give to grow...

Matthew 25:14-30 speaks of the parable of the talents, more specifically for me the one who took no risk with while the others took a risk of uncertainty. The others took that faith lead risk, that they may grow in faith. They risked it all so that God would act on their action.

Thanks Holly for making this so clear, in your message, "PURE." I am surrounded by great people. People who seem to be available, willing to allow God to use them as assets in the lives of others. By that very response and action of availability they are avoiding spiritual stagnation. They are the ones growing, the ones I am drawn to. See God will use you, only you stand in the way of that power. Sandra said something last night to me, she has been entrusted with something. Though she may wish to bury it in the earth (she knows what I am talking about) many feet under the soil! She said, "I may not care about this....., but I care about the relationship." What Sandra said was a simple statement with powerful impact on me, essentially you have to risk....you give to grow!

Here's revelation to me; you grow spiritually by investing yourself into people, using the gifts, talents and resources God has invested into you. Avoid spiritual stagnation by allowing Him to use those very gifts, do not hide them in the sand. He will then show you, He can then use you, He then can feel your worship! As Pastor Steven said this past Sunday, worship is equal parts revelation and response.....

ah....yes!

The old familiar predicament of searching for potential employees, balancing a sense of humor and integrity! Here is a direct quote from a resume'! So good I had to post it as life is just simply funny sometimes....

"Self employed, owner of ------.,(til this fine economy of ours went into the crapper)
I'm located in Waxhaw and would be willing to provide references should this actually go anywhere....
....but I'm headed to Charlotte Motor Speedway on Wednesday and will be out of contact til the last race is done..... and the last beer gone!"


See in my industry, here in "NASCAR country," there are only a couple of things that take priority over a serious job hunt! Race weeks & beer, Hunting Season & beer! Comforting to know I have 2 full weeks before I have to make my final decision about his employment with us!

Holy Spirit....

When praying for some friends, over circumstances in their lives that it would be easy to pass judgement, clearly not mine to pass. I would miss the entire lesson of loving others!

Could it be that because of our insensitivity to the working of the Holy Spirit, we often fail to recognize the inner ministry of God in other people's lives?

I came across the story of Hannah & Eli in 1 Samuel, when it became clear for me. Whenever we are tempted to judge another person, I must remember how Eli misunderstood Hannah. Because we cannot fully understand others, we often misinterpret their motives and conduct. Since God alone knows the thoughts and intentions of our hearts, He alone fully understands what motives our behavior.

Simply, I remember Matthew 7:1 "Do not judge, or you too will be judged"

Would it not be better to love others.....than to judge others?

Skipping....perspective

Now just the other day I was holding hands and skipping in a parking lot with one of my daughter's. When someone stopped me, literally stopped me and asked "why are you skipping?" I responded "why wouldn't I?"
1. I was blessed with the opportunity to serve at the non-conference THR3E, all day I was skipping, what a blast to honor and serve God's anointed.
2. That night go to men's group, discuss "The cost of your calling" a message of Pastor Steven's
3. Work is beginning to turn around. Sat in another job meeting when I realized His Provincial timing. Began thinking how will we ever be able to keep up? (been awhile since last had those thoughts!)
4. Heading to a wedding with my best friend, my heart still skips (like a falling chair) when I think about her!
5. My life is surrounded by incredible people
6. My life is blessed with God's Grace
7. My life is filled with restoration, forgiveness, & repentance....I am a new creation in Him!
8. My life is filled with opportunity to PRAISE HIM & Rejoice
9. Did I mention getting away with my bride?
10. Hey Jamie, thanks you've helped my to know how to "choose joy!"

"why wouldn't I skip?"

If you see someone skipping, stop them and ask "why are you skipping!"

significant.....

Had a conversation with a friend recently where he used the words "it is nice to feel important." Now my intentions were not to pick at his words, but I had to interject a thought. I as a man often am focused on "importance" especially as someone who desires to be needed or as my friend LB says "addicted to being a hero." See it is not healthy for me to be important, though it is semantics, important signifies either important or unimportant, relevant or irrelevant, it is judgement based on my limited underdstanding.

Truth is we are all important so we need to see our significance. We are all members of the body. We all bring something, thus we all have value. In that significance I am placing no judgement, rather I understand the value we all bring. That value was the focus Jesus had for me. It had nothing to do with cost He would pay, everything to do with the value of that cost.

Now I would challenge anyone to read Dwight Robertson's book "Plan A, there is no plan b" and step away from that book without being encouraged to understand the value and significance we can all bring to the body of Christ.

what's hiding?

Just the other day I stopped in to buy a sandwich at a deli. People in the seats eating and having their own conversations. People busy working to make orders. Product on the shelves, in the display cases. There was a buzz all over this place, at first glance the scene was so different from what I then noticed. I heard in the back ground the TV programmed to some news network. I could hear the story in the background only to look up to the TV. There across the screen was a big box blocking the program. Inside the box was an announcement from the Satellite provider, "to avoid disruption of service contact customer service regarding outstanding balance." I was profoundly struck by what I realized in that moment.

What hit me is we all have something to hide, we make the outside look all put together. It is the old perception...this is what I want others to see. As if the TV was the eyes of this businesses soul, there it was being disclosed, "All is not as it would appear." Some hide it from others, some try, eventually it becomes exposed. Just another reason I need a Savior in my life, Lord knows as I try to hide it, someone is going to see it. In humility He takes all that from me, He wants it all. The more I seek His grace the more I want to appear put together, it is some less than natural oxymoron...He never hid His wounds for me, He received them for me.

Elevation Church Easter Opener from Elevation Church on Vimeo.
My words will only fall short of the impact this has....turn up the volume, play it over and over. The truth should move those who esteem Him. Here is 2 minutes of truth, hold on.....
Thanks to everyone involved in putting this together for His glory! Jesse, most powerful yet!

Power in weakness.....

In reading through the book of James, many things are written simply that I may understand! Now in the Resurrection season, perspective has been clarified in significant ways. I discover some misconceptions when I think as the world would encourage. Man equates meekness with weakness, humility with inadequacy. God places a high premium on these very attributes that man scorns. The truth is amazingly when we admit our own inadequacy, He shares His total adequacy with us. While the world devalues the man with humility, one who does not thrust himself forward....what if He had not been humble at the cross for me?

Now where do I get this perspective? As Pastor Furtick preached from Isaiah 53:1-6, not your typical Easter message; Pastor drilled home what it is to esteem Christ. What does that look like? What was it like for the pain and suffering as He was pierced for my transgressions and crushed for my iniquities? Pastor asked "Do you hate the sin that put Christ on the cross?" His death was too brutal not to esteem Him, after all He died for me. Now that's perspective, I have got to change......

what level, what risk?

Playing solitaire on the computer I have seen my level of comfort. Instead of risking my "statistics" I prefer to play at a level that allows total comfort, a winning record. I know when my hockey team takes the ice we typically play a better game if we play the first place team, instead of the last place team. We stand the chance of a loss or victory, but we play differently. Are you the underdog or heavily favored for victory?

I am finding I want some predictability in the turbulent seas that is my life right now. I am wanting to play at beginner's level. What is that other than yesterday's success? What am I placing on the line? Am I fighting or folding?

In my journey I am facing giants, the unknown, the odds seem stacked against me. So Biblical reference takes more significance in my walk, what have I been learning? God uses the believer, what that looks like - the weak, the broken, the sinner, the underdog.....
Pastor just shared a message on "4 ways to accelerate escape from no man's land..." His first point was "Take a God lead relational risk." 2 Samuel 12:1-14 Nathan leading David to repentance. Another I think of is Jonathan in 1 Samuel 14, he took a risk from the safety of the pomegranate tree and defeated the Philistines. The odds were not in his favor! I have got to stop feeling sorry for myself, stop waiting on Him. I have to move to Him.....no matter what the outcome I need to step into Him. After all the scripture goes on to say "perhaps the Lord will act on our behalf." If I do not even take the step, how can He act on our behalf? Taking the risk of "act on our behalf" is my part here, have faith, God lead risk, not foolish risk. Taking comfortable risk is no risk at all......

Power to or power through.....

"Is it the power to me or is it the power through me?"
Used to be without a doubt, it's me....to me was the answer.

Here is the profound explanation I received today in reading scripture. The Dead Sea, the largest body of water in a dry thirsty land, is exactly that - a dead sea. The water flows to it, there is no outlet so evaporation and stagnation make it polluted and useless. This is a powerful illustration of faith if I allow it to stagnate. We can know all the right things and even say all the right things, but if our faith finds no expression - no outlet - it is dead. One of the ways true faith will manifest itself is in our attitudes and actions towards others.
(John 7:37-38)
His life giving water must flow through us to touch others...I can not miss the key of that thought. It has nothing to do with the words I speak, everything to do with the Spirit in which it's spoken.

Ouch

Saturday, Sandra and I heard a story that brought me to my knees. We had to pray for this couple, a couple we may never meet, yet our testimony may.... I was so burdened by what I heard, I could not stop at hearing, we had to take action.