While in Chicago we passed the Rock and Roll McDonalds on our way back to the room each night.

See a larger image on my photo blog.

Carolyn and I are enjoying a week together at Moody Pastors’ Conference. This afternoon we walked down to Navy Pier. It’s a beautiful day — about 88 degrees and very sunny.

May 20, 2007 - AM Service
Christ We Proclaim - Colossians 1:26-29
Pastor Kevin | Higgins Lake Baptist Church

Earlier this week Kevin and Taylor got some bobcat time in the back yard. I did manage to get some video of Taylor.

Taylor on bobcat time from Kevin on Vimeo

Games are won by active participants. No matter how much you yell at your TV you can’t help the Tigers win the World Series from your living room—believe me I tried. Shout and holler all you want and you won’t affect the outcome of the Lions next season—though they need all the help they can get. In Colossians 1:24 & 25 Paul says he rejoiced in his sufferings for the church because he’d been given a stewardship by God toward the church to make the Gospel fully known. He’d become an active participant in spreading the Gospel. All followers of Christ have been given that same stewardship. Now is the time for you to find a way to serve the Lord with joy. If you aren’t actively serving the Lord I’d suggest you ask God to open your eyes to opportunities to serve for His glory and then get in the game. When you serve, you benefit and others benefit—everyone wins. And when you serve for God’s glory you are a part of making the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the good news, fully known.

With you in the ministry of the Gospel,
–Kevin

Also available: My messages on Colossians 1:24-25 go into more detail on this passage and are available for download.

Saved to Serve - Colossians 1:24-25, part 1

Saved to Serve - Colossians 1:24-25, part 2

May 13, 2007 - PM Service
Saved to Serve - Colossians 1:24-25 (part 2)
Pastor Kevin | Higgins Lake Baptist Church

Also available: Saved to Serve - Colossians 1:24-25 Part 1, from AM Worship Service

25 Ways to Help Kids Love to Read — at the Desiring God blog.

May 13, 2007
Saved to Serve - Colossians 1:24-25
Pastor Kevin | Higgins Lake Baptist Church

Also available: Saved to Serve - Colossians 1:24-25 (part 2), from PM Worship Service

Abraham Piper writes about 12 Ways to Love Your Wayward Child. Here’s the bullet list, but do go read the whole article:

1. Point them to Christ.
2. Pray.
3. Acknowledge that something is wrong.
4. Don’t expect them to be Christ-like.
5. Welcome them home.
6. Plead with them more than you rebuke them.
7. Connect them to believers who have better access to them.
8. Respect their friends.
9. Email them.
10. Take them to lunch.
11. Take an interest in their pursuits.
12. Point them to Christ. (reprise)

Let’s look together for the joy of being reconciled in Colossians 1:21-23.

Colossians 1:21 And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, 23 if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.

Do you see why you should be filled with joy because of your reconciliation to God through Jesus Christ? Those who have confessed their sin and trusted in Jesus Christ are reconciled to God and have great reason for joy.

• Once alienated because of your sin and hostility toward God—but no longer
• Now presented holy and blameless and above reproach before God
• And persevering in the faith, stable and steadfast with no shifting from the hope of the Gospel that you heard

And the results of our joy should be a natural proclamation of the reconciliation we enjoy. Those who have been reconciled will joyfully share the good news of Jesus Christ.

With you in proclaiming the joy of reconciliation.
–Kevin

Resource: My recent sermon “Reconciled” on Colossians 1:21-23 can be found in mp3 format here.

May 6, 2007
Reconciled - Colossians 1:21-23
Pastor Kevin | Higgins Lake Baptist Church

Recently we studied Colossians 1:9. Since then I’ve been challenged with the urgency for earnest prayer for 1) the knowledge of God’s will, 2) spiritual wisdom and 3) spiritual understanding.

9 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,

The fact that Paul prayed for these things for the Colossian believers is a reminder that spiritual growth comes in answer to prayer. It’s easy to think that we need to read more about the spiritual life, or hear more preaching about the spiritual life, and I’m not discrediting the importance of those things. But earnest prayer for these things tends to be the last thing we think we need to do. I suggest it is the first thing we should do. Pray for the increase of the knowledge of God and His will and spiritual understanding in your life–and then read God’s Word, then absorb God’s Word through the hearing of the Word. But don’t stop there. Pray also that these will flourish in the lives of those around you.

Why is this so important? The answer is in verse 10.

10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.

To my family and brothers and sisters in Christ at Higgins Lake Baptist Church and elsewhere–I’m praying for you.