Anniversary 30 years

Today I celebrate a truly blessed life. My wonderful wife Jackie and I have been married for thirty years today. God has competed me with one that fills in all my gaps and weaknesses as a father and pastor. With Jackie's love and support we continue in the labors of life and ministry. Without her consistent encouragement and loving compassion it would be impossible to press on day after day and year after year. This past Father's Day marked fifteen years as Senior Pastor of Joy Baptist Church. We have seen much change and weathered many storms together. Together being the operative word. Because of our love one to another all these years, side by side, step by step, hand in hand we are able and blessed to serve the King of Kings as shepherd without loosing our heart, our love and our zeal for people.
I thank God daily for the blessing of a faithful, loving helpmeet that has never given up on me in spite of difficulties and opposition.
Thank you Jackie
With all my love,
Jay

FATHER?

(Ephesians 6:4) “And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.”

Many of today’s movies, television shows and social commentaries attack and work to undermine the role and respect for fathers. We find that too many people have bought into the lie that godly fathers and respect for them is unimportant to the stability of society. Men have children they neither support nor nurture; women and children are treating even faithful fathers with disrespect. Vast numbers of children are raised without the God ordained leadership of a godly father and a godly mother working together in ways that uniquely provide children the opportunity to experience in some measure the completeness and nurturing nature of the true and living God. A natural security exists in homes where godliness abounds.

Sadly, it is true that many men have lost the respect of their families. God will hold them accountable. If your father encourages you in righteousness, consider yourself blessed and honor him. If you are a father that has fallen prey to the modern philosophies of pleasure and carefree living first, you should beg God and your children for forgiveness. Make an effort today to build or restore a godly relationship with your children. This may take a great deal of time and in some cases never see fulfillment. However, you have a God given obligation to commit to this task. Praise God, He is a loving, nurturing Father.

HEAVEN'S TAPESTRY

"And he (Jesus) said unto them,
Ye are from beneath;
I am from above:
ye are of this world;
I am not of this world." John 8:23

With awe and appreciation,
we look upon a tapestry so finely rendered
We think of the labor and care,
the precision and dedication tendered.

Do we often look upon or seek to display,
the knotted frazzled underside?
It’s the finished front that incites delight
from there its value we decide.

The front is beautiful and cherished,
yet lost except the back abide.
Trust the Master, for as he weaves,
our beauty comes alive.

Perfect his work in us fulfilled,
greatly pleases God on high.
Appreciate the beauty of God’s work,
see the struggle with heaven’s eye.

Jay

MOTHERS

There is nothing like a mother’s nurturing love. I realize that a great many in our society have not experienced this blessing. I am blessed with a loving, nurturing mother for whom I am grateful to the Lord. My sons also have known the unconditional sacrificial God-like mothering that will help them understand, in part at least, the mothering aspects of our amazing God.

I feel a great sorrow for the many around us that have not known that kind of love and therefore find it difficult to believe that God will love and nurture them. That He will not abandon them or discard them when they no longer suit His needs.

I know that mothering is not easy; it requires great sacrifice and a love that is impossible to explain. It must be experienced and thankfully can be shared.

We need to be thankful and focus on passing on the love God has given us through those that have mothered us.

Cleansing Grace

 Blessed with a God of mercy and grace!

1Peter 5:10 “But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.”

So why do we often feel like God and good are going on with life without us? Why do we struggle so with things we promised ourselves we would never succumb to again?

The answer lies not in whether God remains gracious, but how far we step away from the “fountain of grace.” That place is not a physical location; it is about proximity to God. Closeness of relationship and fellowship that is dependent upon constant communication (prayer and Bible study.)

This song moves me to always to draw close to the fountain of grace. 

I Lift My Hands

Be still, there is a healer

His love is deeper than the sea

His mercy, is unfailing

His arms a fortress for the weak

Be still, there is a river

That flows from Calvary’s tree

A fountain for the thirsty

Pure grace that washes over me

I lift my hands to believe again

You are my refuge, You are my strength

As I pour out my heart

These things, I remember

You are faithful, God, forever 

* Written by Louie Giglio, Matt Maher, Christopher Tomlin

 Chris Tomlin Video

Sunshine & Sons

I love sunshine! It lights my soul and encourages my spirit. I even had the golf clubs out. Yet, better than that, I love to get outside and watch my sons as they jump on the trampoline, aggravate each other in a game, work out or play catch with them; most of all I enjoy listening to their stories. Hearing and seeing their excitement while telling about their day's activities is like basking in the warmth and brightness of sunshine to my soul. Thank You Lord, for a loving wife and sons.

Fragile and Valueable

The lives that have been touched by the Boston bombings remind us how fragile and precious life is. Twisted, disturbed minds and hearts filled with hatred and destruction fight, seeing no value in those they seek to destroy. Yet, God has placed the highest value on every human life by giving His only begotten Son (Jesus) as payment for their sin. Justice will be served; however, we are called to leave that to the elected Government and God. Our mission is not to return hate but to offer life and hope to all we may touch. It is a dark world in which we live; in such darkness, every light of hope and truth can have increased effect. I pray that we in the Christian community that know the real love of God will be bold to love as Christ loves and trust that the love of God can conquer the hate of men and the light of truth will dispel the darkness of the lies that perpetuate such terrible actions. I pray for the casualties and their families for healing and hope in Jesus Christ.