MONEY MONEY MONEY

I was reading Pernell's blog yesterday, and he went off on something I have been interested in for a while. This whole idea of the "Prosperity Gospel," the idea that if we are good little middle class Christians God will reward us with more money then we could ever imagine. I don't buy into that one iota. You see I agree that God can bless us with money and material possessions but he doesn't want us to use it for selfish reasons or hoard it. God wants us to give it away. This is certainly an area of life that is difficult for many of us to give over to God, because we want so desperately to cling to the resources "we earned with our own hard work" we need to remember in this screwed up world, the richer I get or you get the poorer someone else gets.

If you are blessed to have the nice house, the great job, the good cars remember most of the world isn't and give God what is God after you "give Caesar what is Caesars (taxation - completely unrelated but I love it when Jesus throws stuff in the "MANS" face)."

Remember the rich young ruler, Jesus called him to give up everything and he couldn't. The more we hoard and cling to the harder it is to separate our selves from money. Its not a sin to make money, its what we do with our money that truly shows where are heart lies.

Peace

Funny Army stuff

Here is some funny SA stuff Kristen found on youtube,

CLASSIC

Faithfulness

What if we were truly faithful, what if we actually believed that God works for the benefit of those who love him. What if we gave him everything believing he would fulfill all of our needs. We would find the peace that surpasses all understanding. This week God has proved over and over that when there seems to be no way he will find away. Its premature to announce what has happened this week on my blog but stay tuned, I will share it next week!

peace

Jason

Baby = No money

So on top of trying to figure out how we are going to raise our soon to be son, what to teach him, how we will discipline him.... the reality of the looming maternity leave is coming. So it turns out taking 50% of one income out of the equation leaves about enough money to either eat or fill up the car. lol! So this will end up being the summer of saving! Which also means I may be taking on a second weekend job. If anyone is looking for someone to work for them on Saturday's I am available! On a positive note I will work for diapers.

In all seriousness we are a little scared but we do find comfort knowing that God will provide all we need (mostly likely less then we want).

"He is able, more then able to do much more then I could ever dream"

PEACE!

"Small is the new Big"

A few weeks ago I was chatting with Pernell Goodyear and he said something that stuck "small is the new big" he was referring to the benefits of smaller churches versus mega churches. I was reminded of that tonight as I was sitting at Routes. The results of a high school graduation and a party at someones house meant Routes was pretty empty most of the night. Although we only saw about 30 kids (half of our normal turnout) throughout the night, it was still one of the most rewarding nights I have had in a while. Because there was less people it was a lot easier to make good solid connections.

So often we get caught up in numbers... when your are in the business of following Christ one great connection is worth more then a million unconnected bodies!

Routes this Summer -

Are you hanging out in Hamilton and looking for a rewarding way to give back to the community or get involved in youth ministry this summer? If so, come check out Routes! We are always in need of strong/responsible volunteers, especially in the summer when many of our University volunteers go home for the summer! We basically run some kind of program Tuesday Thru Friday every week so if you have a free night you are willing to give up, give me a call!!


Hope all is well!

Jason

Some thoughts from the couch

2nd last Sunday at my old Church first time leading a worship gathering at my new church. Yesterday was a great affirmation that I have made the correct decision. It started in the morning when I realized my uniform pants had ripped forcing me to wear old black khaki pants (yeah they look as bad as they sound) then at church my uniform shirt popped open at the neck. It seemed as though my uniform was telling me it was time to move on. Then Sunday night, I lead discussion and gave several small messages, and I have to say I was a bit nervous before I spoke, but while I was speaking I felt more comfortable then I had ever felt speaking in a church. I thank God for giving Kristen and I the strength to follow Christ even though it would have been easier staying put.

I was reminded again that following Christ is an amazing journey but it certainly isn't and shouldn't be a comfortable and easy journey!

Peace,

Random Thoughts

Sorry for the time away, the last couple of weeks have been crazy as I transition out of Meadowlands and into FRWY, as well as having a busy Routes schedule. What you have missed, well last weekend, I had the "privilege" of playing in the Hamilton international Tattoo, Pipes and military bands from 9 am to 10:00 pm good times lol! I am not saying I don't like brass music, I actually enjoy it, but there is something mind numbing about standing in Copps coliseum surrounded by hundreds of pipers and military bands playing as loud as they can. But I found solace in knowing that it will be my last Tattoo!

This week God has really been impressing on me that just because something is good, and Godly it doesn't mean I should be doing it. I have come to the realization again that one can become overwhelmed with Holy busy work. For instance, the Tattoo, not a bad thing, and may be even a good thing to play spiritual music in a secular environment. But, when the "means" becomes more important then the "ends" we can get ourselves into trouble, in other words when the prestige of playing in front of 5000 ppl becomes more important then growing the Kingdom of God we can get ourselves in a little trouble . Another example from my Salvation Army tradition is the uniform. The uniform is a wonderful spiritual symbol of full Salvation and a life of devotion, but when instead being a symbol of Christian service it becomes a tool to play in bands/choirs or take on leadership while hiding behind it, its original purpose has been perverted and what was good and can still be good, has become bad.

Oh well just some thoughts from this crazy week.

Peace!

PS I am writing this at 9:00am after doing a presentation at 7:00am @ Rotary for all of you who don't think I have to work before 1 in the afternoon! lol!

Love

I have been thinking a lot about choices these days, especially with the baby coming. And there are lots of choices to make, what will we teach our little guy, what colour will we paint his room, how will we teach him to love Jesus. What will we do if he is rebellious? What will we do....

And as I was looking for video clips to do with choices as I prepare for my message in a couple weeks at FRWY ironically on choices, I came across this clip from Bruce Almighty. And the last line really made me think. Jim Carrey says about his ex-girlfriend, I want her to be happy and find someone that will see her the way I see her right now through your eyes (Gods eyes). Eyes of unconditional love, eyes that see the good when all we can see is the bad. I pray I will always look at my child through God's eyes!

Finally a day to relax

Nothing like taking a break after a really really really long weekend...

I spent the day regrouping and relaxing. This morning was spent looking into the word, and trying to pull some thoughts together for my first opportunity to speak at FRWY. I am really excited but a little nervous as well.

The afternoon I got to hangout with my bro playing catch, and other then almost hitting a few cars it was a good time.

Anyways, thought I would blog since I haven't for a while.

Peace,