12 Days of Reflection: Be An Intentional Disciple

All of us have all kinds of spiritual gifts and abilities.  Some of us think that our gifts are not as important as others, which is incorrect.  We should not squander the gifts which we are given.  We should do something great with those gifts.

"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you.  And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age."  ~ Matthew 28:19-20

So the best thing we can do is imitate Christ and use our gifts (whatever they may be) to make disciples as Jesus commanded the disciples.  So as you reflect on holy week today ask yourself: how can I make disciples today?  And be an intentional disciple.

grace & peace
Kevin

12 Days of Reflection: The Woman at the Well

     In Sunday School last week we talked about Jesus and his ministry with the sinners, outcasts, and the poor.  One of the outcasts Jesus ministered to was the women at the well.  Most of us have probably heard the story of the women.
     As most of you know we are starting a new worship service at 5:30pm on Sunday evenings called The Well.  For today's reflection I have supplied a link to The Well website that talks about the woman at the well and the reason The Well was picked as the name of the new service.  I think it says it very well about how Jesus ministered to those who are different.  Enjoy

The Well

Grace & Peace
Kevin

12 Days of Reflection: Day 1

"No one after lighting a lamp hides it under a jar, or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a lampstand, so that those who enter may see the light.  For nothing is hidden that will not be disclosed, nor is anything secret that will not become known and come to light.  Then pay attention to how you listen; and from those who do not have, more will be given; and from those who do not have, even what they seem to have will be taken away."     ~Luke 8:16-18

     At youth last night we talked about the spiritual discipline of meditation while focusing on the above passage.  I read the scripture and the youth wrote down their first impressions of the passage.  Then they reread the scripture slowly and thoughtfully a few times to see what they picked up on the second time around.
     I will do a devotional for the next twelve days from now through Easter.  (there will actually be two today since this was last nights)  Just to reflect on and meditate on a certain passage.  As you read this ask yourself these questions.

     1.  What was the first thing that came to mind as you read the passage?
     2.  What do you think Jesus was trying to get at with the reference to the lamp?

Grace & Peace
Kevin

Fasting from Our Phones

     Often when we think of fasting our mind immediately jumps to fasting by not eating food.  But what if we chose to look at it from a broader perspective during this season of lent and beyond.  Last night during youth worship we talked about fasting from our cell phones and other electrical gadgets.  I think the way our teenagers (and even me) are plugged in and "dependent" on our phones that it would be harder to fast from our phones these days than it would be to fast from food.
     We have become so dependent on staying plugged in that it is very hard for us to not have our phone in our pocket or connected to our face.  I pick up my keys, wallet, and cell phone every morning like clockwork.  When I leave the house, I know when my phone is not with me.  We have this constant need to stay connected by playing games, checking facebook statuses, texting, etc.
     Last night I challenged the youth to pick a set amount of time and a set time each day to put up their cell phone and not use it.  I challenge anyone reading this to do the same.  Then spend that time reading scripture, being still and praying, or even talking to your family.  So pick a time each day over the next week, or month, or longer to go without your cell phone.  Take time to be still.  Take time to read scripture.  Take time to fellowship with others.  Take time to pray.  Most of all take time away from your need to have your cell phone with you.  I think you will be amazed how much you can accomplish with those extra few minutes a day.

"be still and know that I am God."  Psalm 46:10

Grace & Peace
Kevin

2013 Chili Cook-off = Fun.

     Last night we had our annual AUMC Chili Cook-off.  The cook off is a great time for the church to get together and do a few things.  First, we all fellowship with one another.  Second, we all get to eat lots and lots of chili.  (Some people occasionally eat a little too much)  Third, it is a fund raiser for our church. (most get very competitive)  We raised over $9000 last night with all of the proceeds going towards the new Job Skills Training Center.
     There are awards given out for people's choice (most money raised), best tasting, best decorated table, and the judges choice award.  Now for the last few years the youth have participated in the event by making chili and decorating a table but as I mentioned the raising money aspect gets pretty competitive so we haven't won anything.....until now.  Last night for the first time the YOUTH WON A TROPHY!!!  The youth received the Judges choice award for the most spirited team.  We all dressed up as football players and "yell" leaders.  (Thomas Tigner asked if we could be called yell leaders instead of cheerleaders.)  Now we would have not won except for the fact that the youth marched and went around the CLC throughout the night doing cheers and making a lot of noise.  I believe their most popular cheer went something like this:
     Our chili's hot, hot
     Your chili's not, not
Ann Crocker said it seemed a lot louder than in years past and we attributed that to the spirit that the youth had for the event.  All in all the youth had fun, acted a little goofy, and it made the event memorable.  And all the money raised for the event went towards a worthy cause and one of our goals here at AUMC.  I hope everyone had as much fun as all of the youth did.  And hey the youth can proudly display their trophy in the youth building as a reminder as how spirited they are.  Well done everyone!!!

Grace & Peace
Kevin

What Are You "Picking" Up for Lent?

When nothing seems to help, I go and look at a stonecutter hammering away at his rock perhaps a hundred times without as much as a crack showing in it. Yet at the hundred and first blow it will split in two, and I know it was not that blow that did it, but all that had gone before.

     So every year it seems that most peoples's first inclination is to "give something up" for lent.  I think that is a very worthwhile and noble thing to do.  But I ask you, if you give something up, shouldn't the next logical question be, what are you replacing it with?
     If you are giving up eating fast food, what are you doing with the money you would have spent on it?  If you are giving up television, what are you doing with those hours and hours of spare time each week?  (Last year or a couple years ago, Kathy and I gave up television and spent that time talking, reading, or spending time with family.)  If you are giving up working out, what are you doing with those extra few hours a week?  And yes I had someone tell me that last week, I'm pretty sure they were joking but I'll have to get back to you at that one.
     This year, I think I am going to give up "wasting time" online.  Let me explain what that means.  I have a tendency to read any and every article on ESPN.com and SportsIllustrated.com that has to do with the Denver Broncos, San Antonio Spurs, Texas Tech Red Raiders....well you get the idea.  And I even read article about random teams that I am not a fan of because they seem interesting.  So now you are probably asking yourself: "Now, Kevin what are you going to use all that extra time for?"
     I plan to use that the time that I would be wasting time reading sports articles to practice and learn to play guitar.  I have always put off playing guitar but really want to do it now.  I have taken a couple of lessons and I am finding it fun and relaxing.  And learning to play the guitar is probably a better  use of my time than reading a bunch of articles or playing video games.  Not just in the next 40 days of lent but beyond.
     Which brings me back to the Stonecutter's Credo above.  So maybe after 40 days I will be able to see all the work that has gone into practicing and playing.  I am sure I will see more progress after 40 days than after just one day.  So what are you "picking" up for Lent and beyond?  Hopefully it is something useful.

Grace & Peace
Kevin

Discovery 13

     The lyrics below are from a song used at Discovery 13 this weekend played by our youth band entitled One Thing Remains.  It's a great song and fit in perfectly with the weekend.  Some might call it the unofficial Discovery 13 theme song.  It sounded great on Sunday morning during worship.  Thanks to the youth band for all their hard work, it was awesome.

     As I reflected on Discovery last night and this morning I could not get the song and it's lyrics out of my head.  And from seeing Facebook and talking to others, I know I am not the only one.  What I noticed this Discovery weekend is that we all struggle with things.  Adults struggle and youth struggle.  But what I noticed more is how God works in us and helps us push through.  Our senior high youth are amazing, as evidenced by their willingness to share from their own personal experiences.  They shared their stories to help nurture the junior high and to let them know they are not alone.  The one common thing that I noticed in all of their talks was that God has not and will not ever give up on them.  The only way they could have been so real in their talks was to know that they can share their stories with others that love them and be comfortable in doing so.

     They shared how to find Jesus in everyday situations.  From things like social media, school, other people, service, prayer, and in themselves.  The talks were more than just talks, they were inspired and personal.  The junior high responded to them.  I guess writing our own curriculum this year was a stroke of brilliance on the part of the youth team.  It showed through in their words and in their worship.  Myself and the adults couldn't be more proud of them.  Now we will just have to top it next year, I can't wait to get started.....

grace & peace
Kevin

Higher than the mountains that I face

Stronger than the power of the grave

Constant through the trial and the change

One thing remains...

Your love never fails

It never gives up

It never runs out on me

On and on and on and on it goes

It overwhelms and satisfies my soul

And I never ever have to be afraid

One thing remains..