Thought Provoking!

 My family and I went to see the movie *Jesus Revolution* over the weekend. It is a really good movie. If you don't know the story, it is about how the Jesus movement got started in the '70's with the hippies in Southern California. How one California church opened it's doors to the hippies much to the chagrin of it's existing members. They had long hair. Were a little smelly, wore clothes with holes in them. The "proper" church members told the pastor that these people didn't belong in their congregation. The pastor disagreed and opened the doors and welcomed them in. Thus beginning a Jesus movement that spread throughout the whole world.

Well if you know me, you know what happened. The movie got me to thinking.

Do I treat and welcome people who are different than me? That look, dress & smell different? How they are dressed? I mean do I really? I would like to think that I do, but after the movie, I'm not so sure.

I wear shirts or hats that have a Christian message on it. Or Scripture passages. Something about Jesus. I call it witness wear. The meaning behind it is to start a conversation about my faith and of course Jesus. Trust me, I have had plenty of conversations because of this type of clothing. When I wear something like that, people approach me. Some are not like me, at all. If I am honest with you, when I see them coming towards me and I know that they are coming for me, sometimes in my head I'm like "please keep moving." "Don't stop, don't stop." Then when I think that, I say to myself, "that's not like Jesus at all." How am I showing Jesus to them if I wish that they would keep moving. Nine out of ten times they stop.

1 Peter 2:17 The Message

17 Treat everyone you meet with dignity. 

Even if people I meet do not look, dress or act like me, I still try and treat them with dignity. They are still human after all. I engage in conversation. Listen to what they have to say. Most of the time they just want someone to listen to them. I guess I look like that guy to them. After talking with them, I always kick myself for wanting them not to stop. Jesus loved everyone, so why can't I even talk to everyone that comes my way? 

1 John 3:11 Amplified Bible

11 For this is the message which you [believers] have heard from the beginning [of your relationship with Christ], that we should [unselfishly] love and seek the best for one another;

So I will and try to do better at welcoming in people who are from a different situation than I am. If I meet them in church I have a different reaction than if I meet them out in public. And that is a shame.

God bless.

Rev. Kev.

Borrowed Time!

 One month ago to the day, I was involved in a car accident. Nothing major. More of an inconvenience than anything. Going around one of those stupid roundabouts that are supposed to make traffic flow better. Yeah, made it flow right into my vehicle. Little damage to both cars. Both myself and the other driver were okay. No injuries. As we were exchanging insurance info, we were lamenting about how much we hate roundabouts! After exchanging info and checking again to make sure everyone was okay, we went our separate ways. As I drove off, a thought came to me. I (we) are living on borrowed time.

If this would have been a different time of day or a different intersection, the outcome could have been much different. Damage could have been worse. One or both drivers could have been hurt or even killed. I was thanking and praising God for His protection over the situation. I know that I was still involved in an accident, but like I said, it could have been much worse.

We need to be prepared to meet Jesus at any given moment. You never know when it will be your time. Like I said, if that accident had happened some place else, I could have gone to meet Jesus! People think that they have time to accept Him. "Oh, tomorrow is soon enough." You know what? Tomorrow never comes! Accept Him today, tomorrow may be to late.

Proverbs 27:1 New Living Translation

27 Don’t brag about tomorrow, since you don’t know what the day will bring.

We all make plans for the next day, but truth be told, we don't know what tomorrow holds. Jesus does. 

1 Thessalonians 5:2 New Living Translation

2 For you know quite well that the day of the Lord’s return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night.

So I implore you tonight. Get right with Jesus before it's to late. Do you think that I planned on being involved in a car accident that fateful day? I was just on my way to have lunch with my beautiful wife. God had an interruption for me. For some reason that only He knows, He wanted the other driver to meet me. In time, maybe I'll know why. God's timing!

God bless.
Rev. Kev.

Excited, Emotional, Exhausted & Frustrated??

 My wife and I were finally able to take our trip to Israel. I say finally because it has been in the works since 2018. We made our first deposit for the trip that was scheduled for 2020. Well, we all know what happened that year. So it was postponed. And then postponed again. I believe that it was postponed four times all together. Then it was totally cancelled, but then rescheduled for 2023. We kept holding our breath for another set back, but it never came. Needless to say, we were excited to finally be going. 

EXCITED:

Excited is an understatement. Who wouldn't be excited to take a trip to the Holy Land? Wasn't really excited about the long flight, but once we arrived, OH WOW!  To be able to see in person places that you only read about in The Bible. The Sea of Galilee. The place where Jesus walked on water. Where He called Peter to get out of the boat and come to Him. Where the battle of Armageddon will take place. Visited the city where Jesus' first miracle took place. Turning water into wine. The Jordan River. To baptize and be baptized in the same river that Jesus was baptized. See all the ancient architecture & ruins. It was a lot to take in. Sensory overload is what some of the people on the trip were saying.

EMOTIONAL:

How can you not get emotional about seeing where Jesus walked and talked and taught? The Mt. Of Beatitudes. The Mt. Of Olives, where Jesus will set foot when He returns. The Upper Room. The garden of Gethsemane. Seeing where He was whipped and beaten. Walking the Via Dolorosa. The same street that Jesus walked while carrying the Cross. Seeing where he stumbled and put His hand on the wall. Where He fell and Simon helped carry the cross. Golgotha. Where He was nailed to the Cross. Then the tomb where they buried Him! We checked. It's still EMPTY!! To see and take a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. The Western Wall or better known as the Wailing Wall. One day, so many emotions. Very powerful and impactful. That's not even the half of it. If I were to list everything, it would be a novel!

EXHAUSTED:

To say that we were beyond exhausted is another understatement. Every day we were on the bus @ 8:00 and done by 5-5:30ish. We walked & walked and then walked some more. At the end of the trip we added up the mileage that we walked. Thirty one miles during the five days that we were actually in Israel. That is a lot of walking for those who are not used to it. On some days we were emotionally exhausted as well. Some places we carried heavy emotions while we walked. Lets just say that we all pretty much slept good every night after a long day of walking and sight seeing.

FRUSTRATED:

Not going to lie. I as well as some others were frustrated with our tour guide. He was good at what he was doing, but there were some things that we wish we could have spent a little more time at. We took a tour of the tunnels under the Western Wall and came to the spot where the Holy of Holies was at. He just kind of brushed past it like it was no big deal. We were like "wait, hold on a minute." Wanted to spend a little more time there. Maybe do some praying. You know, what we Christians do. He was very knowledgeable in history, buildings, flowers and such. I wanted more of what Jesus did and where He did it.

WRAP UP:

The trip was amazing. We had beautiful weather everyday. Went with a great group of people. Made many new friends. I know that I am forgetting a lot of what I saw & experienced,  but I think that I hit some of the most important parts. At least to me. It was definitely a trip of a lifetime. Like I said, to be able to see and experience what you read in The Bible. Priceless!

Psalm 135:4 Living Bible

4 For the Lord has chosen Israel as his personal possession.

God Bless you all.

Rev. Kev.

Fresh Start, New Beginning!

 How many of us are tired of the same old, same old? We wish for or want something different. That's why we look forward to the start of a new year. We think that the last year didn't go so well for us. The new year will offer a fresh start, a new beginning. It will be different this year. 

Will it? 

For it to be different, we need to be different. Can not keep doing the same thing and expecting a different outcome! The same can be said for days of the week. "Man, yesterday wasn't very good." "Tomorrow will be better." Has to be! Or you get to the end of the month, and think, "How did I ever survive that?" A new month will bring better things. 

Will it??

I personally know of a fresh start and a new beginning that will definitely will bring change. When we accept Jesus into our lives. We WILL be different from that point on.

2 Corinthians 5:17 Living Bible

17 When someone becomes a Christian, he becomes a brand new person inside. He is not the same anymore. A new life has begun!

Jesus gives us that fresh start. A chance to start over, with Him. A whole new life awaits those who believe in Him! I know that I was one way before Jesus and now I am a different person.

Isaiah 60:1 Amplified Bible

60 “Arise [from spiritual depression to a new life], shine [be radiant with the glory and brilliance of the Lord]; for your light has come, And the glory and brilliance of the Lord has risen upon you.

People keep hanging onto things that they know. That are comfortable to them. Things that don't satisfy or bring joy or happiness.

Jesus is the change. He wants us too leave all of our baggage behind (past hurts, addictions, life style) and begin our new life. In Him!

Philippians 3:13-14 New Living Translation

13 No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it,[a] but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.

I encourage you. It's not to late to start a new life in Christ. You will not be sorry that you did!

So Much ANGER!!

I watch a lot of videos via You Tube or Facebook. Mostly music or concert videos. Lately though, I've been sucked in by fighting videos. You know the ones, where someone films a fight taking place with their phone. It seems like they are taking place everywhere. Wal-Mart. McDonalds. Football games, both professional and college. Road rage. People fighting in the streets. Even at little league games. I've seen parents fight with each other, or the umpire because of a bad call. Oh man!

My question is, why? Why is everyone so angry? It doesn't seem like it takes a lot anymore to get people to start throwing hands and beating on each other. One car cuts another one off and bam, they are brawling in the road. Swinging fists, tire irons, whatever they can get their hands on. Playing a game and another player bumps into you and it's on! Even the fans in attendance at these games are fighting. They fight the other teams fans, and just this last weekend, I saw fans of one team fighting one another. Wow! So much anger!

It seems like it has only gotten worse the last couple of years. Ever since the pandemic put everyone into solitary confinement, people don't know how to act when they go out in public. It seems like everyone is out for themselves. How dare you interrupt me. Try to get in front of me. Don't you know it's all about me?

Jesus tell us to put others first. He urges us to be kind to each other. Forgive each other.

Ephesians 4:32 Amplified Bible

32 Be kind and helpful to one another, tender-hearted [compassionate, understanding], forgiving one another [readily and freely], just as God in Christ also forgave you.

If we forgave each other for things that have been done against us, what a different world we would live in.

Colossians 3:13 New Living Translation

13 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.

We need to remember that none of us are perfect. We are all going to mistakes once in a while. It's how we handle those mistakes that will make a difference. Forgive. Move on. If someone cuts you off on the highway, I'm sure that you have done it to someone yourself. That strike or out that a little league umpire missed, will that really set you off? If you think you are so good at it, then why aren't you doing it? 

My point is this. Be kind and forgiving to each other. Everyone has a bad day every now and then.

Hebrews 12:14 New International Version

14 Make every effort to live in peace with everyone

One of Jesus' names is The Prince Of Peace. May we all have His peace in us, so we can be an example to others.

Demons Chase.

How many of you remember how it feels to be chased? Chased around the school yard. Being chased while playing tag. Being chased by a chicken, dog, or any other kind of animal. It was exhilarating, fun and sometimes kind of fearful. The thought of being caught. Oh, wow!

How many of us after accepting Jesus into our lives have had past demons come chasing us? Things that we thought that we had long buried when we became believers. 

Then comes some kind of tragedy, loss of life (loved one, friend, etc. etc.), loss of a marriage or relationship, loss of a job, loss of a house. Anything bad happens to us, and all of sudden demons start chasing us again.

Demon alcohol. Don't worry son, just a little drink won't hurt you. I will make all of your pain go away. False statement. Drinking will not take away your pain. It might make you forget what happened momentarily, but in the end, it will still be there.

Demon addiction. Pornography, drugs, gambling. Anything that used to make us feel good in the past will come calling again, if we let it. We revert back to our old selves when things like this happen. It's like a default mechanism. 

When this happens, we feel terrible. Like we let Jesus down. I can't believe I went back to those lifestyle choices, even for a minute. How will Jesus ever forgive me? Good news is, He will! Do you think that He thought that you would never sin or fall down again. He knows that we are still human. 

Look, if we slip once in a while or fall once in a while, we ask for God's forgiveness. We confess what we did, He will forgive us.

1 John 1:9 The Voice

9 But if we own up to our sins, God shows that He is faithful and just by forgiving us of our sins and purifying us from the pollution of all the bad things we have done.

As long as we are still on this side of Heaven, we will sin. Our old demons will come back to haunt us. They will try to trick you and deceive you, but it's all a lie. They'll try to make us think that what we have done is so bad that God could never forgive us or love us anymore. Lies I tell you. Lies!

John 10:29 New Living Translation

29 for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else. No one can snatch them from the Father’s hand.

We are God's. No matter how hard our demons try too chase us, we can not be snatched out of His hand.

What a comforting thought. We are victorious in Jesus! 

1 John 5:4 Amplified Bible

4 For everyone born of God is victorious and overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has conquered and overcome the world—our [continuing, persistent] faith [in Jesus the Son of God].

So fear not. We have God on our side. No matter the demons that chase us again and again, God has us in the palm of His hand!

God Bless!

But God..............

 Our daughter bought tickets to see the a cappella group Straight No Chaser as a Christmas gift. The concert was the Friday night before Christmas in Chicago at the Chicago Theater. We made all these plans to head into the city. What time the train would leave. What station we would leave from. Where we were going to have dinner, and then head over to see the Christmas tree at Macy's.

Well, we all know what happened on that weekend. Blizzard 2022. Snow, high winds and bitter cold took hold over our area that weekend. The concert ended up being rescheduled for Jan 5, 2023. It was actually for the better as our daughter caught quite the nasty cold that week leading up to the concert. She probably wouldn't have been able to go, if it hadn't been postponed.

So we had to scrap all the plans that we had made and go back to the drawing board. Although we didn't really like to have to start over.

But God...........

Proverbs 3:5 New Living Translation

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.

So the new date was Thursday Jan 5th. I started researching travel times from home to the city. None of us like to drive in and try to find parking. So we were going to take Metra. We settled on a time that we needed to be at the station for when the train left.

My schedule at work that day looked kind of sketchy. Some of the trucks had the possibility of arriving late and throwing the whole plan off schedule.

But God.......... He arranged my calendar like He always does, so that it all worked out to leave work on time.

Next in line was to go home and pick up my wife whom had to drive 30 minutes home herself to be ready.

But God.........She was there waiting for me to arrive and hopped in the van to go pick up my daughter from her job.

We thought that we might run a little late to arrive to pickup our daughter, but we were actually 5 minutes early. She came out, hopped in the van and off we went. We had a narrow window to get to the train station.

But God..........We arrived 30 minutes early. Enough time to figure out where to purchase our parking ticket, and get on the train.

Now if you know me,  I am not a tech kind of guy. The tickets for the concert were on my phone. I bought the train tickets on the Metra app. In the city we used Uber to get around.

But God........All the apps, everything went perfectly. Uber rides were there waiting for us. Able to get into the theater without any issues, and also ride the train. I was amazed at how well it all worked. I am very skeptical about these kinds of things.

So everything was great. The concert was amazing. Not my kind of music, but they could really sing. Dinner, Uber, Metra. Everything went off without a hitch. Well except for one thing. I lost one of my gloves during all the moving around.

So my encouragement to you is this. If something may seem impossible, or slightly impossible, put your trust in God.

Matthew 19:26 New Living Translation

26 Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.”

God bless you all.

PK