new blog...

...until this one gets transferred go to www.jarred0723.wordpress.com...hopefully we will have this redirected soon. thanks for reading...

JM

Joel 1...

...yeah, that's right...a minor prophet. I decided to look deeper at the minor prophets and the message God gave them to give His people. I've been a part of the family of God since 1988 and I can't say I've ever read a prophet in order to understand the message and what we can learn from it today. Sorry Dr. Moore (OT Professor at Union University)! This is in no way going to be a commentary on Joel, it's simply a "wow, look what God says," kind of thing.

Sometimes God uses things to speak directly to my inner core. That's where the Spirit has taken up residence, but it's also a place of what seems to be a territorial battle. As much of my flesh wants to be the one in control, the Potter constantly reminds me I am clay (Jer. 18). I had one of those moments when I was studying Joel 1. It may be subtle, and maybe that's the way it's supposed to be, but it speaks volumes to me.

...and gladness dries up from the children of man. Joel 1:12b

How true is that statement. If we remain as a child of humanity, our gladness will dry up. Joel is speaking to the people of Israel some time after a plague of locusts has come and devoured all of their vegetation. There was no more green, and the the bushes were ripped apart and only splinters remained. There was a deep sadness across the land. This was obviously a punishment from the hand of God due to the rebellion of His children, and I'm sure joy and happiness were long gone. Those were pretty hard conditions to be joyful in.

But we're told that in all things we are to rejoice. Why should we rejoice...because we're the children of God. See the difference? In our humanity it's extremely easy to get discouraged in difficult times, but in our Christianity, our view should be different. Our attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus (Phil 2).

When it's easy to succumb to the emotion of dread and sorrow, remember Whose child you are. Remember our Father is one who Conquers! Do not let your gladness fade, but in all things bring glory and honor to the Provider.

JM

in the...

...now-and-then. Every now-and-then, which is where I find myself these days, I contemplate ministry, family, relationships, God, the church, etc.. I'm not sure why the "now-and-then" isn't a place I've decided to spend more time, but I guess that's why it's not the "now" or the "then," it's both. Well, since I've found myself in the now-and-then, I thought I'd write some things down. As I think about all of these things I'm still trying to figure out how they all work out in the life of a pastor. That's right, I'm admitting I don't have it all figured out. I doubt I had any of you fooled in the first place.

For a pastor, the lines between these subjects (ministry, family, relationships, God, etc.) become blurred. There's a lot of tug-o-war, when it comes to balancing these things and making clear lines. Sure, it's easy to look at them it notice there should be some overlap, and that's true, but there must also be a distinction between them as well. If you're a pastor, you know the importance of your family and their support, but you also know they are affected the most by the time constraints of ministry. If you're not a pastor, but someone who loves your pastors, then you know the life they live (and we thank you). Being swamped by the church means the family is being affected and vica versa.

So here I am in the middle of this now-and-then, trying to find the balance. The demands of ministry have become more intense and it's going to take some time for me to get used to. This will be a growing process for both my family and the church, but I'm glad that I have a family both in church and at home who understand the demands of this job.

Now it's simply up to me to figure it all out so I can minister to my family and my students with balance. I think a vacation would help...and I got one of those coming up.

I guess it's time for me to get out of the now-and-then and start living in the here-and-now.

JM

the feeling...

...of what's to come. I walked outside this morning to walk to Wallace, and the feeling of fall was overwhelming. You know what I'm talking about...it was that cool brisk air feeling. Just the cool breeze on my face rushed my mind back to my hometown and high school football games. The memories are good but the breeze that recalls those memories is even better. I'm sure you have those same fall memories that I do. Hay rides, two-hand-touch football games, and riding with your windows down for the pleasure of the wind rather than out of the necessity for refrigeration.

It's been a while since I've felt that excitement over a season. Usually another season passing means I'm getting older, but today it was different. It wasn't a time of remembrance for years gone by, it was a time of excitement for what was to come. You breathe this air in and it's as if your breathing as Adam did when he took his first breath. That was the very breath of God...is what we take in that much different understanding that each breath is given by God in the first place? Now I know there are those who doubt that notion, but what's so difficult to believe...God or that He breathes in us? Too many of us believe in God, but lose sight of the fact that He breathes in us. Oh, what air we breathe and how thankful I am breathe it. In....Out....In....Out....a precious gift I must not fail to remember.

Let every morning be a refreshing breath for we who believe...

JM

my office,,,

...the way I see it...

change...

is a good thing...It's also an exciting thing.  Truthfully I can feel the excitement in the air as Wallace Memorial makes some "changes" in the next few weeks.  As a Vandy fan, I used to know what kind of season we were going to have at the beginning of the season, but now it's a little different.  Sure, UT fans think they know what kind of season Vandy is going to have, and ESPN "experts" think they know what kind of season Vandy is going to have, but recently they've been saying one thing and finding out there's been some change going on at Vandy.  That's the kind of change I'm talking about.  There's been something a little different going on at Wallace.  And with this "different" comes an excitement like I've never been around.  Let's just say I'm happy to be a part of a staff who knows God's direction.  It's a cool thing to be wrapped up in and be a part of.  

On August 9th, Mike is going to begin a series which will embark us on a new journey.  I've only been here a month and I can't tell you how excited I am about what God is doing here.  If the people of Wallace are ready, we will be a different church in 10 weeks.  Now that doesn't mean we're transitioning to a worship service the Black Eyed Peas could get into, but it does mean that we want to be a church that is essential in the lives of its people.

Students...it's coming for you too.  Change is on it's way and I promise you it's going to be a fun ride.  I'm ready for you to see what the hearts of your leaders have been dreaming up.  I'm ready for Christ to be essential in your life.  I'm ready for you to Live Unhindered and Love Unashamed.

So here's my challenge to the people of Wallace...be receptive and be reactive...

JM

  

Wallace...

...the way I see it.  After three weeks at Wallace Memorial Baptist Church, I thought I'd give you a glimpse into my new world.  It's a world I'm still learning and an environment I'm adapting to.  So here's a piece of Wallace through my eyes to yours.

JM