Take Us To Church

Take us to Church

 

Grandmaster Eric Kino and his son, Ricky Kino take us to church.

 

We pick up mid-sermon to hear Eric Kino Speaking at the Pine Forest Community church of Christ:

 

“People are constantly coming to me to ask how they can accomplish what I have accomplished, how they can be like me. I’m gonna tell you all that secret right now. Don’t try to be like me. Try to be like Jesus, because that is what makes me who I am. I simply strive to be like Jesus. Of course, I fail miserably, because I am merely human. But I do try. And I try to know God’s will for ME. For me. Those are the keywords. You find His will for YOU. Do that and you will accomplish great and marvelous things.

 

“My son Ricky had no idea I was going to turn my time over to him. My son, doesn’t even realize the light he is to the world. Even though he too is a Grandmaster, he doesn’t insist anyone call him Grandmaster Kino because he innately knows who the REAL Grandmaster is, and that is God. He has a beautiful testimony and he is strong– powerful– wise, and I couldn’t be more proud of him. He rises to every challenge placed in front of him, willingly, with great enthusiasm. So allow me to turn the remainder of the time over to him. Please welcome, my son, Grandmaster Ricky Kino.”

 

Ricky stood, kissed Bree on the cheek, buttoned his suit coat, made his way out to the aisle. His father made his way back to their pew. They looked at each other face to face and fell into each other’s embrace. The congregation went crazy at this show of love between father and son, applauding, laughing, shouting hallelujahs and amens.

 

Ricky went to the pulpit and the congregation went totally silent. The energy was so high, you could almost feel an electric current run through the large church. Ricky smiled, a smile the entire world loved and was familiar with. He shook his head, pointed at his father. “I will get you for this.”

 

The congregation laughed.

 

Ricky drew a deep breath and again, you could have heard a pin drop. “I know my father well,” he began. “I know he wouldn’t call on me like this for some random, just for fun, kind of reason, like to see me squirm. He has a reason for this, and he says God is putting it on his heart, so, I’m asking God now, to fill me with His Holy Spirit and give me the words He would have me speak.”

He closed his eyes, and opened them quickly. Nodded. Whispered a “Thank you.”

 

“My father, my earthly father, just spoke the words admonishing us to establish a line of communication with God, to build a relationship, so that we can know His will for our lives. And God just pointed out to me, that’s what I just did. I asked Him to fill me with His Holy Spirit and tell me what to say and that is exactly what we are all supposed to be doing. We all have idols, people we look up to and admire that we want to be like, but, as innocent as that sounds, that is idol worship. My idol I guess, has been my father. What God is telling me is I need to stop trying to fill my earthly father’s shoes, and try to fill Jesus’ shoes. Of course, that is impossible. But it’s not in the accomplishing, it is in the trying. As long as we are focusing on that, on living with the constant question, ‘What would Jesus do?’ in our minds, then we will find the right path, the one that will give us great joy and take us back to be with our Father in Heaven and the rest of our eternal families.”

 

Not a baby cried. Not a cough was heard. There was silence. Until, there was a sniffle. And then another, and another. Not just one or two now, it suddenly seemed as if the entire congregation was in tears. It wasn’t because what Ricky Kino was saying was so different or profound, but because the Holy Spirit was bearing witness to what was being said. He was letting everyone here today or listening today know and feel that God is real.

 

Ricky’s eyes filled. His voice choked with emotion. “Do you feel that? I hope you do. I think I can see that you do. Dear God, thank you for that.”

 

Excerpt #9 Circle of Life in Jesus' Name