Maxwell

As I listen to Maxwell talk about books that influenced his life I realize how little time I have lately to read.Three things. Books that have influenced me have also been given by friends or suggested by friends.I do not agree with Maxwell when he states if a book we read five years ago still impresses us we have not grown ? A word of wisdom is timeless, If we haven't applied what we learned from a book then there is a issue , but the word remains the same. People always want to improve their situation but not improve themselves. I like this comment. Its paramount to Christian growth. The only way to improve our situation is to improve ourselves. Happiness should not be the goal. Right living ,or self improvement should be the goal. Happiness is a by product of right living and right choices. This is the one point I try to drive home with AA's and addicts.The link between people and profit is servant leadership !!! Rock on Maxwell can you convince our GM !! He wonders why he gets mediocre from most when all he does is bark orders. Happy employees make happy customers. Its really that simple.
Peace and Love

Tired

Tonight I sit here wondering what happened to my one day off !! I blinked Friday afternoon and now its Saturday night. All my friends at work and at church all seem to have the same problem. We are all too tired. This world and its consumer mentality has placed us all in a fast paced free for all train wreck. I don't think we realize we really don't have to do all the things we do ! Some necessities are inevitable but most of the stress and full calender we put on ourselves. What if we all decided to slow down and enjoy the journey instead of hang on for the ride !! I for one am ready to get off the ride and give more time to God , family and friends, you know the important things in this brief existence before eternity. Just a thought . What if ??
Peace and Love
Jeff

Back in the world

After being back at work for a month I am sure now that something is changing. I spend from 7:15 am to6:30 pm Monday thru Friday and 745 am to 5:30 pm Saturday in a service world that has no meaning except repairing and selling cars. This is not where I feel at peace. I have had a few ministry opportunities and have enjoyed those, but this is not where I am supposed to be. I have had one day off in 32 days !! Sunday is actually a work day that I enjoy. It has it break from 12 to 3:30 but doesn't feel like work. I am so out of place back in the world I know its only a matter of time and I will be able to do the work that is my hearts desire !!
Peace and Love
Jeff

We are "The Church"

I missed this morning at my home church to help a friend do a second annual memorial service for Ryan Bard. He was a young man who lost his life in a terrible race car accident two years ago here in Abilene. Ryan was a believer and I understand often shared his faith. I never met him but have met his family. They are wonderful people who love the Lord. Jack ask us last year if we would help him with a worship service at the race track where Ryan passed away and we did it again this year. I always feel like I'm missing something when I miss my home church services. As much as I don't like that feeling it was worth it today. After we played I am sitting back watching Jack "preach" in a way only he could to a crowd that probably wouldn't show up at a church building. I have known the scripture "We are the Body of Christ" and" We are the Church ", but there was something about this morning where Jack made it come to life. It was a true blessing to watch and be part of. We really are the Body of Christ wherever we go. Thank you God for a great morning.
Peace and Love
Jeff

What !!!

What a deal !!!! I went back to work after almost a year off due to hip surgery. My local bosses hired me back as an Assistant Service Manager in charge of running the shop. Its really an awesome deal. A technician who hurts himself and can no longer be a tech usually is just outta luck.So I'm blessed. I've been back for four days and I am sitting in my bosses office and up pops this urgent e-mail regarding me!! I ask him to open it and it says "In regards to Mr. Hargroves re-employment we have not heard from his treating doctor concerning his work restrictions.We are concerned we cannot offer him a job if his restrictions are permanent ".What !!!! My local bosses said I had a job and now corporate sends an e-mail with this !!!Workman's comp has stopped my temporary income benefits because "my employer" said they had a position for me. So now what ?? I don't know and neither do they . I guess I will find out tomorrow. Just another bump in this long and winding year long road, God has a plan , I will keep you posted and let you know what it was !!!

Just a Thought

I know God wants me full time, Its a spiritual truth that as we go we are to make disciples. If God lives in me and He spoke everything into existence then its time for me to speak. My heart is to help people struggling and I have done that at the workplace, at home and many other venues. Now it is time for me to be a full time employee of the Creator of all things. I proclaim in Jesus' name JesusCrawl ministries to be a success, to financially support my family while we help those trying to recover their lives. I believe even if nobody reads this it will be spoken through this technology. I believe all things that need to happen will now transpire. I am sitting at my desk at church. That statement itself is a miracle so I know God is still in the miracle business.
Peace and Love ---I pray for Jesus to be Lord of all things in my life.....Amen
Jeff

It Ain't About Us

Whenever I get nervous about speaking in front of a large crowd or playing a new song for the first time my comfort comes from saying "it's not about me". The truth is its all about glorifying God and allowing Him to work through me. God equips the called He doesn't call the equipped. This same theory holds true to the board meeting I just left ! Its amazing the opinions that fly around !! People putting God in a box or putting man made "rules" in affect by a vote of men. God always shows up no matter what rules or regulations we put on a three day event. I said I wasn't going to get involved at this level again but It came down to If I don't no one else would. So I learn to separate politics from His work. Cause It Ain't about us.....
Peace and Love
Jeff

Good People-Bad Things

Sometimes I wonder why bad things happen to good people ? When close friends are in pain or sick, when good Christian people die young or suddenly, these are times that get me thinking and searching. My wife and I had the cancer scare last year. Many times I find myself asking why ? I have seen in the last year several close friends loose loved ones. I have seen amazing Christian people go through terrible times. I have seen alcoholics and addicts destroy their lives. Why ? I don't know ! What I do know is that I also have witnessed awesome men and women put their faith into action. In the middle of adversity, devastation and fear I have seen people praising God and sharing their faith through their actions. We live in a fallen world that the enemy has control of but we are not of this world. We are aliens in this world. No matter what happens to us here we know we have eternal Salvation through Jesus Christ. We have fellowship, friends and family for support and the Word of God for comfort. I believe that is why the armor of God has the helmet of Salvation, it covers our head or thoughts. We can take comfort in knowing God is in control and pray for our brothers and sisters. So I guess I don't have to know why , I just have to have faith and trust. So as we all go through our stuff know that Jesus Loves you and I Love you ! Good Things

Peace and Love
Jeff

Gods will

The older I get the more I see the truth. Gods will for my life is not a destination. Its not a person place or thing, its a posture for living, God wants me to seek Him, have a relationship with Him and to Love others as He Loves us. That's it. When I do these things He adds all things to me. JesusCrawl ministries is taking off. I said I would keep it posted so I am. Chad stayed up late Wednesday night putting a rough draft of the brochure together, Seeing it for real was really cool. We should have it finalized next week and take it to press. The next step after that is funding. There are several people that have said they are interested in helping that believe in what God is doing through me. We are praying for direction and Gods will for JesusCrawl. Your prayers would be gratefully appreciated.
Peace and Love

Serenity

This is the long version. The actual prayer that A.A. and others have shortened. I wonder if new comers to recovery programs would use it if they knew it all to start with?

"God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference.Living one day at a time. Enjoying one moment at a time. Accepting hardship as a pathway to peace. Accepting,as Jesus did,this sinful world as it is not as I would have it. Knowing that You will make all things right if I surrender to Your will, so that I may be reasonably happy in this world and supremely happy with You , forever, in the next."
Peace and Love

Faith or Fear

God is really working on me today. Chads message yesterday hit home. I have a new dedication to starting "JesusCrawl". I have had excuses for the wait,no more. I purchased,with money I didn't have,printer cartridges today to get everything in order to take to the production company. I think my fear has not been failure but success. I know this is what God wants from me so here we go. Success means I will be helping addicts,alcoholics and youth full time. That means totally relying on Him for everything. Isn't that what faith is?!!! I will keep you posted. If you want to help financially or any other way e-mail me at jesuscrawl@yahoo.com. Peace and Love

I officiated my first funeral today,or as we call them "Celebration services" I have mixed emotions .I am not proud or happy that I did this service.I am not looking forward to ever doing another. Though I am amazed that God used me for His Glory. The fact that an addict,alcoholic devils MVP that I used to be performed a funeral service today is living proof God is still in the miracle business!!!! We all need to learn to love and understand that our only position of power as Christians Is love..
Peace-Love Jeff

missionabilene

missionabilene

My first blog!!!

I have finally figured this thing out.As much as I have fought it,I now believe God can work in spite of this technology.There is much evil on the Internet.WE as believers can do battle here as well.It took so long for me to get this set up it is now family time.Priorities.Romans 12-2 states"Do not conform to the patterns and customs of this world but let God transform you by the renewing of your mind..."That is why I titled my blog,Captive Thoughts,WE need to take all thoughts captive and run them through our Jesus filter.
Peace and Love
Jeff