Dr. Jay's Blog

It's really interesting when you have multiple visits with people, plus most of life's regular responsibilities along with them. It doesn't take too many days to realize that you can't sustain the pace of "both" for too long.

Add to that, the surge of low grade bacteria in our house and both Carol and I were nearing the end of our stamina by the time this morning rolled around.

It's great to be with the people you love most in the whole world. It's probably better to do so without the weight of planning, preparing meals, preaching, and plenty of other things pulling you in multiple directions.

Did I mention that a little puppy was part of the mix? A nine week old, cute as
a button, golden toy poodle. But, (you guessed it), it was yet another dimension
of keeping eyes and ears open to whatever she was going to get into..!

I love Thanksgiving. Overall, it was a great time together. Now it's time to recover and redefine "normal' living. Whew!

Blessings,

Pastor Jay

Though I would like to spend a great deal of time in today's entry, I simply would encourage you to perhaps do just a little bit of digging on your own to understand the full significance of the Thanksgiving holiday as it was first proclaimed by George Washington on Oct. 3rd, 1789.

If you go to the site http://presidentialprayerteam.com/category/our-nations-godly-heritage/ you'll find the proclaimation which is amazingly powerful.

In these days when congress is eradicating our God from the canvas of our culture, it's amazing to see just how devoted our foudning fathers were to the opposite values only slightly more than 200 years ago!

None-the-less, it's never too late for us to turn to the Lord and trust Him to restore us to the place He wants us to be.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Dr. Jay

For whatever reason, it seems that despite all the "conveniences" of life, there's less and less time available to do what's really important.

One of those things is to stop all of our activities and "give thanks to the Lord for He is good"!

In speaking with my Mom this week, she was lamenting the fact that none of the churches in her entire area are having a Thanksgiving or even Thanksgiving Eve service. It takes just a bit of historical perspective to realize what a dramatic shift this is over the last 25 years. As she commented, there used to be a gathering of all the churches on Thanksgiving morning for a service and when that became poorly attended, they retreated to Wednesday night. That lasted for a couple of years and then died. Now there is nothing and the hymns and choruses of thanksgiving and praise will not be raised up in any corporate gathering near my Mom's hometown. For her and for me, that's really sad when I consider there are probably 30-40 churches involved.

We cannot succomb to the rush of life to the point where we neglect the Lord of Life.

Our worship gathering tonight is for the purpose of giving thanks and for that purpose alone! If you're not able to be part of the service I hope you'll make time on Thanksgiving day with your family and friends, dedicated time, to give thanks.

Blessings,

Dr. Jay

I'm not sure how this Thanksgiving week will play out for you, but I know that for me there's so much to talk about, so much to share, and so little time to do it in.

This happens to be one of those rare Thanksgivings when all of my family will be together for the "All Worship Night" (Tuesday at 7:00 p.m.) and for Thanksgiving day celebration and dinner.

What I've discovered already, however, is that because it's been such a long time since that's taken place I don't know how we'll be able to make time to connect over those things that really matter.

Without a doubt, we'll make time for our worship gatherings and we'll make time for some wonderful meals, and I expect some good football games; I just pray that we make time to really connect at the heart level where it really matters the most.

I'm not sure why that's so difficult with families. Sometimes we just avoid those issues that we don't want to talk about or know that we can't answer in a simple conversation. However, it's worth the effort, I believe, and I pray that God gives us the wisdom to be able to do that in moments when we might be inclined simply to indulge ourselves in one of many of life's wonderful distractions.

There's so much to share... and so little time to do it in.

Blessings,

Dr. Jay

I wonder if most of the people that call North Way their church home understand how much of an investment people make in seeing that ministry and service to others takes place on a consistent basis.

Last night and today, the Beth Moore Bible Study project wrapped up another season with about 400 women in attendance. It's been led over these years by Veronica Reilly and my wife Carol. They are both volunteer leaders giving their time and passion to provide opportunities for other women from all over the area to grow deeply in love with Jesus through the excellent teaching that Beth Moore brings and the dialog that they share in small groups each and every week.

But to organize and execute this on a weekly basis (it's actually twice a week) is no small feet. It requires logistical help, technical help and literally 20 hours a week from the key leaders to make sure that communication and all necessary supplies and equipment are provided.

If you're one of those folks who is still on the receiving end of things, I urge you to find a place where you can give back just a bit and understand the blessing that comes with knowing you are making a difference by contributing to a life changing ministry, whether here at North Way or wherever God has you planted.

Blessings!

Dr. Jay

April is a lovely young mom who I see frequently at one of our local establishments here in the Wexford area. She has one of those incredibly difficult lives where she has to juggle a full time job, raising three children on her own and dealing with all the pressures of being a single parent and managing a household.

When I see her, there is a certain “softness” that is really endearing. She smiles in a way that lets me know that she enjoys our insipient (beginning stages of) relationship, but knows that we have a long way to go before we call each other “friends”.

But the big thing with April is that some months ago she came to one of our Car Cruises that are such a part of the landscape of the community of Wexford through the summer months. She arrived in her vintage 90’s explorer with who knows how many hundreds of thousands of miles on it. She needed help with her car and had no place to turn.

This is where our community kicked in. One of our men, who is in the car business, has arranged to help April get her car completely “renovated”, inspected and road worthy and safe for her children.

Studies show that this is the number one concern of single moms “breaking down on the highway without anyone to help”.

I am so blessed that we are able to help April and for the generosity of people who make things like this a possibility. We don’t expect anything in return and that’s the way it should be. April brightens my day with her smile and we can make a difference in hers by giving her what we have; the love and grace of Jesus.

Blessings,

Dr. Jay

One of the clichés that often gets quoted in our lives is the famous phrase “what goes around comes around!”

I’m not sure if that’s a Biblical truth but I can tell you that it is some sort of variant of the principle “you reap what you sow”. Don’t you think that’s what God intended anyhow?!

In the last few days, I’ve had several experiences with dear friends with whom there’ve been some difficult moments over the past years. These weren’t personal things as much as they were circumstantial. However, because of grace, love and commitment being sown during those times, we are now reaping the sweet fruit of renewed friendship and partnership in the Kingdom.

One of the things I pray I’ll never lose sight of is the importance of “building bridges” and never burning them. I pray that people will have the grace to treat me the same way so that I can also renew and restore important relationships when the Lord determines that the time is right for things to “come around” once again!

Blessings in Jesus,

Pastor Jay

One of the most challenging issues that we (I) face in our lives is measuring our fruitfulness as we walk with Jesus.

In my "world" as a pastor, effectiveness has been reduced to "numbers" of people in attendance and dollars given in the offering for most of us. Not that Jesus didn't care about those things. He referenced crowds by number and spoke more about money than prayer!

This weekend, our attendance was down from the previous weeks (and I haven't seen the offering yet), but the fruit was amazing. To know that over fifty people made decisions to "follow Jesus" (and this was a clear invitation to come to the cross, not just rededicate), makes this an incredibly FRUITFUL day for all involved.

Sadly, it won't be remembered for that; just the down attendance.

In the end, Oswald Chambers makes it even more subjective. To him, fruitfulness is "intimacy with Jesus." I have yet to find any one that can put a measurement on that quality, but I will tell you that I have come to "know" when I'm with a person who seeks that lifestyle.

So, I go on today, seeking intimacy and trusting that lasting fruit will be born. I guess I'll have to leave it to others to do the measuring.

Blessings,

Dr. Jay

I had lunch today with Mark Geppert who has been a dear friend for over 20 years.

The thing about Mark that is inescapable to me is his adamant belief in the fact that the Lord always honors an act of seed faith giving.

It's not in order to get something back from God as much as it is to watch what God can do with your little bit of a seed (Jesus said the size of a mustard seed)!

In my walk with Mark I've seen hospitals built, colleges and universities established, entire networks of churches united and thousands upon thousands of people follow Christ because of simple seeds of faith.

This same principle works in our personal lives if we're willing to put it to the test. Unfortunately, many of us fail to take seriously what Paul told us in 2 Corinthians 9:6 and until we do that we'll never know the joy of watching our little seed become an amazing tree of fruitful blessing!

I pray you'll give this some thought and consider what seed God might be asking you to plant, whether it be financial, a talent, some time or even an idea that you give away in order to be a blessing. Whatever it is, God will return it to you many times over!

Blessings,

Dr. Jay

When we arrived back "home" last night, there was both a sense of excitement and appreciation.

We so appreciate the many of you who have become our dearest friends and partners in the ministry here, and we're also very excited about the many reports of lives that are engaged day by day in the spreading of the gospel and the physical and spiritual ways that people are being touched.

When I get away, it gives me a perspective on just how special this place is and coming home to it makes it all the more awesome for both Carol and me.

Look forward to seeing you this weekend!

Blessings,

Dr. Jay

We're coming to the end of a very lovely time away from the demands of every day ministry and back to our family and friends who we love so much.

I'm excited about what's happening at the church and also about the possibilities that lie before us as we come to the end of the year and look ahead into 2010.

I wonder, though, why it's so difficult to fully engage in spiritual things when you get a time away from the every day demands? I suppose I might be "confessing" a bit in this installment of my blog, but the reality of it is I found it really hard to stay spiritually focused throughout the time away even though I had no other responsibilities.

That's not to say that I didn't have some wonderful times of reading the word, some books and prayer; but I have to say that I fell woefully short of what I thought I would accomplish.

Perhaps that's the key word in all this. Accomplish. Sometimes we need a break from all accomplishents and a time when we simply are allowed to "be" in relationship with the Lord and the beauty of what He's given us to share and enjoy.

I hope that's okay coming from a pastor. Maybe you find that disappointing, but that's reality and one that I'll continue to probably wrestle with for a long time.

None-the-less, I'm looking forward to re-establishing my routines at home and getting back where "accomplishing things" is something I'm wired to do.

At the end of the day, I'm thankful for grace which is what sustains me through all this no matter what!

Blessings,

Dr. Jay

Last evening Carol and I spent a really delightful time with Jim and Deryl Tomberlin, who we are getting to know on a personal basis.

Jim is serving us as a "consultant" as part of our multi-site strategy. He and his wife live out here in the west and happened to be in our city for another assignment. However, we were able to arrange to have them stay near by and then spend last evening together.

What is so marvelous about these kinds of connections is that you begin to know the history of one's spiritual journey and understand the sovereignty of God in how people are joined together, first of all as couples, and then in ministry situations. Jim and I are growing much closer in our understanding of how we can work together and it was a delight to have our spouses share their journeys and, of course, our affection for seeing our children growing in the faith.

Relationships take time. They take an investment as well. Let me say categorically, they're worth every bit of it!

Blessings,

Dr. Jay

Over the last week I’ve had the wonderful privilege of soaking in the Word of God in a way that I’ve not been able to do (check that, have not been willing to do) over the past few months.

It’s difficult for me to confess that I haven’t been “willing” to do it, but it always comes down to how one apportions their time. I chose on many occasions to not soak in the Word, but to roll up my sleeves and get to work.

When I think about it, it’s the typical foolishness of human pride that thinks that I can get things done, “knowing that God understands my heart” and I’ll make up for it another time. Fortunately, as soon as I allow the Spirit to speak to me, His Word opens up and I hear Him speak comforting and uplifting words to my spirit. It’s a great joy to do so and an amazing privilege that we should never take for granted.

With all of the upheaval in our world today, we as believers need to be established on God’s Word on a daily basis. Out of this break, I am re-committing myself to soak in the Word and in prayer on a day-to-day basis because that’s the only way I can provide effective leadership going forward.

What’s your plan and, dare I ask, do you have any excuse? If so, put it aside and spend time with the Lord and your reward will be amazing!

Blessings,

Pastor Jay

Over the past few days as I have been recharging my “spiritual and physical batteries” away from Pittsburgh, I‘ve been made aware of the enormous obstacles that continue to resist the spread of the gospel in our area.

This could be a very long communication, but for the sake of those who have a minimal amount of time, let me just say that without true spiritual focus and a willingness to do “spiritual warfare” (as seen in Ephesians 6) we will not advance the gospel into the various communities that surround our city.

What it always comes down to is a matter of “fear and pride” which were the two great lies of the evil one. You will see that those are the two things that he always puts in our face (normally through unknowing human beings) that keep us from advancing the gospel.

It’s at these time that we need to “put on the whole armor of God” and pick up the ”weapons of our warfare” and get moving. This is not a time to sit back and simply accept peoples ideas of what they think should happen.

God has a plan for Pittsburgh! He wants there to be thriving church communities throughout the city and we are not going to rest until we do everything possible to see that mission advanced.

These same principles apply in your personal life and I trust that you will be diligent in understanding how things get done in the kingdom of God; it’s always through spiritual means.

Blessings to you all,

Dr. Jay

My apologies to those of you who follow my blog every day. I found myself “off-line” on Monday because for the first time in recent memory I had no internet connection!

It’s very interesting when something that you’ve come to depend on and almost take for granted is no longer available to you. You try to find ways to compensate, but in the end, you’re somewhat “enslaved” to what is available and, consequently, the fall-out that inevitably occurs.

The good news (for me!), is that I was out of touch because we’re on a brief time away to recharge our personal and spiritual “batteries” in an area that’s pretty far removed from Pittsburgh. It’s a gift to have someplace that you can go and feel comfortable, relaxed and still be very familiar with the surroundings. We’ve been coming to the same place for 17 years for these times of refreshment and it’s one of the primary reasons why we feel that the Lord’s given us the grace to be sustained through these many years of ministry.

I find myself reading long portions of scripture every day and soaking in the quiet that is here (Proverbs 1-3 has reminded me of the incredible value and need for wisdom in all of our lives).

I’ll be back on-line most days now and appreciate your prayers for us as we pray for you.

Blessings!

Pastor Jay