Uplook - October 3, 2026
Dear Seattle Saints,
I am always a bit nostalgic during the first part of October as it was on October 9, 1973 as a 16-year-old that I attended a Tuesday evening church service where missionaries from Asia (Rev. Harold/Sis. Sally Barrett) were showing picture of how God was working there. I had been attending our church for about 4-5 months and hearing the truth from God's word. Paradoxically, it seemed the more I heard, the worse I felt (which I now understand as Holy Ghost conviction). After nearly dying from a ruptured appendix the previous year, I felt as if I somehow "owed God" and wanted to find Him. God was faithful to allow two Christians in my friend circle to invite me to church and one of those churches was the Apostolic Faith Church.
That night the missionary told of what he called "factory girls"; young ladies who worked 7 days per week, 12 hours per day and yet would come by the missionary's apartment gathering to hear the good news of Jesus. A realization began to dawn on me that my life was so much easier and yet I did not have the relationship with Christ and peace which they did. Later that evening, kneeling next to my bed I asked God to "give me what these people have." God was so faithful to speak gently to my heart. His simple response to me was "Who is going to sit on the throne?" I understood quickly that God knew me better than I knew myself. I was a drummer and much of my identity was wrapped in an expensive drum kit which I had purchased with my own money. I played at school and in several groups and was well aware that the stool on which the drummer sits is referred to as the "drummers' throne". I knew that God not only wanted my drums but that he wanted to be on the throne of my life. That night, I told God that the throne was his if I could just have peace in my heart.
Months earlier when I returned home from the hospital, my father had asked me, "Bill, did you ever think you were going to die?" I had honestly not thought about it, but from that moment on the thought haunted me. I realize now that it was the Holy Spirit drawing me to the Lord. That night when my surrender was complete, the fear of death was gone and it was replaced by a peace which I had never experienced. No crashing cymbals or thunderous drums, just a quiet peace. That was 53 years ago and the Lord has been faithful through all of life's ups and downs and I have come to understand what Paul described to the Philippian church as a peace which is able to keep your hearts and minds. Today I will leave you with that verse in context as an encouragement to surrender your all to the Lord and let Him keep you as well.
Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. 5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. 6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:4–7
God Bless,
BB
Rev. William E. McKibben
Senior Pastor
I am always a bit nostalgic during the first part of October as it was on October 9, 1973 as a 16-year-old that I attended a Tuesday evening church service where missionaries from Asia (Rev. Harold/Sis. Sally Barrett) were showing picture of how God was working there. I had been attending our church for about 4-5 months and hearing the truth from God's word. Paradoxically, it seemed the more I heard, the worse I felt (which I now understand as Holy Ghost conviction). After nearly dying from a ruptured appendix the previous year, I felt as if I somehow "owed God" and wanted to find Him. God was faithful to allow two Christians in my friend circle to invite me to church and one of those churches was the Apostolic Faith Church.
That night the missionary told of what he called "factory girls"; young ladies who worked 7 days per week, 12 hours per day and yet would come by the missionary's apartment gathering to hear the good news of Jesus. A realization began to dawn on me that my life was so much easier and yet I did not have the relationship with Christ and peace which they did. Later that evening, kneeling next to my bed I asked God to "give me what these people have." God was so faithful to speak gently to my heart. His simple response to me was "Who is going to sit on the throne?" I understood quickly that God knew me better than I knew myself. I was a drummer and much of my identity was wrapped in an expensive drum kit which I had purchased with my own money. I played at school and in several groups and was well aware that the stool on which the drummer sits is referred to as the "drummers' throne". I knew that God not only wanted my drums but that he wanted to be on the throne of my life. That night, I told God that the throne was his if I could just have peace in my heart.
Months earlier when I returned home from the hospital, my father had asked me, "Bill, did you ever think you were going to die?" I had honestly not thought about it, but from that moment on the thought haunted me. I realize now that it was the Holy Spirit drawing me to the Lord. That night when my surrender was complete, the fear of death was gone and it was replaced by a peace which I had never experienced. No crashing cymbals or thunderous drums, just a quiet peace. That was 53 years ago and the Lord has been faithful through all of life's ups and downs and I have come to understand what Paul described to the Philippian church as a peace which is able to keep your hearts and minds. Today I will leave you with that verse in context as an encouragement to surrender your all to the Lord and let Him keep you as well.
Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. 5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. 6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:4–7
God Bless,
BB
Rev. William E. McKibben
Senior Pastor
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