The Calm before the storm -

When I was younger I worked a summer camp right on the Lake Erie coast. It was a wonderful experience, I made lot of great friends, met my wife and had a ton of fun. That being said, what I loved most about those summers were the thunderstorms. Sometimes they would roll in fast, and other times they would slowly approach over the water, and it might even be a couple of days before the storm would hit. But as the storms approached the sky would darken, the air would change, and right before the wind picked up there would be stillness, dark stillness. Hours before the rain came you new it was coming. When we felt a storm coming we would scurry around trying to figure out what to do with the campers, make sure all the windows were closed and just make sure we were prepared for the inevitable. The storms were often beautiful displays of thunder and lightning and cloud formations, but if we weren't prepared for them they would become chaotic times with angry kids floating around looking for things to do. The calm before the storm although annoying at times allowed us to prepare for what was to come.

All this to say, I am in that calm before the storm. I can see great things in front of me, but God is pulling back the reigns and making sure I am prepared for it. He is changing my mind and my behaviors to be more like his and he is challenging me on things I didn't even know I needed to change. He has been continually reassuring me that something special is going to happen, but he won't let me get there until the time is right, or should I say his time is right.

For a self diagnosed guy with adult ADHD I find this to be a terribly frustrating period as I am continually hit with self doubt and concerns. I am bombarded with issues that I would have never dreamed would be issues. I am thankful in this time of waiting for friends and family who are much wiser then me. Friends who are there to help me work through my frustrations and help me realize the vision God has placed on my mind.

So in these times I can only pray, pray for discernment of when I need to push a head and when I need to rest. Pray that I don't allow my fears and unconscious world view to stop me from doing what I know God wants me to do.

Peace,

Ottawa with the Boys

Just got back from the Imagine conference in Ottawa (actually Gatineau Quebec). The conference was alright but connecting with Jordan and Pernell along with a bunch of crazy Free Methodist church planters was by far the highlight. I was deeply challenged by their depth of knowledge, their experience and their creativity. Although the weekend presented some unexpected challenges, I was affirmed over and over again that I am called to be a church planter and I am excited about building/developing a new church community here in Hamilton! I don't have bunch time, but in the coming days I will go deeper in sharing about my personal paradigm shift that began almost a year ago now and was further challenged this weekend.

Peace,

Jason

A couple of Crazy Weeks

Here are some life updates for those of you who care:

Family -


Kristen, Jackson and I are starting to figure out the whole family thing! We quickly realized that life as we knew it was over (although everyone warned us, we really didn't understand). In fact Jackson has really forced us to reevaluate what is important, what we should and shouldn't be doing with our time! One thing I have learned is that there really isn't ever enough time in the day to everything you want and need to do, especially when you throw in a beautiful baby boy who you want to spend every waking moment with!

To help us remember just how amazing life is right now with Baby Jackson we asked Krista Jefferson to take some pictures of our little guy. We have only seen a few so far, but what we have seen has absolutely blown us away. Krista has an amazing vision for what will make a good picture and she is really good at telling a story with her pictures! check out some of the pics on her blog http://www.kristajefferson.com/blog/. Thanks Krista!

My Mom -

As most of you know my mom has been fighting breast cancer for the past 6 weeks, in fact she managed to squeeze in 3 surgeries in 5 weeks. Although, life isn't easy for my mom she has never shown anything but courage through the whole process. I thank God for my mother, for her strength, for her faith and for just being her! Please keep praying for my mother and father as they await Chemotherapy and Radiation.

Church -


The last couple weeks have also offered some great affirmation for the vision God has given me for a new missional church plant in urban Hamilton! I have started a church plant internship at FRWY and I am looking forward to the Imagination Church planting conference coming up in November. As for more details, I can't give you a lot because some things are hush hush right now but look for some updates on my blog in the next couple of weeks!

PS If any of you are looking to get involved in a new missional church community please drop me an email jasondockeray@yahoo.com.

Work

Routes -

Things are going really well at Routes! We have started a lot of new programs over the last few months and Dundas youth seem to be resonating with what we are offering and we are finding ourselves connecting with new teens! Like always we are in need of some quality volunteers and we may be looking for a new team member in the next couple of months so if you are interested in working in a missional environment, and are passionate about young people drop me an email! jasondockeray@yahoo.com\

Christian Horizons -

I have just recently started working for Christian Horizons as a relief staff. I work with adults with various disabilities. It is a job I never anticipated working, but it is one that I have enjoyed a lot. The guys I work with and for are extremely funny and inspirational!

Anyways the last few months have thrown me some curve balls, both good and bad but all in all life is good!

Peace