Leaving church. June 30, 2008
Posted by Jamie in Uncategorized.Tags: newspring, sunsets, thoughts
add a comment
I can’t help but think that God is pleased with what is happening at NewSpring. Especially when I hear that small whisper saying so, and I see something like this on the drive home.
God continually amazes me. Two families needs met by the Handyman Team, $41,800 donated to local ministries, amazing message on prayer to end the One Prayer series, and 101 publicly professing their love for Jesus through baptism. I am amazed.
A Day of Ministry June 30, 2008
Posted by Jamie in Uncategorized.Tags: church, handyman, newspring
add a comment
The Handyman Team was in action again this past Saturday. We focused on two families.
Project One. A lady was walking down the sidewalk and was injured badly when a car came up over the curb and struck her. She now needs a ramp to get in and out of her house as she goes through rehab and physical therapy. The NewSpring Handyman Team shows up and takes care of her need.
Project Two. An elderly couple are struggling with a rotting floor in their storage room and some rotting steps to their porch. The Handyman Team rolls in and takes care of that need as well.
BAM! Another great day of ministry.
Friday Favorite YouTube June 27, 2008
Posted by Jamie in Uncategorized.Tags: Friday YouTube
add a comment
In honor of my trip to Bakersfield, CA last week, here is one of my favorite YouTube videos in regard to the city. I really did have a great trip, but this video makes me laugh. Enjoy.
Beauty June 26, 2008
Posted by Jamie in Uncategorized.Tags: beauty, Grand Canyon, thoughts, vacation
add a comment
During my vacation trip, while in Arizona, I had the opportunity to visit the Grand Canyon. Pictures just don’t do it justice, but here’s a couple anyway.
It was different. It was like nothing that I have ever seen before. The most amazing thing to me was about how God spoke to my heart when I got there. People travel for miles to see beauty. People come from other countries to be amazed. The Grand Canyon is a work of His hands. How much greater is the one who created it?
On top of that, how much beauty is in my everyday life? That I never give a second thought? I am a fan of sunsets, I take pictures frequently. No two sunsets are the same. That is ongoing beauty. Beauty made new every day. What about sunrises? When was the last time I got up early just to see the sunrise? If I am going to travel for miles to be awed by the work of God’s hands, shouldn’t I at least make myself familiar with the beauty that He has placed around me?
What about what I believe to be most beautiful, life change? Jesus coming into someone’s life and changing it completely from the inside out. What could possibly be more beautiful than that? The world’s largest ditch? Hardly.
I am living a miracle life. What is happening around me is not ordinary. Just as many view that hole in the ground as extra-ordinary, I should view life as extra-ordinary.
If you want to see a real miracle, read My Story.
Complain? June 25, 2008
Posted by Jamie in Uncategorized.Tags: thoughts, vacation
add a comment
After traveling through parts of California, Nevada, and Arizona, there are two things that I, living in South Carolina do not have permission to complain about.
- The temperature. I think that the lowest temp it was during the day at any place was in Bakersfield, CA at the low to mid 90’s. The rest of the time was spent well over 100°, peaking out in Death Valley, CA at 118°.
- Gas prices. California was in the $4.50/gallon range while Arizona dropped down closer to $4.00/gallon. I saw a gas station at $3.75 yesterday here in Anderson, SC. The highest gas that I saw was in Death Valley at $5.59/gallon.
I reckon that it takes breaking out of the ordinary every once in a while to gain true perspective on how good things are.
Here’s another random picture of an oil pump and refinery in Bakersfield. (notice the pollution haze in the background)
Leaving Atlanta June 24, 2008
Posted by Jamie in Uncategorized.Tags: thoughts, vacation
1 comment so far
Ever had plane difficulties? Late flights? Canceled flights? Anyone ever been on a plane that had to turn back for any reason?
We (as in me, and about 100ish of my closest strangers) took off from Atlanta on time, Monday, June 16th headed for Phoenix as normal. About a half hour into the flight, the captain came on the radio (waking me up btw) saying that the cabin could not pressurize. That meant that we could not go above 10,000 feet. We would have to turn around and return to Atlanta to have the plane worked on.
People groaned.
We landed. Deplaned. I got something to eat. After an hour we reboarded. Then we were off. Landed in Phoenix. Just about everyone missed their connecting flight. Including me.
That day really got me thinking.
I have never met the pilot. But I trust him – with my life. I trust someone I have never met to do his job. And I believe that his job is very important. I have never met those mechanics. But I got back on the plane. I trust them – with my life – to do their jobs.
If they mess up, delays happen. Other people are affected. If they mess up big, a lot of people are affected, and it can be disastrous. If things go smoothly, they receive little if any recognition for their work.
Thinking about that really brought to light my position working for the church. I work behind the scenes. People trust me and they don’t even know it. If things go well, no one should notice. If I mess up, I should be accountable.
