Our Wedding (March 12, 2016)

So, I've been remiss in posting here for the last 2-3 months and in my defense I was happily preparing for marriage to the love of my life.

Stephen & Anita Kuntzman
(Honeymoon in Bahamas)

 
On March 12, 2016, at 1:30 pm, in Apostolic Life Cathedral, my Pastor (Bishop Edwin S. Harper) and my father (Rev. Melvin E. Kuntzman) officiated and solemnized the wedding vows of Anita & I.

Below you'll find a list of the wedding songs played and/or sang during our wedding. It was a blessed event and we are so thankful for all our family and friends who took time out of their schedules to attend our wedding day.

Especially want to say that Chris Weatherford is the best musician to work with...ever! 

Also, thank you to our singers: The Best Man and The Bridesmaids (a.k.a., Phill & The Bridesmaids).

1:20 pm - Seating of Parents

1:25 pm - Ministers, Groom, & Groomsmen Enter

1:30 pm - Matron of Honor, Bridesmaids, Flower Girl, & Ring Bearer Enter

1:35 pm - Here Comes the Bride

1:37 pm - The Giving of the Bride

1:45 pm - Communion

2:00 pm - Wedding Recessional

J T Pugh - Playing the Composition of Life In Another Key

The late J T Pugh preaching "Playing the Composition of Life In a Different Key."

https://www.dropbox.com/s/jp9sklyjexc1em6/Playing%20the%20Composition%20of%20Life%20In%20Another%20Key.mp3?dl=0

I have always had a high regard for Bro. Pugh's preaching and depth since the first time I heard him preach.  Then I met the man and all that regard increased. In fact, as a young man, I would often say that I could gauge a young minister's depth and maturity by what they thought, or said, about Bro. Pugh. Perhaps that was wrong of me, but I must admit that I still think this way.

Listen and let this man's ministry continue to bless you.

Edwin E. Kuntzman - Committed To Love

The following link is to a sermon preached by my grandfather, Edwin E. Kuntzman:
http://kiwi6.com/file/1idxqx2j9d
http://k007.kiwi6.com/hotlink/1idxqx2j9d/1985-06-02_pm_-_committed_to_love

Speaker: Edwin Eugene Kuntzman
Title: Committed To Love
Text: John 15:9-17
Location: Zion Tabernacle (Kokomo, IN)
Date: June 2, 1985 (PM)
Media Format: cassette tape
Recorded By: Lawrence Keller

Confession To Momma

My Momma

Today is Mother's Day, God has commanded us to honor our Father and Mother (Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 5:16; Matthew 15:4-6; 19:19; Mark 7:10; 10:19; Luke 18:20), and it is the first commandment of the Decalogue with a promise attached to it (Ephesians 6:2). 

I love my Mother, LouAnne Kuntzman. 

However, I am unable to be with her this year on Mother's Day. So, I decided to write her a poem, which is not one of my strengths, to try to convey to her my love and appreciation. 

I know it falls short, but I’m trying…So, read at your own risk.
_____________________________________

Confession To Momma

Stephen Kuntzman

The calendar today is marked “Mother’s Day,”

So, here are some things I need to say:

I’ve burned down a barn, crashed some cars,

Smarted off, smoked cigars,

Fought my siblings, cheated in school,

Couldn’t swim then jumped in a pool.

I’ve been late, don’t much date,

And I hate to say, I sometimes obfuscate.

I’ve drank beer, and bleach as well,

I told a lie, and Dad spanked Phill.

I was awake that night on Poplar Street,

Fred won’t think that was neat.

I’ve been mean, sometimes cruel,

Told dirty jokes, and acted a fool.

I’ve been a bully, full of pride,

I know sometimes it was for me you cried.

One thing’s constant, one thing’s sure,

You’ve loved me despite all these quirks.

I never doubted I could come home,

Or call you late on the telephone.

They say confession is good for the soul,

But it’s my experience you’ve already known.

So, with midnight here, and the calendar in sync,

Here’s one last declaration upon which to think:

I LOVE YOU more every day, and know you feel the same way.

Pursuing the Beloved of the Lord

Matthew 5:21-22, "Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire."

Raca comes from an old Chaldean word meaning “O empty one, that is, thou worthless (as a term of utter vilification).”[1]

In a time of prayer, I heard the Voice of God speaking to me these words:

Raca. I said, “Don’t call that word on anyone’s life. My children are not Raca. My children are not cast away. My children are not forgotten just because they are not present. Pursue the absent as you sow for new.”

I believe that we are being reminded and called to once again go to the loved ones of God, and the Church, who’ve fallen and restore them.

As we plant seed hoping for a new harvest of souls it is important that we not forget those among us who are weaker.  Just as we put up stakes in a tomato patch to strengthen the plant and keep it from falling, or breaking, we also must remember that what may appear to be a falling member is really a fellow planting of the Lord that we who are spiritual need to edify and reinforce.

The safest place in town should be with the saints of Jesus Christ, and the safest place is with the saints of Jesus Christ.  His love compels us to not only fulfill the great commission, but to also make sure that everyone in the body of Christ makes the trip.

We don’t cutoff a leg because it is broken, or pluck out an eye because it has an irritant in it, and we don’t marginalize people who may be weak among us. In fact, it is in our weakness, the weakness of the body, that our strength is realized for “we then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves” (Romans 15:1).

It is the will of God that we pursue and then bear the infirmities of the weak as we restore the fallen among us. 

What rights have we to condemn, judge, or to cast aside the children of our Lord, when He came into the world, not to condemn His children in it, but to save them? He has provided Himself a ransom for many. He has shown us His mercy, and having believed we walk in grace being patiently taught how to live a sober and godly life.  So, pass those lessons of love on to others who have fallen.

Who among us will strive to not only win a new soul to Jesus, but to also look for our missing brothers and sisters and speak words of love and restoration to them? They're missing, but not forgotten, and just as the father looked for the return of his beloved younger son, we elder brothers should go with the same fervency and intensity that we put into the work of the field to find and bring our missing home.

Determine today, with me, that you will pursue the beloved of the Lord.

---

[1] According to Strong’s Hebrew & Greek Dictionaries (Entry # G4469)

T.W. Barnes - Saying the Name of Jesus

 

 

 

According to T.W. Barnes, many people pronounce the name of Jesus without really knowing how to say it. He specified four ways to say the name of Jesus:

1. Say His name with love; the early church had great success, because they loved not their lives, they loved that Name. Love is powerful. Their love gave them reverence for the Name.
2. Say His name with vision. Say it seeing the invisible. A woman said, "I resist the devil and he doesn't leave." Bro. Barnes asked her, "What do you look for? The Bible doesn't say resist him and see him sitting on your shoulder; when you resist him you should see him running. The devil no doubt left you when you said in Jesus Name, but since you did not expect him to go, your thinking made you as miserable as if he stayed with you."
3. Say His name with faith. Religious leaders in Israel asked the disciples, "How did you heal the man crippled from his mother's womb?" Peter answered, "...by the name of Jesus Christ..."
4. Say His name while living a life of sacrifice. The disciples sacrificed everything for that name. We need to love it enough that no sacrifice is too great to make for Jesus.

-Nona Freeman, A Prophet in our Time (2007)

 

********************************

 

 

Why is there so much power in the Name of Jesus?  T.W. Barnes attributed it to the following reasons: 

1. His Word is in it – John 1:1, “In the beginning was the Word…”
2. His Blood is in it – Jesus is a blood name that redeems all people from sin and the effects of sin (sickness, disease, mental disorders, etc.).
3. His Spirit is in it – The Holy Ghost that you received when you spoke in tongues the first time is that Spirit of Christ in you.
4. The authority of heaven is in it – All power in Heaven and earth belongs to Jesus Christ.
5. His faith is in it – He made everything by the power of His own Word; He spoke it and it happened.

-Nona Freeman, A Prophet In Our Time (2007)

Happy Birthday, To Me!

Today is my birthday -- my spiritual birthday.

On December 31, 1979 I was born again and became a member of the family and body of Christ in accordance to the words and teaching of Jesus Christ and His Apostles when I received the Holy Ghost.

It was on that day that I was born of the Spirit (having been born of water two months prior) and thus received the earnest of my inheritance as a son of God.

For 30 years, 3 decades, I've been blessed to have this relationship with Jesus.  I've had ups and downs. I've rested in the valley and fought the mountain. There've been times I've made mistakes (and sinned), but God has been good and forgiving.  I've been (and remain) a student of grace as I look for the blessed hope and coming of Jesus Christ.

I try to remain busy about the Father's work and ministry, and am humbled by His constant willingness to use me for His purpose.

I'm also thankful...thankful, for His love towards me.

I also want to thank two people who played an important role in my conversion (see the picture above).  First of all, my father (Melvin E. Kuntzman), who was my pastor 30 years ago and preached the great truth of the mighty God in Christ and the message of Acts 2 and John 3 to me.  He's always been an example of a man of God who loves God and remains an example to me today.

Secondly, my mother (LouAnne Kuntzman), she was my Sunday School teacher all those years ago and she continues to teach me, by her words, love, and actions, what it truly means to be a Christian.

Thank you, Jesus, Mom, & Dad...I love you.

Happy New Year!