PastorChrisJones.org

It comes this time each year.

Wednesday, December 28, 2011 | No Comments | Posted in Personal Growth, Spiritual Growth

It's that time of year again, the turn from old to new. We get excited as we get a perceived clean slate to work on. Bygones are bygones. So how did you do in 2011? Did you reach your goals or did you just coast on autopilot?

What goals do you have for 2012?

I like to think of my year in four spheres.
Physical
Spiritual
Relational
Mental

I set up goals for each of these spheres. These goals need to be specific and measurable. Once I have the goals, I decide what steps need to be taken to reach each goal. After that, I plan out my months for the year (I work out each month as I get to it depending on how well I was able to hold to the previous' month's plan).

This is my system, but I recognize there are other systems probably even better systems. The main take away is that you develop a system and stick with it. I'd love to hear what your system is and how effective you feel it is.

God with us and for us

Saturday, December 24, 2011 | No Comments | Posted in Grace, Worship

Sometimes when I talk to some Christians I get the impression that God is looking for reasons to destroy us. It's almost as if He is watching over us with a check list and if we mess up, we get put on the naughty list, that list that is set aside for destruction.

What a depressing, stressful, picture of God. Can any of us measure up? We can if it's based on our imaginary set of rules and standards.

God is not looking to destroy us. He is for us! Honestly if He is looking to destroy me, I have given Him enough reason. Looking over my life, I can see how far from God I have been at times.

But I know God is for us. Christmas is the most poignant demonstration that God is for us. Instead of seeking to destroy us, God is seeking to save us. He desires this so much that His Son, Jesus, would become one of us, so that we could be adopted back into His family. Jesus gave of ahemself for us.

I hope this Christmas you will see God as One who is seeking your good, your salvation. He loves you, not based on what you have done. It's not about your deeds but solely His goodness.

See the love of God this Christmas.

Enjoy Christmas

Friday, December 23, 2011 | No Comments | Posted in Humor

Agents of Redemption

Wednesday, December 21, 2011 | No Comments | Posted in Culture, Grace, Service

The desire of God is redemption, redemption of people and redemption of this world. His purpose in His dealings in this world reflect this desire. Everything He has done, is doing and will do reflects this desire.

Just as redemption isn't just something yet future for us, neither is it for our world. God is actively redeeming our world and our culture. One of the things Jesus did as He walked this earth was seeking to redeem the world around Him. He brought heaven into our world and gave us a taste of the kingdom.

When I become a follower of Christ, I become an agent of redemption as well. As a follower of Jesus, part of my mission is to seek ways to better the world around me. In a sense bring at least a portion of heaven to this earth.

Do you seek to brighten the corner you're in? What are ways we as followers of Christ can make a positive impact?

Being transformed

Tuesday, December 6, 2011 | No Comments | Posted in Culture, Spiritual Growth

Pete Wilson speaks on Consumerism and what it does to us in this blog post.  It is worth the read.

I'm not sure that any other time of the year highlights this issue than Christmas.  Our love for each other is measured in $$$$’s.  We are exploited for the sake of our economy. 

Unfortunately we see the residual affects the entire rest of the year.  Not just in credit card bills, but in how we treat each other.  It even affects the way we view church, which is supposed to be the opposite of consumerism. 

Romans 12:2 says that we should not be conformed to the attitudes and thought processes of the society we live in, but we are to be transformed in our mind. 

What would life be like, if i truly rejected consumerism?

The Biggest Lie

Tuesday, November 29, 2011 | No Comments | Posted in Discipleship, Grace, Personal Growth, Spiritual Growth

I saw an interesting video this morning of a message by Francis Chan, “Whats the Biggest Lie in Your Life?”  He challenged me on the supremacy of Jesus in my life.  It’s good to think on this.  Check it out, its about 38 minutes.