Riley's 6th Birthday Party

Riley (thats our dog) just turned 6 and our daughter, Kenedee had the great idea that we should throw her a party....Sooooo we did. What a great party! We had puppy ice cream, party hats, dog toys and special treats for Riley's friend that came to the party. This was an amazing night as a family and I am thankful for all of them...including Riley! Go here to check out a video!

My question for you is are you loving life? Are you taking time to enjoy the little things? Are you loving your family and understanding that it is relationships that are important? I would encourage you to stop...slow down...and remember those around you: encourage a family member today, either with words or with actions.

Summer Camp 2008

You Gave Me Something To Eat!

Come join us this thursday at 9:45 at Trinity Church for our "love with action" project.  We are going to go to the Soulard Farmers market downtown and buy a bunch of fruit and then walk around downtown and pass it out.  If you can please bring $5 to help buy fruit.  This is a part of our SUMMER OF HOPE...Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me."  

Love with Action @ Bridge of Hope

Last friday we spent 7 hours doing a "Love with Action" project at Bridge of Hope Church in South St. Louis.  We cleaned up an alley next to the church, mowed their lawn, cleaned up the basement, "removed" two organs from the church, cleaned up the kitchen as well as a few other small jobs.  We ended the night with a bbq for the community and served about 50 people from the area.  It was a great night as we spent time putting our "Love in Action" and bringing hope to Bridge Church and their community.  (Not pictured: Tamara, Anna and Taylor Elzein)

This is an email I got from their pastor:

Dear Pastor Kyle, Trinity Teens and Parents,

 

Thank you is definitely not going to cover it!  I don't even know words to describe how you blessed Bridge of Hope and the entire community here in South St. Louis.The teens and sponsors worked so hard all day, even in the rain. Their work ethic and love for the Lord was such a testimony to the love of Christ. They truly are putting their LOVE IN ACTION. The work they have accompished here is much appreciated and will be easily noticed by everyone who enters our building. But the spiritual work that was done on the church lot...even in the alley...will continue to grow. I am very proud to host a group like Trinity. You all have such dear, tender spirits. You all have true hearts of servants. Also, the donations of food and drink were also such a blessing to us and the community. I'm pretty sure that we fed at least 50 people from the neighborhood, many of who stayed and fellowshipped. A wonderful time was had by all. I am looking forward to going to follow up with many of these people next week. I am also thankful for everyone who came and shared in the fellowship of the barbecue. People in this community really notice when people take the effort to spend time with them. You are all such an encouragement. The rewards will surely be eternal. Thank you for investing so heavily in Bridge of Hope and the whole Kingdom of God. Please come to us again, and remember us in your prayers. You are always in ours. May God Bless continue to bless you and keep you as His face shines upon you.

Pastor Shawen Farley
Bridge of Hope Church of the Nazarene

Embrace Nashville College Trip

I just spent a week in Nashville with 6 college students.  It was a great trip with lots of great experiences.  We had some great discussions and I really enjoyed spending time with these students debriefing our days.  They each brought something different to the group.  We worked with several organizations in Nashville including: Nashville Cares, Y-Cap, Welcome Home Ministries and Good Samaritan Ministries.  I was glad to see God working in the lives of these students as they are each trying to figure out what God is doing in their lives and what he is going to do with their futures.  I believe  in each one of these young people and believe God is going to use each one of them!

College Embrace Nashville

I am headed to Nashville, TN with a group of college students.  It is going to be a great experience for me and for these students.  I believe God will challenge each one of them and I believe will affirm what some of them believe God wants them to do, but I also believe that some of them may feel Him leading them in a different direction.  I am looking forward to being obedient this week and allowing God to use us however he wishes...may we be available and in tune with his voice.  

Please pray for me...I can't stand country music...some times God calls us where we don't want to go!

may 27th announcements

summer schedule

Click on the picture for a larger image and to print it off.

Confident Parenting

Just finished a book Heather (my beautiful bride) asked me to read, and I feel like I am going to be a better dad because of it.  This book is full of principles to apply to your life but also gives several practical ideas to apply immediately.  The best thing I took away was leaving a legacy to my daughter Kenedee that will even have an influence on her children one day.  This is a great read for all parents to read whether your children are 2, 10, or 16. 

KJ and Daddy in super speed

Just a quick look at my night with KJ....it goes by so fast.

Please Pray....NOW!

One of Steven Curtis Chapman’s chinese daughters accidently killed in driveway.

I can't even imagine what this family must be going through right now.  Please pray for Steven his son and this family.  I am reminded of a few things:  Love those around you, tell them you love them, kiss and hug them, never leave upset or mad, don't take each other for granted!

Canned Food Love With Action

Don't forget that this is the last week to donate canned food items for TEAM ministry.  Thanks for helping us put our love into action!

Summer Camp Forms

Just a reminder that your summer camp forms need to be in NOW!!!!  Please get those to me by this wednesday or the cost will go up $15.  Go here if you need a form...and they must be notarized.

Lord, Save us from your followers

This is a must read!  The author of this book wears a suit with somewhat controversial statements on it into the middle of times square and other cities hoping to find a conversation.  This book addresses the fact that Christians often state our belief but rarely want to have a conversation with someone who disagrees with us.  A challenging chapter in this book for me is when Dan Merchant places a confessional at at Gay and Lesbian convention and asks people to enter it; he then proceeds to confess to them and ask them for forgiveness for how the church has responded to "that culture."  It challenged me to look at how I judge those around me who are not like me...Christ called me to love and not to judge.  May we all love as Christ has called us to!  

Pagan Christianity

This was a pretty deep read that looked at why the church does what we do.  The best chapter of the book is the first chapter that looks at "Ecclesia," which means the church.  We have turned the original meaning of the church into a building instead of those who are followers of christ.  He gives some great ideas to how we made the change and how that is influencing us today.  This was an ok read and made me think more about why we do what we do.