Currently Listening

The National - Boxer
Thanks Whit!!!!!


Jon Foreman - Fall EP

The Big Good Judge

Ps. 41:1
"let them approach, then let them speak;
let us together draw near for judgment."

Doesn't that scripture sound kind of scary at first? What is so negative about the word "judgment"? What pictures come to mind when you think of the "judgment seat of christ"? I know that in my life, those terms have freaked me out at times.

But, let's actually read the definition of the word "judgment". It literally means, to "form a conclusion about something or someone" or "decide a verdict or results of a trial". How, from those definitions, have we formed the conclusion that judgment is so horrible? I mean, just as there are bad results from trials, aren't there good ones too?

We all know that, as humans, we don't exactly have the best judgment abilities, yet we still do it. We form opinions and come to drastic conclusions about people all the time, not even knowing all of the facts. So, really God in His perfect wisdom is the only entity that has the ability to judge correctly! So, why are we so afraid of HIS judgement... shouldn't we welcome it? I mean... it's definitely going to be accurate at least.

I think our reason is pretty obvious. We think we're terrible people. We're so convinced that that's the truth about us. We hide our secrets in the recesses of our hearts. We fail and fail and fail, so we're totally certain of the verdict that God's going to give us. We act as if we know EXACTLY what God would say to us if we were on trial before him. So in essence... we're judging the judge. How on earth do we know what his verdict will be for us?

Oh... you say, but there's the law. Aren't we hopeless when compared to it? None of us can stand up next to it and really meet it's standards. So that's our basis of reasoning.... we say, "I've broken the law that God's given, so I know EXACTLY what his judgement will be of me." But what if we were to find out that God's definition of justice is more about love? What if we found out that he was so desperate for relationship with us, that He did something crazy. He sent his kid to be killed on our behalf, for our redemption.

So, if judgment is basically your opinion of someone and of what they deserve; wouldn't it be safe to say that God thinks pretty highly of us? I mean, if He thought that we deserved the King of all Creation... I will welcome His judgment any day.

Because, I now know that He his judging me through the beauty of relationship, not the drugry of law. And because of that, He's given me this power, called grace, to run after him with such passion that following His commands is a delight.

So my final encouragement is that you stay pure and holy because that's the way God sees you! Not because It's just another thing you HAVE to do. And walk righteous before the Lord because He loves you, not just so you'll escape His hammer of judgment. He's already formed his opinion about you, and it's a good one... we just need to start believing it.

Jeremiah 29:11
"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end."

Huck for President...

So... as the presidential election slowly approaches it's time to start looking at the candidates. Even though I'm of the firm belief that it's the church's ultimate responsibility to lead the nation to God (and not the President's) it certainly doesn't hurt to have a genuine believer in the White House. The President has so much power, even in a system of checks and balances, they still have the ability to steer our entire nation this way and that. Even "subtle" agendas have drastic affects on generations to come. Once again, even though it's up to the believers of this nation to stand up and bring change, we can't underestimate the power of Godly political leadership. This is a spiritual war that should be fought on many fronts.

Enter Mike Huckabee... an experienced conservative that holds fast to faith & family values. He has a strong plan for Iraq, he's not overlooking our borders, and is forward thinking on the economy and foreign policy.

He's an underdog, but as of late has had considerable press and a recent upswing in the polls. I think he has a good a chance as any to win the Iowa caucus, and beat out the big dollar campaigns.

It's also worth mentioning that he's from Arkansas and has experience running against the Clinton political machine.

I would encourage everyone I know to look into his campaign and think of giving him your suppport.

-jack

I Heart Huckabee Blog
MikeHuckabee.com
Huck's Army

Mick Huckabee... Chuck Norris Approved

The Shack

After hearing about this book from my wife's family. I started reading it, interested to see if it lived up to the hype. I would say that it most certainly does. A book about tradgedy, emptiness, feeling lost, and being overtaken by a revelation of God's love and perfection.

It seems that even late in life we can God can show Himself to us in a way that turns our brain upside down. He's infinite and personal at the same time.

This book is an encouragement to me and will be to many people.

Heroes - Season 2

All of my favorite super people are back. And Whitney and I are sucked in once again to the unfolding drama. So far, the first few episodes have been amazing. They've introduced some very interesting new characters and complicated the stories of the the ones we know.

If you haven't had the chance, you definitely need to watch it. And yes, there are those who doubted the quality of this show... including my beautiful wife. But luckily I converted her in time to finish the first season, and now we can't miss an episode.

go heroes.

-jacko

ps. i just paid a pound and fourty five pence for radiohead's new record. so mindboggling.

A Good Simple

My life can tend to get a bit complicated and overthought. I was golfing today and that's definitely a sport that tends to work best when you don't overthink. When I'm standing over the ball and thinking about a million different things to do and not do... I'm most certainly going to hit an awful shot. But when I'm at ease, and focus on doing what's natural I play best.

Yes... it's important to look at things you can do better in life, but being consumed by self-betterment can only make the self... not better. That probably wasn't correct grammer, but hopefully you get my point. There has to be a balance between not caring about life, and caring too much. That's a place on the map I'm still trying to find.

Philipians 3:8 - "What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ."

That's a pretty simple view of life if you ask me. I want to lose my desire to be great on the earth, and stop trying to be this super person that conquers all my goals. But my desire is to gain dreams that make me great in heaven, that all my thought would be bent on Jesus... knowing him more, not making my self better. Finding a balance between striving and resting. A good simple.


Currently Listening:

My Banner is Clear

A South African minister posted this testimony on his door. Eventually martyred for his faith.

"I am part of the fellowship of the unashamed. I have Holy Spirit power, my die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I'm a disciple of Jesus. I won't look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still.
My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, my future is secure. I'm finished and done with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, worldly talking, cheap giving, and dwarfed goals.
I no longer need pre-eminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don't have to be right, first, tops, recognized, or rewarded. I now live by faith, lean on His presence, walk by patience, am uplifted by prayer, and labor by power.
My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven, my road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions are few, my Guide is reliable, and my mission is clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded, or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of the adversary, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity. I won't give up, shut up, let up, until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, preached up for the cause of Christ.

I am a disciple of Jesus. I must go till He comes, give till I drop, preach till all know, and work till He stops me. And when He comes for His own, He will have no problem recognizing me-my banner will be clear."

the tour

I thought I would give a quick update on big thing that's about to happen in my life. We're going out on tour this fall with Casting Crowns. Even though the last two years of my life has literally been a constant stream of activity. And when I say literally I mean that in the truest form of the word. Be in all of those shows we've never been on a REAL tour. It's been a show here and there and everywhere. Roach, MO... Tokyo, Japan... Edmonton,Canada...Modesto, CA...Gunstock, NH...Edinburgh,Scotland...Phoenix, AZ...Boise, ID...Atlanta, GA...Chiliwack, Canada... pretty random assortment of locations. We've been to our share of cool... and uncool places. But they've all been amazing and totally apart of God's plan for my life.

Any ways, with that said... the consistency of a bus and an actual tour will be a very welcome prospect. Plus Whitney get's to come for all of it... YAY! That would suck otherwise.

So, I'm saying all this to ask for your prayer. We're playing 36 dates, and we are really believing for God to use us in a big way. To see people saved, for freedom to come to the captives and release for the prisoner. And for me and Whitney to have time alone. :-)



And here is a glimpse of what I'm reading:

Mystery of Marriage - Mike Mason


The Four Loves - CS Lewis


Narnia "The Lion, With and the Wardrobe" - CS Lewis


Illuminated - Matt Bronleewe

my first post... from beaver creek

so... this is my first bloggy. I'm here at Beaver Creek enjoying the company of the new additions to my family. My wife and I are taking a much needed time of rest in the mountains of Colorado. It's stunning here and I'm having a blast between sleeping, not setting an alarm, watching movies, updating myself on Heroes, and reading. Oh... and eating a bit too much pizza and fudge. All in good fun.

Whitney and I sat on a bench down by the creek in the woods and read a bit of Narnia today. This place is pretty magical, so it's the perfect place to read C.S. Lewis. We're currently reading Lion, Witch, and the Wardrobe. I had read it before, but in marriage you find yourself wanting to experience things again, but in their company. Whitney and I have been drawn to children's books lately, and I'm of the opinion that there is great value in living like a child every once in a while. It really assists me in my adulthood.

For example, we read the chapter where Aslan willingly gives his life for the crime Edmund committed. I couldn't help but be overwhelmed by the sacrifice of Jesus while reading. We really take the cross for granted, and I don't think we really grasp how huge that was. God is so superior to us. He's the grand architect of the universe, the one that's always existed, a truly perfect being. But having every right not to associate with us, he chose to sit beside us in our mess. We could stop there and still be astounded... but He didn't stop there. He was murdered for the crimes we have committed and the ones we're committing even right now. So, in the woods of Beaver Creek I repented for taking such a thing for granted. Pretty good stuff from a children's book.

So, tomorrow we're leaving and it's back to life on the road. Be praying for me and Whitney (and the rest of the band) as we head out on this Fall tour. It's a big under taking, and we want God to use us tremendously.

Much love.

-jack