A bonus post for today. Well actually its because there wasn't a post yesterday.
Carson wanted to ride his bike down the driveway by himself without any help. Kathy was a little hesitant. Daddy...not so much. Then he rode all the way down the driveway across the street and up the other driveway, when he fell down simply trying to turn too quickly. Oops. Figures he would get through the hard part and then crash on the easy part. The way I figure it, there was no blood so he was okay. I'm sure there is some metaphor that would work here about having to "let go" or "they need to learn." So you can insert your thought here:
Carson is getting braver and braver each time he tries something and the scary or nice thing is that he wants to do almost everything by himself. I wonder if he wants to show everyone how big he is and the way for him to do that is to insist on doing it himself. Well, I guess eventually he will be trying to ride his bike without training wheels and probably fall down a time or two. Here's hoping he recovers as quickly then as he did today.
kevin
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Lent Day 23A: Numbers
I spoke at chapel for the preschool yesterday morning, which I do quite a bit. Usually the kids are pretty wound up and everyone answers everytime you ask a question (without raising their hand) Yesterday we talked about numbers and for some reason they were quiet and listened the whole time. I thought to myself, wow chapel couldn't have gotten any better. I was wrong.
Kathy called me at youth last night and said she just had to tell me something. She was talking to Carson and asked him about chapel-which she does most if not all wednesdays. She asks Carson who spoke at chapel and what they talked about and he usually responds by saying I don't know. Last night when she asked him who taught chapel he yelled: MY DADDY. Then she asked him what I talked about and he yelled: NUMBERS.
It really made helped me be in a great mood during youth last night having heard how excited he was that I had taught chapel...and that he actually remembered what I talked about. Gotta love numbers.
grace&peace
kevin
Kathy called me at youth last night and said she just had to tell me something. She was talking to Carson and asked him about chapel-which she does most if not all wednesdays. She asks Carson who spoke at chapel and what they talked about and he usually responds by saying I don't know. Last night when she asked him who taught chapel he yelled: MY DADDY. Then she asked him what I talked about and he yelled: NUMBERS.
It really made helped me be in a great mood during youth last night having heard how excited he was that I had taught chapel...and that he actually remembered what I talked about. Gotta love numbers.
grace&peace
kevin
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Lent Day 21: I Need a Nap
Have you ever noticed that when it is overcast outside that everyone seems to one to take a nap? I have seen numerous posts on facebook today about wanting to do just that. What is it about the weather that effects our mood so much? No really has anybody done research on this to figure it out? Because frankly, I'm just to tired to look it up right now....
sincerely
kevin
PS-sometimes you just have to throw in a meaningless blog post just for the fun of it...
sincerely
kevin
PS-sometimes you just have to throw in a meaningless blog post just for the fun of it...
Monday, March 28, 2011
Lent Day 18 and 19 and 20: Balance
Okay so I've had a busy weekend and I didn't want to post something that felt rushed or was "fluff" (thanks for use of that word Misty) We took a confirmation field trip to the Methodist Children's Home saturday and went to JJ and Lydia's birthday party yesterday. So here is a post to sum up the weekend and get you a start on your monday morning, at least that's the hope
Dawne Phillips and I were talking on saturday about her Discipleship/Mission topic for confirmation and she said something that really resonated with me in a big way. She said something to the effect of :"if we are going to teach others to be disciples and serve then there must be a balance in our own spiritual lives."
I found this very helpful. I thought about having a balance between work, family, and a little time to relax. I think having a balance is important in all aspects of our lives. There are weeks and times of the year that are very busy for me as a youth director which means I have to balance those busy times by having some more family time during the times of the year where my schedule is not so hectic. I have also found how important it is to take some "sabbath" time just to decompress and relax and read a book just for fun or go play golf (the kid in me even finds the occasional time to play a video game or two) I find that taking this time seems to make it easier to focus and be more productive with my time working and studying during the rest of the week.
You have probably heard that for everything in nature there is a balance. So duh, we should know that we need balance. That way we don't burn out or get frustrated too easily with the day to day grind that me sometimes experience. I know that sometimes we have deadlines, and we have a ton of stuff to do so it can be difficult to take time for ourselves. But we have to do it so we can be balanced in our lives.
Another balance in our spiritual lives, especially for me working in ministry is for me personally to grow spiritually. I love teaching and mentoring and helping the youth grow in their spiritual lives. In order for me to do that to the best of my ability I must be dynamic in my spiritual life and not stagnant. I must be growing and not standing still. I must have some balance in my spiritual life. And I think that goes for anyone in ministry (or anyone for that matter)
Here's hoping your life is in balance in the next days of this lenten season and beyond.
kevin
Dawne Phillips and I were talking on saturday about her Discipleship/Mission topic for confirmation and she said something that really resonated with me in a big way. She said something to the effect of :"if we are going to teach others to be disciples and serve then there must be a balance in our own spiritual lives."
I found this very helpful. I thought about having a balance between work, family, and a little time to relax. I think having a balance is important in all aspects of our lives. There are weeks and times of the year that are very busy for me as a youth director which means I have to balance those busy times by having some more family time during the times of the year where my schedule is not so hectic. I have also found how important it is to take some "sabbath" time just to decompress and relax and read a book just for fun or go play golf (the kid in me even finds the occasional time to play a video game or two) I find that taking this time seems to make it easier to focus and be more productive with my time working and studying during the rest of the week.
You have probably heard that for everything in nature there is a balance. So duh, we should know that we need balance. That way we don't burn out or get frustrated too easily with the day to day grind that me sometimes experience. I know that sometimes we have deadlines, and we have a ton of stuff to do so it can be difficult to take time for ourselves. But we have to do it so we can be balanced in our lives.
Another balance in our spiritual lives, especially for me working in ministry is for me personally to grow spiritually. I love teaching and mentoring and helping the youth grow in their spiritual lives. In order for me to do that to the best of my ability I must be dynamic in my spiritual life and not stagnant. I must be growing and not standing still. I must have some balance in my spiritual life. And I think that goes for anyone in ministry (or anyone for that matter)
Here's hoping your life is in balance in the next days of this lenten season and beyond.
kevin
Friday, March 25, 2011
Lent Day 17: Journaling/Blogging
Why do people journal? For me it started a few years ago and I journaled everyday for about two years. I realized that wasn't very effective because somedays I just didn't have too much to say, so I ended up just writing one or two sentences about what I did that day. When I went back and look at those composition books there are some important things in there, but not a whole lot. It did help when I looked at them because I could remember for instance how I felt at a couple important times in my life such as graduating college, how I felt when Kathy and I first met (this entry was two days before I locked her keys in her trunk if you are wondering Doris :), and what my thoughts were on our first date. I was not journaling when Carson was born or when we got married, although I wish I had been.
But I digress. I like journaling, or now blogging because it seems to help center me. I am able to write my thoughts down and keep a record of them. I did think that I was one of about three people to read it most of the time..but during lent I know that there are a few people who I believe or know are reading it everyday, which means a lot. I just hope they are getting something useful out of it.
It's cool when I run into someone at church who tells me she is enjoying reading it. (thanks neighbor) or I get a text about it (thanks Doris and Chance) or to see someone reading it when I wake up in the morning (wife whom I love so much) or a facebook message about it that makes me tear up (a double thanks for making me tear up Kathryn) and to those who inform Kathryn via facebook about a blog post which causes Kathryn to read it which causes her to tear up which causes her to send me a message that causes me to tear up (thanks Courtney)
Okay, I'm rambling, just wanted to say it means a lot that others find my "thoughts" meaningful. If I have forgotten to thank anyone, send me a comment and I will thank you personally :) Hope these entries find you well each time you read them, and even when you don't.
have a wonderful day
kevin
But I digress. I like journaling, or now blogging because it seems to help center me. I am able to write my thoughts down and keep a record of them. I did think that I was one of about three people to read it most of the time..but during lent I know that there are a few people who I believe or know are reading it everyday, which means a lot. I just hope they are getting something useful out of it.
It's cool when I run into someone at church who tells me she is enjoying reading it. (thanks neighbor) or I get a text about it (thanks Doris and Chance) or to see someone reading it when I wake up in the morning (wife whom I love so much) or a facebook message about it that makes me tear up (a double thanks for making me tear up Kathryn) and to those who inform Kathryn via facebook about a blog post which causes Kathryn to read it which causes her to tear up which causes her to send me a message that causes me to tear up (thanks Courtney)
Okay, I'm rambling, just wanted to say it means a lot that others find my "thoughts" meaningful. If I have forgotten to thank anyone, send me a comment and I will thank you personally :) Hope these entries find you well each time you read them, and even when you don't.
have a wonderful day
kevin
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Lent Day 16: Picture Day
Today is picture day at Carson's school and a heard something that made me think back to my childhood, or more specifically my sister's childhood. Of course I am used to getting Carson ready most mornings, and the most trying part of those mornings is fixing his crazy hair. (which is why we are going to get him a summer haircut) I can't imagine if we had a girl and I had to fix her hair....YIKES!!!
Back to the story. This morning as I was dropping Carson off, another dad was dropping off his little girl and he had a brush in his hand and asked her teacher if she could brush her hair because he usually doesn't fix her hair and isn't sure how she likes it. It made me smile and want to laugh.
When we were growing up and my mom was out of town, my dad had no idea how to fix my sister's hair and in Stephanie's words: "that's not how Mom does it." So rather than have it look bad or do it wrong he would take a brush with him to school and have Stephanie's teachers do it. Which when you think about it is a smart idea on my dad's part. Why argue with a strong willed child when her teacher can do it better anyway?
I guess if we have a girl I will have to learn how to fix her hair at some point. It would be a learning experience, but hey Carson is a learning experience too. I always joke that I wouldn't know how to raise a girl and that God wouldn't do that to me....but God does have a sense of humor so he very well might. After all he did name one of his creatures the platypus. And you have to have a sense of humor to come up with that name.
grace&peace
kevin
Back to the story. This morning as I was dropping Carson off, another dad was dropping off his little girl and he had a brush in his hand and asked her teacher if she could brush her hair because he usually doesn't fix her hair and isn't sure how she likes it. It made me smile and want to laugh.
When we were growing up and my mom was out of town, my dad had no idea how to fix my sister's hair and in Stephanie's words: "that's not how Mom does it." So rather than have it look bad or do it wrong he would take a brush with him to school and have Stephanie's teachers do it. Which when you think about it is a smart idea on my dad's part. Why argue with a strong willed child when her teacher can do it better anyway?
I guess if we have a girl I will have to learn how to fix her hair at some point. It would be a learning experience, but hey Carson is a learning experience too. I always joke that I wouldn't know how to raise a girl and that God wouldn't do that to me....but God does have a sense of humor so he very well might. After all he did name one of his creatures the platypus. And you have to have a sense of humor to come up with that name.
grace&peace
kevin
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Lent Day 15: Not a Normal Wednesday
So for those of you who don't know, wednesdays for youth directors can be pretty long and sometimes hectic days. I usually take about 30 minutes in the afternoon to rest and just relax before all the youth get there. That is a practice I started about a year and a half ago. And I started to wonder why it took me so long to be able to relax on a wednesday afternoon. Then the answer suddenly came to me....I have help (from Kathryn) getting things done, setting things up on Wednesdasys. And we even have time to have fun and goof off a little bit.
The reason I bring this up is today I was not able to rest much or relax since Kathryn ("my boss") as her and I jokingly refer to her was at home recovering from her surgery and I got to get everything prepared and ready to go by myself. It was quite a bit of work. I missed not having help with preparing and setting up but the thing I missed the most today were those pointless conversations we have about nothing in particular.
Get well soon Kathryn. We all missed you tonight
see you soon
kevin
The reason I bring this up is today I was not able to rest much or relax since Kathryn ("my boss") as her and I jokingly refer to her was at home recovering from her surgery and I got to get everything prepared and ready to go by myself. It was quite a bit of work. I missed not having help with preparing and setting up but the thing I missed the most today were those pointless conversations we have about nothing in particular.
Get well soon Kathryn. We all missed you tonight
see you soon
kevin
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Lent Day 14: On the Path
I supposed most of us as Christians have heard the term striving for perfection and although we cannot and will not be perfect, that is what we should strive for. I read a book last week and one line stuck out to me more than any other: we as Christians do not have to be perfect, but we do have to be on the path. I know some people have a negative view of Christians because sometimes are actions do not follow what we say. I know sometimes life can be difficult and there are things that show our imperfections but its how we deal with those that is important. Are we perfect? No. Are we on the path? For our sake, let's hope the answer is a resounding yes.
grace & peace
kevin
grace & peace
kevin
Monday, March 21, 2011
Lent Day 13: Bible as Prayer
We talked yesterday in confirmation about how the bible relates to prayer and how we read the bible and how much time we devote to it. It got me to thinking about how much better our scripture reading could be if we treated every time we read the bible as a prayer.
First, i think we would treat it as talking to God and letting his word speak through us. Second, we would be less inclined to rush through it. Third, I believe we would be able to focus more easily. I know some of us, including me, have a daily bible reading and I occasionally rush through it and don't give it the time it deserves. I am going to be better about seeing it for what it is: the inspired word of God. I know that will help me in getting more from it and giving it my undivided attention daily.
grace&peace
kevin
First, i think we would treat it as talking to God and letting his word speak through us. Second, we would be less inclined to rush through it. Third, I believe we would be able to focus more easily. I know some of us, including me, have a daily bible reading and I occasionally rush through it and don't give it the time it deserves. I am going to be better about seeing it for what it is: the inspired word of God. I know that will help me in getting more from it and giving it my undivided attention daily.
grace&peace
kevin
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Lent Day 12: Individual Bible Study
We are going to try a few different bible study approaches in the next couple of months to give the youth some different forms of study they can use. I believe some of them might be more popular than others. We did a new bible study this evening which was more individual, quiet, one-on-one with God meditative type study. The entire exercise took 30 minutes and the youth were not able to talk, just to follow a guided format. It worked out really well, everyone was focused and quiet and did not disrupt anyone else (except for me when I ran into a chair and made a little noise)
I tried the exercise this morning at home before anyone was awake and then tonight along with the youth. I was surprised by how much faster it seemed to go the second time around. I'm not sure if it was the setting or if it was because it was the second time around, or if I was just more focused. The exercise reminded me of Psalm 46:10-Be still and know that I am God.
Here's to more types of bible study that we can introduce others to so that they may learn that there are many ways to study The Book.
peace&quiet
kevin
I tried the exercise this morning at home before anyone was awake and then tonight along with the youth. I was surprised by how much faster it seemed to go the second time around. I'm not sure if it was the setting or if it was because it was the second time around, or if I was just more focused. The exercise reminded me of Psalm 46:10-Be still and know that I am God.
Here's to more types of bible study that we can introduce others to so that they may learn that there are many ways to study The Book.
peace&quiet
kevin
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Lent Day 11: Brother
For those of you who may not know, I have always been a pretty competitive person. I know, you are all shocked to hear that. The one person I have always been the most competitive with is my brother Jason. Whether it was playing sports, watching sports or playing video games. (I remember the incident with the nintendo controller when Jason hit a grand slam off of me in the bottom of the ninth inning to win the game. I got so mad that I threw the contoller straight into the ground. As bad luck would have it, the controller bounced up and put a crack in the screen covering of the brand new television in our room. Since we wanted to live we took the plastic screen off the tv and hid it in the closet and my parents didn't find out about it.)
Well the competitiveness hasn't changed much. Of course we both like the Broncos but when it comes to basketball our opinions differ slightly: I'm a Spurs fan, Jason is a Mavs fan. Which makes when they play really interesting. We went to the game last night and so there had to be a bet, it was decided the loser had to go to work today or tomorrow with a mustache. Luckily the Spurs won this game, I would have looked goofy with a mustache. It makes thing fun when they play and we can root against each other and our competiveness....well it's still there.
grace&peace
kevin
Well the competitiveness hasn't changed much. Of course we both like the Broncos but when it comes to basketball our opinions differ slightly: I'm a Spurs fan, Jason is a Mavs fan. Which makes when they play really interesting. We went to the game last night and so there had to be a bet, it was decided the loser had to go to work today or tomorrow with a mustache. Luckily the Spurs won this game, I would have looked goofy with a mustache. It makes thing fun when they play and we can root against each other and our competiveness....well it's still there.
grace&peace
kevin
Friday, March 18, 2011
Lent Day 10: Makes Me Think...
I've heard something a couple of times in the last three days that has made me think a little bit about where we focus our time and energy. Let me explain. We were watching a live stream event on Monday night and as we were watching it, I was logged on to google looking to see what people were posting online. About 9 out of every 10 posts were negative. I thought that was curious and it got me to thinking why that might be:
1. anger or "venom" as I referred to it today is a very strong powerful emotions and we sometimes let it get the best of us, very easily and without thinking. I think if we took time to think about it, we wouldn't feel so strongly about it.
2. some people just want something to be negative about and are looking for someone to validate their opinion, wether it is right or wrong.
3. on the flipside when people like something they are so at peace that sometimes I don't believe they feel the need to express their happiness with it. They are happy with it and that is what matters most.
4. and maybe happiness and contentment are not as strong of emotions as anger
So I challenge anyone who reads this to make a point today to make known when you are happy with something or someone today. It really can make a huge difference in a very positive way.
grace&peace
kevin (or as Carson says: Daddio, Daddio)
1. anger or "venom" as I referred to it today is a very strong powerful emotions and we sometimes let it get the best of us, very easily and without thinking. I think if we took time to think about it, we wouldn't feel so strongly about it.
2. some people just want something to be negative about and are looking for someone to validate their opinion, wether it is right or wrong.
3. on the flipside when people like something they are so at peace that sometimes I don't believe they feel the need to express their happiness with it. They are happy with it and that is what matters most.
4. and maybe happiness and contentment are not as strong of emotions as anger
So I challenge anyone who reads this to make a point today to make known when you are happy with something or someone today. It really can make a huge difference in a very positive way.
grace&peace
kevin (or as Carson says: Daddio, Daddio)
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Lent Day 9: A Hill or Mountain
Have you ever stood at the foot of a hill or mountain and thought to yourself, there's no way I can get to the top? But then you decide to start and you climb, and climb, and climb and you finally reach the top. And you are able to look back at what you have just been through and the work it took to get there. You can look forward to the trek back down the hill or mountain knowing you can do it. And somehow you just know the trip down is going to be enjoyable...
Have you ever thought of your faith walk in this way? We have struggles in our lives and with our faith that take our time, effort, and energy to get through them. But we work hard and with help from others we are able to work through them and get to a point where we "get it."
That is when some of us have the mountaintop experience and you just know things are going to be different and better in our lives and in our faith. And when you get to that point....isn't it a fun ride down the mountain, knowing what you now know.
Have fun on the mountain
kevin
Have you ever thought of your faith walk in this way? We have struggles in our lives and with our faith that take our time, effort, and energy to get through them. But we work hard and with help from others we are able to work through them and get to a point where we "get it."
That is when some of us have the mountaintop experience and you just know things are going to be different and better in our lives and in our faith. And when you get to that point....isn't it a fun ride down the mountain, knowing what you now know.
Have fun on the mountain
kevin
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Lent Day 8: Boys Will be Boys
We are visiting Kathy's cousins in Athens and yesterday we were playing in the backyard and they let us know their neighbors had a 6 story high tree house. So of course we had to go see it and of course I had to climb to the top (and so did our eight year old cousin). He's climb to the top numerous times before.
We quickly made our way up to the top and we could see for miles in every direction across the fields, pastures, and trees. Kathy, Carson, Aunt Barb, and Jacee looked so small down below. I took a picture from above and Carson looks like an orange dot because of the orange shirt he is wearing.
I guess as the toys r us song goes: "I don't want to grow up." I just had to swing on the rope swing on the way down. So maybe I've grown up a little since I was a kid....but not much.
grace & peace
kevin
We quickly made our way up to the top and we could see for miles in every direction across the fields, pastures, and trees. Kathy, Carson, Aunt Barb, and Jacee looked so small down below. I took a picture from above and Carson looks like an orange dot because of the orange shirt he is wearing.
I guess as the toys r us song goes: "I don't want to grow up." I just had to swing on the rope swing on the way down. So maybe I've grown up a little since I was a kid....but not much.
grace & peace
kevin
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Lent Day 7: Time Away
I think it is important for each of us to have time away from our normal schedule. Even for me, whose schedule is not a typical 9-5 job. I believe we need time away to be able to do things that refresh us. There are many things we can do. I often times will spend time walking around outside after Kathy and Carson have gone to sleep. Our neighbor had been home all week last week with a sick two year old so she took a day to go shopping with her older daughter. My brother normally plays golf every Thursday (the way he plays golf though, makes me wonder if that is relaxing at all) Whatever you do with that sabbath time: play golf, spend time with family, read a book, go shopping, etc, it is important to have it.
It reminds me of Exodus 20:8-11 where God speaks about keeping the sabbath day holy because it belongs to him. I guess it must be pretty important because its a commandment, and there's only ten of those. Everyone needs a sabbath and time away from the hustle and bustle of their everyday work and everyday lives.
This practice is hard for me more often than not. Quite often I have to force myself to have some time to myself away from work. My suggestion is to make sure you have this time away at least once a week. It doesn't have to be an entire day, maybe just a couple hours. But make it a regular discipline.
grace&peace
kevin
It reminds me of Exodus 20:8-11 where God speaks about keeping the sabbath day holy because it belongs to him. I guess it must be pretty important because its a commandment, and there's only ten of those. Everyone needs a sabbath and time away from the hustle and bustle of their everyday work and everyday lives.
This practice is hard for me more often than not. Quite often I have to force myself to have some time to myself away from work. My suggestion is to make sure you have this time away at least once a week. It doesn't have to be an entire day, maybe just a couple hours. But make it a regular discipline.
grace&peace
kevin
Monday, March 14, 2011
Lent Day 6: Lesson Learned (Maybe)
So one of my more brilliant questions as a father came out of my mouth last thursday: "Carson, do you want to go to the zoo and see the animals?" (of course he does) Right when I said it, I knew I shouldn't have. It's just one of those things I was excited about. The problem is, that we aren't going to the zoo until this thursday so we have heard Carson everyday since thursday asking: "are we going to the zoo?" So we have been telling him: we go to church, then to see Grammy and Pops, then to see Jacee, Michael, Aunt Barb, and Uncle Johnny.....then we go to the zoo. Carson has a pretty good memory for a two year old, so from now on (hopefully) I won't give him a week's notice of what our "fun" out of the ordinary plans are.
grace&peace
kevin
grace&peace
kevin
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Lent Day 5: Highs and Lows
On sunday morning we end sunday school by going around the room and say our highs and lows for the week. Of course there are some funny answers (like-there are seven of us going to golden chick and there are eight roles in the box, so I'm gonna get that extra role-thanks for that Clayton) and there are serious answers and fun answers. It's fun to hear about what everyone is excited about and I also think it gives us a good Chance to know what everyone else has going on in their day to day lives.
We know when we need to pray for someone, we know when someone has something exciting to share and of course we know where some are going for lunch. It's great that we all get to know what each other are excited about...especially this week since everyone is excited about no school.....
have a great spring break
kevin
We know when we need to pray for someone, we know when someone has something exciting to share and of course we know where some are going for lunch. It's great that we all get to know what each other are excited about...especially this week since everyone is excited about no school.....
have a great spring break
kevin
Lent Day 4: Much to Learn
Kathy walked into the kitchen this morning and said: "I don't think Carson fully understands the idea of timeout." I asked why and she said: "because he is drowning his men in the bathtub when he puts them in timeout."
It's funny that he grasps the idea of timeout. His men hit each other, no naturally they must go to timeout as punishment. But then he doesn't grasp the idea that holding them under water would not be an effective form of timeout because, well you know......
It got me to thinking that we have taught Carson so much and he has gotten a lot of those concepts but he hasn't learned everything he needs to know, I mean he is only 2. But you know what? We can't wait to teach him more and more about everything that is important for him to know. I love that he has picked up so many concepts already and love that we get to teach him more and more as each day goes by.
grace & peace
kevin
(on a superhero sidebar-the two men he was holding underwater were Aquaman and Wolverine. So as you know, Aquaman lives in water and Wolverine is invincible so they were okay. Captain America was safe on land. So, maybe, just maybe....Carson is a genius and smarter that I originally thought.)
It's funny that he grasps the idea of timeout. His men hit each other, no naturally they must go to timeout as punishment. But then he doesn't grasp the idea that holding them under water would not be an effective form of timeout because, well you know......
It got me to thinking that we have taught Carson so much and he has gotten a lot of those concepts but he hasn't learned everything he needs to know, I mean he is only 2. But you know what? We can't wait to teach him more and more about everything that is important for him to know. I love that he has picked up so many concepts already and love that we get to teach him more and more as each day goes by.
grace & peace
kevin
(on a superhero sidebar-the two men he was holding underwater were Aquaman and Wolverine. So as you know, Aquaman lives in water and Wolverine is invincible so they were okay. Captain America was safe on land. So, maybe, just maybe....Carson is a genius and smarter that I originally thought.)
Friday, March 11, 2011
Lent Day 3: I Refuse
I was trying to think of what to say and a song came into my head that I heard earlier entitled: I Refuse.
Part of the lyrics go something like this:
Oh, I refuse to sit around and wait for someone elseTo do what God has called me to do myself
I could choose not to move
But I refuse
A couple other songs came to mind that shared this same thought (Dare You to Move and One Day Too Late) So today, don't wait to be a Christian. God has called you to be a Christian. Move and DO something about it today before its too late. Make a point to share about what it means to you to be a Christian. And share it today.
grace & peace
kevin
Part of the lyrics go something like this:
Oh, I refuse to sit around and wait for someone elseTo do what God has called me to do myself
I could choose not to move
But I refuse
A couple other songs came to mind that shared this same thought (Dare You to Move and One Day Too Late) So today, don't wait to be a Christian. God has called you to be a Christian. Move and DO something about it today before its too late. Make a point to share about what it means to you to be a Christian. And share it today.
grace & peace
kevin
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Lent Day 2: Reflection
Lent is a time for reflection. In that regard I was thinking about what I should reflect on through the season. Today I reflected on sermons, messages, or talks (whatever you want to call them) As part of that reflection I watched a video about delivering sermons and the speaker talked about two sides of the spectrum.
1. One side of the spectrum: You have this sermon that you just know you are going to hit out of the park. The topic is right, the timing is right, you have a total understanding of the text, and you love it (then you deliever the sermon and it totally bombs)
2. The other side of the spectrum: You have this sermon that you have struggled with all week, you know its not your best work, and something just feels off and you know it's going to be awful (then something happens and somehow it is awe-inspiring to those who hear it, and you are stunned)
Has anyone ever experienced this? I know I have been in this situation and two talks jump right to the front of my mind:
November 2008: I had what I thought was a great talk prepared about music and making a joyful noise to the lord. The timing seemed perfect, it was a great chance to open up to the youth after having only been here a short time and I just knew it would be awesome. And it totally bombed, it was like the room was totally deflated when I finished. I thought to myself: "what just happened, I have no answer for that."
June 2010: It was last year on our Mission Trip in Oklahoma and I had been struggling with what I was going to say at the client night at Tohwali Church after we had eaten dinner there. I had talked to Jennifer (the greatest center director ever), some of our AUMC youth, and some adults about what I was going to say. The common response was: you'll do great or you'll figure out what to say. (which incidentally didn't help my angst much) Even right before I was to speak I wasn't happy with what I had. I got up to speak and just left my notes in the pew. I didn't even want them. Then something happened: I looked at our youth and at the people we helped and I somehow knew exactly what I was going to say, and not just what I was going to say but what I was supposed to say. It was emotional and everyone seemed to "get it." I left with a great feeling of hope and accomplishment for something that 20 minutes before seemed jumbled and totally wrong.
I think most pastors, church leaders, youth directors and so on have probably felt both sides of this spectrum. So what keeps us going? Why would anyone want to give a sermon? Well when you deliver that sermon like I delivered in Oklahoma last year for God, for those youth, for those we helped-the feeling could not be explained. Speaking those words and leaving others with that feeling of knowing how much God loves them, there not a much better feeling.
grace & peace
kevin
1. One side of the spectrum: You have this sermon that you just know you are going to hit out of the park. The topic is right, the timing is right, you have a total understanding of the text, and you love it (then you deliever the sermon and it totally bombs)
2. The other side of the spectrum: You have this sermon that you have struggled with all week, you know its not your best work, and something just feels off and you know it's going to be awful (then something happens and somehow it is awe-inspiring to those who hear it, and you are stunned)
Has anyone ever experienced this? I know I have been in this situation and two talks jump right to the front of my mind:
November 2008: I had what I thought was a great talk prepared about music and making a joyful noise to the lord. The timing seemed perfect, it was a great chance to open up to the youth after having only been here a short time and I just knew it would be awesome. And it totally bombed, it was like the room was totally deflated when I finished. I thought to myself: "what just happened, I have no answer for that."
June 2010: It was last year on our Mission Trip in Oklahoma and I had been struggling with what I was going to say at the client night at Tohwali Church after we had eaten dinner there. I had talked to Jennifer (the greatest center director ever), some of our AUMC youth, and some adults about what I was going to say. The common response was: you'll do great or you'll figure out what to say. (which incidentally didn't help my angst much) Even right before I was to speak I wasn't happy with what I had. I got up to speak and just left my notes in the pew. I didn't even want them. Then something happened: I looked at our youth and at the people we helped and I somehow knew exactly what I was going to say, and not just what I was going to say but what I was supposed to say. It was emotional and everyone seemed to "get it." I left with a great feeling of hope and accomplishment for something that 20 minutes before seemed jumbled and totally wrong.
I think most pastors, church leaders, youth directors and so on have probably felt both sides of this spectrum. So what keeps us going? Why would anyone want to give a sermon? Well when you deliver that sermon like I delivered in Oklahoma last year for God, for those youth, for those we helped-the feeling could not be explained. Speaking those words and leaving others with that feeling of knowing how much God loves them, there not a much better feeling.
grace & peace
kevin
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Lent Day 1: Noise
So it's the first day without television and here are my observations:
1. Kathy and I spent more time talking after I got home before she fell asleep
2. I got some late night scripture reading in
3. I am sitting here listening and "hearing" the sound of silence (aside from the dog snoring)
The silence right now is kind of different. It's weird to be able to "hear" the silence since the tv is off. It reminds me of the NOOMA video Noise. I think it's fitting that the cover for that DVD is a television remote. It's nice for a change to be able to sit back, relax, and not have to tune out all the outside noise. Now if I could just tune out the voices in my head. (that last line is meant to be both serious and sarcastic at the same time: I'll let you try and figure it out)
grace & peace
kevin
1. Kathy and I spent more time talking after I got home before she fell asleep
2. I got some late night scripture reading in
3. I am sitting here listening and "hearing" the sound of silence (aside from the dog snoring)
The silence right now is kind of different. It's weird to be able to "hear" the silence since the tv is off. It reminds me of the NOOMA video Noise. I think it's fitting that the cover for that DVD is a television remote. It's nice for a change to be able to sit back, relax, and not have to tune out all the outside noise. Now if I could just tune out the voices in my head. (that last line is meant to be both serious and sarcastic at the same time: I'll let you try and figure it out)
grace & peace
kevin
Monday, March 7, 2011
Lenten Discipline
I was taught growing up that when the season of Lent rolls around that we should give up something to show our discipline to Jesus. And to me it made sense and to why we do that. Well it made sense at that time and still does but over the last few years I have come to realize there is more to it. Let me explain.
I now believe Lent should be less about giving up something and more about taking on something. I don't want to discourage someone from giving up something, I think that is great. But more importantly, what do you take on or gain when you give something up. I have made a discipline to give something up at Lent every year for the past 15 years. Sometimes I have succeeded and sometimes I haven't. I have given up things in the past such as cokes, coffee, fast food, and golf (ouch). Over the last couple of years I have focused more on what I am taking on as a discipline. It's kind of funny that if you give something up you at the same time can easily take something on as well.
So this year I am taking on spending more time developing my spiritual life by reading some of the 15 books on my reading list that I and others believe will help me (and others) with my spiritual life. Kathy and I are planning on spending more time talking each day and reading a couple of books together and discussing them. This will be made easier by giving up television. (this may prove difficult as The Masters and March Madness are during Lent) :(
No matter what way you look at it: You can give up something or take on something. The important thing is does what you take on honor God. Or if you are giving something up, does what you do with that extra time honor God.
So you might be asking yourself why have I underlined each occurence of give and take? Simple, we show our discipline for the love and sacrifice Christ gave for us. All we have to do is take it, free of cost.
grace&peace
kevin
I now believe Lent should be less about giving up something and more about taking on something. I don't want to discourage someone from giving up something, I think that is great. But more importantly, what do you take on or gain when you give something up. I have made a discipline to give something up at Lent every year for the past 15 years. Sometimes I have succeeded and sometimes I haven't. I have given up things in the past such as cokes, coffee, fast food, and golf (ouch). Over the last couple of years I have focused more on what I am taking on as a discipline. It's kind of funny that if you give something up you at the same time can easily take something on as well.
So this year I am taking on spending more time developing my spiritual life by reading some of the 15 books on my reading list that I and others believe will help me (and others) with my spiritual life. Kathy and I are planning on spending more time talking each day and reading a couple of books together and discussing them. This will be made easier by giving up television. (this may prove difficult as The Masters and March Madness are during Lent) :(
No matter what way you look at it: You can give up something or take on something. The important thing is does what you take on honor God. Or if you are giving something up, does what you do with that extra time honor God.
So you might be asking yourself why have I underlined each occurence of give and take? Simple, we show our discipline for the love and sacrifice Christ gave for us. All we have to do is take it, free of cost.
grace&peace
kevin
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Sometimes it Hurts
Last night Carson and I were playing with our foam GI Joe swords for what seemed like a an hour. In the process of all the laughing and swinging of the swords, Carson accidentally hit me pretty hard in the back of the head. The hit was so hard that it knocked me to the ground and Kathy heard it from the other side of the house. Right after it happened Carson jumped on my back and said sorry daddy and gave me a hug. And then we continued playing with Carson laughing nonstop the entire time. And to me there is no better sound than a child laughing, especially when it is your own child. I love it so so much.
I shared this story during our staff devotional time today and Zeke eloquently compared this story to discipleship and following Jesus by saying: "sometimes it hurts and yet it is worth it because of the joy that comes from it." Although getting hit in the head hurt, I wouldn't change it because of the hug and the laughter that followed.
I think that our own discipleship process can be seen in much the same way. Sometimes it's tough to live the way Jesus teaches us to live. Sometimes we become frustrated with how hard it is or how others don't seem to understand how great it is. But even though it is sometimes hard we keep at it. Why? Because no amount of hurt can even compare to the joy that comes with it. (Thank you Zeke for so eloquently summing up what I was trying to say.)
grace & peace
kevin
I shared this story during our staff devotional time today and Zeke eloquently compared this story to discipleship and following Jesus by saying: "sometimes it hurts and yet it is worth it because of the joy that comes from it." Although getting hit in the head hurt, I wouldn't change it because of the hug and the laughter that followed.
I think that our own discipleship process can be seen in much the same way. Sometimes it's tough to live the way Jesus teaches us to live. Sometimes we become frustrated with how hard it is or how others don't seem to understand how great it is. But even though it is sometimes hard we keep at it. Why? Because no amount of hurt can even compare to the joy that comes with it. (Thank you Zeke for so eloquently summing up what I was trying to say.)
grace & peace
kevin
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