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One thing I remember from my trip to India is our day of shopping. Those of you who are Indian totally understand what I mean when I say that there are days devoted to nothing but shopping when you visit India. (Especially when you go there with women, wives, sisters, moms, grandmas….it’s all the same. They get to India and all of a sudden it’s confessions of a shop-a-holic.)

On one such day during my trip I went to a ton of stores. Every Hindu and Muslim we met treated us with the utmost respect. They took great care of us and were so kind and courteous. At the end of the day I figured it would be nice to pick up some books from the Christian book store for my dad. Of course, the only place all day where anyone was rude to us had to be the Christian book store. As we walked out my wife (who I think will show up in a lot of blog posts from now on) asked, “What was the guys name who helped…uh, didn’t help you?” I had no idea what his name was, the only thing I knew was that he was a Christian.

Often, unbelievers know what we believe, or more importantly, in whom we believe. People may not remember your name, what you do, or where you’re from. But, if you claim to be a Christ follower you better believe that they will remember that. There is an African Proverb that states, “When deeds speak, words mean nothing.” Christ called us to a commitment. We are called to walk a narrow path, the one that many do not choose.

Remember, you always represent Christ. You can invite people to church all day. You can even share the gospel with a person everyday, but you must know they are watching the kind of  person you truly are. May your words, thoughts, and actions reflect His character.

“I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.” – Mohandas Gandhi

Alright, so Christian Atheist came out a long long long time ago. I got out of the habit of blogging while getting ready for my wedding, and once out of the habit it was a done deal. I’m hoping to get back in the habit with this post explaining myself. I feel like I haven’t turned in my homework for 3 months, and everyone of you who reads this blog are like my angry teachers shaking your heads in disappointment. For now, here are some pics from my honeymoon in India.

I’m excited to be entering a new chapter in ministry. As of March 1st I’m the Next Generation Pastor for the Yukon campus of LifeChurch.TV.

I am living a dream being a part of planting a church in my hometown of Yukon, Oklahoma. The story goes that when I was 10 years old my family would drive by the Moose Lodge on Sundays. One Sunday I told my dad that I wanted to put a church in the building. This really made no sense, because at 10 I was not that kind of kid. I wanted to be some world famous surgeon who had moved on up to the east side with a deluxe apartment in the sky. But at 10 God put something in me, and here I am at 26 recognizing more than ever that His thoughts are not my thoughts and His ways are not my ways… If you’re wondering about the rest of the story, well my church purchased that building and that’s where we will be launching the new campus on April 4th.

We have had two meetings with our core group of volunteers who will be launching this campus. There were about 300 people at the first and it looks like we had around 400 at the core event we had last night. There is such a buzz around what God is doing in our community, and I can’t wait to see what lies ahead.

Remember us in your prayers and pray for Yukon, Mustang, Piedmont, and El Reno.

Have a great weekend.

Isn’t it weird just how crucial first steps really are? Sometimes we think so much about the journey that we forget the fact that we won’t get anywhere if we don’t simply begin.

I randomly checked my blog the other day and realized that it’s been almost a month since I have posted anything new. I seriously wanted to punch myself in the face. (I’m really too much of a wuss to do this anyway. I’ve never hit someone else let alone myself.)

I read a cool book a while back called The War of Art (it’s cool because I know several worship pastors who like it, and they’re the coolest people on earth in their own minds) In this book Steven Pressfield writes about how sometimes for him the toughest thing was to sit down and write. However, chances were, if he would just  sit down with the intention of writing the words would inevitably begin to flow. It was just about the first step.

I can’t blame my absence on the fact that I was stuck or uninspired. I simply wasn’t taking that first step. I think you know this doesn’t just apply to writing. What is that thing that you haven’t done for a week, a month, a year, a decade, a lifetime? Could it be that the answer is as simple as taking that first step?

So, I went out to lunch with my team on Monday this week and I did something that I never thought I would do. I have confessed my actions, and although I am not proud of what I did I believe that I found absolution.

I didn’t key the car parked too close to me in the parking lot (mainly because it was my co-workers car). I didn’t order a water and fill my cup with Sprite (you people hack me off) I didn’t eat somewhere where the wings are really good (actually they’re not that good, but this is the classic excuse everyone uses).  I didn’t dine and ditch or leave without leaving a tip (cause my boss paid for it). I didn’t do anything that you’re probably expecting. I gave into peer pressure on that fateful Monday….and…..I…. ate a veggie burger. (someone go find me some sackcloth and ashes)

So my first experience with a burger made of beans… it didn’t taste horrible. A burger made of meat makes me a little sleepy by the afternoon, but not the bean burger. I couldn’t be sleepy because I was too focused on trying to find a snack since I was starving an hour after lunch. I really am trying to eat healthy and be healthy and so on. We’ll see how it goes.

The staff of LifeChurch.TV participated in a 21 day fast at the beginning of 2010. Fasting has always been a very personal experience for me, but I’ve never done it for such an extended period of time.

As I began my time of fasting one thing was continually revealed to me. I could not get away from it. “Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” Matthew 4:4 (NIV)

I’ve read this scripture a hundred times, but I was compelled to really evaluate how much I have LIVED on the word of God. In the past year and a half I believe my love and passion for the scriptures has waned. I wish I could tell you why, but I can’t. It crushes my heart to admit that the truth is,  maybe I would only immerse myself in God’s word so I could teach it to others and not so God could speak to me.  I fear many pastors run into this wall.

I have been invigorated by God’s word this month. I pray that it will continue to come to life in me so that I may find life in it.

We have at our fingertips a most powerful and most under-utilized weapon. Check out YouVersion.com for a number of Bible reading plans to choose from, and get started today.

“For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double‑edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12 (NIV)

Be Blessed

Have you ever been stuck in traffic and cursed at the car in front of you? I know I’ve done it. Once, a news helicopter flew over while I was cursing the Chevy Malibu sitting in front of me in park. I eventually took the exit and found another way home, but later as I watched the news footage from the helicopter I found out there was a huge accident about two miles ahead of where I was. That was two miles ahead, but all I could see was the car right in front of me.

We do this a lot don’t we? Maybe not cursing the car stuck in front of us, but we certainly curse situations. Sometimes we curse God. However all we see is what is right in front of us. All we see is the relationship that didn’t go as planned, the sickness we didn’t expect, losing a loved one too soon, losing a job we loved, and so on. But God sees what’s going on two miles ahead. He is sovereign and His providential will is working in our lives daily.

I know today it seems like that thing will be the end of you, but it’s not the whole story. You just don’t have the best view.

“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 hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

I had a conversation with some peers recently concerning how much we rely on our gifts instead of our character.

We posed the question “Why do we focus more on our gifts than our character?”

I believe there is a desire for acceptance and affirmation within everyone of us, whether we like to admit it or not. A person’s character is sometimes very internal. In fact, the true character of a man or woman may be something that nobody ever sees. You can easily present a fake self-image before people which inflates the perceived quality of your character.

Now, your gifts are a different story. These are on constant display for all the world to see, therefore we lean heavily on our gifts. I mean really, in the end it’s about looking good in front of people right? I have to hash out my character in private. I can convince people that I’m honest and trustworthy without really being either. However, if I want them to think that I’m an eloquent speaker or a talented musician I actually have to be up to par. So I work on these things. I practice a sermon for 4 hours and pray for thirty minutes. I rehearse what I’m going to tell people, and do something completely different. (I believe Jesus’ metaphor of white-washed graves is on the spot here.)

Here is the trouble with this. Perception is fleeting, but character is permanent. The crowds will cheer for you one day, and be sick of you the next day. Your boss will call you the best and brightest one year, and tell you to start exploring your options the next year, but the true mark of who you are, your character, remains steadfast.  You won’t always be the hippest, coolest, latest, brightest thing, but you will always be who you really are in the depths of your spirit.

Mold your character. Work toward honesty and integrity. Put others first and live for the pleasure and approval of God, no one else.

My cousin passed away a few days ago. He lives in India, and everything happened very quickly. My family is grieving and that is understandable. God created us for relationship and when our loved ones die those relationships end, there is a real sense of loss and sorrow.

My heart has been troubled the last few days. Yes, I’m mourning the loss in my family, but death comes to us all, I know there is no such thing as an unexpected death. God is sovereign and we live for His glory. In death the Christ follower glorifies God for eternity so I believe our mission doesn’t change much for our eternal soul. My heart is not troubled by death.

My pain comes in knowing my cousin went to church his whole life. He was active in church at the time he died. However, I don’t believe he was a follower of Christ. If we believe in the brevity of life then we must believe in the urgency of the gospel. Don’t waste opportunities with the ones you love. The price you pay in discomfort or embarrassment, even momentarily interrupted relationships is worth the treasure of Christ. He is all.

“Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit.” Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.” James 4:13-14 (NASB)

A lot can be reflected in a person’s attitude. Some choose to wear their emotions on their sleeve, others prefer to process emotionally more internally. I don’t think either way is wrong or right, and that’s not what I want to write about this morning.

Humility is defined as the quality or condition of being humble; having a modest opinion or estimate of one’s own importance, rank etc.

Often, a “bad” attitude can be traced to a lack of humility. What we sum up as an angry or mean person is usually not a humble person.

Someone who is incessantly rude is more concerned with their own needs and wants, and they don’t want to consider the needs of others. They are selfish, because they consider themselves more important than everyone else.

Someone who consistently responds to adversity in anger is probably angry because things are not going their way. Again, no one else matters in this situation it’s all about self….selfish….thinking you are more important than everyone else or lacking humility.

Some people have a bad attitude because they are having a bad day. Here’s the newsflash EVERYONE HAS BAD DAYS!!! So what leads some to believe that their bad day or adverse circumstance gives them the right to be rude and disagreeable with everyone around them? It’s the mindset that Mr. or Miss bad attitude is the center of the universe. If I’m having a bad day everyone better have a bad day. It’s all about self….selfish…you feel like you are more important than everyone else.

A lack of humility is the root of the world view for those people who take themselves way too seriously. Man, you know who I’m talking about. They can’t take a joke or a fun comment. They have a permanent stick…well…somewhere. Who do you think you are? I don’t know you! (I threw in two not humble sentences for irony. I was told good writers use irony… So I’m using irony, though I’m not a good writer… That’s ironic)

Seriously though, we are called to stand for our beliefs. We live in a world where the values of Christians are criticized and mocked constantly, but believers shouldn’t let that put a chip on our shoulders. Be strong in your beliefs and stand up for yourself, but don’t take yourself so seriously that you cease to be humble. Don’t confuse confidence with cockiness, that’s about putting yourself above others. Don’t be so focused on getting your way that you grow angry at the first instance of adversity. Don’t be so caught up in your own world that you miss the moments to rejoice with those who rejoice. In this new year make an effort to get over yourself and think of others.

 To Jayson John From Jayson John