One More

I was convinced to post another feed per request.  I'm not going to write much just show a video that was made for one of my classes.  It was our final project and I was really excited how it turned out.  So check it out and hope you enjoy.  Most of the credit goes to my partner who did all the editing and stuff.  Let me know if you don't get it.  Grace and Peace

Out of Service

I probably have no readers by now and I don't blame you.  I haven't posted anything in awhile. Life is getting busier now that I have started school again.  My first day was great and I really felt that I wanted to be there.  So this informative site will be in temporary park for some time until I choose to bring it back to life.  Who knows, maybe some people still need to catch up on what happened months ago.

Thanks again to all you faithful readers.  Thanks again for your great comments.  It has been worth the time to write and hopefully worth your time to read.  This has given me the opportunity to learn how to write better.

It has been a privilege for me to join you in this great blog adventure.  If you want to know what is going on, just call me, please.  I would appreciate it.

I love you all.  God bless.

Signing off,

Jaret

My Time Overseas...

It's good to be back in the U.S.  You really appreciate clean water and a clean environment after being overseas for awhile.  It was a fantastic trip and I'm so glad that I went.  This is just a small look at some things.  I will have more up later.

I Hate Being Late

Grace and peace to all my family and friends:
Again, thanks for being faithful in reading. I haven't really given you much to read lately. As you may already know my time with Josh and the ministry is fading away. My blog seems to be following the same pattern. I'm sure it will be up for awhile, but probably won't be updated any more soon, since I will be at home. My official last day is April 25.
Seminary will start soon and the world will get busier. It's so hard to stop and take a rest during our busy schedules. The thing I miss the most is really taking patient time to seek Jesus and spend time with him. It is so sweet when we do. I need your help and I will give you mine in spurring one another on to seek first the kingdom.
So, this Sunday I will be taking off for my international trip to Romania and Greece. Yes, I am very excited and a little nervous. I have never been this far away from home. You cannot call me or I can't call you during April 6-16. Sorry. I will not be able to answer. I will miss you all and covet your prayers.
May the Lord bless you richly with his presence.

Where's Jaret

I love you guys!

Sorry for the delay in another post. Right now I'm at Pensacola Beach in Florida and then back to LA on Friday. It's really nice. These are some upcoming places where I'll be:

Oklahoma

Charlotte, NC

Missouri

Arkansas

Romania

Greece

Georgia

South Carolina

Tennessee

Then I found some old photos to put up.

I found this dolphin to ride on.

Some of the guys on the sail boat.

These were pictures that I took of a church bathroom in LA. It was a little scary when I first walked in. Made you feel manly, though. Nothing like wild animals joining you in the restroom.

Classic

This video is from a church that we visited in LA.  It was a neat church with great leadership.  They did a spoof on Journey, the awesome band from the 80's.  I thought this was hilarious.  You really have to see the original video to understand why they made it this way.  You can look it up on youtube and search for Journey.  It's easy to find.  The song is called separate ways.  You have to watch it all the way through.  Thanks and gig em.

Never Good Enough

Are you ready to be entertained? 

As you know I’m preparing to go to seminary.  I’m going to express a theological thought that has changed how I see certain life experiences.  Brace yourself! This one is a little lengthy.  It takes me awhile to put something together that will make sense.  Hopefully, you can follow along.  I don’t want to just write something lengthy but something that explains what I’ve chewed on for years and will continue to chew on for the rest of my life.  This is a passage that has meant a lot to me and given great peace to my soul in times of self reflection.  It has confused me, encouraged me, and left me just frustrated.  It’s good to wrestle with scripture, it’s a humbling experience.

I want to write about the first half of Hebrews chapter 12.  It is a hard, but glorious text full of encouragement when understood.  It’s full of rich meaning and truth.  The chapter covers so much, but I want to focus on a certain part, mainly verses 4-11.  It’s hard to leave out verses 1-3, because those set up the whole context for the rest of the text and wrap up the passage by pointing the reader back to Jesus and his example of long-suffering.  So starting in verse 4:

 

In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.  And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons:

 

“My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son.”

Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons.  For what son is not disciplined by his father?  If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons.  Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it.  How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live!  Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness.

Then the author of Hebrews drops this amazing verse in there to further enhance the importance of endurance and trust in the father.  He sympathizes with the reader at a much needed time.  Continuing with verse 11:

 

No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful.  Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

After reading that you just have to go, wow.  Then follows a,” what does that mean?”  The meaning is not mysterious though; we can take many things and build our strong foundation on how God treats us as sons.  There are many exhortations in that passage, ones that are good and meant to protect the children of God.  A Father who loves us also wants to protect and provide for us. 

The redeemed of God who have walked with Him for any period of time know that we cannot always walk high on the mountain; sometimes we have to tread through the valleys.  The church in America seems to tell us that we always have to put on the nice face and play as if everything was alright (opening another discussion, but I must finish this one).  It’s not always alright, so what is going on during a time like this and how should we see and approach the situation.  This is what I’ve struggled with over the years. 

In times when I feel distant from the Lord, I feel as though I’m doing something wrong.  Jesus likes to humble his people and gradually, but surely he shows us more and more how wicked we are.  I’m thinking, what’s going on here and why is this happening?  Nobody ever explained to me that this was normal and a part of the Christian life.  Thankfully I came across this text and God spoke to my heart in a wonderful way.  Four years ago I experienced a period in my life where I knew God was doing something, but I did not know what.  I was scared and honestly I thought I had lost my salvation.  I’ve learned a lot since then.  As I was reading this passage one night, it leaped off the page at me.  The Holy Spirit was saying, “This is what I’m allowing you to go through.”  At that point I experienced a thrilling peace!  A huge weight was lifted.  I realized there is a purpose in this misery and loneliness, because that’s what it felt like.

Remember what it said in verse 11, the discipline seems painful at the time.  It can be very painful and sometimes there is no end in sight.  This was the question posed to me, how much pain is there and was the pain that I was experiencing actually discipline from the Lord?  It seems strange at first, but I hoped I was, because that meant I was a legitimate child of God being instructed by his discipline.  There was really no previous standard of pain to compare it to.  Jesus wanted me to trust him and trust in His word.  He wanted me to be thankful and content for the present situation.  At the moment, I was just thinking about the present and not the future.  Christ wants to conform us to the image of himself and it takes time and long-suffering.

To wrap things up, I wanted to touch on something that you probably were curious about.  I mentioned it at the beginning, but you forgot while enduring through this compilation of thoughts.  It was the title, never good enough.  You may have caught on to where I was going with this, but I want to explain why I used it briefly.  That statement refers more to what the enemy says to rob me of the joy and knowledge that God is working.  When grey clouds hover over my head, the enemy tries his best to inject lies into my mind.  He says, “You will never be good enough.”  He’s right and there my hope is not put in myself, but in Christ Jesus, my hope of glory.  He has forgotten that Jesus saves.

The darkness lasts for only awhile.  Freedom comes!  God’s word engulfs the darkness shining like the sun into my weary soul.  The battle continues in seeing God for who he is and how he sees us.  There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.  I no longer want to live under the cloud of the Law.  Christ redeemed us from the Law (Galatians 3).  Patience and suffering mark this journey, but the journey is one worth fighting for.

Home and Gone Again

At the moment, I’m in Florida. In my last blog I said that I was on my way home. Well, I made it and it went by really fast. I was home for only a week, but it was a great time. I can't even remember what I did on some days. I got to hang out with the family except my brother who will be home soon. The whole week I was anticipating what the weekend was going to be like at the Passion conference.
I attended the conference last year in Atlanta and it was amazing. I can’t really compare the two because they were done in two different ways and were awesome in their own way. The events took place over Friday and Saturday in Dallas. I was excited about joining the body of Christ, mostly college students, in times of worship and prayer. Add to that great teaching from two honest and real men of God who have a passion for Jesus. They shared their heart and purpose for the conference not to be just another Christian huddle, but a movement to change the world and exalt the renown and fame of Jesus.
So young men and women joined together from around the southern United States to seek God and make his name known to all the college campuses represented there at the conference. The worship was amazing and the teaching challenging. It really made me think which I love to do. It was thrilling to worship without shame and with all your strength among the 6000 students. A lot of things were brought to the table to chew on and they will take awhile to sink in. Francis Chan talked about the Holy Spirit and the power that really indwells us as Christians. The heartbeat of the place was a passion for Jesus and to see his kingdom spread throughout the earth. They encouraged us to think big and believe God for great things that are possible with only him. However with that admonition, they added that God looks for people who are faithful with the small things in life. Some big things may seem small, like taking care of orphans or trusting God to redeem your family, but they can grow into something larger. God wants to use his people to reach this broken world.
Will I step up, will you? Peace and Love
http://www.268generation.com/
P.S. miss you Chris (if you read this)

Almost Home

Here are some more pictures that I have gathered the last couple of days.

I would like to write something awesome, but my mind is not in any condition to do so. Even though the last couple days have been relaxing on the Santa Barbara beach in California, I am mentally drained. I have one more stop to go tomorrow in Chicago then on my way home Sunday. It will be great to be back.

It has been tough being gone for so long. It’s been tough not being a part of a solid church body on a consistent basis. As Christians we should never try to do things alone. God has been showing me that. The body must function as a whole gathering in the straying individuals around them with open, loving arms.

I did find out the other day that I was accepted into Dallas Theological Seminary, so that was exciting. I am still waiting to here back from Southwestern in Fort Worth, then I will make a decision on where I will be starting school in the summer. Praise the Lord for that.

Love
Jaret

Pages

Throughout the last couple of years I have been doing my best at keeping a journal, not a diary. It's been written evidence into my spiritual journey with the Lord and just what's going on in my life. I don't share it with too many people. Sometimes I pick certain parts out to tell and wanted to do that in a post. This was something I wrote about that happened on a plane while I was in Canada last week.

Journal Entry
1/28/08
By the time I boarded the plane, I was tired of flying. Before we even took off the people around me were talking to me. It was a little out of the norm. They were all Canadian and I concluded that most Canadian people were nice. Before I sat down, this lady asked me to switch seats with her so she could sit down by her husband. I thought that was simple enough. So I ended up by this man and we talked about all kinds of stuff. He told me about what he did and I shared the same. It was a pleasure to speak with him. I didn’t think he was a Christian so I wanted to swing the conversation to God. He made it rather simple. So I got to share the Gospel with him and ended up explaining a lot of stuff because he had many questions. They were good questions too. We talked for about an hour and a half. It went well. When we landed this couple behind us told me thanks for sharing. At first I was confused, but they said they had been listening. They said they were Christians and had been praying for me. It was such an encouragement.

miss you guys, love
Jaret

California pics

Here I am down on the pier. It was a little cold, but really nice.



This one reminds me of the footprints story. It was great to just walk down the beach. The surrounding cities around L.A. have really been neat to experience and learn from.

A Part of the Body

Back in August I posted something about a church that we visited in Georgia and how awesome it was. I would like to develop a series about the body of Christ. All over the world there are different parts all vital to the whole. If that church was an arm than the one we visited last night was the heart. What a privilege to see the body function in grace and love, the way it should.

I will talk about that in my next post and tell you about this wonderful place where I wish all of you could visit. I was just there for a couple of hours and wow, what a place to be welcomed in. I mean it, absolutely refreshing.

It will take me awhile to describe this place and bring it justice with my simple words.

So keep reading and watching. I'm going to bed.

God's Word Stands

The flying has stopped for now. After all the dust has settled, I have ended up in Los Angeles. The next tour starts tomorrow and I am looking forward to spending this time in California. I had a great time in Canada, but was relieved to get back to a warmer climate. All of this running around that I've been doing is taking a tole on me mentally and physically. However, the Lord is providing strength and grace in which I am undeserving.

Yesterday was my birthday and I received so many call and messages from friends and family that were really a blessing and encouragement. I am getting old fast. Today is my grandfather's birthday and I along with the rest of my family misses him because he died last August. So today was tough on my family. So the occasion reminded me of something that happened during his funeral.

My Dad had asked me to open up the funeral with an introduction and prayer. In the time leading up to the start of the funeral I was carrying around my Bible reading little verses and talking to family and friends. I believe the Lord led me to a chapter in Psalms. I had written down some things I wanted to say to everyone that was there. I thought I could maybe preach a little sermon, but Jesus had other plans. When things started and I began to speak. I said a couple things welcoming and thanking all for coming, then believed the Lord moved me to abandon my plans and just read the scripture. God's word would change people and stand forever with lasting effects. The tears and emotion began to build up and shortly overflowed beyond my control. I could not say what I wanted and with tears flowing asked the pastor to read this (bear with the length, for it is worth it).

I love the LORD, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy.

Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live.

The cords of death entangled me, the anguish of the grave came upon me; I was overcome by trouble and sorrow.

Then I called on the name of the Lord: "O LORD, save me!"

The LORD is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion.

The LORD protects the simplehearted; when I was in great need, he saved me.

Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the LORD has been good to you.

For you, O LORD, have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before the LORD in the land of the living.

I believed; therefore I said, "I am greatly afflicted."

And in my dismay I said, "All men are liars."

How can I repay the LORD for all his goodness to me?

I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the LORD.

I will fulfill my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people.

Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.

O LORD, truly I am your servant; I am your servant, the son of your maidservant; you have freed me from my chains.

I will sacrifice a thank offering to you and call on the name of the LORD.

I will fulfill my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people, in the courts of the house of the LORD- in your midst, O Jerusalem.

Praise the LORD.

Psalm 116

Thanks for reading, all five of you.

Love

No Hurry

Today was a day of delays and more delays. Praise the Lord for patience. I jumped from city to city and plane to plane just to make it to Birmingham, Alabama.
I miss being home. My time in Pennsylvania skiing was awesome. The area was so nice.

On the Road Again

Once again, thank you to those who read. Somehow we need to pass the word along to others, especially my family. I assume we all have computers.

Well, that's exactly where I am, on the road. The wheels on the bus are turning, the air is cold, and I have no idea where we are headed. I just know when we get there. This morning I flew into Missouri and joined the rest of the team. It was good to see all the guys and start pretty much right where we left off. The upcoming tour will be my longest away from home so far, something like 26 days. Rushing right back into life on the road is a little weird since I have been at home so long. I already miss my family. Today was pretty relaxing, just a prime opportunity to think about things and look at the stars as we drove through the hills of Arkansas. However I'm ready to get back to work. Bring it on.

Since the time gone is extended, obviously I will be visiting many different places. A lot of jumping around the country will take place. There will be some time in between for break that I will spend in Pennsylvania skiing and staying with Wade and his family. He is the other intern. I'm excited about that, especially skiing. I haven't been since high school.
Here are some destinations.

Covington, LA
Jackson, MS
Longview, TX
Birmingham, AL
Canada
Los Angeles, CA
San Francisco, CA
Chicago, IL

Some present thoughts.
Love the Lord, your God with all your mind.
They will know us by our love for one another.
We were once dead in our sins, like those lost who I look down upon.

Love, Jaret

A Fork in the Road

My time off is coming to an end.  It has been great, but it's time to get back to work and life on the road.  Hopefully I will make the transition smoothly again.  I realize though that the sleeping in I've been used to will be scarce.

I've enjoyed the time off with family and friends.  My brother will be going back to college all by himself.  I will miss him, we had the opportunity to spend lots of quality time together.  Of course we also acted like brothers do and fought with each other whenever possible.  It makes me smile.  He really enjoyed being back home and made the most of it.

So far nothing I've wrote had to do with a fork or a road, so I will get to that.

I knew at the end of college I would be traveling with the ministry, so I didn't worry much about what my next step would be.  I knew that I would not be making the big step into the business world quite yet.  That time will come soon.  Looking a little farther ahead though I was unclear on what would happen next.  I was trusting the Lord to guide and direct my path which he did.  He is always faithful.  The time is approaching when I will have to make some decisions on whether to go back to school and work full or part time.  Another opportunity to trust fully in the King of the Universe.  I still am not totally sure what I would like to do, sometimes I think he doesn't even matter what I would like, what about Jesus.  However, I do see myself involved in Christian ministry somehow in the future.  To what capacity, I'm not sure?  

So the good news is that I have submitted my application and other needed information to two seminaries that I would like to attend starting this summer.  The internship will be over by then.  One is Dallas Theological Seminary downtown and the other is a little farther out in Fort Worth.  It is Southwestern Baptist Theological.  Both are great schools so I'm hoping that I get accepted into only one so it makes the decision a little easier.  Right now I will wait and see what their decisions will be and then step out in faith into the next exciting chapter of my life.

So that is the fork that I see off in the distance.  Not a life-threatening decision, but a big one indeed that it will have on the finances.

In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.

Proverbs 16:9