new website is launched

The new site has been launched as of this morning! Here is the family reading site, with plenty of new stories that get refreshed every day with new chapters. Please visit it at http://www.zockollchronicles.com

'Allown Bakuwth

"But Deborah Rebekah's nurse died, and she was buried beneath Bethel under an oak: and the name of it was called Allonbachuth." - Genesis 35:8

'Allown Bakuwth is literally "The Oak of Weeping," a place dedicated to the sorrow in losing someone close to the family of Jacob. We read nothing else of Deborah but we see that she was a much-loved part of Jacob's clan, and that it was good to make a place to remember the sorrow acquainted with the loss, and to meditate upon the meaning of that sorrow.

I think that Christians may have their own 'Allown Bakuwth where they stop and ponder - and weep - over incidents in their lives that have affected them deeply. These memories - though highly emotional - serve as an important part of the Believer.

I stop and reflect upon the intense memories of my life and set up my 'Allown Bakuwth:

- In getting on my knees in my bedroom at the age of seventeen and calling upon Jesus Christ to save me, forgive me of my sins, and bring me into His Kingdom when I die.

- In standing next to a blackboard, cleaning a university classroom during my midnight job while at college, with my knee wrapped up from an injury, and weeping at the loss of my two Russian great-grandparents, both Believers.

- In identifying the body of Alan, one of my youth group members, at the hospital after a vehicle accident.

- In being devastated as a scandal among deacons at a San Jose church that undercut the vote to call me there as a senior pastor - and then finding out that not becoming their pastor was the best thing that could have happened (the scandal grew so deep that the church of 600 dissolved within a year.

- As a child, feeling the horrendous trauma of a messy divorce of my parents.

- Standing at the gravesite of one of the dear members of our congregation in Hollister and weeping at the loss of Virgil, a beloved elder.

- Of crying out to the Lord as I was alone in a chapel in Mt. Hermon, begging to be able to bring people to His saving knowledge; fully sobbing and seeing my tears fall on the wooden floor. Within the week I was able to see my first convert (Sharon) come to the Kingdom.

These and many other memories are posted in the 'Allown Bakuwth of my life, and it is an important part of my Christian life to be able to go back to the Oak Tree and weep.

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The Zockoll family asks for your to pray for Melanie Watson, who is suffering greatly from the effects of a devastating and growing cancer.

The Zockoll family asks for your prayers as Brad continues to work as a free lance writer. Pray that the assignments will come in during these difficult economic times.

Well-pleasing

A nice blanket of snow has hit us here in Eastern Tennessee and as usual the schools have all closed down for the day. I know, I know, you friends from the northern climes are going to laugh at our 1 and 2 inches of snowfall. I realize that your schools don't close until at least a foot or two collapses the whole highway system but cut us some slack - we don't see much of this anymore. Remember, I was born in Pennsylvania and I can remember some whompin' good snows in my day. The picture here was taken on the way in to Gatlinburg on the Smoky Mountain Parkway by a weather-watcher. It gives a nice idea of what we have outdoors right now.

I'm setting up my speaking engagements for the year. I'm lining up dates for going to churches and sharing God's message. It's always exciting to do this, because I get to meet so many great Christians.

Boy, I do love the blessings that Jesus gives. I enjoy every day the care that God shows over me, my family and friends, and I want to return that love in my own small ways. "...we have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be pleasing (euarestos) to Him." (2Cor 5:9)."Well pleasing" - euarestos (eu = well + arésko = please) means something that highly approved, above the average satisfaction. Are we making extra effort in our service to Christ to show our love to Him ... or are we just 'getting by? I just don't want to "exist" on this planet, taking in Jesus' joys and not giving back. I like to look for ways to show His love to others and bring honor to His name.

Truth

"Biblical orthodoxy without compassion is surely the ugliest thing in the world."

- Francis Schaeffer

Prophecy in Genesis 29:8?

I'm reading through the life of Jacob and Esau and came upon this memorable clip in the middle of the story line. Jacob has suggested that the shepherds take their flocks, water them, and head back out to the field.

"We can't," they replied, "until all the flocks are gathered and the stone has been rolled away from the mouth of the well. Then we will water the sheep."

I've searched the commentaries but have found nothing to expound on this intriguing part of Scripture found in the Old Testament. But I can't keep on reading without seeing this small portion at what I believe to be its full strength...

As we know that sheep are used as a symbol of unsaved man, and water is a symbol of the eternal life given by Jesus Christ, this passage came up like a speed bump in my reading.

The shepherds are encouraged to take the sheep back out into the field (world?) "We can't," they replied, "until all the flocks are gathered..." The shepherds (witnesses, missionaries, pastors) realized the unsaved people could not go into the world and be safe without the water (Word of salvation);

"...and the stone has been rolled away from the mouth of the well..." The parallel between this stone rolled away and the tomb's stone being rolled away so that Life may begin is so striking that I cannot ignore it. Roll this stone away and you have access to life-giving water. Roll the garden's tomb stone away and you have access to the Water of Life. He's not in the manger anymore, nor is He just a shepherd and teacher. You must roll the stone away and see Jesus for Who He is, and accept Him as such, for you to have Life.

"Then we will water the sheep." The true witness for Christ knows that the Risen Christ is the Jesus that will save.

Happy 2010

The whole family was out in force at the Zockoll homestead last night, seeing in the New Year. Robert and Marlene Livesay. Jill's folks, were over and leading us in a rousing game of Apples to Apples, which lasted for a good couple of hours of debate and influence (try the game if you're not familiar with what I'm saying). Jill was showing off our new dishwasher (what can I say? We get hyper over the small things in life) while Peter was breaking in a new video game in the Man Room. The most excitement was our fireworks display in the back yard. The family piled onto the deck while Nicholas, Peter and I lit off the best of Bimbo's Fireworks inventory - we really went all out this year, and ignited fireworks with enjoyable titles like Triumph America, Happiness, and Chinese Explosive Connection.

Our first volley freaked out our Sheltie, the newcomer to the Zockoll household. At the explosion of Victory Attack, Misty bolted and almost jumped off the second story of the deck. We didn't see her the rest of the night and I sincerely thought we'd lost our puppy, when at 1 a.m. Nicholas and Alexis came in carrying a shivering muddy little dog.

A Florida college student, Pete, is staying with us and is enjoying himself with hiking in the Smoky Mountain National Park and perusing the stores in Gatlinburg for the finest in fudge, samurai swords and Tennessee flags.

What's in store for 2010? As I am no prophet nor the son of a prophet, I cannot even begin to tell you, but I can let you know that we are seeing a gentle and forward nudging of our family into God's protective and personal care. Day by day we see Him in ways I have not experienced in years. It's going to be a good year, and all the glory goes to God the Father.

It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High: to shew forth thy lovingkindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night.
(Psalm 92:1,2)

Righteousness

δικαιοσύνη dikaiosynē

Romans 4:3 - "What does the Scripture say? 'Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.'”

A lot of people wonder how the people of the Old Testament times, prior to Jesus coming to Earth, were able to obtain salvation in order to get to heaven. The simple answer is that they had faith. Just as today we look back to the sacrifice of and work of the Messiah, the Old Testament people in faith looked forward to what the Messiah would do, and they lived their lives and adjusted their behavior according to that faith.

I remember sitting with a student at a retreat and listening as she poured her heart out, weeping and telling me of her frustration over not serving the Lord enough, not scoring enough "brownie points" in order to feel that she had pleased Him enough. Her faith was a true faith, to be sure, but her subsequent Christian walk was based upon working slavishly in order to feel like she measured up to God's pleasure. I was able to assure her that her service was indeed pleasing to God but she didn't need to enter every day with the burden that Jesus was holding a spiritual clipboard and marking whether she did enough to measure up to acceptable Christianity. Abraham did many a great thing, but it was his belief that put him in the category of righteous and gave him a pleasing walk with God.

The Greek word for righteousness is dikaiosynē and means "the condition acceptable to God;a state approved of God."

Revelation 21:1 ...new

οὐρανός ouranos ("heaven")
καινός kainos ("new")
γῆ gē ("earth")

"And I saw a new heaven and a new earth..."

This little phrase that starts the 21st chapter of Revelation stuns me every time I read it. John writes that he sees a ge and ouranos that are kainos..."an earth and its heavens that are new." This change of heaven (referring to 'blue sky' and 'cosmos surrounding the earth' ) and earth had been predicted numerous times in the Bible:

Isaiah 65:17 "Behold, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind."

Psalm 102:25-27 " In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. Like clothing you will change them and they will be discarded. But you remain the same, and your years will never end.

2 Peter 3:12 "as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat."

This Greek word for new means fresh, and new in the sense of quality - this will not be a simple remake of earth. In the Isaiah 65 passage the Hebrew word for create ("bara") means "create out of nothing."

This is a whole new creation. I'll take a deeper look at this in future posts.

A grand Christmas day

Yesterday was a fantastic day. Robert and Marlene, Jill's parents, spent the whole day with us along with Nicholas and Alexis. Nicholas has finished up his schooling in Biloxi with the Air Force but must spend a few more weeks there before coming back up to East Tennessee. Peter got a video game which practically cemented him to the screen for the remainder of the day, so we'd see him come up and grab some food, josh with us for a while, and then head back down for his next round of "testing out " the new gift. Jill and her mom kept the kitchen humming with tons of excellent footstuffs, while Robert did most of the gift assembly. I say most - and I meant a lion's share - because I was in a forced sedentary mode due to the remaining effects of the flu. Was it swine flu? No, I didn't have some of the violent symptoms that many people talked about, but it did last the entire week, fatiguing me with almost mono-like weariness. This morning is my first day without massive congestion, and I'm thankful for that.

Julianne spent the day playing with her new additions to her dollhouse while chattering to us about Santa being on the roof on Christmas Eve (it was Peter who climbed up on the roof with a handful of sleigh bells; this is a tradition at the Zockoll household, and it's a wonder nobody's fallen off the house yet.) We had an entertaining evening playing some board games which nearly broke down into non-rules anarchy - also a Zockoll tradition.

It was a very, very good day. We had a busy yet intimate household time of being together in laughter, banter, and consuming food by the platefuls. I do believe this was one of the most enjoyable Christmases I've had - not for the gifts or because there was a high-pitched mania (there wasn't) but because we honestly had a comforting time of fun and family.

P.S. And also because I got a very cool Koine Greek/English Lexicon. Yessssssss.

On this Christmas Eve I praise Him

Thank you, Lord for the many blessings of the year.

Thank you that our home has been a haven for a number of people who needed a place to stay in difficult times.

Thank you for the joy that we have every Sunday night when the college students come over for the Bible study.

Thank you for Jill, who has faced trials this year and has been able to still honor and thank you each day.

Thank you for Peter and his being part of our family. May he see You especially powerful this year.

Thank you for Nicholas and Alexis and the new Christian home they start in their first year of marriage.

Thank you for Julianne and the increasing, honest love she has for You.

Thank you for the hard times I faced this year and the fact that without You I could not have made it. Thank you for Christian friends who were an example of Your love in time of need, who were there to listen and assist. May I learn from that example.

Thank you for healing me in more ways than one, again proving that You indeed are Jehovah Rophe, "Our Lord Who Heals."

Thank you for being in our household, in our car, in our church, in our conversations, in our business decisions, in our times of need and in our times of joy. You truly are Jehovah Shammah, "The Lord is Present."

Thank you for guiding me in decisions I could not have made myself. Thank you for leading me into spiritual matters where I could not find a way. There is no doubt You are Jehovah Rohi, "The Lord is my Shepherd."

Thank you for taking care of us as I continue to write and gather work during these difficult economic times, further showing that You are "Jehovah Jireh, "The Lord who will Provide."

And thank you, thank you for bringing me peace in times that I needed it most, and when I didn't even know that I needed it, reminding me that You are rightly called Jehovah Shalom, "The Lord our Peace."

It's all You, Lord, and all praise and glory goes to You in Your holy domain.

wait it out

Apekdechomai (Phil. 3:20) "eagerly wait for Jesus"...compare our English expression "wait it out"...three words put together:“to receive,” (dechomai) as a welcoming reception for a friend; the word “off,” (apo) the withdrawal of one’s attention from other objects, and the word “out,” (ek) to intensify the already existing meaning of the word.

Lyrics

Little Julie was walking around the house singing "Joy to the World" with great enthusiasm, but I noticed a bit of a change in the lyrics. I walked over to my office door and leaned into the hallway to hear her version:

Joy to the world!

The Lord is come.

Let earth receive her King.

Let every heart repair in truth...

She repeated the song at dinner and Jill and I fought to keep from laughing while she sang with great gusto. But then I realized the actual depth of her 'mis-speak' and turned to Jill. "She's actually got it right," I said and Jill smiled, agreeing.

"Repair in truth". In seeing so many souls in anguish and spiritual wandering right now, I feel that a great healing would take place if hurting ones would allow Jesus to "repair their hearts in Truth." We don't need a fight over the title of Christmas in this season. Making a political agenda to Christianize the nation won't do it either. Over-socializing at church is not the answer. It can be as simple as coming to Jesus and letting him "repair our hearts in truth."

Out of the mouths of babes...

We're His children

This is a lean time of the year for my writing. I've been battling it out, running around and getting assignments and writing jobs wherever and whenever I can. Sometimes it gets frustrating, but I can see that many businesses are suffering greatly in this economy. I wonder if Congress will pass a stimulus package for writers? Naaaah.

The joy is in being above the worries of the world. In the midst of all of the lean times, Jesus is still there, taking care of our family.

"huiothesia"... (from huios = son + tithemi = place) literally means "to place one as a son". Huiothesia thus speaks of adoption or being placed in a position and rights as one’s own child. Gal. 4:5, Romans 8:15 .... awwwesome

1 Peter 3:15

but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts... (NASB)

But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord... (NIV)

but in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy... (ESV)

but in your hearts reverence Christ as Lord... (RSV)

The Bible scholar Matthew Henry says: "We sanctify the Lord God in our hearts when we with sincerity and fervency adore him, when our thoughts of him are [full of awe] and reverend, when we rely upon his power, trust to his faithfulness, submit to his wisdom, imitate his holiness, and give him the glory due to his most illustrious perfections. We sanctify God before others when our deportment is such as invites and encourages others to glorify and honour him..."

In the midst of all my writing assignments, husband and fatherly duties, teaching work, and other daily responsibilities, I still can have a place in my heart where I can follow 1 Peter 3:15 and sanctify the Lord Jesus... set Him apart... enjoy Him...and this worship and honor is much like the furnace of a building or a ship. It will heat and energize each far-reaching area of my decisions and walk.

NOTES:

The Zockoll family eagerly looks forward to Nicholas and Alexis coming home for Christmas from Biloxi MS where Nicholas is stationed with the Air Force.

Peter's new job at Chik Fil A starts this week and we trust the plentiful hours will help him save up for college this coming year. He's a diligent worker, and can enjoy the scholarship the company gives as well.

Jill is not feeling well... could be the freezing cold front that came in over the weekend. Her fibro myaglia is at its worst in months. Pray that we could get the medical and financial assistance necessary.

Julianne was in the Children's play at church. She was in the Angel Choir. The whole production was fantastic.

truth

My brother Brent reminded me of my newspaper editor days while at Delmar High School back in the 70s. Not content with the sterile environment of the school's newspaper, the Wildcat, because much was left out of many articles, I launched into an underground newspaper which I proudly called Cry from the Dungeon with all the usual arrogance of a ninth grader. I soon realized, as I gathered a "staff", that we could print the while truth without offending anyone (why is it that so many reporters believe that true news must be offensive and gutter-level?) and have a great time doing so. I added a Q & A column to a cartoon figure ("Fred Peaky"), a weekly vote on favorite sports stars and current events, and serialized fiction, among other things. Before two months were out, we were outselling the school newspaper!

I wanted to be able to tell the truth. We all want to hear the truth, especially whe it comes to spiritual matters. John 1:9 tells us that Jesus was - and still is - the True Light.

alēthinos

part of Biblical definition: opposite to what is fictitious, counterfeit, imaginary, simulated or pretended

b) it contrasts realities with their semblances

c) opposite to what is imperfect defective, frail, uncertain

2) true, veracious, sincere

Note: opposite of simulated. You can't make up what Jesus is. You cannot add to Him or take away. He is what He is. And I believe more Christians would have dynamic spiritual lives if they would get back into the Word and simply see who Jesus is, and follow Him.

Communication

But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person-such a man is an idolater-has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

My professional career has been centered around communication. I've worked in radio stations in Ohio, North Carolina and Tennessee; I've written nine novels and have been an author of textbooks, press releases, online adventure series and even animated cartoons. Communication is a big part of my corporate life.

I can recall one time when I hosted a midnight call-in radio program and we had a guest who claimed to be a Christian and yet disavowed the validity of the Bible and denounced the deity of Christ, merely calling him a "super-scientist" in order to explain His miracles. The phone lines were flooded and some people even wanted to come to the station and confront this man on some of the blaspheming statements he was making - at 2:30 in the morning! You see, communication - good or bad- can stir people into action.

I'm committing my speech to emphasize thanksgiving more. The word in Ephesians 5:4 is eucharistia ...it simply means to have a mouth that gives thanks. It is a speech that uplifts and does not tear down. With some of my professional writing assignments this past year I have faced people who have skipped without paying me, others wanting to short-change me in other ways, and I end up griping and grousing about it - surely a justifiable action! But I find out it trains my speech to travel down that avenue in other areas. I want to complain about the car, my dinner, a TV show, the neighbor's dog, a late assignment... and on and on. Yet when I start to train my tongue in thanksgiving, I find the habit both enjoyable and refreshing for me and those around me. And I feel that God is pleased as well.

ADVENT ADVENTURE STORY BEGINS TODAY

Dear friends,

I want to wish you a wonderful and joyous Thanksgiving. My gift to you is the chapter-a-day family adventure story STAMPEDE CHRISTMAS that starts today and continues through to Christmas Day. I've designed this to be a read-aloud to your children, with Christ being the central theme as you draw nearer to December 25th.

Please go to

http://www.stampedestorytown.com/

and read the first chapter or the prequel story ("Mr. Kauffman's Bright Idea") tonight as everyone is together.

Again, Happy Thanksgiving and may God bless you greatly today!

Debates: Does God Exist?

If you have some time - and you should make time for this - then click on this link and read the debate between Quentin Smith and William Lane Craig on the existence of God. This debate took place at Harvard University on April of 2003.

Well worth the time to read:

http://www.leaderu.com/offices/billcraig/docs/craig-smith_harvard00.html

500th blog

This post marks the 500th post since I started blogging back in December of 2005. I've written about some pretty exciting experiences during that time. I've also written about some of the darkest days of my life. In looking back through the scores of entries, I've been able to say that in my mountain top experiences as well as the very shadowy days of grief, that Jesus Christ has been there to guide and comfort me.

During my college days I played fraternity soccer - wasn't very good at it, but enough to start on good ol' Chi Alpha - and in an on-field accident I ripped the tendons in my right knee, an accident that still affects me today.

I can recall that first night in the hospital, lying in the bed and sweating profusely from the pain, wondering how I would ever make it through the first night. The medications did no good whatsoever, and I prayed and groaned as each minute passed by on the clock, asking the Lord to help me handle the agony as I watched my knee swell o the size of a watermelon.

It may seem strange to you, but that was a very profound time for me - in pain, alone and in prayer. Nobody else around, and no distractions. I think it was the beginning of my finding out how solitude can intensify prayer.

Through the years I have discovered that the power of being alone and in total focus with the Lord makes prayers much, much more real.

Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud:and he shall hear my voice. - Psalm 55:17

In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, [even] into his ears. - Psalm 18:6

And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. - Matthew 21:22

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Prayer for the Zockolls:

Nicholas Zockoll - stationed in Biloxi with the Air Force and newly married to Alexis, pray that he might be able to complete his studies successfully.

Peter Zockoll - pray for his walk toward the Lord and that Jesus would become amazingly real to him.

Julianne Zockoll - pray for her continued growth in the Lord at our new church in Oak Ridge.

Jill Zockoll - pray for new friends and for a possible ministry opportunity.

Brad Zockoll - pray for new writing assignments and new ministries through writing.

quotes on prayer

"Ten minutes spent in the presence of Christ every day, aye, two minutes, will make the whole day different." - Henry Drummond

"Prayer strikes the winning blow; service is simply picking up the pieces." - S.D. Gordon

"The most important thing a born again Christian can do is to pray." - Chuck Smith

"Prayer - secret, fervent, believing prayer - lies at the root of all personal godliness." - William Carey

"If any of you should ask me for an epitome of the Christian religion, I should say that it is in one word - prayer. Live and die without prayer, and you will pray long enough when you get to hell."
- Charles Spurgeon

"Shut the world out, withdraw from all worldly thoughts and occupations, and shut yourself in alone with God, to pray to Him in secret. Let this be your chief object in prayer, to realize the presence of your heavenly Father." - Andrew Murray