Dr. Jay's Blog

One of the things that I learned years ago in my military training was that the “high ground” was a place of strategic influence.

When you hold the “high ground”, you are able to see what your enemy is about and cut him off before he can make a move.

This is very much the same when it comes to spiritual matters. (Perhaps this is why Satan took Jesus up to a mountain in Matthew 4!)

Think about your own life and where it is that you may need to change your perspective to the “higher ground” of the revelation of scripture about a situation or circumstance that you’re in. I know that far too often I get hung up on details rather than on perspectives as God sees them. The “higher ground” means that we know how God sees things and are confident in that perspective. Then exercise the authority of the kingdom (Matthew 16:19) in order to see true change take place!

Have a great weekend and be sure to celebrate our Steelers no matter what the outcome!

Blessings,

Dr. Jay

There are a number of scriptures that promise us “contentment” as we walk in Christ by faith. I think that is to be the “norm” in terms of the condition of our heart before the Lord.

On the other hand, there’s something very positive about being “discontent” with one’s spiritual condition. When there’s a deep desire to go on with the Lord and know Him more intimately and follow Him more courageously, I think that’s a good thing.

As I go on in my journey, I find that “older Christians” tend to be content with where they are, and it’s the younger ones that tend to want to push into newer places: but not always! This is where I think the beauty of being “multi-generational” allows us to bring both the dynamic of the younger believer and the experience of the more mature believer together in such a way as to not ever pull back from God’s best! (See Philippians 3:13&14)

And so I could talk about a couple areas of discontentment right now, but I think I’ll save that for another day when I have a little better handle on how God wants me to move forward so that I can be of encouragement to those of you who share this blog. By the way, if you have an area of “holy discontentment” I’d appreciate hearing from you….

Blessings,
Dr. Jay

We were in the middle of some intense dialog around some upcoming messages when we looked outside the office windows.

The snow was literally coming down with such intensity that it had reached the fabled “white out” proportions. Those are rare moments even here in Pittsburgh in the wintertime.

White outs remind us that if God so desires, He can literally bring everything to a halt. Traffic stopped, people weren’t walking, commerce and just about everything else outdoors wasn’t going to happen.

There’s a certain serenity about a “white out” which comes about because you realize for those moments that forces so much bigger than we can ever begin to harness are controlling things all around us. I love that about God. When He decides that He wants to make a statement, you can’t miss it!

I also value the fact that white outs may compel me to change “my plans” because God decided something else was more important.

Hopefully, we don’t need a “white out” to get our attention, but when they do happen it can be a good thing if we listen to the Lord in the midst of what He might be saying.

And so whatever your plans are for the future, remember that God has the ultimate “vote” in all of these things because He’s sovereign!

Blessings,
Dr. Jay

One of the terms that is used very often in conversation in ministry circles is “keep the main thing the main thing.”

As much as I’d like to dismiss this as a simple cliché, it is literally at the core of whether or not we’re able to advance the Kingdom of God within our sphere of influence or get sidetracked in a myriad of miniscule details.

I recently had a conversation with someone about different colors of carpet and wall covering, etc., etc., and then it struck me that we spent little time talking about the hearts of people or the essence of why we even had a ministry in that space.

“Keeping the main thing the main thing” has to do with remembering that Jesus is what we’re all about. This is every bit as true about our personal conversations as it is about our corporate life. It might be easier for us to evaluate how someone else may be doing in this, but I would suggest we spend a little time evaluating how we are doing in “keeping the main thing the main thing” throughout our day.

It’s not difficult, but it is essential!

Blessings,

Dr. Jay

One of the most cherished passages in the New Testament is in Mark 9:24 where the father of a terribly oppressed boy cries out to Jesus and says “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief.”

I wonder how many times you and I have been compelled to cry out with these same words. Our faith is strong until we really face difficult trials or overwhelming obstacles. At that point, we simply need to say “Lord I do believe, but I also recognize my unbelief and I need you to help me to stay strong.”

It’s important that you understand that that’s not a flag of defeat, but rather it’s an acknowledgment that we’re human and we have limitations, that we all need the Lord to, from time to time, step in to sustain us when we just can’t seem to do it on our own. I’ve also found that other people, other believers, can be a source of life and strength to us. Never hesitate to call upon someone to agree with you in faith in a time of hardship or trial. It can be one of the greatest sources of strength and faith-building that can ever happen in your life.

And so whatever you’re facing today, in these very uncertain times, cry out to the Lord and where you have faith claim your victory and where faith is lacking simply say to the Lord “help my unbelief…” and He will!

Blessings in Jesus,

Dr. Jay

One of the moments that I'll cherish from last night's "Open House" here at North Way was the time that I noticed nearly every member of our team doing something to help this event be a success!

It's quite astonishing because it's rare to see everybody involved together in the same place at the same time in a positive way to create an experience that will affect others.

This simply points back to what I think Jesus meant when He talked about the body of Christ working together. All the parts served their function and none is more important than the other, they just all worked together in harmony and brought about an amazing affect.

Therefore, the few technological glitches and some of the incomplete superficial pieces of the evening were completely eclipsed by the joy and energy that was being exuded by the members of our team, deacons, elders and other servants who simply filled the room with the spirit of love and celebration!

Please keep that in mind when it comes to your personal life as well. There may be some things that are out of sorts in terms of details or specific resources that you need, but trust me when I tell you that nothing can take the place of a joyful, humble spirit that is going out of it's way to care.

We experienced that on a major scale last night and I think hundreds of people left influenced significantly by that spirit while celebrating the accomplishment of the physical building which will find many, many years of beneficial ministry ahead.

Thanks to all who participated and to all who've given in some way to help make this happen.

Blessings,

Dr. Jay

P.S. Looking forward to a great weekend of continuing our series "Survey Says" where we will be looking at and identifying priorities in our lives.

In a few hours we'll be welcoming nearly a thousand people onto our campus to celebrate with us in the "Open House" event of our new Atrium and Kidz space here at North Way!

I share this in the blog today because it's the culmination of several years of planning, giving, sacrificing and ultimately building very community friendly, family friendly space.

We all know that church is not about buildings. We also know that without a place to meet, we can't really go on for long.

I also use the word celebration very intentionally because it's important that we celebrate such moments. In the scriptures Nehemiah spent days and even weeks at times celebrating the victories of God as the people accomplished moments of victory in rebuilding the walls and part of the infrastructures that enabled the people of God to know that they belong.

Somehow I feel like celebration takes a back seat to more "spiritual sounding" disciplines but I believe it's equally important if we're to maintain a right view of what pleases God!

I hope that if you read this blog in time you'll join us tonight from 5:30-7:30 and celebrate with us, but if not, come this weekend or any time and simply celebrate God's faithfulness to us as His people as we try to be obedient in fulfilling the mission He's given us.

Celebrating with you,

Dr. Jay

In the midst of what has to be an impossible schedule of beginning to navigate his way into the role of the most "powerful person in the world" President Barrack Obama spent the first hour of his day at a National Prayer Gathering in Washington D.C.

This was moving to me on a number of levels but mostly as a statement of the fact that the powers that be in Washington still understand that we are a nation "under God." The fact that the President and Vice President and many other cabinet members were engaged added significant weight to the event.

I know we all struggle with our priorities and yet, we should take heart that if the most "important" person in the world can make that time available to God, I expect that all of us can do the same!

I look forward to seeing you tomorrow night at the Open House from 5:30-7:30! It will be a great time together.

Blessings,

Dr. Jay

Certainly all of us who were able to watch the inauguration of President Barrack Obama this day at noon could not help but be moved by the amazing fulfillment of the dreams of many who have preceded him.

Not only was I touched by the enthusiasm, sincerity and diversity of the people who supported Mr. Obama by showing up at the Mall in Washington D.C., I was even more impressed by the new President's grasp of history as well as the challenges that we face today. It was his willingness to address the gravity of our situation in the same context that he understood the fact that many others have preceded us in similar and even more difficult situations.

Likewise, this same spirit is what sustains me as we face challenges individually and as a church going forward. There have always been difficult times but in the end, it's always about what Jesus established for us over 2000 years ago that has remained unchanged throughout the centuries upon which our faith stands. The fact that millions of others have joined that "great cloud of witnesses" simply helps to reaffirm that no matter how difficult my struggle or how challenging our situation may be, we will be more than overcomers through Him who loved us!

Let's celebrate this day in our nation and let it also be a reminder of yet another place where we stand with assurance that "if God be for us, who can be against us". Romans 8:31

Blessings,

Dr. Jay

All of us have seen some replay of the incredible rescue of 155 people that were on board the US Airways flight that was leaving LaGuardia heading to Charlotte on Thursday afternoon.

The experience of flying is familiar to many and the idea of something so unusual and potentially catastrophic never enters our minds until it happens. The fact that the pilot was experienced and in command, and that the passengers remained in control and compliant with instructions, led to the incredibly positive outcome. (When does the media use the word “miracle”?!)

There are lots of analogies to draw from this but, for me, it has to do with the fact that there’s no substitute for experience and agreement as we take our daily steps of faith in community with each other. In the end, when we face potentially difficult times, even catastrophic ones, we will survive because we know that the Lord is with us and we stand with each other!

Finally, I want to encourage you to make the extra effort to be in worship this weekend despite the cold weather. There is a lot to pray about and give thanks for!

Blessings,

Dr. Jay

In my re-reading of the O.T. account of the formation of the people of Israel, I find myself often wondering how the Lord put up with such faithlessness! They are continually challenging, doubting and testing God and His promise to give them "people and land".

In the end, however, it is the assurance that "God is with them" that carries them through their seasons of doubt and fear. At times, the presence is so strong, that their enemies ask them to leave! (Gen.31).

Isn't that what we all want to know? "that God is with us". It's no guarantee that we won't have hardship, but it is a certain promise that we will prevail by His grace.

That presence isn't automatic. It comes through seeking, searching and waiting on the Lord. There is a price to the presence. The assurance is worth more than anything we might have to invest to get it.

I pray that we know that "God is with us' as a Church as we venture into challenging times with mission and vision that we have been given in prayer and dialogue. I also pray that you, dear one, know that same assurance in your every day life.

Blessings!

Dr. Jay

P.S. I'd love to hear a story or two from some of you that have experienced His presence in difficult times.

One of my small group members recently passed along a well researched study that identified the fact that about 58% of Americans do not read another book after high school!

That study also confirmed that 65% of evangelical Christians have never read the entire New Testament. (A less startling fact, but a more disturbing one!) The reason given for both of these sad realities was: "I just don't have time to read".

Here's the truth. Unless you read God's Word, you will not ever rise to your place of destiny as a follower of Jesus, nor will you have any burden for those outside of the Kingdom. “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word (rhema) of God" Romans 10:17 says.

I'm like most of you. I have to MAKE time to read God's Word on a daily basis. It does not get easier even as you get "older". Life continually fills up all time you don't control by making a commitment to do what is important, not just what is urgent or pleasurable.

Take the time to read: God's Word and other edifying things as well. You will be enriched for doing so, and others will be affected as a direct result.

Think eternally!

Dr. Jay

No matter what the environment, dynamic worship always draws me closer to the Lord. This past weekend I experienced dynamic worship both in the Worship Café and in the Wexford Main auditorium as God’s Spirit met us through moments of powerful declaration as well as quiet meditation.

Worship is central to bringing focus to our hearts. I fear that too often we see worship as simply the prelude to the real important part of the service when in fact worship is the time that we have to really bless God and give Him an offering of our hearts. As a result, He meets us and reveals His word and His will to us.

I encourage you to come prepared to worship and stay as long as it takes to get to the place where you are communing in worship with the One who gave everything that you might belong to Him.

Blessings,Dr. Jay

I was having lunch today with one of my fellow pastors when our waitress brought out our meals. The hot plate and some sort of misstep almost caused a disaster with the two lunch entrees.

One of them slid precariously to the very edge of the plate and then shifted itself into a different location, not really spilling but leaving just a bit of “sloppiness” to the “presentation”. (None of us really care about “presentation”, do we?)

The waitress was very kind and quite apologetic. She offered to re-plate my brother’s lunch entrée. We joked about it and said that as long as it hadn’t been on the floor for more than 3 or 4 minutes it would be just fine and proceeded to enjoy our lunch and our time together.

Life is like that, isn’t it?! It can be nicely put together and ready to go in so many different areas: whether vacation plans, business deals, time with family, a night out with your spouse or whatever and then for whatever reason it gets “messed up”. Re-plating involves way too much work. Rather, we’re much better off just to go with it and trust that something good is going to come out of a near disaster and that you can look back and enjoy God’s providence in every detail of your life.

I don’t think there’s much value in re-plating. It’s not about the details anyhow, it’s about the fellowship that’s shared when life gets a little messy.

Blessings,
Dr. Jay

The folks on our staff here at North Way know that the word for the year for our team is “encouragement.” I’m not sure exactly how the Lord plopped that into my heart except that it’s something that I wish I had been more effective in ministering throughout my life.

I’ve come to discover that encouragement requires two things: strength (which is what we give to others) and vulnerability (which simply allows people to believe that you know what they’re going through).

And so this little dance between strength and vulnerability is something we all have to learn if we are to be encouragers. I’m thankful for those who have demonstrated that to me over the years and pray that this year will be one where I’ll grow by leaps and bounds in this important ministry that every believer is called to. (Hebrews 10:23)

Blessings,

Dr. Jay

If you’re like me, there were a few things that I set “in my mind” to do this year that are different than 2008!

I don’t call them resolutions because I know that my own “will power” in and of itself, won’t get the job done. They are, however, things that I really do want to change.

It’s fascinating to me how difficult it is for us to change things that should really simply require a modicum of investment (such as going to bed 30 minutes earlier, reading 30 minutes rather than watching TV, not eating sweets every day, etc., etc.). All these things seem to become “big deals”. I can’t even change my mind without something getting in the way!

However, it’s still early enough in the year for me to know that God’s grace is the secret to all this. Invariably when I have found that source of power in my life, (II Corinthians 12:9) I’m able to marshal whatever energies are needed to make those changes. Without it, I seem helpless: but with it, all things are possible!

If you’re like me, don’t give up on those needed changes. If you’re struggling (like me) just ask the Lord for more grace!

Think eternally,

Dr. Jay

On New Year's Day we were enjoying a great time together as a family. It was one of those relaxed kind of days where you could sleep in and still have enough time to visit with some of the most important people in your life.

It was just after dinner that I knew something wasn’t “quite right” in my insides. Within a couple of hours there was an unstoppable force taking over my body! It was nothing obvious that I had ingested, or anything I could have imagined being so violent. And yet, for the next 3 days or so, a very tiny “bug” (probably not a very technical word for a bacterial or viral infection!) took over my life. I was literally helpless at its control as it drained me of all energy and desire to get anything done.

It’s not unlike our spiritual lives either. We can be doing very well and then suddenly something happens that simply takes away our inner strength. Often it’s unseen; it can be a word or even someone’s unintended negligence.

Nonetheless, there is healing! Come to the cross and to the place where Jesus restores.
It took me about 3 days to get over my bug…it may take you longer. In any event, it reminds us of just how dependent upon His grace we are!

Blessings,

Pastor Jay