Rodger's Start to his Story
Rodger Kies grew up in Cedar Rapids US with one loving Christian parent and chose not to follow Jesus at an early age. I never had any ambitions to become a Christian speaker or any thoughts about going into Christian ministry.
I attended State College and received a certificate in Welding, and Machinist. I raised my three boys, after they moved out on their own. I went back to state college and earned a degree in Liberal Arts. Then I moved to Georgia and went to Georgia Middle State University and studied for my Bachelor of Science in Information Technology and Administration.
I started to attend a Christian Church that I liked in Georgia, and everything was going good for me with Jesus in my life again. Even with all the medical problems that had started to happen to me.
Rodger's College Crossroads
While in college I faced numerous situations that really challenged my faith. One of the biggest was when my Lung collapsed, and my surgeon told me I would probably not make it off the table. My oldest granddaughter had the faith I needed, she told me the surgeon was wrong I was going to do just fine. Well, here I am talking to you, but that was not the last time I was to hear that news. I did come back from that, and I finished my degree, and started another one.
Medical Crossroads
Right about the end of college COVID hit, and me with my severe COPD with emphysema and one and a half Lungs. I caught it and was in the hospital again, this time it was just a little scarier. I was in quarantine so I could not talk to my granddaughter for her strong faith she had in the Lord. The only thing I could do is use my own, at this time in my life I had not really thought that my faith was there.
Even so I talked to the Lord and asked for his help. I told him "I really do not know if you even hear people like me," the ones that wait until something happens to ask for your help. Do you know what he said to me read Romans 8:1 "Jesus is waiting for you with open arms" I cried. That gave me the faith I needed so I started looking for a church where I fit. I read the Bible daily, I do Bible study I found the church that I fit. I have been there ever since.
I found people there that were warm and friendly, helpful, and loving just what I was looking for. Jesus has been a large part of my life over the past several years and I have so much to thank him for. My health has been getting better all the time if you go buy the way God makes me feel every morning. Yes, I am still on my oxygen, and still in the wheelchair, but I feel that is only for a time God will have me back to normal.
Seek God and his Kingdom
Matthew 6:33
New Living Translation
Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
What does this mean? "It means putting Christ and the things of the Spirit first in our lives." How much energy do we expand in some way or another advancing the cause of Christ in the lives of others and in the world? To many Christians are putting way too much of their energy into things that do not matter at the end anyway we cannot take the earthly things with us. I know I do not want to be that guy that at the end realized that I spend too much time on things like money, possessions, and not on the words of Jesus. Amen!!!
This is why I have this site now so I can help anybody that wants to spend more time in his word. Our Lord has told me just like he wants everybody to spread his word and make disciples of all nations.
This is why the church fit me. The people that helped me figure out who I am.
Hello this is the story about the church I picked, or that fit. The name of that perfect church is Antioch Christian Church. I just one day in the middle of winter me and my youngest son stop, just to look to see if there was information about it on the doors. Well there was a man carrying stuff in and we ask about the times for services. This gentleman stopped in 15 mph winds -5° temperature arms full of stuff. He stood there for a good 15 minutes tell us about this church. He had some good things to say about it, but the idea of that man standing there telling me about his church amazed me. That was the only reason for me to go in next Sunday. Well the service hit home it was right at my door he had to be talking to me. So, the next week I went back and yes again he was talking to me. That was it I had to find out more about this church. It had a spot out front to talk to someone and find out more and about you. That is where I met Tyler one of the pastors their but I didn't know that at the time. Well we talked and things came out of me that just hadn't before. Tyler became one of my best friends.