Going to Seminary is expensive. On top of that, finding a scholarship can be really difficult. That's why I was so excited to find this <a href="http://www.seminaryscholarship.com">Seminary Scholarship</a> website today. Not only are they giving away a $1,000.00 scholarship and a digital theological library, all I had to do to apply was watch a short video and answer a few questions! It took less than 15 minutes. What is best of all is that if you're in seminary and apply for the <a href="http://www.seminaryscholarship.com">Seminary Scholarship</a>, and put my name as the person who referred you, if you win the scholarship, so do I! <strong>We could both get a $1,000.00 scholarship and digital theological library.</strong> So, do us both a favor and go apply for the <a href="http://www.seminaryscholarship.com">Seminary Scholarship</a> today.

Times of Worry & Doubt

This past month has been hard to say the least.  At the end of January I was let go from my job with a large insurance company because of a few mistakes I made handling claims.  I was honest about what I did, brought the mistakes to the attention of management, and was escorted to the door. 

Today, in my quiet time, which I’ve not done in quite a while, I read about wisdom and how one should ask God for it without doubting and how I can’t even imagine what God has prepared for me.  Losing my job, as I told my wife, was going to be the biggest blessing we ever received or the biggest heartache, but I’m reminded in Jeremiah 29:11 that God’s plan for my life does not include destruction but prosperity (and that does not mean money).  I was let go because God has something HUGE planned for my life that He is getting me prepared for.

During this time of testing/trial/getting me ready I’ve let worry, frustration, and doubt gain a foothold in my life.  I have fallen away from my daily walk with Christ.  I still study for teaching and educating my youth group but I stopped feeding myself and as a result I’ve become an anxious doubter.

The words of Matthew 6 bring comfort though...²⁵ “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? ²⁶ Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? ²⁷ And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? (Mathew 6:25-27 ESV)

This time in my life has forced to me to rely on God alone for strength and comfort.  Also, He has placed so many people in my life who have encouraged me and offered their assistance in whatever way they can, but I still have to fully rely on God’s power to overcome my worry and doubt.  My wife has been the most supportive through it all.  Her strength in God gives me strength when I feel down or anxious.

Understand, God spoke the birds into existence and He takes care of them, God created me, physically formed me from the dust of the earth and knew me before I was formed in the womb, and sometimes I doubt God has the ability, time or energy to spend with me or on me  Thanks be to God even though I doubt and wonder away from Him all I have to do is turn around and He is there ready to take my hand, wrap His loving arms around me and tell me it’s going to be okay.

God’s plans are big and I have no clue what they are, but He tells me not to be anxious, not to worry, and not do doubt, I’m trying and I have to realize I am more valuable than the birds of the air and God will take care of me and my family not only through this time but through eternity.  Thank you Lord Jesus for caring enough for me and Your willingness to die on the cross so your shed blood would pay for my sins.  Amen.

Be a Jack-O-Lantern

Tonight had to be one of the most fun nights at church with my students.  My lovely wife taught our students and we talked about being God’s masterpiece and letting our “light” shine.

In the New Living Translation Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are God’s masterpiece.  He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”  The Greek word for masterpiece means “what is made”; God made us, and then broke the mold when He was finished.  Just think we are a one of a kind creation and nowhere else on this planet or in this galaxy is another person just like you or me.  We are one of a kind creations and that makes us priceless works of art.

God has a plan for each of us, as Jeremiah 29:11 says “a plan for a hope and future, for our welfare and not for harm or destruction.”  God desires such an intimate relationship with each one us because He created us.  God knows what makes you happy and sad.  He is delighted when we talk with Him about anything and everything in our lives.

Our students tonight carved Jack-O-Lanterns!  The entire church smelled of pumpkin and I’m pretty sure we stained a plastic table orange.  Once the students were finished they were given a candle to place inside the pumpkin and the lights were turned off.  The glow of the candlelight through the pumpkins is amazing.  To think that such a small light can be so bright in a dark room and many small lights bring great light to a dark room.

Matthew 5:16 says, “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven (ESV).”  Believers are to be like Jack-O-Lanterns, the light of Christ should shine through our lives in such a way that when people look at us they see Christ.  We are to be a beacon of hope and light to this dark and dying world. 

Welcome to Episkope!

I grew up in church, and knew all the “Sunday School” answers to questions and went through the motions for a long time.  When I was in high school I knew God had a plan for my life and I waited and waited for Him to show me, or tell me, what He wanted me to do.  The problem was I never prayed about it.  I just expected Him to show or tell me because that’s what he did with people in the Bible.  He spoke to Moses through a burning bush, He spoke to many in dreams, so at least He could just tell me. 

Well, I was 26 when I finally “surrendered to the ministry”.  Such a technical term I think.  I finally understood what I was supposed to do with my life.  By this time, I was teaching Sunday School and evangelism classes.  I loved being able to proclaim God’s word to those who didn’t know or share what God had been revealing to me through personal Bible study. 

I was on a mission trip in Tulsa, OK when it all clicked!  I was not able to go the entire trip but I made it the last two days.  I was given the opportunity to help with high school students at a Vacation Bible School.  I didn’t have any material to study, I had no clue what to say to these students, plus I had not been there the first part of the week.  By the grace of God He provided the words the students needed.  I was asked if I was a youth minister by a few people multiple times and every time I said I was not, I was just a volunteer in the youth ministry of the church I was attending at the time. 

While traveling from the church to the home we were staying at I was listening to the song Complete by the band Kutless.  This song talks about how only in Christ are we truly complete, by surrendering all that we are and everything we have to Him are we made complete.  God spoke to me using this song and said, “Jordan only in doing my work will you truly be satisfied.”  I prayed about this decision for a few days, and it was a decision I will never regret.

I have been blessed with my first church that I have been at for almost a year.  During this past year I have somewhat learned what it’s like to be an episkope or an overseer.  I’m responsible for the spiritual development of teenagers!  It’s a responsibility I don’t take lightly but a responsibility I will never let go of until God calls me to something different.  I love every moment I get to spend with my students.  As the Skit Guys say, I get to “do life” with my students.  When they are happy, I’m happy, when they hurt, I hurt with them.  I never take the times I spend with them for granted because I never know when God will use them to bless my life.

Blessings,

       Big J