Sowing into Sons

I had a chance to meet Zachary Spilman and to be his student at an English camp back home for couple of summers. So when I decided to go to the States for a year as an exchange student, Zach and his family generously opened their home and offered me to live with them during that year. It was the 1st time I've been to a foreign country, as well as the 1st time for the Spilmans to have an Asian exchange student, so of course none of us really know what to expect. But I'm sure after many more of us, Mr.Bill is probably an expert in dealing with Asian teenagers by now. And who knows, maybe Jesus needs a hand with them Asians in heaven thats why he called Mr.Bill up. But I know for a fact, because of God's work through Mr.Bill, an Asian boy got a chance to hear the Gospel, to get to know Jesus and to experience the love of Christ and one day may get to go to heaven.

I want to share with you a verse that is so dear to my heart. It's 1 Thessalonians 2:8, "We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us." And that is Mr.Bill's approach of sharing the Gospel. One way or another, all of you in here has had your lives touched by Mr.Bill. I always considered myself one of the luckiest, cause I got the chance to live with Mr.Bill for a year and do life with him. If I have to compare, the relationship between Paul and Timonthy got to be a very close example to demonstrate ours. Paul wasn't his birth father but the love and influence he showed is only of the greatest fathers' quality. And it is by no mean an exaggeration to say about what Mr.Bill meants to me. He has always been the greastest mentor, a wonderful friend and a loving father.

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This is part of a beautiful eulogy for Mr.Bill by Trung Ngo, an Asian son and exchange student from Vietnam at Mr. Bill's home going celebration. For a video of the service click here.

to SERVE

“But it is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant; and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all. “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:43–45, NASB95)

“Servant” -- I don’t think we see the importance in our day and time. We need to. We must, if we’re to be like our Master. If we’re to please Him Who Is Holy, and created us for His good pleasure.

Paul wrote to the church in Corinth, “Therefore I exhort you, be imitators of me.” (1 Corinthians 4:16, NASB95)

Mr Bill could have said this to us in reference to being a servant. As one person after another gave tribute to Bill and honored him at his home going celebration last week, much was said about his love for God and people, and his legendary exercise of his gift of service.

Thank you Mr. Bill for loving and serving among us. And for showing us the way with your life.

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[The photo is of Bill & Valerie, just returned from honoring a son in Conway, the University of Central Arkansas, driving straight back to serve in the Matthew Eighteen summer camp for foster kids, and just before changing into camp clothing. :)]

The Spirit of Prophecy

That's the title of Charles Simpson's pastoral letter this month. And also something that's been on my heart and mind, especially in this season. I meet with a few brothers at 7am Mondays who want more of God and the Holy Spirit in our lives. Call us seekers, and lovers of God, I guess. It seems that more and more what we talk about and experience is (1) Spending time in spiritual pursuits or habits with God (2) Hearing the Spirit and (3) doing what we Hear, obeying.

This hearing, saying what you hear, and doing what you're told sounds more and more like a definition of prophecy from the Bible.

I wonder what place that might have in your personal life? In our corporate or church life? In our times and what we should be doing for the King and the kingdom? Stay tuned....

Salty to the End

Jesus, talking to his disciples and the crowd in the Sermon on the Mount said...

““You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men. “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:13–16, NASB95)

Yes, Jesus said if the salt has lost it’s savour it’s not good for anything. Mr. Bill never did lose his! “Light” and “Salt”--good words for Mr. Bill. “Good works” describe him too! “Glorifying the Father.”

That’s what we heard from every quarter yesterday, around services, fellowship, and food--a day of honoring Bill and thanking God for a “life well lived.” Struggles to be sure. But an overcomer to be sure!

Bill and Valerie were among the founders of City Christian Fellowship, more than twenty years ago. The verse above was our mission statement and mantra. No one lived it better than Mr. Bill. His love and example exhort us to this high calling once more. Don’t curse the darkness, light a candle, and keep shinning--serving, loving. Your opportunities will be over sooner than you think.

Indeed a mighty one has fallen. But in a winning cause. His race is run. His victory won. He stands in the Presence of the King, the LORD of all.

William Charles Spilman

It was last Sunday November 6th, before 7 a.m. that Craig called me with the news of Bill’s home going. It was surreal. It was unbelievable, but believable. My mind didn’t race. It went “quiet,” “deep,” “silent.” Somewhat shocked and numbed, to be sure. But I had the immediate realization that it was Bill’s time. And it was God’s decision in the matter. Life and death are firmly in God’s hands. Certainly a life like Mr. Bill’s. And I, like Bill, because we discussed it many times, believed that “God’s plans for us are better than our plans for us.” “God’s judgments are true and altogether righteous, as the Scriptures say.

I’m not going to lie. I did feel a sense of remorse--more like pre-morse, if that’s a word? I would have liked more friendship and kingdom time with Mr. Bill. But his race is run--his victory won.

After a considerable time of driving with the family, I broke the silence... “He was such a servant!” “A suffering servant ... much like our Lord.

When I think of Bill I think of things like SERVANT, KINGDOM MAN, REAL, HUMBLE, & GENEROUS.

His primary spiritual gift had to be “service.” And his use of that gift is legendary! :) To his family, friends, church community, boy scouts, the poor and disadvantaged. How many here have enjoyed food prepared by Mr. Bill? Or been served by him?

Real. Bill was so “REAL.” I never saw him or heard his unique voice that I didn’t smile--my lips and my heart. You didn’t know what was coming--but you knew it was going to be funny, insightful, and REAL. Real honest.

I’ll throw REAL and HUMBLE together, and tell you two quick stories. When I first met Bill in the early 80’s, we drove to Siloam Springs together for a Baptist Men’s Retreat in his old, beat-up pick up truck. I was new to the church and he was giving me advice coming back down the hill after our brother/bonding time. He was encouraging me to serve and get involved, but added, “Now I’m gonna warn ya--they’ll work a good horse to death!” I knew immediately he cared about the kingdom, the sheep, but also about me.

In our recent season of life, Bill and I walked at Marvin Altman, the ABF trails, and Creekmore Park. We prayed, laughed, counseled each other, and shared our lives. For one long stretch we were accountability parters, trying to improve our diet and eating habits. Many funny stories there. :)

He was a SERVANT. He was REAL. He was HUMBLE. He was GENEROUS. And he was a KINGDOM MAN.

A couple stories to illustrate his generosity and kingdom mindedness, and I’m finished. I just heard this story a couple days ago and it happened just weeks ago. Bill came to the home of a young man who was going on a mission. Bill in his scrubs, after work, encouraged him with prayers and wisdom and gave him $500. Bill was generous with his time, life, and money--whatever he had. Bill left everything on the playing field--the playing field of life. More than perhaps anyone I’ve known.

Kingdom minded? Well everything about this celebration speaks to Bill’s love for the King and the Kingdom.

His love for children and the disadvantaged is demonstrated by his long and strong support for Matthew 18 summer camps and foster kids. His love for missions, and especially Vietnam, is illustrated a number of ways. You’ve heard “my Asian son” as Bill liked to call Trung, speak. He had Korean and Armenian sons as well.

If Bill’s sudden departure says anything to me, it’s “don’t delay in starting to do the important things.” Living your life with the LORD, and for others. Storing up for yourself treasure in heaven, like Bill did!

I can hear Jesus words to Peter, and Christians through the centuries, “If you love me, feed my sheep.” Mr. Bill did. Both!

I can hear Jesus future words to Bill, perhaps already voiced... “Well done my good and faithful servant.”

I love you Bill and so look forward to eternity with you; laughing, amazed, enjoying our God, our families, and our community of friends... forever.

Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift, Jesus Christ. And thanks be to God also for the gift to us all that was Mr. Bill, Brother Bill, William Charles Spilman.

We love you Bill and will see you soon! :)

[Dwayne's Remarks at Mr. Bill's home going celebration!]