TODAY'S READING: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8
I remember the ad slogan "Be Like Mike" that was so big during the height of Michael Jordan's career. Because of Jordan's incredible basketball talent, marketers used his popularity to sell their items. They tried to convince everyone to drink what Mike drinks, wear what Mike wears, and strive to be like Mike.
The basic message of this passage is "Be Like God." We are called to live in holiness and honor. God wants us to become more like Him. Paul wrote to the church in Rome, "Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is." (Romans 12:2)
As followers of Jesus, we must make an effort every day to think more like God. And the more we think like God the more godly our lives should look.
So what does a godly life look like? In this letter to the Thesslonicans, Paul describes it as control over our passions. And from what Paul says, this control will only result when we know God. Not just a knowledge of God, but a relationship. A relationship where we want to "be like God."
As you reflect on how you are living your life, ask yourself if you are exhibiting control over your passions. And then ask yourself what your relationship with God looks like.
Many "Christians" today want God's benefits without the sacrifice. They want to be God's friend so they can go to heaven without bringing heaven to earth in their lives.
Holiness is not about checking some boxes to get into heaven. Holiness is about being like God in a dark world so that His light shines through you.
There are a lot of people who want to be known by God, but there are a lot less who really want to be like God. Which one are you?
shine!
Jason
Tuesday, February 28, 2006
Be like Mike
TODAY'S READING: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8
I remember the ad slogan "Be Like Mike" that was so big during the height of Michael Jordan's career. Because of Jordan's incredible basketball talent, marketers used his popularity to sell their items. They tried to convince everyone to drink what Mike drinks, wear what Mike wears, and strive to be like Mike.
The basic message of this passage is "Be Like God." We are called to live in holiness and honor. God wants us to become more like Him. Paul wrote to the church in Rome, "Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is." (Romans 12:2)
As followers of Jesus, we must make an effort every day to think more like God. And the more we think like God the more godly our lives should look.
So what does a godly life look like? In this letter to the Thesslonicans, Paul describes it as control over our passions. And from what Paul says, this control will only result when we know God. Not just a knowledge of God, but a relationship. A relationship where we want to "be like God."
As you reflect on how you are living your life, ask yourself if you are exhibiting control over your passions. And then ask yourself what your relationship with God looks like.
Many "Christians" today want God's benefits without the sacrifice. They want to be God's friend so they can go to heaven without bringing heaven to earth in their lives.
Holiness is not about checking some boxes to get into heaven. Holiness is about being like God in a dark world so that His light shines through you.
There are a lot of people who want to be known by God, but there are a lot less who really want to be like God. Which one are you?
shine!
Jason
I remember the ad slogan "Be Like Mike" that was so big during the height of Michael Jordan's career. Because of Jordan's incredible basketball talent, marketers used his popularity to sell their items. They tried to convince everyone to drink what Mike drinks, wear what Mike wears, and strive to be like Mike.
The basic message of this passage is "Be Like God." We are called to live in holiness and honor. God wants us to become more like Him. Paul wrote to the church in Rome, "Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is." (Romans 12:2)
As followers of Jesus, we must make an effort every day to think more like God. And the more we think like God the more godly our lives should look.
So what does a godly life look like? In this letter to the Thesslonicans, Paul describes it as control over our passions. And from what Paul says, this control will only result when we know God. Not just a knowledge of God, but a relationship. A relationship where we want to "be like God."
As you reflect on how you are living your life, ask yourself if you are exhibiting control over your passions. And then ask yourself what your relationship with God looks like.
Many "Christians" today want God's benefits without the sacrifice. They want to be God's friend so they can go to heaven without bringing heaven to earth in their lives.
Holiness is not about checking some boxes to get into heaven. Holiness is about being like God in a dark world so that His light shines through you.
There are a lot of people who want to be known by God, but there are a lot less who really want to be like God. Which one are you?
shine!
Jason
Monday, February 27, 2006
The battle for your soul
TODAY'S READING: 1 Peter 2:4-12
I have alway's been fascinated by cornerstones in old buildings. Maybe you have seen them before too. They often display the year or exact date they were placed there. It is the first stone put down. The one around which everything else is built.
That is how Peter describes Jesus. The one whose name means "rock" once again declares that Jesus is the Rock upon which our faith depends. In a sense Peter is restating what he said back in Matthew 16 when he said of Jesus, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God."
And now, here is Peter after the cross. After the resurrection. After Pentecost. A man who has put all of his trust, all of his future, his entire life, in the hands of the Christ.
Despite the doubt. Despite the disputes. Despite the denial. Peter continued to place his trust in Jesus. He never gave up hope completely, even when all seemed hopeless. How would you have felt in this siutation described by Luke?
So they arrested him and led him to the high priest's residence, and Peter was following far behind. The guards lit a fire in the courtyard and sat around it, and Peter joined them there. A servant girl noticed him in the firelight and began staring at him. Finally she said, "This man was one of Jesus' followers!"
Peter denied it. "Woman," he said, "I don't even know the man!"
After a while someone else looked at him and said, "You must be one of them!"
"No, man, I'm not!" Peter replied.
About an hour later someone else insisted, "This must be one of Jesus' disciples because he is a Galilean, too."
But Peter said, "Man, I don't know what you are talking about." And as soon as he said these words, the rooster crowed. At that moment the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered that the Lord had said, "Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny me three times." And Peter left the courtyard, crying bitterly. (Luke 22:54-62)
Have you ever let Jesus down? If Jesus had been there in that moment, how would the scene have looked? What would it be like to look into the eyes of Jesus the moment you denied Him?
Peter knows exactly what it feels like, but yet He renewed His commitment and continued to make Jesus his cornerstone. Peter's words are written from the heart of a man who rejected Jesus but then made a decision to return to the only true Foundation.
Peter's challenge for us is to remain faithful and avoid things that will lead us to reject Jesus. The Peter after the resurrection looks much different than the one before the resurrection.
Holiness is the willingness to join Jesus on His journey to the cross. It requires self-sacrifice. It calls us to listen to God's word and obey.
We are chosen by God.
We are His holy nation.
We are God's possession.
We have been saved from darkness.
Let's take a lesson from Peter. After Peter met the risen Christ he was a changed man. No turning back. No fear. No indecision. Once Peter saw the Jesus who kept His promise and came back from the dead, his mind was made up and his course was set.
Nothing was going to come between him and Jesus. Not suffering. Not prison. Not even death. But we often give in to so much less. Let's make a commitment to the risen Christ that we will not allow our evil desires to destroy our relationship with Him. What do you need to keep away from that is fighting against your soul?
shine!
Jason
I have alway's been fascinated by cornerstones in old buildings. Maybe you have seen them before too. They often display the year or exact date they were placed there. It is the first stone put down. The one around which everything else is built.
That is how Peter describes Jesus. The one whose name means "rock" once again declares that Jesus is the Rock upon which our faith depends. In a sense Peter is restating what he said back in Matthew 16 when he said of Jesus, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God."
And now, here is Peter after the cross. After the resurrection. After Pentecost. A man who has put all of his trust, all of his future, his entire life, in the hands of the Christ.
Despite the doubt. Despite the disputes. Despite the denial. Peter continued to place his trust in Jesus. He never gave up hope completely, even when all seemed hopeless. How would you have felt in this siutation described by Luke?
So they arrested him and led him to the high priest's residence, and Peter was following far behind. The guards lit a fire in the courtyard and sat around it, and Peter joined them there. A servant girl noticed him in the firelight and began staring at him. Finally she said, "This man was one of Jesus' followers!"
Peter denied it. "Woman," he said, "I don't even know the man!"
After a while someone else looked at him and said, "You must be one of them!"
"No, man, I'm not!" Peter replied.
About an hour later someone else insisted, "This must be one of Jesus' disciples because he is a Galilean, too."
But Peter said, "Man, I don't know what you are talking about." And as soon as he said these words, the rooster crowed. At that moment the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered that the Lord had said, "Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny me three times." And Peter left the courtyard, crying bitterly. (Luke 22:54-62)
Have you ever let Jesus down? If Jesus had been there in that moment, how would the scene have looked? What would it be like to look into the eyes of Jesus the moment you denied Him?
Peter knows exactly what it feels like, but yet He renewed His commitment and continued to make Jesus his cornerstone. Peter's words are written from the heart of a man who rejected Jesus but then made a decision to return to the only true Foundation.
Peter's challenge for us is to remain faithful and avoid things that will lead us to reject Jesus. The Peter after the resurrection looks much different than the one before the resurrection.
Holiness is the willingness to join Jesus on His journey to the cross. It requires self-sacrifice. It calls us to listen to God's word and obey.
We are chosen by God.
We are His holy nation.
We are God's possession.
We have been saved from darkness.
Let's take a lesson from Peter. After Peter met the risen Christ he was a changed man. No turning back. No fear. No indecision. Once Peter saw the Jesus who kept His promise and came back from the dead, his mind was made up and his course was set.
Nothing was going to come between him and Jesus. Not suffering. Not prison. Not even death. But we often give in to so much less. Let's make a commitment to the risen Christ that we will not allow our evil desires to destroy our relationship with Him. What do you need to keep away from that is fighting against your soul?
shine!
Jason
The battle for your soul
TODAY'S READING: 1 Peter 2:4-12
I have alway's been fascinated by cornerstones in old buildings. Maybe you have seen them before too. They often display the year or exact date they were placed there. It is the first stone put down. The one around which everything else is built.
That is how Peter describes Jesus. The one whose name means "rock" once again declares that Jesus is the Rock upon which our faith depends. In a sense Peter is restating what he said back in Matthew 16 when he said of Jesus, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God."
And now, here is Peter after the cross. After the resurrection. After Pentecost. A man who has put all of his trust, all of his future, his entire life, in the hands of the Christ.
Despite the doubt. Despite the disputes. Despite the denial. Peter continued to place his trust in Jesus. He never gave up hope completely, even when all seemed hopeless. How would you have felt in this siutation described by Luke?
So they arrested him and led him to the high priest's residence, and Peter was following far behind. The guards lit a fire in the courtyard and sat around it, and Peter joined them there. A servant girl noticed him in the firelight and began staring at him. Finally she said, "This man was one of Jesus' followers!"
Peter denied it. "Woman," he said, "I don't even know the man!"
After a while someone else looked at him and said, "You must be one of them!"
"No, man, I'm not!" Peter replied.
About an hour later someone else insisted, "This must be one of Jesus' disciples because he is a Galilean, too."
But Peter said, "Man, I don't know what you are talking about." And as soon as he said these words, the rooster crowed. At that moment the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered that the Lord had said, "Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny me three times." And Peter left the courtyard, crying bitterly. (Luke 22:54-62)
Have you ever let Jesus down? If Jesus had been there in that moment, how would the scene have looked? What would it be like to look into the eyes of Jesus the moment you denied Him?
Peter knows exactly what it feels like, but yet He renewed His commitment and continued to make Jesus his cornerstone. Peter's words are written from the heart of a man who rejected Jesus but then made a decision to return to the only true Foundation.
Peter's challenge for us is to remain faithful and avoid things that will lead us to reject Jesus. The Peter after the resurrection looks much different than the one before the resurrection.
Holiness is the willingness to join Jesus on His journey to the cross. It requires self-sacrifice. It calls us to listen to God's word and obey.
We are chosen by God.
We are His holy nation.
We are God's possession.
We have been saved from darkness.
Let's take a lesson from Peter. After Peter met the risen Christ he was a changed man. No turning back. No fear. No indecision. Once Peter saw the Jesus who kept His promise and came back from the dead, his mind was made up and his course was set.
Nothing was going to come between him and Jesus. Not suffering. Not prison. Not even death. But we often give in to so much less. Let's make a commitment to the risen Christ that we will not allow our evil desires to destroy our relationship with Him. What do you need to keep away from that is fighting against your soul?
shine!
Jason
I have alway's been fascinated by cornerstones in old buildings. Maybe you have seen them before too. They often display the year or exact date they were placed there. It is the first stone put down. The one around which everything else is built.
That is how Peter describes Jesus. The one whose name means "rock" once again declares that Jesus is the Rock upon which our faith depends. In a sense Peter is restating what he said back in Matthew 16 when he said of Jesus, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God."
And now, here is Peter after the cross. After the resurrection. After Pentecost. A man who has put all of his trust, all of his future, his entire life, in the hands of the Christ.
Despite the doubt. Despite the disputes. Despite the denial. Peter continued to place his trust in Jesus. He never gave up hope completely, even when all seemed hopeless. How would you have felt in this siutation described by Luke?
So they arrested him and led him to the high priest's residence, and Peter was following far behind. The guards lit a fire in the courtyard and sat around it, and Peter joined them there. A servant girl noticed him in the firelight and began staring at him. Finally she said, "This man was one of Jesus' followers!"
Peter denied it. "Woman," he said, "I don't even know the man!"
After a while someone else looked at him and said, "You must be one of them!"
"No, man, I'm not!" Peter replied.
About an hour later someone else insisted, "This must be one of Jesus' disciples because he is a Galilean, too."
But Peter said, "Man, I don't know what you are talking about." And as soon as he said these words, the rooster crowed. At that moment the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered that the Lord had said, "Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny me three times." And Peter left the courtyard, crying bitterly. (Luke 22:54-62)
Have you ever let Jesus down? If Jesus had been there in that moment, how would the scene have looked? What would it be like to look into the eyes of Jesus the moment you denied Him?
Peter knows exactly what it feels like, but yet He renewed His commitment and continued to make Jesus his cornerstone. Peter's words are written from the heart of a man who rejected Jesus but then made a decision to return to the only true Foundation.
Peter's challenge for us is to remain faithful and avoid things that will lead us to reject Jesus. The Peter after the resurrection looks much different than the one before the resurrection.
Holiness is the willingness to join Jesus on His journey to the cross. It requires self-sacrifice. It calls us to listen to God's word and obey.
We are chosen by God.
We are His holy nation.
We are God's possession.
We have been saved from darkness.
Let's take a lesson from Peter. After Peter met the risen Christ he was a changed man. No turning back. No fear. No indecision. Once Peter saw the Jesus who kept His promise and came back from the dead, his mind was made up and his course was set.
Nothing was going to come between him and Jesus. Not suffering. Not prison. Not even death. But we often give in to so much less. Let's make a commitment to the risen Christ that we will not allow our evil desires to destroy our relationship with Him. What do you need to keep away from that is fighting against your soul?
shine!
Jason
Friday, February 24, 2006
I am not
TODAY'S READING: Exodus 3:1-15
There is a great book by Louie Giglio entitled "I Am Not But I Know I AM." Here is how he opens the book...
"Life is the tale of two stories - one finite and frail, the other eternal and enduring. The tiny one - the story of us - is as brief as the blink of an eye. Yet somehow our infatuation with our own little story - and our determination to make it as big as we possibly can - blinds us to the massive God story that surrounds us on every side."
Wow! How true is that? That pretty much sounds like me every day.
And that is definitely what Moses' struggle was too.
Time after time, God told Moses what He wanted him to do, and Moses' reaction was basically "I can't."
God's answer was essentially this..."It doesn't matter if you think you can't because I AM."
Isn't that what He is saying to us every day?
When we are afraid to tell people about Jesus, God says do it and don't worry because "I AM."
When we can't imagine doing what He seems to be calling us to, God says I will carry you because "I AM."
When we want to ignore God's agenda because our way is easier, God says to follow His way because "I AM."
When we tell God we can't afford to give more, God says stretch and challenge yourself because "I AM."
When we say to God that what He wants us to do is too difficult, God says trust Me because "I AM."
No excuse is to big for God. No obstacle is impossible to overcome.
God was present at Creation and He will be there at the Judgment. He watched you as you were born and He is there every step of your life. He watches like a parent as you grow. He smiles with pride when you have victories and a tear comes to His eye when you fall.We are all part of a much bigger story. And here is the mystery of life. We are but a small, immeasurable part of the universe, but the One who created everything cares for us and invites us to be a part of His story.
From Adam to now and until the end of time, God asks every human being to contribute to His story. Your role - as small as it may seem at times - is crucial to the work of God in your time and place. You may be the only person who has a chance to impact a certain person for God. And no matter how difficult that task may seem, God tells us to press on knowing that it's not about us; it's about Him.
The main character in your life and mine is not you or me, it's "I AM." Let's strive to live our life in the proper role so that we can find true fulfillment and bring glory and honor to the name of the main character in this life and the life to come.
shine!
Jason
There is a great book by Louie Giglio entitled "I Am Not But I Know I AM." Here is how he opens the book...
"Life is the tale of two stories - one finite and frail, the other eternal and enduring. The tiny one - the story of us - is as brief as the blink of an eye. Yet somehow our infatuation with our own little story - and our determination to make it as big as we possibly can - blinds us to the massive God story that surrounds us on every side."
Wow! How true is that? That pretty much sounds like me every day.
And that is definitely what Moses' struggle was too.
Time after time, God told Moses what He wanted him to do, and Moses' reaction was basically "I can't."
God's answer was essentially this..."It doesn't matter if you think you can't because I AM."
Isn't that what He is saying to us every day?
When we are afraid to tell people about Jesus, God says do it and don't worry because "I AM."
When we can't imagine doing what He seems to be calling us to, God says I will carry you because "I AM."
When we want to ignore God's agenda because our way is easier, God says to follow His way because "I AM."
When we tell God we can't afford to give more, God says stretch and challenge yourself because "I AM."
When we say to God that what He wants us to do is too difficult, God says trust Me because "I AM."
No excuse is to big for God. No obstacle is impossible to overcome.
God was present at Creation and He will be there at the Judgment. He watched you as you were born and He is there every step of your life. He watches like a parent as you grow. He smiles with pride when you have victories and a tear comes to His eye when you fall.We are all part of a much bigger story. And here is the mystery of life. We are but a small, immeasurable part of the universe, but the One who created everything cares for us and invites us to be a part of His story.
From Adam to now and until the end of time, God asks every human being to contribute to His story. Your role - as small as it may seem at times - is crucial to the work of God in your time and place. You may be the only person who has a chance to impact a certain person for God. And no matter how difficult that task may seem, God tells us to press on knowing that it's not about us; it's about Him.
The main character in your life and mine is not you or me, it's "I AM." Let's strive to live our life in the proper role so that we can find true fulfillment and bring glory and honor to the name of the main character in this life and the life to come.
shine!
Jason
I am not
TODAY'S READING: Exodus 3:1-15
There is a great book by Louie Giglio entitled "I Am Not But I Know I AM." Here is how he opens the book...
"Life is the tale of two stories - one finite and frail, the other eternal and enduring. The tiny one - the story of us - is as brief as the blink of an eye. Yet somehow our infatuation with our own little story - and our determination to make it as big as we possibly can - blinds us to the massive God story that surrounds us on every side."
Wow! How true is that? That pretty much sounds like me every day.
And that is definitely what Moses' struggle was too.
Time after time, God told Moses what He wanted him to do, and Moses' reaction was basically "I can't."
God's answer was essentially this..."It doesn't matter if you think you can't because I AM."
Isn't that what He is saying to us every day?
When we are afraid to tell people about Jesus, God says do it and don't worry because "I AM."
When we can't imagine doing what He seems to be calling us to, God says I will carry you because "I AM."
When we want to ignore God's agenda because our way is easier, God says to follow His way because "I AM."
When we tell God we can't afford to give more, God says stretch and challenge yourself because "I AM."
When we say to God that what He wants us to do is too difficult, God says trust Me because "I AM."
No excuse is to big for God. No obstacle is impossible to overcome.
God was present at Creation and He will be there at the Judgment. He watched you as you were born and He is there every step of your life. He watches like a parent as you grow. He smiles with pride when you have victories and a tear comes to His eye when you fall.We are all part of a much bigger story. And here is the mystery of life. We are but a small, immeasurable part of the universe, but the One who created everything cares for us and invites us to be a part of His story.
From Adam to now and until the end of time, God asks every human being to contribute to His story. Your role - as small as it may seem at times - is crucial to the work of God in your time and place. You may be the only person who has a chance to impact a certain person for God. And no matter how difficult that task may seem, God tells us to press on knowing that it's not about us; it's about Him.
The main character in your life and mine is not you or me, it's "I AM." Let's strive to live our life in the proper role so that we can find true fulfillment and bring glory and honor to the name of the main character in this life and the life to come.
shine!
Jason
There is a great book by Louie Giglio entitled "I Am Not But I Know I AM." Here is how he opens the book...
"Life is the tale of two stories - one finite and frail, the other eternal and enduring. The tiny one - the story of us - is as brief as the blink of an eye. Yet somehow our infatuation with our own little story - and our determination to make it as big as we possibly can - blinds us to the massive God story that surrounds us on every side."
Wow! How true is that? That pretty much sounds like me every day.
And that is definitely what Moses' struggle was too.
Time after time, God told Moses what He wanted him to do, and Moses' reaction was basically "I can't."
God's answer was essentially this..."It doesn't matter if you think you can't because I AM."
Isn't that what He is saying to us every day?
When we are afraid to tell people about Jesus, God says do it and don't worry because "I AM."
When we can't imagine doing what He seems to be calling us to, God says I will carry you because "I AM."
When we want to ignore God's agenda because our way is easier, God says to follow His way because "I AM."
When we tell God we can't afford to give more, God says stretch and challenge yourself because "I AM."
When we say to God that what He wants us to do is too difficult, God says trust Me because "I AM."
No excuse is to big for God. No obstacle is impossible to overcome.
God was present at Creation and He will be there at the Judgment. He watched you as you were born and He is there every step of your life. He watches like a parent as you grow. He smiles with pride when you have victories and a tear comes to His eye when you fall.We are all part of a much bigger story. And here is the mystery of life. We are but a small, immeasurable part of the universe, but the One who created everything cares for us and invites us to be a part of His story.
From Adam to now and until the end of time, God asks every human being to contribute to His story. Your role - as small as it may seem at times - is crucial to the work of God in your time and place. You may be the only person who has a chance to impact a certain person for God. And no matter how difficult that task may seem, God tells us to press on knowing that it's not about us; it's about Him.
The main character in your life and mine is not you or me, it's "I AM." Let's strive to live our life in the proper role so that we can find true fulfillment and bring glory and honor to the name of the main character in this life and the life to come.
shine!
Jason
Thursday, February 23, 2006
The ultimate provider
TODAY'S READING: Genesis 22:1-14
God will sometimes call us to a place that seems improbable. The task He has put before us may seem unrealistic or unattainable. God may even ask you to give up something that you don't think you can give up.
In those situations all God asks for is our faith. Not just a verbal commitment, but action to back it up. A willingness to not just say, "Yes, you are God," but acting on that statement.
Whatever God calls us to do, He will provide. It will not always be the way we expect or hope for, but He will provide.
When He called Moses to lead the Israelites, God provided Aaron.
When He called Israel to defeat Goliath, God provided David.
When He brought forth the Messiah, God provided a young girl named Mary.
And here is the biggest one of all...
When my sins and your sins needed to be forgiven, God provided His Son.
While God stopped Abraham from killing his son, God was willing to sacrifice His own Son for you and me. He provided something that He didn't need to, but wanted to because of His love for us.
The next time you face a challenge in your walk with Jesus, remember that God is the One who provides. He will provide what you need in this life and He has provided the only thing that can take you to heaven in the next life. And that is all I really need.
shine!
Jason
God will sometimes call us to a place that seems improbable. The task He has put before us may seem unrealistic or unattainable. God may even ask you to give up something that you don't think you can give up.
In those situations all God asks for is our faith. Not just a verbal commitment, but action to back it up. A willingness to not just say, "Yes, you are God," but acting on that statement.
Whatever God calls us to do, He will provide. It will not always be the way we expect or hope for, but He will provide.
When He called Moses to lead the Israelites, God provided Aaron.
When He called Israel to defeat Goliath, God provided David.
When He brought forth the Messiah, God provided a young girl named Mary.
And here is the biggest one of all...
When my sins and your sins needed to be forgiven, God provided His Son.
While God stopped Abraham from killing his son, God was willing to sacrifice His own Son for you and me. He provided something that He didn't need to, but wanted to because of His love for us.
The next time you face a challenge in your walk with Jesus, remember that God is the One who provides. He will provide what you need in this life and He has provided the only thing that can take you to heaven in the next life. And that is all I really need.
shine!
Jason
Mississippi - Day 3
Well, our third day is behind us. Nothing major to report, but we got a lot done today. We returned to Bay St. Louis to finish the roof we looked at yesterday afternoon. The only "injury" today is the sunburn most of us are experiencing. After two days of drizzle, overcast, and 50's, today was sunny and near 80.
We finished our job for the day. You can see pictures of us at work on the 180 Yahoo Page. Everyone worked really hard and accomplished a lot. I am looking forward to everyone back home having a chance to see video of what we have been able to do for some other people.
One thing that Duncan said today got me thinking. Earlier in the week when we were working in 50 degree weather Duncan was talking about how much he enjoyed this type of work. He even commented that he might want to get a construction job for the summer.
But then today Duncan changed his tune a bit. Suddenly being on a black roof in 80 degree temperatures made this job seem less appealing. I don't tell you this to pick on Duncan (because I also enjoyed it more when it was cooler), but rather to make a point.
My conversations with Duncan have reminded me this week that being a follower of the Christ isn't always easy. Sometimes we are called to do things we don't necessarily like or want to do. And this isn't just about climbing up on a roof or working in the heat. It's more about living for Jesus when the world turns up the heat.
It is easy to be a Christian when the environment is just right.
Church camp? No problem. Bible class? Sure. Mission Trip? I can do that.
But let's change the scene.
Walking the halls at school? Hanging out with your friends on a Friday night? Telling jokes with coworkers? Now it's a little harder. The expectations have changed. Standing up for Jesus isn't quite as easy.
As I look back on this week so far, I hope that my faith has not just been stregthened to the point where I am willing to serve others fearlessly; I pray that this week will strengthen my faith to stand stronger for God wherever I find myself.
shine!
Jason
We finished our job for the day. You can see pictures of us at work on the 180 Yahoo Page. Everyone worked really hard and accomplished a lot. I am looking forward to everyone back home having a chance to see video of what we have been able to do for some other people.
One thing that Duncan said today got me thinking. Earlier in the week when we were working in 50 degree weather Duncan was talking about how much he enjoyed this type of work. He even commented that he might want to get a construction job for the summer.
But then today Duncan changed his tune a bit. Suddenly being on a black roof in 80 degree temperatures made this job seem less appealing. I don't tell you this to pick on Duncan (because I also enjoyed it more when it was cooler), but rather to make a point.
My conversations with Duncan have reminded me this week that being a follower of the Christ isn't always easy. Sometimes we are called to do things we don't necessarily like or want to do. And this isn't just about climbing up on a roof or working in the heat. It's more about living for Jesus when the world turns up the heat.
It is easy to be a Christian when the environment is just right.
Church camp? No problem. Bible class? Sure. Mission Trip? I can do that.
But let's change the scene.
Walking the halls at school? Hanging out with your friends on a Friday night? Telling jokes with coworkers? Now it's a little harder. The expectations have changed. Standing up for Jesus isn't quite as easy.
As I look back on this week so far, I hope that my faith has not just been stregthened to the point where I am willing to serve others fearlessly; I pray that this week will strengthen my faith to stand stronger for God wherever I find myself.
shine!
Jason
The ultimate provider
TODAY'S READING: Genesis 22:1-14
God will sometimes call us to a place that seems improbable. The task He has put before us may seem unrealistic or unattainable. God may even ask you to give up something that you don't think you can give up.
In those situations all God asks for is our faith. Not just a verbal commitment, but action to back it up. A willingness to not just say, "Yes, you are God," but acting on that statement.
Whatever God calls us to do, He will provide. It will not always be the way we expect or hope for, but He will provide.
When He called Moses to lead the Israelites, God provided Aaron.
When He called Israel to defeat Goliath, God provided David.
When He brought forth the Messiah, God provided a young girl named Mary.
And here is the biggest one of all...
When my sins and your sins needed to be forgiven, God provided His Son.
While God stopped Abraham from killing his son, God was willing to sacrifice His own Son for you and me. He provided something that He didn't need to, but wanted to because of His love for us.
The next time you face a challenge in your walk with Jesus, remember that God is the One who provides. He will provide what you need in this life and He has provided the only thing that can take you to heaven in the next life. And that is all I really need.
shine!
Jason
God will sometimes call us to a place that seems improbable. The task He has put before us may seem unrealistic or unattainable. God may even ask you to give up something that you don't think you can give up.
In those situations all God asks for is our faith. Not just a verbal commitment, but action to back it up. A willingness to not just say, "Yes, you are God," but acting on that statement.
Whatever God calls us to do, He will provide. It will not always be the way we expect or hope for, but He will provide.
When He called Moses to lead the Israelites, God provided Aaron.
When He called Israel to defeat Goliath, God provided David.
When He brought forth the Messiah, God provided a young girl named Mary.
And here is the biggest one of all...
When my sins and your sins needed to be forgiven, God provided His Son.
While God stopped Abraham from killing his son, God was willing to sacrifice His own Son for you and me. He provided something that He didn't need to, but wanted to because of His love for us.
The next time you face a challenge in your walk with Jesus, remember that God is the One who provides. He will provide what you need in this life and He has provided the only thing that can take you to heaven in the next life. And that is all I really need.
shine!
Jason
Mississippi - Day 3
Well, our third day is behind us. Nothing major to report, but we got a lot done today. We returned to Bay St. Louis to finish the roof we looked at yesterday afternoon. The only "injury" today is the sunburn most of us are experiencing. After two days of drizzle, overcast, and 50's, today was sunny and near 80.
We finished our job for the day. You can see pictures of us at work on the 180 Yahoo Page. Everyone worked really hard and accomplished a lot. I am looking forward to everyone back home having a chance to see video of what we have been able to do for some other people.
One thing that Duncan said today got me thinking. Earlier in the week when we were working in 50 degree weather Duncan was talking about how much he enjoyed this type of work. He even commented that he might want to get a construction job for the summer.
But then today Duncan changed his tune a bit. Suddenly being on a black roof in 80 degree temperatures made this job seem less appealing. I don't tell you this to pick on Duncan (because I also enjoyed it more when it was cooler), but rather to make a point.
My conversations with Duncan have reminded me this week that being a follower of the Christ isn't always easy. Sometimes we are called to do things we don't necessarily like or want to do. And this isn't just about climbing up on a roof or working in the heat. It's more about living for Jesus when the world turns up the heat.
It is easy to be a Christian when the environment is just right.
Church camp? No problem. Bible class? Sure. Mission Trip? I can do that.
But let's change the scene.
Walking the halls at school? Hanging out with your friends on a Friday night? Telling jokes with coworkers? Now it's a little harder. The expectations have changed. Standing up for Jesus isn't quite as easy.
As I look back on this week so far, I hope that my faith has not just been stregthened to the point where I am willing to serve others fearlessly; I pray that this week will strengthen my faith to stand stronger for God wherever I find myself.
shine!
Jason
We finished our job for the day. You can see pictures of us at work on the 180 Yahoo Page. Everyone worked really hard and accomplished a lot. I am looking forward to everyone back home having a chance to see video of what we have been able to do for some other people.
One thing that Duncan said today got me thinking. Earlier in the week when we were working in 50 degree weather Duncan was talking about how much he enjoyed this type of work. He even commented that he might want to get a construction job for the summer.
But then today Duncan changed his tune a bit. Suddenly being on a black roof in 80 degree temperatures made this job seem less appealing. I don't tell you this to pick on Duncan (because I also enjoyed it more when it was cooler), but rather to make a point.
My conversations with Duncan have reminded me this week that being a follower of the Christ isn't always easy. Sometimes we are called to do things we don't necessarily like or want to do. And this isn't just about climbing up on a roof or working in the heat. It's more about living for Jesus when the world turns up the heat.
It is easy to be a Christian when the environment is just right.
Church camp? No problem. Bible class? Sure. Mission Trip? I can do that.
But let's change the scene.
Walking the halls at school? Hanging out with your friends on a Friday night? Telling jokes with coworkers? Now it's a little harder. The expectations have changed. Standing up for Jesus isn't quite as easy.
As I look back on this week so far, I hope that my faith has not just been stregthened to the point where I am willing to serve others fearlessly; I pray that this week will strengthen my faith to stand stronger for God wherever I find myself.
shine!
Jason
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
Leadership
Here are some definitions...
Character - Moral or ethical strength.
Christian - Manifesting the qualities or spirit of Jesus; Christlike.
Example - One serving as a pattern of a specific kind: set a good example by arriving on time.
Honesty - Truthfulness; sincerity.
Integrity - Steadfast adherence to a strict moral or ethical code.
Leader - One that leads or guides.
Leadership - Guidance; direction.
Respect - Willingness to show consideration or appreciation.
Responsibility - Involving personal accountability or ability to act without guidance or superior authority.
Responsibility (2) - Able to make moral or rational decisions on one's own and therefore answerable for one's behavior.
Responsibility (3) - Able to be trusted or depended upon; reliable.
Trusted - Firm reliance on the integrity, ability, or character of a person or thing.
Student Leader = Character + Christian + Example + Honesty + Integrity + Leader + Leadership + Respect + Responsibility + Trusted
Character - Moral or ethical strength.
Christian - Manifesting the qualities or spirit of Jesus; Christlike.
Example - One serving as a pattern of a specific kind: set a good example by arriving on time.
Honesty - Truthfulness; sincerity.
Integrity - Steadfast adherence to a strict moral or ethical code.
Leader - One that leads or guides.
Leadership - Guidance; direction.
Respect - Willingness to show consideration or appreciation.
Responsibility - Involving personal accountability or ability to act without guidance or superior authority.
Responsibility (2) - Able to make moral or rational decisions on one's own and therefore answerable for one's behavior.
Responsibility (3) - Able to be trusted or depended upon; reliable.
Trusted - Firm reliance on the integrity, ability, or character of a person or thing.
Student Leader = Character + Christian + Example + Honesty + Integrity + Leader + Leadership + Respect + Responsibility + Trusted
Leadership
Here are some definitions...
Character - Moral or ethical strength.
Christian - Manifesting the qualities or spirit of Jesus; Christlike.
Example - One serving as a pattern of a specific kind: set a good example by arriving on time.
Honesty - Truthfulness; sincerity.
Integrity - Steadfast adherence to a strict moral or ethical code.
Leader - One that leads or guides.
Leadership - Guidance; direction.
Respect - Willingness to show consideration or appreciation.
Responsibility - Involving personal accountability or ability to act without guidance or superior authority.
Responsibility (2) - Able to make moral or rational decisions on one's own and therefore answerable for one's behavior.
Responsibility (3) - Able to be trusted or depended upon; reliable.
Trusted - Firm reliance on the integrity, ability, or character of a person or thing.
Student Leader = Character + Christian + Example + Honesty + Integrity + Leader + Leadership + Respect + Responsibility + Trusted
Character - Moral or ethical strength.
Christian - Manifesting the qualities or spirit of Jesus; Christlike.
Example - One serving as a pattern of a specific kind: set a good example by arriving on time.
Honesty - Truthfulness; sincerity.
Integrity - Steadfast adherence to a strict moral or ethical code.
Leader - One that leads or guides.
Leadership - Guidance; direction.
Respect - Willingness to show consideration or appreciation.
Responsibility - Involving personal accountability or ability to act without guidance or superior authority.
Responsibility (2) - Able to make moral or rational decisions on one's own and therefore answerable for one's behavior.
Responsibility (3) - Able to be trusted or depended upon; reliable.
Trusted - Firm reliance on the integrity, ability, or character of a person or thing.
Student Leader = Character + Christian + Example + Honesty + Integrity + Leader + Leadership + Respect + Responsibility + Trusted
Healing the incurable
TODAY'S READING: Jeremiah 30
As I read today's passage, I couldn't help but think about the people who live here along the Gulf Coast. Thoughts of wounds,exile, and reconstruction. Many people in Mississippi were forced from their homes with little warning and returned to find nothing.
Often in our lives we experience times similar to this. We face pain and suffering. We are injured physically, emotionally, and spiritually. We look at life and wonder what happened.
But as God speaks through Jeremiah we hear about a God that heals. We read of a God that can heal the incurable wounds in our life. The cure that no doctor in this world can provide.
What kind of incurable wounds do you have?
Who has hurt you in a way that you feel "scarred for life?"
What deep emotional and spiritual injuries still hurt?
The message from Jeremiah is clear. God is a God who heals. He heals those who have no other hope.
And there is a guarantee for all who follow the Lord. There will come a day when all of God's people will suffer no more. Even if we never completely escape the struggles of this world, there will be a new world and a time of peace.
"Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a beautiful bride prepared for her husband.
I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, 'Look, the home of God is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will remove all of their sorrows, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. For the old world and its evils are gone forever.'" (Revelation 21:1-4)
On the Day of the Lord we will find ourselves surrounding the throne of God, engulfed by His presence. On that day we will experience the ultimate healing. All the pains and wounds of this world will be gone forever.
But in the meantime God offers healing in this world as well. We best see this is Jesus.
Jesus came to heal the sick - physical and spiritual.
Jesus came to reach out to those who needed to be healed.
Jesus came to cure those who knew they couldn't heal themselves.
As you face difficulties in your life, stop trying to heal yourself and see the only Doctor who can bring healing that will last forever. Trust God to heal your heart and spirit. Let His healing touch you where you need it most.
shine!
Jason
As I read today's passage, I couldn't help but think about the people who live here along the Gulf Coast. Thoughts of wounds,exile, and reconstruction. Many people in Mississippi were forced from their homes with little warning and returned to find nothing.
Often in our lives we experience times similar to this. We face pain and suffering. We are injured physically, emotionally, and spiritually. We look at life and wonder what happened.
But as God speaks through Jeremiah we hear about a God that heals. We read of a God that can heal the incurable wounds in our life. The cure that no doctor in this world can provide.
What kind of incurable wounds do you have?
Who has hurt you in a way that you feel "scarred for life?"
What deep emotional and spiritual injuries still hurt?
The message from Jeremiah is clear. God is a God who heals. He heals those who have no other hope.
And there is a guarantee for all who follow the Lord. There will come a day when all of God's people will suffer no more. Even if we never completely escape the struggles of this world, there will be a new world and a time of peace.
"Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a beautiful bride prepared for her husband.
I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, 'Look, the home of God is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will remove all of their sorrows, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. For the old world and its evils are gone forever.'" (Revelation 21:1-4)
On the Day of the Lord we will find ourselves surrounding the throne of God, engulfed by His presence. On that day we will experience the ultimate healing. All the pains and wounds of this world will be gone forever.
But in the meantime God offers healing in this world as well. We best see this is Jesus.
Jesus came to heal the sick - physical and spiritual.
Jesus came to reach out to those who needed to be healed.
Jesus came to cure those who knew they couldn't heal themselves.
As you face difficulties in your life, stop trying to heal yourself and see the only Doctor who can bring healing that will last forever. Trust God to heal your heart and spirit. Let His healing touch you where you need it most.
shine!
Jason
Healing the incurable
TODAY'S READING: Jeremiah 30
As I read today's passage, I couldn't help but think about the people who live here along the Gulf Coast. Thoughts of wounds,exile, and reconstruction. Many people in Mississippi were forced from their homes with little warning and returned to find nothing.
Often in our lives we experience times similar to this. We face pain and suffering. We are injured physically, emotionally, and spiritually. We look at life and wonder what happened.
But as God speaks through Jeremiah we hear about a God that heals. We read of a God that can heal the incurable wounds in our life. The cure that no doctor in this world can provide.
What kind of incurable wounds do you have?
Who has hurt you in a way that you feel "scarred for life?"
What deep emotional and spiritual injuries still hurt?
The message from Jeremiah is clear. God is a God who heals. He heals those who have no other hope.
And there is a guarantee for all who follow the Lord. There will come a day when all of God's people will suffer no more. Even if we never completely escape the struggles of this world, there will be a new world and a time of peace.
"Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a beautiful bride prepared for her husband.
I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, 'Look, the home of God is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will remove all of their sorrows, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. For the old world and its evils are gone forever.'" (Revelation 21:1-4)
On the Day of the Lord we will find ourselves surrounding the throne of God, engulfed by His presence. On that day we will experience the ultimate healing. All the pains and wounds of this world will be gone forever.
But in the meantime God offers healing in this world as well. We best see this is Jesus.
Jesus came to heal the sick - physical and spiritual.
Jesus came to reach out to those who needed to be healed.
Jesus came to cure those who knew they couldn't heal themselves.
As you face difficulties in your life, stop trying to heal yourself and see the only Doctor who can bring healing that will last forever. Trust God to heal your heart and spirit. Let His healing touch you where you need it most.
shine!
Jason
As I read today's passage, I couldn't help but think about the people who live here along the Gulf Coast. Thoughts of wounds,exile, and reconstruction. Many people in Mississippi were forced from their homes with little warning and returned to find nothing.
Often in our lives we experience times similar to this. We face pain and suffering. We are injured physically, emotionally, and spiritually. We look at life and wonder what happened.
But as God speaks through Jeremiah we hear about a God that heals. We read of a God that can heal the incurable wounds in our life. The cure that no doctor in this world can provide.
What kind of incurable wounds do you have?
Who has hurt you in a way that you feel "scarred for life?"
What deep emotional and spiritual injuries still hurt?
The message from Jeremiah is clear. God is a God who heals. He heals those who have no other hope.
And there is a guarantee for all who follow the Lord. There will come a day when all of God's people will suffer no more. Even if we never completely escape the struggles of this world, there will be a new world and a time of peace.
"Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a beautiful bride prepared for her husband.
I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, 'Look, the home of God is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will remove all of their sorrows, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. For the old world and its evils are gone forever.'" (Revelation 21:1-4)
On the Day of the Lord we will find ourselves surrounding the throne of God, engulfed by His presence. On that day we will experience the ultimate healing. All the pains and wounds of this world will be gone forever.
But in the meantime God offers healing in this world as well. We best see this is Jesus.
Jesus came to heal the sick - physical and spiritual.
Jesus came to reach out to those who needed to be healed.
Jesus came to cure those who knew they couldn't heal themselves.
As you face difficulties in your life, stop trying to heal yourself and see the only Doctor who can bring healing that will last forever. Trust God to heal your heart and spirit. Let His healing touch you where you need it most.
shine!
Jason
Tuesday, February 21, 2006
Mississippi - Day 2
Well, we are back from day two. We spent most of the day back at our house from the first day. Today we put the tin roof on and finished our job. Once again I was impressed with how hard everyone worked to get things done. I posted a picture of our finished job on my Xanga site.
The most moving part of the day was at the end when we went down to Bay St. Louis. This is a town on the Gulf of Mexico near where the eye of Katrina made landfall. As we drove closer and closer to the town we were overwhelmed by the damage. None of the pictures you can see on my Xanga site do justice for what we experienced. It looked like scenes I have seen from after the Hiroshima bombing.
Our assignment was to help an older couple who live about a block from the shore. As a few of our leaders were looking over the situation we had time to walk down to the shore. We passed houses that had been lifted off of their foundations and shifted. We passed empty slabs where all that remained was the concrete porch. We even passed one house where the people that lived there had stayed to ride out the storm. They didn't make it.
When we got to the end of the street near the water we met a family who had finally returned to begin cleaning up. Their house was built on concrete block columns that were at least fifteen feet tall. This house had been built after Camille and was built several feet higher than Camille's storm surge peak. Katrina was much worse and their house is nowhere to be seen. All that remains are the concrete block columns. The family was looking through the few items that lay scattered across their property. They left for the Florida panhandle before Katrina and didn't return until late December. Since then they have been renting a house somewhere else near by. This family lost everything except the things they took with them.
As the students were off looking around, I stood alone for a few minutes to soak in the scene. I was humbled by what I saw and was standing in the midst of. It showed me how small we are and how much we need God.This force of nature has destroyed homes, disintigrated bridges, taken lives, removed trees, and so much more. There are so many lives that have been changed forever. And yet most of us continue to enjoy our homes, our cars, and so much more. We live in comfort while others have no real place to call home. We spend $3 for a coffee, $8 for a movie, or $400 for an iPod, while some families struggle to find a place to sleep at night.Acts 2:44-47 has new meaning.
"And all the believers met together constantly and shared everything they had. They sold their possessions and shared the proceeds with those in need. They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord's Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity-- all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to theirgroup those who were being saved."
I struggle with the money I spend so freely while others could use that money for real needs. Jesus didn't have a place to lay his head - a place to call home. He was willing to sacrifice all to help others. This week has challenged me to consider how I live and how I use what I have been blessed with.
Please continue to pray for us and especially for families like the one we met today. Pray that God will lead us to loosen our grip on all the things we have so that we can live more like the One we are called to follow.
shine!
Jason
The most moving part of the day was at the end when we went down to Bay St. Louis. This is a town on the Gulf of Mexico near where the eye of Katrina made landfall. As we drove closer and closer to the town we were overwhelmed by the damage. None of the pictures you can see on my Xanga site do justice for what we experienced. It looked like scenes I have seen from after the Hiroshima bombing.
Our assignment was to help an older couple who live about a block from the shore. As a few of our leaders were looking over the situation we had time to walk down to the shore. We passed houses that had been lifted off of their foundations and shifted. We passed empty slabs where all that remained was the concrete porch. We even passed one house where the people that lived there had stayed to ride out the storm. They didn't make it.
When we got to the end of the street near the water we met a family who had finally returned to begin cleaning up. Their house was built on concrete block columns that were at least fifteen feet tall. This house had been built after Camille and was built several feet higher than Camille's storm surge peak. Katrina was much worse and their house is nowhere to be seen. All that remains are the concrete block columns. The family was looking through the few items that lay scattered across their property. They left for the Florida panhandle before Katrina and didn't return until late December. Since then they have been renting a house somewhere else near by. This family lost everything except the things they took with them.
As the students were off looking around, I stood alone for a few minutes to soak in the scene. I was humbled by what I saw and was standing in the midst of. It showed me how small we are and how much we need God.This force of nature has destroyed homes, disintigrated bridges, taken lives, removed trees, and so much more. There are so many lives that have been changed forever. And yet most of us continue to enjoy our homes, our cars, and so much more. We live in comfort while others have no real place to call home. We spend $3 for a coffee, $8 for a movie, or $400 for an iPod, while some families struggle to find a place to sleep at night.Acts 2:44-47 has new meaning.
"And all the believers met together constantly and shared everything they had. They sold their possessions and shared the proceeds with those in need. They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord's Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity-- all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to theirgroup those who were being saved."
I struggle with the money I spend so freely while others could use that money for real needs. Jesus didn't have a place to lay his head - a place to call home. He was willing to sacrifice all to help others. This week has challenged me to consider how I live and how I use what I have been blessed with.
Please continue to pray for us and especially for families like the one we met today. Pray that God will lead us to loosen our grip on all the things we have so that we can live more like the One we are called to follow.
shine!
Jason
Mississippi - Day 2
Well, we are back from day two. We spent most of the day back at our house from the first day. Today we put the tin roof on and finished our job. Once again I was impressed with how hard everyone worked to get things done. I posted a picture of our finished job on my Xanga site.
The most moving part of the day was at the end when we went down to Bay St. Louis. This is a town on the Gulf of Mexico near where the eye of Katrina made landfall. As we drove closer and closer to the town we were overwhelmed by the damage. None of the pictures you can see on my Xanga site do justice for what we experienced. It looked like scenes I have seen from after the Hiroshima bombing.
Our assignment was to help an older couple who live about a block from the shore. As a few of our leaders were looking over the situation we had time to walk down to the shore. We passed houses that had been lifted off of their foundations and shifted. We passed empty slabs where all that remained was the concrete porch. We even passed one house where the people that lived there had stayed to ride out the storm. They didn't make it.
When we got to the end of the street near the water we met a family who had finally returned to begin cleaning up. Their house was built on concrete block columns that were at least fifteen feet tall. This house had been built after Camille and was built several feet higher than Camille's storm surge peak. Katrina was much worse and their house is nowhere to be seen. All that remains are the concrete block columns. The family was looking through the few items that lay scattered across their property. They left for the Florida panhandle before Katrina and didn't return until late December. Since then they have been renting a house somewhere else near by. This family lost everything except the things they took with them.
As the students were off looking around, I stood alone for a few minutes to soak in the scene. I was humbled by what I saw and was standing in the midst of. It showed me how small we are and how much we need God.This force of nature has destroyed homes, disintigrated bridges, taken lives, removed trees, and so much more. There are so many lives that have been changed forever. And yet most of us continue to enjoy our homes, our cars, and so much more. We live in comfort while others have no real place to call home. We spend $3 for a coffee, $8 for a movie, or $400 for an iPod, while some families struggle to find a place to sleep at night.Acts 2:44-47 has new meaning.
"And all the believers met together constantly and shared everything they had. They sold their possessions and shared the proceeds with those in need. They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord's Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity-- all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to theirgroup those who were being saved."
I struggle with the money I spend so freely while others could use that money for real needs. Jesus didn't have a place to lay his head - a place to call home. He was willing to sacrifice all to help others. This week has challenged me to consider how I live and how I use what I have been blessed with.
Please continue to pray for us and especially for families like the one we met today. Pray that God will lead us to loosen our grip on all the things we have so that we can live more like the One we are called to follow.
shine!
Jason
The most moving part of the day was at the end when we went down to Bay St. Louis. This is a town on the Gulf of Mexico near where the eye of Katrina made landfall. As we drove closer and closer to the town we were overwhelmed by the damage. None of the pictures you can see on my Xanga site do justice for what we experienced. It looked like scenes I have seen from after the Hiroshima bombing.
Our assignment was to help an older couple who live about a block from the shore. As a few of our leaders were looking over the situation we had time to walk down to the shore. We passed houses that had been lifted off of their foundations and shifted. We passed empty slabs where all that remained was the concrete porch. We even passed one house where the people that lived there had stayed to ride out the storm. They didn't make it.
When we got to the end of the street near the water we met a family who had finally returned to begin cleaning up. Their house was built on concrete block columns that were at least fifteen feet tall. This house had been built after Camille and was built several feet higher than Camille's storm surge peak. Katrina was much worse and their house is nowhere to be seen. All that remains are the concrete block columns. The family was looking through the few items that lay scattered across their property. They left for the Florida panhandle before Katrina and didn't return until late December. Since then they have been renting a house somewhere else near by. This family lost everything except the things they took with them.
As the students were off looking around, I stood alone for a few minutes to soak in the scene. I was humbled by what I saw and was standing in the midst of. It showed me how small we are and how much we need God.This force of nature has destroyed homes, disintigrated bridges, taken lives, removed trees, and so much more. There are so many lives that have been changed forever. And yet most of us continue to enjoy our homes, our cars, and so much more. We live in comfort while others have no real place to call home. We spend $3 for a coffee, $8 for a movie, or $400 for an iPod, while some families struggle to find a place to sleep at night.Acts 2:44-47 has new meaning.
"And all the believers met together constantly and shared everything they had. They sold their possessions and shared the proceeds with those in need. They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord's Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity-- all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to theirgroup those who were being saved."
I struggle with the money I spend so freely while others could use that money for real needs. Jesus didn't have a place to lay his head - a place to call home. He was willing to sacrifice all to help others. This week has challenged me to consider how I live and how I use what I have been blessed with.
Please continue to pray for us and especially for families like the one we met today. Pray that God will lead us to loosen our grip on all the things we have so that we can live more like the One we are called to follow.
shine!
Jason
Mississippi - Day 1
Well, I am sitting here in my temporary bedroom upstairs in the Picayune Church of Christ. I have had many teens sleep in a teen classroom before, but not after putting in a long day's work. I have been so impressed with all of the students who came with us this week. Jolene, Becky, Duncan, Curtis, Josh, Jake, and Steven worked really hard today. And we got a lot done. The others on the trip with us - Byron, Baxter, Rob, Luis, and Jerry - also put in 110%.
We went to our first assignment this morning expecting to put up shingles. Upon our arrival we discovered a house with a few new sheets of board on top and some not-so-good looking tin roof on the other part. We were informed that we needed to remove all of the tin roofing and put board on almost all of the roof. But our crew was up to the challenge. In about 9 hours of hard work we removed all of the old roofing as well as getting all the new boards up and putting down the tar rolls. (If you don't understand all of that don't worry, I didn't know all of this stuff either.)
On a personal note it has been awesome to see Jesus in the men and women I am blessed to be serving with this week. Whether it's carrying wood to a burn pile, hammering a nail, or handing someone a tool, this is a neat group of people to spend some time with.
We did have one rather interesting twist today. Becky decided it would be fun to step on a nail this afternoon. We cleaned her foot as well as we could. Imagine me doing first aid. (In some twisted way it was fun to pour the rubbing alcohol on the wound. LOL.) After we finished our work for the day we came back for dinner. (Which, by the way, I must say was really good. They are taking care of us here.)
Anyway, after dinner Jolene, Becky, and I headed off to the emergency room. It was one of the most interesting and funny trips to the hospital ever. I have never laughed so hard in the emergency room. I believe one of the highlights of the hospital adventure was when the doctor came in. He told Becky he wanted to do an X-ray to make sure the nail didn't hit a bone or leave metal in her foot. He then proceeded to name several very scary-sounding things that could happen if either of these events occurred. Becky's facial expression (the one that says "I think I am going to die") was priceless. The good news is that the X-ray was good and we were free to go home. We ended the evening with an excursion to Wal-Mart for snacks, workboots, and assorted other items for the rest of the week.
All in all it has been a great time so far and I hope to give more updates along the way. Please keep us in your prayers as we seek to be Jesus to the people of Picayune. May God's light shine brightly as we serve others in His name!
shine!
Jason
TO SEE PICTURES FROM TODAY, VISIT MY XANGA SITE (THERE IS A LINK IN THE RIGHT COLUMN)
We went to our first assignment this morning expecting to put up shingles. Upon our arrival we discovered a house with a few new sheets of board on top and some not-so-good looking tin roof on the other part. We were informed that we needed to remove all of the tin roofing and put board on almost all of the roof. But our crew was up to the challenge. In about 9 hours of hard work we removed all of the old roofing as well as getting all the new boards up and putting down the tar rolls. (If you don't understand all of that don't worry, I didn't know all of this stuff either.)
On a personal note it has been awesome to see Jesus in the men and women I am blessed to be serving with this week. Whether it's carrying wood to a burn pile, hammering a nail, or handing someone a tool, this is a neat group of people to spend some time with.
We did have one rather interesting twist today. Becky decided it would be fun to step on a nail this afternoon. We cleaned her foot as well as we could. Imagine me doing first aid. (In some twisted way it was fun to pour the rubbing alcohol on the wound. LOL.) After we finished our work for the day we came back for dinner. (Which, by the way, I must say was really good. They are taking care of us here.)
Anyway, after dinner Jolene, Becky, and I headed off to the emergency room. It was one of the most interesting and funny trips to the hospital ever. I have never laughed so hard in the emergency room. I believe one of the highlights of the hospital adventure was when the doctor came in. He told Becky he wanted to do an X-ray to make sure the nail didn't hit a bone or leave metal in her foot. He then proceeded to name several very scary-sounding things that could happen if either of these events occurred. Becky's facial expression (the one that says "I think I am going to die") was priceless. The good news is that the X-ray was good and we were free to go home. We ended the evening with an excursion to Wal-Mart for snacks, workboots, and assorted other items for the rest of the week.
All in all it has been a great time so far and I hope to give more updates along the way. Please keep us in your prayers as we seek to be Jesus to the people of Picayune. May God's light shine brightly as we serve others in His name!
shine!
Jason
TO SEE PICTURES FROM TODAY, VISIT MY XANGA SITE (THERE IS A LINK IN THE RIGHT COLUMN)
Monday, February 20, 2006
Mississippi - Day 1
Well, I am sitting here in my temporary bedroom upstairs in the Picayune Church of Christ. I have had many teens sleep in a teen classroom before, but not after putting in a long day's work. I have been so impressed with all of the students who came with us this week. Jolene, Becky, Duncan, Curtis, Josh, Jake, and Steven worked really hard today. And we got a lot done. The others on the trip with us - Byron, Baxter, Rob, Luis, and Jerry - also put in 110%.
We went to our first assignment this morning expecting to put up shingles. Upon our arrival we discovered a house with a few new sheets of board on top and some not-so-good looking tin roof on the other part. We were informed that we needed to remove all of the tin roofing and put board on almost all of the roof. But our crew was up to the challenge. In about 9 hours of hard work we removed all of the old roofing as well as getting all the new boards up and putting down the tar rolls. (If you don't understand all of that don't worry, I didn't know all of this stuff either.)
On a personal note it has been awesome to see Jesus in the men and women I am blessed to be serving with this week. Whether it's carrying wood to a burn pile, hammering a nail, or handing someone a tool, this is a neat group of people to spend some time with.
We did have one rather interesting twist today. Becky decided it would be fun to step on a nail this afternoon. We cleaned her foot as well as we could. Imagine me doing first aid. (In some twisted way it was fun to pour the rubbing alcohol on the wound. LOL.) After we finished our work for the day we came back for dinner. (Which, by the way, I must say was really good. They are taking care of us here.)
Anyway, after dinner Jolene, Becky, and I headed off to the emergency room. It was one of the most interesting and funny trips to the hospital ever. I have never laughed so hard in the emergency room. I believe one of the highlights of the hospital adventure was when the doctor came in. He told Becky he wanted to do an X-ray to make sure the nail didn't hit a bone or leave metal in her foot. He then proceeded to name several very scary-sounding things that could happen if either of these events occurred. Becky's facial expression (the one that says "I think I am going to die") was priceless. The good news is that the X-ray was good and we were free to go home. We ended the evening with an excursion to Wal-Mart for snacks, workboots, and assorted other items for the rest of the week.
All in all it has been a great time so far and I hope to give more updates along the way. Please keep us in your prayers as we seek to be Jesus to the people of Picayune. May God's light shine brightly as we serve others in His name!
shine!
Jason
TO SEE PICTURES FROM TODAY, VISIT MY XANGA SITE (THERE IS A LINK IN THE RIGHT COLUMN)
We went to our first assignment this morning expecting to put up shingles. Upon our arrival we discovered a house with a few new sheets of board on top and some not-so-good looking tin roof on the other part. We were informed that we needed to remove all of the tin roofing and put board on almost all of the roof. But our crew was up to the challenge. In about 9 hours of hard work we removed all of the old roofing as well as getting all the new boards up and putting down the tar rolls. (If you don't understand all of that don't worry, I didn't know all of this stuff either.)
On a personal note it has been awesome to see Jesus in the men and women I am blessed to be serving with this week. Whether it's carrying wood to a burn pile, hammering a nail, or handing someone a tool, this is a neat group of people to spend some time with.
We did have one rather interesting twist today. Becky decided it would be fun to step on a nail this afternoon. We cleaned her foot as well as we could. Imagine me doing first aid. (In some twisted way it was fun to pour the rubbing alcohol on the wound. LOL.) After we finished our work for the day we came back for dinner. (Which, by the way, I must say was really good. They are taking care of us here.)
Anyway, after dinner Jolene, Becky, and I headed off to the emergency room. It was one of the most interesting and funny trips to the hospital ever. I have never laughed so hard in the emergency room. I believe one of the highlights of the hospital adventure was when the doctor came in. He told Becky he wanted to do an X-ray to make sure the nail didn't hit a bone or leave metal in her foot. He then proceeded to name several very scary-sounding things that could happen if either of these events occurred. Becky's facial expression (the one that says "I think I am going to die") was priceless. The good news is that the X-ray was good and we were free to go home. We ended the evening with an excursion to Wal-Mart for snacks, workboots, and assorted other items for the rest of the week.
All in all it has been a great time so far and I hope to give more updates along the way. Please keep us in your prayers as we seek to be Jesus to the people of Picayune. May God's light shine brightly as we serve others in His name!
shine!
Jason
TO SEE PICTURES FROM TODAY, VISIT MY XANGA SITE (THERE IS A LINK IN THE RIGHT COLUMN)
My dad is bigger than your dad
NOTE: Today we begin our mission work in Picayune, Mississippi. I will try to post an update each evening of how the day went.
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TODAY'S READING: Genesis 17:1-8
Do you remember those playground arguments from second grade? Two boys would begin arguing about something and often it would turn into a "my dad versus your dad" battle of words. Each boy would challenge the other by saying his dad was better at something or in some way.
Well, we have a Father who is bigger or stronger than any other. God is the Lord Almighty. And He is a dad who follows through on what He says. Just consider His conversation here with Abraham.He begins with a challenge to Abram. A challenge to live a godly life. A challenge to live like His Father.
But then. Then comes the promise. God will make Abram a mighty nation. And not just the father of A nation, but many nations. And to make it complete, God changes Abram's name to Abraham. And in that day, names meant something. God changed Abraham's name from "exalted father" to "father of many."
And the exciting thing for me is that God makes a similar promise to us. Look at what Paul wrote in his letter to the Galatian churches...
"In the same way, 'Abraham believed God, so God declared him righteous because of his faith.' The real children of Abraham, then, are all those who put their faith in God.
What's more, the Scriptures looked forward to this time when God would accept the Gentiles, too, on the basis of their faith. God promised this good news to Abraham long ago when he said, 'All nations will be blessed through you.' And so it is: All who put their faith in Christ share the same blessing Abraham received because of his faith." (Galatians 3:6-9)
And all of this is possible because we serve a God who is Almighty. A Father who is bigger than any other. A Creator who can follow through on His promises.The question we need to ask ourselves is what father are we following? Is it the Father who is Almighty or the other father of this world. Listen to what Jesus said about this...
"If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and now am here. I have not come on my own; but he sent me. Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me! Can any of you prove me guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don't you believe me? He who belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God." (John 8:42-47)
The father we listen to will determine the path we follow. If we listen to the Almighty Father He will keep His promises to bless us. If we listen to the father of lies, he will lie to us and leave us empty-handed in the end without anything. The question is, what voice are you listening to?
Satan's promises sound great, but what is behind the lie? If you have believed his lies before you know the routine. Temporary pleasure but eventual disappointment. Short-term fulfullment with long-term emptiness.
When the father of lies tries to pursuade you, close your ears and walk away. Then turn your ears to the Almighty Father and listen to the One who keeps His promises to every generation.
shine!
Jason
-----
TODAY'S READING: Genesis 17:1-8
Do you remember those playground arguments from second grade? Two boys would begin arguing about something and often it would turn into a "my dad versus your dad" battle of words. Each boy would challenge the other by saying his dad was better at something or in some way.
Well, we have a Father who is bigger or stronger than any other. God is the Lord Almighty. And He is a dad who follows through on what He says. Just consider His conversation here with Abraham.He begins with a challenge to Abram. A challenge to live a godly life. A challenge to live like His Father.
But then. Then comes the promise. God will make Abram a mighty nation. And not just the father of A nation, but many nations. And to make it complete, God changes Abram's name to Abraham. And in that day, names meant something. God changed Abraham's name from "exalted father" to "father of many."
And the exciting thing for me is that God makes a similar promise to us. Look at what Paul wrote in his letter to the Galatian churches...
"In the same way, 'Abraham believed God, so God declared him righteous because of his faith.' The real children of Abraham, then, are all those who put their faith in God.
What's more, the Scriptures looked forward to this time when God would accept the Gentiles, too, on the basis of their faith. God promised this good news to Abraham long ago when he said, 'All nations will be blessed through you.' And so it is: All who put their faith in Christ share the same blessing Abraham received because of his faith." (Galatians 3:6-9)
And all of this is possible because we serve a God who is Almighty. A Father who is bigger than any other. A Creator who can follow through on His promises.The question we need to ask ourselves is what father are we following? Is it the Father who is Almighty or the other father of this world. Listen to what Jesus said about this...
"If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and now am here. I have not come on my own; but he sent me. Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me! Can any of you prove me guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don't you believe me? He who belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God." (John 8:42-47)
The father we listen to will determine the path we follow. If we listen to the Almighty Father He will keep His promises to bless us. If we listen to the father of lies, he will lie to us and leave us empty-handed in the end without anything. The question is, what voice are you listening to?
Satan's promises sound great, but what is behind the lie? If you have believed his lies before you know the routine. Temporary pleasure but eventual disappointment. Short-term fulfullment with long-term emptiness.
When the father of lies tries to pursuade you, close your ears and walk away. Then turn your ears to the Almighty Father and listen to the One who keeps His promises to every generation.
shine!
Jason
My dad is bigger than your dad
NOTE: Today we begin our mission work in Picayune, Mississippi. I will try to post an update each evening of how the day went.
-----
TODAY'S READING: Genesis 17:1-8
Do you remember those playground arguments from second grade? Two boys would begin arguing about something and often it would turn into a "my dad versus your dad" battle of words. Each boy would challenge the other by saying his dad was better at something or in some way.
Well, we have a Father who is bigger or stronger than any other. God is the Lord Almighty. And He is a dad who follows through on what He says. Just consider His conversation here with Abraham.He begins with a challenge to Abram. A challenge to live a godly life. A challenge to live like His Father.
But then. Then comes the promise. God will make Abram a mighty nation. And not just the father of A nation, but many nations. And to make it complete, God changes Abram's name to Abraham. And in that day, names meant something. God changed Abraham's name from "exalted father" to "father of many."
And the exciting thing for me is that God makes a similar promise to us. Look at what Paul wrote in his letter to the Galatian churches...
"In the same way, 'Abraham believed God, so God declared him righteous because of his faith.' The real children of Abraham, then, are all those who put their faith in God.
What's more, the Scriptures looked forward to this time when God would accept the Gentiles, too, on the basis of their faith. God promised this good news to Abraham long ago when he said, 'All nations will be blessed through you.' And so it is: All who put their faith in Christ share the same blessing Abraham received because of his faith." (Galatians 3:6-9)
And all of this is possible because we serve a God who is Almighty. A Father who is bigger than any other. A Creator who can follow through on His promises.The question we need to ask ourselves is what father are we following? Is it the Father who is Almighty or the other father of this world. Listen to what Jesus said about this...
"If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and now am here. I have not come on my own; but he sent me. Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me! Can any of you prove me guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don't you believe me? He who belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God." (John 8:42-47)
The father we listen to will determine the path we follow. If we listen to the Almighty Father He will keep His promises to bless us. If we listen to the father of lies, he will lie to us and leave us empty-handed in the end without anything. The question is, what voice are you listening to?
Satan's promises sound great, but what is behind the lie? If you have believed his lies before you know the routine. Temporary pleasure but eventual disappointment. Short-term fulfullment with long-term emptiness.
When the father of lies tries to pursuade you, close your ears and walk away. Then turn your ears to the Almighty Father and listen to the One who keeps His promises to every generation.
shine!
Jason
-----
TODAY'S READING: Genesis 17:1-8
Do you remember those playground arguments from second grade? Two boys would begin arguing about something and often it would turn into a "my dad versus your dad" battle of words. Each boy would challenge the other by saying his dad was better at something or in some way.
Well, we have a Father who is bigger or stronger than any other. God is the Lord Almighty. And He is a dad who follows through on what He says. Just consider His conversation here with Abraham.He begins with a challenge to Abram. A challenge to live a godly life. A challenge to live like His Father.
But then. Then comes the promise. God will make Abram a mighty nation. And not just the father of A nation, but many nations. And to make it complete, God changes Abram's name to Abraham. And in that day, names meant something. God changed Abraham's name from "exalted father" to "father of many."
And the exciting thing for me is that God makes a similar promise to us. Look at what Paul wrote in his letter to the Galatian churches...
"In the same way, 'Abraham believed God, so God declared him righteous because of his faith.' The real children of Abraham, then, are all those who put their faith in God.
What's more, the Scriptures looked forward to this time when God would accept the Gentiles, too, on the basis of their faith. God promised this good news to Abraham long ago when he said, 'All nations will be blessed through you.' And so it is: All who put their faith in Christ share the same blessing Abraham received because of his faith." (Galatians 3:6-9)
And all of this is possible because we serve a God who is Almighty. A Father who is bigger than any other. A Creator who can follow through on His promises.The question we need to ask ourselves is what father are we following? Is it the Father who is Almighty or the other father of this world. Listen to what Jesus said about this...
"If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and now am here. I have not come on my own; but he sent me. Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me! Can any of you prove me guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don't you believe me? He who belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God." (John 8:42-47)
The father we listen to will determine the path we follow. If we listen to the Almighty Father He will keep His promises to bless us. If we listen to the father of lies, he will lie to us and leave us empty-handed in the end without anything. The question is, what voice are you listening to?
Satan's promises sound great, but what is behind the lie? If you have believed his lies before you know the routine. Temporary pleasure but eventual disappointment. Short-term fulfullment with long-term emptiness.
When the father of lies tries to pursuade you, close your ears and walk away. Then turn your ears to the Almighty Father and listen to the One who keeps His promises to every generation.
shine!
Jason
Thursday, February 16, 2006
The Unlikely Draft Pick
TODAY'S READING: 1 Samuel 16:1-13
In a few months the NFL will have their draft. All the scouts are working to figure out who are the best players. They measure running speed, how much they can bench, and several other factors. And in the end each team will choose the player they feel is best for them.
Well, Samuel is called by God to "draft" a king for Israel. God instructs this prophet to go to the house of Jesse. There he will find the next king. So Samuel arrives and Jesse brings his sons in for the sacrifice Samuel has brought.
One by one Samuel has Jesse's sons go before him. And with each son the result is the same. This is not the one. Finally, after all the sons have come before him, Samuel asks if there are any more. At this point we discover this other son, David. He was not even given equal standing with his brothers. While the other seven were called in for the sacrifice, David was left to watch the sheep. Little did anyone know that this little shepherd boy was to be the next king of Israel.
You may look at yourself or others and tell yourself that there is no way God can use you or that other person. God's message is that the real measure of a person is what is on the inside. No matter how insignificant or small we may look in the world's eyes, God can use us.
David was equipped by God with certain gifts. Maybe David's time as a shepherd prepared him to shepherd the nation of Israel. While his brothers may have been strong men, isn't that what Saul was? And where did that get Saul? He left the throne disgraced.
The more we rely on God, the more effective we can be. And I am sure that David's many years of being looked on as the "other" brother built his character and prepared him to lead a nation.
If you have been through struggles and feel unworthy to serve God, you are probably the kind of person God can use the most. As Paul wrote about his thorn in the flesh, this is what he said...
"Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, 'My gracious favor is all you need. My power works best in your weakness.' So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may work through me. Since I know it is all for Christ's good, I am quite content with my weaknesses and with insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong." (2 Corinthians 12:8-10)
Feeling discouraged? Look for encouragement from God.
Feeling weak? Look for strength from God.
Feeling beat up? Look to Christ's example at the cross.
Feeling insignifant? Look for purpose in God's Kingdom.
The more we learn to trust in God and look at the world from His perspective the more we will find peace. The peace that only comes from finding your role in the Kingdom of God. Remember that God doesn't care what you look like, how popular you are, or what social class you are in. He is seeking hearts that are seeking Him. Who or what are you seeking?
shine!
Jason
The Unlikely Draft Pick
TODAY'S READING: 1 Samuel 16:1-13
In a few months the NFL will have their draft. All the scouts are working to figure out who are the best players. They measure running speed, how much they can bench, and several other factors. And in the end each team will choose the player they feel is best for them.
Well, Samuel is called by God to "draft" a king for Israel. God instructs this prophet to go to the house of Jesse. There he will find the next king. So Samuel arrives and Jesse brings his sons in for the sacrifice Samuel has brought.
One by one Samuel has Jesse's sons go before him. And with each son the result is the same. This is not the one. Finally, after all the sons have come before him, Samuel asks if there are any more. At this point we discover this other son, David. He was not even given equal standing with his brothers. While the other seven were called in for the sacrifice, David was left to watch the sheep. Little did anyone know that this little shepherd boy was to be the next king of Israel.
You may look at yourself or others and tell yourself that there is no way God can use you or that other person. God's message is that the real measure of a person is what is on the inside. No matter how insignificant or small we may look in the world's eyes, God can use us.
David was equipped by God with certain gifts. Maybe David's time as a shepherd prepared him to shepherd the nation of Israel. While his brothers may have been strong men, isn't that what Saul was? And where did that get Saul? He left the throne disgraced.
The more we rely on God, the more effective we can be. And I am sure that David's many years of being looked on as the "other" brother built his character and prepared him to lead a nation.
If you have been through struggles and feel unworthy to serve God, you are probably the kind of person God can use the most. As Paul wrote about his thorn in the flesh, this is what he said...
"Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, 'My gracious favor is all you need. My power works best in your weakness.' So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may work through me. Since I know it is all for Christ's good, I am quite content with my weaknesses and with insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong." (2 Corinthians 12:8-10)
Feeling discouraged? Look for encouragement from God.
Feeling weak? Look for strength from God.
Feeling beat up? Look to Christ's example at the cross.
Feeling insignifant? Look for purpose in God's Kingdom.
The more we learn to trust in God and look at the world from His perspective the more we will find peace. The peace that only comes from finding your role in the Kingdom of God. Remember that God doesn't care what you look like, how popular you are, or what social class you are in. He is seeking hearts that are seeking Him. Who or what are you seeking?
shine!
Jason
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
God sees your worth more than you do
TODAY'S READING: Judges 6
I want you to imagine the scene. The President of the United States has asked the military to assemble a special strike team to hunt down Usama Bin Laden. Upon hearing his assignment, a top Army officer goes to a remote town in Minnesota and finds a man who built a home out in the forest where he felt he could be safe from any potential terrorist attacks.
He knocks on the door and the man timidly answers. The first words the General speaks are, "Great soldier, the President wants you!"I would imagine this would be the response of the man. "Excuse me? Are you talking to me?"
Then imagine that man becoming the person who leads this elite team into battle and finding Bin Laden. Sounds crazy? Oh, yeah. Improbable? Absolutely.
But with God...mission accomplished!This is what happens with Gideon. A man who is afraid and offers up every excuse he can come up with. Gideon even challenges God to prove to him that He is calling Gideon and is with him.
Do you ever do that with God? Here is what it might sound like.
"God, if you really want me to take this job, give me a sign."
"God, if I am not supposed to do this, show me."
"God, if you are here, make it clear to me."
God is so patient with us. Gideon and God's conversation provides proof and one of the funniest exchanges in the Bible.
"Gideon replied, 'If you are truly going to help me, show me a sign to prove that it is really the LORD speaking to me. Don't go away until I come back and bring my offering to you.'
The LORD answered, 'I will stay here until you return.'"
Do you see the humor in that? God says He will wait somewhere for Gideon. If you are not at least smiling, read it again. God tells a human He will wait somewhere for him!
But don't we sometimes talk to God the same way? And not always for good reasons.
"God, wait here until I am ready to commit my life to you."
"God, can you hold on until I finish enjoying my youth."
"God, stay here while I go over there and commit this sin."
But God patiently says, "I will stay here until you return."
He waits, sometimes painfully, as we sell ourselves short.
We are willing to give into self-doubt and dissatisfaction while God looks on and says that we were made to be more.
Paul writes, "For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." (Ephesians 2:10)
Maybe God never intended for Gideon to be a wheat thresher. God may have created Gideon to be a warrior but he sold himself short. Gideon decided to be something less than God intended.
Are you selling yourself short? Does God want you to be more than you are? Has God given you abilities that are still unrealized?
If we examine our lives carefully, we may find that we are keeping ourselves from something much greater. For the first twenty-five years of my life I was hiding in sales, management, and a bunch of other places. But then God opened my eyes and called me to a place I never could have imagined.
Open your ears to God and listen for what He has in store for you. Don't wait for Him to come to you and say, "Mighty warrior, the Lord is with you." Go to Him and ask, "What do you have in mind for me?"
The answer may fill you with fear and take you somewhere you never expected. But in the end, you will find that place God intended for you from the beginning. And that will be more than worth the journey.
shine!
Jason
I want you to imagine the scene. The President of the United States has asked the military to assemble a special strike team to hunt down Usama Bin Laden. Upon hearing his assignment, a top Army officer goes to a remote town in Minnesota and finds a man who built a home out in the forest where he felt he could be safe from any potential terrorist attacks.
He knocks on the door and the man timidly answers. The first words the General speaks are, "Great soldier, the President wants you!"I would imagine this would be the response of the man. "Excuse me? Are you talking to me?"
Then imagine that man becoming the person who leads this elite team into battle and finding Bin Laden. Sounds crazy? Oh, yeah. Improbable? Absolutely.
But with God...mission accomplished!This is what happens with Gideon. A man who is afraid and offers up every excuse he can come up with. Gideon even challenges God to prove to him that He is calling Gideon and is with him.
Do you ever do that with God? Here is what it might sound like.
"God, if you really want me to take this job, give me a sign."
"God, if I am not supposed to do this, show me."
"God, if you are here, make it clear to me."
God is so patient with us. Gideon and God's conversation provides proof and one of the funniest exchanges in the Bible.
"Gideon replied, 'If you are truly going to help me, show me a sign to prove that it is really the LORD speaking to me. Don't go away until I come back and bring my offering to you.'
The LORD answered, 'I will stay here until you return.'"
Do you see the humor in that? God says He will wait somewhere for Gideon. If you are not at least smiling, read it again. God tells a human He will wait somewhere for him!
But don't we sometimes talk to God the same way? And not always for good reasons.
"God, wait here until I am ready to commit my life to you."
"God, can you hold on until I finish enjoying my youth."
"God, stay here while I go over there and commit this sin."
But God patiently says, "I will stay here until you return."
He waits, sometimes painfully, as we sell ourselves short.
We are willing to give into self-doubt and dissatisfaction while God looks on and says that we were made to be more.
Paul writes, "For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." (Ephesians 2:10)
Maybe God never intended for Gideon to be a wheat thresher. God may have created Gideon to be a warrior but he sold himself short. Gideon decided to be something less than God intended.
Are you selling yourself short? Does God want you to be more than you are? Has God given you abilities that are still unrealized?
If we examine our lives carefully, we may find that we are keeping ourselves from something much greater. For the first twenty-five years of my life I was hiding in sales, management, and a bunch of other places. But then God opened my eyes and called me to a place I never could have imagined.
Open your ears to God and listen for what He has in store for you. Don't wait for Him to come to you and say, "Mighty warrior, the Lord is with you." Go to Him and ask, "What do you have in mind for me?"
The answer may fill you with fear and take you somewhere you never expected. But in the end, you will find that place God intended for you from the beginning. And that will be more than worth the journey.
shine!
Jason
God sees your worth more than you do
TODAY'S READING: Judges 6
I want you to imagine the scene. The President of the United States has asked the military to assemble a special strike team to hunt down Usama Bin Laden. Upon hearing his assignment, a top Army officer goes to a remote town in Minnesota and finds a man who built a home out in the forest where he felt he could be safe from any potential terrorist attacks.
He knocks on the door and the man timidly answers. The first words the General speaks are, "Great soldier, the President wants you!"I would imagine this would be the response of the man. "Excuse me? Are you talking to me?"
Then imagine that man becoming the person who leads this elite team into battle and finding Bin Laden. Sounds crazy? Oh, yeah. Improbable? Absolutely.
But with God...mission accomplished!This is what happens with Gideon. A man who is afraid and offers up every excuse he can come up with. Gideon even challenges God to prove to him that He is calling Gideon and is with him.
Do you ever do that with God? Here is what it might sound like.
"God, if you really want me to take this job, give me a sign."
"God, if I am not supposed to do this, show me."
"God, if you are here, make it clear to me."
God is so patient with us. Gideon and God's conversation provides proof and one of the funniest exchanges in the Bible.
"Gideon replied, 'If you are truly going to help me, show me a sign to prove that it is really the LORD speaking to me. Don't go away until I come back and bring my offering to you.'
The LORD answered, 'I will stay here until you return.'"
Do you see the humor in that? God says He will wait somewhere for Gideon. If you are not at least smiling, read it again. God tells a human He will wait somewhere for him!
But don't we sometimes talk to God the same way? And not always for good reasons.
"God, wait here until I am ready to commit my life to you."
"God, can you hold on until I finish enjoying my youth."
"God, stay here while I go over there and commit this sin."
But God patiently says, "I will stay here until you return."
He waits, sometimes painfully, as we sell ourselves short.
We are willing to give into self-doubt and dissatisfaction while God looks on and says that we were made to be more.
Paul writes, "For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." (Ephesians 2:10)
Maybe God never intended for Gideon to be a wheat thresher. God may have created Gideon to be a warrior but he sold himself short. Gideon decided to be something less than God intended.
Are you selling yourself short? Does God want you to be more than you are? Has God given you abilities that are still unrealized?
If we examine our lives carefully, we may find that we are keeping ourselves from something much greater. For the first twenty-five years of my life I was hiding in sales, management, and a bunch of other places. But then God opened my eyes and called me to a place I never could have imagined.
Open your ears to God and listen for what He has in store for you. Don't wait for Him to come to you and say, "Mighty warrior, the Lord is with you." Go to Him and ask, "What do you have in mind for me?"
The answer may fill you with fear and take you somewhere you never expected. But in the end, you will find that place God intended for you from the beginning. And that will be more than worth the journey.
shine!
Jason
I want you to imagine the scene. The President of the United States has asked the military to assemble a special strike team to hunt down Usama Bin Laden. Upon hearing his assignment, a top Army officer goes to a remote town in Minnesota and finds a man who built a home out in the forest where he felt he could be safe from any potential terrorist attacks.
He knocks on the door and the man timidly answers. The first words the General speaks are, "Great soldier, the President wants you!"I would imagine this would be the response of the man. "Excuse me? Are you talking to me?"
Then imagine that man becoming the person who leads this elite team into battle and finding Bin Laden. Sounds crazy? Oh, yeah. Improbable? Absolutely.
But with God...mission accomplished!This is what happens with Gideon. A man who is afraid and offers up every excuse he can come up with. Gideon even challenges God to prove to him that He is calling Gideon and is with him.
Do you ever do that with God? Here is what it might sound like.
"God, if you really want me to take this job, give me a sign."
"God, if I am not supposed to do this, show me."
"God, if you are here, make it clear to me."
God is so patient with us. Gideon and God's conversation provides proof and one of the funniest exchanges in the Bible.
"Gideon replied, 'If you are truly going to help me, show me a sign to prove that it is really the LORD speaking to me. Don't go away until I come back and bring my offering to you.'
The LORD answered, 'I will stay here until you return.'"
Do you see the humor in that? God says He will wait somewhere for Gideon. If you are not at least smiling, read it again. God tells a human He will wait somewhere for him!
But don't we sometimes talk to God the same way? And not always for good reasons.
"God, wait here until I am ready to commit my life to you."
"God, can you hold on until I finish enjoying my youth."
"God, stay here while I go over there and commit this sin."
But God patiently says, "I will stay here until you return."
He waits, sometimes painfully, as we sell ourselves short.
We are willing to give into self-doubt and dissatisfaction while God looks on and says that we were made to be more.
Paul writes, "For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." (Ephesians 2:10)
Maybe God never intended for Gideon to be a wheat thresher. God may have created Gideon to be a warrior but he sold himself short. Gideon decided to be something less than God intended.
Are you selling yourself short? Does God want you to be more than you are? Has God given you abilities that are still unrealized?
If we examine our lives carefully, we may find that we are keeping ourselves from something much greater. For the first twenty-five years of my life I was hiding in sales, management, and a bunch of other places. But then God opened my eyes and called me to a place I never could have imagined.
Open your ears to God and listen for what He has in store for you. Don't wait for Him to come to you and say, "Mighty warrior, the Lord is with you." Go to Him and ask, "What do you have in mind for me?"
The answer may fill you with fear and take you somewhere you never expected. But in the end, you will find that place God intended for you from the beginning. And that will be more than worth the journey.
shine!
Jason
Tuesday, February 14, 2006
From God, for God
TODAY'S READING: 1 Corinthians 12:12-27
There seems to be a trend in sports today. The best team wins, not the team with the biggest superstar. Whether it's the New England Patriots, the Chicago White Sox, or the Pittsburgh Steelers, none of these teams have a premier superstar. I think part of the reason is that many superstars in sports are more concerned with themselves than their team. The team is just a way for them to achieve their fame.
In our walk with Christ we need to be team players as well. God has created each of us with unique gifts and abilities. Some roles will be public and others are behind the scenes. The key is how you handle your role whatever it is.
Paul warns us to approach our role with humility and selflessness. It is not about us. God made us for our role and our purpose is to use that role to glorify Him and serve others. That is the key. God made us a certain way for the role He intended us to fill.
If you are a great public speaker, it's because God made you that way.
If you have a great singing voice, God gave it to you.
If you have a great mind, God created it.
No matter what it is that you are able to do, God created you to have that ability. Yes, you may have put in a lot of effort to enhance and improve you abilities. But God provided the foundation that you built on.
When we realize all of our abilities are from God we will become more of a spiritual team player. Then we will treat everyone equally because God placed them in the role they are in. No one is better than anyone else. And no one is any less important.
Our responsbility is to encourage everyone in their role, not to become prideful about our role. One will make the church stronger, the other will make the church ineffective. We must learn to put the concerns of others above our own and stop finding worth in putting others down. We will only become the church God created us to be when we are willing to get off the throne of self and help others to fulfill the role God created them for, no matter how much attention it might draw away from us.
shine!
Jason
There seems to be a trend in sports today. The best team wins, not the team with the biggest superstar. Whether it's the New England Patriots, the Chicago White Sox, or the Pittsburgh Steelers, none of these teams have a premier superstar. I think part of the reason is that many superstars in sports are more concerned with themselves than their team. The team is just a way for them to achieve their fame.
In our walk with Christ we need to be team players as well. God has created each of us with unique gifts and abilities. Some roles will be public and others are behind the scenes. The key is how you handle your role whatever it is.
Paul warns us to approach our role with humility and selflessness. It is not about us. God made us for our role and our purpose is to use that role to glorify Him and serve others. That is the key. God made us a certain way for the role He intended us to fill.
If you are a great public speaker, it's because God made you that way.
If you have a great singing voice, God gave it to you.
If you have a great mind, God created it.
No matter what it is that you are able to do, God created you to have that ability. Yes, you may have put in a lot of effort to enhance and improve you abilities. But God provided the foundation that you built on.
When we realize all of our abilities are from God we will become more of a spiritual team player. Then we will treat everyone equally because God placed them in the role they are in. No one is better than anyone else. And no one is any less important.
Our responsbility is to encourage everyone in their role, not to become prideful about our role. One will make the church stronger, the other will make the church ineffective. We must learn to put the concerns of others above our own and stop finding worth in putting others down. We will only become the church God created us to be when we are willing to get off the throne of self and help others to fulfill the role God created them for, no matter how much attention it might draw away from us.
shine!
Jason
From God, for God
TODAY'S READING: 1 Corinthians 12:12-27
There seems to be a trend in sports today. The best team wins, not the team with the biggest superstar. Whether it's the New England Patriots, the Chicago White Sox, or the Pittsburgh Steelers, none of these teams have a premier superstar. I think part of the reason is that many superstars in sports are more concerned with themselves than their team. The team is just a way for them to achieve their fame.
In our walk with Christ we need to be team players as well. God has created each of us with unique gifts and abilities. Some roles will be public and others are behind the scenes. The key is how you handle your role whatever it is.
Paul warns us to approach our role with humility and selflessness. It is not about us. God made us for our role and our purpose is to use that role to glorify Him and serve others. That is the key. God made us a certain way for the role He intended us to fill.
If you are a great public speaker, it's because God made you that way.
If you have a great singing voice, God gave it to you.
If you have a great mind, God created it.
No matter what it is that you are able to do, God created you to have that ability. Yes, you may have put in a lot of effort to enhance and improve you abilities. But God provided the foundation that you built on.
When we realize all of our abilities are from God we will become more of a spiritual team player. Then we will treat everyone equally because God placed them in the role they are in. No one is better than anyone else. And no one is any less important.
Our responsbility is to encourage everyone in their role, not to become prideful about our role. One will make the church stronger, the other will make the church ineffective. We must learn to put the concerns of others above our own and stop finding worth in putting others down. We will only become the church God created us to be when we are willing to get off the throne of self and help others to fulfill the role God created them for, no matter how much attention it might draw away from us.
shine!
Jason
There seems to be a trend in sports today. The best team wins, not the team with the biggest superstar. Whether it's the New England Patriots, the Chicago White Sox, or the Pittsburgh Steelers, none of these teams have a premier superstar. I think part of the reason is that many superstars in sports are more concerned with themselves than their team. The team is just a way for them to achieve their fame.
In our walk with Christ we need to be team players as well. God has created each of us with unique gifts and abilities. Some roles will be public and others are behind the scenes. The key is how you handle your role whatever it is.
Paul warns us to approach our role with humility and selflessness. It is not about us. God made us for our role and our purpose is to use that role to glorify Him and serve others. That is the key. God made us a certain way for the role He intended us to fill.
If you are a great public speaker, it's because God made you that way.
If you have a great singing voice, God gave it to you.
If you have a great mind, God created it.
No matter what it is that you are able to do, God created you to have that ability. Yes, you may have put in a lot of effort to enhance and improve you abilities. But God provided the foundation that you built on.
When we realize all of our abilities are from God we will become more of a spiritual team player. Then we will treat everyone equally because God placed them in the role they are in. No one is better than anyone else. And no one is any less important.
Our responsbility is to encourage everyone in their role, not to become prideful about our role. One will make the church stronger, the other will make the church ineffective. We must learn to put the concerns of others above our own and stop finding worth in putting others down. We will only become the church God created us to be when we are willing to get off the throne of self and help others to fulfill the role God created them for, no matter how much attention it might draw away from us.
shine!
Jason
Monday, February 13, 2006
Is your gift still in the bag?
TODAY'S READING: Romans 12:1-8
I remember several years ago that my dad gave me a video camera as a gift. One of the main purposes of the gift was so I could videotape Matthew. I must admit that I often fall short of what he had hoped for. Our family will have special events or make a special trip and my dad will ask if I videotaped any of it. Often I either forgot to take the camera or simplied failed to get it out. Understandably, he gets frustrated because I wasn't using the gift he gave me.
Do you ever wonder if God looks at us and feels the same way? I believe that is part of what Paul is dealing with here in Romans. He is challenging us to understand what God gave us and respond appropriately. It starts with what Pauls writes in verse one. "When you think of what he has done for you, is this too much to ask?"God has done so much for us and blessed us with so many gifts. But how do we respond? Do we use those gifts for His glory or for our's?
That is a scary question to consider. Are we first and foremost using our gifts for Jesus and His church? Do the ways we use the gifts we have serve the Kingdom of God?
Take a minute and think of the gifts God has given you. To help with that, let me mention the ones Paul discusses here in Romans...
Speaking out for God.
Serving others.
Teaching.
Encouraging.
Generosity.
Leadership.
Showing kindness to others.
Do you have any of these gifts? Or has God blessed you with others? Take a minute now to make a list either on paper or in your head.
Now ask yourself how you are using those to honor God.
If my dad has the right to be frustrated because I am not using the gift of a video camera, how much more frustrated must God the Creator feel when His creation misuses or wastes the gifts He gave us when He made us? Shouldn't we strive to use things the way God intended?
I know that if I get the video camera out of the camera bag and start videotaping my dad will be pleased. Let's dedicate ourselves to getting our gifts out of the bag and put them to work for our heavenly Father.
shine!
Jason
I remember several years ago that my dad gave me a video camera as a gift. One of the main purposes of the gift was so I could videotape Matthew. I must admit that I often fall short of what he had hoped for. Our family will have special events or make a special trip and my dad will ask if I videotaped any of it. Often I either forgot to take the camera or simplied failed to get it out. Understandably, he gets frustrated because I wasn't using the gift he gave me.
Do you ever wonder if God looks at us and feels the same way? I believe that is part of what Paul is dealing with here in Romans. He is challenging us to understand what God gave us and respond appropriately. It starts with what Pauls writes in verse one. "When you think of what he has done for you, is this too much to ask?"God has done so much for us and blessed us with so many gifts. But how do we respond? Do we use those gifts for His glory or for our's?
That is a scary question to consider. Are we first and foremost using our gifts for Jesus and His church? Do the ways we use the gifts we have serve the Kingdom of God?
Take a minute and think of the gifts God has given you. To help with that, let me mention the ones Paul discusses here in Romans...
Speaking out for God.
Serving others.
Teaching.
Encouraging.
Generosity.
Leadership.
Showing kindness to others.
Do you have any of these gifts? Or has God blessed you with others? Take a minute now to make a list either on paper or in your head.
Now ask yourself how you are using those to honor God.
If my dad has the right to be frustrated because I am not using the gift of a video camera, how much more frustrated must God the Creator feel when His creation misuses or wastes the gifts He gave us when He made us? Shouldn't we strive to use things the way God intended?
I know that if I get the video camera out of the camera bag and start videotaping my dad will be pleased. Let's dedicate ourselves to getting our gifts out of the bag and put them to work for our heavenly Father.
shine!
Jason
Is your gift still in the bag?
TODAY'S READING: Romans 12:1-8
I remember several years ago that my dad gave me a video camera as a gift. One of the main purposes of the gift was so I could videotape Matthew. I must admit that I often fall short of what he had hoped for. Our family will have special events or make a special trip and my dad will ask if I videotaped any of it. Often I either forgot to take the camera or simplied failed to get it out. Understandably, he gets frustrated because I wasn't using the gift he gave me.
Do you ever wonder if God looks at us and feels the same way? I believe that is part of what Paul is dealing with here in Romans. He is challenging us to understand what God gave us and respond appropriately. It starts with what Pauls writes in verse one. "When you think of what he has done for you, is this too much to ask?"God has done so much for us and blessed us with so many gifts. But how do we respond? Do we use those gifts for His glory or for our's?
That is a scary question to consider. Are we first and foremost using our gifts for Jesus and His church? Do the ways we use the gifts we have serve the Kingdom of God?
Take a minute and think of the gifts God has given you. To help with that, let me mention the ones Paul discusses here in Romans...
Speaking out for God.
Serving others.
Teaching.
Encouraging.
Generosity.
Leadership.
Showing kindness to others.
Do you have any of these gifts? Or has God blessed you with others? Take a minute now to make a list either on paper or in your head.
Now ask yourself how you are using those to honor God.
If my dad has the right to be frustrated because I am not using the gift of a video camera, how much more frustrated must God the Creator feel when His creation misuses or wastes the gifts He gave us when He made us? Shouldn't we strive to use things the way God intended?
I know that if I get the video camera out of the camera bag and start videotaping my dad will be pleased. Let's dedicate ourselves to getting our gifts out of the bag and put them to work for our heavenly Father.
shine!
Jason
I remember several years ago that my dad gave me a video camera as a gift. One of the main purposes of the gift was so I could videotape Matthew. I must admit that I often fall short of what he had hoped for. Our family will have special events or make a special trip and my dad will ask if I videotaped any of it. Often I either forgot to take the camera or simplied failed to get it out. Understandably, he gets frustrated because I wasn't using the gift he gave me.
Do you ever wonder if God looks at us and feels the same way? I believe that is part of what Paul is dealing with here in Romans. He is challenging us to understand what God gave us and respond appropriately. It starts with what Pauls writes in verse one. "When you think of what he has done for you, is this too much to ask?"God has done so much for us and blessed us with so many gifts. But how do we respond? Do we use those gifts for His glory or for our's?
That is a scary question to consider. Are we first and foremost using our gifts for Jesus and His church? Do the ways we use the gifts we have serve the Kingdom of God?
Take a minute and think of the gifts God has given you. To help with that, let me mention the ones Paul discusses here in Romans...
Speaking out for God.
Serving others.
Teaching.
Encouraging.
Generosity.
Leadership.
Showing kindness to others.
Do you have any of these gifts? Or has God blessed you with others? Take a minute now to make a list either on paper or in your head.
Now ask yourself how you are using those to honor God.
If my dad has the right to be frustrated because I am not using the gift of a video camera, how much more frustrated must God the Creator feel when His creation misuses or wastes the gifts He gave us when He made us? Shouldn't we strive to use things the way God intended?
I know that if I get the video camera out of the camera bag and start videotaping my dad will be pleased. Let's dedicate ourselves to getting our gifts out of the bag and put them to work for our heavenly Father.
shine!
Jason
Thursday, February 09, 2006
Listen to the Doctor
TODAY'S READING: 1 John 3:1-6
Have you ever been to the doctor because you were sick and he gave you a prescription? What did you do? Do you go to the pharmacy and get your prescription or ignore what the doctor said?
It would be kind of foolish to not fill the prescription. It shows that we either don't trust the doctor or we don't really want to get well. Either way, we are ignoring the advice of someone who wants what is best for us.
The same thing happens when we come to Jesus. When we are sick emotionally and spiritually, Jesus gives us a prescription. He tells us to avoid sin. Stay away from those things that make you sick emotionally and spiritually. But for some reason we fail to "fill" the prescription.
Is it that we don't trust God? Or is it that we are enjoying the temporary pleasure of sin too much to make the changes to get better in the long run? Either way, we are ignoring the advice of someone who wants what is best for us.
John wrote, "But those who keep on sinning have never known him or understood who he is." (1 John 3:6) I think we often ignore God's prescription because we don't know Him well enough or don't really understand who He is. When we don't invest the time in the relationship, Jesus is more of a distant figure than a close friend. And when that happens we don't trust Him as much as we should.
Jesus dealt with a whole group of people who thought they knew God but really didn't. The Pharisees and religious teachers of His day thought they knew God. But to them God was a lawmaker who demanded certain behaviors. And when they met the demands, those religious folks thought they had "arrived." But Jesus had a different view on things.
When he heard this, Jesus replied, "Healthy people don't need a doctor--sick people do." Then he added, "Now go and learn the meaning of this Scripture: `I want you to be merciful; I don't want your sacrifices.' For I have come to call sinners, not those who think they are already good enough." (Matthew 9:12-13)
There is prescription from the Great Physician. When we realize our shortcomings and want to change, then God can change our hearts. We will not become pure until we realize our impurity.
It has been interesting in my walk with Jesus that the closer I get to God the more inpurities I notice. It's kind of like when the sun rises after an overnight storm. The more the sun rises and the brighter the light, the more damage you will see.
It's also like the doctor who shines that little light in your ear to see if there is an infection. The sickness will never be found until it is illuminated.
Today, let the light of God shine a little brighter on your life and see what is revealed. And as you get to know God better He will challenge you to become even more pure. It is then that God will really be able to make the changes that you and I cannot make on our own.
shine!
Jason
Listen to the Doctor
TODAY'S READING: 1 John 3:1-6
Have you ever been to the doctor because you were sick and he gave you a prescription? What did you do? Do you go to the pharmacy and get your prescription or ignore what the doctor said?
It would be kind of foolish to not fill the prescription. It shows that we either don't trust the doctor or we don't really want to get well. Either way, we are ignoring the advice of someone who wants what is best for us.
The same thing happens when we come to Jesus. When we are sick emotionally and spiritually, Jesus gives us a prescription. He tells us to avoid sin. Stay away from those things that make you sick emotionally and spiritually. But for some reason we fail to "fill" the prescription.
Is it that we don't trust God? Or is it that we are enjoying the temporary pleasure of sin too much to make the changes to get better in the long run? Either way, we are ignoring the advice of someone who wants what is best for us.
John wrote, "But those who keep on sinning have never known him or understood who he is." (1 John 3:6) I think we often ignore God's prescription because we don't know Him well enough or don't really understand who He is. When we don't invest the time in the relationship, Jesus is more of a distant figure than a close friend. And when that happens we don't trust Him as much as we should.
Jesus dealt with a whole group of people who thought they knew God but really didn't. The Pharisees and religious teachers of His day thought they knew God. But to them God was a lawmaker who demanded certain behaviors. And when they met the demands, those religious folks thought they had "arrived." But Jesus had a different view on things.
When he heard this, Jesus replied, "Healthy people don't need a doctor--sick people do." Then he added, "Now go and learn the meaning of this Scripture: `I want you to be merciful; I don't want your sacrifices.' For I have come to call sinners, not those who think they are already good enough." (Matthew 9:12-13)
There is prescription from the Great Physician. When we realize our shortcomings and want to change, then God can change our hearts. We will not become pure until we realize our impurity.
It has been interesting in my walk with Jesus that the closer I get to God the more inpurities I notice. It's kind of like when the sun rises after an overnight storm. The more the sun rises and the brighter the light, the more damage you will see.
It's also like the doctor who shines that little light in your ear to see if there is an infection. The sickness will never be found until it is illuminated.
Today, let the light of God shine a little brighter on your life and see what is revealed. And as you get to know God better He will challenge you to become even more pure. It is then that God will really be able to make the changes that you and I cannot make on our own.
shine!
Jason
Wednesday, February 08, 2006
Protect your heart and mind
TODAY'S READING: 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1
If you had a vault with millions of dollars in it would you give the key to anyone? How would you choose who gets a key? Would you trust someone who knew would take money?
As crazy as that sounds, we often make that kind of decision when it comes to our body, mind, and heart.
As followers of Jesus our "vault" contains some valuable things.
Faith in God.
Love.
Honesty.
Humility.
Purity.
And this is just the beginning of the list.
When it comes to our "vault" we can either make deposits or withdrawals. The kind of people you choose to give access to will determine which one happens.
If we allow believers, followers of Jesus, to have access, they will usually make deposits. Of course they are not perfect, but in general you will both grow as you encourage each other to become more like Jesus.
Unbelievers on the other hand, usually have a different outlook on life. God is not the center of their life. They will often rob you of your passion for God and direct your heart and mind towards other things.
This doesn't mean we can't be friends with unbelievers. I hope most of us know people who we want to bring to Jesus. But, who are your closest friends? Who are the ones who impact your decision-making the most? Who do you go to when you deal with serious issues?
It is in those moments we need close friends who are focused on Jesus like us. Often in our weakest moments is when our friends have the most influence.
Paul finishes up this thought by telling us to cleanse ourselves from everything that pollutes our body or spirit. In other words, take away the key from anything or anyone that robs your spiritual "vault." If something or someone is taking away your passion for God, it's time to reconsider what kind of access theyhave.
shine!
Jason
If you had a vault with millions of dollars in it would you give the key to anyone? How would you choose who gets a key? Would you trust someone who knew would take money?
As crazy as that sounds, we often make that kind of decision when it comes to our body, mind, and heart.
As followers of Jesus our "vault" contains some valuable things.
Faith in God.
Love.
Honesty.
Humility.
Purity.
And this is just the beginning of the list.
When it comes to our "vault" we can either make deposits or withdrawals. The kind of people you choose to give access to will determine which one happens.
If we allow believers, followers of Jesus, to have access, they will usually make deposits. Of course they are not perfect, but in general you will both grow as you encourage each other to become more like Jesus.
Unbelievers on the other hand, usually have a different outlook on life. God is not the center of their life. They will often rob you of your passion for God and direct your heart and mind towards other things.
This doesn't mean we can't be friends with unbelievers. I hope most of us know people who we want to bring to Jesus. But, who are your closest friends? Who are the ones who impact your decision-making the most? Who do you go to when you deal with serious issues?
It is in those moments we need close friends who are focused on Jesus like us. Often in our weakest moments is when our friends have the most influence.
Paul finishes up this thought by telling us to cleanse ourselves from everything that pollutes our body or spirit. In other words, take away the key from anything or anyone that robs your spiritual "vault." If something or someone is taking away your passion for God, it's time to reconsider what kind of access theyhave.
shine!
Jason
Protect your heart and mind
TODAY'S READING: 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1
If you had a vault with millions of dollars in it would you give the key to anyone? How would you choose who gets a key? Would you trust someone who knew would take money?
As crazy as that sounds, we often make that kind of decision when it comes to our body, mind, and heart.
As followers of Jesus our "vault" contains some valuable things.
Faith in God.
Love.
Honesty.
Humility.
Purity.
And this is just the beginning of the list.
When it comes to our "vault" we can either make deposits or withdrawals. The kind of people you choose to give access to will determine which one happens.
If we allow believers, followers of Jesus, to have access, they will usually make deposits. Of course they are not perfect, but in general you will both grow as you encourage each other to become more like Jesus.
Unbelievers on the other hand, usually have a different outlook on life. God is not the center of their life. They will often rob you of your passion for God and direct your heart and mind towards other things.
This doesn't mean we can't be friends with unbelievers. I hope most of us know people who we want to bring to Jesus. But, who are your closest friends? Who are the ones who impact your decision-making the most? Who do you go to when you deal with serious issues?
It is in those moments we need close friends who are focused on Jesus like us. Often in our weakest moments is when our friends have the most influence.
Paul finishes up this thought by telling us to cleanse ourselves from everything that pollutes our body or spirit. In other words, take away the key from anything or anyone that robs your spiritual "vault." If something or someone is taking away your passion for God, it's time to reconsider what kind of access theyhave.
shine!
Jason
If you had a vault with millions of dollars in it would you give the key to anyone? How would you choose who gets a key? Would you trust someone who knew would take money?
As crazy as that sounds, we often make that kind of decision when it comes to our body, mind, and heart.
As followers of Jesus our "vault" contains some valuable things.
Faith in God.
Love.
Honesty.
Humility.
Purity.
And this is just the beginning of the list.
When it comes to our "vault" we can either make deposits or withdrawals. The kind of people you choose to give access to will determine which one happens.
If we allow believers, followers of Jesus, to have access, they will usually make deposits. Of course they are not perfect, but in general you will both grow as you encourage each other to become more like Jesus.
Unbelievers on the other hand, usually have a different outlook on life. God is not the center of their life. They will often rob you of your passion for God and direct your heart and mind towards other things.
This doesn't mean we can't be friends with unbelievers. I hope most of us know people who we want to bring to Jesus. But, who are your closest friends? Who are the ones who impact your decision-making the most? Who do you go to when you deal with serious issues?
It is in those moments we need close friends who are focused on Jesus like us. Often in our weakest moments is when our friends have the most influence.
Paul finishes up this thought by telling us to cleanse ourselves from everything that pollutes our body or spirit. In other words, take away the key from anything or anyone that robs your spiritual "vault." If something or someone is taking away your passion for God, it's time to reconsider what kind of access theyhave.
shine!
Jason
Tuesday, February 07, 2006
Don't look behind THAT door
TODAY'S READING: Matthew 15:1-20
Let's admit it. Every family has done it before and will do it again. If you haven't you are either perfect or dillusional. What is IT? The famous "people are coming, we haven't cleaned, so lets throw everything in that room over there" routine. You know, the one you perform when company is coming and the house isn't ready.
The guests arrive and you hope they don't ask for a tour. Please, don't open THAT door. Oh, there goes someone. You cut them off just in time and show them where the bathroom is, glad they didn't open the OTHER door.
As funny as that is when we are having company, we often try to do the same thing spiritually. And that's not so funny.
Time for church. Put on the right clothes. Drive up and get out of the car. Time to stop arguing. Put on that smile. Shove all the improper, non-church behavior away until we get back home. Hugs for everyone. Hoping someone doesn't bring up that one thing that might cause an emotional eruption.
Jesus wasn't only taking to the Pharisees in this passage in Matthew. He was talking to you and me. How we look is not nearly as important as who we are. What's on the inside is much more significant than what people see on the outside. Worship is not a matter of action, it is a matter of the heart.
Jesus challenges us to be real! Real about who we are. Real about our struggles. And real about the fact that we are really no better than anyone else.
To the religious leaders of Jesus' day, worship was about showing everyone else how "religious" they were. Real worship is an outpouring of heart struggling to be shaped by God.
Is it time for a real spiritual house-cleaning in your life? Are there some rooms you have been hiding stuff in?
We will never achieve perfection, but we cannot seriously pursue becoming Christ-like until we are willing to let God open every door of our heart and have access to every room of struggles that we deal with. Then God can help us become pure from the inside out.
shine!
Jason
Let's admit it. Every family has done it before and will do it again. If you haven't you are either perfect or dillusional. What is IT? The famous "people are coming, we haven't cleaned, so lets throw everything in that room over there" routine. You know, the one you perform when company is coming and the house isn't ready.
The guests arrive and you hope they don't ask for a tour. Please, don't open THAT door. Oh, there goes someone. You cut them off just in time and show them where the bathroom is, glad they didn't open the OTHER door.
As funny as that is when we are having company, we often try to do the same thing spiritually. And that's not so funny.
Time for church. Put on the right clothes. Drive up and get out of the car. Time to stop arguing. Put on that smile. Shove all the improper, non-church behavior away until we get back home. Hugs for everyone. Hoping someone doesn't bring up that one thing that might cause an emotional eruption.
Jesus wasn't only taking to the Pharisees in this passage in Matthew. He was talking to you and me. How we look is not nearly as important as who we are. What's on the inside is much more significant than what people see on the outside. Worship is not a matter of action, it is a matter of the heart.
Jesus challenges us to be real! Real about who we are. Real about our struggles. And real about the fact that we are really no better than anyone else.
To the religious leaders of Jesus' day, worship was about showing everyone else how "religious" they were. Real worship is an outpouring of heart struggling to be shaped by God.
Is it time for a real spiritual house-cleaning in your life? Are there some rooms you have been hiding stuff in?
We will never achieve perfection, but we cannot seriously pursue becoming Christ-like until we are willing to let God open every door of our heart and have access to every room of struggles that we deal with. Then God can help us become pure from the inside out.
shine!
Jason
Don't look behind THAT door
TODAY'S READING: Matthew 15:1-20
Let's admit it. Every family has done it before and will do it again. If you haven't you are either perfect or dillusional. What is IT? The famous "people are coming, we haven't cleaned, so lets throw everything in that room over there" routine. You know, the one you perform when company is coming and the house isn't ready.
The guests arrive and you hope they don't ask for a tour. Please, don't open THAT door. Oh, there goes someone. You cut them off just in time and show them where the bathroom is, glad they didn't open the OTHER door.
As funny as that is when we are having company, we often try to do the same thing spiritually. And that's not so funny.
Time for church. Put on the right clothes. Drive up and get out of the car. Time to stop arguing. Put on that smile. Shove all the improper, non-church behavior away until we get back home. Hugs for everyone. Hoping someone doesn't bring up that one thing that might cause an emotional eruption.
Jesus wasn't only taking to the Pharisees in this passage in Matthew. He was talking to you and me. How we look is not nearly as important as who we are. What's on the inside is much more significant than what people see on the outside. Worship is not a matter of action, it is a matter of the heart.
Jesus challenges us to be real! Real about who we are. Real about our struggles. And real about the fact that we are really no better than anyone else.
To the religious leaders of Jesus' day, worship was about showing everyone else how "religious" they were. Real worship is an outpouring of heart struggling to be shaped by God.
Is it time for a real spiritual house-cleaning in your life? Are there some rooms you have been hiding stuff in?
We will never achieve perfection, but we cannot seriously pursue becoming Christ-like until we are willing to let God open every door of our heart and have access to every room of struggles that we deal with. Then God can help us become pure from the inside out.
shine!
Jason
Let's admit it. Every family has done it before and will do it again. If you haven't you are either perfect or dillusional. What is IT? The famous "people are coming, we haven't cleaned, so lets throw everything in that room over there" routine. You know, the one you perform when company is coming and the house isn't ready.
The guests arrive and you hope they don't ask for a tour. Please, don't open THAT door. Oh, there goes someone. You cut them off just in time and show them where the bathroom is, glad they didn't open the OTHER door.
As funny as that is when we are having company, we often try to do the same thing spiritually. And that's not so funny.
Time for church. Put on the right clothes. Drive up and get out of the car. Time to stop arguing. Put on that smile. Shove all the improper, non-church behavior away until we get back home. Hugs for everyone. Hoping someone doesn't bring up that one thing that might cause an emotional eruption.
Jesus wasn't only taking to the Pharisees in this passage in Matthew. He was talking to you and me. How we look is not nearly as important as who we are. What's on the inside is much more significant than what people see on the outside. Worship is not a matter of action, it is a matter of the heart.
Jesus challenges us to be real! Real about who we are. Real about our struggles. And real about the fact that we are really no better than anyone else.
To the religious leaders of Jesus' day, worship was about showing everyone else how "religious" they were. Real worship is an outpouring of heart struggling to be shaped by God.
Is it time for a real spiritual house-cleaning in your life? Are there some rooms you have been hiding stuff in?
We will never achieve perfection, but we cannot seriously pursue becoming Christ-like until we are willing to let God open every door of our heart and have access to every room of struggles that we deal with. Then God can help us become pure from the inside out.
shine!
Jason
Monday, February 06, 2006
Stay focused on the task
TODAY'S READING: 1 Timothy 4:6-13
Ok. So did you really think I could write a devo today without talking about the Pittsburgh Steelers?
Well, the Super Bowl is over, the Steelers won, and I am starting to get my voice back. (If you were at the 180 Super Bowl party last night, you will understand.)
If you want to accomplish something, the only way you can really achieve it is if you avoid the distractions and focus on the task at hand. For example, yesterday both teams were focused on the task at hand. Both teams had to practice hard to get there. Both teams had experienced players who were giving advice to younger players. And I believe one of the main reasons the Steelers won was because they stayed focused on the task in the midst of adversity.
Let's be honest. If you were watching they game their offense played horrible for most for the first half. But they did not give up. They did not lose sight of the goal. They remembered what they had trained to do. They encouraged each other. And they weren't distracted by the struggles or anything else around them.
Isn't that what our walk with Jesus should look like? Isn't that what purity is?
I believe we often think of purity as simply staying away from "bad" stuff. But I believe that purity is much more. It is about staying focused on the task at hand. And if you are a follower of Christ, the task at hand is following Jesus.
And what is one of the most effective ways we do that? By being examples to each other. By modeling what Christ calls us to be. Paul offers several ideas of what that is.
What you teach.
The way you live.
Your love.
Your faith.
Your purity.
And before he gets to that point, Paul says that "physical exercise has some value, but spiritual exercise is much more important, for it promises a reward in both this life and the next."
If football players spend hours and hours engaging in physical exercise, why is it we often struggle to find a few minutes each day for spiritual exercise? Is it that our real focus isn't on the most important task at hand?
If those football players practiced as much as many of us read our Bibles, pray, and share Jesus with others, they would not have had a chance to even make it to the Super Bowl. But we, who are fighting a much more vicious enemy in Satan, think that we can win with little or no exercise spiritually. It's no wonder we often give up in the midst of adversity.
I am the first to confess that I must purify my heart more. There are so many things that distract me from serving Jesus. They are not all bad. But are they best? Often the decision is not between good and evil. It is between serving the Kingdom of God and serving the kingdom of self. And when we are poisoned by the impurity of self-centered life we will often struggle to be the Jesus the world needs to see.
shine!
Jason
Stay focused on the task
TODAY'S READING: 1 Timothy 4:6-13
Ok. So did you really think I could write a devo today without talking about the Pittsburgh Steelers?
Well, the Super Bowl is over, the Steelers won, and I am starting to get my voice back. (If you were at the 180 Super Bowl party last night, you will understand.)
If you want to accomplish something, the only way you can really achieve it is if you avoid the distractions and focus on the task at hand. For example, yesterday both teams were focused on the task at hand. Both teams had to practice hard to get there. Both teams had experienced players who were giving advice to younger players. And I believe one of the main reasons the Steelers won was because they stayed focused on the task in the midst of adversity.
Let's be honest. If you were watching they game their offense played horrible for most for the first half. But they did not give up. They did not lose sight of the goal. They remembered what they had trained to do. They encouraged each other. And they weren't distracted by the struggles or anything else around them.
Isn't that what our walk with Jesus should look like? Isn't that what purity is?
I believe we often think of purity as simply staying away from "bad" stuff. But I believe that purity is much more. It is about staying focused on the task at hand. And if you are a follower of Christ, the task at hand is following Jesus.
And what is one of the most effective ways we do that? By being examples to each other. By modeling what Christ calls us to be. Paul offers several ideas of what that is.
What you teach.
The way you live.
Your love.
Your faith.
Your purity.
And before he gets to that point, Paul says that "physical exercise has some value, but spiritual exercise is much more important, for it promises a reward in both this life and the next."
If football players spend hours and hours engaging in physical exercise, why is it we often struggle to find a few minutes each day for spiritual exercise? Is it that our real focus isn't on the most important task at hand?
If those football players practiced as much as many of us read our Bibles, pray, and share Jesus with others, they would not have had a chance to even make it to the Super Bowl. But we, who are fighting a much more vicious enemy in Satan, think that we can win with little or no exercise spiritually. It's no wonder we often give up in the midst of adversity.
I am the first to confess that I must purify my heart more. There are so many things that distract me from serving Jesus. They are not all bad. But are they best? Often the decision is not between good and evil. It is between serving the Kingdom of God and serving the kingdom of self. And when we are poisoned by the impurity of self-centered life we will often struggle to be the Jesus the world needs to see.
shine!
Jason
Friday, February 03, 2006
Crock-Pot spirituality
TODAY'S READING: James 5:7-12
I confess that I am an impatient person. If you don't believe me, ride in a car I am driving during rush hour. I struggle at times with waiting. And God continues to challenge me in that area.
That is the message of what James writes. And I love his illustration of the farmer. I worked on a farm for two summers when I was fourteen and fifteen years old. And I remember going out at 5:00am to pick sweet corn. You could barely see what you were doing, but you had to be careful.
I wanted to pick every ear of corn I saw, but I had to patient because not every ear was ready. Some still needed to finish gorwing on the stalk. And I could tell by looking at and feeling the ear if it was ready.
And I remember one particular summer when it was dry. The farmer we worked for was concerned because of the lack of rain. But eventually some rain came and the crop grew. But that year the crop was a little later than normal. The farmer couldn't harvest on his terms. He had to wait until the crops were ready.
We are so used to drive-thru's that we want everything now. We are an impatient people. And it creates unhealthy burdens.
I know my generation is guilty of this. Many of our parents saved and struggled for years before they could afford that dream house in their later years. We want a better house when we start our careers.
We push our children to perform like adults in sports, music, and many other area. We want them to become at ten what we could not achieve as adults.
In our hurriedness we often remove much of the joy from life and it isn't quite as good.
As a final example, let me talk about microwaves. I like the microwave. It's fast. It's easy. I can often cook a whole meal in mere minutes. But have you ever noticed those meals never taste quite as good?
On the other hand, take the Crock-Pot. It cooks slowly. It undergoes a prolonged period of heating and simmering. The flavor has time to work through the meat, vegetables, and other ingredients.
Maybe that is why we so often lack a deep relationship with God. We want a mircowave God where we press a few buttons and expect instant satisfaction and relief. But I believe God wants life to be more like a Crock-Pot.
As we struggle through difficult times we are forced to be patient and wait for the "seasoning" that only comes with time. Often God can only work when we wait on Him. He is not our prayer drive-thru.God does not say, "Would you like extra blessing with that? Have a nice day."
Will He sometimes answer prayers quickly? Yes. But more often than not we miss the blessing because we want to pick the crop before it's ready.
The next time you see your life in the rushed, microwave world and it doesn't taste as good as you think it should, remember that God often works on Crock-Pot time.
shine!
Jason
I confess that I am an impatient person. If you don't believe me, ride in a car I am driving during rush hour. I struggle at times with waiting. And God continues to challenge me in that area.
That is the message of what James writes. And I love his illustration of the farmer. I worked on a farm for two summers when I was fourteen and fifteen years old. And I remember going out at 5:00am to pick sweet corn. You could barely see what you were doing, but you had to be careful.
I wanted to pick every ear of corn I saw, but I had to patient because not every ear was ready. Some still needed to finish gorwing on the stalk. And I could tell by looking at and feeling the ear if it was ready.
And I remember one particular summer when it was dry. The farmer we worked for was concerned because of the lack of rain. But eventually some rain came and the crop grew. But that year the crop was a little later than normal. The farmer couldn't harvest on his terms. He had to wait until the crops were ready.
We are so used to drive-thru's that we want everything now. We are an impatient people. And it creates unhealthy burdens.
I know my generation is guilty of this. Many of our parents saved and struggled for years before they could afford that dream house in their later years. We want a better house when we start our careers.
We push our children to perform like adults in sports, music, and many other area. We want them to become at ten what we could not achieve as adults.
In our hurriedness we often remove much of the joy from life and it isn't quite as good.
As a final example, let me talk about microwaves. I like the microwave. It's fast. It's easy. I can often cook a whole meal in mere minutes. But have you ever noticed those meals never taste quite as good?
On the other hand, take the Crock-Pot. It cooks slowly. It undergoes a prolonged period of heating and simmering. The flavor has time to work through the meat, vegetables, and other ingredients.
Maybe that is why we so often lack a deep relationship with God. We want a mircowave God where we press a few buttons and expect instant satisfaction and relief. But I believe God wants life to be more like a Crock-Pot.
As we struggle through difficult times we are forced to be patient and wait for the "seasoning" that only comes with time. Often God can only work when we wait on Him. He is not our prayer drive-thru.God does not say, "Would you like extra blessing with that? Have a nice day."
Will He sometimes answer prayers quickly? Yes. But more often than not we miss the blessing because we want to pick the crop before it's ready.
The next time you see your life in the rushed, microwave world and it doesn't taste as good as you think it should, remember that God often works on Crock-Pot time.
shine!
Jason
Crock-Pot spirituality
TODAY'S READING: James 5:7-12
I confess that I am an impatient person. If you don't believe me, ride in a car I am driving during rush hour. I struggle at times with waiting. And God continues to challenge me in that area.
That is the message of what James writes. And I love his illustration of the farmer. I worked on a farm for two summers when I was fourteen and fifteen years old. And I remember going out at 5:00am to pick sweet corn. You could barely see what you were doing, but you had to be careful.
I wanted to pick every ear of corn I saw, but I had to patient because not every ear was ready. Some still needed to finish gorwing on the stalk. And I could tell by looking at and feeling the ear if it was ready.
And I remember one particular summer when it was dry. The farmer we worked for was concerned because of the lack of rain. But eventually some rain came and the crop grew. But that year the crop was a little later than normal. The farmer couldn't harvest on his terms. He had to wait until the crops were ready.
We are so used to drive-thru's that we want everything now. We are an impatient people. And it creates unhealthy burdens.
I know my generation is guilty of this. Many of our parents saved and struggled for years before they could afford that dream house in their later years. We want a better house when we start our careers.
We push our children to perform like adults in sports, music, and many other area. We want them to become at ten what we could not achieve as adults.
In our hurriedness we often remove much of the joy from life and it isn't quite as good.
As a final example, let me talk about microwaves. I like the microwave. It's fast. It's easy. I can often cook a whole meal in mere minutes. But have you ever noticed those meals never taste quite as good?
On the other hand, take the Crock-Pot. It cooks slowly. It undergoes a prolonged period of heating and simmering. The flavor has time to work through the meat, vegetables, and other ingredients.
Maybe that is why we so often lack a deep relationship with God. We want a mircowave God where we press a few buttons and expect instant satisfaction and relief. But I believe God wants life to be more like a Crock-Pot.
As we struggle through difficult times we are forced to be patient and wait for the "seasoning" that only comes with time. Often God can only work when we wait on Him. He is not our prayer drive-thru.God does not say, "Would you like extra blessing with that? Have a nice day."
Will He sometimes answer prayers quickly? Yes. But more often than not we miss the blessing because we want to pick the crop before it's ready.
The next time you see your life in the rushed, microwave world and it doesn't taste as good as you think it should, remember that God often works on Crock-Pot time.
shine!
Jason
I confess that I am an impatient person. If you don't believe me, ride in a car I am driving during rush hour. I struggle at times with waiting. And God continues to challenge me in that area.
That is the message of what James writes. And I love his illustration of the farmer. I worked on a farm for two summers when I was fourteen and fifteen years old. And I remember going out at 5:00am to pick sweet corn. You could barely see what you were doing, but you had to be careful.
I wanted to pick every ear of corn I saw, but I had to patient because not every ear was ready. Some still needed to finish gorwing on the stalk. And I could tell by looking at and feeling the ear if it was ready.
And I remember one particular summer when it was dry. The farmer we worked for was concerned because of the lack of rain. But eventually some rain came and the crop grew. But that year the crop was a little later than normal. The farmer couldn't harvest on his terms. He had to wait until the crops were ready.
We are so used to drive-thru's that we want everything now. We are an impatient people. And it creates unhealthy burdens.
I know my generation is guilty of this. Many of our parents saved and struggled for years before they could afford that dream house in their later years. We want a better house when we start our careers.
We push our children to perform like adults in sports, music, and many other area. We want them to become at ten what we could not achieve as adults.
In our hurriedness we often remove much of the joy from life and it isn't quite as good.
As a final example, let me talk about microwaves. I like the microwave. It's fast. It's easy. I can often cook a whole meal in mere minutes. But have you ever noticed those meals never taste quite as good?
On the other hand, take the Crock-Pot. It cooks slowly. It undergoes a prolonged period of heating and simmering. The flavor has time to work through the meat, vegetables, and other ingredients.
Maybe that is why we so often lack a deep relationship with God. We want a mircowave God where we press a few buttons and expect instant satisfaction and relief. But I believe God wants life to be more like a Crock-Pot.
As we struggle through difficult times we are forced to be patient and wait for the "seasoning" that only comes with time. Often God can only work when we wait on Him. He is not our prayer drive-thru.God does not say, "Would you like extra blessing with that? Have a nice day."
Will He sometimes answer prayers quickly? Yes. But more often than not we miss the blessing because we want to pick the crop before it's ready.
The next time you see your life in the rushed, microwave world and it doesn't taste as good as you think it should, remember that God often works on Crock-Pot time.
shine!
Jason
Thursday, February 02, 2006
God of comfort
TODAY'S READING: 2 Corinthians 1:3-7
Scripture always seems to meet us where we are. And where we are often shapes how we see a Scripture. It is truly a time when God can speak to us in a very personal way.
This passage in 2 Corinthians became very personal to me on April 16, 1999. On that Friday almost seven years ago, my mom was killed in a car accident. It is a moment I will never forget. The memory of that phone call from my dad will be etched in my brain for the rest of my life.
But there is an equally powerful memory stamped on my mind from that experience. Paul's message in 2 Corinthians 1 was one that has brought incredible comfort from that point through today. It provided an incredible peace that was a witness to power of God during my mom's funeral.
There were many people that commented to me about how peaceful and stong I appeared in the midst of tragedy. My answer time after time had nothing to do with me, but everything to do with God. He was my strength. He was my comfort. He was my Rock.
He still is all of those things and more. And over the last seven years, God has shown over and over again the meaning of this passage. God has allowed Michelle and me to use our tragedy (which also includes the death of Michelle's mom in July of 1999) to bring comfort to others who are suffering similar tragedies.
As we experience suffering in life, we must always ask this important question. God, how can I use this to minister to others?
Throughout His life, Jesus was all about serving others. And on the cross, during the ultimate suffering, Jesus was thinking about others.
"Father, forgive them."
In His time of suffering, Jesus wanted to bring comfort to others. And in the end, He has brought healing to people all over the world for generations.
We live in a "victim" culture where many people want others to feel sorry for them. How powerful of a witness will it be if we can escape that mentality and use our difficulties to help others? If we can find opportunities in our lives to use our struggles to comfort others, how many lives could we touch for the cause of the Christ?
shine!
Jason
Scripture always seems to meet us where we are. And where we are often shapes how we see a Scripture. It is truly a time when God can speak to us in a very personal way.
This passage in 2 Corinthians became very personal to me on April 16, 1999. On that Friday almost seven years ago, my mom was killed in a car accident. It is a moment I will never forget. The memory of that phone call from my dad will be etched in my brain for the rest of my life.
But there is an equally powerful memory stamped on my mind from that experience. Paul's message in 2 Corinthians 1 was one that has brought incredible comfort from that point through today. It provided an incredible peace that was a witness to power of God during my mom's funeral.
There were many people that commented to me about how peaceful and stong I appeared in the midst of tragedy. My answer time after time had nothing to do with me, but everything to do with God. He was my strength. He was my comfort. He was my Rock.
He still is all of those things and more. And over the last seven years, God has shown over and over again the meaning of this passage. God has allowed Michelle and me to use our tragedy (which also includes the death of Michelle's mom in July of 1999) to bring comfort to others who are suffering similar tragedies.
As we experience suffering in life, we must always ask this important question. God, how can I use this to minister to others?
Throughout His life, Jesus was all about serving others. And on the cross, during the ultimate suffering, Jesus was thinking about others.
"Father, forgive them."
In His time of suffering, Jesus wanted to bring comfort to others. And in the end, He has brought healing to people all over the world for generations.
We live in a "victim" culture where many people want others to feel sorry for them. How powerful of a witness will it be if we can escape that mentality and use our difficulties to help others? If we can find opportunities in our lives to use our struggles to comfort others, how many lives could we touch for the cause of the Christ?
shine!
Jason
God of comfort
TODAY'S READING: 2 Corinthians 1:3-7
Scripture always seems to meet us where we are. And where we are often shapes how we see a Scripture. It is truly a time when God can speak to us in a very personal way.
This passage in 2 Corinthians became very personal to me on April 16, 1999. On that Friday almost seven years ago, my mom was killed in a car accident. It is a moment I will never forget. The memory of that phone call from my dad will be etched in my brain for the rest of my life.
But there is an equally powerful memory stamped on my mind from that experience. Paul's message in 2 Corinthians 1 was one that has brought incredible comfort from that point through today. It provided an incredible peace that was a witness to power of God during my mom's funeral.
There were many people that commented to me about how peaceful and stong I appeared in the midst of tragedy. My answer time after time had nothing to do with me, but everything to do with God. He was my strength. He was my comfort. He was my Rock.
He still is all of those things and more. And over the last seven years, God has shown over and over again the meaning of this passage. God has allowed Michelle and me to use our tragedy (which also includes the death of Michelle's mom in July of 1999) to bring comfort to others who are suffering similar tragedies.
As we experience suffering in life, we must always ask this important question. God, how can I use this to minister to others?
Throughout His life, Jesus was all about serving others. And on the cross, during the ultimate suffering, Jesus was thinking about others.
"Father, forgive them."
In His time of suffering, Jesus wanted to bring comfort to others. And in the end, He has brought healing to people all over the world for generations.
We live in a "victim" culture where many people want others to feel sorry for them. How powerful of a witness will it be if we can escape that mentality and use our difficulties to help others? If we can find opportunities in our lives to use our struggles to comfort others, how many lives could we touch for the cause of the Christ?
shine!
Jason
Scripture always seems to meet us where we are. And where we are often shapes how we see a Scripture. It is truly a time when God can speak to us in a very personal way.
This passage in 2 Corinthians became very personal to me on April 16, 1999. On that Friday almost seven years ago, my mom was killed in a car accident. It is a moment I will never forget. The memory of that phone call from my dad will be etched in my brain for the rest of my life.
But there is an equally powerful memory stamped on my mind from that experience. Paul's message in 2 Corinthians 1 was one that has brought incredible comfort from that point through today. It provided an incredible peace that was a witness to power of God during my mom's funeral.
There were many people that commented to me about how peaceful and stong I appeared in the midst of tragedy. My answer time after time had nothing to do with me, but everything to do with God. He was my strength. He was my comfort. He was my Rock.
He still is all of those things and more. And over the last seven years, God has shown over and over again the meaning of this passage. God has allowed Michelle and me to use our tragedy (which also includes the death of Michelle's mom in July of 1999) to bring comfort to others who are suffering similar tragedies.
As we experience suffering in life, we must always ask this important question. God, how can I use this to minister to others?
Throughout His life, Jesus was all about serving others. And on the cross, during the ultimate suffering, Jesus was thinking about others.
"Father, forgive them."
In His time of suffering, Jesus wanted to bring comfort to others. And in the end, He has brought healing to people all over the world for generations.
We live in a "victim" culture where many people want others to feel sorry for them. How powerful of a witness will it be if we can escape that mentality and use our difficulties to help others? If we can find opportunities in our lives to use our struggles to comfort others, how many lives could we touch for the cause of the Christ?
shine!
Jason
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