It seems my family has begun to embrace another aspect of leaving a legacy of love, writing...
Last Christmas, us kids all wrote about mom. We presented our writings on Christmas morning in a beautifully designed book, compliments of my sister Aimee. Our writings were our memories of mom, of how she influenced our lives. Memories of love and laughter, of some risk and some heartache. Memories of break through and wonder and more laughter and life. Our memories also revealed our dreams. In fact, our memories are the foundation for dreaming...
I believe everyone should write. Whether you have the gift or not. Not for a book deal. Though, we will all celebrate that if it happens. Its about legacy, it's a reminder of where we have been and how good Gods been - even in the hard times, especially in the hard times. It's also about establishing a promise regarding where we are going. It's about Gods goodness regarding what He has promised us as His kids, His people, our family. Its about legacy, about love, about remembering so we can overcome and overcoming so our kids can remember.
In the last year, my brother and my father have each written a book, for our family - past and future. And my sister is writing as well, she wont show us yet, or even openly admit it, but we know and the anticipation is building... we are waiting sister...
This Christmas, my cousins took this legacy idea to another level. They had the whole family write memories and thoughts for their mom and dad, my Uncle Bob and Aunt Maureen. I added my memories and have posted them here for my kids, and their kids and so on...
Uncle Bob & Aunt Maureen
I was probably eight years old when uncle Bob let me drive the riding lawn mower - Its one of my favorite Uncle Bob memories. But I have many more. Uncle Bob lived in our kitchen when I was five, well, maybe not the kitchen, but I remember seeing him there a lot. Uncle Bob took me on a trip to “somewhere else” Ontario once - just him and me. We stopped at a roadside dinner and sat at the raised bar. Uncle Bob drank coffee, and I got hot chocolate and French fries. He even let me try his coffee.
When it comes to coffee – which is close to heaven for me – Uncle Bob was the first and most beautifully influential person in my life. In fact, I can’t think of those early days with Uncle Bob without seeing him with his full reddish beard, drinking coffee from his coffee thermo canister where the lid was also a cup. How cool is that, a lid that is also a cup.
And coffee was just one of the many ways Uncle Bob was cool. There were others… I’m pretty sure he had a motorcycle, well, I remember seeing him sitting on one. So even if he didn’t have a motorcycle, he was cool enough to be seen sitting on one. He traveled the world and had even been to Africa and seen giraffes. He brought me home a carved giraffe. As I already stated, He had a cool big thick beard - that smelled like coffee. He laughed a lot, him, my dad and my mom. But maybe the coolest of all was that he played guitar and sang and had a band.
One time I found a tape of his bands recording. I remember listening to it and thinking it was the coolest music ever. I also remember Uncle Bob finding me listening to it and saying I couldn’t listen to it. Looking back, I wonder now if it was “the young insecure artist syndrome” that I would later become acquainted with, or maybe it was simply that he thought the music was inappropriate for a young boy. Either way, “I would give my eyeteeth” to hear that music again. Ok Probably not my eyeteeth, that sounds serious. But I would absolutely give my baby teeth to hear that music again.
But what really set Uncle Bob apart, in the cool department, was that outside of the incident where he shut down the music listening, he pretty much let me do whatever I wanted to. He let me steer the car. He let me drink coffee, which would have given mom a heart attack. He let me ride in the truck bed on the highway, and of course, he let me drive the lawn mower.
He didn’t just let me drive the lawn mower, he trusted me so much, he went inside the house while I drove the lawn mower alone– probably to get coffee.
“Jason, this is how you make it go, and this is how you steer it. Now, just drive over all the tall grass. I’ll be right back.” He said.
And that’s what I did. I drove over the tall grass in the field and around the house, and on the hill and around the garden. It sure was fun! The lawn mower went fast and went wherever I steered it. However, there was one problem, the lawn mower didn’t seem to have a stop button. This made it tough when I got to the tree. There was some tall grass right next to the trunk and no matter how many passes I made, I just couldn’t seem to get the tall grass closest to the tree. Finally I decided to take the problem head on.
Uncle Bob just laughed when he came out to find me in a head on collision still sitting on a still running lawn mower while the back wheels churned up the earth. That was another cool thing about Uncle Bob, he never got mad, he just laughed.
Uncle Bob was also lucky; he had Aunt Maureen as his wife. She was very pretty and very nice and very smart and very sweet and very funny and very much interested in us kids her niece and nephews.
I loved visiting Uncle Bob and Aunt Maureen out in the country. They had a red house with a green roof, or maybe it was a green house with a red roof. Either way, it was very Christmas-ee. Especially when it snowed. Because they lived out in the country, they had great country climbing trees that could survive tractor collisions. They also had wonderful country fields to play war in, and they even had a country cat... for a little while…
Aunt Maureen had lots of books and she seemed to be schooled in the wider world. She also had an amazing sense of humor and an incredible way in which she could laugh with her eyes. She did that a lot. Aunt Maureen is the person responsible for introducing me to J. R. R. Tolkien. In fact, I still have “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy set she gave me as a kid. I knew it was gonna be good, her eyes told me so. It was. It also was a book series and genre that changed my life – there truly is nothing better than epic fantasy...
If Uncle Bob made it legal to listen to rock and roll, and dream in the language of melody and rhythm, Aunt Maureen made it legal to read books that weren’t the Bible. The kind of books that had elves and dwarfs and trolls and orcs and most important, hero’s that overcame overwhelming odds to save the world...
She also made great cookies, which was probably what she was doing while I mowed the grass that day. And we could have more than one cookie, and we could have them before dinner, and we could have them before we went to bed. She also liked coffee and the house smelled like it all day long. And there were books that sat out everywhere, way more than at our house. And there was a guitar that sat out as well. I would pick it up and try to strum it in a way that didn’t offend my ears. It is one of the earliest memories I have of dreaming in that beautiful language.
There are so many Uncle Bob and Aunt Maureen stories I could tell, stories of later in life, fun stories, good stories. But sometimes you just want to go back and remember those precious early days when you were just becoming. Those wonder years when you were most impressionable and most susceptible to dreaming. Uncle Bob and Aunt Maureen are woven into the fabric of my earliest memories. I was born to dream and I grew up surrounded by dreamers. I was born to love and I grew up surrounded by lovers. I was born to laugh and I grew up surrounded by joy.
And as I grew Uncle Bob and Aunt Maureen have always been there, cheering me on. They have been a constant strength. They have modeled love and dreaming and laughter. No one knows this more than my cousins, but we all would agree.
Some of the best things in life, they were invested in me by Uncle Bob and Aunt Maureen. They loved us kids, their nieces and nephews. They love me still. I’ve always felt that.
They gave me a beautifully romantic view of coffee, rock n roll and literature. I drink a lot of coffee these days. It’s been good for my soul. I’ve made some of my own music. I also have some tapes no one is allowed to listen to. I write a bit these days as well. And I know how to be loved and how to love and how to laugh. I believe this is because I grew up with real life heroes, the kind that save the world, that raise and support world changers, those who lived fully trusting God, those that release a legacy of love. Uncle Bob and Aunt Maureen sowed some of those seeds in my formative years and they are still sowing. And I’m honored and blessed and glad that they did and that they still do.
I love you guys! Merry Christmas!
- Jason
To read last years monument for my mom you can go here
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Friday, December 3, 2010
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Surrendered & Untamed, An Introduction
We are gearing up, shooting commercials and building the website that will host thousands of amazing Surrendered & Untamed clips, OK, not thousands but...lots and lots. The website? So glad you asked! www.surrenderedanduntamed.com It's sparse right now and the design is still evolving but it's coming together.
We are two t-minus two months and counting until the S&U project releases! Check out this quick introduction.
We are two t-minus two months and counting until the S&U project releases! Check out this quick introduction.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Live at the Banks House
Love this song!
There's no place I'd rather be
Than here in Your love...
So set a fire down in my soul
That I can't contain, that I can't control
I want more of you God...
There's no place I'd rather be
Than here in Your love...
So set a fire down in my soul
That I can't contain, that I can't control
I want more of you God...
Friday, November 19, 2010
A Portrait of Jesus
I have uploaded the four part series I taught this last month titled "A Portrait of Jesus." This is a message that is burning in me and I was honored to have to opportunity to teach it. As much of what I shared is fresh revelation, it was the first time I was giving it away. Lots of processing as I went but I feel like the heart of the message is there.
If you want to hear an excerpt from week four, which I think was the best week, check out track one in the player below. Its titled, "Its About His Presence".
To listen to or download the whole series, go to this link: www.jasonclark.virb.com/a-portrait-of-jesus
If you want to hear an excerpt from week four, which I think was the best week, check out track one in the player below. Its titled, "Its About His Presence".
To listen to or download the whole series, go to this link: www.jasonclark.virb.com/a-portrait-of-jesus
Monday, November 15, 2010
Well Done
I was driving up to Raleigh to hear Bobby Conner speak. We were broke and I talked to God the whole way. “Hey, did I do the right thing leaving my job? Hey, are You still with me? Have I missed something? Why am I taking this trip, we cant afford it."
When I had been invited to the meetings, I'd asked Karen if I should go. We are a part of the Bethel network out in California and this was being hosted by a Bethel affiliated church. Karen and I felt that we were to be intentional about connecting with Bethel and Bethel people, so if there was a meeting that we could go too, well...
Karen responded to my question with amazing clarity, "Does it take more faith to stay home or go?"
To be honest, I had been pretty good – emotionally, mentally... Regardless of our circumstances, about 85% of the time I was encouraged and believed that I had heard Gods direction and we were in the center of His will. The other 15% of my time was spent trying to live in the 85%. That said, I was experiencing one of those 15% moments. We had just received our last paycheck from CHD and it barley took care of the month and that didn’t include our mortgage that was already two weeks late.
I was driving at about 70 miles per hour on two front tires that absolutely needed to be replaced. Spending the extra money for this trip on gas and food was ridiculous – tires, just stupid…
“I am being so stupid,” I thought … “God, am I being stupid? My kids will want to eat next week. God what am I doing?”
I felt God respond to my heart with “Do you have enough money for today?”
“Well, yes, I guess.” I grudgingly conceded.
After Bobby Conner’s spoke – he is the real deal by the way, he prayed for the group and it was awesome. I felt Gods presence but… and I need to be careful in how I say this because I don’t want to trade Gods presence for anything. It’s the most important, central and sustaining reality of my life – especially today as I write this.
But after the service was over, I found myself with 7 hours to kill before the next meeting. No one invited me out and everyone I spoke with seemed to have something to do. So there I was, alone and I got a little aggressive with God.
“God, it took faith to make this trip. Why am I here! I love Your presence but honestly, I didn’t need to come here to feel it. I can feel You at home. I need tires! Now I have to feed myself and buy extra gas and again – tires! What am I doing here?
God seemed unconcerned; He again responded to my heart by asking the question, “Do you have money today?”
“Yes” I said, slightly distressed and perturbed.
“Then go get tires.” He said to my heart.
I drove to a service center. After I was told two tires would cost $240 installed, I left in search of a Wal-Mart. I found one. I parked in the back parking lot, walked into the service area and bought the cheapest tires available -$140 for two tires installed. I walked back out to the van and proceeded to park it in the service lane directly in front of the garage doors. I got out of the van, handed the keys to the mechanic and then we stood there and watched as the left front tire deflated.
“Do you see this? I asked the mechanic.
“Yeah,” he said, shaking his head. You got somebody driving with you man!”
“Yes I do,” I smiled.
As I walked across the parking lot to wait at the Starbucks that offered free Wi-Fi, I asked God “What does it mean?”
“I got your back.” God replied.
I cried while I walked. There is nothing so sweet as hearing your dad say, “Son, I got you – I wont leave you stranded on the roadside. Your kids will eat.”
As I thanked God for His goodness, I also chuckled while remembering one of the thoughts I had at the service center. When my tire deflated in front of me, the first thought that shot through my mind was, “I got every last moment out of that tire.” I know its a little odd, but there was a sense of satisfaction with that thought. The fact that I hadn’t wasted even an ounce of rubber. I had taken all the ground that tire could handle - even to the last foot. I used it completely. It served me to its absolute last breath…
Well done, tire…
I have heard Bill Johnson say that his entire life is being lived for a 3 second moment with God. He figures that’s about how long it takes to say “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
Driving down the road this morning on new tires, I reflected again on the trip and the flat tire. I don’t know if there was any other reason to take that trip except to know that God has our back. We are learning – even today – that when you truly know and believe God has your back, you can live fully for Him.
So this morning, as I drove, I prayed, "Father, it is my sincerest heart cry that when I see You in heaven, You would have the same satisfied thought I had about my tire. 'I got everything out of Jason. I used him to the absolute last. He took every piece of ground, every mile, every foot he was destined to take. He gave all that he was, well done.' ”
"Northern Lights" link...
When I had been invited to the meetings, I'd asked Karen if I should go. We are a part of the Bethel network out in California and this was being hosted by a Bethel affiliated church. Karen and I felt that we were to be intentional about connecting with Bethel and Bethel people, so if there was a meeting that we could go too, well...
Karen responded to my question with amazing clarity, "Does it take more faith to stay home or go?"
To be honest, I had been pretty good – emotionally, mentally... Regardless of our circumstances, about 85% of the time I was encouraged and believed that I had heard Gods direction and we were in the center of His will. The other 15% of my time was spent trying to live in the 85%. That said, I was experiencing one of those 15% moments. We had just received our last paycheck from CHD and it barley took care of the month and that didn’t include our mortgage that was already two weeks late.
I was driving at about 70 miles per hour on two front tires that absolutely needed to be replaced. Spending the extra money for this trip on gas and food was ridiculous – tires, just stupid…
“I am being so stupid,” I thought … “God, am I being stupid? My kids will want to eat next week. God what am I doing?”
I felt God respond to my heart with “Do you have enough money for today?”
“Well, yes, I guess.” I grudgingly conceded.
After Bobby Conner’s spoke – he is the real deal by the way, he prayed for the group and it was awesome. I felt Gods presence but… and I need to be careful in how I say this because I don’t want to trade Gods presence for anything. It’s the most important, central and sustaining reality of my life – especially today as I write this.
But after the service was over, I found myself with 7 hours to kill before the next meeting. No one invited me out and everyone I spoke with seemed to have something to do. So there I was, alone and I got a little aggressive with God.
“God, it took faith to make this trip. Why am I here! I love Your presence but honestly, I didn’t need to come here to feel it. I can feel You at home. I need tires! Now I have to feed myself and buy extra gas and again – tires! What am I doing here?
God seemed unconcerned; He again responded to my heart by asking the question, “Do you have money today?”
“Yes” I said, slightly distressed and perturbed.
“Then go get tires.” He said to my heart.
I drove to a service center. After I was told two tires would cost $240 installed, I left in search of a Wal-Mart. I found one. I parked in the back parking lot, walked into the service area and bought the cheapest tires available -$140 for two tires installed. I walked back out to the van and proceeded to park it in the service lane directly in front of the garage doors. I got out of the van, handed the keys to the mechanic and then we stood there and watched as the left front tire deflated.
“Do you see this? I asked the mechanic.
“Yeah,” he said, shaking his head. You got somebody driving with you man!”
“Yes I do,” I smiled.
As I walked across the parking lot to wait at the Starbucks that offered free Wi-Fi, I asked God “What does it mean?”
“I got your back.” God replied.
I cried while I walked. There is nothing so sweet as hearing your dad say, “Son, I got you – I wont leave you stranded on the roadside. Your kids will eat.”
As I thanked God for His goodness, I also chuckled while remembering one of the thoughts I had at the service center. When my tire deflated in front of me, the first thought that shot through my mind was, “I got every last moment out of that tire.” I know its a little odd, but there was a sense of satisfaction with that thought. The fact that I hadn’t wasted even an ounce of rubber. I had taken all the ground that tire could handle - even to the last foot. I used it completely. It served me to its absolute last breath…
Well done, tire…
I have heard Bill Johnson say that his entire life is being lived for a 3 second moment with God. He figures that’s about how long it takes to say “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
Driving down the road this morning on new tires, I reflected again on the trip and the flat tire. I don’t know if there was any other reason to take that trip except to know that God has our back. We are learning – even today – that when you truly know and believe God has your back, you can live fully for Him.
So this morning, as I drove, I prayed, "Father, it is my sincerest heart cry that when I see You in heaven, You would have the same satisfied thought I had about my tire. 'I got everything out of Jason. I used him to the absolute last. He took every piece of ground, every mile, every foot he was destined to take. He gave all that he was, well done.' ”
"Northern Lights" link...
Monday, November 1, 2010
To all those we love... to all those who love us, or like us...even a little - Senior Pastor Question & Answer
Karen and I are still praying about where we are called to give. While we have a confidence regarding how God sees us and what we are called too, we continue to investigate what this looks like practically. We have both looked at the possibility of planting a church - in several locations including where we now live - as well as candidate-ing.
We have looked at a few churches in areas that stir our hearts and that are searching for a pastor. That said, I recently filled out a questionnaire for a church. As I answered the questions, I gained more vision for what God is burning in my heart.
I have been teaching at our Church, The Branch, and have led worship when invited. I also am writing what I believe is the most important book I have written yet - maybe the most important book I will ever write. Its about our revelation of the Father and how it releases us into our identity as sons and daughters of a King - with access to all of our Father.
Well, much of that message that is burning in me, is evident in the answers I filled out in the church questionnaire. So, whether we are a fit for this church or not, I thought it would be a good blog post. I put some of the question and answers below.
Please keep praying for Karen and I as we seek and trust God in this new, exciting, and scary season. We love you guys and thank you for your continued support!
Please put in writing brief responses to the following questions and send with your application.
1. Please discuss your Christian testimony and faith journey.
I have attached my resume which includes my personal history in more depth. Briefly here, I grew up in a Christian home where Christ was the center. At age 5, I asked Jesus to be my savior my Lord and my best friend. I have been a follower of Christ since 1978.
2. Please outline your philosophy of church ministry and the role of preaching/teaching in your philosophy.
The church is the bride of Christ. We have one call and it is to establish Gods Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven. Every question mankind is asking is answered in a greater revelation of Father God, of His love. We (the church) through Jesus, have access to this “greater revelation”. To know our Fathers love and become love is the calling of the church. This one truth is at the center of everything I teach.
3. What do you feel has been your most significant success in your ministry?
My family.
4. What are your strengths and weaknesses?
My core value is Gods presence. I believe that as we encounter Him, we are transformed into his likeness. In everything I do, that is my one driving reality - we must know more of Gods presence. I believe that is a strength...
I am not a details guy. That doesn’t mean I don’t appreciate the details, but I am a visionary and tend to see things from 30,000 ft. I work great with, and need these details people. And I can prove it with 15 years of marriage to a very beautiful details person.
5. Please describe a situation in the past where you have handled conflict and how you approached the issue.
How about this, I’ll give you my approach, if your heart leaps; I imagine we will talk more. I am committed to leading a free people. It’s about family. It’s about honor. As a leader, I am committed to releasing men and women into their identities as sons and daughters of the King of Kings. I want to raise up the kind of sons and daughters that all creation is eagerly awaiting. This means that my number one responsibility is to help people see the Father and then see themselves from His perspective. Sometimes this is uncomfortable and there is conflict.
I don’t mind conflict, that’s what happens where there is true relationship, and true freedom. Iron can’t sharpen iron if it never touches. With that understanding, Gal 6:1 says that we should be motivated in love and a spirit of gentleness.
Just so, I also have, and nurture, relationships with those who love me and will challenge me. And that’s just it, love must be the core value in the midst of conflict. Gods primary approach for repentance (changing the way you think) is kindness – a wonderful expression of love.
6. Are you more comfortable with an Arminian or a Reformed theological framework? Discuss why.
To be honest, I had to look these terms up - it’s been a long time since I finished Bible College. I would lean toward reformed. That said, God is infinitely wiser than me – and I’m good with that.
Here’s one thing I know, the bible says to make disciples of all nations, not some. So while I may not be absolutely sure regarding the predestined question (I'll leave that to my always good Father) I have my mandate - all.
7. Describe the governance role of a church, particularly as it relates to the role of Biblical Eldership and the function of the Pastor-Teacher Elder.
Corinthians 12:28 - And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues.
We live in a fatherless nation. The church is also experiencing fatherless-ness. I believe there is an apostolic model where the leader has one primary responsibility. To focus the churches eyes on the Father. Why, because our identity is determined by our Father.
When we know our heavenly Father, we know our identity, we know we are loved, we know we are protected, we know His provision, we know freedom - freedom to dream, risk and grow.
Every gift and ministry, prophetic, pastoral, educational, evangelistic - all of these gifts and ministries have grace and power when they are grounded in an always greater revelation of the Father. Its always about His presence first - that is what I believe is the biblical foundation for church governance and function.
9. Discuss your views of the Biblical purpose and role of the church and particularly speak to the role of morning worship service (i.e. Should the services exist for the edification of believers or focus more on evangelizing of the lost?)
The primary objective of the church and particularly the morning worship service is neither for edification of believers or for evangelizing the lost. The primary object of the church and the morning service is to glorify the Father and encounter His love. Edification and evangelism are by-products of encounters with Gods presence.
10. What is your understanding of the Global Outreach (Missions) mandate of Matthew 28 and the role of the local church in that mandate?
Jesus came for two reasons,:
First to buy back our identities. To remove the veil between us and our Father. The veil into the Holy of Holies (the representation of Gods presence) was literally torn in two.
Second, to reveal what we have access to when we know who we are as sons and daughters. Jesus came and lived 33 years on the earth to reveal what it looks like when a son can see his Father. He came to show us what we have access to now that the veil is removed - all that is God.
Jesus said he only did what he saw his Father doing. Jesus, love in human form, met every need that was presented to him. He healed the sick, lame, def, mute, and blind. He fed thousands, walked on water, calmed storms, and raised the dead. Everywhere he went, he set people free. John told us that if every story of Jesus life was written down, the world couldn’t contain the books.
This same Jesus told us that he would send His Holy Spirit and that because of the cross and resurrection, we would have the same access to His Father that he had. In fact he went even farther, he said that we could experience “a greater works than these (the works he was doing) lifestyle.”
Jesus also gave us our mission; he said pray “Your Kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven.” Then in Matthew he puts legs on the message: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
“All authority” is the key. Because the same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead now lives in His believers. Jesus released that authority on His believers that we would look to heaven and release on earth what we see there. This is the calling and role of the church. It is our mandate to come into a greater revelation of the Father that we would know that everything our Father has is ours! And that we would then like Jesus supernaturally meet every need the world has. I am convinced that every question mankind has is answered in a greater revelation of our Fathers love.
We have looked at a few churches in areas that stir our hearts and that are searching for a pastor. That said, I recently filled out a questionnaire for a church. As I answered the questions, I gained more vision for what God is burning in my heart.
I have been teaching at our Church, The Branch, and have led worship when invited. I also am writing what I believe is the most important book I have written yet - maybe the most important book I will ever write. Its about our revelation of the Father and how it releases us into our identity as sons and daughters of a King - with access to all of our Father.
Well, much of that message that is burning in me, is evident in the answers I filled out in the church questionnaire. So, whether we are a fit for this church or not, I thought it would be a good blog post. I put some of the question and answers below.
Please keep praying for Karen and I as we seek and trust God in this new, exciting, and scary season. We love you guys and thank you for your continued support!
Please put in writing brief responses to the following questions and send with your application.
1. Please discuss your Christian testimony and faith journey.
I have attached my resume which includes my personal history in more depth. Briefly here, I grew up in a Christian home where Christ was the center. At age 5, I asked Jesus to be my savior my Lord and my best friend. I have been a follower of Christ since 1978.
2. Please outline your philosophy of church ministry and the role of preaching/teaching in your philosophy.
The church is the bride of Christ. We have one call and it is to establish Gods Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven. Every question mankind is asking is answered in a greater revelation of Father God, of His love. We (the church) through Jesus, have access to this “greater revelation”. To know our Fathers love and become love is the calling of the church. This one truth is at the center of everything I teach.
3. What do you feel has been your most significant success in your ministry?
My family.
4. What are your strengths and weaknesses?
My core value is Gods presence. I believe that as we encounter Him, we are transformed into his likeness. In everything I do, that is my one driving reality - we must know more of Gods presence. I believe that is a strength...
I am not a details guy. That doesn’t mean I don’t appreciate the details, but I am a visionary and tend to see things from 30,000 ft. I work great with, and need these details people. And I can prove it with 15 years of marriage to a very beautiful details person.
5. Please describe a situation in the past where you have handled conflict and how you approached the issue.
How about this, I’ll give you my approach, if your heart leaps; I imagine we will talk more. I am committed to leading a free people. It’s about family. It’s about honor. As a leader, I am committed to releasing men and women into their identities as sons and daughters of the King of Kings. I want to raise up the kind of sons and daughters that all creation is eagerly awaiting. This means that my number one responsibility is to help people see the Father and then see themselves from His perspective. Sometimes this is uncomfortable and there is conflict.
I don’t mind conflict, that’s what happens where there is true relationship, and true freedom. Iron can’t sharpen iron if it never touches. With that understanding, Gal 6:1 says that we should be motivated in love and a spirit of gentleness.
Just so, I also have, and nurture, relationships with those who love me and will challenge me. And that’s just it, love must be the core value in the midst of conflict. Gods primary approach for repentance (changing the way you think) is kindness – a wonderful expression of love.
6. Are you more comfortable with an Arminian or a Reformed theological framework? Discuss why.
To be honest, I had to look these terms up - it’s been a long time since I finished Bible College. I would lean toward reformed. That said, God is infinitely wiser than me – and I’m good with that.
Here’s one thing I know, the bible says to make disciples of all nations, not some. So while I may not be absolutely sure regarding the predestined question (I'll leave that to my always good Father) I have my mandate - all.
7. Describe the governance role of a church, particularly as it relates to the role of Biblical Eldership and the function of the Pastor-Teacher Elder.
Corinthians 12:28 - And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues.
We live in a fatherless nation. The church is also experiencing fatherless-ness. I believe there is an apostolic model where the leader has one primary responsibility. To focus the churches eyes on the Father. Why, because our identity is determined by our Father.
When we know our heavenly Father, we know our identity, we know we are loved, we know we are protected, we know His provision, we know freedom - freedom to dream, risk and grow.
Every gift and ministry, prophetic, pastoral, educational, evangelistic - all of these gifts and ministries have grace and power when they are grounded in an always greater revelation of the Father. Its always about His presence first - that is what I believe is the biblical foundation for church governance and function.
9. Discuss your views of the Biblical purpose and role of the church and particularly speak to the role of morning worship service (i.e. Should the services exist for the edification of believers or focus more on evangelizing of the lost?)
The primary objective of the church and particularly the morning worship service is neither for edification of believers or for evangelizing the lost. The primary object of the church and the morning service is to glorify the Father and encounter His love. Edification and evangelism are by-products of encounters with Gods presence.
10. What is your understanding of the Global Outreach (Missions) mandate of Matthew 28 and the role of the local church in that mandate?
Jesus came for two reasons,:
First to buy back our identities. To remove the veil between us and our Father. The veil into the Holy of Holies (the representation of Gods presence) was literally torn in two.
Second, to reveal what we have access to when we know who we are as sons and daughters. Jesus came and lived 33 years on the earth to reveal what it looks like when a son can see his Father. He came to show us what we have access to now that the veil is removed - all that is God.
Jesus said he only did what he saw his Father doing. Jesus, love in human form, met every need that was presented to him. He healed the sick, lame, def, mute, and blind. He fed thousands, walked on water, calmed storms, and raised the dead. Everywhere he went, he set people free. John told us that if every story of Jesus life was written down, the world couldn’t contain the books.
This same Jesus told us that he would send His Holy Spirit and that because of the cross and resurrection, we would have the same access to His Father that he had. In fact he went even farther, he said that we could experience “a greater works than these (the works he was doing) lifestyle.”
Jesus also gave us our mission; he said pray “Your Kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven.” Then in Matthew he puts legs on the message: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
“All authority” is the key. Because the same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead now lives in His believers. Jesus released that authority on His believers that we would look to heaven and release on earth what we see there. This is the calling and role of the church. It is our mandate to come into a greater revelation of the Father that we would know that everything our Father has is ours! And that we would then like Jesus supernaturally meet every need the world has. I am convinced that every question mankind has is answered in a greater revelation of our Fathers love.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Culture of Honor - Danny Silk
The truths in this book cultivate a culture in which the glory of God can be fully realized in the life of every believer. The culture is one of honor and promotes freedom. In fact, this book is all about freedom. It challenges all believers but leaders in particular to take the same risk God has and trust that what Jesus did on the cross was for freedom and it was enough. This culture of honor, as Danny says is "the core value for creating a safe place where people can be free." In other words, creating a safe place where believers can learn how to be dangerous.
In my (and my wife's) opinion, this book is a must read for everyone and particularly for leaders. The idea that leaders are meant to lead a free people may seem obvious but it's a rare thing in the church today. This book graciously and relentlessly contends that a free people in alignment with Gods heart can radically change the world.
A culture of honor is a beautiful place of intimate relationship with the Father, where sons and daughters know their identity, are committed to each other, and have one goal - to see Gods Kingdom established on earth as it is in heaven.
I highly recommend this book!
- Jason
A Portrait of Jesus
I will be teaching at the Branch's School of Ministry over the next four Wednesdays starting this week the 27th. Below is the heartbeat of the message. Come on out. www.branchchurch.org/school
If you have seen me, you have seen the Father.” This is what Jesus said about himself. I believe Jesus lived to reveal the Father and that we live to reveal Jesus. Matthew 6:22 tells us that if the eye is single the body is full of light. Jesus revealed this in how He lived. His revelation or view of the Father is what released him to be the expression of the Son. In focusing only on what he saw his father doing he showed us how to live. We will spend four weeks focusing our eye on Jesus that we might know our Father and become transformed into his likeness. In my opinion, that’s the only reason to study Jesus!
If you have seen me, you have seen the Father.” This is what Jesus said about himself. I believe Jesus lived to reveal the Father and that we live to reveal Jesus. Matthew 6:22 tells us that if the eye is single the body is full of light. Jesus revealed this in how He lived. His revelation or view of the Father is what released him to be the expression of the Son. In focusing only on what he saw his father doing he showed us how to live. We will spend four weeks focusing our eye on Jesus that we might know our Father and become transformed into his likeness. In my opinion, that’s the only reason to study Jesus!
Thursday, October 14, 2010
The Philosophy Professor
I met a philosophy professor the other day. Well, actually I see him a few times a week. He frequents the same coffee shop I do. We have often caught each other’s eye over our laptops from across the room. It was just a matter of time before we struck up a conversation. He is a very nice man and very smart. Just like me, he is also writing a book and enjoys the coffee shop atmosphere.
I asked him what his book was about. He talked for a couple of minutes, and as best as I could tell, it seemed to be a book about nothing. At first I was impressed cause I’m pretty sure that writing a book about nothing is harder than writing about something.
I pressed him for a little more information. “Really, I am writing about the human condition,” he said. He then began to explain the state of mankind in such abstract terms that I really had a hard time following - “which is good if you are philosophy professor,” I thought.
“What is pain, what is joy or love?” He asked. “They are just feelings, particles bouncing off other particles - just chance. Nothing in this universe is sure; everything is determined by what you feel.”
“It really is a book about nothing.” I thought again…
He went on to say that man is the sum of what we feel - emotionally and physically. There is no great purpose or meaning to life and all our philosophies and theologies are simply the wild imagining of men who need to feel a sense of purpose. In the end life is simply about seeking joy and trying to avoid pain.
“So, it’s a book about nothing then?” I asked sadly. He smiled. It was a tired smile. “In a way, yes.” He said. I couldn’t think of anything to say, about his book. It was overwhelming, the idea of writing a book about nothing. I couldn’t even find a common denominator, as my sincerest prayer is that my book would be about something.
“So, how long have you been working on it?” I finally asked.
“For almost 20 years.”
He has been writing a book about nothing for almost 20 years! This broke my heart. That a man would write faithfully for 20 years is amazing. That a man can write about nothing for 20 years is excruciating.
It dawned on me as I stood there that if you’re writing about nothing, then its probably gonna take a long time. I felt sad for this tired man who seems to have been searching for some truth in a universe where he is convinced truth doesn’t exist.
I couldn’t take it anymore. So I asked him the question that should never be asked of a philosophy professor. “Where does God fit in.”
He was quick to both acknowledge that religion plays a role in philosophy but also that religion was for weak minded individuals.
“Good thing I didn’t tell him what I was writing about,” I thought.
But I hadn’t asked him about religion, I’d asked about God. He had done what many often do and confused the two as being one and the same. So I tried the same question from a different angle. “Where does love fit in?”
He looked at me - he seemed exhausted, as if this question was just too much, “Love is a subjective feeling.” He responded.
“But what if it isn’t…” I asked. “What if love is the very foundation of everything? What if Love is the beginning and the end and everything in between?”
He just looked at me.
What if Love created everything? What if Love saw what He had created and said, “It is good.” Which is something Love would probably say. What if Love has all authority but not all control, as Love does not control because Love is about freedom. What if Love set you free, free to be loved and to love? What if Love wasn’t just a feeling but a tangible expression of that same freedom? What if Love could be truly known by every person on earth? What if Love was a person who walked the earth and gave love away to any who would receive?
These thoughts ran through my heart. But I didn’t know how to express them any clearer than the questions I had already posed.
But thinking about it now, it sure would be a great idea for his book! Love. It’s a profoundly infinite and beautiful subject. Another writer once put it this way, “If every one of (the things Love did) was written down, I suppose the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.” (John 22:25)
If only my new Philosophy Professor friend new this love, well, then he could know what it is to write with purpose. He could spend the next twenty years trying to fill the world with books about something.
Before he packed up to go he asked what I was writing about. I told him that I was writing about love and that I too would never be finished writing.
He said he would like to hear more about it sometime...
I asked him what his book was about. He talked for a couple of minutes, and as best as I could tell, it seemed to be a book about nothing. At first I was impressed cause I’m pretty sure that writing a book about nothing is harder than writing about something.
I pressed him for a little more information. “Really, I am writing about the human condition,” he said. He then began to explain the state of mankind in such abstract terms that I really had a hard time following - “which is good if you are philosophy professor,” I thought.
“What is pain, what is joy or love?” He asked. “They are just feelings, particles bouncing off other particles - just chance. Nothing in this universe is sure; everything is determined by what you feel.”
“It really is a book about nothing.” I thought again…
He went on to say that man is the sum of what we feel - emotionally and physically. There is no great purpose or meaning to life and all our philosophies and theologies are simply the wild imagining of men who need to feel a sense of purpose. In the end life is simply about seeking joy and trying to avoid pain.
“So, it’s a book about nothing then?” I asked sadly. He smiled. It was a tired smile. “In a way, yes.” He said. I couldn’t think of anything to say, about his book. It was overwhelming, the idea of writing a book about nothing. I couldn’t even find a common denominator, as my sincerest prayer is that my book would be about something.
“So, how long have you been working on it?” I finally asked.
“For almost 20 years.”
He has been writing a book about nothing for almost 20 years! This broke my heart. That a man would write faithfully for 20 years is amazing. That a man can write about nothing for 20 years is excruciating.
It dawned on me as I stood there that if you’re writing about nothing, then its probably gonna take a long time. I felt sad for this tired man who seems to have been searching for some truth in a universe where he is convinced truth doesn’t exist.
I couldn’t take it anymore. So I asked him the question that should never be asked of a philosophy professor. “Where does God fit in.”
He was quick to both acknowledge that religion plays a role in philosophy but also that religion was for weak minded individuals.
“Good thing I didn’t tell him what I was writing about,” I thought.
But I hadn’t asked him about religion, I’d asked about God. He had done what many often do and confused the two as being one and the same. So I tried the same question from a different angle. “Where does love fit in?”
He looked at me - he seemed exhausted, as if this question was just too much, “Love is a subjective feeling.” He responded.
“But what if it isn’t…” I asked. “What if love is the very foundation of everything? What if Love is the beginning and the end and everything in between?”
He just looked at me.
What if Love created everything? What if Love saw what He had created and said, “It is good.” Which is something Love would probably say. What if Love has all authority but not all control, as Love does not control because Love is about freedom. What if Love set you free, free to be loved and to love? What if Love wasn’t just a feeling but a tangible expression of that same freedom? What if Love could be truly known by every person on earth? What if Love was a person who walked the earth and gave love away to any who would receive?
These thoughts ran through my heart. But I didn’t know how to express them any clearer than the questions I had already posed.
But thinking about it now, it sure would be a great idea for his book! Love. It’s a profoundly infinite and beautiful subject. Another writer once put it this way, “If every one of (the things Love did) was written down, I suppose the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.” (John 22:25)
If only my new Philosophy Professor friend new this love, well, then he could know what it is to write with purpose. He could spend the next twenty years trying to fill the world with books about something.
Before he packed up to go he asked what I was writing about. I told him that I was writing about love and that I too would never be finished writing.
He said he would like to hear more about it sometime...
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
The Right Question
I have three kids, Eva is my youngest and she is at an age where I am beginning to get the questions. You know, like when I give her a bowl of soup and say “Honey do you want some crackers for your soup?”
“Why?”
“Cause these crackers taste good in soup.”
“Why?”
“Cause they are yummy soup crackers.”
“Why?”
“Because the soup cracker ferry made them yummy for soup.”
“What color is the soup cracker ferries dress?”
“Blue.”
“No daddy, its pink and purple.”
If you are a parent or have ever spoken to a child, you have laughed, sighed, had your patience stretched, and your heart expanded while answering a question.
If you are a parent or have ever spoken to a child, you know this next statement to be true. There is such a thing as a dumb question. You also know that if the question is sincere then there is no such thing as a dumb question. Its how children learn.
If you are a parent or have ever spoken to a child, you also know that the question reveals an awful lot about what your child already does and doesn’t comprehend and who he or she is becoming. You also know that when giving an answer, you have to speak in the language of your child. This is determined by their age and experience.
Lastly, if you are a parent or have ever spoken to a child, you have often responded to you child’s question with a question of your own. “
“Mom, how do you spell dog?”
“What says “da?” “da?”
or,
“A, B, C? …”
Why do we do this, because the question positions our kids for the answer. It’s meant to help them to learn how to process and find the answer themselves. It’s about helping them mature.
I have learned that when it comes to a sincere question, God absolutely loves them. This is evidenced in the life of Jesus. Have you ever noticed that Jesus rarely answers a question directly? When he is asked questions, often his response is to either tell a story –parable- or ask his own question.
Even when he was just speaking to someone, he almost always raised huge questions. He told Nicodemus that to enter the Kingdom of heaven, he would have to be born again. He told a large crowd that, unless they ate of his flesh and drank of his blood, they had no life in them. While we now know what Jesus meant, at the time, these were inconceivable thoughts that raised lots of questions.
So why did Jesus often respond to questions with either stories or questions of His own? I would like to suggest that questions are one of the best ways to communicate with a free people. And Jesus was absolutely intent on releasing people into greater freedom.
God loves, and when I say loves, I mean absolutely without even the slightest hint of deviation, our freedom. He will not compromise even a fraction when it comes to protecting freedom. It is the foundation upon which everything operates. Why is freedom so important, because it’s the atmosphere in which love can exist. And love is the whole point. Our freedom was what Jesus died to protect, it’s what the cross was all about. It’s the biggest thing that’s ever existed because it’s the soil in which love can be cultivated.
Jesus doesn’t tell free people the answer; he helps them devise a better question. So, He tells stories, He asks his own questions. Along the way He challenges how we think and if we are hungry for an answer, we begin to reform our questions until our mind is, in a word, renewed.
How do you get a renewed mind, you keep asking questions until your questions align with His question. Until at some point you ask the right question. The right question is the one that has power in it. It’s the question that releases the answer, transformation. It’s the question that resonates in heaven.
Jesus came to reveal the Father. That was the whole purpose of his years on earth. He told us that if we have seen Him, we have seen the Father. To truly see Him, we have to learn how to ask the right questions until our perspective is aligned with heavens perspective. Does that make sense?
There is a moment when you ask the question that aligns with the heart of God. And that’s the whole point of asking questions. It’s a search for what is in heaven, what is in Gods heart, so that we can live out His answer here on earth. When you ask God the right question, the answer comes with revelation and power. It sets you free to know His love in greater measure. That’s the whole point of freedom, that’s why it’s so huge.
I am learning that my whole walk with God is about asking the right questions. And God seems intent on helping me with questions of his own. I have learned that when I ask a question, if it’s sincere, it reveals what I know, what I’m missing and where I want to go. And when a question is asked in sincerity, it has power to transform.
For instance, years ago my family and I felt God call us into an unsalaried full time ministry position. While I was in a deep discussion with Jesus and with thousands of dollars in the bank I asked, “God, how do I pay my bills?” He answered like he almost always does, with a question of his own. “Do you trust me?”
I spent the next five years learning how to live in His question and along the way I asked many more of my own until one day I asked a question that shifted everything. I was deep in discussion with Jesus and with just four dollars in the bank I asked “Father, what is on Your heart for today?”
That was the right question and the answer was beautiful... If you are curious, part of it is happening as I write this.
One last thought…
The right question leads to a renewed mind, a renewed mind is the precursor to breakthrough. That word breakthrough, its one we all love, its a wonderful word. It’s the desire of all believers to experience breakthrough in every area of our lives. It’s a prayer prayed daily by millions, “Father release breakthrough in my family, my workplace, in my friends Fox Hollow Coffee house in Orting WA; Lord release breakthrough, I want all that is on your heart for today!”
I am learning that the way we experience breakthrough is by asking the right question. Please hear me cause I think this is big; breakthrough is a position or place in the heart of God. It’s a revelation birthed from God encounter after God encounter. It’s not found in a magic prayer or a good desire or hard work. Breakthrough is found in the process of asking the right question. The right question sets up God and positions our hearts for the answer. God knows we can’t handle a breakthrough until our hearts have become positioned in our Father, until our hearts have been transformed into the likeness of our Fathers.
God wants to answer the question! Everything in the heart of God wants to answer the question! And God values us so much that he waits until our hearts are positioned for the answer, until our question reverberates with the answer that is in His heart.
If its sincere, there's no such thing as a dumb question. Keep asking questions until your perspective is aligned with the heart of God. Keep asking questions until you get the answer that releases heaven into your life.
“Why?”
“Cause these crackers taste good in soup.”
“Why?”
“Cause they are yummy soup crackers.”
“Why?”
“Because the soup cracker ferry made them yummy for soup.”
“What color is the soup cracker ferries dress?”
“Blue.”
“No daddy, its pink and purple.”
If you are a parent or have ever spoken to a child, you have laughed, sighed, had your patience stretched, and your heart expanded while answering a question.
If you are a parent or have ever spoken to a child, you know this next statement to be true. There is such a thing as a dumb question. You also know that if the question is sincere then there is no such thing as a dumb question. Its how children learn.
If you are a parent or have ever spoken to a child, you also know that the question reveals an awful lot about what your child already does and doesn’t comprehend and who he or she is becoming. You also know that when giving an answer, you have to speak in the language of your child. This is determined by their age and experience.
Lastly, if you are a parent or have ever spoken to a child, you have often responded to you child’s question with a question of your own. “
“Mom, how do you spell dog?”
“What says “da?” “da?”
or,
“A, B, C? …”
Why do we do this, because the question positions our kids for the answer. It’s meant to help them to learn how to process and find the answer themselves. It’s about helping them mature.
I have learned that when it comes to a sincere question, God absolutely loves them. This is evidenced in the life of Jesus. Have you ever noticed that Jesus rarely answers a question directly? When he is asked questions, often his response is to either tell a story –parable- or ask his own question.
Even when he was just speaking to someone, he almost always raised huge questions. He told Nicodemus that to enter the Kingdom of heaven, he would have to be born again. He told a large crowd that, unless they ate of his flesh and drank of his blood, they had no life in them. While we now know what Jesus meant, at the time, these were inconceivable thoughts that raised lots of questions.
So why did Jesus often respond to questions with either stories or questions of His own? I would like to suggest that questions are one of the best ways to communicate with a free people. And Jesus was absolutely intent on releasing people into greater freedom.
God loves, and when I say loves, I mean absolutely without even the slightest hint of deviation, our freedom. He will not compromise even a fraction when it comes to protecting freedom. It is the foundation upon which everything operates. Why is freedom so important, because it’s the atmosphere in which love can exist. And love is the whole point. Our freedom was what Jesus died to protect, it’s what the cross was all about. It’s the biggest thing that’s ever existed because it’s the soil in which love can be cultivated.
Jesus doesn’t tell free people the answer; he helps them devise a better question. So, He tells stories, He asks his own questions. Along the way He challenges how we think and if we are hungry for an answer, we begin to reform our questions until our mind is, in a word, renewed.
How do you get a renewed mind, you keep asking questions until your questions align with His question. Until at some point you ask the right question. The right question is the one that has power in it. It’s the question that releases the answer, transformation. It’s the question that resonates in heaven.
Jesus came to reveal the Father. That was the whole purpose of his years on earth. He told us that if we have seen Him, we have seen the Father. To truly see Him, we have to learn how to ask the right questions until our perspective is aligned with heavens perspective. Does that make sense?
There is a moment when you ask the question that aligns with the heart of God. And that’s the whole point of asking questions. It’s a search for what is in heaven, what is in Gods heart, so that we can live out His answer here on earth. When you ask God the right question, the answer comes with revelation and power. It sets you free to know His love in greater measure. That’s the whole point of freedom, that’s why it’s so huge.
I am learning that my whole walk with God is about asking the right questions. And God seems intent on helping me with questions of his own. I have learned that when I ask a question, if it’s sincere, it reveals what I know, what I’m missing and where I want to go. And when a question is asked in sincerity, it has power to transform.
For instance, years ago my family and I felt God call us into an unsalaried full time ministry position. While I was in a deep discussion with Jesus and with thousands of dollars in the bank I asked, “God, how do I pay my bills?” He answered like he almost always does, with a question of his own. “Do you trust me?”
I spent the next five years learning how to live in His question and along the way I asked many more of my own until one day I asked a question that shifted everything. I was deep in discussion with Jesus and with just four dollars in the bank I asked “Father, what is on Your heart for today?”
That was the right question and the answer was beautiful... If you are curious, part of it is happening as I write this.
One last thought…
The right question leads to a renewed mind, a renewed mind is the precursor to breakthrough. That word breakthrough, its one we all love, its a wonderful word. It’s the desire of all believers to experience breakthrough in every area of our lives. It’s a prayer prayed daily by millions, “Father release breakthrough in my family, my workplace, in my friends Fox Hollow Coffee house in Orting WA; Lord release breakthrough, I want all that is on your heart for today!”
I am learning that the way we experience breakthrough is by asking the right question. Please hear me cause I think this is big; breakthrough is a position or place in the heart of God. It’s a revelation birthed from God encounter after God encounter. It’s not found in a magic prayer or a good desire or hard work. Breakthrough is found in the process of asking the right question. The right question sets up God and positions our hearts for the answer. God knows we can’t handle a breakthrough until our hearts have become positioned in our Father, until our hearts have been transformed into the likeness of our Fathers.
God wants to answer the question! Everything in the heart of God wants to answer the question! And God values us so much that he waits until our hearts are positioned for the answer, until our question reverberates with the answer that is in His heart.
If its sincere, there's no such thing as a dumb question. Keep asking questions until your perspective is aligned with the heart of God. Keep asking questions until you get the answer that releases heaven into your life.
Friday, October 1, 2010
Love is Always an Encounter Before its a Decision
I read a Donald Miller blog years ago where he wrote about how his blog is the first sounding board to the book he is writing. I liked that and am endeavoring to do the same. Right now I am thrilled to be writing about our identities as sons and daughters of an always good and loving Father.
Over the coming months and probably years, I will post thoughts here. For me, I know I have something when I can communicate it in a way that releases life. That’s my heart; so if something I write seems harsh or off the wall, love me enough to tell me. I may disagree with you but I wont bite. Please know that I am writing opinions and suggestions.
Below are some thoughts that God is working in me regarding becoming love – which is really what this breathing oxygen is all about…in my opinion…
Love is Always an Encounter Before its a Decision
Love is always an encounter before it’s a decision. The encounter is the point, if its not, the decision to love can never be made. We love because He first loved us. Our love is a response to an encounter with His love. From our encounter we can decide to love but in all honesty, the decision to love is not the goal of a believers life, it’s the first stepping-stone to our destiny.
We were not saved by love so that we could decide to love. We were saved by love so that we could become love. If you become love, you don’t have to decide to love, its just who you are.
In many ways throughout my life, I have placed my focus on the decision to love. At these times I have almost elevated it above the encounter. What I have learned is that when I do this, I relegate, demote and dis-empower His love. A love birthed from a decision has less power to transform than a love birthed from an encounter.
I am not saying that the decision to love is bad, it’s absolutely astounding and we must perfect it. I’m simply saying that from my own experience, if I stop encountering His love, my decision to love becomes sterile. In fact, loving God or others becomes an overwhelming impossibility. I have learned that I cant fully love without first encountering His. We love because we are first loved.
I love my wife Karen, and yes, there have been moments in my life where I have not felt it and had to make a decision to love her. But that is not nor should it ever be the norm in a love relationship. As Karen and I grow in love, having to "decide" has decreased. I believe that before we enter heaven we will have so encountered love that having to make a decision to love will have long since gone extinct - at least, that's the goal, hey, its how God loves us...
I use my relationship with my wife to show what happens when two people chose to love each other like God loves. My heart here is to reveal that the power of our love is birthed in the encounter with love. If Karen and my relationship became solely about a decision, eventually we would stop having love encounters. A marriage without true love encounters is not fun and eventually deteriorates to nothing more than a legal partnership.
It’s the same with God; a relationship without true love encounters is simply religious formality. My prayer is that God would daily reveal his love to me. And not just that but also that he would give me eyes to see it and the heart to experience it...........
Over the coming months and probably years, I will post thoughts here. For me, I know I have something when I can communicate it in a way that releases life. That’s my heart; so if something I write seems harsh or off the wall, love me enough to tell me. I may disagree with you but I wont bite. Please know that I am writing opinions and suggestions.
Below are some thoughts that God is working in me regarding becoming love – which is really what this breathing oxygen is all about…in my opinion…
Love is Always an Encounter Before its a Decision
Love is always an encounter before it’s a decision. The encounter is the point, if its not, the decision to love can never be made. We love because He first loved us. Our love is a response to an encounter with His love. From our encounter we can decide to love but in all honesty, the decision to love is not the goal of a believers life, it’s the first stepping-stone to our destiny.
We were not saved by love so that we could decide to love. We were saved by love so that we could become love. If you become love, you don’t have to decide to love, its just who you are.
In many ways throughout my life, I have placed my focus on the decision to love. At these times I have almost elevated it above the encounter. What I have learned is that when I do this, I relegate, demote and dis-empower His love. A love birthed from a decision has less power to transform than a love birthed from an encounter.
I am not saying that the decision to love is bad, it’s absolutely astounding and we must perfect it. I’m simply saying that from my own experience, if I stop encountering His love, my decision to love becomes sterile. In fact, loving God or others becomes an overwhelming impossibility. I have learned that I cant fully love without first encountering His. We love because we are first loved.
I love my wife Karen, and yes, there have been moments in my life where I have not felt it and had to make a decision to love her. But that is not nor should it ever be the norm in a love relationship. As Karen and I grow in love, having to "decide" has decreased. I believe that before we enter heaven we will have so encountered love that having to make a decision to love will have long since gone extinct - at least, that's the goal, hey, its how God loves us...
I use my relationship with my wife to show what happens when two people chose to love each other like God loves. My heart here is to reveal that the power of our love is birthed in the encounter with love. If Karen and my relationship became solely about a decision, eventually we would stop having love encounters. A marriage without true love encounters is not fun and eventually deteriorates to nothing more than a legal partnership.
It’s the same with God; a relationship without true love encounters is simply religious formality. My prayer is that God would daily reveal his love to me. And not just that but also that he would give me eyes to see it and the heart to experience it...........
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Bill-ieve
Ethan is my son and this Sunday we will do what fathers and sons do all over America. We will sit down in front of the television. We will wear our hearts on our sleeves. Our sleeves will be red, white and blue; the colors of “North Americas Team” – Thanks TO.
Yes, once again Ethan and I will make our hearts vulnerable to heartbreak. You see, once again, it’s time to Bill-ieve.
God, don’t you think its time? Maybe this year my son can cheer a winner? Maybe this year I can cheer a winner? God?
Go Bills!!
Saturday, August 7, 2010
To all those we love… to all those who love us… or even like us a little…
To everything, turn, turn, turn, there is a season…
One of the things I have been faithfully doing for the last five years is selling doors. I’ve been good at it. I’ve been steadfast. On the last day of August, I will step away from doors. It will be hard, it will be good.
Three years ago God told me he could see me... pastoring - well, that's the best word I can come up without writing a book... Anyway, I thought it was odd, I couldn’t see it. I was astonished but in a good way. You know, the way you get when someone tells you look like a sexy movie star. If God see’s you a certain way and you and God are best friends, it doesn’t take long until you start getting glimpses of yourself the way He sees you.
In September, Karen and I are trusting. We have lots of stories from the “there” to the “here” that confirm how God sees us and that now is the time. We have peace and it’s the kind that’s been tested. This is a step into a new season; God likened it to the crossing of the Jordan.
This is a message to those we love and who love us. We are not sure if we are called to plant, candidate, or serve in some other capacity. We don’t even have a “where”.
We do however have a “with who. “ I am licensed with “The River.” It is an extension of Bethel Church in Redding California of which Bill Johnson is the Pastor. Karen and I are headed to a pastor’s conference in Sept and believe it an awesome first step.
So if you think of us fondly, or even fleetingly, pray with us as we learn to live in this new season!
Love you guys!
One of the things I have been faithfully doing for the last five years is selling doors. I’ve been good at it. I’ve been steadfast. On the last day of August, I will step away from doors. It will be hard, it will be good.
Three years ago God told me he could see me... pastoring - well, that's the best word I can come up without writing a book... Anyway, I thought it was odd, I couldn’t see it. I was astonished but in a good way. You know, the way you get when someone tells you look like a sexy movie star. If God see’s you a certain way and you and God are best friends, it doesn’t take long until you start getting glimpses of yourself the way He sees you.
In September, Karen and I are trusting. We have lots of stories from the “there” to the “here” that confirm how God sees us and that now is the time. We have peace and it’s the kind that’s been tested. This is a step into a new season; God likened it to the crossing of the Jordan.
This is a message to those we love and who love us. We are not sure if we are called to plant, candidate, or serve in some other capacity. We don’t even have a “where”.
We do however have a “with who. “ I am licensed with “The River.” It is an extension of Bethel Church in Redding California of which Bill Johnson is the Pastor. Karen and I are headed to a pastor’s conference in Sept and believe it an awesome first step.
So if you think of us fondly, or even fleetingly, pray with us as we learn to live in this new season!
Love you guys!
Friday, August 6, 2010
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
"A relationship where the son is always desperate for the father is dysfunctional"
Graham Cooke recently said “A relationship where the son is always desperate for the father is dysfunctional.” Jesus did not have a dysfunctional relationship with his Father. He was sure, He was grounded in a revelation of his Father that released Him to be the expression of the Son.
Jesus was always Gods Son. In every situation, every circumstance, He was Gods Son…
And because He clearly saw the Father He clearly was the Son. When you clearly see the father you are set free to become the expression of his son or daughter. The truth sets us free.
For instance, if Jesus were under the false impression that God brought storms into peoples lives to teach lessons; He would not have been free to calm the storm.
If Jesus had been under the false impression that its in Gods nature to release sickness on mankind to punish them for sin, He would not have been free to heal.
If Jesus had been under the impression that death was final, He would not have been free to rise and live again. The resurrection was directly related to the fact that Jesus was Gods Son and that He lived in the fullness of that revelation. Therefore, for the joy set before Him (the truth of the resurrection and the release of mankind’s true identity once and for all) He endured the cross.
Because Jesus was sure in who the father was, He was also sure in who He was. This is what set Him free to “be.” He was love, perfectly displayed for all eternity to bear witness. All of heaven and earth from before the foundations to the last day gave a resounding yes and amen!
Jesus came to show us what it is to “be.” He came to reveal what mankind has access to through a greater revelation of the Father - mankind's true identity. We have all been born into a crisis of identity. This crisis is only resolved in a greater revelation of the Father.
Jesus knew what to do and how to live because he knew who he was. He walked confidently within his destiny. A person can’t know his or her destiny if they don’t know who they are. Our assignment and our destiny are wrapped up in our identity.
I have lived most of my life reacting to my circumstances. But Jesus only did what he saw his father doing. Therefore, even when he was caught by surprise, He never reacted to the situation, He responded from who He was. While I have often found myself reacting to the unknown out of insecurity, Jesus responded to the unknown in a greater revelation of the Father. Because he knew the father, He was secure in who He was and therefore his response was powerful - miraculous.
Jesus never reacted to accusation, he responded out of who he was. He never reacted to sickness he responded out of who he was. He never reacted to death, he responded out of who he was…
Jesus was in the Father and the Father was in Him. The Father lives outside of time, He is the beginning and the end. Therefore, Jesus with a greater revelation of His father, was able to respond to death on a cross in the power of the resurrection.
This is huge! I believe Jesus was able to endure the cross because He was already living within the revelation and power of the resurrection!
A greater revelation of the Father reveals a greater understanding of who we are. As we know our Father, we step into our identity. The closer we walk with God the closer we are to our assignment. Life becomes a response out of who we are and not a reaction…
...part, 47-E
Jesus was always Gods Son. In every situation, every circumstance, He was Gods Son…
And because He clearly saw the Father He clearly was the Son. When you clearly see the father you are set free to become the expression of his son or daughter. The truth sets us free.
For instance, if Jesus were under the false impression that God brought storms into peoples lives to teach lessons; He would not have been free to calm the storm.
If Jesus had been under the false impression that its in Gods nature to release sickness on mankind to punish them for sin, He would not have been free to heal.
If Jesus had been under the impression that death was final, He would not have been free to rise and live again. The resurrection was directly related to the fact that Jesus was Gods Son and that He lived in the fullness of that revelation. Therefore, for the joy set before Him (the truth of the resurrection and the release of mankind’s true identity once and for all) He endured the cross.
Because Jesus was sure in who the father was, He was also sure in who He was. This is what set Him free to “be.” He was love, perfectly displayed for all eternity to bear witness. All of heaven and earth from before the foundations to the last day gave a resounding yes and amen!
Jesus came to show us what it is to “be.” He came to reveal what mankind has access to through a greater revelation of the Father - mankind's true identity. We have all been born into a crisis of identity. This crisis is only resolved in a greater revelation of the Father.
Jesus knew what to do and how to live because he knew who he was. He walked confidently within his destiny. A person can’t know his or her destiny if they don’t know who they are. Our assignment and our destiny are wrapped up in our identity.
I have lived most of my life reacting to my circumstances. But Jesus only did what he saw his father doing. Therefore, even when he was caught by surprise, He never reacted to the situation, He responded from who He was. While I have often found myself reacting to the unknown out of insecurity, Jesus responded to the unknown in a greater revelation of the Father. Because he knew the father, He was secure in who He was and therefore his response was powerful - miraculous.
Jesus never reacted to accusation, he responded out of who he was. He never reacted to sickness he responded out of who he was. He never reacted to death, he responded out of who he was…
Jesus was in the Father and the Father was in Him. The Father lives outside of time, He is the beginning and the end. Therefore, Jesus with a greater revelation of His father, was able to respond to death on a cross in the power of the resurrection.
This is huge! I believe Jesus was able to endure the cross because He was already living within the revelation and power of the resurrection!
A greater revelation of the Father reveals a greater understanding of who we are. As we know our Father, we step into our identity. The closer we walk with God the closer we are to our assignment. Life becomes a response out of who we are and not a reaction…
...part, 47-E
Monday, July 19, 2010
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Bird watching and sky diving
I pulled this off my dads blog this morning... It so much fun hearing about our skydiving adventure yesterday from his perspective...
Things change as you age. Judson Cornwall used to talk about young love being exciting and old love being soothing. Bi-focals, fake teeth, spare parts and taste buds....speaking of taste buds, hot fudge sundaes can now be interchanged with peas and carrots... and roller coasters with bird watching. Speaking of bird watching, a few years back Mary bought me a bird feeder for Christmas. It was green and had a perch for the birds to sit on and enjoy the sun flower seeds. When the snakes and squirrels jumped on it, it would close. Speaking of snakes, the bird feeder would bring some pretty amazing snakes into the yard as well and that's where the bird feeder became the best of entertainment.
Any-way, I was speaking of Christmas... Joel not knowing the true adventure that could be found in bird feeders thought mom's gift was a little lame. And he purchased a sky diving ticket for me with an expiration date.
Joel lives a little over the top but is hasn't always been that way. His place of being the youngest and cutest kid in the family was stolen from him at the age of twelve. That was when he became the middle child and a whole lot less significant. He fixed all of that by consciously choosing to live life on the edge. So when Joel is around we all are required to live there with him or feel insignificant ourselves. That's why when Joel moved to Africa, it was good for all of us.
But periodically he would come home and everything would change for a couple of weeks. A couple of years back he booked a wild water rafting trip for us all. It was also at Christmas and both the water and air temperature were close to freezing. Anyone who protested at the idea of riding a raft through nearly freezing rapids was quickly labeled and would become the brunt in the newest st
I actually have great memories of white water rafting but they were always in the summer. Needless to say as I am gracefully aging, what I remember as being an exhilarating experience turned into a horror movie.
The scenes of my life passed quickly before my eyes and I knew it was over. I wasn't only freezing to death, I was drowning as I was being swept on my rear end through the last of the number four's and five's in a series of rapids. It was at least the sixth time we had been thrown out of the boat. We couldn't just ride the sane larger boats, no we must experience the river in all of it's power and glory in the smaller, unstable, properly named, rodeo boats. Our guide was primarily interested in the opportunities presented to him when the boat would roll and lose it's occupants. By the last time of throwing us in the water he had proudly learned how to be king of the boat.
After an hour of standing in the hot shower bringing my body temperature back to normal I began to meditate on why I would actually feel compelled to join in the fun when I could be at home watching the birds.
Knowing my love for birds Joel decided that buying me a sky diving ticket would bring him back into his place of honor and respect in the family.
He called the other day and told me it was now or never. The ticket he had purchased a few years back would expire if not used. Reality began to sink in and I knew I had to follow through. It had been haunting me for the past three years.
Only today as I look back can I enjoy what transpired yesterday. I grinned at myself in the mirror this morning.
Yesterday I was plummeting towards earth at one hundred miles an hour with the pain of jet engines screaming in my ears. As the shoot opened and the calm took effect I was in contortions with the pain of not just the sound but the pressure produced from the five thousand foot drop. I have also found that aging has made my ears a whole lot more sensitive. Everything about the experience was uncomfortable. The straps were binding, cutting off the air. My goggles were fogging up, sweat pouring off my face. I was sitting on the lap of a young man for the ten thousand foot climb in a stifling hot 1957 model Sesna, trying to make light talk. "How are the kids. Do to you like jumping?" He mentioned he enjoyed the previous jump with the twenty eight year old hottie on his lap a lot more. I could understand that.
The view out the door was amazing. I was in the zone. Jason was right behind us waiting for us to roll out into the wind. My stomach was in my throat and one, two three we were off. I don't remember seeing any birds on the way down.
Today I am back home with my bird feeder. Mary and I are both relieved to have this experience in our rear view mirror and I'm relishing the memory of my close brush with death again. Joel is coming for a visit next week. I am planning a bird watching expedition. I think he'll like that.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
I have started dreaming...again
“And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.” Joel 2:28
Dreaming,
When we were young we had visions. We treated them like dreams but most of the time they were visions… God allowed us to live in the ache, be compelled by the longing, chase them down, and fall short… to cast greater vision, to struggle, to taste love, intimacy, and also failure…
And we grew.
And if we chose to not be offended by our failures, to not be ashamed by our short fall, if we chose surrender and intimacy, we began to be transformed by His love. Our hearts began to beat in sync with His, our words began to release heaven and our lives began to yield love - until our vision began to reveal His.
And that’s when our closest and dearest friend, Jesus, comes to us and say’s “dream again”
There is such authority in the dream of the “old” man or woman who has already “dreamed” and failed. Who has risked it all and come up short and been transformed into the likeness of Christ through the process.
“Old man” is not defined by age, but experience; its a heart condition. Its those men and women who have gone “all in” for God and missed it; the “Peters” who used a sword to advance a kingdom that could only be advanced through Jesus becoming the sheath.
Most of us have had a Peter experience. We've carried and acted on a vision or "dream" that ended in failure, in death.
But now, on the other side, when the "visionary" is battered and lonely and the scars are not quite healed, our closest and dearest friend, Jesus, is coming to us and saying, “I want you to dream again”...
Young men have visions so they can learn how to dream. Old men dream and the power of that dreaming releases heaven into the atmosphere.
A true dream, one that is birthed in the heart of an “Old Man”, carries with it authority and power. The person who has experienced the death of a vision, who has laid the dream on the cross, has access to the power of the resurrection. When he dreams again, he dreams the dreams of heaven. A dream that is birthed in heaven has power to transform earth, it can change a city, a nation, it has eternal significance.
Jesus said "greater works" and told us that his heart in us was dreaming beyond "what we could ask or imagine." Jesus life on earth, the high water mark that no one has yet attained, is meant to be surpassed!
I believe one way it is surpassed is when “old men” are willing to dream in the area of past failure. This is the place where the dreams carry the power of the resurrection.
Start dreaming again, we need you!
Dreaming,
When we were young we had visions. We treated them like dreams but most of the time they were visions… God allowed us to live in the ache, be compelled by the longing, chase them down, and fall short… to cast greater vision, to struggle, to taste love, intimacy, and also failure…
And we grew.
And if we chose to not be offended by our failures, to not be ashamed by our short fall, if we chose surrender and intimacy, we began to be transformed by His love. Our hearts began to beat in sync with His, our words began to release heaven and our lives began to yield love - until our vision began to reveal His.
And that’s when our closest and dearest friend, Jesus, comes to us and say’s “dream again”
There is such authority in the dream of the “old” man or woman who has already “dreamed” and failed. Who has risked it all and come up short and been transformed into the likeness of Christ through the process.
“Old man” is not defined by age, but experience; its a heart condition. Its those men and women who have gone “all in” for God and missed it; the “Peters” who used a sword to advance a kingdom that could only be advanced through Jesus becoming the sheath.
Most of us have had a Peter experience. We've carried and acted on a vision or "dream" that ended in failure, in death.
But now, on the other side, when the "visionary" is battered and lonely and the scars are not quite healed, our closest and dearest friend, Jesus, is coming to us and saying, “I want you to dream again”...
Young men have visions so they can learn how to dream. Old men dream and the power of that dreaming releases heaven into the atmosphere.
A true dream, one that is birthed in the heart of an “Old Man”, carries with it authority and power. The person who has experienced the death of a vision, who has laid the dream on the cross, has access to the power of the resurrection. When he dreams again, he dreams the dreams of heaven. A dream that is birthed in heaven has power to transform earth, it can change a city, a nation, it has eternal significance.
Jesus said "greater works" and told us that his heart in us was dreaming beyond "what we could ask or imagine." Jesus life on earth, the high water mark that no one has yet attained, is meant to be surpassed!
I believe one way it is surpassed is when “old men” are willing to dream in the area of past failure. This is the place where the dreams carry the power of the resurrection.
Start dreaming again, we need you!
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Imaginary Jesus
So I read “Imaginary Jesus.” It was given to me in the hope that I might read it... and then share my thoughts…
If you thought Seinfeld’s “Soup Nazi” episode was funny then you will enjoy Matt’s irreverent sense of humor. I smiled out loud a couple times! This guy is someone you would want to watch old episodes of “Highway to Heaven” with. In fact, that’s not a bad idea Matt, “Mystery Science Theater 4000 with Matt Mikalatos”
The book follows Matt’s journey from religion to relationship. Along the way Matt pokes fun at all the ugly religious idols in his life and maybe in the life of his reader as well.
In the book, Matt struggles with a painful experience and countless interactions with religion. He finds that he has settled for an imaginary Jesus instead of the intimate indwelling presence of Jesus. Matt’s biggest struggle however, is the age old struggle wrapped up in "that" question, the one that snags unbelievers (both saved and unsaved), the one that screams at us after we have experienced hurt, disappointment or heartache. The question? “How can a good God allow bad things to happen.”
In the end Matt experiences Gods one of a kind love for him and his family - A love that is always good, that redeems and restores even if it doesn’t answer every question, even if it doesn’t answer “that” question.
Matt doesn’t really answer “that” question either. Instead he learns to live in the wonder and pain and risk and mystery. He begins to live loved and finds, that even in the hard seasons, God is good and his love is enough.
Funny and insightful, I enjoyed the read.
Thanks Matt!
Monday, June 21, 2010
Monday, June 14, 2010
Becoming Like You - Sundays two track recording
This song is just burning up my heart. Its with me when I wake and when I go to bed. This was recorded at the Branch worship two weeks back. Its just two tracks but it gives an idea of what its morphed into musically. Its the first time I led it, so lots of vocal prompts.
I first posted this song three weeks ago but thought Id post this recording as the chord progression has slightly changed and its been developed a bit. The recording starts at the chorus.
Click Here to hear it
Ive been Your echo
Ive been Your shadow
But my heart is to know You so I can be Your voice
Ive stood on mountains
Ive knelt in valleys
From glory to glory my heart will always be Yours
I'm becoming like You
I’m becoming like You
Its the cry of my heart my King
That I’d display Your majesty
I'm becoming like you
I'm becoming like you
Let Your love be all I know
Till Your glory becomes my own
I first posted this song three weeks ago but thought Id post this recording as the chord progression has slightly changed and its been developed a bit. The recording starts at the chorus.
Click Here to hear it
Ive been Your echo
Ive been Your shadow
But my heart is to know You so I can be Your voice
Ive stood on mountains
Ive knelt in valleys
From glory to glory my heart will always be Yours
I'm becoming like You
I’m becoming like You
Its the cry of my heart my King
That I’d display Your majesty
I'm becoming like you
I'm becoming like you
Let Your love be all I know
Till Your glory becomes my own
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Surrendered & Untamed Cover Art!!!
Well, its happening! Starting to feel real. You can actually find the book on Amazon, crazy right? Here is the approved cover art for all three pieces. I have one more content edit and then a copy edit. Fun!
The two below are for the Participants Guide and DVD.
Friday, May 28, 2010
I Want A Home - A Prayer
Lord, You said you would give us the desires of our hearts. Hear my heart today…
I want a home - a place where men and women can love You together, dream about and implement revival - Your Kingdom here and now. I want a home where we can play - both in the natural and the spiritual. I want a home where we can host Your presence, where we can host the church, a home that can elevate believers and release them into the world.
I want a home where worship is as natural as breathing – a place where the songs of heaven are released to Your sons and daughters. I want a home where there is freedom to create. A home where the wonder and beauty of Your love can be expressed through the individual believer.
I want a home where there is peace, where You are breathed in the atmosphere, where healing and restoration are daily expressions of salvation. I want a home where believers learn risk because they know love intimately. I want a home where rest is a way of life.
I want a home where the prophetic is released so that we would know who we are, a home where revelation is imparted – that we would know in greater measure Your love and our identity.
I want a home where my kids can know and become love - where their hopes can be inspired by You – where they can have greater access to an open heaven.
I want a home… Amen
I want a home - a place where men and women can love You together, dream about and implement revival - Your Kingdom here and now. I want a home where we can play - both in the natural and the spiritual. I want a home where we can host Your presence, where we can host the church, a home that can elevate believers and release them into the world.
I want a home where worship is as natural as breathing – a place where the songs of heaven are released to Your sons and daughters. I want a home where there is freedom to create. A home where the wonder and beauty of Your love can be expressed through the individual believer.
I want a home where there is peace, where You are breathed in the atmosphere, where healing and restoration are daily expressions of salvation. I want a home where believers learn risk because they know love intimately. I want a home where rest is a way of life.
I want a home where the prophetic is released so that we would know who we are, a home where revelation is imparted – that we would know in greater measure Your love and our identity.
I want a home where my kids can know and become love - where their hopes can be inspired by You – where they can have greater access to an open heaven.
I want a home… Amen
Friday, May 21, 2010
New Song - I'm Becoming Like You
It isn't an interesting melody or a unique rhythm and it needs some production but I wanted to put it up as the lyrics to this song are the cry of my heart - God that I would become like you.
Ive been Your echo
Ive been Your shadow
But my heart is to know You so I can be Your voice
Ive stood on mountains
Ive knelt in valleys
From glory to glory my heart will always be Yours
I'm becoming like You
I’m becoming like You
Its the cry of my heart my King
That I’d display Your majesty
I'm becoming like you
I'm becoming like you
Let Your love be all I know
Till Your glory becomes my own
Ive been Your echo
Ive been Your shadow
But my heart is to know You so I can be Your voice
Ive stood on mountains
Ive knelt in valleys
From glory to glory my heart will always be Yours
I'm becoming like You
I’m becoming like You
Its the cry of my heart my King
That I’d display Your majesty
I'm becoming like you
I'm becoming like you
Let Your love be all I know
Till Your glory becomes my own
Thursday, May 13, 2010
The Open Table - The Presence - Chapter 3 day 4 - The Original Version
When we bought our last house it was late fall and most of the leaves had fallen off the trees. Everything was bare. When spring arrived the trees started to bud and it was then that we noticed our neighbor’s tree was dead. During the winter it looked like every other tree in the neighborhood but once spring hit, it stood in stark contrast to the life all around us.
Regardless of species, trees all have one thing in common; the first sign of life is always the budding leaf. Some trees go on to bear tastier fruits like apples or walnuts, but the first fruit of a tree is its leaves.
The Bible refers to God as a vine and us, the church, as the branches. John 15:4 says, "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”
The vine, God, is always about producing life. In fact, Jesus refers to himself as “life” in John 14:6. So its pretty straight forward, a love relationship with life (God) will bear fruit. And if we engage Gods love, we enter into fruit bearing life. If we say yes to love we are saying yes to life.
So what’s life look like, well, its green and leafy and sometimes there are apples or walnuts. Life is about fruit. Or maybe I should say it this way. Fruit is the evidence of life. My neighbor’s tree, the one without the leaves, it was dead.
Ok Jason, I’m with you, so love bears fruit, how does that apply to community? Well, I’m so glad you asked…
There is another scripture in the Bible that talks about what a community grounded in love looks like using the metaphor of fruit. It say’s, “…the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control…” (Galatians 5:22-23)
A love community is essentially a place that models the fruits of the Spirit. Love always bears fruit, so love communities will always have signs that point to life. A love community will have evidence of Gods presence and that evidence looks like the fruit described in Galatians 5:22-23.
I think when we look for a community to make our own, when we seek mentors, brothers and sisters to live the journey with, we are looking for a people marked by Gods presence, a community with evidence of Galatians 5 fruit.
When I look for a place to find community, I want to know that we are pursuing the same thing – Gods presence. A community is simply a group of people running together toward a common purpose and the purpose of a love community is always the presence of God. I’m not saying we have to agree on everything, true community is not about conformity but transformation - it’s about being transformed into the image of Christ.
If you want to know what Gods presence looks like in a community, look for evidence of the fruits of His Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the revealed presence of God and it always looks like love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. These are the attributes of a love community and this scripture gives us practical mile markers for what community is meant to look like.
When it comes to fruit, be it the leaf, apple or walnut, it takes time. Fruit doesn’t just happen over night. A community of love may not exhibit all the fruits - it’s a journey. But if the presence of God is the central pursuit, there will always be evidence of life.
I encourage you to find and nurture a community of love that is practicing Galatians 5. I encourage you in all things to always seek his presence.
Regardless of species, trees all have one thing in common; the first sign of life is always the budding leaf. Some trees go on to bear tastier fruits like apples or walnuts, but the first fruit of a tree is its leaves.
The Bible refers to God as a vine and us, the church, as the branches. John 15:4 says, "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”
The vine, God, is always about producing life. In fact, Jesus refers to himself as “life” in John 14:6. So its pretty straight forward, a love relationship with life (God) will bear fruit. And if we engage Gods love, we enter into fruit bearing life. If we say yes to love we are saying yes to life.
So what’s life look like, well, its green and leafy and sometimes there are apples or walnuts. Life is about fruit. Or maybe I should say it this way. Fruit is the evidence of life. My neighbor’s tree, the one without the leaves, it was dead.
Ok Jason, I’m with you, so love bears fruit, how does that apply to community? Well, I’m so glad you asked…
There is another scripture in the Bible that talks about what a community grounded in love looks like using the metaphor of fruit. It say’s, “…the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control…” (Galatians 5:22-23)
A love community is essentially a place that models the fruits of the Spirit. Love always bears fruit, so love communities will always have signs that point to life. A love community will have evidence of Gods presence and that evidence looks like the fruit described in Galatians 5:22-23.
I think when we look for a community to make our own, when we seek mentors, brothers and sisters to live the journey with, we are looking for a people marked by Gods presence, a community with evidence of Galatians 5 fruit.
When I look for a place to find community, I want to know that we are pursuing the same thing – Gods presence. A community is simply a group of people running together toward a common purpose and the purpose of a love community is always the presence of God. I’m not saying we have to agree on everything, true community is not about conformity but transformation - it’s about being transformed into the image of Christ.
If you want to know what Gods presence looks like in a community, look for evidence of the fruits of His Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the revealed presence of God and it always looks like love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. These are the attributes of a love community and this scripture gives us practical mile markers for what community is meant to look like.
When it comes to fruit, be it the leaf, apple or walnut, it takes time. Fruit doesn’t just happen over night. A community of love may not exhibit all the fruits - it’s a journey. But if the presence of God is the central pursuit, there will always be evidence of life.
I encourage you to find and nurture a community of love that is practicing Galatians 5. I encourage you in all things to always seek his presence.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
The Open Table - Cover Art
Here it is, the cover art for "The Open Table" This is the DVD but the book design is the same - and no, my name is not on that cover either but I really did write it, I promise.
While there where at least 25 people interviewed for the project, (Its a discipleship guidebook and film in a small group format for new believers) my dad, my daughter and I made it onto the cover. I'm thinking that the folks at Thomas Nelson have a good eye for lookers...or something.
The book releases in August.
The Good News
This is another edit from "The Open Table" releasing in August...
In the early church, the story of Jesus’ love was known as “the good news,” or “the Gospel.” And in Romans 1:16, Paul says about this gospel that it is “the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes.” There was a wonderful thing happening in those early days- still is happening today in fact. The love of God was and is being experienced first hand. The distant God found through religion was suddenly a close
God found in relationship. It is called salvation. Its a beautiful word - salvation.
It is also a word that has been used so often by believers that I think much of its wonder sometimes gets lost. Salvation or “saved” in the New Testament comes from the Greek word sozo, which means, delivered, restored, healed and made whole. Think about it for a moment. When we asked Jesus to be our best friend, when we invited him into our hearts and made him Lord of our life we got saved. Right? And it was an all-encompassing life changing event – this salvation we are talking about.
And the word we use for this decision, for this experience is saved. It’s a good word and true. We once were lost, now we are found. We once were dead and now we are raised with Christ, we are alive. We once were destined to a life of empty striving and now we are promised a day in day out love story where grace and mercy color a purpose filled life adventure.
But how many of us have simply applied the word saved to mean, we no longer are going to hell when we die? That’s not the only power of the gospel. What Paul was saying is that healing, deliverance, restoration; these are all available to those who believe. That’s pretty good news if you ask me.
Its the believing that Jesus loves us that leads us to salvation and this salvation releases us to the power that is the love of God - His goodness, grace, mercy, hope, peace and joy – its all available to us regardless of life’s circumstances. That’s good news! Good news for me and for you, for your friend and their friends and their friends friends…
In the early church, the story of Jesus’ love was known as “the good news,” or “the Gospel.” And in Romans 1:16, Paul says about this gospel that it is “the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes.” There was a wonderful thing happening in those early days- still is happening today in fact. The love of God was and is being experienced first hand. The distant God found through religion was suddenly a close
God found in relationship. It is called salvation. Its a beautiful word - salvation.
It is also a word that has been used so often by believers that I think much of its wonder sometimes gets lost. Salvation or “saved” in the New Testament comes from the Greek word sozo, which means, delivered, restored, healed and made whole. Think about it for a moment. When we asked Jesus to be our best friend, when we invited him into our hearts and made him Lord of our life we got saved. Right? And it was an all-encompassing life changing event – this salvation we are talking about.
And the word we use for this decision, for this experience is saved. It’s a good word and true. We once were lost, now we are found. We once were dead and now we are raised with Christ, we are alive. We once were destined to a life of empty striving and now we are promised a day in day out love story where grace and mercy color a purpose filled life adventure.
But how many of us have simply applied the word saved to mean, we no longer are going to hell when we die? That’s not the only power of the gospel. What Paul was saying is that healing, deliverance, restoration; these are all available to those who believe. That’s pretty good news if you ask me.
Its the believing that Jesus loves us that leads us to salvation and this salvation releases us to the power that is the love of God - His goodness, grace, mercy, hope, peace and joy – its all available to us regardless of life’s circumstances. That’s good news! Good news for me and for you, for your friend and their friends and their friends friends…
Monday, April 5, 2010
Buried Treasure
This blog is actually from the book "The Open Table - An Invitation To Walk With God" which releases with Thomas Nelson in August. Its a Donald Miller project. It is designed for small groups with two films and accompanying guidebooks. I had the incredible honor of writing the second guidebook - well I wrote it first, then the editors did the editing. Due to the way the project was set up I had no involvement in the editing.
This was meant to introduce the chapter titled "On Earth As It Is In Heaven." I think this would have been better than what ended up being edited in. But that's why we have blogs right? I actually will be posting several of the cuts in my blog over coming weeks.
Buried Treasure
Matt 13:46 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.
There was once a fella who knew of a treasure that was buried in a field. This treasure was greater than any treasure any mind could conceive. It was beyond imagination. The treasures name was “The Way, The Truth and The Life” (John 14:6).
This fella was so excited about the treasure that he sold everything he owned - right down to the clothes on his back. He gave all that he was and all that he had and naked he went to his field. He began to dig. And there he found his treasure and it was a Kingdom. It was a greater Kingdom than I can describe but I will try nonetheless.
This Kingdom was built on love. In fact, the King of this Kingdom was love (1Cor 13:13). The Kingdoms greatest power was found in joy, which was engaged through believing. Everything about the Kingdom was good. There was no evil in the Kingdom, not even a single drop - not a sliver. There was no sickness or sadness in this Kingdom and because this Kingdom was founded on love, all sorrow was redeemed and restored to joy. In this kingdom all things always worked to good. (Rom 8:28)
Amazingly, this fella, the one who went digging in the nude, well, he became an heir and citizen in this Kingdom. In essence, he was reborn and became a new creation taking on the very nature of His King - love. He was given new clothes and they fit him like a glove. These clothes were righteous and this fella was marvelous to behold because he had the love of His King in Him. Because he became an heir, this fella had access to every aspect of the Kingdom.
This Kingdom had a creed. It was known as the good news. The King spoke it often and the fella’s heart leaped with joy to hear it! It went like this “Thy Kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven” (Matt 6:10).
This next part may seem odd but it is true and truly astounding – over time this fella who became an heir of the King, well, he found that wherever he stepped the King and His Kingdom went with him. Then one day it dawned on the fella that this is why he existed – to know the Kings love and to establish his Kingdom of Love wherever he went…
Ok, I don’t know if you guessed it yet but that fella, he’s me. But wait there’s more. I would like to suggest that the fella, well, he is also you…
At the age of five I found my treasure. I gave Jesus all of me and I asked him into my heart. At that moment, I became an heir of the King and I gained citizenship to the same Kingdom I just described. Since then I have been discovering just how amazing this King and His Kingdom is. Since then, I have been discovering what it means to be an heir of the King and citizen of His Kingdom.
Some refer to this moment in a person’s life as “salvation.” Yep, that’s a good word for it. But it’s not just a moment. Since the age of five, I have been learning that Salvation is the most beautiful of life’s miracles. I once was dead, now I’m alive! I once was clothed in self-centered ignorance, I’m now clothed in love and righteousness. I once was a citizen of a fallen kingdom, I now am a citizen of Heaven (Phil 3:20). What makes the miracle of salvation so much more amazing is the fact that it doesn’t end there. Our salvation is not the end of our story; it’s the beginning of a new one.
If I may put it this way, after saying yes to Jesus, salvation is not only the answer, it’s the question. The question salvation asks is, “how shall we now live?” Most of my life I have understood salvation as an assurance of heaven after I die. Well, yes, that’s true, but I’m discovering that there’s so much more. You see, I am saved to bring heaven to earth while I’m alive.
Just like that fella who bought the field, I have met the King and am taking on His identity as my own. I am becoming love and because of this love, I have His creed burned on my heart… “Thy Kingdom come, on earth as it is in heaven.”
I believe that if you have asked Jesus into your heart, the journey from here on is about discovering the Kings love, who you are within the context of that love and how to live out that love daily.
This was meant to introduce the chapter titled "On Earth As It Is In Heaven." I think this would have been better than what ended up being edited in. But that's why we have blogs right? I actually will be posting several of the cuts in my blog over coming weeks.
Buried Treasure
Matt 13:46 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.
There was once a fella who knew of a treasure that was buried in a field. This treasure was greater than any treasure any mind could conceive. It was beyond imagination. The treasures name was “The Way, The Truth and The Life” (John 14:6).
This fella was so excited about the treasure that he sold everything he owned - right down to the clothes on his back. He gave all that he was and all that he had and naked he went to his field. He began to dig. And there he found his treasure and it was a Kingdom. It was a greater Kingdom than I can describe but I will try nonetheless.
This Kingdom was built on love. In fact, the King of this Kingdom was love (1Cor 13:13). The Kingdoms greatest power was found in joy, which was engaged through believing. Everything about the Kingdom was good. There was no evil in the Kingdom, not even a single drop - not a sliver. There was no sickness or sadness in this Kingdom and because this Kingdom was founded on love, all sorrow was redeemed and restored to joy. In this kingdom all things always worked to good. (Rom 8:28)
Amazingly, this fella, the one who went digging in the nude, well, he became an heir and citizen in this Kingdom. In essence, he was reborn and became a new creation taking on the very nature of His King - love. He was given new clothes and they fit him like a glove. These clothes were righteous and this fella was marvelous to behold because he had the love of His King in Him. Because he became an heir, this fella had access to every aspect of the Kingdom.
This Kingdom had a creed. It was known as the good news. The King spoke it often and the fella’s heart leaped with joy to hear it! It went like this “Thy Kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven” (Matt 6:10).
This next part may seem odd but it is true and truly astounding – over time this fella who became an heir of the King, well, he found that wherever he stepped the King and His Kingdom went with him. Then one day it dawned on the fella that this is why he existed – to know the Kings love and to establish his Kingdom of Love wherever he went…
Ok, I don’t know if you guessed it yet but that fella, he’s me. But wait there’s more. I would like to suggest that the fella, well, he is also you…
At the age of five I found my treasure. I gave Jesus all of me and I asked him into my heart. At that moment, I became an heir of the King and I gained citizenship to the same Kingdom I just described. Since then I have been discovering just how amazing this King and His Kingdom is. Since then, I have been discovering what it means to be an heir of the King and citizen of His Kingdom.
Some refer to this moment in a person’s life as “salvation.” Yep, that’s a good word for it. But it’s not just a moment. Since the age of five, I have been learning that Salvation is the most beautiful of life’s miracles. I once was dead, now I’m alive! I once was clothed in self-centered ignorance, I’m now clothed in love and righteousness. I once was a citizen of a fallen kingdom, I now am a citizen of Heaven (Phil 3:20). What makes the miracle of salvation so much more amazing is the fact that it doesn’t end there. Our salvation is not the end of our story; it’s the beginning of a new one.
If I may put it this way, after saying yes to Jesus, salvation is not only the answer, it’s the question. The question salvation asks is, “how shall we now live?” Most of my life I have understood salvation as an assurance of heaven after I die. Well, yes, that’s true, but I’m discovering that there’s so much more. You see, I am saved to bring heaven to earth while I’m alive.
Just like that fella who bought the field, I have met the King and am taking on His identity as my own. I am becoming love and because of this love, I have His creed burned on my heart… “Thy Kingdom come, on earth as it is in heaven.”
I believe that if you have asked Jesus into your heart, the journey from here on is about discovering the Kings love, who you are within the context of that love and how to live out that love daily.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
The Mexican Hamburger, The Beach, & A Moral?
The Mexican Hamburger
Karen had to be as exhausted as I was. We had flown all night up from Mexico City. Our flights had been substantially lower in cost if we flew out of Toronto, so even though it was a three hour drive from Rochester NY, that’s what we did.
It had been a great mission trip and we were ready to be home and snuggle into a real bed together. We were newly married and had spent a week sleeping in separate tents cause the missionaries we went with were apparently from the 1800,s and “we didn’t want to have any appearance of impropriety,” whatever that means.
We had spent a week up in the hills of a small Mexican town and had been a part of a medical mission. Seeing as neither of us had any credentials in that department we spent our days in practical serving and prayer. We spent our nights freezing in our flimsy sleeping bags, alone. Though the weather was a perfect 70 degrees in the day at night it was colder than a naked Eskimo…Now if only I could make money writing similes...
Karen had also played a large role in preparing our meals with the local women. We had a great time with the name of each of the meals as every meal had the same ingredients, tortillas and beans. Tortilla pancakes for breakfast, with beans! Tortilla sandwiches for lunch, with beans! And tortilla hamburgers for dinner, with beans!
When the mission was done we caught a bus back to Mexico City for our flight home. Needless to say, we all were ready for a good meal at a restaurant. The missionary leading the trip took us to one of his favorite spots before heading to the airport. The menu was in Spanish but its pretty obvious if your looking for it, hamburguesa.
The other thing that had been haunting my cold lonely dreams for a week, hamburguesa!
I asked our team leader if he thought the hamburgers were safe to eat. He shrugged, “Yeah, they should be fine.”
The hamburger didn’t taste right but I ate it anyway. Why? Cause it wasn’t tortillas and beans, I guess; and also, I trusted our team leader.
We caught taxi’s to the airport and after several hours waiting on the tarmac because of mechanical difficulties, we finally headed home.
As I already mentioned, it was an all night flight in which neither my new bride or myself could sleep. We finally arrived in Canada and said goodbye to everyone we had missionary-ed with. Then we caught a shuttle to our car and started the three-hour drive home.
I wasn’t feeling good, I was dizzy, light headed and exhausted but figured it was due to the sleepless night, not bad hamburguesa. Even though I could hardly keep my eyes open I told Karen I would drive; it’s what new husbands do. She let me, its what new wives do.
Karen drifted off. About half an hour into the drive I had already used every tick I knew to fight sleep. The exhaustion seemed oddly overwhelming. I couldn’t understand why. I had done much longer trips with less faintness. At one point I almost pulled over to ask Karen if she would drive. But I thought, “If I’m this tired, she must be as well.” So I soldiered on. We were driving in a flat farmland section of highway when I saw it. It was out in the field to the right of the highway.
It was a rabbit. But this was no ordinary rabbit; it was three stories high and about half a football field long. It was bright pink and it was made out of marshmallow. It looked like a Peeps. You know, those marshmallow candies that are sold during the Easter season.
At first I was awed by the sheer size. Then I became terrified as it looked at me and jumped once, twice and landed directly in front of our car. I jerked the steering wheel violently fishtailing the car onto the right shoulder while slamming my breaks bringing the car to a screeching halt.
Karen woke up screaming. “What? What happened?” I shook my head and rubbed my eyes, the rabbit was still there. It just sat there, in the middle of the road, watching me. “What happened? Did we get a flat? Are you OK? JASON?!”
I finally looked at Karen and said, “A huge pink peeps bunny just jumped out on the road in front of us.” And then “I think you better drive”…
The Beach
A year and a half ago we went on a family vacation to the beach. At the time Eva was two. Weeks before going on this vacation the whole family told her about the ocean. The entire drive to the coast we told her about the ocean. She was primed for big water. When we checked into the 30-story beachfront hotel we immediately went out onto our balcony 18 stories up to finally show Eva the unending body of water. Her eyes took it in and she understood. The ocean was big.
If you have been on vacation with small kids at a beach then you know it can easily take an hour from the moment you decide to go swimming to the moment you actually leave the hotel room. Especially if you have Anglo Saxon skin like we do. Bathing suites need to go on, boogie boards need to be gathered, towels need to be accounted for and sunscreen needs to be lathered in generous amounts upon every surface that could even possibly see sun.
Along the way, the kids become almost unbearable. There understanding of “be patient” is waiting 3 minutes between asking when we were going swimming. While we prepared Eva got caught up in her older brother and sisters euphoric expectation. The kids would run to the balcony and look at the “osen” as Eva called it and laugh. Then they would find us to ask if we were ready and when could we go.
Finally it was time to head out. We stared out the door and I called for Eva. There was no response. I walked through the Hotel rooms and found her naked in the master bathroom trying to get into the tub. I asked her what she was doing and she said, “Bath daddy.”
My daughter wandering through the rooms, upon seeing the bathtub, forgot about ocean. She had removed her bathing suite and was preparing for a bath. She was more than willing to trade the ocean she had not experienced for the familiarity of the tub.
Water is water right?
Suddenly God spoke to my heart and said, Jason the promises I have for you are the size of the ocean, don’t get distracted by bathtubs.
A Moral?
Just cause you are hungry for a hamburger doesn’t mean you should eat the first one available. And further more, if its not tasting right, for goodness sake, stop eating it.
And
Not all water is created equal.
Karen had to be as exhausted as I was. We had flown all night up from Mexico City. Our flights had been substantially lower in cost if we flew out of Toronto, so even though it was a three hour drive from Rochester NY, that’s what we did.
It had been a great mission trip and we were ready to be home and snuggle into a real bed together. We were newly married and had spent a week sleeping in separate tents cause the missionaries we went with were apparently from the 1800,s and “we didn’t want to have any appearance of impropriety,” whatever that means.
We had spent a week up in the hills of a small Mexican town and had been a part of a medical mission. Seeing as neither of us had any credentials in that department we spent our days in practical serving and prayer. We spent our nights freezing in our flimsy sleeping bags, alone. Though the weather was a perfect 70 degrees in the day at night it was colder than a naked Eskimo…Now if only I could make money writing similes...
Karen had also played a large role in preparing our meals with the local women. We had a great time with the name of each of the meals as every meal had the same ingredients, tortillas and beans. Tortilla pancakes for breakfast, with beans! Tortilla sandwiches for lunch, with beans! And tortilla hamburgers for dinner, with beans!
When the mission was done we caught a bus back to Mexico City for our flight home. Needless to say, we all were ready for a good meal at a restaurant. The missionary leading the trip took us to one of his favorite spots before heading to the airport. The menu was in Spanish but its pretty obvious if your looking for it, hamburguesa.
The other thing that had been haunting my cold lonely dreams for a week, hamburguesa!
I asked our team leader if he thought the hamburgers were safe to eat. He shrugged, “Yeah, they should be fine.”
The hamburger didn’t taste right but I ate it anyway. Why? Cause it wasn’t tortillas and beans, I guess; and also, I trusted our team leader.
We caught taxi’s to the airport and after several hours waiting on the tarmac because of mechanical difficulties, we finally headed home.
As I already mentioned, it was an all night flight in which neither my new bride or myself could sleep. We finally arrived in Canada and said goodbye to everyone we had missionary-ed with. Then we caught a shuttle to our car and started the three-hour drive home.
I wasn’t feeling good, I was dizzy, light headed and exhausted but figured it was due to the sleepless night, not bad hamburguesa. Even though I could hardly keep my eyes open I told Karen I would drive; it’s what new husbands do. She let me, its what new wives do.
Karen drifted off. About half an hour into the drive I had already used every tick I knew to fight sleep. The exhaustion seemed oddly overwhelming. I couldn’t understand why. I had done much longer trips with less faintness. At one point I almost pulled over to ask Karen if she would drive. But I thought, “If I’m this tired, she must be as well.” So I soldiered on. We were driving in a flat farmland section of highway when I saw it. It was out in the field to the right of the highway.
It was a rabbit. But this was no ordinary rabbit; it was three stories high and about half a football field long. It was bright pink and it was made out of marshmallow. It looked like a Peeps. You know, those marshmallow candies that are sold during the Easter season.
At first I was awed by the sheer size. Then I became terrified as it looked at me and jumped once, twice and landed directly in front of our car. I jerked the steering wheel violently fishtailing the car onto the right shoulder while slamming my breaks bringing the car to a screeching halt.
Karen woke up screaming. “What? What happened?” I shook my head and rubbed my eyes, the rabbit was still there. It just sat there, in the middle of the road, watching me. “What happened? Did we get a flat? Are you OK? JASON?!”
I finally looked at Karen and said, “A huge pink peeps bunny just jumped out on the road in front of us.” And then “I think you better drive”…
The Beach
A year and a half ago we went on a family vacation to the beach. At the time Eva was two. Weeks before going on this vacation the whole family told her about the ocean. The entire drive to the coast we told her about the ocean. She was primed for big water. When we checked into the 30-story beachfront hotel we immediately went out onto our balcony 18 stories up to finally show Eva the unending body of water. Her eyes took it in and she understood. The ocean was big.
If you have been on vacation with small kids at a beach then you know it can easily take an hour from the moment you decide to go swimming to the moment you actually leave the hotel room. Especially if you have Anglo Saxon skin like we do. Bathing suites need to go on, boogie boards need to be gathered, towels need to be accounted for and sunscreen needs to be lathered in generous amounts upon every surface that could even possibly see sun.
Along the way, the kids become almost unbearable. There understanding of “be patient” is waiting 3 minutes between asking when we were going swimming. While we prepared Eva got caught up in her older brother and sisters euphoric expectation. The kids would run to the balcony and look at the “osen” as Eva called it and laugh. Then they would find us to ask if we were ready and when could we go.
Finally it was time to head out. We stared out the door and I called for Eva. There was no response. I walked through the Hotel rooms and found her naked in the master bathroom trying to get into the tub. I asked her what she was doing and she said, “Bath daddy.”
My daughter wandering through the rooms, upon seeing the bathtub, forgot about ocean. She had removed her bathing suite and was preparing for a bath. She was more than willing to trade the ocean she had not experienced for the familiarity of the tub.
Water is water right?
Suddenly God spoke to my heart and said, Jason the promises I have for you are the size of the ocean, don’t get distracted by bathtubs.
A Moral?
Just cause you are hungry for a hamburger doesn’t mean you should eat the first one available. And further more, if its not tasting right, for goodness sake, stop eating it.
And
Not all water is created equal.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Megan & Haiti
My brother Joel and my Sister In-Law Megan are in Haiti today. Megan has been keeping us up to speed on what they are doing and the needs Haiti is facing. We have all been praying for them and have been believing for favor on what they are doing there. Below is the email I received this morning from Megan.
****
Hi again,
Another good morning. I am a little hazy today and very dirty but looking forward to the day.
I spent a lot of yesterday trying to mobilize food aid and nutrition support for a hurting commune/city called Leogone that has not received the medicines, vitamins and food they need. We visited a tent city and heard about the destruction and visited a hospital we partnered with that's been destroyed (I'm writing a grant to rebuild this one) there. We lobbied UNICEF, WFP and USAID for help. The good news is that we have made progress in Leogone and will begin distributing food and formula in the next 2 days, God willing.
Joel has been (with his camera) in the middle of food distributions, talking with the staff, in camps, with medical teams. Its wonderful to be here together.
I need to get started with work now. Lots of love from us,
Megan and Joel
****
Today is Megan's birthday and I was reminded of a note I had written for her last year for her birthday. I thought it pretty applicable for today. The note is below.
****
The fact is, Meghan can do everything and most of it all at once.
For instance, she could dismantle an atomic bomb while preparing Pan-Roasted duck breast, steamed root vegetables and speckled butter beans for a party of ten, while playing Mancala – the 7000 year old Arabic board game - with her husband, while explaining the rules to her husband and then lovingly tolerating his pathetic attempts at cheating... These are the kinds of things Megan can do…
While thinking about Megan, my mind returned to an article I had read recently. I immediately went online and found it. Though the article is not written about Megan, it reminded me so much of her that I thought I would put some of it here.
Please note that I have added to the article in order to better highlight the similarities between the woman being written about and Megan. The changes are (bracketed and in italics.)
Here is the article,
"Jaime Sommers (Megan Nykyforchyn Clark) is nothing but a hard-working woman juggling work as a bartender (International Programs Director) and the responsibility for the care of her younger sister, Becca, (Her husband, Joel).
Although she does not have much, Jaime (Megan) has always enjoyed being as normal as any other human being. However, this all changed when she is hit by a car and seriously injured (when she was born and decided to be awesome).
Following a nearly fatal car accident, (Following her decision to be awesome) Jaime (Megan) receives cybernetic implants, known as bionics. These implants give her superhuman strength and speed, allow her to hear at low volumes and over uncommonly long distances, and gives her 2000/20 vision and mathematical analysis of objects, their speeds, trajectories and so forth................"
Isn’t it amazing? It is uncanny how similar she and "The Bionic Woman” are!
****
While we would all love to be with them, we have been praying for both Megan and Joel and have been living through them. Here is a link to World Hope the organization Megan works with - World Hope This is a great place to give regarding Haiti!
Below are a couple pics Joel posted recently on his FB
Today I pray for Haiti and for Megan and Joel. Today I pray that You will bless Megan with Bionic strength and give here a powerful birthday miracle. In the name of Your Son and my best friend Jesus, Amen
Happy Birthday Megan!
****
Hi again,
Another good morning. I am a little hazy today and very dirty but looking forward to the day.
I spent a lot of yesterday trying to mobilize food aid and nutrition support for a hurting commune/city called Leogone that has not received the medicines, vitamins and food they need. We visited a tent city and heard about the destruction and visited a hospital we partnered with that's been destroyed (I'm writing a grant to rebuild this one) there. We lobbied UNICEF, WFP and USAID for help. The good news is that we have made progress in Leogone and will begin distributing food and formula in the next 2 days, God willing.
Joel has been (with his camera) in the middle of food distributions, talking with the staff, in camps, with medical teams. Its wonderful to be here together.
I need to get started with work now. Lots of love from us,
Megan and Joel
****
Today is Megan's birthday and I was reminded of a note I had written for her last year for her birthday. I thought it pretty applicable for today. The note is below.
****
The fact is, Meghan can do everything and most of it all at once.
For instance, she could dismantle an atomic bomb while preparing Pan-Roasted duck breast, steamed root vegetables and speckled butter beans for a party of ten, while playing Mancala – the 7000 year old Arabic board game - with her husband, while explaining the rules to her husband and then lovingly tolerating his pathetic attempts at cheating... These are the kinds of things Megan can do…
While thinking about Megan, my mind returned to an article I had read recently. I immediately went online and found it. Though the article is not written about Megan, it reminded me so much of her that I thought I would put some of it here.
Please note that I have added to the article in order to better highlight the similarities between the woman being written about and Megan. The changes are (bracketed and in italics.)
Here is the article,
"Jaime Sommers (Megan Nykyforchyn Clark) is nothing but a hard-working woman juggling work as a bartender (International Programs Director) and the responsibility for the care of her younger sister, Becca, (Her husband, Joel).
Although she does not have much, Jaime (Megan) has always enjoyed being as normal as any other human being. However, this all changed when she is hit by a car and seriously injured (when she was born and decided to be awesome).
Following a nearly fatal car accident, (Following her decision to be awesome) Jaime (Megan) receives cybernetic implants, known as bionics. These implants give her superhuman strength and speed, allow her to hear at low volumes and over uncommonly long distances, and gives her 2000/20 vision and mathematical analysis of objects, their speeds, trajectories and so forth................"
Isn’t it amazing? It is uncanny how similar she and "The Bionic Woman” are!
****
While we would all love to be with them, we have been praying for both Megan and Joel and have been living through them. Here is a link to World Hope the organization Megan works with - World Hope This is a great place to give regarding Haiti!
Below are a couple pics Joel posted recently on his FB
Today I pray for Haiti and for Megan and Joel. Today I pray that You will bless Megan with Bionic strength and give here a powerful birthday miracle. In the name of Your Son and my best friend Jesus, Amen
Happy Birthday Megan!
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Mom
This Christmas we all - Moms husband and kids - put our thoughts about Mom into writing. Then we took bets on who would make her cry more and who would get more laughs... Aimee assembled all the writings into a book and Mom is probably still reading. It was both amazing to write about mom and to read what the rest of my family wrote as well. As far as who won, I would like to say it was me -
Since this is my blog... yeah, it was me.
Here is what I wrote -
Mom,
I wanted to first of all take credit for this astounding idea of writing about how my Mom has greatly impacted our lives. I choose to believe that it was my idea to put into words just how special she is to us and present it to her on Christmas. I also want to note that she was my Mom first. Sure there were others… but lest we forget, there is only one first…
I am still a boy. By this I mean that when it comes to Mom and Dad, I will always be their boy. I have a boy of my own; I have two girls as well, so I can testify to this statement.
A boy needs a dad. My Dad is the best and I think he’s the best because he married up. A boy needs a mom as well. My Mom is also the best and I think it’s for the same reason. I know that doesn’t make sense but stick with me.
I believe that a generation has the privilege of standing on the shoulders of the previous. If Dad didn’t have Mom or Mom, Dad, well, I wouldn’t be standing so tall. However, they do have each other and not only are they better for it, this boy can touch heaven.
Mom and Dad are a living legacy of love. Over the years I have witnessed that love through better or worse run toward the promises of God. Along the ways they have collected some amazing stories.
Often the family will get together and we will remember the stories. Its funny cause during these times, Dad often gets most of the press. I think its because Mom is his publicist. Mom is a good publicist – the best. She is mine as well… and yes she works for the others too. Until I met Karen, Mom was my fiercest advocate; she championed me like no other.
Today I want to model Mom – I want to be her publicist…
Mom pulled into the driveway. I was playing in the backyard – probably army but that information isn’t needed for this story. I met her at the back of the car. Our tan station wagon was full of groceries. Probably a hundred dollars worth, that’s what Mom told me she had spent one time. For a boy who made a dollar-fifty cutting the grass, a hundred might as well have been a million.
Mom carried two bags in through the back door and I followed with one of my own. She had bought fruit roll ups! I went back outside to discover what was in the remaining bags and was shocked to see that the car was moving. Our driveway went from the street past the house and then declined ever so slightly toward the garage. The station wagon was headed straight for the garage doors – we were moments away from a tragedy.
Someone had to do something and quick or… or… the garage doors and the tan station wagon would collide. The devastation would be... devastating.
Without thinking I ran to the car. Jumping in front of it, I braced myself for impact. Then I placed my hands on the hood and put all my 90 pounds to work. At first, the car won. I lost ground at a fairly rapid pace but my mom hadn’t raised a quitter. Ever so slightly the car began to slow down. But would it be enough?
The garage doors where getting dangerously close. Suddenly, it dawned on me, if I couldn’t stop the car I would be crushed between it and the doors. I began to panic. I doubled my effort. It was a Western New York fall day but I was sweating, grunting, groaning, straining.
It was working, it was gonna be close.
My heel struck the garage door and with one last hysterical push I willed the car to stop… and it did. The front bumper came to rest against my chest, my back against the garage door. I had done it!! The euphoria, the victory, I had saved the day! I would be touted as a hero, thanked by my Dad and praised by my Mom… Mom was screaming… mom is screaming. Mom is mad… at me?
“Jason! What are you doing!”
“I saved our car mom.” I said, proud and confused at the same time. This wasn’t the kind of reaction I had been expecting.
Mom seemed pretty upset. “What were you thinking!? What on earth were you thinking?”
“I saved our car, I saved the garage.” I said, a little less certain. I was pretty sure that a new garage door cost more than a hundred dollars but was starting to think one of us was missing something.
Looking back, I get it, I have a son of my own…
When Mom came back out to get more groceries, the car wasn’t were she left it - instead it was rubbing up against the garage. And there was her boy, goofy grin, bight eyed, in between a tan station wagon and the garage doors.
Mom laughs when I tell the story now. Then she again reminds me of how foolish I was. In fact, Mom, I know that while you read this, you will get nervous all over again. And that’s why you are so astounding…
Even though I am twenty-five years removed from this incident my mom carries it. Her gratitude and prayer follow me everywhere. Her thanks to God is probably offered in the same breath as her contending for my continued safety.
Mom isn’t big on boyish adventure. And at first glance you might think she isn’t a risk taker. That she merely married one and then raised five. But you would be wrong. Mom has modeled steady faith all her days. It’s her steady faith that has kept us through the shakey seasons; first as kids, then as teens and singles and now as moms and dads ourselves…
Mom knows God and Mom stands on His promises. There is no greater faith than this. And Mom has made sure that we knew the promises as well. Around the same time that I heroically saved the garage doors and the tan station wagon, my mom gave me a promise.
"They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor."
It’s my scripture, its my promise; it’s for the others as well.
It’s from Isaiah 61; Mom read verses 1-3 to me one evening after church. All three verses are beautiful, filled with promises of Gods goodness displayed through the lives of his people. But the verse that jumped out at me that day, the verse that Mom made sure I got, was the one about becoming an Oak of righteousness planted by God for His glory.
“Jason,” her tone was serious, like when she wanted me to really believe her, like when she told me not to climb over the stair railing. “God gave me this scripture for you. God told me that you would grow up to make Him proud. That you would become a strong man, a good man, a man of faith.”
An oak is a strong tree, a beautiful tree. I liked that promise as a boy and I still do. I am madly in love with God, I have become a worshiper and I am learning faith. Thank you Mom…
Mom has been a person of great promise. I could use the word purpose or destiny but promise is the best fit; promise suggests faithfulness, it implies relationship. Mom has modeled a life of profound faith and deep relationship. She has loved God first and always. She has loved Dad best and because of this she has released a legacy of love to her kids and their kids and their kids kids…
Mom’s life and the promise she nurtured in me… and the others; its led to a faith that has allowed a boy to know that with God all things are possible.
I am still a boy – at least, I am still Moms boy… Like all boys, I’ve always been in a rush to grow up. Along the way, I’ve had adventures. Sometimes there have been tan station wagons headed for garage doors. Sometimes it’s almost seemed as if the station wagon won, and sometimes I hear Moms voice echoing the past “what were you thinking.” But all along the way, Moms promise has kept me. I am an Oak of righteousness planted by God for his good pleasure. Because of Moms faithfulness, I have learned that Great Oaks, well, they stop tan station wagons every time.
Thanks mom, for teaching me how to love, how to dream and how to be faithful, Thanks for speaking and living the promises of Gods good love over my life and for contending on my behalf. Your love has been immeasurable.
I love you back, Merry Christmas.
Your Boy…
The First…
Since this is my blog... yeah, it was me.
Here is what I wrote -
Mom,
I wanted to first of all take credit for this astounding idea of writing about how my Mom has greatly impacted our lives. I choose to believe that it was my idea to put into words just how special she is to us and present it to her on Christmas. I also want to note that she was my Mom first. Sure there were others… but lest we forget, there is only one first…
I am still a boy. By this I mean that when it comes to Mom and Dad, I will always be their boy. I have a boy of my own; I have two girls as well, so I can testify to this statement.
A boy needs a dad. My Dad is the best and I think he’s the best because he married up. A boy needs a mom as well. My Mom is also the best and I think it’s for the same reason. I know that doesn’t make sense but stick with me.
I believe that a generation has the privilege of standing on the shoulders of the previous. If Dad didn’t have Mom or Mom, Dad, well, I wouldn’t be standing so tall. However, they do have each other and not only are they better for it, this boy can touch heaven.
Mom and Dad are a living legacy of love. Over the years I have witnessed that love through better or worse run toward the promises of God. Along the ways they have collected some amazing stories.
Often the family will get together and we will remember the stories. Its funny cause during these times, Dad often gets most of the press. I think its because Mom is his publicist. Mom is a good publicist – the best. She is mine as well… and yes she works for the others too. Until I met Karen, Mom was my fiercest advocate; she championed me like no other.
Today I want to model Mom – I want to be her publicist…
Mom pulled into the driveway. I was playing in the backyard – probably army but that information isn’t needed for this story. I met her at the back of the car. Our tan station wagon was full of groceries. Probably a hundred dollars worth, that’s what Mom told me she had spent one time. For a boy who made a dollar-fifty cutting the grass, a hundred might as well have been a million.
Mom carried two bags in through the back door and I followed with one of my own. She had bought fruit roll ups! I went back outside to discover what was in the remaining bags and was shocked to see that the car was moving. Our driveway went from the street past the house and then declined ever so slightly toward the garage. The station wagon was headed straight for the garage doors – we were moments away from a tragedy.
Someone had to do something and quick or… or… the garage doors and the tan station wagon would collide. The devastation would be... devastating.
Without thinking I ran to the car. Jumping in front of it, I braced myself for impact. Then I placed my hands on the hood and put all my 90 pounds to work. At first, the car won. I lost ground at a fairly rapid pace but my mom hadn’t raised a quitter. Ever so slightly the car began to slow down. But would it be enough?
The garage doors where getting dangerously close. Suddenly, it dawned on me, if I couldn’t stop the car I would be crushed between it and the doors. I began to panic. I doubled my effort. It was a Western New York fall day but I was sweating, grunting, groaning, straining.
It was working, it was gonna be close.
My heel struck the garage door and with one last hysterical push I willed the car to stop… and it did. The front bumper came to rest against my chest, my back against the garage door. I had done it!! The euphoria, the victory, I had saved the day! I would be touted as a hero, thanked by my Dad and praised by my Mom… Mom was screaming… mom is screaming. Mom is mad… at me?
“Jason! What are you doing!”
“I saved our car mom.” I said, proud and confused at the same time. This wasn’t the kind of reaction I had been expecting.
Mom seemed pretty upset. “What were you thinking!? What on earth were you thinking?”
“I saved our car, I saved the garage.” I said, a little less certain. I was pretty sure that a new garage door cost more than a hundred dollars but was starting to think one of us was missing something.
Looking back, I get it, I have a son of my own…
When Mom came back out to get more groceries, the car wasn’t were she left it - instead it was rubbing up against the garage. And there was her boy, goofy grin, bight eyed, in between a tan station wagon and the garage doors.
Mom laughs when I tell the story now. Then she again reminds me of how foolish I was. In fact, Mom, I know that while you read this, you will get nervous all over again. And that’s why you are so astounding…
Even though I am twenty-five years removed from this incident my mom carries it. Her gratitude and prayer follow me everywhere. Her thanks to God is probably offered in the same breath as her contending for my continued safety.
Mom isn’t big on boyish adventure. And at first glance you might think she isn’t a risk taker. That she merely married one and then raised five. But you would be wrong. Mom has modeled steady faith all her days. It’s her steady faith that has kept us through the shakey seasons; first as kids, then as teens and singles and now as moms and dads ourselves…
Mom knows God and Mom stands on His promises. There is no greater faith than this. And Mom has made sure that we knew the promises as well. Around the same time that I heroically saved the garage doors and the tan station wagon, my mom gave me a promise.
"They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor."
It’s my scripture, its my promise; it’s for the others as well.
It’s from Isaiah 61; Mom read verses 1-3 to me one evening after church. All three verses are beautiful, filled with promises of Gods goodness displayed through the lives of his people. But the verse that jumped out at me that day, the verse that Mom made sure I got, was the one about becoming an Oak of righteousness planted by God for His glory.
“Jason,” her tone was serious, like when she wanted me to really believe her, like when she told me not to climb over the stair railing. “God gave me this scripture for you. God told me that you would grow up to make Him proud. That you would become a strong man, a good man, a man of faith.”
An oak is a strong tree, a beautiful tree. I liked that promise as a boy and I still do. I am madly in love with God, I have become a worshiper and I am learning faith. Thank you Mom…
Mom has been a person of great promise. I could use the word purpose or destiny but promise is the best fit; promise suggests faithfulness, it implies relationship. Mom has modeled a life of profound faith and deep relationship. She has loved God first and always. She has loved Dad best and because of this she has released a legacy of love to her kids and their kids and their kids kids…
Mom’s life and the promise she nurtured in me… and the others; its led to a faith that has allowed a boy to know that with God all things are possible.
I am still a boy – at least, I am still Moms boy… Like all boys, I’ve always been in a rush to grow up. Along the way, I’ve had adventures. Sometimes there have been tan station wagons headed for garage doors. Sometimes it’s almost seemed as if the station wagon won, and sometimes I hear Moms voice echoing the past “what were you thinking.” But all along the way, Moms promise has kept me. I am an Oak of righteousness planted by God for his good pleasure. Because of Moms faithfulness, I have learned that Great Oaks, well, they stop tan station wagons every time.
Thanks mom, for teaching me how to love, how to dream and how to be faithful, Thanks for speaking and living the promises of Gods good love over my life and for contending on my behalf. Your love has been immeasurable.
I love you back, Merry Christmas.
Your Boy…
The First…
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