Red Sea!

 Have you ever been in a circumstance so dire, that you had no idea on what to do? Cannot go back, cannot move forward, no where to go. You seem stuck. You've run through every scenario you can think of. You have no one to turn to for help, or so you thought. The only option you have left is to trust in Jesus to help you out. You pray and cry out for His help. 

 I call this a Red Sea moment.

Moses faced the same situation upon leaving Egypt. He was being chased by the Egyptian army after Pharoah changed his mind about letting them go. So he encountered a situation where he was being chased from behind, and facing a sea that they thought that they could not cross in front of them. So they sought help from The One who could help them.

Exodus 14:15-16 Amplified Bible

15 The Lord said to Moses, “Why do you cry to Me? Tell the sons of Israel to move forward [toward the sea]. 16 As for you, lift up your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, so that the sons of Israel may go through the middle of the sea on dry land.

I love this. Not only were they able to cross the sea, they did so on dry ground. Not muddy, no sludge, dry! God didn't just make a way, He made the best way for them to cross!

What about Jonah, being in the belly of the great fish?

He had no idea on how to get out of his situation. His human mind could not figure it out. So what did he do? He turned to The One who could.

Jonah 2:1-2 New Living Translation

2 Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from inside the fish. 2 He said, “I cried out to the Lord in my great trouble, and he answered me. I called to you from the land of the dead, and Lord, you heard me!

Maybe you're facing a diagnosis that you weren't expecting. Don't know how you are going to handle it. Or what to do. Maybe you're marriage is in trouble. Maybe facing a layoff or unemployment in this economy right now. Not sure what to do or where to turn.

Proverbs 3:5-6 English Standard Version

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

If it were left up to me, I would be in the ditch. Thankfully, God will make my path straight. He highlights my path. The direction He wants me to take.

Psalm 119:105 New Living Translation

105 Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.

So I encourage you. If you are ever facing a situation that you don't know which way to turn, turn to Jesus! He is The One who can help you, no matter what you are facing.

God bless.

Rev. Kev.

Share.

 The other day I was having a conversation with a Jeep friend. We were discussing the recent recall on our Wranglers. She had said something that wasn't exactly on point, so I provided the rest of the info that she needed. She thanked me for doing that. I said of course. We are supposed to share what we know. Lift each other up. Help each other out.

1 Peter 4:10 Living Bible

10 God has given each of you some special abilities; be sure to use them to help each other, passing on to others God’s many kinds of blessings.

That got me thinking about what else I (we) share with people?

Meet new people, we share were our favorite restaurant is. Where our favorite ice cream or custard place is. We share what our favorite foods are. Cars, sports teams, vacation spots, on and on it goes.

We are sharing what we know from what we have experienced. We want others to have or not have the same experience that we did. To save someone from having a bad time. Or encourage them that they will have a good time.

Then I thought a little harder about this. 

Why is it so easy to share all the worldly stuff, but not share about Jesus? 

The most important person to share about.

I (we) find it hard to share about our experience with Him. To share our testimony. To tell of what He has done for us! How He has changed our lives. 

One reason for me is, when I start sharing with someone, I can tell when they checkout of the conversation. They start rolling their eyes, acting different towards you when you mention the name of Jesus! Actually had one guy run away from me when I mentioned Jesus' name! How profound I thought.

People will actually stay and listen to favorite food places, ice cream, cars to drive, etc. etc. But not about the One who can save their soul!

1 John 3:23 Amplified Bible

23 This is His commandment, that we believe [with personal faith and confident trust] in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and [that we unselfishly] love and seek the best for one another, just as He commanded us.

I encourage you. If you have a relationship with Jesus, don't be afraid to share it with others. They need to know what He has done for you and that the same can be done for them.

Matthew 10:33 New Living Translation

33 But everyone who denies me here on earth, I will also deny before my Father in heaven

Share what you know! Especially about Jesus!

God bless.

Rev. Kev.

Open Your Mouth (When To/When Not To)

 It seems like for the last several years, people have felt the opportunity to open their mouths to run someone down. To make comments on how they look or dress. What kind of car they drive. Where they work. What sports team they cheer for, etc. etc.

What gets me is how people feel like they can just comment on how somebody does something that they don't like. Dress a way that they don't like. Cheer for a team that they don't like. Drive a vehicle or whatever it is. Seems like everyone has an opinion on how things should be done, according their tastes!

The Bible specifically warns against this. It says that we are supposed to lift each other up, not tear each other down.

Ephesians 4:29 Living Bible

29 Don’t use bad language. Say only what is good and helpful to those you are talking to, and what will give them a blessing.

Seems like more and more, people have the audacity to run people down. Speak their minds about someone's weight. Body type. They are very vocal about things that they deem are not up to their standards.

You're a plus sized person, you can't wear that outfit. You're to old to dress like that. Have a hair cut like that. On and on it goes. Just wrong in my opinion.

I would never use words to run someone down. I try to lift up as much as possible. Encourage one another. World is negative enough, without someone adding more negativity to it. We don't think that words have power, but they do. I still remember things said to me in middle school. Many, many years later!

Proverbs 16:24 New Living Translation

24 Kind words are like honey— sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.

I wish I could say that what I mentioned above was totally true, but it's not. I had an event happen last summer with someone that I love very dearly. Something happened and vile, hateful words spilled out from my lips. I could not believe that I was speaking such unkind evil words to this loved one. It forced them to make a choice that was not the best for them. I hated myself for that. 

Like I said, words have power!

Proverbs 18:21 The Message

21 Words kill, words give life; they’re either poison or fruit—you choose.

That night I chose poison! I have apologized over and over again, but I don't think that I can apologize enough. After that happened, I changed my thought process on the way that I speak. I try to think before I speak. Sometimes works, sometimes doesn't. 

Colossians 4:6 New Living Translation

6 Let your conversation be gracious and attractive[a] so that you will have the right response for everyone.

I am a Christian, still under construction. I am not, nor will I ever be perfect this side of Heaven. God is still working on me.

So I encourage you. Let's be kind to each other. Let's lift each other up and encourage. This life is tough enough without people piling on with negative comments about others lives!

Know when to open your mouth. Know when to keep it shut!

God bless.

Rev. Kev.

Tribute!

 One of the most famous quotes from the character Katniss Everdeen from the movie "The Hunger Games" is "I Volunteer As Tribute." She makes this quote to step in to take her sisters place in the game about to be played. The game pits other people against each other in a fight to the death. By volunteering as tribute for her sister, she chose to possibly die instead of her sister.

This made me think of Jesus, volunteering tribute for us. He voluntarily went to The Cross. He didn't have too, He chose to. To take on the punishment due us! Our sins should lead us to death as The Bible says.

Romans 6:23 New Living Translation

23 For the wages of sin is death

But Jesus came to take all of our sins upon himself. Not one or two, but all. Every single person. Doesn't matter who you are. Race, ethnicity, gender, tall, short, He volunteered as tribute for everyone!

Galatians 3:28 New Living Translation

28 There is no longer Jew or Gentile,[a] slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus.

Jesus calls Himself our friend, but most of all He is our Savior, Redeemer, Healer, Provider, Protector, our Heavenly Father. So he went to The Cross for His friends (us) and took the punishment that we deserved! 

John 15:13 New Living Translation

13 There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

He didn't have to! He could have called down a legion of angels to save him, but He loved us so much that He went through with His fathers plan for Him.

How many of us would take the place of someone else that we love, so that they could live? How many of us would volunteer as tribute? He did that for us, even though we were (are) still sinners!

Romans 5:8 New Living Translation

8 But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.

So I pray that with what Jesus did for us, the crucifixion, the scourging, the piercing, the nails. Everything that He endured for us so that we may live, we live good Godly lives. I know that we will still sin, but try our best to live like Jesus.

1 Peter 2:24 Amplified Bible

24 He personally carried our sins in His body on the [a]cross [willingly offering Himself on it, as on an altar of sacrifice], so that we might die to sin [becoming immune from the penalty and power of sin] and live for righteousness; for by His wounds you [who believe] have been [b]healed.

God bless.

Rev. Kev.

Hot Fudge Sundae!

 My wife and I stopped for ice cream last night after dinner. I ordered a hot fudge sundae. Love them. We got our order from the window and went to sit in the Jeep and enjoy. Had the top off, enjoying the night sky, breeze, ice cream and each others company.

Anyway,

I put my spoon into the dish and I noticed, like every other place that I have gotten a hot fudge sundae from, the hot fudge was just on the surface. Not all the way through it. So after taking it all off the top, all you're left with is vanilla ice cream. Bleh!! I mentioned to my wife "why can't they mix the hot fudge all the way through the sundae?" "So you get some in each scoop?"

At McDonalds, when I am standing at the counter, I catch them sometimes and have them put some hot fudge in the bottom before filling the container with the ice cream and then put some more on top. They charge me for extra topping, but I don't care. I would rather have more, than not enough.

Anyway, once again.

So as I'm eating said sundae, trying to mix it all together, I had a thought. Isn't this just like us and Jesus. How many of us just have a topical relationship with Jesus. After we go though the top layer, there is nothing left. Our top layer may be going to church on Sunday. Listening to the pastor speak from the Bible, hear some good worship music and then go home back to our lives. We've experienced the topical Jesus, but didn't go any deeper.

It reminds me of the parable of the soils. (Luke 8:4-15)

It talks about the different kinds of soil that people plant seeds in. Some take root, and run deep and produce good fruit. Some do not. Some get washed away as soon as a good rain storm comes along. Some take root for only a  little while, but get withered away from lack of caring for it.

To have good roots, we need to be in God's word, daily. Prayer and fellowship with other believers. Serve one another.

Colossians 2:7 New Living Translation

7 Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.

 Shallow soil falters because of the next new thing that comes along that seems better. Which ever way the wind blows, people will follow.

Matthew 13:7 New Living Translation

7 Other seeds fell among thorns that grew up and choked out the tender plants.

Many things can come along and choke out the seeds that have been planted. Life happens. But if you are rooted in Him, life can happen differently!

I encourage you today. Let the seeds that God has planted in you, deepen. Grow down deep into Him. Then which ever way the wind blows or rains come, you are steadfast. You will not be shaken.

I will never look at a hot fudge sundae the same way again.

God bless.

Rev. Kev.

Self Checkout.

 If you know me very well, you know that I love to talk. I can talk to almost anyone, about most things. Want to talk music? Especially heavy metal. Let's chat. Want to talk about sports? Especially baseball, again let's chat. Same goes for concerts, movies, tv. shows, etc.

I really, really love to talk about The Bible and God/Jesus! I have had to go back and take a second look at a house because I was to busy talking to the seller about Jesus! Bring Him up, and I lose all interest in everything else. 

This past weekend, I was in my element with talking to people. Saturday, I volunteered with Convoy of Hope for an event they were hosting in Chicago. I was stationed as a greater at the prayer tent. My/our job was to welcome people into the tent for prayer if they wanted it. Talked with all kinds of people about all kinds of subjects during the day. People who knew Jesus and those who did not. It was really awesome!

Sunday, I volunteered to hand out bottles of water at our local car show, from our church. I talked with so many people and handed out so much water, it was great. Getting to hear peoples stories about past car shows, what church that they attend, life and so much more.

Isn't it Biblical to meet people where they are? Just as Jesus does? He meets people where they are. You don't have to go to church to meet Jesus! Many of the people I talked to, will probably never set foot in our church, or any church. So we took church to the streets and handed out water to parched, hot, thirsty people.

Colossians 3:12 Living Bible

12 Since you have been chosen by God who has given you this new kind of life, and because of his deep love and concern for you, you should practice tenderhearted mercy and kindness to others.

Because I love to talk to people, that is the reason that I never use the self checkout lane at stores. I love to talk to the cashier. Ask about their day, see how things are going for them. I have heard so many stories from people about their lives, how long they have been on the job, and actually had the opportunity to pray for some of them.

I would never get that chance if I used the self checkout.

Jesus tells to us to go out and make disciple of all nations. (Matthew 28:18-20). How can we do that if we never talk to anyone. Can't make disciples going through a self checkout lane. That would be like just placing the bottles of water on a table for people to grab, without ever interacting with them. We were out there, showing them the love of Jesus by providing something they needed.

Psalm 145:15-17 New Living Translation

15 The eyes of all look to you in hope; you give them their food as they need it.

16 When you open your hand, you satisfy the hunger and thirst of every living thing.

17 The Lord is righteous in everything he does; he is filled with kindness.

My friend Jimmy P. Brown II penned these lyrics to the song 'Passing' by his band Deliverance.

"We hide from families, the neighbors and pets And make friends with the computer We Twit and Facebook our lives on a screen."

Isn't that the truth. We avoid human contact, at all cost. We hide behind our computer or phone screens. We may have hundreds of friends on Facebook, but not any in real life. We forgot how to have a human interaction. Human connection is so important for our lives. I can't imagine not talking with or interacting with someone else.

So I encourage you to start going to the cashier and avoid the self checkouts. I know that they can be faster and get you out quicker, but I think that is part of societies problem We are in too much of a hurry. Need to slow down. Life goes by fast enough.

God bless.

Rev. Kev.

One Year Later!

One year ago today, my life changed forever (for the good). After some mechanical difficulties with my last vehicle, my wife started researching a Jeep for us to buy. She found this yellow one at a local dealer. She made an appointment for me to test drive it. Upon pulling into the lot and laying my eyes upon this Jeep, I was awestruck! I loved the color and everything about it.

So I took it out for a drive, put an offer and viola, here it is, a year later. To say that I love this Jeep is an understatement. I have already had three oil changes on it. I drive it, just to drive it. This is probably the most fun vehicle I have ever owned and driven!

I have used it to move furniture. I have used it to minister to people. I have used it for everything, except go off roading. I have what other Jeepers call a "mall crawler or pavement princess." I don't care what you call it, I love it just the way that it is and the way that I use it.

So upon purchasing this Jeep, a couple of friends of mine mentioned that I should join the Jeep club that they belong to. I looked them up and put in my request. I was accepted and so it began. The most awesome journey with Barbed Wire Jeeps. Without this Jeep, I would not have meet some of the most amazing, awesome people there are. It's more than a club, it's family. I truly feel that way about them!

I have been a part of all kinds of events with Barbed Wire. Parades, Toys For Tots, Shriners, restaurant runs, and so on. Every time that we get together, it's like a family reunion!

Speaking of the Toys For Tots run, I also met some more awesome people from Jeeps On The Run! This is another amazing group of people, whom I never would have meet if not for my Jeep! I  have done a few events with this group as well. Again, another family reunion!

To top it all off, I decorated my Jeep with my favorite bands (Styper) logos. I had decals made for the front. I had a tire cover designed with the logo. Had back window covers made as well.

Anyway, 

About a month ago, Styper came to St. Charles for a concert. I was able to park close enough to the back stage door and the band were able to come and check out the Jeep and take pictures. What a culmination of what my vision for the Jeep was.

So God blessed me with my dream vehicle. I have wanted a Jeep for over forty years, and finally got it. So I encourage you to not give up on your dream(s), no matter what it is. Doing whatever dream that you have. Whether it takes forty years or however long, just don't give up on it.

God has blessed me with this Jeep. I hope that I have blessed Him with the way that I use it. I hope that I am using it for His glory!

1 Corinthians 10:31 New Living Translation

31 So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

God bless.

Rev. Kev.