Welcome to our blog series of the “7 Sayings of Jesus.”

For the days leading into Good Friday, we invite you to join us on a 7 day journey of remembering, partaking, and celebrating the cross of Christ.

Starting on Saturday, April 4 at 6pm (EST), for seven days, I’ll release a video centered upon a few of the words of Jesus that He spoke from the cross. Take a few moments to watch and then come back to this blog to engage in some sacred elements surrounding the Passion moment we are focusing on. You can use this checklist to create a daily pattern for reflection and participation in these powerful themes. Start off with recognizing some “wins” or things to celebrate in your life. I believe that gratitude and thanksgiving are the best way to start any spiritual engagement. Additional scriptures will be provided that follow the daily theme. From there, I’d encourage you to engage in a spiritual practice. A “spiritual practice” or spiritual discipline, is an action or activity done for the purpose of cultivating spiritual development. The spiritual practices are about tuning in to God’s heart and refining our focus so that our hearts match His already established will and nature. They were not designed to be used as a power play.  You may be familiar with some of the practices. Some of them may not be familiar to you (that’s okay). Lastly, be sure to access the daily worship playlist links on this blog. You’ll be able to listen from either Spotify or Youtube. The playlists are specially created by choosing particular songs to fit each day.

I would invite you to post some thoughts, prayers, songs, or graphics from each day to encourage others to engage with us. This is going to be a powerful week.

Day 4 – “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” Matthew 27:46; Mark 15:34

Recognize some “wins.” What can you celebrate today?

• Before you move forward, write down at least 3 specific things you can celebrate. We do this as a response to Psalm 100:4 that says, “Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!“

Other scriptures to consider:

• Psalm 23:4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
• Psalm 62:1-2 For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken.
• Luke 22:41-42 And he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed,  saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.”
• Matthew 28:20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Today’s Spiritual practice: Sitting in Creation 

The Bible declares that the whole earth is full of His glory. We have been given the visible creation to help reveal our invisible God. Theologians call creation God’s “general revelation.” We can miss much of this “revelation” in the pace and distraction of our modern world. So head outside on a walk without a phone. Sit on your deck without a screen. Feel the breeze on your face and listen to the birds in the air. Read your scriptures outside and quiet yourself and take in the beauty of all God has created.

• Other spiritual practices to use: 
  – S.O.A.P
  – Lectio Divina
  – gratitude
  – fasting
  – journaling
  – worship

Click on the images below to access today’s worship playlist.

Get ready for Easter

On Easter, Kfirst will not be able to gather physically as we traditionally do. This is heartbreaking because COVID-19 has many people looking for answers to life’s deepest questions and wondering if there is any hope. This, more than ever, is the time for the church to rise up and proclaim the message of the resurrection. But how can we do this when we are not able to meet?

We believe this obstacle is actually an opportunity — an opportunity to share the gospel with far more people than we typically would on Easter and to empower you to be the primary heralds of that good news.

Imagine preparing and recording your ‘following Jesus’ story, then, on Easter Sunday, posting on social media with the hashtag #OurEasterStory. People all over our city, quarantined in their homes and scrolling on their phones, would see a flood of stories about how the resurrected Jesus brings purpose and meaning and hope. One click on the hashtag and they could see hundreds of people — just like them — talking about how Jesus changed the trajectory of their lives!

Selfie Guide: https://bit.ly/3bOR0XP

Here are some best practices for shooting yourself on your phone.
• Simple, clean backdrops are ideal – Avoid distracting backgrounds or crowed spaces.
• In natural light – Avoid backlighting. The main source of light should be facing you, not behind you.
• In artificial light – Avoid standing directly below an overhead light or anything else that creates hard shadows. Consider using a stand lamp several feet away for good indirect light.
• Shoot eye level – Shooting from above or below will make you seem diminished or imposing. Eye level communicates accessibility.
• Clean your camera – Make sure the lens of your selfie camera is clean before shooting.
• Shoot portrait – Align your phone vertically.