Java with Jon

MOVED

2010-02-04T20:20:00.001-05:00

As of today, I will be posting at:

Come join me and offer your thoughts.

TAKING A BREAK

2010-01-18T11:55:00.002-05:00

I need to remove myself from the blog world for a while so I will be taking a break. I will for one week, stay on top of this blog and respond to any comments as needed.

During this time I am going to be working on a personal project concerning "Right and Wrong". These two words have become so important to me that I need time to research them and put together for my personal growth a foundation of truth in how I will decide to live my life.

Jesus came to show us the right way to live and save us from the wrong way we lived. I do not want to return to what He saved me from. Every decision I make needs to be based upon that which is "right" according to Jesus, nothing more... nothing less.

Right now, it is "right" for me to step away for a breather and dive head first into His life and will.

One week of comments I will stay abreast of then sign off until He says it is "right" to begin again.

In the past 50 years I have become...

2010-01-16T17:06:00.003-05:00

OLDER

This one is a no brainer but is a fact I must face. For those who might want to know, I do not feel 50, nor do I think of myself as a 50 year old. It matter snot that I have 2 grandchildren (and a third on the way). It matters not that my youngest son will be getting married this year. It matters not that I have lived. probably, more than half my life. I do not see myself as 50.

SLOWER

This one has its good moments and bad. For the most part I am strong, but in short bursts. I am quick, with my mind. I am capable, in my heart. Regardless, slowing down is something I believe God wants me to do in some areas of my life. Areas that do mot make an eternal difference for anyone. I believe God is doing this so I can use the energy I do have to be better and more efficient for those things which draw people to Him.

WISER

OK, this one is still up for debate. What I am hoping to convey is that God is showing me things from within His word that are fresh and exciting. Things which are driving me deeper into a better knowledge of who He is. Things which will help me stand firm on those things of importance to Him and not just us. Things which grow me and hopefully allow me to be instrumental in helping others grow in Him.

MORE PASSIONATE

I have spent the past few months pondering some deep questions. Questions about life, God, His role in my life, my role in His life. Questions where answers do not come easily. Answers which often bring more questions. Yet the bottom line is, I am falling more in love with Jesus than ever. I am finding more purpose than ever. I am discovering a passion for Him that has been buried deep within my busyness or overlooked because other things became more important.

LESS UNDERSTOOD

This one I found surprising. I thought the older I got the better understood I would become. Maybe some of the fault lies upon me and I need to find better ways to communicate those things God shares with me. Some of the fault lies upon our world who is holding hostage, more and more people of God by convincing them their lives do not need to be surrendered to the Lord, Jesus.

Let me close this way...

UNDERSTAND THIS... We all need Jesus, not only for our salvation but for our daily lives. We need Him to direct our paths, to mold us into His likeness. We need Him to be the first thing we think of in the morning and the last thing we think of before falling asleep. We need a fresh encounter. We need revival. We don't need to wait 50 more years to think on these things. We need to act now... by faith... with conviction... for His name sake.

The hardest question, recently, I had to answer honestly was the following:

Who is Jesus to me?

He is my life, no matter how old I get. He is my strength no matter how slow I get. He is my wisdom, no matter how dumb I get. He is my passion, no matter how busy I get. He is my understanding, no matter how confused I get.

HE IS MY LORD!

1960 - What was hot

2010-01-15T21:51:00.007-05:00

1960

CAR OF THE YEAR

CORVAIR

_________________________________________

MOVIE OF THE YEAR

THE APARTMENT

_________________________________

TOY OF THE YEAR

BARBIE

___________

SONG OF THE YEAR

BATTLE OF NEW ORLEANS

JOHNNY HORTON

___________________________________

50 YEARS OF BLESSINGS

BABY OF THE YEAR

I'll let you guess!

____________________________________

A more serious post will be posted by Monday

subject:

50 years leads to appreciation but also a very deep question

Facts of life...

2010-01-13T13:13:00.006-05:00

If you look closely you will see some interesting things in this picture. You will see lots of snow and a spot light shooting a pure white light out onto the snow. You will see a barge just above the center point in the picture and what I believe is the bow of another ship. What is not seen or better is not understood is that the barge is stuck in the ice of St. Claire River.

There is more than one reason a boat, barge or ship can get stuck in the ice. It can be traveling too slow and because of the surrounding elements the ice freezes around it before the vessel can push it out of the way. It can also stop and rest, for whatever reason, and the ice builds up around it and when it is time to move, the ice is too think to break. Regardless of the cause, the fact is, the barge is stuck and can not continue on until it is freed from its immovable ice grip.

The ship from which the picture is taken is the USCGC Mackinaw. It is a multi-purpose ship with one of the operations being an ice breaker. This ship can break ice up to 32 inches thick. It can do this moving forward or backward. The Mackinaw can stop overnight on Lake Michigan (or any other body of water), raise the front of the boat up on the ice to rest and come morning... break out of the ice which thinks it is holding the Mackinaw captive.

SPIRITUAL LESSON: None of us are a spiritual Mackinaw. None of us have the ability, on our own, to overcome the tightest grip of sin and stuff. But there is a spiritual Mackinaw out there, His name is Jesus. When we become stuck in the junk of life, He is ready to help us out of our mess. He is ready to break anything which has us in bondage. He is ready, even when we don't recognize we are stuck to step in and show us the danger we have brought upon ourselves.

Another thought I want to bring out is... In life which ship do you want to be on board with? Trust me, you want to be on the Mackinaw.

As I was typing this (1:32 pm) I was sent another picture of a boat stuck. Still on the St. Claire River. The large ship is the Michipicoten, the smaller boat to the right is the USCGC Bristol Bay (this one is not stuck).

Yes, getting stuck can happen to any of us. Are you stuck in a rut? Are you moving forward as a Christian... if so, how so? If so, are you willing to call out for help, to the right person?

In closing, take notice that others will notice if you are stuck, maybe not everyone but you can't hide it. In fact someone might take a picture of you stuck and let me post it here one day.

To Who do I owe my allegiance?

2010-01-12T08:41:00.002-05:00

Have you ever done anything for Christ, even one thing, you knew was right but it seemed everyone else thought it was wrong? I do not know how you will answer this question and my intent is not to know what your answer is but to bring to the forefront that living for Jesus (living a life of faith) is often a misunderstood lifestyle. Misunderstood to the degree that many, if not most, who misunderstand have no interest in understanding.

I would ask that if you think this line of thinking is wrong, read the gospels. Who better lived Christ-like, than Christ? Who better is an example of being misunderstood, than Jesus? As a Christian whose life are we to imitate --- Christ's.

The following words were written:

Living for Jesus, a life that is true,
Striving to please him in all that I do;
Yielding allegiance, glad hearted and free,
This is the pathway of blessing for me.

“Living for Jesus” was written in 1917 by Thomas Chisholm at the request of the composer, Harold Lowden, who had used his tune two years earlier with another text. Lowden, however, was not satisfied with the union of his tune with the earlier text and wrote Mr. Chisholm, suggesting the title “Living for Jesus” for the new hymn setting. Chisholm felt very inadequate for the task, but within two weeks the words were completed.
Thomas Chisholm had been an editor, a schoolteacher, and a Methodist minister before ill health forced him to begin a less strenuous life as an insurance salesman. His favorite endeavor had always been the writing of poetry, and he continued to do this all through his ninety-four years. “I have greatly desired,” he said, “that each hymn or poem might send some definite message to the hearts for whom it was written.” Though humble in spirit and frail in health, Chisholm found that writing encouraging words such as these for God’s people to sing was his “pathway of blessing.”

Living for Jesus can not be separated from a life of service for His kingdom's purpose.

None of us owe anything to anyone but Christ. If we live up to this standard, we will be fulfilling the life we were created for and touch other lives God intends for us to touch. When all is said and done, we stand before Him and no one else, so it is to Him we owe our allegiance.

2010-01-05T15:43:00.001-05:00

Due to some great conversations and encouragement this past week, tomorrow during Bible study we will be considering what it takes, as a church, to please God. A group of evangelical scholars who are part of a group for evangelism and church health made the following statements concerning the church that is most pleasing (spiritually healthy) to God will meet the following criteria.

1 - Experience 10% total membership growth over five years
2 - Baptize at least one new convert each year
3 - Score a member-to-baptism ratio of 35 to 1
4 - Maintain a percentage of conversion growth that is 25%.
- Leaving the source of information off for discussion purposes

Tell me what you think of these criteria.

On Wednesday night we will open the Bible and see if God has criteria for what pleases Him. I hope you join us for this time and we will be inserting prayer into the study time so that we can seek God's will and purpose for His church.

I want to please God, don't you?

A HERO SHINES

2010-01-04T12:09:00.002-05:00

Early this morning I found myself cheering on one our national media journalists. I told myself, not to long ago that I would not make comment on Tiger Woods and the mess he has gotten himself into. Now I am going to be speaking of Tiger Woods but not as the central person of interest in this post but of Brett Hume. Mr. Hume has made it known, live on TV, what he believes is Tiger Woods only hope to get through this mess. He stated:

The extent to which he can recover seems to me depends on his faith. He is said to be a Buddhist. I don't think that faith offers the kind of forgiveness and redemption that is offered by the Christian faith. So My message to Tiger would be, "Tiger, turn to the Christian faith and you can make a total recovery and be a great example to the world."

I would encourage all of you to pray for Mr. Hume as he is already getting negative feedback. Also if you find a way to send approval of his comment, let it be known.

Contact the news manager at: newsmanager@foxnews.com

It blessed my heart to see someone take such a strong stand for Christ on a news channel and I hope there is a revival among Christian journalists.

Some of the things which have been stated, thus far are below:

CITYGUY - Unimaginable! I myself am a believing Christian. However, to make a statement on air, on an (alledged) news program, is clearly crossing the line in journalism. Hume should be discliplined, apologize on air, and.... oh never mind, it's Fox! They won't do squat to him.

RUPERTTHEBEAR - I'm a Buddhist and, well, I think Mr. Hume is ignorant about my religion. That's obvious, of course. But his ignorance is interesting.

My teachers don't talk about sin. They focus on skillful practice that avoids suffering. And they don't tell us to "move on" or "get over" unfortunate events because they aren't unfortunate. Harm and suffering are the direct result of unskillful practice (selfishness, etc.).

Mr. Woods is clearly not skilled at the dharma, but that's ok. Live and learn. If someone shot you with an arrow, would you pull it out and then jab it back in, over and over again? I hope not.

Mr. Hume's comments are instructive, though, because they show a kind of mistake: the elevation of form. He believes he has the answers, and that is the precondition for ignorance.

TINTIN - I guess it shouldn't, but this left me with my mouth wide open, chin hitting the floor.

Every time I think we've reached the bottom, new basement floors open up below...as if by the grace of God.

These people have NO shame.

The comments go on and on.

What think ye?

THE BATTLE THAT RAGES

2010-01-04T09:26:00.002-05:00

Spiritual Warfare does not come in huge conflict among many individuals, only. Spiritual warfare comes in all shapes and sizes. Spiritual warfare is best understood as the battle in a persons life to walk in line with God's perfect will or walk outside His will. This is something every person on earth faces. Spiritual warfare is not just a Christians problem. The enemy is on the lookout and attack of anyone, lost or saved who is contemplating living their life for Jesus. When the enemy gets word of such desires, they step up their battle plans to keep you away from God and closer to them.

Spiritual warfare may offer you something sweet or something bitter. It may bring pleasure (for a season) or disappointment. Spiritual warfare must not be known as a single source of conflict but understood that the enemy has an arsenal of weapons to use against each of us.

An example of spiritual warfare in a Christians life can be seen in our behavior or language. A Christian who uses the Lord's name when they are not speaking to Him or about Him in a manner to bring Him glory is losing the spiritual battle. The enemy wants us to believe that saying "God" or "Jesus" or even texting "OMG" is cool, hip and even acceptable. The thing is, the enemy is right, partly. The enemy is right in that these things are acceptable to some but what he does not want us to know is that they are acceptable to the wrong crowd. He does not want us to know that these things are unacceptable to the One who died to save us from our sin, who set us free so we did not have to live in bondage to the fallen world system. Yes, bondage. Living by a sub standard value system is bondage. I now it may not "feel" like bondage but regardless --- it is bondage.

God will not let me let go of the belief that He is up to something big and He wants us to be a part of it. For this to happen we must come together and unite around the person of Jesus Christ, structure the ministries and work we do only by His leadership which points us to His will. We must lay aside anything which hinders us and join His cause.

To do less is to lose the spiritual battle God wants us to win.

Can we come together for this reason and press forward, towards the prize of glory? I'm on board.

Wednesday Nights... Digging deep

2009-12-30T11:44:00.002-05:00

The Holy Spirit... What do we know about Him, His work and His purposes? We have for 3-4 weeks now been digging into scripture and discovering great truths about the Holy Spirit. Tonight we are going to find 10 ways the Holy Spirit speaks directly through scripture. We will be dissecting Romans 8 and within this wonderful passage we will see words of comfort and words of encouragement as we live our lives in this fallen world.

I am of the persuasion that most Christians are not fully aware of the Holy Spirits work, within the triune Godhead. We know a lot about Jesus and some about the Father but little about the Holy Spirit. I am also aware that I could be wrong and most Christians know more about the Holy Spirit than we demonstrate in our daily lives. Either way, I hope you will join us and enter into the discussion about the Holy Spirit, join us as we take opportunity to pray that God will make alive in us, and others, the things we learn from the bible.

We are living in perilous times and there has never been a time more important, than now, for believers to live our lives, filled with the fullness of the Holy Spirit. There has never been a time, as there is today, when the world around us needs to see the power of the Holy Spirit, lived out through our lives

Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world.

Do you really believe what you believe is really real?

TESTING THE WATER, CAUTIOUSLY

2009-12-29T12:34:00.001-05:00

Cautiously but mostly prayerfully, Pam is entering the world of cupcakes. She has given many away to unknowing taste testers and has sold one order to be used as Christmas gifts. Thus far all the feed back has been very positive about the taste and look of the cupcakes she has produced. Her menu board is minimal, for now, but if there is a cupcake you would like to have made let her know and she will begin to see if your flavor is something she wants to tackle.

For me, the best is the yellow cake with butter-cream icing, followed by the red velvet. Her chocolate on chocolate ought to put a smile on any chocolate lovers face.

If you want to check out her cupcakes, first hand, she is planning on making some each week for the UPWARD concession stand, donating them so they can be sold and the profits go to help the UPWARD ministry God has called JPBC to support. Each week she is planning on bringing a few dozen. Once they are sold out for that day you will have to wait another week to get the delightful treats. If you want to place an order, let us know and we will do everything we can to accommodate your need with fresh baked and delivered cupcakes.

We have not decided upon a name for her "business" so if you want to make a suggestion, leave it in the comment section. If we choose your suggestion we will make you one dozen fresh baked cupcakes for your enjoyment. If you are local, we will deliver if not we will have to find a way to get fresh cupcakes to you home. let us hear from you.

James 1:17 - every good gift and every perfect gift are from above... could it be, cupcakes are being considered when this statement was being written?

Unio Mystica

2009-12-28T09:37:00.001-05:00

Another amazing night of challenge and confirmation. Oh how I wish all of us could come together and experience this study. Without a doubt there is so much information given in the hour long video it can be difficult to digest but the information shared leaves one wanting to grasp more and more of the truths being brought forward.

We just finished week 8 of the twelve week study and it is my hope that we can offer this study in different venues and at different times to make it more accessible for the people of JPBC.

On Sunday night we looked at Unio Mystica, the mystical (mysterious) union between God and man where God has designed, for us, the opportunity to experience the incomprehensible wonder of oneness with the Creator of the universe. (from leadership guide notes).

If you are a part of this study, let me encourage you to invite someone to check out the final four tours with us, and if they take you up on your offer make it a daily matter of prayer that God will open their eyes to greater things than ever before in their lives.

Next week we will take our tour through the state.

Standing Amazed at His love towards me.

White Christmas

2009-12-26T18:42:00.005-05:00

It was a wonderful time in Johnstown, with Grant and Anneen. We attended a sweet Christmas Eve service which was well done and meaningful. We got to be reminded of the cold temperatures, Johnstown can bring. On Thursday morning the temp was 3 and the wind chill -5. I was also reminded that driving on deep snow and icy roads was never a favorite past time of mine. It is good to be home.

Christmas morning we enjoyed, from the window, the snow already on the ground (8+ inches). we also enjoyed the rest and relaxation with our son and future daughter-in-law. Thank you all at JPBC for allowing us this time away.

There was also a spiritual lesson learned. Below are two pictures which are what brought a great spiritual truth to my life... a reminder of God's greatness and our pitifulness. I will share more tomorrow but for your enjoyment, take a look at the pictures below and see if you can discover a spiritual truth.

See you tomorrow...

2009-12-22T11:57:00.002-05:00

The picture to the left is of the Johnstown, PA incline plane. it is one of the few visitors points of interest for those who travel to the region and want to discover some historical trivia. Of course, Johnstown is best know for its flood where 2,209 people died and many are buried on the mountainside, some without names on the markers due to the records being lost in the cities archives.

A great link to learn about the Johnstown flood can be found HERE.

On our short trip to Johnstown, we will be checking out the banquet room at the top of the incline plane for Grant and Aneen's rehearsal dinner. It is the best dining facility for ambiance as you get the privilege of looking out over the city from the top of Laurel Mountain in Westmont Borough.

A little history of the incline plane is below:

Built after the Johnstown flood of 1889, the Inclined Plane's original purpose was to connect the Westmont Borough area to the downtown to develop that area residentially. During Johnstown's two other floods in 1936 and and 1977, the Incline became a livesaver for people, helping people to escape downtown as well as to ship supplies in the valley.
In its heyday, the Incline carried approximately 1,000,000 passengers a year to and from the downtown area. This was largely due to the steel mills that were in operation. Today the Incline welcomes visitors and locals alike, carrying approximately 100,000 passengers a year.
The Johnstown Inclined Plane is the steepest vehicular incline in the world, meaning its 30' cars, which are large enough to hold 65 people, 6 motorcycles, or a vehicle, travel at the steepest grade for cars their size.

We wish each of you a very Merry Christmas and look forward worshiping with you this coming Sunday.

Problem discovered...

2009-12-16T10:09:00.003-05:00

Well, after all that frustration it seems all I have is a simple (is that the right word?) computer virus. It seems I opened one window that I should have left shut and without my knowing a virus crept in and began to work to very slowly destroy the computer. What is interesting about this virus (and all virus', it seems) is that they love to go undetected, they love to make us think that they are a part of the computer and even though they may create a headache every now and then... we can live with it. We are convinced that everyone has a virus on their computer and they live with it so why can't we?

Maybe we think, we live with a computer virus, so others can too. After all, isn't it easier to live with it rather than spend effort, maybe even more money and time, lots of time, to correct the virus. What we sometimes do is settle for life with a virus rather than take the time to make it right. What we often do not understand is that a computer virus is often designed to cause us to live less effective.

Just wanted everyone to know,which they probably already did, that a virus is the problem.

I still think there is a spiritual lesson in all of this.

I just wanted people to lighten up and laugh a little

2009-12-15T10:18:00.005-05:00

In an attempt to be funny, a man found himself in a very sticky situation. Before you go off wondering if the man was rescued you need to know that the one hanging from the gutter is a dummy (not a real person doing a stupid thing). The home owner decided to hang a dummy from his gutter and lean a ladder, as if it had fallen, to help lessen the tension of people during this very hectic time of year. Well, it had a reverse effect. A 70+ year old woman saw it, slammed on her brakes, ran into the yard, worked to get the ladder set up, climbed the ladder only to discover that she had no use for such humor.

The home owner did agree to take the display down because of two reason, or so was reported. 1 - At the encouragement of a police officer who said it will cause more wrecks and 2 - At the expense of his yard being destroyed further... where fine upstanding citizens were driving into the yard to come to the rescue.

Maybe the best thing we can learn here is that it is not a bad thing to stop and think about the bigger picture before we make any major decision. Asking ourselves, how will what I do affect others? Let's not totally discard the idea, the man had a good idea to bring some levity to our lives at a time when too many are too serious about the wrong thing.

For me though, I laughed even before I knew it was a display.

What frustrates you?

2009-12-14T13:45:00.005-05:00

Have you ever sat down at your computer and in your heart and mind (and maybe on a piece of paper) you had a list of things you know needed to get done and much of them required you to use your computer and it freezes? There are many things which cross our minds or actually do when this happens. Some of them are listed below:

* I paid a lot for this thing for it to be acting this way.
* Where's my hammer?
* I screamed at it for almost an hour and it still did nothing.
* Reading the manual doesn't seem to help it.
* Praying over it didn't seem to bring it life.
* Is it possible that the thing needs a complete reformatting or rebuild?
* Where's my hammer?
* The IT guy doesn't know what he is talking about.
* Who made this thing, anyway?

Now there could be a lot of other things we might say or think when something like this happens. We all know that we have our computer for specific reasons. I mean it was designed, created, marketed, purchased, opened and made available so that it would perform the tasks it was designed for. None of us have a computer, just to have a computer. None of purchase a computer to use it for a book end or door stop. None of us enjoy our computer when it malfunctions or doesn't even turn on. All of us expect our computer to do what it is supposed to do... be a computer, ready to accomplish all that we want it to accomplish. When it doesn't, if you are like me, it is frustrating at best, homicidal (towards the computer only) at worst.

I do believe there is a spiritual lesson in all of this somewhere. What do you think?

Do you ever wonder?

2009-12-13T15:37:00.002-05:00

. . .

Do I want to experience the fullness of God in my life and for the life of the church?

Do I want to see revival in my life and the life of His people at JPBC?

Does my life tell others that I love Jesus more than anything?

If it really matters or not if I live for Jesus?

If this is all there is?

If God would just go ahead and take me home if He, for whatever reason, is not going to do something different?

If God is waiting for me to do something different?

If God is waiting for me to be something different?

Why we need revival?

If we need revival?

If I will be found unblemished?

If it matters to God if I am holy?

If He is so important to me that I just can't wait to tell someone about Him?

If I were gone, if anyone would notice?

If Christ were not taught, would I notice?

If my children listen to me when I share with them?

If my children, like what I say?

If my bride loves me?

If others know my bride loves me?

I wonder, I really do...

MISSIOLOGY 101

2009-12-09T16:46:00.004-05:00

It was not too long ago I wrote about a mission project we were doing as a church on Wednesday nights. To refresh the memories of those who might not remember, we took on a house painting project of a man who lives across the street from the church. As you can see from the picture above the house needed a fresh coat of paint and a little sprucing up. The members of JPBC accepted the project and on two Wednesday nights the members walked across the street and scraped and painted. Three of our men took a third Wednesday and finished up a few unfinished areas.

This project did several things for us. It excited us about doing missions right here in our own community. It brought a great time of fellowship among those who participated. It also freshened up our neighborhood a little bit.

The weather is changing but we are committed to finding projects God brings to us and accepting His projects with love and grace.

I took a picture (with my cell phone) of the house, painted, today but for some reason I can not figure out how to send it to myself. I will figure this out and post it as soon as I can.

16 DAYS TILL CHRISTMAS...

2009-12-09T10:25:00.005-05:00

MERRY CHRISTMAS... Ok, there are still 16 days left till the big celebration but I think it appropriate to make sure we keep saying the Merry Christian slogan rather than the PC slogan. I am not saying we ought to force others to say Merry Christmas but we should never allow others to force us, or pressure us to say anything less. Christmas, IMPO, is not a season we ought to water down. In fact, it is a season we ought to enjoy as thoroughly as possible.

This past Sunday I spoke on missions, specifically SBC missions and supporting them together. I used the word "synergy". I shared that synergy comes to us from the ancient Greek language of the bible (synergos meaning working together). Applying this to missions is easy but we must also apply it to all of our worthy endeavors. Within the church it means that working together we will produce an overall better result than if each person was working toward the same goal individually. basically, synergy means = better together.

As we enter the final days of the Christmas season, let's all choose to work together for the many things still in front of us. Things like: the Lottie Moon Offering, the upcoming chili cook-off, the treat bags, the choir presentation this weekend, Sunday School, meeting budget, Upward and any other thing God has called us to be a part of.

Now, I would be the first to say, there are some things which do not require others participation, like studying for my sermon. Yet, it is best when others are a part of the journey when it is delivered. Another single person task would be like changing a dirty diaper. I promise you do not need nor want my help.

BOTTOM LINE: I do believe that all of our Christmas' will be more merry and bright if we do all we can do, together.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

BLOGGING, my take... and a little more...

2009-12-07T21:30:00.003-05:00

OK, I say upfront, I plan to continue to blog. I will admit there are moments when I wonder why I blog and what do I blog about next? There are several blogs written which have never (and probably never will) be posted. Not that they are bad, to conflictual or even too emotional but after I typed them out I found no peace in sending them out into cyber space.

I blog for a few different reasons. First, I blog to share what is on my mind and heart, what I am facing spiritually, emotionally, physically and even subjects which I am still struggling with. Second, I mostly blog for myself... knowing that a few people drop by and peruse what I type. Though this doesn't stop me from blogging I do take caution not to cross a line in being too personal about another person. This is a very helpful thing in keeping my mind sharp in selecting my words when I type or when I preach and teach. Third, I blog to be transparent. This is hard for me because living in a glass house already is not an easy thing. Yet, I must live where my God has called me to live (not a location but a life). I must share what my God calls me to share. I must love as my God calls me to love.

So whether or not I always make sense is not the criteria for why I blog. I enjoy it for the most part. I find a few dry spots here and there. I find joy often as I share what God lets me share. I look forward to my life, in Him putting my time together with him out there for others. I am blessed when others are blessed. Goodness, it sounds a little like "being" a Christian.

Blogging for the One greater than all of us combined. Just one of many things I am blessed to do for Him. Another is be your pastor.

Lastly, pray for me as I faithfully step into a time of discipline for Jesus.

2009-12-02T13:47:00.000-05:00

It seems, for me, that God speaks to me in a few different ways. First and foremost is through His Word, the Bible. Every other way after that are ways that find foundational support from the Word. Within that context, God brings to my mind toughts, phrases, quips, quotes... questions... When these occur, I often mull them over for a few moments then I begin to take the thoughts to the Word so that these thoughts are not just some random, neat sounding sound bites.

Yesterday God, through a book I was reading, had me ask myself the following questions...

1 - Does God have part of my day or all of it? Oh, how I want to say, all of it but then I was reminded that the fustration I let get to me recently was out of personal discomfort, not spiritual truth. I was ticked because someone offended me and I asked myself when was the last time I was offended becausew someone offended my God. I immedietly stopped and asked God to take my "whole" day. Not just part of it but all of it. I can not explain how much better my day was after this time with God.

Later in the day while reading the Bible, God spoke again and told me I had taken a giant step towards Him having all of my life (not in relation to salvation but surrender). He also told me there would be more steps and wanted to know if I was interested in such a journey. I said, yes.

How can you answer such a question... Is God have part of your day or all of it? My prayer for you is all of it.

Let's grow together.

TRUTH PROJECT BLESSINGS

2009-11-30T09:25:00.003-05:00

Last night during the video segment of our Truth Project study, I found myself weeping for the church. Broken in spirit over, "what could be vs. what is". I admit I am scared for God's people who have settled for less than an abundant and spiritually fruitful life. Oh, how I wish I could convey that God wants us to know Him so much more intimately than any of us presently know Him. He wants us to breath His freshness with every breath in this sin polluted world.

In the discussion part of our study last night it was said that many in the world and many Christians have "exchanged the Truth for a lie." This was seen in the video portion where a Universalism female pastor spoke on the order within her family and one of her daughters is a lesbian. She shared that the key to the family peace and order (not direct quote) was love. This sounds good when others want to remind us that "God is love". Now I don't disagree with this Truth (God is love) but let's look at this Truth within the context of the whole of scripture.

BIBLICAL FACTS:

God is love - 1 John 4:8; 1 John 4:16

Jesus is God - Genesis 1:1; Colossians 1:16

Jesus is Truth - John 14:6

What God who loves the world says in truth about lesbianism - Romans 1:26, 27

THEREFORE:

It would be a lie (of the enemy) to structure (set in order) our families on something other than God's design. True love would tell our child their choices are wrong and unacceptable. True love would not kill Truth for the sake of peace.

Truth is to important to kill in the streets for the sake of peace. - RC Sproul

______

I was doing some research on the Truth Project and found some religious organizations finding dislike for the study. The following words are from Adam Metze, a youth pastor in Ohio.

This is, to me, one of the most frustrating aspects that frequently surfaces from evangelical Christianity - an utter disregard for the complex sociological and economic factors affecting the world. Please don't take this the wrong way, but there comes a point and time when we need to put our Bibles down and learn from economics, sociology (and all other disciplines) and struggle and wrestle with how this impacts our understanding of the sacred texts. It is like Tackett has been unaware through this entire series how he has been shaped by these disciplines and through his life experience, and instead stamps his perspective as the way.

At the end of Adam's words he criticizes Dr. Tackett for "stamping his perspective as the way" when in his own critique Adam tells us his perspective of the way. I don't know about you but I choose starting with God and His word, not setting them down to wrestle with things that will not last. Please be reminded this young man is teaching young students within the walls of the church how to live. If what he wrote is a snippet of His theology, I am further scared for the students he teaches. Has he exchanged Truth for a lie? We can not answer that question unless we know what, and Who, Truth is and walk daily in it and with Him.

I've already gone longer than intended, maybe more will come later from my feeble but trusting in God mind.

Lord, Lead me to be always thankful...

2009-11-24T17:47:00.003-05:00

(click on picture above to see it in full design)

I just got up from our Thanksgiving Dinner for this year and enjoyed the spread, more than I should have. Four generations of our family gathered and enjoying each others company with stories and laughter. We will be leaving a whole lot of food for Chad and his family to enjoy over the next few days.

Let me challenge you to find three reasons you are thankful and share these reasons with your loved ones. Life is too short and it seems more than not, we are too serious about the little things and we tend to let this stuff dominate our lives. We have so much to be thankful for.

I am thankful for:

1 - My family, that most of them know Christ and I can still pray for those who do not.

2 - My God who loves me so much more than I deserve and loves me even when I am not living as I ought.

3 - My church who, like me, is imperfect but willing to work together for kingdom things.

As the cartoon says above, One day hardly seems adequate.

See you this weekend.

DAY TRIP # 2

2009-11-23T22:08:00.004-05:00

Today, Pam and I got up early and drove to Charlevoix (say Sharla-voy). This is the town our youngest son was stationed in in his first assignment with the Coast Guard. Pam had the privilege and opportunity to bring Grant here, from El Paso (talk about a long drive) and she fell in love with the town.

Though the picture does not show the town,the lower body of water is just a smidgen of Lake Michigan, the upper body of water is Lake Charlevoix and the small body of water in the middle is Round Lake. Much of the historic part of Charlevoix is built around Round Lake.

Now that I have been there I can see why Pam feels the way she does about the town. It is a vacationers dream town. There are many estates and summer homes in Charlevoix but the town of just about 3000 is supported heavily by tourism.\

Pam and I stayed about 2 hours due to many of the shops being closed for the season but I enjoyed the trip none the less. Thank you church for your continued prayers and I look forward to being back with you on Sunday.

A DAY TRIP...

2009-11-21T10:29:00.006-05:00

PRE-TRIP

We are heading to the cherry capitol of Michigan. Traverse City... If you are a fan of Mike Rowe and know his destinations well you would have seen Mike spit cherry pits with the best of the cherry queens. That's another story for another time.

I will add to this post when we return and let you know what we did.

POST-TRIP

Coming later today...

We made it although the last 20 miles of driving was at 15 mph due to thick fog.

Traverse City is a unique place where many interesting (at least to us) places to visit exist. We did not get to see all of it due to time but it is a place Pam and I would love to visit again for a few days.

Besides the sights we saw, we did purchase two books; one on Michigan and the new Sarah Palin book. We also bought two pies from Cracker Barrel for our Thanksgiving dinner. One a pecan and the other an apple. On the way home we caught up with Pam's parents at the Gaylord McDonalds.

It was a good day out and I look forward to a good night sleep. Pam and I will be worshiping at Northshore Community Church tomorrow. This is the only SBC church listed in Cheboygan. As we visit a sister church, our heart and prayers will be with JPBC. Please be there to support JR, as he shares what God lays on his heart. God is at work in our church... I do not understand it all but I know He wants more for us than we can imagine.

In all we do, may we do it for Jesus!

Rainy Days Indoors.

2009-11-19T18:33:00.003-05:00

Today we spent the day indoors, except for a WalMart run. I had more than one nap but did get to hang my sons shelf in his home office so he could display his PEZ collection. The kids are full of the energy and stamina I wish everyone at JPBC had. I can only imagine all the things we would get done.

Pam's mom and dad will be here Sunday evening and we will have our Thanksgiving time on Tuesday before we gather things up to head back sometime on Wednesday.

Thank you to all who have prayed for us as we have traveled and I do look forward to being with you on our 5th Sunday.

Jon ---

Never more proud...

2009-11-17T19:47:00.003-05:00

Tonight, prior to eating meatloaf, mashed potatoes and green beans for supper, we had a personal tour of the USCG Mackinaw. This tour went from the lowest levels in the engine room where three very large diesel engines work to run the generators to run the ship to the captains deck which would rival any large Naval ship in its class and everything in between.

Two things stood out to me:

1 - I walked through that ship,up and down the steep stairways listening to my son share information about the ship and I found myself emotionally overcome with pride. Pride in my son and his commitment to our country and dedication to his job. On several occasions I held back tears of joy as I watched my son demonstrate so much he has learned and desires to even learn more.

2 - I envied my son (in a positive way). Many years ago I almost went the route of the USCG and as we walked around I thought of the "what ifs". I came to the decision that my son is much smarter than me, more capable than me and though our heavenly future is secure, I do believe his earthly future will reach much greater heights than mine. This is not a complaint or a tone of sadness but one of gratitude.

I do not know if my son ever reads this blog and that is not of concern, I simply had to state the pride and joy of this afternoon and evening with my son. I will tell him these things to make sure he knows how much I love him and am proud of him. There was a day (many years ago) I wanted my sons to be called into ministry. There was a day (not to long ago), I am glad God had different plans for their lives. I count it all joy.

I am proud of my sons (both of them). If you have children, let them know, all along their journey, that you believe in them and remind them often, they are winners. And parents, no matter how proud you are of your kids today, let yourself know there is a day a coming that you will never be more proud and let them know again.

Tonight's fine dining...

2009-11-17T13:56:00.002-05:00

Tonight we will be dining aboard the USCG Mackinaw. The chef has been told and the reservation has been set. I have no idea what we will have but my son likes their food. I'll give a critique of the facilities, food and chef tomorrow.

The Mackinaw is the ship my son in presently serving on. The picture above is the mess hall for enlisted men.

Till tomorrow.

Still on the road

2009-11-17T07:01:00.003-05:00

Well, we got off later than usual due to the previous weeks busyness. We stopped in SE Michigan for the night and if "GARMAN" is right we have just about 5 hours drive left for today.

It is cold outside. They are calling for rain here but will clear off as we continue to travel north.

I'll update the blog about every 2-3 days to let those who read know what is happening. Keep us in your prayers. I love vacations, the few I take but I have a deep seeded fear about vacations that go way back to my teenage years. I'll share that with y'all sometime.

Well, I need to go fill-up with gas before Pam gets up. I'll type at you later.

Thanksgiving Trip... and then some

2009-11-12T10:20:00.004-05:00

Cheboygan, MI is home of the USCG Cutter - Mackinaw. This is the ship my oldest son is presently stationed aboard as he serves our country in the USCG. Pam and I will be heading that way before to long to spend thanksgiving with our son Chad, his wife (our daughter-in-law) Amanda, our two grandchildren Clay and Ava and be thankful for the yet to be born grandchild Amanda is presently carrying.

It is possible that some of you know little about the work aboard a USCG Cutter. The links below will direct you to some interesting pictures of the Mackinaw at work and of the ship itself.

ICE BREAKING ... PUBLIC SERVICE WORK ... BUOY TENDERING ...

I am proud of both my sons. One who continues to serve and one who served was discharged honorably and just finished school. I have so much to be thankful for.

While in Cheboygan we will enjoy our time with the family and we will even get to see Pam's parents as they travel up for the holiday. Oh, so much to be thankful for.

As you ready yourself for your Thanksgiving plans please don't get so caught up in the plans you miss the most of all the blessings around you.

In closing, I am most thankful for Jesus, my redeemer and friend.

2009-11-11T11:55:00.002-05:00

TODAY: Is a day we have set aside to remember all the men and women who served in our armed forces to help protect this great nation. To help defend our freedom which has allowed us to enjoy the land of liberty to its fullest. Many in our church have served our country and we "THANK YOU"! We are proud of you and your commitment to a greater cause than any one individual.

Below is a poem I found and thought it proper to share...

Veterans Day

By Taylor Weinman

Representing the red white and blue

The colors of our flag stand out proud and true.

The white stars on blue background with red and white stripes

Remind me of these veterans, who all risked their lives.

Just so the people of the U.S. could all live in peace and be free

These are the heroes that represent you and me.

They stood up strongly, untied as one,

And kept up the fighting until they were done.

And although some have fallen, and lost their lives in war,

We pray for each one of them.

And now that their souls live on forever more,

Above in God's hands.

They watch over our nation,

And give us strength to triumph over others with strong anticipation.

So every year, when this day comes by,

Think of all the veterans that while fighting, had to die.

And remember that they were people

With fire and passion embedded inside.

They die for this country,

So remember and honor them with pride

TONIGHT: We will be continuing our study on missional but looking at it through the lenses of serving our God. As we are mindful of those who served our nation, proudly, faithfully and with honor - let us be encouraged to serve our God in like manner.

Hope to see you here.

Then Came Sunday Morning

2009-11-07T17:09:00.003-05:00

Tomorrow we continue in 1 Corinthians. We will be studying our third lesson from this powerful letter. I am sitting in my office waiting for the ladies to return and in the meantime reading through the passage again for tomorrow. I know, over the years, I have read this letter many times and even studied it in depth but because of certain things happening right now in our church (referring to the Truth Project Study), these passages are becoming more alive and relevant than ever before.

TITLE: The Foolishness of God

PASSAGE: 1 Corinthians 1:18-25

BREAKDOWN: Though the title is somewhat a play on words it is part of a biblical precept that is directly addressed in our current passage. One of the most underlying questions that begs to be asked when reading this passage is... Do we think we are smarter than God? I've watched on a few occasions the TV show Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader. More often than not the adults who come on the show demonstrate just how little we do know (or remember) when it comes to certain things, 5th graders are studying. Think about it, if most of us could not match wits with 5th graders how in the world do we think we are brighter than God? We will discover the contrast first between God's true wisdom and Man's supposed wisdom then between God's supposed foolishness and Man's true foolishness.

INTENT: It is my hope that we can discover 4 facts from this passage which will weaken our ego and heighten our understanding of how great God is. I know we will still come up short on discovering how great God is because he is greater than our imagination but we can discover, if we will be honest, how foolish we are.

See you tomorrow.

BLESSINGS...

2009-11-07T11:47:00.002-05:00

Could it be that raking leaves is a life lesson on God's blessings? I know you are probably thinking I have lost my mind. The vote on that is still out but I found myself gathering leaves today (a job I do not look forward too). I finished the front yard just a few moments ago and the following is the conversation I had with God as I was raking, mulching, fussing and learning...

Hey God, it's me... your favorite preacher who hates raking and gathering leaves. Can I ask you a few questions? I know you don't have to answer but I thought I would seek your permission with the hopes it would help me be able to hear what You have to say. Here goes:

First, why did You put so many leaves on the trees and why don't they all fall at once?

Silence on God's part...

OK, next, why do You allow leaves to continue to fall as I gather them up, leaving my cleared section of yard covered in leaves again?

Silence on God's part...

I got it, do you enjoy watching me fuss?

Laughter on God's part...

Silence on my part for about 20 minutes...

I'm back, and yeah I know You know. Do You have anything to share with me?

Then God spoke (in the form of questions): What did you last blog about? What was the point you were trying to make? did you pray others would "get it"? Did you "get it"? Will you take a look around and make sense of it all, from My perspective?

20 minutes later after some deep thinking...

God, I confess I have been looking at all of this wrong. My focus should not have been on the work but on You. I also admit there is probably much more that I should learn from this but what You have shown me needs time to be digested.

This is what I learned my friends...

1 - Raking leaves may not be what I want to do but it is the yard God gave me and to be a responsible Christian I should rake the leaves, when needed - with the right attitude.

2 - Leaves are like God's blessings. They cover what he wants covered, they shade what He wants shade. They fall as a reminder that His blessings are endless, even when we are in the midst of his service, tired, fussy and wanting to veg out, we can still accomplish all that He wants us to and as we work to serve Him His blessings keep falling.

3 - And since I get to gather leaves on more than one occasion this season, I get to get a front row seat in God's classroom and learn more about Him.

Are you blessed and don't know it? Stop and take time to learn from God in and through all circumstances life brings us.

Ministry, a call to serve... but how???

2009-11-05T13:13:00.002-05:00

One of the things I can assure you of is that there is no single example for what ministry is. Yet, everyone of us who are children of God have been called to serve.

To some people, serving God means doing everything that can be done and don't leave anything out. Well, a lot might get done for a while but it does not take long before this person wears themselves out or finds themselves discouraged because not everyone else is doing all they are doing.

To others, service is for someone else because they are to busy to really commit to a long term service project. What happens here is often the things God wants to get done get left undone. The one doing everything can't take on any more and the others are going to take on anything.

There is a third group and to me they are the most interesting. These are those who put unreal expectations on other people to serve as they think these other people should serve. The harm in this scenario is that people become frustrated because others are not living up to their personal expectations.

One thing I do know is that God has saved us and is shaping us for His service. He is not shaping us for someone else's service but for our own, God designed service.

Last night I found myself doing an act of service. One that many Christians would probably find discomfort in. I gave a very drunk man a ride to a friends house. Drunk men make the worst theologians. I am grateful he knew where he was going but I am saddened that he made some very wrong choices. Bottom line, I know what I shared and the One I shared about is big enough to drill truth into this man's heart. Pray for such a working.

Let me encourage you to not get so excited over your service, because many times it is not exciting but do not ever lose your excitement in the One you serve.

Yummy...

2009-11-03T14:11:00.002-05:00

Pam and I are in the prayerful process of seeking God's will about Pam starting a "from home" cupcake business. Now, she has no idea I am writing this but we are not keeping it a secret so I am not sure how she will react to my blogging about her cupcakes. Remember, this is at the prayer stage seeking God's will concerning this opportunity. Our desire is that it becomes only what God wants it to become.

Some of the pro's in the business tell of the high start-up costs involved in such a venture. I don't disagree with them but I don' t see God telling us to buy a shop, buy a lot of equipment, take the risk for cupcakes. I do see Him telling us this can be a ministry which offers Pam an opportunity to do what she loves, give people what they love (who doesn't love a great cupcake?) and be able to set a little aside for our retirement days.

Now... what I need from some of you is... Who will be willing to sample some of the start-up cupcakes? I am not talking about dozens and dozens to satisfy your pallet (sp?) but maybe one or two for your tasteful pleasure. It is possible we will make a large batch and put some in each SS classroom for those who come to SS. I know some of you want to know what day so you will be able to take advantage of such an offer but I don 't think I will tell any of the locals (Daniel and Erin, I'll let you know if you want so you can drive in that day).

FYI - Pam has made one batch, all from scratch (they are all gone).

In closing... doesn't this sound simply delicious?

WONDERFUL NEWS

2009-11-02T09:44:00.003-05:00

Well the day isn't the national grandparents day but last week it was our very own happy grandparents day. We have been informed that we will be having a third grandchild. We have put the date to somewhere in April or May. The official birth time will be told to us later. Yet, we recognize the child in the womb as our grandchild already. Precious in His sight and anticipating thoughts in our hearts.

Amanda has informed us that she has met Pam's quota and the rest is up to Grant and Aneene when they get married next year.

Pam and I are planning to travel to Michigan in the next few weeks to be with Chad and the family around Thanksgiving. We will miss ya'll while we are gone but we do promise to think about the grandkids more than we do you.

Week 3, the Truth Project

2009-10-26T09:23:00.003-04:00

As we continue our tour through the twelve areas of discussion in the Truth Project, I think it is safe to say that what we are learning is valuable and needed yet the content is deep and challenging. There is a lot of information to take in and digest but to ignore the un-truths being paraded around around in our school system and culture must not go unanswered.

Last night we looked at Anthropology = Who is man. We were introduced to the greatest pernicious lie which is, Man is basically good. This common assumptive language has been used and accepted throughout the centuries and has caused many a culture (including our present day culture) to have a wrong world-view.

This whole study is designed to give its learners a biblical world view. It is being prayerfully covered to bring transformation in the lives of all who dare to be serious about this subject.

If you would like to join us on this tour, let me know and I will make available the videos we have seen already so you can get founded on the subjects we have already covered.

Next week we will be looking at Theology, Who is God? To see the teaser video for theology, CLICK HERE. As for last night, thanks for the great discussion and encouragement each of you brought to the study.

TO SAVE A LIFE REVIEW

2009-10-23T08:14:00.003-04:00

This movie is put out by Outreach Media and is marketed for teenagers. The movie is written by a youth minister who got a script writing degree in college. The storyline is one that I believe is important but I was disappointed by the major presentation of the side stories (drinking, partying, sex, judging...). These side stories were a large part of the movie experience and quickly overshadowed the more important part of a changed life in Christ.

The movie had a few cuss words, I guess for reality sake. The one sex scene could have been handled differently and left the movie goer to their own imagination. I asked myself often during the viewing... Is this for teenagers? Although I had to leave the movie a few minutes early, the saddest part was what was not shared. I do not remember, and I listened, the name of Jesus being used. Yes, the term "God" was used but as some distant figure out there who is impersonal. Though a Christian would understand that the lead Character gets saved, anyone who is without Christ will not get that picture. The writer made sure the audience knew that the teens drink, sleep around, party, judge... . Nothing was left to guess if these were happening or not but the fact that a young boy gets saved and changed is lost in the writers presentation.

If the writer wanted, and maybe he did, to show that the important thing in life is to accept those differently from you, deal with real problems, do good things... than he accomplished his task. What he did not do was make a Christian film which kept Jesus at the center of the conversation for a changed life. Kept Jesus at the center of the conversation for why church going kids should hang out with each other and unconditionally love each other.

In closing, this movie is a great movie for parents to go and see if they want to know what their teenagers are facing and maybe doing when they are not with us. It might make some parents take a more parental role in their kids lives and not just "trust" them. As a parent I would not want my children (though now grown) going to a school like the one presented. Remember, the target audience is teens and they will probably like it, not for the Christ-lite message but for other reasons, like most the parents shown and not shown are presented as idiots.

To Save a Life

2009-10-22T14:20:00.004-04:00

Later today Pam and I will be going to a pre-screening of a movie coming out. It a movie put out by a Christian group and will focus on reaching the student population with a message of living responsibly as a Christian. It will deal with relationships, popularity and other subjects every teen is facing today.

The movie is titled: To Save A Life. I will report back after the movie my review.

You can check out the website HERE.

This is a story of a young man who gave up being somebody, to make a difference.

LOOKING

2009-10-19T14:30:00.003-04:00

This is entry # 3 and its purpose is to explain that I am looking for God's perfect will for the life and ministry of JPBC. In this search for God's will I must accept the fact that His will is best for us and His will will be found through a priority on prayer.

I have been praying for a mission mindset for all of the members of JPBC and as I look around I am blessed to see more and more are coming to the understanding that we are not here for us, we are here for Him. Everything I see in scripture which is confirming my prayer time is that we are to be missional. We are to be a church on mission for the name of Jesus to be seen in and through our lives, lived out in public.

A recent survey was asked of 1000 people. The question was:

Why does the church exist?

The response was:

89% - to take care of my needs

11% - to reach lost people

The mission of the church is much more than meeting needs of Christians and much more than simply evangelism. The mission of the church is to be Jesus, to represent Christ, to image Him to a world looking for saviors. To show Him in all we do, in all we are - to show them the King and point the towards the kingdom. (from message preached by Bob Hyatt)

Deitrich Bonhoffer once said: Understanding the church is not here for us we are here for the church and the church is her for the world. WOW!!!

For me, Bonhoffer is saying that missions is not a program, missions is what defines us in our service to our Savior. We are not even, primarily, a refuge or fortress for the saints, we are soldiers marching into battle for the King. We are His hands and His feet.

Is it possible we have worked hard to become friends to the world, friends to that which is enemies to God? Is it possible we have worked hard to be liked and accepted? I suggest we may never know the answer to the previous two questions until we, as believers, take a good look at Truth.

Mirror, mirror on the wall, who is the fairest of them all? As the mirror looked throughout all history and future lives the right answer came back. It is Jesus, King of kings.

I'm looking, how about you?

2009-10-19T11:07:00.002-04:00

Week two of the "Truth Project" brought us to a deeper appreciation of Truth and the value we must pace upon it as we live our lives in this fallen world. One of the videos shared was of Dr. Will Provine, professor of evolutionary science (one of a few other subjects) of Cornell University. In this video he teaches his students that there is no life after death and even if he is wrong he will at least, at least get to go to hell and not be with those grinning preachers from Sunday morning.

Please understand that this is not a Cornell problem it is a university problem. This stuff and stuff like it is being taught all across America. Your kids will be taught this. If your kids are not grounded in truth, who will God hold accountable for the things, not taught?

I will admit that this video series is very deep but I believe we need deep and we need deep, now. It is not to late to join us in these lessons but I do encourage you to take advantage of the discussion time and share what is being shown you through these lessons.

Next week we will be touring "Anthropology" = What is man? For a video teaser CLICK HERE.

The positive feedback I am getting is encouraging. Let others know what God is saying to you s they can be encouraged to check out the Truth Project.

EXPECTATIONS

2009-10-16T12:55:00.002-04:00

A fellow NC pastor and family member of the Puryear clan in the church I first pastored has taken a survey in his church. Of the 125 emails sent out he got 108 responses. Les' survey was not scientific but was interesting. He only asked two questions and below are the questions and the responses.

1. If you were in the hospital for three weeks, how often would you expect your pastor to visit you?

Responses:
- Once per week: 59%
- Once total: 18%
- Twice per week: 14%
- No visit: 7%
- Once per day: 1%
- Three times per week: 1%

2. How often do you expect your pastor to visit you in your home? Once per week, month, quarter, year, every 2 years, every 3 years?

Responses:
- Only when invited: 53%
- Once per year: 24%
- Once every 2 years: 8%
- Once every 6 months: 7%
- Once every 3 years: 4%
- Once per quarter: 3%
- Once per month: 1%

Les then makes a great reference to an almost missed healing of leprosy due to Naaman's expectations of Elisha not being met. Naaman expected Elisha to drop everything and come to him. Even when encouraged to go to Elisha, Naaman's behavior got the best of him.

If you would like to read the whole article you can CLICK HERE.

Take time to read 2 Kings 2:1-19 and ask God to give you the biblical expectations towards others. I don't want any of us to miss what God wants for us because we are expecting less than the very best (God's will and way).

LEARNING...

2009-10-15T13:59:00.003-04:00

This is entry # 2 and I am dealing with learning. Although the idea and biblical precepts for being missional out dates the church age, there is much currently within the walls and halls of the local church unknown and misunderstood about being missional.

In my studying and meditating upon God's word, I have discovered that the first disciples, all twelve of them, were called out to be missionaries. Eleven of them made it past the resurrection and with the working of the Holy Spirit ushered in the day of Pentecost where the birth of the church age begins.

Let me ask you to think (one of the processes in learning) about the fact that you are a missionary. I know we often associate this word with those men and women who go somewhere, other than where we are and do something, other than what we are doing.

Last night I shared the following statistics:

97% of the world has heard of coca-cola
74% of the world has seen a can of coca-cola
51% of the world has tasted coca-cola

Coca-cola has been around for less than 100 years

If God had given the task of world evangelization to the Coca-cola company, it would probably be done by now.

Are those who market, sell and distribute coca-cola more committed to their task than we who have been bought by the blood of the Lamb?

Coca-Cola has a mission and everyone who signs on works to help fulfill that mission. We often consider this attribute in people as good work ethics. What kind of work ethics do we have as missionaries for the gospel of Jesus Christ? Are we getting the product out we have been called to distribute to the whole world?

Take these words to heart and share with us what God is teaching you and what you are learning.

LISTENING

2009-10-14T10:43:00.002-04:00

This entry is the first of probably four entries on my journey to the understanding of missional. Please note that as much as I have learned there is still much to be learned.

A few weeks ago I was asking God to help me discover where I am at in this journey He has for me. In my quiet time and reading I came across the following quote:

Christians who find themselves falling into the cracks between contemporary secular Western culture and a quaint, old-fashioned church culture...'

I know just reading the quote probably won't do much for you personally but God spoke to me that this is where I am at in my journey with Him. I am falling into the cracks between contemporary secular Western culture and a quaint, old-fashioned church culture. My dad told me and the church I was pastoring at the time that "there has never been a more difficult time to pastor a church than the present day and it was only going to get more difficult." In many ways i wish dad were still around to talk about these things with but god had different plans for dad. God wanted dad in heaven

I am listening to God and some days He says a lot and other days He is silent, calling on me to meditate on the things He previously has spoken to me. God is talking to me about ways and means to reach our community. Ways and means He has for JPBC to reach their community. God is telling me that JPBC must be missional. God is telling me to listen.

Psalm 119:27 (NKJV)

Make me understand the way of Your precepts;

So shall I meditate on Your wondrous works.

Psalm 119:34 (NKJV)

Give me understanding, and I shall keep Your law;

Indeed, I shall observe it with my whole heart.

Psalm 130:5-6 (NKJV)

I wait for the Lord, my soul waits,

And in His word I do hope.

My soul waits for the Lord

More than those who watch for the morning--

Yes, more than those who watch for the morning.

John 10:27 (NKJV)

My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.

Acts 17:11 (NKJV)

These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.

1 Cor. 2:9 (NKJV)

But as it is written:

"Eye has not seen, nor ear heard,

Nor have entered into the heart of man

The things which God has prepared for those who love Him."

1 Cor. 2:12-13 (NKJV)

Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. These things we also speak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

I know I am one of God's sheep (John 10:27) and therefore God wants me to understand he is a talking God and he is talking to His children. I must ask myself daily, "Am I listening"? I want to encourage any and all to make comment and share what God is saying to you.

Tonight at bible study (the rain will keep us from finishing painting) I will be sharing the following excerpt from Paul Powell's book The Complete Disciple.

"Many churches today remind me of a laboring crew trying to gather in a harvest while they sit in the tool shed. They go to the tool shed every Sunday and they study bigger and better methods of agriculture, sharpen their hoes, grease their tractors, and then get up and go home. Then they come back that night, study bigger and better methods of agriculture, sharpen their hoes, grease their tractors, and go home again. They comeback Wednesday night, and again study bigger and better methods of agriculture, sharpen their hoes, grease their tractors, and get up and go home. They do this week in and week out, year in and year out, and nobody ever goes out into the fields to gather in the harvest."

See you tonight.

The Truth Project

2009-10-13T09:35:00.002-04:00

This past Sunday night we rejoiced in two more baptisms this year and then we joined together for a twelve week study "The Truth Project". This is a video and discussion driven small group study. The video leader for this study is Dr. Del Tackett. Dr. Tackett is the president of Focus on the Family Institute.

Before I get to deep into this post let me share something that is available for parents. Focus on the Family as an Odyssey series which teaches parallel to this study. it is designed for kids using the familiar Odyssey cast through great story telling. if you want to look further into this you can google The Truth Chronicles: Adventures in Odyssey. Prices for this CD series varies but can be found for around 16.00 (plus shipping). It comes with a 16 page discussion guide. If you want more info, I would be glad to help you locate a set.

This past week we looked at the introduction and first topic "veritology". What is truth? This coming Sunday we will be looking at Philosophy and Ethics. Please make plans to be a part of this great study as we seek godly transformation in each of our lives and throughout the whole church. If I understood how to link the teaser video you should be able to CLICK HERE and check out a preview for next Sunday night. I hope you all will come and grow with us.

A day of rest...

2009-10-12T09:37:00.003-04:00

It is rare that I stay at home because of sickness but today is one of those days. I had to sneak away from Pam nursing me to be able to get this info out.

What do have? I don' t know but it too shall pass.

I do not make a good patient, I am the type that wants to be left alone and let me get through whatever it is and then move on back to normalcy (whatever that is).

I truly enjoyed the truth Project last night and hope it excited those of you who got to be a part of the evening.

Well, I am heading back to bed. Thanks for your prayers, in advance.

THEN CAME SUNDAY MORNING...

2009-10-10T13:33:00.003-04:00

Tomorrow morning we come to the conclusion of our journey through Titus. Personally, I have greatly enjoyed this journey. Titus is a book I have read many times as a Christian but have never stopped to dive deep into the purpose, meaning and message of the letter. As we close this series of sermons we will discover Paul has brought a fresh and needed set of instructions for the church. He uses words that show us the church is to be like a team. Working together for a common purpose, each doing our part and doing this for the betterment of the whole.

Paul will give us four specific teamwork principles which will, if followed, bring the church together for the task we are here to accomplish.

TITLE: Teamwork, The Biblical Way

PASSAGE: Titus 3:12-15

BREAKDOWN: The timing for this message is a Godsend. Every member of JPBC needs to listen to and appreciate what God is saying to us. I will be sharing these principles in four, easy to understand statements.

Please come tomorrow with an open mind and heart to the teachings of Christ. Ask God now to prepare you to enter one way and leave a better way.

Dream with me...

2009-10-08T09:52:00.003-04:00

This is the intersection where I hang out. It is a fun place to be and even exciting as the things God shows me as truth become realities and move my dreams to fruition.

I must admit there are dreams I have that have never become reality (yet) but I continue to dream anyway. I find it healthy and progressive. None of my dreams have ever been sitting still dreams or stay as you are dreams but dreams of bigger and better things. I believe my dreams will become reality in God's time. I believe my dreams will not always be dreams but lived out actions within my life time. I believe my dreams are not mine alone but given to me by God to allow me to see beyond my present circumstance and surroundings to things beyond myself and my abilities. I believe my dreams are more than simple dreams they are opportunities to pray for something bigger than myself and look for god to do bigger and better things. I believe in my dreams.

I also dream what I believe. God is big, nothing is impossible with Him and all things work together for good to those who love Him and are called according to his purposes.

What do you dream and what do you believe? Do they ever come together? If they are of God, I believe they will.

How BIG is your God?

2009-10-07T14:55:00.002-04:00

Stacy wrote in a recent prayer request that the pastor of the church she is attending spoke about how big God is. Yes, He is the biggest. There are many things in life which can weigh on us and often we don't share these things because we don't want to be a burden to others. Let me suggest a word of encouragement that when we give our troubles to the Lord, He isnot burdened, He is blessed. He has asked us to lay our burdens at His feet and not carry them alone.

I can imagine a world where God's children do not live as if the problems we face are bigger than our God. I can imagine a time when God's children face every day filled with the presence of our big and powerful God. I can imagine a people living by faith in our big God and not letting this much smaller world determine our attitude and love for others. I can imagine these things and believe they will be so because I have a big God who can make it so.

How big is your God? Mine is too big not to place my complete trust in.

Two words which we ought to use always...

2009-10-05T08:09:00.004-04:00

It is an amazing thought and fact that all we need to do to make everything in our lives work to their best is to remember, use and live out these two words. Maybe to understand this phenomenon better we need to grasp the following realities.

God, the creator and sustainer of the whole of all things:

1 - Is interested in your best.
2 - Has offered a way for us to live our lives above the mediocrity of a fallen world.
3 - Has invested His only Son into the picture so that we can be restored back into a relationship that has been broken by sin.
4 - Will always take care of you if you belong to Him.
5 - Loves you.

I know many who read this blog know Jesus as Savior but I pray that you will discover the more in depth relationship offered and come to know Jesus as Lord.

Yes, Lord... I will follow You.

To many to name...

2009-10-02T15:18:00.003-04:00

This past week has been so different for me in relation to the things I normally do. It has been good to get out of the routine of studying for two sermons, one bible study and a SS lesson. Although it has been good it has been difficult for two reasons. 1 - I love to prepare to teach and preach. 2 - The work I have done has left me sore and tired.

This Sunday is Homecoming and Jere King will be here to share a message of hope and challenge. To prepare for this Sunday I sought to complete the stage for the new worship center with the help of some fine and skilled men. Although it is 3:22 on Friday most of the work needing to be done is done, just a few more final touches and the task can be checked off as completed for His glory.

Beyond this stage being built this week, many have worked tirelessly to get the gym ready for the Sunday meal. Beautify the sanctuary and other little tidbits that will probably go unnoticed but their touch makes the whole scheme of things done fit together for a completed look.

Thank you to all who have worked to make this Sunday special. You are noticed.

THANK YOU and a little more...

2009-09-27T21:49:00.003-04:00

Thank you for a wonderful afternoon at the park. for me, this was the best picnic so far. the time spent together at the shelter, the games being played and the conversations going on were a sign of sweet fellowship that I hope all who attended enjoyed.

Thank you to the recreation committee and everyone else who help get all the things together for the picnic. The children were a blessing to watch as they played near the shelter or rode by on the train.

If you see someone who was at the picnic and wish to say, thank you to them for being there, please take the opportunity to do so.

Also, thank you for being in worship this morning, God moved, God touched, God spoke and people responded. Hold on to your seats, God is up to something big. Thank You, Jesus.

CHURCH PICNIC and a little bit more...

2009-09-26T12:54:00.003-04:00

Tomorrow is an exciting day. We get to worship our Lord together and then spend the afternoon together at the annual church picnic. I know in our culture today it would be easy to find an excuse to not attend the picnic. we can easily convince ourselves that there are more important things to do but I am of the opinion that attending the picnic is of greater value than missing it.

As your pastor (and as a pastor, those who read this blog but are not a member of JPBC can read along and hopefully glean an important truth), it is time the church become an important part of your life again. Not just the membership in a church but the involvement and support of the church and her mission to our world for our King.

A couple of weeks ago (don't remember when exactly) I made a statement to the men. I said, You need the church more than the church needs you. I hope you can see the truth behind this statement. Please don't interpret my words as me saying the church does not need you because it does but even greater than the churches need for us is our need for the church.

I was reminded this morning that the church is an imperfect place, filled with imperfect people, doing things in imperfect ways but always to be living for a perfect Jesus.

When I followed God's call to be your pastor,I had no idea of all that God wanted to do but as I looked back at my spiritual markers I am sure of several things. One being that God wanted to take a great church and make it even greater. God wanted to take a fine people and make them even finer. God wanted to take a doing church and make it a being church. Making these God size changes is difficult for all of us, even myself but I am keenly aware of what it is like to live too long just surviving spiritually. I never want to go back there. I never want to slip back into mediocrity but want to challenge people to let go of the needless stuff and cling to the Christ, our only need.

I need the picnic tomorrow. I need the fellowship of the church. I need the laughter most of you bring as I watch you live your lives. I need Jesus holding me up because many days I simply want to miss the church picnics (opportunity to get together with fellow believers) and simply do my thing.

May this picnic be THE LORD'S THING. I believe it can be and I don't want to miss it just in case it is. Maybe the final result of what I get out of it is what I put into it. if I give it to Him, really give it to Him, how could it not be a blessing.

A better and needed view of God in 5 minutes 8 seconds

2009-09-24T10:11:00.003-04:00

Pam posted this video clip on facebook and I wanted to get it out to those who do not facebook. I am trying to figure out how to get this into a ppt and show it on Sunday. There are so many great resources that we can miss if we are not looking. I will bring those that I believe are needed to your attention.

ENJOY!

Lesson Learned

2009-09-22T10:54:00.000-04:00

I have put an arrow pointing to the muffler on this wonderful tiller. You may ask why would I point out the muffler? Well I continue to believe that everything in life, for we who know Jesus, is a lesson. The lesson could have physical proponents but all things will have spiritual proponents.

Now you are probably wondering how does a muffler on a tiller have a lesson for anyone. Well, let me explain. I was recently using a tiller, just like the one in the picture and had been running it a while when I needed to shut it down and move some stuff so I could keep tilling an area for Pam. After moving the stuff I bent over to grab the pull rope with my right hand and to make the starting easier, I chose to rest my left hand on top of the tiller. Need I say anything more?

On the physical side, I was reminded of a lesson I learned as a young boy and that was that hot things hurt, greatly, if you touch them. I was reminded that when you touch something hot, like with your hand, it sears your skin to the object you touch (if you leave it there too long). I was reminded that cold water only temporarily relieves the pain and this is only as long as you keep your burnt hand under the cold running water. I was reminded how precious my hand is to me. Have you ever seen a 250 lb+ man dance around the yard, trying to look natural, holding back screaming because of pain, praying the pain will go away quickly and that no one will see you making an idiot out of yourself? I promise you it is not a pretty or funny picture, no matter how much you are laughing now.

On the spiritual side, I learned that though a hot muffler can burn a hand and make me temporarily uncomfortable but it is no where the discomfort and agony one experiences as they spend an eternity in a real hell. I learned we need to be careful in life not to play with sin because sin, though it may not have an eternal consequence for God's children it still has temporary consequences. I learned that sometimes as you are trying to break ground for the kingdom earthly stuff can get in the way and cause pain if we are not careful to live by the earlier lessons learned growing up in Christ.

Be careful out there and keep you hands near the cool stuff of Christ. The other stuff we live among can burn yo if you are not careful.

Then Came Sunday Morning

2009-09-19T16:33:00.002-04:00

Tomorrow is another opportunity for all God's children to gather with other members in His family and worship Him. As we continue our study in Titus, we come to a set of4 verses which paint a picture, with words, of all the things that God used to bring salvation to our lives. In essence they are a deeper picture of the depth of "grace" he offers to all mankind.

Before tomorrow, take time to think of the gift God has given you. The gift of grace (specifically) among the multitude of gifts we have received. As yo think about this amazing gift, ask yourself... What is it about my life that reflects the gift of grace I have received and how do those who observe me know I have received this gift?

There will be seven things we will look at concerning the subject, "saved by...". I hope you will listen closely to the Holy Spirit and have a greater amount of appreciation for Jesus than you have had in the past. I have found a deeper appreciation just by simply studying this wonderful letter and have grown more grateful for the gift of salvation.

See you tomorrow, with a smile on your face, a bible in your hand and a friend by your side.

From my QT

2009-09-18T06:29:00.003-04:00

The verse above was one of many I read in my quiet time this morning but it was one of the few God drew me to to gather a bit of wisdom from.This year my quiet time consists of an OT section of scripture, a NT section of scripture and a Psalm.

It is my prayer for myself and the church that each of us will find time to read God's word and be blessed by it. That we can take what God shares with us and share it with others, as He leads. That we can use the words given us to communicate things that will build each other up and grow us to be more like Christ.

Thank You Lord for all You are.

VANCE HAVNER

2009-09-17T14:36:00.003-04:00

I have recently shared a few Vance havner quotes and I thought I would share a handfull here because I believe you will enjoy them.

Dr. Vance Havner was a revivalist. He authored nearly forty books during his ministry. His unique style has impacted thousands of God's people through the years. He is considered by many to be the most quoted preacher of the 20th century.

Enjoy the following wits of wisdom...

The vision must be followed by the venture. It is not enough to stare up the steps - we must step up the stairs.

Many people are in a rut and a rut is nothing but a grave - with both ends kicked out.

It would not be better if things happened to men just as they wish.

It is one of the ironies of the ministry that the very man who works in God's name is often hardest put to find time for God. The parents of Jesus lost Him at church, and they were not the last ones to lose Him there.

If they had a social gospel in the days of the prodigal son, somebody would have given him a bed and a sandwich and he never would have gone home.

Too many church services start at eleven sharp and end at twelve dull.

The church is so subnormal that if it ever got back to the New Testament normal it would seem to people to be abnormal

I have read of a Coast Guard crew summoned on a stormy night to rescue survivors from a sinking vessel. One member of the crew was fearful: "Captain," he moaned, "we'll never get back." "We don't have to come back," was the reply, "we only have to go."

I hope you enjoyed this. I sure have.

Out with the Seniors

2009-09-14T10:00:00.003-04:00

Well, later today I will head to Fort Caswell to be with our seniors for their trip. The group got away from the church around 8:30 this morning and Pam and I will be leaving just after RD Moose's funeral.

Pray for our seniors and this time away. God has blessed JPBC with some great men and women of God who are important to the present and future of the work God ha called us to accomplish.

I am not sure if there is wi-fi at Caswell but i will have my laptop just in case and my phone will be on my hip if you need to contact me. I do believe there is phone service so this should not present a problem.

I'll see you on Wednesday.

Thursdays Thinker

2009-09-10T10:44:00.000-04:00

Today's riddle is brought to you courtesy of the much difficult riddle given Tuesday. Since it has been a while since I posted some of Pastor Mikes riddles, I thought a difficult one would be good for the searching souls. This riddle, though not a simple giveaway is designed to make you think broadly. I discovered the answer in just a little over an hour so I know each of you can do this also.

Take your time and I will give further clues to those who give an incorrect answer which I think has been thought out and not just a guess. Remember to email your answer(s) to me at jonestes@gmail.com.

RIDDLE:

One made his way,
Up a mountain one day,
To die in the
place of another.

The place was high,
Where he was to die,
In a way which died no other.

He proved the love,
Of God
above,
In where he was that day.

Now tell me my friend,
If you
think that you can,
Who was this one I pray?

NOTE: The answer is not Jesus.

GOING MISSIONAL

2009-09-09T12:10:00.005-04:00

The date is set and on September 30 at 7:00 PM we are going missional. I need all adults and older mission groups to wear clothes to paint in and to bring any and all items you have at home to paint with (brushes, rollers, pans, ladders and the like).

We will be crossing Louise Street and painting Randolph's house. Most, if not all, the scraping has been done. We will be putting on a coat of primer and as soon as it dries we will be putting on a top coat of fresh paint.

For those who simply do not paint but want to be a part of this mission event, show up in work clothes and we will gladly let you help wash up the brushes and other tools as we finish up.

I know there is always a possibility of rain and if that happens we will reschedule foe the next Wednesday. But the plans are to GO MISSIONAL on September 30 @ 7:00.

The younger children and their leaders will hold their classes as usual.

As your pastor, I look forward to this opportunity to work together in our community on a project which can be done, hopefully in one night. Plan now to be a part of this exciting mission event.

If you plan on being there as one who reads this blog, let me know through the comment section.

Tuesdays Tricks

2009-09-08T09:01:00.005-04:00

I have not put before you a riddle in a while so I will drop one on you today. I admit this one is a bit difficult but I know the brilliance of you who pass this way will not find too much difficulty (Am I right?) and before the week is out come up with the right response. As before, please send your responses to my email -- jonestes@gmail.com

An un-heralded character in the Bible we find,
Who always proved to be helpful and kind,
To the point of even laying his own life on the line.

In a land undesired and avoided by most,
He proved to be a most needed host,
Nothing negative is written about this character of mine.

Now take yourself a good long look,
Back through the pages of the Blessed Old Book,
For there upon the pages you shall see,

With each and every rhyming clue,
My riddle here has given you,
Just who my un-named character here might be?
Pastor Mike

Enjoy and let me hear from you.

Why am I here and what should I be seeking?

2009-09-08T04:45:00.003-04:00

I know over the almost three years I have been your pastor I have mentioned to Henry Blackaby study "Experiencing God". I do this for several reasons.

God has used this study to help me see deeper into His word and understand His will.
God has shown me that it is my responsibility and I am accountable to Him for all that I do and I am here to do what He is doing.
I have learned that there is no better place for me (or any believer) to be than in the center of His will.

John 5:19 (ESV) So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise.

These verses speak volumes. Jesus, Himself was here to do what he saw the Father doing? He was here to be in the direct center of His father's will. he was here, not for Himself but for the Father.

Why am I here and what should I be seeking?

I am here for Him and as long as I am able I should be seeking his will. I am here for something much greater than myself, my family or even my church. I am here for Him. years ago when I came to this understanding I found it easy to accept that if this is the reason I am here then it would be obvious that I am to be seeking His will. I have also discovered in this journey that to know his will, I need to know Him more than as my Savior... I need to make Him my Lord.

Why are you here?

THEN CAME SUNDAY MORNING

2009-09-05T20:11:00.002-04:00

Tomorrow is a wonderful day and it has not even begun. there are several things happening tomorrow which I believe are designed to be a blessing from God, for us.

1 - The Hispanic church leadership is going to speak for a moment, demonstrating their gratitude.

2 - We will be having a baby dedication, for Riley King.

3 - I will be preaching on "Divine Service" - a message to challenge us to serve the Lord with His will in mind.

Yes, there are other elements which will make up our service and every element has prayerfully been lifted for His approval and blessing.

Take time prior to tomorrow and read John 9: 1-7 and listen to God's voice. Read several times, v. 4.

I must work the works of Him who sent me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work.

The older I get the more I realize that the time I have to do all God wants me to do is shorter than ever.

Lord, use me to the fullest for Your glory.

Thanks for the word...

2009-09-03T14:33:00.000-04:00

Dr. Havner was a brilliant but simple man who used the English language in a down home, conversational way. He was not a loud man nor a large man. He did not stand out in the crowd but when he spoke (when preaching or in regular conversation) God used him for decades to bring the conviction of the Holy Spirit upon many men and women.

Whether it was for the first time or the umpteenth time a person had the privilege of hearing this mighty man of God speak, if they listened they learned. In my imagination Dr. Havner would have been picked as one of the 12 disciples of Jesus had he lived during that time period. He would have been in the inner circle. He would have gotten it like Peter often did but I don't imagine he would have questioned Jesus as often but simply took Jesus at His word and lived to follow what was being taught.

The below quote speaks volumes for all believers today. Read it, enjoy it but don't ignore it.

“You can’t tell it like it is, if you don’t believe it like it was.”

Church Membership - Part 3

2009-09-02T09:36:00.002-04:00

I TRUST in the power of the Holy Spirit, who lives in my heart, to keep me, guide me and lead me in the way of purity and holiness.

John 14:26
But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.

John 16:13
However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.

Romans 8:2-4
For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

Galatians 5:22-25
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

The more we study the Bible and pray, the more we realize that the supreme purpose of revelation and redemption is the holiness of God’s people, both individually and corporately.

Think for a moment. Why did God give us this Bible? Not that we might know all that God is like; for, ultimately, we do not have a complete revelation of Him in the Bible. It isn’t to have a full story of the life of Jesus Christ, for the revelation we have of Him is quite fragmentary. We know nothing, for instance, of the first thirty years of His life, except for one brief glimpse at the age of 12. Practically all that is said about the Lord Jesus Christ is related to those final few weeks before He died. The Bible isn’t a final statement on cosmology, anthropology, history, or poetry. Why then has it been given to us? 2 Tim. 3:l6-17 gives us the answer:

2 Tim. 3:16-17
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

The revelation of God in the Bible is to make us like Jesus, to make us perfect, to make us holy.

1 Thes. 4:7
For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness.

You ask, “Why did Jesus die?” “Why did He rise from the dead?” “Why has He become a mighty Savior?” Titus 2:11-14 tells us:

Titus 2:11-14
For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.

So whether it’s revelation or redemption, the purpose is the same: to make us holy men and women. The whole sweep of Scripture is to bring individuals to the place of holy living. No wonder that saintly man of God, Robert Murray McCheyne (who died at the age of thirty), made this statement: “The ambition of my life is to be as holy as a saved sinner can be.”

Many people think that the local church is a social club, a place to meet for dances or bazaars; but the Bible makes it clear that the reason we belong to a local church is that by the study of God’s Word, by prayer, by the filling of the Holy Spirit, we might be guarded and guided in the way of holiness, fellowship and service.

Holiness, fellowship and service is what we are here for and the only way to have these three privileges in our life is to surrender to the One who makes it all possible.

Back to being Missional

2009-09-01T11:18:00.002-04:00

I have been pondering the question... What is our ministry ethos? It is possible that we have addressed this along the way but have never stopped, written it out and put it before the people, so that there is no confusion. The following paragraph, in my opinion, brings the clarification of our ethos to a short, concise yet understandable framework.

Our Ethos... Jackson Park Baptist Church is called, not to be separate from our community, but to integrate the life of this Church into our Community so that this Church becomes an important spiritual influence throughout our Community. The church membership should recognize a definite call to serve in this capacity through the ministries of Jackson Park Baptist Church.

We are beginnng to see an open door to homes within our community. God has recently brought new members to us from our community and I am convinced there are more to be reached who are waiting on the church (JPBC) to be the church.

It is our mandate, our mission from the One who saved us to go into our community and reach them with God's love. To enfluence them with God's values. To embrace them with God's hope. I am convinced, as I think many of you are, that we have no option but to be missional. It is possible you are still asking, what does a missional church look like. Below is a short article by Ed Stetzer (edited by jle) which answers that question.
What missional churches look like

What, then, do missional churches look like? They are more than the things listed below, but certainly they are:

Incarnational: Missional churches are deeply connected to the community. The church is not focused on its facility, but is focused on living, demonstrating, and offering biblical community to a lost world.

Indigenous: Missional churches are indigenous. Churches that are indigenous have taken root in the soil and reflect, to some degree, the culture of their community. An indigenous church looks different from Seattle to Senegal to Singapore. We would expect and rejoice at an African church worshipping to African music, in African dress, with African enthusiasm. So shouldn't we rejoice at churches of different missional expressions across Georgia, North America, and the
world?

Intentional: Missional churches are intentional about their methodologies. There are scripturally commanded
requirements about church, preaching, discipline, baptism and many other biblical practices. Church and worship can't take just any form. In missional churches, those biblical forms are central, but things like worship style, evangelism methods, attire, service times, locations, and many other man-made customs are not chosen simply based on the preference of the members. Instead, the forms are best determined by their effectiveness in a specific cultural context.

The key is biblical fidelity and missional engagement.

A missional church responds to the sending commands of Jesus by becoming an incarnational, indigenous, and intentional Gospel presence in its context. When Jesus said, "As the Father has sent Me, so send I you," (John 20:21) that was not to a select group of cross-cultural missionaries. Instead, that was a commission to you, me and our churches. We have a sender (Jesus), a message (the Gospel), and a people to whom we are sent (real people in culture). It is worth
the effort to go beyond our personal preferences and to proclaim a faithful Gospel in whatever context we find ourselves. That's missional.

Church Membership - Part 2

2009-08-31T11:46:00.004-04:00

REMINDER: The bold print words are quotes from Dr. Stephen Olford. The scripture is indented using the quote feature.

__________________

Contrary to some teaching abroad today, my right to be in the church of Jesus Christ is not the measure of light I have, but the measure of life I have. My right to be at the Lord’s Table, my right to be in the local fellowship, is the fact that I share the same resurrection life of Jesus Christ that you share. My children have a right to sit at my table and eat my food, not because they know as much as Father does, but because they share my life; they are my children.

I ACKNOWLEDGE the Lord Jesus Christ as Lord of all my life, and seek to confess Him as such before others by the testimony both of life and lip (see Romans 10:9; 2 Cor. 5:14, 15).

Romans 10:9
that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

2 Cor. 5:14-15
For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.

Some religious leaders speak of the church as the final authority The evangelical church, on the other hand, talks of Christ mediating and ministering authority through the Spirit, by the Word. To challenge the authority and sovereignty of Jesus Christ in a local church is to bring confusion into the assembly of God’s people. Jesus said, “. . .Every. . .house divided against itself will not stand” (Matthew 12:25).

Matthew 12:25
But Jesus knew their thoughts, and said to them: "Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand.

A church can only live in revival blessing when there is the total recognition of the Lordship of Jesus Christ. We talk about the Lord’s Table that we recognize. We talk about the Lord’s death that we celebrate. We talk about the Lord’s body that we discern. We talk about the Lord’s day that we observe. So His sovereignty is absolutely essential in a church where holiness and harmony are going to be enjoyed.

I was recently speaking with another pastor concerning the stagnation and decline among so many of our SBC churches. Though we gave a few opinions as absolutes, we had no data to back up our opinions, therefore they remain just what they are. Yet, I do wonder if our opinions could be verified in any way? Maybe, maybe not.

In another blog entry I have begun posting some quotes from Dr. Vance Havner. I want to add one of his quotes to this entry because I think the wisdom he saw then still applies today.

"Most church members live so far below the standard, you would have to backslide to be in fellowship with them." --- Dr. Havner

Living up to the standard begins with salvation and then continues with Lordship of Jesus over our lives.

What think ye?

Church Membership - Part 1

2009-08-31T08:42:00.004-04:00

As part of my reading today I chose to read some of Stephen Olford's works. I can across a sermon of Dr. Olford's on church membership which caused me to stop and think about the privilege and blessing of church membership. It is not real long but I will be sharing it in sections, so as not to cause anyone to get tangled up in the separate facts.

For easier reading, I will be putting the words of Dr. Olford in bold and use the quote feature to set the scripture apart. ENJOY...

___________

Our God is a God of order. It does not matter what passage of Scripture is turned to; whether in relation to His activities within the individual Christian or the corporate body of Christ, He is always a God of order. He is “. . .not the author of confusion but of peace. . .”

1 Cor. 14:33
For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.

Everyone who comes into the fellowship of an evangelical church should seriously consider the terms of membership, and then accept those terms of reference as a covenant between God and himself. It is a sad indictment on the church of Jesus Christ today that people can drift in and out of membership without anybody knowing about it; that would have never happened in New Testament times. The church of Jesus Christ, locally centered, is a family, and if an individual joins a church, whether by conversion, letter, or experience, then that person is part of the church family, and he or she can’t move away without the church being painfully conscious of their absence.

Paul puts it all in the figure of a body where he says,

1 Cor. 12:26
“. . .if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it. . .”

God has made us that way. There is such a thing as the sympathetic system within the church of God. When someone is going through trial and tribulation, the church should seek to lift the burden and suffering of God’s people. We are commanded to

Galatians 6:2 “Bear one another’s burdens. . .”

and, therefore, we must know the terms of our oneness and operation in Christ. These are clearly set forth in the Covenant of Membership before us. We start off, of course, with the basic fact:

Realizing my guilt before God, I have confessed my sins to Him, and received the Lord Jesus Christ, who bore my sins on the cross, as my personal Savior

John 1:12
But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:

Romans 3:19
Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.

Romans 3:23
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Romans 5:8
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

These statements concern our sinnership-the fact that Jesus died for us, and the fact that He can be received by faith into the heart and life. No one has the right to be in a local church without having experienced a conviction of sin, a conversion of life, and a confession of faith.

John 1:12 “. . .as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name.”

If I have truly received the Lord Jesus Christ into my heart and life I have a right to be in the family of God, and, therefore, in the fellowship of God.

I am a sinner forgiven and a part of the very family of God. I am blessed... and so are you if you belong to Jesus.

A backward look and a forward praise.

2009-08-29T14:59:00.003-04:00

Yesterday I spent time perusing a fellow NC pastor's blog. Brother Les is a man I have met once or twice but I pastored his dad and family way back during seminary days. He is a fine man who loves God and is making a kingdom difference where he serves. On Friday his post was about a man who God used for many years to preach revivals all over the country. Vance Havner was a country preacher whose wit and wisdom still is called upon today. Though Dr. Havner went home to be with the Lord in1986, he is the most quoted preacher from pulpits today. Over the next months I am going to share a few of his words of wisdom for your pleasure and thought. Take time to savor the beauty of the words before you swallow them. Along the way, I'll share a few stories I have personally from the few times I had the honor of sitting in our home or at a dinner table with Dr. Havner. But for now, I will share a simple quote for your enjoyment.

Sometimes your medicine bottle has on it, "Shake well before using." That is what God has to do with some of His people. He has to shake them well before they are ever usable. - V. Havner

Shake me Lord Jesus, shake me.

2009-08-28T20:55:00.000-04:00

Tonight Pam is in Charlotte at a Living Proof simulcast study. Therefore I am left to fend for myself. So I thought I would do a search for famous, inspirational quotes and post one, then blog about it. Of the hundreds I looked over I chose the one to the left for several reasons.

1 - I am a Winnie the Pooh fan, nto that I collect stuff of Winnie the Pooh but I continue to believe it is one of the best non-Christian childrens story set available on the market today.

2 - As a child, I remember reading all I could on Winnie the Pooh and enjoying it.

3 - I still like, every now and then, to watch a Winnie the Pooh cartoon because they teach values often missing in our society for children, today.

4 - What Christopher Robin said is something we can share with others because the words are encouraging and everyone can use a dose of encouragement along the way.

Braver - I know I can withstand the enemy because He who I have my belief in, is bigger thanmy belief.

Stronger - I know I can stand true to the Bible because the bible is a book of strength, especially when all things seem to be weakening us.

Smarter - I know I can share truth in various ways, being led by the Holy Spirit, thinking less on my abilities but the abilities of Him who lives within me.

The good news is, you can do these things too. Not because you are a Pooh Bear but because you are a child of God.

Be Brave for the things of Truth, your Jesus is bigger than your enemy.

Be Strong for the things of God will equip you for the things of truth.

Be Smart, lean not upon your own understanding but upon the very person of Jesu.

As Christopher Robin begins... REMEMBER

Sunday we will be having the Lord's Supper and we are going to do this... In REMEMBRANCE of Him.

Thank You, Jesus

2009-08-26T14:39:00.001-04:00

Today, I have had the opportunity to minister to some people from our neighborhood. One way to describe the time is "refreshing". I got to buy,with the financial help of one of our members, some shoes for a young boy who was walking around in shoes with holes. I told the boy after the shoes were purchased to throw away his old pair and he said, "NO!" He said he could use those to mow grass in so he would not have to ruin his new pair. I was impressed at the wisdom this young boy showed. A few moments after giving this boy his shoes I stood outside and talked with him about life and the mess his life was in. He agreed with me although I don't think he grasped where I was going. I shared with him about a time when my life was a mess and that God sent His only Son, Jesus to straighten out the mess. He did this because, on my own, I could not straighten the mess out. I went on to share how the mess I was in was not a home mess or legal mess but a spiritual one. I then assured him that he had a bigger mess than what he was facing at home. He had a heart mess. I went on to share with him how Jesus loved him and offered him a way to straighten his spiritual mess out. When all was said and done, he asked if he could think about it some more and I assured him this was OK but as soon as he wanted Jesus to intervene and give him a new reason to go forward, I would share more with him.

I will be talking with this boy again, soon. Pray for me as I reach out and touch somebody with the love of Jesus. Join me in this journey and let's see our community change for His glory. To see this, we must press forward, we can not remain where we are and go with God. I am committed to pressing forward here in our Jerusalem. Let me know if you want to join me.

Where I am at...

2009-08-26T12:15:00.003-04:00

Dr. David Mwangi, Executive Director of Orphan Concern International made the following statement:

Once I was asked, "Who owns your church?" Kinda makes you pause and think... who does own your church?

I continue to be blessed by God, broken for our neighborhood and bent on seeking God's power of revival to fall upon us and transform us to be missional right outside our door to the masses of hurting and displaced people. I refuse to ignore my neighbor any longer. I refuse to be hypocritical in saying I love missions yet do little to nothing to demonstrate His love to those within a stones throw for our wonderful church doors.

Oh, there is a grand opportunity for each of us to come together and make a kingdom difference in the lives of the people God has placed us among. We have a mission field. It is the Jackson Park community.

We will continue to travel outside our community but we can no longer "not" travel across the street.

God is speaking to me and giving me His vision I have asked for for more than two years now. I am excited and I know together we can see more people saved, joined the church and grow in His grace.

A letter just for me...

2009-08-25T17:20:00.003-04:00

I keep with me a letter written to me by someone I met many years ago. This letter is special because of what it says and who wrote it. In the letter I am told that I am loved. I often pull this letter out when I am having a bad day and I feel all alone or I just need something to encourage. I set everything else aside and just read the letter. I read it to be reminded of a time in my life when I did not feel loved or appreciated but was and I did not even know it. I read it to be reminded that even when all other friends and family fail me, or I fail them, this person loves me, even still. I admit, to this day, I do not know why this person still loves me but the letter tells me I am loved, regardless.

I read the letter again this morning and found encouragement. I found that constant reminder that being loved is a very good thing. Today I was reminded that I can not only be loved but I can love also. I can love you even if you are different.

My friend who wrote me this letter died some time ago. Yet, my friend did not remain dead, He rose from His grave and announced to all mankind that He loves you. He loves you completely.

My friend wrote you a letter, have you read yours lately? Don't miss out on this opportunity to read the greatest love letter ever written and be reminded... You are loved.

GIVERS - TAKERS - KEEPERS

2009-08-25T09:16:00.003-04:00

It has been my point of view for some time that there are three types of people in the world. Givers - Takers - Keepers. Among these three types there is sometimes an overlap. Below I will define how I understand these types and invite you to ask,which one fits you best.

GIVERS... These people tend to not think about the bottom line as much as they do the greater (or lesser) need before them. Givers can be found in any socio-economic group because what they have is not as important as sharing it with others. These people can, though not always, act more upon emotions than real need. These people are not best suited to own their own business unless it is a charity type business.

TAKERS... These people fall into three categories, for me. One group will live, looking for givers. They see givers as their meal ticket through life. They really don't care about the giver, they like what the giver gives. The other group is not looking to take advantage of others they just enjoy the thrill of getting something, from anyone, anywhere. Whereas, group one will ask a for things, the second group will not but when offered, they gladly receive whatever is being offered. the third group will take that which is necessary for the good of all, not simply themselves. The first category of people mentioned is best suited for a business which is high profit, little overhead and low risk. The second category of people are more suited to work in a business where they get a lot of attention.The third category of people are best suited for charity type work because they will gladly receive what is offered and then use it to help others. This third category of people will easily overlap into the givers area and not all takers are keepers. The thrill is not so much in the keeping of things but the getting.

KEEPERS... This is an interesting group because they extremely dislike giving anything away. they are very possessive, even of things that may not belong directly to them. These people are mostly interested in the thrill of "having". I believe a case could be made that there is some sort of illness to many of these people. There is a second category of people in this group and these are the people who will keep those things which are precious and they have the ability to distinguish what is precious and what is not. The first category of people are best suited for operating a trade business, though they dislike trading they will love the hunt of trading "up" so they can keep what they preceive as better. The latter catagory of people are best suited for operating an antique type store where they can enjoy the things all areound them but when they come upon a treasure, they can keep it for themselves.

Which type are you? For me, I would fall into the "giver" category more than the other two.

Jesus though is all three (at their best). He is the giver of life, the taker of sins and the keeper of souls. I do think we also can demonstrate the best of all three and be well balanced to be missional. Let's commit to giving Jesus away in creative yet sufficient ways so that our community might know Him. let's offer to be the church in Kannapolis who is willing to take people in and love them for the sake of God's kingdom and let's rejoice every time God gives us someone and see them as precious new Christian who need us and know we will not throw them back to the gutters God saved them out of.

For every Christian who has been saved more than three years, it is time to rise up and band together and introduce our world to the greatest Giver, Taker, Keeper - JESUS! It is time to make it all about Him and not us as we live out our Christian lives.

BEING MISSIONAL

2009-08-24T09:36:00.002-04:00

Already today I have spent time looking over articles and other writings concerning being missional. Though this term has been around for some time it has never been used as a primary term to identify God's people. I don't know why but it is now becoming a key word used to not only identify Christians on mission but to greater clarify the extent to which missions involvement must be, according to scripture.

I ran across a blog called the "Blind Beggar" where a comparison of ideology was presented. The comparison was between a "missional church" and a "maintenance church". I personally think this strategy (being missional) must be looked at with the purpose of seeking biblical truth as to where we at JPBC fit. We must seek to discover if it is biblical. If it is we must embrace it and adapt our attitude and action around it. If it is not, then we must avoid it, at all costs.

1. In measuring its effectiveness, the maintenance congregation asks, “How many visitors have we attracted?” The missional congregation asks, “How many members have we sent?”

2. When contemplating some form of change, the maintenance congregation says, “If this proves upsetting to any of our members, we won’t do it.” The missional congregation says, “If this will help us bless and touch someone outside of our faith community, we will take the risk and do it.”

3. When thinking about change, the majority of members in a maintenance congregation ask, “How will this affect me?” The majority of members in the missional congregation ask, “Will this help align our activities around the missio dei — the mission of God?”

4. When thinking of its vision for ministry, the maintenance congregation says, “We have to be faithful to our past.” The missional congregation says, “We have to be faithful to our future.”

5. The pastor in the maintenance congregation says to the newcomer, “I’d like to introduce you to some of our members.” In the missional congregation the members say, “We’d like to introduce you to our pastor.”

6. When confronted with a legitimate pastoral concern, the pastor in the maintenance congregation asks, “How can I meet this need?” The pastor in the missional congregation asks, “How can we meet this need?”

7. The maintenance congregation seeks to avoid conflict at any cost (but rarely succeeds). The missional congregation understands that conflict is the price of progress, and is willing to pay the price. It understands that it cannot take everyone with it. This causes some grief, but it does not keep it from doing what needs to be done.

8. The leadership style in the maintenance congregation is primarily managerial, where leaders try to keep everything in order and running smoothly. The leadership style in a missional congregation is primarily transformational, casting a vision of what can be, and marching off the map in order to bring the vision into reality.

9. The maintenance congregation is concerned with their congregation, its organizations and structure, its constitutions and committees. The missional congregation is concerned with the culture, with understanding how secular people think and what makes them tick. It tries to determine their needs and their points of accessibility to the Gospel.

10. When thinking about growth, the maintenance congregations asks, “How many Christians, who aren’t currently members, live within a twenty-minute drive of this church?” The missional congregation asks, “How many unreached people groups live within a twenty-minute drive of this church?”

Two weeks ago God led me to begin a "fast". For seven full days I only consumed water and coffee (mostly water). For the next seven days, I ate one meal a day for five of those days and nothing for the other two. Yesterday, I ate two meals. Today, I begin a full seven day fast again (with only water and coffee). I share this not to brag but to let you know how serious I am about knowing what God's will is. I am fasting out of obedience and to know what God is asking of me personally and as the pastor of JPBC.

I continue to believe that God is asking JPBC to involve their personal and corporate lives deeper into His will than ever before in the history of the church. I know from my fasting thus far that being missional, is not an option for me. I will be missional. I will be obedient to God's word in reaching a lost world, a world He saved me from. I will choose God. I will share Jesus. I will be empowered by His Spirit. I will surrender, to Him.

Rich Mullins, singer and songwriter who gave us the praise song, Awesome God was killed in a jeep accident in 1997, he was 41. In his short life God used him in many different ways. Rich, so in love with Jesus made the following statement.

Jesus said whatever you do to the least of these my brothers you've done it to me. And this is what I've come to think. That if I want to identify fully with Jesus Christ, who I claim to be my savior and Lord, the best way that I can do that is to identify with the poor. This I know will go against the teachings of all the popular evangelical preachers. But they're just wrong. They're not bad, they're just wrong. Christianity is not about building an absolutely secure little niche in the world where you can live with your perfect little wife and your perfect little children in a beautiful little house where you have no gays or minority groups anywhere near you. Christianity is about learning to love like Jesus loved and Jesus loved the poor and Jesus loved the broken. —Rich Mullins

I'll leave it here... for now.

BEING MISSIONAL

2009-08-19T11:19:00.002-04:00

This entry is a follow up on Mondays entry. The hope is to further challenge JPBC's people to become missional in everything we do and to clarify some possible misconceptions everyone of us hold.

Alan Hirsch describes a missional church as:

"a community of God's people that defines itself and organizes its life around
the purpose of being an agent of God's mission to the world. In other words, the
Church's true and authentic organizing principle is mission."

Anyone can call themselves or their church missional but is mission (outward
directedness) is not a core-deep value of our individual life or corporate body,
the term missional is being misused.

In my reading on this subject I came across the following which God is using to stir my heart. Read it and ponder the many facets of truth David Horrox makes.

"The church should stop mimicking the surrounding culture and become an
alternative community, with a different set of beliefs, values and behaviors.
Ministers would no longer engage in marketing; churches would no longer place
primary emphasis on programs to serve members. The traditional ways of
evaluating 'successful churches' – bigger buildings, more people, bigger
budgets, larger ministerial staff, new and more programs to serve members –
would be rejected. New yardsticks would be the norm: To what extent is our
church a 'sent' community in which each believer is reaching out to his
community? To what extent is our church impacting the community with a Christian
message that challenges the values of our secular society?"

Would you who read this blog be interested in sharing with us what part or parts of the above paragraph grabs you and why? Would you jump in and share your thoughts on this subject. Also, would you be willing to ask God to help JPBC become the greatest missional church in our state convention.

Ed Stetzer, of Lifeway made the following comments in "Breaking the Missional code" concerning being missional is a going to take a "shift" in thinking.

From programs to processes
From demographics to discernment
From models to missions
From attractional to incarnational
From uniformity to diversity
From professional to passionate
From seating to sending
From decisions to disciples
From additional to exponential
From monuments to movements

The following quote is simple yet profound.

What is Missional - A Short Answer

"Jesus told us to go into all the
world and be his ambassadors, but many churches today have inadvertently changed
the "go and be" command to a "come and see" appeal. We have grown attached to
buildings, programs, staff and a wide variety of goods and services designed to
attract and entertain people.

"Missional is a helpful term used to
describe what happens when you and I replace the "come to us" invitations with a
"go to them" life. A life where "the way of Jesus" informs and radically
transforms our existence to one wholly focused on sacrificially living for him
and others and where we adopt a missionary stance in relation to our culture. It
speaks of the very nature of the Jesus follower."
---Rick Meigs

It is past time to begin to structure ourselves into a missional church so we must begin today to catch up with work before us. We cannot, in good faith to God, remain where we are and go with Him. it is going to take all of us working in harmony, focused on others, letting our Jerusalem know:

1 - We pray for missions and missionaries.
2 - We pay to support missions and missionaries.
3 - We participate in missions and are ourselves, missionaries.

Let's not only look at:

At how many people come to our church services, but how many people our church serves.
At how many people attend our ministry, but how many people have we equipped for ministry.
At how many people minister inside the church, but how many minister outside the church.
At how many ministries we start, but how many ministries we help.
At how many unbelievers we bring into the community of faith, but how many ‘believers' we help experience healthy community.
At how we are connecting with our culture but how we are engaging our culture.
At how much peace we bring to individuals, but how much peace we bring to our world.
At how effective we are with our mission, but how faithful we are to our God.
At how unified our local church is, but how unified is "the church" in our neighborhood, city and world?
At how much we immerse ourselves in the text, but how faithfully we live in the story of God.
At how many people we bring into the kingdom, but how much of the kingdom we bring to the earth.

I know this can be a lot to grasp but it must be grasped and grasped now.

Please share with us your thoughts on this and dreams or fears of being missional.

HERE WE SIT

2009-08-17T15:25:00.002-04:00

Some time prior to my becoming the pastor of JPBC, the church chose to remain in our current location. I am ok with that but realize that no matter where we are located, our call is the same: we are to reach out and minister to our community. I am sitting here asking myself, how are we, as a church, doing this presently? How are we making a kingdom difference in our community?

“To choose to stay located in a community is one thing. Making that decision work is something else altogether.”

A few weeks ago, there is no doubt; we made a kingdom difference in two communities. These differences were made in Duncansville, PA and in Altoona, PA. Thank you Jesus for such a privilege and opportunity. To the people of JPB, what about our community? How are we vitally connecting to our community? Someone said (and I agree with them):

“a church that is not vitally connected to its community has no future in that community. Christ-like ministry takes place in the daily rub of one life up against another.”

On Sunday I put before the church a challenge. A tangible challenge that working together we can easily reach and as a result be blessed by God for being a part of His kingdom work. The challenge was to work together over the next months and reach a goal of 200 or more in SS and worship on Sunday morning.

We will soon be voting on a new budget and in small ways it opens the door for us to be able to touch real people outside of our fellowship and invite them to be a part of God’s work here. I think it is time to quit doing block parties, community events and asking people to come here and see what we can do on a certain date for a short amount of time. I think it is time we go to the people, over and over again until we rebuild the lost confidence they have in the church and in God. I think it is time for more volunteers to raise their hands and help out in multiple community-based ministries. Consider the following as possibilities of things we can do:

- A low cost day care

- An afterschool ministry for latch-key children

- An English as a second language class

- Sports clubs

- ___________________________

I recognize that staying put in our community (a decision we already have made) will demand that the church adapt (read: change) itself to the changing culture in order to reach it with the gospel. I don’t think any of us can possibly fathom how demanding this change will be on us personally and corporately. I stop her to ask… For what purpose do we exist?

Will we be willing to make our priorities the following?

1^st We remained on this corner for HIM

2^nd We remained on this corner for them

3^rd We remained on this corner for us

What think Ye?

What Think Ye?

2009-08-17T12:21:00.002-04:00

Casual Christian VS Casual Christianity

At first you might be thinking that there is no difference between the two subjects above, so let me define them so that you will be able to make a clear distinction of what I am hoping to convey.

Casual Christian = This is a Christian who is not formal in their appearance and approach with God. The casualness is specifically about their dress habits. You will probable recognize them by their clothes on most Sunday mornings. They will “dress down” in attire which keeps them from wearing a coat and tie. These Christians can dress from a business casual to jeans and flip-flops. The brave can even show up in cut-offs with strings hanging down (strings many would like to take a pair of scissors to) and tee shirt. BOTTOM LINE… These Christians do not see the need for formality in their dress code when joining with other Christians in worship.

Casual Christianity = This is the Christian who takes their relationship with God casually. Casual Christians are faithful to Sunday morning church and some will even support Sunday School, evening worship and Wednesday night services. Their concern (motive) for doing what they do in church and without is based upon their personal wants and desires, not God’s purpose for their lives. This person can be, in appearance formal or casual. BOTTOM LINE: These Christians do not see the need to know God more than in the context of their church attendance, church service, quick reading of God’s word and a repetitious prayer life, even as often as daily.

___________________

As we probe this subject let me clarify, from scripture, where we need to understand God stands.

1 Samuel 16:7 (NKJV) - But the Lord said to Samuel, "Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."

In thinking about the two subjects above I am convinced that the latter listed is the one which is a greater offense to our Lord Jesus? Isn’t this the where the decision should be made as we choose to live our lives?

I am also convinced that many Christians, if not most, look at these two subjects differently than the way God looks at them. We can easily see a person come to church dressed in a manner we find too casual and make judgmental thoughts and possibly comments about their spirituality. I urge you not to do this because it leads to legalism and I know none of us want to go there.

WHAT TO DO: I would encourage anyone who reads this blog to look at our fellow Christians through the lenses of Jesus and scripture and discover that there are nine specific attributes every Christian possesses and these are what we ought to focus on. These nine specifics are: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self Control. Now godly judgment does not look for these things in other people’s lives and then use their faults to beat them over the head, rather when they take notice of one of these lacking they reach out to give a hand to help their fellow Christian.

TAKE NOTE: If we can learn to do this, I am convinced that we will not be found involved in Casual Christianity before our God and we might even enjoy a few days in God’s house in more casual attire.

What think ye?

THEN CAME SUNDAY MORNING

2009-08-15T17:12:00.002-04:00

Tomorrow is going to be exciting as we continue our journey through Titus. As we have covered the role of Gods' people within the church and in our world, we come to a place where it seems Paul is answering the "WHY" of living for Jesus before someone asks.

Have you ever asked why:

WHY...

- do I need to love my enemies?

- do I need to be faithful to church?

- do I need to support the church with my time, talent and resources?

- do I need to read and study my bible daily?

- do I need to tell others about Jesus?

The list of questions which have been asked and continue to be asked by believers seems to be endless. Well, Paul tells us why. I hope you are there tomorrow and have an open heart, ear and mind to the things of God.

Our passage tomorrow will be:

Titus 2:11-14 (NKJV)
[11] For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men,
[12] teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age,
[13] looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,
[14] who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.

Take time before tomorrow and pray over this passage and see how God speaks to you.

See you tomorrow with a bible in your hand, a smile on your face and a visitor you invited by your side.

Crossroads - edited

2009-08-12T12:30:00.002-04:00

I am at a place in my life and ministry where emotions and dreams are more real than ever. Throughout my ministry I have always dreamed big and kept my emotions in check if the big dreams did not materialize. I can admit that many of my dreams were not for the sake of seeing something happen but more along the line of filling in the blank after I ask: What if ___________________ ? Yet in the past few weeks these emotions have become more intense and the dreams have become more wanting.

One of the biggest moments, to me, in my ministry since I became your pastor was when we moved to the converted fellowship hall and made it our worship center. I know that may sound funny or even ridiculous to some but to me it was a giant step of faith, meeting a need for the present and giving us a hope for the future.

Summer is coming to an end and with school starting back up and less people traveling our attendance should be picking up. I want to ask the church to take a challenge. Not a big one but a challenge, none the less. I want us to work together to see 200 persons at church on a consistent basis. I want us to make 200 our first goal. I want us to see a bigger picture than what we have been seeing and I need each of you to join me as we invite people to church and share Jesus with them.

So as to not put too much pressure on any individual but challenge the church as a whole, will you join me in taking this challenge and setting this reachable goal to be accomplished by early this coming spring?

To reach this goal it is going to take all of us working together for this common purpose. I'm on board and make the personal commitment to keep this objective on the forefront of our information. I truly believe that if we come together on this we will be working together on a project which will bring glory and honor to the name of Jesus.

This is not a time for church members to be looking to pull back or go elsewhere but to come together and be a part of greater things at JPBC.

We can do all things through Christ who is our strength. Do you believe it? Then join me as we demonstrate to our Jerusalem to a watching world.

ADDED: JPBC church members, we are at a crossroads which will determine our future. I hope, like me, you do not want to wake up 3 or 5 or 10 years from now and be exactly where we are today. I hope you want to see God change, not only the lives of lost people but the whole life of JPBC. See Him fine tune our ministries, our service, our buildings, our make up and I know you know He wants to do these things but according to scripture we must, as believers, ask God to change our hearts towards the churches future.

I refuse to settle for less than the best Jesus offers. And that best is found in a growing relationship with Him and reaching our Jerusalem for Him and digging in His word to hear Him and spending time in prayer to talk to Him. Everything centers on Him.

Which road will you take?

God is still at work in PA

2009-08-11T13:10:00.001-04:00

These last few days I have pondered the mission trip and continue to be amazed that God would desire to use us, as we are, for His glory. This 2^nd trip to Altoona was an opportunity to reach our Samaria. Thank you to all who participated and to those who remained behind and kept us in your prayers. I do ask that you keep praying and keep abreast of God’s continual in work Altoona.

Doug called today and said a little girl showed up for Cheerleading, thinking it was this week and not the previous. When Doug told the parents the little girl was extremely disappointed but Doug reached back and gave the little girl a set of “fluffed” pom poms. This brightened the little girls face and her parents signed her up for Awana. This is a family which, through our prayers and God’s grace, will become a part of New Hope.

Start planning now on being a part of next year’s adventure. More kids, multiple locations and more salvations.

For those who went, I need from you a half page testimony of how God worked in and through your life. I will be putting together a booklet with these testimonies and some pictures for a record of God’s wonderful blessings from this past week.

We serve a great big God. Don’t miss being a part of His activity.

Back home and feeling, well...

2009-08-10T09:14:00.005-04:00

It is a good thing, I think, to be back in NC settling in at my desk and trying to figure out what must be caught up and what is new coming down the pike. Although yesterday was a very good day, from my point of view, it was obvious that many were tired (for good reason) so things moved a a slower pace than usual. This morning I want to journal more than write an article and in doing so I invite anyone who desires to read along to do so without worry. If I remember correctly, blogging was designed to be an online journal place. It is for many but has become much more than that to many people.

The picture I chose for this blog entry is of a man smiling and frowning. It was chosen as a direct result of my present (and possibly often) state of mind. Sit back and read along and when you are done feel free to share your thoughts. NOTE: I am not in a mode of depression or jubilation but simply desire to share my heart of where I am... right now.

THE HAPPY SIDE OF JON: God is doing some mighty big things around me and I am blessed to be able to experience them first hand. Though my desk this morning is a bit discombobulated I know where everything is and can grab it quickly, if needed. I had the awesome privilege of spending some time with God this morning before Pam got up and enjoyed our conversation. God has confirmed to me that there is something I must do to discover more of Him and His activity so I am committed to following through with this assignment. This is something He spoke to me about a few weeks ago and I shared with Pam and she is going to be my prayer warrior through this valley of blessed struggle.

I think back over the past week and recognize that God used me to touch a part of Samaria and in the same moment I was taking to reach out and touch someone else God blessed me for being willing to be an instrument in His hands.

I can't get over the fact that the God of all creation loves me and wants to work through me to accomplish God size things. God loves me... He really loves me.

THE SAD SIDE OF JON: This past week was a reminder for me that I do to little for Jesus and this problem is a direct result of my being less than what He saved me to be. I admit I am busy but more times it is a busyness that does not help produce holiness. It does though produce tiredness.

I feel like I am playing the game of backgammon and all I can roll on the dice is a 1 and a 2. With these rolls the trip around the board takes for ever and my opponent reduces the number of pips he needs at a quicker pace than me. What this causes me to sense is a never ending game where I stay behind the pace of others and the place where God has for me.

Oh, how I want to know Jesus more and experience His love and presence greater. How I want to be able to live a life that draws others to Him. A few may say I am doing this already but in my heart and for His glory this is not enough.

I like many people can be happy on the outside but sad within but I can not think of a time when these emotions were reversed.

Back home and feeling, well...

Grateful to belong to Jesus.

Darkness never drives out darkness

2009-07-22T09:35:00.000-04:00

Yesterday, there were three children I am aware of that prayed for Jesus to forgive them of their sins and to let them into His kingdom. There are several more who will be talked with tonight as they have shown interest in the things of Christ. These children come from homes that we would not call Christian. Good homes, loving parents but no light of Jesus to shine their way.

VBS is a lighthouse for our community. A place where children who live in darkness can be shown that Jesus loves them and invites them to step out of darkness into His marvelous light.

Lighthouses need a power source and I have discovered, through scripture study and personal experience that our power source is God but our connection to God for this power is prayer.

SPECULATION ALERT: What if the number of people coming to the church to pray is the number of children we will see saved? What if these three are it this week because we have had no more than three people each night stop by the church and take time to pray? What if God is waiting on us to bow our knee in His holy presence and beg Him to save souls? What if this is true and we don't come together to pray? What if God will only give to us that which is in accordance to our faith?

FACT ALERT: God has blessed JPBC and these three children are a direct result of that blessing.

Will you join us tonight and that 5 - minutes and pray at the church for these kids. Only two more nights left.

Darkness never drives out darkness. Will you be a light this week to these kids?

2009-07-21T12:00:00.000-04:00

JPBC has before us an opportunity to prove ourselves to be people of prayer. Our VBS is in full swing, we have three more nights (including tonight) and we have a prayer room available for any and all to come here and pray. I urge you not to take the easy way and say you can do your praying at home because the workers here need to see you on campus, knowing you are here to pray.

Last night, Pam, Sherry and myself stopped and spent some time in the prayer room. We signed in and prayed over the list available and other items God laid upon our heart and mind to intercede for. Personally, the two times I spent in the prayer room helped calm my soul and help slow me down among the running screaming precious little children. I would also encourage you, as members, to come and walk through the building after you pray (don't show up for something else and not take time to pray) and check out the kids in action. I do ask though that when you hear the bell ring, you stand to the side as the charging kids change classes and rule the hallways.

VBS is vital to the kingdom work God has called us to accomplish. What is your role? I know, for one, it is to pray. Come join us.

A continuation of a previous post...

2009-07-20T16:43:00.001-04:00

I am actually having trouble trying to convey what I go through, spiritually, physically and emotionally when I have these moments of wanting to be in the center of His activity. So this is an attempt to clarify, as best I can, what it is I experience.

For most of the day I have sat here reading the words out of Psalms and singing the chorus which has been written from the passage. As the deer panteth for the water, so my soul longeth after thee... I love this song scripture passage and believe it portrays what our hearts desire ought to be. This verse though is not the end all to how we long for and experience God. For me, during these moments I have spoken of it is more like the following:

Imagine that you are swimming in very deep water and you realize you are quickly running out of oxygen and you must swim upward quickly. Your mind is working overtime, telling your body that you need the oxygen the surrounding elements do not provide. You know if you open your mouth and gulp in what is there you will drown because you are not being provided that which is essential to sustain life --- AIR.

So you kick hard, pump your arms in a manner which propels you upward. Your body is shaking due to a lack of precious AIR. Your mind races, calculating the distance left to break through the water. You begin to doubt if you will ever experience the blessing of AIR again, yet you keep fighting for that precious substance.

Then... you break through the water into the freshness of the AIR, gulping in the fullness and savoring every ounce. Your life is once again as it ought to be. Your life is no longer fighting to live but is living.

This is the air I breathe
This is the air I breathe
Your holy presence living in me
This is my daily bread
This is my daily bread
Your very word spoken to me
And I I'm desperate for you
And I I'm I'm lost without you
This is the air I breathe
This is the air I breathe
Your holy presence living in me
This is my daily bread
this is my daily bread
your very word spoken to me
And I'm, I'm desperate for you
And I'm, I'm lost without you
Michael W. Smith

This is what I am trying to convey. I hope you understand.

VBS PRAYER ROOM

2009-07-20T11:18:00.000-04:00

We enter day two of our VBS week and the excitement is in the air. Many new children are coming our way and some prospective unchurched families are being introduced to us. Bible study, mission lessons, snacks, music, recreation, crafts are all being done in the short 2.5 hours we are here. God has blessed us with many volunteers to cover the needed areas and I thank God for each one who is fulfilling their comitment to VBS. Thank you for signing up as a volunteer and letting God use you this week. Stay with your post and look for God at work where He has planted you.

One area I have not mentioned yet has to do with this blog entry. We have a prayer room set up in the Willing Workers SS classroom. Last night, myself at 6:25, Allen Thompson at 7:30 and Kimberly DuPuis at 8:15 took time out of their evening and prayed for VBS specifically. Thank you Allen and Kimberly. Thank you for taking the time when so many others are hustling around watching over the precious lives God has entrusted to us this week.

In my prayer time this morning, I did not ask God to teach me to pray, a I often have. I asked God to give me a burning desire to pray. In my quiet time He did respond and I will be applying that which He gave me to my life, knowing He will be glorified, when all is said and done.

Drop by tonight and join in a time of prayer. Sign the sheet and seek the Lord.

What moves me...

2009-07-20T09:02:00.002-04:00

The power of our God is to great to put into words or find a picture which illustrates this fact. Yet, in this very blog post I am going to be using words and the picture above to describe the best I can those things which move me to know God and long to be directly in the center of His powerful and wonderful action.

I love storms, probably not as much as Pam does or for the same reasons. I love them because they remind me of a power which can not be harnessed and is so great that it causes us to be amazed at its beauty and power. The power of a lighting bolt which flashes across the sky can bring us to our knees in awe but can make us run for cover if it gets to close. Doesn't that describe God, in part.

God's presence and power are as real as thunder and lightning in an electrical storm. As much as I love storms, I love God more and want His presence and Power to be active right where I am living. I, personally, do not want a little bit of God but I need all of Him and I need to be where He is at work, where He is at play, where He is breaking hearts and building homes. I need to be out of the comfort of my boat when He is walking on the water. I need to be the blind man who gets touched and can see forever more. I need to be the lame man who is cured by the gracious love of Jesus. I need to have these things in my life or be with people who are having them happening in their lives. I need these things. It is more than a want, it is a recognition that for my spiritual sanity and for the areas of my life to be sharpened by His mighty hand I need these things.

One thing, I know. God does not need to take me around the world and drop me in remote locations among different people groups to meet the needs in my life. He can and wants to do these things right here at JPBC.

What do you need?

A secure job?
A peaceful home?
An answer to your health questions?
A time more like it used to be?

What do you need from Jesus?

_____________________________

Only you can say. What will it be? Share with us those things you need from Jesus and see if longing for them and discovering them doesn't move you, for Him.

I was there and I missed it...

2009-07-16T15:17:00.004-04:00

Over the past 49 years God has allowed me to learn many things. This from school, friends, parents, teachers and life in general. Some of the things I have learned are neatly tucked into the files of my mind and I have no idea what they are anymore. Yes, I do believe they could be brought up and I could be reminded of them once again. Some of those memories might be good to remember others, probably not.

Some of the most deeply rooted things I have learned remain at the forefront of my mind and I often find myself pondering them. One of those memories was the words of a preacher who meant much to me. Words that drove home the importance of revival and the desire to experience it in my life and to experience revival in the life of the church God has entrusted to me.

The words that God continues to use to ignite the needed fire in my soul and to cause me to long for revival were the following.

Revival can happen right where you are, all around you and you can miss it.

At first I did not think such a thing could be true. How could God's people miss God, Himself, passing through their surroundings and not recognize Him? Then I went to scripture and noticed over and over again how people could not, because of their own blindness, see Jesus (the Messiah) as He ministered, loved, healed, revived, blessed... right in their very surroundings. If it could happen then, it could happen now.

I will be posting next by next week a followup to this blog entry on the subject of... Things that move me for Him.

Do we at JPBC want revival? Are we willing to do whatever it takes to know it? If we are not, then why should God send it? Do we believe we need it? I need it?

EDITED: Pastor Conference Videos now available to watch, online

2009-07-14T13:43:00.003-04:00

Now that we are a month beyond the pastors conference and convention, the pastor conference speakers videos are available online to watch. If you want to check the videos out, click on the convention theme icon below.

I will be going back through these over the next few weeks. I am listening to Mike Huckabee as I type and will be listening to Dr. David Platt tomorrow. He preached a message on Wednesday morning. As the weeks pass by I will use these to re-challenge my heart and be encouraged to stay the course.

Take advantage, as time permits.

I went ahead and clicked on David Platt's link and listened to him share a message all people of Jesus need to hear. Near the end of his message he made the following statements:

What we see is a picture of a church radically committed to telling the nations about His greatness... I want my life to count, I want the church I pastor to count for the nations. I don't want to waste my life. I don't want to waste the church God has entrusted to me...

Please, listen to this one 26 minute message. I ask that no one respond to this blog entry until they do and then share what God says to you so others can be encouraged.

Then Came Sunday Morning...

2009-07-11T17:08:00.002-04:00

After a great week with the teens and LifeWay's camp structure which allowed me time needed to study, I will be sharing with you in the morning about the importance of the teaching within the church.Not only the things preachers, SS teachers or other church leaders say but the things every Christian says a they live their lives. The passage we will be dealing with in Titus demonstrates that church leaders must be on guard for the things being shared among the body of Christ. Not only from the classrooms or the pulpits but within the lives of church members. The passage approaches this subject in a very interesting way. Paul is charging Timothy to silence the false teachings, bring them to an end. Confront the evil and do so in My name so they will repent or run.

SERIES: The Church Triumphant

TITLE: Standing on the Promises against... WHO?

PASSAGE: Titus 1:10-16

BREAKDOWN: God is interested in holiness in His children, individually and corporately. He shows us in this passage how serious He is about this matter. Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit deals with this subject head on. He pulls no punches and neither will I tomorrow. There is no way unbiblical teaching can be ignored because to do so dishonors God and hurts the church.

INTENT: I will, much like last week, walk through these verses, verse by verse. Pray God will help each of us take an honest look at our lives and the words we use in our journey as a Christian. The intent is not to belittle anyone but to proclaim the mighty truths of God's word. Come with ears to hear.

I am excited about tomorrow. Join us as we worship the audience of ONE.

Home Again...

2009-07-11T15:26:00.003-04:00

Yes, this is how I feel right now and I got a full nights sleep last night. This in no way implies that spending a week with teenagers is a bad thing but just the opposite, spending a week with your teenagers is and was wonderful. I learned a lot about, you, the parents this week and I might be needing to schedule some counseling sessions.

Yesterday was full of surprises and the roadblocks could have gotten me down and caused me to grumble but I found that there was God's timing and handiwork involved.

No one wants to get up in the morning and get things ready to travel home and not have your vehicle start. No one wants to have to pay a repair bill. No one wants to meet two old man trying to tell me the van will not start and there must be a problem with the van. No one wants to miss driving home with a van full of tired noisy kids (OK, that one is stretching it a bit). The list goes on but what I do know is that God provided His love and mercy, grace and deliverance in the needed doses and the right timing.

Camp is not history but the lessons taught and hopefully caught will last a lifetime for the teens involved.

Thank you for your prayers and for making it possible for all who were involved to be involved.

NOW, time to get ready for VBS and the Mission Trip.

Whew, what a mighty God we serve in the midst of a great summer.

Last full day of camp

2009-07-09T10:37:00.002-04:00

The last full day of camp has arrived. Your teens are tired and a few are wanting a nap but today there is no time for such a thing as the MEGA RELAYS begin shortly after the tracks conclude. Yesterday had some highlights for the teens and I continue to believe God is speaking to each of them, some of them simply need to remove fingers from ears and listen. Now before you parents get bent out of shape and ask, what is wrong with those kids,why are they not listening... I would ask that you take the fingers out of your own ears. I know without a doubt that God is speaking to you and some of you (OK, maybe most of you) don't want to listen.

I now will deal with the question... WHY? Why do we not want to listen to God when He speaks? Here are the top ten reasons:

10 - They like what they have and don't want more because they don't know what more asks of them.

9 - Listening might cause them to make a change in their lives and they are much to comfortable to change, even for God.

8 - Listening, really istening means slowing down and absorbing the things being said and that is just not acceptable... have you seen my calendar? I have too many things to do to slow down.

7 - I may be asked a question that I should know and beacuse I don't know (by my own choice), it is easier to not listen.

6 - We think God only speaks to other people --- but why do we want to speak for God when others don't do things our way --- we expect people to listen to us.

5 - Listen??? Don't know that language.

4 - God doesn't speak to people today, so there isnothing to listen too.

3 - Because I am talking and I don't want God to interrupt me.

2 - The last time I listened and God spoke, He offended me.

1 - I don't have too.

I do ask that you pray fr the teens as they are taught throughout the rest of today and tomorow. Pray they will hear God.

YOUTH CAMP DAY # 2

2009-07-08T09:38:00.002-04:00

A look back at Monday... Yesterday was the first full day for the teens and it was an exciting time. Those who tracked in Duct Tape Art made Duct Tape Roses. Sonny even made a new skin for his cell phone in white duct tape. Now that's creative.

Monday was the day each teen had to climb Rec Mountain twice, well except for Matthew, somehow one of the church groups were driving up and he hitched a ride.

From the AM show to the bible studies to the recreation and devotion, your teens are doing great. Involving themselves and making friends. If they don't call you as often as you desire let me leave you with these words... GET OVER IT... They are busy they are pumped and they go non-stop for most of the day. When they do get a break like yesterday afternoon, many of them went back and showered the sweat off them before heading to the dinner hall. This is something we don'[t have to ask them to do, they understand their new friends they are making will remain their friends as long as thy smell not like a gym locker room.

I am rooming with the younger boys and mom's let me let you know I am making them keep their stuff picked up and room straight. I have gone into the older boys room once and I am praising God I chose to room with the younger ones. You know the other room is bad when some of them are asking to use our shower and bathroom because... well you get the idea.

Last night, two of your teens responded to God during the invitation time. Mostly just to ask God for help in making the right things, the right things. One step at a time for God will lead all of us closer as we make them daily.

Let me hear from you. I will pass along your comments to your teens. Ask what you want and when I am online I will check and respond accordingly.

Don't miss church tonight as one of our own will be sharing.

YOUTH CAMP... DAY 1

2009-07-07T10:24:00.003-04:00

Wow, what a year to be a camp. We left the church at 11:00 and arrived to register shortly after 1:00. We did get some rain prior to climbing the last hill before the 66 exit off of I-40. God was good and kept us safe. Registration went smoothly and the welcome the kids got pumped them up. Each of our teens got to choose two "tracks" for character building. Listed below are some of our teens and the tracks they got.

Sonny = Duct Tape Art

Quinten = Battle Ball / Duct Tape Art

Matthew = Secret Service

Kris = Basketball / Backpacking (one night on the woods with profession campers)

Hannah = Creative Painting / Volleyball

Steph = Volleyball

Mary = Girl Talk / Duct Tape Art

Heather = Girl Talk

Madison = Total Body Fitness / Choir

I do not have the list in front of me but will update the others when I get my list.

There are 1700 teens her this week from 86 different churches. The week ended up being the largest of the summer. Another 300 people arrive today for a different camp experience so we will be filled with people along with the excitement.

Our girls are suffering for Jesus as they got roomed in the newer facilities, the Hampton Inn upscale type rooms, quilted mattresses, clean bathrooms, beautiful decor...

Our boys got one of the cinder block building with the 1943 air conditioners. Three bunk beds in each room and a small bath which leaves much to be desired. But I have no complaints, we are on the lower level of the property and do not have to walk to the top of the mountain to sleep.

Girls, I guess that is the cost of luxury.

I have found this one truth to be self evident... When I lay in my bunk bed and close my eyes, I can not tell the difference between my room and the luxury rooms, except one of the boys in my room needs to leave his shoes outside.

Pray for your teens and send them a message through the comment section. I will pass it on to them when we get together. For those who read this blog and want to pass this info along to other parents, please do so.

Till tomorrow (or later tonight,whichever I find time for) Let me leave you with one bit of information the teens are learning.

FAITH = MOVE

IS FACEBOOK EVIL?

2009-07-04T13:28:00.000-04:00

The popular online service which is drawing many people of all ages into its web is not evil. Facebook can not make any decisions for itself nor can it be blamed (though some may try) for the behavior of those who use it. Facebook is like many things in our world which is offered to the public to use. Its use has a purpose (I guess) for many people. I have a facebook page and many friends from present and past have agreed to connect with me. Some people are on facebook a lot. Some, like me, are on only when someone sends me something and I get an email telling me so. I then log on to respond. there may be a time or two I have gone on, solo but it is very rare.

Back to the subject... facebook is not evil. Things people do or say or post (like pictures) can be seen by others who will make a judgment concerning what the read or see. As christians, we must remember we are always to liove our lives as a living testimony of the great things he has done for us.

Let me offer some guidlines for your facebook experience:

1 - Don't write, post a picture or video on face book that you would not want shown to God.
2 - Don't invite stragers to be your friends.
3 - Don't accept invitations to be friend with people you do not know.
4 - Love your friends enough to hold them accountable for what they put on their facebook page.
5 - Be willing to turn it off it it consumes your life.

Facebook is here and it is not going anywhere but remember you are a Christian first not a social butterfly.

My 2 cents...

2009-07-01T06:49:00.002-04:00

I watched the flag pass by one day,

It fluttered in the breeze.

A young Marine saluted it,

And then he stood at ease..

I looked at him in uniform

So young, so tall, so proud,

With hair cut square and eyes alert

He'd stand out in any crowd.

I thought how many men like him

Had fallen through the years..

How many died on foreign soil

How many mothers' tears?

How many pilots' planes shot down?

How many died at sea

How many foxholes were soldiers' graves ?

No, freedom isn't free

I heard the sound of Taps one night,

When everything was still,

I listened to the bugler play

And felt a sudden chill.

I wondered just how many times

That Taps had meant 'Amen,'

When a flag had draped a coffin.

Of a brother or a friend.

I thought of all the children,

Of the mothers and the wives,

Of fathers, sons and husbands

With interrupted lives.

I thought about a graveyard

At the bottom of the sea

Of unmarked graves in Arlington .

No, freedom isn't free.

The above was sent to me by Chris Siemers, my friend and retired Army soldier. You may remember Chris, he spoke for us on Men's Sunday. I am grateful for Chris and God uses him to remind me of how grateful we are to be Americans.

Three men I had the privilege of pastoring in El Paso are either at Southeastern or on their way. Tony, Chris and Harry... Love y'all guys and am forever proud of you.

Give 'em heaven!

AT HOME AND HOPING...

2009-06-27T12:00:00.000-04:00

OK, this past week has been full of travel, tiredness, testing and teaching. The highlight for me, over the years, at the SBC has been the pastor's conference. For more than a decade the "who's who" have preached powerfully and delivered delightfully message upon message God wanted me to hear. Many of those men have retired or gone home to be with Jesus. There is a new crop of "up and coming" preachers on the scene who are gifted and called out to share God's word to our generation. In many ways, gone are the suits (not from all) and the highly formal presentation to a more relaxed, teaching style. There is nothing wrong with this, it is simply different. Thank you church for allowing me the opportunity to be away and be recharged for another year.

I will be sharing some of the highlights along the way but will give the convention report on Sunday night along with the mission project information.

Until then, I will be finalizing the message for Sunday and putting together some future information for the series we are starting as we travel through Titus. I will also be helping Pam get some VBS stuff done, we already picked up the stuff from 1st Baptist and are beyond blessed with the things they have loaned us so we can better share the gospel.

JPBC family, we are a blessed people. We will continue to be mission minded and mission active. Together with God's hand, we can climb any mountain, swim any stream and accomplish more than we ever thought possible.

Long Lunch Break

2009-06-24T11:50:00.003-04:00

On Wednesday there is no afternoon session. The final session is tonight. Pam and I returned a bit early to the hotel, mainly so I could get some studying in.

This convention, though without a lot of fanfare of past conventions spoke to me personally and challenged me spiritually. As I stated in an earlier blog entry, Mike Huckabee, made a comment that drove conviction deep into my heart. A conviction that needed to be driven deep and for that I am wounded but blessed.

Johnny Hunt made a statement that I will be putting on the pulpit (on the speakers side, for me to be reminded). You will have to climb up on the podium and see, I'll not spoil it here.

I may or may not post again today. Pam and I will leave early tomorrow and head home. Friday I will be meeting with the Hispanic church pastor and members to help them set up. Saturday I will be helping the women's class set up in the gym for their new area.

A busy week and a busy weekend yet may I never forget, we are blessed.