At youth last night we talked about how we could have quality time with God on a daily basis to just listen to what He has to say to us. We talked with the senior high about how we could make this happen. We came up with 3 points to focus on, which now I have changed to 4 points:
1. be alone: when taking the time to listen to what God has to say to you, make sure that you are alone. The reasoning for this is it is very hard to be quiet and listen if someone else is around chatting your ear off.
2. find a place: when taking this time it is nice to have a place that is consistent for this quiet time to listen to God. The place can be your room, outside, or anywhere else you choose. The consensus between all of us last night was that this place should be consistent. Make it be the same place as much as possible so it is comfortable to you and you think of it as "your" place to listen to what God has to say to you.
3. find a time: try and make the time as consistent as possible each and every day. Whether that is first thing in the morning, last thing before you go to sleep, or a time in the middle of the afternoon where you set an alarm on your phone to remind you (bet you can't guess who has to do that) If you set a specific time, it becomes part of your routine and is easier to maintain and not forget.
4. limit distractions: I find it is necessary to leave my phone on my desk or inside when I take this time to listen. With our friends, facebook, games, etc at my fingertips, I myself must put those things out of my reach to fully focus on listening.
This time each day is very important to me so that I may discern what God is trying to tell me, without me and my big mouth getting in the way. I know for some of us it is very hard to slow down and not be distracted by the noise, traffic, distractions or whatever we choose to call the busyness of our everyday lives. But when we do this it is very, very rewarding.
I will leave you with Psalm 46:10....in three different versions
"Be still, and know that I am God..." (NIV)
"Step out of the traffic! Take a long,
loving look at me, your High God,
above politics, above everything." (The Message)
"Be at peace in the knowledge that I am God:
I will be lifted up among the nations,
I will be honoured through all the earth." (BBE)
So take the time each day to be still, quiet, and listen
grace&peace
kevin
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Monday, April 23, 2012
Counting the Days
The days seem to be going by both fast and slow at the same time when we think about the number of days until Courtney Grace decides to join us. Yes, I decided to start counting in days and not weeks. I think that's my right as an excited dad. There is such an excitement of anticipation as we continue to count down the days. The nursery is ready to go, we have diapers and clothes on hand, and Carson asks me almost daily when his baby sister will be here. He asked me yesterday if I would let him rock her to sleep in the rocking chair. Carson is asking a couple times a week if he can sleep with Courtney's pink tiger so he can "love on it" for her. That really might be the cutest thing he has ever said, and he has said a lot of cute things. I even made a plan with our neighbors The Greene's about watching Carson at a moment's notice when we head to the hospital. I can't wait for this new experience of having our own little girl dressed in pink and wearing Yoda slippers, thanks to our other neighbors the Riggs for those. (Now if only I can I can find some in an adult size for me we will be good to go) I know we are not 100% ready, but lets be honest, as a parent you never are-sometimes you just work it out as you go.
So we know Courtney will be here in due time and we are patiently and anxiously waiting for her arrival. I always joked that I would never have a daughter because and I quote myself: "God wouldn't do that to me." But deep down, somehow I knew that I would. I have gotten reassurances this week from Blake Thompson and Mike Moore that it's great, and I will have no problem playing barbies, playing dress up, and carrying around a pink (and brown) diaper bag. It's nice to hear that from others who have girls that I can adjust. We can't wait to hold our baby girl for the first time.
grace&peace
Kevin
PS-It's 37 days and counting, give or take.
So we know Courtney will be here in due time and we are patiently and anxiously waiting for her arrival. I always joked that I would never have a daughter because and I quote myself: "God wouldn't do that to me." But deep down, somehow I knew that I would. I have gotten reassurances this week from Blake Thompson and Mike Moore that it's great, and I will have no problem playing barbies, playing dress up, and carrying around a pink (and brown) diaper bag. It's nice to hear that from others who have girls that I can adjust. We can't wait to hold our baby girl for the first time.
grace&peace
Kevin
PS-It's 37 days and counting, give or take.
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Being Humble
We watched an I Am Second video this week at youth where the child speaking talked about being humble. The senior high and junior high had good discussions about what it means to be humble. I had a conversation with Lilly afterwards about being humble and the difficulties in knowing if someone is humble or if they are just quiet. Michael and Megan said it is sometimes hard to pinpoint characteristics of humble people. Maybe that is by design and the way it should be. Humble people may go unnoticed simply because they are thinking about others first and staying grounded in who they are and knowing what is important. They know it is not about them. Sometimes we overlook those who are humble because they are humble.
It is a fine line when you try and determine if someone is humble or not. The best way I know how to explain being humble is this. Being humble is generally something that someone else believes and proclaims you to be, not something that is self-proclaimed. I hope that makes sense. If I say I am humble (and that may be true) it carries more weight when someone else believes it and recognizes that characteristic.
The best example of being humble is given to us by Jesus. He could of done anything he wanted such as saving himself from death. But he didn't, he stayed true to God's plan and did not make it about him. He thought about all of us and died for all of us. Jesus healed two blind men and then instructed them: "see that no one knows about this." (Matthew 9:30) He knew the most important thing was the healing of those two men, not the recognition he would receive.
My prayer today for anyone who reads this is for you to be humble. Remember that it is not about you, it is about Jesus and it is about loving your neighbor.
grace&peace
Kevin
It is a fine line when you try and determine if someone is humble or not. The best way I know how to explain being humble is this. Being humble is generally something that someone else believes and proclaims you to be, not something that is self-proclaimed. I hope that makes sense. If I say I am humble (and that may be true) it carries more weight when someone else believes it and recognizes that characteristic.
The best example of being humble is given to us by Jesus. He could of done anything he wanted such as saving himself from death. But he didn't, he stayed true to God's plan and did not make it about him. He thought about all of us and died for all of us. Jesus healed two blind men and then instructed them: "see that no one knows about this." (Matthew 9:30) He knew the most important thing was the healing of those two men, not the recognition he would receive.
My prayer today for anyone who reads this is for you to be humble. Remember that it is not about you, it is about Jesus and it is about loving your neighbor.
grace&peace
Kevin
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
BREAKING NEWS: NEW OLYMPIC MASCOTS REVEALED
Sometimes I just have thoughts that really are not significant and I just have to share them: so in that regard, I hope you enjoy my musings:
I believe that Lego Batman and Lego Darth Vader should be made the new mascots for the olympic games. Both for this years olympics and beyond. My reasoning? I'm glad you asked. The olympic mascots have always been picked on and made fun of and are notoriously goofy looking anyway.
Why legos? They by themselves are different and a little goofy looking, similar to the current incarnations of olympic mascots. Why Batman and Darth Vader? No one in their right mind is going to make fun of Batman or Darth Vader. Batman has cool gadgets and he has proven to be willing to do whatever it takes in the interest of preserving order. And Darth Vader? He has a scary voice and he can crush your larynx with a swipe of his hand. Still not sold? Then how about this. Batman has the Batmobile which is cooler than any car any of us will possibly ever have. And Darth Vader has a lightsaber which is the coolest weapon ever. Search your feelings, you know it to be true. (like that direct quote from Star Wars)
Just a thought.......
Kevin
I believe that Lego Batman and Lego Darth Vader should be made the new mascots for the olympic games. Both for this years olympics and beyond. My reasoning? I'm glad you asked. The olympic mascots have always been picked on and made fun of and are notoriously goofy looking anyway.
Why legos? They by themselves are different and a little goofy looking, similar to the current incarnations of olympic mascots. Why Batman and Darth Vader? No one in their right mind is going to make fun of Batman or Darth Vader. Batman has cool gadgets and he has proven to be willing to do whatever it takes in the interest of preserving order. And Darth Vader? He has a scary voice and he can crush your larynx with a swipe of his hand. Still not sold? Then how about this. Batman has the Batmobile which is cooler than any car any of us will possibly ever have. And Darth Vader has a lightsaber which is the coolest weapon ever. Search your feelings, you know it to be true. (like that direct quote from Star Wars)
Just a thought.......
Kevin
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