Back in the swing

Well this week is flying by. It is always hard to get in the groove after some time off. I am looking at the calendar and seeing that June is right here. June, that means summer, wow. As always I am finding the calendar busy, and we are gearing up for a fantastic summer with the church. We will be praying at the property next Saturday June 7 at 9am. We are launching a new sermon series and global church prayer campaign called One Prayer.

Now get how big this One Prayer event is. Over one thousand churches that list over 700,000 churches are participating. Churches are sharing resources, praying for one another and sharing a message of passion, unity, and authenticity to its congregations. I am very excited that we are a part of this as it could shape history. I sincerely believe that concentrated prayer and concentrated action can change the world.

I hope that all of you will join in praying with the church. I can't wait for Sunday. Pastor Rich and I will kick off this monthlong series. Look for more info and more udpates as things are really starting to move around here.

Blessings to all that make ministry a joy to do.

J

Back from Disney

We have just returned from our Disney trip. It was awesome. I learned a lot about myself. I am very ambitious in the parks. I want to do it all, and then do it again. However, I found myself getting tired. Legs tired, feet tired, just a little weary from moving around the parks. I would also say that my joy is all the more complete in watching my kids.

This trip was awesome, we did less, but it meant much more. We found that Magic that many people find at Disney World. ON one particular day it just all came together. Chloe was made over, we got into the park early, got Space Mountain like three times, other rides, character autographs all in 3 hours. ON the way out of the Magic Kingdom, Chloe get offered by Chip and Dale to take part in the mid day parade. Just imagine me running through the crowd to get ahead to catch that magic moment we are enjoying.

Landon and Kaitlyn are Disney vets, and I am seeing that they are starting to show a lot of me. Landon wants to run ahead and get the fast passes. Kaitlyn looks at map and plans. They both are contributing in a great many ways to make the trip happen.

Christa and I had a few moments to ourselves one evening. We got to Epcot (new Spaceship Earth is awesome) - in time to do a few rides. But a relaxing walk around world showcase to visit literally many lands was so nice. The breeze was just blowing, and for a moment the pace of life slowed and I let out a big sigh of relaxation.

On Friday we left Orlando for Palm Coast Fla. Wow, this place is so nice. A very gorgeous area between Daytona and St Augustine. We had a wedding to perform for one of my former young people who now is a part of the band Leeland. We rehearsed in the rain on Friday, and had wedding outside on Saturday morning in some of the warmest conditions ever. I really need a suit that is light weight not wool for beach side May weddings in Florida.

All went well, and our travels were safe. It feels great to be home, but not real great as I am already planning that next Disney trip, with a new plan to get it done, and relax a little longer. I hear it can be done.

Be blessed, summer is on the way.

J

Count down to Disney

Hello folks

With Christa's B-day past (May 3) our family now turns its attention to our upcoming trip to Orlando. While there I will be performing a wedding, visiting my parents, and getting some r and r. What I mean by r and r - roller coasters and rides. Chloe has not been there for 3 years, so we anticipate great memories from this trip.

God really worked this out as a number of circumstances came into play to make this happen. Now wouldn't know that just one week before leaving, sickness hits the house. It begins with Chloe, moves to Christa, and then back to Chloe (who is never sick). I am very ready to be on the road and have some time for family fun, not family sickness.

As we approach summer you can see many people in their work out modes. I hope to join them all after Memorial Day. I have to admit that I did start working out in February with regularity, but slowed down after the spring break. I lost a quick seven pounds, but got addicted to eating my deserts again. Yes, it is time to get back into the work out swing. I need to get out of the on again off again - and letting stuff get in the way.

Just wrapped up the Unforgettable series. I loved sharing about investing into others lives. That is so important to our faith. We must pass the flame, we must tell and show others the difference the Christ has made in us. So let others learn from you, model to many and mentor to some, every deed is seed.

Praying for our church, our leaders, and our ministry family to stay strong. God is doing wonderful live giving things through Horizons. Thanks for your prayers and your help. Let's keep moving forward.

Jay

Back from Conference

Hey all, just got back from a Facilities conference last night. The conference focused on the use, maintenance, purpose, and versatility of facilities. What I especially liked was that it all, no matter what it is, should point to the purposes of the Church and bring God glory. We as a church exist to tell, show, and demonstrate the love of Christ to our world. This is why we have dinners, donuts, conversation, Life Groups, and ministry teams, just to name a few. To enlighten the minds of our community that they do not have to be lonely and spiritually hungry. To en flame hearts to discover purpose and meaning in life.

I have just started a new communication device through the web called twitter. Funny little name, and very different in its purpose. I just thought I would give it a test drive to see if it will help me to better communicate with many. I will provide a link on this blog. Twitter simply asks "What are you doing now?" So throughout the day, I will be letting the world know, what I am doing? Right now I am reviewing notes, and blogging.

Today in National Day of Prayer, come on down to Stafford Courthouse to join a group of people that will pause and pray.

J

Wow

I am saying Wow a lot this past week. Why? Good things and bad things. Right now I am at home with my sick little one Chloe. She is never sick. Never has had anything more than about a 24 hour bug. The strange thing is that she got sick early Saturday morning right before her 5Th birthday party. We managed to get through it, but we are not out of the woods yet. Wow, why would my never sick child get sick before the most important celebration of the year (in her mind).

Wow! I am blessed by our church family. The Grace series that Pastor Rich did was great. I hope that you all have had a chance to hear some of those message. We all need to be encouraged that God's grace is sufficient. I am blessed that we had such an amazing response to the Compassion project. Our totals were in the double digits of kids sponsored and that is a total home run.

Wow! My kids are growing and showing some great maturity. Kaitlyn has announced to Christa and I what she wants to be, and where she intends to go to school. Landon has been doing great in school and an awesome help around the house. Our kids are real kids, there are ups and downs but Wow they are awesome.

Wow! Christa has a birthday next weekend (about all I can say). I have a wonderful wife. Wow it is Spring, nice weather. Wow, its spring but not nice weather.

I do start a new series called "Unforgettable" this week. My prayer is that it will bless our church as it has me in the preparation. I am convinced our life on the earth is important, not for what we get, but for what we give and even leave behind. Come hear some wonderful stories of heroes of the faith and American history.

Be blessed everyone - because rain or shine - you are blessed.

J

Hole in your sandal

So Chad Bledsoe and I were talking at lunch. We were both commenting on how it is so true that when God does amazing things hard times follow. We reflected on the how the Israelites are moving into the promised land, but blowing it all the time.

We laughed when we thought of the Red Sea miracle. The Israelites are looking at God's miracle of the parting of the red sea. Is it possible as they traversed the dry land between the seas there was some complaining? Do I ever in the midst of God doing some amazing things, notice the little issues in life. Just as we have heard in the series that Pastor Rich is doing, Grace is sufficient and it surrounds us. Do we notice? Or do we stop and notice the hole in the sandal.

The mountain top experiences are seemingly always followed by Monday morning issues. Jesus knew and lived that out. When we experience the hardships, like Christ did, we need to learn to receive His grace - because He understands.

Just thinking that as human beings we get a lot of opportunities to grow. Let' grow.

J

Let Hope Rise

Hello everyone

It has been a few weeks since my last blog. So much has happened. Some good, some bad. I know that many of you can relate. I must confess I have had a hard time staying up. It weighs on me to talk to so many that are hurting and going through difficult times. Especially true when they are people that are close to us.

Last week the family dog, Thurston, was hit by a car. He had been staying with my parents in Florida. They are heart broken to lose such a dear pet that was truly a friend to the family. I will never forget bringing him home to meet the kids about 5 years ago. It is tough to see him go.

As I look around I can see that Spring is trying. March came in like a lion, and frankly outside of a few days, stayed pretty cold. In fact today - April 3- it is sleeting outside. Neverthless the cherry blossoms have blossomed and I even wore shorts just a few days ago. Spring is coming. Let Hope Rise folks. We are here for each other. Let's pray and continue to journey together.

On that note - Horizons provided 728.7 lbs of food for the Serve organization. This was amazing, and the director was just flabbergasted at the amount our church brought in. Great job everybody and thanks for all your contributions to the Kingdom of God.

Let Hope Rise, His Grace is enough for all of us. I think Pastor Rich's message this Sunday will be very timely. Grace to stand. That is so true, but sometimes hard to do. Stand. His Grace will provide hope to carry on. Let's keep going folks God is awesome.

Keep watching our land, some exciting stuff is going to be happening in just a few days.

Shalom

Jay