Got a phone call today from a friend of mine, Greg Dawson. He wanted to share with me some great news- his son, Parker accepted Christ as his Savior. If I'm correct, this is the third of his five children to get saved (the other two are 3 years and under I believe).It occurred to me that while it made my heart glad to hear this news, and it obviously made his parent's hearts glad, Parker getting saved made GOD happier than anyone else.How awesome is it that God, who is lacking in nothing, wants us to be with him?
Maybe I'm the only one that has had any confusion about this, but for years I have heard something like "the angels rejoice when a person gets saved". I heard someone challenge this thought, so I thought I would look it up. In Luke chapter 15, Jesus tells the parables of the lost sheep, coin, and son. In each parable, the one who lost something (the sheep, coin, or son), was the one rejoicing. Well, when man sinned, it wasn't the angels that lost something, it was God. Obviously we lost more, but that's not the point here.
In verse 6, the one that recovers what was lost invites his friends and neighbors to rejoice with him. In verse 10 Jesus says, "In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents." So, while the angels may be rejoicing also (like the friends and neighbors in v.6), the rejoicing is being done in their presence. So... when someone gets saved, who is in the presence of the angels doing all of that rejoicing?
It's God.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Friday, January 25, 2008
Don't Fence Me In...
Actually, PLEASE fence me in!
Shanna and I have wanted to fence in our yard for some time now, but it was just too expensive. The neighbors on the left and right of us fenced, meaning all we would have to do is fence across the back and put up gates on either side. Well, that was still going to be around $2,000 and that just wasn't in the budget. Last night I looked out the back door and what do I see? A FENCE! The folks behind us decided to put a fence up! This is such a blessing and we are really happy about it. Now all we have to do is put up two gates- much cheaper. Even though we are planning to move, we may still do this to help along the sale of the house. Praise GOD!
Go ahead Jason, you know you want to...
Thursday, January 24, 2008
God Comes Through Again
God rocks. He just flat out does. Maybe one day I'll just accept that and stress out a lot less.
A Christian radio station, The Joy FM (www.thejoyfm.com), was a part of a concert called Winter Jam. The lineup was pretty impressive- Sanctus Real, Skillet, Mandisa, Newsong, Mercy Me, and a couple of others. Anyway, I've done some work with the station before, and I got a call asking if I could get together 35-40 volunteers- in less than two weeks. Well, I was stressing out hard about this. I didn't want to let them down, but I wasn't sure I could get this many people that quickly.
But as usual, God came through.
Some folks from my church and other contacts signed up and allowed me to breathe easier. Some didn't even come for the concert, they just came to help out, saying they were "just there to serve". Others wound up being asked to do more than was originally intended. When there was an invitation given, people were asked to fill out a little form so the organizers could know who made a decision, maybe do follow up, etc. Well, they apparently ran out of the forms where people were coming forward. One of the volunteers from our group went out of his way to find some of the forms, and then went about finding people that wanted them- and there were plenty.
These people didn't do these things for me, or the radio station- they were doing it for God, and that was awesome.
A Christian radio station, The Joy FM (www.thejoyfm.com), was a part of a concert called Winter Jam. The lineup was pretty impressive- Sanctus Real, Skillet, Mandisa, Newsong, Mercy Me, and a couple of others. Anyway, I've done some work with the station before, and I got a call asking if I could get together 35-40 volunteers- in less than two weeks. Well, I was stressing out hard about this. I didn't want to let them down, but I wasn't sure I could get this many people that quickly.
But as usual, God came through.
Some folks from my church and other contacts signed up and allowed me to breathe easier. Some didn't even come for the concert, they just came to help out, saying they were "just there to serve". Others wound up being asked to do more than was originally intended. When there was an invitation given, people were asked to fill out a little form so the organizers could know who made a decision, maybe do follow up, etc. Well, they apparently ran out of the forms where people were coming forward. One of the volunteers from our group went out of his way to find some of the forms, and then went about finding people that wanted them- and there were plenty.
These people didn't do these things for me, or the radio station- they were doing it for God, and that was awesome.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Hittin' The Road
On the list of my least favorite things to do, going on a trip and leaving my family behind is near the top. This Saturday I get to travel on business to Alabama. I will be gone Saturday-Tuesday (actually returning late tuesday). Then, I am home Wednesday-Friday. The next Saturday, I get to do it again- this time to Charleston, SC for four days.
Don't get me wrong, I know that there are people separated from their families for much longer stretches than this. Our military men and women in particular have it much worse. While I realise that they have it tougher than me (for that and many other reasons), that doesn't mean I can't say that leaving my family for even this amount of time stinks. This is who I am, and I married a woman that is the same way. It is one of a number of reasons that we are such a good fit. Our daughter isn't used to it either. Again, no one is going to crumble apart from this, but I wish they could come with me.
Anyway, I pray God will keep us safe while we are apart, and use the time for His glory.
Don't get me wrong, I know that there are people separated from their families for much longer stretches than this. Our military men and women in particular have it much worse. While I realise that they have it tougher than me (for that and many other reasons), that doesn't mean I can't say that leaving my family for even this amount of time stinks. This is who I am, and I married a woman that is the same way. It is one of a number of reasons that we are such a good fit. Our daughter isn't used to it either. Again, no one is going to crumble apart from this, but I wish they could come with me.
Anyway, I pray God will keep us safe while we are apart, and use the time for His glory.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
You Never Know Whose Life You Might Impact
A Deacon at my church, Kings Avenue Baptist, passed away this week. His name is Dave Soverly. I only knew him for a couple of years, but he was a good man, active in visitation, and earnestly desiring to please God.
Years before I met Dave, Dave met a man named Patrick Case. Patrick had a company that sold sign letters, but he had an idea for another product that would enable fast food restaurants to put full-color images up on their readerboards without having to purchase expensive LED or LCD signs. Well, Dave worked for McDonald's at the time. He was one of, if not the first, customer for this new product. He allowed Patrick to test them out at one of his McDonald's. Dave was very encouraging, and his help allowed Patrick to develop and improve his product, called Marquee Graphics®.
In part due to Dave's help, Patrick's product became more popular. He began to sell more of them, eventually requiring Patrick to open up a division of his company specifically to handle Marquee Graphics.
I work for that company now.
I began working for National Readerboard Supply before I ever met Dave Soverly. But his generosity and openness to help out an entrepreneur named Patrick Case — when many others would not have — indirectly lead to my current employment.
You never know whose life you may have an impact upon.
Thanks Dave.
Years before I met Dave, Dave met a man named Patrick Case. Patrick had a company that sold sign letters, but he had an idea for another product that would enable fast food restaurants to put full-color images up on their readerboards without having to purchase expensive LED or LCD signs. Well, Dave worked for McDonald's at the time. He was one of, if not the first, customer for this new product. He allowed Patrick to test them out at one of his McDonald's. Dave was very encouraging, and his help allowed Patrick to develop and improve his product, called Marquee Graphics®.
In part due to Dave's help, Patrick's product became more popular. He began to sell more of them, eventually requiring Patrick to open up a division of his company specifically to handle Marquee Graphics.
I work for that company now.
I began working for National Readerboard Supply before I ever met Dave Soverly. But his generosity and openness to help out an entrepreneur named Patrick Case — when many others would not have — indirectly lead to my current employment.
You never know whose life you may have an impact upon.
Thanks Dave.
Saturday, January 5, 2008
Sometimes I hate Matt Redman
Okay, before you start to question my salvation, let me explain:
I'm not outwardly a very emotional person. At least I don't think I am. I get emotional, I just like to believe I can keep it in check. Especially when it comes to crying in public. I don't mean to get all "tough-guy" acting, but I don't like crying in public. Maybe in an extreme situation, like the death of a loved one, the birth of my daughter, or the day I heard about Die Hard 4 finally being released. Anyway, I like to keep my tears to myself. I'm working on being more open, but this is where I am now.
So, the other morning I'm driving to work and listening to Matt Redman's "You Never Let Go". The bridge of "I can see a light, that is coming for the heart that holds on / and there will be an end to these troubles, but until that day comes...", and I start crying. Not a little tear, mind you, but real crying. And I couldn't stop myself. I tried, but I couldn't. Finally, I began to accept the freedom of how I was feeling, but as I mentioned I was driving to work. I had to get control of myself because frankly, I couldn't see very well. So, I got control.
Frankly, I wish I didn't have to stop. I'm sure there was someting for me to learn in that moment, whether it was releasing frustrations to God that I've been holding onto, or just the fact that vulnerability is a good thing.
If you are not familiar with the song, check out the following link. It's not concert footage, but the person who did it did a pretty good job:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=SIAdgLR1ZGw&feature=related
I'm not outwardly a very emotional person. At least I don't think I am. I get emotional, I just like to believe I can keep it in check. Especially when it comes to crying in public. I don't mean to get all "tough-guy" acting, but I don't like crying in public. Maybe in an extreme situation, like the death of a loved one, the birth of my daughter, or the day I heard about Die Hard 4 finally being released. Anyway, I like to keep my tears to myself. I'm working on being more open, but this is where I am now.
So, the other morning I'm driving to work and listening to Matt Redman's "You Never Let Go". The bridge of "I can see a light, that is coming for the heart that holds on / and there will be an end to these troubles, but until that day comes...", and I start crying. Not a little tear, mind you, but real crying. And I couldn't stop myself. I tried, but I couldn't. Finally, I began to accept the freedom of how I was feeling, but as I mentioned I was driving to work. I had to get control of myself because frankly, I couldn't see very well. So, I got control.
Frankly, I wish I didn't have to stop. I'm sure there was someting for me to learn in that moment, whether it was releasing frustrations to God that I've been holding onto, or just the fact that vulnerability is a good thing.
If you are not familiar with the song, check out the following link. It's not concert footage, but the person who did it did a pretty good job:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=SIAdgLR1ZGw&feature=related
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
New Year, New Blog, New Direction
Well, here we go- New year, new blog, new direction. The first two are pretty self-explanatory, but let me expound upon the "new direction".
My wife, daughter, and I are beginning a journey that is guaranteed to take us out of our comfort zone. We are following God's leading and moving to Greenville, North Carolina to join the staff of Discovery Church. While we were not looking to leave our family, friends, and church, we are excited about where God is leading us. We know there are challenges ahead, but that's okay. God is in charge, and if I do my part, I know He will do His.
There are a few minor (ha-ha) details that need to be worked out first. I need to raise my first two years of support. I have to sell my house in one of the harder-hit areas of the country in the current real estate slide. I need to make sure I leave my current employer in good shape (possibly finding and training a replacement) . I need to find new housing and get things set up to hit the ground running when I get there.
One of the hardest things to remember sometimes is that not only is nothing impossible for God, but also that nothing is difficult. We often think of things in "degrees of difficulty". For God, the degree of difficulty is always the same — zero. In my mind, selling my house and raising support seem like HUGE obstacles, but for God, these needs are as easy to meet as the things I consider "little" obstacles.
Of all the needs we have, the biggest is to find people that will faithfully pray for us. So, here are my prayer requests:
Pray that God will bring people our way that will catch the vision for what we are doing and be willing to partner with us financially.
Pray that we will be able to sell our house for a sufficient price.
Pray that we won't take on burdens that we have laid at God's feet.
Pray that we will remain faithful to God's call.
Pray that our family and friends in Florida will understand what we are doing, and that we will miss them as much as they will miss us.
Pray that...well... just pray!
I look forward to keeping everyone posted on how things are going, and not giving Claude the opportunity to do to me what I've done to him. Don;t worry, he knows what I mean. I'm working on the overall design of this thing, so keep checking back!
God bless,
-Jim
My wife, daughter, and I are beginning a journey that is guaranteed to take us out of our comfort zone. We are following God's leading and moving to Greenville, North Carolina to join the staff of Discovery Church. While we were not looking to leave our family, friends, and church, we are excited about where God is leading us. We know there are challenges ahead, but that's okay. God is in charge, and if I do my part, I know He will do His.
There are a few minor (ha-ha) details that need to be worked out first. I need to raise my first two years of support. I have to sell my house in one of the harder-hit areas of the country in the current real estate slide. I need to make sure I leave my current employer in good shape (possibly finding and training a replacement) . I need to find new housing and get things set up to hit the ground running when I get there.
One of the hardest things to remember sometimes is that not only is nothing impossible for God, but also that nothing is difficult. We often think of things in "degrees of difficulty". For God, the degree of difficulty is always the same — zero. In my mind, selling my house and raising support seem like HUGE obstacles, but for God, these needs are as easy to meet as the things I consider "little" obstacles.
Of all the needs we have, the biggest is to find people that will faithfully pray for us. So, here are my prayer requests:
Pray that God will bring people our way that will catch the vision for what we are doing and be willing to partner with us financially.
Pray that we will be able to sell our house for a sufficient price.
Pray that we won't take on burdens that we have laid at God's feet.
Pray that we will remain faithful to God's call.
Pray that our family and friends in Florida will understand what we are doing, and that we will miss them as much as they will miss us.
Pray that...well... just pray!
I look forward to keeping everyone posted on how things are going, and not giving Claude the opportunity to do to me what I've done to him. Don;t worry, he knows what I mean. I'm working on the overall design of this thing, so keep checking back!
God bless,
-Jim
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