Jesus (Secret Messages)

Not that long ago I was having a conversation with a friend of mine who I love dearly but he got a little upset with me. We were actually "at church" and I was leading a discussion for a Highschool youth group. We were discussing how Jesus would fit into today's culture and really talking about he might would not "fit in" that much at all. Somehow the conversation went towards politics and I allowed the students to move forward with their comments as I personally was surprised by their willingness to speak about what they "believed" to be the right stance on issues. Most of their comments started with "my parents say..." Or "my dad says..." And even "if this... Then my dad's business would..." And I was amazed at their insight but most of it seemed disconnected from Jesus (which is how the conversation got started).

My friend approached me afterwards and told me that he didn't appreciate me bringing up politics "in church" and has always been told that politics is something that you should leave out of "preaching". Church is a place to talk about God and people, not politicians. Well, I can say that those words have stuck with me since then but have never really rested well.

I have recently started reading "The Secret Message of Jesus" by Brian MaClaren and the first chapter is entitled The Political Message of Jesus and it does a great job of painting a picture of the political "parties" of Jesus day (which there were by the way). McLaren then talks through the gospels and how each of Jesus teachings put him in the same sphere as some parties and completely against others. Only to find the next time he is recorded he is speaking in opposition to a party he was earlier thought to have been uplifting.

His point in this is that Jesus did not dance around political issues. Infact he spoke straight to heart of all of them. He seemed to do this with no concern for who was supporting (voting) or opposing him. The only thing He was concerned with was speaking of a better way to live. The way we were created to live. He spoke knowing that what he spoke of was the only way to experience a better way of life (or you could call it God's Kingdom).

This may not make much sense since most likely you haven't read the book. All I am really trying to say is this... I am currently more less inspired than ever to be a part of a known political party. I love our country, I love our president (God does too), I love the people of Uganda, I love the poor, I love the rich (God does too), and I love the less fortunate, and I want to be able to love those of Muslim Terrorist groups (because I know God does too). I am compelled to follow in the steps of Jesus and love because I was first loved regardless of situation, circumstance, or political party.

So in light of my conversation with my friend (which has been long resolved between us)... I believe if we as the church treat the gospel as something that just tells us to be nice to our siblings and do good in school then we neuter the very message that sent Christ to the cross. His Gospel carried both political and social implications. You can't say I am a forgiven sinner and hate your brother who has wronged you and you can't say I was a blind man that sees and not offer food to one who is Hungry. If the good news that Christ spoke of causes us to cross over political lines then we can't be afraid of that as followers of Him. It is those crossed lines that both won the hearts of his followers and angered others to put him on a cross. If we are following, should we look any different?

If you've read this far... thoughts???

I am searching to find the way of Jesus... the real message of Jesus... May God continue to guide...

Love and Peace,

-Jason

Narnia Rap Battle

So I first saw this on my boy Jasen's Blog. If you liked the First Narnia Rap from SNL then you will love this.

Cheers,

-J

Super Bowl 41

We're on the Culpepper Train... The Miami Dolphins signed a new QB yesterday. The former Pro Bowler was my big hope for the Dolphins QB situation. Can't wait for next year. Time to get our roll on!!!



If you know me then you know tend to get passionate about some stuff. I want people to feel loved and accepted. I love my wife. Music somehow moves me in my soul. I know we have a tendency to misuse the word love, so I will just say this... my friends, I really, really, really, like good football. I am also a huge Miami Dolphins fan. Some of my best memories as a child are watching Dan Marino break passing records with my Dad. Me liking good football and liking the Dolphins, however, have not been good for each other over the past few years because the Dolphins haven't been, well, playing good football.

We all know I haven't been able to be too excited about Basketball as of late (Jasen Ashdown - do not comment here just because you are a Wake Forest Fan) because of the NCSU performances as of late. So, needless to say, sports have been hurting me something serious...

I believe this is changing... Good times are ahead!!! I welcome them. Daunte, get your roll on!!!



Much Love,

-Jason

A night to remember...

I couldn't put into words... raw emotion... genius creativity... great music... amazing show... please find a way to see these guys live...

MUTE MATH

It was a blast seeing so many friends out there... Glad we could experience it together...

Love and Peace,

-J

Musicians, Coffee, and The Random...

I dare call myself a musician but I certainly love a good cup of coffee... Almost as much as a great melody.

So this morning I had the privilidge of having a cup of coffee with my buddy Mike. It is obvious we have similar thoughts, passions, and maybe even callings on our life. It is also apparent we both have an incredibly difficult time staying on task.

In 1 hour our conversation went from his powerbook engulfing mine in physical stature, to the greatness of a good cup of coffee, to guitar tone, to Daniels inability to talk on the phone, to history the of the church, back to expresso beans, the intensity of the blog world, style of leadership, working to unify God's church, recent readings that were inspiring, and then ending on Daniels sometimes lack of communication (if you're out there Daniel, I am only kidding...)

I left thinking... how in the world do I EVER get a darn thing done? I must be the most insane person in the world. Life comes and goes fast and I'm so glad I get to recieve the blessing of so many different things and hope I get to offer a few blessings here and there also. But then I realized... alot of that just came from us being passionate people... I am so thankful we can go through this life with passion... I am grateful the we can have hope... I am thankful we have communities to share and experience life together in...

I ended up thinking... maybe when a couple people that are passionate about similar things get together - crazy things can happen. Maybe as the church our conversations and lives should be filled with enough passion that we find ourselves living crazy lives for God's Kingdom...

Not sure if it was the coffee, the artist mind frame, or my constant battle for focus when there is so much life going on. Not sure which one it is... could just be the ADD from my childhood...

Whichever one it is... I just hope State whoops up on Carolina tonight...

Love and Peace (even for Carolina fans),

-Jason

A new tradition...

This morning I was meeting a guy at 8:30 for breakfast and for one reason or another he didn't show... Because I have a problem with certain electronic impulses in my brain working correctly (forgetful), I figured I would wait until at least 9:00... Knowing that it is possible that I just "thought" I said 8:30 when it could have 9:00 that was the true (and highly overrated) prearranged time to meet for the partaking of an early meal together...

Since I had some time open I took out my Bible and started reading through the book of Acts. We're starting a new series at Hungry on how Jesus sent His church forward so I thought this would be a good time to seek some direction on how we can work through this book. This turned into an amazing time of stillness, of seeking, asking, wondering, and dreaming...

Then 9:07 rolled around and still no new company. By this time my inner organs often referred to as the stomach was felling grossly empty... I am thankful for this feeling because it lead to the enjoyment of one of the best Western Omelets ever produced by Pam's Farmhouse.

So there I was enjoying time alone (in a public place) with my Creator. No time constraint, no objective, no box to check.... And then the enjoyment of a meal... I think I offered God thanks the whole time I was eating... I honestly was grateful... with every bite of egg, tomatoes, peppers, toast, and goodness gracious - grits with toast... get the heck outta here... SOOOOO good!!!

Well when I was finished, as cheezy as it sounds (but I make no apologies), I felt moved. I felt as though I had spent time with my Father. I had spent time sharing my heart, seeking His, and being blessed by His peace and goodness... My soul was moved and I was compelled to mark my thoughts...

Here I am
Finally quiet again...
a place I've longed to be

There's people around
all scents and sounds...
But the One I sense is You

How do I loose the simplicity
the right has now moved to wrong
The mornings too short
and the nights they run long
But what I really need is You

You beckon with love
You calm with Your peace
You comfort the heart that's wounded

You cover with grace
So I can look in Your face...
in this time with You

And so I am moved to worship...

What a great morning... Perhaps the start of a "new tradition"...

Love and Peace,

-J

Inspired by others

So within Hungry we have this group of people that has caught a vision for this place on the other side of the planet. Their drive, passion, and work is like very little I have ever seen. They are a flat out inspiration for me and I know for many others.

All this to say, there is something to; "they will see you beautiful deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." There is something compelling about lives that are filled with hope and compassion. - for all of you who live your life this way, I say thank you... thank you for glorifying our God...

Today I find myself praying for myself and for all of God's Church, that we would be so moved by the love of God that we would be in constant action to change this place in which we live.

I praise God for allowing us to be apart of His plan to restore the world.

-Jason

Less Restless???

Certain current situations haven't been resting well with me... That is one reason why I haven't been writing all that much. I have serious issuses with sickness and death, both of which I have encountered recently in family and friendships. Probably because of my imperfection more than anything else I have really been wrestling with God over a few things.

Today, however, was a day of peace in my life in many ways - not just because situations were resloved - more because I believe I have remembered more of who I am in God. I have a few areas in my life where I am experiencing some restlessness (if you know me then this may not be a shocker)... Not anxiousness... not anger (Jeff)... just restlessness...

My dad has been going through a lot and I have trouble being cool with that (even though I know God is at work in the situation). I feel as though he has had a rough hand in life and sometimes I feel as though things are just getting heavier. I want to speak truth into his situation and encourage him. I want to remind him that God has a plan and it is for Himself to be glorified - not for everything to make sense to us. On the other hand... I don't want to be his pastor... I want to be his son.

Today he called me and told me he had been spending some time with God and realized he had been being selfish. He said recently he had been so focused on himself and his situation he forgot that his life really wasn't about him... It was about what God is doing... He also told me he was going to hang out with his pastor for a while and talk through some things. I could barely hold back the tears. Sometimes you just feel God in someone's life at work. I told him I loved him and that was the best news I could have gotten today. - Praise be to God...

I also had coffee with some friends today, one of which I hadn't talked to in a while. He immediately sensed my tenseness (about some other stuff) and proceeded to make fun of me for prolly half the time we were together. Through our laughs though I received a peace about my restlessness. He didn't make me feel bad about it... Almost like a, "You must be normal..." You see, I have been getting frustrated at myself for not just going with the flow and somehow forgot that it's ok to be a little confused sometimes... Our story of faith is filled with others who have been somewhat lost even when they were found and that has been honored by God. - Father help me to follow closely...

Lastly, the two things that have no resolve, my ipod quit working (more on this later... it magically started working again) and my wife is out of town for the night (which is why I am still up at 12:15 in the morning - can't sleep)... - both of those things = bad

Anyways, I find peace in remembering it's ok for things to not make sense. I don't have to have everything "fixed" or "figured out". I know I am on some kind of journey... A good friend reminded me today to continue to use this energy to give these things over to God in prayer and I will continue...


God we ask..
Breathe peace... Breathe Your peace on us... So we might breathe You deep...

Love and Peace,

-J

Fitting for today...

A friend of mine sent me an email this morning with this quote. It's fitting for today and the words have aroma of truth.... I felt it was worth sharing.

Enjoy

-J

"Make a career of humanity...and you will make a greater person of yourself,
a greater nation of your country, and a finer world to live in."
-Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Last Night...

Our worship gathering last night at Hungry was amazing. We were looking at a passage were Jesus says, "I did not come to judge the world, but to save it." I have to tell you, there is something beautiful in sharing that with people. Something beautiful in saying that Jesus came here to restore your life, he came to restore this world. Whether it's your first time hearing that or you hear it all the time, when you slow down and let it sink in... Thank-you God...

Jeff made the point the we don't necessarily need someone else to judge us. I see what he means... if you're like me then you know you're at least a little screwed up. I find peace, love, and encouragement knowing that it's those moments where Jesus is saying, "I came to offer you salvation... a rescue from a much emptier and meaningless life..."

I pray this week we can all rest in those words of Christ... I hope we get that last part of Him offering us a salvation and that we would come to know what that means in its fullest. I also pray for those areas of our life where we find ourselves judging, that we would take on the words and heart of Christ and realize we too are here not to judge but to save the world... I believe this plays a large part in the prayer of Jesus to our Father... "Thy Kingdom come..."

Love and Peace,

-J

Do yourself a favor...

Listen to this band...


Came accross a single last week so I took a chance and downloaded their CD "How to Save a Life" from itunes... Seriously... if you have some money you want to spend on itunes, get this CD...

Style... well, they're just flat out smooth... smooth and catchy rock... great balance of piano and guitar... you'll look forward to the next time you get in your car to listen... great depth lyrically...

Just in case so you don't miss it...
http://www.thefray.net/

if you've come accross any good music lately, feel free to let me know...

much more awake today,

-J

Sometimes...

i just get real tired... the kinda tired where you're not sleepy, just heavy feeling... but not like overweight...

i guess i feel like in this life i want to do so much... only i feel as though i am only capable of doing so little... i want to make the world a better place only i am part of the problem... i want people to see God through me though i am sometimes ashamed for someone to look at me...

i wonder if me feeling tired sometimes comes from me trying to be something i am not... trying to be a perfect friend, a perfect husband, a perfect leader (if you are my friend/wife/co-worker then you know i am far from these - hah)... i hate getting hit in the face with the fact that i could make mistakes... i feel as though i should have my stuff together better than i do...

i don't know where i get this idea from that i can't make mistakes but it does make me, well, tired...

as i sit and write this though, I am forced to realize it is my own short comings that gently pointed me towards our God anyways... it was the realization that this picture of my life and more importantly the world was not "right" without Him...

so in this moment like many moments before i ask for God to remind me who i am... that i am a child of God... that my perfection comes through what Christ did, not what I do... i ask him to gently offer His embrace... for His comfort... for His peace... i ask him to remind me that i am not meant to be one who does not need a Savior... that i, alone, am not meant to be one who is a "perfect" anything...

i pray tonight as i am tired... that i would rest easy... i pray i could accept my short comings... and maybe even be thankful for them pointing me towards my need for a Savior... i pray i would keep in perspective that i am only a follower, but that i would follow Him closely...

so the journey continues...

So I've always been a secret Chuck Norris fan...

Today I found this here...

I cried... really funny...





1. Chuck Norris' tears cure cancer. Too bad he has never cried.

2. Chuck Norris does not sleep. He waits.

3. Chuck Norris sold his soul to the devil for his rugged good looks and unparalleled martial arts ability. Shortly after the transaction was finalized, Chuck roundhouse kicked the devil in the face and took his soul back. The devil, who appreciates irony, couldn't stay mad and admitted he should have seen it coming. They now play poker every second Wednesday of the month.

4. Chuck Norris built a time machine and went back in time to stop the JFK assassination. As Oswald shot, Chuck met all three bullets with his beard, deflecting them. JFK's head exploded out of sheer amazement.

5. A blind man once stepped on Chuck Norris' shoe. Chuck replied, "Don't you know who I am? I'm Chuck Norris!" The mere mention of his name cured this man blindness. Sadly the first, last, and only thing this man ever saw, was a fatal roundhouse delivered by Chuck Norris.

6. If you can see Chuck Norris, he can see you. If you can't see Chuck Norris you may be only seconds away from death.

7. Chuck Norris doesn't read books. He stares them down until he gets the information he wants.

8. The quickest way to a man's heart is with Chuck Norris's fist.

9. When Chuck Norris was in middle school, his English teacher assigned an essay: "What is Courage?" Chuck Norris received an "A+" for writing only the words "Chuck Norris" and promptly turning in the paper.

10. It was once believed that Chuck Norris actually lost a fight to a pirate, but that is a lie, created by Chuck Norris himself to lure more pirates to him. Pirates never were very smart.

11. Someone once tried to tell Chuck Norris that roundhouse kicks aren't the best way to kick someone. This has been recorded by historians as the worst mistake anyone has ever made.

12. Chuck Norris appeared in the "Street Fighter II" video game, but was removed by Beta Testers because every button caused him to do a roundhouse kick. When asked bout this "glitch," Norris replied, "That's no glitch."

13. Chuck Norris uses all seven letters in Scrabble... Every turn.

14. Before each filming of Walker: Texas Ranger, Chuck Norris is injected with five times the lethal dose of elephant tranquilzer. This is, of course, to limit his strength and mobility, in an attempt to lower the fatality rate of the actors he fights.

15. Chuck Norris has perfected faster-than-light travel. He won't give the patent to NASA until all of their employees grow beards.

16. Chuck Norris does not use spellcheck. If he happens to misspell a word, he simply changes the acutal spelling of it.

17. Chuck Norris can cause a forest fire just using the magical properties of his beard, he can then, if he chooses, extinguish the fire by roundhouse kicking it.

18. Chuck Norris once roundhouse kicked a waitress because his steak didn't have a beard.

19. Chuck Norris laughed so hard while watching Black Hawk Down that he had to leave the theater. Well, he didn't have to, obviously, but he was feeling especially generous that day because he had already killed so many people.



Hope you enjoy...

-J

Honestly... it's just funny...

You have to watch this...

Cheetah Video


It feels good to laugh!!!

-J

This Morning...

I awoke this morning almost unable to talk... I have had a sore throat/cold settling in for the last few days and yesterday, we at Hungry, had our weekly worship gathering which I usually receive part of the blessing of leading worship. I think between the rehearsal and actual gathering it finished my voice off completely - hah.

So all morning I've not really been able to speak all that much and it has forced me into some reflection - amazing what happens when you're just quiet a bit. So right now I sit amazed at the God of the universe. Amazed at a love and grace that reaches me right where I am, knowing I deserve none of it. Amazed that it compels me to want to live out His dream for this world and that gives me peace and purpose - where otherwise I have none... amazed at the blessings in my life and that compels me to want to be a blessing to others... I have friends and family that are so dear... As I write I am almost in tears and I am overwhelmed with something... maybe love, maybe grace, maybe the presence of God...

However this morning came to be, I am thankful... chances are if you are reading this then in some crazy way you are a part of my reflection this morning. So thankyou... I pray we would all continue to be drawn into the light of who God is and how is working...

Love and Peace,

-J

What a gift...

So this year Diana and I decided we weren't gonna decorate our place for Christmas. No tree, no nativity, no lights... We are just have a lot going on right now and thought it would be easier to not have to "worry" about getting out the decorations, setting them out, and ofcoarse putting them back away in a month...

If I were honest though I could tell she wasn't real happy about this and honestly niether was I. I know Christmas is about more than a tree and lights, but in this life we do have memories... There is something about coming home to a house where things are peacful and there are visible reminders of the time of year you are celebrating...

So... yesterday I got the urge...

I left the office at lunch (hope my boss doesn't read this), went and bought a tree, drug out all of our ornaments and Christmas decorations, and set our place up like there should be angels singing in the corner... I managed somehow (thanks Dan) to get all this done and all the boxes put back away in storage before Diana got home from work...

When she got home the lights were low... tree on... candles lit... and a little Christmas music in the background... Well, needless to say... She was happy...

The name of this post is "what a gift" but it has very little to do with this being such a great gift to her... I wanted to take a minute and confess to whoever would read, that this has so much more to do with the fact that she is such a gift to me, that I would be inspired to do something like this for us to enjoy together... I couldn't imagine life any other way... I am so blessed...

What a gift...

Love and peace,

-J

Seeking peace...

So this thought of "peace on earth" has been in my head lately. Probably because you hear it around Christmas time so much and probably because I also desire to see it in my life more. Well, right now i'm reading this book Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell and in it he talks about this word, Shalom. Shalom is the Jewish word translated by us as, peace. The only problem I'm finding is "peace" as an English word doesn't really do the true mean of Shalom justice... Peace to us means - The absence of conflict (only mildly attractive)... Shalom in it's fullest, in their culture meant - "the presence of the goodness of God. It's the presence of wholeness, completeness." - (by comparison - in my opinion - worth giving your life to seek after...)

Best I can, tell this "Shalom" is what salvation is all about. It's why Jesus came... For the goodness and greatness of God to be fully displayed and for His Kingdom to come... Sometimes when my view of salvation is reduced to just forgiveness of my sins, I feel as though I end up just focused on myself. If I stop there I wonder how that is going to bring Shalom to the world. I really believe it is not just about about what God has done for us... It also about what God has done/and is doing in us. It's about restoration - us becoming what God created us and the world to be.

I'm not saying that being saved from Hell isn't worth being excited about, but I am saying I more excited about a God that is involved with the here and now. I do know greater things are coming... I just don't want to think I need to wait until I die to experience peace... I want to know I am part of God's plan to restore this earth now. And I think that is what "shalom" is all about.

So just some thoughts from a follower of Christ wanting to see God's dream for my life and this world come to fulfillment. This season when we sing and celebrate... "Peace on Earth and goodwill to men", may we realize we are asking God for and celebrating Shalom in this world and for His Kingdom to come.

What a reason to celebrate this time of year...

Love and Peace (Shalom),

-J

a prayer for advent

From the blog of one of my number one boys... such truth... I wonder how our holidays would be different if we could set our minds to this...

"At this season in Germany and other parts of Europe, they sell Advent calendars, which count off the days of waiting and praying for Jesus’ Coming –- which is what Advent means. In most of the West, every evening’s television reminds us how many shopping days are left. Suppose we take these advertisements as a call to pray rather than to purchase. I’ll put myself in the mind of Mary and Joseph, focussed on the expected baby, wondering what he will be like and how he will affect my life."


from sacred space

Who wants to follow this?

I assure you this post is written with a lite spirit, but still very sincere...

Sometimes when I see stuff like this, I have a tendency to get pretty angry. Most of the time I end of laughing but sometimes cussing still. It definitely wasn't a "salvation moment" (see previous post) to say the least -hah.

Anyways, I know I am nowhere near perfect and I do have my own inconsistencies but I am just wondering how this is received by someone of another faith. Or someone of no faith. I'm sure it wouldn't be, "Wow, I want something like that in my life..." Not saying it's wrong to want to say Merry Christmas... I absolutely love this time of year... But I do doubt Joseph and Mary ran around saying Merry Christmas every year and certainly doubt Jesus was all that concerned about it...

On that note, I realize once gain, I am fairly cynical at times... Jesus probably didn't do that much either... Maybe I should go make a t-shirt... - Crap!!! I did it again...

I do believe it is worth celebrating love coming down to us from heaven. I pray we find a way this Christmas, and every other time during the year, to offer that love in this world. I just have a difficult time seeing how that love really gets communicated wearing a shirt that says "I'm right and you're wrong... deal with it..." From the bottom of my heart, here's to having a Merry Christmas, a Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanza, Happy birthday, or whatever else we maybe celebrating this time of year... May love, truth, and peace find all of us...

-J

Salvation Moments...

So I'm not sure how close to "right theology" this is... so if it's not please forgive me as I admit to be a little more "lost" as of late, but, maybe a little more "found" at the same time... I'll explain...

If you know me well then you know as of late I have really been overtaken by he bigness of God, His story, and how we fit into it. Because of that, I feel as though I am noticing things in life that maybe I mssed before. Well, maybe not missed, but certainly didn't view them as sacred. Things like... the wind blowing, the leaves changing color, friendships, moments of silence, or maybe even small instances of encountered truth or goodness.

Yesterday I was working with my dad in His cabinet shop. We were installing lights in the cieling and wiring them up in the attic above it... It's kinda hard to explain, but my dad and I have always been close but life hasn't been perfect for us to spend all the time together we would have liked... I think we would both tell you we've made some mistakes we wish we could take back but we know we can't. But yesterday as we talked about me growing up, some of the things we'd done together, and some of the things we were looking forward to... it was just beautiful.

In that moment I felt the presence of God.

We also talked about some difficulties he has faced in life and some he is going through right now. Some stuff I don't even feel right talking about here. We just ended that talk with the thought that we just knew things were gonna be ok. Not that everything was gonna work out like we wanted... In fact it could be the oppisite... just that things were gonna be ok. We can find rest and peace in knowing that God has us in His sights... and even in the middle of a storm in our sight, that our Father is still bigger...

In that moment I felt the presences of God.

My point in all of this... Is it possible that this salvation thing is not just a one time occurance. If salvation means recscue, then maybe we are constantly offered not just a salvation from hell but a rescuing from the lifeless and mundane that we would otherwise be living in.

I know this could sound random and it would be easy to dismiss this as merely a "good feeling" you get from time to time... but I need a faith bigger than that... I need to know God is in the mundane waiting to rescue me. I need to know that the sunset outside was made just for us to sit and marvel. I need to know that my wife, family, and friends in my life were given to me as a gift from my creator knowing how we would all intereact with each other.

Again, when I start thinking through some of this I lose myself and realize how much I don't really understand. That is what I mean by how I feel so lost recently. At the same time I feel like the more I just admit I am lost, the more I feel as though I am found and rescued by God...

I pray we never reach a place where we don't need His hand...

Love and Peace,

-J