Thankful...again

If you have been following my blog for a while you may remember a post from Thanksgiving 2008 titled Thankful. (If not, go back and read it.) It chronicled the addition to my parents' house that, at that time, was under construction, and how this is a picture of God's activity in our lives. We went back to visit my folks recently and the room is completed and really nice. The door is no longer there...replaced by a wider hallway with some great storage cabinets on one side.

On November 9, 2008 I led worship for the final time at Two Rivers Baptist Church where I had served as the Associate Minister of Music & Worship for 3 1/2 years and where our family had been members since 1996. My job there was eliminated due to financial strains. This was the context of my original Thankful post. God had clearly brought one season to an end and had not revealed what our next assignment would be.

For about 4 months the LORD literally led us week to week where He would have us worship. We went to big churches, small churches, lively churches, subdued churches, churches in different areas of town, churches with totally different ministry objectives and philosophies--but wherever we went, we experienced God. Some places we had to look for Him a little harder, but He led us and He spoke to us week in and week out as we explored what He was up to within His people in the Nashville area. This was the beginning of His healing process in us. Although God had done amazing things during our years at TRBC, we had been wounded in unexplainable ways.

This process of healing continued as we began to get invitations to lead worship on the road. We spent March and April traveling and leading worship and were busier than we ever were during our 7 years of traveling ministry. Everywhere we went, we were encouraged by Godly leaders. This may be hard to hear, but because of our wounds, we had become very cynical and God knew we needed to see Him at work in pastors (younger and older and in-between) who were chasing after His heart and leading their people to do the same. Week after week we were moved to see God's heart on display in these men of God and I thank God so much for it! He knew what we needed.

About halfway through this traveling season, I received a call from the pastor of Trinity Baptist Church in Southaven, MS, Chad Everson. As we talked on the phone, a common view of God and His church and what we are to be about as we gather to worship quickly surfaced. I hung up the phone greatly encouraged and energized. He invited Suzanne and I to come lead worship for several weeks during May. We entered into a time of seeking the Lord as to whether or not this might be a more long-term assignment. As we prayed and after we had been there and led worship once and visited much more with Brother Chad and his family, the LORD took Suzanne and I to Exodus 3-4. This is where Moses and God are arguing about him going to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. You'll have to read it all to get the passion, but it comes down to God saying this:

"Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall say." - Exodus 4:12(ESV)

With that, we said, "OK God. We hear you." We had already seen Him at work as we had talked with Chad and visited with his family and as we had worshiped with the family of faith at Trinity, so this was simply God providing a promise for us to stand on.

So if you haven't figured it out, we're moving to Southaven, MS. The church officially called me to be their Worship Pastor last Sunday evening, June 7, just a few days shy of 7 full months since our last week at TRBC. In Hebrew culture, the number 7 represents completion or perfection and the number 8 represents new beginnings. God has completed much in these past months and we are confident that He will do great things in the days ahead. We are already getting to know and love the body of Christ that is Trinity Baptist Church and we are treasuring the eternal friendships that God has given us during our years in Nashville. I am thankful...again...for God's activity behind the door of this new assignment even before we had any idea where He was leading. (Philippians 1:6)

Thanking God,
~Jon

[Suzanne and I and the boys ask that you pray specifically that God would lead us (quickly) to the house He has for us to live in in Southaven and that He would bring THE buyer for our house in Nashville.]

Humble Pastors

This message ROCKS!! Humility is not a virtue that our world appreciates, but in the radical message of God, it is primary. Whether you are a pastor, a parent, a manager, this message is for you. If you have ever dealt with pride, this message is for you.

Lord, teach us to live in humility. In Jesus Name, for His sake, and in His power, Amen.

~Jon

Axioms For A Great Commission Resurgence

I am encouraged that God is at work. I read a sermon from Danny Akin, the president of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (the link is below) and my spirit soared with joy as I read. He very boldly speaks to many of the issues facing the American Church today and I say a hearty, "Amen!" Check it out, but be careful, it will challenge your status quo.

~Jon

http://betweenthetimes.com/2009/04/16/akin-axioms-for-a-great-commission-resurgence/

A Conversation with Death on Good Friday

A Conversation with Death on Good Friday
April 10, 2009 | By: John Piper
Category: Commentary

CHRISTIAN:

Hello, Death, my old enemy. My old slave-master. Have you come to talk to me again? To frighten me?

I am not the person you think I am. I am not the one you used to talk to. Something has happened. Let me ask you a question, Death.

Where is your sting?

DEATH, sneeringly:

My sting is your sin.

CHRISTIAN:

I know that, Death. But that’s not what I asked you. I asked, where is your sting? I know what it is. But tell me where it is.

Why are you fidgeting, Death? Why are you looking away? Why are you turning to go? Wait, Death, you have not answered my question. Where is your sting?

Where is, my sin?

What? You have no answer? But, Death, why do you have no answer? How will you terrify me, if you have no answer?

O Death, I will tell you the answer. Where is your sting? Where is my sin? It is hanging on that tree. God made Christ to be sin—my sin. When he died, the penalty of my sin was paid. The power of it was broken. I bear it no more.

Farewell, Death. You need not show up here again to frighten me. God will tell you when to come next time. And when you come, you will be his servant. For me, you will have no sting.

O death, where is your victory?
O death, where is your sting?
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.
But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory
through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:55-57)


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Jesus Wants The Rose - Matt Chandler

This is an AMAZING story! I was blown away!! I think all that I can say is that this sinner - Jon - is so grateful that Jesus loves sinners. ~Jon

Friendship

I have always had friends, but over the last few years, friendship has taken on a much more significant meaning. I guess some of it could be attributed to age. (I'm about to officially enter the "late thirties." Ugh!) But I really believe that these more honest, real life, deep, life-long friendships are from God. Now, if you are a friend from years ago, please don't take offense. This in no way minimizes any friendship from the past. It's just that God has revealed more of Himself in these last few years and He has brought people into my life that have walked that path with me. I think it could be compared to the kinds of friendships formed by those who serve in the military together. There's something life-altering about going to battle together. That is true in a spiritual sense, too. When you have shared life together when life is hard, intimacy forms. When you experience the reality of God together, you are forever connected. This is the life Jesus was talking about in John 10:10b, "I came that they may have life and have it abundantly." (ESV)

I am finding that this is not a new phenomenon. There have always been people who have shared life this way. One group was called the Inklings. This group included the likes of C.S. Lewis (who wrote The Chronicles Of Narnia), J.R.R. Tolkien (who wrote The Lord Of The Rings), and author Charles Williams. I came across a quote from Lewis tonight that was written after Williams passed away and it captures the essence of friendship like I never could.

"In each of my friends there is something that only some other friend can fully bring out. By myself I am not large enough to call the whole man into activity; I want other lights than my own to show all his facets. Now that Charles [Williams] is dead, I shall never again see Ronald's [Tolkien's] reaction to a specifically Charles joke. Far from having more of Ronald, having him 'to myself' now that Charles is away, I have less of Ronald...In this, Friendship exhibits a glorious 'nearness by resemblance' to heaven itself where the very multitude of the blessed (which no man can number) increases the fruition which each of us has of God. For every soul, seeing Him in her own way, doubtless communicates that unique vision to all the rest. That, says an old author, is why the Seraphim in Isaiah's vision are crying 'Holy, Holy, Holy' to one another (Isaiah 6:3). The more we thus share the Heavenly Bread between us, the more we shall have." -C.S. Lewis, The Four Loves, pg 61-62

Seeking Bread, Sharing Bread,
~Jon

The Chief Task Of Parenting

I came across this quote that is just too good not to post. I want to parent like this. God, please help me. ~Jon

"The chief task of parenting is to know God for who he is in his many attributes--especially as he has revealed himself in the person of Jesus and his cross--and then to live in such a way with our children that we help them see and know this multi-faceted God." -John Piper, This Momentary Marriage, pg. 144