A Contrarian's Way

Green Acres

2012-02-14T23:01:00.003-06:00

When I met Julie in the late 90s, she was a top level saleswoman for IKON office solutions. She lived in Oakland County in suburban Detroit which was the third wealthiest county in the country at that time. Many of our friends in Detroit remember that Julie...

Well time can change a woman and this fall I witnessed something I never thought I would see. This same Julie was also petrified of a couple dead mice in our home and a fake centipede behind the toilet. (A little joke somebody played on her a couple years ago.) But no more!!! Witness the following...

My wife has crossed over and it reminds me of a woman many decades ago who made a similar journey...

Jonathan's Birthday & Little Round Top

2012-02-07T21:48:00.003-06:00

Today was Jonathan's birthday, he turned 8. For breakfast we got some donuts for him and the family, for dinner he asked for meatloaf and Mama's special salad. Before dinner we opened gifts and yet when asked what he was most excited about today, it was watching the next part of the movie Gettysburg (Widescreen Edition).

We watched the first hour a couple days ago and the most exciting part, General Bufords holding the "high ground" against the early confederate attack. Today we watched the next part, the 20th Maine defend "Little Round Top". They do so valiantly and when out of ammo, rather than risk collapse against the next confederate attack wave, they do the following...

While the battle and bayonet charge take place, neither David or Jonathan could sit down because they were so excited. Well, the union forces led by the 20th Maine and Colonel Chamberlain won the battle and the day. So much for a peaceful and early bedtime.

New Picture - Olamana's 3 Peaks

2012-02-06T20:11:00.000-06:00

You all will notice the new picture for the "Narrow Path". Although this is not my picture, this is a narrow path that I have climbed. It is the Olomana Trail on the windward side of Oahu in the Hawaiian Islands. This was a great hike, but then again, it was also 15 years ago. I wonder how I would fare today? Nonetheless, we hiked all three peaks which is pretty challenging. Most people stop at the first peak...but not a bunch of Marines!

Super Sunday (for Caroline)

2012-02-05T16:43:00.001-06:00

But not for the reasons you might think...

Today in church I looked and saw our daughter Caroline raising her hands during the singing portion of worship. Now this shouldn't be a surprise since both Julie and I will raise our hands in praise of our God when we are worshiping, both at church and at home. But Caroline, who is 5, is not yet a "believer" in Jesus, in that she has not yet understood enough to profess for herself what salvation in Jesus Christ means.

For the past year now both Julie and I have been reading bible stories to her, talking about faith in Jesus, answering questions she might have, and asking her questions to see if the Truth is sinking in and sticking. Caroline has done a great job listening and learning the different stories. Also, she is connecting the different Old Testament stories of Jonah and Abraham to Jesus and what His call to "Follow Me" means to us today in 2012.

Well, today after church I asked Caroline why she was raising her hands and she said
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A Personal Story About Gordie Howe

2012-02-02T22:18:00.000-06:00

Tonight I found out that the famous Detroit Red Wing, 83 year old Gordie Howe, is suffering from Dementia. This same disease took the life of his wife back in 2009. Gordie Howe is one of the greatest hockey players of all time. In fact, before Wayne Gretzky he was the greatest to ever play the game of hockey and and many still consider him the greatest. However, my sadness and appreciation for Gordie Howe has little to do with what he did on a hockey rink.

My father passed away on December 1st, 1993 when I was 19 years old. I was in the Marines and flew home from Pensacola where I was stationed at the time. It was hard losing my dad, and after the funeral and all the family events, it was time for me to return to Florida. It was a Monday morning and I had been dropped off at Detroit Metro airport and began making my way to my terminal. I remember walking through the concourse and there in front of me was this older gentlemen walking towards me. He was wearing a suit that was somewhat disheveled and looking very tired.
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Some People Are Crazy!!!

2012-01-30T09:48:00.001-06:00

I saw this video a couple weeks ago and I still can't get over it. I thought I would share it with you as it is not too long. I am not afraid of heights, but this would paralyze me...

Providing for Children as God Provides for Us - 1/28/12

2012-01-28T09:35:00.002-06:00

Last Sunday I shared a message at Rooftop that is the 3rd installment in our parenting series. This week was seeing God as our Provider and how then should we provide for our children. For those who may want to watch... (There is also an audio file on the Rooftop website www.rooftop.org.)

NFL Championship Sunday

2012-01-22T22:58:00.000-06:00

My favorite spectator sport, and the only one I really watch anymore (apart from Detroit Red Wing playoff games I can find) is Football. I will watch some college, but mostly I watch the NFL. David and Jonathan have taken a HUGE liking to football as well. They play a ton of it in our back yard and they love to watch it whenever they get a chance.

Well today two of our favorite teams, the Patriots and the 49ers played for the chance to go to the Super Bowl in two weeks. The Patriots won, but the 49ers lost...to the NY football Giants. Actually the Niners had the game won, but gave it away twice on mistakes returning punts. It reminded of another game 21 years go when I was 16 and a HUGE Niners' fan and the Niners gave that game away on a costly fumble...to the Giants.

Coffee With A Friend

2012-01-21T17:00:00.001-06:00

This morning as our family finished up breakfast (I made Papa's special Saturday Morning Hash) and we were beginning to clean up, I got a phone call from a friend of mine, an older gentleman named Bill. Bill and I met when I first arrived in St. Louis and get together periodically to talk about God, life, and everything else. Sometimes matching schedules is difficult, but this morning Bill had some time and we got together on short notice at Panera, or St. Louis Bread Company, "Bread Co" as the locals call it. It is a gift to have a chance to sit down with an older and wiser man who loves the Lord and Bill is exactly that. As a pastor who loves to listen, serve and minister to people, having somebody listen to and serve me, as happened today, is a real blessing. Thank you Lord for our time today, and thank you for Bill.

Psalm 33

2012-01-20T11:30:00.000-06:00

Tuesday morning as I began to journal and pray I felt like God wasn't all that big and I was much more important than I should be. (My importance in this world always leaves me feeling uncertain and out of control.) This is a good indicator in my life that things are upside down and I need a reorientation. I opened up to Psalm 33 and here are some truths that the Holy Spirit impressed upon my heart and used to renew my mind for the day:

v.5 - He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the steadfast love of the Lord
v.6 - the word of the Lord made the heavens and all their host
v.8 - let all the earth fear the Lord, let all the inhabitants stand in awe of Him
v.9 - He spoke and it came to be, He commanded and it stood firm
v.12 - Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord...
v.15 - He who fashions the hearts of them all and observes all their deeds
v.16 - the king is not saved by his great army...
v.17 - the war horse (or Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles - ICBMs) is a false hope for salvation
v.18 - the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him, on those who hope in His steadfast love
v.20 - our soul waits for the Lord, He is our help and our shield
v.21 - our heart is glad in Him, because we trust in His holy name
v.22 - let Your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us, even as we hope in You.

It is always encouraging and liberating to be resized by the word of God His eternal truths.

Hello 2012

2012-01-17T20:39:00.000-06:00

Normally I am not a resolutions guy, but I do like to set goals periodically, and specifically to help me accomplish various tasks and personal objectives that are laid on my heart. I have resisted it for 37 years but this year I felt like I needed to take a more serious approach to my health. Now I am not going vegan or anything, but I may need to cut out the 10:30 p.m. spoonfuls of peanut butter that I have always enjoyed. (Undigested peanut butter in your stomach while you sleep just doesn't settle as well as it used to.)

Also, thanks to Julie's accomplished goals from last year regarding her prayer, bible reading, and journaling time, I am inspired to set some goals and establish more accountability for myself in this area as well. So far so good...17 days in. I am excited to see what God wants to do with this year. I am asking Him regularly to open up "the gates" and do something new and significant both in my life and in the Zilkie family.

I think these two pieces are important: (1) to ask God for more of Himself and for greater Kingdom impact (2) to discipline ourselves for godliness. (1 Tim 4:8) The first is a prayer that God wants to answer and the second involves surrendering ourselves to the work of the Holy Spirit and hopefully allowing God to trust us with more of Himself and Kingdom responsibility. As Jesus said in Luke 16, "Those who are faithful with little will be faithful with much."

I myself am not deserving or faithful, but by the grace of God and through the power of the Holy Spirit, may I be faithful with what God would want to give me.

"Finish the Mission"

2011-09-27T15:44:00.001-05:00

This past weekend I had the privilege of driving 550 miles with my wife Julie and three other members of our church, Rooftop Community Church for the Desiring God National Conference. This year's conference was entitled "Finish the Mission" and we were five of over 3,000 people to attend this year. It was a great and challenging weekend!

What does it mean to "finish the mission"? This is a term used in evangelical circles to describe the objective of the true church of Jesus Christ since he ascended into heaven in Matthew 28. Jesus told his disciples, and subsequently those of us who have chosen to follow Him since then to "go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature..." Many in the church believe the the return of Jesus Christ is being delayed so that God, through His church, can reach as many people as possible with gospel of Jesus Christ.

According to the statistics presented at the conference, there are over 16,000 different people groups in the world.
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12 Days From Africa

2011-08-31T16:48:00.000-05:00

I am 12 days returned from Zimbabwe and honestly it seems like a long ways away. Our lives here in the States and maybe everywhere are so buys and full of stuff. Something very meaningful happens or we do something that has a deep impact and within a couple of weeks we begin to "lose it". So many other things compete for our affections and for our time. In light of this I would like to fight against it and share another encouraging story from Zimbabwe about the local pastors we visited with and ministered alongside.

The first is about Peter who is a pastor in Chinhoyi and who has been through quite a journey these past four years. The pastors in Zimbabwe rarely collect any income from their churches because all of the monies given go to the widows, poor, and sick who don't have the support structure that Americans, Europeans, and other First World nations enjoy. Anyway, after our visit in 2007 Peter's landlord decided to double his rent and thus force him out of their home. There was fundraiser and Peter was able to get a home of his own. Since then, Peter has also started a butchery where his family works alongside him in order to provide for the needs of the family. In the middle of all that, Peter has served as pastor for Revival, his church in Chinhoyi, and is planning and praying for a new church building closer to the town center in order to have a greater influence on the city and its residents. Peter showed me the plot of land during my visit and it is just an abandoned lot right now...but with faith, hard work, and the power and generosity of the Lord, it can become the center of compassion and grace Peter and his congregation envision it to be.

Over the past four years Peter has continued to serve his church as pastor, been evicted from his home and forced to find a new one, started a business for his family, and asked God for a vision to build a church closer to the center of the city where he lives and serves. All of this in the midst of an economy that left the shelves at the grocery store empty and the people of Zimbabwe praying for God to provide their next meal. Praise God for Peter and for His faithfulness to him through it all.

Sunday in Chegutu

2011-08-24T13:23:00.000-05:00

On Sunday, August 14th while in Zimbabwe I had the opportunity to preach in the city of Chegutu. The church there meets in a beautiful building that they have refurbished since purchasing almost five years ago. Our team in 2007 visited this site and the walls for the building were only 6 feet tall and there were no ceilings or roofs yet built. Zimbabwe has been hammered economically over the past four years and yet Moses and Rofina (the couple who pastor the church and run the feeding center) have been able to raise funding and finish building the facility God envisioned in them. I was very proud to be there and to see their perseverance having come to fruition. Currently, they have broken ground on another property where an orphanage will hopefully be built in the next couple of years.

The Zimbabwean church leaders that Vital Connections is supporting and whom we work with are working so hard to advance the kingdom of God. They want so very much to bring Jesus to those in the community and especially to those in financial need. I want to congratulate Moses & Rofina, Peter & Stella, Eshwin and Erita, who are pastoring the churches in Chegutu, Chinhoyi that we had the pleasure of visiting as a team. God is obviously blessing your ministry and working through you. Keep up the important work!!!

Back Home from Africa

2011-08-22T07:27:00.000-05:00

It is Monday morning and our team has returned from Africa. Lori and Rebecca returned on Wednesday afternoon and Nathan and I returned on Friday afternoon after a couple extra days traveling across the country of Zimbabwe. I am so thankful for the trip and for the team who went. There is much to think and pray about. In fact I spent a couple hours this morning journaling and praying about the trip. (Jet lag has had me up at 2, 3:30, and 3:45 the past three mornings...at least I think it is jet lag. Maybe it is God wanting me to have extended time with Him which is an even better reason to be awake.)

Our trip was a success as far as I would have measured it before leaving. I had some rough ministry expectations in several different areas and from my perspective, we exceeded my hopes in all of them. The team members, their spiritual fervor, and their generosity of spirit to love one another and the people of Zimbabwe were crucial and essential in the overall success of the trip. It was a pleasure and privilege to lead this team.

The locals in Zimbabwe were very thankful and grateful for our ministry and our team and team members were also deeply impacted on a personal and spiritual level. There is much to unpack in the weeks ahead, but I wanted to update you and thank you for your prayers and support for our journey. I look forward to sharing more in the days ahead.

In the meantime, here is a "nugget" God shared with us through Francis, a local Zimbabwean liaison and guide while in country who is also our friend and brother in Christ. After returning from what we sensed was a very successful ministry conference to the young leaders in the local churches, he shared this with us during the next morning's devotional time:

After returning from a successful ministry effort where the disciples were casting out demons, healing people, and seeing the power of God manifest itself in many ways, Jesus gave them these words, "Do not rejoice in this...(the miracles and power)...but rejoice that your names are recorded in heaven."

If you are a true follower of Jesus, ...rejoice that your names are recorded in heaven.

3 Weeks To Africa

2011-07-18T15:07:00.001-05:00

We are now three weeks away from leaving for our mission trip to Zimbabwe. The team has got together for a phone conference prayer time the past two Thursday evenings and they have been very encouraging. It is great to talk, share, pray, and feel our team growing closer together even though we are 500 miles apart with Rebecca living in Grand Rapids.

Please continue to pray for us as we finish preparing our messages and discussion questions for the youth leaders retreat, finalize our plans for the two days at the orphanages, and finish packing and getting ready to go.

Baby Update - July 18th

2011-07-08T13:35:00.001-05:00

July 18th Update - It looks as if the hematoma was too much for the baby. Julie has experienced some increased pain the past couple of days and after visiting the doctor today, the baby's heartbeat is no longer present. Thanks for your prayers and encouragement these past several weeks.

For the 8th time in our marriage, the Zilkies are expecting a baby. Our first five came along smoothly, except for the car accident during Caroline's pregnancy when Julie had to be on bed rest for 7 months. Still, we are so thankful and grateful for the 5 children God has blessed us with. Then 18 months ago we had an ectopic pregnancy which had to be terminated and than last summer we miscarried at about 8 or 9 weeks.

This time around things are good, in fact you can see the little Zilkie as the white dot in the yolk sac in the pictures above. Notice also the big black blob next to the sac, this is what is called a hematoma and you can click on the link to read more about it. Interestingly enough, we had one of these but a little larger after the car accident with Caroline. The doctors said her chances for survival were slim, but we prayed, Julie took it easy and you all know the sweet little girl we have now.

So, we Zilkies are excited and so grateful for another child in Julie's womb. We are also a little cautious and most prayerful that God would sustain this little Zilkie for the next 7 1/2 months. We are so thankful to have been able to populate heaven with two beautiful image bearers these past two pregnancies. We trust the Lord fully, but would love the chance to populate this earth with another Zilkie this time around. We ask for your prayers for health for Julie and the Baby. We also pray for God's will to be accomplished and His kingdom to be advanced however He in His immeasurable goodness sees fit.

Thank you,
The Zilkie Family

Some humor from Zeke this week at Bible School...

2011-06-25T16:31:00.000-05:00

David & Jonathan's Baptism - 5/22/11

2011-06-10T09:55:00.000-05:00

Zimbabwe Trip Update - May 29, 2011

2011-05-29T22:32:00.000-05:00

As I wrote in my last post, the team gathered together here in St. Louis this weekend and had a very good planning day on Saturday. Team members who didn't know each other had a chance to meet, hear each other's stories and heart for Africa. It was very helpful having Craig and Teresa Pippel present to explain the larger vision of Vital Connections. Rebecca and I having gone before "get it", but both Nathan and Lori expressed a deep gratitude for their clarification of purpose and vision. The whole team seemed to engage the upcoming trip a step or two more intently as a result of our time together. I am excited for this team and also for what we believe God will accomplish.

We closed out our evening with an extended time of prayer and that was a great close to the day. It was great to pray and fellowship with Craig, Teresa, and Rebecca whom I have interacted with very little since we moved from Grand Rapids to Michigan. They were so generous to sacrifice the time and expense to come and ensure our team was ready and commissioned for the August trip.

We still have some details to finalize so we would appreciate your prayers for the team:

Preparing the messages for our youth leaders conference
Planning the agendas and curriculum for our two days at an orphanage and feeding center
That God would bring the right people in Zim to our gatherings and that He would speak into their hearts in a powerful way

Zimbabwe Planning Weekend

2011-05-28T09:45:00.002-05:00

This weekend Craig and Teresa Pippel drove into town from Grand Rapids with Rebecca Taylor. The Pippels lead the organization Vital Connections who we are partnering with in our August trip. The Pippels were just there (where we are going) in April and have some updates for us as we plan for our trip in August.

Our trip is one of three trips each year that Vital Connections leads in support of the churches, communities, people, businesses, and ministries in Zimbabwe. Rebecca went on our original trip back in 2007 and came with them because she signed up for this trip as well.

I am excited for the planning time, the chance to connect my St. Louis family and team members with my Grand Rapids family and team members. It should be a fun weekend and hopefully a very productive and fruitful one as well.

A Long Time Coming

2011-05-01T23:14:00.000-05:00

Tonight it has been confirmed that Osama Bin Laden was killed by the CIA in Pakistan. His death closes the books on an almost ten year saga that has continued since the 9/11 attacks in 2001. Terrorism is still a threat and our world will never go back to the way it was on September 10th, 2001. And yet justice...at least earthly justice, as imperfect as it is, has been served.

Thank you to the military and intelligence personnel who have worked so hard this past decade to give the American people this gift. Being a former military intelligence Marine I can understand and appreciate what has been accomplished and sacrificed these many years.

On a more spiritual plane, I wonder what Osama Bin Laden's encounter with the true God was like? How surprised he must have been to not be welcomed by 72 virgins.

Good night and sleep well America. This May 1st has been a good day.

Discipleship and Desire

2011-04-27T23:23:00.000-05:00

We are having a great discussion and debate on the topic of discipleship at Rooftop currently. The church leadership wants to improve the process by which Christians who are attending Rooftop and consider it their church home, actually grow spiritually and in their love for God. A couple things to consider here:

1) This is a debate that has been taking place in the church since Pentecost in Acts 2 and I am pretty sure that we are not going to find the silver bullet after all these years.

2) I believe there are certain conditions that exist and can be created in a person's life that either help or hinder true spiritual growth. It is very much like the parable of the seeds being thrown on the different types of soil. Some seed dies off or never grows and other seed grows and produces a crop 10 to 100 fold.

While there are many great resources out there and a lot of things "to do", I am finding more and more that this issue boils down to DESIRE. Do the people in our church who say they are a follower of Jesus Christ want to live like a follower of Jesus Christ lives? If yes, are they willing to do the things they want and need to do to allow God to bring about the result and growth that He wants and that in most cases we as followers of Jesus want ourselves?

Human nature is on display here in that is our DESIRE and therein our resolve, is competing with the obstacles both internal and external that stand in our way and that we so readily accept as a wall between us and God. How do we tap into the DESIRE of our heart, which God has placed in each redeemed heart, and help release it into every aspect of our daily lives, regardless of the obstacles?

The question is very interesting and the issues are very complex just like the heart of a person is complex. I am thankful for the discussion, the energy being put into helping our church grow up in Christ, and to encourage one another to live the lives God desires for us. (To be continued...)

A Zilkie Family First for Easter

2011-04-23T21:26:00.000-05:00

As I have written about before, our family has developed some pretty involved Christmas traditions which have added much value and meaning to Christmas as well as additional enjoyment for everyone, child and adult. This year I wanted to add in some Easter traditions as well.

So on Palm Sunday we sat down in the evening and opened to the Gospels and read the Palm Sunday/Triumphal Entry passages in each of the four gospels. Interestingly, it is one of the few events which is covered by all four gospels. As we discussed it we were able to teach, and give important contextual meaning to the palm branches, the donkey, the people, and the fulfillment of many Old Testament prophecies.

On Thursday evening we sat down again and opened up to the Last Supper. We started reading in Matthew and talked a little bit about it together. But then I stopped and went to the kitchen and came back with a dinner roll and some purple vitamin water Julie picked up at Walgreen's (I had asked for juice but at least it was the right color). We moved from the couches down onto the floor and sat around the coffee table in the living room. I then turned from Matthew's recording of the Last Supper to Luke's. Now if you don't know, Luke is my favorite Last Supper passage because it is the only gospel that records Jesus saying the words, "I have desired to share this meal with you..." when speaking to his disciples.

So there I sat with my dear children who were smiling from ear to ear, and I repeated the words of Jesus from Luke, "I have desired to share this meal with you..." Those words were true for me just as they were for Jesus when He said them. I did not know this would happen, but all five of our children thought that acting out the Last Supper with real bread and fake wine was the coolest thing they could imagine. Caroline especially could not stop smiling and giggling as we very seriously talked through the rest of the passage and each shared a piece of the bread and a drink from the fancy wine glass filled with purple water. Although I didn't call it "communion" that is essentially what I led my family in together. I can not fully describe it, but what our family experienced together, Selah included, was very, very special and a very spiritual moment. We closed out our time and every child prayed at least a little prayer together.

The next morning Caroline comes bouncing into our room and has this hug smile on her face. And then she says, "Papa, do you "wemember" when we "pwetended" to be the disciples last night and had bread and "dwank" out of the special glass?" (all the while giggling as she was asking). I said "Yes, did you enjoy that?" She replied back, "that was my favorite thing!"

Who would have known? And who knows to what degree that shared experience together touched the hearts of one or all of our children. The response and the spiritual "fruit" that evening produced has encouraged me greatly. I am motivated and excited to create more opportunities for the Bible and the lives of our children to intersect, and in the process give the Holy Spirit the opportunity to do what God wants to do in each of their beautiful hearts.

As of this writing on Saturday evening, we talked through the crucifixion on Good Friday and the events on Saturday. But that time Thursday evening has been by far the best moment of this Easter season. Happy Easter to you and I hope you have a similar "Last Supper moment" which will mark this Easter and set it apart as special for you and your family.

An Opportunity To Partner With Us In Africa

2011-04-21T22:11:00.001-05:00

The trip is planned and the details are being worked out. Now the fun part, the fund raising. :-)

If you would consider partnering with me on this trip, I would be incredibly grateful. You can do so at www.gofundme.com/zimtrip

***If you would like to receive a tax deductible receipt for your donation, you do so by making a check out to "Vital Connections" and write "Jeremy Zilkie - Africa" in the comments.

You can mail all donation checks to:

Rooftop Africa Mission Trip

6915 Weber Rd

Affton, MO 63123

I continue to ask for your prayers as we begin assigning responsibilities and preparing for our opportunities to serve the churches in Chinhoyi.

Thank you!!!

The Africa Team Is In Place

2011-04-05T07:22:00.000-05:00

Over the past several months I have been praying, talking with people, emailing people, and recruiting for the August trip to Zimbabwe. As of today we have four definite team members with a possible fifth. Three of us reside here in St. Louis and one team member lives in Grand Rapids. I am very excited about the team and about our mission in August. It has been exciting to see how the team and the mission have slowly morphed and come together and are aligning themselves quite nicely.

When this process began I had no idea who would and would not be going on the trip. Some people who I would have loved to join the trip could not or chose not to. A couple of the people on the trip I would not have thought to ask and yet here they are.

Please be praying for myself, Nathan, Lori and Rebecca. Also, pray for this fifth possible team member as well. We need to finalize exactly who will be on the team as we purchase some pricey plant tickets. If you could, please pray for the pricing on the plane tickets as well. Most of the trip's expenses is airfare and that is always fluctuating. I am hoping that we get some good pricing to keep the costs down as much as possible.

Wow, life has been busy!!!

2011-04-04T19:29:00.000-05:00

In the midst of a very busy winter and spring I had the opportunity to preach from Titus 2:11-15 yesterday at our church, Rooftop Community Church in St.Louis, MO. The week prior our lead pastor had done a great job emphasizing the importance of teaching each other within the body of Christ.

Yesterday I had the follow up passage on training which Paul mentions in verse 12. Training is taking what we have been taught and applying it to our lives in a consistent and effective manner. It was a great opportunity to encourage our church in their spiritual journeys. I opened the message with a humorous clip from the original Karate Kid, circa 1984. Appropriately, my closing application had to do with God wanting to grow us up or train us up. To illustrate this point I talked about God wanting to build us each a "dojo" where he as our Sensei will direct and guide our training towards Christlikeness, which is the ultimate goal for the follower of Christ.

In addition to giving some basic guidance on what components are necessary for God to build us each a good dojo in which to train spiritually, I offered a follow up meeting on the Tuesday night to follow. As of this posting we have a good number of people signed up. It is VERY exciting to see God's people want to take their "following Jesus" so seriously.

If you are interested in listening for yourself, here is the link.

A Narrow Path...A Difficult Faith To Pursue

2011-02-18T12:00:00.000-06:00

Being a veteran of the Marine Corps and a patriot of these United States, I am naturally inclined to defend the efforts of my country to protect our country from the threat of foreign attack and terrorist efforts while also seeking to preserve and advance freedom and democracy around the world. I believe that self-government though not perfect is the best option going.

Initially our country's endeavors in Afganistan after 9/11 were good in their efforts to fight the Taliban and the Al-Quaida terrorist cells they were protecting. Almost ten years later however, things ahve changed.

Presently, the country of Afganistan is bruttaly torturing a Christian man named Said Musa. His story can be found at this link. Please read it!!!

Being a politically engaged citizen of this country I regularly have to check my political instincts and submit them to my greater allegiance, the Lord Jesus Christ, and to His Kingdom to which I belong presently as well as for all eternity to come. How can I as a Christian support sending money, resources, and American lives to support an Afgan government that is actively treating my brothers and sisters in Christ in this manner?

follow up commentary to original article.

1) Are we Christians truly sympathetic and do we desire to know what our brothers and sisters in the Muslim world are suffering for the sake of the gospel of Jesus Christ?

2) Have we stopped to consider what steps we "self-governing" citizens of America can take to advocate for them and against the "true injustice" measured out in parts of this world against Jesus Christ and our brothers and sisters in Christ who follow Him in these dark places?

Just some thougths to consider as we endeavor on this "narrow path" to which Jesus Christ has called ALL who would follow Him.

"let your manner of life be worthy"

2011-01-31T08:00:00.000-06:00

This is a great statement by the Apostle Paul in the first chapter of the book of Philippians, verse 27. It is part of the larger verse where Paul is exhorting the believers in Philippi to live their lives in such a way that their godly reputation is known, whether Paul is there in their city or away in some other place. This is a very important aspect of the Christian life, our reputation. We should never do things for people in order to "impress them" or to "win their favor", as Christians we are charged by God to do everything for Him and His pleasure not worrying about what others think. However, as we seek to live our lives for the glory of God the light of God will shine in us and then out from us into to the world. Jesus himself said in the sermon on the mount (Matt 5:16) "let your light so shine before men and women that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven."

The problem is that these words are easy to say and to repeat, but hard to live out. There are so many opportunities in our lives to settle, compromise, "sin a little bit", or even do the external things that look like "light" or a "manner of life worthy" but not really be living it out in our heart. I always struggle with the temptation to "appear worthy" but know that my heart is not fully there. That is why this phrase in verse 27 is so encouraging, because Paul is telling us it can be done. In Christ and in the power of the Holy Spirit we can actually have a life worthy. We don't have to pretend and we don't have to live with the inner knowledge that we are a fake or a spiritual fraud. Rather, as Paul exhorts us to live, we can take assurance that our lives can be the testimony he is desiring from the believers in Philippi.

These last several days I have been challenged to look within my heart and ask the honest questions, "Am I living my life in a manner worthy of Jesus?" In some areas I am doing pretty good, but in many other areas I am settling and not really wanting or asking God to do something "spiritual" in my life day to day. And yet, He waits...He waits for me, He waits for you, He waits for all His children to come to a point of decision wherein we will humbly ask Him, "Father, you know my sins, but in spite of them will you help me to live a life worthy of Jesus?" Pray for me when you read this that I would stay close to God so that He can do this work in me. I pray for you and for all the followers of Jesus that we would want God to do the same in us.

Back To Africa

2011-01-29T14:26:00.000-06:00

Over the next 8 months, before we leave for Africa, a number of things have to get done:

Raise up a team
Finalize our agenda and specifically the Youth Retreat we are hosting while there
Purchase tickets and take care of all traveling logistics
Help persons who join the team raise the support necessary for the trip
Learn to drive on the left side of the road better than I did four years ago

I am not a person who often feels overwhelmed, but this trip is a big undertaking. I believe that God is calling me back to Africa and I know He wants to connect or reconnect others to Zimbabwe as well. This trip is a big deal and the challenge of it all is very exciting. At the same time I have my moments of concern and doubt as well. Please pray for me as I commit to prayer and ask God to lead me and the future team members toward agreement on who should join our team. I greatly appreciate your prayers and need them in order to hear from God and to follow His leading.

I can't wait to see what God is going to do over the next eight months!!!

Congratulations Julie, David & Jonathan

2011-01-29T14:15:00.000-06:00

Several years ago Julie began teaching the Zilkie children to memorize Scripture. She put together this cool little box with verse cards she had made and it worked great. About a year ago, as the boys were memorizing these verses I mentioned to Julie that I thought they could memorize a smaller book of the New Testament. I had done this years ago in bible college and knew it just took time and consistency.

We decided to select 2 Timothy since it is believed to be the last book written by Paul before losing his life for Christ in the first century. Well, after a year or so of slowly but steadily plugging away, Julie and the boys just recently completed committing all four chapters of 2nd Timothy to memory. Way to go you guys!!!

Next up, the book of Philippians...

It Is Official

2011-01-21T01:02:00.000-06:00

I am thrilled to announce that after four years since our first visit, I will be heading back to Zimbabwe in August. I will be raising up and leading a team in support of the churches there who continue to serve God so faithfully. Again, we will be partnering with Vital Connections, the ministry that sponsored our first trip back in 2007. Whereas both Julie and I made the trip last time, sadly this time she will not be joining me.

There will be more info to come, but for now please be praying for me and for those whom God will ask to join this exciting August African endeavor. If you are interested in more info, please email me at jeremy@rooftop.org

More frequent posts and updates to come...

Christmas 2010

2010-12-28T18:11:00.000-06:00

This Christmas was the best yet for the Zilkie family. As usual, we began our Christmas Journey on November 30th with our 26 day trip through the Jesse Tree. Along with that, every Sunday we celebrated the four weeks of Advent: Prophets, Angels, Shepherds, and Wise Men and then finished with Jesus on Christmas morning. Also, as is now tradition, we end our bible time and discussion in the evening with our family singing Christmas Carols. Each year David and Jonathan continue to grow in understanding and articulating God's word and this year was no exception. A year older than last Christmas, both Caroline and Zeke were much more boisterous in their singing. I can't wait to see them all mature and grow and engage our Christmas Journey more and more in the years to come.

This year was also better than previous ones because after hosting my Mom, Brother, Sister & Niece for Thanksgiving, we then hosted Julie's mother and 88 year old grandmother for 5 days over Christmas. Both families made the 500 plus mile trip to St. Louis and blessed us so much in their coming. Great Grandma Rose said it was "the best Christmas she ever had". It was wonderful seeing the great-grandchildren loving on her, being full of joy toward her, and Jonathan really blessed Great-Grandma when he told her "I hope you live to be 100 years old." Initially, Julie was concerned that Grandma would be annoyed by all the noise and activity, as she is used to living on her own. But none of it seemed to bother her, rather she really embraced the children and was blessed by all of their enthusiasm.

This year we watched The Nativity Story on Christmas night and were able to explain the gospel and the Christmas story in great detail to both Julie's mother and grandmother. They loved it, and said they learned so much that they did not previously know even though they have been in and out of churches on Christmas most of their lives.

It was a very special Christmas and we can only hope G&GG come back again next year!

The Importance of Reading

2010-12-08T11:38:00.000-06:00

When I was a child, like many of my friends and other children of that day, I was consumed with television and specifically cartoons. Now I know the word "cartoons" is an insult to animators world-wide but this was my world and the world of Hanna-Barbera. I remember waking up every day wanting to know what would happen next on Voltron, G.I. Joe, Thundercats, Gobots, with my two favorites being the Transformers and Superfriends. I also loved watching the syndication of Gilligan's Island, Benson, the Beverly Hillbillies, Green Acres...you get the point!

What I didn't do much of was read. I had very good comprehension and knew how to read quite well, but never found enjoyment in it. This showed once I got into junior high and high school and the English classes I had to take. I was expected to read various novels of greater length and loathed those assignments. I was a math and science guy and cared little for English.

As the years passed and I moved from high school, into the Marines, then into college, I realized that reading was crucial to my success in life. When I recommitted my life to Jesus Christ at 17 and became and avid reader of the Bible, my focus and interest for reading in general also improved by God's grace. As I moved into the various ministry opportunities where God has led me and continued growing and learning about life, leadership, people, etc. I have heard continually how important it is to be a reader.

I was also blessed to marry a diligent reader, and Julie has made it priority one to read to our children and to develop them as readers as well. We are already seeing the fruit of this in David (8) and Jonathan (6) as they love to read themselves and have vivid imaginations as a result. Along the way, I also had a successful friend in Grand Rapids tell me how his dad was a voracious reader and that really helped him be a reader. He remembered his dad sitting in his chair, reading at home and he credited that influence in his life and success present day.

I have had spurts of reading in the past years as graduate classes, ministry responsibilities, and other interests have motivated me to read more for periods of time. But my default is still away from reading books of all kinds. Then this summer I decided to commit to reading for the long haul. This time I was going to make a change...for good. I decided I would read at least one book a month minimum and see where that would lead. It didn't matter what I read as long as I was reading. To help the process I chose books in areas of interest which has helped considerably.

Well, 6 months later I am here to report SUCCESS in my endeavor. Since the summer I have read a number of books and some of great length.

Too Small to Ignore by Wess Stafford (250 pages)
Team of Rivals by Goodwin (1,000 pages)
Rendezvous With Destiny by Shirley (700 pages)
Prince of Darkness, an auto-biography of Bob Novak (600 pages)
An Arny at Dawn by Atkinson (700 pages)

Yes there is a certain theme to my books as Politics and War History are definite areas of personal interest, but I have also learned much about leadership, personal growth and development, and am improving my acumen for reading on a whole. Once I finish my final project for seminary this semester I will begin reading a book Julie just read about parenting.

For me, reading over 3,300 pages of books since the summer is HUGE and a significant personal accomplishment. I hope to continue reading and encourage you if you are not a reader to consider the importance of reading for yourself. As I tell my boys "readers are leaders" and I myself want to be a better leader, in all areas of life. I also am much more excited about learning at age 36 which I wish I would have had 20-25 years ago as well.

The Christmas Season is here...

2010-11-27T09:49:00.000-06:00

I posted a number of posts last Christmas about the various Christmas and Advent traditions we celebrate in the Zilkie home. I have gotten many requests and inquiries about them. As we get ready for another season, I want to redirect any of you who have questions to last years posts:

Christmas Traditions - Part 1

Christmas Traditions - Part 2

Christmas Tradition - Part 2 - Resource Link

Christmas Traditions - Part 3

Christmas Traditions - Part 4

I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving!!!

Selah Update - October 12th

2010-10-12T12:31:00.000-05:00

Hey all, thanks for your continuing prayers for our family and for Selah. She is doing well. She went to her second appointment last Friday and the pediatric GI doctor gave her the "all clear". So, the problems that were present two weeks ago have subsided and are not detectable. Honestly, her health improved as soon as we asked you all to pray for her, so thank you!!!

At this point, we are just keeping our eye on her to see if she regresses and any of the symptoms return. We will keep you posted on any developments.

On a side note, my sister and brother-in-law are facing some hard decisions this week with their financial difficulties, housing issues, etc. Please pray for them and for our family as we seek to support and help them through this time.

Thank you for your prayers...

2010-10-06T09:35:00.000-05:00

Thank you all for your continued prayers. Selah has been doing well this week. She has been quite ornary this morning but did eat her breakfast so we feel good about that. It is definitely challenging to discern what is agitation due to something medical and what is just her being "Sweet Selah".

The doctor decided to delay the ultrasound this morning until our appointment with the pediatric GI doctor on Friday so we are on hold for the time being.

Evening Update on Selah

2010-10-04T20:09:00.000-05:00

This morning Julie took Selah to the doctor's office and then onto the hospital for additional tests. I guess the process of drawing blood from our 18 month old was not for the faint of heart. Usually I am the one holding our children still while a doctor is sticking them with needles, stitches, or whatever is necessary at the moment. Julie says she did not fare so well. However, after 3 medical professionals held her down, they were able to get the multiple vials of blood for the necessary tests.

Then this afternoon we got the call and, thank you for your prayers, the tests were all negative and only one liver test had somewhat high readings. The tests given were the ones detecting viral problems with the liver such as hepatitis and the like. Then they ran a series of tests on the function of the liver and they all looked good as well, save one. At this point, the doctors do not think the liver is sick or diseased and so we move on to step two. That will mean various ultrasounds and scans to see if something is blocking the flow of the bile and any other necessary intestinal fluids.

So day 1 was a success and we thank you for your prayers on Selah's behalf. We have seen prayer directly impact the health and well being of our children in the past and believe that prayer is impacting Selah as well. On a side note, she had a great day, ate well, had a normal "poop", and has been especially cheery, showing no signs of the irritability she had the past week or two. Thank you so much, please keep praying for her, and we will keep you updated.

Sweet Selah

2010-10-04T06:56:00.000-05:00

This morning we are taking Selah to the doctor to begin a series of tests. Selah just turned 18 months old and is the baby of the Zilkie Clan.

She is an adorable little girl, is full of life and vigor and can be very sweet and loving. Yet, she has exhibited extended periods of irritability and contentiousness. Being an infant you never know how to interpret these things. Also, her stool would be seriously pale and discolored at times as well but then normalize once again. We knew she was teething so we assumed it was related to that.

Very recently she has refused to eat except sporadically, and then this weekend she had very peculiar bowel movements and the pale / cream colored stool returned. This time we suspected something more.

Upon consulting some friends and doctors at church, they were themselves concerned and have recommended we begin a series of tests this week for Selah. The most likely cause for this type of problem is the liver, but at this point we are only speculating. Your prayers for Selah and for Julie would be appreciated. We will update as we find out more.

A Special Day

2010-09-12T23:56:00.000-05:00

I received an invitation a couple weeks ago to attend the adoption ceremony for a family in our church. When asked where it would be, I was told to meet them at the Family Services building near the county courthouse. Beside having to park a quarter mile away, when you enter the concrete building "family" is the last thing that comes to mind. Security guards, metal detectors, x-ray scanners, and stairs leading down to our appointed room. Downstairs the hallways are dreary, there is more concrete, and the waiting room is filled with those plastic chairs with curve in the seat but provide little to no comfort.

My friend Mike is married to Sara, but Sara's daughter came from a previous relationship. Mike and Sara became followers of Jesus in the winter, were baptized several weeks later and have been growing in their faith since. This adoption ceremony is the final beautiful step in completing their new family unit, both in spirit and by the letter of the law.

The courtroom door finally opens and we are led inside. It is a big informal room and the judge is sitting in her traditional place up front behind the bench. More concrete is present and a lot of legal jargon is heard. As I sit there I find myself pondering the irony of God. He authored adoption, making a way for each of us to join His family and yet on earth it is this cold dreary place which gives adoption legal authority.

I have been adopted by my Father in heaven and the more I realize the truth of that, the greater the impact it has on me and in my life. Julie and I think the world of adoption and bringing an outsider into your family in the name of Jesus Christ. So here is our friend Mike who has been Ella's father for some time now, waiting to make Ella his daughter in the eyes of the law as well.

As the judge concluded the proceedings with the parental oath of adoption all of a sudden this dreary and cold room began to fade away. Even as I knew exactly what was coming, when the words were said, "Do you promise to take Ella as your own as if she had been born to you?", I was choked up with emotion at the seriousness of the moment. Mike too was choked up a bit and for good reason. He realized the seriousness of the commitment he was making to a little girl and the impact that is going to have on her life for the duration of her life.

Who would have thought that this dreary, concrete building could possess something so powerful. More so, look at the power of something that God has created...adoption...and see that in spite of its surroundings, the activities of God to redeem a lost world and the lost people therein are powerful beyond walls and buildings. It was a real gift to be able to witness that ceremony. I am reminded afresh of what God must have felt in that moment when He first adopted me...

Our Final Two Days - The Trip Home

2010-08-18T22:48:00.000-05:00

After a wonderful evening and breakfast in Cody, Wyoming on Saturday we got started home. Initially we were going to return the way we came, which would have been the shortest route, but after several conversations with other fellow travelers and the encouragement of our friend Justin who is originally from Wyoming, we decided to take a couple detours and enhance our trip home.

Our first trip was up through "Big Horn" National Forest in Wyoming which was an amazing drive up near Sheridan, Wyoming.

Then after driving through Big Horn, we decided to go home the northern route through South Dakota in order to see the Badlands as well...

The Badlands were amazing and we can't wait to take our family back there someday in the future.

Oh, I forgot to mention that we did stop and visit the legendary Wall Drug while in South Dakota. A destination that everyone must eventually make their way to...

We stayed the night in Sioux Falls and drove the remaining 600 miles home on Sunday. It was good to be home!!!

Julie and I were so thrilled with the opportunity to have a week away. Julie has stated that Wyoming quickly became one of her favorite places.

I had not ventured across the country on this type of road trip since 1998 and I loved it. It was awesome being able to share life on the road with Julie. We hope you enjoyed following along with our trip and appreciate the interest you our friends and family have taken in our venture.

Day 6 - Friday, August 13

2010-08-14T08:15:00.000-05:00

Friday was day two of our Yellowstone Exploration and what a day it was. Ironically, it was the first day of rain and cloudy skies we have had on our trip. Subsequently, we weren't sure what kind of day in the park it would be as we have not heard good things about rainy days at Yellowstone. Whereas the scenery which we have been blessed with in abundance thus far was not all that visible due to weather, the animal kingdom came out in force to give us a fabulous drive around the northern part of the park.

This Bison startled us as we came around the bend on one of the roads. As you can see we didn't get the greatest picture as we weren't ready for him to be there. Notice however, that he knows to walk on the shoulder allowing traffic to pass without disturbance. Good bison!!!

After the Bison we saw a Grizzly Bear about 1/2 mile off the road on a hillside. I talked with a couple who was out with binoculars looking at it and they said they have been to the park now five times and this is the first grizzly bear they have seen. Julie and I were thrilled to get one on our first try. (Sorry no picture. The zoom on my video camera is better than the one on my regular camera...time to get a new camera.)

One of the many canyon views during our drive

One of the many storm fronts moving through the park

After this picture while driving one of the side roads we came upon a bunch of cars and up on the hillside we saw a Black Bear digging and scrounging for food under some logs. Black Bears are much more skittish than Grizzlies, or so we are told.

A herd of bison on the left, the geysers on the right and the rive in front.

At this point we came up on another mass of cars on the road and what did we see but another mama grizzly bear and her two cubs down a valley. These bears were easier to see, but unfortunately without a good zoom lens on my camera...I have some video of them if you want to see. :-)

As we were leaving the park for the day we also saw a wolf out in one of the prairies, not too far from the road. All toll, 5 bears, 1 wolf, 1 moose, a ton of bison, and an assortment of other animals.

As we left the park...

and drove out the east gate to Cody, we had the most beautiful scenery to drive through. Rocks, cliffs, canyons and lakes all decorated our hour drive and we thoroughly enjoyed every moment of it.

When we get into Cody we stayed at...

...the Mayor's Inn, bed and breakfast in Cody, Wyoming. It was a wonderful evening of relaxation, being together on our last non-travel day as we get ready for the long trip home Saturday and Sunday.

I wanted to thank our friend at Rooftop, Justin Stone who helped us with planning our route and some of our trip. He grew up in Cody and has been a good friend and was a great help to us.

Saturday morning...breakfast at the Mayor's Inn and then...."on the road again..."

Day 5 - Thursday, August 12

2010-08-13T07:49:00.000-05:00

After two days in the Grand Tetons Thursday we traveled north to Yellowstone National Park.

The park is beautiful and there are so many different things to see. Some of the highlights were:

Old Faithful which everyone in the park usually comes to see. We timed it great and only had to wait 10 minutes.

The different heated pools and all the cool (or not so cool, it is actually quite hot in there) geo-thermal stuff going on underneath the earth and bubbling to the surface.

This cool waterfall down below. That is me standing down there on the rock.

We saw our first ever Bison out in the wild.

We then drove through the park, pulled off by one of the river beds and just sat out reading our books in the quiet of the day with only the river making any noise. It was a wonderful time, Julie even called it "romantic" whatever that is supposed to mean. I was just looking for a good place to keep reading my book...

Then for the evening we drove out of the West gates of the park and stayed the evening in West Yellowstone, Montana at the...

Brandin' Iron Inn, where they are very excited for your pets to meet their fun staff.

Day 4 - Wednesday, August 11

2010-08-12T10:59:00.001-05:00

Wednesday morning we were up getting breakfast and realized that we had left the lights on in our car and our battery went dead. Not to worry though, the General Manger of the Jenny Lake Lodge got us some cables and a jump start in no time. After a wonderful breakfast...

a gourmet breakfast fit for a queen

We arrived at the Jackson Lake Lodge just to the north of the Jenny Lake Lodge. This is where we needed to be by 9am for our float trip down the Snake River. The float trip was supposed to be 1.5 to 2 hours but becasue of the wind blowing against us and the slow current, it took almost 4 hours. Julie was able to share with a woman named Nancy whose wayward daughter had recently become a Christian and they haven't understood the change in her life very much. This was a great chance for us to help her understand a little more what God has been doing in her daughter's life and what He is wanting to do in hers as well.

Mark, our float guide with a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Villanova

The Tetons from the Snake River

One very blessed couple still not halfway through our trip :-)

After our long float trip we were pretty wiped out by the sun so we went back to the Jackson Lodge to wait for our room. There we met Roland or as his friends call him "Rolly". Rolly is an old politico who used to lobby for western states regarding water issues and specifically the Colorado River. We sat and talked about his life, political history, why he used to not like Harry Truman's politics but has learned to apprecitate the man Harry Truman for his humility, his honesty and his personal integrity. He stated that he often fines himself asking the question, "Where it today's Harry Truman?".

Julie and Rolly from Colorado

Then we got our room and WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!! It was exactly what we wanted without knowing exactly what we had reserved. This was the view from inside our room. It was perfect. I have always loved the mountains and being able to read in the evening as the sun set behind the Tetons and then watch the sun light them up in the morning as it rose in the east behind us was probably my favorite part of the trip thus far. Here is a progression of shots throughout the morning as the sun begins to illuminate the mountains...

This morning we just relaxed. Julie took a long bath as she read. I journaled for an hour or so in front of the Tetons. And now we are off to Yellowstone National Park. What a wonderful couple of Days here in Grand Teton National Park.

Day 3 - Tuesday, August 10

2010-08-11T19:26:00.000-05:00

On Tuesday we drove from Jackson, Wyoming up 15 miles into Grand Teton National Park to stay the night at the Jenny Lake Lodge. During the day we went on a horseback ride and Julie kept reminding herself that the horse didn't want to fall down the mountain any more than she did. After a great ride and checking into our beautiful cabin at the base of the Grand Tetons we went for a wonderful dinner at the Lodge and enjoyed a five course meal (our special dinner of the trip). I had never eaten veal cheeks before...there is a first time for everything. We retired to our cabin and as Julie went to bed I went out to look at the amazing stars which are so abundant here in the park outside of the effects of city lights. Tomorrow, we are up and off on our raft trip early in the morning...

The Park Entrance

Our drive into the park

A hike out to Jenny Lake

Our cabin for the night

The view from our cabin in the morning

Day 2 - Monday, August 9, 2010

2010-08-10T11:08:00.000-05:00

Today we drove the rest of the way to Jackson, Wyoming from Cheyenne...another 430 miles. It was a beautiful drive there up into the Rocky Mountains of Wyoming...

The view shortly after leaving Cheyenne...

...several hours later driving north to Jackson...

...the Rocky Mountains...

...one of the rivers (behind us) flowing through the Rockies.

We arrived in the evening, had some dinner, relaxed at our little hotel after two long days of driving...

this is the view right outside our room for the night

Today (Tuesday) we are headed up to Grand Teton National Park...

Day 1 - 10 Year Anniversary Trip

2010-08-09T09:44:00.000-05:00

Sunday, August 8 - Drove 900 Miles from St. Louis to Cheyenne, WY.

The Historic Plains Hotel - Built in 1911

A Wyoming Sunset - Big Sky Sunset

10 Years (almost) Together

"Mama's don't let your babies grow up to be..."

It didnt' take long for Julie to "go country" on me here in "Big Sky Country". Today we travel to Jackson, WY.

Grief & Mourning

2010-07-18T23:54:00.000-05:00

Since losing our baby to a miscarriage earlier this week, I have spent a lot of time pondering how we are supposed to deal with and process the losses we face in our lives. We had an ectopic pregnancy back in January where we had to make the very difficult decision to abort the baby through a lethal prescription since it was not viable, having implanted in Julie's fallopian tube. In a short time, it most likely would have put Julie's life in extreme danger if not killing her through internal bleeding when the baby grew big enough to rupture the tube. This decision was and still is challenging in the least and troublesome when dwelling on it at length. Yet, life is hard and everyone has to deal with its difficulties and complexities at some point or many points in their lives.

This time though, I have not been overly emotional since finding out about losing this baby on Thursday morning. There have been small moments here and there, and especially with Julie where our minds will wander and sadness comes over us thinking about our lost child. Yet I wonder if I am grieving enough sometimes...

As anyone who knows will tell you, I ADORE my children and am fascinated by how God made them and by who they will become. This past week was a difficult week. We had ministry events Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday evening. Also, I had my Greek final on Friday morning which was 30% of my grade and really couldn't be delayed to a better time. You mix in our five beautiful children and thoughts of self pity or "what about me?" quickly are pushed aside when we consider the abundant blessing of children that God has already given.

Then there is God's perspective which I (and Julie) try hard to consider in any and all of life's circumstances. We know according to 2 Cor 5:8 that Paul desired to be absent from the body and instead present with the Lord. This gives us hope and peace that the moment our baby's heart stopped beating it was instantly in the presence of God and...existing in perfect form, never having to travel a path through this fallen world. I mean, how cool that this child did not have to deal with the hardship, cruelty, and heart-ache of this world that each of us has had to endure?

Add to that the reality that though we miss their physical presence here on earth, Julie and I had a role in populating heaven once again with an "image bearing" creature who will proclaim the glory of God for eternity...not to mention welcome each of us when we are finally called home as well. And as the Scriptures encourage and command us to give thanks in all things, we did have a month of joy and hope as to what could be...and some people never even get that.

There are numerous things to be thankful for in this earthly loss and we thank God for the ability to see and receive those things. The challenge on my heart has been how do Julie and I live in faith, believing that life on this earth is "just a vapor" and does not compare with the life to come...and yet be real and honest about our loss and the human process of grieving therein. I will say that Jason Herbig's message this morning at Rooftop, which was on worship, provided a wonderful environment and place for me to "think on God". As I was able to focus and meditate, my heart was able to feel and consider what we have been traveling through in our life this past week. It also provided a great place for me to worship my God in my sadness, just like I am inclined to worship Him when things are going well.

The question I am pondering is this: Even as we process and mourn our losses on this earth, how should our faith in God and in all of the truths I just referenced, impact how we face trials, hardship, suffering and death? And how do you and I look different from the world in response to these issues?

As Jesus said, "we are the light of the world, the salt of the earth, a city on a hill that can not be hidden". May your light as a follower of Jesus and mine shine in such a way, regardless of our circumstances, that the world is drawn to His love, power, and peace.

Thank you for your prayers for us as well.

Today's Ultrasound

2010-07-15T12:12:00.004-05:00

We found out today that our baby, 10 weeks growing inside Julie's womb, has passed on to eternity. They could not find a heartbeat during the test, and the past couple of days Julie has not been showing her usual pregnancy signs. We are saddenned by the news, and we will miss him or her deeply. The Zilkie family was so looking forward to another member of our crew.

However, we do know the instant his or her heart stopped beating, this little baby was present with the Lord of the universe, and that is the best thing we could ask for anyone. Moreover, we are going to see him or her again, along with Noel who was lost earlier this year in similar fashion. Thanks for your prayers. We are thanking God for the excitement of this past month, the idea of a 6th child, and the hope that our baby brought even if short in its scope of time.

***Update - Saturday, July 17th

Today, Julie had a D&C performed and was so well taken care of by a loving and supportive staff at St. Johns. Being a Catholic hospital, they are very pro-life, which is such a blessing to us. They will take the remains of the baby and will bury it in a special area in their cemetary, in a marked spot We were so blessed by the dignity of life this shows. Again, we have been covered by the Lord's grace and faithfulness to us.

-Jeremy & Julie

An Experiment in Self Governance

2010-07-05T01:15:00.001-05:00

One of the main themes from this Independence Day is the idea of "Self Governance" and how foreign that was during the years of our countries beginning. Even today at Rooftop during our monthly emphasis on prayer, I took time for us to consider how unique America was at the time of it's formation. Nothing like the United States of America had ever really been tried, let alone succeeded. Prior to that, most countries and peoples were ruled by kings, dictators, conquering rulers, elite classes of privileged people, but not by the common man and definitely not enduring as our nation has.

Interestingly enough, most of the world now believes that to be a civilized nation, one must have self-governance and some form of democratic rule. Oh how 234 years can change things. Thomas Jefferson, one of the founders, said the following about America after its founding:

The object of the republican form of government and of the principles that are essential to that form, is to enable a people to govern themselves to the most practicable extent possible. Not every nation of people are capable of self-government, and many expected the experiment of the Founding Fathers to fail. But it did not fail, and the experiment proved that an educated and enlightened people are capable of self-government. The question remains, however, the extent to which government by the people themselves may be extended.

This year I am so very thankful for the intelligent, idealistic, stubborn, and visionary men who saw what could become of a united colonies and all of the blessings and freedom that have been born out of that. I go to bed tonight in peace, with no fear of invasion or reprisal because of my race, religion, political views, financial status, etc. In spite of all of its failures, sins, and evils caused over 234 years of existence, I am so very thankful to God for allowing me to be born in this country and in this era with all of its blessings and challenges. Moreover, freedom is a rare gift throughout any age, and one I hope to never take for granted.

Building the Kingdom

2010-07-02T22:28:00.000-05:00

Several years ago while we were pastoring in Grand Rapids at Kentwood Community Church, we had the privilege of being friends with Henry and Twila Lanning. They were the most affirming and faith-filled older couple and a delight to talk with and be around. Week after week when we would see them with our growing family they would come up with huge smiles and speak blessings on us and our children. Henry especially would stop us and look at our children, smile and say, "Children are a blessing from the Lord." We of course agreed whole-heartedly with him. Then he would go on to say something very profound about the kingdom of God. Henry would say, "You know, there are two ways to fill the kingdom of God with image-bearers that will love and glorify Him. The first is to convert them into the kingdom. The second way, is to birth them in. You Zilkies are obviously serious about seeking first God's kingdom because you are filling it through both means." Then he would smile and wink and move on to the next person to bless. He had such a wonderful perspective and really encouraged us in the beginning of our parenting journey.

Well, after a challenging 6 months with an ectopic pregnancy, a couple hospital visits, and some increased tension in the home as we worked through these new challenges in our lives, we Zilkies are pregnant again and this time everything looks good to go!!! The baby is where it is supposed to be and Julie heard a little heart beat yesterday morning. We are only 8 weeks along, but are excited after initially thinking it was another ectopic pregnancy we were facing.

Julie and I would like to thank God for entrusting us with another little image bearer. Children are a blessing from the Lord and we are thrilled to welcome another into our home. And as Henry so eloquently stated, we are also excited to build God's kingdom. Matthew 6:33 tells us to "seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you."

Father's Day

2010-06-21T12:41:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, our country/culture celebrated Father's Day as we do in June of every year. Each year this holiday makes me stop and think about what it means to be a father. As with all of us, my first thoughts go to my own father David Zilkie, son of Samuel and Vivian Zilkie. My father was born during World War 2 and had his own issues and struggles during his adolescent years. I do not think Grandpa Sam was all that communicative and he died in 1969, when my dad was in his twenties. My dad (David) was a good and humble man who wanted to help and do the right thing in his life. However, he was not an ambitious man and pretty much accepted life as it came to him, the good and the bad.

As I reflect on my father and his influence in my life, his easy-going and often passive approach to life left many gaps in my adolescence and those developmental years. (Isn't it interesting how the sins and flaws of the father are passed on to their children one way or another, as he did not receive much from his father from what I can learn.) Well, in the world of Romeo, Michigan in the 1980s I needed more than I received. In 1993, at 19 I mourned the death of my father and began to really think about my future family. I remember determining that I did not want to leave so many gaps in the lives of my children should God bless me with a family of my own.

Fast-forward to today, I am the father of 5 children ages 8 and under and I love the life God has given me. I see each child developing their own strengths, personalities, love languages, sinful tendencies, and more. Although Julie is the primary care provider for all our children day to day, I know from personal experience in addition to numerous studies and surveys that my role as father to my children is without comparison the most influential role in their lives. My choices for good or for bad will resonate with them for the remainder of their lives and their identity and value is primarily drawn from my influence therein.

So fathers, I want to encourage and exhort you to enter into the life of your children. Be mindful to lead in your home whenever possible, even if your wife is capable of leading without you. Take the initiative to pray at meal times and at other times, setting the example of a spiritual leader...even if you are not yet the leader you want or need to be. Speak of the Scriptures and the importance of God in your life, even if it is not normal or comfortable for you. Connect for them the word of God to everyday life since nobody else is speaking these important truths to them.

Also, true masculinity is under assault and our boys need to see leadership from their fathers whenever possible. Our daughters need to see men lead well so that they will know who to look for in selecting their future husband and they will hopefully find a man who is strong and worthy of their heart and hand in marriage. Also, our love and affection to our daughters will actually delay their natural desire to pursue male relationships until later in their teen years when they are wiser and their potential boy friends are a little wiser and more mature as well.

These are just some thoughts from the heart of a very passionate and zealous father. If as a father, you are not sure how you can learn and become the father you want to be, consider me... I was not given the example of an engaged, communicative, or active father though he was a Christian and generally good man. I have had to learn how to become the father I am even as I have so much further to go. You too can learn and grow as a father if you will seek after wisdom and knowledge from those who are a step or two ahead of where you might be. Ironically, our humility and willingness to be a "learner" is one of the greatest characteristics we can model to our children.

Happy Father's Day to all of you dads out there. Let's embrace the influence and authority God has given us as earthly models and representations of Him as our Heavenly Father. We have the promise of his grace for when we fall short and fail, and we have the promise of His Spirit to lead us and show us the way.

Julie's Birthday

2010-06-19T23:31:00.000-05:00

Julie had another birthday this month. They seem to happen about this time every year...I just can't figure it out. Well the children are getting older and with each year they are able to be more involved in celebrating her day. Along with the normal Zilkie birthday traditions like:

getting your favorite meal prepared for you (I cooked Julie's favorite, "Chicken Cakes" for the first time and didn't do too bad.)

a birthday cake of your choice

you are exempt from your chores for the day and everyone else enthusiastically volunteers to do yours for you

the whole rest of the family gathers around you and each person prays out loud for you whatever they feel led to pray

And as of late, the children have loved to go out shopping with me to select their favorite flowers for Mama as well. Since Julie's birthday took place on a Saturday this year, she also received a super special treat...breakfast in bed. However, this B.I.B. was a little less peaceful than the ones I have done in the past. This year the children were invited in to celebrate it with me...

...not only that, but Selah who acted as if she wasn't hungry when I fed everyone breakfast before taking Julie hers, ended up eating most of Julie's breakfast anyway...

...needless to say, Julie loved it and the children thought it was the coolest thing in the world...

Happy Birthday Partner!!!

He Missed the Call!!!

2010-06-03T10:03:00.004-05:00

One of my earlier sports memories as a child is from 1983 when I watched Milt Wilcox of the Detroit Tigers almost pitch a perfect game on the small black and white television in my room. For those of you who don't know, a perfect game in baseball is when a pitcher faces the bare minimum of batters, 27, and gets them all out...no hits, no walks, no errors...27 up and 27 down. I watched Milt Wilcox almost get a perfect game 27 years ago. You can hear the late Ernie Harwell making the call on the radio here...

Well last night another Detroit Tiger, Armando Galarraga, again got the first 26 batters out and was one out away from a perfect game. Sadly on this night, he would get the final out except for the blown call of the umpire covering first base...

Armando handled this whole deal with a ton of class. The umpire has since apologized to Galarrage personally for missing the call and was in tears after realizing his mistake.

The commissioner of baseball Bud Selig should override the call on the field and award Galarrage a perfect game, both for his sake and for the sake of the umpire who will have to live with that mistake for the rest of his career. You don't believe me??? Just ask St. Louis Cardinal fans about Don Denkinger blowing a call in the 1985 World Series. They are still upset about that one.

Coffee Talk

2010-05-26T22:37:00.001-05:00

One of the most enjoyable traditions here in the Zilkie home is "Coffee Talk". Yes, it was inspired by the old SNL skit done by Mike Myers back in the late 80s and early 90s. Anyway, when David was 3 or 4 and Jonathan was about 2 they used to always ask for sips of my coffee when I made it. Now I am not an everyday coffee drinker, but when I do have some the children always want some. Now you may think "a child wanting coffee", that is weird. Well, truth be told the joke in our home was that I like my coffee so my 2 year old can enjoy it...lots of cream and sugar.

Every now and then I would brew some coffee and put a little extra in cups for the boys and instead of just drinking it, I suggested we sit down at the table and talk as we drank our coffee...hence the name "Coffee Talk". Early on the conversation was pretty simple and repetitious. Their questions without fail were:

What is your favorite color?
What is your favorite animal?
What is your favorite food?

As the years have passed Caroline is now a coffee fan as well and we recently had another good ole' Coffee Talk and it was a blast. The boys are much more articulate and adding Caroline is always a bonus for any gathering as she is so full of smiles, joy, and life.

Apart from some great memories, there is an important value being developed during our times together over coffee. I am able to teach our children how to converse, ask good questions, listen to someone speaking in a conversational tone, and more. If coffee isn't your drink, find one that is. But in the mean time...give it a try. I think you will enjoy it. I know your children will!

Update on David

2010-05-07T01:12:00.000-05:00

I wanted to let you all know that David is doing well. We are not sure about the tooth, but his spirits are great and what we do know is that it will take months or years to know everything. In the meantime, the tooth is still in the socket with no pain and he is getting back to normal. He will have to have a small splint on the back of his two front teeth to hold it secure for a number of weeks or months. Currently he has a big metal wire on the front of his teeth which our most recent dentist called "a crowbar". He said he wanted to put something on a little more subtle.

Thanks for your prayers and for checking in on us and David.

Here is a picture of the original splint that didn't stay on so well...

Life's Not Fair

2010-04-27T23:41:00.001-05:00

One of the things that excites me most about heaven is that "life" will finally be as it is supposed to be. So often in our lives, things happen that make us shake our heads and think "that is just not how it is supposed to be". Sadly, this is the consequence of living in a world negatively impacted by our sin, which God initially intended to be perfect...and will some day in the future will make perfect again.

An example of this took place on Saturday evening here at our home. Our former neighbors, married couple with two boys the same age as David and Jonathan, were over for dinner. We had just finished dinner and were enjoying some dessert while the boys were playing upstairs. All of a sudden we hear a scream from upstairs. Screams and cries are not uncommon in a family of 5 children, especially with 2 additional children thrown in, but this one was different. When we got upstairs I saw something that broke my heart. David, our eldest, was standing there with blood flowing out of his mouth and his right front adult tooth was gone...and I, who usually acts smoothly and decisively in a moment of crisis was honestly stunned.

What happened??? Well, this is where life is not fair. Jonathan and the other boys were starting to get a little too wild in their play. David sensing this and wanting to do the right thing had asked the boys, all three of them, to settle down a little bit. Their friends listened and settled down, but not brother Jonathan. He continued to act foolishly and threw a big plastic toy at his brother David and "POW", hit him right in the mouth, cut his lip, sliced David's gum, and knocked his permanent tooth clean out. (I will blog more about Jonathan and this part of “the deal” at a later date...)

It truly was a surreal moment for me. Growing up, I always had this fear of getting one of my permanent teeth knocked out and I remember checking my teeth every time I got smacked or hit in the mouth with something. I was kind of paranoid about it and probably still am.

At first we were trying to treat David for the bleeding that was coming from his mouth. Then I went upstairs and found the whole tooth, root and all, lying on the carpet. I tried to insert it at that time, but was not sure I was seating it correctly and placed it in milk instead. After trying for 10-15 minutes to contact a dentist or someone else to help guide us, which was impossible on a Saturday evening, we grabbed the cup of milk with the tooth and headed to the ER at the Children's Hospital here in St. Louis.

Before too long we were in a room in triage and a doctor came in and helped insert the tooth as much as it would go in. Unfortunately, it had been about an hour since getting knocked out and the likelihood of saving the tooth is best when reinserted in 30 minutes or less. Well, as David applied pressure on the tooth while we waited for the pediatric dentist who was on call to come in, he was able to get the tooth fully inserted back into his the cavity in his mouth. The dentist was great, especially on a Saturday evening having been interrupted while eating out with his wife. Once he arrived we did some x-rays and saw that the tooth was inserted perfectly. Then the dentist explained what was going to happen in the coming weeks.

Three things would/could happen:

1) The best scenario would be for the nerve in the tooth to reconnect with the nerve in the gums and for the tooth to reseat in David's mouth. This would save the tooth fully and cost little in the way of dental expenses. We are praying that is what has and will ultimately happen.

2) If the nerve did not reconnect, the body will not recognize the cells inside the tooth which has been reinserted in David's mouth and it will begin to attack it sensing it as a foreign object in the body. This would be bad for David, cause pain, and lead to a whole host of dental procedures and expenses we are not looking forward to.

3) If situation 2 does occur then David will need to get a root canal to deaden the exposed nerve in the empty cavity where the tooth used to be. Then they will take the dead tooth, clear the nerve out of the tooth and fill it with some substance that would allow it to stay up in the cavity for years to come. This is important because of the need for spacing as David's other adult teeth come in.

*Remember that David had the whole Perthes Disease in his hip last summer which we prayed over and saw the Lord heal him of that.

So, a couple things to remember as I close this blog...

1) Life is not fair. David is as just and as well tempered a 7 year old boy as you will find and "he" gets his tooth knocked out even as he is trying to bring peace to a wild situation.

2) We would appreciate your prayers for David and for this tooth to heal. Granted it is only a tooth, but the fixing of it will be extensive and expensive and he didn't even get it knocked out playing hockey.

Finally, this has been harder for me than it has been for David. Why, I am not sure, but Saturday night while he slept great, I tossed and turned all night which is very rare for me. Julie finds this funny and says how interesting it is to learn something new about someone you have been married to for almost 10 years. David keeps trucking forward enjoying life, while we wait for several weeks to see what in the end has or has not occurred.

To be continued...

Small Group Update

2010-04-21T10:04:00.000-05:00

I wanted to post an update on our Financial Peace University small group since I mentioned it last month as we started up. Julie and I love the group. This is the first small group we have hosted in our home in many years and subsequently the first group we have hosted here in our St. Louis home. It is such a joy to have our friends over every week. Julie does such a great job hosting and I always love having people over and around.

In addition to getting to know our group members much better than we previously did, each and every group member is taking this group so seriously. We are seeing people face some of their fears and struggles related to finances and walk in the victory that God has for us when we place our faith and trust in Him. We are seeing couples in our group come together to tackle their financial struggles rather than let the struggles drive them apart.

One thing I have seen in my years of ministry and encouraging people to pursue God honestly and more passionately, is that he uses real life stuff to help us and grow us. It is kind of like working out in the gym. That which may cause us some temporal pain is actually the thing that will benefit us most in the long run. Facing our fears and even our personal failures is not ultimately bad, as much as it may hurt in the moment. Yet, the soreness that comes can reassure us that we have exercised our spirit and our spiritual muscles.

Finally, I want to share something that I have shared numerous times in the past couple weeks. Since we Americans are so good and controlling our lives and not needing God because all of the security and comfort we can bring to our own lives, I believe God uses our finances as a means to speak to us. Money and how it impacts us is one area we cannot totally buffer ourselves from and as a result it is a great way for God to speak to us in the depths of our heart.

An Important Issue

2010-04-08T05:48:00.000-05:00

If you think about it, I would appreciate your prayers. Presently I am venturing into an important issue at Rooftop, one that perplexes the church of America as well.  The issue is "How do we best minister to and train up our children and youth?" At Rooftop this is taking the form of how to shape our forthcoming youth ministry effort. Presently, I am reading Wes Stafford's, Too Small to Ignore and enjoying it. Yet, his conclusions and suggestions fly in the face of typical Western culture and the way most Christians have raised their youth in the recent decades.

I am beginning this venture through reading a number of books, plan on talking to a number of parents, consulting our staff and leadership, and praying a ton. The most daunting statistic that is driving my pursuit is that 90% of church attending teens in recent decades leave the church and potentially their faith, once they graduate from high school. What this means is...what the church and parents have been doing has NOT been working. Only 10% of American youth have continued with church involvement into their young adulthood...that is insane and a horrible tragedy!!!

Interestingly, Julie and I did experience this reatlity firsthand through our struggles reaching young adults and growing the young adult ministry at our last church in Grand Rapids. During 5 years of focused and steady ministry to young people ages 18-29, we had only TWO seniors from the church's high school minsitry transition into our group and stick.   This is in a church of almost 3,000 people with 50-100 graduating seniors every year. TWO people, Adam and Michele, everyone else in our group had little or no connection previously to Kentwood before joining our ministry. Is this not crazy???

Well, now we are trying to address this problem from the other end, developing a ministry or discipleship plan for our children to help them avoid being one of these statistics.  What this looks like, I do not yet know. What I do know is that it will probably be different from what people experienced themselves or have been used to. With a 10% success rate, we can only hope that it is different.  Thanks for your prayers and your interest.  Stay tuned for more of my findings and learnings as we continue on this journey...

A Man of the Earth

2010-03-27T13:44:00.000-05:00

Today is my official return to the earth where my dad spent so many years of his life. I know, I know...that sounds a little overly dramatic for putting in a garden. However, we don't realize all the strands of our lives and how they stay connected to one another until certain life events renew or reveal the connection. I grew up on an acre lot in a small Michigan town just on the outskirts of the Metro Detroit area. We lived in a village only 2 blocks from the main crossing. Yet, our land had been in our family for over 100 years and for 100 years 2/3 of our lot was used for planting crops of various kinds. As time passed on and other lots were divided up and sold for lots for homes, our family's lot did not, and every year the big ole' garden was planted.

By the time the 1980s rolled around our town was pretty full and a very typical suburban village with houses lined up and down streets one next to the other. It never occurred to me that our garden and the 1/2 acre of corn growing on our lot in the middle of our village was at all peculiar. As I turned 10, I no longer had any interest in the garden or helping out with it. As my dad got older and his health diminished, the garden grew smaller and smaller. About the time I left for the Marines, our large lot was divided up into 3 smaller lots and sold off for two more homes to be built in what used to be our back yard and garden. The Zilkie garden heritage was gone, having died off through the tyranny of progress and technology.

Well today, "The Earth Strikes Back". With Julie leading the charge, the Zilkies are putting in some raised beds for our own garden and the children's hearts have returned to their fathers. I am putting our raised beds together, mixing the perfect soil without any weeds, leaving behind the old method of rows and spaced out planting. (My dad would be amazed to see how much different and easier gardening has become in the past 25 years.) Most importantly, our children are thrilled to use the tools to assemble the beds and are excited to be given their own sections of garden to care for. I think I am a little better casting the vision than my dad was which helps a bit.

On a personal note, there is something very spiritual about gardening. Gardening is a metaphor for life. In our present day we want and expect everything to come immediately. This is also true of our relationship with God. And yet God says that we are "like a tree planted by rivers of water" (see Psalm 1). A tree does not grow overnight but over a long time and as a result of consistent nuture and care. Also, being involved in something mysterious like watching a little seed become a big, beautiful, food producing plant 4 months later, while all I do is water, is quite amazing. God has a plan, and He has engineered that plan in the life of every seed and in our own lives as well. We need to have a vision for His plan and patiently water each others hearts and souls as well as our own, watching with anticipation for the signs of growth He brings about. I am seeing this growth and God-activity every week at Rooftop and in my own family.

As you consider your life this spring, you may not be planting a garden, but I want to encourage you to reflect a moment if you would. What seed is God planting in your heart and soul and how does He want to see that grow? What is He asking you to do in the area of watering that will allow a "harvest of righteousness" in the months ahead? It won't happen overnight, but one day after many days, you will look and see a spiritual sprout break through the ground of your life. Feel excitement just as children do that first morning the plants in our earthly gardens have broken through the earth and are on their way to a bountiful harvest.

New Small Group

2010-03-19T09:36:00.001-05:00

Our church recently finished a 6 week series on "Money" and interestingly it was one of the best message series the church as ever done. One of the follow up steps for that is us Zilkies hosting a 14 week small group covering Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University (FPU) material. Julie and I have listened to Ramsey for years, going back to our days in Grand Rapids. We like his approach to money and especially money struggles that so many people find themselves facing. So when the opportunity to take some Rooftoppers on a maiden voyage through FPU, Julie and I were excited to do so and to also host our first small group here at Rooftop.

Well, last night was our first meeting and it was great. Our group is filled with various people who felt God prompting them to take a step or steps of action about money as they were part of our recent series. To kick off our group we invited a wonderful couple from our church to share their personal story and journey. They have had significant financial and other challenges, went through FPU years ago, and are now experiencing the joy and freedom this material and ministry can provide. They were open, humble, and so very wise in their sharing. Then everyone who attended shared what they hoped God would give to them from their time in the course...and no one mentioned "money". Rather, people wanted peace, wisdom, to change their spiritual and financial legacy with their children, to hear from God more clearly, etc.

It was a privilege to host and be a part of the group. If you could say a prayer for the men and women who are taking this journey with us, we all need it and would greatly appreciate it. I believe God will want to minister to all of us in the depths of our heart and I am so excited to witness it and experience it firsthand. What we think, feel, and believe about money is such a core component of our spiritual lives and God really wants to minister to all of us in this area.

A Disturbing Article This Morning...

2010-03-11T08:44:00.003-06:00

This morning I came across a disturbing article, disturbing in both its informaiton and seeminly truthful observation of the Christian Church at large of which I am a part...

In a number of places around the world, it is open season on Christians. We read of Christians burned out of their homes and slaughtered in Pakistan. Most recently, at least 500 Christians were murdered in Nigeria. The attackers in all cases are Muslims, inspired by the warlike message of their Prophet. AFP reports on the Nigerian attacks:

UN chief Ban Ki-moon and Washington led calls for restraint on Monday after the slaughter of more than 500 Christians in Nigeria, as survivors told how the killers chopped down their victims.

Funerals took place for victims of the three-hour orgy of violence on Sunday in three Christian villages close to the northern city of Jos, blamed on members of the mainly Muslim Fulani ethnic group. ...

"We have over 500 killed in three villages and the survivors are busy burying their dead," said state information commissioner Gregory Yenlong. "People were attacked with axes, daggers and cutlasses -- many of them children, the aged and pregnant women."

Do you remember the "massacre" at Jenin? Of course: Palestinians initially claimed that 500 had been killed, but it turned out that there was no massacre after all. In Nigeria, on the other hand, no one disputes that more than 500 Christians were slaughtered by Muslims. So where is the outrage? I don't know what denomination those Nigerian Christians were, but Lutherans are the most numerous Christian denomination in Africa. I'm a Lutheran, but I have never heard a single word from any church source, local or national, about the mass murder of African Christians. No one seems to care.

No doubt readers can refer us to some Christian sources--evangelical, most likely--who have tried to draw attention to the plight of Christians in Africa, the Middle East and Asia who are being exterminated. But any such effort has wholly failed to gain traction in the "mainstream" Christian community.

Why? I can't explain it. Maybe "mainstream" Christianity is dead, except as an appendage of secular liberal opinion. Maybe, as the world's largest religion, Christianity has become so diffused that New World Christians don't much relate to their co-religionists in Africa and Asia. I don't know. What I do know is that it is much more dangerous to publish a cartoon of Mohammed than to slice apart a Christian with a machete.

http://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2010/03/025796.php

Here is another link with more info:

http://toddpruitt.blogspot.com/2010/03/slaughter-in-nigeria.html

Why are we American / Western Christians so deaf to the struggles of our brothers and sisters in Christ around the world who suffer for Jesus? Have we no appetite for the reality that following Jesus is not as easy as we know and experience here in America? Sadly, I do not know the answer to this question...

How the Kingdom of God Works...

2010-03-05T07:06:00.000-06:00

Julie and I have been very encouraged these past several months with all of the amazing things we have seen God do in the lives of different people. God is doing something special, and although we are not sure exactly what, we are so blessed to be witness to it. However, in God's economy true spiritual growth and the advancement of the kingdom of God has a cost. That cost is...Me. If you are going to be a part of the true spiritual work that God wants to do, it will cost you your life.

The past several months we Zilkies have had a tubal/ectopic pregnancy, Julie has had two visits to the hospital, Julie's mom's husband of 9 years passed away, and during our trip back to see them the whole family got the flu at the same time (that really was an awful 24 hours). During our drive back yesterday, God used these difficult events in the Zilkie family to bring up some hard stuff in my life and in our marriage. Some of “the stuff” that we never even knew was there. Please pray for Julie and I as we "go there" and ask God to reveal, convict of sin, forgive, and heal our hearts in the things that God is showing us. It is not easy to surrender to God...

Ever since I recommitted my life to Jesus Christ at 17 I have wanted nothing more in life than to see the God of the Bible reign and be recognized as the same almighty and sovereign God in our lives today...because He is. Yet, to be a part of that and by His grace to be a leader in that, I know it will require the same thing it required of Jesus, all 12 of his disciples, and millions of followers of our Lord Jesus since...death.

Galatians 2:20 says, "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me."

During our recent baptism service, one of the Rooftoppers shared about the horrible stuff that happened to her before she gave her life to Jesus. She commented about all the people who say how "unlucky" she is to have gone through her troubles. She however, sees it differently. She stated in her testimony that she sees herself as the luckiest person in the world that God would love her so much that He would stop at nothing to break through her pride and self centeredness to pour His grace into her life. She sees her hardship as a necessary human part to surrendering her life fully to Jesus Christ. Oh, that all of us who "follow Jesus" could truly believe and live out those hard yet beautiful words.

Sad News

2010-02-11T22:05:00.000-06:00

Yesterday in the early afternoon, Grandpa Don passed away. He has been fighting some infections since getting pancreatitis last year. He had been hospitalized for ever since while coming in and out of a coma state in the months since. Don married Julie's mother several months after we were married back in 2001. He was a good grandpa to our children and will be missed. We are especially sad for Julie's mother, Jan, who is widowed for the second time.

The sad news is that our doctor has stated that because of the nearness of Julie's return trip to the hospital for internal bleeding, she is not yet healthy enough to make a trip to Michigan. So we will not be able to attend his funeral this weekend. However, we are planning some time the end of the month for the whole family to go and spend a week with Julie's mother. We believe that will be even better time to spend with her, several weeks after the funeral as she processes his departure and her new reality.

There is something that I am seeing as I am now 35 and getting a year older every year. Life gets harder as we get older, regardless of the money we may have to preserve comfort and avoid pain. Life still gets harder because of death, increased responsibilities, health struggles, and an increase in events over which we have no control. I am so thankful that I do not need to be in control. Rather, I can trust in Him who is faithful to the end...

Feeling Better

2010-02-10T00:31:00.000-06:00

It has been almost a week since Julie was last in the hospital for a second time and she seems to be doing much better. We have taken it easy, which isn't easy with five children around the house. We have removed stairs except for a couple times a day and no lifting of children, especially the "chunker" Zeke and Sweet Caroline. Selah is okay in limited doses. Our friend Jen from the Detroit area has been here for an extra week helping out. Her being home with Julie to help keep her off her feet has been so helpful and allows me to continue working at Rooftop. Jen is headed back on Thursday morning after two weeks here. We will miss her when she goes.

Thank you to all of you who have prayed, brought meals, and cared for us. A couple more weeks and we think things will be back to normal. I know Julie is chomping at the bit to get back to normal. Keeping that woman off her feet is not an easy venture. In the meantime she has been working on some beautiful crafts for the family and gifts for Caroline. Julie has taken on some new interests in this area and it is great to see what she blesses our home and famil with. She has to do something with all the time she has.

Thursday Update - 12 p.m.

2010-02-04T12:23:00.000-06:00

I just talked with Julie and it looks as if they are releasing her this afternoon. However, unlike a couple weeks ago, she has been given explicit instructions to "take it easy". Now, the doctor instructed us to take it easy a couple weeks ago, but did not specify at the time. So, apart from church, some grocery shopping, and visits to the doctor, Julie barely left the house. However, life with 5 children 7 years and under is anything but "taking it easy" and normal life for us may have been what overdid it these past couple of days.

So, Julie is coming back home to take it easy, but this time that means no lifting, no laborious movements, eating substantially and drinking large amounts of water and fluids. Thankfully our friend Jen is staying another week to help care for the children and for Julie as I return to my post at Rooftop and balance home and ministry as we walk through her healing and recovery.

Julie is avoiding surgery again and we pray made her last visit to the hospital for some time. Thank you to all of you for your prayers, support and encouragement. Your continued "check-ins" on the Zilkies are appreciative and very helpful. It is going to be an interesting couple of weeks, but we take it just a day at a time, right?

*On a side note, thank you to the many people who showed up at Rooftop for the prayer time last night. Even though I wasn't able to make it because of our current situation, it greatly encouraged my heart to hear that you all gathered and petitioned the Almighty God, our Father, together as with one voice.

Back Home

2010-02-03T18:34:00.000-06:00

Well my flight got in this afternoon and I was home by 4:15. I packed up some stuff for Julie and headed to St. Anthony's again. Michele Herndon spent the entire afternoon with Julie and really blessed us in doing so. Julie so enjoyed her time and appreciated Michelle's care today.

Julie is doing okay as her blood levels are stable with a slight reduction. She is in the 10s, 12-16 is normal, and the 7s are bad. Dr. Probst just notified us that they are going to keep Julie overnight for continued observation, take additional blood samples at 12 a.m. and 6 a.m., and decide next steps in the morning.

Our friend Jen is doing well at the home as I left for the hospital an hour ago. Dinner has been provided for tonight and all is well considering everything that is taking place. Caroline went to a friends house for the evening so that will make caring for the children a little easier.

*On a side note, Rooftop is hosting a special prayer night tonight in conjuction with our current financial series. We invited anyone with job or financial struggles to come and be prayed for. I see God doing some importand and cool stuff at Rooftop presently. I am excited about tonight although I will miss it, and I am excited to see how He continues to work in our church.

Here we go again...

2010-02-03T10:51:00.000-06:00

Ironic that I choose yesterday to update that Julie is doing well for the most part minus some minor details. Well, this morning at her check up with the doctor he spotted a small hematoma and some internal bleeding.

***Reminder that I am in Minneapolis right now finishing up a conference and flying back to St Louis around 4 p.m.

Jason from Rooftop is driving her into the ER as I type and she will be admitted for further observation with the doctor ready to go to surgery immediately should her levels and other readings come back bad. I am not sure exactly what they are looking for or waiting for right now, but it is potentially very serious. That being said, Julie seemed to be in good spirits when I talked to her on the phone 15 minutes ago.

Please pray for her health and continued peaceful state of mind. We are told by Jesus Himself in John 16:33,

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.

Thank you for your prayers and I will update Julie's and our family's status on the blog as things develop.

Family Update

2010-02-02T10:23:00.000-06:00

Thank you to all of you who have been praying and inquiring of how Julie and the family are doing. On a whole I would say we are doing much better: Julie is home, Selah has transitioned well away form breast-feeding, our long time friend Jen from the Detroit area is visiting for 10 days, I have begun reading Lord of the Rings to David and Jonathan and they are loving it, and I am presently at a ministry conference in Minneapolis for 2 days.

Julie however is not yet completely out of the woods. Her body is still thinking she is pregnant to a degree, and thus her hormone levels are not dropping as they should. She is having to visit the doctor a couple times a week for blood tests and monitoring while we wait for them to return to normal. If you could, please pray that she would return to normal and that her body would heal from all that has taken place. Her spirits are high and she is (as always) one of the primary joys of my life. Ironic, since the conference I am attending is about Joy and what "True Joy" is about and from where it comes.

If you could, please pray for me as I am away that I would hear from the Lord and benefit from the time spent focusing on Him. There is much on my heart and I want to be discerning and wise as to what I endeavor and how I should respond to Him in all that I am hearing and learning. Thank you for your "agape" (unconditional love) as well as your "phileo" (sisterly/brotherly love). Julie and I regularly give thanks to God for the support and love, both local here in St. Louis and around the world, that we are blessed to receive.

Home - 8 p.m.

2010-01-22T20:39:00.000-06:00

Well after a wild 48 hours, I picked up Julie from the hospital this evening and she is finally home. Selah started crying when she saw her and I had to take the sweet girl up to bed (without nursing) and rock her to sleep. Thankfully, she went down fairly easily. Caroline and Ezekiel are now in bed. David and Jonathan are on their way. Juile is checking all the emails, FB posts, and blog comments people sent and enjoying the love you all have shared witih us these past couple of days. For this evening we Zilkies are back together again and enjoying the moment as well as looking forward to a restful nights sleep. Many are the blessings our Father lavishes upon us...the peacefulness of tonight is way up there on the list.

More thoughts coming...

Almost Over - 3 p.m.

2010-01-22T15:20:00.000-06:00

Well it looks as if Julie "should" be coming home this evening. Her hormone levels are flat which means that the baby may have already died but for sure is not viable. As a precaution that the baby doesn't continue to grow and threaten Julie's health, they will administer an abortive drug to her this evening. Hopefully "Noel" has already passed into the arms of her Father who so lovingly designed her, even in her short life in Julie's womb. We named him/her that because Julie thinks she was conceived on Christmas. She felt a twinge and a momentary cramp in her lower abdomen early that morning. Pretty cool! :-)

Once the baby has died, it should be small enough for the body to pass it normally or to absorb the very small tissues and cells that are left behind. At least this is our hope and prayer. Julie will have to return to the office for some tests on Monday. We are soooo looking forward to her coming home. We Zilkies just aren't the same without Mama being with us. Please pray that her body will process the baby's remnants naturally and fully. Please pray for Selah that she will adjust to a rapid switch from Mama to a bottle. She has not yet been willing to take a bottle of any kind...that is my wonderful and willful/stubborn little girl. :-)

Tough Choices

2010-01-21T15:45:00.000-06:00

Well I had a chance to talk with Dr. Probst today while visiting Julie over lunchtime. He is a great guy and wonderful doctor. We talked about health care reform from a doctors perspective which ironically is rarely heard amidst all the noise. I shared my two cents that it is the patients and the doctors who have not been considered in this recent bill... (okay, now that I have that off of my chest)...

Dr. Probst is great and we do have some tough choices as a couple and family. We are waiting another day for further observation before he will take action about the probable tubal pregnancy. When that happens however, it will impact many other factors and aspects of life. In the short term, any type of medicine or surgery to terminate the life of the baby that will die at some point, will also impact Juile's ability to continue nursing Selah...immediately. This may not sound like a big deal, but for nursing mothers...Julie regularly says it is one of the 5 or 10 most wonderful things she has ever done in her life. (You have to be a nursing mom to know I guess.) That was very sad for her and us...in the short term.

In the long term, it appears that the placenta that was not removed from Selah's delivery last year may have left some tissue that is now hindering normal movement of said "egg" into the womb/uterus. Dr Probst can't know for sure, but this could be a problem that is ongoing. In short, our ability to have more children is also at risk as well. Now you may be thinking, "well you already have 5 children..." Oh yes, we are immeasurably blessed with David, Jonathan, Caroline, Ezekiel, and Selah...but we Zilkies love life and are open to more children (biological, adopted or foster) should God bless us in the future. Anyway, this was also hard to hear on the heels of everything else that is happening. This is where we are at this afternoon and it is BIG stuff for us. Please continue praying for us as we face possible surgery, and pray specifically for Julie that she will maintain the "peace of God which transcends all understanding" (Philippians 4:6-7).

As we walk this path we want to deeply thank you our friends and family for your support and interest in the Zilkies and our desire to follow hard after our Lord. We pray for God's richest blessings in your life and the fullness of His grace and purpose in your hearts, lives and families as well.

Julie Update - 11 a.m.

2010-01-21T11:18:00.000-06:00

I just heard from Julie over the phone and her pregnancy hormone levels which would go up if the pregnancy was viable, in fact went down since last night. We are presently waiting a little longer for certainty on this reality and then how to go about removing the baby who can't survive, while causing the least intrusion to Julie. Continue to pray for clarity and wisdom for Dr. Probst and the hospital staff.

I am taking Selah back now for lunch. :-)

Thursday Morning Update - 9 a.m.

2010-01-21T09:10:00.001-06:00

Well I just got back from taking Selah to the hospital for her morning drink with Mama. She is eating oatmeal, and sweet potatoes, and other stuff too so that isn't her only sustenance. Julie is doing well and they are taking her vitals every 2 hours as they monitor her. We hopefully will know more later in the day. Our dear friend and sister in Christ Claire is here watching the children all morning and allowing me to run in and out as needed.

I am headed back up with Selah after her morning nap and Matt and Jason my two coworkers at Rooftop are going to join me up there. We normally pray together every Thursday morning as a staff and this morning they wanted to move the prayer time to Julie's bedside which is wonderful. Fear not Michigan family and friends, our Missouri family continues to bless us, care for us, and extend themselves for us in great abundance.

Off to the store to get some supplies...a man's work is never done. :-)

Crazy Night

2010-01-21T01:14:00.000-06:00

Tonight was crazy. After our friend Jen came by to watch the children, I took Julie to the hospital around 7 p.m. We got to the ER at St. Anthony's and it was packed. As we prepared to wait a long time after checking in, the nurses began to move us through the different requirements, evaluations, and scans pretty quickly. By 9:30 we were in our room with the ultrasound completed and waiting for the M.D.

Our doctor was a sweet young woman (I am getting old when I am calling any doctor "young") who quickly contacted Julie's regular doctor, the one who helped her back in June with some lingering problems from Selah's birth. She knew it was complicated and wisely contacted Dr. Probst with as much info as she could give. Dr. Probst was great and here is where we stand at 12:45 a.m. on Thursday morning...

Julie may very well have a tubal pregnancy or referred to as an ectopic pregnancy, but our doctor is not completely convinced and he has seen similar situations turn out to be viable pregnancies. An ectopic pregnancy means the egg implanted in the fallopian tubes instead of the uterus where it needs to be for normal growth and viability. Therefore, he can't and more importantly won't act against the baby until he is certain about the baby's life. For this Julie and I are so thankful.

However, with it possibly being a tubal pregnancy, a ruptured tube can go unnoticed and yet cause severe internal bleeding and would require immediate care should that happen. Thus it is dangerous for Julie to leave the care of the hospital while we wait to find out about the baby. They say they will be able to tell if the pregnancy is viable based on an expected increase in certain hormones and that will take a day or two to monitor and ascertain.

In the meantime, we have a nursing mom and Selah who doesn't take a bottle. She is down to four feedings a day, so Papa will be driving her to Mama four times tomorrow starting at around 6:30 (5 hours from now) when she wakes up in the morning. Thankfully, numerous Rooftoppers have made themselves available to help us manage this complex situation. Thank you to all of you for praying and we will keep updating you about Julie, the baby, and our present situation.

We know that life is hard at times and we have been blessed beyond measure. "God is faithful who will now allow us to be tempted beyond what we are able to endure, but in the temptation will provide the way of escape so that you may be able to endure it." 1 Cor 10:13

Please Pray

2010-01-20T17:56:00.000-06:00

Julie has been having some pain in her abdomen the past couple of days and we weren't sure what was going on. Turns out that she is pregnant, and her doctor is concerned it is a tubal one which would not be good. Please pray for a viable pregnancy, and for Julie's good health either way. We are headed to the ER this evening. Updates coming...

It Never Gets Old

2010-01-12T07:08:00.001-06:00

Rooftop Community Church, where I am on staff, has a cool system of inviting people into the life and core of the church. They use a "moving up the floors" metaphor with the 4th Floor being the top...or the "Rooftop". Part of my ministry responsibility is to encourage and lead attendees up these floors through monthly floor meetings.

Last night we had our biggest floor meeting yet with a bunch of newer Rooftoppers from the last couple of months. They are a great group that wants to plug into Rooftop more and better understand what God wants for them as well. The 2nd Floor is where we talk about community and God's heart for us loving each other as brothers and sisters in Christ. Community is such a big deal for me so it is easy to be passionate about the subject. I was able to teach and share what God's view of community is from the Scriptures, and also what the church could and should look like instead of the poor reflection it sometimes is.

After our meeting a woman named Sara came up and said, "I am not sure I am a follower of Jesus Christ". I asked her if she had time and wanted to talk. Her husband was there as well, and we spent an hour together talking about who Jesus was, who He is, and who He wants to be in our lives. Sara was so honest and wonderful, and before we left she surrendered her life to her Lord, repented, asked for His forgiveness, and entered the true family of God.

This never gets old, and is wonderful every time it happens. Moreover, God keeps on bringing people who are searching for truth through our doors. As you read this, pray for Sara. She needs wisdom and understanding from God which He will gladly give her. Last night she became a new creation as we are told in 2 Corinthians 5:17 - Therefore if anyone is in Christ they are a new creation; behold the old is gone, all things have become new.

9 Years

2009-12-28T22:27:00.001-06:00

Tuesday, December 29th Julie and I will celebrate our ninth anniversary. We were married on a wintry Friday night in December of 2000. Some would call it a blizzard, but what took place in Trinity Episcopal Church in St. Clair Shores, Michigan, and then in the Blossom Heath Inn at our reception, was quite the opposite from what was happening outside.

The service was wonderful and I remember it as if it were yesterday. Craig Mayes performed the ceremony splendidly, and Julie and I were surrounded by persons of vital importance in our lives prior to coming together in marriage. We included three worship songs and I can still hear our bridal party belting out the words to all three songs as it echoed in the old small church. I can still hear the two quarters (disguised as our rings) hitting the ceramic tile and rolling across the floor...that is still a good one Ara! I remember seeing Julie beautifully made up in her dress and thinking "is this real?"

Julie and I were surrounded by our family, but we were also surrounded by our church community, many brothers and sisters in Christ from "Primetime" our old single's ministry at Kensington Church in Troy, Michigan. As Craig pronounced us "man and wife", we, with the bridal party behind us, danced out of the church to Stephen Curtis Chapman's "I'm Divin' In". It was the most wonderful ceremony!

Then as we all headed outside into the blizzard and moved down the road for the reception, who knew what was in store? Oh yeah...I did! :-) Now it is important that Julie had chosen the Blossom Heath because of the beautiful circular dance floor surrounded by stately pillars in the middle of the hall. The head table was positioned in two rows overlooking the dance floor and seating was spread out on both sides. To get us to kiss, you had to do more than bang your silverware, you had to come up alone or in a group and sing us a song with the word "love" in it.

Well, people were getting settled in and probably thinking about the snow outside. The bridal party had been introduced, and the staff was serving dinner. Several of our wedding party had shared their hopes and prayers for our marriage and the salad was being served. Then I quietly got up from our table, headed over to the DJ, got the cordless microphone and...the music began...

Julie quickly recognized that this music was not part of her program, and she was right as I had inserted the next piece myself. I began my legendary rendition of Kenny Loggins' "Footloose" (which had enabled me to make Ensemble in Junior High by the way). There I was, singing, dancing, avoiding servers carrying salad plates, jumping, breaking a chair, and getting a standing ovation from the crowd when I was done. It was probably a top 10 moment in my life considering where and when it took place. Julie was stunned and laughed during the whole thing. It was AWESOME!!!

Well, our friends and family did not disappoint. After my song and dance, we had a great meal with some amazing renditions of love songs from those in attendance wanting us to kiss. Then as the dancing began, people flooded to the floor and our Primetime community led the way with the most wonderful spirit and joyful evening of dancing I have ever known. As the evening finally wound down our brothers and sisters in Christ surrounded us on the dance floor and prayed over Julie and I for many minutes, once again acknowledging God as the Sustainer of our relationship and now the center and foundation of our marriage.

As we finally drove home that night (in the blizzard), Julie cried the whole way home because of the joy in her heart from the evening. It truly was a most wonderful evening. Nine years together, married, me and her...it has been everything I could have hoped for. Happy Anniversary my Love!!! I hope you can still hear "eight hours, for what? Oh tell me what I got" ringing in your ears.

Christmas Traditions - (Part 4)

2009-12-24T15:24:00.002-06:00

Our final and newest tradition that we just implemented this year is the 5 advent candles. These are 4 calenders of various colors that are lit on the 4 Sundays prior to Christmas and a fifth candle on Christmas day. Each candle represents a various people group who had an important role in the birth of Jesus Christ. A side benefit for this tradition is the enjoyment the children get from the lighting and blowing out of candles every day. Zeke stands and screams joyously at the smoke from the smoldering wicks while Caroline tries to catch it. There are many different versions of Advent but this worked best for us...

On the 1st Advent Sunday we lit the first candle which is the candle for the prophets. The prophets are listed first because all throughout the Old Testament and up through Simeon in the New Testament the prophets of God had been speaking of a coming Messiah and giving details of his birth, life and death. Isaiah is most noteworthy for messianic prophecies and he lived roughly 600 years before Christ. Micah speaks of the birthplace of the Messiah which Herod found and told the Magi when they came looking for Jesus. We close our discussion about the prophets by singing "After lighting this first candle on the first Advent Sunday we light the one candle each night that week as we move through the Jesse Tree and sing our carols.

On the 2nd Sunday we light the first candle and then we light a second candle. This second candle is for the angels who were sent by God to tell the people of Israel as well as Mary, Joseph, Zechariah (father of John the Baptist) and the Magi before they left Bethlehem to return home. Again we light 2 candles all that week and so on... The third candle is for the Shepherds and the fourth candle is for the Magi. On Christmas day we add a fifth and special candle for the Christ child and we read and hang our final Jesse Tree ornament. Julie cooks a special traditional Christmas breakfast highlighted by homemade cinnamon rolls.

These recent posts are some of the traditions which we have adopted over many years as a family. They have added meaning and depth to our Christmas season and have added significantly to what our children have been able to take away from Christmas. If Christmas is just about gifts and what they get (even if we love giving them gifts), then a great family time and teaching season is potentially lost. Our children are a captive audience to all things Christmas. It is up to us as parents to shape what they actually become captive to.

Merry Christmas to you and to your family this year!!!

(Summary of our Advent tradition )

1st Sunday - Prophets
Read Isaiah 9:2,6 & Sing O Come, O Come Emmanuel

2nd Sunday - Angels
Read Luke 2:10-14 & Sing Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

3rd Sunday - Shepherds
Read - Luke 2:15-18,20 & Sing Go Tell it on the Mountain

4th Sunday - Magi
Read Matthew 2:1-2,11 & Sing We Three Kings

Christmas - Savior
Read Luke 1:32-33 & Sing Joy to the World

Christmas Traditions - (Part 2)...Updated with link to Jesse Tree

2009-12-22T16:27:00.000-06:00

Here is the link to a Jesse Tree that we recommend. There are a bunch out there so make sure you look carefully to see if you like the one you are choosing...

Jesse Tree Link

Christmas Traditions - (Part 3)

2009-12-21T22:58:00.002-06:00

"Joy to the world, the Lord is come
Let earth receive her king.
Let every heart, prepare Him room,
and heaven and nature sing
and heaven and nature sing
and heaven, and heaven and nature sing"

Where in our daily life are we able to hear good, old-fashioned, Jesus-centered Christmas carols? Sometime in November one of the music stations I check every now and then had switched to Christmas songs for the season. Now it was shortly after Halloween and I thought, no thanks...too early. Then about Thanksgiving as the "yuletide" spirit was coming upon me I checked back into the forementioned station. "Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell rock..." Then next up, a song I didn't recognize... Over the next couple days I would check in and sure enough...not one REAL Christmas Carol.

Last year Julie and I decided we wanted to be a family that knows and sings all the cool Christmas carols. So I got on line and began copying and pasting the lyrics to various Christmas carols and placed them in 2 column format on a Word document. We included 15 or so songs, printed out multiple copies and each night after our "Jesse Tree" time, we would end the evening singing 2 or 3 carols off of the song sheet. I am not a great singer but I can lead some caroling and as long as you don't start too low or too high with your first note, you can sing a song and it doesn't sound all that bad.

After just a few nights we knew we had a winning tradition in this one. How many families sing together these days??? It is like something out of a Norman Rockwell picture from the days of radio theater and the 1930s. Yet, we Zilkies, never afraid to be the contrarians, continued it again this year as well. Jonathan is now reading the words and both he and David are singing stronger and better each night. And Sweet Caroline...she loves "Go Tell It On A Mountain" and has a little dance she does as we sing.

Seriously, it only gets better as we learn the verses of the songs and improve in our singing. Be careful, one of these days the Zilkies may end up on your front porch singing your favorite Christmas carol. Just ask our new neighbors here in Affton. :-)

*If this idea/tradition interests you, it really is easy. If you need help with the singing, download a bunch of carols onto your iPod or mp3 player and let them help you as you sing. If you are looking for some fun and meaningful traditions for the family, singing carols together is a must. If you ever come to the Zilkies during the month of December, you will be able to join us for an evening of the Jesse Tree and some singing of carols as well.

Christmas Traditions - (Part 2)

2009-12-17T02:27:00.004-06:00

Several years ago Julie began looking for some creative ways to add some family traditions to our celebration of Christmas. Neither of us really came from families that did much more than the usual...tree, gifts, church, etc., and we wanted something more meaningful for our children. As Julie researched, she found something called "The Jesse Tree". What is the Jesse Tree you may ask? Well there are many different styles and versions, but, in general, it is a daily journey through the Old Testament-- from Genesis to the birth of Jesus Christ, beginning on December 1st and ending on Christmas day. (It is often in line with the Advent season which celebrates the four Sundays prior to Christmas through the lighting of candles and remembering the Christmas story.) For the Zilkies there are three main parts which we do every day (if at all possible) for all 25 days.

Part One is the reading of a passage of Scripture to the family. The passage is predetermined by our version of the Jesse Tree and has a corresponding picture which we have had laminated and made into Christmas ornaments. Sitting down as a family and reading the Bible together is so important, the most important thing we do. In doing so, we as a family stop and recognize the sovereignty of God and rule of Jesus Christ and His word in our family. One can never underestimate the power of God's word, and you never know what kind of impact the Holy Spirit can have on your children when they hear God's word. This can be especially powerful when read by mom or dad and in a family setting.

Part Two is the discussion that takes place after reading. A great practice for reading to children is to have them repeat back to you the details of the passage or story you just read to them. This is a great developmental tool for children and it also reinforces the passage and its details in the mind and heart of the children. We are thus able to see if the child or children correctly understands what was just read. If not, it allows us the opportunity to clarify and reexplain the passage or story in terms they can understand.

After the passage is read and understood, the next question is "How does this passage or story point to Jesus Christ?" This is the fun part because the Old Testament has hundreds of references, inferences, and prophecies about Jesus Christ throughout the 39 books. For example, when we read in the book of Joshua about the story of Rahab and the fall of Jericho, is there any correlation to the "scarlet cord" hanging out her window which will save all persons inside and the (scarlet) blood of Jesus flowing from His body which has the power to save us from our sins? Or in Genesis 12, when God makes His unconditional convenant with Abraham and states therein that "all the families of the world will be blessed through you", who or what is He talking about? How could the whole world be blessed through Abraham and his descendants??? ***The children are fascinated to learn that biblical events from long before Jesus was born point in many different ways to the coming of Jesus and His ministry purpose here on earth...they LOVE learning about it!!!

Part Three involves taking the ornament/picture of the day which has been hidden in Papa's Bible up to this point and hanging it on the tree. I like to ask the children if they remember what picture is on the ornament for that day from doing it the previous year. We play this game where they usually guess the right picture, such as a scarlet cord on the day we read about Rahab, and I will say after we are done reading "Alright, who gets to come hang the picture of the crumbling walls of Jericho?" They roll their eyes and scream out "Nooooo, its a picture of the scarlet cord!!!" It sounds cheesy but they fall for it every time and I laugh every time. They get so excited to hang the picture on the tree and take turns doing so each day.

Sitting down as a family and reading God's word together is a practice that seems to be lost or crowded out in our families today. This is sad and really is a loss in our efforts to raise up spiritual young men and women with strong Christian character. Julie and I have been doing this over Christmas for several years now and the family loves it. By the time Christmas comes, we wonder why we don't do this in some capacity all year round? We enjoy it, the children enjoy it as long as I put some energy and passion into the reading and discussion, and God is honored by it for sure. So at the conclusion of Advent this year, we are going to seek to continue the daily reading of the Word in our family, as a family.

You can find a FREE download of the Jesse Tree by Ann Voskamp at her blog www.aholyexperience.com. It is located in the November 28th 2010 entry, as well as other places at her blog. It is wonderful, and so is Ann!!

Christmas Traditions - (Part 1)

2009-12-11T11:46:00.001-06:00

In the almost nine years Julie and I have been married (our anniversary being on the 29th of December), each Christmas has brought an increasing level of importance. During our 1st Christmas we had just moved from Detroit to Grand Rapids, were pregnant with David, and were about to celebrate our first anniversary. I still remember getting the tree and dragging it home on top of the old white 1989 Ford Crown Victoria (that hood really seemed to go on forever). Being just the two of us we decorated the tree, got each other some presents and Christmas came and went. Then the next year we now had a third Zilkie and it was David's first Christmas. Once again we got a real tree and this time we seemed to pay extra attention to the holiday because it was David's first Christmas. In fact we still have video of him licking the wrapping paper of the gifts he had received.

Each year since as our children have grown in maturity and understanding, and as we have added to the number of children we have (yes we know how that happens), Christmas has grown in importance. My ability to see Christmas through their eyes with all of its joy and wonder has been a major component of that growth. As Julie and I reflected back on our childhoods and the various Christmas traditions we had when we were little we wanted to build many, many of our own traditions that our children would look back on fondly and remember. For us Zilkies, Christmas now begins long before Christmas day or Christmas Eve even. Christmas begins the weekend after Thanksgiving when we get out the tree (we stopped buying fresh in 2004 and found a GREAT artificial tree which we still use today) and begin decorating it together. The children love this and each year we add meaningful and sentimental ornaments commemerating our children and the stages of life they find themselves in each particular year.

For example, several years ago Julie baked some gingerbread men and then coated them in some kind of preservant so that they could hang as ornaments and last over the years. Well, when Jonathan was almost 2 back in 2005 he took a bite out of one of those "cookies". This year as we once again hung the one-legged gingerbread man we were able to remember back and remind Jonathan, who is now almost 6, that he ate the leg off 4 years ago. It provided a wonderful laugh and brought a sheepish smile to his face. Caroline however, then wanted to eat the other leg and the two legs off the other gingerbread man as well. We had to gently yet firmly instruct her that this should not happen and that it would not be nearly as funny either.

The tree is now up, looking almost the same as it has each year and we love it. Our children are going to grow up and remember what our/their tree looks like and it will bring them much joy when they return and see it then the same as it was when they were children. In the meantime, we are vigilantly watching the gingerbread men ornaments, hoping their remaining legs persevere another Christmas season.

Thanksgiving & Gratitude

2009-11-28T08:19:00.000-06:00

I read somewhere recently that Thanksgiving is the favorite holiday of a majority of people in America. With Halloween growing in the costumes, candy, and excessive marketing and Christmas continuing to be more about stress, parties, presents, and going, going, going... Is it any surprise that this midweek holiday where we are supposed to do nothing but rest, eat, and relax is peoples most enjoyable holiday of the year? (I know we had a blast Thursdday with my sister in town and the food was AMAZING for sure.)

But even this idea of Thanksgiving can miss the mark if we forget its origin along with the true power in Thanksgiving...GRATITUDE. Thanksgiving began in a colony of people in the fall of 1621. Ironically, this colony had just lost almost half of their original 102 community to sickness, during their first year in their new land. Think about that, having lost dear friends and family members, enduring a brutal winter with little to no protection from the elements, they still saw through all of their hardship to see the providential hand of God and took time to celebrate and thank God for His goodness to them.

If you have not read the story of the original Thanksgiving recently...you know the version where God and all things spiritual are not "cut out", you should. When reading it, you will see an amazing providential God who in the midst of great suffering and loss, still intimately loved and cared for a community of people who loved and worshiped Him no matter what hardship came their way.

This is the power of gratitude. Gratitude does not focus on that which we do not have or wish we did, for we could always want something more or identify something we do not have. Rather, gratitude is a spirit of grace that exists in the heart of a person who lives each day with a winsomeness derived from their awareness that life is good and that "every good and perfect gift is from above...from the Father of heavenly lights." (James 1:17)

I desire to be a grateful person who does not overlook the life, family, health, and most importantly the saving faith that God has given. I hope your Thanksgiving provided you a sincere moment to reflect and give thanks to God as well. May we as followers of Jesus be marked by a spirit of gratitude in this world, whatever may come our way.

Sensing People's Prayers

2009-11-19T10:34:00.001-06:00

The past couple of weeks have seen some good movement in my life on a spiritual level. I have been more attentive and loving toward Julie. I have desired to spend more time with my children and less time doing less important things like reading the news, following my sports interests, staying up late, etc. Also, I am working on some important things at Rooftop to help people get connected more effectively and more quickly and have felt a sharp eye and a keen mind to discern some important steps we need to be taking. Julie has noticed this or at least has noticed my demeanor around her and the children and has asked "what's up with you?". I smile because many thoughts go through my mind.

-Why now rather than months ago when I thought the same things is there actual movement in my life?
-I have had good bursts before but few have sustained themselves over the long haul as I would have liked so should I get too confident in what will happen in the days ahead?
-I am a pretty confident and amibitious person who casts vision much easier than I follow through on it, so I am cautious to repeast past sins of over-promising and under performing.
-A main theme in my life has been, "Jeremy you have not reached or lived up to your potential" and I continue to hear that message even today.
-I often care more about what people think about my spiritual fervency instead of what God thinks in His perfect understanding and knowledge of me and my heart. This can lead to me hiding the bad and acting as if it isn't important.

All these questions and sinful thought patterns lead me to a contemplative answer to Julie's question: "what has gotten into you?" My answer to her has NOT been:

-My passion for God compels me to live more obediently and attentively.
-I can just feel the Lord's strength and Spirit within me leading me to live differently.
-It's the right thing and I want to be God's man, trustworthy in the little things that I might be trustworthy with much.
(and other answers like this I may have given in years past)

Rather my answer to her has been, "People must be praying for me."
Let me type that again, MY answer to her has been (and I think I really mean it) "People must be praying for me." If something is different, I confess that it is God's grace manifest in the prayers and faith of my brothers and sisters in Christ upon whose prayers and encoruagement I am dependent to give anything of value back to my Lord and those in my life.

You see, I am a very proud person and that pride has often gotten in the way of my submission and surrender to God my Father. I am a man of great passion and fervor when focused and envisioned with something, especially something I think God wants to do. And yet, my greatest weakness is that I have harbored pride in various forms in my heart over a lifetime of walking with God and learning a ton about Him. I deceive myself, as many Christians do, about how spiritual I really am and in the process I often neglect the most important part of my life. That I have a Creator, Father God who loves me and adores me AND...who wants me to become like His own Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. This process, becoming like Jesus, is the problem because I really don't want to surrender my life as I say I do and experience the struggle and sacrifice of being made, or remade into the image and likeness of Jesus Christ.

Jesus surrendered completely to the Father while on earth, He had to to know and live the life He needed to live so that He could die as the perfect sacrifice. I admit that I struggle to want this and struggle even more to follow through with this. So, for any and all of you who are and have been praying for me..."Thank you!!!"

I am not going to presume upon tomorrow for I do not know what will happen tomorrow (James 4:13-17). I am however very thankful for today and pray that I might honor Him with the day that He has given. I also pray that by His grace, He may bless the desire of my heart to share His love and grace with those He is bringing into my life at this time.

Peace...

Selah Alane Zilkie

2009-10-29T23:40:00.002-05:00

4-7 month pictures of Selah and the family.
(If you get the email you may have to click to the blog.)

Here are the boys at our Gresham Home

We have officially moved from the city of St. Louis into Affton (on Saturday, October 24th), part of St. Louis County and 7 houses away from Rooftop's church building. Our 6 months in the city were wonderful. We are so excited to see what life in the county will bring...

Rooftop's "Be The Church Day"

2009-10-21T13:49:00.001-05:00

This past Saturday I was privileged to be a part of Rooftop Community Church's first "Be The Church Day". This was an effort to get "a bunch" of Rooftoppers to come together for the purpose of serving each other, the community, and ultimately revealing the glory and goodness of God through our actions and "loving our neighbor" (See Matt 5:14-16, John 13:34-35).

The day was phenomenal and we had over 150 Rooftoppers including children, come and serve, learn about serving, and be a community of people unified and intent on a single purpose (Phil 2:1-4).

Here is a video overview overview of the day...

(email subscribers may need to click to the blog for the video)

Planet Earth

2009-10-18T06:05:00.006-05:00

It was never my specific intention to raise boys who love animals, nature, and all things created by our Uncreated God. Yet, both David and Jonathan have grown (7 & 5 now) into young men who love animals, birds, flowers, leaves, even insects...and want to value and cherish life in all shapes and forms. At their young age, when other kids are watching or reading about cartoons or other "kid stuff", my boys sit on the couch reading and memorizing the different birds from the "Birds of North America" book. To be fair to them, they do like their Star Wars stuff and other things boys their age do, but their interest in zoology is definitely something special that Julie and I are trying to nurture each and every day. I don't know where this will lead...will they be zoologists some day? Maybe...

Their favorite video of all time is the Planet Earth video series by BBC released in the past 5 years or so. It truly is an amazing video series and even more amazing when watching it with and through the eyes of a 5 and 7 year old boy filled with wonder. During our vacation in August we watched all 9 episodes (again) in 6 days time and we loved it.

I was reminded of it this morning in my friend Aaron's blog and wanted to share it with you as well.

Enjoy, and try to wrap your mind around a Creator God who knows and is intimately aware of every creature that lives and moves on this earth...

...or this one...which is even better...

My Dad - Part 3

2009-10-16T13:54:00.002-05:00

It has been several weeks since part 2 and since I preached the message on God as Father from our current message series at Rooftop, but I wanted to come back and close out my Father journey. Before I do that, I will share that many, many people commented to me the significance of my message on God as Father, sharing their own hurts and issues related to their father. A person's age was no discriminate either, having 40-60 years olds comment as frequently as 20-40 year olds. The impact of a father, good or bad, is felt for a lifetime and is foundational toward how we view certain aspects of life, ourselves, and especially God who is our Heavenly Father.

My father journey since my dad died has been very colorful. I dated and pursued three different relationships with Christian women my age who all came from strong Christian families with strong fathers. All three relationship attempts failed and it was not until I was in relationship with Julie whose dad had passed away years before and was not in the picture that I finally realized I had actually been "dating dad" with all three women, and not necessarily the women themselves. (I am sure this contributed to the broken pieces of each of those relationships).

There have been men in my life for periods of time who have helped fill in the father role:

Gary Petrous - he was the manager of the newspaper office in Romeo, Michigan when I was delivering papers back in the day. He was energetic, engaging, and a Vietnam Veteran who also loved the University of Michigan. For those of us who worked for him and were closes to him, he felt like Bo Schemblecher training us for life even as we were just delivering papers. He challenged me, influenced me positively for the Marine Corps, shared my love for the Wolverines, and engaged me in significant dialogue. He was not a follower of Jesus last I knew, and had no interest being one. Yet his vision for me and his wisdom gained were an incredible gift for me in my early teenage years.

Terry Vanderwerf - he was the youth pastor at our church up until my senior year when he and his family moved to the mission field in Mexico. I remember spending time with him in high school, just hanging out talking with him, enjoying that time together, even though there was not stated purpose. He always pointed me toward Jesus Christ and again helped fill in the gap in that time.

Ernie Elmore - Once in the Marines and while stationed in Okinawa, Japan, I met Ernie and Bobbie Elmore. He was former Marine who served as a missionary to the military guys in Okinawa. I met him and Bobbie at their home/ministry center and fell in love with them. He discipled me for 4 months while I was there and opened up his life to me in that time. By this age (21) I was realizing my desire to be mentored and welcomed his filling that role for a season. I love Bobbie and Ernie and am thankful for their presence, not only in my life, but also in the lives of hundreds of others as well.

And here I am today, now 34 years old, a father myself of 5 children ages 7 and under and I still would love a mentor/father figure to journey through life with. I haven't had one in a long time, but I will say that my Father in heaven has done well to raise me up, teach me through His Spirit, and show me what a Father is supposed to be. Hopefully I will correct the missed areas from my own dad and leave a very significant and Jesus Christ centered impact on the lives of my children for their life journey.

For those of you who have read these father posts, I would encourage you to reflect on your relationship with your dad and how it may have impacted your relationship with God our Father. Many people cruise through life never becoming aware of the impact their earthly father has had on their earthly life and contributed to the struggles in their relationship with God as a result. I pray for each of you in your journey. May the Holy Spirit reveal Truth to you and draw you closer to our Father, the one true and perfect Father.

My Dad - Part 2

2009-09-25T22:09:00.006-05:00

My wife Julie read my blog last night and agreed with me that from a style standpoint, it was not one of my better efforts. Yet the content in the blog was the most personal and the time it took to write was the greatest in length. That being said, this is the very reason why I am writing and is the reason why we need to look more deeply into our own belief in God as the Father Almighty. This is what the message at Rooftop is on this week and why I am writing about it. I along with everyone else has to overcome to varying degrees the impact our own father's have had on our ability and desire to know God as our ultimate Father. So here goes part 2...

At age 17 during my senior year, my dad was diagnosed with this disease I had mentioned previously. At first the seriousness of it was shocking. In the months to follow, it was major component in me recommitting my life to Jesus. This was the day as an adult where I surrendered all of myself and my life to Him. In retrospect, it was the greatest day of my life surpassing even my wedding day and the births of my five wonderful children. For had I not had that day, I would not have my incredible wife and amazing children. In the months following my recommitment, my dad's condition stabilized and God began leading me to enlist in the Marine Corps. As the time for my departure to Boot Camp drew near the seminal moment in our relationship took place.

During a conversation about me going to Boot Camp my dad expressed his doubts in me being able to graduate. He cited different character and personality flaws along with personal quirks which he thought would be problems. This was hurtful to an 18 year old young man about to venture into the most dangerous endeavor of my life. If anything, I needed and wanted my family, and especially my father, to bless me and believe in me. My response was all too familiar as well and I began to criticize dad for being a failure for not supporting me and breathing life into me for my upcoming adventure. As I finished, my dad to my shock raised his hand and slapped me across the mouth. I was stunned and then filled with rage. My father, who normally could have stood down his 18 year old son in a physical confrontation was now weakened by the disease and I knew it. I also knew I was stronger as I had been training to go off to Boot Camp and believed I could finally best my dad should I need to. Subsequently, I told him with the most defiant sneer, "don't ever touch me again". Dad, not backing down from my challenge raised his hand to hit me again, but this time I was ready.

I blocked his hand with my own and shoved him against the back door. I put my hand around his neck and held my other hand cocked in a fist ready to hit back. Now he was stunned, and there I stayed, staring into his eyes but I choosing not to follow through. My older sister and future brother-in-law were in the house and came running in and separated us. In the hours and days that followed, as was my dad's normal response, he acted as if nothing had ever happened and never said a word about it. I on the other hand remember struggling with the unresolved anger for several days before putting it aside myself. That was the last personal interaction I had with my dad before leaving for Boot Camp a couple months later.

A couple months into Boot Camp I got a letter saying dad had gone into the hospital with a worsened condition. I told my Drill Instructor and was able to get a couple phone calls home (which is not normally allowed) to see how he was doing. He bounced back and after several days came home from the hospital. When I came home from Boot Camp after graduation he seemed fine and back to normal. I left again after 10 days at home for my next duty station and did not return home for 5 more months, the weekend of my 19th birthday. I was in between two duty stations, Boston and Pensacola and went home to see my high school buddies for the weekend.

Before flying back on Sunday, I had to run some errands Saturday afternoon and my dad, out of character, asked to come along with me. Puzzled, I said sure and we spent a couple hours in the car together. We talked about all sorts of surface stuff but didn't argue for which I was thankful. We didn't talk about anything meaningful either, but I guess being with me in peace for that afternoon was meaningful to him.

The next morning I got up to catch my flight back and I went in to say good-bye. Mornings were especially tough on my dad in his sickness as it took him a while to get going. I stuck my head into his room and waved goodbye. Instead of waving, he called me over, which again was something abnormal from him. As I came over to his side of the bed he struggled to sit up and then for the first time in my conscious memory, he said " I love you" and he kissed me on the cheek. I remember feeling weird and not knowing how to respond. I think I said "I love you" back and then went on my way. Three weeks later, in the middle of the night, I received the phone call from my mom telling me dad had died.

I still to this day wonder if he knew. Did he know he was going to die? Was the kiss and the "I love you" his one final olive branch to me his only son? Did he realize all the holes left and mistakes made with me over the years? Or was he just wanting to not let our last memorable encounter together be the fight in the kitchen a year earlier? Either way, that kiss and those words have helped me deal with his passing and my search for peace in my relationship with my father. Over the next few months I had nothing but time to think about the lost relationship with my dad. Those months honestly were the hardest months of my life since graduating high school.

Most people entering into adulthood with father issues have their father present or at least alive. If they choose, and if the father obliges, often there can be peace made and restoration brought to the relationship. Sometimes there isn't such peace and the relationship only gets worse. For me, my dad was gone. I have no doubt he was and is in heaven for his faith in and love for Jesus. But he was gone for my lifetime, and I was left to chase the ghost of my absent father. I had much childishness and immaturity yet to grow through and no help or direction in doing it...no earthly help that is...

My Dad - Part 1

2009-09-25T00:44:00.006-05:00

This weekend, Rooftop continues our series on The Apostles' Creed. We are teaching through the creed as a means of covering the important foundational components of the Christian faith, and this week I am speaking on "God the Father Almighty". This will be interesting because I am living what I am teaching, and I am going to share the unabridged version here for the record and a more fuller understanding of my own search for my Father.

None of us first learns what "Father" is supposed to mean from a textbook nor from any other objective source. Rather from our earliest memories, we learned about "Father" from our own experiences with or without a father or father figure. So here you have a biblical truth "God as Father" and yet all of us come to this idea with our own misconceptions and presuppositions...all dependent on the nature of our relationship with our own fathers. This ranges from great to horrible and touches every possible reality in between as well.

For me personally, I have been on a father journey since my own dad died on December 1st, 1993. In the middle of the night, I received a call from my mom that my dad had died. He had been battling a rare heart disease he had contracted a couple years earlier. I was in the Marines at the time and would be promoted from Private First Class to Lance Corporal the following morning. I received my promotion and then got a plane ticket home from my duty station in Pensacola.

The almost 16 years since has been some kind of journey for me chasing the ghost of my father. You see, my father was a good man and he was a simple man. He did not want much from this life: God, his family, his workshops, his church, his hobbies; and that is what he had. I am his only son, and I am about as different from my dad as someone can be. As good a man as my dad was, willing to serve and help anyone who needed it, I had little to no relationship with my dad because he did not know how to relate to me beyond doing things for me which was his language of love.

This blog is difficult because my relationship with my dad was so erratic. I want to and need to honor him, and yet I also want to be honest about my journey, and as my father, he played a big role therein.

My dad had a very rough childhood. He was a very small boy who did not get his growth spurt until he was 20 years old...growing one foot in one year. He also suffered from a variation of dyslexia. And this was before there was good training in schools to deal with it appropriately. He never talked about it, but I can imagine being the smallest boy in 8th grade (being one of the smallest boys in 8th grade myself) and also having reading problems for no apparent reason and probably being called "stupid" by his classmates. Consequently, my father had to repeat both the 3rd and the 8th grades in order to graduate. From what I understand, 8th grade gym was the worst and oh...8th grade boys can be so brutal when they want to.

Ironically, my dad lost his dad when he was 25. Grandpa Zilkie had a massive heart attack while getting his hair cut at the barber shop in 1967. From what I was told, he, like my father, was not much of a communicator either, and so my dad very much was a product of his environment.

I share this because it is important to know the path my dad came from. And yet, that knowledge did little to help me in my adolescence when I found myself in the same or similar position as my father had found himself 32 years earlier. More on that later...

My dad coached my first soccer teams. He always drove me around on my paper route on Sunday mornings when the papers were too heavy to put on my bike. He spanked my butt for lying to him when I was in 3rd grade and was right in doing it. He did a lot of things for me and tried in many areas to support me. And yet though he was physically present in my life, he never talked with me about life...ever. And so I was a lonely, depressed, and confused young man who was destined to face the dangers of adolescence on my own, going without what I needed most...a loving father's wisdom, support, and help.

To this day, I love my dad, naming our oldest child after him, David Lawrence Zilkie II. And yet, I get so frustrated when I see the missed opportunities in his life and the consequences I and our family endured as a result. Beyond the age of 10, the only kind of communication I remember having with my dad was arguing and fighting. Constantly arguing about nothing, and boy, I could get him riled up some of the time. I also lost respect for my father and in some ways grew to be ashamed of him. This is a terrible thing and would break my heart if my children ever felt this way about me. I wonder how he felt? He never let us know...

(Part 2 tomorrow)

The Journey to Manhood

2009-08-24T14:01:00.004-05:00

When I was a child I was part of a group similar to the boy scouts, but organized through my church called Christian Service Brigade. My dad was a leader and worked with the boys that came through for almost 30 years of his life. In addition to the weekly meetings involving working through a handbook, building various crafts (most of which Mr. Joe Hoover had come up with), and playing dodge ball in the gym, we would periodically go on weekend camp outs to various locations.

One of the regular activities we would take part in as young men was building a fire. There is something very exciting and dare I say "dangerous" about fire and it captures the imagination of many a boy...including myself. Although I was taught to build a fire as a kid, I would also like to light papers and things on fire in my old garage growing up as well. Mom and Dad didn't know and I never burned it down so I guess all is good.

After graduation from high school I got a job as a camp counselor in West Michigan at Camp Kaskitowa for the summer. One or our responsibilities was campfire each night and about my fourth or fifth day, I was put in charge of the fire for the evening. Thinking I remembered everything I needed to know about a fire I got all the little twigs and leaves...also known as kindling...and I put together a fire for the evening. I had these big logs stacked up nicely and the kindling underneath. Well I started the fire and the evening program began. Sadly, I had forgotten one thing...the medium size sticks and branches necessary to bridge the gap between the kindling and the logs...about 5 minutes into the the campfire the fire burnt out.

Well, the lead counselor had one of the guys go run and get the gasoline, they doused the wood, and it quickly was ablaze. After the campfire was over the leader pulled me aside and said, "Zilkie, you don't know how to build a fire?" I was embarrassed and felt as if my manhood was on the line. My punishment for screwing up the fire was the privilege of building the campfire for the next week. (Which was some work gathering all of the wood necessary to burn a big fire for an hour or so.)

Fast forward 17 years and we are vacationing a couple weeks ago at the Lake of the Ozarks. There is a beautiful fire pit and I see an opportunity. I will begin teaching my children how to build a fire...the right way...just in case they ever are in charge of "campfire" later in their life.

First I had them collect three different types of fuel (wood) to burn. Kindling...smaller sticks and branches, and finally the bigger wood where the real fire and heat come from...

After they had collected and put it in piles we began the building process placing the little twigs and paper at the bottom. We then laid the medium size sticks on top of those in a tee pee formation. Finally we gently laid the larger logs on top without knocking the other sticks down. I handed the match to David and let him strike it against the matchbox and...wala...fire. He gently lit the paper on fire and watched the chain reaction. The paper ignited the twigs, the twigs as they heated up ignited the sticks, and the sticks and they got hot ignited the logs...

...just how I should have done it 17 years ago at campfire that night. No lighter fluid, no gasoline, just good old fashioned fire building and they did a great job.

...4 Months

2009-08-22T01:10:00.003-05:00

Back in March one of my first posts was called "4 Days". That is the story of how we sold our home in Michigan in 4 days in a horrendous housing market and still got a little above what we were realistically expecting on the sales price. Well...

As of Thursday evening, we have a purchase agreement on our new home here in St. Louis. there are 4-6 weeks ahead of work to do before we close and then additional work to do before it is move-in ready. But we are thrilled and are so thankful for God's provision.

Instead of 4 Days, it took us "4 Months" to find the home that had all the "stuff" we felt was important for our growing family in this next Zilkie Home. Most importantly...

Near work - Our prayer was within 5 miles of the Rooftop building, we got 10 houses down the road...walking distance!!!

Reasonable Price - Finding a suitable 4 bedroom home here in St. Louis with all our "fixins" that didn't break our budget was not easy. We were having to look at homes way out of our realistic price range and were concerned how the financing would work out. We ended up within our predetermined range and budgeted allotment for a home purchase.

Big Yard - since our kids school at home, we needed some room for them to run, play, throw, catch, swing, and most importantly to David.."a yard that can hold my BIG KICKS" (as he told us he is getting bigger and our current yard can't hold his kicks and the ball keeps going into the neighbors yard). Our home is on an ACRE lot in the middle of the city of Affton...a real find for sure and plenty big for his "big kicks".

In fact, Julie made a list before we began of the things she felt we wanted and needed in our home and she prayed diligently over that list these past 4 months. It took some time, but our needs were provided for. Humble, God-focused, open-handed prayer is still and will always be both powerful and effective. God loves to engage us and our lives through our prayers to Him, both the "yes"s and the "no"s. In both cases, if we are praying, we come away knowing Him better and isn't that the MOST important thing???

Since we are on the subject we do ask for your prayers on everything working out up to and through the closing the end of September. In the meantime feel free to join us in thanking God for his many gifts to us...both the enjoyable ones (like our new home) and the struggles where we are separated from our flesh and our personal desires and are forced to lean on Him or crumble under the pressure.

We are so very excited to open up the Zilkie home very soon for some great dinners, great games in the "huge" yard, great parties and BBQs, lodging for distant travelers, and share with others the goodness God has so graciously shared with us.

Our First St. Louis Vacation

2009-08-20T00:05:00.005-05:00

This past week the Zilkie family took their first vacation since moving to Missouri and spent the week at the Lake of the Ozarks. This lake is a man-made lake like many of the little ponds and lakes all across southern Michigan where Julie and I grew up and lived most of our lives. So when I received the offer to stay at a friends home there for our vacation, we gladly took them up on it. Our friends the Smiths have a nice house on a "man-made" lake back in Michigan and it is a fun little place for the kids to go and play...

Just like we didn't know what a "float trip" was or what "trivia night" was, so too "man made" means something completely different here in Missouri. As opposed to some bulldozers clearning out a big pit several acres big to make a lake...here in Missouri, they just build a dam, flood a river valley raising the water level 100 feet, and call the huge expanded river a lake and a massive one at that that. (Click here for map)

We had a good week and these are Jonathan's top 4 events from the week:
1. Watching all 11 episodes of Planet Earth together over a 7 day period
2. Going swimming in the lake
3. Ice cream and other treats
4. Papa reading "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" to the boys for the first time.

At least I made his top 4....

(Those receiving the email must click on the blog to view pictures.)

Eating Smores

Bagnell Dam

Julie and Selah at a picnic lunch

Zeke at McDs playland...loves the slide

The Family...and yes Zeke is pulling Jonathan's hair...love our family!!!!!!!!!!!!

A little break...

2009-08-06T10:37:00.002-05:00

It has been several weeks since my last post and the longest break I have taken since starting this blog earlier this year. I am actually sitting in the break room at a church west of St. Louis attending the Willow Creek Leadership Summit. This is an annual leadership conference hosted by Willow Creek which is located in the suburbs of Chicago. There are hundreds of satellite locations around North America and the world which host this conferences via simulcast. I attended my first in Grand Rapids in 2001 and every one thereafter until 2006. After leaving Kentwood Community Church in 2006 (which was a host site as well), I had not attended one since. So here, three years later I am back and as usual Bill Hybels opened the Summit with his leadership message and as usual, it was very good and a shot in the arm in regard to leadership.

On a side note, we Zilkies are planning a little get-a-way here soon as well. Also, the 100 days mark is almost upon us so there is much to write and reflect upon as the summer winds down in the next month. In the meantime, it is good to be back engaging you my blogging friends and I will be back soon...

Update on David

2009-07-18T20:57:00.004-05:00

Well we have some news on David and he would like to tell it to you himself.
(If you get the email you are going to have to click on the blog to watch it.)

If you want to see the longer interview with David you can watch it here

As far as Julie goes, her post-delivery issues have not been noticed for many weeks and the Stratus which was stolen around Memorial Day is up and running for less than what we were initially told, $600 instead of $1,000.

Tonight, the Zilkies sleep in peace. Thanks for you prayers and especially for David. This has been huge for him and his spiritual journey.

100 Days Update - Day 76

2009-07-15T13:36:00.006-05:00

It has been over a week since I posted. Things got busy here over the holiday. We will have an update on David's hip and well being in the next couple days as well.

After 76 Days how are things going?

We are still looking for a permanent home, but enjoying our time on Gresham and our neighbors. David, Jonathan, and Caroline all are making friends and engaging the neighbors on our side of the road and even across the street. (I am not sure how that is happening).

Things at Rooftop are going well. I am meeting with the ministry team leaders and small group leaders and starting to get in a groove. I have spoken twice at the weekend service so far and will be back up again in August.

I am enjoying getting to know Jason and Matt, my coworkers here at Rooftop. They both have neat families and we are planning a staff family day next week which will be a ton of fun.

I am doing well spiritually as well and have found several kindred spirits to meet with and pray together on a regular basis. This is so important for so many reasons and is something I did not have at my last church.

I am really enjoying seeing God at work in the lives of my Rooftop family. Hearing about God's working in their lives and hearts on various levels, challenging them to a more fervent pursuit of God on a narrower path, energizes me every single time.

Update on David and the family and our previous struggles later this week...

Thank you to all of you who read, follow along, and pray for us here in St. Louis.

Here is a little reminder of God's love for you and for me...enjoy and peace of Chist to you...

"The Light Shines in the Darkness"

2009-07-07T22:31:00.004-05:00

I taught this past Sunday, July 5th; the 3rd message in a 13 week series on 1 John called "Summer of Love". The passage I taught from is 1 John 1:8 - 2:2 (5 verses). Click the title to listen: "A Light Shines in the Darkness"

You can check out www.rooftop.org for the previous 2 messages...

Facebook, Irony, and the Brink Family

2009-07-02T08:03:00.007-05:00

I don't know if I am different than most people, but I remember incredible details from my childhood and very specific events and thoughts I had during that time. Facebook, for those of you who are on it, has opened up a new door to reconnecting with all kinds of people from our past. Many people find this exercise a waste of time and energy. I find it somewhat nostalgic and also enjoy reflecting on who I was as a child and what I thought about people and the world. This is especially significant as I am now grown and have five children of my own who look at people and the world much differently than I do at 34, and yet I see how significant and formative the childhood thoughts they are having today can and will be.

One example of this is my reconnecting with a bunch of people whose families attended the church I went to when I was young. Growing up, my church was most of my life and I viewed all of my church family very highly, even if I didn't know them. Many of the people I am connecting with were older than me by 3 to 6 years and knew of me, but more likely knew me through my sister Heather who is almost 5 years older than me. What they don't know is that as a child I looked up to the older kids very much and held them in a very high regard. Even today as I connect with them through Facebook, I feel an affinity with them that they don't necessarily feel with me. I am the brat kid brother of Heather ...which sadly was true on many accounts. Yet, this connection from my youth is still important to me and I appreciate the opportunity to interact with them, feeble and shallow as it might seem.

Then there are the important people from my youth, one of whom I just connected with yesterday through Facebook. Growing up I did not spend much time in my home unless I was watching TV or playing video games. Mostly, I was wandering about my hometown of Romeo, Michigan on my bike, filling my days with whatever. During the summers especially, I was always looking for things to fill my time. Somewhere along the way I met the Brink family who lived just three blocks away. Their dad was a minister in the Southern Baptist Church, and had been assigned to the church in our town. They were a "large" family with five kids from somewhere down south, had accents we made fun of from time to time, and they didn't have a TV. No doubt about it...they were weird...or so I thought.

Mr. and Mrs. Brink were very stable and solid people. Mrs. Brink was very generous and kind and who knows how many meals I mooched off of them and her over the years. Eric, who was in my grade, and his brothers would join me in all kinds of imaginative games and make-believe...you know, stuff kids should do more of these days. We formed clubs of various kinds that met in the back of our crazy garage/barn which used to be a "chicken coop". We played football, baseball, kickball, and many other sports games together. Some mornings, I would be over to their house before they had breakfast. They were a great family and their home was a good place for me to dwell as a child. God definitely placed them in my adolescent life for a purpose I would not see until all these years later.

Sadly, as I grew older and succumbed to the peer pressures of junior high and trying to be cool (which I wasn't), I began to scorn Eric and their family. Because they were different, and by different I mean kind, unified as a family, respectful to their parents, and less affluent, I decided I was better than they were at some level. Ironically enough, my junior high years were very lonely and sad years in my life, as I felt disconnected from family, friends, God, just about everyone. Adolescence can be such a hard time, and especially if a child has no trustworthy source to talk with and help guide them through, and even then it is still filled with challenges. I reconnected with Eric a little through morning basketball in high school but never really reengaged him nor his family again. We graduated from high school, their family moved away to a new assignment out west and I never saw them again, but thought of them from time to time over the years.

Then Eric shows up on Facebook this week and my mind wanders back to all the memories and childhood events that involved him and his family in my life. What was "weird" to me back then is now my life...five kids, a TV that is rarely used in our home, a choice to live less affluently, and my serving as a pastor...just like his father did. Even as I write this, I am amazed at what has transpired and how we are the Brink family, except that our accent is more nasally than theirs was. I will forward this link on to Eric and his siblings and ask that he forward it on to his parents as well. They should know of the impact their home and ministry had, albeit abstract and unknown to me at the time. I am so thankful for the "different" family that lived on the corner of Benjamin and Main Street next to the old white church in town. I hope that we Zilkies might be a refuge to a young "Jeremy" out there, who needs a safe and loving place to rest and receive the unconditional love of Jesus, even as their world is filled with challenges and dangers they aren't quite sure how to navigate.

A Good Day

2009-06-29T15:56:00.009-05:00

Yesterday was a very full day for me and a very good one as well. Let's recap...

Early Sunday morning Julie left on a trip back to Michigan to see my sister, brother-in-law, and their newborn daughter, Ruby...their first child. We had hoped to see little Ruby before we left, but God's timing in bringing us to STL did not coincide as she was not born until June. We are so excited for Katie and Kent and I was thrilled to see Julie go and spend several days with them. Katie and Kent have been a great aunt and uncle to our children. Our other siblings, my sister Heather and Julie's sister Jodi are good aunts, but have children of their own and lived some distance away from us when we were in Grand Rapids. Yet Katie and Kent regularly made the trip out to our home and blessed us each time they came. The fact that they did not have children of their own increased their flexibility for sure. Now that they have their first child, we are sad that we will not be able to shower them with love and support in being the great aunt and uncle they have been. They are going to be great parents for sure!!! So we sent our Zilkie ambassador, namely Julie and her attendant Selah, on a three day trip to Detroit.

The other positive is that Julie can use the break as she has been stretched thin these past couple months since moving into a temporary home here in STL. She is doing great and taking great care of our home, but this time away for her is good. In the meantime, I get to watch our four oldest by myself for three days...which is a blast. Sunday afternoon we made pasta with butter and Parmesan cheese...and a slice of buttered bread. Not fancy, but a perennial favorite with the kids...and a meal that Julie would never dream of serving. In fact David said that it was his "favorite noodles". Sometimes simple is best. Then this morning we were up, fed, and at the zoo by 8 a.m. There was nobody there and it was great. We saw the penguins and puffins, touched the stingrays, walked through the bird sanctuary, reptile house, monkey house, and insectarium. We had 2 full hours of zoo fun and were out of there by 10 a.m. when the crowds started showing up. Also, David and Jonathan watched Star Wars for the first time yesterday afternoon. Then today they watched Empire Strikes Back for the first time and they want to finish off the trilogy tomorrow afternoon with Return of the Jedi. They are mesmerized by the movies, the larger than life characters, and they remind me of what it was like to watch those films when I was a child when they were first released. It has been a very cool time.

The second thing that was special yesterday was being part of a baptism for a neat woman and sister in Christ named Claire. Claire is the fifth child in a family of 17. Her mother Rita gave birth to 17 children in 20 years and did not have any multiples. Pretty amazing. Claire is now in her 50s with three grown daughters of her own and has a beautiful faith in God that only really took hold about three years ago. Claire grew up in a strongly denominational church-going family. Her parents were amazing people and sought to impart their faith into the lives of their children as best they could. However, with 17 kids, odds are some might not "get it" from the start. Well with many of her family and friends present yesterday, Claire got up in the service and read the story of her spiritual journey. It is a beautiful one. Her eldest daughter is the one who actually pursued her heart and was the lynch-pin for her finally seeing and believing in Jesus for herself three years ago. Not only that, but Claire is now heavily involved in the life of Rooftop and in the lives of her three girls as a loving and godly mother and grandmother. I thoroughly enjoyed our conversations as we talked about her spiritual journey and what she wanted to share before being baptized. The water in the baptismal was cold, but the warmth of support and love in the room from Rooftoppers, her family and friends, and the blessing of God's presence more than made up for it.

Finally, I met with a bunch of Rooftoppers who volunteer their time and energy to serve our church community. We are planning a big fall serving event that will hopefully accomplish much in line with God's will for our church and for our community. There are more details to come, but it will be successful because of the great servants and volunteers God has placed at Rooftop.

Yes, yesterday was a good day. I continually get excited to think of the many like it that, Lord willing, are yet to come.