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
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Monday, January 26, 2009
"I believe...help!"
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
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
Friday, January 23, 2009
Working Together
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.
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.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Our Open House
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
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
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Did You See It?
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
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
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
An Historic Day
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
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
Friday, January 16, 2009
The Miracle on the Hudson
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
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
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)