JaysonJohn.com

I’m going to talk more about sanctification next week, but today I feel like recapping and focusing on the point. I was once enslaved to sin, traveling down a dark road that led only to more darkness.  The Psalms speak of being stuck in a pit, stuck knee deep in so much mud and mire that you can’t get out. That’s where I was. Pride, legalism, and judgment owned me. It dominated me. I thought I knew everything there was to know about God, but God changed my heart of stone for a heart of flesh. I saw people for who they really were, the beloved of God. My arrogance no longer had dominion over me.

Now I’m daily growing into the image of Christ. I’m learning to love all people with grace and mercy as my Lord does. In my life is reflected the beauty of sanctification. Regardless of who I’ve been and what I’ve done God loves me and extends grace. He doesn’t just reach out His hand to help me out of my pit, He stepped out of eternity over 2000 yrs ago and became a man so that He could pay the price for my sin. He who knew no sin became sin on my behalf that I might become the righteousness of God. He got in the pit with me and helped me out. Now He helps me daily by His power to become more and more like Him. How beautiful. How amazing.

My first car was a 93 Toyota Camry (not camera) named Shandamma. Here she makes her big screen debut. If you’re in the Yukon, Oklahoma area this weekend come check out the car show after each of the 4 services on Sunday and catch the last week of this great series, At the Movies.

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.

My boss also happens to be my pastor, and he’s got a great book that came out this week. Pick it up at major bookstores or buy it on Amazon.com.

This video has almost 9 million views since March 1 (19 days ago at the time I’m posting it) so most of you have probably seen it. It was shot in one take and I think it’s absolutely insane!

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.

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

A friend who works with me sent me a link to this video. I thought it might help some of you with your New Year’s resolutions.