Hello there dear friends, it has been a while since I have brought Lets Chat Friday to life, hasn't it? Well today I have a special treat for you. A guest who has just written a book and has much wisdom to share. I just know you will be blessed as, Zeke, answers questions that most would like to know, but never get the chance to ask. It is my hope that you will get to know, Zeke, a little better, and find great blessings in this chat with him. So, grab yourself that favorite cup of coffee and have a seat. You are in for a treat!
Lets Chat Friday
with guest
Zeke Lam
It's a pleasure to have you join us, Zeke. Could you tell us a little about yourself?
I am 27 years old and have been married to my beautiful wife, Kathleen, for 6 years. We have three children (4, 2, and 2 months) that we love very much. I have ministered since the age of 18 as a youth minister and evangelist. In addition to this, I operate a small business which constructs ornamental concrete such as flower pots, bird baths, etc. I also help out with the family furniture business when time permits. We are passionate to see Christ glorified through our lives, and constantly remain seek to use our lives to share the Gospel. This has led our family all over the world. Our most recent “adventure” involved us literally driving to a town in Texas, renting an apartment, and seeking the Lord. Although we knew nobody or anything about the place, God gave us an entire church fellowship in 2 days! This turned into an incredible 7 month stay that is surely not finished yet.
I would love for you to share your testimony with us. Always love hearing just how one came to know Christ as their Savior.
As a child, I occasionally attended church with grandparents. Although I heard and received the Gospel there, real transformation did not occur until I began attending a nearby Christian school at about the age of 13. I this environment, I received a steady diet of the Word, and by the age of 16 or 17, God really began to draw me nearer. The adolescent seasons were absent from my life because some serious family illnesses required me to mature quickly. Seeing the loss of loved one’s opened my eyes to the reality of life and death. By 18, I decided to follow the Lord in baptism and begin serving in youth ministry. God continues to use us daily for the advancement of His Kingdom.
Has there been a time in your life where you thought God wasn't present?
The only time I struggle with thoughts such as this is during seasons of transition or change. Sometimes I want answers so quickly, but God desires me to wait and listen. In the midst of seasons such as this, I have to war against such lies that God is not present in my life.
We all struggle and have our ups and downs in our journey through life. Has there been a time in your life where you wanted to give up, but you felt the Lord's presence and through His mighty strength you not only made it through, but learned a great lesson?
My family and I recently finished a journey where I placed more on us than should have been. In addition to family, ministry, and job, I took a full time load of college courses. There were times within those three years that I felt like giving up. It got so exhausting and created tension on many levels. God’s grace led us through and we did learn many valuable lessons. Perhaps the greatest lesson was the one which Jesus spoke to Mary and Martha. Don’t let your serving become a distraction to your relationship with your Savior.
If you could go back to that young man you were at 18, what advice would you give yourself knowing all you know now?
Pursue and obey the voice of God no matter what others think. Never allow the opinion of man to interfere with your obedience to God. Pace yourself, and prepare for battle. No where you are going to stand before you have to stand there.
What are a few of your favorite things you love surrounding you?
My wife and three wonderful babies!
I would love for you to share with us your newest project and how you came about writing this gem.
My current vision is to continue with a SUBMISSION series. The idea for this book was directed by the Holy Spirit as I contemplated the devastation of compromise in our society. In the church, the government, families, and my own life, there is a serious disconnect in relation to Biblical submission. We claim to know and understand the voice and commands of God, but when it comes to exercising these beliefs, we are coming up short. SUBMISSION focuses on leading the Body of Christ worldwide to return to Scriptural obedience.
What advice would you share with someone going through a trial today?
Keep the faith, knowing that God “works everything together for God to those who love Him and who are called according to His purpose.”(Romans8:28) Although you may not understand this trial, God may indeed be positioning you and preparing you for a “such a time as this” moment. Remember, He knows exactly what He must take you through to get you where He needs you to be. Trust that your Father is positioning you for His glory.
What encouraging words could you share with someone facing loss at this time in their life?
Only God is able to provide the level of comfort and peace that you need. Nobody has the “right” words in which to bring healing to your hurting heart. In moments such as this, God promises us that we can “fear no evil” because He comforts us. Commit time to seek Him in an intimate way, and His peace will cover you. Praise Him day and night with lifted arms. Worship always brings me great comfort and peace.
If you could invite three people to have lunch with living or gone from this earth, who would you invite and why?
Gideon- Love to hear about what it was like to prevail with just 300.
D.L. Moody- As one of my heroes, I would love to get Godly advice and wisdom.
Grandfather- I miss him, and would enjoy fellowship.
What are some of your favorite books you have in your collection?
Biographies on preachers, evangelists, missionaries, and people who have given their lives for the sake of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Foxe’s Book of Martyrs, Heavenly Man, The Calling; books of this nature draw me most. If you could change one thing about today, what would it be and why?
The out of control pace of our society. I would like to slow things down in life to allow families time to sincerely enjoy their time in Christ. Keeping pace can be exhausting, and many times it is the one’s we love most who suffer from this. Don’t get me wrong, I love to work and serve the Lord, but we must be careful about missing His agenda because we are so busy with ours.
At the end of each day what is it that you hope you have accomplished?
At the end of each day, I want to be able to say that I gave my all for Jesus. Whether it is as a husband, father, minister, or pastor, I want to see Christ glorified in every area of my life. In short, each day I desire to fulfill the Great Commission.
What is a typical day in the life of Henry Lam?
Prayer, Bible reading and study, writing, working, discipleship, parenting: Each day is so very different. Most days I commit several hours working with my concrete business to provide income for my family. In addition we minister actively in our church and community.
How do you define success?
For me success is measure by how faithful and committed a person is to the calling that God has placed within them. Whether it is a mega church, small street ministries, being stay home mom, etc. if a person faithfully submits to the calling of Christ in their life, they will be successful. It may be insignificant and an apparent failure to the eye of man, but from the eyes of God, success is measure by obedience.
What is the most empowering advice you have ever received?
Be a man of passion with compassion.
We often think of just the here and now. In your legacy, what is it that you hope to leave behind imprinted on the hearts of everyone you have touched?
I hope to extend the name of Christ throughout this world. If I could leave a legacy imprinted in this world it would be this. Be willing to live your entire life under a level of submission that will make you look crazy and Christ look good. In our homes, places of work, ministries, etc. surrender our lives to Jesus and let Him shine through us.
What is one thing you look for in a close friend and what is one quality you hope others see in you?
Close friends sacrifice for one another. They have each other’s best interest in mind, which many times may include correction. I pray that others see in me a genuine spirit of love and care to see those around me experience the love of the Savior.
When you were a youngster, what were your dreams growing up? Have those dreams reached your wildest imagination or has God placed you on a different path?
I had the typical dreams of being a hero or sports star of some sort. Never in a million years did a picture happening what the Lord is currently performing in my life. So needless to say, my life has taken a dramatically different path than what I pictured as a youngster.
Could you share some advice on how we can have a successful marriage? Be a successful father and friend?
Being a successful father, friend, or spouse hinges upon our ability to think less about ourselves and more about that other person. This is submission at its finest. All selfishness and pride must be crucified, and we must be willing to love with the best interest of the other person in mind. Sometimes this requires us to be humble and vulnerable. Another aspect of being a successful spouse of parent is leadership. True leaders do so by example, and it is critical that those whom the Lord has entrusted us to lead can visibly see that we practice what we preach. Saying one thing and doing another is devastating to those who look up to you. My advice: Lead by example out of a heart of love with the best interest in mind for the other person’s outcome.
Give a Way!! Everyone loves a Give a Way, right? Well, Zeke, is blessing one of you readers with a copy of his newest project, subMISSION, released early December. All you must to do enter is leave a comment for, Zeke, and the winner will be announced next Wednesday December 14. In your comment please leave your email, so you can be reached, to receive this gem that is sure to bless you.
Zeke, it has been a pleasure getting to know you. Thank you for blessing us with such wisdom. Such gems to walk away with and help us on our journey with Christ. I'd love to have you return for Thursday's Treasure. A segment where you can write a guest post and share it with my readers. Sweet blessings to you, Zeke. May you be blessed today as you have blessed me, along with my readers.
You can find, Zeke, and all he is doing at subMISSION Ministries.
