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I see you

July 26, 2008 by

We had a tremendous Bible Talk last night at the Keysers‘ house–sitting room only! We had a rather open-ended discussion about Vacation, the Journey, and Heaven; yes, it was a challenging thing to pull together.

One insight from last night worth repeating for the day out of Heb 4:12ff–in the context of not wanting the Hebrew Christians to miss their chance at the ultimate Sabbath Rest (heaven), the writer dwells on the power of God’s Word and how all is laid bare before God to whom we each must give account.

What’s the link? I think this: God sees us as we really are: “I see you, Scott.” His Word goes deep and exposes the Truth about us to….ourselves as we read it.

When we read God’s Word, then, we see what He sees about us. And that helps us “make every effort” to enter the promised land.

“I see you, Scott. Do you see what I see?”

Filed Under: Articles, Ministry Blog
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We’re back from Vancouver

July 16, 2008 by

By Jay Kelly

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Serving Temporal Ends

July 12, 2008 by

I’ve now finished about half of my academic curriculum at SPU in Marriage & Family Therapy. I have, however, about two years to go including all the impending practicum and internship hours. This augmenting of my ministry calling and career has been an inspiring, though sometimes tiring, experience.

One overarching insight about being a “therapist”: it will be the first thing I have ever done professionally that primarily serves a temporal interest–a value in “this life” rather than for “eternal life.” Everything else I’ve ever done in the ministry–evangelism, teaching, counseling, training, discipling–has pointed more towards eternal things: how and in what condition we get to heaven.

And so this endeavor has helped me see the world through the lens of most of our members–doing the kind of work (accounting, engineering, computing, teaching, whatever) that does not directly connect to the life that is to come, but rather serves the temporal times in which God has placed us for now. It’s different. But it’s normal.

Perhaps then, indirectly, we labor for our own stewardship, which has eternal value for our character, and potentially eternal value for those we serve and work with.

Shalom,

Scott

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Family Devotional Series – Part 9: Conversation

July 4, 2008 by

Along with the gift of speech that youngsters acquire during the first several months of life, they also come with the gift of great curiosity. They ask endless questions, wanting explanations for all sorts of things that come to their attention. You usually don’t have to wonder what a young child is thinking – they most usually are talking about it.

Then comes the pre-teen, teen years, where we parents often feel like we need classes from the FBI on eliciting information from a “subject” (ie, our kid). One or few word answers become more the norm. We have to get skillful at finding out what they’re feeling, their hurts, likes, dislikes, opinions, and their joys.

From time to time it is a good idea to spend a family time together just asking questions of one another. Conversation with our kids, that is not instructive, directional, corrective should be the most common kind of conversation in our homes, but often isn’t. So, tonight, have some great conversation starters, that are open-ended – no right or wrong answers.

Be sure to have some for all ages of your kids. A steady habit of this kind of conversation hopefully will become your habit.

A few fun discussion starters might be helpful:

  • “Tell about the favorite gift you ever received.”
  • “Finish the sentence: I wish all people would___”
  • “Tell about your favorite sport and why you like it.”
  • “Tell about a time you needed courage.”
  • “What is your dream car and why?”
  • “Tell about your all time favorite teacher and why?”
  • “What adventure would you like to experience?”
  • “Which of your senses do you value the most and why?”

Be sure the adults participate fully in the evening’s discussion. Finish the evening by praying together, using things from the discussion tonight in your family prayer.

As always, be sure you end with a great treat of some sort, and perhaps an age appropriate board game.

Filed Under: Marriage & Family
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