Passion for God’s Presence 3

In John 15:14 it says “You are My friends if you do whatever I command you”

In our media-driven culture today its so easy (for even the church) to make celebrities, politicians and athletes on a higher level than we should.  When we watch our favorite celebrity, its funny how we think we really know them, imitate them and feel like they are part of our lives.

On the other hand God is immeasurably closer to us than any famous person, and His desire is that we draw closer to Him.  He will even do much more in our lives than any celebrity ever could!

Jesus said “if you love me you will obey my commands”. This is a little different from the media which says “if you love me you will buy my stuff”.  Young people, lets keep our priorities straight today! You have a God that is super crazy in love to pursue you, will you pursue Him?

Stop Pause Think

PJ

Passion for God’s Presence 2

So Abram departed as the Lord has spoken to him…

Genesis 12:4

Abram didnt plan his destination of where he wanted to go and what he wanted to see along the way. Abram’s story is actually a pretty crazy spiritual journey, like a journey that we are all on in pursuit of His presence.

God spoke to Abram and told him to “get out of your country…to a land that I’ll show you” He left all the comforts of home by faith.

Journey is an action word; it implies movement. God asks you to put feet to your faith. He wants you to be willing and obedient so that He can bless you and you can meet the needs of those whom He has placed along your path.

Will you take time to listen to God today to see what He says about your journey?

stop pause think

PJ

Passion for God’s Presence

“If Your presence does not go with us, do not bring us up from here”  Exodus 33:15

When God spoke to Moses to lead his people. Moses was in the desert- a dry and barren place. A place of hardship. There were no gardens, homes, friends, Iphones or shopping malls. Yet, Moses would not leave that place unless God was with him.

Moses knew what it was like to live a life of luxury because he was raise in the house of Pharoah. He had everything he could have ever wanted on this earth, but he chose to resign and leave.

Why? Moses left it all behind because he had an encounter with the God of the universe. He knew there was much more to this live than earthly pleasures. Moses yearned for the presence of God. And this is what we need to do to.

In order to be successful on your journey to His heart, we must have His presence. This is when God reveals Himself to us and He reveals to us just how close He is to us.

Pause- Stop- Think

PJ

Not Mine, but Yours

Hey everyone. We all had a great time at the Generation Conference last week in Kirkland. The messages and worship with Deluge was powerful and we were all greatly encouraged at what God did last week. Each message from the speakers seems to build on to each other… a perfect fit. Make sure you get your money in early next year, so you don’t miss out.

I wanted to encourage you in something I read in His Word this week.

Luke 2:6-7 says:  “So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to deliver. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger…”

When Jesus was born the life of a revolutionary began, sad to say that revolution happens when society wants it the least. The amazing thing about His birth is that is was not part of Mary and Joseph’s plan. It didn’t at all fit into their idea of a perfect engagement and marriage. We need to see that God will interrupt our plans for His. Revolution wont happen until we give our plan over for His. Are you ready to lay down your limited scheme today for God’s grandeos- purpose filled plan for this season?

PJ

2am

I had a cup of hot tea before I went to bed. As I laid down for the night I realized that the tea I drank was highly caffinated. To say the least I dont do very well with caffeine. I get this buzz in my ears, my mind races faster than I can talk and I get nervous as though someone is stalking me. Here are the accounts from last night.

1. 9:30 buzzing ears, racing mind, must irritate sleeping wife.
2. 10:00 Listen to 1.5 hours of Podcasts

3. 11:30 no time like now to start preparing my taxes!

4. 12:30am Body tired…must sleep. Brain moving too fast…cant sleep

5. 1:00 am Time to iron some clothes!

6.  1:49am buzzing ears, mind racing,  must irritate sleeping wife

7.  4:30 am Alarm goes off… time for prayer?

8. 6:44am: Wake up realizing I turned off alarm 2 hours ago

9. 6:45: I need more caffeine

I Must Confess

Most of you know me as the guy who sets the standard for eating healthy in your church. Even sometimes to a falt.  That would all change last night.  The story below will expose my weakness, In hopes that I will humble myself and encourage a few.

Here’s the story:

Both my wife, baby and I are getting over being sick all last week and my wife didn’t have the energy to cook up something healthy. I remembered that one of our youth gave us a Red Robin gift certificate for Christmas that we hadn’t used yet. That’s when it all when wrong. We headed down to our local Red Robin, got a seat and looked over the huge shiny colorful menu.  I lost control and next thing you know I had a Whisky River Cheese Burger, steak fries, Coke and mudslide fudge pie right in front of me.  As I partook of this sinful bliss, nothing mattered to me but conquering that mudslide fudge pie.

I laid in bed last night with my stomach constantly reminding me of all the wonderful things I shoveled into my mouth. I came to the harsh reality that I the “king of organic living” lost self control.

The moral to this story? Not quit sure yet, give me another day to digest my food and I’ll let you know.

Pastor Jeremy  (This is not a paid advertisement for Red Robin)

Obedience

I was reading in my Bible this morn’ in 1Peter 1:14.  (I suggest that you read it right now so I don’t have to write it down for you). Thank you.
Pretty good stuff huh?       The thing that impressed upon me the most is God wants obedience from us Willingly, Immediately, Completely. There’s no greater life to have our hearts ablaze with holiness before God.

Maybe you blew it yesterday, but will you pass the test of obedience today?

Salah  (Pause  Stop  Think)

Live a Little Snowboard Alot

I remember the first time I went snowboarding back in 1989. I got the latest skateboard magazine “Thrasher”. On the cover was a dude carving down the snow on a long skateboard with no wheels strapped to his feet. I just had to try it.

A few weeks later my friend and I rented some gear and took a bus to Crystal Mountain. Thinking we already had the sport mastered, we headed for the steepest hill on the mountain.

As I spent the next hour sliding down the hill on my rear, I quickly realized I was out of my league on this steep hill. I began to unstrap my board and decided I was going to walk down like a man. As I was unstrapping I accidentally let go of my board and it went flying down the hill without me. I began to run down the hill after my board with people laughing and yelling at me. As the board headed to the base into a crowd of a couple hundred people, the board turned left and through a ski downhill race course. I ran through the course right in the middle of a ski race after it. The board continued straight off a cliff and sailed into oblivion to a snowfield down below. It took me an hour to retrieve my board out of 4 feet of fresh snow.

Now after snowboarding for 18 years, I’m sure glad I didn’t give up and decided to “live a little”.

What’s your life adventure this week.

PJ- (somewhere on a mountain near you)

Best Christmas Ever

Hey everyone. 2008 is going to be “sweet”.  Hopefully you haven’t  broken all your Christmas toys yet? I got a really cool Christmas gift…violin lessons and learning how to play  “Popeye the Sailorman”.  There’s a story behind this.

Back in 5th grade a guy from a local music store came into our class and played “Popeye the Sailorman” on a violin.  Up to that point it was the coolest thing I have ever seen in my short life.  Long story short. I never got to play the violin and always wanted to learn that song. But my beautiful wife made my life long dream come true. I’ll keep you posted.

Baby Update #2

Hey there everyone, I hope that ya’ll are keepn’ sane in the midst of holiday bliss? Having a baby during the holidays is sure different. I used to be the one getting spoiled, now its my boy Jackson’s turn. I have officially let go of holidays being about me. The little guy got a turkey outfit for Thanksgiving from grandma and a Santa suit from great grandma. I just hope he doesn’t have to wear a cupid outfit for Valentine’s day. … lets give the lil’ guy some dignity. Jackson’s been keepn’ his bodily functions in control, so no good pee stories this week.

“to infinity and beyond!” PJ