Always Being Remade

A couple events over the past week have reminded me this morning of God's constant working in our lives.

I'm first reminded that God isn't working in me simply to make me a better person.  It's easy to get caught up in that line of thinking, but the truth is, God is working on far bigger goals and against far more destructive evils than He is simply concerned about how good I am.

Put plainly, God is working in all of us, yes, in part because of His infinite love and capacity to care for us individually, but also, and primarily, because the work God does in each of us is done in the effort to build the kingdom, remove hatred, selfishness, and greed, and give birth to love that overcomes all.   In the end, what's done in us is for greater things beyond our own little worlds.

1. The first event that has affected my life this last week, though it may sound silly, has been the repainting of the atrium.  Seeing the energy produced by simply bringing a fresh face to the interiors of our ministry has been powerful.  It reminds me of God's continual blessing of our ministry in the continued desire to use our church in and for the world.  Not only does God provide for us to paint the building, but God also washes our ministry in grace, truth, and life, that we might be energized in the season to come.
   
2. The second event was preaching on fear this weekend as a reflection on Peter and John's work in Acts 3 & 4.  I felt led by the Spirit to teach on fear because of my response to other events in and outside of the church.  I learned a ton about fear as my heart prepared for Sunday.  And now, I'm seeing beyond yesterday's teaching how deeply fear has worked itself into the cracks in my life and heart.  In ways I never anticipated, I'm learning how many of my responses and interactions are based on fear of some sort.  If I am teach others about evoking the Spirit to remove their fear, I too need to ask for the same.  Remake me Lord, and wash me free from fear.  Replace it with your love.  

So here's to constantly being remade, just like being repainted, refreshed, reminded, reprimanded, and recast!  

More to come!

Jason <><

Worried About Being Anxious

Even before I became a fully ordained pastor, the Nebraska United Methodist Church made significant efforts to start us young clergy out on the right foot.  A common saying among those who underwent the family systems and self-awareness trainings came out whispering the same mantra "it's all about the non-anxious presence...".

Keeping a non-anxious presence is a powerful teaching and a powerful practice.  Paul writes in Philippians 4:6-7 on the subject not to be anxious about anything, but instead, to bring all of our worries and requests to God through our prayers and petitions and simply be thankful.  The result of this, Paul says, is that the peace of God that exceeds all understanding will keep our hearts and minds safe, firmly rooted in Jesus.

I chuckle.  Are not worry and anxiety two of our greatest and sometimes sneakiest adversaries?  Worry and anxiety steal us of joy in the moment, they rob us of sleep, they bring disharmony into relationships, and the frequently provoke fruitless reactions.  Additionally, while substance addictions and theft (just to name two) clearly have negative results, worry and anxiety present themselves to be far less harmful.  For example, many of us can confess to muttering the following:  I know it's not good for me to worry, but I just can't help feeling anxious about it.  But rarely do we say to ourselves or others, if you keep worrying like that the police WILL find you and they WILL take you away.  While we know our fretting and getting worked up won't help anything, we seldom have genuine concern for the destructive work our worrying is doing underneath.

So in ministry and in life, I strive to live into the opposite of worry and anxiety and instead live into Paul's words.  The result is often comical though.  Over the weekend Sarah and I learned of some accounting mistakes that threw our counts way off, our pet may have some life-shortening health issues, and several of our family friends have had health emergencies.  To top it off, we've run a little late to some meetings and have felt rushed in general.  What came of our responses was my outward attempt not to feel anxious that left me appearing numb and careless while my insides twisted, and Sarah's outward expressions of all that she was experiencing, giving her a slightly frenzied appearance.

Suffice to say, we both know well that mastery over the practice of giving it to God does not come over night or even over the course of years and trainings.  And while we are taught not to carry all our own burdens, we also must be open enough to life that our hearts still hurt and share concern for those who struggle.

Here's to life and the ongoing lessons for Christian living!


More to come!

Jason <><

Ephesians 3:20, A Relationship!

Now officially in our fall stewardship season, or as I like to call it our "Gearing Up" season, we have begun to embrace Ephesians 3:20 for our focus and our foundation.

It's been exciting to feel as though we as a church community are coming together in this season to rally for next year, to see what we can do together when we unite as brothers and sisters and let God work through us.

It's exciting because the Horizons community feels like its taking more of a shape and that we have a much clearer sense of who we are and what we're called to.  There's excitement in the air, rather than trepidation.

Paul's words in Ephesians 3:20 give glory to God and proclaim that God is able to do far more than we could ask of Him or even imagine, and that God does these things, not before us as we wait and watch, but through us as we work and trust.

The verse is inspiring.  It gives us hope and courage.

But, as I focus on this verse today, I'm also reminded it takes faith.  I need to have faith that this verse isn't just a group of words meant to inspire me, but rather they are words to challenge and affirm me.

It takes faith to believe God will truly do greater things than what we could even ask or imagine in our lives, ministry, families, jobs, and situations.  But it's faith worth finding.  And it's the very first step in seeing God do anything beyond what is well within our control.  We have to be able to believe in it.

In the end, what I see God ultimately doing in this time is building relationships with him.  If you were to let someone pick you up and carry you for a distance, you'd quickly have to grow in your trust of that person not to drop you.  The same is for God.

Let us quickly trust!

More to come!


Jason <><

Not Just Blowing Smoke

Sarah and I are fall people.  (I like to consider myself an all-season kind of guy, but we both like the fall season quite a bit.)

In honor of the changing season and cooler temps, we decided to put a couple pieces of wood on the fireplace and let the season of fires begin!  Having not yet had a chance to have a sweep or inspection, we were a little nervous to get too crazy with the fires.  But, the first fire on the main floor went great.  

Friday night went a little differently.  

We had a movie to finish in the basement where our tv room is, and we lit a fire in there instead.  The lights were off, the movie was great, and the fire was VERY warm.  Perfect!

Yet, as the movie wrapped up, we both wondered if it wasn't a little too warm, and maybe even a little smokey.

We turned the lights on to see a tiny blanket of fog hanging out at the ceiling.  Not good, so we decided to water the fire down and call it good until someone could come over.  As the water drenched the fire, the smoke billowed into the room.  It was at that point Sarah went upstairs to get some fresh air.  

But somehow the smoke had made its way upstairs as well, and our house was filled with a gentle haze.  As we opened windows and turned on fans, we talked about the chance of the fireplace being inoperable.  

But of course, upon closer inspection, it was not the fireplace that turned out to inoperable, but instead the operator being incapable.  In my efforts to OPEN the flue, it turns out I partially CLOSED it.  The smoke simply had nowhere else to go!

Luckily we were only burning fire logs at this point, which burn cleanly.  The smoke has cleared, and we have both learned the proper motion for opening the flue!  Although our second fire ended in smoke, we're still happy to have the fall season upon us.

More to come!

Jason <><

Grace is Getting Bigger

In the busy seasons of life, I often get to Sunday feeling somewhat "unfit" for the day.  Ever felt that way?

Part of it comes from busyness itself and not taking enough time with God.  Part of it comes from being distracted or engulfed by other life activities--from events to vacation to projects at home.  Part of it comes from simply being human and reveling too much in the most recent mistakes and shortfalls.

Don't get me wrong.  I love Sundays, and while I love the opening worship, I am typically so excited to teach and engage God's Word I can hardly stand waiting any longer.  God does brilliant things from the Horizons "pulpit!"  But nevertheless, those feelings of guilt, shame, and inadequacy still flood into the corners and cracks, whether they are valid or not.  Somewhere in the midst of the morning a voice in my heart asks if I really deserve to be representing God.

I know this is spiritual warfare.  This is the message Satan is hoping for us to hold onto in our biggest moments when our potential for the Kingdom is highest.  I also know this is accountability as well.  Arrogance and pride will wreck a servant's heart as quickly as any other drug.

But today what hit me is how God's grace is growing in my life in the midst of these situations.  At times I've struggled with what grace is in its depth.  Grace has been difficult for me to define or pinpoint in my personal walk at many points.

The truth is though, through this struggle, grace in my life is getting bigger and more tangible.  Every Sunday, before each service, I take a moment to fall on my knees behind the stage and say these simply words, "Lord have mercy on me, a sinner.  Let all of what you make out of today be for you, not for me."

And then God does what God intended to do with me, my words, my stories, my insights into His word.  God doesn't worry about how worthy I am.  God simply chooses to use me for His purposes.

As I sit down after delivering a message, I often look at my wife Sarah, give her big eyes about what just happened on the stage, and whisper "God is crazy good!"  After all, God is daily trying to remind us, "...my grace is enough for you because power is made perfect in weakness" (2 Cor 12:9).

Grace.  Simple as that.



More to come!

When You Get a Year Older

Brantley Gilbert at the State Fair

Today I'm a year older than I was yesterday!  I love birthdays!  Do I feel older?  Are there things I regret about being older?  Sort-of, and sure.  I feel like I'm growing up, and I fear not being as in touch with younger crowds as I have been.  Other than that?  Forget it!

So, in honor of my birthday, I've listed some things I've done today and am growing into as I age!

Fishing with my dad

Things I've done in honor of my birthday:

• Gathered around family to celebrate being alive and how much others care for me
• Took some time to reflect on this crazy life so far
• Went fishing with my dad
• Thanked God and smiled at this life He chose for me
• Plucked my ear whiskers
• Scheduled my yearly physical exam

Things I'm growing in:

• My ability to be a steady, gentle, and wise servant and leader for God
• My love and appreciation for spending time with my dad and my fun family
• My eagerness to have children someday



Breakfast with the best!

• My nose, ear, and eyebrow whiskers

Here's to 34 and a great road ahead.  My life has really only begun!

More to come!

Jason <><