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.

Comments, Quips & The Ever Present Side Eye!

 I had a dream the other night. In the dream, God gave me the title for this blog. And then He proceeded to want to download what I was supposed to say in it. I'm like "God, I'm trying to sleep."

In the dream I felt kind of like John in the book of Revelation,

Revelation 1:19 Living Bible

19 Write down what you have just seen and what will soon be shown to you.

What God showed me in the dream and what I have noticed myself every time that it happens, is that I get judged when I mention what kind of music that I listen to, or books that I read.

I know that I have written about this before. I thought that I was done with this, but the comments, quips and side eye keep happening. I don't get it.

Most of the judgement comes from my Christian circle. They are quick to comment. To pass judgement. 

Matthew 7:1-2 Amplified Bible

7 “[a]Do not judge and criticize and condemn [others unfairly with an attitude of self-righteous superiority as though assuming the office of a judge], so that you will not be judged [unfairly]. 2 For just as you [hypocritically] judge others [when you are sinful and unrepentant], so will you be judged; and in accordance with your standard of measure [used to pass out judgment], judgment will be measured to you.

Is that band really Christian? 

Why? Because the musicians have long hair and play heavy, hard, fast music? 

Is that author really a pastor, or a Christian leader? Should you really be reading a book written by them?

Why? Because they have long hair and their arms are covered with tattoo's? 

Last time I checked, having tattoo's, long hair and play heavy music doesn't stop you from proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus!

John 7:24 Amplified Bible

24 Do not judge by appearance [superficially and arrogantly], but judge fairly and righteously.”

I honestly thought that the judgement would come from my unsaved friends. But they are the ones that are the most accepting about what they see me reading or listening to.

When they see the Stryper logos on my Jeep, or t-shirts. They ask what does Isaiah 53:5 mean. I tell them what the Bible says and that is where Stryper get their name. "Oh, that's cool" And they move on. No sly comments. No little quips, or side eye given.

If they see me reading a book by a certain author, or authors. They ask about the author and the subject matter of the book. Again, they accept what I say, and move on. I figure that I am planting the seed. If they are that interested, they can look them up and decide for themselves!

I feel like what Forrest Gump said in the movie "Forrest Gump". I've said my peace, that is all I'm going to say about this. The more this happens, there is a wedge between me and you. 

So I urge you to be respectful of what other people listen to or read (in the Christian realm). Just because it isn't your taste, doesn't make it wrong!

God bless.

Rev. Kev.