"It's news I'm most proud to proclaim, this extraordinary Message of God's powerful plan to rescue everyone who trusts him..." Romans 1:16 (the Message)
"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes..." Romans 1:16 (NIV)
This verse has always been one of my favorites. We took a group of youth to Winterjam in Dallas on Sunday night and this verse was referenced by John Cooper of Skillet. He said the above verse as a lead in the their song: Alive and Awake. The chorus to the song goes like this:
I'm awake, I'm alive
Now I know what I believe inside
Now it's my time
I'll do what I want 'cause this is my life
Right here, right now
Stand my ground and never back down
I know what I believe inside
I'm awake, I'm alive
So when we are "Alive and Awake" when we know about scripture and are not ashamed to share it with others. We spoke about this idea in on Wednesday night at youth in worship and in small groups. When we share our story with others we cannot be ashamed to share how important God is in our lives. Not only must we listen to what God has to say to us, but we must hear as well-so we can learn. This is how we become "alive" in God. Since God is so important to us we must not be ashamed to share that as a big part of our story. So when apply Romans 1:16 to us today we know that God's message is extraordinary and we must be proud to proclaim it to others, both those who know the message and especially those who don't. To be able to proclaim the message of the gospel to others we must be "alive and awake" spiritually to do so effectively.
grace&peace
kevin
Friday, March 30, 2012
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Build-a-Bike
We had the opportunity to build some bikes with our youth at AUMC last week. And all I can say is it was awesome. Each team "got" to do some team building exercises to get everything they needed to put their bikes together. The times varied but everyone was done in less than an hour, and that was with the time it took to bob for apples and complete a bible trivia quiz just so they could get started. And then the real team building began. It was great to see how everyone worked together to get the job done. It was a lot of fun to see the junior high and senior high work together towards a common goal. All of the bike building and team building and bike inspecting was fun. The youth worked so well together to get the bikes in riding order.
And the end result of the endeavor is what makes the team building even better. The team building in itself is worthwhile but to have the bikes given to kids in the Rancho Brazos community who do not have bikes, wow. I know they will be appreciative. I am told that they already share bikes very well. How awesome it is going to be for each of them to have their own bike for their bike rodeo next week? The youth took to this activity with such enthusiasm and gusto. We can't wait for the kids to get to ride these bikes this week. If our youth continue to approach team building and working for others with such enthusiasm we will continue to be in good hands.
grace&peace
kevin
And the end result of the endeavor is what makes the team building even better. The team building in itself is worthwhile but to have the bikes given to kids in the Rancho Brazos community who do not have bikes, wow. I know they will be appreciative. I am told that they already share bikes very well. How awesome it is going to be for each of them to have their own bike for their bike rodeo next week? The youth took to this activity with such enthusiasm and gusto. We can't wait for the kids to get to ride these bikes this week. If our youth continue to approach team building and working for others with such enthusiasm we will continue to be in good hands.
grace&peace
kevin
Monday, February 27, 2012
Growing Up
People much wiser than I have always said about little ones that they grow up so fast. I never had any idea how fast until Kathy and I had a little one of our own. Carson is growing and growing and growing. For instance, just in the last couple of weeks he has switched from his racecar bed to a big boy bed. He has used his wits to outsmart his dadda into keeping some toys. He seems to have gotten over his fear of walking on the playground. He has learned that The Empire Strikes Back is the greatest movie ever...okay he may not think its the greatest movie ever, but he likes it cuz Luke and Vader sword fight. And shortly he will begin playing soccer.
Kathy and I can't believe how quickly he is growing and how time is flying by with Carson. It's hard to believe that he is about to begin playing sports. I am so excited about this prospect, but it makes me think about how quickly he has grown. I can't wait to see him in his soccer uniform running around in a big blob with Luke and the other kids chasing the ball.
I'm so grateful to have these moments with him and to watch him grow. And I know it will be the same with Courtney Grace. I know she will grow up just as fast. The added bonus will be we will get to see her grow up with a big brother. And I know Carson will be a great big brother. I am really looking forward to the way the two of them will interact. I even know that Carson will be a better big brother than I was. He will never pick on his little sister.....okay maybe a little. That's what big brothers do right?
I pray that I am able to take the time to pause and reflect on these special moments with Carson and with Courtney because they will be all grown up before we know it....at least that is what I've heard.
grace&peace
kevin
Kathy and I can't believe how quickly he is growing and how time is flying by with Carson. It's hard to believe that he is about to begin playing sports. I am so excited about this prospect, but it makes me think about how quickly he has grown. I can't wait to see him in his soccer uniform running around in a big blob with Luke and the other kids chasing the ball.
I'm so grateful to have these moments with him and to watch him grow. And I know it will be the same with Courtney Grace. I know she will grow up just as fast. The added bonus will be we will get to see her grow up with a big brother. And I know Carson will be a great big brother. I am really looking forward to the way the two of them will interact. I even know that Carson will be a better big brother than I was. He will never pick on his little sister.....okay maybe a little. That's what big brothers do right?
I pray that I am able to take the time to pause and reflect on these special moments with Carson and with Courtney because they will be all grown up before we know it....at least that is what I've heard.
grace&peace
kevin
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
The Younger Generation
I was reading a book yesterday and there was something that stuck out to me. It stated that research shows that there are four reasons the younger generation is leaving their Christian roots:
1. they never experienced God in their worship
2. their connections are stronger outside the church than in it
3. the issues being discussed at church don't matter to them and the issues that matter aren't being discussed.
4. they didn't see anything compelling in their parents lives to make them follow a similar path
It is unfortunate that some research has shown this, but we can do something about it. Not only can we do something about it, but we need to do something about it. The younger generation needs to be involved in worship. They need strong mentors (both youth and adults) in the church, so they know they are cared about. Tough issues need to be discussed and the younger generation needs input. Parents need to be an example of what a Christian needs to be. Youth need people to try and understand them and most importantly to meet them where they are.
As Christians we can be most, if not all, of these things to the younger generation. Leaders can involve youth in worship. Connections can be made. (Hint: it doesn't matter how old you are, you can make a difference) Issues that matter can be discussed. Parents can be involved and show and teach what it means to be a Christian.
I guess the question should be: what are WE going to do about this trend? Just something to think about, and then do something about.
grace&peace
Kevin
1. they never experienced God in their worship
2. their connections are stronger outside the church than in it
3. the issues being discussed at church don't matter to them and the issues that matter aren't being discussed.
4. they didn't see anything compelling in their parents lives to make them follow a similar path
It is unfortunate that some research has shown this, but we can do something about it. Not only can we do something about it, but we need to do something about it. The younger generation needs to be involved in worship. They need strong mentors (both youth and adults) in the church, so they know they are cared about. Tough issues need to be discussed and the younger generation needs input. Parents need to be an example of what a Christian needs to be. Youth need people to try and understand them and most importantly to meet them where they are.
As Christians we can be most, if not all, of these things to the younger generation. Leaders can involve youth in worship. Connections can be made. (Hint: it doesn't matter how old you are, you can make a difference) Issues that matter can be discussed. Parents can be involved and show and teach what it means to be a Christian.
I guess the question should be: what are WE going to do about this trend? Just something to think about, and then do something about.
grace&peace
Kevin
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Resolutions
I am not into making New Years Resolutions. I have never been very good at keeping them for much more than a couple of months. I read something online a few weeks back that I like though. It simply said: "What's one thing you have wanted to do for years but for some reason you haven't gotten around to it?"
Simply said: that's what I plan to do this year. If there is something meaningful and useful that you have wanted to do for a while now and haven't gotten around to it, then quit thinking about doing it and go actually do it. That's my plan, how about you?
grace&peace
kevin
Simply said: that's what I plan to do this year. If there is something meaningful and useful that you have wanted to do for a while now and haven't gotten around to it, then quit thinking about doing it and go actually do it. That's my plan, how about you?
grace&peace
kevin
Monday, January 9, 2012
Tebow
Okay so anyone who knows me knows that I am a huge sports fan, a huge broncos fan, and have been a Tim Tebow fan since he played in the high school all american game and committed to Florida. (him being left handed helps explain why I am a fan) So I would should take this opportunity to talk about the game yesterday in my blog, but I won't. Instead I'll talk about something i heard after the game.
I found it really refreshing (and not at all surprising) to listen to what Tebow had to say at the post game press conference. When talking about the ot winning touchdown pass, Tebow was as always, humble. He talked about the great stiff arm the receiver used, the selling of the play fake by the running back, the blocking by the offensive line, and the great play call by the coaching staff. He said nothing about the strike he threw hitting the receiver in perfect stride. He could of praised himself for that throw, he didn't. He praised everyone else involved. So should we be surprised that the team wants to play hard for him? Maybe the better question is how could they not play hard for him?
I think we could all take a lesson in his humility when we look at our faith. It is not about us. We should never make it about us. It IS about helping others to follow Christ. It is about making disciples, not about patting ourselves on the back. If you want a sport analogy-here it is. We are part of a team. In order to be successful as the body of Christ we will do much better by working together as a team. We are one body(one team). It is not about me or you, it is about everyone. It is about helping others and everyone follow Him the best way we know how, as a team. Let's all be part of a team.
I'll leave you with these words from The Playbook, as written by Paul.
"For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ."
1 Corinthians 12:12
grace&peace
Kevin
I found it really refreshing (and not at all surprising) to listen to what Tebow had to say at the post game press conference. When talking about the ot winning touchdown pass, Tebow was as always, humble. He talked about the great stiff arm the receiver used, the selling of the play fake by the running back, the blocking by the offensive line, and the great play call by the coaching staff. He said nothing about the strike he threw hitting the receiver in perfect stride. He could of praised himself for that throw, he didn't. He praised everyone else involved. So should we be surprised that the team wants to play hard for him? Maybe the better question is how could they not play hard for him?
I think we could all take a lesson in his humility when we look at our faith. It is not about us. We should never make it about us. It IS about helping others to follow Christ. It is about making disciples, not about patting ourselves on the back. If you want a sport analogy-here it is. We are part of a team. In order to be successful as the body of Christ we will do much better by working together as a team. We are one body(one team). It is not about me or you, it is about everyone. It is about helping others and everyone follow Him the best way we know how, as a team. Let's all be part of a team.
I'll leave you with these words from The Playbook, as written by Paul.
"For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ."
1 Corinthians 12:12
grace&peace
Kevin
Friday, January 6, 2012
God Is Big Enough
On Christmas Eve everyone who was at church was given a "few" bracelets to take with them and give away. On Sunday Paul will be starting a new sermon series entitled God is Big Enough. The bracelets that were given out on Christmas Eve simply said: God is Big Enough. The premise being that no matter what we are going through God is Big Enough to help get us through it.
Paul came to youth on Wednesday and after singing his future chart topping hit songs about D.J and P.B. & J and Brittney going to Japan......he told the youth about the bracelets and asked them to take a few with them. We ended up handing out 500 of these bracelets for the youth to give to friends at school and other people they know.
What a powerful message we can give to our young people. I remember some of the struggles I went through when I was a teenager and know our youth struggle at times too. Just think when they look down at their wrist they are reminded that God Is Big Enough. And they get to share this message with their peers and their peers can be reminded of that fact as well. So whatever you are doing today remember that God Is Big Enough. (And if you need another bracelet or two let us know)
grace&peace
kevin
Paul came to youth on Wednesday and after singing his future chart topping hit songs about D.J and P.B. & J and Brittney going to Japan......he told the youth about the bracelets and asked them to take a few with them. We ended up handing out 500 of these bracelets for the youth to give to friends at school and other people they know.
What a powerful message we can give to our young people. I remember some of the struggles I went through when I was a teenager and know our youth struggle at times too. Just think when they look down at their wrist they are reminded that God Is Big Enough. And they get to share this message with their peers and their peers can be reminded of that fact as well. So whatever you are doing today remember that God Is Big Enough. (And if you need another bracelet or two let us know)
grace&peace
kevin
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