For as long as I can remember, the most common words that are spoken as people leave the workplace on a Friday are “Have a nice weekend”!
To most people this usually implies some sort of combination of relaxation, productivity around the home, entertainment and refreshment.
Here at the church, it means an entirely different thing. It means that there’s life from Friday night through Sunday night and all day Saturday and Sunday!
Having a good weekend means that we meet with hundreds of people, we touch thousands of lives and we proclaim the life-changing power of Jesus through the way we live as well as what we preach and sing and pray.
I love weekends because I get to be with the people that I care about and have poured my life into. To see their growth and progress and faith is a great reward to me.
Sure, I miss the luxury of having a Saturday afternoon when I don’t have to worry about anything or prepare anything, but over the long haul giving up weekends has been a small price to pay for the great blessing of investing in lives that are being changed for eternity.
So “Have a great weekend” and enjoy worshipping with God’s people, sharing with those who have a need and celebrating God’s goodness in your life!
Blessings,
Dr. Jay
Friday, May 29, 2009
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
When Things Start to Move
All of us have had the experience of praying and working and investing energy into projects and possibilities that we think are going to make a real difference for the Kingdom.
Most of us have had those moments when we’ve wondered if we’d ever experience the thing we were working toward and at times had wanted to give up.
It’s an awesome moment when you get the phone call from the person that you had not expected would ever get back to you and all of a sudden things are rolling faster than we can keep up with.
It’s that way in much of our spiritual journey. There are just simply seasons when things don’t seem to be happening then suddenly God decides it’s “His time” and His Spirit begins to open doors of opportunity in every direction.
What you’ve come to discover is that you need those more dormant times to be prepared for the times to be able to run with the wind of God in order to keep up!
I think we’re heading into one of those seasons when the wind is really beginning to pick up and I’m grateful for the last year or so when I’ve been able to wait patiently for God and His perfect timing.
Blessings,
Dr. Jay
Most of us have had those moments when we’ve wondered if we’d ever experience the thing we were working toward and at times had wanted to give up.
It’s an awesome moment when you get the phone call from the person that you had not expected would ever get back to you and all of a sudden things are rolling faster than we can keep up with.
It’s that way in much of our spiritual journey. There are just simply seasons when things don’t seem to be happening then suddenly God decides it’s “His time” and His Spirit begins to open doors of opportunity in every direction.
What you’ve come to discover is that you need those more dormant times to be prepared for the times to be able to run with the wind of God in order to keep up!
I think we’re heading into one of those seasons when the wind is really beginning to pick up and I’m grateful for the last year or so when I’ve been able to wait patiently for God and His perfect timing.
Blessings,
Dr. Jay
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Special Times
It’s not always exciting to look at life in the rearview mirror but sometimes special moments are worth savoring.
Over the last weekend I had the joy of experiencing the largest Car Cruise we’ve ever seen with nearly 7,000 people and 2,000 cars present! (A great time was had by all who attended, 90% of whom are not from our church!)
Saturday was full of preparation and a great evening service and Sunday two more services and a beautiful wedding ceremony and then some down time.
Memorial Day was a day of remembering people that I love who’ve sacrificed for our country, especially my father. I also had a great time with my family and some dear friends and recognize that my life has been blessed with the most important things that only God can give.
This gives me the fuel to face another challenging week of meetings and responsibilities.
I hope you took the time to be thankful and to remember the blessings in your life as well. I know that over time, these seeds become giant oaks!
Blessings,
Dr. Jay
Over the last weekend I had the joy of experiencing the largest Car Cruise we’ve ever seen with nearly 7,000 people and 2,000 cars present! (A great time was had by all who attended, 90% of whom are not from our church!)
Saturday was full of preparation and a great evening service and Sunday two more services and a beautiful wedding ceremony and then some down time.
Memorial Day was a day of remembering people that I love who’ve sacrificed for our country, especially my father. I also had a great time with my family and some dear friends and recognize that my life has been blessed with the most important things that only God can give.
This gives me the fuel to face another challenging week of meetings and responsibilities.
I hope you took the time to be thankful and to remember the blessings in your life as well. I know that over time, these seeds become giant oaks!
Blessings,
Dr. Jay
Friday, May 22, 2009
As Seeds Grow
Last evening was a very special evening for me as I was able to witness the fruit of a small investment of my life into a man who has turned out to be a great leader in our state.
The Pennsylvania Family Institute held its 20th Anniversary gathering at the Marriott here in Cranberry. Every seat was full and in fact some folks were turned away!
It was amazing to see the breadth of influence that the PFI has developed over the years, but even more than that, the passion and persistence that Michael Geer demonstrated as a leader and servant of Jesus really warmed my heart.
For those of you who think that sometimes people are in your lives for a short while and then just leave without any sense of “job well done” please take heart! We are only called to give our best to the people that God puts in our path for the season that they are there and then to entrust the Spirit with their next assignment.
In this case, I had a small role to play in helping Mike and his wife Susan launch a ministry that truly is affecting the internal fabric of our entire moral condition in the state of Pennsylvania. As Governor Mike Huckabee said in his address to the attendees “Without organizations like the Pennsylvania Family Institute, legislation that saves lives, provides educational opportunities, and keeps God in the mix just would not happen.”
Blessings,
Dr. Jay
The Pennsylvania Family Institute held its 20th Anniversary gathering at the Marriott here in Cranberry. Every seat was full and in fact some folks were turned away!
It was amazing to see the breadth of influence that the PFI has developed over the years, but even more than that, the passion and persistence that Michael Geer demonstrated as a leader and servant of Jesus really warmed my heart.
For those of you who think that sometimes people are in your lives for a short while and then just leave without any sense of “job well done” please take heart! We are only called to give our best to the people that God puts in our path for the season that they are there and then to entrust the Spirit with their next assignment.
In this case, I had a small role to play in helping Mike and his wife Susan launch a ministry that truly is affecting the internal fabric of our entire moral condition in the state of Pennsylvania. As Governor Mike Huckabee said in his address to the attendees “Without organizations like the Pennsylvania Family Institute, legislation that saves lives, provides educational opportunities, and keeps God in the mix just would not happen.”
Blessings,
Dr. Jay
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Preparations
Over the past several days I’ve been watching as about a dozen guys have been working feverishly to prepare our campus for the expected “onslaught” of car cruise people who are scheduled to arrive on Friday for the first cruise of the season.
It is typical at such experiences that, of the 5,000 or more people that will attend this event, hardly any of them will have any idea how much work it took to get things ready for them and how much it will take to meet their needs and then clean up after them!
However, that’s what servants are called to do and that’s what enables a ministry to have such an astounding outreach!
I hope that those of you who read the blog and live locally will carve some time out of your evening to come and just view the spectacle of seeing a thousand or more vehicles and a myriad of other entertaining things to do along with 4 or 5 thousand people having a really good time in community with no requirement or expectation in return.
It’s a joy to be part of such a church with such an army of servants!
Blessings,
Dr. Jay
It is typical at such experiences that, of the 5,000 or more people that will attend this event, hardly any of them will have any idea how much work it took to get things ready for them and how much it will take to meet their needs and then clean up after them!
However, that’s what servants are called to do and that’s what enables a ministry to have such an astounding outreach!
I hope that those of you who read the blog and live locally will carve some time out of your evening to come and just view the spectacle of seeing a thousand or more vehicles and a myriad of other entertaining things to do along with 4 or 5 thousand people having a really good time in community with no requirement or expectation in return.
It’s a joy to be part of such a church with such an army of servants!
Blessings,
Dr. Jay
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Learning to Think Clearly
I’m not ashamed to say that at this stage of my life I am still learning to think clearly. That requires a certain discipline that puts unimportant things in their proper priority and compels you to look at the things that are going to have the most impact.
In a recent conversation, I was talking with a church member who is very gifted in strategic thinking. He brought to the table numerous ideas that I’d never really understood in the way that he presented them. Their impact would be phenomenal if we could see our way to properly implement them in years ahead.
However, it’s going to take some clear thinking to do so.
What get’s in the way of clear thinking is primarily, being overloaded and secondarily, being small-minded. I’m trying to avoid both of those but not always perfectly! I encourage you to think of one area in your life where some focused clear thinking might cause you to change course to a more fruitful future!
Blessings,
Dr. Jay
In a recent conversation, I was talking with a church member who is very gifted in strategic thinking. He brought to the table numerous ideas that I’d never really understood in the way that he presented them. Their impact would be phenomenal if we could see our way to properly implement them in years ahead.
However, it’s going to take some clear thinking to do so.
What get’s in the way of clear thinking is primarily, being overloaded and secondarily, being small-minded. I’m trying to avoid both of those but not always perfectly! I encourage you to think of one area in your life where some focused clear thinking might cause you to change course to a more fruitful future!
Blessings,
Dr. Jay
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Wealth of Knowledge
I had the privilege of meeting today with a man who has come to understand a whole lot about how maturity happens in the life of spiritual leaders.
We’ll just call him Dave for now, but as a man who grew up in a rather intense spiritual discipleship environment, he learned the disciplines of the faith and the sacrifices necessary to serve the Lord with wholeheartedness.
Over the years he’s pastored, led ministries and served the body of Christ in a number of different ways. However, his most recent contribution has been to bring together “fathers of the faith,” men in their 70’s who have walked faithfully with Christ for 40+ years, and put them in an environment where they’ve shared very specific lessons of the heart, of discipleship, of the Spirit, of the Word and of grace.
There’s something really profound about this to me. I see so much enthusiasm and passion in the next generation: but I don’t always see it with a lot of wisdom and maturity. Dave’s heart is to combine those two so that there can be a raising of the level of maturity of those who will lead the church into its next phase of advancing the kingdom.
Perhaps the great blessing in all this for me is that God is calling specific people to do this and I know there is a hunger in that next generation to be led in this way.
May God place His blessing upon Dave and his ministry. You’ll be hearing more about that from me in coming weeks and hopefully see more of that as we grow as a family of generations here at North Way.
Blessings,
Dr. Jay
We’ll just call him Dave for now, but as a man who grew up in a rather intense spiritual discipleship environment, he learned the disciplines of the faith and the sacrifices necessary to serve the Lord with wholeheartedness.
Over the years he’s pastored, led ministries and served the body of Christ in a number of different ways. However, his most recent contribution has been to bring together “fathers of the faith,” men in their 70’s who have walked faithfully with Christ for 40+ years, and put them in an environment where they’ve shared very specific lessons of the heart, of discipleship, of the Spirit, of the Word and of grace.
There’s something really profound about this to me. I see so much enthusiasm and passion in the next generation: but I don’t always see it with a lot of wisdom and maturity. Dave’s heart is to combine those two so that there can be a raising of the level of maturity of those who will lead the church into its next phase of advancing the kingdom.
Perhaps the great blessing in all this for me is that God is calling specific people to do this and I know there is a hunger in that next generation to be led in this way.
May God place His blessing upon Dave and his ministry. You’ll be hearing more about that from me in coming weeks and hopefully see more of that as we grow as a family of generations here at North Way.
Blessings,
Dr. Jay
Monday, May 18, 2009
When Others Say So
One of the great obstacles in reaching our full potential is lack of self confidence or, in other words, self doubt. We may think that our goal or vision is worthy and that perhaps even God has called us to it. However, if we lack the sense that we can “pull it off”, or that somehow it’s beyond our reach, we tend to shrink back and doubt.
I’ve been in that position and it sometimes seems that even prayer, reading scripture and declaring God’s word doesn’t break that stronghold of doubt. It often takes someone else who has been in that circumstance and knows what it takes to get through it to tell you that it can be done! That person is a gift from God for you and will help to thrust you out of the malaise of self doubt and into the wonderful world of faith and possibility.
We had such an experience this past weekend with a friend from the western side of the nation. He looked at our situation through a different set of lenses and helped us to realize that we were much closer to some of our goals than we realized. At a personal level, that was very gratifying but more importantly, at a corporate level, it gave us all a sense of expectation rather than doubt about our future!
I trust that the Lord will send someone like that into your life and if not, you may have to ask someone what they see. You may be surprised at what you hear!
Blessings,
Dr. Jay
I’ve been in that position and it sometimes seems that even prayer, reading scripture and declaring God’s word doesn’t break that stronghold of doubt. It often takes someone else who has been in that circumstance and knows what it takes to get through it to tell you that it can be done! That person is a gift from God for you and will help to thrust you out of the malaise of self doubt and into the wonderful world of faith and possibility.
We had such an experience this past weekend with a friend from the western side of the nation. He looked at our situation through a different set of lenses and helped us to realize that we were much closer to some of our goals than we realized. At a personal level, that was very gratifying but more importantly, at a corporate level, it gave us all a sense of expectation rather than doubt about our future!
I trust that the Lord will send someone like that into your life and if not, you may have to ask someone what they see. You may be surprised at what you hear!
Blessings,
Dr. Jay
Friday, May 15, 2009
A Good Word
Over the last couple of days I've been struck by the power of simply saying a "good word" about another person.
If it's in their presence, it's all the more powerful as they drink in those ever so rare droplets of admiration. It's an amazing thing to know that you're valued by someone you respect and they find enormous motivation when those words strike their heart.
It also matters when you speak a good word about someone when they're not present. It tells the listener that you care about that person and that you also are trustworthy when it comes to your relationship with them.
Just today I spoke with two very professional, highly paid people whom I affirmed in different ways and I sensed their pleasure with the simple words that I shared with them. I also had the privledge of sharing some kind words with a co-worker who mutually affirmed some good things. The net result of all of this is that I go through the day feeling edified and knowing that I've made a difference in building up others.
Think about it. With all the negativity in the world and all the ways we know we don't match up to a particular standard, isn't it goodto hear ... a good word!
Blessings,
Dr. Jay
If it's in their presence, it's all the more powerful as they drink in those ever so rare droplets of admiration. It's an amazing thing to know that you're valued by someone you respect and they find enormous motivation when those words strike their heart.
It also matters when you speak a good word about someone when they're not present. It tells the listener that you care about that person and that you also are trustworthy when it comes to your relationship with them.
Just today I spoke with two very professional, highly paid people whom I affirmed in different ways and I sensed their pleasure with the simple words that I shared with them. I also had the privledge of sharing some kind words with a co-worker who mutually affirmed some good things. The net result of all of this is that I go through the day feeling edified and knowing that I've made a difference in building up others.
Think about it. With all the negativity in the world and all the ways we know we don't match up to a particular standard, isn't it goodto hear ... a good word!
Blessings,
Dr. Jay
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Reflected Glory
One of the things that I'm most often mindful of is my daily struggle to "be like Christ". I don't expect that many of you who are reading this feel much different. We fall short...all the time!
But scripture is clear that God doesn't expect us to generate a certain "glory" of our own, but rather to simply reflect a glory that's from Him. I'm convinced that, just like a mirror, we can clearly see the object that the mirror's facing only when we are still and in position.
The Lord is the object and we are simply the mirror. Think about that tomorrow as you interact with people. Ask God to reflect His Glory through you to others so they will be drawn to Him and also be made aware that there is something different about your life.
It sure is a less stressful way to live a fruitful Christian life!
Blessings,
Dr. Jay
But scripture is clear that God doesn't expect us to generate a certain "glory" of our own, but rather to simply reflect a glory that's from Him. I'm convinced that, just like a mirror, we can clearly see the object that the mirror's facing only when we are still and in position.
The Lord is the object and we are simply the mirror. Think about that tomorrow as you interact with people. Ask God to reflect His Glory through you to others so they will be drawn to Him and also be made aware that there is something different about your life.
It sure is a less stressful way to live a fruitful Christian life!
Blessings,
Dr. Jay
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
God Has Ways
In recent weeks I’ve faced a number of rather complex if not daunting issues in both my own life and in our church. Left to my own devices I think I would have come close to despairing about any way of bringing resolution to them.
The wonderful thing that I have learned over the years is that “God has ways” to get things done that we can’t imagine.
It just takes the Lord’s favor as brought to you through one person, a group or even an insight from the Holy Spirit directly to change the entire circumstance!
The problems I mention still remain, however, my attitude has changed from one of questioning if we will ever discover a solution to anticipating just how God’s going to bring about His chosen path!
I want to encourage you to have that same confidence in whatever you are facing in the challenges and obstacles of life.
The wonderful thing that I have learned over the years is that “God has ways” to get things done that we can’t imagine.
It just takes the Lord’s favor as brought to you through one person, a group or even an insight from the Holy Spirit directly to change the entire circumstance!
The problems I mention still remain, however, my attitude has changed from one of questioning if we will ever discover a solution to anticipating just how God’s going to bring about His chosen path!
I want to encourage you to have that same confidence in whatever you are facing in the challenges and obstacles of life.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Building Trust
In recent days I’ve had some conversations concerning a few broken relationships. These have not been easy conversations to have but the one thing I’ve discovered is this: when trust has been broken it takes a lot of effort to get back to the place where you can function with complete openness and trust.
The really good news is that because of God’s grace it is possible! The tough part is that you have to be willing to take the risk and invest the time to see trust rebuilt. In one sense, I believe that your relationship can be even stronger once you’ve passed through that season of rebuilding. Intentional trust building causes you to address the things that were foundationally weak before trust was broken and, therefore, you can look at what’s before you with a deeper security.
We’re all fallen and we’re going to disappoint people. The good news is that because of God’s grace trust can be rebuilt and very important relationships can go on!
Blessings,
Pastor Jay
The really good news is that because of God’s grace it is possible! The tough part is that you have to be willing to take the risk and invest the time to see trust rebuilt. In one sense, I believe that your relationship can be even stronger once you’ve passed through that season of rebuilding. Intentional trust building causes you to address the things that were foundationally weak before trust was broken and, therefore, you can look at what’s before you with a deeper security.
We’re all fallen and we’re going to disappoint people. The good news is that because of God’s grace trust can be rebuilt and very important relationships can go on!
Blessings,
Pastor Jay
Monday, May 11, 2009
The "on-ramps"!
During a brief conversation with a friend in the landscape business, I was reminded
of how many different ways our Church penetrates the Community. He has a several
children and was wondering if we had "basic instruction" for them.
Happily, I was able to give him a quick summary of our "family ministry" value and
the many events that they have in the works; but more important, that we help
equip the parents to feel comfortable in providing the foundation that kids need.
We then talked about the upcoming Car Cruises as an experience the family could
share together, as well the Saturday Night Dinners that are coming in the Atrium.
People are open, friends. They've only known Church as a Sunday morning event and
we have an amazing opportunity to expand that in the summer months ahead.
Let's leverage our investment to make a difference!
Pastor Jay
of how many different ways our Church penetrates the Community. He has a several
children and was wondering if we had "basic instruction" for them.
Happily, I was able to give him a quick summary of our "family ministry" value and
the many events that they have in the works; but more important, that we help
equip the parents to feel comfortable in providing the foundation that kids need.
We then talked about the upcoming Car Cruises as an experience the family could
share together, as well the Saturday Night Dinners that are coming in the Atrium.
People are open, friends. They've only known Church as a Sunday morning event and
we have an amazing opportunity to expand that in the summer months ahead.
Let's leverage our investment to make a difference!
Pastor Jay
Thursday, May 7, 2009
National Day of Prayer
As I move from the space in my office this morning to the “public forum” of praying for our nation, it’s with a certain sense of urgency and hopefulness that I go. Urgency because I feel like our nation is in very uncertain times where we need God more than most any other time that I can recall. But it’s also with the hopefulness that God answers prayer and has not forsaken us, if we’ll call upon Him according to His word.
I urge you to look at 2 Chronicles 7:14, which says:
“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
These are not just words on a page but the promise of the living God who exercises sovereign authority over every form of human government. That’s where I rest my hope on this National Day of Prayer and this is why I’m taking the time to make a public statement of that commitment.
I hope you’ll join with others, even around your dinner table tonight, and take a moment to pray for God to bless America once again!
Pastor Jay
I urge you to look at 2 Chronicles 7:14, which says:
“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
These are not just words on a page but the promise of the living God who exercises sovereign authority over every form of human government. That’s where I rest my hope on this National Day of Prayer and this is why I’m taking the time to make a public statement of that commitment.
I hope you’ll join with others, even around your dinner table tonight, and take a moment to pray for God to bless America once again!
Pastor Jay
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Still Searching - Part 2
As I mentioned in yesterday’s blog, the level of hunger on the part of people who, by their own judgment, are outside the kingdom of God, seems to be growing in my estimation.
Perhaps it’s the uncertainty of the culture in which we live. Nearly every institution that we once trusted seems to be under siege.
Perhaps it’s the economic uncertainty that has invaded most every part of the fabric of our nation, but for whatever reason people need to know what God’s will is.
That question used to frighten me because I’m not sure that we ever really “know” God’s perfect will as much as we trust that by searching for Him we will find His heart.
The point I cannot overstate is that it takes someone with a little courage simply to extend an invitation that opens the door of conversation and makes it safe for people to talk about their reservations, frustrations, disappointments and questions. When that happens the gospel seems to come alive to people in living color!
Be sensitive to the Spirit in these next days and see if there isn’t someone the Lord brings into your path who really wants to know what is true, trustworthy and secure upon which they can build their eternal destiny.
Blessings,
Dr. Jay
Perhaps it’s the uncertainty of the culture in which we live. Nearly every institution that we once trusted seems to be under siege.
Perhaps it’s the economic uncertainty that has invaded most every part of the fabric of our nation, but for whatever reason people need to know what God’s will is.
That question used to frighten me because I’m not sure that we ever really “know” God’s perfect will as much as we trust that by searching for Him we will find His heart.
The point I cannot overstate is that it takes someone with a little courage simply to extend an invitation that opens the door of conversation and makes it safe for people to talk about their reservations, frustrations, disappointments and questions. When that happens the gospel seems to come alive to people in living color!
Be sensitive to the Spirit in these next days and see if there isn’t someone the Lord brings into your path who really wants to know what is true, trustworthy and secure upon which they can build their eternal destiny.
Blessings,
Dr. Jay
Monday, May 4, 2009
Still Searching
This past weekend I had the privilege of attending my 40th class reunion from Washington & Lee University in Lexington, VA.
This college is not well known in the North but is quite popular in states south of the Mason Dixon Line and has the unique claim that George Washington and Robert E. Lee both served as President of the University since it’s founding in 1749!
Many great memories were rekindled in this trip but the most astonishing experience for me was that in a space of less than two days 5 different classmates approached me “privately” and asked the question “How can I know how to have a relationship with God, if He really exists?” (or something very close to those same words).
What this taught me was that despite significant intellectual and personal achievement these men were still searching to know God.
Because our world’s tend to be full of other believers we may forget that really wonderful people outside the faith don’t know where to look to find the peace that we have come to know in Christ.
I’m going to reexamine what I can do in those relationships and encourage you to do the same. Many, many people are still searching….
Blessings,
Dr. Jay
This college is not well known in the North but is quite popular in states south of the Mason Dixon Line and has the unique claim that George Washington and Robert E. Lee both served as President of the University since it’s founding in 1749!
Many great memories were rekindled in this trip but the most astonishing experience for me was that in a space of less than two days 5 different classmates approached me “privately” and asked the question “How can I know how to have a relationship with God, if He really exists?” (or something very close to those same words).
What this taught me was that despite significant intellectual and personal achievement these men were still searching to know God.
Because our world’s tend to be full of other believers we may forget that really wonderful people outside the faith don’t know where to look to find the peace that we have come to know in Christ.
I’m going to reexamine what I can do in those relationships and encourage you to do the same. Many, many people are still searching….
Blessings,
Dr. Jay
Friday, May 1, 2009
Being Present - Part 2
It shouldn’t be lost on us that when God saw that the time was right (Gal. 4:4) He sent His ultimate answer to the condition of man, which was to bring Jesus into the world in flesh and blood.
This is a subject that is so common to our thinking that we may lose sight of the impossibly grand nature of its reality. The incarnation is God’s statement that the only true way to minister the full power and purpose of God is by His very presence in our lives.
Friends, this is absolutely true with us as people as well. We can say things, we can give things, but there is nothing more powerful than our presence. If you’re in a relationship right now you know what it means to be together. If you are trying to help someone understand spirituality or a faith journey, spending time with them is the most powerful thing that you can do.
We talk about following the Lord’s example in things of the faith. Nothing is more illustrative of the power of God’s presence than His decision to become incarnate. “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” Let’s make that same decision when it comes to being present with people that we care about.
Blessings,
Dr. Jay
This is a subject that is so common to our thinking that we may lose sight of the impossibly grand nature of its reality. The incarnation is God’s statement that the only true way to minister the full power and purpose of God is by His very presence in our lives.
Friends, this is absolutely true with us as people as well. We can say things, we can give things, but there is nothing more powerful than our presence. If you’re in a relationship right now you know what it means to be together. If you are trying to help someone understand spirituality or a faith journey, spending time with them is the most powerful thing that you can do.
We talk about following the Lord’s example in things of the faith. Nothing is more illustrative of the power of God’s presence than His decision to become incarnate. “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” Let’s make that same decision when it comes to being present with people that we care about.
Blessings,
Dr. Jay
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