Description text goes hereWe are grateful for the women participating in Kairos: Dannis Cunningham, Misty Willis, Dedra Thompson, Stephanie Payne, and Jessica Siebold.

Some of the most meaningful moments in ministry cannot be captured in a photograph. These moments include standing with arms around one another during a closing prayer in song and seeing the joy on each face as they sing “Surely the Presence.”

Through prayer, worship, and preparation, these women are experiencing love, unity, and selflessness as the Holy Spirit works in their hearts and prepares them to serve.

One participant shared how God turned her initial feelings of being overwhelmed by her AGAPE responsibilities into a testimony of His faithfulness:

“When I left the first meeting, I was overwhelmed. But God used that feeling to show me how faithful He is to provide a way for needs to be met when we ask, be still, and seek Him. I couldn’t have done it all without His help. If the preparation process was all there was to Kairos, it would still be worth it for what I’ve experienced and learned.”

Please join us in praying for Dannis, Misty, Dedra, Stephanie, Jessica, and the women they will serve—that each will experience God’s love, peace, and presence.

God is good all the time!

Dannis, Wesley, and I were able to serve more than 60 people with showers, clothes, and food! A big thank-you to Kim and her team for providing the meal. Everyone raved about how good it was!

On a lighter note, please pray for my car, too! Some noodle juice spilled onto the upholstery, and despite my best efforts to clean it up, a few days later it was still reminding me of that meal!

Please also keep two faithful COMO volunteers, both named Dave, in your prayers. These men help three days a week, but one is battling skin cancer and the other recently had a stroke. Pray that our Heavenly Father brings healing, strength, and a quick recovery for both Dave’s, and provides additional workers to help meet the needs at COMO.cription text goes here

Time and Business

By Mike Dimmerling
A reflection for Kairos Men and our church family

How many times have you heard someone say, “I’ve just been busy”? I say it too. There is always something to do, something to think about, or something coming next. Sometimes, even when we finally sit down, our minds keep going.

Being busy can make us feel like we are doing what we are supposed to do. But it can also keep us from stopping long enough to ask: How am I using the time God has given me? Am I making room to hear Him?

James 4:13–15 (ESV)

“Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit’—yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.’”

The people James describes are thinking ahead. They know where they are going and what they intend to do. There is nothing wrong with having a plan. But James reminds them of something easy to forget when life is full: we do not know what tomorrow will bring.

I can fill my calendar and make a list of everything I need to accomplish. Then one unexpected moment can change the whole day.

Sometimes I am so focused on getting to the next thing that I do not stop to notice what is happening in my heart. I may be busy doing good things and still miss time with God.

In Luke 10, Jesus visits the home of Martha and Mary. Martha is busy with the work of welcoming Him. Mary sits and listens to Jesus. Martha becomes frustrated and asks Jesus to tell Mary to help her. Jesus responds with care, but He also tells Martha that she is anxious and troubled about many things.

I understand Martha. There was work to be done. Someone had to prepare for the guest. But Jesus saw more than the work. He saw that Martha was distracted and worried.

That makes me ask: Am I so occupied with what I need to do that I am missing the chance to be with Jesus?

Jesus made room for rest, too. In Mark 6:31, after the disciples had been busy serving people, He called them to come away with Him and rest. There were still people who needed them. The work was not finished. Yet Jesus knew they needed time away with Him.

Rest can be hard when there is more to do. Being still can be hard when our minds are full of worries. Sometimes I would rather keep moving than face what I am carrying. But Jesus invites us to bring those things to Him. We do not have to get everything done before we can spend time with Him.

Matthew 6:33 (ESV)

“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

That word first matters. Jesus is speaking to people with real needs and real worries. He is calling them to seek God in the middle of those concerns.

Seeking God first does not mean we ignore our responsibilities. It means we ask Him to guide how we live them out. When the day gets crowded, we remember who we are living for.

Maybe that starts with a few honest words to God in the morning: “Lord, help me use this day well.” Maybe it means stopping before we react in anger, giving someone our full attention, or taking a quiet moment to listen.

We may not be able to control everything on our schedule. We may not be able to change our circumstances today. But we can ask God to meet us here. We can give Him our attention and ask Him what matters most right now.

James reminds us that we do not know what tomorrow will bring. Jesus reminds us to seek God first. Together, those words make me ask myself:

Am I using busyness to fill my time, or am I making time to listen to God?

I am asking myself that question too. I do not always get it right. But today is a chance to stop, turn toward God, and listen. We can bring Him our plans, our worries, and everything we have been carrying. Then we can take the next step with Him.

A Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for the time You have given us today. You know how full our minds can be. You know the work, the worries, and the plans each of us is carrying.

Forgive us for the times we have been too distracted to listen to You. Help us seek You first. Teach us when to work, when to rest, and when to stop and pay attention. Meet each person reading this, right where they are. Give us peace in Your presence and wisdom for the next step.

In Jesus’ name, amen.

Take a Moment to Reflect

1. What keeps your mind so busy that it’s hard to slow down and listen to God?

2. What is one way you can make room for God today, right where you are?

Thank you, CapCity family and CapCity Kids! With your help, we were able to put together 85 gift bags, along with extra items to help fill other bags that may need a little more.

Thank you, Chara, for welcoming us and giving us the opportunity to share missions with the kids. They learned how they can help share Jesus’ love with children in other countries.

Tim and Twyla were a blessing as they shared about Hearts for Heaven and how this ministry serves children and families in Guatemala and Mexico. I loved what they shared!

Please pray for Tim and Twyla as they travel to South Carolina on Tuesday, October 6, to drop off the bags for shipping. Pray for safe travels there and back, a smooth shipping process, and that each child who receives a bag will know they are loved by Jesus!