Hollow!

 Imagine as a little kid on Easter. You walk into the room where the "Easter Bunny" put your Easter basket. You notice all the goodies. You begin to poke around and see the chocolate eggs that have been left. Your thinking to yourself "these are going to be so good." "Can't wait to bite into one and devour it."

So you unwrap it, open your mouth and prepare to take a big bite out of it. You bite down and then disappointment sets in. The egg is hollow. No cream filling. No caramel filling. No peanut butter. Not a solid chocolate egg. Just a hollow chocolate shell. Your crushed. You were looking forward to something so delicious and heartbreak.

Fast forward to being a little older. Things that you have done in your life, you take a look back thinking that they would be fulfilling, only to find what you had done or accomplished was actually, hollow! Had no meaning in the long run.

One thing that Facebook does everyday is share your memories from years past on a specific date. You can tell what concert you went to see. A movie, sporting event, whatever. As I look at these memories sometimes, I think to myself, "did I really post that?" How irrelevant it was. I thought that it had meaning at the moment, but years later, I think about how silly that post was.

I look back and I see complaints about how the Cardinals played that day. Or the Blackhawks. Or something else that didn't matter, I thought that the world should know happened.

These memories that keep coming up and noticing what I had posted had me thinking about the book of Ecclesiastes in The Bible. Especially the first chapter.

Ecclesiastes 1:2 New Living Translation

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

I keep thinking about all these things that I'm doing, thinking that the world needs to hear about it, and then reflecting back, it meant nothing. At the moment I thought that it did, but no!

I went though a divorce in the early 2000's. When it was finalized, I felt hollow. There was hole left were the marriage had previously been. So I thought that dating every woman that I could would fill that hole. I would be proven wrong. No woman filled that hole in my life. 

It wasn't until I went to church and accepted Jesus as my Lord & Savior did that hole get filled. I no longer felt hollow. I felt a fullness to my life now. One that I had never felt before. Hard to explain unless you have the same experience.

So unlike the hollow chocolate egg, that was unsatisfactory, Jesus satisfies every need in you life. My life now has meaning. No longer do I feel hollow!

Ecclesiastes 3:4 New Living Translation

4 A time to cry and a time to laugh. A time to grieve and a time to dance.

Divorce was time to cry. I didn't cry because of the divorce, I cried because I thought that I had failed. But then came the time to laugh. Jesus became the joy of my life! The One I needed more than anyone!

Nehemiah 8:10 New Living Translation

10 For the joy of the Lord is your strength!”

So, you are feeling hollow today, let Jesus fill you, as only He can. 

God bless.

Rev. Kev.

He Did!

 We are at the half way point of Passion week, 2026. I wanted to pause and reflect on what Jesus has done for me/you. The sacrifice that He made for me/you.

Who pulled me out of my sinful life and set upon the rock? He did! (Psalm 71:3)

Who changed my life? He did! (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Who died for me? He did! (Romans 5:8)

Who took my sins upon himself? He did! (1 Peter 2:24)

Who took the punishment that was due me? He did! (Hebrews 10:12)

Who has given me the life that I lead? He did! (Philippians 4:19)

Who has healed me, many, many, many times? He did! (Psalm 30:2)

Who rescued me from many situations that I found myself in? He did! (James 1:12)

Who has given me the family that I have? He did! (Colossians 3:19) (Ephesians 6:4)

Who has protected me, even when I didn't know I needed protection? He did! (Nahum 1:7)

Who as supplied everything that I need? He did! (Psalm 37:25)

Everything that I have, my life, my family, friends. Everything good, He did!

So as we approach the Friday that we thought was a disappointment (His death and burial), He turned it into a glorious Sunday (His resurection & empty tomb)!

So remember this Easter season isn't about bunnies and chocolate but about The Lamb. The Risen, resurrected Jesus!

God bless.

Rev. Kev.

Added To!

 Have you ever had God add something more to your life? Seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks or years? How about finances? Healing of your body. 

My question is, if He has added more to your life, what did you do with it?

Did you squander it, or make the most of it?

Did you continue to live the way that you did before, or did you make changes to take advantage of what God has given you?

I've known people who were basically on their death beds & God healed them. Healed them of a myriad of health issues. He added more time to their life!

Many started praising God for what He has done for them. Others did not!

In a way this kind of reminds me of the story of the prodigal son. He was given his portion of his fathers inheritance before his father passed away. What did he do with it? He went and squandered it all away living recklessly! Ending up broke and poor. 

Luke 15:13-14 New Living Translation

13 “A few days later this younger son packed all his belongings and moved to a distant land, and there he wasted all his money in wild living. 14 About the time his money ran out, a great famine swept over the land, and he began to starve.

This father added to his sons life or so he thought. All he did was enable him, to live recklessly. He squandered it away! So I pray that if God were to add more to my life, I would use whatever it was, wisely!

God provided a newer Jeep for me to drive. I did nothing to receive this vehicle, so upon acquiring it, I wanted to use it for good purposes. I appreciated the newer vehicle to drive. I have already participated in a couple of charity events, delivering things to those in need. I didn't want to just drive it around and use gas, for my enjoyment. I wanted to use it to be His hands, feet and wheels when needed to bless others!

I listened to a message about King Hezekiah. About how he was very ill. He prayed to God for healing and God answered him and added more time to his life.

2 Kings 20:6 New Living Translation

6 I will add fifteen years to your life, and I will rescue you and this city from the king of Assyria. I will defend this city for my own honor and for the sake of my servant David.’”

With the added years to his life, he became prideful. Disregarding the mercy that The Lord had shown towards him. He showed visitors his palace and all that he had acquired in those fifteen additional years.

2 Kings 20:15 Amplified Bible

15 Isaiah said, “What have they seen in your house?” Hezekiah answered, “They have seen everything that is in my house (palace). There is nothing in my treasuries that I have not shown them.”

So I pray that if God gives you a second chance at life. Adding more years for you to live, or more finances, more of anything, that you use what He has given you to give glory to Him. He alone is worthy!

God bless.
Rev. Kev.

Trusting For A New Season.

 I left my job of 14 years last week. I feel like God had been telling me for a while that it was time to leave, but I kept asking "are You sure?" "Do You really want me to leave?" Well two events happened last week that I'm pretty sure God was saying "it's time for you to go!" It didn't end the way that I would have liked, but it ended.

Nothing bad to say, other than it was just time to leave.

Jeremiah 29:11 Message

11 I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.

So today I took a ride down to Starved Rock. This is my go to place when I want to get alone and spend time with God. He talks, I listen. I was/am seeking His direction for my life now. Seeking to get some kind of word from Him.

This is what I heard from Him during my hike.

There will be many steps. If any of you have ever hiked Starved Rock, you know about the infinite number of stairs there are.

The path will not be straight. Again, while hiking down there, I don't think there is a straight path anywhere.

Just like I am bringing the world into a new season (spring), I will bring you into a new season as well. Trust me and what I have for you!

TRUST ME! 

I believe that is what He was really trying to get across to me.  

Isaiah 55:8 Amplified Bible

8 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord.

He has a perfect plan all laid out for me. He knows what's best for me, even when I don't. 

Isaiah 43:19 New Living Translation

19 For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness.  I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.

So He closed one door, and I'm waiting for another one to open. So I find myself in the hallway. You know what I am going to do? I am going to worship while I'm waiting!

God Bless.

Rev. Kev.

I Love My Ducks, And The Waves Also.

 When I bought my Jeep, I joined a local Jeep club (Barb Wire Jeeps) that friends of mine belonged to. Upon joining, I have been treated like family. Welcomed in, supported and encouraged. It's like I have known all these wonderful people all of my life! So I started following all kinds of Jeep pages on Facebook, thinking that the same thing would take place.

I would be proven wrong.

I could not believe that in some of the groups that I followed, the tearing down of people and lambasting, just because they had a duck or a few on their dashboard. Calling people a certain type of name that I am not going to repeat here. Really? Are you back in elementary school? Just because we have ducks on our dash, that makes us less than someone else. What do you care? How does this affect you? Just let us have our ducks and carry on!

I love getting ducked. It brightens my day. I display them proudly on my dash, as witnessed in the pic above. I love giving ducks out to other people. Hoping that it may make their day! You never know. Maybe that person is really going through something and that little duck could brighten their day, for even a moment!

Of course this has me thinking about us Christians. As a Christian, are we lifting our brothers and sisters up? Or are we tearing them down, just because they do something different than we do it?

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.

Not all of us will worship the same. Some will have their arms raised. Some will keep them at their side. Some will pray out loud, some silently. No matter what you do, it's between you and God. Not between you and me. Not all of us will live the same way. Some things may be acceptable to some and not to others. Personal choice. Not everything that everyone does has to be the same. As long as it honors God and brings Him the glory!

Romans 2:1-3 New Living Translation

2 You may think you can condemn such people, but you are just as bad, and you have no excuse! When you say they are wicked and should be punished, you are condemning yourself, for you who judge others do these very same things. 2 And we know that God, in his justice, will punish anyone who does such things. 3 Since you judge others for doing these things, why do you think you can avoid God’s judgment when you do the same things?

Just like getting a Jeep duck makes me smile, how much more I smile when He uses me to make a difference in someone's life! Allows me to be His hands & feet! Joy of The Lord is my strength!

I cannot believe that little rubber duck(s) sitting on a dashboard of a Jeep would bring out so much anger and name calling.

The same goes with following Jesus. People will resolve to call us names and anger towards us. Just for being Christian.

I pray that we stay strong. Keep the faith.  

God bless.

Rev. Kev.

Less Than A Man??

This post isn't going to be a Biblical post like most of mine are. This one is going to be more personal and transparent.

I keep seeing a lot of videos and articles about how are you aren't a man if you do or don't do "fill in the blank."

For example, I bought my Jeep because I thought that it looked cool. I've always wanted a Jeep, and when the opportunity came to buy one, I jumped on it. Once owning it, I found out it is really awesome and fun to drive. I love getting the ducks, and Jeep waves when they occur. I liked being able to personalize it with my own decals on the hood and spare tire cover. Showing it off makes me happy. Friends always comment on how clean it is, and how awesome it looks.

But here come the comments that because I don't want to take my Jeep off roading or 'rock climbing' I am all of a sudden a pavement princess. Excuse me, what??

After paying "X" amount of dollars for my Jeep, the last thing I want to do is take it off roading and tear it up. If I wanted to do that, I would have bought a beater one.

So if wanting my Jeep to be show worthy makes me less than a man, then so be it. Just annoys me how other people judge me on what I choose to do with it! 

Then I see videos of what men are supposed to act like. I know that these videos are generalizing, but still. Trying to make me feel less than a man because I do or don't do certain things.

One video shows a guy getting out of the shower. According to the video, a man gets out completely wet, and shakes like a dog, spraying water all over the bathroom. A manly mans action according to this videos creator. A less than a man dries off in the shower before getting out. That is what I do. I don't want the drying mat that both my wife and I use to be soaking wet. I don't need water to be dripping down the walls or mirror. I consider my better half as well. I am not the only one that lives here. It's called respect.

There are a few other things, but these are the two that really irritated me lately.

What is so wrong with a man being considerate? Nothing in my book. I guess I am in the minority, according to things that I see and read.

Philippians 2:3-4 Amplified Bible

3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit [through factional motives, or strife], but with [an attitude of] humility [being neither arrogant nor self-righteous], regard others as more important than yourselves. 4 Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.

1 Corinthians 10:24 Living Bible

24 Don’t think only of yourself. Try to think of the other fellow, too, and what is best for him.

Would you look at that. I managed to sneak some verses in after all!

God bless.

Rev. Kev.

Unmovable!

 

A friend of mine from church gave me this little Jesus figure. I thought that it was awesome. I placed it in my Jeep, on the dash with the little micro ducks. Every time I would look at it, I would be reminded that Jesus is with me in my Jeep. No matter where I drive or go, He is there, with me. Pretty cool I thought.

Last week I drove down to Peoria to volunteer at Winter Jam. A Christian music festival that tours through the winter months. The drive for me was about 2:15. As I was heading down the highway, I looked at the little Jesus figure, and it hadn't moved. At all. I placed it on the dash, and it has stayed where I put it, the whole time. As you can tell from the picture, the little micro ducks move and slide every which way. Never stay put. The little Jesus figure would vibrate and shake, but never move! 

So of course this got me thinking about the real Jesus in my life. How He is unmovable! Unshakeable! No matter what happens, Jesus stays put!

Proverbs 18:10 Living Bible

10 The Lord is a strong fortress. The godly run to him and are safe.

If He can calm the winds and waves during a storm, for the disciples without being shaken or worried , what can He protect you from? What kind of storms are you facing? Run to Jesus, He is our strong tower. Our refuge in times of trouble.

Psalm 46:1-2 Amplified Bible

46 God is our refuge and strength [mighty and impenetrable], A very present and well-proved help in trouble. 2  Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change And though the mountains be shaken and slip into the heart of the seas,

We may be facing all kinds of situations. Things that we think that we cannot get through. That's true. We can't do it alone. We need help. 

Psalm 121:1-2 New Living Translation

1 I look up to the mountains— does my help come from there? 2 My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth!

So why not lean on, trust in and rely on The One who is never shaken. Never moved. The One who is always there? Things may look impossible for us, but not for God!

Matthew 19:26 Amplified Bible

26 But Jesus looked at them and said, “With people [as far as it depends on them] it is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

So I encourage you this day. Trust in The Lord. The one who never changes, never backs down and is for you, always!

God bless.

Rev. Kev.