Wow -half gone already

Well it has been about a month. I guess it was kinda busy for me. Month flew by, and so has the entire first half of the year. I had one of those moments this morning. One of those reflective, take a few breaths, and think about it moments. Man those are hard to come by right now.

Anyhow - I reflect on the year and just have to thank God. I mean really we are so incredibly blessed with life. There are lots of things negative out there. Economy, finances, health. In fact just this week we had several of the known celebrities pass away. There was an impact here as one of my daughter's friend caught 'swine' flu. Another friend has lost her brother.

Another wave of marriages and relationship issues. It always seems as that stuff like this happens in waves. It is very easy to feel overwhelmed by our plight. Yet - the enemy is out to distract and discourage. I am not going to buckle under that. I choose life...sometimes easier said than done, and much easier typed than lived.

After my pity party - I dust myself off and look at scripture which reminds me about my job, and every believer's job. It reminds me that stuff happens. How we respond is the test of our character.

Be encouraged as God is real, moving, and changing lives. If I press on and really live this stuff - He will change mine to. Look around folks - count your blessings. Remember no matter who you are - it could be worse. No matter who you are - when you are at bottom the only direction is up.

J

Indescribable

This week we start a new series "One Prayer". We are joining with thousands of other churches across the globe - representing almost a million believers. These numbers may grow from here, so I am being conservative.

The focus for these churches is to share that God is.... When I heard the topic I immediately started to think about who God is and what God is. I know that God is ... is a great topic. We get to speak of the truth of God.

So this Sunday I thought to kick off the series I would speak on God is...Indescribable. I heard a statement that moved me a while ago, "People have a god that they want, but need the God who is". How true. People try to fit into their finite minds an infinite God. God is big, huge, His power, His love, His understanding is beyond awesome.

I can't wait to share these passages that speak of God - the truly indescribable God that has made his plan for us describable. I sincerely hope to see you this Sunday at Horizons, as we begin this journey into knowing God better.

J

Action needed

I love a few of these new commercials that are out there. They are talking about action. They are talking about being a doing company. They talk about being a company or a product that causes change ; because it takes action.

I see this time as a true season for the church universal, and the local church to be one of action. One that says it is one thing to make a statement and another to be actively doing the work. Over the last few weeks we have been sharing on Sundays the idea of "Just Add Jesus". Just add to your mind, and see what you can do. Just add to your heart and see what that would do. So with all the things that can happen to us when we add Jesus, let us also add Jesus to our hands and feet. That the things happening inside of us should translate into who we are on the outside.

You are know by what you do... Like oh that guy he is such a nice guy, that guy is such a complainer, that person is such a football fan. We get known by what we do.. So what do say about you? What are you known for? May we all learn to act like Jesus so we can be known as real followers of Christ.

J

Finally Feeling Spring

wow - the pace has been breakneck. The weather has been rainy. The time marches on. Last week was a celebration of some of the life happening at Hawpe House. Let's continue - Landon was leading worship in main service and really did well. Like with any 16 yr old artist we encourage him but cautiosly to keep ego in check.

Kate texts me yesterday to say she took 1st place in high jump, took 1st in her heat for the400 and got added to the 4x400 at the end of day. Awesome. She is loving it.

We are seeing the sun and feels great. I love the feeling of a sunny day. It ups my morale to handle the toil of life. Don't let the toil of life spoil life. For me - I have to keep praying, keep seeking, keep reading God's word. More of God will mean less of me.

We start a new series that speaks to the simplicity of Christ being fully in our lives. If we are to be fully devoted followers of Christ then we need to put Jesus into our mind, our heart, and our hands. Join us on Sunday as we serve up a few treats (we love to eat), and learn a few secrets. Just Add Jesus - it could change your life.

Keep on keeping on.

J

Celebrate

Today I celebrate: My wife is doing great with her birthday. A year older, still sweet and as beautiful as our first date. My chloe lost her two bottom teeth on Sunday after service. My Kaitlyn has made the JV dance team for high school next year. My Landon man is going to lead worship for youth Sunday this Sunday.

As for me - I got a virus through some Facebook video a "Friend" sent. He did so unbeknownst as someone hacked his account, and then maybe mine. I reset password and it appears to be okay. Wow - our world has changed and I am learning on the fly.

Wins are not easy to come by - but we need to learn to accentuate the positive and not be so negative.

J

Feels like Spring

Well the Hawpe Fam got back from some spring breaking last Saturday. We had a marvelous time - that went way to fast - down in Williamsburg. We got into Busch Gardens, and hit Great Wolf Lodge for one day. Very nice to see the kids having a blast. Landon loves the wave rider - I do too, and we both are getting down some good moves. Kinda fun to hear the onlookers cheering you on.

Today really is nice. It is one of those days in which I didn't mind the birds waking me up. Normally I silently curse them. Three cups of coffee, two learn to read books for Chloe and I am out the door to sunshine and trees getting their leaves.

Something inside me is saying that good things are on the way. Good things happen all the time, but sometimes as the "toil of life" begins to "spoil the life" we aren't counting our blessings. Why is it so easy to complain, and so hard to stop and really count the good in life. Right now no matter who reads this - there is probably an issue, a concern, a fear, a disappointment that you are facing. Yet - there is good. We are free, as Christians forgiven, as Americans blessed, and as human beings - granted the good of this day. Let us all make the most of it.

I read the other day in preparation for the message Sunday about Paul's hardships. Really, really, I have never had a day like many of Paul's. Shipwrecked, bitten by snake, beaten with rods sometimes with whips. Stoned, run out of town. Yet he just keeps on serving God.

SO keep on keeping on - there is much to do. Let us live a life of serving the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.

Shalom (Peace) to all

Jay

Easter thoughts

Well I have not blogged much over the last few weeks. So much has happened as we (Horizons Church) have moved into our permanent facility. If you think moving a home is stressful, magnify that ten times over. From construction, to inspections, moving, cleaning, preparing, petitioning, all of it is quite a ride. Thank God I can now write this today from the comfort of my office. Easter is coming Sunday so we are getting ramped up for this blessed Holiday.

To note - our past two Sundays have had large attendances as we said good bye to Colonial Forge and opened this new facility. Nearly 600 in one week and over it the following. Wow! That is a lot of people. More importantly we have seen many make a decision for Christ. That is what it is about.

Listen - it is tough sometimes in the pomp and circumstance of church life to be focused on souls, but it is exactly why we do church. Not for facilities, not for numbers, but for people and empower them to be followers of Christ.

So for this Sunday we will be talking about His Story. The story of Christ and how that story from the beginning of time to now is a life changing one. Invite your friends, neighbors, family and co workers to celebrate His Story - it could change their life to.

Pastor J

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