Monthly Archives: March 2014

The Old Rugged Cross

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On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,

The emblem of suff’ring and shame;

And I love that old cross where the dearest and best

For a world of lost sinners was slain. 

I was listening to a playlist on Rdio this morning while working, and “The Old Rugged Cross” somehow made it into the mix.  As I moved my mouse to click next and move to something a little more modern and “relevant” to today.

Something made me pause, and now as I sit here listening to a myriad of “old” songs from days gone past, my mind is spinning from all the moments in my life that I connected with God on an intimate level, and the people that were instrumental in those experiences.  

When I listen to the hymns, I’m taken back to a time when people like my Uncle Allen led worship service.  As we slept under the pew, played with colouring books, or later in our teens, passed notes around, these songs made their way into my subconcious and remind me of the times when I saw lives changed, and hope restored.  When an old course comes on, I’m reminded of those times when “The Glory Fell”, and when once again lives were changed and hope restored…

Last week as I listened to the same playlist, “Father Abraham” was even in the mix, and I’m reminded of all the ladies that dedicated their lives to our Sunday School.  They made sure that everyone knew what the actions to all the songs were.  Somehow Sister Forgraves could out action all us kids.  These ladies may not have realized the lifetime impact their dedication and love for us kids would have had.

We can all find problems with our past, and it’s sometimes easy to point out all the flaws, but if we look, sometimes really hard, for the most part there were people that loved God, and were obedient to His calling on their lives.  No matter how small or insignificant it may have seemed at the time, they chose to walk in their God ordained destiny’s.

I’m certain that I’m not the only one who’s life has been impacted by the Sunday School teachers, Bus drivers, ushers, Youth pastors, senior pastors, and the faithful seniors that you knew were praying for you.

In a world that says new is better, it’s important to sometimes take a step back and look at where we’ve come from.  In all situations we face there is something to learn.  Something about ourselves, something about others, and often something about God.

So today, take a walk back in time.  Reflect on the good, learn from the bad, and always rejoice for where God is taking you.

Till next time.


Jason

What I’m reading this week:


Listening to:

  • Nostalgic Christian Worship on Rdio
  • Today’s Top Worship Songs – Songza
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Well, This is embarassing

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So much for New Year Resolutions eh???

Isn’t it funny how ambitious we are when the new year starts, but then as the winter drags on we lose steam…  One thing I’m learning so far this year is to constantly re-evaluate and re-adjust.

So this is me re-adjusting… 

At the beginning of the year this felt very important to me, and so I committed to being consistent in documenting and sharing my thoughts.  As work load at the office seemed to sky rocket and the endless round trips to the rink for Hockey and Skating, my drive to keep this updated seemed to dwindle.

Despite not adjusting well to the recent time change, I am doing well with my resolution to become a morning person.  I have found that starting each day off with a cup of coffee, my bible and a cuddly dog have done wonders for setting the tone for my day.

I’ve also subscribed to http://storylineblog.com/ and have found that the productivity template is helping tremendously to help structure my day.  Even on those days that I’ve forgotten to fill it out the routine that I am starting to develop takes over, and I’m still productive.

My quest for knowledge and all things leadership has not subsided.  Perhaps reading great leaders is a bit intimidating and part of the lack of desire to blog.  In any case, here I am again and gonna give it another shot.

One of the most recent verses that’s been on my mind is:

I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits,

and in his word I put my hope.

Psalm 130:5(NIV)

Hope seems to be a very over used word, and in my opinion somewhat abused.  Often we’re just wishing for something to happen, but calling it hope.  

In an article about Necessary Endings by Dr. Henry Cloud, he says this about hope:

Hope is one of the greatest virtues in life.  However, it can also serve as an impediment to success if we don’t have a real, objective reason for hope.  Hope without reason is only a desire or wish; not a hope you can expect to materialize.

This has struck a cord in me these last few weeks.  When dealing with projects to give up on, dreams to stop aiming for, relationships that have out lived their season, it helps to put into perspective whether I’m just wishing for a good outcome, or whether there is real hope to keep things alive.

In Dr. Henry Cloud’s book there are many ways to identify when there is hope and when there is not.  I won’t even try to do it justice, cause I’m not confident that I could do so.  I would strongly recommend any leader, whether you’re in church leadership, corporate leadership, or even leading your family, pick up this book and give it some serious consideration.

I will try to write again soon.

Jason

What I’m reading this week:


Listening to:

  • Today’s Top Worship Songs – Songza
  • Mars Hill Church – Mark Driscoll