Unplugged

Just wanted to say that "unplugged" worship last night was awesome. Erica, Alisa, Drew and Cody you did a fantastic job leading. We had 34 college age adults really into the worship and they wanted more after it was over. Join us July 12 for the next Unplugged.

***Added by Mark***:




So none of us thought to bring a camera on Sunday night. So please excuse the lower-quality of these pics from unplugged. I had to yoink the smaller video cam and then extract these pics from them :).

Pandora Sphinx Moth

I found this Pandora Sphinx Moth in my yard. I’ve not seen one like it….and almost missed it. With it’s camoulage markings, it was hidden. My first thought was ‘how great our God is’ to make even small creatures able to hide from their prey.
My second thought was ‘as a Christian, how do I look?’ Does Satan past by me and not see me because I look like ‘the world’? Or do I have the marks of a Christian. What makes us different than the sinner..can someone see we bare the marking of our heavenly Father instead?
Jesus said in Matt 5:14 “You are the light of the world…” and in 2 Thess 3:3
Paul says “….the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.” NIV

As a 'church', CCJ is really awesome! But are we as individuals “light” :) or “camouflage” :( ?

Patience-Where do I get some?

Here lately I am having trouble finding some patience or trying to be patient.

The definition of the word patient is:
1: bearing pains or trials calmly or without complaint2: manifesting forbearance under provocation or strain3: not hasty or impetuous4: steadfast despite opposition, difficulty, or adversity5 a: able or willing to bear —used with of b: susceptible, admitting (courtesy of Webster.com)

I don't think pacing the floor, fretting over something, or not being able to sleep counts as without complaint. :) My mother-in -law has a favorite saying "Give it to God" which is very hard to do for me especially when I want something to happen in my favor.

If anyone has some hints or suggestions, I am open to them. This is one trait I need to work on.

VBS 2008 Highlights

You saw it at the 06-22-08 services, now see it again.

This, and more, is available on the Media page to download (Quicktime required for viewing downloaded video files).

Stuff Christians Like: A Tribute to the Janitor

#309: Torturing the Janitor During VBS.

I'm sure Dan can relate.

Facilities coordinator. Building manager. Custodial artisan. Whatever you want to call it, I have not worked as a janitor. I have a lot of respect for what they do. It is an often thanks-less job. It is the kind of work that when done well goes unnoticed and when done less than perfectly brings loads of criticism.

The worst week in the life of a janitor has to be Vacation Bible School. I say that because this is the week where the number one nemesis of the janitor, children, is increased exponentially. This is the week where we try new things with glue. Where we bring in petting zoo animals and big blow up toys and a million other things. It must be a nightmare.

Go read the whole thing. Then read the whole site. It's a funny site.

VBS Children in Sunday Service

If you missed this morning's service at CCJ...you missed a great sermon given by Darrel & Mark. You'll want to get the CD or listen @ www.ccjasper.com/media/

Also a joy this morning was having our children in the service to watch with us a two and a half minute presentation of their experiences during last weeks VBS (also, at our website http://www.ccjasper.com/video/vbs08.mov ). The only thing that could have made it better would have been if the children had sang a song. I believe getting kids on stage at an early age helps them overcome "stage fright" and increases their self -confidence. Hopefully, next year we'll be in a new building with lots and lots more room. Kudo's to Chantelle and her shipmates for how great it really was.

More VBS Pictures

VBS

More VBS

Top: Looks like a friendly pirate. Drinks anyone?

Bottom: Blue guy makes an appearance. He is supposed to represent a body of water.

VBS Pictures

Gotcha Mr. Pirate!
Anyone have any science questions? Ms. Science

This Brings Back Memories

Well I am not a big NBA fan anymore but it was sure great to see the Celtics bet the Lakers again for the championship. Back in the Larry Bird days, I like most of my home town bled Celtic green. When they played it was big time. The local radio carried the games, and my family bought our first satellite dish in large part to watch their games.

So to see the Boston Celtics win again is kind of a neat thing. To see them beat Kobe and the Lakers was even better.

VBS @ CCJ Tuesday

Another great night at VBS.

VBS @ CCJ Monday

The week started out with lots of fun for all... expecially the pirates!

Wondering What God's Will Is For Your Life?

My friend Jared has some some thoughts.

Assuming that we are praying for God's guidance in making decisions, and assuming He has not given us a clear answer, I offered a checklist for making decisions:

1. Is an option a sin?
2. Is an option unwise or conducive to sin?
3. Has God clearly told me not to choose a particular option? (If you're not sure, then He hasn't.)
4. If your answers are "no" to all three, do what you want.

It's that simple. And yet it's that difficult, because it requires that we trust God as we walk into the unknown and the potentially unsafe.
We have this mixed up notion that if we make a choice and it blows up in our face, then it must not have been God's will. Where we get the idea that God never wants us to endure hardship or pain I don't know, but it has seriously messed with our concept of faith.

The G,B & U Fathers Day Weekend

The Good:

• Having A Godly Father to look up to.
• The great start to CCJ's summer. Camp, mission trip and a awesome carnival
• The Summer Carnival. I am so proud of all involved.
• My Family. They are such a great inspiration and support for me.
• The reception to SBTB series so far.
• A great group of leaders and people to work with.

The Bad:

• The horrible floods and other tragedies
• The gas prices
• My attitude at times

The Ugly:

• People losing their homes to floods
• People facing all kinds of hard times

New Orleans

Notice the top of the house

More Pictures

Top picture: Central City, New Orleans
Bottom picture: working on a house in Central City-New Construction

The Group-New Orleans

A total of 15 people went to New Orleans.

Shameless Plug (I've Got Mouths To Feed, People)

Pick up today's Herald for a nice photo on Page 3 of Sunday's Carnival at CCJ.

:-)

New Orleans Trip

After returning from a week in New Orleans, I would like to let you share in the experience. This was the first time I went on a mission trip along with my daughter. I had thoughts in my head how it could be/would be. It wasn't like I thought.

We stayed in a older building called "Desiree Street Academy" which is run by Desiree Street Missions. The only places air-conditioned were the gym and right outside the gym area. The sleeping areas and dining area was not air-conditioned. Yes, it was uncomfortable sleeping when you are dripping in sweat. We had three fans in our room which didn't really circulate any air. Let's say I didn't sleep very well because of the heat. You could find me walking the halls around 4:00 or 5:00 am (our time). I did get grouchy a few times which lead to myself getting a reality check and praying a lot.

Most of us worked in Central City the first few days which is a poor neighborhood. Most of the people we encountered on the street were friendly. The first thing I noticed were the really nice cars being driven down the street and the second thing was the amount of trash laying on the ground. A few of us worked in the houses which were new construction laying down flooring, til and the rest of us were on street cleaning. My daughter and I were on this crew which picked up trash, weedeated and mowed. (I have never weedeated in my whole entire life until this trip). There were lots with weeds taller than myself and we were mowing these with a push mower. Talk about a few exhausting days.......it was also HOT.

Some of the other days a few of us went to different locations to work and do other things. I hope some of the others post what they did. I believe Ricardo was in Central City every day.

Ricardo was also our wake up call......by imitating a rooster.

I'm going to try and post a few pictures I took.

Dunking Booth Fun

I'm sure there will be reports of the success of the CCJ Summer Carnival and how much family fun it was. So, I just want to share a few really cool pictures. As a matter of fact...in the dunking booth was the only cool place outside today! The guys should of had to pay to get in.

If you came and loved it as much as I did....post a comment on what you liked best. I'll try to share more pictures.

CCJ Summer Carnival & Camp Illiana

I’m really looking forward to the CCJ Summer Carnival Sunday evening. I was so impressed last year at just how great it is.


Camp Illiana this week was a wonderful experience for all the kids, especially this one (me). After I get some sleep (dorm moms don’t get much) ask me just how wonderful it was…if you have a half hour or more.

Good night…..

For your consideration...

Last week in our TF7 group we began to discuss how vague the concept of "Spiritual Growth" really is. I mean, I can see educational growth through grades and classes. I can determine growth for my running by examining distances and times. Even in the more abstract areas like relationships, we seem to have an understanding of what it means for two people to grow closer together.

I sat this morning thinking about the vague nature of "spiritual growth", and even did some googling for it. But when pressed by the idea I began to write down my own concept of what I think it means. So here is my definition, offered for your consideration.

Spiritual Growth -- "The lifelong process of integrating the things of God into the fabric of our daily lives."

I've been tweaking it for about 15 minutes now...and even as I typed it I added the words "lifelong process". I could offer explanation, etc...but I just want to leave it and offer it to you for your consideration.

What did I miss? Does this help it make sense? Did I leave something out? Is it still too abstract to be helpful? Be honest...I promise it'll be ok :). I'd like to hear from you...as I surely don't have it all figured out.

MANventure '08: Men of Action

Thanks to all the families of the guys that went on the first-ever CCJ MANventure this weekend. There are stirrings that there will be more and in differnet forms and I'm sure I can speak for every guy there when I say that, if given the chance, each man who is serious about becoming a man of God should go. Pray for each of the 12 guys who went that we will remember what we learned this weekend and carry it out in our lives. If we do what we learned, you should see a dramatic change in each of us and, in turn, in the quality of men at CCJ.
HUGE thanks goes to Justin Ackinson and Jeremy Werner for being the coordinators of this and for all the effort they put into making this an unforgettable trip. Also thanks to CCJ for supporting us both in financial and prayerful ways.

Here are some photos for your viewing pleasure.