The Christmas Reading

Our friends at Ridge Church put together this video montage of the reading of the Christmas story. Check it out. It's pretty cool. Thanks, Ridge, for letting us be a part of it. Merry Christmas to all! The King is born!

...And All Through the House...

It's Christmas Eve and Tasha and I are sitting on the couch finishing our monthly newsletter. Actually, starting our newsletter. (Fun) At least we get to do it together. The kids are actually sleeping. I think we wore them out. We just rolled in from a great night of leading worship and looking at Christmas lights with the kids. Great combo ... consecutively. (Probably not a great combo simultaneously though.)

The weekend was awesome. On Sunday, we ministered at Hampstead Baptist Church in Hampstead, Maryland where my good friend Chris Brammer is pastor. Chris and my Dad were best friends in seminary. And now, 28 years later, I'm leading worship in Chris' church having been best friends with Chris' oldest son, Ben, all my life. Pretty cool. Sunday night, Chris generously gave us the whole service to lead in worship, share from the Word and share a little bit about our ministry efforts in Uganda, Africa with Rick Via Ministries. We ended up leading a small worship concert of 8 tunes with my beautiful wife (of course) and our friend Micah Brown from Roanoke, VA on keys and drums. Thanks again, Chris.

Tonight, we led worship for Southbrook Church Monroe campus at 3:30 and 5:30. We had a stellar band: Zack Griffin on lead guitar, Brett Banks on upright bass, Andy Bradberry on drums and Tasha on piccolo. (hehe... you know better than that!)

It was a great night. This was the grand opening of their new facility in Monroe just off of Skyway drive in the Monroe Plaza. The band of volunteers have been working tirelessly to get the building open in time and get all of the permits that are necessary. And they did more than just pull it off. They knocked it out of the park. It was awesome. Geoffrey Janes brought the Word and did a fantastic job. Check out the pics.






















We played:
1. The First Noel - instrumental J & T version
2. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen - Mercy Me version
3. Hallelujah(Light Has Come) - Barlow Girl
4. Immanuel - J & T
5. O Come, O Come Emmanuel - J & T (with input from the rest of the band) version
6. Joy to the World - J & T version

Flashback Friday: Questron

Anyone remember this? The Questron electronic pen and workbooks--one of my all-time favorite Christmas presents as a kid. You would simply depress the pen's tip on the multiple choice questions to see if you answered correctly. An incorrect answer led to the red-light of death followed by the beeping noise of doom. A correct answer employed the green light of glee and the more pleasant affirming beep of glory. Many of my life's limited hours on this earth were spent enthralled with these workbooks. Most of the books began with "My First ..." My favorite was, "My First Exhaustive Systematic Theology for Second-Graders."

"Crazy Love" Review

Just finished Crazy Love by Francis Chan. This book kicked me in the gut from the outset and wouldn't stop--convicting to the core. In the same vain as Shane Claiborne's Irresistible Revolution and the whole idea of seeing God's kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven--only I place Chan's on another level from any of those other guys. He's the real deal. And that's not saying anything against Claiborne or any of the other young, evangelical, Bible-believing prophetic voices out there, I just think there's something uniquely special about Chan. The anointing of God is obvious on his life. He's well-balanced in his theology as well as his methodology. The guy puts his money where his mouth is, to be sure. All the way from building an amphitheater in Simi Valley, California rather than a traditional church building so that they can give the extra untold millions they're saving to mission work, ... to his own family of 6 downsizing to a 1000-square foot home so that they could give the rest to mission work ... all of this speaks for itself. And he preaches the Word ... hardcore. I've been listening to his podcast recently, and it's rocking my world just as much as the book has. Anyway, this is a must-read for anyone, in ministry, or not. Read it.

Some takeaways:

• In response to Colossians 1:16 that says, "... all things were created by him and for him," he says, "Don't we live instead as though God is created for us, to do our bidding, to bless us, and to take care of our loved ones?" (p. 33)
  
• "Worry implies that we don't quite trust that God is big enough, powerful enough, or loving enough to take care of what's happening in our lives. Stress says that things we are involved in are important enough to merit our impatience, our lack of grace toward others, or our tight grip of control ... Both worry and stress reek of arrogance." (p. 42) Ouch!!
  
• "The point of your life is to point to Him." (p. 44) Good stuff!!
  
• In response to a student who once asked him, "Why does God threaten me with hell and punishment if I don't begin a relationship with Him? Why would a loving God force me to love Him?" Chan replies, "If God is truly the greatest good on the earth, would He be loving us if He didn't draw us toward what is best for us (even if that happens to be Himself)? Doesn't His courting, luring, pushing, calling, and even 'threatening' demonstrate His love? If He didn't do all of that, wouldn't we accuse Him of being unloving in the end, when all things are revealed?" (p. 62)
• "We are consumed by safety. Obsessed with it, actually. Now, I'm not saying it is wrong to pray for God's protection, but I am questioning how we've made safety our highest priority." (p. 133)

There's so much more I could add, but I won't give the whole book away. Grab this one for Christmas for yourself and someone else.

Always Read the Instructions First

Sad news: Tasha is sick with a severe sinus infection. She says it's the worse pain of her life. Ugh. I'm playing the Mr. Mom role right now...canceling meetings, cooking, cleaning, spanking the children, etc. Have I told you lately that I love my wife and have a renewed appreciation for all she does? Tasha, have I told you that lately? Well, I do. Husbands, let's not forget to tell our wives that today.

On another note: In a desperate attempt to keep myself healthy in a home ravaged and invaded by germs, I have been taking Airborne, Vitamin C, and Sudafed PE like candy. But just one word of caution. This is the first time I've ever taken Airborne ... and I failed to read the instructions first. Big Mistake. As soon as I broke open the bottle I popped a tablet straight into my mouth and began chewing, figuring that was the proper method. I was wrong. They are meant to be dissolved in water first, much like alka-seltzer. That was debatably one of the worst mistakes of my life. I can't even begin to describe the horrific sensations that jolted through my entire body, beginning with my mouth that felt like Cherry bombs exploding, continuing down my esophogus that felt like it was being attacked by cheese graters, and concluding in the pit of my stomach where the experience was much like what I would imagine a prized deer might feel where he to tragically still be alive during the gutting and stuffing process by the local taxidermist.

So, just a word of caution: Always read the instructions first.

The Healing - Chord Charts

For all of you musicians out there, or anyone who cares, I just uploaded all of the chord charts from The Healing. You can get 'em here. Play 'em. Share 'em. Send 'em. Use 'em.

Proboscidea Elephantidae

Thanksgiving weekend in Virginia. Is this a normal family activity?

(To the tune of "Peculiar People" by MuteMath)

12-14-08

Today at Ridge Church:
It was a really good day. Nolan Verner, Logan Fincher, and Skylar McNabb rocked the house. Great job guys.

We played:
1. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen (Mercy Me version)
2. O Come All Ye Faithful (Third Day version)
3. God is With Us (Michael Olson)
4. The First Noel (instrumental, J & T arrangement)

Tasha's parents are in from Colorado Springs for a couple of days on business. But we're hanging out right now. Tasha's baking cookies. Larry's about to show us some pics from their recent mission trip to Chad. The kids are down. Panthers won. What a great night!

What It's About

I've got to give a shout-out to my good friend Scott Spruill and Crosspoint Church in south Charlotte. Scott is the worship pastor at Crosspoint and has become a dear friend. He played keys on our latest record and did a phenomenal job. He's been pushing our CD like crazy to his church community there in the Balantyne area and he informed me the other day of what their church was able to accomplish through CD sales*. Just through CD sales alone they raised enough money to feed 5 needy families during the Thanksgiving holiday! And that doesn't include all of the other insane outreach their church is doing to reach the down and out. Scott, thanks so much for your heart for the Lord and for the fringe of society! That's why our ministry exists. I'm blessed to partner with you.

*When you purchase Josh & Tasha's merch, just know that none of it goes into our pockets. It all goes back into ministry efforts to reach the lost and to bless Christ's bride. And a large part of it goes directly overseas to help plant churches, provide for widows and orphans and to train local pastors in Uganda, Africa through our partnership with Arise Africa International. Thanks.

A Princely Privilege

"To wash feet may be servile, but to wash his feet is royal work. To unloose the shoe-latchet is poor employ, but to unloose the great Master’s shoe is a princely privilege. The shop, the barn, the scullery, and the smithy become temples when men and women do all to the glory of God! Then 'divine service' is not a thing of a few hours and a few places, but all life becomes holiness unto the Lord, and every place and thing, as consecrated as the tabernacle and its golden candlestick."

-Charles Spurgeon, Morning and Evening, December 11

Pay Attention

Sometimes events or circumstances happen in our lives that make us question certain things. They make us question our loyalty. Our calling. Our mission. Our purpose. Our motivation. Our sense of direction. And sometimes it's good, I think, to allow those events or circumstances to drive us to reevaluate where we are. To reevaluate everything we know to be true about who we are. For Christ-followers committed to Jesus, we know that the core of who we are and the foundation upon which our lives are built can never be shaken. And that's reassuring, to be sure, especially in light of the world in which we live--with its craziness, insecurities, madness and endless pursuit of happiness, purpose and fulfillment.

But for Christ-followers, a different type of challenge or questioning can occur. Challenges that cause us not to reevaluate what we believe to be true about God necessarily, but challenges that cause us to examine who we are in light of Christ--in light of who He is--in light of His character--the things we know, with certainty based on His Word, to be true of Him.

For example, I know that God is good. I normally wouldn't doubt that. But let's suppose that due to the economic crisis I lose everything. My house. My car. My savings. My kids' college fund (what little there is--sorry guys!). Certainly, things have changed in my life. But I can be sure that God hasn't changed. I know intuitively, from the testimony of the Holy Spirit, and cognitively, from the testimony of Scripture, that God is good. He's still good. He hasn't change. My circumstances have changed, but He remains the same. The challenge comes, however, in my ability to process what has happened. Though I know that God is good, my experience might tell me otherwise. But let's say my experience loses the battle, and I walk away still saying, "God is good." A challenge still remains. The challenge then looks more like these questions: "What have I done wrong? What is there in my life that might be causing this misfortune? What's wrong with me? What am I missing? When did I miss God's will? When did I misunderstand Him?"

To be fair, sometimes these questions are legitimate. Sometimes it really is us who have walked away from the Lord, or who have dropped the ball somewhere along the way and the consequences for our actions have caught up with us. But let's suppose that's not the case. Then where are we left? We are left in the same position we've always been left in. The position that cries out from deep within us, "God is good. He's still on His throne. And He still loves me, no matter what my circumstances tell me." If we can be resolved to say that God hasn't moved, and to the best of our knowledge, in good conscience, neither have we, we can rest fully assured in God's sovereign providential plan that He will complete the good work He started in You (Phil. 1:6). That His plans for us are to prosper us and give us a hope and a future (Jer. 29:11).

I'll tell you where the challenge has been for me lately. Ready? The issue of calling. Things have happened lately that have caused me, well ... not to doubt necessarily my calling, but to question certain things. Issues concerning God's timing. Issues concerning His perfect plan for me--for my family. Not a nagging thing, like a toothache or a PMSing bank clerk--but more like a constant awareness, like the beeping of a pedestrian crosswalk sign making you aware that your time to cross is almost up. Sort of like that. Not annoying. Just there. And not completely sure why.

But then this morning I read a verse that seemed to be straight from the Lord. I've been working slowly through Colossians--finished it up this morning. It's an obscure verse found at the very end of the book. If you're not careful you can miss it. I have before until today.

It says, "And tell Archippus, 'Pay attention to the ministry you have received in the Lord, so that you can accomplish it.'" (Colossians 4:17)

Who's Archippus? No one knows. An obscure Pauline reference. But it doesn't matter. The point? Pay attention to your ministry! The ministry you have received from the Lord. Why? So you can accomplish it. So you can finish strong. So you can receive the reward. So you can rest assured that God hasn't forgotten you or forsaken you. That He is the One who equipped you and has given this ministry to you. So go for it! Pay attention to it! Do it! I needed that today. Maybe you need it to.

12-7-08

Yesterday at Southbrook we played:

1. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen - (Mercy Me version - I never thought I'd actually lead a Mercy Me song in church other than "I Can Only Imagine" at funerals. However, when I heard this version I was sold on it. Having Tasha on the violin definitely makes this tune. When it's all said and done, it has a trans-siberian orchestra type sound. It worked well as an opener.)

2. Salvation Rising - (J & T - we did several originals this weekend, which is always awesome. Thanks, Dan, for pushing our CD!)

3. Immanuel - (J & T)

4. Grace Greater Than Our Sin - (J & T version)

Prayer, Death, and Marinades

Colossians 4:2-6 - 2 Devote yourselves to prayer; stay alert in it with thanksgiving. 3 At the same time, pray also for us that God may open a door to us for the message, to speak the mystery of the Messiah—for which I am in prison— 4 so that I may reveal it as I am required to speak. 5 Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the time. 6 Your speech should always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you should answer each person.

Devote yourselves to prayer; stay alert in it...

There's so much truth in these five verses. So much convicting truth. I know I'm not devoted to prayer like I ought to be. I'm not alert like Jesus told the three on the night he was betrayed, "Watch and pray, so that you will not fall into temptation." (Matt. 26:41, Mark 14:38) There's a devotion to prayer that also requires a watchful alertness - so that we're not easily led astray by every wind of doctrine or tactic of the enemy.

...with thanksgiving.

Prayer must also be done with thanksgiving. Too often I'm simply bringing my list of needs to God, not truly thankful for who He is or what He's done, and the things He's answered already.

Walk in wisdom toward outsiders...

In relationships, we must walk in wisdom - to have Christ's attitude - in every relationship to maintain the fear of the Lord, which is the beginning of wisdom. (Prov. 1:7) Paul calls them outsiders - those not a part of the family of God. They are watching how we live our lives.

... making the most of the time.

Our time is short. The Lord is coming back, and death is a certainty. In Crazy Love, Francis Chan tells a powerful story to illustrate the frailty of life.

"As a pastor I'm often called upon when life 'vanishes like a mist.' One of the most powerful examples I've seen of this was Stan Gerlach, a successful businessman who was well known in the community. Stan was giving a eulogy at a memorial service when he decided to share the gospel. At the end of his message, Stan told the mourners, 'You never know when God is going to take your life. At that moment, there's nothing you can do about it. Are you ready?' Then Stan sat down, fell over, and died. His wife and sons tried to resuscitate him, but there was nothing they could do - just as Stan had said a few minutes earlier.

I'll never forget receiving that phone call and heading over to the Gerlach house. Stan's wife, Suzy, was just arriving home. She hugged me and cried. One of her sons, John, stepped out of the car weeping. He asked me, 'Did you hear the story? Did you hear? I'm so proud of him. My dad died doing what he loved doing most. He was telling people about Jesus.'" (p. 46)

Our time is short. We can't forget that.

...to speak the mystery of the Messiah...Your speech should always be gracious, seasoned with salt...

So we must communicate our words and actions with grace - graciously - seasoned with salt. Not blurting out the first thing that comes to mind. To season a steak takes time - marinading takes time to get the right flavor. So also our words should be marinaded - seasoned - thinking before we speak - devoted to prayer before we speak - careful to say what God wants us to say, but not compromising the Gospel. Paul never did that.

And here's where I think there are two real dangers that we often fall into:

1. Thinking that seasoning equals compromise. It certainly does not, nor does it equal fear or lack of boldness. It's all about wisdom - the fear of the Lord.

2. On the other hand, there's a temptation to convince ourselves that we're seasoning or marinading our words, when we're actually doing nothing, using seasoning as an excuse for remaining silent. I think that's a real temptation in our evangelical culture that has silently and perhaps unknowingly adopted the principles of tolerance, though we often excuse it as and confuse it for seasoning.

Lord, help us be devoted to prayer, to stay alert and give You thanks in all things. May we be constantly aware of our own frailty and the shortness of life. Help us in our interactions and relations with those who don't know You. Give us speech and actions that are seasoned with salt. That we might proclaim boldly the mystery of the Gospel with outsiders. And in our effort to maintain seasoned speech, guard us against apathy, silence and fruitlessness.

#3 in the Oven

Tasha and I just found out that we are expecting our third child!!! :) We're so stoked we can hardly stand it. We've always said that we want to have four kids, and we were beginning to wonder there for a while if we would even have three. But the Lord is gracious and forever faithful, and we're grateful to Him for the blessing of new life and the opportunity to raise another youngster in the fear and admonition of the Lord. Next to being a husband, fatherhood is the greatest calling of my life. I love it and am grateful to God and humbled that He would see fit to entrust these little souls into our care. What a huge responsibility! But what a rewarding calling!! Thank You, Jesus!

Sudan: Blanket and a Bible

As a Christ-follower wanting to be a part of local and foreign mission efforts but sometimes not quite sure what to do, I sometimes feel stuck. Stuck because there are so many valid ministries out there that are doing great things for the kingdom of God and not knowing which ones I should partner with. So I wanted to share one such opportunity that our family has decided to invest in, especially during this Christmas season. It's a very simple opportunity, but one that is making a tremendous difference. It's an effort called "Sudan: Blanket and a Bible" by The Voice of the Martyrs. If you're not familiar with this ministry, you need to set aside some time to spend on their website, persecution.com. It will rock your world. VOM is committed to the suffering, persecuted church all across the globe--not only through making others aware of the need, but also through practical efforts to help the persecuted church as well as innovative ways to get the gospel into closed countries.

Here's a little excerpt from the flyer I received in the mail recently that will help you understand what Sudan: Blanket and a Bible is all about.

"Sudanese Christians have faced horrific persecutions at the hands of a radical Islamic regime. An estimated two million Sudanese have been killed during two decades of civil war, including many Christians. A glimmer of hope exists with the peace accords, and we can help our Sudanese brothers and sisters rebuild their lives and Christian witness. Sudanese Christians live a simple lifestyle, owning few or no material possessions. However, some items are essential to their survival. One blanket can make a difference.

Now with VOM's Sudan: Blanket and a Bible ministry outreach, everyone can have a part. Along with each blanket sent, VOM will provide a copy of He Lived Among Us, an illustrated Bible storybook. This program sends a strong message to our Sudanese family that they are not forgotten, and we stand with them in rebuilding their communities with the love of Christ."

So here's all you do:
1. Collect good quality, new or used blanket(s).

2. Add $2 per blanket for handling, shipping into Sudan.

3. VOM will add a He Lived Among Us illustrated Bible storybook.

4. Send blankets and collected funds to:
"Sudan: Blanket and a Bible"
The Voice of the Martyrs
510 W Adeline
Bartlesville, OK 74003

If you and your family have been looking for a mission effort to give to this Christmas season, I definitely recommend this one.