Hulsizer Christmas Letter 2016

Hello friends and family.  We hope this little letter finds you all happy, healthy and whole.  I'll get straight to it, WE ARE GRANDPARENTS!!!  Yes, God has answered our prayers in His amazing "exceeding abundant" way! Our oldest daughter, Jessica, and her husband Matthew decided to look into fostering toward adoption and thus began the long process of "measuring up" to the qualifications. After lot of time and effort they finally got all the details met when they were notified of the possibility of a private adoption.  We met our little angel toward the end of September and the adoption was final on Monday, Dec. 5th.  It was a long few months of worrying and wondering. But Savannah Grace Petty is all ours and we are beyond thrilled! There's nothing like grandchildren!!! (Aunt Jennifer is super excited as well!)

Since I mentioned Jennifer, let me give you an update.  While she enjoyed teaching resource at two different schools last year, she really hoped for a class of her own. Just before summer break, a first grade class became available at the school she preferred and she got the job.  She is having a blast (and her kids love her). She is still very active in our church, maintains a very active social calendar, babysits and always manages to stay busy!







Matt & Jessica moved into their new home this last January and Jessica changed jobs the end of February. She still works for Baptist Health but now at a local clinic in Cabot. The commute, the hours, and the lack of holiday work days is far, far better. Matt still works for Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield and maintains a home office. We are so thrilled for the addition to their family.

Shelia is still on the run! Her current muse is to try to run a half-marathon in as many states as possible. She is up to 12!  She has had a job change with the new school year, sadly she had to leave her friends at the "hub" to take the job as the registrar at Sylvan Hills Freshman Campus. She loves her running friends and her new friends at our new church in Benton. What we would really love is to sell our house in Jacksonville so we could move to Benton!




Jeff is still loving his new position as the Minister of Music for Sharon Baptist Church in Benton. Choir practice is one of his very favorite hours of the week. Additionally, he gets to travel with the new Youth Band that travels around providing worship music for various youth events; serving as bus driver, chaperone, sound guy and roadie.  It's a real joy for him to see young people using th
eir talents for the Lord! He also still enjoys painting, repairing and refinishing furniture, building crafts, and fulfilling all kinds of special orders from his girls!

Our sweet Corgi, Lucy, still takes Jeff on a walk every night and keeps the squirrels and rabbits from overtaking the Hulsizer Hacienda. She is a "sweet girl"!

Our wish is for you all to have a very Merry Christmas and a very happy New Year!





Our love to all!

Jeff & Shelia Hulsizer
Matt, Jessica & Savannah Petty
Jennifer Hulsizer
with Scarlett & Lucy

Thanksgiving 2016

As much as I love Christmas (the celebration of “God with us”), and as much as I love Easter (the celebration that “He Is Risen”). I think my favorite holiday is Thanksgiving. Certainly I have so much for which to be thankful. I can remember the Thanksgiving days of the past when my family would gather around the table and share stories. My grandfather was a master storyteller, only eternity will tell if his tales were actual history or the spinning of a mighty yarn. We would laugh and compare the most recent version of the story to last year’s version. We would talk about the various dishes. (I always thought it was strange that we had a dish of pearl onions every year but I don't think I ever saw anybody eat them!). But they were always wonderful times.

Some Thanksgiving Days are more memorable than others. Just a few years ago, 6 of us spent Thanksgiving in a hospital in Omaha, Nebraska. The meal was not memorable, there was no table around which to gather. But we huddled in that little room full of hope that this plan of action would cure our daughter's cancer. Praise God it did! She’s been cancer free for over 4 years and we give all the glory to God and the way He used the Lied Transplant Center. We were prayed for and loved and the friendship we had with Bro. Danny Fudge and his family became one of the greatest blessings of our life. For all this we are thankful.

This year, Thanksgiving will be a little different. But I have no doubt it will be “unforgettable”. We will “taste and see” that the Lord is good!

Make memories with your family all year, but especially at Thanksgiving. Thank God for what He has seen you through, blessed you with, taught you. Encourage one another. Look for ways to share with others. We are so blessed.

An Odd Day in the Life...

Today is just a rather odd day. I’m still reeling from the news of Janice Francis’ unexpected passing yesterday, plus was informed by Facebook that it’s been two years since Karen Bell passed away. It seems that I’ve have so many dear friends that have gone on, but I am just trying to stay hopeful and positive to inspire those that are still around to live for Christ and know that when each of our time here has gone - that, we too, fly to the arms of Jesus.

I’ve just returned from what is probably the last motorcycle ride I’ll ever take. I rode my bike up to the Drasco Trading Post to put it on their sales floor. It was a beautiful day for a ride and the ride was, thankfully, uneventful. But by the time I arrived my arthritis had caused nearly every joint to feel as if it were on fire. That just helped make the decision to sell the bike easier. It’s been a good 10 year run as a biker, a few broken bones and road rashes that all healed, but I’m just not willing to gamble with my physical well-being any longer. I appreciate my buddy, Walter, following me up and giving me a ride back home. Now if the bike will sell, and my house will sell, we can get on with the relocation project to Benton where we minister at Sharon Baptist Church.

I was also reminded today that 16 years ago I began serving Faith Baptist Church in North Little Rock. What a great 14 1/2 years that was. I was so blessed to work with some awesome people and serve an awesome church. We’ve been at Sharon a little over a year and a half and we continue to be so blessed to be able to minister in one of the Lord’s churches.

Life on this earth can be hard, what with saying goodbye to those who go on before us, and with the physical challenges of getting older, but I’m planning to “go until He comes and serve until He stops me.” I’m about to head to Benton tonight to share Sharon church (and more importantly to share Jesus) with those who I see at “Spook City” in downtown Benton, then another wonderful Sunday tomorrow. 

God is good, all the time and all the time, God is good. I hope you know Him! If not, won’t you let me introduce Him to you?

Drinking from the saucer, ‘cos my cup has overflowed,

Jeff Hulsizer, worshipper

Home!

My what an interesting couple of weeks! The challenges fade in the face of the blessings (if you’re patient and wait to see what can happen!)

Last Friday (July 29) I left the house to head to Bogg Springs for Kidz Kamp Staffer Training Weekend. It was a great weekend complete with a couple of cooler mornings Saturday and Sunday. Both sessions of Kidz Kamp were awesome as well with over 60 souls coming to know Jesus (including precious Leasie Baxter!) 

I had the honor to sing at Bro. Carl Wright’s funeral service on Wednesday morning, August 3, so I came home Tuesday night. Who knew that would be the last time I would sleep in my own bed until last night (Thursday night, August 11)! Our A/C at the house had been acting up and laid down completely on Wednesday (as I was making it back to the Bogg!). My poor wife had to deal with the service call declaring the compressor “beyond repair” and the long wait for the new part to be be shipped. She moved in with our daughter and son-in-law in Ward and upon the completion of camp (Saturday, Aug. 6), I moved in with our youngest daughter in Benton (with super dog Lucy in tow). I saw my wife at church Sunday, and not again until last night when I finally got to move home! I so appreciate our kids putting up their parents during the time the a/c was broken.

During the adventure our youngest daughter faced the daunting task of turning her classroom (complete with a ceiling link right in the center the room) into a classroom fit for new first grade students, no small task. She stayed busy, and kept me busy, every spare moment between Saturday’s return to the Open House last night. Let me interject how grateful we are to Mrs. Jana Brumbelow for all her help on Thursday (and beyond!).

I finally got home about 9:30 last night and literally fell into the bed in a nice cool house. I woke up this morning and took Miss Lucy outside and listened to the beautiful sound of an air conditioning unit starting and running smoothly, what an awesome sound! I’ve got lots to do, finally unpacking from camp and getting the lawn mowed. We’ve got to keep the house in tip-top shape as it is for sale and a prospective buyer could schedule an appointment to see the house at any time!

While we are anxious to finally get moved to Benton to live in the same city as the church in which we serve, I’m trying not to be impatient with the process! I have been heard to say, “God is teaching me patience, but I wish He'd hurry!”

As John Denver used to sing, “Hey it’s good to be back home again”! Amen to that! But I’d sure love to sell you this house I love (as well as a fine motorcycle!) Life is never boring around the Hulsizer family!

Jeff Hulsizer, comfortably air-conditioned!

Just Breathe

I sit here tonight, like last night, heart-broken, angry, sad, confused. So I listened to “Just Breathe” by Jonny Diaz, again. It’s my go-to song right now and I’m trying to take the advice given in the song. I think it’s good advice. We are all sinners, some saved - some lost. Jesus is the difference. Jesus is the example. 

Jesus didn’t apologize, He didn’t need to, He never sinned. People didn’t understand Him. He didn’t do what they did, He didn’t react like they did, like we do. That’s the example. 

I’ve apologized…alot, but not enough. I’m an emotional creature - I get mad, I get hurt, I react. I say things, I do things I shouldn’t. I’ve hurt people with my reactions, my words, my actions. I fear God, I know (after I calm down and remember) there are consequences to my actions. 

Einstein was right (sort of), for every action there is a reaction, but he was speaking of the physical world in which we live. God is above that world. We, as God’s people are above that world as well. Yes, we live in it but that doesn’t give us the right to react, even equally or in an opposite manner, unless that reaction is the right one…the godly one.

Vengeance is mine says the Lord. Love your enemies. Turn the other cheek. Forgive. Walk the second mile. These are God’s words, God’s commands. We, God’s people, must obey. Love is the answer and God is love.

I know Satan is celebrating another victory tonight and that makes me angry. But what do we expect from a sinful world? The only thing that makes any sense is love. Love one another. Yes, there are differences in people, ok—so what? We need to be broken-hearted over sin, I’m the son of a welder and I know that when something is welded together (or back together) the weld is the strongest part. I’m asking God to mend my broken heart and to give me wisdom, and strength and self-control.  I must have more love, more faith, more grace. We, God’s people, are God’s ambassadors in this world. That’s why we’re here. Not to fight for our rights, not to look out for ourselves, not to protect what is ours. Nothing is ours, everything is His. We need to empty ourselves of ourselves and give the empty place to Christ. God isn’t pushy, He only occupies what is offered. 

So friend, whether you are black or white, man or woman, or any other means of classification, the only important thing about us is that we are a creation of a Holy God. Let the things that divide us go, give them up, turn it all over to Him, then follow. Be a conduit of love, of grace, of mercy, of peace. Stop reacting, just breathe…breathe a prayer, then listen for an answer…and then be obedient. It’s our only hope. He’s our only hope. God…help us! No more words, action…not reaction. Reconciliation, intentionality…they are just words, until they’re not just words.

jh

Where is the Hope?

To say that today’s political climate is volatile would be an understatement. One doesn’t have to peruse Facebook, or any other social media, very long to be immersed into the fray. Talk at the water cooler, the barber shop, or on the courthouse lawn is dominated by political opinions and concerns. Although I try not to share too much of my personal political opinions on social media or in public conversations, I am certainly concerned about the upcoming presidential election and the ramifications that will follow.

HOWEVER, I am a follower of Jesus Christ and that should make a difference. I’m trying not to allow myself to become bitter or worried about the future of America, mainly because America is not my ultimate future. My ultimate future is in heaven with Jesus! But as long as I am here I am to follow the example set by my Savior.

When Jesus was born in Bethlehem there was a pretty gnarly political situation present. King Herod was large and in charge and didn’t want anything or anyone to stand in his way. That’s why he decreed that all baby boys below a certain age be put to death. Could God have stopped this? Certainly, but He didn’t and that’s important. 33 years later Jesus appeared before Pilate, another political situation to be sure! Could Jesus have turned things around in regards to His treatment at the hands of the Sanhedrin and of Pontius Pilate? Of course He could have! But He didn’t. Jesus had a plan that was far above the worldly political machine. God was, is and will ever be in control of everything that has happened, is happening and will ever happen and that should be where our confidence and hope is found.

I am often reminded of the words of Psalm 20:7 [KJV], “Some [trust] in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.” Yes, I can be concerned about the political landscape and I must place an informed vote on election day. But my confidence is not in any elected official, rather my confidence is in the hands of the Holy God of all creation.

In the face of such negativity surrounding the apparent candidates between whom we must choose as the next President of the United States I cannot allow myself to be driven by fear or by anger. God is in control. In His Word God gives us very clear directions, not easy directions necessarily but clear.  Matthew 5:43-48 [KJV] says this: “Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy. 44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; 45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? 47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more [than others]? do not even the publicans so? 48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.”

I am taking a stand, I am taking a stand and making a choice to fall to my knees. The only hope for America, for any political party, for any candidate is the shed blood of Jesus Christ. The very best thing that could happen is for the hearts of those who lead, or will lead, our country to bow their knee and accept the salvation offered by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary. Who said it can’t happen? With God nothing is impossible! I am making a choice not to be a negative-minded, hopeless, hater of people but rather a positive-minded, hopeful, lover of people; a citizen who prays for his country’s leadership and someone who truly desires the fires of revival to burn brightly in our nation’s capital and the capitals of every state, county and parish in America.

Is America too far gone? Until there is no more America the answer is no! Let us share the love and the hope we have in Christ and ask Him to lead and guide. Let us be faithful to pray for those with whom we disagree, for those whom our flesh desires to hate or fear. Let’s put our conscious efforts into something that will actually do some good! Pray for our leaders, lead out in loving one another, share the message of the gospel! 

Many of those who followed Jesus during His earthly ministry, including many of His chosen 12 were political zealots. It was the misunderstood mission of Christ to change the hearts of men rather than the heads of state that turned the cries of ‘Hosanna” to the cries of “Crucify”.  As much as I love America and as much as I am proud to be an American, my true desire is driven by my citizenship in heaven and by the One who will still be on the throne when the things we know now are all cast down and there is a new heaven and a new earth. What’s the best thing we can do today? Trust Jesus, follow Him and pray!

II Chronicles 7:14 [KJV], “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”

Because He Lives,

Jeff Hulsizer

More Thoughts on Worship

Disclaimer: It is not my purpose to perpetuate “worship wars” among the people, thus churches, of the ABA or any other group whose purpose is to love God first and love others as we love ourselves, and further to take the message of the Gospel to our own Jerusalem, Judea and the uttermost parts of the earth. My purpose is simply to attempt to change the focus and the passion from the earthly to the divine. For worship to become more about the object of our worship than the means or the methods.

God is good, God has been very good to me. He has blessed me with the opportunity to work with many awesome pastors, musicians, choirs and associated brothers and sisters on a church staff for more than 25 years. Additionally, I have been greatly influenced by God-honoring parents, pastors, teachers, and brethren in the years before God turned my heart toward ministry.

Music has always been an important part of my life, God’s music has been the greater part of that; from the children’s songs we sang in the basement of First Baptist Church of Bryant in Sunday School assembly, to the songs we sang on Teen Choir trips bedecked in pastel colors and butterfly bowties, to the songs we sang on Sunday night after church in homes of various friends (where Bro. Doug Swearingen would bring the milk crate of Heavenly Highway Hymnals out of the truck of his car), to the grand old hymns of the church that we sang every Sunday, to the music of the contemporary artists that filled my car as I drove to and from work and school. (That friends may be the longest run-on sentence in history!) But the point is that my foundation in worship music is quite varied and as a instrument player in Jr. High and High School band and a choir member in High School and the various organized choral groups growing up in the Lord’s churches, I gained an appreciation for almost every form, genre, of music. In high school I went through a phase where all I wanted to listen to was progressive jazz. My mother called it “Jeff’s Nervous Music”, because that’s what she heard in it rather than the non-standard rhythms, time signatures, chord progressions and improvisations that I enjoyed.

God continues to bless me, in that, I am able to enjoy and thus worship through quite a variety of musical types. The grand old hymns of the church are still very precious to me, as are the heart-pounding syncopations of 4-part Southern Gospel. I love to hear a soloist sing a song that has moved their heart as well as an instrumentalist use their God-given talent to bring a melodic offering of praise (be it a piano, a saxophone, a tuba, or anything else [see Psalm 150]).

I’ve employed that long introduction to say that I am blessed to be able to employ many different musical “vehicles” in order to bring worship to our Lord and not have the style of the music be something I cannot enjoy.

Since the word “vehicle” has been used, please allow me to develop/explain that illustration for a moment. My wife and I have two vehicles at this point; one is a 2004 Ford Expedition with over 200,000 miles on it, the other is a 2006 Toyota Avalon with nearly 200,000 miles. Thankfully, both of these cars are paid for and comfortable. Only a few short years ago I looked forward to owning a new pickup truck and/or a new sporty sedan [read Camaro]. But at this stage of my life I am hoping both of these vehicles that we own will continue to keep running for another couple 100,000 miles! Yes, my focus has changed! It is more valuable for me to save the money from a car payment(s) than to ride in a new vehicle. The goal is more on the destination than the vehicle.

I believe the same should be true in regards to musical worship. Everyone has their preferences and that, in itself, is not a problem, we are individuals - different from any and everybody else, but I believe the problem begins when we believe that our preferences should be considered above those anyone else. As a matter of fact, I believe that our focus during any and all worship is the object of our worship, Almighty God. I believe that if we were more attentive to bringing our worship and praise to God than “the vehicle” used to get it there, then these “worship wars” would become mute.

As I view postings, hear conversations, and read articles regarding worship styles, I see and hear lots of comments like, “I love the old songs”, “I can’t worship to these new choruses”, “I think church ought to be like it was back in the (insert decade)!”, and those on the other side of the aisle, "We should just let the old music die out", "The old hymns just don't cut it any more", and many, many more. What I don’t see and hear are questions and ponderings on what God might prefer, or even whether or not He might or might not approve of the non-participation during musical worship settings because of the “vehicle” employed (or not employed!)

This is not to remove any responsibility from the worship leader. Songs much be carefully chosen that are scripturally sound, able to be sung by the congregation, familiar (or at least properly introduced and taught) and an atmosphere of participation presented.

I wonder if our excuses for non-participation in worship, or worse - the complaints against the type of music that is used to encourage corporate worship are acceptable in the sight of the One we are to worship? We must guard our hearts and our minds so that worship is more about pleasing God than pleasing men.

Jeff Hulsizer, a worshipper

Bring Worship

I saw a quote by Pastor Adrian Rogers this week. It was “We don’t come to church to worship. We bring our worship to church.”  This is a very deep and very thought-provoking quote. My personal line of thinking leads me to define or explain this quote as follows…

To say “we come to church to worship” isn’t intrinsically wrong, but it would seem to suppose that there was something planned to occur at the church to bring about worship. 

While a local assembly of saints’ main purpose is to worship God, the assembly itself cannot bring about worship. It is the responsibility of the individual members of the assembly. 

The song service that happens during the services of the church (assembly) is certainly a time for where worship is called; however, to make the music or the lyrics responsible for whether or not worship happens is to place the responsibility on said music and not on the individual “worshipper”. Music is simply a vehicle through which worship can be expressed. There is much confusion and misappropriation of responsibility placed on the genre or style of music exercised by a church. These arguments involve so much personal opinion and preference that the ability, or disability, to worship is made contingent upon the type of vehicle (music) used.

The preaching of the Word of God is also a perfect time to worship the One who originated the Word. But the responsibility of the messenger is to “speak the truth in love”, not to entertain or tickle the ears of the listener. Whether the message was “good” or “boring” should have little effect on the “worshipper” if their heart was already tuned to worship in preparation for the hearing of the Word. The qualifier for a “good” message is the truth of the message.

I believe the portion of the quote that says, “We bring our worship to church” should be the practice for every worshipper. Worship is not limited to the services of a local church. Worship can, and should, occur on days other than Sunday. We should allow ourselves to be so aware of the presence of a Holy God in our lives that His praise is ever on our lips. We should worship privately and personally at all times. The services of the church we attend are opportunities to gather with like-minded individuals for corporate worship within a group of people whose lives intersect ours.

We bring our tithes and offerings to church in order to give them, why should our worship be any different? Let us begin to be continual worshippers and then bring our worship as an offering (or sacrifice) of praise to the One who is worthy of all praise. I am convinced this practice would alleviate the petty arguments between individuals regarding worship styles and tools and center the attention on the Worshipped welcoming the use of any vehicle that can carry our worship to the Throne.

Let it begin in me,

Jeff Hulsizer, Worshipper

There are Still Good Samaritans in this World!

Sitting at the table with my laptop this morning, very stiff and sore, but very thankful for the kindnesses shown by a group of strangers yesterday.

I have loved motorcycles all my life. I rode as a kid and have wonderful memories of “riding the power lines” with my dad and a group of men from First Baptist Church in Bryant. After car driving became legal for me the bike was gone until my children were nearly raised and I bought a big Kawasaki. I commuted back and forth to work, I rode missions with the Arkansas Patriot Guard Riders, I took sightseeing trips with great friends Lynn and Brenda Raborn, Jeff and Kelley Foster, and others. I even took the trip of a lifetime with my best buddy Tim “Grumpy” Mistric. 4,800 miles in 18 days out Rt. 66 to California and back home across I-10 to a cousin’s fishing camp in Pierre Parte, Louisiana. About 3 years ago I had to lay the bike down to avoid a pickup truck that had made a unplanned stop on Camp Robinson Rd. in North Little Rock and I broke a few ribs. That changed me. I wouldn’t admit it for a while but I couldn’t come to grips with the fact that I had become a scared rider. My wife and I made the decision a year ago that it was time to sell the bike and move on. I drug my feet for a while but I finally got the bike cleaned up and ready to sell. The decision to ride it to Benton and park it on the church parking lot wearing a big “For Sale” sign seemed the right thing to do but yesterday all that came to a close.

On Monday, I rode from Jacksonville to Benton and back with no problems. I was very cautious and aware of my surroundings. Yesterday morning’s commute in was uneventful as well. But about 5:00 yesterday afternoon I threw my leg over the beast and had just begun home when I went down again. 

I had just ridden up Shenandoah Dr. and was about to turn right onto Congo Rd. when I just touched my front brake and before I knew it I was on the ground with a 650 lb. bike on top of me. There was no slow-motion, no moment to prepare for the inevitable meeting with the ground, I went down quick. In that split second I was glad there was no traffic around but within just a few seconds, it seemed, I was surrounded by concerned citizens who had stopped to help a stranger. I don’t know any of their names and didn’t recognize any of their faces but I remember them. There was a respiratory therapist that immediately grabbed my hand and started talking to me. “What was hurt?”, “Did you hit your head?” [and yes I was wearing my helmet!” ] “Can I take off your gloves?” She took my pulse and stayed with me through the whole ordeal. Two men pulled the bike off of me, someone called 911, a blanket went into the air to shield me from the sun. When the Benton policeman arrived he was very nice. He was concerned about me as well as handling the situation. He spoke to me very respectfully and kindly and took care of the business that demanded his attention. The ambulance soon arrived and they went to work to get me ready for the trip to Saline Memorial. The policeman asked me if I had anyone close who could take possession of the bike. When I told him I worked down the street at Sharon Baptist Church a man volunteered to ride the bike to the church if someone would bring him back to his car. I turned my keys over to a complete stranger with an honest face. There were people who retrieved my phone from my saddle bag so I could call my wife. Those who took my backpack/computer bag off the bike and sent it with me to the hospital. I told my wife I had taken a spill but was completing surrounded by human angels.

I got to the hospital and after a CAT scan was released with just some bruised ribs and a skinned knee and elbow and a prescription for a muscle relaxer because “you’re gonna be sore in the morning”.

The staff that helped me at the hospital was wonderful, every one! Two of my pastor brothers, Bro. Michael Reese and Bro. Sean Collins came to check on me and offered very welcomed prayers.

So, I’ve decided that the bike will stay at the church until it is sold. I don’t think I will be doing any riding anytime soon. But I will always be thankful for a group of strangers who came together to help a man lying on the ground with a motorcycle. I am encouraged by the love of God that can flow through His people if we allow it.

I’m gonna move pretty slow for a few days but I can still move. It hurts to breathe deeply but I can still breathe. God is good! Now you all be careful out there and look for ways to be a blessing to somebody!

Grateful,

Jeff Hulsizer