Jubilee Family Church
Hey, it's Johnny. For those of you who remember the stories I used to write for the church, you will now have an outlet to read them and new ones. Pastor Tony has allowed me some space to share stories that I write. I have a blog page called Johnny's Family Fiction. Please feel free to check it out. It is my hope that these stories can open up new times of devotion with the whole family. Some of the stories will be geared to younger readers, and some toward the older ones and any in-between.
PS, if any of you have copies of stories that I did in the past, could you pass them along to me. Moving around has caused some things to get misplaced. :-)
johnny
May 7, 2008
Lessons from the Square Watermelon
I received an e-mail and thought I'd share it with you. I thought it was good.
Japanese grocery stores had a problem. They are much smaller than their US counterparts and therefore don't have room to waste. Watermelons, big and round, wasted a lot of space. Most people would simply tell the grocery stores that watermelons grow round and there is nothing that can be done about it. That is how I would assume the vast majority of people would respond. But some Japanese farmers took a different approach. If the supermarkets wanted a square watermelon, they asked themselves, "How can we provide one?" It wasn't long before they invented the square watermelon.
The solution to the problem of round watermelons wasn't nearly as difficult to solve for those who didn't assume the problem was impossible to begin with and simply asked how it could be done. It turns out that all you need to do is place them into a square box when they are growing and the watermelon will take on the shape of the box.
What does this have do with anything besides square watermelons? There are a few lessons that can you can take away from this story which help you in all parts of your life. Here are a few of them:
Don't Assume: The major problem was that most people had always seen round watermelons so they automatically assumed that square watermelons were impossible before even thinking about the question. Things that you have been doing a certain way your entire life have taken on the aura of the round watermelon and you likely don't even take the time to consider if there is another way to do it. Breaking yourself from assuming this way can greatly improve your overall life as you are constantly looking for new and better ways to do things. This was one of the most difficult things for me to do because most of the assumptions I make, I don't even realize that I'm making them. They seem perfectly logical on the surface, so I hav e to constantly make an effort to question them.
Question habits: The best way to tackle these assumptions is to question your habits. If you can make an effort to question the way you do things on a consistent basis, you will find that you can continually improve the way that you live your life. Forming habits when they have been well thought out is usually a positive thing, but most of us have adopted our habits from various people and places without even thinking about them. I have changed a large number of habits that I have had after taking the time to question them and continue to do so. Some of them I have know idea where they came from while others I can trace to certain people or instances in my life. It's a never ending process, but by doing this, you can cons istently strive toward making all aspects of your life more enjoyable instead of defaulting to what you have now.
Be creative: When faced with a problem, be creative in looking for a solution. This often requires thinking outside the box. Most people who viewed this question likely thought they were being asked how they could genetically alter water melons to grow square which would be a much more difficult process to accomplish. By looking at the question from an alternative perspective, however, the solution was quite simple. Being creative and looking at things in different ways in all portions of your live will help you find solutions to many problems where others can't see them. I am not a creative person, but I've found that the more that you look at things from different perspectives, the more creative I have become. It's a le arned art and builds upon itself.
Look for a better way: The square watermelon question was simply seeking a better and more convenient way to do something. The stores had flagged a problem they were having and asked if a solution was possible. It's impossible to find a better way if you are never asking the question in the first place. I try to ask if there is a better way of doing the things that I do and I constantly write down the things I wish I could do (but currently can't) since these are usually hints about steps I need to change. Get into the habit of asking yourself, "Is there a better way I could be doing this?" and you will find there often is.
Impossibilities often aren't: If you begin with the notion that something is impossible, then it obviously will be for you. If, on the other hand, you decide to see if something is possible or not, you will find out through trial and error. Take away the lessons from the square watermelons and apply them to all areas in your life (work, finances, relationships, etc) and you will find that by consistently applying them, you will constantly be improving all aspects of your life.
Don't Assume: The major problem was that most people had always seen round watermelons so they automatically assumed that square watermelons were impossible before even thinking about the question. Things that you have been doing a certain way your entire life have taken on the aura of the round watermelon and you likely don't even take the time to consider if there is another way to do it. Breaking yourself from assuming this way can greatly improve your overall life as you are constantly looking for new and better ways to do things. This was one of the most difficult things for me to do because most of the assumptions I make, I don't even realize that I'm making them. They seem perfectly logical on the surface, so I hav e to constantly make an effort to question them.
Question habits: The best way to tackle these assumptions is to question your habits. If you can make an effort to question the way you do things on a consistent basis, you will find that you can continually improve the way that you live your life. Forming habits when they have been well thought out is usually a positive thing, but most of us have adopted our habits from various people and places without even thinking about them. I have changed a large number of habits that I have had after taking the time to question them and continue to do so. Some of them I have know idea where they came from while others I can trace to certain people or instances in my life. It's a never ending process, but by doing this, you can cons istently strive toward making all aspects of your life more enjoyable instead of defaulting to what you have now.
Be creative: When faced with a problem, be creative in looking for a solution. This often requires thinking outside the box. Most people who viewed this question likely thought they were being asked how they could genetically alter water melons to grow square which would be a much more difficult process to accomplish. By looking at the question from an alternative perspective, however, the solution was quite simple. Being creative and looking at things in different ways in all portions of your live will help you find solutions to many problems where others can't see them. I am not a creative person, but I've found that the more that you look at things from different perspectives, the more creative I have become. It's a le arned art and builds upon itself.
Look for a better way: The square watermelon question was simply seeking a better and more convenient way to do something. The stores had flagged a problem they were having and asked if a solution was possible. It's impossible to find a better way if you are never asking the question in the first place. I try to ask if there is a better way of doing the things that I do and I constantly write down the things I wish I could do (but currently can't) since these are usually hints about steps I need to change. Get into the habit of asking yourself, "Is there a better way I could be doing this?" and you will find there often is.
Impossibilities often aren't: If you begin with the notion that something is impossible, then it obviously will be for you. If, on the other hand, you decide to see if something is possible or not, you will find out through trial and error. Take away the lessons from the square watermelons and apply them to all areas in your life (work, finances, relationships, etc) and you will find that by consistently applying them, you will constantly be improving all aspects of your life.
Nothing quite like out of the box thinking that puts a watermelon into a box.
May 3, 2008
Godly Prosperity
I believe God wants the believer to prosper in every way so that the Christian may have the ability to meet any need that comes up. This ability to meet needs creates thanksgiving toward God. God wants you to prosper spiritually, mentally, physically and financially. If you'd like to know more about how God wants you to do well, thrive and be healthy, come to Jubilee Family Church for the next 4 Sunday's May 4th, May 11th, May 18th, and May 25th at 10:00 AM. We discuss our Sunday messages each following Wednesday also. Each week I'm going to be covering the different ways God wants you to have an abundance. When we know God's heart and we choose to line up with God's ways we stand on a tremendous amount of authority to accomplish whatever it is God wants us to accomplish. You are blessed if you're walking in obedience to the Lord. Remember, you can't give what you don't have.
April 30, 2008
Today and Tonight
Well I had a very eventful day.
I got to the gym today at 7:00 AM and worked out with Jeff. We pushed it pretty hard but I got out of there relatively early.
I jumped in my green machine and headed over to the church where I watered our recently transplanted Barberry bush (Thanks Ray) and also noticed we had another bush that is absolutely beautifully in bloom. I don't know what the bush is called but it was amazing. I took a couple pictures with my cell phone. I had a really nice talk with Steve Chism about putting in an alarm system at the church as well. Steve's a really cool brother who is filled up with the Spirit of God.
From there I headed over to Fred's Fish house to have some lunch with Gary Brock and Jerry Cook. Jerry is a fish addict so we had to go to Fred's. The meal was good and the service was even better.
After lunch I headed back over to the church to try and tackle a project that I've been needing to get to for a long time. I want to stream our church services live over the Internet and haven't been able to do it so I decided today, I was going to figure it out. Well after about 5 hours of studying, configuring walking back and forth and port forwarding I still haven't figured it out but I believe I will. I'm still in the experimental phase with the video streaming but I was able to stream video from the sanctuary into the office so if I can figure out how to configure our router and IP address properly I'm pretty sure we can get a video stream outside of the building. That would be a great way to amplify the ministries of Jubilee Family Church outside our four walls. Anyone anywhere in the world could "tune" into our service via the Internet. Right now they'll have to sit in the Church office to see the feed. That kind of defeats the purpose. (That was supposed to be funny, imagine a bunch of people from all over the world coming to our church on a Sunday morning and piling in the office when they could just come the rest of the way into the sanctuary) OK if you have to explain it, it's not funny anymore.
From my attempt at live web casting I headed over to Fitzhugh park to watch Brooke play a T-ball game. The park is packed and there's such a nice family friendly environment at the park. I really enjoy those game nights. We meet a bunch of nice people and enjoy the opportunities that the Lord puts before us. Andrea really has an evangelistic anointing on her. So I hung out at the park with the family as they all went their separate ways. Once we finally reeled them all in we were heading for the house. When we got home the phone rang. It was Carlotta Brown who told me that sister Helen had some type of stroke. Well I finished my strange dinner and headed out the door to the hospital. As I was driving over there I was praying about the word of the Lord for Sister Helen. I explained to my sister Connie, over my cell phone, how nice sister Helen is. I was really believing for a good report but heard that she'd had what seemed like some kind of stroke.
When I got to the hospital I got to meet Ryan. Ryan is Sister Helen's grandson who we've been praying for for months and months. He's recently back from Iraq and I just want to say how much I appreciate all the people in the military who put themselves on the line for those of us who are in the U.S. "holding down the fort". Thank you Ryan!
Any how sister Helen had trouble articulating sentences when I came into her room at the White River Medical Center. Her daughter Lou Ann was there and we prayed with Sis. Helen for a long time. I didn't really feel called to say much, just to hold her hand and see in my spirit the healing taking place in her nervous system and in her arteries. After quite a long time of silence we prayed a short prayer and I mean in no time Sister Helen was back to her old (39 year old) self again. When Ron and Carlotta came in they prayed a prayer of agreement with Lou Ann and myself and in no time Sister Helen was ribbing Ron like she was in Sunday school class. I really love Sister Helen and to see her doing well made me very happy. God is wonderful and is exceedingly, abundantly, able to do more than we ask think or imagine. I'm so glad to be a part of God's family and know that I serve the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He is mighty to save!
Home
I got to the gym today at 7:00 AM and worked out with Jeff. We pushed it pretty hard but I got out of there relatively early.
I jumped in my green machine and headed over to the church where I watered our recently transplanted Barberry bush (Thanks Ray) and also noticed we had another bush that is absolutely beautifully in bloom. I don't know what the bush is called but it was amazing. I took a couple pictures with my cell phone. I had a really nice talk with Steve Chism about putting in an alarm system at the church as well. Steve's a really cool brother who is filled up with the Spirit of God.
From there I headed over to Fred's Fish house to have some lunch with Gary Brock and Jerry Cook. Jerry is a fish addict so we had to go to Fred's. The meal was good and the service was even better.
After lunch I headed back over to the church to try and tackle a project that I've been needing to get to for a long time. I want to stream our church services live over the Internet and haven't been able to do it so I decided today, I was going to figure it out. Well after about 5 hours of studying, configuring walking back and forth and port forwarding I still haven't figured it out but I believe I will. I'm still in the experimental phase with the video streaming but I was able to stream video from the sanctuary into the office so if I can figure out how to configure our router and IP address properly I'm pretty sure we can get a video stream outside of the building. That would be a great way to amplify the ministries of Jubilee Family Church outside our four walls. Anyone anywhere in the world could "tune" into our service via the Internet. Right now they'll have to sit in the Church office to see the feed. That kind of defeats the purpose. (That was supposed to be funny, imagine a bunch of people from all over the world coming to our church on a Sunday morning and piling in the office when they could just come the rest of the way into the sanctuary) OK if you have to explain it, it's not funny anymore.
From my attempt at live web casting I headed over to Fitzhugh park to watch Brooke play a T-ball game. The park is packed and there's such a nice family friendly environment at the park. I really enjoy those game nights. We meet a bunch of nice people and enjoy the opportunities that the Lord puts before us. Andrea really has an evangelistic anointing on her. So I hung out at the park with the family as they all went their separate ways. Once we finally reeled them all in we were heading for the house. When we got home the phone rang. It was Carlotta Brown who told me that sister Helen had some type of stroke. Well I finished my strange dinner and headed out the door to the hospital. As I was driving over there I was praying about the word of the Lord for Sister Helen. I explained to my sister Connie, over my cell phone, how nice sister Helen is. I was really believing for a good report but heard that she'd had what seemed like some kind of stroke.
When I got to the hospital I got to meet Ryan. Ryan is Sister Helen's grandson who we've been praying for for months and months. He's recently back from Iraq and I just want to say how much I appreciate all the people in the military who put themselves on the line for those of us who are in the U.S. "holding down the fort". Thank you Ryan!
Any how sister Helen had trouble articulating sentences when I came into her room at the White River Medical Center. Her daughter Lou Ann was there and we prayed with Sis. Helen for a long time. I didn't really feel called to say much, just to hold her hand and see in my spirit the healing taking place in her nervous system and in her arteries. After quite a long time of silence we prayed a short prayer and I mean in no time Sister Helen was back to her old (39 year old) self again. When Ron and Carlotta came in they prayed a prayer of agreement with Lou Ann and myself and in no time Sister Helen was ribbing Ron like she was in Sunday school class. I really love Sister Helen and to see her doing well made me very happy. God is wonderful and is exceedingly, abundantly, able to do more than we ask think or imagine. I'm so glad to be a part of God's family and know that I serve the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He is mighty to save!
Home
April 26, 2008
Faith Without Deeds is Dead
James 2:14-26
•14What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? 15Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. 16If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? 17In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. 18But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.
• 19You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.
• 20You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless[d]? 21Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. 23And the scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,"[e] and he was called God's friend. 24You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone.
• 25In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? 26As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.
Jubilee Family Church
•14What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? 15Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. 16If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? 17In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. 18But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.
• 19You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.
• 20You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless[d]? 21Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. 23And the scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,"[e] and he was called God's friend. 24You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone.
• 25In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? 26As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.
Jubilee Family Church
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