New Look, Same As The Old Look (Kinda)

As some of you know, I try to roll out a new ccjasper.com look every year. This year is really just a tweak of the old design. But, feel free to browse around the site because there a few brand new things including a new contact page and a new sermon archive page among other things.

What's Your Biggest Weakness?

I'm not looking for skeletons in the closet necessarily. I'm just curious as to how many people will admit to anything.

Mine: Inability to handle criticism well internally. I can do OK externally, but I'm all messed up on the inside when criticized. That, to me, is my biggest weakness.

Merry Christmas, CCJ (& Everyone Else, Too)!

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

- Isaiah 9:6

Messmore Addition

Updated!!!

Our little guy has arrived:

Name: Ian Marcus Messmore

Weight: 8 lbs. 8 oz.

Length: 22 inches.

Arrival: 12/22/08 - 9:57 PM

More pictures can be seen here. Ignore all the stuff about logging in and if you click on the picture you should be able to go through several of them :).

Interview on WITZ (About the Christmas Album)

I had the privilege of doing an interview about the Narrow Path Christmas CD, "Far As The Curse Is Found" with WITZ today (Friday) that will be broadcast on Monday.

Mark your calendars for 10 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 22, as a few songs as well as the interview are scheduled to be played on WITZ 104.7 FM. Thanks to Tom Roach for supporting us and setting up the interview.


And, did I mention that the album is on iTunes now?

;-)

So very grateful

Hark! the herald angels sing Glory to the new-born King! Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled! Joyful, all ye nations, rise, Join the triumph of the skies; With th' angelic host proclaim Christ is born in Bethlehem! Hark! the herald angels sing Glory to the new-born King!

NP on iTunes

Check out what's on the iTunes Store (FYI: This only opens if you have ITunes installed on your computer).

Pretty cool, eh?

What Are You Doing ...

For Christmas this year?

All of those little moments that are undeniably God things.

I was talking to Kara this morning and she had a great idea, to find a way to document the oh so many moments in our lives that are those God things. Here's mine, that I was sharing with her.

I really wanted to be of better service to our church family and wanted to join a ministry team. Even though I am social phobic, I felt directed to volunteer to be a greeter. I knew in my heart of hearts that this is something I could do, even though I'll never remember people's names. (Name tags should be handed out at the front door, thank you very much.) Anyway, I was pretty excited and am doing my best to turn over any fears into God's hands. (seriously)

Two weeks ago, I was a couple of minutes late, so I scurried up a side aisle toward the front, and found a seat next to a lovely woman, about three rows from the front. After the service we chatted some, "What a good teaching!", those kinds of things. I couldn't quite read her name tag and asked, "Is your name Kenner?" She told me, "Renner." and asked me mine.

I said Mary, and her expression changed a little and inquired about my last name. (social phobia, up a few tenths of a point) She then opened up a paper that included the calender for December greeters and pointed out that we were a "greeter team" on the 21st. Plus, it's also her first time as a greeter.

Is God not amazing???

Do you have a God thing to share?

Request Narrow Path on WITZ

Jasper radio station WITZ played a song from the band's Christmas CD, "Far As The Curse Is Found" on Sunday morning (They played "O Come All Ye Faithful" - or so I heard).

Please call or e-mail them and request that they play more from the band at many different times throughout the day (i.e. not just Sunday morning).

We'd specifically like to hear them play "O Holy Night" as many times as possible throughout the day every day until Christmas.

Phone: 812-482-2131

E-Mail: witzamfm@psci.net

This is a great outreach opportunity for CCJ and the band. This is not an effort to become locally famous or anything but, instead to introduce people, in an easy manner, to the band that represents a church that wants everyone to come to Jesus.

Thanks!

Year in Review

Thanks to Tom Roach for putting this together for us. You can also download a Quicktime version of this video at the CCJ Media page.

CDs Running Out

There are only 60 copies of the Narrow Path Christmas CD, "Far As The Curse Is Found" left at CCJ. We are currently not planning to re-order any physical discs because of cost restraints as well as the fact that we don't want to have hundreds of these things lying around until next Christmas.

So, if you attend CCJ, or know someone who does, and want a copy for free (or for whatever you want to pay), you better get them ASAP (they will be on display until Christmas or until they are gone).

If you miss out, you can buy digital downloads at DigStation (coming soon to iTunes and more) or you can order one of 4 physical copies that CD Baby has in stock at CD Baby's website.

If you'd like to buy a copy to help support the U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots program, you can buy a physical copy at one of these stores in Dubois County: Jasper: Ragpickers, The Serenity Shop, Just A Trace, This Old House, Impulse, Chocolate Bliss, Finishing Touches, Merle Norman. Huntingburg: Fat & Sassy's.


I, personally, want to thank everyone for their support and encouragement of the band and this project. I think it's safe to say that all of the participants are proud of the CD and I hope you all enjoy them this (and future) Christmas.

Behind the Music

In Darrel's email, he asked "What is your favorite Christmas song? Why? and Do you really stop to think about what the words mean?

Mine is "What Child is This".

What child is this, who, laid to rest On Mary's lap, is sleeping? Whom angels greet with anthems sweet, While shepherds watch are keeping?

Chorus: This, this is Christ the King, Whom shepherds guard and angels sing: Haste, haste to bring him laud, The Babe, the Son of Mary!

Why lies he in such mean estate Where ox and ass are feeding? Good Christian, fear for sinners here, The silent Word is pleasing.

Chorus

So bring Him incense, gold, and myrrh, Come peasant king to own Him, The King of kings, salvation brings, Let loving hearts enthrone Him.

Raise, raise the song on high, The Virgin sings her lullaby: Joy, joy, for Christ is born, The Babe, the Son of Mary!

Of course, the sermon series begins with "O Come, O Come Emmanuel"

I love "What Child is This" because it's a call to recognize that Christ has come. To me it is humbling, yet joyful and hopeful. Haste, haste to bring him laud. Beat feet to praise and worship he who has come to love us, teach us... save us from our punishment sso we can be reunited with the Father. The king of kings, salvation brings.

What is your favorite song????