(Let Them Know) They're Seen.

 Yesterday I had a doctors appointment. As I was leaving the office and walking down the hallway towards the elevator, I encountered two Hispanic woman cleaning the bathrooms. I said hello to them in their language. I asked how they were doing and wished them a Merry Christmas, in Spanish. The smile on their faces when I greeted them and acknowledged them, priceless. They don't know it, but that was one of the best Christmas presents I could receive.

I spoke to them the same way that I spoke to the college educated endocrinologist. Just because they were cleaning a bathroom and didn't have the title of Doctor didn't mean I couldn't speak to them. I treat everyone the same. College educated or not. Speak English or not. Everyone is someone. I'm probably the last person they thought that would great them and acknowledge them in their own language. 

Isn't that what Jesus teaches to do? To speak to each other in love? Doesn't matter their background or where they came from. No one is above anyone else.

Ephesians 4:29 New Living Translation

29 Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.

Jesus never put anyone above anyone else. He spoke to all the "religious" leaders, the Pharisees, Sadducees and all the leaders who taught the law. 

He didn't shy away from talking or acknowledging people who were not in leadership. Just regular people. He didn't pass on talking to the Samaritan at the well. He did so even though He was a Jew and she was a despised people group. (John 4: 1-42)

Did He avoid acknowledging the woman with the issue of blood? No, He stopped and engaged her. She wasn't to low for Him to talk to. (Mark 25-34)

I know these stories have deeper meaning, but I'm just showing how Jesus didn't ignore anyone due to their place in society!

So I encourage you, that the next time you see someone whether it be a janitor, doctor, truck driver, lawyer, whatever or whomever, greet them the same. The smile you'll get in return will make it all worthwhile!

God bless.

Rev. Kev.

So Close, Yet So Far!!

 So last week I ordered a part for my Jeep (shocker I know). It was one of those deals that if you order it in the next 3hrs, 23min you'd get it by a certain date. Well that has been an epic fail. Still waiting for over a week for it to arrive.

A day or so after ordering I tracked the shipment. It was shipping from somewhere in Kansas. It left the original destination, made another stop in Kansas and then made it to Bridgeview, IL. Okay, great. I should get it either later that day or the next. Nope! Didn't happen. The next day I checked again. I couldn't believe what I was reading. It went from Bridgeview, IL to New Berlin, WI. What?? It went from being about 66 miles away, to over a 100 miles away. So, it lost over 40 miles going the other direction. Instead of coming west, it went back North. Ugh!

So needless to say, I am still waiting. Not that I need it right away, but when you order something, you would like to receive in a timely fashion!

So like usual, my mind started thinking. I started thinking about how many people come so close to Jesus and then turn the other way. So close they could reach and touch Him, but withdrew their arm or hand and walked the other direction.

I started thinking about the young rich man who asked Jesus about getting into Heaven. He didn't like the answer that Jesus gave him, so he turned and walked away.

Matthew 19:21-22 The Message

21 “If you want to give it all you’ve got,” Jesus replied, “go sell your possessions; give everything to the poor. All your wealth will then be in heaven. Then come follow me.” 22 That was the last thing the young man expected to hear. And so, crestfallen, he walked away. He was holding on tight to a lot of things, and he couldn’t bear to let go.

Instead of doing what Jesus had advised him to do, he chose his wealth. Over following Jesus.

What are we choosing as our "wealth" over Jesus. Is it our lifestyle? Jobs, cars, money? Instead of Eternity with Jesus, we are choosing our Earthly goods.

Luke 9:23 Amplified Bible

23 And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to follow Me [as My disciple], he must deny himself [set aside selfish interests], and take up his cross daily [expressing a willingness to endure whatever may come] and follow Me [believing in Me, conforming to My example in living and, if need be, suffering or perhaps dying because of faith in Me].

One last note about the order. I cannot blame the shipper. All they can do is hand off the package to the delivery company in hopes that they do what they are supposed to do. That's why I don't trust in trucking or small package delivery companies. 

Psalm 118:8  Living Bible

8 It is better to trust the Lord than to put confidence in men.

God bless.

Rev. Kev.

Holding It Together!

 I went out to snow blow our driveway and sidewalk on Saturday evening, during the big storm. I didn't want to have a foot of snow to snow blow on Sunday, so I thought that I would do it in shifts. I did the first one Saturday. 

During the final run, while I was finishing the sidewalk, the handle of the blower all of a sudden came loose on one side. I looked down, and the twisty knob and bracket were gone. They were/are somewhere in the snow pile! Thankfully I was pretty much finished. I put the snowblower away for the night. I would worry about repairing it in the morning.

The next morning came and I looked for a bolt of some kind that would fit in the handle to hold it together until I could get the correct one. Bolt after bolt, were either to big, to short, always to something that wouldn't work. Then I saw this plastic blue screw. I do not know where it came from, or where I got it, but there it was, sitting, waiting. I reached in and pulled it out. Looked at it and thought, "why not." "Lets give it a chance." It was long enough. It fit through the hole. Next question is, would it be strong enough to hold up to the job? It wasn't a flimsy plastic, it was pretty sturdy. I slid it into place, started the snow blower and set off to see what would happen. Wouldn't you know it, it held up. Did not break or fail. 

Winning.

Like I stated earlier. I do not know where this came from. Or where I might have ever needed it, but God! He knew that on November 30th, 2025 I would need it. It wasn't the right part, or size, but it worked. God knew exactly what I needed at that exact time.

Then I started thinking about people. How many people are using things that don't fit, or are exactly what they need to hold their lives together. Some reach for a bottle, or other substances. They hope that a bottle or other substances will make them feel better. Make them feel, at least for the moment, that they have things together. Let me tell you, there is no hope in the bottom of a bottle. No hope in using other things to make you feel better. The only real hope is found in Jesus!

Psalm 107:27-28 New Living Translation

27 They reeled and staggered like drunkards and were at their wits’ end.28 “Lord, help!” they cried in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress.

I keep thinking about the woman with the issue of blood. She had heard about Jesus and the healing that He could perform. She put her hope in Him. If she could just touch the hem of His garment. She did and she was healed instantly. She had tried every other method available to her to get healed and nothing worked. Finally she turned to Jesus. (Mark 5:25-34)

So I encourage you, that after you have tried everything else to get yourself together, try the one who actually can. Jesus Christ. He is the right length, the right size, the right everything! No worries if He will ever give out, like that blue plastic screw will eventually. He never will.

Psalm 73:26 Amplified Bible

26 My flesh and my heart may fail, But God is the rock and strength of my heart and my portion forever.

God bless.

Rev. Kev.