We all run into people from time to time that through some simple act completely infuriate us. You know the person I am talking about. That guy that smarted off to you at the wrong time. That drama queen who, just because you mentioned something was out of place, feels the need to go off on you and make sure everyone in a 5 mile radius knows you are the one who is really causing all the problems. That know it all who always corrects you when you don't need it. I think you understand what I'm talking about.
One such instance happened where I work recently. Someone was having a bad day for whatever reason and when asked a question, he quipped back with a snarky remark. The person he addressed had every right to lash out back at him, but instead did something different. This lady came in with not one, but two breakfast pizza's the next day, bought out of her pocket. One for everyone in our department, and one for everyone in the other department where the gentleman who took his frustrations out on her. She responded to harshness with love.
Dr. Dean Haun made this comment once, "We are all cups with some liquid in us. At some point, we are going to be bumped and what is inside, whether it is good or bad, is going to spill out. What would spill out of you?" It is so easy to lash out when we are bumped. It is our natural reaction, but as Paul writes in Colossians 3:13, that should not be our response as followers of Jesus Christ.
Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
In Christ,
jon walton
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Friday, July 24, 2009
Getting Excited...
I am getting excited about several things this fall. Skillet and The David Crowder Band both have new CD's coming out, there is a new video game coming out that I am really looking forward to, and in just a little over a week we are having a Back to School Party in The Reckoning (our Youth Group) that will be a lot of fun. Now, I am not an emotional guy. Sure, I get loud and have a lot of fun, but I don't typically get excited and all giddy. However, I have been getting that way lately, but not for any of the things I just mentioned.
Pastor Rick has been going through the book of Revelation(That's the one in the back, heh). He is doing an incredible job conveying the Word of God and I have been reading it intently. I have to say, I'm getting excited for Christ's return. Gidddy excited. I mean I am giggling a little as I write this thinking about it!
You see, I know that when it is all said and done, I get to be with my Savior forever. I know I will be in a place of peace. I know that I will have incredible joy. I know that I will have no pain, heartache, or fear ever again. I know others who will be there. I am really excited about it!
What I am not exctied about is the realization of how many people are daily turning away Jesus. Because for them when it is all said and done, they won't be in a place of peace. For them, who refuse to accept the Truth, they will be tormented forever. I thougth of that today and man, talk about putting things in perspective!
"Jesus, give me the opportunity to share about you with someone today. Let me find someone who needs You. Let me be bold in sharing how great You are. Let me share Your Love with them. And I pray now that You would soften thier heart, that You would prepair them to hear and accept the Truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Jesus, get me excited."
In Christ,
jon walton
Pastor Rick has been going through the book of Revelation(That's the one in the back, heh). He is doing an incredible job conveying the Word of God and I have been reading it intently. I have to say, I'm getting excited for Christ's return. Gidddy excited. I mean I am giggling a little as I write this thinking about it!
You see, I know that when it is all said and done, I get to be with my Savior forever. I know I will be in a place of peace. I know that I will have incredible joy. I know that I will have no pain, heartache, or fear ever again. I know others who will be there. I am really excited about it!
What I am not exctied about is the realization of how many people are daily turning away Jesus. Because for them when it is all said and done, they won't be in a place of peace. For them, who refuse to accept the Truth, they will be tormented forever. I thougth of that today and man, talk about putting things in perspective!
"Jesus, give me the opportunity to share about you with someone today. Let me find someone who needs You. Let me be bold in sharing how great You are. Let me share Your Love with them. And I pray now that You would soften thier heart, that You would prepair them to hear and accept the Truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Jesus, get me excited."
In Christ,
jon walton
Friday, July 17, 2009
I Only Did It Because I Love You...
I'm not sure if you have heard of this group called Family Force Five, but if you haven't, here's a little taste. Take it all in.
There ya go. Now here's the thing, you may have just watched that (or even just part of it) and decided "There's no way that's Christian music!" Fact is, it may not be "Worship Music" but they are all Christians having fun. You won't find any cussing in their lyrics, you won't find worship to Satan in their music, and they give glory to God for their success. What you may have to come to terms with is this type of music isn't for you. Shouldn't be that hard to decide.
We saw them at Spiritsong and while I admit I'm not a big fan, many of the youth are. While watching them on stage, I was just standing and enduring. One of the youth caught my attention and laughed at me as they rocked out and I just stood. "This just isn't your thing, is it?" they screamed so I could hear. "No, but it is yours." I shouted back. I took them there and watched that with them because I love them!
We do all kinds of things for people we love. Things we may not want to do. We clean the house when family is coming over, we go places we rather wouldn't, we hold back things we want to say. All because we love them. Jesus loves us. He did lots of things I'm sure He would have rather not done. His life on Earth wasn't pleasant, it was hard. His death was horrific. But He did it for us, out of choice, because He loves us. (Romans 5:8)
I hope you know today that Jesus Christ loves you. No matter where you are in life, what you have done, what you are going through, Jesus loves you. So much, he paid a debt for you whether you wanted Him to or not. Take a moment today and let that sink in. Jesus loves you.
In Christ,
jon walton
There ya go. Now here's the thing, you may have just watched that (or even just part of it) and decided "There's no way that's Christian music!" Fact is, it may not be "Worship Music" but they are all Christians having fun. You won't find any cussing in their lyrics, you won't find worship to Satan in their music, and they give glory to God for their success. What you may have to come to terms with is this type of music isn't for you. Shouldn't be that hard to decide.
We saw them at Spiritsong and while I admit I'm not a big fan, many of the youth are. While watching them on stage, I was just standing and enduring. One of the youth caught my attention and laughed at me as they rocked out and I just stood. "This just isn't your thing, is it?" they screamed so I could hear. "No, but it is yours." I shouted back. I took them there and watched that with them because I love them!
We do all kinds of things for people we love. Things we may not want to do. We clean the house when family is coming over, we go places we rather wouldn't, we hold back things we want to say. All because we love them. Jesus loves us. He did lots of things I'm sure He would have rather not done. His life on Earth wasn't pleasant, it was hard. His death was horrific. But He did it for us, out of choice, because He loves us. (Romans 5:8)
I hope you know today that Jesus Christ loves you. No matter where you are in life, what you have done, what you are going through, Jesus loves you. So much, he paid a debt for you whether you wanted Him to or not. Take a moment today and let that sink in. Jesus loves you.
In Christ,
jon walton
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
How Much Is Enough?
One of the things I always do when we go somewhere like a concert or show, whether it is with the youth group or personal, is look around at the people and watch for a moment. You should try it sometime, you see some interesting stuff. At many youth events you can see parents who even though they can't stand the music being played, they have made the trip so their children may enjoy it. You can see the kids who were drug along for the ride and would rather be home than there. You can see that crazy fan who is screaming at the top of their lungs when their favorite band comes on and begins jumping, raising their hands, ANYTHING to get some attention. It is always interesting what you can see.
While at Spiritsong, one of these events, I was looking at the audience. As I was panning the crowd, I saw something that made me freeze. Close to the back sat a mentally handicapped man who, while even though full grown in body, was not mentally. What caught my attention to him was not his handicap though, it was him as a person. As he sat there near the back he waved a light stick, clapped along with every song, from time to time raised his hands in worship, and smiled the entire time. He was truly more than content, he was overjoyed. Nothing in the world mattered to him except for the fact that he was listening to great music and praising God.
It took so little to please him, yet I was concerned with us having to walk a short distance to the park each day. I was concerned with our seats not being good enough(though we were at least 20 in front of this man). I was concerned with so much that didn't matter. "How much is enough?" I asked myself.
Your life should be free from the love of money. Be satisfied with what you have, for He Himself has said, I will never leave you or forsake you.
Are you content? Do you have "enough"?
In Christ,
jon walton
While at Spiritsong, one of these events, I was looking at the audience. As I was panning the crowd, I saw something that made me freeze. Close to the back sat a mentally handicapped man who, while even though full grown in body, was not mentally. What caught my attention to him was not his handicap though, it was him as a person. As he sat there near the back he waved a light stick, clapped along with every song, from time to time raised his hands in worship, and smiled the entire time. He was truly more than content, he was overjoyed. Nothing in the world mattered to him except for the fact that he was listening to great music and praising God.
It took so little to please him, yet I was concerned with us having to walk a short distance to the park each day. I was concerned with our seats not being good enough(though we were at least 20 in front of this man). I was concerned with so much that didn't matter. "How much is enough?" I asked myself.
Your life should be free from the love of money. Be satisfied with what you have, for He Himself has said, I will never leave you or forsake you.
-Hebrews 13:5
Are you content? Do you have "enough"?
In Christ,
jon walton
Monday, July 13, 2009
My Favorite was... (Version 2)
Preface: I know, I know. Its been nearly a month since I've wrote anything, I'm sorry. Tell you what, I'll blog 3 times this week. I know! It's unheard of! (From me anyway, Pastor Rick sometimes hits 3 in a day!)
We just went to Disney World for a family vacation. It was a trip primarily for our son, Isaiah. We had a great time and on the ride home we asked the question that always interests me, "Isaiah, what was your favorite part?" His reply was "The Peter Pan ride!" Now, what is so interesting about this is that he had never heard of Peter Pan prior to this trip. For some reason, he loved it. In fact, before we left we had to find Peter Pan and Wendy so he could get his picture made with them!
We just got back from Spiritsong Sunday morning (about 1:45 am!) and on the ride home while most people in my car was asleep, I was thinking of my favorite part, Abbie & Josh. The two students I asked to pray about doing devotions for us. I have to say, they both did absolutely incredible.
Abbie spoke about keeping our faith real and challenged us not to be luke warm in our service to Jesus. She read Revelation 3:15-16 - I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish that you were cold or hot. So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I am going to vomit you out of My mouth. She made this statement: "I don't understand how someone who has a relationship with Jesus can be cold or luke warm." For those of us who have one, it is confusing. People who don't have a real relationship don't know what they are missing. She then challenged everyone to live thier lives 100% for the Lord. That'll preach!
Josh spoke about something we all to commonly deal with, jealousy. He read Psalm 37:4 - Take delight in the LORD, and He will give you your heart's desires. He talked about how he struggled with seeing something someone else has and wanting it for himself, even to the point of driving him to anger. Then he told the group how that verse has helped him. How he is doing his best to delight in the Lord, and how he trusts that the Lord will give him his desires. That's living all in!
Why were these my favorite parts? Because I am getting to see some of my youth grow in Jesus. These were my favorite parts because they not only grew closer to Christ through doing the devotional, they helped others in our group get closer to Christ by teaching them. Better than Diamondback by a long shot!
In Christ,
jon walton
P.S. Thanks Abbie and Josh!
We just went to Disney World for a family vacation. It was a trip primarily for our son, Isaiah. We had a great time and on the ride home we asked the question that always interests me, "Isaiah, what was your favorite part?" His reply was "The Peter Pan ride!" Now, what is so interesting about this is that he had never heard of Peter Pan prior to this trip. For some reason, he loved it. In fact, before we left we had to find Peter Pan and Wendy so he could get his picture made with them!
We just got back from Spiritsong Sunday morning (about 1:45 am!) and on the ride home while most people in my car was asleep, I was thinking of my favorite part, Abbie & Josh. The two students I asked to pray about doing devotions for us. I have to say, they both did absolutely incredible.
Abbie spoke about keeping our faith real and challenged us not to be luke warm in our service to Jesus. She read Revelation 3:15-16 - I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish that you were cold or hot. So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I am going to vomit you out of My mouth. She made this statement: "I don't understand how someone who has a relationship with Jesus can be cold or luke warm." For those of us who have one, it is confusing. People who don't have a real relationship don't know what they are missing. She then challenged everyone to live thier lives 100% for the Lord. That'll preach!
Josh spoke about something we all to commonly deal with, jealousy. He read Psalm 37:4 - Take delight in the LORD, and He will give you your heart's desires. He talked about how he struggled with seeing something someone else has and wanting it for himself, even to the point of driving him to anger. Then he told the group how that verse has helped him. How he is doing his best to delight in the Lord, and how he trusts that the Lord will give him his desires. That's living all in!
Why were these my favorite parts? Because I am getting to see some of my youth grow in Jesus. These were my favorite parts because they not only grew closer to Christ through doing the devotional, they helped others in our group get closer to Christ by teaching them. Better than Diamondback by a long shot!
In Christ,
jon walton
P.S. Thanks Abbie and Josh!
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