Don't Hand it Back!

It may seem too often that I refer back to Peter's adventurous, but few, steps out of the disciple-packed boat onto the waters before Jesus, but it's truly an iconic lesson for me for many aspects of my life and leadership.

The main point is he got out of the boat.  The second point is that he lost focus and plunged into the water.

But what I love about how it all went down is the journey Peter likely took as he sunk.  I imagine how incredible it must have been for him to be participating at such an intimate level with Jesus.  But I can also imagine how Peter, although soaking in every moment of it, ultimately had that moment many of us have when we realize it just might be TOO good.  It's that moment where we think to ourselves that this wasn't meant for us, but someone who's more capable to handle it, or when we think it's an accident that it's happening to us, and we'd rather hand the moment back than go through the possible pain of failure.

So Peter sinks.  So we sink.

This life experience has visited me twice recently, and I'm thankful I had the intuition and Spiritual guidance to let it be, to love it, and NOT to hand it back.  After all, it's quite difficult for God to work blessings in our lives if we keep handing them back.

Life experience #1:  Moving into our house last weekend.  It was an entirely overwhelming experience.  But NOT because there was chaos and disaster, but because it was too organized, too efficient, and too well supported by church, family, and friends.  We were done moving in 2 hours flat!  Things were going so well that I could no longer control it or be involved in it.  I had to just let go and trust and soak it all in.  (I'm thankful I didn't try to slow the process down or turn anyone away!)

Life experience #2:  Ground breaking on our Patio project at the church (an outdoor facility for recreation, conversations, and new community).  The project has felt relatively safe on paper, but the moment our project manager shared that not only would we make a couple pock marks at the ceremony, but that by the afternoon, the location would be excavated and leveled for footings and cement, I felt a wave of panic.  My instinct, like Peter's, was to run out to our graceful project manager and ask him if we could just think about it a little longer and make sure we're all ready to go before moving forward.  Thankfully I didn't.  This is God's work and God's blessing.  Let it go, just float in this moment Jason... are the words I spoke to myself.  Stay on the waters and keep your eyes on Jesus.  He wants to use this Patio as HIS dock.

And so, a week later, our house looks like we've lived there half a year.  And yesterday, before I even left the church for the day, I had the joy and treat of catching Josh Hardesty, whose children we recently had the chance to baptize, doing one of the things he does best:  moving dirt!

My lesson:  Don't hand it back.  This is God's, and it's yours.


More to come!

Jason <><

The Failing 50s!

A few years ago, as an engaged couple Sarah and I visited my good cousin of mine, a retired Naval officer, who lives outside of D.C.  We went to church with him while we were there, which was a treat.  Of course, after the service, we headed to the doughnut and coffee line where we were greeted by a very friendly man.  Even IF I was a pastor and currently serving a church, we were still a little nervous to be the targeted guests at another church.

The man who approached us quickly learned about our connection to his church and about our upcoming wedding plans.  Then he began his wedding advice.  Sarah and I braced.  I counsel couples as part of my role.  I already knew all the good things to pass on to others before they get married.  Sarah was anxious about him saying something that would conflict with our values.

Then he said these words of advice that have rung so true and wise for us during these last couple of weeks before the move:  "Look.  Forget what they say about making things 50/50, about you each carrying equal weight in your marriage..."  We thought he was going to remind us that I, as the husband, was to be the head of our household.  We embrace that completely now, but at the time, it was still something we were wrestling to get our hearts around.  Instead, he continued as such:  "Instead, you each give it 100/100.  EVERY DAY.  That's what a marriage takes.  You don't count your efforts and make sure they match or exceed the other's.  You give it your all.  And when your 100% turns out to be much less than the other's 100%, it still works.  You'll both be pouring all you are into things, but when you fall short, the other person's 100% will cover yours."

It's simple, but brilliant advice.  And it's true.  This last week before our Saturday move, Sarah trudged through her midterms, which were nothing but exhausting.  Things at church also have a way of getting intense as we approach Easter and a new building project.  But as it went, Sarah's 100% was to get through her week the best she could.  My 100% was to stay engaged with the church, but it also included managing most of the final move process:  closing documents & arrangements, address & utility changes, packing, cleaning, & cooking, etc.

If we were stacking our 50/50s next to each other, conflict surely would have arisen.   But when we stacked up our 100/100s, knowing we were both giving it our all, we simply realized how much we love and care for each other, and how much God is willing to be present with us to give us exactly what we need--nothing more, nothing less.  There was no shame, no guilt, no resentment between us.  Just pouring all we had into this thing we call our life and family.

Now it's Monday, and I'm at the church once again.  But Sarah is on spring break--free to tackle all the lingering projects and unpacked boxes.  Her 100% is going to be huge for us this week.  And I'll give my 100% as well.  It won't have nearly the same affect as Sarah's but there's no shame, no guilt, no resentment.  And God is good.


More to come!

Jason <><

Funny Animal

As Sarah and I prepare to move into our first house together, our apartment grows more and more stale and bare.  It's sad for us at times to see our first home slowly fade into boxes.  Additionally, the added task of packing has added to the stress of the season.  Ultimately, however, I've been thankful for God's presence in this time, as I think we're doing pretty good.

At least on the surface.

Although I may seem to be alluding to underlying tensions and destructive behaviors, I'm not.  We're safe.  But I do know that while we feel we're doing great with the task of moving, it is weighing on us heavier than we realize sometimes.  Sarah tells me every morning about the particular dream she had that night about the house--company, decorations, events, etc.  I on the other hand, usually wake up to hear stories, once again from Sarah, about the out loud conversations I was having in my sleep.  They are outrageous to hear about, and nearly as frequent as Sarah's house dreams.

But there's another thermometer we use to gauge the levels of stress in our home.  Our cat Gizmo.

When the cat gets freaky, we realize we might be carrying a little more stress than usual.  Again, we're not necessarily carrying the full weight of the world, but Gizmo is surely telling us there are a couple good-sized rocks in our packs.

So the cat is a little freaky these days.  Nightly sprints, morning sprints, anytime sprints--all around the apartment (no one's chasing her, I promise), lots of loud meows, bushy tails and army crawls arrive at the slightest sounds, and the occasional butterfly stomach sneaks up and causes her to give back her supper.

Poor cat.

But we figure if we can make it, so can she; and if she can, we can.  Here's to funny animals and our reactions to stress.


More to come!


Jason <><

Church Lesson!

This last Sunday concluded our first totally remade Vital Christianity and Covenant (VCC) class for membership and personal growth.  It was awesome!  Yes, it was the pilot class that will help us work out all the kinks for future classes, but nonetheless, I loved it.

It was based on relationships, why Horizons does things "backwards," what's going on in the world of theology and the church, and how God is so BIG.  Tons of Horizons people came and shared their stories, about how they lead, how they were saved, or what Horizons means to them.

Sure, we're pretty certain everyone who took the class learned a fair amount.  But I'm pretty sure I learned even more!

Even though my energy is pretty much spent by the time VCC is finished on Sunday afternoons, I've left each class beaming and smiling.  The conversations on tough topics, the laughter, the prayers being prayed for and between people who don't know each other very well, and the other leaders doing their things, give me large smiles and a lot to be thankful for.

In the process of this class, I also had the chance to hear from some of the original Horizons people--people who have been at the church exponentially longer than I have.  I've learned and relearned about the Spirit that drove trusting hearts to do something new.  I've discovered and rediscovered the passion of the church from the beginning to do things backwards--on purpose!  Because God called us to it!  I've learned more about the concerns and the passions of those making Horizons their new home, and I've learned about how God can bring together beautiful teams of leaders, teachers, hosts, and lunch servers.

After these six great weeks, I'm happy to say I passed the class and have grown much from it!   Amen.  Now this Sunday (the 16th) we'll witness several new Horizons people making their covenants with God in our ministry.  And it will be beautiful!


More to come!

Jason <><

Son of God

Sarah and I have been saving a Marcus Theaters gift card given to us at Christmas, and finally it felt like it was time to put it to use!

Of course, being a Pastor and Pastor's Wife combo, the only two logical options were Noah and Son of God (we actually do watch all kinds of movies, but laugh at our "nerdy" inclinations).  Not necessarily up for a Gladiator 300 with Russel Crowe, we opted for Son of God.

All in all, I applaud the effort and the final result.  It's a refreshed expression of a timeless savior--a renewed witness to God's gift to us and what Jesus may well have been like.  These are the efforts I believe will continue to welcome the lost and seeking and communicate God's love and truth to our current generations.  Amen to that!

I also enjoyed the film for the chance it gives us to see how we in our current day, with the stresses, challenges, and issues we're facing, are approaching and envisioning our God.  The character and being of God doesn't change, but how we see and relate to God changes how we see God (just like our parents often seem like the most short-sighted, unfair creatures on the planet until we start attempting to build our own homes or raise our own families).

From the movie, we can see that as creation we are seeking true connections, true hope, and love.  Less than we are craving one of absolute power and dominion and mystery, we're desiring to know and see a God who really gets us, who really faced the same things we do, and who struggled in the midst of his leadership.  This is the Jesus, the Son of God, portrayed on the big screen.  It's neither a false or correct portrayal because it's impossible to portray the full being of God.  But nonetheless, it's the Jesus many will come to know through the film.

My only disappointments with the movie were that the events are completely out of order and randomly compiled in the movie.  It was to the extreme that at one point Sarah leaned over to whisper "I didn't know that's when that happened.  I thought it was earlier," and my response being, "Yeah, it's not..."  Also, if anyone watched the Bible mini-series on TV, they'll recognize a significant portion of the series carefully placed throughout the story line.

Ultimately, I'm thankful the movie exists and they we had a chance to see it.  And I pray it'll be another mountain-moving mustard seed of a movie for many!


More to come!

Jason <><