For so long in my walk with the Lord, I would hear Him gently reveal areas in my heart that needed attention, and then I would use all my strength trying to fix my issues. I didn't stay around long enough in prayer to hear Him say, "Let me have your brokenness, because that's why I am here."
I have since discovered that my greatest times of INTIMACY with Jesus is when my flaws run into His perfect Love. When my darkened heart crashes into HIS Grace. The intimacy is found in the TENSION of a Holy God deciding to love His broken child.
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
"Let It Rain"
Revival is coming.
The ball is rolling and it's picking up speed as I have seen leaders in this community praying together for God's presence to fall on us like rain.
Here is what is on my heart;
For far too long, people everywhere in churches all across our country have looked at GRACE as something that abolished the NEED for repentance. Not So.
It is through God's grace and mercy where we learn our true nature and the need for transparency and confession to God for when our hearts betray us. Jesus is our Savior but the Lord still needs our repentant heart to grow us, mature us, and dwell with us.
Grace is AMAZING! Repentance is simply turning around again to catch a glimpse of it.
Revival comes through God's grace into our individual repentant hearts. The ball is rolling and it's picking up speed.
Revival is coming.
Let it Rain.
The ball is rolling and it's picking up speed as I have seen leaders in this community praying together for God's presence to fall on us like rain.
Here is what is on my heart;
For far too long, people everywhere in churches all across our country have looked at GRACE as something that abolished the NEED for repentance. Not So.
It is through God's grace and mercy where we learn our true nature and the need for transparency and confession to God for when our hearts betray us. Jesus is our Savior but the Lord still needs our repentant heart to grow us, mature us, and dwell with us.
Grace is AMAZING! Repentance is simply turning around again to catch a glimpse of it.
Revival comes through God's grace into our individual repentant hearts. The ball is rolling and it's picking up speed.
Revival is coming.
Let it Rain.
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
"Toll Booth Christianity"
What's the common theme these days? Busy. But when you ask how people are doing, the response then is always followed by a qualifying statement.
Example: "Hey, how are you? I haven't seen you in a while."
Answer: "Oh, you know, same ole same ole. Just very busy! But it's all good though."
The qualifying statement of, "it's all good though," is there to make sure no one can challenge our busyness. Heaven forbid if someone actually cared enough to challenge us in our busyness, which is eating away at us and causing us stress and not fulfilling us in any way shape or form! (But it's all good though.)
One of the questions I often get is, "how do I know what God's will is?" Good question.
Let's start with an assessment of where we are as Christians. Our lives on average don't differ at all in any statistic when compared to non-Christians. (Divorce rate, Suicide rate, financial woes etc...). We as Christians are not sure why we believe what we believe and if pressed for a answer we just get mad and quote a scripture that makes us feel better.
Maybe we have turned God into a non-factor when it comes to fulfilling our lives with meaning. Has God become the worker in the "toll booth" of our cultural Christianity? We slow down just long enough to pay our dues and then speed off into our busy lives again, going where we want to go. Even worse, some feel that they have been a Christian long enough that they don't even have to slow down. They have earned the coveted "Fast Pass" and they think no matter how fast they fly through the "toll area" on the proverbial Sunday Highway to Heaven that it doesn't even matter if they get it right.
Here is what I believe God would want the common theme to be these days;
Be still, and know that I am God. Wait upon His council. Slow down. Get out of your car and shake hands with the toll booth worker, because you need Him to remember who you are. In the Big Picture of Life, He is more interested in YOU than wherever it is you think you are going.
Example: "Hey, how are you? I haven't seen you in a while."
Answer: "Oh, you know, same ole same ole. Just very busy! But it's all good though."
The qualifying statement of, "it's all good though," is there to make sure no one can challenge our busyness. Heaven forbid if someone actually cared enough to challenge us in our busyness, which is eating away at us and causing us stress and not fulfilling us in any way shape or form! (But it's all good though.)
One of the questions I often get is, "how do I know what God's will is?" Good question.
Let's start with an assessment of where we are as Christians. Our lives on average don't differ at all in any statistic when compared to non-Christians. (Divorce rate, Suicide rate, financial woes etc...). We as Christians are not sure why we believe what we believe and if pressed for a answer we just get mad and quote a scripture that makes us feel better.
Maybe we have turned God into a non-factor when it comes to fulfilling our lives with meaning. Has God become the worker in the "toll booth" of our cultural Christianity? We slow down just long enough to pay our dues and then speed off into our busy lives again, going where we want to go. Even worse, some feel that they have been a Christian long enough that they don't even have to slow down. They have earned the coveted "Fast Pass" and they think no matter how fast they fly through the "toll area" on the proverbial Sunday Highway to Heaven that it doesn't even matter if they get it right.
Here is what I believe God would want the common theme to be these days;
Be still, and know that I am God. Wait upon His council. Slow down. Get out of your car and shake hands with the toll booth worker, because you need Him to remember who you are. In the Big Picture of Life, He is more interested in YOU than wherever it is you think you are going.
Saturday, April 13, 2013
Close Your Eyes and Jump!
I got a phone call from a friend not long ago, and he was asking questions about God and what being a Christian was all about. It wasn't long before I realized my friend was struggling to make sense of his life. I listened and I tried to answer some questions and encouraged as much as I could. When the phone call ended, I began to regret that I didn't speak more to the simple act of Faith that God wants from us all. Instead of trying to answer all the specific questions people may have about God, sometimes we just need to say, "Close your eyes and JUMP!" He will catch you. Soon after the call, God impressed upon me to write this down to send it to my friend.
Imagine a small child standing at the edge of a long wooden pier. Beyond the edge of the pier is a beautiful lake. The water is inviting and only a few feet away. The child's father is out in the water about waist deep with his arms outstretched towards his son. The father says, "C'mon, jump, I will catch you! Don't worry, I will be right here and you will love it"! The child is hesitant, but does want to be with his father. Even though the pier is providing some stability and safety, the child knows deep down he would rather be with his father.
A leap of faith is all it will take but the unknown is sometimes too much to handle so the child begins to ask questions. "What's it like out there", the child asks, "and are you sure you can catch me?"
"I can, and I will", the father responds, "all you must do is trust me." The child is still unsure but his father is ever patient and continues to hold his arms outstretched towards his son as he waits.
Finally, the child realizes he doesn't want to be alone anymore and the desire to be with his father is overwhelming so he leaps off the edge of the pier. When he opens his eyes he sees he is safely in the arms of his father. Both are laughing and overjoyed to be together in the water and having fun.
The child now understands his father can be trusted so he climbs out of the water back onto the pier, and wants to do it again and again. But now, each time the child jumps his father has moved out a little farther. With each jump, the child's faith is proved true and rewarded because his father catches him every time!
What happens next is the best part and something the father knew all along. His child now leads all of his brothers and sisters to the edge of that same pier and says;
"Jump! It's okay he will catch you. I have stood where you are standing and you just have to trust him. He can, and he will catch you! But you have to jump before He can prove it to you. C'mon! Close your eyes and jump!"
Imagine a small child standing at the edge of a long wooden pier. Beyond the edge of the pier is a beautiful lake. The water is inviting and only a few feet away. The child's father is out in the water about waist deep with his arms outstretched towards his son. The father says, "C'mon, jump, I will catch you! Don't worry, I will be right here and you will love it"! The child is hesitant, but does want to be with his father. Even though the pier is providing some stability and safety, the child knows deep down he would rather be with his father.
A leap of faith is all it will take but the unknown is sometimes too much to handle so the child begins to ask questions. "What's it like out there", the child asks, "and are you sure you can catch me?"
"I can, and I will", the father responds, "all you must do is trust me." The child is still unsure but his father is ever patient and continues to hold his arms outstretched towards his son as he waits.
Finally, the child realizes he doesn't want to be alone anymore and the desire to be with his father is overwhelming so he leaps off the edge of the pier. When he opens his eyes he sees he is safely in the arms of his father. Both are laughing and overjoyed to be together in the water and having fun.
The child now understands his father can be trusted so he climbs out of the water back onto the pier, and wants to do it again and again. But now, each time the child jumps his father has moved out a little farther. With each jump, the child's faith is proved true and rewarded because his father catches him every time!
What happens next is the best part and something the father knew all along. His child now leads all of his brothers and sisters to the edge of that same pier and says;
"Jump! It's okay he will catch you. I have stood where you are standing and you just have to trust him. He can, and he will catch you! But you have to jump before He can prove it to you. C'mon! Close your eyes and jump!"
Thursday, March 14, 2013
"Take the Suit"
I remember the day that a friend of mine gave me a suit that he didn't want anymore. I took it home and it didn't fit me, so I put it in my closet. I had every intention of donating it to Goodwill or selling it on Craigslist. So, fast-forward two years and guess what? The suit was still hanging in my closet. I thought I would get smart and actually bring it to my office where I would see it everyday and then I would be reminded to donate it. Nope. It still hung there for another six months or so.
Now, I know why. God had other plans for the suit.
While sitting in my office one day preparing for a sermon and I happened to look over at the suit hanging there. I was about ready to start beating myself up again for not donating the suit sooner, when I heard a whisper in my spirit say,..."Take the Suit". I sat there for a moment, and then again,..."Take the Suit".
You see, I was getting ready to head out the door to go visit an after school program called "Imagine If". I know some of the great people and volunteers who run this program for kids, and I wanted to show my support. So, as I headed out the door, yep...I grabbed the suit and flung it over my shoulder.
When I walk into the gym where Imagine If is having their program I see over 80 kids running around having a blast because it's exercise time. I am looking around and smiling at the volunteers giving them the thumbs up and feeling quite awkward because I am standing there holding a $500 suit for no apparent reason. But then, I look over and a relative of one of the kids had walked through the door. She had come to pick up her nephew. When I looked over, everything went quiet in my mind. "Take the Suit" was all I heard. I walked over and introduced myself as the Pastor of one of the supporting churches of Imagine If. She said, "Nice to meet you, I am here to pick up my nephew." I responded with, "Do you need a suit?" She said, "Excuse me?" I took a deep breath, and said it again. "Do you know of anyone who needs a suit?" LONG PAUSE...she said, "What size is it?" I told her. "Are you serious," she said, "my husband is in desperate need of a suit, and that is his EXACT size." I said, "Here is your suit."
God knows where everyone one is on the planet. He knows what all of our needs are. He also knows if we are patient but yet obedient to His voice, we will see HIM do AMAZING things.
Imagine If, I hadn't taken the suit. Now, Imagine If there was no Imagine If. Listen for His voice today.
Now, I know why. God had other plans for the suit.
While sitting in my office one day preparing for a sermon and I happened to look over at the suit hanging there. I was about ready to start beating myself up again for not donating the suit sooner, when I heard a whisper in my spirit say,..."Take the Suit". I sat there for a moment, and then again,..."Take the Suit".
You see, I was getting ready to head out the door to go visit an after school program called "Imagine If". I know some of the great people and volunteers who run this program for kids, and I wanted to show my support. So, as I headed out the door, yep...I grabbed the suit and flung it over my shoulder.
When I walk into the gym where Imagine If is having their program I see over 80 kids running around having a blast because it's exercise time. I am looking around and smiling at the volunteers giving them the thumbs up and feeling quite awkward because I am standing there holding a $500 suit for no apparent reason. But then, I look over and a relative of one of the kids had walked through the door. She had come to pick up her nephew. When I looked over, everything went quiet in my mind. "Take the Suit" was all I heard. I walked over and introduced myself as the Pastor of one of the supporting churches of Imagine If. She said, "Nice to meet you, I am here to pick up my nephew." I responded with, "Do you need a suit?" She said, "Excuse me?" I took a deep breath, and said it again. "Do you know of anyone who needs a suit?" LONG PAUSE...she said, "What size is it?" I told her. "Are you serious," she said, "my husband is in desperate need of a suit, and that is his EXACT size." I said, "Here is your suit."
God knows where everyone one is on the planet. He knows what all of our needs are. He also knows if we are patient but yet obedient to His voice, we will see HIM do AMAZING things.
Imagine If, I hadn't taken the suit. Now, Imagine If there was no Imagine If. Listen for His voice today.
Thursday, February 21, 2013
"God Brought Mello"
My oldest son will be graduating high school in a few weeks and I wanted to do something special with him and create a lasting memory. I had a trip all planned out to drive to New York City and take in a N.Y. Knicks game at Madison Square Garden! My son is a Knicks fan and has always enjoyed watching Carmello Anthony (Mello) play in the NBA. We had the hotel room booked, and even a connection that had us getting some great tickets for the game. I asked a couple of awesome Christian friends to ride along and continue to mentor my son in ways that I know will help him in life. Everything was set.....then.....THE BLIZZARD HIT.
Yes, the blizzard came along that weekend and hit New York and other parts of the east coast. We knew it wouldn't be wise to try and make the trip and although it dampened our spirits, we understood it was the right thing to do. I kept trying to find another weekend in N.Y. that would fit our busy schedules but it just wasn't coming together. Little did I know that God had a plan. God Brought "Mello".
One of the guys who was going to N.Y. with us asked if we would be interested in seeing the Knicks vs. Pacers in Indianapolis. He had connections and thought he could probably find us some tickets. Even though it wasn't the father-son manhood trip to N.Y. City that made me look like a hero I said, "Sure, why not." So, upon arrival at the game, we find out that our seats were even better than expected. But that's not even the good part. At halftime, we went down and met the person who arranged our tickets and we were asked if we would like to go onto the court and stand by the Pacer's bench and shake their hands as they were coming out for the second half of play. Obviously, we said yes.
Here's where it gets good. As we are walking out onto the floor in front of about 15,000 people to take our spots at the Pacer's bench, we all notice at the same time; the New York Knicks were right next to us! They had come back out for the second half and were warming up right behind us.They were on our end of the floor. As my son and I turned and realized the entire Knicks team was within 10 feet of us, we also realized that God had put us there. The chain of events that led us there that night were a true blessing from the Lord. Sometimes you don't realize it, until God has you in place for an exact "moment in time" or the "Ah Ha" moment. For my son and I, there was no doubt as we stood 10 feet from "Mello" that this was a moment we would never forget. Make no mistake, I love God, and I love my family, but even I couldn't have made this moment happen....God did it. God brought the Knicks...and God brought "Mello".
Yes, the blizzard came along that weekend and hit New York and other parts of the east coast. We knew it wouldn't be wise to try and make the trip and although it dampened our spirits, we understood it was the right thing to do. I kept trying to find another weekend in N.Y. that would fit our busy schedules but it just wasn't coming together. Little did I know that God had a plan. God Brought "Mello".
One of the guys who was going to N.Y. with us asked if we would be interested in seeing the Knicks vs. Pacers in Indianapolis. He had connections and thought he could probably find us some tickets. Even though it wasn't the father-son manhood trip to N.Y. City that made me look like a hero I said, "Sure, why not." So, upon arrival at the game, we find out that our seats were even better than expected. But that's not even the good part. At halftime, we went down and met the person who arranged our tickets and we were asked if we would like to go onto the court and stand by the Pacer's bench and shake their hands as they were coming out for the second half of play. Obviously, we said yes.
Here's where it gets good. As we are walking out onto the floor in front of about 15,000 people to take our spots at the Pacer's bench, we all notice at the same time; the New York Knicks were right next to us! They had come back out for the second half and were warming up right behind us.They were on our end of the floor. As my son and I turned and realized the entire Knicks team was within 10 feet of us, we also realized that God had put us there. The chain of events that led us there that night were a true blessing from the Lord. Sometimes you don't realize it, until God has you in place for an exact "moment in time" or the "Ah Ha" moment. For my son and I, there was no doubt as we stood 10 feet from "Mello" that this was a moment we would never forget. Make no mistake, I love God, and I love my family, but even I couldn't have made this moment happen....God did it. God brought the Knicks...and God brought "Mello".
Sunday, February 10, 2013
Familiar Inspiration
I haven't been a Senior Pastor long but it occurred to me it's been awhile since I was able to just go to church. You know, just show up and sit down with others and worship and hear the word of God. I had an opportunity to attend a Saturday night service at my former place of worship and listen to MY PASTOR preach. It wasn't long before I felt the old familiar inspiration that drove me first to my knees, then to be baptized, and then eventually out the front door.
Yes, it was my Pastor who did all those things, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is where I was born anew with the Spirit of God firmly entrenched in my heart. It was my Pastor who baptized me, and helped me in ways he knows nothing about. It was sitting and listening and learning. It was processing my heart's cry to go into ministry with my Pastor who would always encourage but never push. Then, finally out the door I went. Following God's call on my life, but never forgetting all I owe to Jim Lyon and the people I love at Madison Park Church of God.
It was familiar inspiration, from a familiar person and I will be forever thankful that I am familiar with both.
God Speed,
Jay
Yes, it was my Pastor who did all those things, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is where I was born anew with the Spirit of God firmly entrenched in my heart. It was my Pastor who baptized me, and helped me in ways he knows nothing about. It was sitting and listening and learning. It was processing my heart's cry to go into ministry with my Pastor who would always encourage but never push. Then, finally out the door I went. Following God's call on my life, but never forgetting all I owe to Jim Lyon and the people I love at Madison Park Church of God.
It was familiar inspiration, from a familiar person and I will be forever thankful that I am familiar with both.
God Speed,
Jay
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