental goodness of people. Yes, I know there are bad people who do bad things. But I believe in the basic decency of human beings. People in this area have been wonderful. Neighbors have welcomed us. People on the street have given directions. Workers in the stores have been courteous. Servers in restaurant have been friendly. Too often we overlook or take for granted need for people to just be nice. I promise you when you move to a new area, it sure means a lot for folks to be nice to you!
(4) The universal need of the gospel. People in Kansas City need Christ. Just like they did in Tampa,Florida. And in Columbia,Tennessee. And Louisville,Kentucky. The message is the same. The need is same. The basic problem of people is the same. Sin has made it’s way to Kansas City! Satan has a foothold here too. But thankfully grace abounds! Mercy is offered! Hope is afforded! And salvation is available to all!
(5) The beauty and diversity of God’s creation. We left sand, palm trees and the Gulf beaches for a totally different kind of terrain. But as I sit on our back porch and enjoy the serenity of our tree-lined lot and woods behind us, I see the handiwork of God in creation. As I listen to the birds chirp and watch the rabbits, squirrels and chipmunks scamper around, and feel the cool evening breeze, I thank God for the diversity of the world in which we live. I’ll try to remember that in January when the snow is falling!
Well, thanks for reading ThePreachersWord today! And for allowing me to share some personal thoughts. I hope there was something in it that gave you pause for reflection. Or a good thought. Or maybe just a little smile that creased your lips. Have a great day! And a great week!
–Ken Weliver, The Preacherman
ThePreachersWord 
Very good thoughts! As I have traveled & visited with brethren in other places, I have always been amazed that our common faith & practice is much the same everywhere you go. Perhaps you see minor differences which make no changes in the outcome. i.e. a church in VA had members pass by the collection to give. So, pass the plate, or pass the brethren by it. It’s still the contribution of 1Cor.16:2. As you said, Same God, same Savior, same worship, same way of salvation.
LikeLike
Thanks for your thoughts, Larry! I’ve seen brethren “pass by” the plate too!
Ken Weliever 12107 Wood Duck Pl Temple Terrace, FL 33617 Home Phone: 813-899-4539 Cell Phone: 813-507-1726 preacherman@weliever.net web site: http://www.weliever.net blog: http://www.thepreachersword.com
LikeLike
Thanks, Ken. All the best of God’s blessings to you both…and to the church there.
LikeLike
Thanls. Mike!
Ken Weliever 12107 Wood Duck Pl Temple Terrace, FL 33617 Home Phone: 813-899-4539 Cell Phone: 813-507-1726 preacherman@weliever.net web site: http://www.weliever.net blog: http://www.thepreachersword.com
LikeLike
Great thoughts brother. I hope you’ll do great things for the lord in kc. There are amazing people in that church that have become life long friends to us.
LikeLike
Thanks Roger for all your encouragement! We’re exciting about the opportunites that lie ahead, making new friends and building close relationships
Ken Weliever 12107 Wood Duck Pl Temple Terrace, FL 33617 Home Phone: 813-899-4539 Cell Phone: 813-507-1726 preacherman@weliever.net web site: http://www.weliever.net blog: http://www.thepreachersword.com
LikeLike
You left out number six. When you live life to the fullest and serve God to the highest right where you are, you leave a legacy that stays for others even when you leave. You left that legacy with us and we miss you already.
John Grant
LikeLike
I envy you getting to experience that snow, but I would not enjoy the extreme heat and humidity of Tampa summers, so there you go. 🙂 I know you and your wife will be a blessing wherever you are!
LikeLike
Good luck in your new home and with your new family. May Gob bles you and Norma.
LikeLike
Thanks, Becky! I appreciate it
Ken Weliever 12107 Wood Duck Pl Temple Terrace, FL 33617 Home Phone: 813-899-4539 Cell Phone: 813-507-1726 preacherman@weliever.net web site: http://www.weliever.net blog: http://www.thepreachersword.com
LikeLike
Welcome brother! We love having you at Hickman and especially in Lee’s Summit!
LikeLike
Thanks Jon! The feeling is mutual
Ken Weliever 400 NW Highcliffe Dr Lee’s Summit, MO 64081 Home Phone: 816-600-5001 Cell Phone: 813-507-1726 Church Office: 816-761-2659 preacherman@weliever.net web site: http://www.weliever.net blog: http://www.ThePreachersWord.com Church web site: http://hickmanchurch.com/
________________________________
LikeLike
will always miss you in Tampa along with at least 100 of your other closest and dearest friends but you and Norma are forever friends, so it just means I have a church to attend when I am driving through Kansas City!!! Wouldn’t that be a hoot. Love you both so much, miss you more, and blessed that your steps crossed our lives for a long time. — Pat
LikeLike
Thanks, Pat! Norma Jean and I appreciate that. You know you’re always welcome in KC
Ken Weliever 400 NW Highcliffe Dr Lee’s Summit, MO 64081 Home Phone: 816-600-5001 Cell Phone: 813-507-1726 Church Office: 816-761-2659 preacherman@weliever.net web site: http://www.weliever.net blog: http://www.ThePreachersWord.com Church web site: http://hickmanchurch.com/
________________________________
LikeLike