Dr. Jay's Blog

Do you ever wonder if God cares about such relatively trivial things in our lives such as our pets? I get that question all the time and my answer is usually a resounding “yes, of course He does!”

One of the reasons I see is how God included Adam and Eve in the process of naming the animals, which tells me that He wanted them to have some sort of bond with the animals.

We’re going through a time right now with our dog that I’ve never experienced in my lifetime. He’s very sick and it’s unlikely he will overcome the odds and return home. However, that’s where prayer and faith apply to everything in our life, even something that may be deemed as trivial as a pet. I’m not too proud to say I’m praying for this, but it also causes me to pray even more for the profound issues that many of you face on a day-to-day basis.

Blessings,

Pastor Jay

"Buzz” is a really old word that still has a very current meaning in most areas of application.

There’s not an organization around that wants to have “negative buzz” about what’s happening with them; rather, they want to know that the “buzz” out there is positive or at least improving from where it was.

The interesting thing that I’ve discovered about “buzz” is that a few very influential people can have a great impact on how that buzz is going. As a leader, one of the things that you are most responsible to do is to point out the positive things that God is doing and turn loose the “buzz” about those things. You’ll always have people who are happy to point out the negatives, or to add a “buzz killer” if they get the opportunity. As for me, I’ll take the positive buzz anytime and know that it will translate ultimately into great momentum for our ministry.

Blessings,

Pastor Jay

Over the past months I’ve found myself using the phrase “lean in” in a variety of contexts. Invariably, what I’m trying to say is that the next communication is very important and your full engagement would be in your best interest.

What’s interesting to me is how often people sends signals of keeping a safe distance or even at times “leaning out.” I have to say that as a person, let alone a leader, it’s very easy for me to discern the difference and it’s very telling about the individual’s level of interest or commitment.

Leaning in says to me that you care, that you’re listening, that you want to make a difference. Neutrality, or leaning out, tells me opposite messages, none of which are supportive or encouraging.

Let me strongly encourage you to “lean in” every time you get the opportunity.

Blessings,

Pastor Jay

Fear has great power over us. Sometimes it’s just the thought of something being wrong that can create anxiety in us, isn’t it?

If you’ve been reading my blog, you know I took a little spill a couple of weeks ago on my new bike and sustained “minor” body damage, (in Nascar terms).

However, my wrist was very sore and my physical therapist thought perhaps I had broken a bone in it and that would be much more serious news. For several days I put off getting an X-ray and I allowed fear to creep in and begin to plant seeds of serous doubt in my mind.

Claiming God’s promises and believing that He was my “healer”, I went and got the X-rays and…once again faith vanquished fear and I’ll be fine with just a little common sense and patience.

Don’t let fear hold you in its grip. Believe God’s promises!

Have a great weekend.

Pastor Jay

It’s amazing what a set of “fresh eyes” does to a situation, isn’t it?

Recently, I was taking a drive through the area with some folks who’ve never been here before. They were pointing out things that, frankly, I’ve come to take for granted. There were things of beauty, things of unusual interest and even inspiration that they were seeing through fresh eyes.

It can be a very refreshing experience, not just in terms of nature, but also with people. It helps to see and appreciate both people and things with fresh eyes, that is, eyes that understand that each and every day God makes all things new to those who walk by faith!

Blessings,

Pastor Jay

Last evening and this morning were two beautiful times here in Western PA. The gentle rays of the evening sun splashed the landscape with warm colors and the brighter rays of the morning seemed to accentuate the magnitude of the surrounding properties on our campus.

For whatever reason, I had some time both last night and this morning to "look out the window" and dream about what God may have planned for us. When I say "dream", of course I mean in the sense of contemplating the possibilities of what the Lord wants to do.

This is something that gets lost in many of our lives. We miss the moments when we can appreciate the opportunities before us and really dream about what might happen if we truly trusted the Lord for His plans.

If you've not taken some time to "look out the window" in your circumstance, I strongly suggest that this is a great time of the year to do so. It will fill you with ideas and possibilities for the season ahead!

Blessings,

Dr. Jay

One of the things cyclists quickly learn is that you must always be looking as far down the road as possible. Most accidents occur because something happens suddenly that you’re not expecting because you were distracted by an “immediate” need; a stone, a branch, or a person that steps in your path.

Over time, your neck muscles adjust to looking way down the road and become comfortable with gaining that vision. Friends, that’s something that most of us don’t do naturally. We are far more inclined to think about the rocks, branches and people that might be all around us more than what God has prepared for us in the weeks and months ahead.

I want to urge you to seek God for your personal vision as well as your part in the vision of our ever expanding church family. It may be a bit uncomfortable at first, but in the end, it’s really the best place to be to experience all that God has for you!

Blessings,

Dr. Jay