Happy Easter Everybody!
I hope you had a lovely weekend celebrating Easter. I was super jazzed up this Easter. I think digging into our devotional book daily had me inspired and hungry to think deeper into the Easter story. For those of you who were able to join us yesterday, this will be review :) For those of you who weren't able to be with us, you were missed. But, you don't have to miss out! You get alllllll the goods right here and now! I got super into the WHY of this whole thing. I get it--Jesus died for our sins, so we could have eternal life. But, what does that mean for me as I live today? In John 16, Jesus tells his disciples "It is best for you that I go away because if I don't, the Advocate won't come. If I do go away, I will send him to you." I did some looking into this Advocate--the word Jesus used can be read as advocate, as comforter, helper, counselor....Jesus is referencing The Holy Spirit of Truth. Jesus died, and the Holy Spirit of Truth lives in us. Jesus died to give us LIFE. To have this LIFE, we must take up our cross and follow His example. Taking up our cross can be many things. Losing things that may seem important to us but aren't in the long term. Doing the right thing no matter how it makes us look. Standing up for what is right. Serving Others. Jesus spoke a lot about giving up your life to save it. In this sense, He means emptying ourselves of our worldly desires and traits so that the Christ in us can shine through! What a beautiful idea, just hard to do. What are some ways you might "take up your cross"? Imagine what letting the Christ in you shine through you today would look like. One of the biggest things that stuck out to me as I studied the story this year is Jesus' invitation to us. It is not just a substitution- Jesus's life for mine. It is an invitation for PARTICIPATION WITH JESUS by me. Not that I need to die, but to LIVE. Jesus washed the feet of his disciples in preparation for his death. He showed us how to lead- SERVICE. The Spirit of Christ lives in us. It's our job to let Him do his work. In Matthew 25, Jesus paints an awesome example of a life of service being the ball game. He was talking about people entering the kingdom of heaven- welcoming those who served. People were confused "Lord, when did we ever see you hungry or feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you in prison and visit you." Jesus replied "I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me." (Matthew 25:34-40). God doesn't have hands and feet to do His work. We do! Let's do His work, my sweet friends! He is alive in us, and we can make a difference in the world today, and EVERY day. In John 17:18, Jesus says "Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world." He died so that Christ could fill us and we can continue the good work here on this messy earth. Sending you Easter filled hugs, Kim
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Hi friends, Happy Maundy Thursday!
If you are anything like me, you would have walked through reading the title of today's reading as follows: Maundy Thursday. Wait, is that a typo? For Monday Thursday? But that actually makes no sense. What the heck is Maundy? Maundy Thursday? Let me just google that right quick..... And so my dear friend, Google, helped me understand Maundy Thursday. Maundy is derived from the Latin word for "command", and commemorates Jesus' commandment given to the disciples at the last supper: "Love each other as I have loved you." Before these fine individuals were to sit down to eat this Last Supper with Jesus, Jesus set out to wash their feet. We've talked about this last week--these dudes' feet were NASTY (no offense, disciples). Men who walked day in and day out through the desert with sandals. Lord have mercy! In John 13, after Jesus began to wash his friends' feet, Peter questions Jesus: "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?" and Jesus replied "You don't understand now what I am doing, but someday you will." Later, Jesus adds "Since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other's feet. I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you." Jesus was teaching them the idea of servant leadership. I believe what Jesus was trying to illustrate in washing these mens' feet was ultimate humility, even in places of "power." In Mark 10, Jesus says "Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many." Pretty powerful. When we look at being FIRST or the BEST at something, being a SLAVE or SERVANT is pretty much the last path we'd typically think of taking. Powerful. The Easter story is ultimately one of sacrifice. Jesus laying down his life for us to gain life. He started living this example before his actual death, by humbling hisself at the feet of his friends. We are quick to think that "laying down our lives" must mean death. But, it can be as simple as being humble. As doing the right thing when all our friends are doing the wrong thing. As going out of our way to do an act of kindness. We must lose our lives to gain it. Jesus had to die on the cross so that the Christ spirit within us could awaken. So today, on Maundy Thursday, let's carry the servant leadership idea with us. We are no better or worse than the next guy. Let's humble ourselves. Let's remember Jesus commanded us to "Love one another, Just as I have loved you, you must love one another." How can you show that love today? Sending YOU -- yes, you!-- my LOVE, Kim Hello dear friends!
Today is a Wednesday, and that means we Psalm it up! Today's is Psalm 22. Read it silently, read it aloud. Write out the Psalm. Highlight the words and phrases that stand out to you. Pick the verse that means most to you, and take it with you throughout the week. Psalm 22 1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish? 2 My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, but I find no rest. 3 Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One; you are the one Israel praises. 4 In you our ancestors put their trust; they trusted and you delivered them. 5 To you they cried out and were saved; in you they trusted and were not put to shame. 6 But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by everyone, despised by the people. 7 All who see me mock me; they hurl insults, shaking their heads. 8 “He trusts in the Lord,” they say, “let the Lord rescue him. Let him deliver him, since he delights in him.” 9 Yet you brought me out of the womb; you made me trust in you, even at my mother’s breast. 10 From birth I was cast on you; from my mother’s womb you have been my God. 11 Do not be far from me, for trouble is near and there is no one to help. 12 Many bulls surround me; strong bulls of Bashan encircle me. 13 Roaring lions that tear their prey open their mouths wide against me. 14 I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint. My heart has turned to wax; it has melted within me. 15 My mouth[d] is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth; you lay me in the dust of death. 16 Dogs surround me, a pack of villains encircles me; they pierce my hands and my feet. 17 All my bones are on display; people stare and gloat over me. 18 They divide my clothes among them and cast lots for my garment. 19 But you, Lord, do not be far from me. You are my strength; come quickly to help me. 20 Deliver me from the sword, my precious life from the power of the dogs. 21 Rescue me from the mouth of the lions; save me from the horns of the wild oxen. 22 I will declare your name to my people; in the assembly I will praise you. 23 You who fear the Lord, praise him! All you descendants of Jacob, honor him! Revere him, all you descendants of Israel! 24 For he has not despised or scorned the suffering of the afflicted one; he has not hidden his face from him but has listened to his cry for help. 25 From you comes the theme of my praise in the great assembly; before those who fear you I will fulfill my vows. 26 The poor will eat and be satisfied; those who seek the Lord will praise him-- may your hearts live forever! 27 All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations will bow down before him, 28 for dominion belongs to the Lord and he rules over the nations. 29 All the rich of the earth will feast and worship; all who go down to the dust will kneel before him-- those who cannot keep themselves alive. 30 Posterity will serve him; future generations will be told about the Lord. 31 They will proclaim his righteousness, declaring to a people yet unborn: He has done it! Psalm 22 is often considered to be a prophecy of Jesus' death. What parallels can you draw between this psalm and the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus? HUGS to you! Kim Good morning and Happy Spring Break, friends!
For those of you who were able to join us yesterday for Palm Sunday, thank you for your participation in our talk. For those of you who missed it, we missed you! We talked about Jesus's entrance into Jerusalem. We read the four different gospel depictions of it, and compared and contrasted their versions. We brainstormed why they added certain elements of the story as important pieces, like the imagery of Jesus riding in on a donkey. We then brainstormed what a modern day version of this same entrance would look like. Think....selfies with Jesus, autographs, and signs. It was awesome. Today's reading in our (almost over) Lent devotional book has to do with Palm Sunday. It poses a different way to look at this crowd, joyfully welcoming Jesus into the city. These same people turned on him just a few days later. Jesus knew what was to come, yet still entered this city, greeting the very people who would turn on him. Our lives are full of moments like this, right? We worship God when things are fine and dandy, but when we realize God is not just our magical fairy granting all our wishes, we abandon Him. If we could only see that greater things awaited us, we would never let Him go. We have the benefit of knowing the end of the story these people in Jerusalem didn't get the benefit of knowing, but perhaps if they knew that such greater things awaited them, them wouldn't have been so fickle! In any case, we get to choose to live by faith. Jesus came to give us life, and life to the FULL. Let our hope and faith be in that as we walk through this Holy week. Sending love and super hugs to you, Kim Hey hey hey!
See what I did there? On Saturdays, we SERVE. SERVEturday. Boom! Today's reading calls us to serve each other. Loving one another seems to kind of be the ballgame here, so this is an awesome reminder of something we should be doing on the daily! Scripture verses on this topic are like, every where!! Check out Romans 12:10, Romans 13:8, 1 John 4:7-12, John 13:34-35 to name a few! Jesus himself washed the feet of His disciples. These dudes wore sandals walking through the desert every day. Can you even imagine the status of their feet?! Washing feet was an action reserved for servants, but Jesus did this to make a point. When we serve others, we honor them, and humble ourselves. Win win. Here are some examples given as to how we can serve each other this week: -celebrate others accomplishments whenever you have the chance -take over your siblings chores for a day/week -put your phone away! be present -minimize distractions when you are spending time with someone -ask a trusted friend or mentor for advice -write an encouraging note -cook for someone -apologize when you need to, even if (or especially if) you don't want to -offer forgiveness when you're able How can you serve others today? Love to you, Kim You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. -Galatians 5:13 Hello friends!
It's raining. Again. I was just getting used to this whole amazing summer like weather thing that we've been getting. Alas, it rains! Today's reading is about the dead coming back to life! Super "The Waking Dead"-ish, or "Stranger Things"-ish!! The main story referenced in the reading is that of Lazarus, and Jesus bringing Lazarus back to life. You can find the story in John 11:38-44. Jesus is giving us something to hold on to: that we've been brought from death to life. Not literally, but looking at it from a different angle. We've been shown the way to really LIVE life, when we follow Jesus and the life He lived. When we choose otherwise, we aren't really living. Ephesians 2:2 says "You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil--the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God." Now, I don't believe that once we accept Jesus into our hearts, the job is done. In order to really LIVE, it is a daily, minute by minute challenge. WE choose who we follow--the temptations of this earth, or the example shown by Jesus. I want to choose LIFE. The reading references having a "Lazarus moment" -- meaning when we first were brought to "life". Realizing that there is a different way to live, coming out of the darkness. Is there anything in your life where this happened to you? Looking forward to spending Palm Sunday together this week. Hugs hugs hugs, Kim Hi friends,
On Wednesdays, we read Psalms. Today's is Psalm 139. Read it silently, read it aloud. Write it out, circle or highlight words or phrases that stick out to you. Find a verse within the Psalm that means the most to you. Write it on a piece of paper and take it with you throughout the week. Here is Psalm 139 1 You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. 2 You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. 3 You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. 4 Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely. 5 You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. 6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. 7 Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? 8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. 9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, 10 even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. 11 If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,” 12 even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you. 13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. 14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. 15 My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. 16 Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. 17 How precious to me are your thoughts, God! How vast is the sum of them! 18 Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand-- when I awake, I am still with you. 19 If only you, God, would slay the wicked! Away from me, you who are bloodthirsty! 20 They speak of you with evil intent; your adversaries misuse your name. 21 Do I not hate those who hate you, Lord, and abhor those who are in rebellion against you? 22 I have nothing but hatred for them; I count them my enemies. 23 Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. 24 See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. The last two verses are the ones that stuck out for me. "Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." I don't like being tested, and the thought of God searching me and knowing my heart is intimidating, because I'm not always thinking the kindest and best things. But. I love the idea of God looking through me fully, and leading me in the way. He knows where I am falling short, and I pray that He will guide me out of these shortcomings into the way everlasting. Amen to that!! Love you, Kim Hello my sweet friends!
Thanks for stopping by to check out the good ol' blog today! I'm going to write about yesterday's reading about being a Light of the World! In John 8:12, Jesus says "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." Awesome news for us! If we follow in the way of Jesus, we will live a life full of light. Even better yet, we get to play a part in the whole, being a light of the world!! Matthew 5:16 tells us "let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father." That is our work! In order to let God's light shine through us, we have to do a few things. We need to follow Jesus's example of the way to live the beautiful life as we have been discussing. Remember, Jesus laid out a few practices to focus on: community, prayer, acts of self denial, and acts of kindness. We also need to clean out the junk that is preventing us to follow in that way, in order for God to shine through. It's brutal work to do, but getting rid of the things in our lives that are clogging us up and keeping us from the beautiful life makes way for God's light to shine more clearly through us. I'm in on that work!! The Wake Up section of the reading asks how is Jesus the light of the world, and how can YOU be the light of the world? I would love to hear some feedback or ideas you have on ways to BE THE LIGHT! Love to each and every one of you! Kim Good morning and Happy Monday to you all!
I enjoyed this morning's reading, and I hope you did as well. It is about sheep, bless their little hearts. Sheep are dumb! Poor little things, they are just dumb! They have terrible depth perception, they don't like the dark, they go UPHILL when trouble comes and end up trapped. When they are in flocks, they just follow whatever happens to be moving, whether its a shepherd, more sheep, a bird... bless their (dumb) little hearts. :) In the reading, the author tells of a story where over 400 sheep followed one of their own straight off a cliff in eastern Turkey. Those sheep died, and broke the fall for the next 1,100 sheep who followed after them. Those little lambs just skipped happily over the edge, unaware. Can you even imagine the shepherds' dismay when they came back to find this is what happened after taking a quick break?! Dumb little sheep :) It's not a coincidence that Jesus chose sheep as the animal in His parable about our relationship with Him. Not that he thinks we are DUMB little animals, but to point out our NEED for guidance. Left to our own devices, we typically stumble off metaphorical cliffs. If we are following others around us, what our friend think, society, etc...we aren't being LED by LOVE. Sheep need a shepherd, and it is in their nature to be led. We are the same way, we just need to make sure we are being LED by the right thing! How lucky that we have an all loving shepherd available to us always. I'm thankful that Jesus made this illustration, because it is so clear to me. He WANTS to shepherd us, we just need to follow Him. He saves us from trouble, He protects us, He leads us, He is with us. Living the way of love that Jesus showed us needs to be our guide through this life we are walking, stumbling, hopefully not cliff jumping, through! The Wake Up section of today's reading asks if you've considered how you might need a shepherd? How are you like a sheep spiritually? Do you believe what Jesus said, that He is the Good Shepherd? I believe that when I center my life around what Jesus said and showed as the way, He is actively shepherding me to the good life. Love you my fellow sheep, Kim Good morning my friends!
I'm writing today about frame of reference and our Thursday devotional reading. Happy you are joining me :) "Frame of reference" is defined as a set of criteria or stated values in relation to which measurements or judgments can be made. Basically, its our starting point for how we interpret the events, people, every day life things we encounter. Every single person comes to every experience with a unique frame of reference. We think people think like we think. But, we all have such unique stories and pasts that have woven us together into the beautiful tapestry that we are. One event can happen, and two people can have a COMPLETELY different take on that event. Same exact event, just differently experienced due to the frame of reference of those who experienced it. I loved the following from our reading "Circumstances will frequently lie to us, and try to get us to take our eyes off of Jesus. We have to remember to look at every trial in life through the frame of reference of Jesus. That is the only way to see clearly, even in the midst of life's storms." I love the idea of looking through the frame of reference of Jesus. If Jesus came to show us the way to live a life fueled by love, viewing everything we encounter with Jesus as our lens seems to be a pretty darn good choice. We will not always be successful, but even having it in our minds as an option for our frame of reference seems like a good starting point. The Wake Up section of the reading asks us what are some times when you've looked at life through your own frame of reference? For me, first world problems pop into my mind. I will look at tantruming kids and a messy car as a horrible start to my day, when just shifting my view on it is IT IS NOT S PROBLEM. Healthy, vibrant kids, working and lovely car. Perspective shift almost immediately. What about you?? Love, Kim |
AuthorKim Labozzetta is the interim Director of Middle School and High School Student Life at The Quest. ArchivesCategories |