Friday is my day off.
During the school year, while Carrie worked, I’d spend time with Chloe.
Well, it’s summer and we have a new addition to the family.
So, for the next few weeks- it’s “FAMILY FRIDAYS!!!” (as Chloe would say).
Being a dad is the best.

Just curious… What do you do when you get family time?

Jason *over and out*

So, blogging here has been sparse lately because we’ve been in full on baby-prep mode awaiting the arrival of daughter número dos.

Well, we are en route to the hospital to get this party started. We’ll be posting updates at: http://babybedell.tumblr.com

Your prayers and support are very appreciated.
We’ll keep you posted as things get closer.

Jason & Carrie *over and out*

Two years ago…
You’re mommy and I were still processing the loss of your sister.
We were unsure of ourselves.
We were wrestling with God and His movement in our lives.
Then we got the news.
You were inside of mommy.
God put you there to change our lives.
Your smile. Your eyes. Your beautiful little walk you do.
I love the way you tell me you’ll hold me.
Even though it breaks my heart to see you cry when I leave, I’m glad you miss me.
One day, you’ll be too cool to want me around.
So, for now I’m eatin’ it up.
You’re my “Little Pookie.”
Thanks for teaching me about the love God has for you, mommy, and me.
Thanks for giving us two years of gazing into the love of Jesus.

Love, your Daddy.

So my daughter has iCarly, the Mickey House “Hot Dog” song,  and “Jesus Loves Me” on lock down.
She can sing ‘em on demand.
But she won’t let us film her singing ‘em. Arrrrgggh.
Doesn’t she know she can be an internet sensation?!?
Doesn’t she understand she’s gonna have to support mommy & daddy one day?
Kidding (sort of).

Maybe I need to teach her some Jason Mraz…

Easter Sunday Worship @ForefrontChurch

Easter was unreal. I’ve been doing this lead pastor thing for a year and a half. Been in some form of ministry for over 12 years. Easter 2010 will be a defining moment in my life.

It was the day I realized God wasn’t just playing a cruel joke on me when me moved our family to do ministry at Forefront and then transitioning us to lead His church here. Truth be told, I had no earthly idea what God was thinking when He prompted me to accept the role of teaching pastor at Forefront. I thought He was crazy. Seriously. I was following the guy who started the church, wrote a couple books, and has more energy on stage than Gallagher. The church was in a financial bind, we were in the process of going from three campuses down to one, our worship pastor resigned, our campus pastor was leaving to explore church planting, and families were bleeding out left & right because…

“The church is just different now.”
“What can a guy your age teach a man like me?”
“You don’t preach like the last guy.”
“The music isn’t really my style anymore.”
“I feel like God is leading me in a different direction.”
“You really aren’t the leader I want to follow.”
“This place isn’t feeding me. It’s your fault.”

If that isn’t enough to kill your spirit- During that time we moved in with my in-laws to take care of my mother-in-law who died three months later. My wife started a new job. We were learning how to be the parents of a new baby. My wife got pregnant (again- with a girl, ugh). We had 4 different couples we were close with (almost like family) struggling with divorce and looking to us for counseling. It was a whirlwind.

But… I wouldn’t have traded this year and a half for the world.
The main reason- I felt God.
I felt Him like He was crawling within my skin and almost audibly speaking my steps into being.
It was bizarre on a whole new level. But in a good way.
I don’t want anything else. And, I’m seeing the fruit of being faithful through all of that chaos…

• I’ve watched as we’ve baptized almost as many people in the first 3 months of 2010 as we did all last year combined.
• Easter Sunday we had 600+ people in attendance. The last time we had that many people was at the launch of our three campuses.
• Our staff could do battle with any church staff in the country (Ministry or American Gladiators… I’d like to see the 2nd one personally). They are really all-stars.
• Many people have said that we’ve moved backwards. I say they’re crazy. Pulling everyone back together from three campuses to a single campus and refocusing our energy was the best decision ever. God has confirmed it exponentially.
• The number of broken marriages being healed is more than I can count. The cool part is people are coming forward and talking about it.
• I could write an pretty intense book on ministry trenches just from my Gel Group alone. If you knew their stories, it’s a lifetime of practical ministry knowledge (Hhmmmm, who knows?!?)
• The leaders coming up right now are “Grade A” Amazing. We have two new elder candidates who I cannot wait to share with everyone at Forefront (very soon, I promise).
• In 2009, I served in Ta Phin, Vietnam putting a water purifying system into an elementary school. We were asked if we could take on a water project to bring clean drinking water to 600 families in the valley and surrounding area. They also asked if we could put in a computer lab. Our student ministry committed to building a house in Mexico. And we had a plan to give a financial gift to the local homeless ministry we work with (People In Need). The total cost of those projects is $20,000 dollars. I said yes. I had no clue where it was coming from. I didn’t consult any of the leaders. God presented a need, and we’re commanded to meet needs, so I said Forefront would do it. Now we’re coming close to the date we need to get all the money in as a church… and someone walked into my office last week with a check for $8,563.00. Yep. They just said they were sold out to God’s mission and Forefront’s vision and wanted to be a part. There’s another guy out Southwest who saw this video and was prompted to set up a meeting with our missions coordinator to give a large portion to the projects.
  God is good. I mean it. GOD IS SO GOOD!
• I sat in my living room a couple months ago during Gel Group and watch a woman in tears share her story about a driver loosing control of the car and hitting her stroller, ripping it out of her arms, and watching her baby boy die on the scene. It was her 2nd time at group. As she told the story, another girl (first time at group) was sobbing as she told the story. She looked up and shared that she was the 911 operator who took the call of that accident. The whole group was in awe & silence. It was a God moment. They shared and brought a bit of healing to a horrible situation.
• Before we moved in with my in-laws, our small group met at our apartment. One night a young couple who was recently baptized came for the first time. They were awkward in group, but it wasn’t too bad and everyone made them feel welcome. Afterwards, they stayed to chat. They shared with us, “We’ve been in your apartment before.” “Um, no you haven’t” I replied. “This is your first time at group.” He sat for a second, “Well, we have been in this very apartment before. It was with the previous tenant over a year ago. We started our drug addiction here. It’s where it all began. Smoking up and what not in the very same spot we just had Bible study.” My eyes showed my emotions. I was wrecked. Tears. He continued, “Her and I are ending our lives like that and starting our lives anew in the very same place, kinda cool eh?” I would say it’s totally a God ordained thing, eh? Still get the chills when I talk about it. Whoa.

I could go on. But during communion this past Sunday- it all hit me.
God isn’t playing a cruel joke.
This was in His plan.
His plan never fails.
I just need to be faithful.
Forefront has to be faithful.
We have to  be about His mission.

I love you guys.
Jason *over and out*

has never looked so cute.

Jason *over and out*

Candles set the mood for service

Nick Bruner opened up with an acoustic jam he wrote. It was really well done.

Great shot during the song with the guy walking away…

David, Erwin, & Justin brought the room together during the worship set.

Haiti Relief Collection, Day 1 got off to a great start.

So proud of everyone at Forefront for an awesome Sunday to get together and rallying the support for Haiti. You make being the pastor here a true honor. Much love people.
Jason *over and out*

Sick days are the worst.
Having a kid makes it tough.
Tonight Chloe was uber excited to hang out with daddy. I was busy trying to catch up on work I missed and just wanted her to play without me. Then… the tears and screaming began. She wouldn’t stop. I tried it all, but nothing would shut her down.

Finally, I closed the laptop. Climbed down off the chair, and just began to lay quietly on the floor. She stopped. Seriously. She stopped just like that. Then with a super intense grin, she ran at me and jumped on me full force. Laughing as she got up to run around the room and play, it hit me…

I had to get down into her world.

It was there that I was less of an outsider and more of a friend. She trusted me when I was in her realm. It didn’t mean I was dumbing myself down or talking elementary, she just wanted to know I was in her world.

Jesus modeled this same principle. As he came from heaven and walked on this earth, He joined our little world (now I know this is God’s world, but hear me out). Jesus took time to live among us, learn about us, laugh, joke, cry, and experience life with us. It was his earthly presence that modeled how we are to live with God. He entered the place we live daily and it brings me comfort to know he was able to withstand temptation. Not only do I find a Lord and Savior in Jesus, but I also find a friend and someone to model my life like.

The next time you think you’re “too cool” or “better than someone” and unwilling to enter their world, remember… we’re not any better than anyone else and- the Son of God lived life with people. People who honestly were not worthy of his presence or time, but he didn’t consider himself above or better than others (just one of the endless reasons I love Jesus and the life he led here on earth). When we share life with people, we’ll be amazed at how the relational roots grow and spread.

So get ready to get down.

Jason *over and out*

No matter what you do in life, you probably have things you don’t like about your job. Maybe it’s little, maybe it’s huge. But at the end of the day, when work, relationships, people, and circumstances are getting too much to bare… who do you unload on? Who do you let hear all your frustrations so they can help you process it in a healthy, Godly way?

If you’re in ministry, some things seem to be tough to share with your spouse, because you want to keep things confidential… and it could have a negative effect on how your spouse views the church. Check out the thoughts from Perry Noble in a candid interview with Steven Furtick:

Early on in ministry I just unloaded on my wife and I saw the outcome. It wasn’t good at all. I know in life we need to be close, open and honest with our spouses- but, we also need to protect them. If you’re having a difficult time with work, friends, life, etc. “Who are you unloading on?” Sometimes a friend can take the unloading, so your spouse & family can get your best.

Just something I’m working through to draw closer to God. How about you?

Jason *over and out*

So Chloe is 9 months old and she is going through quite a few changes. We’re having a lot of “FIRSTS” at our place. It’s a great time to be a dad.

- First time grabbing daddy’s glasses to be a little rocker

- First time eating grown up food on Valentines Day (the bus boys hated watching this go down)

- First Big Girl bath, she loved it as you can tell

- First time she cried when the Dr. came in. She knows what’s going to happen when the door opens and she’s not a fan

- First play date away from the house with a boy (he better watch himself)

- First time falling alseep while feeding herself, it was hysterical

- First time eating grilled chicken (she got some stuck in her wrist fat roll)

- First time in a swing by herself

- First wagon ride in her wagon she got from her “papa” (Grandpa)