Kaylea Hutson's Blog, page 14

Lent Photo Day 23: No

Lent Photo Day 23: No. Learning to wait for yes on God's time. #rethinkchurch

Sometimes God says .... Yes.
Other times, God says.... Maybe or Wait.
But for now, the answer is .... No.
And. That.Is. Ok.
God is good, all the time!

Lent Photo Day 22: Shadow

Lent Photo Day 22: Shadow. Checking out a mission trip project in the sunshine.#rethinkchurch #40days
Not much to say about today's theme. Sometimes you have to step out of the shadows to find a way to serve.

We'll be painting these picnic benches (six in all) for the Methodist Family Health hospital, during Destination: Little Rock - the spring break mission trip.

I hope this experience helps the students preparing to come on the trip, learn to step out and trust God in new ways.

Lent Photo Day 21: Night

Lent Photo day 21: Night. (photo credit: John Hacker) #rethinkchurch

Sometimes, life has a "dark side." 

It's been said the term "dark night (of the soul)" describes a spiritual crisis in the journey towards union with God.

Even Mother Teresa of Calcutta struggled with her faith. Letters released in 2007 said Mother Teresa had a period she termed as a "dark night" from 1948, lasting until her death in 1997 - "with only brief interludes of relief between." - source.

Ultimately, everyone goes through "dark nights." Sometimes, the only thing you can do is simply trust - and keep moving forward. (Mother Teresa's faithfulness is probably the best example of this idea.)

It also reminds me of one of my favorite verses: 
Trust in the Lord  with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. - Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT).

Fortunately, night will eventually end, and joy comes in the morning.

Lent Photo Day 20: Bless

Lent photo day 20: Bless.

Lent photo day 20: bless. The faces the blessed me this weekend.

Blessings come in many shapes and sizes. This past weekend (March 1-3) I was blessed by a stranger in a random way, and spent time with the kidlets (and others). 

Both blessed me in ways that helped me remember that God loves me.

And frankly, look at how ornery the kidlets (and gang) were.... that alone makes me laugh - which is a huge blessing!

Lent Photo Day 19: Thirst

Lent Day 19: Thirst. V 1.0. #rethinkchurch #40days

Lent Day 19: Thirst. (v.2) Thirsting for God in worship. #rethinkchurch #40days

Thirsting for God, and finding refreshment through worship and communion.

"Hey there! All who are thirsty, come to the water! Are you penniless? Come anyway—buy and eat! Come, buy your drinks, buy wine and milk. Buy without money—everything's free! Why do you spend your money on junk food, your hard-earned cash on cotton candy? Listen to me, listen well: Eat only the best, fill yourself with only the finest. Pay attention, come close now, listen carefully to my life-giving, life-nourishing words. I'm making a lasting covenant commitment with you, the same that I made with David: sure, solid, enduring love. I set him up as a witness to the nations, made him a prince and leader of the nations, And now I'm doing it to you: You'll summon nations you've never heard of, and nations who've never heard of you will come running to you Because of me, your God, because The Holy of Israel has honored you." - Isaiah 55:1-5 (The Message)

 

Lent Photo Day 18: Leave

Lent Day 18: Leave. Can I leave this crazy kid place yet? Lol. Too. Much. Noise. Yes, an irreverent take on the theme.


Lent Day 18: Leave 2.0 - Let go, leave it to God.
Source for image: http://m.flickr.com/photos/rocketrictic/

Leave.

Today's theme has layers of meaning for me.

Yes, I know I posted the first picture - because I felt the desperation many (not just adults lol), feel at places like Fastlanes. A crazy, loud, insane space filled with arcade games. The kids had a blast - Aunt Kaylea not so much.
(But it was ok....lol).

The second, is a bit more serious.

It's an image that actually popped up on my Facebook feed tonight. I know it isn't a Biblical quote, but it seems so appropriate for Lent and for things taking place in my life.

Sometimes, you simply have to let things go, because they are heavy - and just weigh you down.

To be renewed, you must give up the old.

You have to do some "spring cleaning" of sorts, to make room for the new things or opportunities God will put in your life.

The cleaning isn't always easy. Actually, if you relate it to the "pruning" a gardener might do to a rose bush - it's pretty painful. But without pruning, the roses wouldn't bloom bigger and better.

Ultimately, today's theme reminded me of a verse I struggled with in Seminary - probably because I often have a stubborn, hard heart.

And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. (Ezekiel 36:26 NLT)

God wants all of us - me included - to give up the heavy stuff that makes our heart hard, so we can be receptive not only to his love, but to the people around us.

I guess my prayer today is that God will continue to soften my heart - so I ultimately have the tender, responsive heart he desires.

A heart:
...open to the calling God has placed on my life.
...open to the needs of others.
...open to God's amazing love and compassion.
...open to just existing in God's grace and mercy, accepting the gifts unconditionally.
....simply open to God.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Lent Photo Day 17: Prophet

Lent Day 17: Prophet - a cross in a friend's yard.


Lent Day 17: Prophet - 2.0. The Museum sharing God's message thru their lyrics.

I started out wondering what I would capture, that represented today's theme: prophet.

What makes a prophet?

Is it the signs or things we place in our yard, or car - or even our bodies (t-shirts, tattoos, etc.).

Or is it what we say?

The music of The Museum (at #Veritas13) grabbed hold of me.

Lyrics of songs can be prophetic.

They can spread the truth - especially about things related to faith.

The words of The Museum were prophetic last night, and amazingly just what I needed.

I truly felt God's love pour over me, as they sang songs full of love, hope and compassion.

So a prophet doesn't need to stand on a street corner, or ascend to the top of a mountain.

Sometimes they can be found on a youth conference stage.

Which makes just awesome.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Lent Photo Day 16: Earthly

Lent Day 16: Earthly.

I love purple iris flowers.

Maybe it's because it reminds me that spring is coming.

These were one of the first flowers to bloom each year, in front of my parents' farmhouse.

Some how, this flower helps me remember that God created the world - and he created me.

He renews life each spring - physically, through the flowers, animals and other pieces of the world; and spiritually through the lenten journey.

I really think this message of renewal and refining is something I'm supposed to be receiving on this journey to Easter.

So Earthly is to Spring Flowers is is to Renewal.

Sometimes, I just have to go with the crazy way my brain associates one word to another.

Frankly, I simply think it's a way God talks to me.

Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me. (Psalms 51:10 NLT)

Photo source: http://www.sxc.hu/photo/640082
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Lent Photo Day 15: Mercy

Lent Photo: Day 15 - Mercy. (Photo source: www.prevention.com)

Lent Photo Day 15 - Mercy 2.0. (Photo source: http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1409488)

Mercy. A big word.

As I pondered Day 15's theme - and continue to think about it a few days later - I had two "trains" of thought.

Mercy is defined in part by "an act of kindness, compassion, or favor."

1) I can cry out to God for Mercy - and praise his name forever - even when things go crazy. Cry out to God for joy to come, in place of the mourning.

Hear me, Lord , and have mercy on me. Help me, O Lord . You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy, that I might sing praises to you and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever! (Psalms 30:10-12 NLT)

2) I can also see out God's Mercy, by simply STOPPING and being still to know God is in control - and I can let go, and let God.

Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world. (Psalms 46:10a NLT)

Mercy. Compassion. Kindness. Favor.

An amazing gift from God. Maybe I just need to accept it and say, thank you.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Malaria Outreach

In December, the tweens I work with did an outreach project to raise money for Imagine No Malaria.

They used an app for the iPad - Toontastic to create their own "PSA" that explains in their own words and drawings, the importance of supporting Imagine No Malaria.

Here's the video (a recent update fixed the glitch and now the "talk show host" is back on the screen - and not just a voice!). Be sure to look for "Millie the Mosquito" .... it's quite entertaining. Enjoy!