Game of Thrones

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I have to admit to not seeing one episode of the HBO series Game of Thrones and I plead ignorant to the value of its viewing gratification. Although I have no desire to watch it, I find the title intriguing.

Except…it’s no game.

The human heart will enthrone a king… through the lines of succession or otherwise… it will be ruled, our choices will always crown a sovereign over our heart. Not only that, there is the battle to keep that monarch in power and the internal struggles of a despot ruled kingdom.

At best, we fool ourselves that when we rule the heart, our benevolence outweighs the indulgences of our decisions. After all, we’re a good king, not one to take advantage of our position. However, the truth of our reign is this; that the real threat to our throne is not dragons, armies, or unscrupulous heirs… it is ourselves.

Thankfully, I am not bound to play by the rules… in fact;
I’m not bound at all.

Redemption has overthrown the dictator, replaced the tyrant and installed a righteous King as lord over my heart. Here freedom has replaced the overbearing subjection to self and the seemly unwavering alliance with “my way or the highway” system of ruling. My King, Jesus, has healed the kingdom that I nearly destroyed and transformed how I fit in the new Kingdom. Under His rule, I am free, more than I ever could be under mine.

Your throne, O God, is forever and ever. The scepter of your kingdom is a scepter of uprightness. Psalm 45:6

My game of thrones is over… I forever belong to the King of Kings!

How about you… who has your heart?

 

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31 Years

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For 31 years she has said yes to an adventure that sometimes seems purposed to drive joy from her heart. She has followed the most unlikely hero on the face of the planet with undeterred faith in his heart and purpose.  This woman, with such a depth of character and beauty, has turned his heart into a beating frenzy of compassion. Warming the coldness that once resided there with absolute acceptance and belief he could be the hero she saw in him.

I do not call myself a hero… my wife does.

31 years of marriage has repaired the cape, negated the effects of my own personal kryptonite (self-worth), and torn down the fortress of solitude hidden deep within my spirit. I have become more powerful because I am married to one of the strongest hearts on earth.

Make no mistake, Christine is no side-kick, she is my hero.

The intensity and intentionality of our covenant together is a superpower of focused love and commitment.  Our marriage carries the power of redemption because it is supercharged by the promise of the Heavenly Father to make two hearts, two lives, into one. This combination, this one-two punch, is a life changer that goes beyond the border of our married life and sends this message.

"But at the beginning of creation God 'made them male and female.'  'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.' So they are no longer two, but one.  Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate." Mark 10:6-9

The message my bride sends me convinces me of His great love for me. The total faithfulness she demonstrates in our marriage has made 31 years more than an adventure.

It has been a joy ride…thank you “Love of my Life”, you have not only captured my heart… you have rescued it!

Speaking Blessing

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In my last post (Full Circle, you can read it here) I told you I was invited to give the Invocation at my home town Chamber of Commerce. The opportunity to speak a blessing over my home town was more exciting than I first realized and I enjoyed it immensely. Everybody was warm and sincere in thanking me afterwards, even mentioning to my wife how beautiful the prayer was. So, I thought I share the prayer with you all…and ask an question along with it. First the prayer.

The Old Testament contains a Scripture I’ve adopted for my home town of Hyde Park. Jeremiah 29, verse 7 says this:

“Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper."

With that thought in mind, would you please join me in prayer?

Dear Heavenly Father,

We seek Your Blessing on our gathering tonight, on the food and the fellowship we share together.

We are thankful for neighbors, friends and family here with us tonight, enjoying laughter and conversation, that Father, is a huge blessing.

I ask that you would bless all the businesses of Hyde Park; along with the wide variety of political, community and religious leaders also. I pray that every facet of their lives will prosper; their finances, their health and their relationships. Empower these leaders with all that they need to make wise decisions in all those areas, so that the blessings flow into the lives of others as well.

Father God, help us all work together to provide economic opportunities, places to learn, grow and develop. Enable us by your wisdom, to live and serve together as part of a healthy community, continuing to make Hyde Park a place we’re all proud to call home.

We ask all this in the name of Jesus,

Amen

So, how important do you think it is to bless and pray for your hometown?
Does the verse in Jeremiah speak to you?

 

Technorati Tags: prayer,Hyde Park,blessing

Full Circle

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Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Psalm 37:4

Nestled in the Hudson Valley, approximately 90 miles north of New York City, is my home town of Hyde Park. Except for a year of early marriage adventure (when my bride and I lived in Florida) I have lived here my entire life (to date anyway!).

I’m a free range, organic type of person. I usually don’t fit well into a box or a formulaic pattern of doing things… it just doesn’t work for me.

For years this town didn’t work for me.

I was an outcast to most… the poverty I grew up in kept me from social success (whatever that is). The abuse I suffered at home stunted my personality and kept me in the shadows. I existed on the edges, roaming the outer rims of life, hoping for a chance to be accepted. The dream of leaving this place of curses was always present but always teasing me with false expectations. I knew I wasn’t going… anywhere.

Then Messiah came.

If anyone belongs to Christ, there is a new creation. The old things have gone; everything is made new! 2 Corinthians 5:17

Living on the edge took on a whole new meaning, it wasn’t meaningless exile… it was the adventure of discovering who I really was. The desperate years of wanting escape has been replaced by a love for the town that seemed bent on my ruin.

Here I am… full circle.

Tonight I give the invocation at the Hyde Park Chamber of Commerce meeting. I get the honor of praying a blessing over the town that once held nothing but curses for me. Over influential movers and shakers of my small community, I get to impart words of life… the Messiah’s words.

Would you join me in that prayer?

 

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Showtime

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There's no business like show business. - Irving Berlin

I recently made a remarkable discovery about myself. It seems that (and you may find this hard to believe) for 50 years now I’ve been in show business…yep…show business. April 23 marked my 57^th year on this planet and 50 years of following the Messiah.

My wife and kids would tell you that I have a flair for the dramatic, that I do, and say things that border on the dramatic side. Maybe it’s my artistic side or just that I’m a crazy man…I’m not sure. I like to think it’s because I’m like the Father. I think God has flair for the dramatic and for the spectacular.

I like to connect with God by water…primarily by the ocean. However, the Hudson River is a great substitute, especially since we are far from the ocean here in Hyde Park. Over the years I have found a few isolated areas by the river that I love to go to and be alone at. As I was trying to do some sermon prep time this past Friday, I found myself getting frustrated because every access to these spots were closed off because of construction or unknown reasons. I had to settle for a backup… a pond in the middle of a meadow…I was not happy. As I pulled into the parking lot to this little park and stepped out of my car, I was met with an explosion of beauty. It seemed like every song bird in the world had gathered there to greet me. I paused, sitting on the hood of my car, listening to the concert prepared for me.

All this time I didn’t realize the playfulness of God in “thwarting” my plans for the day or how I would orchestrate our time together. He wasn’t blocking access to himself…he was wooing me with beauty to connect with Him in a new place. God can really put on a show! I think it’s out of this heart we need to operate. In others words…

A disciple needs to invest in show business.

Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity,(8) and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us. Titus 2:7-8

Lately, I have been challenged about being a follower of the Messiah more than any time in my life. I’m wondering what 50 years of me following Christ looks like to other people?

When Jesus gives the call to come follow Him, it’s an invitation to Show Time, it’s a casting call to fulfill the role we were designed to play. That role is to go into all the world and make disciples. Our lives are designed to change the lives of people, to make an impact of eternal worth.

Powerful stuff…show business… showing people the way to the Father.

During His days of ministry on the earth, Jesus preached the gospel to multitudes of people, however He spend the bulk of His ministry time with just twelve men. The funny thing is that Jesus didn’t concentrate on improving the skill sets of the disciples. He concentrated on changing their hearts. When He did that…gifting and talents were released. They were being prepared for ShowTime…showing how their lives were different because they were with the Master.

By the pond He spoke these words….

“Prepare to have your heart enlarged.”

There is a season of heart enlargement coming for me and for the Church; I believe it’s a good thing. I shared this prophetic word in my church this past Sunday and I believe it challenged us all. The power, grace and love He wants to show through His sons and daughters will show the world His true heart. I wonder…

What do you think about being in “Show Business”?

My First Post

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Jay has asked me many times to submit a guest post, and although I've been tempted to express my opinion  on a variety of issues, some significant, others trivial, today I finally have something to say.
My dearest friend, my big brother in the Lord, my love for life, my prince and hero- I am so grateful that you were born! Your very life testifies to the goodness and faithfulness of God. Born in poverty{not quite a stable},during fearful and violent times, born to a carpenter, yourself possessing the initials JC- how often have we commented on the similarities in your life to your Savior Jesus? Over the thirty three years that I have known you , I see each year you've become more and more like your precious Savior and Heavenly Father.From the beginning a visionary with the purpose and focus of love. Setting our marriage and my life on the secure rock of "Nothing is more important than loving each other".Unshakable on that issue, so faithful, so like the Father. An artist- seeing wonder and beauty everywhere. A master storyteller- don't get me started on that one. A writer, a dreamer, a coach, an encourager,a  funny punmaster,delightful friend.You look more and more like Jesus and I fall deeper and deeper in love with you each day. Truly, you are the kindest man I have ever met on earth and you help me to know the goodness of God more deeply. I am so glad you were born, and so thankful you chose me to be your bride and go on this adventure called life.Happy Birthday Beloved!
Love always,
Christine

Patchwork Hero

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Back in my Jesus freak days (my early 20’s) I was a sight to behold, particularly my wardrobe. I had a pair of jeans that were mostly a network of patches, imagine Joseph’s Technicolor Dreamcoat, but in pant form. I worn them with a bandana tied (don’t ask why, I just did) just below my right knee, perhaps a symbol of my own particular outlook on life.

I loved those pants…I still missed them

In many ways, those pants defined me and not just because they were skin tight. My life was (and still is) a patchwork of life experiences. I remember wearing them to church one Sunday and being chastised by an Elder for disgracing God’s presence by not wearing a suit and tie. When I reminded him that Jesus worn neither, he got angry and called me a clown.

And so I am

For years I danced around who I was, afraid to just be Jay, thankfully I left that dance floor years ago. I am a patchwork, a collection, an anthology of the life changing message of Jesus Christ. Who the Father is making me into is stands in complete opposition to what the world would like me to be. I refuse to be domesticated, tamed by a world system that devalues and destroys life. God is using my life collage to send a message counter to that system. That message pulls on my heart, urging me on, making me accept a truth about my life.

I am a patchwork hero

My hero persona is more akin to a rodeo clown, standing in the way of the bull threatening to trample a fallen cowboy. My pants may be funny looking, not up to standards, but they get the job done. My patchwork story tells a remarkable and powerful tale. It chronicles God’s redemptive work in my life, a life redeemed to make a difference, even when it looks foolish to do so.

“Our dedication to Christ makes us look like fools…” says the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 4:10.

You know…I’m OK with that. How about you?

 

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