Height and Depth

³⁸For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, ³⁹neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:38-39

I took this picture in Brazil.  It immediately brought this verse to mind.  It was a lonely time for me - three weeks in a foreign country on business and no one to talk to because my Internet didn't work.  Seeing this cliff over the sea evoked the idea of height and depth and reminded me that even in the midst of a place where I knew no one, God was still there.  In fact, off to the left of the frame, across the water, was a giant statue of Jesus called Christ the Redeemer.

To me, this picture is a reminder that we all feel far from God and our fellow man, but that He is always there.

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Who is my strength when I am weak?

What do we do when our faith is weak?

Read Ecclesiastes 4:10 in your Bible.

What does this passage say about friends?

How do you rely on your friends?

Read Romans 15:30 in your Bible.
Paul asks the Roman church to pray for him when he is weak. Did you know that people in our church pray for you? What do you think about that?

Who could you pray for right now? Write a short prayer for them.

Have you ever had your friends let you down? What do you do when that happens? Read Proverbs 3:5-6 in your bible.

How easy is it to put your trust in God?

How do you go about putting your trust in God?

Previous Reflection: http://kairosverse.blogspot.com/2010/01/how-do-i-live-my-faith.html

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Pray for One Another

I urge you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me.

Romans 15:30 (NIV)

These words were written by Paul, and they are a reminder that we all need friends. We need help and support and prayer from them. We cannot do things on our own. At Kairos, Nicole and I split our small group into pairs for prayer partners. We ask people to tell each other what's going on in their lives. Then we ask them to pray for each other. It's something people usually aren't sure about but end up enjoying. It's something that's easy to do when you're there, but I doubt many people pray with their friends when they are home.

If you're like me, even suggesting to say grace when you're at lunch with your friends can feel a bit daunting. Especially if they're not all Christian. However usually if you suggest saying Grace, people agree. Though you usually get the joy of praying. ;) So the next time you're at lunch with friends, suggest saying Grace. It doesn't have to be long. "Thank you God," is easy enough to say. If your courage isn't quite there, considering bowing your own head for a moment and silently praying, "Thank you God." You'd be surprised the effect it can have on people.

If someone's having a bad day, you might consider praying with them as well. It sounds hokey, but it helps. It also tells the person you care enough to go out on a limb like that for them.

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Fear and Crying

For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father."

Romans 8:15

Last night a friend scared the stuffing out of me. She showed me a movie case in the movie store. It was a movie that I'd seen as a kid, and it scared me so much then that I avoid horror movies. It scared me so much last night that I shut my eyes and screamed like a little girl. It was all I could think about. I was so afraid I couldn't think of anything else. It was completely irrational. It took an hour for my heart to slow down. She thought it was hilarious. I did not.

As I thought back over the experience this morning, I realized that what upset me the most in the aftermath was that I was so afraid I couldn't reason with myself. I was jumping at shadows. I knew there was nothing to be afraid of. It wasn't real, and as the above verse says, we do not have a spirit of fear.

I'm not sure I have a point today, just a story. What do you do when you're afraid?

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Encouragement and Prayer

¹¹Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. ¹²Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. ¹³Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

Romans12: 11-13

Today's verse follows yesterday's. It starts with encouragement. Keep your spiritual fervor. Keep your passion. Then the verse talks about more things you can do. Today I am going to encourage you to pray. Say this prayer with me.

Dear Lord, you give us so many gifts - hope, faith, love. We thank you for those times when can so readily see and feel them. We pray that today you will use us in your service no matter where we are and what we're doing. In Jesus' name, Amen.

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Putting Others First

⁹Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. ¹⁰Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.

Romans 12:9-10 (NIV)

I think this verse is like a mirror. When we are at a youth event, it is easier to act this way. Small groups are safe places. You can trust people who were strangers yesterday with secrets you can't tell anyone else. Why is that? Because you're in a safe, intentional christian community. Beyond that, everyone does act in brotherly love. They do think about one another.

When we go back to our lives it's like a bubble popped. At Kairos we were protected. Back in our lives we don't feel safe again. Then you long for Kairos or WC, or whatever the next event is that will allow you to feel safe and secure again.

Today's verse tells us: This is what you did at Kairos - do it all the time! You can bring Kairos back by being devoted to those around you in brotherly love. How does that work? Think about the things that make Kairos - and small group - special.

In small group you can trust others with your secrets. Be someone others can trust with their secrets. Don't gossip. When someone talks to you about something sensitive, even something as simple as who they have a crush on, assure them that you will keep their confidence. The honor one another above yourselves part comes in here as well. Don't keep the secrets that you think need to be kept. Keep the ones that they want you to keep. Put them above yourself.

Love must be sincere. Honor one another above yourselves. If you put others before you, then your love will be sincere. And the people around you will notice. And you will have brought Kairos to the people around you.