"let your manner of life be worthy"

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

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

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

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

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

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...

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

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...

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

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.