Tag: Covid-19

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Upson Downs: March Madness?

Shall I start with an apology or a cliche? Or shall I just start on the daunting task of updating you all on our latest goings-on? I choose the latter, so here goes: Already in the month of March (!!), we are shooting for full coronavirus vaccinations among our adults. I hope you get the point! As Covid-19 cases abate, we are opening up to more visitors. It was a  real joy to welcome a Peruvian family this past Thursday, who stopped by because our out front presence attracted their interest; we shared a meal and God’s word with our new acquaintances. As our Thursday zoom Bible study continued, we were relieved and thankful to see a brother from Myanmar. Things are getting worse there since the military coup, and danger seems to be escalating. Also, communications are being severed throughout the country, so contact with those in Myanmar is a real blessing.  


The Jesus Centered Bible has been our focal point for 2021. It’s a helpful way of synthesizing the Bible and helps to turn our eyes upon Jesus, which is only appropriate-as Colossians 2:17 states, “He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together.” Everything coheres in Him. Without Him, the world is truly incoherent, and the void is filled with a “striving after the wind.” We are also continuing our reading. Currently we are being edified by Os Guiness’ book The Call, and are reading a Bible companion guide.


We are busy and productive, seeking to equip ourselves and grow in the measure and stature of our Lord. We are looking forward to a leadership study through Hope International University, led by Jack McCorkel in partnership with our mentor, Gene Sonnenberg. We seek to be ever more thankful, prayerful, and accountable to one another. It’s also crucial to connect with our culture and challenge what we are facing with God’s eternal truths. It is our prayer that others might say of us, “See how they love one another,” validating the identity of Christ in our lives.


We are looking forward (finally!) to the wedding of Leslie and Jeremiah in April. They have been very patient in the disappointment and uncertainty. Leslie will be sorely missed, but we are full of thanks, anticipating much fruit in the Kingdom and we are even glad for the delay in some ways, as it seems to have had some unforeseen benefits.


Rich is still deeply missed here, but continues to be integral to life together in so many ways. His memories, his teachings, his leadership and love linger among us. His library enriches us and his scholarship resonates in myriad ways. We were uniquely gifted by his presence.


As for me, I am recuperating here in this lovely space known as the B & B. It was designed and constructed by loving hands. Here it stands as a beautiful reminder of what love in action looks like. It’s named the Bird and the Baby in honor of Rich, and in honor of that great saint, C.S. Lewis, and his favorite pub in England. It is the perfect spot to heal after hip replacement. It’s amazing how the human body heals, and how human creativity and gifted hands of doctors are used in the process. Thanks be to God, the ultimate healer and Creator in whose image we have been made.
My physical therapist is on her way, so I will close, knowing I have missed telling you about so much of the joyful and abundant life with which God has graciously blessed us.


Keep us in your prayers, and thank you so much for your interest in our lives here at Church of the Servant-King.
Grace and peace to you all,

Regan

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Updates

Upson Downs 8-27-2020

Greetings readers, once again it’s been awhile since I last wrote. When it seems life will slow down, it just gets busier. But that’s a good thing (I think.) We have been praying for people to show an interest in Bible studies, or perhaps just asking life questions. Our prayers have been positively answered, and folks are coming our way with various questions, curiosity, life issues, and experiences. We have gone global with some of Jack’s contacts in Myanmar participating in our Thursday Zoom Bible studies, as well as folks throughout the United States and also Mexico. In addition, we have two personal Bible studies happening weekly face-to-face (or mask-to-mask!) We also have a Sunday morning socially distanced gathering which includes 4-6 visitors at various levels with different needs and wonderings. Be careful what you pray for! 

This year we thought we might need to skip our spectacular Celebration of the Children, but decided to go ahead with a revised, truncated, covid-style COC. As usual, God multiplied our loaves and fishes and we had a great time with our kids. Our water day was really amazing with an impressive water slide and plenty of shenanigans. We saw some fun movies, enjoyed buddy dinners (at home), played hilarious yard games in which we all remembered our childlikeness, and we took this small opportunity to honor and appreciate God’s gifts of our children. We do need to be reminded of our Savior’s admonition to “turn and become like children.” This seems to require prodding at times, as well as personal decisions to embrace Jesus’ words. It was good and important, and we trust that the event was pleasing to our Lord. 

Once again, God sent more than just a cup of cold water our way in the form of Kirstin and Sean, courtesy of our brothers and sisters at Refuge. They may seem unlikely angels, but it was timely and much needed. They watched our kids, sawed logs, mowed lawns, ran errands, cooked dinner, organized, and pitched in wherever and whenever needed. With only minor burns and other mishaps, they definitely laid down their lives. This is the family of God as it should be. We prayed them on their way this morning, and hope their journey home is safe and uneventful.

Stay well and encouraged. Rejoice in the Lord always!

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Gospel

A voice in the wilderness

Thursday Bible Study News

Recent Zoom Bible study
Scott teaching a recent study 8-6-2020

Recently we have updated our format for Thursday Bible Study a little. Since the Spring with COVID-19 we have had a Zoom option for people to come and join while we had social distancing at home.

We have seen that if everyone is logged in to the meeting with one or two people per screen, it is a lot easier to hear and see everyone. This also allows for us to include more people in the teaching on Matthew’s gospel that Scott Kjos is doing. In addition, parents with small children can attend and be a part of the meeting.

Recordings are being made with Zoom and shared on here on this YouTube playlist so that we can review the teaching and share with others. We would be glad to have others join, so for the most current information please check our Connect page.

See you for Thursday Bible Study. This week we will discuss Matthew chapter 4.

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Updates

Upson Downs 8-7-2020

This week we are all giving thanks that the new babies are back to birth weight and thriving. With their early appearances and various health challenges, it’s been even harder to adjust to the “new normal” (whatever that is) with newborns than usual. It’s great that fathers these days are given time off from work, too. What a wonderful gift to parents and infants as well.

We find ourselves challenged and excited about many new opportunities coming our way. Accordingly, we are rearranging our schedules and teaching times to accommodate new folks who are asking some of the great questions of life. As we are admonished, we must always be prepared to give an answer for the hope that lies within us. If we really believe that Jesus has the words of life, we must be equipped to share those truths. We are utterly dependent on the partnership of Christ’s Holy Spirit in all our endeavors. If there’s no hope in Jesus Christ, then we are without hope, indeed. Especially in these days where hope seems to be in short supply, we want to be purveyors of it even more than ever before. John Lennox’s book, Where Is God in a Coronavirus World, has been timely. Although small, it covers weighty matters succinctly. 

If there’s no hope in Jesus Christ, then we are without hope, indeed.

We teachers are preparing for another strange and remote school year, seeking to use the many new tools and technological advances wisely. Some of us have a much steeper challenge than others in that regard. We want to reach and to care for our students as best we can from a distance. Nothing can really replace the experience of being face to face, connecting personally, not virtually. But we will strive to make the most of what we have, and like everyone else, hope and pray for breakthroughs in the eradication of a virus that currently holds the entire world hostage. At the same time we are giving thanks to the God of all hope who keeps us busy, gives us purpose, and reminds us of his constant presence among us.

Stay well,

for Church of the Servant King, Regan

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Updates

Upson Downs 5-9-2020

Life in the Body of Christ

Like everyone else, we are in the throes of corona-virus concerns. We are mostly off work, working from home, or transitioning to a different work schedule. We are trying to balance due-diligence and carefulness while also demonstrating calm and lack of fear. 

The ever-unfolding events make it difficult to keep firm footing. Keeping up with the latest info can be a full time endeavor. We want to be good stewards of our time. For those off work we are trying to redeem the time. Long put-off errands are finally being tackled. Procrastination is a little harder to justify. All (some!) overdue reading is being undertaken, and part of the writing endeavors are starting to materialize.

So what else is going on besides covid-19? Our dear sister Cheryl has come down for some much needed R&R. Through the years she has been a faithful partner and support. In more recent times she has come to help take care of her brother Rich. Since we are virtually “confined to quarters,” she is stuck with us for an indefinite stretch.

While not undertaking an Extreme Home Makeover, we are embarking on various home improvement adventures: cleaning closets, attending to yard work, repairing various nonfunctional items, fixing roofs, cleaning carpets, planting gardens and so on. We have an abundance of unskilled but willing workers who will pitch in when needed, and we even have some skilled workers. We are trying to keep our more vulnerable members more sheltered: the pregnant ladies and those of a “certain age,” currently defined as over 65. 

  • A new pomegranate tree
  • A new large garden planter at the Ark
  • Ainsworth St.
  • The Kilns improvements underway
  • Laundry area ~ new ceiling

Our younger members have made many trips to the store, for us and also for our neighbors. We want to be available to our neighborhood to shed the love of Christ abroad. Our children are still being homeschooled which requires our attention. Meals are being fixed and shared on a daily basis. 

So we are busy. But we still have moments to work together on puzzles, pray together, read by the crackling fire, talk, encourage one another, and share the abundant life together as we are in greater proximity on a daily basis than ever before. 

We continue to pray for our nation and our world as we find ourselves in the midst of this crisis. We wish to be found faithful. Jesus makes the astounding statement in Matthew 16:18 that even the “gates of Hell shall not prevail” against His Church. May we demonstrate this truth today and all the days ahead.

Categories
Gospel Updates

Upson Downs 5-1-20

This week we are digging into Matthew 18 for Bible study. As the time nears for Jesus’ suffering and death, things intensify greatly. More seems to be directed specifically to His disciples- who will remain faithful until the end? The same question is always posed to us; picking up one’s cross and following Him are not occasional acts!

Jose teaching recently with social distancing and remote connection support

We have been glad for those who are joining us remotely for Bible studies while we continue to maintain careful procedures at home. Recently we were reminded that in this time of pandemic, we should not be practicing social distancing, rather, we should practice physical distancing and social solidarity. What an important distinction!

…we should practice physical distancing and social solidarity

We give thanks for a new, healthy baby in our midst, and for all our wonderful kids who seem to be faring quite well in this time of uncertainty. We hope we are modeling calm and courage in the midst of the storm, always remembering that Jesus is in the boat with us.

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Updates

Upson Downs

Life in the body of Christ

April 5, 2020

We are socially distancing while continuing our Bible studies in Matthew. Jose filled in for Scott while he was gone and is now leading us as we unpack God’s word together. With Jose we get not only sound Biblical teaching, but mini concerts as well.

We just finished Matthew 16, asking ourselves the fateful question, “Lord, what do I still lack?” As we excavate the treasure of God’s word, we unearth realities that confront us with the reality of self. Thus we find ourselves lacking many things such as: humility, courage, faith, trust, reconciliation to name but a few.

We acknowledge that God’s discipline, in the form of uncomfortable truths, is “sorrowful not joyful” for the moment, but oh so necessary for growth.

The kids have had an easier time adjusting to “distance learning” than some of us have had adapting to working from home since that has been their custom all along. TJ is learning about sound waves and finding resonance and vibration especially interesting. Jonathan is studying the Cold War, and has found Lord of the Flies “interesting’…just wait until he finishes it! Tristyn is reading The Man in the Iron Mask, and discovering adventure and new ideas. Connor likes finding areas of polygons in Math and is enjoying reading The Secret Garden. Amelia learned about the Pilgrims and is finding out about icebergs. Thank you Lord for k12!

Life continues rich, full, and abundant despite the quarantine. We are a creative bunch, finding ways to work, serve, struggle and celebrate the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. We pray for our world, our country, our neighbors, our congregation, our homes, our families in the midst of this worldwide catastrophe. We strive to lean on the “everlasting arms” of Jesus our Lord, seeking to live in His words as He calms the storm “Peace, be still.”

  • Bread and cup
  • Ainsworth
  • Gardena Sunrise
  • Warm fire
  • A surprise visitor
  • Safer-at-home
  • Quiet Tracks
  • Empty Streets
Categories
Updates

Upson Downs

Life in the Body of Christ

Quiet streets around our neighborhood.

Like everyone else, we are in the throes of coronavirus concerns. We are mostly off work, working from home, or transitioning to a different work schedule. We are trying to balance due diligence and carefulness while also demonstrating calm and lack of fear. The ever-unfolding events make it difficult to keep firm footing. Keeping up with the latest info can be a full time endeavor. We want to be good stewards of our time. For those off work we are trying to redeem the time. Long put-off errands are finally being tackled. Procrastination is a little harder to justify. All (some!) overdue reading is being undertaken, and part of the writing endeavors are starting to materialize.

So what else is going on besides Covid-19? Our dear sister Cheryl has come down for some much needed R&R. Through the years she has been a faithful partner and support. In more recent times she has come to help take care of her brother Rich. Since we are virtually “confined to quarters,” she is stuck with us for an indefinite stretch.

While not undertaking an Extreme Home Makeover, we are embarking on various home improvement adventures: cleaning closets, attending to yard work, repairing various nonfunctional items, fixing roofs, cleaning carpets and so on. We have an abundance of unskilled but willing workers who will pitch in when needed, and we even have some skilled workers. We are trying to keep our more vulnerable members more sheltered: the pregnant ladies and those of a “certain age,” currently defined as over 65. Our younger members have made many trips to the store, for us and also for our neighbors. We want to be available to our neighborhood to shed the love of Christ abroad. Our children are still being homeschooled which requires our attention. Meals are being fixed and shared on a daily basis. 

So we are busy. But we still have moments to work together on puzzles, pray together, read by the crackling fire, talk, encourage one another, and share the abundant life together as we are in greater proximity on a daily basis than ever before. 

We continue to pray for our nation and our world as we find ourselves in the midst of this crisis. We wish to be found faithful. Jesus makes the astounding statement in Matthew 16:18 that even the “gates of Hell shall not prevail” against His Church. May we demonstrate this truth today and all the days ahead.