Jan
25
Following is my sermon given at the recent funeral of Garrett Steven (January 15, 2008 - January 18, 2008), my great nephew, who was born with a condition called “anencephaly.” My thanks to those of you who prayed for Garrett, his parents, Brian & Kristine, and the family. - MAJ
A verse of Scripture that has taken on special meaning for Brian & Kristine in this season of their lives is …Jeremiah 29:11 – “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.”
Last August, Brian & Kristine received the news that would both rock their world and change them forever. The precious child growing in Kristine’s womb had anencephaly. This term, unfamiliar to most of us, immediately catapulted to the forefront of our awareness as we scrambled to make sense out of this new reality. But no amount of understanding would erase the pain of this stark revelation. Read more
Oct
24
Prayer and Mission
Filed Under Commentary | 2 Comments
A crucial part of the CoJ vision is to be a congregation that is “world impacting.” The gospel message of forgiveness and freedom through faith in Jesus Christ is life changing good news and definitely worth sharing, beginning in our own back yard and extending to the far corners of the world. That means we’ve got work to do - a mission to accomplish. Why then are we talking about prayer? Talking to God seems so passive. Why spend time talking to God about the world when we could be talking to the world about God? What’s the connection between prayer and mission? Read more
Oct
11
The Priority of Prayer
Filed Under Commentary | Leave a Comment
A vision needs a strategy to help it become a reality. Part of our CoJ vision is to honor God. How will that become a reality? Our primary strategy for honoring God includes worship and prayer.
About prayer - Luther called prayer “the breath of the Christian.” As humans we breathe oxygen every moment of every day. Prayer, therefore, according to Luther’s analogy, is that moment by moment personal communion with God. With that in mind, Paul’s words to the Thessalonians in I Thessalonians 5:17 take on new meaning - “… pray continually, ….” he admonished them. Commune with God through the events of each day. Acknowledge His presence in a moment of need. Whisper a word of thanks for some small blessing He brings your way. Remember, as Paul said to the Athenians on Mars Hill in Acts 17, “For in him we live and move and have our being.” Spiritually speaking, this type of personal prayer, or communion with God, is life sustaining. Read more
