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