My personal "Onesimus" Plea

As I ponder on life, I'm am full of questions about the past. I recently have just read the book of "Philemon" from the new testament. And a question stirs in my mind. What happened to "Onesimus" ? How does this story end ? According to the story, he was a slave of Philemon, and he must have stolen something from him. His sentence, according to the law, was death. Did Philemon answer Paul's plea, and spared Onesimus' life? Did Onesimus ever return to Paul to help him while Paul was in chains.
For some reason or another (probably because this was such a short book), I have never read this book before. This is a very short book and to the point from Paul to Philemon, a plea for Onesimus' life.
I myself have found myself in Onesimus' shoes. Not facing death, but relying on a good Christian friend, a brother in Christ, to possibly write a letter of recommendation or put in a good word for me. It might have been a job, or a loan, whatever the circumstance was, I have been in it. Sometimes the plea would work and sometimes it didn't. I'm curious to see if Paul's plea to Philemon was successful.
As a child growing up, I remember being trouble about something, and at times would use someone like a Grandparent to be my "Paul" for a plea to my parents. At times, I would be granted a full dismissal of my punishment, but at other times my punishment would be even worse than before for going behind my parents back.

Now as I fast forward to the reality of life at hand today, again, I can place myself in Onesimus' shoes as I answer to my one and only master, "God". Upon reading the Ten Commandments recently, I find that I have actually broke nine of the ten commandments.
#1 is the only one that I have kept. I have never worshipped another god.
#2- I have had other idols before him (IE: my time, my money, my spouse, my love for music, etc.....
#3 - I have used the Lord's name in vain.
#4 - I have gambled, worked or labored, and done all but worship on the Sabbath day before.
#5 - I have at many times, been disobedient to my parents.
#6 - I have, in my mind, not physically, murdered other people.
#7 - I have, again in my mind, not physically, committed adultery.
#8 - I have stolen, not just from others, but even from God himself.
#9 - I have at one time before, beared false witness against an acquaintance (Which in God's eyes is my neighbor)
#10- I have at one time before, coveted against other people (who again, according to God, is my neighbor)
Our sentence for our sins is death, but God's grace saves us through His mercy. He saved us by sending his only son, Jesus Christ, to die for our sins. Jesus is my Paul, who writes the letter of appeal on my heart to God, to ask Him for the dismissal of all my sins. Christ claims as Paul does to Philemon, that if I have done any wrong, or owe God anything, to charge it to Him (Christ), and he will pay back the debt that I have made.

WOW !!!!!!!!! WHAT A GREAT FRIEND TO HAVE IN JESUS !!!!!!!!!!!

Instructions to Titus

Living as a Christian can be so difficult. I find myself so many times wandering away from the path of righteousness, and then almost too ashamed to return for the stupid things I've done.
Stupid !! Stupid !! Stupid !!
My morning devotions for the past six months have been all in the New Testament, and I just finished with the small book of "Titus" but for such a small book, one thing struck me like a bolt of lightning that is larger than life itself.
Titus 3: 1-8
1Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, 2to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men.
3At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. 4But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. 8This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.

Verses 4-7 was my wake up call at this point in my life. A reminder of Who I am and Who I live for. I fall to you Lord and ask for forgiveness for all that I have done to slander you and your Kingdom. I pray that my Lifesong to you will echo that of verse 8. To devote myself to doing what is good in God's eyes and His presence.
To have the knowledge and wisdom for someone who has fallen away temporarily to help them come back into your Grace. To encourage someone who is down or depressed to remind them that they are not going through storms alone. For there have been so many times I find myself in this position, and you always ( never failing ) send an Ambassador of Christ to bring me back into your Grace.
What kills me the most is how you choose your ambassador for me. For instance, just recently, I was out of your presence, living the way I shouldn't, and then, out of the blue, someone comes to me with a question about you. Entrusting me in faith that I have encouraging words and wisdom to your Kingdom. Even with me far from your presence, I was able to encourage them with knowledge of what I have read from your atlas of Life. All the while reminding me of who I should be and where I should be, bringing me into repentance and turning away from my evil desires once again. Even though this person has no idea that he was helping me probably more than I was helping him, I thank him for his help to boost me over this mountain that was lying on my path of Christianity. I know I have several walls and mountains to climb in the future, but this one is behind me, and Christ again is victorious.
Amen!!!!!!!

The Golembeski's

Thursday, July 13, 2006

The Golembeski's I can't even begin to describe how great this whole experience has been. From the accommodations of members of Northeast to just the whole experience of VBS and prayer booths at the train station. Me, Tammie, Nick and Brandy are all staying at Walt and Vikki's castle. What a magnificent home they have. They have two sons and two daughters. The oldest son (Ryan) I only have met a couple of times in passing. Evidently he has a job or something in probably New York that has consumed most of his time. He is the oldest of the four. Then there are two twin daughters ( Lauren and Kristen ) they are 20 and both home for the summer from college. Lauren goes to college in Michigan, I can't remember the name of the college. This girl has made a life long impression on me. What a wonderful instrument for the Lord. Her heart is made of Golden love for the Lord. When the Lord commands us to Love the Lord with all your heart and Love your neighbor as yourself, she is the perfect example for this commandment. Her devotion to the Lord speaks for itself. Kristen goes to Boston U. I really haven't gotten to know her as well as I have Lauren, but just from the short time that I have spent with her, I can tell that she is full of the Lord herself. She has been so nice and so sweet to us. Jonathan, what can I say about him..... He is 15, and him and Nick has formed a great bonding. I have probably spent most of the time with him and his friends, hanging out in the basement, which is actually Brandy's apartment for the week. In the basement it's like a huge teen center with a pool table, ping-pong table, fooz-ball, air hockey, a weight room/exercise room, a bar and a wine cellar ( of course the teens don't utilize this) What a great kid he is, and great friends !!!!!!! Him and I are the doubles pool champs as it stands. Vikki ( the mother ), has been so hospitable to us, from washing our clothes to making snacks and cleaning up after us, and still having plenty of time to fellowship and visit with us. Probably the perfect mother. So sweet and full of love and generosity. Walt, ( the father), a perfect example and leader for Christ. Anything that we have needed, both Walt and Vikki has been right there to make it happen. What patience both of them have had with us. Especially me. Somehow or another, on Wednesday, the bathroom in the bedroom that Tammie and I are sleeping in, kept running (all day!!!!) and of course, it overflowed and there was a leak in the garage. I felt so bad, but they acted like it was nothing. This all happened on Walt and Vikki's 31st wedding anniversary. What a great couple. To reach out to a family such as ours and love on us the way that they have. They are truly blessed and will continue to be blessed. God is smiling down on their family I am sure, thinking, this family is doing my will and I will continue to bless them for who they are and who they represent. If they ever read this blog, I just want to say.....Thank You!!!!!!!
posted by Kevin Stoxe at 12:13 PM

New York, New York

Hello !!!! I know that it has been a few days after our New York visit that I decided to post this, but with all of the activities and different things we are all doing, this has been my first chance to get to a computer.New York City...... Wow !!!!! What an experience. We got to Long Island late on Saturday, Then after Sunday Worship, the mission trip all took a trip to New York City. We took a train from Norwalk to Grand Central Station. Then got on the Subway to Wall Street. From there we got on another Subway and traveled to Battery Park. We took pictures of the Statue of Liberty and then went to "Ground Zero". You would not believe how quiet and solemn everyone was in respect of this tragic area. Hundreds of people just showing thier respect for the people of 9-11. It was a chilling experience, yet just in awe of what had happened at this memorial.From there we went to Times Square where we were all overwhelmed with all of the skyscrapers and multitudes of people. We ate dinner there at "Virgils" on Times Square. It is a BBQ restaurant that Tammie and I really couldn't afford, but one of our host families got the tab. God bless Nancy and Mark.After dinner, we all split up into different groups and went where we wanted to at times square. Tammie, Nick and I visited "Hard Rock Cafe", "MTV store" ( and this was the location that they always do "TRL") ESPN ZONE, Nick and I could have spent forever here. Large screens were everywhere showing any and every game going on around the nation. Could you imagine how we would act during football season or March Madness!!!!!! We would never come home. Luckily it's only baseball season and neither of us like baseball very much.To top things off for the day. While we were riding the subway, I noticed some gentlemen riding on the subway that sounded like they were from the south. and they were carrying some bibles. So I just opened up a conversation with them by asking where they were from.Well they were from Alabama, and they were going to Cemenary School in New York. What the shocker was though, when I told them where I was from, one of the guys asked me if I knew a certain person's name. Well I didn't know the person he said, but I named his cousin, who, not only did I work with a short time, but his wife babysitted both of my children while they grew up. What a small world we live in...... Anyhow..... So many things I could write about New York that would fill up a book. What a wonderful experience, except Nick lossing his cell phone on the train. That was a bummer.
posted by Kevin Stoxe at 10:49 AM

Crazy Christian Life by Kevin

Crazy Christian Life by Kevin
Wellll.....I hate for my first blog to be a downer, but it is......I just got a call from my daughter who informed me, that she just eloped...wow!!!! what a heartbreaker...I really wanted to give her away, but that dream is gone...... You know this just reminds me of my relationship with God. Our Children can be so self-absorbed by their own lives that they don't stop to think about anyone else's feelings. We are all God's children, as a father myself, I have to constantly remind myself to practice what I preach. I will always love my daughter, no mater what she does. She may hurt me, she may even disown me. But I will always welcome her into my arms (wide open). God is the same way with us. We trample him, forget about him, put other items before him, and still, his arms are always wide open. Yes he gets angry, and will not hesitate to punish. But when it's all said and done.... He gives us the forgiveness that we want when we fall to him and ask..... How great is that !!!???

Kristie, (my daughter), I will always love you. You will always be my daughter, and I will love you always.....