Archives

All posts by admin

Chuck Cecil

Posted by admin on May 26, 2019
Posted in: Family.

It is said that the Good Die Young, well Granddad was young till the day he died. He was probably the youngest 96 year old alive. Walking a few miles every day, caring for his lush backyard, and until just a few years ago, crafting the greatest radio program the airwaves have ever heard. Even with a full life of adventures behind, he used every day to create new memories for us all.

You may know him by his voice from his radio program, The Swingin’ Years heard around the world, or as an honorary mayor of Woodland Hills…

We knew him as granddad. The caring, disciplined, hard working entrepreneur who had time for everyone’s stories, but could top them all with his own. He had the ability to stop and enjoy the moments of life.  He was an example of how to selflessly love and see beauty in all circumstances.

We would often gather as a family for Pizza and you would think we were celebrating some big occasion but we were just celebrating family and the opportunity to be together.

With granddad’s special mix of big band tunes filling the house, you couldn’t help but have a smile on your face as conversation, dancing, and jokes were plenty.

Before long, the conversation would turn to Grandad and with our feet up on the coffee table, someone would ask Grandad a question and the room would fall silent as was he would begin to describe his first-hand accounts of some of the most monumental historical events.

Most people can only read about things like the great Dust Bowl but our experience came to life from the firsthand account he would often talk about.

As we all sat listening carefully to the stories, you could envision Grandad as a young boy, sitting in his small ranch house in Oklahoma, watching the fine dust blow into the house through the keyhole of their front door. This great drought of the early 1930’s was the reason that drove his family to move West. He loved his early days on that ranch as he spoke of it often. A favorite quote I heard him once say, was “I was riding before I was reading”.

In 1935, as a young teenager, he arrived in California to begin a new life at a time when Los Angeles was booming and needed intelligent, hard working creatives. He had the work ethic that helped him pursue great things throughout his life and the discipline to not give up.

Out of respect for his Military service I would greet Grandad every time I saw him as Sir and shook his hand firmly. Yet every greeting quickly turned into a hug.

The story goes that he left a note for his mom that he would be late for dinner… because he was going to enlist in the United States Navy. Sure enough, he was late, but not before he signed his name to serve our country at a time of need.

Granddad had the confidence and determination it took to become a Navy pilot. He would recall stories of flying planes like the F4F Wildcat and F4U Corsair during his training missions to become carrier certified. He spoke modestly about taking his last turn before the final descent to the aircraft carrier below, dodging the storm clouds, counting carefully the 30 manual cranks to bring down his landing gear and keeping the nose of the plane at the right angle to see the signal officer below and finally dropping that plane in on the sweet spot at the command of the flight deck.

Grandad had more than a voice for radio, he had wisdom for life. He taught us to drink our coffee slow, to enjoy breakfast at Art’s corner cafe, make friends along life’s way, tie newspaper in knots for kindling, stay humble, live simply, and read steadily.

He left us with a love for history, a love for music, a love for slow walks, a love for family and most of all, a love for his beautiful bride Gigi, the love of his life. We love you Grandad.

David Stitzinger, Delivered May 25, 2019 @ 12pm.

Be A Man

Posted by admin on June 2, 2018
Posted in: Uncategorized.

If you can keep your head when all about you men are losing theirs and blaming it on you,

If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you but make allowances for their doubting, too.

If you can wait but not be tired of waiting, or being lied about, don’t deal in lies,

Or being hated, don’t give way to hating, and yet don’t look too good nor talk too wise,

If you can dream but not make dreams your master, If you can think and not make thoughts your aim,

If you can meet with triumph and disaster, and treat those two imposters just the same,

If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,

Or watch the things you gave your life to broken, and stoop and build them up with worn-out tools,

If you can make one heap of all your winnings and risk it on one turn of pitch and toss,

and lose and start again at your beginnings and never breathe a word about your loss,

If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew to serve your turn long after they are gone,

and to hold on when there is nothing in you but the will that says to them “hold on,”

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue, or walk with kings nor lose the common touch,

If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,

If all men count with you but none too much,

If you can fill the unforgiving minute with 60 seconds worth of distance run,

Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it, and which is more, you’ll be a man, my son.

Rudyard Kipling

Many of my childhood friends are now in Heaven

Posted by admin on May 14, 2018
Posted in: Uncategorized.

It’s true, almost all of them have now passed away. The most recent one was in his mid 90’s, a tough-as-nails Marine who was saved at Guadalcanal after a shoeless jungle boy handed him a ragged page of Luke 2. Mr. Louy as I knew him, gave that boy his military issued boots in exchange for the gift of the saving gospel message.

I could give you pages of personalities, each one born between 1920-1940. They mesmerized me with their stories of surviving depressions, dust bowls, world war, loss of everything from children to spouses, homes to jobs. They knew incredible success and endless adventure. They traveled the globe by boat, planted churches, were captured as missionaries and held in prison camps, tortured for Christ, awarded bronze stars, tormented by plagues and scared by injuries. They never missed a vote, worked in the Conservation Corps, built the highway systems, filed patents, developed the stock markets, and Rosie the Riveter wasn’t a poster, it was their life.

They were my childhood friends, and invested in us constantly. One gave me my first rifle, a 30-06 he had built. Another, put his war torn Bible and his wife’s journal of missionary work in my hands. They counseled me through the teen years and proudly came to our wedding. They endured my first sermons and gave critique that was blunt and inspiring. Their jokes never leave my mind. Their ability to find humor in life, and see the hand of God moving in the worst of tragedy framed my thinking. They did not complain. They were fearless, frail and frugal. They not only lived their theology, they exemplified it and stamped my life with their love. Eternity was on their minds as they taught me to see beyond the horizons. They could speak of repentance and forgiveness over the course of decades and watched God’s work of redemption unfold. They were the spiritual fathers (and mothers) written about in 1 John. It was a privilege to look them in the eye, hold their hands and hear their voices.

One by one I attended their funerals. When old enough, I started to do their funerals. My friends that once sat with me, slowly faded away into that great cloud of witnesses that is receiving their treasured inheritance with our Savior.

Where do you find such hero’s? We found them every single Lord’s Day in our church. Not just in the general pew, but in the senior adult Sunday School class. My dad was their pastor and almost every week that is where you would find us Stitzinger siblings. Though we had a tremendous student ministry, nothing could compare to the living legends that surrounded us in that chapel where the Agape Fellowship Class, as it was known then, would meet.

Looking back, there are lessons I am still unpacking. Lessons of marriage, parenting, faith, contentment, hope and endurance. Only now can I begin to understand the overwhelming privilege we had spending those formative years in their presence. Proverbs 2:6 says, “For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.” They knew His wisdom, and in their gentle and resolute way, they made sure we listening.

Pastor’s, make it easy for the youngest and oldest believers to find each other. Titus 2 discipleship shouldn’t have to fight its way through ecclesiastical bureaucracy. Creating meaningful interaction will reap benefits for generations.

Parents, put your children in the way of truth. As they sit under the pure teaching of the Word, as you diligently shepherd them at home, put them in the way of godly elderly people who exemplify holiness and humility. Though they may buck at the awkwardness at first, teach them to hold the hand and hear the voice of those who have walked with God for longer than any child can imagine. It’s more than a blessing to senior saints, it’s a priceless investment in the next generation. One day, every voice you once called for wisdom will no longer be there to answer. But their words of wisdom will engrave the Scriptures on your child’s heart and mind. In doing so, you will “train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6).

Unshackled

Posted by admin on February 11, 2018
Posted in: Family.

Yes, we took our 12 year old to a rescue mission for her birthday. Why? Because it’s what she wanted.

It was not some grandiose parenting strategy. We’re not battling a materialistic middle schooler, or driving home “how blessed we are to rent a great house.” It was not Scared Straight to jolt her from an iPad induced trance.

It is her dream come true. Years ago we introduced our daughters to the weekly radio broadcast of Unshackled flowing from the Pacific Garden Mission on Chicago’s southside. The broadcast captures dramatized salvation stories that “make you face yourself and think.” Hundreds of episodes flow through our home as the backdrop to almost every activity our daughters do. Homework, crafts, exercise, even falling to sleep listening to that iconic organ and the narration of spiritual transformation. Every episode putting down another layer of gospel clarity. Every episode illustrating the power of Jesus to forgive sin and give hope to repentant people.

Her birthday came on the horizon and without provocation, she asked if we could make the trip from Louisville to Chicago. That my friends, is a parental no-brainer. When a young lady declares that her birthday wish is an all expense paid trip to one of the most powerful gospel lighthouses in the nation, you pack the car and roll north.

So we launched an epic excursion in the midst of snow, freezing temperatures, poor road conditions, homework overflowing, housework not getting done, compounding work at the office, and half the family being sick. Those factors were accounted for, but just as we arrived in Chicago, our brakes & power steering failed and the good folks over at Unshackled called to say the recording time for the day was canceled. Wow. Time to improvise, adapt and overcome.

The result? Two epic days of family time in the car, a glimpse of the Pacific Garden Mission, and a white knuckle drive home. So much went wrong on this trip, but perhaps the journey as a family was more important than the destination. We will never forget the time together, discovering and relying on God’s grace. We will always celebrate the chance to love and care for one another. We will never forget the conversations, the beauty of the land and especially the friends who tracked us down at a roadside restaurant and put hope in discouraged hearts. We will never forget the massive need of the gospel that spans both the wealth and poverty across Chicago.

It was a tight rope walk, a weekend to remember. An adventure, a moment, and now a memory. Till next time…

Tactical Grace

Posted by admin on February 5, 2018
Posted in: Family.

The first call came just after noon from my brother David in California. He had spoken with our dad briefly but was alarmed by the disoriented tone in his voice. Knowing dad was traveling for work across Florida, our brother Jon immediately drove to the Baltimore airport and boarded the first flight for Orlando.

Jon, an experienced flight paramedic, was closing in by air. David, a master of technology, tactically acquired our dad’s exact location on the highway. From Louisville, Ky, I had dad on one phone and Orlando emergency responders on another. Dad’s fragmented words and frail voice trailed off while the trauma to his body wore on. Something was critically wrong and he navigated his 26’ box truck toward what he thought was a hospital. Road signs blurred, directional arrows misaligned, as he circled the city. He felt his world going dark and repeatedly pulled the truck over to regain his composure.

The combined force of the heart attack, a significant infection from an injury suffered the day before and his ongoing battle with diabetes aligned to extinguish his life. Disoriented and desperate for help, he’d startle to consciousness and being driving again. The cycle continued over the course of the next half hour.

The cross-country brothers kept working. David tracked dad’s location and passed along timely updates that dialed in the search. Within minutes of contact, the Emergency Operators activated the traffic cameras and located the truck parked along the highway. Dad muttered not to call the paramedics and that he could power through this episode with just a few minutes rest. However, I told him to sit tight and in a few minutes some “new friends in a big red truck” would be there the to check on him. That red truck rolled up quickly and soon I could hear the paramedics transport him to the hospital. Within minutes Jon and his thorough knowledge of Dad’s medical history, were by his side in the Emergency room and the path to recovery would begin.

The story from that point forward takes on a much slower pace. Rachel, our sister, came in from Kansas to give steady watch care over dad’s recovery and coordinate information with his hometown doctors. A cardiac surgery to open two blocked arteries, 10 days in the hospital, and a flight home to California. God’s grace spared the untold “what if’s” from becoming a reality. Our part was simple, but perhaps it was dad’s investment in our lives since childhood that gave the instincts to respond. Dad helped Jon become a helicopter paramedic, enabled David to innovate in all things computers and gave me with a very particular or peculiar set of skills, all of which came together to conquer a dynamic situation.

You could draw many lessons from that scene. For instance, call 911 instead of driving yourself to the hospital in a 26’ box truck while having a heart attack. That’s a good one to remember. Beyond the obvious, one take away for fathers is this, invest in your children. Teach them the instincts to think dynamically, resourcefully, efficiently about problem solving. Surround them by godly heroes in various trades and skills so that they learn from professionals and press toward excellence. You will never know how one day, your investment in them just may save your life.

James F. Stitzinger, Sr.

Posted by admin on May 4, 2017
Posted in: Family.

fullsizerender

West Virginia never had a prouder son than James Franklin Stitzinger. His youth was filled with the freedom of the hills, the love of the land and an instinct to explore. Not even the Blue Ridge Mountains could hold back his family and soon the City of Brotherly Love wrapped its arms around them, never to let go.

Baseball was his passion, hard work was his gifting. From carpentry to clearing tables at Howard Johnson’s, his work ethic marked him as a man on a mission. That was until a gorgeous waitress named Elizabeth captivated his heart and completed his life.

He belonged to the greatest generation, and did not flinch when it was his turn to join the 95 Infantry, marching across France and Germany. War evaporated his youth, but it did not take his humor. It crushed his heart but it did not break his will. Raw courage and love of country got him there. But in a ditch in Germany, with his pack blown off and enemy fire passing inches away, he promised God that if he survived, the rest of his life belonged to Christ.

He returned home galvanized by war fighting and tenderized by saving faith. Carpentry was his pathway forward and across Philadelphia, homes and apartments stand that were build with his sweat equity. “Income is better than wages”, “Never use your hand as a hammer”, “straighten bent nails & reuse them”, and leave room for “Kentucky windage”…were more than witty comments, they were his way of framing up the world around him.

God gave him the perfect helpmate and together they brought four boys and a daughter into this world. The Evangelist Billy Graham came to town and one by one, each of their children became a child of God. Having seen the brutality of war, and the great world wide need for salvation, they determined that no matter the child’s vocation, each would have a theological education. And that they did.

Four boys and a precious daughter could not be contained in their small house and so since God wasn’t making any more land, he purchased the Garden Gate Farm on which we now stand, where he will rest in the family graveyard.

From him we learned to master a trade, earn your callouses, work smart, fear nothing, listen to sermons when we drive, keep a joyful heart always, drown our cake in a bowl of milk, drive an extra hour to avoid a toll road, back in our trucks, feed left overs to the cats, live without air conditioning, never miss a home cooked meal, always say I love you and that washing dishes was a great way to show love for your wife.

He taught us to love our Savior, serve His church, protect the vulnerable, and work harder than anyone else ever.

His death closes a chapter in all of our lives, but it begins the his eternal fellowship with his Savior. He left this earth from the house he built and entered the eternal home built by our King.

As General Patton said, “Old soldiers never die, they just slowly fade away.” Jim Stitzinger Sr. may have slowly faded away, but in his time, he made more than a living, he made a legacy.1146599_655329014041_1550407284_n-2

Praying for your family

Posted by admin on May 20, 2016
Posted in: Family.

Pray without ceasing (1 Thess 5:17). How’s that for a challenge! Interacting with the world is necessary, but the directional north on our mind’s compass is always back to prayer. Our spiritual respiratory system is sustained as we inhale God’s Word and exhale prayer. It’s in prayer that we confess sin, give thanks for God’s manifest mercy, praise His majesty and cast our cares upon Him. It’s in prayer that we daily intercede for the salvation and sanctification of others, especially our family. Here is a simple guide to organize this portion of your prayer life.

Praying for my spouse

Sunday:

To be undistracted and able to engage in corporate worship with the local church (Colossians 3:16-17)

To be ready to understand & quick to implement the truths of Scripture learned today (James 1:19-25).

Monday:

To be aware of unbelievers and live out the gospel, being both “salt and light” (Matthew 5:13-16)

To grow in holiness, humility, increasingly memorize God’s Word (Colossians 1:28; Psalm 119:9-11)

Tuesday:

To patiently, trustingly and thoroughly walk in obedience before Him (Proverbs 3:5-6)

To be joyful and content in God alone and not in things, people or circumstances (Philippians 4:11,13)

To faithfully worship God in private, delighting in His Word and works (Psalm 1; Psalm 19)

Wednesday:

For increased strength to faithfully pursue excellence in everything (Ephesians 3:14-19)

That other godly mentors would pour into their life and disciple toward maturity (Titus 2:4-8)

To understand how much Jesus loves them and be comforted by His work in their life (Philippians 1:6)

Thursday:

To love our extended family and friends in a Christlike way (Romans 12:8-10; 1 Corinthians 13:4-7)

To faithfully to admonish, encourage and help others (1 Thessalonians 5:14)

That the fruit of the Spirit might be exhibited more and more in their life today (Galatians 5:22-23)

Friday:

To protect the time to pray and express their heart to Christ (1 Thessalonians 5:17)

To be sensitive to the Spirit’s conviction, quick to confess and repent (1 Peter 5:8; Matthew 5:3-4)

Saturday:

Joyfully follow Jesus, taking every thought captive (Romans 12:1-2; 2 Corinthians 10:5)

To ready their heart for corporate worship tomorrow (Psalm 139:23-24; Hebrews 10:25)

Praying for children

  • For they would come to know Christ as Lord & Savior (Romans 10:9-10)
  • That they would love God with their every capacity (heart, soul, mind and strength) (Mark 12:30)
  • That they would treasure the God’s Word in their heart as a means of preventing sin (Psalm 119:11)
  • For friends that will influence them toward righteousness (1 Cor 15:33; Pr 13:20)
  • For protection from those who may expose them to temptation (Luke 17:1-2)
  • That they may quickly recognize, confess and repent of sin (1 Peter 5:8; Matt 5:3-4)
  • That they would quickly forgive my sin and not be exasperated with me as I grow in Christ (Col 3:21)
  • That they would praise God for His creation, Word and attributes (Psalm 19; 139)

Friendly fire in the church

Posted by admin on December 15, 2014
Posted in: Uncategorized.

Friendly fire is a devastating reality of war. In the velocity of action and unrelenting conflict battlefield weapons can be redirected toward the wrong target with unforgiving consequences. The trauma and scars of physical combat are compounded for everyone involved when the source is someone wearing the same uniform.

What takes place in that regrettable scene on a battlefield is sadly a reality in the church as well. Despite the obvious differences in force of action, there is also a difference in motive. Friendly fire on a battlefield is right intentions in the wrong direction. Friendly fire in the church is wrong intentions in the wrong direction.

When Christians default to sinful assaults on other believers, the glory of Christ is dismantled and everyone gets hit. Hugh Hewitt recently challenged a room full of leaders to “expect to get hit from behind.” Anticipate that your most scathing, personal assaults will often come from those you partner with in ministry. Those you learn from, recruit, hire, mentor, lead, and serve. It’s not the attacks from unbelievers in the community or even from believers on the periphery of the ministry. It is assaults from those who have direct access to your heart, who for whatever reason, use their access and knowledge to launch accusations, spread gossip and advance slander. Similar to the volley of war, it is anything but friendly.

Seminary can prepare a man for ministry in many ways, but classroom lectures did not warn us to expect false accusations, slander and unfair criticism from fellow alumni, pastors and other ministry leaders with whom we would one day partner. The warnings about ministry perils postured attacks as coming from the outside bloggers or a faceless liberal that might have clandestinely crept into the church. Though by no means am I a seasoned veteran in ministry, the past 12 years have proven Proverbs 19:10, “When there are many words, transgression is unavoidable.”

No New Testament pastor had his character assaulted and sabotaged more than Paul. Time after time, those he sacrificially served, attacked him, accusing him of being in ministry for impure, self serving reasons. It goes with the territory of ministry. When you find yourself in those crosshairs, here is a simple strategy for responding to and recovering from personal attacks:

1. Be humble. Dump defensiveness. We have sin in areas we do not even consider. Though we may not be guilty of anything to provoke the sharp assault of others, sin is nonetheless in us. God often uses these situations, including our reaction to unearth pride from which we must repent.

2. Examine your conscience. The sting of attacks can often blind us from our true faults. Take even exaggerated accusations as an opportunity to examine our heart before God. Invite the candid input of honest sources of biblical feedback. Cultivate a sensitivity to the Spirit’s conviction under the Scripture’s diagnosis.

3. Repent where you did sin. Repent of any sin that has been revealed. It may not be the subject on which you were attacked; however regardless of what it is, sin must be repented of and forsaken.

4. Respond immediately. Let your critic know you are humbly considering their words. If something is found from your internal introspection and consultation with others, then confess it immediately. This clears you out of the way and prepares you for the next step.

5. Confront the source. Cowardly Pharisees love to launch verbal grenades. If you are innocent in what you’ve been slandered, then with the boldness of a lion, confront them. Head on. Failure here only allows sin to flourish. In a loving, direct way, go directly to the source and follow the pathway of Matthew 18.

6. Forgive, even if reconciliation is improbable. Remember, some critics only want chaos, not biblical unity. Even if biblically reconciling is complicated and unlikely, we can have a genuine heart of forgiveness. That releases me from continuing to grow bitter and vindictive. When you forgive, keep your promise. Have a short memory for others’ failures even on this front. Leave a road back, remembering the kindness of God and his grace with you.

7. Pray for them. Jesus tells us to do this in Matthew 5. That’s not there simply as a nice thought, it is a critical prevention from bitterness and revenge. If conversations of your attackers arrive in your home, be sure to lead those family members in prayer for the situation. Never assume everyone in your home processes your attackers in the same way. Many “pastor’s kids” have grown up hating their father’s verbal assailants without being taught how to entrust these things to God.

8. Rest in God’s defense. One pastor recently reminded me that “one day all wrongs will be made right, it just may not be in my lifetime.” Vindication on earth is often rare. To the greatest extent possible, abide as Paul exhorted being at peace with all men. One day, on that day, God will make all wrongs right. Rest. Don’t replay the conversations with your confidants and shadow box your accuser. Entrust it to God and get back to work.

If you are walking in righteousness before our holy God, do not be surprised when false accusations, unfair criticism and slander flowing your way. It’s part of leadership, it’s part of ministry. Don’t flinch but endure in the same manner as Christ did with his disciples, Paul did with the early church leaders and countless godly servants of Christ continue today. Press on.

 

Originally posted on the Southern Seminary blog.

The Centripetal Church

Posted by admin on September 1, 2014
Posted in: Evangelism.

Evangelizing unbelievers can be difficult for the same reason criminals struggle to find policemen…most are not looking for one. Instead of pursuing others with the gospel, we cocooned ourselves with those who already know it.  A vortex pulls us into Christian bubble and slowly we can be lulled toward indifference to those yet to repent.

Genuinely drawing near to Christ will rightly submerse us in believer’s fellowship, but it will simultaneously thrust us toward others in gospel ministry.  Heavily evangelistic churches become that way as individual believers are passionate and proactive in daily life. They implement the faithful exposition of Scripture and are propelled out to reach sinners for Christ.

The Great Commission is an individual commission. It will not be fulfilled in silence, but in conversations that confront unrighteousness with the kindness of God that leads us to repentance (Romans 2:4). Christians must cultivate evangelistic instincts, the humble tenacity to engage in gospel conversations. Here are a few encouragements to help in pursuing unbelievers with Christ’s saving message.

 

1. Spring load the gospel.

This isn’t complicated, if you’re saved, you know enough of the gospel to present it to someone else. However, it takes work to be clear and understandable. Memorize the foundational gospel components and key verses. With those stamped in mind, work daily to recite it and role play with others. You may not always have your Bible in hand when an evangelistic opportunity presents itself, so memorize the message. Be alert and stay ready!

 

2.  Recruit a prayer team.

The hard work of evangelism begins on our knees, petitioning God to work in the hearts of those we pursue. In humility and dependency, following the example of Paul in praying for others (Romans 10:1) and watch as God answers pray in increased opportunities to proclaim His gospel. As we join one another in evangelistic prayer, we invite accountability and can encourage one another too.

 

3. Live excellent.

Live with integrity. Peter wrote “Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation” (1 Peter 2:12). Live so that when our name crosses the mind of unbeliever’s they associate us with Jesus. The most clear and accurate gospel presentation is muted if unbelievers identify us by patterns of sin instead righteousness. In humility, repent when we sin, and use our failures to magnify God’s mercy. Keep in mind that our example may be the first expose many receive to the transforming power of the gospel.

 

4.  Engage your mission field.

God in His sovereign grace, chose to place you alongside unbelievers – in your neighborhood, family and at work. It’s not enough to talk about them, we must talk with them, using our points of connection to advance the gospel conversation. Don’t throw away the opportunity to proclaim His saving message. This is your first mission field. Every unbeliever in our life should both know our identity as a Christian and know our desire to see them come to believe in Christ as Savior and Lord.

 

5.  Create new mission fields.

Along the way, create new mission fields, finding new ways to interact with unbelievers. Volunteer at a local school, help in a community project, go out of your way to introduce yourself to others, etc. These ideas and more help to create new networks that open up new mission fields for gospel ministry.

 

Here’s a place to start, take the “2-minute challenge” Give yourself no more than 2 minutes to identify yourself with Christ when meeting someone new! As an ambassador of Christ, be quick to let others know who you represent (2 Corinthians 5:20). Say something that lets another know you belong to, have been forgiven by, are loved by, are trusting in God, etc. That way, as your conversations develop, you’ve already identified with Christ right away. No procrastinating!

 

6.  Relentlessly love other believers.

Jesus says, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:34-35). Christian’s biblically loving one another make the love of Christ visible for the world to see. How are the “one another’s” made visible in our relationships with other believers? Does your love for other believers lend credibility to your gospel presentation?

 

7.  Lead by example.

No matter your age, level of responsibility or visibility within the church, you can lead by example. the heart of Paul’s encouragement to timothy is to lead by example despite his youth (1 Timothy 4:12). Some of the greatest evangelists are those whose names we won’t ever know, but were relentlessly faithful to tell others about Jesus. Don’t wait for someone else to lead by example, take initiative and set the pace as the Spirit works through you.

 

8.  Celebrate salvation.

Never lose sight of the miracle that happens in new birth. if heaven explodes in celebration in response to the new birth, so should we. one way to do this is to share testimonies often. We can never hear enough of the work Christ has done in drawing someone to salvation. incorporate the recounting of salvation wherever possible. doing so reminds us of the many ways the gospel penetrates hearts and how God chooses to use saved sinners in that process.

The apostle Paul told the Corinthians that he delivered to them “as of first importance what [he] also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3). For you to do faithful evangelism, the gospel must be of first importance to you. Only then will you overcome the challenges that have prevented you from boldly sharing the gospel with unbelievers.

 

This article has been adapted from Stitzinger, Jim. “A Witnessing Community.” in A Guide to Evangelism, edited by Dan Dewitt, 34-41. Louisville: SBTS Press, 2013.

A Gospel-Centered Grandma

Posted by admin on June 1, 2014
Posted in: Family.

stitz-1She was a legend

Born in Germany, her father saw Hitler on the rise and hurriedly moved to America to find work. He found it and poured every ounce of sweat equity into funding three tickets across the Atlantic for his wife and two daughters. In 1928, a 6 year old Elizabeth arrived on Ellis Island to be given her citizenship.

Rough seas caused the Captain of the Deutschland to hold the ship off shore one night longer. The delay gave her father no option but to sleep on the New York Pier. His sacrificial work to bring them to America culminated in that frigid night. It ravaged him with pneumonia, eventually taking his life.

His young widow and two daughters were now orphaned in a new country and the great depression was on the horizon. Young Elizabeth saw the hand of God move as her mother became a caretaker for an affluent family with a wife and mother who was gravely ill. As this sickly lady passed away, her dying wish was for Elizabeth’s mother to marry her soon to be widower.

Her father’s work ethic and determination stamped her young life. Her step-father could never replace him, but he was God’s provision for this young immigrant family. Elizabeth grew strong and resourceful, eventually working as a waitress in a Bucks County, PA restaurant. A young, strong Jim Stitzinger worked in the same place, bussing tables. The two were magnets and Jim set out to marry the stunning Elizabeth.

Hitler had made his move and the Japanese assaulted Pearl Harbor. Jim enlisted in the Army and finally received his date to ship out. On April 9, 1944, just a couple days before departing for war, Jim and Elizabeth were married. The night before his departure, Jim snuck off base to be with his wife. He was caught on return and the company commander made him a messenger on the battle field, saying that since he loved to run & evade so much, he could do that in the war as penalty.

The war struck cruel and hard. Elizabeth did her part and became a welder on American airplanes that would eventually drop bombs on her Germany. Jim returned home, humbled and galvanized by the tragedy of war. Elizabeth welcomed him home and together they established their lives with “Willow Grove lumber and heating oil” and doing the one thing Jim could do in his sleep, build houses. Together, they could do anything. They gave us our work ethic, tenacity and resourcefulness.

She gave birth to 5 children, each one engrained with the rugged and resourceful tenacity that characterized both of their parents. Billy Graham came to town preaching the gospel. The ears of the family were open and Christ transformed their hearts and lives under his preaching.

With a newly Christ-centered home, their children Jim Jr, Hans, Michael, Heidi and Erich all grew to love Christ and have spent their lives growing from the foundation they heard under Graham’s initial sermon and their parents relentless love. The youngest, Erich, though full of vigor and charm, lost his life at 15 to a botched appendicitis diagnosis. The pain of burying a child and a brother scarred the family deeply.

Elizabeth saw the growth of farms, businesses and ministry. She never flinched at adversity. When crushed by life’s trials, she clung to her Savior. When blessed by life’s joy’s, she gave credit to Christ. Children, flowers, vegetables, chickens…she raised them all. Hornet nests, birds nests, dried flowers, chairs, antiques…she collected them all. There wasn’t a peddler, flee market, sale rack or discount she did not have the instincts to find.

She was a baker & short order cook, had a place for herself at the table, but always ate last. For 69 years of marriage, she made the food, Jim washed the dishes. She kept a day bed in the farmhouse kitchen so she could nap when needed. If you wonder why most of us Stitzinger’s need only a few hours sleep, it’s because Grandma taught us how overrated it was.

stitz-2

She could make anything. She observed everything. She was the comforter, sage, calming voice through any storm and the one who’s smile melted even the toughest of her boys.

For 92 legendary years she graced this earth. The farm will never be the same. Her legacy stamped our heart. Friday night she fell asleep, laying in the very same kitchen where she died to self so many times before. But this time, she closed her eyes on this earth and awoke in the glorious presence of her Savior.

Today she is face to face with Jesus. Her pain is no more, her strength is eternally renewed. Her faith is turned to sight and her heavenly father has said, “well done good and faithful servant.”