Now the Pressure is on

So it looks like I have readers a lot sooner than I expected. Yes, I know and understand that my posts were posted in a public domain, but I wasn’t quite sure I was going to intentionally share it publicly any time soon. 

I’m sure most who have read my last posts already know me, but I’d like to make it very clear that I am not a literary genius by any stretch of the imagination. So this space is where I’m just putting my thoughts. There will most likely be rambling and probably the odd rant(I’m not perfect), so I would love feedback on what I’m sharing. 

I read a lot of blogs and have received so much from others willingness to share. I felt that 2014 should be the year that I attempt to do the same. 

This tweet reaffirmed what I’ve been feeling in my spirit 

Here’s the link for any who’d like to read the article. 

So if you want to share in my burdens/struggle and victories, then please continue to follow me. 

It would appear that my last post caused a lot of questions. None of which were actually asked directly to me, but rather the gossip mill started quickly. I’m pretty sure that most who read my posts were professing Christians and members of my church, so I struggle to understand why a conversation with me directly, was avoided. Perhaps, I’m not as approachable as I believe myself to be…  I will, however clarify that I simply resigned my leadership position at my current church. My family and I will continue to worship there until such a time that God tells us otherwise. 

I can’t promise that this blog will be very interesting or exciting, but in any case welcome to Me!

Cheers

Jason

What I’m reading this week:

• Great Leadership blogs @ http://careynieuwhof.com/
• Boundaries & Necessary Endings by Dr. Henry Cloud

Listening to:

• Today’s Top Worship Songs – Songza
• Mars Hill Church – Malachi Series(Mark Driscoll)

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God Cares

Leave all your worries with him, because he cares for you. (1 Peter 5:7 GNT)

Not sure what it is about this week, but it has truly been a week of God’s care for me on display. From finding a pair of winter boots at an unbelievable price, or the pair of missing pants that was threatening a teenage meltdown, being found. Or even the unexpected finances that showed up in my bank account this week.

I can truly say that 2014 has started off on a terrific foot for me. In every aspect of my life I have felt productive. 

Not only am I feeling great, but I’m also learning more about myself and drawing closer to my God. I was able to share my faith this week with an old friend without hesitation. Finally, my relationship with God has reached the point of mattering more to me than what others think of me. 

Being in a leadership role at my church has been very rewarding.  Feeling a part of something so much bigger than myself, has been humbling.  When I started hearing from God that it was time to move on, I hesitated because I had felt that God would not call me away from somewhere without telling me where to go to, and I enjoy being a part of leadership.  This week I came to the conclusion that God’s not going to tell me where to go to, because I had not been obedient in leaving where he told me to leave.  So I made the move and resigned my post.  It’s funny how all the anxiety I had over making the decision and the resulting conflicts/issues that would present themselves, just seemed to melt away, and I’m left with such an amazing peace about the decision.  It was the right decision and I’m glad I’ve been obedient to the voice of God.

Looking forward to what God has for me this week

Jason

What I’m reading this week:

• The Promise of Provision – Derek Prince
• How to Respond when you feel Mistreated – John Bevere

Listening to:

• Today’s Top Worship Songs – Songza
• Living uncluttered with God – Jude Fouquier(City Church in Ventura California)
• Mars Hill Church – Malachi Series(Mark Driscoll)

A New Year, a new me…

Tradition says I should create a list of New Year resolutions, and so out of sheer habit, I compiled my annual list of lofty personal goals for 2014.  Among the list are the typical and common, eat better, drink less coffee, exercise more. 

Although, it is largely inspired by tradition and a sense of something that you’re supposed to do, there is something so significant with the closing of one year and the start of another.  There is an expectation of a whole year full of opportunities.  Some are hoping for children, a better job, to shed a few pounds, take a vacation of a lifetime, and the list goes on.  On January 1^st, the doors of opportunity are wide open.  Some of us will sadly just shut the door in fear of the unknown and wait until December 31^stto open it again, for just a moment.  Other’s stand in the door and observe the opportunities, but never take a step outside and just “go for it”.  I want to be one of those that open the door and run without hesitation into everything that God has for me in the New Year.

I’ve found the best way for me to establish my goals for 2014 is to first review my 2013.  There is only one ultimate goal that I have from last year that really even matters, and unquestionably is the only one that will matter every year going forward.  When I look at the end of each year, if I can say that my walk with God is stronger and more intimate, then I can say I have had a successful year.

Despite the heart aches and disappointments from 2013, through it all, my God is more real to me at the start of 2014 then he was last year.  I’ve learned in 2013 to make spending time in the Word of God of utmost importance, and although I was not as consistent as I would have liked, I know that it was better than it was in 2012.

I choose to not just stroll through 2014, but I will run.  I am determined to become a morning person and set aside at least 30 minutes at the start of every day for God.  Anybody that knows me would understand that is a fairly lofty goal.  There’s just something about how comfortable my bed is at 6am.  It will be a sacrifice for me to give that time to God, but by the grace of God I will achieve it.

My wife has been throwing around the word intentional a lot lately.  So let’s make 2014 our most intentional year yet.  I’m not setting my goals with the hope that I will somehow meet them, but I will purpose in my heart to be consistently intentional in working to achieve them.

I will have another successful year!

Cheers to 2014

Jason

What I’m reading this week:

• The Promise of Provision – Derek Prince

Listening to:

• Today’s Top Worship Songs – Songza
• Messenger International – Changing the Way You See(Lisa Bevere)
• Mars Hill Church – Malachi #1 How Have you Loved Us (Mark Driscoll)