E-mail jon: jon@crossroadsnewport.com
Friday, February 26, 2010
Friday, February 19, 2010
God is always at work in our lives.
I am always looking for God's hand at work in my life and in others. I believe God gives us signs that He is actively working in our lives, but many times we are so busy with "stuff" that we miss God telling us something very subtle.
Last night, my family and I went to a youth night revival at a nearby church. It was great. The band did an awesome job of bringing everyone into the right mind of worship, the pastor had a great message and delivered it right on a teenager's level, and the fellowship after the service was relaxed and meaningful. I hadn't seen this pastor speaking in over two years, but something amazing to me happened during his message. He spoke particularly about staying away from sexual immorality, something that is running rampant in teens lives today and has for sometime. It is a difficult topic to speak on. I have done it myself before and know the resistance that it can be met with. The awesome thing? It was our topic at youth group on Wednesday night, the night before we went to this service.
After his message, I told the pastor "Good job" and smiling told him that I had talked about it with my youth group the night before. He hugged me and said, 'Thank you so much!" He expressed to me how nervous he was preparing for it. How nervous he got as he taught this Biblical truth while looking in the eyes of those listening. People who were telling him with their faces "Back off." I smiled and told him, "Take it as a confirmation that this is a topic God wants to convey to this generation."
God is always at work in our lives. He sees our worries, our fears, what makes us nervous, and what tears us down. He knows when we need encouragement and when to send someone to give it. God promised that He would never leave nor forsake us. I'm glad God is faithful to His promises.
In Christ,
jon walton
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Are You Saying You're Tired of Waiting for God?
A few days ago, I got very irritated about something very unimportant. I have no access to highspeed internet, but I really want to have it. Why? It would make things simpler for me being able to look up things online when I want. It would make things easier for my wife, going to school for her master's degree online. However, the main reason I want it is to play video games online. For me, gaming is a social experience. I love gaming, but playing online with friends is 10 times better than playing alone. If I had high speed, it would be another way to stay connected with friends.
Now, to get a full picture, I have been looking for a highspeed option for about 5 years. FIVE. YEARS. I have checked with satellite companies but they have expensive set up and equipment costs, expensive monthly charges, and online gaming won't work with satellite due to latency in the line. I have checked with cable companies, but none of them are even planing offering service for still yet years to come. I have checked on DSL, but we are way too far from the central office for it. I have even checked with cell phone companies, but none of them offer fast enough speeds in my area and they limit the usage each month. I had checked with local wireless companies to no avail as well. In short, there are no feasible options. I have been looking for 5 years, and nothing is available.
I came home a few days ago, frustrated, angry, and feeling defeated over this. My loving wife could tell I was just not in a good mood. I am so blessed to have her, I really "married up." After we put Isaiah to bed, she began to ask me what was wrong. I told her how frustrated I was with the situation. See, along with looking for 5 years, I have been praying about this for 5 years. Being honest, part of my frustration was with God. Why wasn't God answering this prayer? I knew it wasn't the most important thing, but it was something important to me and I felt like God was just ignoring me on this. Or worse, telling me to just wait. During our discussion (more accurately, my whining and Missy putting up with it for a bit) I said I was ready to settle and try an expensive option. Missy looked at me and called me out. "Are You Saying You're Tired of Waiting for God? That you don't think He can do this?" She asked me.
I was speechless. I was mad. I was fuming inside. She was right. I turned to her and grunted out, "I love you, good night." That was all I could get out. She hugged me, kissed me and told me goodnight as she went to bed. I prayed that night, "God, this still sucks. I still am not getting what I have been waiting for, but I will trust You. I will wait for Your timing." The next morning I felt revealed. I knew God had not left me, nor was He ignoring me. He knows what He is doing, even if I don't.
Hard lessons are never fun, but I know that I grow the most from hard lessons. Thank you God, for the wonderful wife you have given me who speaks truth, even when it is not what I want to hear, into my life. Thank you God, for the hard lessons.
In Christ,
jon walton
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