Kurt and Connie Hepler: April 2010

CHRISTIAN. Why do some people see this word and want to stop reading right now? Why might some settle down in their easy chair and want to read further? Why is it that one word can cause such great division in a community, in a family and even in a church?

A few weeks ago, something happened at work that really got me thinking. How can you refuse to help someone or care for someone because "something" about the situation is against your religion? Seriously?! Did Jesus refuse to help anyone in scripture "because"...? No! Many of the very people the healed and helped were the sinners and outcasts from society. How can one claim to be a Christian in one breath then refuse to help someone in need in the next? Thank you Katy, for reminding us of this important point that I initially negated to mention... not every Christian is like this. In fact, most solid Christians are not. However, I believe this is where the division about the term "Christian" lives... when a person claims they are Christian but they don't live a life depicting it.

"For the Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account". - Hebrews 4:12-13.

We are not the ones who are supposed to be judging and doing the dividing, it's God that is doing the dividing based on the attitudes of our hearts and our actions. Let's not think for one second that God only sees the "Jesus fish" on the back of our cars and identifies us as Christians. He sees the deepest depths of our hearts and can separate even thought and attitude... whoa! We better understand what is at stake here. For those of us that are "Christian", we have to be fervent about living our faith in every instance and situation.

It's good to believe God is real, but it's not enough, "even the demons believe that - and they shudder at His Name" (James 2:19). It's good to attend church and be connected with his Word but it's not enough, "not everyone who says to me 'Lord, Lord' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father, who is in heaven" (Matthew 7:21). We have to be active, faithful, obedient, productive, growing, expanding and connected to Christ in order for us to be true followers of Christ. We have to purge out all our sinful tendencies, set our hearts of following Christ and then get our hands dirty with his Work. We have to get out of our Sunday attire, put on our boots, roll up our sleeves, put our comforts behind us and step into the enemy's territory to reach those that are needing God the most. That is where God's work really is...

Kurt arranged for a surprise party for my birthday, all the way from Iraq! :) He got ahold of John and Emily, who in turn got ahold of all our other friends. John grilled some burgers, there was cake and they even skyped Kurt in for the event (even though it was the middle of the night for him). These guys are amazing! Above, is Barbara, Katy and little Reese, enjoying the view of the Bay from John and Emily's balcony. Below, is John, our grill master and host :)