Over the last week, a person very close to me was blessed with the news that they are going to be getting a new job pending one final approval which seems to be very certain.
What would take pages to write is the amount of effort that it took to persevere in applications, interviews, conversations and speculations that preceded this offer.
This reminds me of how it very often is with prayer. It’s a blessing when we see those tangible answers to prayer, but so much goes on behind the scenes that never gets seen or heard because heaven can seem so silent at times. Be sure of this, in the same way that the “wheels of change” were in motion while my friend was making this application, so the “wheels of providence” are moving as you pray. Luke 18 is very clear that perseverance plays a role in answered prayer. If you’re in one of those moments when things don’t seem to be working then have the courage to continue to pray and know that one day God will either answer clearly or show you what needs to change to take you where He wants you to be.
Blessings!
Dr. Jay
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Daniel in the Lions Den
It was immediately after the second service this past Sunday that my 3 year old grandson Jack came up to me with his weekly “picture” that he had done his best to color brightly and creatively, but within the lines.
The picture was a very familiar one of Daniel, the prophet, surrounded by several very calm lions all squatted down next to him as he stood in the midst of the den, free from fear and violence.
I asked Jack to tell me the story, and he stumbled a bit so I pointed to the main figure in the picture and I said, “Well who’s that?” to which Jack answered: “Jaypa!” (the name that my grandkids call me!)
That went around and got a good laugh for the moment, but it was a lesson to me. Whether we like it or not our children and our grandchildren see us as their heroes. We, in the flesh, represent the great heroes of the faith that they can only read about and barely understand.
What a great privilege and responsibility we have to be those “walking powerful characters” to people all around us.
Blessings!
Dr. Jay
The picture was a very familiar one of Daniel, the prophet, surrounded by several very calm lions all squatted down next to him as he stood in the midst of the den, free from fear and violence.
I asked Jack to tell me the story, and he stumbled a bit so I pointed to the main figure in the picture and I said, “Well who’s that?” to which Jack answered: “Jaypa!” (the name that my grandkids call me!)
That went around and got a good laugh for the moment, but it was a lesson to me. Whether we like it or not our children and our grandchildren see us as their heroes. We, in the flesh, represent the great heroes of the faith that they can only read about and barely understand.
What a great privilege and responsibility we have to be those “walking powerful characters” to people all around us.
Blessings!
Dr. Jay
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Suddenlies...
“I really wasn’t expecting it, but the moment I opened the door I realized that there was a special sense of the presence of God in that room for this event.”
Such was the response of one of our team members who came to our recent “Refiner’s Fire” gathering here at the North Way Wexford campus. There’s just something unique that happens when people gather for the purpose of worshipping God in full surrender and expecting God to “show up”. It was a beautiful Sunday evening and I frankly thought that lots of folks would simply just be outside enjoying the weather.
Rather, a large crowd showed up early and came with expectation, the key ingredient to experiencing God’s presence. It was clear that the Lord was going to do something special. Just like the book of Acts, “suddenly” there was a sound like a mighty rushing wind. There was the sound of praise, worship and thanksgiving to God who promises to inhabit the praises of His people!
You can enjoy that same blessing today!
Blessings,
Dr. Jay
Such was the response of one of our team members who came to our recent “Refiner’s Fire” gathering here at the North Way Wexford campus. There’s just something unique that happens when people gather for the purpose of worshipping God in full surrender and expecting God to “show up”. It was a beautiful Sunday evening and I frankly thought that lots of folks would simply just be outside enjoying the weather.
Rather, a large crowd showed up early and came with expectation, the key ingredient to experiencing God’s presence. It was clear that the Lord was going to do something special. Just like the book of Acts, “suddenly” there was a sound like a mighty rushing wind. There was the sound of praise, worship and thanksgiving to God who promises to inhabit the praises of His people!
You can enjoy that same blessing today!
Blessings,
Dr. Jay
Monday, July 28, 2008
A Soaking Rain
Here in the heart of southwestern PA, it’s been very dry over the past several weeks.
We’re really in need of a “soaking rain”; not one that just comes and goes but one that lingers for a whole day and soaks deep into the roots of the vegetation and the soil.
That metaphor seems to carry over in terms of what I sense God is preparing to do in our body of believers when it comes to the presence of His Spirit in our lives. He’s sending a “soaking rain.” In other words, it’s not going to be a quick storm that passes and leaves us dry and thirsty once again; it’s going to linger and bring forth much life and fruit.
We had a taste of that last evening at the Refiner’s Fire event when an entire congregation of about 800 people lingered for 2 hours in the presence of the Lord ministering to each other, sharing testimonies, but most of all, giving praise and worship to Jesus.
It was a wonderful time of soaking in the presence of the Lord and preparing for the “rain” that’s going to come.
With anticipation,
Dr. Jay
We’re really in need of a “soaking rain”; not one that just comes and goes but one that lingers for a whole day and soaks deep into the roots of the vegetation and the soil.
That metaphor seems to carry over in terms of what I sense God is preparing to do in our body of believers when it comes to the presence of His Spirit in our lives. He’s sending a “soaking rain.” In other words, it’s not going to be a quick storm that passes and leaves us dry and thirsty once again; it’s going to linger and bring forth much life and fruit.
We had a taste of that last evening at the Refiner’s Fire event when an entire congregation of about 800 people lingered for 2 hours in the presence of the Lord ministering to each other, sharing testimonies, but most of all, giving praise and worship to Jesus.
It was a wonderful time of soaking in the presence of the Lord and preparing for the “rain” that’s going to come.
With anticipation,
Dr. Jay
Friday, July 25, 2008
They Didn't Call Back
All of us long for the “need to be needed”. I don’t think I know a single person who doesn’t care if anyone else pays attention to them. Rather, we live for that word of affirmation or encouragement and often times will do just about anything to get it.
One of the things that I have found to be “a sting” of my own ego, even after all these years, is when someone doesn’t return my call. It’s as though they are saying “I know who you are and I really don’t want to talk to you”. That may not be the case at all, but is the message that I often receive and sometimes find myself nursing for days at a time.
The fact is that my true value is not in what others think of me or even if they return my call, but in the fact that my Heavenly Father loves me and as the scripture says, “He hears me when I call”. Find comfort in that thought for this weekend.
Blessings,
Dr. Jay
“The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth.” Psalm 145:18
One of the things that I have found to be “a sting” of my own ego, even after all these years, is when someone doesn’t return my call. It’s as though they are saying “I know who you are and I really don’t want to talk to you”. That may not be the case at all, but is the message that I often receive and sometimes find myself nursing for days at a time.
The fact is that my true value is not in what others think of me or even if they return my call, but in the fact that my Heavenly Father loves me and as the scripture says, “He hears me when I call”. Find comfort in that thought for this weekend.
Blessings,
Dr. Jay
“The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth.” Psalm 145:18
Thursday, July 24, 2008
The Rogue Wave
Just a few days ago my son-in-law JD and grandson Jack were romping in the shallow waters of the Atlantic Ocean as part of a week long family vacation.
JD is an expert swimmer and little Jack, only 3, are really comfortable in the water. As they were walking back through the waves toward the shore a “really big wave”, as JD described it, came from nowhere and knocked them both upside down and around under the water.
JD, being a trained lifeguard, quickly held on to little Jack and helped him lift his head right out of the water gasping for air, but also secure in his daddies arms.
It was a beautiful picture to me of how often things happen to us in life, rogue waves that come out of nowhere and knock us upside down, but always with the assurance that the loving arms of our Father keep us secure. Live in the peace that that picture brings to your heart.
Blessings,
Dr. Jay
JD is an expert swimmer and little Jack, only 3, are really comfortable in the water. As they were walking back through the waves toward the shore a “really big wave”, as JD described it, came from nowhere and knocked them both upside down and around under the water.
JD, being a trained lifeguard, quickly held on to little Jack and helped him lift his head right out of the water gasping for air, but also secure in his daddies arms.
It was a beautiful picture to me of how often things happen to us in life, rogue waves that come out of nowhere and knock us upside down, but always with the assurance that the loving arms of our Father keep us secure. Live in the peace that that picture brings to your heart.
Blessings,
Dr. Jay
How To Rule In Life
As I’ve been working on the message for this weekend, I’ve come across some simple truths in Paul’s letter to the Colossians. I think the shear simplicity of what I’ve “rediscovered” is that true spiritual living is well within the reach of anyone who wants to please God!
One of the most common characteristics in the body of Christ at large is that of a critical or negative spirit. We are very good at finding the flaws, particularly in one another.
Paul exhorts us three times in three verses to “be thankful” and thereby we invite the peace, the word and the presence of God to fill our lives.
It seems like a pretty simple formula to me. Exercise my will to be thankful rather than critical and focus my heart on the will of God, and I will rule in life! (Colossians 3:15)
I know this is oversimplifying it for some, but let’s be honest; it does give us a place to start. Try just for a day to replace every negative or critical comment or thought with thanksgiving. See what happens. See who rules!
Blessings,
Dr. Jay
One of the most common characteristics in the body of Christ at large is that of a critical or negative spirit. We are very good at finding the flaws, particularly in one another.
Paul exhorts us three times in three verses to “be thankful” and thereby we invite the peace, the word and the presence of God to fill our lives.
It seems like a pretty simple formula to me. Exercise my will to be thankful rather than critical and focus my heart on the will of God, and I will rule in life! (Colossians 3:15)
I know this is oversimplifying it for some, but let’s be honest; it does give us a place to start. Try just for a day to replace every negative or critical comment or thought with thanksgiving. See what happens. See who rules!
Blessings,
Dr. Jay
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Required Worship
We had an interesting exchange in our staff meeting today. The question was whether or not to “require” staff people to attend the upcoming Refiner’s Fire that’s on our schedule for later this week.
It’s certainly not that people don’t want to gather, but it’s the never ending battle of balancing life’s demands and priorities that seems to get in the way. As one of our staff members said, it comes down to choices.
That phrase reminded me of something that has always guided my personal posture toward public worship gatherings. In the words of King David in Psalm 34 he says “I will bless the Lord at all times. His praise will always be on my lips.” Throughout this Psalm David laments some of the circumstances that he’s facing, but his choice to worship the Lord is something that is not debatable.
All of us are under a fair amount of pressure to make decisions as to whether or not we’ll make the time to be with God’s people to worship. I personally find there are few activities more energizing, refreshing and faith building than a praise and worship gathering and I take my place, and encourage you to do the same, alongside the greatest worshiper of the Old Testament: King David when he said “I will bless the Lord at all times!”
It’s certainly not that people don’t want to gather, but it’s the never ending battle of balancing life’s demands and priorities that seems to get in the way. As one of our staff members said, it comes down to choices.
That phrase reminded me of something that has always guided my personal posture toward public worship gatherings. In the words of King David in Psalm 34 he says “I will bless the Lord at all times. His praise will always be on my lips.” Throughout this Psalm David laments some of the circumstances that he’s facing, but his choice to worship the Lord is something that is not debatable.
All of us are under a fair amount of pressure to make decisions as to whether or not we’ll make the time to be with God’s people to worship. I personally find there are few activities more energizing, refreshing and faith building than a praise and worship gathering and I take my place, and encourage you to do the same, alongside the greatest worshiper of the Old Testament: King David when he said “I will bless the Lord at all times!”
Monday, July 21, 2008
When Only God Sees
It was late on Friday night when the true “heroes” of our volunteer teams emerged to take on the daunting task of cleaning the nearly 20 acres of grounds that were used for another wildly successful Car Cruise.
I stayed around until nearly 11 o’clock as these bands of men and women spread out all over the campus here at North Way Wexford and did the amazing task of putting away mountains of equipment, scores of orange cones, an entire dumpster filled to overflowing of trash bags, hundreds of feet of cables and wires, 30 odd signs and whatever else needed to be done.
It’s the heart of these servants that makes something as visible as the Car Cruise outreach, which touches about 4-5,000 people every week, an enormous success. These people rarely get seen or credit; but simply the joy of knowing that their service creates a bridge whereby people can relate to others who might one day lead them to Christ.
Blessings,
Pastor Jay
I stayed around until nearly 11 o’clock as these bands of men and women spread out all over the campus here at North Way Wexford and did the amazing task of putting away mountains of equipment, scores of orange cones, an entire dumpster filled to overflowing of trash bags, hundreds of feet of cables and wires, 30 odd signs and whatever else needed to be done.
It’s the heart of these servants that makes something as visible as the Car Cruise outreach, which touches about 4-5,000 people every week, an enormous success. These people rarely get seen or credit; but simply the joy of knowing that their service creates a bridge whereby people can relate to others who might one day lead them to Christ.
Blessings,
Pastor Jay
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
I Took a Step
It wasn’t a big deal, really. But after several months of saying hello to my neighbor and talking about very insignificant things like the weather, the Pirates or politics, I took the step of asking if he’d like to get together to maybe talk about some more important things in life.
I will confess he had a bit of a mystified look in his eyes, but he quickly answered “I’d like that!” And so I now face the prospect of sitting with a relative stranger and talking about some things that really matter which I know will include a discussion of the things of God as well as what’s going on in our personal lives.
Loved ones, it always begins with a step. Someone’s got to make that initial move that initiates a meaningful exchange. Who might that be in your life today?
Blessings,
Pastor Jay
I will confess he had a bit of a mystified look in his eyes, but he quickly answered “I’d like that!” And so I now face the prospect of sitting with a relative stranger and talking about some things that really matter which I know will include a discussion of the things of God as well as what’s going on in our personal lives.
Loved ones, it always begins with a step. Someone’s got to make that initial move that initiates a meaningful exchange. Who might that be in your life today?
Blessings,
Pastor Jay
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
What was I thinking?
One of the more challenging realities of walking with Jesus is the understanding that truth comes to us, not necessarily through our natural minds, but through revelation of the Spirit.
In 1 COR 2:13, Paul says “This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.”
Later, Paul goes on to say that they are “spiritually discerned.”
Now this can sound very intimidating, but what I believe it means is that as we learn to walk with Jesus day by day the dimension of our lives that begins to really grow is the “spirit man.” Yes, we still read and we still think, but it’s when our heart lays hold of the truth that our mind has simply perceived, that we are changed.
Give that some thought today as you encounter things in the realm of nature, in God’s Word and in other conversation. You may discover that you’re learning a whole lot more than you realized!
Blessings,
Pastor Jay
In 1 COR 2:13, Paul says “This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.”
Later, Paul goes on to say that they are “spiritually discerned.”
Now this can sound very intimidating, but what I believe it means is that as we learn to walk with Jesus day by day the dimension of our lives that begins to really grow is the “spirit man.” Yes, we still read and we still think, but it’s when our heart lays hold of the truth that our mind has simply perceived, that we are changed.
Give that some thought today as you encounter things in the realm of nature, in God’s Word and in other conversation. You may discover that you’re learning a whole lot more than you realized!
Blessings,
Pastor Jay
Monday, July 14, 2008
Clear Vision
This is one of those days that we seem to so rarely see in out part of the country. The sky was absolutely clear and brilliantly blue from the earliest dawn throughout the mid-part of the day and now well into the late afternoon,
The clarity was brought about a strong front of weather that came through the area yesterday and cleared out the pollutants. It’s such a picture of what happens in our lives, isn’t it? It takes something strong and occasionally powerful to break us loose from the things that have impeded our vision and kept us from moving ahead in God’s plans and purposes.
If you’re facing one of those storms right now, I know it’s painful to go through, but be reminded that on the other side you can see clearly and you may very well know exactly what God has been trying to say to you.
I know that’s been my experience and I pray it’s yours.
Blessings,
Pastor Jay
The clarity was brought about a strong front of weather that came through the area yesterday and cleared out the pollutants. It’s such a picture of what happens in our lives, isn’t it? It takes something strong and occasionally powerful to break us loose from the things that have impeded our vision and kept us from moving ahead in God’s plans and purposes.
If you’re facing one of those storms right now, I know it’s painful to go through, but be reminded that on the other side you can see clearly and you may very well know exactly what God has been trying to say to you.
I know that’s been my experience and I pray it’s yours.
Blessings,
Pastor Jay
Friday, July 11, 2008
Hearing God Speak
One of the most important experiences of our Christian life is the cultivation of the ability to hear God speak to your heart. Jesus made it pretty simple when he said “my sheep know my voice” (John 10:27). But I have to confess that I’m not always sure that I’m hearing His voice and not just my own or someone else’s when it comes down to it.
What I have come to discover is the more I follow those promptings that I believe are the voice of God, in essence I practice them, the more faithfully I can discern between God’s voice and a variety of others that are simply clogging the pipeline!
As John Eldredge says in his new book “Walking with God”, “an intimate, conversational walk with God is available. It’s normal, even.”
Blessings,
Pastor Jay
What I have come to discover is the more I follow those promptings that I believe are the voice of God, in essence I practice them, the more faithfully I can discern between God’s voice and a variety of others that are simply clogging the pipeline!
As John Eldredge says in his new book “Walking with God”, “an intimate, conversational walk with God is available. It’s normal, even.”
Blessings,
Pastor Jay
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Fired Up Kids!
It was a dreary and rainy morning today when I pulled into the church parking lot. I watched kids and parents running through the raindrops into the South Venue for the Kidz GIG gathering, and I could sense the excitement growing as the music began to play and the countdown clock started to roll.
When the clock counted down to zero and the hall exploded with praise and worship, I was reminded of just how pleasing it is to God when we give Him our whole-hearted praise and worship! When these young children burst into song, clapping and laughing with joy, it turned a dreary, dull day into a time of great thanksgiving for me.
I wonder how often we miss a blessing just because we don’t take the time to give God our praise and worship. He can turn even our storms into celebrations!
Blessings,
Pastor Jay
When the clock counted down to zero and the hall exploded with praise and worship, I was reminded of just how pleasing it is to God when we give Him our whole-hearted praise and worship! When these young children burst into song, clapping and laughing with joy, it turned a dreary, dull day into a time of great thanksgiving for me.
I wonder how often we miss a blessing just because we don’t take the time to give God our praise and worship. He can turn even our storms into celebrations!
Blessings,
Pastor Jay
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