The Edge!

Something happened at work last week that reminded me of the title of the Lita Ford album 'Dancing On The Edge.' We have an aisle at work that is used by both forklifts and pedestrians. There is a guard rail up for a short bit of said aisle. Then it is open for someone to walk out into forklift traffic.

This woman who has worked there for a very long time and knows about the traffic and forklifts was standing right on the edge of the aisle. So close that is she were to take one more step out, she could have gotten hit by a forklift.

The question in my mind was "why stand so close to something dangerous, when you don't have to?" She knew what the consequences could have been, but yet she decided to stand there. That is what got me to thinking about the title of Lita Ford album. 

I started thinking about other things that people do that are right on the edge of tragedy. I thought about the motorcycle riders who ride (in my mind) to close to the center line. To me, someone could be doing the same with their car and hit them with their mirror, or worse!

People who drive right behind semi-trucks. Claiming they are drifting off of the truck. All you are doing is playing Russian roulette with it. 

People who pull up to the line at traffic lights, or railroad crossings. They get so far past the line that is a dot to them. Why do you have to get so close to danger? If a car turns to sharp, your in an accident. I keep thinking about the train situation. If those cars were to derail, you'd never be able to get out of the way, because you are so close. 

I just don't get it. Death wish? Thrill seeker? 

Then I started thinking about Christians and the line that we try to walk between the world and Jesus. How close can we get without sinning. Toe the line, but as long as we don't cross it, we are good. If we are toeing that line, it could be very easy for us to stumble and fall right back into sin. We think that we are strong enough to hold the line, but that is wrong thinking.

Romans 6:2 New Living Translation

2 Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it?

Jesus tells us to flee from sin. To not even entertain the thoughts. 

1 Peter 2:11 Living Bible

11 Dear brothers, you are only visitors here. Since your real home is in heaven, I beg you to keep away from the evil pleasures of this world; they are not for you, for they fight against your very souls.

Every step we take towards Jesus is two steps away from the evil one and his destructive nature. The enemy comes to destroy us. So why even try and walk that line? Why even flirt with that. Get away from him as far as possible. I want to be so far past that line, that it is a dot to me.

James 4:7 Amplified Bible

7 So submit to [the authority of] God. Resist the devil [stand firm against him] and he will flee from you.

So I encourage you, that if something comes up and it goes against God, don't even toe that line. Run the other direction. Run to the One who gives life! Jesus Christ!

God bless.

Rev. Kev.

Goals.

 What are your goals for this year? Do you aspire to do something different? Try something new? Something you have never done before?

I know this year I want to be more like God. To try and live more like Him, the best of my ability. I want to abandon everything that isn't of Him. I have been blessed in my life. There have been some mountain top moments for sure. There have also been some valleys. Some deeper than others, but valleys none the less.

No matter where I am at in life, I want to give all glory to God. Top, bottom, middle. He is there through it all. 

What are you chasing this year? Promotions at work? Are you chasing self promotion? Saying to the world "hey, look at me." "Look what I have done." Are you trying to keep with the Jones'? Being jealous of a neighbors new car? House, pool, whatever?

According to King Solomon, chasing all of the world has to offer is meaningless. 

Ecclesiastes 1:2 New Living Translation

2 “Everything is meaningless,” says the Teacher, “completely meaningless!”

What does he mean by this. You can chase fame, fortune, a higher place in society, houses, cars, jobs, etc. In the end, it's all meaningless. After all of this, you cannot take it with you. You work hard to achieve this and when you pass, someone else will get what you worked for, that they haven't lifted a finger for.

So that is why this year, I want to chase after God like never before. He is the only one that matters at the end. We can achieve all that we want, but when we are gone what will we be remembered for? How many clicks and likes that we got on our social media posts. Or will we be remembered for chasing God and living for and serving Him.

Galatians 1:10 New Living Translation

10 Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant.

I want to please God, not people. When I go to work, I am working for The Lord. Of course I want to please my boss, but only because I am a servant of The Lord Jesus Christ.

Colossians 3:23 New Living Translation

23 Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.

So I encourage you today. Let's make 2026 my (your) best year for chasing after God! Let everything else come in second place after God!

God bless.

Rev. Kev.

Fatigue, Fatigued or Just Plain Tired!

 The word fatigue has been making it's way around society lately. With videos of certain actions taking place, people are claiming fatigue for such actions. I get it. Tired of seeing the same thing over and over, just different locations. Tired of seeing fights at airports, restaurants, ball games, where ever. People getting butt hurt over cold french fries, wanting to throw hands. Really??

While watching videos online the other day and listening to reports, I started to think, "what fatigue do I have?" "What am I tired of?" So I started reflecting.

Things that I have fatigue towards,

Trump fatigue. Tired of hearing about him, everyday. Tired of the name calling. What are we, in elementary school?

Political party fatigue! Left, Right. Democrat, Republican. Tired of hearing about both of them.

Political Leader fatigue! So many governors, mayors, Senators or House members. Tired of the blame game. Tired of the foul language they use on a consistent basis. Tired of the street language they use during meetings. You are an elected member of Congress. Act like it. Dress like it, talk like it.

Tired of the senseless violence that continues to happen almost everyday! Murder on a train. Being set on fire getting on a train. People walking down the street being punched out of nowhere. When did we lose our civility?

Things I'm not tired of:

Jesus. I never get tired of serving Him. Obeying Him. Living for Him. I never grow tired of thanking Him for all that He has done for me. His healing, His redeeming, His sacrifice. His peace. His blessings. His protection, provision. 

2 Corinthians 9:8 New Living Translation

8 And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.

I will never grow tired or fatigued about boasting about what God has done for me. May you never grow tired either. 

2 Corinthians 10:17 Living Bible

17 As the Scriptures say, “If anyone is going to boast, let him boast about what the Lord has done and not about himself

God bless.

Rev. Kev.

Stop, Start!

 So today is the first day of the New Year. A day when people decide to make a new start. Start exercising, start dieting, start whatever. I have never understood this mentality. Why wait to start something. I'll start on January 1st. I'll start on Monday. I'll start on the first day of the month. Why not start now. 

When Jesus called His disciples, they didn't tell Him, lets wait till Monday, first of the year or month. They dropped what they were doing and followed Him immediately! Lets not hesitate when Jesus calls us. He wants an immediate response, not a pause or hesitation.

Luke 9:59 Living Bible

59 Another time, when he invited a man to come with him and to be his disciple, the man agreed—but wanted to wait until his father’s death.

Luke 9:61 Living Bible

61 Another said, “Yes, Lord, I will come, but first let me ask permission of those at home.”

So some things to do as we enter the New Year.

Stop looking back with regret. You cannot change what happened, but you can use what happened to change how you respond the next time something comes up.

Stop thinking that you cannot overcome something. An addiction or bad habit. God is the chain breaker. Jesus came to set us free.

Stop thinking that God doesn't care about you. Stop blaming yourself or others. Stop saying yes to everything. You are allowed to say no. Stop saying no. Stop doing to much or to little. 

Then stop what doing what you know you shouldn't be doing. You know right from wrong.

Start each day in prayer and Bible reading. Converse with God to start your day. Get into His word. What a way to start your day! Then as you proceed during the day, start showing more grace and forgiveness.

Start new habits. Start obeying Gods word. What The Bible says, put it into practice. If you have hurtful relationships, start trying to repair them.

Then most important, start to trust God! Everyday, every hour, minute and second! He never changes. The same yesterday, today and forever. He is the one constant.

Hebrews 13:8 New Living Translation

8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

So no matter what changes happen to you or around you, God is and will always be there! You can count on that!

Happy New Year & God bless.

Rev. Kev.

Tear Drops On My Keyboard!

 A few years ago, Taylor Swift released a song titled "Tear Drops On My Guitar." Well, I kind feel that way, except I don't play guitar, but I know how to type really well.

I've been feeling very verklempt this Christmas season. Not sure why? It all started when I heard an Elvis Christmas song on the radio that my step dad would play every year while opening presents when I was a kid. We buried him in June! Not sure that I'm missing him so much as the memory of those Christmas mornings. Every. Single. Christmas. Elvis played in the background.

I started thinking about those days. As a kid, our family would cram ourselves into our grandparents living room on Christmas Eve to open presents. Then as the family grew larger, we moved down to their basement. Everyone was present. Moms, dads, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and some drunk carolers. Good times, back when you could have strangers in your basement and not fear for your safety.

Then one year it was over. Both of our grandparents passed away. The glue that held the family together. Just wasn't the same after they passed! Then before you knew it, more people started passing away. My dad, my mom, one of my uncles. Christmas was really taking a hit, for me. People that really made it special were gone. Just like my grandparents, Christmas just wasn't the same.

So for some reason this year, the remembering of family who are no longer with us, really hit hard. That stupid Elvis song! Just had to hear it. 

I think that God was telling me that everything will be okay. Even though some important people were gone, there were plenty left to celebrate with. He was right, just like He always is. I (we) could share the memories of my mom, uncle and grandparents. How they made Christmas special for us. We could laugh and reminisce with the others. Remember the funny stories. Trust me, there were plenty.

I take comfort in knowing that I (we) will see all these family members again, with the ultimate celebration in Heaven!

So I encourage you tonight. Christmas has passed for the year of 2025. We are on the cusp of a new year. Make it a new beginning with you families. Cherish the time you have together. You'll never know when it will be the last time that you see one another.

Ephesians 4:32 New Living Translation

32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

God bless & Happy New Year!

Rev. Kev.

(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.