Friday, January 23, 2015

Rain




Some days or weeks when things are stressful and crazy (especially at work and other parts of life like overall ministry in life, etc.)...

I find myself looking outside, (like today) when it's pouring down rain...and for a brief moment I wish I could literally run out in the rain during the hard deluge and let it wash over me and wash away the junk I've been going through... 

...But that's not how life works...You have to work through things in different ways. 

I am however glad I know the One who I can cast all my cares and anxiety upon because He cares for and loves me. I'm also glad I have family and a few friends that love me and are there for me and besides the Lord....they do help "wash" the troubles away. :-)

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid." - John 14:27

"These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world." - John 16:33

Tuesday, January 06, 2015

9 Reasons why people aren't singing in worship

Some of you in the church may sadly blow this off as it doesn't fit into your philosophy, or as harsh as this sounds...maybe you don't care, or something else but I've observed and experience over the years many of things the author outlines.

I wonder if in the current state of church affairs (Specifically the church in US) if some of the "modern" worship leaders will be courageous enough to #1 read the below linked post (even if you don't agree), then #2 honestly pray and seek God about this, dare I say...#3 actually listen to the wisdom in your congregations, and #4 then adjust where necessary to steer the congregations back to genuine worship? 

This isn't really a matter of style or traditional vs. modern worship rather it's a matter of the heart and leadership/shepherding as well as everyone who attends desire to worship God in song genuinely and completely. Worship in Song is very important part of the life of the church so we ought to honestly and continually "check and adjust" to make sure we're on course. 

Wednesday, December 31, 2014

The Put Off and Put On Principle




As we approach each new day or New Year we set goals, resolutions, plans  or have hope that we’ll have a fresh start, put the old things behind us and move forward with hope of change and of great new things to come!

We all know about resolutions and stereotypically we make them and then a few months into a new year, we basically end that resolution for many reason and sometimes because we really didn’t want that change in the first place. 

Every time we want to make a change there is some level of sacrifice involved because in order to change, well, we have to change…either a behavior or something we no longer want to do or many other things. :-)

In order to truly change and grow in these cases, whether goals, resolutions or plans, we have to put something off and replace it with something new. 

Tuesday, December 16, 2014

Life Experience Reflection: Communication

I've been reflecting on what we consider today's modern communications for quite a while and I've come to realize that just because we live in an instant gratification, high expectation, "respond instantly" (e-Mail, text, Facebook, IM, Skype, etc) world, it doesn't mean it has to be that way nor do you have to stress yourself out trying to operate especially in the "respond instantly" mode...people can actually wait a few minutes, hours, or even a day for you to respond! Unless it's literally a life or death situation, They will survive.

Someone well stated recently that we are spoiled today with instant responses. When I was a kid like in high school, e-Mail was just surfacing but hardly anyone had it because technology wasn't there yet. We still used pay phones. We wrote letters and talked mostly in person. Computers were just coming out such as the 286 PC, Tandy PCs, etc. A text message was words in a book or a typed or handwritten note. Smart watches like you saw via a communicator watch that Dick Tracy had were things of fiction but now they are a reality. 

There is a balance between personal and business communications but the same is true of both areas some things are more urgent than others. 

The sum is that the older I get, and as someone who is an active communicator via many of the current means of communicating, I realize daily that realistic expectations need to be set for ourselves and others when it comes to response times. This however, doesn't give us a license to be rude and never respond or take weeks to respond because there should be a sense of urgency toward those around us...it just doesn't mean it has to be instant. 

Something for all of us to reflect on...

blessings,
rlk

‪#‎lifeexperiencereflection‬

Thursday, November 27, 2014

Happy Thanksgiving!


Happy Thanksgiving!

We all have much to be thankful for!
Take time today to focus on counting your Blessings instead of your troubles and give especially your loved ones a hug and share words of encouragement and thanksgiving with everyone around you!
Especially take time to give thanks to the Lord for He Is Good!

Have a great day everyone!

Blessings,

rlk



#thankfulness #Thanksgiving

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Of Skipping Rocks & Impacting Lives



I recall numerous times as a child where I’d stand on the bank of a body of water and I’d collect as many of the smoothest and flattest rocks I could find and put them in my pocket.

Then like any kid I’d take the rocks and sling them one by one across the water to see how many times I could skip it across the surface as well as how far I could reach. 

If was a more narrow body of water the goal would always be to try and reach the other side of course with as many “skips” as possible.  :-)

As I’d make each attempt, the rocks would touch down briefly and repeatedly upon the surface of the water as it moved along the path of its journey.

Each place it touched down it would create a ripple on the surface of the water and if I’d skipped it enough times, one ripple would eventually span out and connect to the next ripple in the water.

As I sat on the bank of a river during a recent backpacking trip I began to reflect on my own life as well as the life of others. My childhood memory of skipping rocks came to mind as an image of the life we live and the journey we are traveling from cradle to the end of our days here on earth.  (Like one side of the river to the other side – the far bank)

Like a rock being moved in its trajectory and briefly touching down skipping across the water - we also have an impact on those around us.  We also have multiple touch points as we come into contact with others and build relationships.

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Transformed

No matter your past, don't ever forget that your Father in Heaven is in the business of transforming lives! He sent His Son, Jesus to died for your sins and if you are in Christ, you've been set apart by Him (Sanctified) and as you walk with Him in faith, salvation in Him has made you a new creation and He's daily working to renew your mind so you can be even more useful to Him! Take time right now to thank Him for His transforming power in your life! 


Here's a prayer for you and I:
Heavenly Father, Thank you for Your transforming power! You take unworthy sinners and forgive & transform us. You've made us new creations & You are daily renewing our minds. You've satisfied / set us apart & You are daily progressively sanctifying us to be useful vessels for You! Again, I thank You and Praise You in Jesus name I pray, Amen!


In Christ Alone,

rlk 

Friday, October 17, 2014

A Prayer For Resting in Jesus



Lord, help us to cast all of our anxieties and cares upon You! 
Help us to not lose sleep over the troubles of today knowing Your mercies are new every morning! 
Help us to not allow the evil one, other people or ourselves to influence negative or anxious thoughts. 
In Jesus name I pray, Amen! 
 Rest well in Jesus family.

Friday, October 10, 2014

40,000 suicides annually, yet America simply shrugs


Did you know that In the U.S. there is one suicide every 13 minutes & suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the U.S?! These are sobering statistics...not just a statistics but representative of people who have come to an extreme place of hopelessness and despair and ended their lives. This is heart wrenching!

I've been in that place and it's not a place I want to ever go back to nor do I want anyone to go to that place. There are a lot of influences that send people that direction but not all of the influences are for clinical reasons but for spiritual and emotional reasons too. No matter what, we as a society need to pay closer attention to mental health as much as we do other issues and put resources toward helping reach people before they get to that point....so they don't get to that point.

I share the linked report, not because everything they say is the full picture of suicide, because it's not, but to #1 Beg you, if you are in that place now or heading that way...please reach out for help...simply start by sharing with someone that you're struggling! and #2 For awareness! It may be difficult to know sometimes (In my situation, most people had no idea I was depressed and suicidal), but you and I don't realize that there very well maybe people in our lives that are heading that direction and we need to do our best to reach out to those who (may not be suicidal yet) are down, going through a hard time, are in a predicament because of their actions and a bunch of different reasons and we need to stand in the gap and come along side them somehow...be the ones who show that they are highly valued, they are loved, that they matter! You and I can be that person to them! To help give them and build hope into them!

If you've read this far, thank you...Let's pray and be a part of the solution. Let's pray that the tide it turned in regard to suicide.
Take a look at this report when you have a few moments. 
http://www.kgw.com/longform/news/nation/2014/10/09/suicide-mental-health-prevention-research/15276353/

Thanks,

rlk

Wednesday, October 01, 2014

"Smart" Phones and Dumb Choices....Can we Auto-Correct Humanity?

Check out this video. 

It's very well done and gives real food for thought. 


I think all of us with "smart phones" have some adjustments to make. I know I use my phone for pretty much everything when I'm not using a PC because I can connect to pretty much anything, digital books, multiple apps, podcasts, social media, taking and sharing pictures, audio and video, my bank account, e-Mail, etc. 

Gotta long way to go but find that some days the "smart phone" can help us make "dumb" decisions when we're with others especially. 

We need to disconnect in order to connect or re-connect with others...

Anyhow, here's a dose of perspective. Check it...

Tuesday, September 30, 2014

"The Fiery Sermon"

This is such a great illustration and it's so true! There are also multiple applications within this...Check it out...then let's pray for one another! 
"The Fiery Sermon"
by Greg Bradon

A member of the church, who previously had been attending services regularly, stopped going. After a few weeks, the pastor decided to visit him.

It was a chilly evening. The pastor found the man at home alone, sitting before a blazing fire. Guessing the reason for his pastor's visit, the man welcomed him, led him to a comfortable chair near the fireplace and waited.

The pastor made himself at home but said nothing. In the grave silence, he contemplated the dance of the flames around the burning logs. After some minutes, the pastor took the fire tongs, carefully picked up a brightly burning ember and placed it to one side of the hearth all alone then he sat back in his chair, still silent.

The host watched all this in quiet contemplation. As the one lone ember's flame flickered and diminished, there was a momentary glow and then its fire was no more. Soon it was cold and dead.

Not a word had been spoken since the initial greeting.The pastor glanced at his watch and realized it was time to leave. He slowly stood up, picked up the cold, dead ember and placed it back in the middle of the fire. Immediately it began to glow, once more with the light and warmth of the burning coals around it.

As the pastor reached the door to leave, his host said with a tear running down his cheek, 'Thank you so much for your visit and especially for the fiery sermon. I will be back in church next Sunday.'

We live in a world today, which tries to say too much with too little. Consequently, few listen. Sometimes the best sermons are the ones left unspoken.

Thursday, September 25, 2014

Whom will you serve?!

Whom will you serve today? Pray and then check out this Powerful song/video: 


 Joshua 24:15


Be Blessed and a blessing!