Hi guys,
Just a quick note to let you know that I finished the 7-part series called "Re-Tool Your Relationships" at The Rising this morning. If you're interested, you can click here and listen to the sermons and even download the fill-in-the-blank outlines that were handed out at The Rising when the sermons were delivered. I hope these messages will be a blessing to you!
Also on the link above, you'll find another (4-part) series I did recently called "The Ark," as well as a special 9/11 10-Year Anniversary message. Outlines are available for these as well :)
All messages and outlines are free of charge.
Hope you guys are all well!
Blessings,
Jason
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Joy.
I came out of the gym this morning and BAM! It's snowing! Wow - I had almost forgotten how much I love it when it snows. I'm not sure why, but I just do. I went home and immediately turned on my Christmas music and proceeded to cook a huge breakfast with sausage, hashbrowns, eggs, and chocolate milk :) I sat down at the table, looking out at the huge flakes that were still falling an hour later, and just enjoyed the peace. I know that Christmas is coming, and I'm SO excited. I'm looking forward to the food, the presents, the church services, and I'm looking forward to playing football with Micah (my 3 year old) and to watching Mandy (my one year old) open presents for the first time.
There are a lot of things in my life that I wanted that I don't have - and I think every man's temptation is to focus on those. But today, God was able to show me (even though I'm probably doing a rotten job of communicating it on this blog) that what I DO have brings me more joy than any of the crap I thought I wanted in life. Watching the snow, cooking breakfast, and getting excited about the coming of Christmas may not seem like significant, earth-shattering events in life - but I'm learning that these are the things - the everyday things - wherein God gives us great joy. I don't have to make millions, have political power, or enjoy all the sensual pleasures life has to offer in order to experience the fullness of God's joy. Why? Because His joy - His presence - is right in front of me every second of every minute of every hour of every day. The trick is learning how to recognize that it's right there - not somewhere else - and that every bit of peace and contentment we're all after in life is totally available always - no matter what the circumstance. I was able to see that today - even if just for a moment. God, teach me to live in that kind of vision. Don't let me fall into the trap of believing that joy - real joy - exists anywhere else but in Your presence. Show me your life in every snowflake, every breakfast, every wonderful memory in the making, and in every experience where I suffer. I know You're always there. Help me to remember, even when I'm weak and my memory fails me.
There are a lot of things in my life that I wanted that I don't have - and I think every man's temptation is to focus on those. But today, God was able to show me (even though I'm probably doing a rotten job of communicating it on this blog) that what I DO have brings me more joy than any of the crap I thought I wanted in life. Watching the snow, cooking breakfast, and getting excited about the coming of Christmas may not seem like significant, earth-shattering events in life - but I'm learning that these are the things - the everyday things - wherein God gives us great joy. I don't have to make millions, have political power, or enjoy all the sensual pleasures life has to offer in order to experience the fullness of God's joy. Why? Because His joy - His presence - is right in front of me every second of every minute of every hour of every day. The trick is learning how to recognize that it's right there - not somewhere else - and that every bit of peace and contentment we're all after in life is totally available always - no matter what the circumstance. I was able to see that today - even if just for a moment. God, teach me to live in that kind of vision. Don't let me fall into the trap of believing that joy - real joy - exists anywhere else but in Your presence. Show me your life in every snowflake, every breakfast, every wonderful memory in the making, and in every experience where I suffer. I know You're always there. Help me to remember, even when I'm weak and my memory fails me.
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