Knock Knock

Pastor Tim Howard
August 22, 2009

It was 9:15 at night when I heard a knock at the door. As I sat in my chair and put my book down, I began to wonder who would possibly be knocking this late in the evening. I must admit, my first thought was to pretend I wasn’t there in hopes they would give up and go away, but the knocking continued in spite of my wish fullness. Was it someone selling magazines, was it someone wanting to steam clean my carpets for a really great deal or maybe a young child trying to sell candy bars for a school project? The only way to find out for sure was to open the door and invite them in.

In the Bible, John the apostle wrote the book of Revelation and in Chapter 3, verse 20, he uses figurative language to tell us what God says. “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.”

I can understand why a person would not want to answer the door when someone comes knocking late at night or early in the morning. More often than not, those who are doing the knocking aren’t there for your benefit but seeking to solicit something from you. They want to take and not give. But what if the person who is knocking has your best interest in mind? Maybe he’s knocking to say the windows in your car are down and it’s raining. Possibly it’s a neighbor who wants to tell you he gave away his dog that constantly barks. What if it was the Reader’s Digest and you are the grand prize winner of the sweepstakes? Wouldn’t you run to the door and open it?

God doesn’t come to take anything from you because He already has everything. Col. 1:16 tells us this truth, “For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.” He doesn’t need what you have! He knocks on your door because you need what he has! He knocks because He wants to develop a relationship and share His wealth with you. When you open the door to Jesus, you begin a two-way relationship. It’s not a monologue but a dialogue. He eats with you and you get to eat with him.

In 1973 a song called, Knockin' on Heaven's Door, was written and performed by Bob Dylan for the soundtrack of the 1973 film Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid. It was about a sheriff who had been fatally shot and as darkness set in he began to knock on heaven’s door. The good news from the Bible is that you don’t need to die in order to have a relationship with God. He’s reaching out to you right now. You do, however, have to open the door and invite Him in.

Even though it was 9:15 p.m., I did open the door and invite those who were on the outside to come inside. They declined the offer because it was late but wanted to give me a delicious Apple Pie in case I wanted something sweet to eat before I retired for the night. Great Neighbors! What I would have missed if I hadn’t opened the door? Don’t miss what God has in store for you. Open the door to Jesus and invite Him in. You won’t be disappointed!

A Good Place to Raise Kids

by Blake Cromwell

In the early 60’s my father left the LA basin and moved his family to Hanford. He announced that Hanford would be a good place to raise his boys. Of course, being in the 5th grade, I was fascinated with Hanford — Moe’s Toy Store, Superior Dairy and the vast countryside. That first summer I swam in the canals, shot jack-rabbits and hunted pheasant. My father was right. Hanford was and is a good place to raise a family. The Kings County is a better place for kids than many parts of our nation.

Churches are also great places to raise a family. Over the years as a pastor, I have witnessed a generation of kids grow up in our home church, Koinonia Christian Fellowship. When I first began pastoring in Hanford I was 30 and this December I will turn “The Big Five O” (December 1st if you want to send some reading glasses and Rogaine).

Over the last twenty years, I have seen toddlers grow up, graduate from college, marry and start families of their own. The vast majority of these kids have been blessed and are productive young adults making a positive impact on their communities.

Most churches provide great role models for children. Men and women raising families and living moral lives impart a visible example for kids to follow. The first experiences in drama, singing, musical instruments and the art of public speaking are often in the local church. Church programs help kids develop strong faith, healthy self-esteem, and love for song. Kids clubs, vacation Bible schools, Christmas plays, father and son outings, father and daughter dinners, and many more — all are found within the community of the church.

My own children grew in interest for musical instruments as they weekly watched the worship band in church. Every week they saw and heard piano, drums, guitars, percussions and stringed instruments making joyful music. My son’s interest in philosophy and theology was inspired by the gifted speakers he was exposed to through the church. He also was awakened to how beautiful girls are because everyone knows the best looking girls are in churches.

I think of Sean who at age 7 was involved in a our kid’s choir and drama team. They sang in churches in Hanford and traveled to many places including Jamaica to minister in churches and public schools. Sean today is in the film business in Hollywood. He attributes his love for the Fine Arts and his calling to Hollywood because of his experiences in church.

On a short mission trip to Mexicali, Rhonda at age 11 witnessed medical care being given to children in the city dump. She now attributes her profession as a nurse to her experience in that Mexicali dump.


My own personal experience of finding positive role models occurred at a local church here in Hanford, the Glad Tidings church. There at age 16, I was impacted by a man named Vernon Rogers. He was affectionate, friendly and enthusiastic about his faith in Christ. I watched how he treated his wife and said deep within myself, “I want that kind of relationship with my future wife.” There is a memory embedded in my mind of Vernon praying in church with tears upon his face as he thanked God for His goodness. I found good role models in many of the men of that church. I believe it is the same today.

In our churches in the Kings County you will find a healthy place to raise your family. The Bible promises parents, “raise up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it.” If you chose Hanford to raise a family please remember there are some great churches here waiting to help you.