Branded With Love

Hey Peeps! I’m leaving on a missions trip to Vietnam, but I’ve posted my personal study thoughts from each day and I’ll be re-reading the passages along with you while I’m across the globe. Enjoy.

So, today’s reading is from Colossians 4 and I don’t think it could come at a better time. I remember when we’d leave the house my mom would always remind us to “behave, listen, be polite, and don’t act up or she’ll have to give us a spankin’!” It wasn’t always easy or what we wanted to hear, but she was right. We needed some parting words before we headed out into public as a family.

Paul has some parting words that ring so true as we leave for an amazing journey and for you as you go work work, see your neighbors, spend time with friends, and interact with people who you’re not sure where they stand with God. Check this out:

“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” – Colossians 4:2-6

Now take Paul’s words and let today be a day for you to be wise with others, seize opportunities, and show some grace and love. Who knows, God may just show up and do something miraculous in the process!

Jason *over and out*

So, it’s 10:00 pm on July 15th and we leave tomorrow to head to Vietnam. Trying to prepare my heart and mind for what God is going to use us to do. See you guys as the other side… (video below).

Jason *over and out*

The Forefront portion of the July Team (Area 10 is also sending a group) is heading out on Thursday morning from Newport News via train to Newark. We’ll stop in Richmond to meet with the rest of the team and continue in route.

If you would like to see the team off and pray with us before heading out, we’ll be at the Forefront Offices at 7:10 am and leaving promptly at 7:30 am to catch our train. We’d love to see you there. The office address is 2697 International Parkway, Suite 3-132, Virginia Beach, VA 23452.

Please pray for us as we head across the globe to share life with people who are far from God.

Jason *over and out*

I’m not always the biggest fan of many pastors, teachers, preachers out there. But, I had followed a link from a friend’s twitter update to a great video. Matt Chandler is one guy I truly admire. He’s teaching style is engaging and I love his illustration here. At Forefront, we repeat and repeat this idea that God is interested in all of us. The ugliness, bitterness, and beat up lives that are broken- He wants to repair them and make them new. He desires the broken.

I was in my daily reading this morning (Colossians 2) and verses 20-22 really stuck with me:

“Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules: ‘Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!’? These are all destined to perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings.”

For a long time I had a rules and regulations kind of relationship with God. When I lived in that I was unhappy, had a lack of fulfillment, and constantly felt like I wasn’t good enough for God. But, there’s good news… it’s a bunch of malarkey! God isn’t a you better wear your suit and tie, don’t watch Terminator 3, make sure you never listen to hip hop or rock n’ roll God. His heart is for relationships. A true and trusting, deep-into-your-heart kind of relationship. When you and I turn our attention to the cross and surrender our lives to God- the rules and regulations type of living is out and the life of love and grace is in.

Now that the burden is lifted, go live for God without man made boundaries.

Jason *over and out*

We’re in this series, “I Love The 80′s!” and you might not been made aware, but James and I used to have an 80′s band (unfortunately we chose to do it in 2006) and it flopped. But, we managed to shoot a video for one of our songs. Check it out…

Tomorrow we keep it rolling with our series, “I LOVE THE 80′s!” Bring some friends because they won’t want to miss it.

Jason *over and out*

Just be there.

Sunday. 10 am.
Ocean Lakes High School
www.forefront.org

Two students from Kingston University in London stepped up to a challenge- “Present an idea which promotes HP Workstations ability to bring to life anything the creative mind can conceive.”

I believe they accomplished their goal. I’m impressed because I cannot even get my printer to work half the time. Alrighty peeps, hope that gets your creative juices flowing this morning.

Jason *over and out*