hey guys,
i'm deeply sorry that i missed praise band last tuesday when the LSU team was holding its party.
i didn't think it would take me 11 hours to pick up my new car.
it really doesn't reflect my true desires as a leader, and i'm deeply sorry that i let you guys down. i hope that you all can really forgive me.
i also hope that y'all have a wonderful, Spirit-filled Jesusmas. I hope that you practice your skills with some carols and come back with incredible stories of awesomeness. yay.
over the break, we should be all the way done up until chapter 50 of Psalms. spread them out throughout the break and enjoy them thoroughly. i would encourage to even go back throughout all 50 because we're going to reflect on the whole thing - not just the last 5-10 chapters.
i'm going to be giving all of you a call during the break, so be prepared for that.
i love you guys. and i'm real sorry again that i couldn't get to see you before you left.
in HIS,
jam
Saturday, December 23, 2006
Sunday, November 26, 2006
hey you beautiful praisers!
welcome back to the second trimester of face melting awesomeness on the praiseband!
congratualtions to Both Josh Hoffman and Billy Johns for completing a trimester of growth and service!!!
let's wecome them warmly as they start to serve musically on our team.
SINCE THIS TUESDAY IS A SERVICE TNT HOWEVER
pass the word around. i might show up a little early to get some prayer on, and you're welcome to join me whether anybody shows up or not.
i love you guys and hope all your breaks went absolutely decliciously.
love.grace.jam
congratualtions to Both Josh Hoffman and Billy Johns for completing a trimester of growth and service!!!
let's wecome them warmly as they start to serve musically on our team.
SINCE THIS TUESDAY IS A SERVICE TNT HOWEVER
*****we are not going to have praiseband meeting*****
pass the word around. i might show up a little early to get some prayer on, and you're welcome to join me whether anybody shows up or not.
i love you guys and hope all your breaks went absolutely decliciously.
love.grace.jam
Friday, November 10, 2006
for next tuesday (LAST OF FIRST TRI)
hey guys....
here are some of the ideas that were passed around
"Think God" - slogan from the movie O'God
"I want to be Sold Out" - with John 3:16 tee shirt?
"I once was Lost" - with the LOST logo... i think this might infringe copyrights
mastercard Priceless theme - overly used?
banksy city-mural advertisement
"but then what?" - too weird of a slogan? ... butthenwhat.com is free for our taking.
"God is Alive" - simple... but what kind of illustrations?
"Thanks God" - with arrows around the city pointing to different things that we forget to attribute to God.
we're going to talk about all these when we meet next week.
i love you guys, and hope that you're all doing well.
HIS.jam
here are some of the ideas that were passed around
"Think God" - slogan from the movie O'God
"I want to be Sold Out" - with John 3:16 tee shirt?
"I once was Lost" - with the LOST logo... i think this might infringe copyrights
mastercard Priceless theme - overly used?
banksy city-mural advertisement
"but then what?" - too weird of a slogan? ... butthenwhat.com is free for our taking.
"God is Alive" - simple... but what kind of illustrations?
"Thanks God" - with arrows around the city pointing to different things that we forget to attribute to God.
we're going to talk about all these when we meet next week.
i love you guys, and hope that you're all doing well.
HIS.jam
Monday, October 30, 2006
HOMEWORK
hey guys... hopefully you have been in prayer and thought all week about what we talked about last tuesday (which i thought by the way, was terrific!)
on my heart lately has been the staleness and the complacency of the hearts of the people - including my own, at TNT.
i was hoping we can create a one-line phrase that can, perhaps, reawaken the hearts of those who regularly attend, and those who have started to slip away.
**thanks melissa for being on top of things and already sending me some stuff..
IMPORTANT NEWS
however, i am not going to be at this weeks TNT... pass the word
so we will collectively collaborate on the HW together when i get back next week.
so remember -
i love you guys and am praying for you always.
love.jam
on my heart lately has been the staleness and the complacency of the hearts of the people - including my own, at TNT.
i was hoping we can create a one-line phrase that can, perhaps, reawaken the hearts of those who regularly attend, and those who have started to slip away.
**thanks melissa for being on top of things and already sending me some stuff..
IMPORTANT NEWS
however, i am not going to be at this weeks TNT... pass the word
so we will collectively collaborate on the HW together when i get back next week.
so remember -
NO PRAISEBAND MEETING TUESDAY the 31st!!!!
i love you guys and am praying for you always.
love.jam
Monday, October 23, 2006
you are beautiful praisers!!
i'm feeling a little mushy this week.
why do i seem to always post on monday?... that doesn't give you much opportunity to check this blog and really get anything from it. what do you think? should i post earlier in the week?
i think so.
but for this week, let's all remember that we are meeting at 6:30 somwhere in the rec center.
i can't wait to see you all tomorrow,
love.jam
why do i seem to always post on monday?... that doesn't give you much opportunity to check this blog and really get anything from it. what do you think? should i post earlier in the week?
i think so.
but for this week, let's all remember that we are meeting at 6:30 somwhere in the rec center.
and for this week, remember to read psalms 16-20.
i can't wait to see you all tomorrow,
love.jam
Monday, October 02, 2006
FOR TOMMORROW OCTOBER 3RD!!!!
don't forget guys that we should be reading the first five chapters of psalms...
this is the time to crap everything in if you haven't already done so!...
i look forward to delving into the word with you guys at 6:30pm at preTNT.
love.jam
this is the time to crap everything in if you haven't already done so!...
i look forward to delving into the word with you guys at 6:30pm at preTNT.
love.jam
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
sebatical
ok, so that's not really what this is,
but it is true, i'm going to be taking some time off for the next few weeks.
this is to reset spiritually after this relationship.
i would love to talk to any of you about it,
please continue to pray for shara,
and for healing to occur.
***i will be at most of the practices and i expect all of you to be there as well
thanks guys,
you are all on my heart.
.jam
but it is true, i'm going to be taking some time off for the next few weeks.
this is to reset spiritually after this relationship.
i would love to talk to any of you about it,
please continue to pray for shara,
and for healing to occur.
***i will be at most of the practices and i expect all of you to be there as well
thanks guys,
you are all on my heart.
.jam
Thursday, September 14, 2006
********MEETING TONIGHT!!!
hey guys,
we're meeting tonight at 9:30
at harborside in front of the rec room.
i'll try to call you before we do.
thanks,
jam
we're meeting tonight at 9:30
at harborside in front of the rec room.
i'll try to call you before we do.
thanks,
jam
Thursday, September 07, 2006
***HW for praiseband!
hope you guys are doing well.
this is the home work that i told you that was going to be given... no need to whine or complain... it's just a couple of short questions that will help us be excellent together as a group.
??? (copy and paste these questions onto a comment before this tuesday!):
1. name:
2. birthday:
3. major:
4. instrument:
5. what do you want to do after you graduate:
6. prayer requests:
7. ways that we can improve praiseband
8. how can we get more people involved without crowding the "stage"
9. what day and time of the week is best for you to practice:
10. would you prefer doing a mini-retreat, seminar, or concert (you can choose more than one):
ok... i think that's enough. i don't want to overload you with questions.
i love you guys,
thank you for all that you do.
much.jam
this is the home work that i told you that was going to be given... no need to whine or complain... it's just a couple of short questions that will help us be excellent together as a group.
??? (copy and paste these questions onto a comment before this tuesday!):
1. name:
2. birthday:
3. major:
4. instrument:
5. what do you want to do after you graduate:
6. prayer requests:
7. ways that we can improve praiseband
8. how can we get more people involved without crowding the "stage"
9. what day and time of the week is best for you to practice:
10. would you prefer doing a mini-retreat, seminar, or concert (you can choose more than one):
ok... i think that's enough. i don't want to overload you with questions.
i love you guys,
thank you for all that you do.
much.jam
Monday, September 04, 2006
FIRST TNT = FIRST PRAISEBAND MEETING!
hey guys... it's late, but i just want you guys to know that praiseband practicefor tomorrow is on~!
6:30 - 6:32 pm.
let's try to be timely.
let's try to be awesome.
you're awesome.
love.jam
6:30 - 6:32 pm.
let's try to be timely.
let's try to be awesome.
you're awesome.
love.jam
Monday, July 31, 2006
summer love something so funn... err.. i think those are the words
ok, so it's been a long time since i've seen grease...
but not as long as my last praiseband blog comment!!!!
i hope that all of your summers are fantabulous and you are creating much noise for the glory of the Cross!
if you already don't know, we will not be seeing the following people next year:
geremy black: you sexy mexicana you.
amy ward: you good looking Christian educationalist you.
shanon hall: you hot, hotness you.
and
Christina Lee: you slant eye vixin you.
ok... no more racial slurrs... let's all remember to keep all of them in our prayers in their own ventures as they take their experiences from here out into the world.
for this upcoming year there are some important things that i would love for you guys to constantly be in prayer about
1. For your own heart and commitment to 802 - especially through your great work in our team
2. For upcoming freshmen... we always look forward to a great pool of freshies to strengthen our team both musically and morally. we want to be able to pick up some good people who are passionate not only about musically succeeding, but those whose hearts are maliable to work of Christ through TNT. yes, we want the gospel to hit their lives like a brick to their hearts... a brick with spikes on it... a brick with spikes that's lit on fire... yea.
3. Let's also lift up those TNTers that aren't as commited to praiseband and pray for their solid commitment this next year. I know that maria has made a commitment for the team, and so has kat. let's pray for roysten to come around and maybe alisha, and maybe anyone else that expresses interest but maybe too shy.
4. and let's not forget non-praisebanders. let's especially lift up the leadership including andy and myself, for next year as well as the rest of TNT
love you guys much.
with much love.
the solid love of JESUS.
squishy Jesus love too.
..jam
but not as long as my last praiseband blog comment!!!!
WHAT THE HECK IS UP 802ers!?!
i hope that all of your summers are fantabulous and you are creating much noise for the glory of the Cross!
if you already don't know, we will not be seeing the following people next year:
geremy black: you sexy mexicana you.
amy ward: you good looking Christian educationalist you.
shanon hall: you hot, hotness you.
and
Christina Lee: you slant eye vixin you.
ok... no more racial slurrs... let's all remember to keep all of them in our prayers in their own ventures as they take their experiences from here out into the world.
THINGS TO PRAY ABOUT
for this upcoming year there are some important things that i would love for you guys to constantly be in prayer about
1. For your own heart and commitment to 802 - especially through your great work in our team
2. For upcoming freshmen... we always look forward to a great pool of freshies to strengthen our team both musically and morally. we want to be able to pick up some good people who are passionate not only about musically succeeding, but those whose hearts are maliable to work of Christ through TNT. yes, we want the gospel to hit their lives like a brick to their hearts... a brick with spikes on it... a brick with spikes that's lit on fire... yea.
3. Let's also lift up those TNTers that aren't as commited to praiseband and pray for their solid commitment this next year. I know that maria has made a commitment for the team, and so has kat. let's pray for roysten to come around and maybe alisha, and maybe anyone else that expresses interest but maybe too shy.
4. and let's not forget non-praisebanders. let's especially lift up the leadership including andy and myself, for next year as well as the rest of TNT
love you guys much.
with much love.
the solid love of JESUS.
squishy Jesus love too.
..jam
Tuesday, May 02, 2006
Monday, April 24, 2006
Praise Report
My Praise Report is that now have a job working at Lowe's in Seekonk. Bad news I will be runing a little late this Tuesday night. I will try to get there on time but I can't promise. We thank God that Nate is coming in from Worcester to sub for James. James you are in our prayers that you do well while you are away and bring back prezzies.
Saturday, April 22, 2006
NO JAMES THIS TUESDAY
i don't know if i told you guys for sure, but i'm going to be away this week for a competition in Dallas.
it's pretty awesome down here... we went to a rodeo yesterday and had some all-you-can eat bbq.
i almost died.
maybe i did.
anyway, our brother nathan is going to be helping us out and leading for this tuesday. He's a great guy from worchester mass.
you'll like him, i promise.
i love you guys, and am praying for you all... which reminds me, i'm going to be calling all of you to get prayer requests. so expect that. if i have your number.
love.loveon.jam
it's pretty awesome down here... we went to a rodeo yesterday and had some all-you-can eat bbq.
i almost died.
maybe i did.
anyway, our brother nathan is going to be helping us out and leading for this tuesday. He's a great guy from worchester mass.
you'll like him, i promise.
i love you guys, and am praying for you all... which reminds me, i'm going to be calling all of you to get prayer requests. so expect that. if i have your number.
love.loveon.jam
Monday, April 17, 2006
4-19 TNT!
Your love is deep
Your love o Lord
beautiful collision
let us love and sing and wonder
nothing but the blood
always (did you rise the sun)
one pure and holy passion
i love it.
hey guys, please pray for my throat. i'm dying.
see you 6:30-45
love.jam
Your love o Lord
beautiful collision
let us love and sing and wonder
nothing but the blood
always (did you rise the sun)
one pure and holy passion
i love it.
hey guys, please pray for my throat. i'm dying.
see you 6:30-45
love.jam
Monday, April 10, 2006
april 11, 2006
what up homies and homiettes!
this tuesday we will be taking prayer requests for each other as well as our normal study (if there is one)
i might be a little late...but i'll be there.
i know this may seem like a lot of songs... but we'll probably wind up doing half on sunday instead....
let's pray over these:
freedom reigns
favorite friend
how great is our God
to You
all creatures of our God and King
alas and did
wonderful maker
consuming fire
i love you guys,
can't wait.jam
this tuesday we will be taking prayer requests for each other as well as our normal study (if there is one)
i might be a little late...but i'll be there.
i know this may seem like a lot of songs... but we'll probably wind up doing half on sunday instead....
let's pray over these:
freedom reigns
favorite friend
how great is our God
to You
all creatures of our God and King
alas and did
wonderful maker
consuming fire
i love you guys,
can't wait.jam
Friday, March 17, 2006
Stick Your Neck Out--Commit Yourself to Someone
Stick Your Neck Out—
Commit Yourself to Someone!
And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses,
The same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also
--2 Timothy 2:2
Can you think of an occasion when you were hurt by someone so badly that you were tempted to think, That’s it! I’ll never give my heart to anyone like that ever again! This hurts too much to go through this a second time. I’ve had all the abuse I can take, and I’ll never put my neck back on the chopping block again!
I think everyone has been through heart-wrenching experiences of betrayal, disloyalty, deception, and unfaithfulness in his or her relationships with others. Sometimes people put on one face in front of you but show a total different side when they are out of your presence. Maybe it was a close friend you thought would be faithful to you forever; but then that person walked out on you, stabbing you in the back as he exited! Or perhaps you had a trusted friend whom you confided in, but he violated your trust by repeating all the private things you had shared with him.
There’s no doubt about it—it hurts when you find out that certain people in your life have been unfaithful especially if they were who you sincerely believe would be loyal to the end. These feelings of hurt must be exactly what Timothy felt as he was serving as senior pastor of the church of Ephesus. After investing his life into his group of leaders for three years—spending time with them, loving them, caring for them, teaching them, forgiving them, literally pouring his whole heart and soul into them, as pastors are required to do—Timothy correctly expected a return on his investment. In other words he expected those leaders to stay with him forever!
The return Timothy anticipated from his leaders was commitment and faithfulness. For those same men to deny him their loyalty after all he had poured into them was a flagrant violation of relationship, yet that is precisely what they did. The majority of those leaders walked out of the church and deserted Timothy.
It is a historical fact that because of Nero’s persecutions against the Church, masses of believers left the Ephesian church and returned to their old pagan temples. The fires of persecution had revealed the genuine level of these people’s commitment to Jesus. When they realized they might die for their faith they reevaluated their commitment and deserted the Lord, the church and their pastor in order to save their lives.
Many of those who left the church of Ephesus were the leaders Timothy has trained and poured his life into. Timothy thought he could count on these leaders to serve at his side in both good and hard times. But now hard times had come, and the ones he had assumed he could trust walked out and abandoned him.
As a result, Timothy had severe deficit of leaders whom he could rely on and was facing the task of selecting new leaders. So Paul tells him, “And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men…”
These are pretty heavy instructions for Paul to give his young disciple! Timothy had already been “burned” once after giving his life to a group of people. He knew what it felt like to have people he trusted stab him in the back. Nevertheless, Paul now tells Timothy to choose a new group and start over again!
At that moment, Timothy’s emotional pain must have been enormous. I’m sure Paul’s words were hard for him to hear. Just as you and I have felt in the past, he probably thought, Forget it! I’ve already been through this pain once, and I don’t like the idea of going through it again. I’ll just pastor this church by myself.
But it’s not possible to do any monumental job alone. Therefore, if a person has been hurt, he eventually has to get over it, choose new leaders and friends and start over again. That is why Paul told him, “And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men…”
The word “commit” comes from the Greek compound word paratithimi, a compound of the words para and tithimi. The word para is a Greek word that means alongside It refers to something that is near or close by. But in Second Timothy 2:2, it presents a picture of close relationships.
The second part of the word is the Greek word tithimi, meaning to place, to lay something down, or to position something. When the words para and tithimi are compounded together, creating the word paratithimi, it means to come close in order to make some type of deposit, like a person who goes to the bank to place into the repository for safekeeping. Significantly, this is now the word Paul uses when he tells Timothy to “commit” himself to a new group of leaders.
Timothy clearly understood Paul’s instruction. He was to pick a new group of leaders, come closely alongside of them, and deposit his life into them. The Greek word, para made it plain that this was not something that could be done from a distance. Timothy would required to push aside his hurt and pain to make himself vulnerable to a new group of leaders; in other words, he had to give his heart a second time.
Because of Timothy’s past experience with leaders who had defected, this order from Paul may have been one of the scariest thoughts the younger minister had ever had. Timothy may have thought, Wait a minute! I already poured my life into one group of people. But when I needed them—when I needed to draw on that deposit—they were gone! My last deposit in people didn’t work out too well. They hurt me. I don’t know if I’m willing to make that kind of investment in people again!
Timothy may have asked himself, Isn’t this taking things one step too far? Does God really expect me to stick out my neck all over again after I’ve been hurt? But that is exactly what Paul was telling him to do—and it’s what you must do well! Stick out your neck and your heart, and try again!
The use of the word paratithimi meant that
Paul wanted Timothy to understand this message:
“…You need to choose some new people who have proven themselves faithful. Pull up alongside those people; get as close to them as you can so you can deposit everything you are and everything you know into them.”
Timothy’s future depended on how well he was able to connect and work with other people. The same is true with your future. Rather than allow the pain from past experiences to paralyze you today, you must do what Paul commanded Timothy to do: Put the past away; decide to quit focusing on how others have failed you; and begin to search for a new group of people or friends so you can start over again. If you don’t do this, the devil will have the victory over you—paralyzing and immobilizing you, effectively preventing you and your gifts from ever being fully realized. Don’t give the devil the pleasure of that victory!!
It’s time for you to grab hold of the power of God and to emerge out of your place of hiding! It may be true that a person or a group of people hurt you in the past, but there are friends out there who are just waiting for you. They are the ones who will be faithful and steadfast all the way to the end. Ask the Holy Spirit to open your eyes and direct you to them. Once you connect with them you’ll be so thankful that you didn’t hide from relationships for the rest of your life and that you took the bold step to start all over again!
My Prayer for Today
Lord, help me to overcome the hurts and disappointments I’ve experienced because of people who proved to be unfaithful. When I am tempted to judge those who have wronged me, help me remember those I myself have wronged in the past. Just as I never intended to hurt anyone, help me realize that my offenders probably didn’t intend to hurt me either. As I was forgiven then, I am asking You now to help me forgive—and not just to forgive, but to stick out my neck and begin to rebuild my life with other people in the Body of Christ!
I pray this in Jesus’ name!
My Confession for Today
I confess that I don’t hold grudges or bitterness against anyone who has wronged me in the past. Just as I’ve been forgiven. I freely forgive. As others gave me a second chance, I give people the benefit of the doubt and allow them to prove themselves even if they’ve done something to hurt me. The devil can’t paralyze me with fears of being hurt again, because I refuse to allow that kind of fear to operate inside me. I have too much to do to let the devil immobilize me with something that happened to me in the past, so I confess right now that I am freed from every past hurt and I am moving forward to possess all that God has for me!
I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!
Questions for you to consider
Has anyone ever let you down so badly that you felt like you never wanted to stick out your neck and risk getting hurt again?
Have you ever been the source of this type of pain to someone else? If your answer is yes, did you ever go back to that person to repent for being the source of his or her pain?
What can you do differently in your relationship today to make sute that never happens again?
Commit Yourself to Someone!
And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses,
The same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also
--2 Timothy 2:2
Can you think of an occasion when you were hurt by someone so badly that you were tempted to think, That’s it! I’ll never give my heart to anyone like that ever again! This hurts too much to go through this a second time. I’ve had all the abuse I can take, and I’ll never put my neck back on the chopping block again!
I think everyone has been through heart-wrenching experiences of betrayal, disloyalty, deception, and unfaithfulness in his or her relationships with others. Sometimes people put on one face in front of you but show a total different side when they are out of your presence. Maybe it was a close friend you thought would be faithful to you forever; but then that person walked out on you, stabbing you in the back as he exited! Or perhaps you had a trusted friend whom you confided in, but he violated your trust by repeating all the private things you had shared with him.
There’s no doubt about it—it hurts when you find out that certain people in your life have been unfaithful especially if they were who you sincerely believe would be loyal to the end. These feelings of hurt must be exactly what Timothy felt as he was serving as senior pastor of the church of Ephesus. After investing his life into his group of leaders for three years—spending time with them, loving them, caring for them, teaching them, forgiving them, literally pouring his whole heart and soul into them, as pastors are required to do—Timothy correctly expected a return on his investment. In other words he expected those leaders to stay with him forever!
The return Timothy anticipated from his leaders was commitment and faithfulness. For those same men to deny him their loyalty after all he had poured into them was a flagrant violation of relationship, yet that is precisely what they did. The majority of those leaders walked out of the church and deserted Timothy.
It is a historical fact that because of Nero’s persecutions against the Church, masses of believers left the Ephesian church and returned to their old pagan temples. The fires of persecution had revealed the genuine level of these people’s commitment to Jesus. When they realized they might die for their faith they reevaluated their commitment and deserted the Lord, the church and their pastor in order to save their lives.
Many of those who left the church of Ephesus were the leaders Timothy has trained and poured his life into. Timothy thought he could count on these leaders to serve at his side in both good and hard times. But now hard times had come, and the ones he had assumed he could trust walked out and abandoned him.
As a result, Timothy had severe deficit of leaders whom he could rely on and was facing the task of selecting new leaders. So Paul tells him, “And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men…”
These are pretty heavy instructions for Paul to give his young disciple! Timothy had already been “burned” once after giving his life to a group of people. He knew what it felt like to have people he trusted stab him in the back. Nevertheless, Paul now tells Timothy to choose a new group and start over again!
At that moment, Timothy’s emotional pain must have been enormous. I’m sure Paul’s words were hard for him to hear. Just as you and I have felt in the past, he probably thought, Forget it! I’ve already been through this pain once, and I don’t like the idea of going through it again. I’ll just pastor this church by myself.
But it’s not possible to do any monumental job alone. Therefore, if a person has been hurt, he eventually has to get over it, choose new leaders and friends and start over again. That is why Paul told him, “And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men…”
The word “commit” comes from the Greek compound word paratithimi, a compound of the words para and tithimi. The word para is a Greek word that means alongside It refers to something that is near or close by. But in Second Timothy 2:2, it presents a picture of close relationships.
The second part of the word is the Greek word tithimi, meaning to place, to lay something down, or to position something. When the words para and tithimi are compounded together, creating the word paratithimi, it means to come close in order to make some type of deposit, like a person who goes to the bank to place into the repository for safekeeping. Significantly, this is now the word Paul uses when he tells Timothy to “commit” himself to a new group of leaders.
Timothy clearly understood Paul’s instruction. He was to pick a new group of leaders, come closely alongside of them, and deposit his life into them. The Greek word, para made it plain that this was not something that could be done from a distance. Timothy would required to push aside his hurt and pain to make himself vulnerable to a new group of leaders; in other words, he had to give his heart a second time.
Because of Timothy’s past experience with leaders who had defected, this order from Paul may have been one of the scariest thoughts the younger minister had ever had. Timothy may have thought, Wait a minute! I already poured my life into one group of people. But when I needed them—when I needed to draw on that deposit—they were gone! My last deposit in people didn’t work out too well. They hurt me. I don’t know if I’m willing to make that kind of investment in people again!
Timothy may have asked himself, Isn’t this taking things one step too far? Does God really expect me to stick out my neck all over again after I’ve been hurt? But that is exactly what Paul was telling him to do—and it’s what you must do well! Stick out your neck and your heart, and try again!
The use of the word paratithimi meant that
Paul wanted Timothy to understand this message:
“…You need to choose some new people who have proven themselves faithful. Pull up alongside those people; get as close to them as you can so you can deposit everything you are and everything you know into them.”
Timothy’s future depended on how well he was able to connect and work with other people. The same is true with your future. Rather than allow the pain from past experiences to paralyze you today, you must do what Paul commanded Timothy to do: Put the past away; decide to quit focusing on how others have failed you; and begin to search for a new group of people or friends so you can start over again. If you don’t do this, the devil will have the victory over you—paralyzing and immobilizing you, effectively preventing you and your gifts from ever being fully realized. Don’t give the devil the pleasure of that victory!!
It’s time for you to grab hold of the power of God and to emerge out of your place of hiding! It may be true that a person or a group of people hurt you in the past, but there are friends out there who are just waiting for you. They are the ones who will be faithful and steadfast all the way to the end. Ask the Holy Spirit to open your eyes and direct you to them. Once you connect with them you’ll be so thankful that you didn’t hide from relationships for the rest of your life and that you took the bold step to start all over again!
My Prayer for Today
Lord, help me to overcome the hurts and disappointments I’ve experienced because of people who proved to be unfaithful. When I am tempted to judge those who have wronged me, help me remember those I myself have wronged in the past. Just as I never intended to hurt anyone, help me realize that my offenders probably didn’t intend to hurt me either. As I was forgiven then, I am asking You now to help me forgive—and not just to forgive, but to stick out my neck and begin to rebuild my life with other people in the Body of Christ!
I pray this in Jesus’ name!
My Confession for Today
I confess that I don’t hold grudges or bitterness against anyone who has wronged me in the past. Just as I’ve been forgiven. I freely forgive. As others gave me a second chance, I give people the benefit of the doubt and allow them to prove themselves even if they’ve done something to hurt me. The devil can’t paralyze me with fears of being hurt again, because I refuse to allow that kind of fear to operate inside me. I have too much to do to let the devil immobilize me with something that happened to me in the past, so I confess right now that I am freed from every past hurt and I am moving forward to possess all that God has for me!
I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!
Questions for you to consider
Has anyone ever let you down so badly that you felt like you never wanted to stick out your neck and risk getting hurt again?
Have you ever been the source of this type of pain to someone else? If your answer is yes, did you ever go back to that person to repent for being the source of his or her pain?
What can you do differently in your relationship today to make sute that never happens again?
Thursday, March 16, 2006
Whose Faith Are You Following?
Whose Faith Are You Following?
That ye be not slothful, but followers of them
Who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
--Hebrews 6:12
Let me ask you a question today: Who is the most influential spiritual leader in your life right now? Is there one leader whom you respect and admire so exceptionally that you would want to emulate him and try to be like him in your own life? Is there one certain leader producing the type of fruit you long to see I your own personal life? If so, who is that leader?
You may wonder if it’s right to follow someone so closely that you actually start emulating them. But the Bible is replete with scriptures that instruct us to be followers of spiritual leaders One such scripture is Heb 6-12: “That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.”
Notice that the scripture says we are to be “…followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” The word “followers” is taken from the Greek word mimete, from which we get the English word “imitate.” Other words that are derived from mimete are “mimic” and “mime.” However, the best translation of this word is actually the word “actor.”
Therefore, the command to “follow” isn’t referring to casual type of following; rather, it implies an intentional study of the deeds, words, actions, and thoughts of another in an attempt to fully understand the person and then replicate his attributes in one’s own life. This type of following enables a person to this like his subject, walk like his subject, mimic his subject’s movements, make the vocal intonations of his subject, and act like his subject in a masterful way. However, this can only be achieved by those seriously committed to the act of replication. Such a commitment to act, mimic, or replicate a respected leader is the result of true discipleship.
Therefore, you could actually translate this phrase:
“…But skillfully and convincingly act like those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.”
A good actor studies the character and life of another and then portrays that person on a stage or on film. The actor obtains every bit of information he possibly can about the person in order to better portray him in his acting role. Then the actor begins to practice acting just like that person—trying to talk like him, think like him, and even walk and dress like him. If the actor acts long enough and consistently enough, the character role he is playing can actually become a part of the actor’s own identity. That’s the power of acting!
The writer of Hebrews understood the power of imitation. That’s why he said in essence, “If you want to walk in faith, find someone who successfully walks in faith. Watch what he says, how he behaves, and how he lives—and then act like him! Do what he does; say what he says; and behave like he behaves. Be an imitator of those who through faith and patience have inherited the promises.”
You may ask, “But isn’t it hypocritical to act like I feel great when I really feel bad?” Absolutely not! Acting and imitating is foundational to the Christian life. It is for this very reason you are instructed to “put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh…” (Romans 13:14) When you wake up in the morning, you may not feel like smiling, talking, or saying anything nice, to anyone. But because you want to please the Lord, what do you do? You choose to be nice, to smile, to speak kindly; in order words, you choose to put on the Lord Jesus Christ. You make the decision to act differently than you naturally feel.
Putting on Christ is a daily mindset—a daily, hour-by-hour determination. So wake up and declare that you have the mind of Christ! Find some godly people who live according to who they truly are in the Spirit—new creations with the nature, character desires, and behavior of Jesus Christ. Study their lives, and follow their example. In other words, ACT like those who through faith and patience inherit the promises!
My Prayer For Today
Lord, I need an example that I can follow and imitate! Your Word commands me to imitate strong and successful spiritual leaders, so I am asking You to help me find that exact leader whom You want me to follow and imitate. Give me the grace to do what he does, say what he says and act the way he acts, until finally I no longer have to ac because I have become like the person I have been imitating. Holy Spirit, I want to be obedient to God’s Word. Since God tells me to mimic those who through faith and patience inherit the promises of God. I’m asking You to please help me recognize the people whom I should look to as spiritual examples in my walk with God.
I pray this in Jesus’ name!
My Confession For Today
I confess that I do not have to find my way by myself! By locating godly examples, I can imitate these people’s lives and produce the same fruit the produce in their lives. So right now I choose to follow the examples of those who preceded me—acting like them and replicating both their acts and their godly fruit in my live. God’s Word says this is what I am to do, so I will do it as I am commanded. The Holy Spirit will help me know exactly who should be the supreme examples in my life, and He will help me follow their example as I ought to do.
I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!
Questions for You to Consider
Who is the most influential spiritual leader in your life right now? Have you ever taken the time to let that leader know that you appreciate him?
What have you done to establish a relationship with that leader? Write down ideas regarding what you can do to strengthen your relationship with him.
What in particular do you respect about this leader, and what fruit is demonstrated in his life that you want to see reproduced in your own life? Take this time to really think about this question, and write down your answers.
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
ummm... i don't question your walks... but i will pray for you...
Lord, thank you for these sisters... for their hearts and there service.
may you heal their fingers and eyes from burnout.
You are awesome.
in Your name, amen.
by the way... i don't know what ina's talking about, i never said to put each song on one page.... that's just ridiculous. really.
love you guys though,
jam
Lord, thank you for these sisters... for their hearts and there service.
may you heal their fingers and eyes from burnout.
You are awesome.
in Your name, amen.
by the way... i don't know what ina's talking about, i never said to put each song on one page.... that's just ridiculous. really.
love you guys though,
jam
ummm... i don't question your walks... but i will pray for you...
Lord, thank you for these sisters... for their hearts and there service.
may you heal their fingers and eyes from burnout.
You are awesome.
in Your name, amen.
by the way... i don't know what ina's talking about, i never said to put each song on one page.... that's just ridiculous. really.
love you guys though,
jam
Lord, thank you for these sisters... for their hearts and there service.
may you heal their fingers and eyes from burnout.
You are awesome.
in Your name, amen.
by the way... i don't know what ina's talking about, i never said to put each song on one page.... that's just ridiculous. really.
love you guys though,
jam
Monday, March 13, 2006
Praise Band vs James Kwon part 1
Theme: Song Books
The Objective: Sort through James Kwon's mind of mass confusion
The Minion: Shannon and Ina-Robin
Results: MUST ANNIHILATE JAMES KWON
Proceedure: How we got this result
Refrer to comments below..... LET THE GAMES BEGIN
The Objective: Sort through James Kwon's mind of mass confusion
The Minion: Shannon and Ina-Robin
Results: MUST ANNIHILATE JAMES KWON
Proceedure: How we got this result
Refrer to comments below..... LET THE GAMES BEGIN
Tuesday, March 07, 2006
Renew,Restore and Rebuild
As a praise team we need to be prayed up and our spirits free before we can minister in music.
Go back to the book of Nehemiah.
Go back to the book of Nehemiah.
1. Pen/Pad
- Remember to write down what comes to mind. Even scriptures that God gives you.
2. Blisticks
- Refresh and renew your mind besides your lips
3. Battery
- Always be engerized by the word of God and by music.
- Dance in the presence of the Lord to get your day started or to shake loose anything that may want to stick to you...ie; having a bad day or just plan frustrated.
4. O-ring
- God is in the details.
- Doesn't matter what you do in life God will always be in the details if you let Him.
5. Velcro
- Helps secure things into place
- Neatly woven threads interlinking together( that is what we aew as a praise team)
Bind us together Lord, Bind us together like cords that can not be broken Bind us together Lord, Bind us together Lord , Bind us together with Love.
6. Band aide/ Superglue
- When we are hurt we can become wounded deep down in our spirit where we need healing, you have the word of God to be your band aide... Yet God himself is the superglue that holes everything together.
- God is very strong and powerful and can not be moved.
- When we are we He is strong. Let God be your Superglue... strength
7.Lego
- We are just a small piece that links together with many more pieces that does God's work
- Know your place
- Know where you fit
- Know that you can be creative in it
- Know it's not in vain
You never know whose life may depend on what you say or do when it comes to walking in love and doing the work of God. Let God take you from Glory to Glory daily. God bless and have a great Spring trimester.
Love Always in Christ Jesus,
Ina-Robin
Monday, March 06, 2006
Sunday, March 05, 2006
Parise Band Alert
I need some help printing off the song books for the praise band for TNT
- Give me a time for availability
- Give me notice for those who need rides
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
Renew,Restore and Rebuild
As this praise team parts for Spring break.... Woohooo!!! I just want you to always remember that we need to renew old friendship and make new ones, Restore broken relationships with sinners by teaching them about Christ and last but not least, Let's Rebuild God's foundation within us beside His house. God Bless, Safe journey and most of all have a lot of fun!!!
Ina-Robin
Ina-Robin
Tuesday, February 21, 2006
Hey guys!... and UPDATE!
i kno i kno... finally...
just letting you guys know that even though it's study break this week, we're still going to have a meeting.
i just want to let you guys know that you did a great job this tri, hopefully next tri, we'll just be used again... and in an even mightier way!
ok... see you tonight.
jammout.
last tnt in winter
Hey guys!... and UPDATE!
i kno i kno... finally...
just letting you guys know that even though it's study break this week, we're still going to have a meeting.
i just want to let you guys know that you did a great job this tri, hopefully next tri, we'll just be used again... and in an even mightier way!
ok... see you tonight.
jammout.
last tnt in winter
Hey guys!... and UPDATE!
i kno i kno... finally...
just letting you guys know that even though it's study break this week, we're still going to have a meeting.
i just want to let you guys know that you did a great job this tri, hopefully next tri, we'll just be used again... and in an even mightier way!
ok... see you tonight.
jammout.
Hey guys!... and UPDATE!
i kno i kno... finally...
just letting you guys know that even though it's study break this week, we're still going to have a meeting.
i just want to let you guys know that you did a great job this tri, hopefully next tri, we'll just be used again... and in an even mightier way!
ok... see you tonight.
jammout.
Hey guys!... and UPDATE!
i kno i kno... finally...
just letting you guys know that even though it's study break this week, we're still going to have a meeting.
i just want to let you guys know that you did a great job this tri, hopefully next tri, we'll just be used again... and in an even mightier way!
ok... see you tonight.
jammout.
Sunday, February 05, 2006
Saturday, February 04, 2006
so here's what's up:
in a nice orderly list... like shopping for your soul
- first, please take some time now and pray for this tuesday... (and sunday if you come out to graceharb
- welcome back...now with some time out, and you're just in the state of relaxed communion with God... let's all read together psalms 48 together.
- "evokes a train of Hallelujahs" that's awesome...welcome back again... ok... onto "business?"
- our brother Geremy has postponed his leading for some good reasons... (if you want to know, ask him) ... also... he has a question... whether it would be alright if Will could step in and help him out. I said that i don't have a problem with it because Will's not going to be permanent part of the team, and it would be nice. but i know we have the one-trimester rule... so if any of you object... please post them right now, or forever hold your peace.
- songs of this tuesday will be up by sunday night... or sunday afternoon because of superbowl... please look through them... post questions...
- songs for this sunday are up soon... check frequently...like amy "the awesome hair cutter" ward.
- hope you guys are having a great weekend...let's lift of a train of praise to our KING, holler.
in HIS,
jam
Wednesday, January 25, 2006
hey guys!
last night's TNT was a blur to me... something was missing...
there was a lack of energy in the room... what do you think caused this?...
how can we prevent this from happening?
what can we change?
what did you like/dislike about last night?
just trying to get some feedback from yall...
if everything works out, our brother geremy black will be leading us this next tuesday... so please be praying for him...

please post comments... thanks,
jammout
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
heck yes an update!
hello folks!... welcome to the first post of this year!...
congrats to andy for leading last tuesday...this next tuesday, we're going to be hearing how he handled the whole situation, and how he went about the whole thing.
i think this weeks was pretty good... i always love singing everymove... t'is a good one.
for this next week, i would love for you guys to start thinking about the small groups that we talked about. think about the partner you choose, and the three/four others for the total five small group?...
holler.
i promise at least two-three updates per week from now on... even if their short prayer requests!... i love you guys...
in HIS,
jammout.
congrats to andy for leading last tuesday...this next tuesday, we're going to be hearing how he handled the whole situation, and how he went about the whole thing.
i think this weeks was pretty good... i always love singing everymove... t'is a good one.
for this next week, i would love for you guys to start thinking about the small groups that we talked about. think about the partner you choose, and the three/four others for the total five small group?...
holler.
i promise at least two-three updates per week from now on... even if their short prayer requests!... i love you guys...
in HIS,
jammout.
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