A New Year coming!

Are you limiting God?

When God puts a dream in your heart, when He brings opportunities across your path, do you step out boldly in faith, expecting the best, moving forward with confidence, knowing that you are well able to do what God wants you to do? Or do you shrink back in fear, and say, "That's too big for me. I'm not qualified. I'm not able. I could never do that." God wants to do a new thing in your life. But you've got to do your part and get outside that little box. Start thinking Big!

In His Grip,

J

The Passion of Christmas

Many People forget what the real reason Christ came to this earth... We focus so much on Christmas trees, gifts, Santa, what to eat and how to show off our houses with Christmas lights. Even within the church, I do enjoy all the church plays and skits they do at this time of year and think they are really fun to watch some even do a really great job, but what so many lack is the true meaning of Christmas. Some people wait until Easter to show the whole story of Christ. But I think it is so important to share, so important not to miss.
I was once again reminded of the true reason for Christmas tonight when I heard one of my fav Christmas songs of all times. "Mary Did you know" by Mark Lowry and Buddy Green. It is a simple truth that should give us hope for this next coming year. It should shine light on our dark paths, and remind us that It started with a little baby in a feeding trough but didn't end there His life went on and did some great things and ended here on earth on a wooden cross for US! If you have never listened to the words of this song please do... Take it in... Take a minute to forget about the Christmas tree, Santa, the gifts, the shopping, even all the rude people driving on the roads in a rush to get to nowhere. all those things that we call Christmas today and think about what it really is about. Wouldn't be cool to see a church tell the whole story of Christmas?!?!

~Best Chart Ever~

I love this chart.. I see one like this every time I go into my chiropractor.
I am a big believer in this chart. It is funny I can always tell if my back is out of line and these things seem to always go inline with each other.

~A little bit of the past~

So I was asked the other day about what kind of jobs I have had in the past and it got me thinking... When I find a day when I don't know what to post why don't I post about it.... So here is something to make the time fly by LOL. Some of you may or may not know some of this.

Job 1: Book stocker

Job 2: Bus Boy.

Job3: Kitchen manager.

Job 4: Loss Prevention Officer.

Job 5: Broadcasting/A/V Director

Job 6: Youth Pastor

Job 7: SC State Chaplain

Job 8: Associate Pastor

Job 9: Loss Prevention/ Key Holder

Job 10: 1st Lieutenant

Job 11: Admissions Director

Job 12: Pastor of Students

Job 13: TeacherParent

Job 14: HouseDad

Job 15: SD Certified Instructor (Current)

Job 16: Sub-Teacher (Current when in GA)



Wow Seems to be a lot of stuff but I guess when God moves us he moves us. Some where for a short time and some went on for more then a few years, some I am still doing.

~The 411 on myself~

1. First grade teacher's name: Mrs. Crawford

2. Last person you kissed: Humm.... The love of my Life

3. Last word you said: "Funny"

4. Last song you sang: "Mary did you know"

5. Last person you hugged: The Love of my Life

6. Last thing you laughed at: Baby Emily

7. What's in your CD player: Trading my sorrows by Darrell Evens

8. What mood are you in? Bored but happy

9. What socks are you wearing: None

10. What's under your bed: Don't even want to know

11. Current status: Taken

12. Current taste: Water

13. Current hair style: Always Messy

14. Current clothes: Dress Pants, Polo and flip flops

15. Current Job: House Dad

16. Current longing: Healthier Life

17. Current desktop picture: Little Snowman

18. Current worry: Getting everything done in time

19. Current hate: our current weather changes

20. Story behind your username: I am a Jesus Christ Chaser (JCCHASER)

21. Current favorite article of clothing: do flip flops count?

22. Favorite physical feature(s) of the opposite(same)sex: Smile, Ears and Heart

23. Last CD that you bought: Wow it has been awhile...

24. Favorite place to be: The Lake

25. Least favorite place: anywhere hot

26. Time you wake up in the morning: 6:20 AM

27. If you could play a new instrument, what would it be?: Fiddle

28. What is your favorite teacher/class? Don't know

29. Current favorite word/saying: "Cool"

30. Favorite book: Any of the "Chronicles of Brothers" books by Wendy Alec

31. Favorite Movies: I have too many

32. Favorite Songs: Anything giving God praises

33. One person from your past you wish you could go back and talk to: Matt

34. Favorite day: Fridays

35. Where do you want to go: On a long trip

36. What is your career going to be: wherever God leads

37. Who are your best friends? Do stuff animals count?

38. Favorite boy/girl baby names? There are a few... I guess I need more kids LOL

39. A random lyric: Emmanuel

40. Eye Color: Blue

41. Hair Color: dark blond

42. Righty or Lefty: Lefty

43. Coke or Pepsi: Coke

44. Zodiac Sign: Gemini

45. Innie or Outtie: Is this really a question?

46. Your heritage: I don't care as long as I am a Knight

47. The shoes you wore today: flip flops

48. Your hair: short

49. Your room: small

50. Your fears: Ever seen "monk"?

51. Your most recent secret?: I know what Santa is bring you

52. Your favorite thing to do: enjoy time with family

53. Your thoughts first waking up: More Sleep!

54. The first feature you notice in the opposite sex: personality

55. Your bedtime: the sooner the better

56. Your most missed companion: the Love of my Life

57. Your perfect pizza: No Pizza is good pizza

58. Sweet and Chewy or Salty and Crunchy: Salty and Crunchy

59. Single or group dates: Single but group sounds fun.

60. Dogs or Cats: Dogs

61. Lipton Ice Tea or Nestea: Lipton Ice Tea

62. Chocolate or vanilla: Vanilla

63. Cappuccino or coffee?: Cappuccino


DO YOU...

64. Smoke: No

65. Curse: Does in Greek count?!?

66. Sing: All the time

67. Take a shower everyday: LOL...your funny

68. Have a crush: hummm one guess!

69. Drive? I Love it!

70. Think you've been in love: I am in love

71. Want to go to college: been there done that

72. Want more than what you've got: sadly, at times

73. Want to get married: I am

74. Type w/ your fingers on the right keys: i think so, never looked

75. Think you're attractive: no way

76. Think you're a health freak: I have become one in the last year

77. Get along with your parents: okay sure

78. Play an instrument: Yes a few

IN THE PAST 3 months:

79. drink: Drink what? I drink a lot of things

80. Smoke: No

81. Done a drug: What happen to "Just Say No"

82. Made Out: LOL Funny

83. Go on a date: I should

84. Eaten an entire box of Oreos: that would make me sick and no i have not

85. Eaten sushi: YES and Love it

86. . Been dumped: No and not planning on it

87. Made homemade cookies: Can't remember

88. Been in love: still am

89. Gone skinny dipping: Is the question in the last few months or ever?!?!

90. Dyed your hair: Yes

91. Stolen anything: some gum from a bud

HAVE YOU EVER..

92. Had too much to drink: I love Tea?!?

93. Been caught cheating: Is that a trick question?!?

94. Been called a tease: Maybe

95. Gotten beaten up: No

96. Changed who you were to fit in: No

97. Cried at something beautiful: Yes

98. Spent too much money on something you didn’t need?: All the time :)

100. Cried when someone died: Yes

~Good Stuff Info~

How to Keep From Getting Hurt in a Church

(1) Avoid developing unreasonable expectations of the church — “My soul, wait silently for God alone, For my expectation is from Him” (Psa. 62:5).

(2) Don’t place an absolute trust in people — “Thus says the LORD: Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart departs from the LORD” (Jer. 17:5).

3) Focus on common ground — “Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment” (1 Cor. 1:10).

(4) Don’t expect any church to be perfect — “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice.” (Rom. 7:18-19)

5) Don’t seek to promote yourself or your own agenda — “Do not lift up your horn on high; Do not speak with a stiff neck. For exaltation comes neither from the east Nor from the west nor from the south. But God is the Judge: He puts down one, And exalts another” (Psa. 75:5-7).

(6) Avoid blaming the church for personal problems — “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You” (Isaiah 26:3).

(7) Treat others as you wish to be treated — “Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets” (Matt. 7:12).

(8) Have a teachable, cooperative attitude — “Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you” (Heb. 13:17).

9) Don’t oppose or hinder the church — “These six things the LORD hates, yes, seven are an abomination to Him: A proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, a false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren” (Prov. 6:16-19).

(10) Be committed to forthrightness and truth — “Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. “But if he will not hear you, take with you one or two more, that by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector” (Matt. 18:15-17).

11) Be devoted to love and forgiveness — “He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him” (1 John 2:10).

12) Don’t get caught up in the offenses of others — “Lord, who may abide in Your tabernacle? Who may dwell in Your holy hill? He who walks uprightly, And works righteousness, And speaks the truth in his heart; He who does not backbite with his tongue, Nor does evil to his neighbor, Nor does he take up a reproach against his friend” (Psa. 15:1-3).

13) Don’t personalize everything that’s preached — Obviously, every pastor preaches with the hope that everyone will take the message personally and apply it to his or her own life. “If the shoe fits, wear it.” However, there are always a few who think the minister is pointing his sermon specifically at them. This is a common misunderstanding which causes persons to get hurt.

~Truth~

~Brighter Days~

NO EXCUSE FOR PASTORS!

There are many reasons why God would not want you, but don't worry. You're in good company!

- Moses stuttered.
-- David's armor didn't fit.
--- John Mark was rejected by Paul.
---- Hosea's wife was a prostitute.
----- Amos' only training was in the school of fig-tree pruning.
------ Jacob was a liar.
------- David had an affair.
-------- Solomon was too rich.
--------- Abraham was too old.
---------- David was too young.
----------- Timothy had ulcers.
------------ Peter was afraid of death.
------------- Lazarus was dead.
-------------- John was self-righteous.
--------------- Jesus was too poor.
-------------- Naomi was a widow.
------------- Paul was a murderer. So was Moses.
------------ Jonah ran from God.
----------- Miriam was a gossip.
---------- Gideon and Thomas both doubted.
--------- Jeremiah was depressed and suicidal.
-------- Elijah was burned out.
------- John the Baptist was a loudmouth.
------ Martha was a worrywart.
----- Mary was lazy.
---- Samson had long hair.
--- Noah got drunk.
-- Did I mention that Moses had a short fuse?
- So did Peter, Paul--well, lots of folks did.
But God doesn't require a job interview. He doesn't hire and fire like most bosses, because He's more our Dad than our boss. He doesn't look at financial gain or loss. He's neither prejudiced nor partial, judging, grudging, sassy, nor brassy, not deaf to our cry, nor blind to our need.

Satan says, "You're not worthy."

Jesus says, "So what? I AM."

Satan looks back and sees our mistakes. God looks back and sees the Cross.

Sure--there are lots of reasons why God shouldn't want us. But if we are in love with Him, if we hunger for Him more than our next breath, He'll use us in spite of who we are, where we've been, or what we look like.

Let this Bless you this week,

In His Grip,

J

15 Fun facts about Christmas

1. The Christmas tree was first introduced by Queen Victoria in 1846.

2. The word Christmas is Old English and comes from the terms Christ's Mass.

3. Franklin Pierce is the first president to decorate the white house Christmas tree.

4. Electric lights Christmas trees were first used in 1895.

5. The movie "It's a Wonderful Life" appears on TV more often than any other holiday movie.

6. The most famous Christmas ballet is "The Nutcracker".

7. The song "Jingle Bells" was first written for Thanksgiving but become popular around Christmas time.

8. You would receive a total of 364 presents if you were to receive every gift listed on the "The Twelve Days of Christmas" song.

9. Do not eat a Holly berry, they are poisonous.

10. Alabama was the first state to recognize the Christmas holiday.

11. It wasn't until 1870 that Christmas became a national holiday in America.

12. Candy canes were originally white straight sticks of sugar used to decorate a tree.

13. Many of the needless, pine nuts and pine cones found on Christmas trees are actually edible.

14. In the United States alone, Visa cards are used an average of 5,500 a minute during the holiday season.

15. Each year over 3 billion Christmas cards are sent out in the United States.

This weeks "Weigh-In"

Not the best day but I did lose again. It was not as much as the first week but it works. My hope and prayer is next week will be better. But I do have to say not gaining weight during thanksgiving is a big plus.


One of Bob's sayings "No matter how many fat people I make skinny, they just keep bringing me more. If you people at home don't stop eating, they will never let me leave this d*** ranch."

"Oh Christmas tree...... Oh Christmas tree......"

You might be "metrosexual" if:

1. You just can't walk past a Banana Republic store without making a purchase.

2. You own 20 pairs of shoes, half a dozen pairs of sunglasses, just as many watches and you carry a man-purse.

3. You see a stylist instead of a barber, because barbers don't do highlights.

4. You can make her lamb shanks and risotto for dinner and Eggs Benedict for breakfast... all from scratch.

5. You only wear Calvin Klein boxer-briefs.

6. You shave more than just your face. You also exfoliate and moisturize.

7. You would never, ever own a pickup truck.

8. You can't imagine a day without hair styling products.

9. You'd rather drink wine than beer... but you'll find out what estate and vintage first.

10. Despite being flattered (even proud) that gay guys hit on you, you still find the thought of actually getting intimate with another man truly repulsive.

***
Not too sure about #7 but it is scary how many of these things are true.... LOL -J

Christmas Time is Here!!!