Ahhh!! The Rapids!

In college a group of us decided to go to a great place for cliff jumping. Once we arrived, someone thought it was a "fantastic" idea to swim across the river to the cliff jumping site. So, the ego side of all the men chimed in, and we started our swim. I remember the rapids in the middle of the swim. They grew stronger and stronger. I was getting tired, and I remember thinking to myself, "I am going to drown out here because I am so tired." There is not a whole lot you can do in the middle of a river with strong rapids but swim, swim, swim, and push through the pain. I was wearing shoes because cliff jumping is easier on your feet if you have some padding. However, I felt they were working against me, so I took my shoes off and let them float away.

Have you ever felt like you are going to drown because of some sort of life situation? Maybe it's a financial situation, or a relationship situation, or a health situation. Maybe you feel like you are stuck in a rut, and as you grow tired your first thought is, "I am not going to make it, the rapids are too strong!" When this thought hits, find the thing that is holding you back, and let it float down stream. Get rid of the pieces that you think are going to kill you, and swim! swim! swim! You will make it to the other side.

30 Days To Live Part 2

Brief Humorous Story - a man was given six months to live. Upon the hearing of this news he asked the doctor if there was anything that could be done medically to extend his time. The doctor replied “ no, but I would suggest this – move your mother in law in your house to live with you” – puzzled by this reply he asked the doctor “will this make me better? - the doctor replied “no but I promise you it will be the longest six months of your life“

30 Days To Live is more of a reminder to do the important things in life on a daily basis. I think every day goes by so fast and we sometimes forget what is important. Here are a couple of things I think are awesome to keep in mind on a daily basis.

#1 Help Others Who Are Experiencing Your Same Struggle. If you found out that you had 30 days to live, wouldn't you find yourself helping anybody with whatever issue they were facing? We always think we need to have it all figured out before we help, but what I find is when I help someone who has a similar issue as to what I am facing, it actually helps me through my struggle as well.

#2 Help Others By Giving Your Support. Have you ever had someone unload their life junk on you and while they are talking you are completely overwhelmed, you can’t believe what you are hearing, you know that you have absolutely no answer, and when they are done talking you know you are going to give them that embarrassing blank stare? Here’s the good news, you don’t always have to have an answer. Sometimes the best statement you can make is, “I have absolutely no idea what you are going through, but I’m standing with you. You don’t have to do this by yourself.”

#3 Help Others By Leading Them Toward Stability. Peoples lives are always being moved, and changed, and frustration can take over really quickly. When they lay their heads on the pillow at night they find themselves begging for stability.
I think we can lead others towards stability by saying, “Even though the whole world is changing, Jesus is the same and he cares deeply for you!

Hebrews 13:8 (NIV)
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

#4 People Need Significance. There is a pastor that I watch a couple of times a year on TV, and every time I have watched him he has said this phrase, “There’s A Champion Inside Of you.” I won’t watch him for like 3 months and I turn him on and there it is again, “There’s A Champion Inside Of You.”

People just need to hear that from time to time. If I found out that I had 30 days to live, I would become the Significance Cheer Leader. “You… Are… Significant…” “Who Rocks The World, You Rock The World.” Your Significant… You’re You’re Significant…
S I G N I F I C A N T.”

There ya have it. A Couple of things we can start to do today.

30 Days To Live

This weekend I have been thinking "What If I Found Out I Had 30 Days To Live?" Powerful thought isn't it? I think there would be some changes I would make. For instance, if I had 30 days to live I would most likely spend a whole lot more time with my family istead of using phrases like; "yes, let's do that in a little while," or "I'll be able to play with you in a little bit." If I had 30 days to live I would spend longer nights talking with my wife at night before I go to bed, and maybe even watch her as she sleeps. If I had 30 days to live I would most likely say no to some things that are a waste of time. All in all, I look at this concept and I am hit by the thought that we spend alot of time doing things we really don't need to do, and we miss out on the good things in life. What if you had 30 days to live? Would there be any changes you make?

.....MMM....

"WHAT THE HECK IS GOING ON!!" You're reading this right now. Do you ever find yourself asking that question? Vent it out. What is going on in your heart right now?

Something God Doesn't Know

Did you know that there is something that God doesn't know? You're reading that line thinking to yourself, "Wow, this guy is doubting the all - knowing power of God." No really, there is one thing that God doesn't know, and here it is, get ready.... pay attention... focus... GOD DOESN'T KNOW THE IMPOSSIBLE. Consider this thought as you begin to dream about your future. Consider this thought when you think to yourself, "It's Never Going To Happen because it's..... Impossible :(

Michelangelo said "The greatest danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that our aim is actually too low and we reach it."

Here is a pretty cool thought. In the bible there is an amazing verse in Mathew 19:26 that says, "...with man this is impossible, but with God, all things are possible." God doesn't know the impossible. I believe that if many of us would stop saying "that's impossible" we would see God move on our behalf and watch the impossible become possible. Put a little trust in God, and watch how those things you once thought were impossible, become possible.

Walking A Mile In Someone Elses Shoes

We have all heard at one point in our lives, this phrase: "You'll never understand a person until you walk a mile in their shoes." Going along with that there is another phrase I found that is probably even more familiar. "Before you criticize someone walk a mile in their shoes, that way when you do and they get angry you will be a mile away, with their shoes." That one made me laugh...
It is undeniable, we live in a culture where our lasting opinions of someone are often times formed by our first impression of that person. In a simple first impression we form a lasting opinion. Some of you even today, may have walked into work and spotted the new person, maybe didn't even talk to them, you don't know anything about them, but in your mind you have a lasting opinion be it right or wrong of that person, simply by the first impression glance.
I want you to think about something for just a quick second. If we were to go and talk to your roommates, or co - workers, or family, and ask them what their impression about Christianity was, based on the way you live your life, what would they say? What would their lasting opinion of Jesus be? I will be speaking on Walking 10 Miles In Someone Else's Shoes, Sunday July 11th, 10:00am at the Sauk Rapids Rice Middle School.

A Thought From Kevin

Tuck in your shirt! Take off your hat! Clean up your language! Stop running with that crowd! Don't come back until you look better! These are such uplifting statements aren't they? This blog could potentially tick off some of you reading this, but I write this with a very humble heart, and deepest conviction. I think that the church is often know for what we are against instead of what we stand for. This potentially turns people away from actually giving Jesus an opportunity to be apart of their daily living. John 3:16 contain the words "WHOSOEVER believes Him." I know that this is a no brainer, but that covers every single person on the face of the planet, it is not reserved for a certain people group. (thank God) 2 Corinthians 12:9 contain the words "my GRACE is sufficient for you." Who's grace? GODS GRACE! Here is the point, we as human beings need to consistently remind ourselves that God's Grace looks a whole lot different than the grace we as people give each other. So if you are reading this, and you have been turned off by "church people" because of man made grace, and hurtful phrases, I want to apologize on behalf of the church. God's Grace is all you need. If you are one that abuses the grace of God and condenses it into man made phrases, please repent, and begin to let people experience the true grace of God. Our sole purpose is to intentionally lead people closer to Jesus.

Ahhh I Am Parched!

So, I was driving down the road the other day with a friend. He looked at me and this is what he said: "Dude we should get some water, I'm parched." It's so funny how the most common phrases can trigger a thought that flys at you from left field. Here is thought that hit me. How spiritually parched am I? If I have not been drinking soul water, that explains why I feel so spiritually de - hydrated. I can take this a step further and say, maybe that is why my soul stinks sometimes. I have developed a spiritual case of cottonmouth, and it is giving off a nasty odor to God, Family, Friends, and to the world. So, how did I quench my spiritually parched soul? Today, I have taken a little time to read some scripture, and meditate on how God is so good and full of Amazing Grace. Take a little Time Today and quench your thirst!

Ichabod or Emmanuel?

In just a few short days we are going to be entering a brand new Decade! Can you believe that 10 years has already blown by? Over the last ten years here is what I have done with the time God blessed me with -

Started a Church
Got married
Had Children
Met amazing people
Led 100's of teenagers to Christ
Led the best youth church of the decade
And gained 40 pounds!

Now that was a great decade! But all of that is in the past and a brand new decade is arriving! So with that I want to say, Don't let the next Decade be labeled an Ichabod Decade! The bible defines the name Ichabod as "The Glory Has Departed!" That's a terrible name to label the next decade of life. Don't live life like the Glory Has Departed, how depressing! Rather, let's look at the name we will give this next Decade.

Emmanuel! Or, "God With Us!" If God is with us, then the next Decade of Family, Life and Ministry are going to be better than expected. Yes, we will encounter tough situations, but that's just life. Live this next Decade with and Emmanuel mindset. God is with us. I look forward to hearing what God is doing in and through you over this next amazing decade!

A Little Extra

H Jackson Brown Jr once said, "A racehorse that consistently runs just a second faster than another horse is worth millions of dollars more. Be willing to give that extra effort, that separates the winner from the one in second place." I love this audacious statement. When you read this statement you can tell that there is a high expectation for human beings to go the extra mile. If you're in business, go the extra mile for your client or customer. If you are a pastor, go the extra mile for your community and congregation. If you are a teacher, go the extra mile for your students. If you are a mother or a father, go the extra mile for your children. There is no better time to practice going the extra mile than today! Be A Person Who Is Willing To Do A Little Extra!

Go The Extra Mile

In life, most of us walk the first mile. We'll do what's required. We'll perform what's expected. If you want to keep your job, stay married, and have friends, the first mile is the bare minimum. The first mile is secure, it sometimes feels like a very long mile, but none the less, it's secure and comfortable. But what about the Extra Mile? What about the mile that no one really sees coming? What about the mile that becomes a surprise to on - lookers? This is the mile where we find a ton of fulfillment. Why are so many people unfulfilled daily? Could it possibly be because the extra mile is the mile less traveled? I believe that when we decide we are going to go the extra mile on a daily basis we will experience a life of fulfillment. What can we do today to go the extra mile? Choose one thing, do it, and see what happens. This is going to be a ton of fun! Enjoy feeling fulfilled today. When your head hits your pillow, smile, you went the extra mile!

Do More Than The Minimum

Last week I talked about adopting a "Rubber Band Mentality." When stretched, a rubber band does what it was purposed to do. Here are some phrases that are intended to stretch us. No, they are not easy, but worth applying to our lives -

I will do more than belong - I will participate
I will do more than care - I will help
I will do more than believe - I will practice
I will do more than be fair - I will be kind
I will do more than forgive - I will forget
I will do more than dream - I will work
I will do more than teach - I will inspire
I will do more than give - I will serve
I will do more than live - I will grow
I will do more than suffer - I will triumph

Enjoy being stretched this week!!! Remember "Rubber Band Mentality!"

Church Life Part 3

Church Life Is Awesome! Keep that in mind as I talk about being stretched for just a minute. A rubber band is a very interesting tool we use in life. If a rubber band just sits on our counter top, it is not being used for its intended purpose. A rubber band finds its purpose when it is stretched! I Want To Be Stretched! I believe that if we adopted a "rubber band mentality" the word of God would spread like wild fire all across America. Our Churches would begin to fill up, our work life would be full of excitement, and our families would be stable. Be The Church Today, Allow God To Stretch You In Any Area He Desires, Yes, It Hurts, But The Payoff Is Eternal!

Produce Positive Words From Your Mouth Part 3

This week I have focused on what types of words come from my mouth. Here is an important tip when it comes to understanding the power of our words. Here it is - "Words Backed By Prayer Are Powerful!" (say it again) The bible says in Acts 2:14 "Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you: listen carefully to what I say." Notice that he was preparing to speak words that the bible goes on to say added 3,000 people to the church, that day! (Acts 2:41)

Why did these words produce such amazing fruit that day? Simply put; The Words Were Backed By Prayer. Before Peter said anything he spent time in prayer. It was not just a couple minutes, or a quick prayer over the dinner table. It was a calling out to God to bring power. If you need power behind the words that you are preparing to say today, spend some time in prayer. Don't feel weird or uncomfortable with asking God to put some power behind the words that you speak. Who knows, it might produce some amazing fruit!

Produce Positive Words From Your Mouth

We are surrounded by a world that loves to find the negative rather quickly. Our news stations broadcast the latest catasrophe or accident. Our church leaders critique each others ministries and then write books about it. Our friends get jelouse as we become productive and successful. Magazines exploit the latest affairs for the the world to read. Really, you could go on and on, but the bottom line is that we need to always cross check what kinds of things are coming from our lips. Are they super positive, breathing hope and love into the world, or are they status quoe, always speaking of the negative. I think the world would be vastly different if we all would monitor what kind of fruit we produce simply by the words we speak. Today, I am going to be positive about every situation, and conversation I encounter, and continually make it a goal to remove negative words that could potentially give birth to negative fruit that will spoil not only my day, but the day of those around me.

Roof Tearing Faith

Jesus was in a town called Capernaum. The house where he was staying was so packed full of visitors that there was not any room for one more person, not even outside the door. Jesus was preaching to them. Four men arrived carrying a paralyzed man on a mat. They could not get to Jesus through the crowd, so they dug through the clay roof above his head. Then they lowered the sick man on his mat, right down in front of Jesus. Seeing there faith, Jesus healed the man.
(Mark 2:1 - 12)

This Is Awesome! These men had Faith that actually Tore The Roof Off! They were willing to do whatever it took (action) to get this man to Jesus (faith) to see him healed (miracle). I say it is time for us to have faith that tears the roof off! Let's be people of action, and have more faith in Jesus than ever before, and see miracles that Tear The Roof Off! That Is A Great Day!

Overwhelming Challenge? Or Amazing Opportunity?

"What you are calling an overwhelming challenge, God is calling an amazing opportunity" I love this quote taken from Perry Noble's Twitter update. It is a reminder that our minds can't comprehend the things that God has planned for us. The bible is specific about "great plans" (Jeremiah 29:11) that God has for our lives. In scripture we often read that God will never leave or forsake His people (Hebrews 13:5 & Deuteronomy 31:8). So, every morning I wake up, I have started with a prayer that goes something like this; "God grant me the capacity to receive the plans you have for my life, I surrender all my worries and fears, and put my trust in you." I pray that you are encouraged today! I believe that God is calling you towards amazing opportunity! Don't be down and discouraged, but live with the confidence that God is bringing His will to pass in your life! BE BLESSED!

She Said "Da Da"

This is my amazing 7 month daughter Jayci. ABSOLUTELY BREATHTAKING isn't she! The very first words out of her mouth are officially "DA DA." Every time she says that little phrase, my heart pounds a million miles an hour, a smile comes to my face, and I look directly at her beaming beautiful eyes. I am so proud to be this little girl's Father.

Being a father of this little girl has taught me something about God. The bible says that we are his children. A simple truth, yet very powerful. This means that every time we call his name, his heart pounds a million miles an hour, a smile comes to his face, and he looks directly at us. What an amazing reality! God Is So Proud To Be Your Heavenly Father!

The "Great Day" Challenge

Today has been an amazing day. It has been so amazing, I would almost give it the tag line - "My Perfect Day!" I -

Woke up and spent time with God
Did the dishes
Spent time with the kids
Took the cover off the pool for my boys and my niece and nephew
Spent time with two amazing future pastors
Checked my email
And will be going to the church later on.

Are there other things I love to do during the day? ABSOLUTELY! I love to read, write, vision cast, and plan for the future, but all of these things make a great day for me. If you are up for the challenge, take time to think about what your "Great Day" looks like. If you want to, email it to me. I would love to read about it!!

email - pastorkevin@rocketmail.com

Happy Fathers Day!

I know, I know, fathers day was yesterday! I just want to make sure you all you Fathers out there in Internet land had a great fathers day. I was blessed to be able to spend fathers day with my father, my family, and my church family. It was an amazing day.

My Father has been the number one influence in my life. I often ask myself this question "What Would My Dad Do In This Situation?" If you got to know him, it wouldn't take very long to discover that he has answers for everything, and they actually produce good results. As a kid I used to hate it when he would quote scripture for the situation we were discussing, but now I find myself studying the scripture he quoted, and I am finally gaining revelation as to what he was talking about.

So To Every Father Out There, "You Are Making A Difference In The Lives Of Your Children, Wife, and Your Friends. Stay True To The Honor Of Being A Father!