Final Post - Please Visit Jason's New Blog Site!

Hey guys,

Thanks for reading this blog!  I know I haven't posted much, but I'm hoping that's about to change.  I've transitioned to a new blog site, and since the older one you're subscribed to will now be inactive, I'd love for you to visit the new site. 

Simply go to www.jasonepps.com and you'll be able to subscribe on the right side of the screen.  Keep in mind that after you enter your email address, you'll need to then check your email and click the link to confirm your subscription.

Thanks again for reading - I hope your weekend is off to a good start :)

Blessings,
Jason

Life in Disability

First off, my apologies. I haven't written on this blog for quite some time, but allow me to explain why. I don't usually write unless I have something to say. And, to be honest, I haven't really felt the unction for a while. But today, I do have something to say, so here goes.

Recently, God did something really cool in my life. Something I couldn't have sought out or even dreamed up - which is interesting, given my imagination. After our church moved into its new building, a man walked through our doors and basically said something to the effect of, "Hey, I run a daycare program for adults with disabilities (mental handicaps), and we need a place for our Draper clients." Several months later, we have about 40 adults at our church facility Monday - Friday. These adults have the cognitive abilities of anywhere from that of an infant all the way up through 6th/7th grade. Every day, they come to The Rising. And every day I'm there, I learn something. Something significant.

Earlier this week, after everyone had left for the day, I was walking around our building praying for the folks at our church and thinking through some of my own personal issues. Sometimes I wander aimlessly while I'm doing this, and if someone were to come in while I was doing so, they might think I was a bit off. Maybe they'd be right - who knows. Anyway, at one point I found myself in one of the rooms being used by the adults I mentioned earlier. In the room were the same types of toys my 2 and 4 year olds play with. Puzzles. Blocks. Posters stapled to the wall to help the "kids" learn their colors. As I looked at all this I was stopped in my tracks. I'm not sure how to describe it, honestly. I guess that's a bit embarrassing. But seriously, sometimes things happen in your soul that are difficult to filter through human language. I looked at a videotape they had been watching. It was called, "Clifford, the Big Red Dog." I imagined 8-10 adults between the ages of 25 and 50 sitting around watching Clifford. Working on puzzles with 10 pieces, and learning their colors. Something inside of me just kind of snapped as I realized how precious each one of these folks is to someone. I guess society doesn't have much use for them, but each of these guys is a son or daughter, or a brother or a sister, to someone - someone who probably loves them very much. I stood there and wondered what it would be like to have a brother, or a son, that no one much cared for. Someone who is 40 years old and acts like they're 3. A loved one whose life, in society's estimation at least, was going nowhere and worth little. As I was thinking about this, God did something in me. Something that happens rarely, but for whatever reason, God saw fit that this was the day I was going to experience something cool. As I continued looking at these toys, thinking about those who played with them, God began to allow me to experience something of His love for them. It was as if, in those moments, I was able to feel what a father would for his child who was disabled. Even though no one else may see their value, I did. Weird, I know - but it was real. I wish I could say more about it - but that's about the best I can do.

The whole time I was standing there, I was thinking, "Yes, God - I've totally ignored people like this in my life and ministry - and you want me to take them more seriously." That's what I was thinking, but the more I thought and prayed, the more I realized that this wasn't what God was saying. After all, I hadn't really ignored these folks - I allow them to use our facility five days a week. So that wasn't God talking - it was probably someone else. Anyway, as I was praying and thinking, God's message to me became very clear. I had read it in the Scriptures so many times, but this time I was actually feeling it, breathing it, and experiencing it. God let me inside His heart - even if just for a moment. He is a loving Father who has kids that are disabled. They're disabled by sin, hurt, oppression, confusion, neglect, evil, poor choices, you name it. Every one of us, if we look deep enough, has a few areas where we are completely and utterly screwed up. Even if no one ever sees it, and even if we're successful in acting like those disabilities aren't there - God knows they are. And we do, too. And as a result, many of us feel as if we're not worth much. We're not needed. We're not good enough. We're too immoral. We never made anything of ourselves. We failed to get to the next level. We've taken our second chance and squandered it. And our third. And our fourth, and on and on and on. We become disabled by our own faults, flaws, and failures - and by our perception of each. And yeah, just to be fair, some of our jacked-up-ness is our fault. We made bad decisions and did stupid things - but that just proves my point. We're disabled - by ourselves, by others, whoever - the point is we don't live life because deep down, we don't believe our lives are worth living because WE aren't worth much. Here's where the whole father thing comes in.

When I was thinking about those folks that use our facility every day, I thought, "If one of my kids were disabled like this, I would love him/her just as much as my other kids. I wouldn't feel ripped-off or resentful. And even if no one else ever showed my kid any love, that wouldn't matter - because I'd show him/her so much love that he or she would probably never even notice." And in that feeling, and in that thought, I understood what God was saying.  

"Jason, you live in a world of people who are broken, bruised, torn-up, and battered by sin and its effects. As a result, many of them may believe that they are of no value to society. They may even believe that they are of no value or use to anyone, even themselves, but that's not true. I have loved them with an everlasting love, and there's not a day that goes by when I don't think of each of them. As a matter of fact, I am so attentive to each one that I know even the number of hairs on their head, and even though they are disabled, hurt, and oblivious to their true potential, there will come a day when I wipe away every tear from their eye. That's because in that day, as in this, they'll be the apple of MY eye. They won't ever have to beg for acceptance from those who laugh at them, hurt them, marginalize them and abuse them, because I will forever be their Acceptor and their Protector. Why? Because I am their Father, and there is nothing I feel toward them but love and commitment."

That's my attempt to put into words what I believe God was doing in my heart that day. All in all, I think He was simply trying to tell me that every person I meet - every day - is a person who is endowed with infinite value because they were made in the image of the Father. My great sin, and ours, is trivializing people's value. We think people's value is tied up in their fame, their utility, or their attractiveness. I was in the mall today and a few of the players from the Utah Jazz were walking around and people were going nuts trying to talk to them, get their autographs, etc. Some people in our world get that kind of attention. But most don't. And for the ones that do - that attention usually doesn't last, and their value fades into oblivion almost as fast as the interest people have in them. But again, people are valuable - all people, because of Who loves them. And we that know Him should be the vessels of that love. Every day, to every person we meet. We may not be able to change the world, but we can change ours. And if we were to all do that, then who knows, maybe the world would change. But in the end, here's the point: God is challenging me to never never never take people for granted - whoever they are, whatever they've done, because He doesn't take them for granted.

Please forgive me if I rambled my way through this post - a blog is supposed to be kind of a "journal" anyway. I was only trying to represent something God had done in me. I just hope that if you're reading this, you'll "get" what I'm trying to say.  God's love for people is unimaginably big, powerful, and far-reaching.  If you and I can ever grasp even a small amount of that - wow, how we would be changed.  And how the people around us would, too.

Hitch - My Tribute.

Today I pay tribute to a man who passed over into eternity last night in Texas. Christopher Hitchens, an aggressively outspoken atheist who was critical of Christianity and all forms of organized religion, was a man I loved deeply.

Years ago, Hitch debated William Lane Craig on the campus of Biola University. The subject was "God's existence," and I must say - it was one of the most entertaining debates I've seen. Hitch, a popular author and influential intellectual, was pitted against one of the most famous and able Christian philosophers of our day. The debate itself was a bit of a mismatch simply because the two participants came from different fields and associated communication styles. However, it was entertaining simply because there did seem to be a mutual respect on the parts of both participants for the other. Hitch knew Craig was the man where philosophy was concerned, and Craig knew Hitch was one of the most witty and influential writers on the planet. As a result, there was no mudslinging, no grandstanding, and there were many moments of laughter.

A few weeks after the debate, I began a one-on-one dialogue with Christopher that was delightful to say the least. I knew Hitch had been critical of my faith and he knew that people like me had been critical of him. Even so, I felt like he respected me as a pastor even though I know he disagreed with my philosophy and theology. Anyway, he and I discussed the possibility of his coming to Salt Lake City to participate in a public dialogue with myself and others on the subject of "How Christians and Atheists Can Work together To Build a Better World." I know, I know - many of you are probably thinking, "How in the world could Christians and atheists EVER work together?" Well, you might be surprised at how the image of God sometimes rears its head even in men who refuse to acknowledge it. I've always believed that peace is achievable when men choose to focus on what unites them rather than on what divides them, and like it or not, Christians and atheists do have a few common goals. Of course, that's the subject of another discussion, but suffice it to say I found in Christopher a person who, regardless of his aggression in the past, was very open to dialogue and respectful collegiality.

Unfortunately, Christopher was diagnosed with a very bad type of cancer, so he and I were never able to proceed with our plans to meet publicly in Utah. However, I prayed for him often and thought of him with a holy affection. When I say that I loved Hitch deeply, I mean it. And even more so, I know God loved him. I'm not sure what lay at the root of Chris' refusal to believe in and follow Christ, and I would never speculate concerning his status before God (I don't believe it's in man's purview to make such pronouncements), but I know that behind the wall of every human heart is a child longing to know, spend time with, and be loved by his heavenly Father. In a sense, we're all orphans who are looking for the Dad we somehow know exists somewhere.

When I think of Christopher Hitchens, I see a man who, even though he had come to different conclusions in his thinking, was a man not very much unlike myself. We're all on a journey, trying to live and love, and trying to find out who we are and where we're going. It breaks my heart that we've lost, prematurely I think, a friend like Hitch. Even though I disagreed with him, the simple fact is that Christianity is better because of him. He forced many of us out of our complacency. He forced us to to stand up and act. He challenged the faith that many of us have, without serious reflection, professed for many years. He challenged our apathy and demanded that we rise up and face him. In the end, I know of at least one Christian pastor who has a stronger faith because of Christopher Hitchens. And for that, I'm grateful.

So to Christopher Hitchens I raise my glass at this, the hour of his departure, and pay my respects. Love ya Hitch :) I shan't soon forget you, my friend.

Suicide.

Suicide is one of the most difficult issues I deal with. Being in the military, I see it quite a bit more than most other people probably do. And usually, I'm the one who is called to sit with (if not inform) the family, sort things out with the friends, speak to the unit, and try with all my heart get others who are considering a similar course of action to reconsider. I have to admit - these tasks are not easy. Why? Because when someone makes the decision to take their own life, it's not just their life they are taking. In a very real sense, they're taking the lives of those around them that love them so much. A mom. A sister. A friend. A fellow soldier. No one wins when suicide happens.

Here's the thing that I've never been able to understand - and please know that these are just my own reflections on the subject - I'm certainly not trying to be judgmental, but I've never been able to understand how a person could feel like life was so bad that they had to end it. I know life gets bad for a lot of people, even most people, at some point in life. A relationship fails, a career tanks, a loved one is lost, personhood is violated, self-esteem and dignity are shattered -- and sometimes all these things happen all at once, and they don't ever show any signs of stopping. In the end, I guess some people just get enough of it and see no reason to think that tomorrow will be any better than today. And I guess that's a legitimate feeling - depending on what you believe about the world and your place in it. But here's where God comes in.

I honestly believe (and the bible actually teaches) that when His kids hurt, God hurts. Our tears are important to Him. When our dreams are lost, He grieves with us, even if we fail to recognize His presence. When we make poor decisions that hurt and embarrass us, He defends us when everyone else wants to stone us. When life becomes lifeless, He's the one who invites us to trade in the crappy, failed, flawed life we used to have for true and abundant life - the life that can only come through the mystical union He invites us to have with Himself through the infinite but personal power of the Holy Spirit. And when we want to die, He reminds us that we don't have to because Jesus already did. We may feel that life sucks, and we make think that our life is in no danger of ever getting any better. "Same crap, different toilet" may be how we view our world, but God invites us to come out of the bathroom altogether. He invites us outside of the homes we have built for ourselves and into a new world He has built just for us - one of fresh hope, life, purpose, and knowledge of Him.

If only people could see Jesus and the intense and intentional love He has for them. If only people could know that He has the power to change their world, along with their heart. If only people could know that their future doesn't have to be anything like their past, and that they have a Father who is ready, willing, and able to rescue them from the despair and depression into which life has thrown them - maybe then they would reconsider ending it all. Maybe then they would take a step toward experiencing the glory of God by becoming, themselves, fully alive.

This is a strange post, I admit - and to be honest, I'm still praying through a lot of it. But I guess my point is this. If you ever find yourself in such despair that you don't think life is worth living any longer - please hear me. Life IS worth living. And God is ready to show you the life HE has for you if you're willing to stop trying to control your own.

Maybe you're alone and need to vent. Maybe you just need to be around some people who will love on you. Whatever you need, I assure you that if you are willing, God has someone already stationed in your life who is ready to help - wherever you are. For example, God has given me the privilege of serving as the pastor of one of the most caring, loving, and friendly churches you'll ever find on planet earth. If you visit The Rising, you won't leave there unloved. And if you just need to talk with someone, you are always welcome to call us. Myself or one of our other staff members are always ready to make a new friend, share stories, and walk together to discover how God wants to revolutionize our lives by teaching us to stop focusing on our lives.

Please don't feel as if you're alone. You're not. God is there. So are His people. He always has been there - and He wants you. He wants you SO bad. Just give Him a shot. If you do, your world will change. Guaranteed.

Before you give your life away to nothing - try giving it to Him first.

Never give up. Never give up. Never give up!!!

May you Know the Abundance of His Presence, His Spirit, and His Love,
J

The Greatest Privilege

This may not be an overwhelmingly profound thought, but I just wanted to say today how privileged I feel to have the job I do. There are fewer things that bring me greater peace than the prospect of walking outside on a cold day - books, Bible, and computer in hand - to head out to the coffee shop to study for Sunday's message. I love walking in and smelling the coffee, ordering some hot tea (I gave up coffee back in March and haven't had a drop since - we'll see how long that lasts - ha, ha), listening to the background music, and opening my Bible to begin/continue praying about how God wants to encourage the people who will be at church on Sunday.

God's Word has such life - and it communicates such a good prospect on the future - and I get to share it with people every week. And in a world where most of the people who will be at church on Sunday will have been - for the last 7 days - criticized, hurt, ignored, forgotten, taken advantage of, given a bad report, kicked out of a relationship, experienced another failure, told their future was going to suck, it's a great privilege to be the guy who gets to tell people, every Sunday, that all that crap is not the final word in life. God's Word is the final word. He, who created the world and passionately looks upon each individual - with all that individual's hopes & hurts, fears & failures, dreams & disappointments, regrets & rage - with grace and love, has a blueprint for getting each person's life back on track. For encouraging and empowering them. For providing for and protecting them. And for helping and healing them.

Anyway, like I said, just my own reflections - nothing overtly profound. I'm just glad to have the role I do and want to express my gratitude to God.

Re-Tool Your Relationships!

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

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.