Heart Matters

Kevin. I love this. So maybe it can't happen ...

2010-12-08T08:25:44.734-05:00

Kevin. I love this. So maybe it can't happen on Christmas day but maybe another day. Several years ago (I think 6 now) a friend and I decided that we had had a year so full of God stuff (blessings and disciplines) and we were sure others had too and so we started a Thanks Giving party and so one evening a few weeks before Thanksgiving we gather and eat and sing and then we each talk about the ways God has been in our lives that year. It is awesome Kevin and blesses everyone. Walls fall and hearts soften and God presides. Thanks for your blog.

While I can agree with the statement that pastors ...

2010-11-04T23:27:58.176-04:00

While I can agree with the statement that pastors should set a vision and act as change agents for culture, I also believe in a "shared" vision and culture change. The word "ouch" used in your blog makes me feel that only one person knows what is best for me and that only he or she knows what God is saying to the church. Is it at all possible that a senior pastor and/or staff may be hearing only what they want to hear and following only the direction that they want to follow? Perhaps I am hearing only what I want to hear and believe onlt what I want to believe. When will we begin to develop a trust that will allow us to hear the real message of God? Maybe, just maybe some folks who have been around for some time have something to offer and some good ideas. Maybe God speaks to us also! Perhaps we are not just "digging in our heels but responding, in some small way, to the word of God.

I agree whole heartedly Kevin. I tried for too man...

2010-10-19T08:36:35.230-04:00

I agree whole heartedly Kevin. I tried for too many years to go it alone and it was not until I attended a Celebrate Recovery meeting and got into a small group. Within that environment I learn to trust. I learned if you trust in God and you believe that Jesus Christ is our Savior that the heart can open up to trusting other and yourself. Relationships are not true without intimacy and intimacy can not be obtained without vulnerability. Now when I feel stuck, I know, it’s because I am AGAIN trying to go it alone.

Totally agree with you Kevin. I am myself dissatis...

2010-10-17T10:36:25.160-04:00

Totally agree with you Kevin. I am myself dissatisfied with the way modern church goers approach christianity, their role, spirituals gifts, and their use, etc. Wat to go.
Rev. Leo, Moldova UMC

As a member of oakdale I can tell everyone who rea...

2010-08-29T21:24:01.806-04:00

As a member of oakdale I can tell everyone who reads this ,god brought me to this church and my family followed. Kevin and his words from god have directly reached and helped a family begin to heal through jesus and for this I will forever be thankful.

Thank you so much for your willingness and effort ...

2010-08-05T21:52:01.564-04:00

Thank you so much for your willingness and effort to preserve what your dad had fought for ....FREEDOM IN KOREA. I had been careless about our own brothers and sisters in N.Korea until I met a Caucasian woman in a mission conference in Wheaton College 3 yrs ago, dressed in Hanbok(traditional Korean dress) holding a Korean bible in her hand and crying out to God for the sake of NK people. I was totally embarrassed with my indifference toward my own people.
The grace and love of God poured out through people like you and your dad have touched and moved many of us to start praying and to share His love with those who are afflicted and starving in NK.
Thank you again Pastor Kevin for being burdened with what breaks God's heart.

If anyone can touch those people with the word of ...

2010-08-05T14:40:15.038-04:00

If anyone can touch those people with the word of Christ - you can!!

Thanks for aharing the story of your Dad. Can'...

2010-07-30T23:51:11.140-04:00

Thanks for aharing the story of your Dad. Can't wait till you all get back to share the rest of the stories with us. Stay safe!

Yes it is about freedom. With freedom there is res...

2010-07-30T17:31:14.053-04:00

Yes it is about freedom. With freedom there is responsibility. I am glad you are responsible to go around the world and take the GOOD NEWS! But I do ask that you give all the GRACE away while you are there! Such a blessing.......

Have a safe trip. We'll miss all of you. I'...

2010-07-24T16:22:53.688-04:00

Have a safe trip. We'll miss all of you. I'm sure DaeHwa will take good care of you and Michele. Look forward to hearing all about the trip when you get back.

Time for another Pentecost!

2010-07-20T01:15:22.381-04:00

Time for another Pentecost!

I love that God can continue to show us 'new&#...

2010-07-19T11:41:28.085-04:00

I love that God can continue to show us 'new' things in His Word that was written so long ago. The power of the Holy Spirit is so amazing. We tend to shy away from conversation about the Holy Spirit but we need to be in more conversation about this b/c the Holy Spirit is the glue that can hold us together; the power that can bring us peace in the midst of a storm; and the strength to continue the race. Imagine what the church could be if we would be more open to the Holy Spirit and His power.
Keep on preaching Kevin. Clearly the Spirit is w/ you!

Kim says.... Kevin I think that you are right w...

2010-07-17T15:45:27.420-04:00

Kim says....
Kevin I think that you are right we need to let the holy spirit move us and do God's work on this earth!!!
Kim Thomas

Preach it brother!!!!! Ann Fedeli

2010-07-17T15:03:59.361-04:00

Preach it brother!!!!!
Ann Fedeli

Amen, Pastor Kevin!!

2010-07-17T08:18:06.271-04:00

Amen, Pastor Kevin!!

This so speaks to me! I just need to witness to wh...

2010-07-16T19:37:21.543-04:00

This so speaks to me! I just need to witness to what I have seen and heard; the Holy Spirit can then use me, transform the hearer and change a heart. God is in control! I simply need to act and believe in yielding to the very Spirit of Truth.

Katie or anyone else...when u select comment as ch...

2010-07-16T07:40:30.427-04:00

Katie or anyone else...when u select comment as choose name and just type your name. Luv u

That was me, Katie - but have no idea how to post ...

2010-07-13T13:05:25.774-04:00

That was me, Katie - but have no idea how to post it without choosing the anonymous dropdown...

Kevin, this is an awesome way to connect and perso...

2010-07-13T13:04:34.529-04:00

Kevin, this is an awesome way to connect and personally - as much as I love you - I do not want you to shepherd all of us. Jesus did not model that one person do it all! He chose 12 to go out and spread his word - a much more productive and expedient method then doing it all by yourself! Let's continue to model the life Jesus led - by shepherding and modeling the love of Jesus with each and every person we come in contact with every day - this is true evangelism!!

I am OK with the boots and hat but could you leave...

2010-07-10T03:39:10.550-04:00

I am OK with the boots and hat but could you leave the whip at home?

I really enjoyed your blog, Kevin. What a great ...

2010-07-09T19:03:54.900-04:00

I really enjoyed your blog, Kevin. What a great way to connect. Yes, the cowboy hat on Sunday is a great idea!

Looking forward to seeing you wear boots and a cow...

2010-07-09T17:59:28.632-04:00

Looking forward to seeing you wear boots and a cowboy hat during the next sermon. Thank you for all you have done.

If i can't hear you on Sunday morning, then i&...

2010-07-09T16:18:32.725-04:00

If i can't hear you on Sunday morning, then i'm thrilled to read your stuff whenever you've got thoughts.

Kevin, I love this approach. It will allow you to ...

2010-07-09T14:49:16.917-04:00

Kevin,
I love this approach. It will allow you to remain connected to the church family more frequently throughout the week. That is a always a good thing for those of us that want to keep up with what is going on in the daily life of our Oakdale church family. We will be praying that use of this new technology will be appreciated by the rest of the church as much as by my family. Love ya!

I like the illustration you used to explain the di...

2010-07-09T14:35:46.800-04:00

I like the illustration you used to explain the different types of churches, but I LOVE your openness and your heart for sharing the love of Jesus. I look forward to reading more :)