Hey everyone,

I am so sorry that I have not posted anything for a couple of weeks. This has been a crazy few weeks and I really have not had much time to sit and post things. I will try to post something next week. Please be praying for the things of the church and remember to reach out and give grace to those around you.

In His Grip,
Pastor Jason

Sitting here this morning I have been thinking about the reasons we reach out to others. I know that we reach out to  meet a need in our own life or we reach out to fulfill a need in another person’s life. So then I had to ask myself the question of why did I reach out to someone recently? I guess we all tend to use both reasons at different points in our lives. As I began to think this thought out I also came to another conclusion. When we reach out for ourselves, it tends to be a self-destructive or negative action or negative words (about ourselves or others). Think about it, I know the times that I need someone or something in my life and I did not know where to go to get that need met, I used a negative action to cause people to look to me to help me fulfill a need that I had. So, why do we need to reach out? As I thought about this I came to another conclusion that we tend to reach out for ourselves when we are lacking in deep intimate relationships with others or with God. I know that when Marcia and I are communicating and practicing intimacy there is no need to be thinking about myself. Or if I am practicing intimacy with friends (being honest and vulnerable) then I tend not to feel like my emotional needs are not being meet. It is in the times of a lack of intimacy with people that we tend to get negative or self-destructive. Now follow me on this. When I am not practicing intimacy with God then I tend to depend on others to meet my emotional needs. Not saying that when I am close to God that I don’t need others in my life, but I tend to be more dependent on Him for the things in my life. I am reminded of a verse in the Bible story found in Luke 7. Jesus was teaching at a house of a Pharisee and He was there teaching and a women came into the house at broke open a jar of very expensive perfume, washed his feet with her tears and dried them with her hair. The thing is the fragrant oil that was used was a burial spice and this held so much significance. She was reaching out to Jesus to meet His needs to have His feet cleans and she was also beginning the process of His death for her sins. She was also meeting a need and Jesus saw this servant’s heart and also saw her need and reached out to her with forgiveness. How many times did Jesus tell us to serve others and put them first? Jesus has already promised to take care of us and our needs. But I believe that we can have our needs met through our service to others also.  I think this is a principle that we need to begin to practice. We need to reach out to others to fulfill their needs and let us trust Christ to fulfill our true needs. Jesus knew that what this women needed was forgiveness. You see, He is really the only One that truly sees what we really need. So, back to the question from the beginning, “Why do we reach out”? Take some time to examine why you reach out and ask God to show you where you need Him to meet you and how He can help you by reaching out to people around you.

In His Grip,
Pastor Jason

It is my prayer that within the next few months I will be able to post a chapter (I will be trying to post one every month or two). Please pray that God will give me wisdom and creativity as I set forth on this new journey.

In His Grip,
Pastor Jason

Greetings everyone,

I was having a hard time coming up with something to write about until youth group on Wednesday night. We saw a video by Greg Stier (Dare2Share) about anger. It really made me think and I thought that the church needed to hear something about this as well. Let me ask you a question, what are two things that make you angry? I could name a few myself, like disrespect or bullying, these just set me off. Let me ask you some more questions. Are the things that you get mad about have an eternal significance? When was the last time you got angry about sin? Let that sink in for a minute. When was the last time you got angry that the enemy was trying to trash a friend’s life through sin? I know that our “friends” make there own choices and we have consequences for these choices, but should we not still be angry at it. I think so many times we just let sin go by and it has no effect on us. Why is this? I think there are a number of reasons. Maybe we feel that if we say something that we will be a hypocrite because of things in our life. Well, I get that, but maybe that should spur us on to try to change those things in our lives. We will let others miss out on God’s abundant life because we are scared to be open to others? In all reality fear is the  most common source of not speaking to those around us.

In Acts 17, Paul is in Greece and he is walking around the city and he is noticing all the idols of gods that people worshiped. He saw all the people’s sin and it angered him. In the original language the word us tells us that he was outraged. So, what did he do? He went to the synagogue and found other believers and “reasoned” with them. He met them in all the places that people congregated and asked this question, “What are you all doing about this?” You see it is our (the church’s) responsibility to teach and disciple others – I believe we call this the great commission (Matthew 28:19-20). Many of us believe that we should not get angry at all. Well I don’t believe this, because anger is an emotion that God put in us and the Bible tells not to sin in our anger. You see it is our actions when we are angry that tell us if we are acting from the flesh or from the Spirit. Sometimes I think many of us are guilty of the sin of complacency and/or silence.

Now, I am not saying we need to go and shove the bible down our friends throat or stand on the street corner with a megaphone telling everyone that they are all going to hell – these never work! What I am saying is that in our relationships, we speak when God tells us. This means two things. One, we must be able to hear God and His instructions. Second, we must be open and vulnerable to those that God has put in our lives. This is having intimate relationships. Yes, this might mean you will get hurt but what does that really matter when we stack that up against eternity.

Here are some questions to think about.

When was the last time you got angry about sin?
When was the last time you were guilty of complacency or silence?
Are you able to hear God or maybe we should ask it this way, are you in a position to hear God?
What are you willing to give or do in order to see those in your life have eternity with God?

Hey everyone!

Have you noticed how much fog we have had lately? The funny thing for me is that the fog reminds me of home in CA. It does not get as thick here as it did there but it is still fog. Have you ever had the experience of seeing a fog bank roll in off the ocean? It is amazing! it rolls in so quick that you sometimes don’t realize what is going on.

Anyway, I was thinking about all this when I asked my self a question. When was the last time I felt like I was in a fog? You know the feeling. It is like you can’t find your way out, every things looks the same.  You feel lost, sometimes you feel alone and sometimes you are scared. Do you remember a time when you felt scared? The funny thing is most people will not admit it but they live their life in fear and they just cover it up. You know there is another feeling I feel in a real fog bank, safe. I know you might think I am crazy but, it is true. Think about it, it’s like you are covered up and you can’t see anyone and no one see you. I remember as a kid camping on the beach I would play army or something like that and first thing in the morning when the fog rolled in it was secret mission time. The enemy was in the fog and I could sneak up and take him out. There are many stories about fog in our history books. You all know the picture of George Washington standing up at the end of a small boat looking out over the river. There is a true story behind that. It seems that Washington and his men were trapped, they were surrounded by the British and it looked like they were done for. Well, it was said that Washington told his men to get the boats ready and that they in the earliest part of the morning would try to sneak out. It happened that as they were going a fog bank rolled in and covered them so they could get across. The fog also did something else, it made it so the sound would not carry as far and that was a big part of the miracle. oh, did I mention that they were in a part that hardly ever had fog like that – hmmmmm – sounds like God at work again.

I find myself at times feeling like I am in a fog. Sometime in a positive way (like being safe) and other times I feel lost and alone. But there is one thing that I know and that is not matter how I feel, i must stand of the promises of God. Feelings fail us and we need to rely on His powerful truths and plans for us. Last post I mentioned Jeremiah 29:11 and that is one truth that I have held on to for years. There are a couple others that have great meaning to me. Psalms 91 and 139 have also been a source of strength for me in those times of being over whelmed with the fog of life. I would love if you would turn the these passages and read them and maybe even try to memorize them. I know that sometimes when we feel like we are safe in His arms and wrapped up in Him, but that doesn’t mean that we just do nothing. This is the time to give Him praise Him for his loving kindness.  To those of you who are living in fear let me ask you something. “If God is for you, who can be against you?” OK, so it’s really not my question but you get it. Read Psalms 139 and take it heart and stand on the promises that God has given us. You are a child of God (Roamsn 8:14) and He is your Father and will not let you go and he will not abandon you (Joshua 1:5). He wants to bless and love and forgive and to heal (Matthew 7:11), He wants to restore you (1 Peter 5:10)!

In His Grip,
Pastor Jason

Have you ever taken the time to stop and look back? I remember back when I learned to drive in California (state of), my instructor took me up to the mountains and we spent a good portion of a Saturday just driving in the mountains. We had driven for a while when he had me pull over in a turn out so we could stretch and take a break. I walked up to the rail that was there and was amazed at what I saw. I saw a great valley with a river running at the bottom and a road that was running along the river. It was beautiful to see how awesome the surroundings were. What was really awesome was my instructor told me that the road that was down there was the same road that we were on at that moment. As a teen I did not think that one little incident would have any significance for me, but today for some reason I was thinking how awesome it is that God gives us time to look back to where we have come from. In that time of reflection we can see the powerful hand of God. On that mountain I could see the greatest handiwork that God has ever made – yes, it was that beautiful. I mean the timing was perfect, the sun was at the right place, the weather was cool and there was a slight breeze. But God’s timing is always perfect. The times of reflections come at just the right time. When was the last time you stopped and looked back?

I was reminded of Jemimah 29:11 (look it up and memorize it) this week and through that verse God let me look back at the plans that God has revealed through my life. I was able to see that even in the struggles of life He was working His plan for me. Yes, we are given choice and sometimes that changes the course on which we find ourselves, but God continues to take us closer to His perfect plan. I just wanted to take some time to remind those of you who are reading this that God’s plan is perfect for you. You may not understand where you are in the plan but, trust me, He is faithful and just to finish the work He started in you (Phil. 1:6)

May God bless you this week and may you take the time to look back–not out of regret but in amazement of God’s handiwork in your lives. And may you see the beauty that He sees in you!

In His Grip,
Pastor Jason.

Greetings all,

I know it has been such a long time since my last post. I am going to try to post more this year – we will see how it all works.

Anyway, Over the last few days I have been reflecting on the holiday season and wondering if we really received all that God has for us. I know that we received gifts from friends and family, but I am not talking about these. I am not talking about salvation although that is such a wonderful gift. I am not talking about The gift of the Holy Spirit but I know without that we would all be in a world of trouble tying to do things on our own. What I am talking about is receiving the joy and the awesome wonder that the holiday season brings. As adults we say that all that stuff is for the kids but I think that is why many of us get so depressed during this time, we think it is not for us. I would ask that you would just take a few minutes and reflect with me.

Thanksgiving – A time on the calender that we set aside to give thanks to God for all the things that He has given to us or is it? It can only be this if we make it this on purpose. What did He teach you this year? Did we learn that giving thanks is not just for November 25? Did we we realize that we break the heart of God when we do not stop and take the time to simply say, “Thanks”. Do we realize how much gratitude play apart in our understanding of who God is?

Christmas – A time that our society has given it over to a commercial selling season (not bad for our economy but not so go for our spiritual health). What was learned this year? Did we realize why there is even a St. Nick? Do we realize that St. Nick, out of Christian love began helping those who needed help? Did we realize that most of what we “traditionally” do is really from a pagan celebration that took place on the Roman calendar on December 25th? Now, I say that not to put down tradition but to give thanks to God that He can use anything for His glory and His celebration. This is a great time to realize that even though God has given us people in our lives that we would of not chose for ourselves, but God given so that we would learn how to be servants to our own and to learn acceptance of others. Do you realize that God is using all this stuff so that we would grow closer to Him and that this is truly a gift from Him – a deeper relationship!

New Years – To most people this is another day to drink until drunk and more, to party like there is no tomorrow. But the next day, tomorrow comes and all the things that we wanted to forget is still there and we are just as lost as we were before. But this is not God’s intention! I believe that God can use this day so that we can give Him the next year sacrificially. When was the last time we truly did this? I mean really give him a full day? By doing this we say, “God what ever you ask, where ever you send and who ever you want me to meet – I will do, I will go and I will meet.

It is my prayer that all of us learned something new about Him and received the true gifts of the holidays; a deeper and more intimate relationship with Him and those that He brings into your life. It is my prayer that we will become a more compassionate people and to truly reach out with the hands of Christ in the year to come!

In His Grip,
Pastor Jason

Hey everyone!

I pray that all is going well with each of you. I know this week has been a pretty busy week for me and it looks like things are not going to slow down. God will see me through. I am sitting in my kitchen watching the weather outside of my window. The winds is blowing gently and then all of a sudden here comes an almost violent current. The rain is starting and stopping acting as if it is not sure what it wants to do. In the midst of all of this I find myself full of wonder and awe of my Lord. To understand that He has made all these things and there is gentleness in it and then there is power. I have noticed a bird just sitting on a branch not concerned by the weather but he seems to be enjoying this awesome display of creation. This leads me to ask a question, “Do we sit in awe of God when we consider what He has done for us spiritually?” I think it is easier for us to look at something we can see and praise but for these things that go almost unseen it is harder. I was thinking about that verse we talked about in Romans 8, that “there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ.” I have to say when I consider that I am even more awestruck by the power of God. I think about how He has restored me and gave me power in this life. I consider how in all my mistakes He still loves me and wants what is best for me. Then I think about how he loves each of us in this way. “Who are we that He even thinks of us”, but He does, more than we know or can understand. To think that He has a dream for each of us and he is willing to let us make the choices either towards His dream for us or the other direction. I guess we are just a blessed people and some of us really don’t know it. I am challenging you this week to make it a week of praise and thanksgiving.

I know some of you made some decisions about your relationship with God this past week. I am praying for you and want you to go for it with all that you have and then some. Do not listen to the enemy as he tries to tear at you and keep you from becoming the person that God dreams about in you. I know some of you hit a brick wall this week and feel like giving in but you can stand firm and let the power of the Holy Spirit help you to live a powerful and victorious life.

In His Grip,
Pastor Jason

Greetings,

I was just looking at when the last time I posted and was just amazed at how long it was since my last post. I got to thinking that this is how it goes in our relationship with Jesus. I mean we can be going along and spending time with Him and really growing in out spiritual lives and then something happens. You know how it is something gets scheduled in the time that you study or your go on vacation and don’t keep on your same habits. Then the next thing you know you have gone months and you have not even really spent time with Him. I am guilty of this at time (maybe not months but days anyway) and I have been trying to figure out how we can keep going in this crazy busy life that we have. Here are somethings that have been but on my heart.

1. Keep your time with Jesus just for Him – I think I like first thing  in the morning because there is ussally nohing going on that early.

2. Take Jesus on vacation…Why do we feel like when we go on vacation that we just don’t have to work on our relationship with Him

3. Just do it! never let up and put Him first in all things – to quote a the great theologian Tom Petty, “I will not back down”

I know these sound really simple but I don’t believe that Jesus ever made things complicated. After this weekend I am convinced that we have to get back to they way Jesus lived His life. He spent time with His Father. He prayed and He studied scripture and went out of His way to help people. What would our life look like if we just made our time with Him a priority. This means studying scripture and talking to Him. And what would our community look like if we take the time and help poeple, as Reggie Dabbs says, it is time that we become the hero that our family and our church and our community needs.

My prayer for us is that we become the heroes that look like Jesus. Will you join me in praying that no matter what it takes that God would make us more like Jesus!!

In His Grip,
Pastor Jason

P.S.
I am not sending out reminders anymore so if you think this needs to be passed on tell someone. Thanks!

Greetings,

What a wonderful time we had together in worship and in studying the word of God together. I am so blessed to be able to share my heart with you on a weekly bases and to show you the things that God is teaching me. I know on Sunday that there was a high level of emotions that God ordained for us. Some might think that emotions are not from the Holy Spirit but that It can be a great tool used by the Spirit.  I believe this was evident by the wonderful response to the God’s call to live in light. The emotion that was shown came from a broken heart that sees people chose to stay in the darkness and not receive the joy of the Lord. There is a verse that says, “the joy of the Lord is my strength”, so when God see people living in defeat and without joy, we see a broken heart of God and that came out of me on Sunday.  We are so blessed to be able to hear from Him and to have such a wonderful gentle Savior as He. I am grateful to Him that works great miracles is lives of His people. Amen! Amen! Amen!

This week we will be continuing to look at 1 John and the reality that “God is Light”. He is not “a light” or “the light” – He is light. This is an awesome thing to think about. It is only through Him that we can really “see”. It is through Him that we can really know ourselves. I have been studying the Greek in this passage and there is even a more deep meaning behind these next few verses. We look at what Light (yes, it is capitalized)  means to us (as Christians) and how we respond to Light. If we except this Light what will it look like to us and to those around us? We will see if there is any areas that still need this Light to shine in us and through us. We will see how this Light has everything to do with the purification process of the souls of man kind and how society really wants nothing to do with Light.

Well, I am looking forward to seeing you all in the house of the Lord on Sunday!

In His Grip,
Pastor Jason