-Check Up-

Got the flu shot today. Not particularly because I tend to get a nasty flu each winter, but just to prevent it. I got a physical with cbc etc. Again, not because I have any particular health problem, but rather to get healthier. A check-up if you will. It was great to find out that, aside from a few unwanted pounds, I’m fairly healthy. Nothing a little more exercise & better eating patterns can’t correct.

Never hurts to take care of health needs, what with the rise in disease & health issues, not to mention the cost. I try to take care because I am in contact with a great many people & don’t want to particularly pass on in unwanted germs or ‘critters’ to others! I’d also like to be around for my wife & son.

While we are in flu zone, there are a few things to pay attention of. Watch doorknobs & remote controls, as they are the harbingers of germs! Grab a knob or a control & then wipe your eyes & ‘voila’: a nasty cold comes callin’.

Hope your health is holding out. Apart from your physical health, how’s your spiritual health doing? While I had to have a few things examined & questions addressed about my body, my spirit needs some ‘soul-searching’ regularly.
Here’s a few questions to ponder:

1. Do I have a vibrant relationship with God & is Jesus special to me?

2. Am I closer to God than I was last year?

3. Do I talk with God daily or is there anything in my life that is keeping me from praying?

4. Do I regularly read the bible, God’s love letter to me? (tons of translations to choose from-just ask me about them!)

5. Do I try to live out my faith & help others?

6. Do I attend a worship service to fellowship with believers & grow in my faith?

7. Do I give back to God as He has given to me?

Those are simply a few questions you might ask & try to honestly answer to have a simple spiritual ‘check-up.’ There are many things to work on in our spiritual life & regularly assess.

"We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check." James 3:2 NIV

I encourage you to check your spiritual health, but also your spiritual health.

www.myspace.com/davejacksonnewport.

Dave Jackson on facebook ASUN website www.bcmasunewport.org

Dave Jackson-Campus Minister djackson@absc.org

Cell: 870-217-9376 Dave’s Desk - http://bcmasunewport.blogspot.com

“I Once Was Lost, But Now I’m Found..”

If you would have taken the time to Google news the word, “lost” you would have found several unusual & interesting things today. Several items of significance were found. Take the portrait of Queen Elizabeth 1 found in an attic lost for over 100 years. Or the wallet of a Georgia state woman, now deceased that was missing for over 60 years found on a ledge of a basement wall while renovating an old theatre. Then there was the man who was smuggling some Picasso prints that were found in his possession upon a search. If you are a Madonna fan you may be glad to know her first two songs & subsequent recordings were found & released. One item lost, but not yet found is a wax figure head of Sir Paul McCartney, lost on a train in England. I’m not sure I’ll be losing sleep over that one.

Far more important though, would be several lives saved today. An elderly gentleman was lost while hunting in Colorado Mountains & was found today after wandering for two nights. A 41 year old man was happy to be found after wandering around a day in the Great Swamp, a 7,000 acre refuge. How was he found? They honed in on his cell signal. The same for the five lost in a disabled boat in the Chesapeake Bay.

I don’t know about you, but I’ve lost plenty things in my life. Seems the older I get the more I have the “Bermuda Triangle” experiences, though I’m over 1100 miles from the closest point of said triangle. A ‘Eureka’ for those of us getting older is happening upon a treasured item we thought was lost for good. You know the other blue sock you were looking for. The car keys or your wallet!!

While we can laugh (to keep from crying) at our ‘senior moments’ & lapses in cognitive information retrieval, there are some things worth pure celebration. It occurs when a lost soul is found.

There is a story Jesus related about a man with two sons. Apparently, the man was wealthy & one son wanted in on it at an early age, not wanted to wait for his Dad to die to get his portion of the inheritance. The broken father relented & gave the ungrateful son his portion.

The boy, as one would predict, acted foolishly & immature & partied & squandered his newfound wealth. Left with nothing but impending starvation he ‘came to himself’ & crawled home.

His father’s reaction? He was waiting at the gate. No “I told you so” or “you worthless punk” etc. A hug, wet with tears of joy! A pure picture of redemption. Then the young man had his first REAL party. “This son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So the party began.” Luke 15:24. NLT

How about you? Are you lost right now? Can’t seem to find your way back home? Maybe you have someone dear to you who is wandering in ‘the far country.’ Love to join you in prayer.

There’s a wonderful story behind that old hymn, “Amazing Grace.” Google that sometime. I echo the thought, ‘I once was lost, but now am found.” Feel free to contact me.

www.myspace.com/davejacksonnewport.

Dave Jackson on facebook ASUN website www.bcmasunewport.org

Dave Jackson-Campus Minister djackson@absc.org

Cell: 870-217-9376

Dave’s Desk - http://bcmasunewport.blogspot.com

Who Can You Trust?

A Carthage MO grandmother almost found out the hard way you have to be careful whom you trust. A poser called & claimed to be her grandson needing help to be released from jail. She almost fell for the ruse, but as her husband was going to the bank to retrieve the requested funds, she got curious & called the check the police. She found it was a scam that had lured other unsuspecting grandparents into sending cash.

While everyone is not out to get us, we surely need to be careful where we place our trust. Whom can we entrust our financial future? Whom do we entrust our health & physical well being? With whom do we entrust our love & affections?

The latest financial crisis has made many wary & concerned about the financial well being of, not only the U.S., but the world market. Which party or political candidate will be the ‘salvation’ for our country?

I don’t reserve these lines for political pandering or partisan prose. I’ve lived long enough to see good & bad politicians on both sides of the aisle. I’m not jaded; simply convinced we need a great deal more than party promises & ‘silver tongued’ sound bytes.

Truth be told, at the risk of sounding ‘preachy’, we need a longer lasting fix to our lives & our countries needs. We need a more permanent answer than Washington or Wall Street can afford us.

Thousands of years ago the prophet Isaiah lived in unsettled times. He learned that the leaders of his land could bring no permanent peace & lasting help. He spoke of a “Prince of Peace” Who would come to bring salvation to mankind. He found the true God of the universe & said of Him,

“Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD, is my strength and my song; He has become my salvation."Isaiah 12:2 NIV

This is by no means an attempt to dissuade you from prayerfully praying for the candidate of your choice. By all means, stand up & use your right & privilege in helping select our countries’ leaders! Simply realize that this life is short & eternity is loooonnnng.

Please remember you need an active relationship with this “Prince of Peace.” His name is Jesus.

www.myspace.com/davejacksonnewport.

Also Dave Jackson on facebook

Dave’s Desk –blogspot- http://bcmasunewport.blogspot.com/

ASUN website www.bcmasunewport.org

Dave Jackson-Campus Minister djackson@absc.org

cell 870-217-9376

Best Friends

Who was your best friend in the 3^rd grade? What about the 7^th grade? For many of us that changed from year to year, depending on class room or activities shared. As we get older we tend to pick friends with similar outlook or interests. Some have said, if you have one or two true friends you are truly blessed. Solid truth there.

I have been blessed in my life with literally hundreds of friends. Ministry & travel has taken me across the country & I have some wonderful friends & acquaintances. Like everyone, though, some are close friends. Those friends know who they are.

I spent this past week in revival & rekindled some old friendships. I served with a pastor & friend for nine years in west AR & we joined forces to share in a revival service. We have been apart for almost as long so it was good to see him & catch up.’

I am blessed to have some wonderful guys to work & minister with now. I look forward to years of service & friendship, as we share in life & ministry.

My wife is the closest friend I have in this world. She is my ‘helpmeet’. She completes me & loves me ‘warts and all.’ I don’t know about you but I hope you have at least one true friend.

Sadly, friends may come & go in death or separation. While I have been blessed with many, there is one true friend who has been with me all my life. No matter my behavior or mood, my social status or economic state, he’s been there. Even when I’ve been an absolute jerk, he still hangs with me. His name? Jesus. That’s right. He’s my best friend. He’s not some impersonal, distant deity. He’s not just an abstract thought or religious ritual, he’s my closest friend.

Solomon, the wisest man who live, shared this thought, “A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” The friend that sticks closer than a brother is Jesus.

I hope you have good friends. I hope I can be a friend to you, but more importantly, I hope you know the greatest friend you could ever have, Jesus.

www.myspace.com/davejacksonnewport.

Also Dave Jackson on facebook

Dave’s Desk –blogspot- http://bcmasunewport.blogspot.com/

ASUN website www.bcmasunewport.org

Dave Jackson-Campus Minister djackson@absc.org

cell 870-217-9376