How Valuable Is Jesus?

I ran across this quote this morning...
"Jesus Christ is not valued at all until He is valued above all." ~ Augustine

It really shook me up reading this.

WHY?

Why when it's something I already knew?

Perhaps it's because I thought I knew it already. I thought I understood how valuable Jesus is in my life but I think I was wrong. At least that's how I'm feeling now.

You see it's easy to see this quote make sense when it comes to comparing him to people or respected positions in our lives. That parts easy. To be a Christian you have to place Jesus above your parents, your wife, and even your children. I get that.

BUT

Have we forgotten to put Jesus above our things?

Ahh, I see.

Did I strike a nerve?

Did I make you stop and think for a minute?

Can you be honest with yourself (like I am now doing) and ask what position Jesus holds on the scale of things in your life?

Where does He rank on a list of the following?

1. Facebook
2. Twitter
3. Blogger
4. TV shows
5. Sports
6. Hunting
7. Shopping
8. Knitting
9. Fantasy Football
10. Reading
11. Politics
12. Video Games
13. Music
14. Education
15. Work

This list of things isn't a bad list. It isn't wrong to do or participate in any of these things.

Unless of course, you put them above Jesus.

That's where I've been messing up lately. That's where I've been missing the mark. I've been looking at Facebook while watching a game on TV all before I even spoke one word to the God of the universe!

Have you?

Do you get so caught up in any of these things that they take up more of your time than your relationship with Christ does?

I had this conviction the other day..

I refuse to pay my cable bill again before I tithe my 10% to the Lord from now on!!!

How messed up is that?

I was paying the cable bill before I gave 10% to the Lord? What does that say about me? What does that say about the position Jesus holds in my life?

And then when I read that quote this morning it all made sense to me. I knew what I was doing wrong. Satan has been fooling me long enough. It's time to put Jesus in His rightful place again. Not only among all the people in my life, but also among all the things as well!

I pray this speaks to you in some way or another today.

"Jesus Christ is not valued at all until He is valued above all." ~ Augustine

Be Blessed!
Joe

Fraggy Friday

No need to wait any longer, LET'S GET FRAGGY WITH IT!!!

*****

I love this time of year. Why? Because the phone rings off the hook with political surveys and volunteers who try to sway my vote one way or another. I know most people are already sick of the ads and phone calls by now but for me I like to take full advantage of the opportunity. Whenever I get a phone call I love to actually talk to the person on the other end and argue (in a friendly way) their points and the positions their candidate takes on the issues. Last night I received 2 phone calls in less than 1 hour!! It made my day! I guess I'm just weird but what can I say? I just like to make lemonade out of lemons. I will say however that I am sick to death of all the attack ads on BOTH sides of the aisle. Whatever happened to just saying what you're going to do instead of attacking your opponent? Since when did elections become about who can win the best T.V. ad or who got the last word? That part of it makes me sick but just being able to participate in one of the most important things our country ever does is an honor. How do you feel about this years ads and campaign tactics? Oh, and one more thing, GET OUT AND VOTE!

*****
I'm Just Sayin'

Did the Texas Rangers even show up to play ball or are the Giants that good? I'm just sayin'

*****

Quote of the week:

"Not the cry, but the flight of the wild duck leads the flock to fly and follow."  ~ Chinese Proverb

It's one thing to "talk the talk" but it's when you "walk the walk" that people will really follow your leadership. Sadly, we have more "talkers" these days than "walkers". Leaders lead, it's what they do. It's all they know. It's in their DNA. And when you've been called to lead you convert your words into action and as we all know, "actions speak louder than words". Perhaps we can learn something from the leadership of the wild duck.

*****

I don't like the fact that we are losing more daylight now! I do like the colors and weather at this time of year but I would just like to keep the sun out a little longer. It's crazy to look out the window and see darkness where there used to be sunshine at the same time just weeks ago. It's just hard to get used to at first but I will eventually grow accustomed to it. (Even though I don't really want to.)

*****

ABC is doing an "Extreme Makeover" across the river for a couple in Louisville KY. This will be the second couple that has been blessed with this really generous gift from ABC in the Louisville area. Yesterday the bus was moved and the family got to see their brand new house for the first time. The looks on their faces was priceless (as always). The interesting thing about it and what I really want to see when they finally air it on ABC in December is how they were able to overcome the storms we had while they were building it. On Tuesday we had severe storms where 3 tornado's actually touched down and did some damage in our area. It's gonna be neat to see how they managed to work through a storm like that and still make their deadline. These people are amazing!

*****

Until next week have a Happy Halloween and keep it FRAGGY!!

Be Blessed!
Joe

Fraggy Friday

Friday's are coming much sooner now that I am trying to do the Friday fragment thing every week. I can't believe it is seriously Friday again already!

Well, that leaves only one thing left to do. So, LET'S GET FRAGGY WITH IT!!!!

I think I have an addiction to social media. I check facebook and twitter constantly for new updates or to see if anyone has commented on my "witty" updates. I even have my cell phone set to text me when a new comment is posted on one of my status updates. Could there really be a diagnosis for something like this? I don't see why not, what do you think? Are you like this or am I just really weird?

I don't think I'm as bad as this picture indicates but I would definitely have to say that I got it bad!

*****

Quote of the week:

"Straight tress have crooked roots." ~ Chinese Proverb

This quote was used in my lesson for our Wednesday night youth group at GCC. I seen many students writing this down and posting it on their facebook status. It really does make a lot of sense and especially in the way I used it to tie up parts of my lesson.

The context I used it in (to make a long lesson short) was that we all have past mistakes, shame and guilt that we regret. Once we give our lives to Jesus our past is forgiven and our sins and regrets are cleaned up. We are like trees. We have a past that no one can see and it is a mess. Much like the roots of a tree. And though we really regret our past and sometimes allow it to hold us down we need to worry about the fruit that we produce rather than the roots of our past. In other words, what kind of fruit are people picking from your branches?

Straight trees have crooked roots. Let's not get so caught up in the past (the roots), but let's focus on if we are doing good works (producing fruit) like Ephesians 2:10 calls us to do!

*****

There is a brand new website that I stumbled upon on another persons blog. If you are a big music lover like me and like a wide variety of different types of music then http://stereomood.com/ is for you! They have everything on there! You can just click on whatever type of mood you are in and it plays songs that fit nothing but that particular mood. I highly recommend you check it out. I bet you will like it if you do!

*****

Another thing that you might find interesting is finding your family "Coat of Arms". I don't know why in the world I thought to do this but I am so glad I did. I was really impressed with the way our C.O.A. looks and what made it even better was the motto inscribed on it which reads...

Know thyself, and learn to suffer.

If you know our history with Emily's battle in I.S. then that motto fits us perfectly! We are having to learn how to deal with suffering on a daily basis. How crazy is it that I "stumbled" upon that motto and how neat is it that it really fits my family today! I was really shocked and amazed!

And hear is what our C.O.A. looks like. I really like it!

The Motto is usually placed right above the top of the picture. I couldn't find a picture on the net that displayed that so I thought I should tell you.

*****

And to bring Fraggy Friday to an end for this week I would like to leave you with some amazing pumpkin artwork to help get you in the mood for this Halloween season. Some of these are truly amazing!

Enjoy and have a great weekend!!

Be Blessed!

Joe

Fraggy Friday

It's Friday already?

Well then, LET'S GET FRAGGY WITH IT!!!

*****

This time last year, on this very day, America was captivated by an unbelievable story about a little boy and a balloon. (No, we aren't talking about Christopher Robin). It turned out that the story really was unbelievable because it was, well, FAKE!

Now do you remember the story?

Remember how America sat glued to their TV's in total shock that a little kid could climb into a "balloon" and just "fly away"? I remember how scared I was for that family since I was then just a new daddy myself. And then when it turned out that the family totally made it all up and confessed I was SO mad.

Why in the world would a family want to create a story like that? Did that bother you too when you found out it was all fabricated?

*****

Speaking of being glued to the TV, I already blogged about it this week but how are you feeling now that ALL 33 of the Chilean miners have been rescued?

Isn't it just an amazing story? This is no doubt something that will be remembered for years to come. Just the fact that ALL of these men lived to tell this story is amazing and it truly is a miracle. How much do you want to bet that church's all over the world will be using this story in their sermons on Sunday? I would make a bet that at least 85% of them will be using it one way or another!

*****

Are you crazy about Monopoly at McDonald's? I love it! And I know a few other people who are even more crazy about it than I am! Isn't it something how these big corporations can find ways to draw people in?

Controversy is swirling lately about how McDonald's is "wrong" for putting toys in happy meals. I don't agree with that myself. I think the happy meal is incomplete without the toy but health nuts everywhere are protesting it.

But I think the Monopoly game brings an interesting question... How do you propose to keep the adults away from McDonald's while Monopoly is going on? Solve that one health nuts!

*****

Quote of the week:

"The first step to drowning is isolation. The first step to rescue is being heard. Tell your story." ~ Eric Samuel Timm

DANG!!!

When I fist read this quote on facebook I was floored. Isn't it soo true how when we find ourselves in isolation is when we are tempted and face trials the most? Drowning is way more likely to happen to us when we are alone. It is important to surround ourselves with fellow believers who we can trust and rely on. And we have to take it a step further. We have to tell our stories! We have to be heard to be rescued and to rescue others. Tell your story!

*****

I ran across a tweet this week by pastor Mark Driscoll. He tweeted the top 5 pastors in America who had the largest congregations and I was shocked with the results.

1.) Joel Osteen (like you didn't already know that one) LOL
2.) Andy Stanley
3.) Ed Young
4.) Bill Hybels
5.) Dave Stone

What shocked me was #5 because if you are from the Southern Indiana / Louisville Ky area then you know why. Dave Stone is the pastor of Southeast Christian Church in Louisville Ky and yes it is a HUGE church. I just didn't realize that it was THAT huge! Maybe it comes as a shock to you too but praise God that people are being ministered to in all these places! Congratulations Southeast for being in the top 5!!

*****

Have a great Weekend!

Be Blessed!
Joe

Quote Of The Week

"Soldiers in the barracks will bicker and fight with one another. But soldiers on the battlefield stand united because they need each other. One of the reasons Christians often bicker among themselves is that there is no challenging goal that binds them together. A church that is arguing over traditions has forgotten its vision. But a challenging purpose can help people put differences aside and join forces for the advancement of Christ's kingdom."

- Bob Russell

Quote Of The Week

My joy is not determined by what happens to me, but what Christ is doing in me and through me!!!

Quote Of The Week

"What part of Thou Shalt Not didn't you understand"?

-God

Quote Of The Week

Sadly,

"The last thing one knows is what to put first."

- Blaise Pascal

Are you putting the right things first?

Quote Of The Week

Ruth Graham, the wife of Billy Graham, was traveling with her husband through a construction site and at the end of the site she spotted a sign in which she liked so much that she was quoted as saying that she wanted it written on her tombstone. The sign read...

"Construction finished. Thank you for your patience."

That simple thank you was seen by her as the most simplistic description of her life. I think we can look at our lives in the same way as well. As we go through the day to day things, the obstacles and the achievements we manage to get through, it is very similar to that of a time of construction. Our lives are being shaped and formed, "constructed" in a way that is pleasing and brings honor to God. And when that construction is finally over with we will be able to say to our loved ones and the creator of everything, "thank you for your patience."

What a great way to look at life huh? Thanks Ruth!

Quote Of The Week

"I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen, not only
because I see it, but because by it I see everything else."

- C.S. Lewis

It's funny how much more clearly things appear once we've accepted Christ and made him number one in our lives. The things I used to miss when I was living life for myself were right in front of my face the entire time. Thinking that some things were okay and acceptable just because it wasn't necessarily wrong in a "moral" since.

The world would love for us to believe that it's okay to gossip, slander, boast and play with sin. But it is until we accept Christianity that we realize and really see where those things are wrong and can lead us astray. I think C.S. Lewis says it best in this quote because often times we never saw that the things we used to do were really that bad until we accepted Christianity because of what Jesus did for us. Through it our eyes are opened to everything else and in turn it leads us to believe in it that much more.

What are some of the things that your eyes have been opened to?

Quote Of The Week

I ran across this quote by C.S. Lewis and thought I would share it with my readers.

"There are two kinds of people: those who say to God, "Thy will be done," and those to whom God says, "All right then, have it your way.""

-- C.S. Lewis

Which one best describes you?

Quote Of The Week

This is a really cool one guys!....


"We are not human beings going through a temporary spiritual experience.
We are spiritual beings going through a temporary human experience"!

-Anonymous

I love this quote! It kind of brings everything back into perspective huh?

Quote Of The Week

I'm reading a very insightful but sad book called unChristian. It basically reports research that was conducted within a time frame of three years about "what a new generation really thinks about Christianity... and why it matters". It is very insightful by giving us the statistics needed to see and help reach out to the lost and those that are seeking. It is very sad however because the numbers are very surprising. For example only 3% of people aged 18-41 have a biblical worldview! I couldn't believe how low that number is.

unChristian is a good resource and a truly eye-opening experience. I highly recommend it. It was while I was reading this book that I found my "quote of the week".

" One of my father's teachings that has stuck with me is this:

be more concerned with what happens in you than what happens to you. "

.

Wow! Sometimes it is so easy to see and get distracted by the things that physically happen to us while at the same time neglecting and not seeing what is spiritually happening to us. It is a very good idea for us to apply this to our lives. If we pay much more attention to what God wants to do in us then the things that happen to us slowly grow dim.

.

We are blessed by a great and mighty God who loves us unconditionally and it is what he does for us that deserves our attention and respect. In turn this allows our "distractions" to be less important and brings the focus back to the one that deserves it more... God!

Quote Of The Week

Hey guys, I know it's been forever since the last time I've written anything and to tell you the truth the reason I haven't is because the Lord has been blessing us like never before and I haven't had time to sit down and write to you dear readers.

First off all the things that happened at Believe are indescribable. The event's theme was about connecting to God and the illustration they used was that of an outlet (representing God) and a plug (representing us). It is up to us to get connected to God. God like that outlet is always going to be there. He will never leave or change but we sometimes are guilty of being the ones who leave and don't connect with him. Also we are often guilty of putting obstacles in the way of that outlet, (i.e. TV, couch, shelf, etc.) and that is where we can go wrong too. We need to look at our spiritual walks and find what obstacles we have placed in the way of our connection with God.

For more information about Believe check out my friend Rebecca's blog. She does it justice in describing what all happened and I just couldn't explain it the way she does nor do I have the time to.

So for the quote of the week I thought I would use something I learned from the trip to Believe. This is from Genesis 3:9 . God is in the garden searching for Adam and Eve after they have ate the fruit and hid from God. God walks through the garden and simply asks, "Where are you"? Now we know that God is all knowing and knows where Adam and Eve are but he's not asking the question because he doesn't know where they are, he's asking them this because he wants to know where they are in relationship to him. Because the sin of eating the fruit that God had forbidden them to separated them from God. They aren't close to God anymore like they were so God asks, "Where are you"? He wants to know why they did what they did to separate them from him.

So now more than ever I find that I'm asking myself "Where am I" in relationship to God? Is he having to ask me this question or am I walking close enough with the Lord that he knows that I am right beside him?

"Where are you"?

Genesis 3:9

Quote of the week

Sorry guys it's been a while since I've blogged. I've been extremely busy here lately. With that being said here is my quote of the week...

"Get down on your knees and thank God you are on your feet."

- Irish saying

Quote Of The Week

"Worry is like a rocking chair.

It will give you something to do,

but it won't get you anywhere.

.

- The United Church Observer

Quote Of The Week

I have a book full of quotes that I use to post my Quote Of The Week. It was a gift given to me from my wonderful wife Erica. (She always knows what to get me and she seems to know what I will get the most use out of, and I truly love her for that). I was reading through the book when I stumbled across a quote that really stood out to me. Especially with the way I've been feeling this week. It goes like this...

.

"If the stars should appear just one night

in a thousand years, how would men

believe and adore"!

.

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

.

Wow! I couldn't believe it when I first read that. It rings true with so many people I know and I can't help but feel that this is how they think. Is it that faith and beliefs become so routine that we take it for granted? I know there are tons of things that are taken for granted and we sometimes regret feeling this way about certain things but would it be any different if only once a year we had the privelege of experiencing certain things? Would we hold it in a higher regard if there was only one time to do the things we love the most? Kind of makes you think about it huh?

Quote Of The Week

Just this past Sunday our pastor Chad talked about forgiveness and in his sermon he mentioned a lady named Corrie Ten Boom. He shared her powerful story of how she was able to forgive a Nazi soldier who had killed her sister in a concentration camp. She met him face to face and he asked her forgiveness after he had accepted Christ. She forgave him as hard as it was for her to do and shook the hand of the ex Nazi soldier. The story touched me and I am sure it did so for many others in the congregation. That is why I have chosen a quote from Corrie Ten Boom for this week's quote of the week.

"Any concern too small to be turned into a prayer is too small to be made into a burden."

- Corrie Ten Boom

I find that this is very true. We often find it so easy to worry about some of the smallest things while thinking it too small to be a prayer when if we thought of it like she says here we would be in much better shape. May we all quit worrying so much and may we realize that we can take any concern or worry to our Lord who loves.

Quote of the week

Every week I am going to post a quote that I find really awesome. This week's quote comes from a lesson I've been teaching the boys in my Jr. High small group on Sunday. The lesson is about Martyrs and it is based on the book Jesus Freaks from DC Talk. When I first read it I realized that this is what a true Christian looks like. I've made it my goal to reach a humbleness that looks like the one found in this quote.

A Communist officer told a Christian he

was beating, "I am almighty, as you

suppose your God to be. I can kill you."

...

The Christian answered, "The power is all

on my side. I can love you while you

torture me to death."

...

If we could all love our enemies and those that persecute us as this Christian did the world would be a much better place. May we all strive to be as humble as this person was becuase there is no doubt in my mind that everyone could see Christ living inside of him.