Get in the Word and Don't Stop!

I was gifted with a New King James Study Bible when I was baptized in 1996 at a small Southern Baptist church in Central Indiana. It wasn't until early 2001, when I was 27 years old, that I read through that entire Bible. It was the toughest year of my life, so I committed to reading and studying my Bible regularly in a new way. The next year, I moved to South Korea to serve with a Christian organization, and my future mother-in-law gave me a New American Standard Bible. It became my go-to translation for six years until the ESV Study Bible was published in 2008. 

I used to write all 66 books and chapters of the Bible on paper and mark off the chapters when I completed them. I now do it on my Mac and highlight the chapters I've read. Keeping track of what I'm reading has helped ensure I don't neglect any part of God's Word. I have struggled through parts of Old Testament history and prophecy and often forget what I've read, but God's Word has been a lamp to my feet and a light to my path (Psalm 119:105). 

Megan and I expected our three children to be in God's Word seven days a week. They didn't always accomplish the goal, which would result in a healthy talk from yours truly. Grace Noel completed her first reading of the Bible in elementary school, and Rosalie did it as a middle schooler. Josiah Lee, our 7th grader, has completed the New Testament and is now reading the Psalms. Are there parts of the Bible that went over their heads? Absolutely. Welcome to the club. We still wanted them to read every word of the Bible and ask us questions when things got confusing. Seeing my kiddos reading and studying their Bibles has helped me walk more closely with Jesus.

If little kids can read the entire Bible, there is no reason YOU can't do this. We spend so much time on social media, attending sporting events, and watching movies and TV shows. Yet it only takes ten to twenty minutes for the average reader to complete three chapters in their Bible. There are 1189 chapters in the Bible, and reading 3.25 chapters a day is all it takes to have it done in a year. If you don't like reading, then listen to the Bible. This can be done as you enJOY breakfast, complete a household task, drive to work, or before you go to bed. Consistently feeding on God's Word can help us progress toward holiness. It can help us resist accepted sins like complaining about our jobs, showing impatience with our children, and being anxious about our finances. It forms us. 

Consider downloading one of the Bible reading plans here and grow in your relationship with God. Figure out a Bible reading rhythm and let God speak to you in new and exciting ways!

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Why Go to Church?

Although I'd like to think that you would learn a great deal in one of my high school Bible classes, it simply wouldn't be enough. We need to go to church. Seven years ago, Grammy award-winning pop star Justin Bieber said, "...you don't need to go to church to be a Christian. If you go to Taco Bell, that doesn't make you a taco." This might be a true statement (I praise Jesus that I'm not a taco); however, I don't know any strong Christians who aren't worshipping at a local church on Sundays. In fact, most strong Christians are probably serving at their local church in some capacity. When I've heard people say that they don't need to go to church, they tend to be people who aren't exactly spittin' out Scripture like the Apostle Paul. Over the years, I've heard some really interesting excuses as to why we don't need to go to church. I could share a million reasons why we should want to go to church on Sunday mornings, but I'll just start with four. :-) 

1. God's Word Is Preached - At a Bible-based church, the pastor has spent significant hours in preparation to preach a Spirit-filled sermon that teaches, rebukes, corrects, and trains us how to be Christ-centered people. I have a gifted pastor who clarifies the text for me and helps me better understand who God is. He helps me better understand what is expected of me in building God's kingdom.

2. You Worship With Other Believers - I'm an introvert, but the music sounds so much better when I sing with others! I don't possess mad musical skills, but my heart is often moved during corporate worship. Additionally, I hear Scripture read with reverence, crucial prayers that can only be heard at church, take part in communion with my brothers and sisters, and celebrate the baptisms of new believers.

3. To Become Stronger Christians - When you go to the gym, you get stronger. Sure, you can work out at home, but the gym has more equipment and people to push you. At church, you are surrounded by godly people who listen, ask questions, keep you accountable, provide counsel and encouragement, and maybe even discipline you. Furthermore, gospel-centered churches have libraries with solid resources that support what Scripture says.

4. To Bring God Glory - Worshipping at a church is important because it brings God glory. It brings God joy when he sees like-minded people from all walks of life come together to praise His name. Why wouldn't you want to do that on Sunday morning? What better thing do you have to do on Sunday morning than gather with God's people and worship Jesus Christ? Let's do this. Let's get excited about worshipping together on Sunday mornings and bring God the glory!

Please join the conversation! What are some other reasons why we should want to go to church on Sunday mornings?

not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. Hebrews 10:25

Discipling New Believers

A few days ago, a colleague told me they have a heart for new Christians at our school and want to see them nourished and rooted strongly in Christ. I love hearing that. This is how we should be. So what should our response be to those who make a profession of faith? This is what I recommend:

1. Someone should meet and pray with the new believer every week, two weeks, or month. If someone isn’t talking with the student and asking them questions about Jesus and life, the student is less likely to grow in their relationship with Christ and may even prove to be a Demas (2 Timothy 4:10). 

2. We should encourage the student to read their Bible every day (2 Timothy 3:16). They're more likely to do this if they have some kind of reading plan. BibleGateway.com has numerous plans to choose from here. I recommend starting in Mark (the shortest of the four Gospels) or John (simple, clear, and deep passages).

3. Consider gifting the student with a book that will help them grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Here are a couple of excellent sites that provide books for new believers that can help them better understand what it means to follow Christ:

• https://www.crossway.org/articles/for-new-christians/
• https://www.challies.com/resources/ten-books-every-christian-teenager-should-read/

4. Get them connected with people at a local Bible-believing, Christ-centered, Spirit-filled church (Hebrews 10:25). Church is where they can participate in communion, watch baptisms, hear sermons and testimonies, sing songs, serve, and more. The student is a member of the body of Christ, and we need them at church to bring God greater glory.

So there you have it. We have a tremendous responsibility and honor in discipling others. Let’s make sure we’re doing our part in pointing new Christians in the direction they should go!

I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. 1 Corinthians 3:6

Wick's Highlights of the Past Decade

A new decade is upon us, and I have been reflecting on the past ten years. There were certainly some tough times for us in the last decade, but God blessed us with much. Below are some of those highlights.

2010: It took 3.5 years, but Rosalie became an official Wickersham and an American citizen. Shortly after that, I started an M.Ed. in educational administration before starting my new job as the middle school principal at TIS.

2011: I baptized Rosalie, and later in the year, unbeknownst to us, Josiah Lee was born.

2012: I received a picture of my son. I never wanted a boy or a third child, but God radically changed my heart.

2013: We adopted Josiah Lee, and I completed my degree at CIU. Megan provided me critical support and helped me see the choices I needed to make.

2014: I returned to the classroom and got to teach and coach Rosalie. I also coached Grace Noel in her first soccer matches.

2015: We told family and friends that we would be moving back to the States in 2016. I added middle school boys' basketball and volleyball to my coaching resume and conducted soccer camps for Indy Eleven in the summer. I coached a boys' soccer team for the first time since 1996, and it was announced that I would coach the TIS high school girls' soccer team the next season - my first high school team since 2003.

2016: I'm hired as the 6th-9th grade assistant principal at Evansville Christian School, and we moved back to Indiana. This is the first time our kiddos have lived outside of China. I was overseas for 14 years of my adult life, and Megan was in China for 19 years. Megan eventually lands ESL positions at USI and through Vincennes University.

2017: Just a few weeks into the school year, it was announced that I'm now the Cullen Campus principal. I wasn't sure if I would like being a principal again, but it has been a great fit. I'm thankful to be able to work in a growing community of believers who desire to know Christ and make Him known.

2018: We watched Grace Noel get baptized at Faith Bible Church. I'm regularly reminding my children that all of our accomplishments amount to nothing if we aren't following Christ and bringing God glory.

2019: This year's highlight was all the time we got to spend with our family and old friends. We are grateful when friends from other parts of the country or world visit us, as well as God's provision that enables us to visit amigos in Central Indiana, Ohio, and the Deep South.

2020+: We do not know what God has planned for us, but I know that He is good and will bring what He began to completion. We must trust Him and strive to bring joy to our Father.

to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:21

Wick's 2018 Highlights

It's hard to believe that we've been back in the States for 2.5 years now. God continues to shower his blessings on us. Here are past Wickersham highlights: 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, & 2017.

January - We celebrate five years of having Josiah Lee in our family. Where did we celebrate? At a Chinese restaurant, of course!

February - My dad turned the big 80 on Groundhog Day. I'm thankful to have a dad who has been very supportive of me throughout my life.

March - The Wickershams take a mini vacay to Nashville, Tennessee. This might be the closest we get to the Parthenon in this life.

April - Grace Noel makes a public profession of faith by getting baptized at Faith Bible Church. There were lots of tears of joy.

May - We take another mini vacay and enjoy the rides at Kentucky Kingdom & Hurricane Bay in Louisville. I'm grateful for a job that provides the finances and time to get away with the family.

June - I get a nice suntan while directing three ECS soccer camps, one of which Josiah Lee attends. It was especially cool to have Rosalie & Grace Noel assisting me.

July - I help chaperone a youth group trip to Cedar Point and Scene75 Entertainment Center. I had no idea roller coasters could hit 120 MPH in four seconds. Woo!

August - We finally became members of Faith Bible Church. A humongous shout-out goes to my Heavenly Father for giving us a church that is Bible-based, Christ-centered, and Spirit-filled.

September - We end our first season of ECHS girls' soccer with a tie against Owensboro High School. Although we didn't have a winning record (3-4-1), I'm pleased with the team's effort and see the program headed in the right direction.

October - Rosalie and a classmate represent ECHS in UE's Changemaker. I'm glad Megan was such a big support in this innovative project.

November - Old friends we worked with in China, the Headricks, pay us a short visit. It's great to catch up and share how God has been working in our lives now that our families are in the States.

December - Megan and I throw a 50th-anniversary celebration for her parents. They are an incredible testimony to a life dedicated to being doers of the word, and not hearers only.

I Have a 16-Year-Old

Rosalie turned the big 16 on Friday. Where does the time go? Below are 16 interesting facts about my oldest child.

1. Rosalie used to have a British accent and occasionally used words that we didn't know.

2. One week before Christmas, Rosalie entered our family as a 4.5-year-old; however, it took 3.5 years before her adoption was finalized.

3. During Rosalie's first-grade year, Megan homeschooled Rosalie in core subject matters.

4. Like her brother and sister, Rosalie's middle name is Chinese - Jinmin. The "Jin" comes from the city she is from, Tianjin, where we used to live.

5. Like her dad, Rosalie has consumed salted scorpions. Yum, yum to the tum, tum.

6. Last year, Rosalie participated in cross country, swimming, and track & field. This year, she has returned to the soccer field and is playing on my high school squad.

7. Rosalie was placed on a "B" team for an open futsal tournament in 7th grade, and she ended up leading the team in goals and helping the team win the tourney. Her coach was a short, intense dude who wouldn't shut up.

8. I served as Rosalie's assistant volleyball coach during her sixth-grade year, her first of two years of playing organized volleyball.

9. Rosalie played on the middle school basketball team at her international school in China for two years. Despite standing at a gigantic 5'2", she still can't dunk a basketball.

10. Rosalie has a TCK blog that she started in 8th grade. I've encouraged her to keep writing, but I think she needs to hear that from others.

11. Rosalie played the French horn for five years and once left her $3600 horn in the back of a taxi. I praise Jesus for the help we received from our local friends, the expat community, and the police in retrieving the horn. Did I mention how crazy expensive French horns are?

12. Grace Noel and Rosalie have always shared a bedroom, and although they may prefer having their own rooms, I think this brings them closer.

13. Rosalie has done well in some elementary Bible memorization competitions and has forced me to work on this spiritual discipline.

14. This past year, Rosalie took Chinese language lessons on Sunday afternoons. I went fishing instead of participating in language studies.

15. Rosalie will be getting her learner's permit soon. Pray for us.

16. I baptized Rosalie in a hotel pool several years ago. I'm thankful for the privilege it is to train Rosalie in God's ways and hope she will always seek hard after Jesus and bring Him all the glory.

12 Years Ago on June 12th...

12 years ago on June 12th, Megan and I adopted our 12-year-old, Grace Noel. Below are 12 interesting facts about my first child.

1. Grace Noel is our first child. We adopted her when she was nine months old, and six months before bringing Rosalie into our family as a four-year-old.

2. Grace Noel is from the southernmost part of the central province of Hubei. Her village of one million people is surrounded by rice paddies and water buffaloes.

3. Like her little brother and big sister, Grace Noel's middle name is Chinese. It's Siyuan, and it means to remember your origin.

4. Grace Noel's favorite sport is Association football or soccer. I might have played a part in this. She also participates in track and field and recently attended a basketball camp.

5. Grace Noel is a much better middle school student than her dad. Unlike her daddy, she didn't get paddled by the principal for fistfighting.

6. Like her daddy did, Grace Noel plays the alto sax. She took piano lessons for many years when we lived in China. She can also play a mean recorder.

7. In China, I've been mistaken for Grace Noel's English teacher. People sometimes found it confusing that she spoke English so well.

8. During her fourth-grade year, Grace Noel earned second place at an international school badminton tournament. A little birdie told her to play.

9. When Grace Noel was two years old, we rode our bikes to a nearby stadium and watched some Women's World Cup matches. The next year, we rode our bikes to some Olympic soccer matches.

10. Grace Noel has lived in five apartments (all in Tianjin), one townhouse (Newburgh, Indiana), and one house (Evansville, Indiana) in her twelve years of life.

11. On her "All About Me" kindergarten poster, Grace Noel said beef tongue was her favorite food. Moo.

12. Grace Noel was recently baptized, and she's a God-given gift that I don't deserve. I'm thankful that God chose me to be her father, and I look forward to seeing what God will do in her life as she grows in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Reviewing Eric Liddell's The Disciplines of the Christian Life

Nearly seven years ago, I read an outstanding biography of Eric Liddell, the Olympic gold medalist whose life story inspired the 1981 "Best Picture," Chariots of Fire. I found Liddell's story to be of great interest since he served in my former home of Tianjin, China, during the first half of the 20th century. When Christianaudio made The Disciplines of the Christian Life available for free four years ago, I quickly downloaded it. I started listening to the book this year as part of my morning devotions, and it took no time to complete it.

Eric Liddell wrote The Disciplines of the Christian Life to help Christians grow in Christ through daily Bible study and prayer. Below you'll find the foundational topics showing that Liddell starts with discipleship. He gives a Bible reading plan with a recommended reading for each day of the year, with the readings organized into 12 chapters for each month of the year. Knowledge is not just given, but practical ways to live for God's glory. The Disciplines of the Christian Life is simple and straightforward, but should stir up some emotion. Prior to hearing Liddell's thoughts, Herbert S. Long provides us with information concerning how the book came about.

A Word by Herbert S. Long 15:30
Preface 30:56

Part Two: A Year of Discipleship:

1. January: God the Nature of God 8:40
2. February: The Life of Jesus 5:55
3. March: The Life of Jesus Continued: The Cross 10:40
4. April: God's Moral Law - The Law and Sin 9:56 
5. May: The Character of Jesus - Jesus Our Example 7:56
6. June: The Kingdom of God - The Kingdom of Heaven 9:15
7. July: God is Love 9:40
8. August: The Life of Paul - The Act of the Apostles 5:54
9. September: The Epistle to the Romans - Paul's Gospel - The Face of Christ, A Face for the World 11:25
10. October: The Holy Spirit 10:12
11. November: Victory, Victory Over Temptation 9:07
12. December: The Fellowship, The Church 8:17

Part Three: The Disciple and the Church 2:21

• Baptism - The Symbol 4:00 
• The Communion of the Lord's Supper 11:58
• The Three Great Festivals of the Church - Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving 6:29

If you want to hear from a servant of strong convictions who ran for Jesus, I recommend The Disciplines of the Christian Life. The paperback is only 160 pages, should you choose to read it.

For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing. 2 Timothy 4:6-8

Wick's 2011 Highlights

It’s a little late, but I spent some time reflecting on how good the Father has been to the Wickershams in the past year. Here are last year's highlights: 2010.

January – We spend part of our winter in snowy Indiana, and I take the girls sledding on the same hills I sledded as a boy. It totally rocked.

February – Rose and I return to Tianjin because of school and work. I play Mr. Mom, but the community provides us with some meals. I am thankful for the Body.

March – Megan and Grace come back to Tianjin safe and sound. We are more than happy.

April – I got the privilege of dunking Rose on Easter Sunday. Please pray that Grace will one day make a public profession of faith.

May – TIS celebrates its 25^th anniversary at the new school building. Eight of my 16 years as a professional educator have been spent in China.

June – We go to Indiana and spend a lot of time hangin’ out at parks, checkin’ out wildlife, splashin’ in creeks, walkin’ trails, and fishin’. Rose and Grace get a little more Hoosier in them.

July – I spent three weeks at Columbia International University to continue my M.Ed. studies. My second summer at CIU does not deprive me of sleep like the first summer did.

August – I begin my second year as the Middle School Principal at TIS, and the school year starts off on a good note.

September – Megan and I go south to Wuhan and attend a wonderful retreat. This was a great time to meet with other ISC administrators and their spouses.

October – My former Sunday leader and his wife make their first trip to the Middle Kingdom. We have some deep discussions on what our Father has done in our lives and how He continues to work.

November – We celebrate my 38^th birthday at a nearby teppanyaki. Rose and Grace are super excited for me, and it brings me great joy.  

December – I complete half of my M.Ed. studies and look to finish during the summer of 2013. Megan continues to be a great source of encouragement and support.

Rose Gets Dunked: Easter 2011

"Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? We were buried therefore with Him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life." Romans 6:3-4

A nearby hotel's swimming pool serves as a baptismal tub every Easter.

We took some pictures together before Rose's identification
with the Son of Man's death, burial, and resurrection.

After Rose shared a short testimony, I had the honor of performing Rose's baptism.

We are extremely thankful that Rose publicly proclaimed her trust in the Son of Man.
To God be the glory both now and forever.

Rose and others who were baptized stand in front of the TJIF congregation.

2010 Year in Review: An Interview with Rose & Grace

Dad: 2010 is almost over. We only have one hour and 45 minutes before 2011 arrives. Do you girls think you will be able to stay awake to ring in the new year?

Grace: Yes. 

Rose: Well, I'm not really sure.
Dad: Grace, do you know what it means to ring in the new year? 
Grace: It's almost the new year. That's what it means. Does it mean that, Daddy? Does it really? Daddy, is it? Is it daddy? Daddy!
Dad: Yes, you are right, Grace. To ring in the new year means to celebrate the beginning of the new year at the stroke of midnight. Rose, what are some things that you liked that occurred during 2010?  
Rose: What does occurred mean?
Dad: I'm sorry. When something occurs, that just means that something has happened.

Rose: Oh. Well, friends came over for dinner, and I really liked that. And the whole morning we went bowling, and we had lunch at the bowling place. I really liked that too.

Dad: Now you understand that I'm asking about the entire year and not just about today, right?

Rose: Oh, okay. I'll tell the whole world about it. This Christmas was fun because I got this new game called Cadoo, and our family played it once, and I really liked it. You can draw and like, uh, play with some Play-Doh that came with it, but ours didn't have it, so mom made it.

Dad: What else did you like about 2010?

Rose: I also liked that on December 3rd, we had a fun play that my music teacher directed. I think she got it from a book called The Plane Truth.

Dad: Now you know that you are only telling me about events that occurred in December, right?

Rose: Right, I know. But I'm still trying to think about other events like Easter and stuff like that. But I have my mind on like other years, like 2008 or 7. Well, this Easter we watched other kids get baptized, and one of the kids was my friend Maya.

Dad: That was special to see your friends get baptized, huh?

Rose: Yeah, that was kind of interesting. When Maya made her speech, she added a song to go with it. The speech is how you became a Christian. 

Dad: We need to talk about that with you soon. It is important to be able to share your testimony with others.

Rose: I really do, but I don't know what to say in my speech, so we might need to talk about it like you said.

Dad: No worries. We'll do this very soon.

Rose: Okay. 

Dad: Grace, what did you think about 2010? What did you like that occurred this year?
Grace: On Christmas, we got to open presents on Jesus' birthday.
Dad: That was cool. What else did you like about this year?

Grace: Going to school. I'm still going to school, but on January I'm going to school for a couple of days because I'm going to America. 

Dad: That will be nice, huh?
Grace: Yeah.
Dad: Do you girls know what I liked about 2010?
Grace: No.

Rose: What did you like? 

Grace: What did you like, Dad? What is it?
Dad: Well, there were many things that God did in 2010 that I liked, but one thing that comes to mind is that Rose was officially adopted into our family.
Rose: Yay.
Dad: I think we'll stop this interview. Is that okay?
Rose and Grace: Yeah.
Dad: I love you, girls.
Grace: I love you, too.
Rose: Me too.
Dad: That's nice.

Playin' video games on the Mac