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
Monday, November 30, 2009
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
As We Give Thanks
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
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
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Making Time to Give Thanks
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
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
Monday, November 23, 2009
So Much...
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
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
Friday, November 20, 2009
I Wonder If
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
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
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Make A Difference
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
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
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
What goes around...
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
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
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