Life is Like a Book

I want to quote a famous philosopher. His name is Forrest Gump. You remember him. He said; and I quote, “Life is like a box of chocolates.” I’m going to change his metaphor. I believe life is like a book. A good book has different chapters that build upon each chapter until you reach a final chapter with a conclusion.

I’m not on the last chapter yet personally, but I am on the homestretch. The thing that I’m preparing for in my life right now is the great handoff. What do I mean by that? I’ve served God for fifty years, since I was a young man. My passion now is handing off the things I’ve learned to the next generation of the church.

The book of Malachi alludes to the importance of this.

Malachi 4:5 (NKJV), “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD. And he will turn The hearts of the fathers to the children, And the hearts of the children to their fathers, Lest I come and strike the earth with a curse.”

These are the last 2 verses in the last book in the Old Testament. They are prophetic of John the Baptist, who came in the spirit of Elijah the prophet. Jesus confirmed that John was Elijah.

And what was John’s assignment? He came to tell people, “Get ready. Things are about to change. Messiah is coming!” John came to prepare people for the first coming of Jesus. Jesus came as the lamb of God to bear the sin of mankind. He got it done. After that he went to Heaven and is seated right now at the right hand of the father administrating the church to preach the gospel of the kingdom to every person.

That was his first coming. But he’s coming back again. The second coming. We need to prepare for his second coming. The signs point to the fact that it may be soon. I believe a big part of the end time message that the church needs to be preaching is in the same message that John preached.

…”and he will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to the fathers”…

I believe this is talking about a great generational connection that God wants to see happen right before Jesus comes back. It begins with the hearts of the fathers, or the older generation, turning to and connecting with the sons of the younger generation. If that is done properly, then the hearts of the sons will turn to the fathers.

When I was growing up a popular term in the sixties was the generation gap. There was a great disconnect with the young people of my generation and the people of my fathers generation. My generation wanted to grow their hair longer. Our music was different. We had some new ideas about life. Some of them were off and ridiculous. But a few of them weren’t so bad. They addressed some of the compromise of the day.

But many people of my fathers generation were dismissive of the young people. Many of them wrote us off as just rebellious. I think that is much of the reason that so many baby boomers of my generation are without God today.

I’m not saying I know everything about connecting to the next generation. But I’ll tell you this, I am determined to do all I can to use my experience serving God and whatever wisdom that I have gained to impart to them before I leave this planet for my heavenly reward.

Our ministry has always been dedicated to preach on family and family connection. We began by emphasizing children’s ministry in the early days when I worked alongside Willie George and The Gospel Bill Show. I was also a big part of the great family church, Church on the Move in Tulsa where I led worship.

Then, Trudi and I traveled to churches across America and the world preaching and teaching on marriage and child training for 19 years. We will continue to travel and also head up the family ministry in our church here in Oklahoma City. This is our assignment and passion.

I truly believe that we all need to open up our hearts to this generational message. If you’re young there is wisdom and experience that the older people can help you with.

And if you’re older, stop being so grouchy. Don’t be critical if they do it differently than you. Maybe if you open up your heart with respect for younger people, they will open their heart to receive the wisdom that you have inside you.

Every generation needs the next.

Here is the scripture that I claim all the time.

Psalms 71:17 (NKJV), “O God, You have taught me from my youth; And to this [day] I declare Your wondrous works. Now also when [I am] old and gray-headed, O God, do not forsake me, Until I declare Your strength to [this] generation, Your power to everyone [who] is to come.”

Thank you for supporting us in finances and prayer. I truly believe the best days for the church are ahead of all of us.

Have a blessed June,

Ken and Trudi