Author: revkevjr

Today was really gross outside. It snowed during the night and then it turned to rain during the day, so it was a very wet and slushy outside producing lots of puddles and flooding on roads and in yards. Schools were closed due to the weather, and it’s mid-term week, both of which lead to low attendance at youth group. At first the feeling is a bit discouraging. Then kids drift in, adjustments are made, and things seem to improve. But perhaps the light at the end of the tunnel on a night like this is the opportunity to connect with students that I might not be able to connect with when so many kids are present. There’s that feeling after youth group that everyone just want to hang out and laugh. I was at the church later than usual this Wednesday night doing just that with several students and leaders. The cup is half-full!

Over the past couple of months I have been assisting someone with their doctoral research. As a part of his study, I have been participating in many different surveys. I completed two surveys last week, and through both of them two themes from my responses emerged in glaring fashion: I am highly relational and highly missional in terms of my philosophy of ministry as well as practice. Neither of these things were a surprise to me, rather confirmational. The thing that caught my attention was just how much I value these two as compared to other, more traditional forms of impartation and ministry. I am a teacher by gifting, and I love standing in front of a group and giving a challenging talk. However, as youth ministry has confirmed over and over again, I find my most fruitful times of impartation are when I am spending time with someone one-on-one, or with a small group, and when we are atively engaging in doing the work of ministry.

Just a quick update to say that my 3 lovely ladies are on the mend. They should all be good to go to school tomorrow God willing. Thank You Lord for Your healing touch!

Well, today I had to play doctor. Adriana was sick with a fever. My 11-year old was still sick with a fever. And, at 1pm I had to go and get my 7-year old from school because she also had a fever. I was dishin’ out meds, servin’ up soups and Gatorade, taking care of the house, etc. Jesus instruction to care for the sick hit home today. Lord, please heal my family. Amen.

It seems like an odd choice, but I have just finished reading the book Sabbatical Journey: The Diary of His Final Year by Henri Nouwen and concluded that it is one of my new all-time favorite books. In some sort of mysterious way, the simple, intimate, honest reflections of a man (which were never intended for publication) have resonated with my heart in a special way and encouraged me in my pursuit of Jesus.

Nouwen, a Catholic priest, died sadly and suddenly within three weeks of the conclusion of a year-long sabbatical during which he committed to daily journaling. The back cover describes him as “an author of more than 40 books (none of which I have read, I might add, but all of which I will now try to get my hands on and read), is considered one of the great spiritual writers of modern times. He taught at the University of Notre Dame, Harvard, and Yale but shared the last ten years of his life with people with mental handicaps as pastor of the L’Arche Daybreak community in Toronto, Canada.”

I was fascinated by his life: His communion with God, his authenticity in the midst of struggle and questions, his deep sense of community and friendship, his appreciation for culture, and his commitment to caring for the poor and the least of these. As I was reading his daily thoughts and reflections I found myself dreaming and longing for a deeper connection with God, a more authentic and meaningful sense of community with my family and friends, better and deeper conversations, and a more intentional and compassionate extension to the poor. In some strange way getting away from the x’s and o’s and how-to’s of so many books and just seeing the raw life of a man living well has inspired me in an intensely personal and powerful way. I have much to ponder and meditate on after reading this book, and I will revisit it often.

My father sent me this tremendous NASCAR tutorial video noting that it really helped him finally understand the “sport” of car racing. After watching the video I could not agree more! My minuscule mind could never quite understand the complexity of the sport, so dad and I would settle for watching simpleton sports like basketball, baseball, and football. Now, maybe, just maybe, I’ll be able to watch car racing.

Just finished up another book entitled Adventures in Missing the Point by Brian McLaren & Tony Campolo. I really enjoyed this book! Each author tackled different issues writing their take on various issues and how they believe the Church has missed the point. The other then presented a brief response to what the other had written. Taken together there was much to consider and hopefully they are getting us on the track of healthy dialogue which gets us closer to a more healthy, balanced, biblical view of and approach to the issues. Included in the book is also a discussion guide. I have ordered several copies of the book and I am going to be inviting a bunch of my friends to read through the book and gather together on a weekly basis in a small group format for fellowship and to work through the discussion questions provided. I am really looking forward to this!

I just finished reading William Booth: Soup, Soap, and Salvation by Janet & Geoff Benge. It’s part of the Christian Heroes: Then & Now book series. William Booth was the founder of the Salvation Army, and I was very much looking forward to reading this book about his life and ministry. The read was quick and easy and it’s a book that older children and youth will enjoy as I did. I most appreciated reading of Booth’s holistic approach to ministry. In the beginning of his ministry he was only concerned about the soul. But as he began to get more in touch with the compassion of Christ he began to recognize the need to minister to the entire person – something I have been meditating on much of late.