Coping

Pause & Reflect with me as we begin the Lenten Season:
Isaiah 61 says:  "He will 'bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.'"

As we mark the beginning of the Lenten Season  with Ash Wednesday, the marks symbolize the unseen wounds inside us. What sadness is lingering in you this season? Listen now.

Good morning. This is Chaplain Kevin. Would you pause with me and reflect as we begin this morning…

Today/This Wednesday marks the start of the Lenten season; The 40 day period leading up to Easter. Lent begins with a holy day of prayer and fasting known as: Ash Wednesday.

What makes this day most memorable, is the ritual of receiving ashes on our forehead. Throughout scripture ashes are used in times of mourning which displays a person’s feeling of despair. The ashes one receives, serve as an external representation of their guilt as a way to manifest the deep sadness and unresolved pain that lingers within. This mark helps memorialize our sadness and aids the mission of our heart, mind and spirit to make more tangible the unseen wounds inside us. Our hope this Lenten season is that when our wounds become visible they are more likely to be healed. 

What sadness is lingering within you this season?

How will you turn to God for healing today?

Let’s pray: God, we thank you for this Lenten Season. We hear your call to turn back to you. Grant us healing for all our wounds today. And make us well-enough that we might be able to extend healing hands to others around us. We pray these things in your Name. Amen.

Pause & Reflect with me as we celebrate Valentine's Day:

1 Corinthians 13 says:  "If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal… if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor … but do not have love, I gain nothing. 

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, [and] always perseveres. 

Love never fails. … 

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. 

St. Valentine is remembered as the patron saint of love and marriage. Listen now.

Good morning. This is Chaplain Kevin. Would you pause with me and reflect as we begin this morning. 

Today, we celebrate The Patron Saint of Love, Saint Valentine, who was martyred in the 3rd century, for helping persecuted Christians get married when it was illegal for them to do so. Saint Valentine is remembered as the priest who displayed his love and devotion to God by uniting God’s people in Holy Matrimony.

This morning, let us read a scripture passage about Love which is commonly used during wedding ceremonies…

1 Corinthians 13

If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal… if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor … but do not have love, I gain nothing.

4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, [and] always perseveres.

8 Love never fails. …

13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

Happy Valentine’s Day…

Pause & Reflect with me on the words of Galatians 5:
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law."

The first attribute of the fruit of the Spirit is love. How will you love others with God's heart today? Listen now.

Good morning. This is Chaplain Kevin. Would you pause with me and reflect as we begin this morning…

In Galatians 5, Paul lists 9 attributes which he calls: the Fruit of the Spirit. The first attribute is Love.

Scripture says: “We love each other because [God] first loved us.”

We are loved by God unconditionally, sacrificially and extravagantly.

This experience of God’s love serves as a model for how we are to love others.

That is, to love without condition. To love in a way that costs us something. And to love beyond our own capacity. 

God offers us His heart as an endless source of love, for which we can receive His love and extend love to others.

Where do you need this kind of love in your life?

How will you love others with God’s heart today?

Let’s pray: God, you love us fully. We hear your call to love others in the same way. Be our source of love today. Give us your heart. We pray these things in your Name. Amen.

Pause & Reflect with me on the words of Psalm 40:3: 
“He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God.”

When the rhythms of our lives become old and repetitive it's time for a new "song." What new "song" are you singing this next year? Listen now.

Good morning, this is Chaplain Kevin. Would you pause with me and reflect as we begin this morning…

With so many radio stations today, all kinds of music can be heard and enjoyed. However, if you listen to one station long enough, you will likely hear the same song being played over and over again. When a song is overplayed it loses its appeal and can be quiet annoying to hear.

Psalm 40:3 says: “He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God.”

This new song is given by God as a way to disrupt the old music of our lives and set us to a new tune, following a new rhythm with new words. The song is our life and is as unique as we are. The New Year gives us the chance to try out this new song. As we learn the music, we also learn that the purpose of our song is to bring praise to our God. 

What new song are you singing this year?

How will you bring praise God today?

Let’s pray: God, you have given us a new song this year. Teach us the rhythm and keep us on tempo. When we sing off-key tune our ear back to you, that we might perform this song for your glory. We pray these things in your Name. Amen.

Pause & Reflect with me on the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.:
"Help us to remember that humanity was created to shine like the stars and live on through all eternity. Keep us, we pray, in perfect peace."

As we celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. today let us meditate on one of his prayers. How are you living as a peacemaker?

Good morning. This is Chaplain Kevin. Would you pause with me and reflect this morning as we remember Martin Luther King Jr.

Today we celebrate MLK whose mission was equality and whose purpose was peace. This morning, let us pray one of his prayers to honor him and to keep his dream alive.

Let’s pray: [O God] We thank you for your church, founded upon your Word, that challenges us to do more than sing and pray, but go out and work as though the very answer to our prayers depended on us and not upon you. Help us to realize that humanity was created to shine like the stars and live on through all eternity. Keep us, we pray, in perfect peace. Help us to walk together, pray together, sing together, and live together until that day when all God's children -- Black, White, Red, Brown and Yellow -- will rejoice in one common band of humanity in the reign of our Lord and of our God, we pray. Amen.

Pause & Reflect with me on the words of Leviticus 26:10: 
“You shall have to clear out the old to make way for the new."”

Making resolutions in the New Year is similar to planning for a home renovation. Where in your life do you need to clear our the old to make way for the new?

Good morning & Happy New Year. This is Chaplain Kevin. Would you pause with me and reflect as we begin this morning…

Making resolutions in the New Year is a lot like planning for a renovation. Like with any remodel, we begin by sorting through all of our “stuff” making piles for “keep” and piles to “give away.” 

In Leviticus Chapter 26, Verse 10 God says: “you shall have to clear out the old to make way for the new.”

Making way for the new can be a difficult process as it requires letting go of things once valuable and meaningful to us. “Letting go” in this way, is an act of faith, because we clear out the old, before the new has come. Creating this space, gives room for God’s presence and promises to unfold in our lives.

What stuff do you need to let go of?

How will you make room for new things today?

Let’s pray: God, you are a master carpenter & our lives are in need of a remodel. Help us to sort through the stuff of this past year. Show us how to make room for your presence and promises to unfold this New Year. We pray these things in your Name. Amen.

Pause & Reflect with me on the words of Isaiah 43:18-19:
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Do you not perceive it?"

Forgetting "the former things" is difficult, especially after a challenging year. Where are you hoping for new things?

Good evening & Happy New Year. This is Chaplain Kevin. Would you pause with me and reflect as we begin this morning…

Today / This week we greet one another saying: “Happy New Year!” January 1st, is “happy” because after what may have been a challenging year, the New Year is a time for renewal. We set goals, make new resolutions and celebrate today in hope of things to come.

In Scripture, God grants us the grace to start anew saying: “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! … Do you not perceive it?”

Perceiving the “new thing” that God is doing is not simply forgetting the difficult things in our past. But rather, is letting go of the way things should’ve & could’ve been, and allowing God to renew our hope, strength and perspective for the future. Ultimately, the “thing” God is making “new” this year, is you.

Where do you need God’s renewal?

How will you allow Him to make you new today?

Let’s pray: God, you know the challenges we endured in the past year. We thank you for the renewal of the New Year. We trust that you are doing a new thing in the coming year. Help us to perceive and participate in the newness. We pray these things in your Name. Amen.

Pause & Reflect with me on the words of Psalm 51:10: 
“Create in me a [new] heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me.”

After a year filled with heartbreak and disappointment we can ask for renewal as we begin this new year. Where do you need God's renewal?

Good morning, this is Chaplain Kevin. Would you pause with me and reflect as we begin this morning…

Approaching the end of the year can be a lot like reaching the finish line after running a marathon. Runners are filled with a mix of joy and exhaustion as they complete their arduous journey. In the same way that a marathon wears down a runner’s body, the marathon of the past year could wear down one’s heart and spirit as well.

In Psalm 51:10 the psalmist says: “Create in me a [new] heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me.”

As we reflect on the past year, the psalmist’s request can become our prayer, as we recognize our need for renewal. God has the power to give us hearts filled again with hope and possibility after a year filled with heartbreak. Likewise, God has the power to give us a Spirit full of strength and courage, after suffering from a year of devastation and disappointments. God gives us this renewal that we might recover from the past race in preparation for the next one. 

Where do you need God’s renewal?

How will you receive a new heart & spirit today?

Let’s pray: God, you know the marathon we ran this past year.  We are in need of renewal. Please give us a heart like yours and fill us with your Spirit; That we might journey ahead into this New Year with renewed strength and hope. We pray these things in your Name. Amen.

Pause & Reflect with me on the words of James 1:17:
"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father..." 

Exchanging gifts with friends and family is a cherished holiday tradition. Is it possible to exchange, what we have, for the gift God is offering this season?

Good morning. This is Chaplain Kevin. Would you pause with me and reflect as we begin this morning…

Exchanging gifts with friends and family is a cherished Holiday tradition. One of the most fun ways to give gifts is through the “White Elephant Gift Exchange.” What makes this particular tradition exciting is that participants exchange gifts they brought, with someone else, in hopes of trading for something better.

Scripture tells us that every good and perfect gift comes from God. However, this Christmas, rather than just receiving a gift from God, let us exchange what we have for what God is offering. In exchange for sorrow let us unwrap His gift of joy. In exchange for our pain let us receive His comfort. In exchange for fear let us open the gift of peace.

Which of God's gifts do you need most this season?

How will you unwrap His gift today?

Let’s pray: God, thank you for your good and perfect gifts. We bring to you many things, to exchange for what you offer. Help us to use your gifts, to love and serve others more fully. We pray these things in your Name. Amen

Pause & Reflect with me on the song sung by the angels in Luke 2:14:
"Glory to God in the highest and peace on earth." 

We hear seasonal songs playing on the radio, in shopping malls and in homes all over the world. How can these songs prepare our hearts for worship this Christmas season?

Good morning. This is Chaplain Kevin. Would you pause with me and reflect as we begin this morning…

Now that the holidays are upon us, we hear seasonal songs playing on the radio, in shopping malls and in homes all over the world. From carols to jingles, I wonder, what is it about songs that make the holidays so special?

Songs are used throughout scripture to lead God’s people into worship during specific times of God’s provision. After the Exodus, Moses and the Israelites sang a song to the Lord. When David defeated Goliath the people celebrated with tambourines and musical instruments. And at the announcement of an infant birth a host of angels burst into song singing: “Glory to God in the highest and on peace on earth.”

We are blessed this Christmas season to continue the tradition of singing songs of praise to God. As we sing this season, let us do so with expectant hearts trusting that God always provides.

Which song is your heart currently singing?

How will you thank God through song today?

Let’s pray: God, thank you for the gift of song. Supply us with the words to sing praise to you today. Give us expectant hearts as we await the fulfillment of your promise to provide. We pray these things in your Name. Amen.