When God Was Near....

This is a whole new meaning as of late.......After spending 22 years running from God and starring as Satan's MVP I could tell you story after story of near death,literally,near death experiences. I could also tell you of all the Miracles He has performed in my life over the the past, almost decade now, of following Him....but today as I am getting ready to go play at Emmaus Candle Light I feel the need to express the fact that God is ALWAYS with me now !!!! It's awesome to have a continuous conscience contact with the Holy Spirit.....It's truly the one thing that has transformed my life and allowed me to be content no matter what my circumstance.....Even broke,wandering what I want to be when I grow up,rocky relationships and all life has to throw at me.........God is Good ....He was near and He is near..
Peace and Love
Jeff

Remember Me !!!

Some friends of mine have been getting together now for about 25 years....yep its been that long...I used to be remembered as the last one down,the guy who could party all night. People remembered me for all the wrong reasons. Last year I attended that party again......did not drink....was the only bass player there sober enough to play. Everyone knew I was changed....I left at 11:00 pm and as I left Marcus announced to everyone I had to leave cause I was preaching the next morning. The party just happened to fall on our Recovery Sunday weekend.....Some of them actually showed up in church to hear my message....It was awesome.....now I am remembered for the right reasons..........
Peace and Love
P.S.

Six Flags with teen recovery youth was awesome......thanks Mission Abilene for giving those young people to opportunity to have fun.....without consequences  !!!!!!!!!

Show Me The Way

A very famous person once said "Preach the Gospel throughout the world ...and when necessary use words !"...I truly believe this is how it has to start...We are based on attraction...the world needs to see us different and have a desire to be like us or else ANY words are useless......Then once we are in an accountable relationship with Christ and others that is when it needs to go further....we build,edify and encourage....THROUGH LOVE....and speak the truth to our brothers. This helps them clear the path for God to do His transforming work.....We tend to be way over-educated beyond our level of obedience.......That's worth repeating...We tend to be way over-educated beyond our level of obedience !!!
Peace and Love
Jeff

EMPTY

As of late I am anything but EMPTY......I recently participated in a Kairos prison ministry and if you get the chance to do so I highly recommend it.....I watched God do what he does best through the lives of 42 inmates out at the Robertson unit....The fact is but for the grace of God I am not in white.....I learned a lot from the guys at our table "family" its called in Kairos. I poured out my heart and the wisdom He has blessed me with to those guys and WOW what a blessing......Our spiritual life is ALIVE its a living breathing thing much like a body of water...Living Water....it must have an inflow and and outlet lest it becomes stagnant and dies.................
Peace and Love
Jeff

5......5.......5......FIll in the blank...

If you went to the Subway commercial you like myself are flooded with media....
Not to sound churchy but for real the One voice that influences me the most is that small still Voice I hear in my heart and head....That God conscience that I try to let run my life and give me Peace..Pastor Chad, and all the staff at the Mission are number two..Next would be my AA Sponsor Barry B. He has had a daily investment in my life for 7 years and he has my back.no matter what. My wife who speaks into my life on a daily basis also has a strong influence......most of the time.....LOL......
Last but certainly not least....all these influences change order daily....the guys that I sponsor...helping others is probably the one constant that has kept me on track and blessed my life the most.....
Peace and Love
Jeff

FUEL

Simply put....My rest in HIM......I have learned over my years in ministry that boundaries are very important.....I can't give from an empty "TANK." My hobbies and my alone time I guard fiercely....ask my kids....and sponcees. My fuel comes from Gods word as I rest in him.....
Peace and Love

Audacity

Honestly the word itself has had a negative meaning most of my life. Phrases like "do you believe the audacity of......" That's the first thing I think of.  After the past couple weeks it has a new meaning. Audacity is outright boldness without regard to the norm.I believe as Spirit filled believers anytime we face difficulties without whining or complaining we show we are different than the norm. When life looks horribly negative and depressing and we shout out with joy to our Creator we are being audacious.
Clinton Trigg, after his wife of over 50 years passed away, he could be the most angry, depressed,mad at God and life old man .....and with good reason, but he is not. He has chosen to let God and His people love him and he has even gotten involved himself. He gave his life to Christ at our Iron meeting. He drives the church van. He volunteers his time. That's audacity. My wife as well, she has done his laundry every since his wife died. She feeds him at our home once a week and they go to the movies or do something together at least once a week. Most of us just start to ignore older people and hope they find something to do...not my wife....that too is audacious !!!
Peace and Love
Jeff