If you know me it probably won’t surprise you that I’ve done some pretty dumb things in my life. One I’ve shared before about ‘free-hand climbing.’ I’ll just say this, unless you have an aversion to life or a death wish, don’t think about it! Spelunking (caving), whitewater rafting, canoing, indoor skydiving (I’ll explain if you ask), climbing wall, bungee, repelling (negative, traditional & Australian) etc… are all things that seemed a good idea at the time. I’m not particularly a daredevil by nature, but looking back seems I had more time & energy than sense!
When I used to work with teenagers I took a group to an area in northwest AR called Whiterock, where we repelled. (I’m really amazed that parents actually let there teens get anywhere near me!!) Lest you think I’m a total buffoon, I didn’t just light off into this adventure without planning, preparation or precaution. I had a group of EMT/paramedics that led rescue missions train & help us in the repelling.
If you’ve ever been repelling or know anything about it, you wear a harness, or ‘Swiss seat’, that has a D-ring or clasp connecting your harness with the repelling rope. Someone goes first & holds the end of the rope firmly. If you lose your footing or grasp the person on the ground pulls the rope taught & you immediately stop your 100mph decent! Good to have. Good to know. That person is called a ‘belay’. As you start over the precipice you yell, “On repel.” You wait for the response from below, “On belay” to assure that your bud below is not asleep or otherwise distracted! As you go over the wall you also lean straight out & ‘test the rope.’ Believe me it takes faith to a whole new level!
Once I had the EMT guys & a group of teens on a 60’ sheer wall in Whiterock national forest. I was the first over to run belay for the others. Fortunately for me, one of the EMT guys named Alan was anchored off about 10’ down the wall to help the students. As I went over the wall I slipped on the canvas used to protect the rope from the sharp cliff edge. I began to fall & turn head first. That’s a direction you don’t want to be because you CAN’T break with your repelling rope. Alan, who weighed in at around 240, just grabbed me & stopped me. Again, it took faith to another whole new level! I descended safely & helped the students as I took the belay position.
That story has come back to me many times in my life. I felt as if I were heading over the cliff with no one on belay. Thankfully, God has ALWAYS grabbed me & helped me to safety. That’s when I’m required to help others as I’ve been helped!
If you ever plan to really follow God, it’s going to take more than just ‘Sunday School’ stories. You must truly live out your faith. Here’s a couple of scriptures that will paint a picture of what ‘faith’ really is:
“Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.” Hebrews 11:1 NLT
"It is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to Him must believe that God exists and that He rewards those who sincerely seek Him." Hebrews 11:6 NLT
I have no idea what is going on in your life now. I don’t know what new areas God is taking you into. I do know this; if you follow Him you will find a new, living realization of His love & care for you that you never knew before. You will find Real Faith where it was just talk before. It separates & spells out your belief from just ‘so many words.’ I urge you to follow Him to new adventures. Any questions about this exciting life of faith feel free to contact me. If you have a story of faith you want to share contact me too. Love to hear it!
Carry the Cross
Dave
CONTACT INFO:
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
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
-Right From Wrong-
There have been some recent stories & events in the news that have brought ethics to the forefront. Particularly Nadya Suleman has topped the list of water cooler discussion, chat rooms & talk shows. Her decision to have in vitro fertilization, resulting in octuplets, after already having 6 children & no job, has brought on the ire of Californians & the state’s role in helping fund the raising of these children. That’s not even to mention the judgment of the fertilization specialist who implanted the eggs.
How about the story of Bernie Madoff & how he robbed from the rich to give to the.…rich, well, mostly himself! Makes you shake your head in wonder, right? Throw in the whole fiasco of Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich & his subsequent impeachment over the alleged selling of Obama’s senate seat & you just want to say, “Stop the world & let me off!!”
Of course, that’s just a few blurbs of news & topics in a vast sea, or quagmire, of bad judgment & poor taste. About the time we think we’ve seen it all, another circus comes to town & we see another freakish sideshow that pales the last. I suppose it’s our own fault for visiting the sideshow! Hard to not catch a passing glance, though, when the circus parades through town, isn’t it?
Lest I sound too presumptuous & judgmental, how do we decide what is right and wrong, anyway? Is it just because we have the ‘right raising’? Do we make sound decisions & clear judgments because of our own intellect & knowledge? I have honestly seen & known people with a great deal of education but very little common sense. While helping establish an African-American church in Philadelphia a few years ago, I couldn’t help but chuckle at a phrase of prayer that I heard repeatedly. “Lord, thank your for waking me up in my right mind this morning.” While funny, it’s something to truly be thankful for! A recent visiting Disaster relief missionary had a phrase I’ve not heard. He spoke of people that didn’t have any “walking around sense.” Again, an apropos statement. In my home town some friends would ask someone, “Ain’t you got no home training?” Same vein of thought there.
So, where does one get sound judgment & wisdom to make life’s choices? Is it just education or raising or just something you woke up with this morning? Again, before we think too highly of ourselves, a bible passage reminds us where we find wisdom to live:
“Everything that we have—right thinking and right living, a clean slate and a fresh start—comes from God by way of Jesus Christ. That's why we have the saying, "If you're going to blow a horn, blow a trumpet for God." I Corinthians 1:30-31 The Message
I don’t presume to think I know the right directions for MY life, let alone anyone else. I’ve come to the startling conclusion that only the Maker of my life knows what is best. So, guess I’d better be asking His advice on a regular basis. A few things that DO help me in life & decision making are these:
1. Maintain a right relationship with God!
2. Surround myself with wise people
(maybe some will rub off on me!)
3. Be well read & rounded.
4. Base my life & decisions on the greatest selling book of all time:
the Bible (read it daily & practice the same)
I want to challenge you to do something different. I want you to fire back with your thoughts about right & wrong & what you see played out in the world around us. Shoot back some things that help you decide what is right & wrong. If you have wisdom, share the wealth!!
As always, call on me if I can be of help or encouragement.
www.myspace.com/davejacksonnewport.
Dave Jackson on facebook ASUN website www.bcmasunewport.org
Dave Jackson-Campus Minister djackson@absc.org
Cell: 870-217-9376
How about the story of Bernie Madoff & how he robbed from the rich to give to the.…rich, well, mostly himself! Makes you shake your head in wonder, right? Throw in the whole fiasco of Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich & his subsequent impeachment over the alleged selling of Obama’s senate seat & you just want to say, “Stop the world & let me off!!”
Of course, that’s just a few blurbs of news & topics in a vast sea, or quagmire, of bad judgment & poor taste. About the time we think we’ve seen it all, another circus comes to town & we see another freakish sideshow that pales the last. I suppose it’s our own fault for visiting the sideshow! Hard to not catch a passing glance, though, when the circus parades through town, isn’t it?
Lest I sound too presumptuous & judgmental, how do we decide what is right and wrong, anyway? Is it just because we have the ‘right raising’? Do we make sound decisions & clear judgments because of our own intellect & knowledge? I have honestly seen & known people with a great deal of education but very little common sense. While helping establish an African-American church in Philadelphia a few years ago, I couldn’t help but chuckle at a phrase of prayer that I heard repeatedly. “Lord, thank your for waking me up in my right mind this morning.” While funny, it’s something to truly be thankful for! A recent visiting Disaster relief missionary had a phrase I’ve not heard. He spoke of people that didn’t have any “walking around sense.” Again, an apropos statement. In my home town some friends would ask someone, “Ain’t you got no home training?” Same vein of thought there.
So, where does one get sound judgment & wisdom to make life’s choices? Is it just education or raising or just something you woke up with this morning? Again, before we think too highly of ourselves, a bible passage reminds us where we find wisdom to live:
“Everything that we have—right thinking and right living, a clean slate and a fresh start—comes from God by way of Jesus Christ. That's why we have the saying, "If you're going to blow a horn, blow a trumpet for God." I Corinthians 1:30-31 The Message
I don’t presume to think I know the right directions for MY life, let alone anyone else. I’ve come to the startling conclusion that only the Maker of my life knows what is best. So, guess I’d better be asking His advice on a regular basis. A few things that DO help me in life & decision making are these:
1. Maintain a right relationship with God!
2. Surround myself with wise people
(maybe some will rub off on me!)
3. Be well read & rounded.
4. Base my life & decisions on the greatest selling book of all time:
the Bible (read it daily & practice the same)
I want to challenge you to do something different. I want you to fire back with your thoughts about right & wrong & what you see played out in the world around us. Shoot back some things that help you decide what is right & wrong. If you have wisdom, share the wealth!!
As always, call on me if I can be of help or encouragement.
www.myspace.com/davejacksonnewport.
Dave Jackson on facebook ASUN website www.bcmasunewport.org
Dave Jackson-Campus Minister djackson@absc.org
Cell: 870-217-9376
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
-Change Up-
A few weeks ago I wrote about new things and change. Life’s all about change. I can remember when the Rams where in LA & the Tennessee Titans used to be the Houston Oilers. Things change. For good or bad, there’s always change. We change: our minds, planes, bedding, clothes classes, cars, jobs, the way we think. There’s the change up play, the change off, make change & change methods. We change trains, lights, shoes, well; it’s time to make a change.
Times change. With the troubled, changing economy it has become the new chic to NEVER pay full price for something. Times were in the ‘good old U. S. of A’ that people loved to indulge & pamper themselves. I’ve never been particularly extravagant myself, but I suppose according to the standards of much of the world, I have a pretty good life. But then there’s Donald Trump or the Hiltons. Hello!
Look at the weather. Talk about change! Last week we had ice & frigid temperatures & this week feels like spring. I suppose you’ve heard the saying, “If you don’t like Arkansas weather, hang around a day. It will change.”
While so many things change, some things stay the same. Take people for instance. As much as the outward styles& fads change & phrases & tastes change, the basic needs of people are the same from one generation to another. We all have a need to love & be loved. I suppose the reason some folks change things up so much in their lives is they long to fill their lives or the void in it anyway.
All in all, there is very little constant in life. You may have been ‘let down’ by family, friends or others. The ONLY constant is Christ. There are a couple of scriptures that give encouragement about the consistent nature of God. “Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father, Who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes our casts a shifting shadow.” James 1:17 NLT
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” Hebrews 13:8 NLT
When you can’t stay ahead of all the changes or when the roller coaster of life is making you sick rather than excited, remember that Christ is constant. You can ALWAYS depend on Him. If I can ever be of encouragement feel free to call or contact me.
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
Times change. With the troubled, changing economy it has become the new chic to NEVER pay full price for something. Times were in the ‘good old U. S. of A’ that people loved to indulge & pamper themselves. I’ve never been particularly extravagant myself, but I suppose according to the standards of much of the world, I have a pretty good life. But then there’s Donald Trump or the Hiltons. Hello!
Look at the weather. Talk about change! Last week we had ice & frigid temperatures & this week feels like spring. I suppose you’ve heard the saying, “If you don’t like Arkansas weather, hang around a day. It will change.”
While so many things change, some things stay the same. Take people for instance. As much as the outward styles& fads change & phrases & tastes change, the basic needs of people are the same from one generation to another. We all have a need to love & be loved. I suppose the reason some folks change things up so much in their lives is they long to fill their lives or the void in it anyway.
All in all, there is very little constant in life. You may have been ‘let down’ by family, friends or others. The ONLY constant is Christ. There are a couple of scriptures that give encouragement about the consistent nature of God. “Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father, Who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes our casts a shifting shadow.” James 1:17 NLT
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” Hebrews 13:8 NLT
When you can’t stay ahead of all the changes or when the roller coaster of life is making you sick rather than excited, remember that Christ is constant. You can ALWAYS depend on Him. If I can ever be of encouragement feel free to call or contact me.
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
Thursday, February 5, 2009
POWER
Most of you receiving this have now weathered (pun intended!) the ice storm
of ’09! Man, hasn’t this been something?! You might guess where I’m
going with the title. Our home is all electric. Yep, that meant it got
awfully chilly around the Jackson household one night. We were very
blessed to have only been without ‘power’ for one night. Some of you
STILL may be waiting to have the lines up & electricity flowing.
Our prayers are with you. We sat around & read to each other by
candlelight & flashlight. My son said it was like ‘bible times’ or something.
Like some of you, I have become a ‘fan of linemen.’ Saw a note on one of your facebooks about the lineman fan site. It said, “if lineman were on the moon there wouldn’t BE a dark side.’ Kudos to all who brave the elements to keep us in power!
The thing is when the storm hit; it gave the church the opportunity to BE the church. We were unable to HAVE church last Wednesday at my home church, but we tried to BE the church. We bought stuff & made soup & chili for emergency workers & those who came by hungry!
The past few days have been full of reaching out & helping others. Many of us have either had limbs, trees or chainsaws in our hands most of the time as we’ve
cleaned up the havoc reeked by the ice. Again, it’s been an opportunity
to show the love of Christ in action. We have a group of folks from South AR staying at our Family Life Center at church going around to area residents helping clean up. We’ve had about 15-20 folks from here going around freely helping
anyone who needs it. Again, BE the church. We have a crew going out
Saturday if you want to join in & be an instrument of change too.
Just call me to hook up.
The storm has really reminded us how reliant we are on the power electricity produces. Things almost ground to a halt when the lights went out. The same can
be said of us spiritually. If we try to make it & muddle through life on our own strength & resources, we’ll simply drain like an old battery & be useless! We must have God’s power & strength to be what we’re created to be. One of God’s servants, Paul, wrote this encouragement in a letter to any early church:
“…We tell others about Christ, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all the wisdom God has given us. We want to present them to God, perfect in
their relationship to Christ. That’s why I work and struggle so hard,
depending on Christ’s mighty power that works within me.”
Colosians 1:28-29 NLT
If you’re trying to live life‘unplugged’ take a hint from the power
outage….get plugged into the source for life: Christ!
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
of ’09! Man, hasn’t this been something?! You might guess where I’m
going with the title. Our home is all electric. Yep, that meant it got
awfully chilly around the Jackson household one night. We were very
blessed to have only been without ‘power’ for one night. Some of you
STILL may be waiting to have the lines up & electricity flowing.
Our prayers are with you. We sat around & read to each other by
candlelight & flashlight. My son said it was like ‘bible times’ or something.
Like some of you, I have become a ‘fan of linemen.’ Saw a note on one of your facebooks about the lineman fan site. It said, “if lineman were on the moon there wouldn’t BE a dark side.’ Kudos to all who brave the elements to keep us in power!
The thing is when the storm hit; it gave the church the opportunity to BE the church. We were unable to HAVE church last Wednesday at my home church, but we tried to BE the church. We bought stuff & made soup & chili for emergency workers & those who came by hungry!
The past few days have been full of reaching out & helping others. Many of us have either had limbs, trees or chainsaws in our hands most of the time as we’ve
cleaned up the havoc reeked by the ice. Again, it’s been an opportunity
to show the love of Christ in action. We have a group of folks from South AR staying at our Family Life Center at church going around to area residents helping clean up. We’ve had about 15-20 folks from here going around freely helping
anyone who needs it. Again, BE the church. We have a crew going out
Saturday if you want to join in & be an instrument of change too.
Just call me to hook up.
The storm has really reminded us how reliant we are on the power electricity produces. Things almost ground to a halt when the lights went out. The same can
be said of us spiritually. If we try to make it & muddle through life on our own strength & resources, we’ll simply drain like an old battery & be useless! We must have God’s power & strength to be what we’re created to be. One of God’s servants, Paul, wrote this encouragement in a letter to any early church:
“…We tell others about Christ, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all the wisdom God has given us. We want to present them to God, perfect in
their relationship to Christ. That’s why I work and struggle so hard,
depending on Christ’s mighty power that works within me.”
Colosians 1:28-29 NLT
If you’re trying to live life‘unplugged’ take a hint from the power
outage….get plugged into the source for life: Christ!
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
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