Risky ?

As history is being written there can be no doubt risks are being taken. If our forefathers had not taken a risk we may not even be here. We would not have our rights as American citizens. The pioneers of our nation did not know where they were going to end up....they just headed west. I used to take blind risk's...most of the time I was oblivious to the fact, I used to race moto-cross. If you did not take a risk racing you would never make it over the triples, sometimes risk was very painful. I recently left the business I was in for over 25 years to pursue full time ministry...risky ? We started an A.A. meeting for Sunday school...risky ? We partnered with an organization to prevent teen addiction...risky ? I believe anything in our life that we pursue that is not in our comfort zone we can perceive as a risk. As Christians our risk taking has a safety net....it's called Faith.I believe and even expect God to do what He says He will do. So I can take risks and know whatever the outcome He has my best interest at heart. All of my risks that are ministry minded have turned out successful. God is Faithful....End of story.
Peace and Love
Jeff

Succeed

How can I help people succeed ? My first gut reaction is stay out of the way and let God work...Although that may sound like a cop-out or passive,it's really not. Just like faith without works is dead...so is letting God work...there is my part. First I have to have a personal relationship with God and those I am trying to help. Second; I have to live a life acceptable to God therefore I will be a good example to those I am trying to help. Third; I have to make time to spend with God and those I am trying to help. As time passes and I gain more wisdom by His grace I have learned the least spiritual thing I can do at times is interject my opinion.....I have seen God's work cut short by us trying to help too much. I also need to be filled with the Holy Spirit...that way when I am asked my opinion I can speak the truth into the lives of those I am trying to help succeed. Helping someone find God's perfect Peace and Love is the ultimate way I can help them succeed. When they have been through all they need in order to achieve this, and I have been there to walk with them through whatever it takes to get there, then we have success wherever we go with whatever we do !
Peace and Love
Jeff

Coulda-Shoulda-Woulda

There are so many voices in my head at any given time that I have learned which ones to listen to and which ones to shut out. No I am not schizophrenic,although I do know how to spell it,I have a magnificent magnifying mind. I think too much....When I start to think of the past and those cautionary tails of what might have been I shut it down. Everything I have been through God has now blessed me with the ability to use those experiences for His Glory. Nothing happens in Gods world by mistake !!!!!Yesterday is only a dream....tomorrow is only a vision...but today, well lived, makes yesterday a dream of happiness and tomorrow a vision of hope. I choose to stay in today !!!!
Peace and Love
Jeff

Area of Margin

I have come to a point in life where I am aware of my margin. I have learned to keep enough margin in order for them to remain fluid. Life is ever changing, so is ministry, family, school and so on. My margins need to stay large enough to accommodate my schedule. God remains the same...the one thing I can always count on is Him. To become like Christ should be all of our goal,even though we fall short,it is still my goal. To love like Christ we have to sacrifice like Christ. Is there enough margin in your life for sacrifice ? Is my margin for me ? One thing Jesus did was spend time alone with God. That, I have learned, needs to be my largest area of margin.....without that all other margin is useless.
Peace and Love
Jeff
Time to go teach the Jesus Jesus song

A Guided Tour

I was recently asked if I am a travel agent or a tour guide ? Interesting train of thought.....There was this old drunk, face down in a muddy ditch. A doctor walked by and said " here's a prescription..take these for a while then call me if your not better." A religious man walked by and said " brother you look rough, I will pray for you, if you need anything come see me at church." A fellow drunk who had been sober for quite some time stopped, got down in the ditch with him, held his hand and began to show him a better way to live. By the Grace of God a tour guide found me and by His Grace I am now a tour guide.
Peace and Love
Jeff

Time Wise

For the first time in my adult life I am not punching a time card. Even though my 25 year career was not an hourly job, I was paid on commission, we still were required to be "clocked in." Aside from church hours and face to face classes I have 100 % control of my schedule. It may sound a bit trivial to some of you but I feel a freedom and Peace I have never known. I feel blessed way...way...way beyond what I deserve. With that blessing comes responsibility. "He who has been given much,much is required." I have built a schedule that allows "Margins" and freedom to do more for His people. I have plenty of time set aside for family,ministry and school work. Last semester I even managed to play golf at least once a week. I am learning that "my time" or time set aside for what I want to do is very important. If I am not enjoying myself...it is hard to be positive when helping others.Most important....every weekday morning I get to watch my morning ministry shows and spend my quiet time with God. I have made it a priority to come up with something everyday that I could speak into someones life if the situation arises. Being prepared to minister out of my overflow is one of the most important lessons I have learned from my current pastor. Today life is peaceful and productive,loving God, loving people, living one day at a time.
Peace and Love
Jeff

Ministry 2011

This year I believe we will see closer relationships. Our recovery group has grown in numbers and grown in our faith and maturity. What I am believing for is more relationships with a wider area of the recovery community as well as the mental health community. We have positioned ourselves in such a way we can start to show the love of Jesus Christ to a wider area of influence.. It is going to start with more meetings and a teen focused meeting collaborating with Taylor Alliance for Prevention. I have many friends deep in the recovery and mental health communities who share the same vision...this year we will work more diligently toward making it happen. We are already taking steps in this direction.....It's exciting.
Peace and Love
Jeff