Black Thursday, Friday, & Saturday

When we moved to Borger we moved away from all our family.  Mom & Dad are 17 hours East.  Kim's mom & dad are 8 hours to the North.  We tried traveling at both Thanksgiving and Christmas, but we found it to be too expensive and too taxing on us.  So we made the decision to stay home for Thanksgiving and travel over Christmas.  This seems to work out just fine we have had family come and be with us on Thanksgiving which is just an added bonus. 
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We don't normaly do a lot of Christmas shopping on Black Friday so, it has just become a lazy day for us to sleep in or maybe put up Christmas decorations  but nothing to tiring.  Thanksgiving night Kim and I were sitting watching TV when we heard that Walmart had just opened and begun their black Friday sales.  I look at her and she looked at me and I said you wanta go?  and She replied, "Why not?"  The girls were downstars playing board games with their friends and we told them we would be back in a bit.  So off we went.  When we pulled up in the parking lot at Walmart my mouth literally fell open.  I had never seen som many cars in this parking lot.  I had to park four stores down in the strip mall just to find a place.  So off we go into the craziness that is called Walmart.  We didn't go in looking for anything but it turns out that we got some really good deals.

After a late moring on Friday we picked up Shawn and Mickey Dunigan and headed to Amarillo for our second dose of crasy.  And again we ended up coming out really well on things on our list.  God was good to us (as always).  We spend the whole afternoon shopping and having a good time.  Talking over dinner about the wonderful things going on at the Church and how excited we are for the new year to start.  We finally pulled in the drive way about 8:30 p.m. 

Thoughts of the Family

I have been having some new, strange and wonderful thoughts as I enter into this season of thanksgiving and also this new era of Fellowship Baptist Church.  I remember when I was 18; young and alive and ready to make my own way.  I always had a good home life but for some reason I was ready to get out from under the family and do my own thing.  I have always been pretty independent or aragant depending on how you look at it or how old you are.  So I left the family never to return but for short visits.  Here is my new thought.  Through my experiences with God and Church and the meditation is God's Word, I find that God has made us to function together.  Every institution of God (Family, Government, and Church) has always been based on the fact that people are meant to be together.  I look at families in the Bible and I see sons that stay home and help to raise and support the family.  I look in other countries and the idea is that home is with the family.  You can go to Egypt today and see 3 and 4 generations living under the same roof.  Even if the children go off to school and what not, they always come home and help the family once more. 

So, what's the conclusion to the very obvious thoughts?  Simply that maybe, we have messed up one of the greatest strengths that God has given us.  Unity in the family.  A very natural togetherness that should carry us through the hard times and never leave us alone.  But, in our araogence we have left our families and become individuals that are supposed to weather all the storms of life on our own, and in the process have made ourselves shipwrecked in the sea of life; hoping that someone will come along and save us from our individualness and give us a since of belonging.  Why did we ever leave?  Why are we pushing our kids out to do it all on their own?  Why must we reinvent the wheel with every generation instead of using the wisdom of our fathers. 

I look at our Church and I see that we have become a life boat for people that have become shipwrecked and are desiring to be a part of something bigger than ourselves.  But isn't the Church just a picture of what the family is supposed to be?  No wonder we have to start all over with the Gospel in every generation.  The family unit is broken down with every son that is born because he is a freeloader if he stays home.  Now, I'm not one for laziness (that's a whole different blog) but I do beleive the family should be tighter, closer, sharing, and caring for one another.  That we might grow farther than our ancesters and smarter because we were spared from the stupidity of our youth, and protected by the ones that know better.  But we are content to throw our young into the deepend and yell, "Sink or Swim!" with no instruction or guidence.  Sometimes they swim and sometimes they sink.  Is that acceptable.  I don't know.  Maybe I had to much turkey yesterday and it is clouding my vision, or maybe I'm just getting older and can see clearer in spite of the dimming of my eyes. 

Love your family this holiday season.  Draw close to them.  Love them.  Teach them.  Guide them.  There is always a storm on the horizon, but there is safty amidst family and friends.

Last Long Day of Travel

I was so excited with the way the trip was going until I hit the airport this morning.  When I left Keiv I told the guy behind the counter that I needed my bags to go all the way to Amarillo and he said he could only check them to Houston because my flight was the next day.  That happens when you trip home is more than 24 hours.  But you do what you can do.  The problem came this morning when Contenental tried to make my flight a domestic flight which would make my bag limit 50 pounds instead of when I started the trip at a 70 pound limit.  It weighted in at 54 pounds and they were going to charge me for the overlimit $100.  I refused to pay becuase they should have checked it all the way through.  Nevertheless, they waisted enough time until I missed the flight talking to this superviser and that superviser.  If you know me at all you know that I don't mind going to the top on things.  I ended up buying a small bag to get under the weight limit and then paying the $35 second bag fee.  And since I had a few hours to kill I called Contental and filing a formal complaint.  The customer service rep confirmed that I was right (you know how I like to be right) and filed all the necessary paper work for me to get the money back.  What a hassel.  Since I have been back n the State I've been taken by a cap driver and misteated at the ticket counter.  America is supposed to be better, Right!!!  It just goes to show the decline in this country.  I love the USA, but we need to be famous for more than just hambergers and fries. 

On a mental and spiritual note I'm still on a high for all the things the Lord showed me about myself on this trip.  Some of which, in all honesty, is a bit to personal to share with the entire world, but just know that I am forever changed.  I'm sure that these problems are to try and detour my thoughts from the Lord and all the goodness he is doing.  It won't work.  The ministry that God is doing in me is to important to be sidetracked.  It is amazing when the Word of God becomes real in your life.  I am experiencing 2 Corinthains 3:17-18 being set free from myself and being changed into the image of my Lord Jesus Christ.  Thank you for all your prayers for me.  As I am asking God to do a work in your hearts, I think its import that you realize God is doing a work in mine.

Thoughts from the Air

As I'm writing this blog, I'm on my first leg of a four leg plane ride.  But this was not the beginning of my journey today.  I woke up with the rosters (there were literally rosters outside my window), so that I could be ready to take the four hour trip from Revne to Kiev to be two hours early for my international flight.  In 2012 the Euro Games (soccer or Futbal, depending on where your from) is going to be hosted by Ukraine.  This is a blessing to me because in order to host these games they had to get their road ready to recieve the traffic from all over Europe.  One of the first roads that they improved was the stretch from Rivne to Kiev because of nearby Polland.  So, the ride this moring was nice and smooth and we got to the airport in great time.

I'm always amazed how the Lord uses me on these mission trips, and it's always an adventure.  It takes me a while to defrag and wrap my head around all the wonderful opportunities that God has presented.  I made more ministry connections on this trip to Ukraine than what I've ever made before.  This is the first time that God has opened doors to do true missions work around the world with the people of Ukraine and myself.  There is no doubt that the missions program of Fellowship Baptist Church has not only a world wide scope but world wide personel as well.  There are some major opportunities to help in some other places that Ukrainians will be much more effect at accomplishing.  This is not to say that we won't be joining these endevors, but it might mean we can expand the minstry without having to take all the trips ourselves; as well as partnering on some trips and make them truly international. 

On Sunday I will be outlining these opportunities and reporting to the Church on the huge success of this trip.  You won't want to miss it.  And remember it more than likely will not be published due to the sensitive information that we will be discussing so make sure you are in your place.  I have pictures to share and name to remember not only for Sunday, but truly for the rest of my life.

I've been able to keep up to some degree through email with the activities going on at home which seem to be just as busy as I was overseas.  I'm so proud of the ownership level that our Church body is willing to take on so that we can further the gospel around the world.  I can understand now the feelings that Paul must have had when he looked at Barnabus and said, "Let's go see how the churches are doing."  When you pour your life into a place it's hard to keep it off your mind and heart.  You want to protect the investment and watch it grow and I believe I'm seeing some real growth and expantion in Ukraine.

The one thing that completely took me off guard was the personal relationships that I formed on this trip.  I expect to meet people, no doubt, but to feel the love in my heart for people like Victor and Marina that took care of me in Lugansk or Tanya that administrated the class there.  I feel like a gained family members.  I'm hoping Tanya gets the opportunity to come and visit us in the States.  She has expressed the desire to do some missions work around the world and I believe that the Lord has brought us together for that reason.  You will be hearing more about her as we go forward.  I also met a Ukrainian Man that is missions work and is the pastor of two Churches there.  He also travels to the same part of the world that I do for some front line missions work.  I am sure that he will be someone we partner with in the future.

Two weeks into the trip I went to Zdubolnev and Rivne to work with some Churches that I have taught through the College in the past few years and again God showed himself to be mighty.  When I arrived the Pastors wanted me to talk with a young woman named Lena, or Helen in English, that has been in the process of making a decission to follow Christ.  As we met with the 17 year old girl I was immediatly impressed with her confidence and strength of character (not a trait uncommon among Ukrainian young women).  We talked about the basic meaning of becoming a follower of the Lord and she was very polite and even was willing to speak English with me.  As we got up for Church the next moring I realized that Lena was a neighbor to the family that was keeping me.  They had invited her to breakfast to translate for me and the family (a real treat and blessing).  As we got to Church Lena pulled me aside and said, "Mr. Sizemore,  I have been thinking a lot about what you were saying last night and I want you to know that I have truly decided to follow Christ and make him the Lord of my life."  I couldn't have been any happier.  I know that God has been bringing many witnesses into Lena's life, but I felt very prividged to be another one.  She came to the class that I taught on evangelism and helped me with the family all week long.  Again, God had formed a friendship that I didn't expect.  You can find Lena and Tanya both on my facebook friends.  I think it would be so cool if some of you would give them words of encouragement from the Lord.

I realize this is a long blog entry but you must understand that this is just a quick summary of how God had molded my life through this trip to Ukriane.  I feel revived and refreshed.  The Lord knew exactly what I needed.

Class Dismissed

Well last night was the last lecture for the class here in Lugansk or "Luhansk" (depending on what map you look).  The class was strong every night.  What I love more than anything ae the new relationships that I form.  I met a missionary couple named Yuri and Andrea.  I am so excited about the possiblities and doors the Lord is revealing. 

We have the final exam tonight and I have been telling the guys that all the questions on the quizes would be on the final.  Now they are so nervous that they will not do well with a 54 question quiz.  I remember that feeling, but I also remember it driving me to study to pass the course, and the feeling of accomplishment when I did well.  They also need these experiences. 

Every time I come I and humbled and reminded that the Ukrainian Baptist Churches have some things down better than we do.  They are not near as far behind in Discipleship as we are in America.  They simply need a little focus on what they are already doing.  Last night we were discussing the difference in a goal, objectives, and the tactics that accomplish the objectives and goal.  I was sharing the blessing of Fellowship Baptist that the people have taken ownership of the goal and objective and we hold very loosely the tactics by which we accomplish those goals.  Tactics are where the rubber meets the road, where things get done and not just talked about.  Taking an idea from the idea stage and putting it to practice according to the world around at the present time.  And because the world is always changing there are times we need to change the tactics to be successful in the minsitry.  Thanks Fellowship for being the example that can be immulated all around the world!  You all are aewsome!!

I am about to start my second leg of the trip here in Ukraine.  Tomorrow, I will get on a train and travel about 24 hours to the other side of Ukraine to Zdolbuniv.  this will be the first time I have traveled by train.  I will be in a simi-private room but at least I will have a bed so that I can get some rest.  We have been working with the Church in Zdolbuniv for the past 3 years as they continue to impliment their discipleship process.  This week we will be focusing on personal evangelism.  I am excited to share with them some of the new ideas I have on evangelism and how it should flow into the natural course of life.

For a Christian who has fallen in love with the lover of my soul.  How can you not share and talk about such a relationship.  Yet so many keep silent.  Jesus is the best thing that has ever happend to me and He is the very reason I am who I am and do what I do.  To know me is to know Christ.  To fellowship with me is the fellowship with Christ.  To learn of me is to learn of Christ.  If this was the way people viewed God's children many more would come to Christ.

Why Do We Disciple?

Sunday was such a busy day.  I was up at the crack of dawn reading studying and preparing for the two messages I was going to preach in a few hours.  Saturday night Urie asked me to challenge the people with the reason why we disciple in the Church.  I had another message I was going to preach entitled "Seeking the Lost" but God had other plans.  If you know me at all you know that I love the question, "Why?"  Why also seems to get to the bottom of things even to the point of revealing motives about a certain situation.  So, as I was asking the Lord to answer this question of why we disciple people; God opened up a whole new understanding of Ephesians chapter four.  I love the book of Ephesians and have preached throught and studied through the book on many occations, but, as happends so many times, there's always a little bit more.  The context of Ephesians 4 is defined in verse 3 when the church is told to "Endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."  The rest of the chapter is an explaination of how to do that.  Jesus is gracious even today in the Church to give gifted men that will know how to keep unity in the Body.  It is these ministers that 'perfect the saints, do the work of the ministry (reconciliation), and edify the body of Christ.' I had always seen these as the three goals of the Church, but that is not the total answer to the "Why" question.  The minister does these things in the body to keep the unity of the Spirit, the unity of the Faith, and the unity of Love.  Needless to say I had a great time challenging the Church to become unified and win their community with the love of Christ.

As normal, I preached at the Church where we are holding the college.  This is the larger of Urie's two Churches, and located in Lugansk.  The second Church is about 30 minutes outside of Lugansk in the town Where Urie lives.  It is a smaller congregation, but in all honesty I felt more power of the Spirit there.  Needless to say, I had some great fellowship with Urie and his wife Andrea (she's an American).  Urie has spent some time studying in the States and speaks great english.  He's been serving as my translator which is nice, becuase of his education in Seminary, he understands some of the terms I'm using in the scriptures.

As Monday morning rolled around I was excited about going back the little cafe/pastry shop I had found that provided free wifi for customers.  They make the best capachinos (excuse the spelling, this app doesn't have spell check).  I should have taken a picture of the design in my glass.  It was the coolest cup of Joe I think I've ever had. 

I have been so impressed with the reception of discipleship among these pastors.  Last night the class almost turned into a counseling session as the pastors were getting serious about implimentation and what that really looks like.  I look for that night as I teach the class because if we never get to that point, then I know they are just shining me on.  Tonight we are talking about how to start the discipleship ministry from scratch.  It should make for some interesting conversation.  I'll let you know how it goes.

First Week Down

This has been a good week in the Lord and with the Class here in Ukraine.  I've been teaching a class on Biblical Discipleship, one of my favorite subjects in the world.  I was just discribing to the class last night how wonderful it is to be apart of God's work as he changes a life for all of eternity due to your investment through the Holy Spirit.  And how wonderful it is to be able to share that ministry with others in my congregation.  I am learning that when Jesus said "if a man would lose his life he would save it" not as a salvation passage but as a call to find the true meaning of life.  There is always a night that we end up discussing Church discipline in great detail as we talk about hold people accountable to the Scriptures, and that was last night. 

I was introduced to a wonderful cafe called Vienna Paistories.  It is an Italian style cafe that makes me feel right at home.  It blows a Starbucks away.  The coffees are supurb, not to mention I am writing he blog on the free wifi for customers.  It's my little piece of heaven here in Lugansk. 

It's Saturday and I actually slept in a little today (8:30).  We don't have class on Saturday which has given me a chance to hang my laundry out to dry, litterally.  I have a great opportunity to preach as two different Churches tomorrow so I would ask all to pray that God moves the hearts of the people in each service.  I also had an opportunity to call Vitaly my pastor friend from Rivna yesterday.  He plans on making the trip to Stolbunov and being apart of the conference there.  I was happy about that.

Well, there is a flower festival in the market place today.  So, I guess Tanya and I are going to walk through on our way to do some shopping.  I'm praying for the service tomorrow at home.  I know it will be good with Sam Gill in the pulpit.  Blessings to all.