How are you doing?

 

Ever wonder how many times you get a pat answer from someone when you ask this question?  How often do people really let us into their worlds?  What keeps us from being transparent and really sharing with people what we might be carrying or struggling with?  Could it be PRIDE? Do we buy into the lie that people really don’t want to know how we are doing?  Should we all just suck it up and be fine all the time? As I grow in my relationship with the LORD I am finding that the most intimate times are found in truly opening up to our Heavenly Father & other people. We need each other!

What do you have to lose?  The better question might be, what do you have to gain?  God’s Word exhorts us to “share each other’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Gal 6:2).  We were not created to be independent, but rather interdependent on Christ and our brothers and sisters in Him.

So this week, when someone asks you how you are doing,  take a minute and really be authentic.   If you are struggling,  say so…. If your concerned, voice it…WHO KNOWS, God may have sent that person along to encourage you and your blessing is just beyond the comfort of keeping your true heart hidden.

Oh yeah, and make sure you take time to really inquire how the other person is doing… As we all know better than we  probably practice, it is more blessed to give than to receive…

 

-Jason  (learning to be real at every opportunity)

Congratulations David & Christy!

Just a little note to say Congratulations to David & Christy, who will be united in marriage tomorrow at 4:00pm.  David has always been a close friend and I am looking  forward to spending some time with him tonight at the rehearsal and before the big event tomorrow. 

Please pray for their special day that the weather will be nice and all will go smoothly.

To read more about David & Christy visit:  www.christyanddavidgethitched.com

 

Praying God’s richest blessings of love, faithfulness, peace & joy to you both as you embark on life together!

 

-Jason  ( 2 are better than 1…)

Waiting on the LORD…

God ordained waiting takes place in the lives of every person.  You will never see any fanfare or draw attention from quietly submitting to God’s timing in your life.  In fact, often times we fall off the social map.  Maybe it begins with a tragic car accident, or a bankruptcy. Perhaps you have a relationship torn apart with conflict.  Whatever the cause, the result ends in the same destination.  A place of humility where all we can do is look up. 

It’s at that time the LORD goes to work in our hearts.  We gain a new, eternal perspective in the waiting room of life. Our LORD teaches us how to focus on Him above all things. As our identity in Christ grows, we are given eyes to see how God has been moving…. all along…

Currently I find myself in this waiting room of life.  Where do I go with the calling on my life? When will I see my wife?  How many, if any, children will we have? But more importantly… After traveling beyond the ‘me’ questions:  God how can I grow even closer to you? 

Fact of the matter is,  God most often uses us when we least expect it.  This makes us effective because we realize it’s only through Him we have the power to do anything. 

God is able.  If you are weary and tired of waiting, hang in there… God is teaching us that waiting is one of the preferred methods of preparing  His people for significance.

“Waiting is a common instrument of providential discipline for those to whom exceptional work has been appointed.”  -James Stalker

 

Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for Him. Psalm 37:7

Happy Thanksgiving,

-Jason (learning that wisdom is found in waiting)

Thankful: doesn’t come from us…

Remember back when you were young…  An adult blessed you with something, maybe your favorite toy, a good book, or some clothes.  What were the first words out of your mouth?  WOW, COOL, NEAT….  For most of us, it wouldn’t be hard for you to imagine what your parents words were to you… WHAT DID YOU SAY?  “Uh thank you…”  We aren’t taught how to be selfish.  We become prodigys of that nature all by ourselves.  As I grow older, I still find myself having to battle against being focused only on me.

What is the solution?

The Bible says that every good and perfect gift is from the LORD.  As you celebrate Thanksgiving this week with your loved ones, ask the LORD to reignite your heart of Thankfulness.  Spend the day thanking Him for all the amazing blesssings in your life.  Take time out to remember, if you are thankful, it’s only because of Him.

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. Colossians 2:6-7

-Jason

 

NEW TIL Survey

In an effort to better serve those the LORD continues to send TIL, we have developed a short survey for you to share your feedback. For those of you who have visited Truth In Love, please take a few minutes and complete this 10 question survey. You can click at the top of the page on the TIL SURVEY tab or click here:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=Hthuh8NdgD31fId4O_2ffDMQ_3d_3d

Your input is vauled & will help us to continue to provide quality care to those we serve!

Jesus is LORD,

-Jason

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARK SHAW!

Hey TIL Family & Friends,

I just wanted to let everyone out there know our fearless founder of  TIL is celebrating a Birthday today!  Please take a moment and drop a birthday comment to him on our blog.   Mark buddy, you are a joy to serve the LORD with & I thank God daily for our friendship.  I hate you have to enjoy your special day under the weather with the Swine Flu. What a joy it is that we can focus on God’s Sovereignty during tough times.  We will continue to flood Heaven with prayers on you, Mary & the kids behalf.

 

We have several people emailing offering to bring food for your family this week, so please let me know if we can!

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARK!

 

15 My frame was not hidden from you
       when I was made in the secret place.
       When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,

 ¹⁶ your eyes saw my unformed body.
       All the days ordained for me
       were written in your book
       before one of them came to be.

 ¹⁷ How precious to  me are your thoughts, O God!
       How vast is the sum of them!

-Psalm 139:15-17

 

 

 

 

Your brother in Christ,

 

Jason

Take our survey