Saturday, April 30, 2011

Your Final Call


Two significant events happened this week that reminded me of how important it is to live life with purpose. The first was the funeral on Tuesday of PSO Eric Zapata, the first police officer ever killed in the line of duty here in Kalamazoo. Officer Zapata had responded to a call from a fellow officer who had been fired upon, and in doing so, lost his life. His death truly reflects the words Jesus shared with us 2,000 years ago, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends.” (John 15:13, NKJV) It’s safe to say that Officer Zapata’s death really shook up our community. I’ve been to a fair number of funerals over the years, but I’ve never seen anything like what I saw that day. Before the funeral began there was a processional, for roughly an hour, of uniformed officers from all over the country, and even Canada, who came to pay their respects and pass by the casket.

I’ll never forget the tape they played of Eric’s “Final Call,” in honor of his last day of duty. It went something like this:

“Lincoln Radio can you raise Baker 22 for me,” Lt. Mike McCaw said, followed by the dispatcher’s call, “Radio to 22…Radio to 22…Radio to Baker 22. (No response) Lincoln Two, I am unable to raise Baker 22. The time is 23:28 hours. The date is April 18, 2011.” “Take Baker 22 off the watch,” Lt. McCaw responded. “Baker 22 is off the watch…Kalamazoo Public Safety honors the service and sacrifice of Public Officer Eric Zapata, on his final call; Officer Zapata…rushed bravely toward the sound of gunfire in order to aid a fellow officer. In doing so, Officer Zapata gave the full and final measure of devotion; on behalf of another he made the ultimate sacrifice…the sacrifice of his own life. May his example of selfless courage be an inspiration to each of us, may we find hope in his valor, and may he rest in peace and in glory, in the company of those who have gone before him. Officer Eric Zapata, employee No. 11611, is off duty for the final time at 23:28 hours on Monday, April 18, 2011. Godspeed, Eric.”

Needless to say, there wasn’t a dry eye in the place. We all left that funeral with a greater appreciation of the men and women in law enforcement, the military and the first responders who place their lives on the line every day to keep people like us safe. We thank God for those of you who serve God and us in these ways, and we promise to pray for you even more than we have in the past.

The second event was the death of David Wilkerson, author of the famous book, “The Cross and The Switchblade,” founder of Teen Challenge, and founder of Times Square Church in the heart of Manhattan. Pastor Dave didn’t serve in law enforcement, but he did invest his life in saving the lives of others. He and his wife Gwen were in a head-on crash in Texas on Wednesday and as I write this she remains in critical condition. Please keep her in your prayers today. “The Cross and the Switchblade” is one of the most popular Christian books ever written. The ministry of Teen Challenge remains a powerful tool, used by God, to help change the lives of thousands and thousands of hurting people around the country. Then on top of these two major works, he founded the Times Square church, which now has 8,000 members. I don’t know about you, but I’d say that's a pretty significant work.

Even though they had very different careers, Office Zapata and Pastor Wilkerson both heard the same words that Jesus shared in Matthew 25:21. They are words we all would like to hear when our work here on earth comes to an end, “Well done my good and faithful servant.”

So let me leave you with a few questions. What causes a person to run into danger when their natural response should be to run from it? What causes a person to preach the gospel in the hard places, to folks who don’t want to hear it? Is it because they know their God given purpose and are willing to give their lives to fulfill it? If that’s the case, here is a question for you: Are you giving everything you can to fulfill your life’s purpose? How you answer that question will determine what you hear on the day of your “final call.”

God Bless Officer Eric Zapata, and Pastor David Wilkerson, and may God use how they lived their lives to teach us how to live ours.

Love you-

Jeff

Friday, April 1, 2011

What A Guy Is Looking For In A Girl


I want to talk to you single girls on what we guys are looking for in a girl – what we like and what we don’t like. Now I’m no expert on this subject, but having been married to my best friend for nearly twenty-five years, and raising two exceptionally gifted, intelligent, beautiful, amazingly gifted girls gives me a little bit of a platform to speak from.

So, let me start by telling you what we’re not looking for.

(1) We’re not looking to be the center of your world. There is nothing more attractive to a guy then knowing that his girl loves Jesus way more than she’ll ever love him. I’m not saying that we’re not looking to be loved; we’re just looking for proper perspective. Because if we ever become the center of your world then both our worlds are going to get way out of whack real quick. Let’s call it a “whack-attack.” Here’s the deal, it’s not our role to be the center of your universe; only Jesus can be that and until He is, you’ll be looking for some yahoo to complete you, and he can’t. Colossians says, “and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.” (Colossians 2:10, NKJV)

(2) We’re not looking for someone we can run over. Girls, don’t ever let us dishonor you, or treat you crummy. You are way too valuable for that. Too many of you girls let us guys mistreat you. Hold your ground and when your guy does something or says something that hurts you, don’t unload your frustration on your girlfriends, unload on us. Really, we’re going to get all ticked off at first, but if we really want to have a healthy God honoring relationship with you then in the end we’ll appreciate it. A lot of times we’ll say things, do things that will hurt or offend you that we’re just clueless about. Now I’m not saying that we’re dumb, we’re just not girls. Remember we’re the guys that will punch our best friend in the face one minute and then go play catch the next.

So, what are we looking for in a girl?

(1) We’re looking for someone to accept us for who we are. Listen, God never intended for us to be compared to your dad, your last boyfriend, or even your roommate’s cute brother. We’re all different. So, celebrate with us our strength’s and don’t keep pointing out our weaknesses. And please, please, please, don’t try to change us, leave that up to the One who created us.

(2) We’re looking for someone who likes to do the things we like to do. Sure in any relationship there are compromises, but if your guy likes to fish, it wouldn’t hurt for you to learn to like it too. I love to ride motorcycles, and so it was always fun for me to have Beth ride on the back of my bike. But a few years ago I convinced her to learn to ride a bike herself, and now she has her own Harley. I can’t really explain it, but her effort to learn to do something that I like really means a lot to me, and makes me feel closer to her.

(3) We’re looking for someone who will keep us in check physically. So, you need to know a couple of things about us. First, guys are totally visual. So, when we go out with you, please don’t show us too much. No skin to win, if you get my drift. Also, don’t forget that when it comes to sexual temptations, girls are like crock pots, but boys are like microwaves set on full power. We don’t simmer; we go from zero to a hundred in a matter of seconds, so help us say in check. Now I’m not saying don’t look hot, just not too hot!

(4) We’re looking for someone who likes to have fun. We’re not looking for drama. We get plenty of that at the movies. We’re just looking for someone who enjoys life, doesn’t take life too seriously, and someone who laughs, a lot. The Bible says that laughter is a like medicine. So, you don’t have to worry so much about your hair, just let it down and have some fun.

(5) Finally, we’re looking for someone who loves Jesus and His church. The church is the hope of the world. And any girl that would be an interest to us is going to have to love Jesus as much as we do, and love His church. So, going to church is not an option, it’s a requirement. If we’re ever going to have a solid, healthy relationship we’re going to need to like going to the same church…together. In Psalm 34:3 it says, Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt His name together. (Psalm 34:3, NKJV) Get it? Key word here is “together.”

So what’s the bottom line? If we’ll put Jesus in the center of our lives, He’ll help us guys and girls to have God honoring, healthy relationships.