Author: Jason

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New Years Best of Countdown

Freaks

originally published on 2/18/2009

You know you read this story below, and if you have not grown up with it, you might just have to think, what a bunch of freaks?  He walked 3 miles on Water!!!  3 Miles! 5K? or he walked all the way around the sea to join them?  I dunno, that’s pretty freaky.  But If its true, then… oh then we just get a glimpse of the power of our Savior.

I think I will join the freaks, and believe this one.  How about you?  Are you freaky today?

John 6:15-21New International Version (NIV)

15Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself.

Jesus Walks on the Water

16When evening came, his disciples went down to the lake, 17where they got into a boat and set off across the lake for Capernaum. By now it was dark, and Jesus had not yet joined them. 18A strong wind was blowing and the waters grew rough. 19When they had rowed three or three and a half miles,[a] they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the water; and they were terrified. 20But he said to them, “It is I; don’t be afraid.” 21Then they were willing to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading.

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Daily Post

End of the Decade

Its the end of the decade today.  Tomorrow we will be in the teens, and that means new fashion, new music, new hairstyles, new fades, new designs – the whole shooting match.  One thing however will be the same.  That’s the power of Christ to change your life and to make you new.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!”- 2 Corinthians 5:17

Since it is the end of the year/decade and since there are all sorts of countdowns and rewinds that happen.  The Daily Buffet will look back as well.  I have gone back and picked out 9 (since it is the end of 2009) favorite emails from early in this year and will post 1 every even hour from 8am until midnight.  FUN!  I hope you enjoy.

(oh , the pirate email is exclude, as it can only appear on September 18.

Happy New Year.

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Daily Post

Pure As Snow

Whoa!  Did you know that Taylor Switft broke up with Taylor (New Moon) Launter yesterday.   That’s big news for many of Twilight/country music stars out there!  Anyway moving on..

Yesterday I was able to take a nice run in 18 degree weather in some newly fallen snow.  I am enamored with snow.  I am not sure if its because I have such fond memories from my youth around snow and now I never see it, or if its just so beautiful.  I think, on my run, I discovered some of the reasons why snow is so amazing.  This may seem a little cheesy or corny, but this blog sometimes records the ramblings of my mind, and I find that my mind rambles the most on those early morning runs – especially running in places like those around my home town where I have the pathways memorized.

Anyway, it was so pleasant to see the new snow on the ground, untouched and pure with the morning sun reflecting from it.  The snow was so white, and so pure, and the sun would catch it in ways that would make it sparkle like it contained glitter. ( sappy I know).  Anyway, I could not help but to think about how the snow was covering so many things that we consider lowly and dirty – dirt, rocks, fallen leaves, weeds, water (ice, did I mention it was 18) puddles.  But with this covering all the earth was pure, and white and perfect.  Hm, it just reminded me of judgement day and how we will be presented white and pure – with all of our dirty spots covered up.  What a glorious thought!!  That’s one of the cool things about God.  Since he sent Jesus, he make us holy and clean.  Why do I need that you say?  Well, we all have dirty spots in our lives and we all need to be covered with a cover to hide those blemishes.  Why?  – Thats the way to eternal life.  Its really pretty amazing.

Isaiah 1:18 (New International Version)

 18 “Come now, let us reason together,”
       says the LORD.
       “Though your sins are like scarlet,
       they shall be as white as snow;
       though they are red as crimson,
       they shall be like wool.

So anyway, it was a great refreshing run, with a thought about God’s glory that I hope spurns me on to good works and service to my King.  I hope it helps you as well.  ( by the way – did you know that you can add comments on this blog as well – its fun!)

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Daily Post

Speed of Change

Recently at one of my business meetings, we reviewed a video from Havard Business School’s John Kotter.  He’s an expert of chnage management.  One of the things he spoke about was the accelerated speed of change that we are now experiencing, and for the most part will continue to experience in our lifetimes.  He compared the speed of change 100 years ago to driving down a country lane and through the last century the speed of change increased to driving on a Nascar speedway.

The thing that I have been thinking about is how this impacts the lives of those who follow Christ.  I think it has major impacts on they way the church thinks and operates and how Christians need to work.  I just have not completely figured out what this impact is.  Look for more thoughts on this in 2010.  (thats the second teaser in the last week).

The one thing I am sure it means however, is that followers of Christ must mobilize and leave the comfort of the padded pew.  Yesterday I mentioned not staying in Bethlehem, and using the celebration of His birth as a springboard for service, and today that thought it still on my mind.  Things are changing.  Followers of the Christ must change their behaviors as well.  Well, thats a funny statement actually, as I think at the root of it all, followers of Christ just need to do what they were ask to do by the Christ all along.

 18-20Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave his charge: “God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I’ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20, The Message)

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Daily Post

Don’t Stay in Bethlehem

Luke 2:52 (New International Version)

52And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

Well its over!  Christmas has come and gone.  I sort of feel like Garfield today.  Anyway, we can’t stay in Bethlehem.  Just as Jesus left Bethlehem and grew and served, so must we.  So as you wind down the holiday and move into the next year, make plans for growth. Make plans to leave Bethlehem with a passion for the lost.  Make plans to grow in wisdom, and stature and in favor with God and men. 

I would love to here the ways the ideas you have to grow and serve.  What are you thinking about.  I will share some ideas over the next few weeks.