Who’s My Enemy?
There’s a joke I’ve heard since I was a kid. A man arrives at the gates of heaven, and St. Peter asks, "What’s your religion?" The man replies, "Methodist." St. Peter checks his list and says, "Alright, head to Room 24, but please be very quiet as you pass Room 8." Soon, another man approaches. "What’s your religion?" asks St. Peter. "Lutheran," the man responds. "Go to Room 18, but again, be sure to stay quiet by Room 8," St. Peter instructs. A third man comes to the gates. "Religion?" St. Peter asks. "Presbyterian," the man says. "Go to Room 11, but make sure to keep it down when you pass Room 8." Curious, the man asks, "Why do I need to be so quiet near Room 8?" St. Peter leans in and whispers, "Well, that’s where the Baptists are, and they think they’re the only ones here.”
Of course, this joke always got a laugh because the baptists were the punchline of every church joke. When service finished early it was so we could beat the baptists to church. One thing I’ve had to come to grips with is that these jokes, while entirely meant to be light hearted and fun with no nefarious intentions, helped me to form an unconscious bias against the baptists. They became the enemy denomination. As a a result, I can list off several issues I have with the baptist theology and how I think they have horrible practices.
But one thing I want to be adamantly clear about, Baptists are not the enemy. While we disagree on several fronts, they have the same goal as Methodists do: to make disciples of Jesus Christ. I think you would find that we have far more in common than we have differences, it’s just that we take so many of our similarities for granted. I mean, when’s the last time you even thought about the fact that we both worship on Sundays instead of Saturdays? While that seems like a weird thing to bring up, there are other denominations that vehemently disagree with us about worshiping on Sundays. They aren’t the enemy either.
What is easy to reason out but hard to live as if it were true is that most people are not our enemies. It feels like the stakes in the denomination disagreements are small so it’s easier to talk about, but the hard truth is that those whom you disagree with politically are also not your enemy. You may think that you couldn’t possibly agree with anything that the other party stands for, but I would like to believe that if you had an honest, non-confrontational conversation with them, you would find that some core goals are still the same even if their approaches are diametrically opposed. Just like Methodists and Baptists both have a mission of making disciples, both major political parties are trying to create the best America they can.
With that being said (even if not believed), John Wesley gave us three rules for how we should vote. And as we enter into the final stretch before the election, I particularly hope that we can live into number three.
To vote, without fee or reward, for the person they judged most worthy;
To speak no evil for the person they voted against;
To take care their spirits were not sharpened against those on the other side.
Autumn or Fall
As summer's warmth (hopefully) starts to fade, there's something special for me about the anticipation of autumn—the air almost turning crisp, pulling hoodies from the closet, and the tempered excitement that colder weather is on its way. For others, this season feels like a fresh start. As school routines settle in and we gather together more and more frequently, REVIVE is thriving on our strong sense of community.
We make the most of the season with events that bring everyone together. Picture a cool Sunday evening around a glowing bonfire, surrounded by laughter and conversation as the flames crackle and dance. These gatherings aren't just about staying warm—they're a chance to connect on a deeper level. There's something about the combination of a cozy fire, roasted marshmallows, and sharing stories that makes these nights unforgettable. We actually have a bonfire coming up in a couple months on December 1st. (Let me know if you have any scrap wood or old wooden furniture you’d like to donate to the cause, lol)
Autumn also means football, and our youth boys are ready to embrace that excitement. Whether it's tossing the ball around before service or hosting a game of touch football on the lawn, there's always room for some friendly competition. It's a great way to burn off some energy and build bonds within our group, while enjoying the crisp fall air.
Of course, no autumn gathering is complete without a hearty meal to warm the soul. At FamJam during the fall and winter, we love to serve up delicious, autumn-inspired meals that bring everyone together. From steaming bowls of chili to hearty casseroles, and from hot apple cider to pumpkin-spiced treats, our menu is filled with seasonal comfort foods. These meals not only fuel our youth for the evening’s activities but also create a welcoming atmosphere where they can relax, share stories, and feel right at home. There’s something about enjoying a warm, homemade dish on a cool autumn evening that makes these nights even more special.
As we move into this new season, we want to extend an invitation to you as well as your youth. Our FamJam gathering happens pretty much every Sunday night from 5-7, and we'd love for you to be a part of it. Whether you’re passionate about mentoring young people, helping serve and/or cook dinner, organizing fun activities, or simply being a warm friendly face, your involvement could make a huge difference in the lives of our future generation.
Autumn brings a sense of renewal and reflection—and what better way to invest in this season than by helping serve these awesome kids? We’d sure love to have you be part of our Sunday night FamJam gatherings. The door is always open!
Praise
Praise the Lord! Praise, O servants of the Lord; praise the name of the Lord. Blessed be the name of the Lord from this time on and forevermore. From the rising of the sun to its setting the name of the Lord is to be praised. The Lord is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens. Who is like the Lord our God, who is seated on high, who looks far down on the heavens and the earth? He raises the poor from the dust, and lifts the needy from the ash heap, to make them sit with princes, with the princes of his people. He gives the barren woman a home, making her the joyous mother of children. Praise the Lord! (Psalm 113)
I finished dinner Sunday evening and trudged to the closet to get my walking shoes. I still needed to put in about 3000 steps to reach my goal for the day. I did not want to walk; it had been raining on and off all day and curling up in the chair watching television was so much easier. However, I put on the shoes and hit the pavement. As I came out of the breezeway of my apartment building and made a left, I had no words but stood in awe. After the day's dreariness, the clouds parted, and the sky was purple, orange, and pink. It was the most amazing sunset I had seen in a while. The dread I had felt a few minutes earlier melted away.
I am reminded of a camp song that uses the words found in Psalm 113, the one listed above. “From the rising of the sun, to the going down of the same, the name of the Lord shall be praised. Praise ye the Lord, praise ye the Lord. From the rising of the sun, to the going down of the same, the name of the Lord shall be praised.”
I get caught up at times in all that is going on around me, responsibilities, commitments and more. I find that I forget to praise God for all that I have. This song and Psalm remind me that from the time the sun comes up until it goes down, I need to be praising God. It doesn’t have to be elaborate, a simple thank you for this day is good and or whatever you are thankful for. Praising God needs to be number one for us. So, remember, “from the rising of the sun to the going down of the same, the name of the Lord shall be praised. So, praise ye the Lord, praise ye the Lord. From the rising of the sun to the going down of the same, the name of the Lord shall be praised”.
Post-Its Have Nothing On You
When you attend one of our traditional services, you’ll likely see Jamel standing there, holding an old red hymnal with dozens of colorful pieces of paper sticking out of the top. These are the Post-it notes he uses to mark the hymns the choir is singing that week, along with some of the other classics we sing often.
Interestingly, Post-it notes were designed for this very purpose. Art Fry, who worked at 3M, also sang in his church choir. Between Wednesday night rehearsals and Sunday morning services, his bookmarks would fall out of his hymnal. One of his coworkers had developed microspheres—a slightly sticky material that easily detached from surfaces. The idea had seemed so impractical that it went nowhere for years until Fry realized this slightly sticky substance was perfect for marking hymns in his hymnal. Now, we see Post-it notes everywhere, including in Jamel’s hymnal.
What stands out to me most about this origin story is that this sticky substance existed for so long and could have easily stayed unutilized. Our lives would be far worse off without Post-it notes (okay, maybe that’s a slight exaggeration). However, I am convinced that each and every one of you reading this blog is far more useful than slightly sticky microspheres. Your skill set, your personality, even just your physical presence in the room makes an impact on the kingdom of God. The big question is whether you are willing to use your gifts in an intentional way. There is a place for you, and even if you don’t see where or how yet, we can help. We’d love to talk to you about putting your gifts and graces to work in the best possible way. Feel free to find one of the staff members, mark your connect card, or even email us.
Stay Connected With Your Kids
Staying Connected with Your Kids During Busy Schedules
As we wrap up the second week of school, families are starting to settle back into their new “normal.” The initial rush of school supplies, new routines, and early mornings is beginning to stabilize. But now, another challenge emerges: staying connected with our children as our schedules rapidly fill up again. With kids spending six or more hours at school daily, not to mention extracurricular activities, how do we maintain that crucial connection with them? How do we ensure that the busyness of life doesn’t overshadow our relationships?
One of the best places to connect with our kids is in the car. Whether on the way to school, running errands, or heading to sports or dance activities, the car provides a unique environment for meaningful conversations. Unlike the hustle and bustle of home, where distractions are everywhere, the car is a contained space with fewer interruptions. It’s a low-pressure setting where kids often feel more comfortable opening up, making it easier to get more than just a “fine” answer when you ask about their day.
Car Conversations: A Simple Yet Powerful Tool
Our friends and partners at Parent Cue have offered some fantastic suggestions to help you get started with these car conversations. These questions are designed to be simple yet effective in drawing out more than just one-word answers from your kids. Let’s dive into them and explore how to use these questions to foster deeper connections.
1. What made you laugh today?
Laughter is a beautiful gift from God, and asking this question can bring joyful moments to your child’s day. Maybe it was a funny story from a classmate, a joke from a teacher, or something silly that happened at recess. Sharing these moments of joy lightens the mood and gives you a glimpse into the lighter side of their daily experiences. It’s a reminder that God’s joy is present even during routine school days.
2. Who was kind to you today?
Kindness is a fruit of the Spirit, and recognizing acts of kindness helps our children appreciate the goodness in others. By asking this question, you encourage your child to reflect on positive interactions, whether it was a friend sharing their lunch, a teacher offering encouragement, or a classmate helping with a difficult task. It also opens the door for discussions about showing kindness to others and following Jesus’ example.
3. How did you help someone today?
We are called to serve one another in love, and this question encourages our kids to think about how they can be a blessing to others. Whether it was helping a friend with their homework, comforting someone who was feeling down, or even just holding the door open for someone, these acts of service, no matter how small, reflect the heart of Christ. Discussing these moments can help reinforce the importance of serving others daily.
4. What was your favorite part of the day?
This question allows your child to share what brought them the most happiness or satisfaction throughout their day. It might be a subject they enjoy, a game they played, or an accomplishment they’re proud of. By focusing on the positives, you help your child cultivate a grateful heart, recognizing the blessings that God has woven into their day.
5. What do you look forward to most about coming home?
Home is where the heart is, and this question helps your child express what they cherish about being with family. Whether it’s a favorite meal, playing with a sibling, or simply relaxing after a long day, discussing what they look forward to can reinforce the importance of family time. It’s also an opportunity to remind them that home is where they are loved unconditionally, just as our Heavenly Father loves us.
Creating Meaningful Connections
These questions are a great way to open the conversation with your kids. They’re simple yet intentional, providing a platform for deeper dialogue. But more importantly, they show your children that you care about their day-to-day experiences, joys, challenges, and everything in between.
In a world that often pulls us in many different directions, let’s prioritize staying connected with our kids. Let’s use our time—whether in the car or around the dinner table—to build strong, Christ-centered relationships with them. After all, as Proverbs 22:6 reminds us, “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Staying connected through meaningful conversations is one of the ways we can guide our children on the path that leads to life.
May God bless your efforts to connect with your children, and may your conversations be filled with His love and wisdom.
If these questions are helpful, I’d encourage you to download the Parent Cue app for free weekly resources to help engage with your kiddo:
Parentcue.org/app