We are about two weeks into our latest series that got inspiration from the fact that water is hot at 211 degrees but that it boils at 212. The challenge is before us all to be a people that will go the extra degree in some facet of our spiritual journey.
I, being a relational person, believe that the extra degree could go a long ways in our relationships. I love this challenge that I wrote about in my previous post, Who are you investing into? That degree can go along way in making your relationship work for the better.
I hope you all experienced the joy that we shared as a congregation in praying for Vienna and taking a picture with her traveling bear "Yek Vun". This bear is gathering pictures, stories, and words of encouragement for Vienna. What a marvelous ideas started by someone that wanted to make a difference in someones life. The extra degree works. Just consider how many of you felt as we shared about this story this past Sunday. Now time for you to go to work and put in that little extra to make it work.
Blessings to all and thank God it is really fall.
Jay
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Thursday, September 10, 2009
We Value it We Invest into it
Christa (my rocking wife) had a dentist appointment the other day to have a tooth filled. No big deal. However in the process discovered that her tooth had a crack in it and that a ROOT CANAL may be necessary. She was advised to come back if any pain occurred o Ir hot or cold.
That night she battled with pain. She was restless and sleepless and woke up with a need to go to the Dentist. I merely eluded to insurance, cost, and timing to be included into consideration. Her quick comment to me was... I don't care what it costs - I need pain relief.
We all put our physical health and well being as a premium. So the question is what if we all learned to invest ourselves the same way into our spiritual well being. Here is what I am saying. If you value it; then you invest into it. You invest time, money, energy. Sometimes that investment is sacrificial because you believe in it so much. Remember Jesus said in Matt 6 that we should "Seek first the Kingdom".
So as a new season begins what will you be investing into.. The things you value. So that really begs the question..what do you value. Set your heart on things above.
Jay
That night she battled with pain. She was restless and sleepless and woke up with a need to go to the Dentist. I merely eluded to insurance, cost, and timing to be included into consideration. Her quick comment to me was... I don't care what it costs - I need pain relief.
We all put our physical health and well being as a premium. So the question is what if we all learned to invest ourselves the same way into our spiritual well being. Here is what I am saying. If you value it; then you invest into it. You invest time, money, energy. Sometimes that investment is sacrificial because you believe in it so much. Remember Jesus said in Matt 6 that we should "Seek first the Kingdom".
So as a new season begins what will you be investing into.. The things you value. So that really begs the question..what do you value. Set your heart on things above.
Jay
Monday, August 31, 2009
Happy Birthday
Wow- I can't believe how many people have acknowledged my birthday this year. Facebook has changed how many people can be in the know about your birthday. For that I am grateful. It has been awesome to hear and read so many "Happy B-Day" and "have a great day" or "blessed week" messages. It reminds me of what I want to do in this Blog.
First off I want it to encourage you (whomever is reading). Your comments and feedback are always appreciated. Second to share the personal insights that I get along the way of life. I love to see things happening in life and then make some spiritual application. That is how God wired me and I enjoy doing that.
With that note: an observation. On my recent trip to Disneyworld I saw two types of families. A fighting family, having a miserable time and a happy family, enjoying the day. Look it was hot, very humid, and very crowded in the Magic Kingdom. There was plenty to get discouraged about. Yet we get to choose our attitude. So the happy family is the one that chooses to celebrate the joy of the day and all that they can do. We all have a choice. Be it family member, co-worker, team mate. Your attitude and how you treat others is your responsibility. I don't care if it a hard day.. God gives us self -control. So let us all learn that we can chart our course, and contribute to the good of life.
You are blessed, so be a blessing
J
First off I want it to encourage you (whomever is reading). Your comments and feedback are always appreciated. Second to share the personal insights that I get along the way of life. I love to see things happening in life and then make some spiritual application. That is how God wired me and I enjoy doing that.
With that note: an observation. On my recent trip to Disneyworld I saw two types of families. A fighting family, having a miserable time and a happy family, enjoying the day. Look it was hot, very humid, and very crowded in the Magic Kingdom. There was plenty to get discouraged about. Yet we get to choose our attitude. So the happy family is the one that chooses to celebrate the joy of the day and all that they can do. We all have a choice. Be it family member, co-worker, team mate. Your attitude and how you treat others is your responsibility. I don't care if it a hard day.. God gives us self -control. So let us all learn that we can chart our course, and contribute to the good of life.
You are blessed, so be a blessing
J
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
I caved
Once again the tragedy of the pace of life has happened keeping me from blogging. I really enjoy this outlet of expression - it would be nice to do it more. Anyhow as you may have seen in the title - I caved. Normally each summer I begin to deal with my lust for football. Each July as the pre season magazines hit the stands I walk by - knowing that my desire to consume all things football can be a problem. Yet - I needed the extra purchase for some Bloom points (giving away free kitchen knives with stamps you earn) We can get a whole set of knives if we can spend 3 thousand dollars at Bloom in the next month.
Anyway - I got it and yes my Okie Sooners are projected to be in the Top 5 again. Most think they have a great team but still choke in really big games. We will see.
On a side note: has this not been the best summer ever. Wow - I love 86 and no humidity. If you ever wondered what Summer in Colorado is like - there it is. Enjoy it while we can.
Kaitlyn just returned from her dance team camp. She was awarded superiors in two performances and won some outrageous award for creative interpretation to a song.
This week we continue "At the Movies" - which has been a blast. The feedback we get is very positive. I will share on my observations from UP. I think maybe the best this summer. It moved me.
Remember you are blessed.
J
Anyway - I got it and yes my Okie Sooners are projected to be in the Top 5 again. Most think they have a great team but still choke in really big games. We will see.
On a side note: has this not been the best summer ever. Wow - I love 86 and no humidity. If you ever wondered what Summer in Colorado is like - there it is. Enjoy it while we can.
Kaitlyn just returned from her dance team camp. She was awarded superiors in two performances and won some outrageous award for creative interpretation to a song.
This week we continue "At the Movies" - which has been a blast. The feedback we get is very positive. I will share on my observations from UP. I think maybe the best this summer. It moved me.
Remember you are blessed.
J
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
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
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
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
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
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
Thursday, May 28, 2009
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
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
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