John Prologue from Kevin Gift on Vimeo.

I usually stick to relevant theology or Sermon videos for this blog. However after Apple’s introduction of the iPad yesterday I believe I have come up with some real life ministry applications. A lot of this depends on what is produced for the iPad, but in the end I believe it could be a helpful ministry tool.
For years the church has started to implement new technology to better reach people for the kingdom of God. After the iPad was introduced yesterday my brain started to wrap itself around how this tool good be used to further the kingdom.
I will admit that my first impression was annoyance of name, steep (albeit reasonable for Apple) price tag and perhaps too little storage at 16gb. However a spark flipped on in my head as I made my Thursday hour and a half commute to Liberty. The iPad in the right setting could be very useful.
First I am ADD, yes I admit to it and yes I take medication for it. But I like shiny things. The iPad would allow a person to organize many things into one place. I have heard the argument that many pastors have cell phones, laptops, and kindles or nooks. The iPad can not replace the phone but it does provide a mobile option to take the place of carrying the laptop and kindle to every event. Also with the iWork package, is it possible that the iPad could save paper. I know that not everyone preaches like I do, I utilize one singular page of notes that I place on the pulpit and use as my road map. The iPad could save paper, although i don’t know if truly would save enough. I also utilize Logos, an extensive Bible software package, which currently offers an application for the iPhone. This application if developed for the iPad would allow for quick searches for answers for questions, that would usually take a long time of flipping through Bible and concordance to find. This would also provide a portable note taking event for conferences, once again a computer or netbook could be used, but they do get heavy and are inconvenient to use in all settings.
The iPad could also become an evangelistic tool. I have many videos on my laptop of an evangelistic nature, however that does not mean that I have my laptop with me at all times. I can move them to my phone but it is hard to show a video on a 2.5 in screen. My theories are not ideal, and they are just mine. However, as I move forward on a church plant this might be helpful technology to keep me connected.

Intro to Gospel of John from Kevin Gift on Vimeo.

Sunday will begin a new series on the Gospel of John. The focus of this series will be on John 20:31, “But these written so that you may believe Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and by believing you may have life in His name.”
The Gospel of John stands in distinction amongst the other Gospels. As Matthew, Mark and Luke are linked together as the “Synoptic Gospels.” John stands alone in its still, yet the message remains the same that Jesus is the Son of God and provides salvation to all. The greatest testimony to its uniqueness may be found in the Authors own words: “And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which, if they were written one by one, I suppose not even the world itself could contain the books that would be written.” (John 21:25).
Once again these sermons will be available online for those outside of our church community can watch and learn more about what it means to follow Jesus.

Be Holy from Kevin Gift on Vimeo.

Different video of S.M. Lockridge’s “That’s My King” message, but similar to the one used as an introduction to the conclusion of the series on the Apostles Creed.  Enjoy!

Creed Conclusion from Kevin Gift on Vimeo.

Wise Men Still Seek Him from Kevin Gift on Vimeo.

Creed Part 5 from Kevin Gift on Vimeo.

Every year you hit that bump in the road and you begin to wonder what on earth am I thankful for. This fleeting thought last a minute as your next thought is one of, “what do I want for Christmas?” There have been moments this year where Thankfulness seems a fleeting chance in the Gift household. For those who don’t know, my wife Laura has now been sick for over 3 months. During this time she has been unable to work and we have taken a substantial hit on our income.
As a pastor I struggle. I make that statement unashamed and with all the truth I can muster up in my heart. I have struggled. You see I thought that I had everything under control and that I was walking in the will of God. Free Union had just finished going through Experiencing God, and I believed that our small congregation had a grasp of what God’s will was for our congregation. This came down to preparing to leave a legacy in our community and in the neighboring Crozet community by planting a church. My prayer was that this would become a model to other small churches out there that were wondering where God might be leading them.
On top of the church plant I had begun my third masters at Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary and everything seemed to be gliding along in the right direction.
The problem when you feel everything is going right is that you begin to fail to be humble in the sight of God, instead you look at all you did and you state, “Man, I’m GOOD.”
Then it happened. August my wife comes home in tears because a headache that was developing has simply become unbearable, and we begin to wonder, what is happening to our family. Tie this in with our son having surgery to repair a birth defect, three years after he was born and our daughter starting kindergarten. I am amazed at how quickly smooth sailing can turn into a torrential downpour.
Now I can fast forward to today, November 28th, and in my weakness I can say that through it all God has carried our family.
You see Laura is getting better day by day, some days are great, others are a step backwards. Every once in a while we need to be stopped and get things in check. It is easy to abandon God when things are going well. It is easy to be angry at God when things are miserable. As his people we need to learn the ability to strike the blessed middle ground. That is, we need to be able to live in awe in the midst of the good and the bad.
What am I thankful for this season? I’m thankful for God’s faithfulness. The hymn states it all:
Great is thy faithfulness, oh God my Father
There is no shadow of turning with thee.
Thou changest not thy comppassions, they fail not;
As thou hast been, Thou forever wilt be…

We can be stuck on ourselves and demand vindication because of what we feel life has thrown us. Or we can realize that God does not change, we as fallible creatures change, but God is the same yesterday, today and forever. I stand in awe of the fact that He loves me and is faithful to me in the midst of everything that I go through. James tells us to consider it pure joy when we face trials of any kind. This is God logic, not ours. I don’t know about you, but I do not enjoy trials. What I do enjoy is the blessings of God that grow out of a testimony of grace when I go through trials though.

So put down the pen and stop writing your Christmas list and instead start writing what you are thankful for. Even the small things, because presents can brighten your day. But God’s blessings can brighten your eternity.