One of the things that scripture exhorts us to pursue is "good counsel" from other brothers and sisters.
Here at North Way because of our very high value on relationships this is something that happens as a matter of course.
On the other hand, there are those very large and challenging issues that sometimes require the input of people of unusual expertise.
I've been blessed with such a relationship with Jim Tomberlin who consults with multi-site churches all over America. Jim is both wise and fearless! He and I make a great connection because we think the same way but his experience in the multi-site world is of enormous value compared to my limited exposure.
I've been blessed and so has our entire team by Jim's input and his encouragement that we are "on the right track" in terms of building a multi-site church that will reach our entire city, and perhaps our entire region.
On this particularly beautiful day I thank God for great counsel!
Blessings,
Dr. Jay
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Appreciation
It rarely happens. This morning, my wife, Carol, came in shortly after the sun came up to tell me that she had gotten quite ill through the night and was feeling terrible.
It may sound strange to some of you, but I am quite moved by these moments because I know how sickness wipes out ones ability to get things done and second, it so rarely happens with my wife!
Carol has been blessed with an extraordinary immune system and has been very healthy for the entire (almost) forty years of our marriage!
I think the thing that struck me is how much of that I have taken for granted and how little I have had to do to care for her over the years. This is a true gift from God and something I look on today with a special sense of appreciation and a deep desire to help her over come, what I hope, is just a brief battle with some kind of tiny organism that has her system fouled up.
It almost never happens, but when it does I realize what a gift from God my wife is and how much I count on her even when I fail to tell her so.
Blessings,
Pastor Jay
It may sound strange to some of you, but I am quite moved by these moments because I know how sickness wipes out ones ability to get things done and second, it so rarely happens with my wife!
Carol has been blessed with an extraordinary immune system and has been very healthy for the entire (almost) forty years of our marriage!
I think the thing that struck me is how much of that I have taken for granted and how little I have had to do to care for her over the years. This is a true gift from God and something I look on today with a special sense of appreciation and a deep desire to help her over come, what I hope, is just a brief battle with some kind of tiny organism that has her system fouled up.
It almost never happens, but when it does I realize what a gift from God my wife is and how much I count on her even when I fail to tell her so.
Blessings,
Pastor Jay
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
True Volunteers
One of the things that we have found is so essential in functioning in a ministry like North Way is the heart of a true volunteer.
True volunteers are thrilled for the opportunity to serve others because they know that in so doing they're serving their Lord!
True volunteers are faithful to show up on time and to stay until the job is done. They love to serve the people they're with and they take every opportunity to let them know what a joy it is to have the chance to serve.
True volunteers also understand that their reward is not found in financial or material terms. Their reward is in the pleasure of God in their lives and in the satisfaction of seeing other people positively affected by their investment.
If you're not a true volunteer, you're missing what Jesus said was the most important thing you could do: "He who would be the greatest of all must become the servant of all."
Blessings!
Dr. Jay
True volunteers are thrilled for the opportunity to serve others because they know that in so doing they're serving their Lord!
True volunteers are faithful to show up on time and to stay until the job is done. They love to serve the people they're with and they take every opportunity to let them know what a joy it is to have the chance to serve.
True volunteers also understand that their reward is not found in financial or material terms. Their reward is in the pleasure of God in their lives and in the satisfaction of seeing other people positively affected by their investment.
If you're not a true volunteer, you're missing what Jesus said was the most important thing you could do: "He who would be the greatest of all must become the servant of all."
Blessings!
Dr. Jay
Monday, June 21, 2010
The Life is In the Blood
There's a hidden scripture in the book of Hebrews that says "the life is in the blood."
Of course, we immediately apply that to what Christ did for us on the cross, but I'm discovering that it's really true about our physical bodies as well.
Most physicians tell you that the blood reveals more about your true physical condition than just about anything els.
I am currenty trying a brand new procedure to address my chronic back pain by using my own blood! (I'll keep you posted on how that goes.)
In the end, the Lord knew on many levels that blood is important. In fact, the life is in the blood!
Blessings,
Dr. Jay
Of course, we immediately apply that to what Christ did for us on the cross, but I'm discovering that it's really true about our physical bodies as well.
Most physicians tell you that the blood reveals more about your true physical condition than just about anything els.
I am currenty trying a brand new procedure to address my chronic back pain by using my own blood! (I'll keep you posted on how that goes.)
In the end, the Lord knew on many levels that blood is important. In fact, the life is in the blood!
Blessings,
Dr. Jay
Friday, June 18, 2010
What a Day
After three rather dreary Fridays, the Lord's provided an incredibly beautiful day for tonight's Car Cruise!
For those of you who aren't familiar with this expression of care for our community, the Wexford Starlite Care Cruise is by all accounts the largest weekly car cruise east of the Mississippi if not the entire country!
Tonight, we'll have about 1500+ cars from all over the tri-state area and about 7-8000 people there to admire the handiwork and, in many cases, personalities as displayed in these machines.
However, it's about way more than just cars. It's about the people and their stories. You don't have to know the first thing about a car or motorcycle but if you talk to the person for more than 5 minutes you'll discover how their memories were made in that vehicle or what it means to them.
For example, my '46 Plymouth convertible will be there because my dad rebuilt the entire thing with his own hands. It's one of the most important treasures in my life and I love to display it on his behalf.
I hope you can come out tonight and join the festivities. Entrance is free and there's something for kids, the ladies and of course anyone who loves cars!
Warm blessings,
Dr. Jay
For those of you who aren't familiar with this expression of care for our community, the Wexford Starlite Care Cruise is by all accounts the largest weekly car cruise east of the Mississippi if not the entire country!
Tonight, we'll have about 1500+ cars from all over the tri-state area and about 7-8000 people there to admire the handiwork and, in many cases, personalities as displayed in these machines.
However, it's about way more than just cars. It's about the people and their stories. You don't have to know the first thing about a car or motorcycle but if you talk to the person for more than 5 minutes you'll discover how their memories were made in that vehicle or what it means to them.
For example, my '46 Plymouth convertible will be there because my dad rebuilt the entire thing with his own hands. It's one of the most important treasures in my life and I love to display it on his behalf.
I hope you can come out tonight and join the festivities. Entrance is free and there's something for kids, the ladies and of course anyone who loves cars!
Warm blessings,
Dr. Jay
Thursday, June 17, 2010
True Blessings!
Somewhere in Proverbs it says that grandchildren are a gift from the Lord. By that measurement, we are truly blessed!
Today at approximately 12 noon Trace Jay D’Ambrosio, 8 lbs. 14 oz., made his splendid entrance to our world to the joy of many!
Mom and baby are both well, though somewhat worn out from it all (which I think is normal on the first day!)
Thank you all for your prayers and the continuing love and support that you share with our family.
There should be another proverb that says that wisdom comes with grandchildren. If not, I’ll make it up.
Blessings,
Dr. Jay
Today at approximately 12 noon Trace Jay D’Ambrosio, 8 lbs. 14 oz., made his splendid entrance to our world to the joy of many!
Mom and baby are both well, though somewhat worn out from it all (which I think is normal on the first day!)
Thank you all for your prayers and the continuing love and support that you share with our family.
There should be another proverb that says that wisdom comes with grandchildren. If not, I’ll make it up.
Blessings,
Dr. Jay
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
The Road to Compassion
For many of the early years of my life, I was free from some of the most difficult things that invade young people and create hardship and even in my “boomer years” felt God’s grace and protection.
One thing I have not been able to escape has been an 18 year battle with back pain. It occurs as a result of an injury from playing basketball in high school but was never really “treated” until 1995 when I had full surgery including an implant to help stabilize my back. Over the past 15 years things have been working very well, but not perfectly.
It just seems that recently things have gotten more difficult and as a result I have been much more aware of my human limitations.
Now the reason I am sharing all of this is to let you know that we can do one of two things with pain. We can either bemoan our situation and cry out to God and continue to nurse ourselves along; or we can be reminded to give thanks for all the good things that He has provided for us and most important, to care for others. Compassion is what flows out of pain if you are able to get your eyes off yourself.
I can’t say I am all the way there yet. However, I am grateful for what I have to go through because it reminds me of so many others in much more serious situations who need a word of encouragement from me. Maybe this is true of you in some small way or some similar way, and I urge you to take the second path. The fruit is lasting and sweet.
Blessings,
Pastor Jay
One thing I have not been able to escape has been an 18 year battle with back pain. It occurs as a result of an injury from playing basketball in high school but was never really “treated” until 1995 when I had full surgery including an implant to help stabilize my back. Over the past 15 years things have been working very well, but not perfectly.
It just seems that recently things have gotten more difficult and as a result I have been much more aware of my human limitations.
Now the reason I am sharing all of this is to let you know that we can do one of two things with pain. We can either bemoan our situation and cry out to God and continue to nurse ourselves along; or we can be reminded to give thanks for all the good things that He has provided for us and most important, to care for others. Compassion is what flows out of pain if you are able to get your eyes off yourself.
I can’t say I am all the way there yet. However, I am grateful for what I have to go through because it reminds me of so many others in much more serious situations who need a word of encouragement from me. Maybe this is true of you in some small way or some similar way, and I urge you to take the second path. The fruit is lasting and sweet.
Blessings,
Pastor Jay
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