It is often said in the body of Christ that “we need each other”. Recently, it’s become somewhat more “hip” to use the phrase ‘multi-generational”.
This past Friday I viewed well-known author, speaker and Christian leader Chuck Colson share the platform with Catherine Rohr. She is a young woman half his age, unpublished and just becoming “known”. They’ve both established prison ministries.
We hear a great deal about the need for multi-generational ministries. But when you see the “incarnation” of two generations working together it makes a powerful statement. If the same dynamic could be captured in the local church we would see an amazing renewal throughout America!
Blessings,
Pastor Jay
Monday, August 11, 2008
Friday, August 8, 2008
Another Conference?
Having been in ministry over 30 years, I have to say that my thirst for conferences has pretty much been satiated. I don’t find myself longing to go after the next “hot” methodology or “cool” idea that will help equip the church.
However, when the opportunity presented itself to listen to seasoned and mature leaders share the wisdom of their years of experience and hands-on, life-changing moments, I couldn’t resist.
Perhaps it’s good for us every once in a while to know that some of the same struggles that we’ve been through are common to others in the body of Christ. I know that I left the “Leadership Summit” changed because of the sense of hopefulness that my dreams are not too big and with the help of others and the grace of God we can empower our people to fulfill God’s purposes in their lives!
It was good for me to have a bit of a break from conferences because it really allowed me to be open to hear what the Lord had to say to me over the past days.
Blessings,
Pastor Jay
However, when the opportunity presented itself to listen to seasoned and mature leaders share the wisdom of their years of experience and hands-on, life-changing moments, I couldn’t resist.
Perhaps it’s good for us every once in a while to know that some of the same struggles that we’ve been through are common to others in the body of Christ. I know that I left the “Leadership Summit” changed because of the sense of hopefulness that my dreams are not too big and with the help of others and the grace of God we can empower our people to fulfill God’s purposes in their lives!
It was good for me to have a bit of a break from conferences because it really allowed me to be open to hear what the Lord had to say to me over the past days.
Blessings,
Pastor Jay
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Enter or Endure
One of the clear teachings of Scripture about the power of faith is that it enables us to either enter or … endure everything in life.
This may seem like a very basic thought, but wrestle with it just a bit. In other words, most often we tend to think in terms of faith and the ability to “trust God” through difficult times.
However, there are many examples when our faith is meant to be exercised in order to enter into a new space, new territory or a new challenge.
Think about your life, as I have about mine, and where perhaps the Lord may be calling you to enter by faith, as well as to endure. It changes the entire landscape of how you view faith at work in your life.
Blessings,
Dr. Jay
This may seem like a very basic thought, but wrestle with it just a bit. In other words, most often we tend to think in terms of faith and the ability to “trust God” through difficult times.
However, there are many examples when our faith is meant to be exercised in order to enter into a new space, new territory or a new challenge.
Think about your life, as I have about mine, and where perhaps the Lord may be calling you to enter by faith, as well as to endure. It changes the entire landscape of how you view faith at work in your life.
Blessings,
Dr. Jay
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Hidden Courage
I doubt that many of us would recognize the name Hannah Szymanski, but heaven is rejoicing with this little 10 ½ yr. old girl today. After 8 years of suffering from two very rare genetic diseases, Hannah went to be with Jesus this past Friday, August 1st.
The story that I really wish you could hear in detail is the hidden courage of her family; dad Stan, mom Cindy and brother Joshua. In an era when profoundly disabled children are often institutionalized and cared for by others, this family poured themselves into the 24/7 routine of caring for Hannah’s every need.
They also faced a medical community that did not understand the complexity of this disease because only 4 or 5 other children have ever been diagnosed with it.
I wonder what event or circumstance I may face that will require such “hidden courage”. I pray it’s nothing as profound as what Stan and Cindy have been through, but all of us are required to “walk by faith” and that is only done with hidden courage and a resolve that trusts Jesus even when circumstances don’t seem to go the way you had planned.
Nonetheless, today we celebrated a life and honored hidden courage!
Blessings,
Dr. Jay
The story that I really wish you could hear in detail is the hidden courage of her family; dad Stan, mom Cindy and brother Joshua. In an era when profoundly disabled children are often institutionalized and cared for by others, this family poured themselves into the 24/7 routine of caring for Hannah’s every need.
They also faced a medical community that did not understand the complexity of this disease because only 4 or 5 other children have ever been diagnosed with it.
I wonder what event or circumstance I may face that will require such “hidden courage”. I pray it’s nothing as profound as what Stan and Cindy have been through, but all of us are required to “walk by faith” and that is only done with hidden courage and a resolve that trusts Jesus even when circumstances don’t seem to go the way you had planned.
Nonetheless, today we celebrated a life and honored hidden courage!
Blessings,
Dr. Jay
Friday, August 1, 2008
Lessons From a Bike - #1
Some of the people around here know that I've discovered a new form of exercise and involvement in the sport of "biking". It's a long story that I can tell another time but I "test drove the idea" during my study break and then when I came back to Pittsburgh, with the help of a dear friend at North Way, built an awesome bike that should last me for years.
Yesterday, however, I experienced what every veteran cyclist will tell you: "You're going to have a tumble". And I did. I'll spare you the gory details, but in the end, I was a little bruised and slightly bloodied, but no significant damage to report (thankfully!) to me or to my bike (which I was more concerned about than me).
I've said for many years that life can change in an instant. As I was tumbling to the ground not knowing how I was going to fall or if I was going to get up, that quote went through my mind and made more sense than it ever had before. So be thankful if life is steady, but always be prepared for the fact that life can change in a moment... and that's bike lesson #1!
Blessings,
Dr. Jay
Yesterday, however, I experienced what every veteran cyclist will tell you: "You're going to have a tumble". And I did. I'll spare you the gory details, but in the end, I was a little bruised and slightly bloodied, but no significant damage to report (thankfully!) to me or to my bike (which I was more concerned about than me).
I've said for many years that life can change in an instant. As I was tumbling to the ground not knowing how I was going to fall or if I was going to get up, that quote went through my mind and made more sense than it ever had before. So be thankful if life is steady, but always be prepared for the fact that life can change in a moment... and that's bike lesson #1!
Blessings,
Dr. Jay
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