Dr. Jay's Blog

It's been a while since my last post because I've been taking some time to 'listen'
to what I'm supposed to be learning right now.
Six weeks ago, my 'chronic' (hate that word) back pain was pulling me down and
limiting some of my best hours of the day.
Coincidentally, my Home Group was in the middle of studying a book "The Essentials of Healing" by Bill Johnson and Randy Clark. (Both of these men were
greatly influenced by the ministry of John Wimber who was an acquaintance of mine over 20 years ago).  
The group determined that rather than 'just read' another book and put it on the shelf; they needed to pray for someone who was dealing with a physical issue and put 'our faith to the test'. I was nominated, voted on and approved before I
could even object!
The group prayed that night, but as usual, nothing dramatic happened. However,
the key principle in the teaching of Wimber and in this book; is that most healing
is progressive, NOT instantaneous. You have to continue to pray and believe!
For my part, the Lord nudged me to set aside any pain medications I was taking
to manage my problem and to 'trust Him' while the group prayed.
This may seem like 'no big deal'; but when you are living with every day pain,
trust me, it is.
Here's the latest. As of this Wednesday, it will be six full weeks of 'life without
meds' and best of all; the back pain is greatly reduced; and often not even
on my mind! 
My group is encouraged; but I am rejoicing! I know I have more 'healing to go';
that the process is still at work, but there is absolutely no doubt that the Lord
is working in a tangible way! 
I will update you in a couple of weeks. However, if you need a touch from God
for physical healing, find some folks who will believe with you; maybe read some
parts of the book I mentioned, hold on to Scripture when you have setbacks,
and you, too, may find that 'Jesus is the same, yesterday, today and forever!


Pastor Jay

Forty years ago, I thought any one who was 65 was OLD. Not necessarily
grumpy or inactive... just old.
I suppose that may still be the lens through which younger people view 
older people; but now that I'm here, it's much different than I ever imagined.


Life is full and rich; energy is seems to be nearly the same as 20 years ago,
and every day still presents opportunities to make a difference in this life.


There's no doubt that the 'physical body' is less forgiving and more fraught with
potential 'inconveniences'; but many other blessings more than compensate
for these potential limitations. I never dreamed that I would so enjoy a
45 minute ride a bicycle; pushing myself to near exhaustion, but the rewards
are too numerous to list. (I can still wear a sport coat that was a lovely gift
30 years ago!)


People are now somehow more "interesting" than before. We value one another
because of our plethora of experiences. We know that nothing in life is more
valuable than other people; and we tend to make time to appreciate and 
enjoy them. It's also fascinating that some of the people that touched my life
35-40 years ago are still the most important ones to me.. even though we
may not see each other as often as we would like.


Spiritually, there isn't room to do justice to this phase. We know heaven is
much closer than ever before; but we still want to 'live' in the fullness of
the grace of each day on this earth. Jesus is still 'all that matters'; but
giving Him the time (that you now have) is somehow more of a discipline
than when you were really 'busy'. I suppose it's because you have no ulterior
motive for seeking Him other than just your 'heart to heart' relationship.


I don't want to finish without saying 'thank you' to the many of you who help
to fill my life with your love, acceptance and forgiveness. Carol and my family
have a wonderful part of that; but many of you add the rich colors and 
textures to life. God has seen fit to bless me with good health for the most 
part, and that surely enables all of the above to happen more naturally.


So, bring on the Seniors jokes. (Carol leads that ministry at North Way, so
I will at least 'get in'). But don't look for me to slow down any time soon; to
put my bike away or trade in my outrageously fast car. I still play my music
on the 'loud' side and when it comes to my faith, family, future.. it's all about
the passion!
   Jay

One of the things that seems to be pervasive in all the circles in which I am privileged to travel is that healthy local churches are always in some level of conflict. More often than not, that conflict does not come from outside critics and government intervention, but rather internal dynamics and broken relationships.

I’ve observed this over the course of my ministry in so many ways that I know it must be grieving to God but even more, it seems to leave an indelible hurt on the people who experience it. Just recently, I was talking with a couple who had gone through a “split” in their local congregation and several years later had finally found another church where they felt like they could fit in.
However, in the intervening 5 years since the initial breakup they literally wandered around without a home church.

This is very common and happens particularly at times of transition and succession. It seems that when leadership changes people become somewhat insecure or perhaps fearful
about what may be taking place in the next season of the church’s life. It is then that they choose to turn on one another rather than to turn to the Lord in humbled prayer for a healthy time of
change.

Please pray for continued blessing in the transition here at North Way and also in the ministry that I feel increasingly called to address in some way through the partnership of good friends and the amazing support from my North Way family.

Let’s be honest, our church is our “other family.” It brings the enemy great pleasure when
people hurt each other and it brings God great glory when we grow in times of
change!

Blessings,

Pastor Jay

“16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for
us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 2 Cor. 4:16-18

It was with deep rejoicing that I shared in several of North Way's eleven Easter

A few days have gone by since the past weekend that was filled with great emotion. The fact that it was Palm Sunday always creates an environment of celebration and worship in any church that understands the significance of that event in the biblical calendar.

It was no exception at our North Way campuses as we sang and shouted our "hosannas" to the coming King just as the expectant people of Israel did nearly 2000 years ago.

We also remembered that it was just 5 days later that same crowd that was shouting "hosanna" began to shout "crucify Him" because they didn't get what they wanted. Their lies, in each of us, a desire to have a king that does exactly what we want him to do and if we can't find one, then we'll make ourselves that king!

The key to overcoming this is the idea of surrender which you can hear about in the message located here .

Second, we had an amazing memorial service to honor our dear friend Jay Dawson who is now with the Lord. The family was articulate and passionate in their expressions of love for him and the nearly 600 people who attended the service were effusive in their comments about the impact of Jay's life; a life that was quietly surrendered to God but diligent in pursuing His priorities.

It was a wonderful weekend in many respects and one that I am grateful to God for the grace to have provided a small component of leadership.

Blessings,
Dr. Jay

Over the past week, I've been immersed in one of the most difficult, yet powerful experiences of my ministry. One of my 30 yr. friends, Jay Dawson, collapsed while running on his lunch break at work; a daily habit for the 57 yr. old who was in excellent condition.

It's no secret to anyone who has read this space for any length of time that Oswald Chambers has been my 'devotional mentor' for 35 years. He somehow gives words to the deepest questions we seem to ask about our spiritual journey; while always keeping our relationship with Jesus as primary.