Jeff’s random thoughts

The Difference Faith Makes

On February 17, 2010, In Jeff's random thoughts, by Jeff Calloway

Let me ask you a few questions. What difference did your faith in Christ make yesterday? What difference will your faith make today? What about tomorrow? God wants your faith to grow. For many of us our faith is about the size of a speck of dust, very miniscule and almost impossible to see. I [...]

Let me ask you a few questions. What difference did your faith in Christ make yesterday? What difference will your faith make today? What about tomorrow? God wants your faith to grow. For many of us our faith is about the size of a speck of dust, very miniscule and almost impossible to see. I use a speck of dust as an illustration because Jesus said in Matthew 17:20, “If we have faith that is the size of a mustard seed we can move mountains.” In other words if you want to see God’s hand move, you must have faith.

Have you ever wondered what faith looks like when it is lived out with the intent of God doing great things in and through your life? The person who lives by faith acknowledges the presence of God. Living faith recognizes that God is in absolutely everything. Living faith gets up in the morning and realizes everywhere we go, God goes too. Living faith has the constant awareness of God’s presence in life. Living faith says, “God I know you are here.; I may not understand what you are doing but I know you are here.” Do you get up in the morning realizing that when you go to work God is going to be there? Faith is a choice. You chose to take God at His Word and act accordingly. You chose to believe the evidence you have seen. Faith is not a feeling. You might say, “I don’t feel like getting up today. I don’t feel like going to work. I don’t feel like going to church. I don’t feel like (you fill in the blank).” You often choose to act regardless of how you feel. Do you remember a time in your life when you experienced faith –when you made a choice to take a risk?

Are you living out your faith in a way that is visible? Is your faith more than words that you may sing in a song on Sunday morning or a subject you talk about around fellow believers? Is your faith making a difference in your life and in the lives of those around you?

A move regarding organic church

On February 15, 2010, In Jeff's random thoughts, by Jeff Calloway

Last week, there was a conference in Austin called Verge that centered on organinc church life in North America. Speakers included the regulars – Hirsch and Cole, but something interesting came from that conference. The possible idea sharing/merging of the Exponential Church Planting Conference that takes place every April in Orlando with the purely organic [...]

Last week, there was a conference in Austin called Verge that centered on organinc church life in North America. Speakers included the regulars – Hirsch and Cole, but something interesting came from that conference. The possible idea sharing/merging of the Exponential Church Planting Conference that takes place every April in Orlando with the purely organic Verge. Having been to two of the Exponential Conferences, it is full of church planters wanting to launch large and create the next phenomenal attractional church.

Does this mean that church leaders who pastor mega-churches are finally starting to see the need and validity of organic church planting movements? Hopefully, they days of looking at such movements as a fringe group wthat has to be tolerated in the church planting scene are coming to a close. The most effective church planting movements are not taking place in the United States and they are being done through organinc church planting. Church and denominational leaders would be smart to follow the lead of our brothers across the seas when it comes to spreading the gosple through church planting.

Back from Sabbatical

On July 21, 2009, In Jeff's random thoughts, by Jeff Calloway

I had meant to write this last week but got caught up in trying to get caught up. That is what happens after you have been gone for four weeks. My time away was both relaxing and refreshing. Most mornings, Julie and I would walk 2-3 miles and I would read and then work on [...]

I had meant to write this last week but got caught up in trying to get caught up. That is what happens after you have been gone for four weeks. My time away was both relaxing and refreshing. Most mornings, Julie and I would walk 2-3 miles and I would read and then work on the nursery for the soon coming baby Calloway. I am glad to be back, so be looking for regular posts beginning tomorrow.

Sabbatical Time

On June 15, 2009, In Family, Jeff's random thoughts, by Jeff Calloway

Today is the first day of a four week sabbatical I am taking after a series of life events that have caught up to me physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Basically, I am tired in all three area and need time to unplug and rest. Someone asked me what a sabbatical is. One of the easiest [...]

Today is the first day of a four week sabbatical I am taking after a series of life events that have caught up to me physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Basically, I am tired in all three area and need time to unplug and rest. Someone asked me what a sabbatical is. One of the easiest ways to explain a sabbatical is to think of the word sabbath. Sabbath in the Bible was the day of rest God took after creating and he commanded that man should take a day of rest (sabbath) each week. A sabbatical is an extended time of rest from work, or a hiatus. Some people use sabbaticals to do research or write a book, I am using it to rest and seek God as we are about to enter a new season of life and ministry.

About one month ago Julie and I found out that our youngest daughter Emily, who is eighteen is pregnant. For those of you who know what my “occupation” is (pastor), you can imagine the shock. When I think about it, it would be a shock for any parent to find out that their teenage daughter is pregnant. After the shock of hearing the news, I admit to feelings of anger, disappointment, fear and one that surprised both Julie and I was numbness. We did not know what to do or say. It was like that for several days as we just loved on Emily and let her know that we were there for her and would be through her pregnancy.

Almost immediately she told us that she wanted to keep the baby and raise it in a loving home. We thanked God that the little girl with pigtails had grown into a beautiful young woman who cherished the life of the unborn child within her. As parents, we have taught our daughters that we are pro-life, believing that life begins at conception and is precious in God’s eyes and that each life has a purpose to fulfill. Emily and her baby’s father participated in sinful behavior by having sex outside of marriage according to the word of God, the Bible. She understands that and is truly repentant and sorrowful. As we have loved on her we have told her and others what’s done is done, forgiveness has been given, now lets focus on Emily’s health and the health of that little boy she is carrying.

After we found out about her pregnancy, we all agreed that we needed to share this information with our church publicly. On the Sunday we shared, 5/17, Darin, the worship pastor at Bridge Church spoke on carrying one another’s burdens. After his sermon, I shared the news of Emily’s pregnancy and Julie and Emily joined me up front. As I read a statement that Emily had prepared, people, one by one began to come up front and encircle our family. Our friends were demonstrating grace to Emily in a way she had not experienced outside that of God’s direct grace to her.

Planting a church from scratch three years ago has also taken it’s toll on our family. Activities such as week after week of setting up and tearing down, hosting mission teams, organizing, meeting, strategizing. vision casting, administration, traveling extensively and speaking around the country just to name a few of the responsibilities. It has been a joy to plant and nurture Bridge Church and I would do it again tomorrow if God opened the door, but I would do many things differently.

So, keep us in prayer over the next for weeks as we take this time of rest.

Stimulus For Americans

On March 19, 2009, In Current Affairs, Jeff's random thoughts, by Jeff Calloway

This has been a topic that I have not written about as I get hot under the collar just thinking about the financial situation our government and citizens here in America are experiencing. Our government is bailing out the very segments of business that have for the most part been instrumental in the financial mess [...]

This has been a topic that I have not written about as I get hot under the collar just thinking about the financial situation our government and citizens here in America are experiencing. Our government is bailing out the very segments of business that have for the most part been instrumental in the financial mess that has gripped our country. Banks that backed mortgages for consumers who had no business buying the homes they did are getting bailed out. Maybe you have driven around neighborhoods where very large and very nice homes are and wondered, “how can people afford a house like that?” Well, now we know, many of them couldn’t really afford a home like that and when they couldn’t pay the mortgage, it hit the fan, literally.

Then you have people like Bernie Madoff who made off with other people’s money in a ponzi scheme. You can’t help but wonder who was watching the hen house to keep the weasels from raiding it. Let’s admit the truth, we are a nation of greed and we are concerned about getting rich. I am afraid that we are no longer a nation of Americans who have integrity and character, that went out the window sometime in the past and I am not sure of the exact timing. People will screw you over to make a buck and not think twice about doing it. Before I continue, I can’t leave out the 165 million that AIG paid in bonuses with stimulus money this week and now are asking for them back from the recipients of those bonuses. Man, we live in a messed up country.

I am all for giving each American household that can prove citizenship via birth or legal immigration a $50,000 stimulus payment. According the US Census in 2000 there are 105,480,101 households in America. Giving each one of these households the 50k would equate to 5.2 trillion dollars. That is a lot of money, but I guarantee you WalMart, Remington, Smith&Wesson, Ford, GM, Chrysler and whole bunch of American companies would have their best year ever! Could you imagine the number of new cars, gas grills, and home improvements being done? Yes, it would piss off banks as people wouldn’t be borrowing more money to go further in debt, but would be paying cash. Of course, this is a pie in the sky idea and these are the ramblings of someone who would use his 50k to pay down the mortgage and perhaps build a deck on my house. Talk about stimulus, send me my check!

Christians I Don’t LIke

On March 8, 2009, In Jeff's random thoughts, by Jeff Calloway

I really don’t like making this confession, but I will – I DON’T LIKE A LOT OF CHRISTIANS A stat from Ed Stetzer’s new book, Lost and Found: 44% of the unchurched agree (somewhat or strongly) that “Christians get on my nerves.” Why I Don’t Like A Lot of Christians: 1) Christians can be judgmental. 2) Christians can be weird. Have you [...]

I really don’t like making this confession, but I will – I DON’T LIKE A LOT OF CHRISTIANS

A stat from Ed Stetzer’s new book, Lost and Found: 44% of the unchurched agree (somewhat or strongly) that “Christians get on my nerves.”

Why I Don’t Like A Lot of Christians:

1) Christians can be judgmental.

2) Christians can be weird. Have you ever watched Christian TV? Enough said.

3)Christians can be hypocritical.

I am going to give you some raw honesty. There is a person in our church that really makes me the craziest that I really have a problem with. You are wondering if it is you or the person you sit next to that I am talking about.

The truth of the matter is the one Christian that makes me the angriest and craziest is not any of you, but me.

I hate it when I am less than what Christ would want me to be. I hate it when I make decisions that hurt people. I despise myself when I am inconsistent in living the Christ life.

Jesus

On February 27, 2009, In Jeff's random thoughts, Religion, by Jeff Calloway

History over the past two thousand years has painted many pictures of what Jesus looked liked and who he was. Many theologians and skeptics throughout the centuries have each had their idea of Jesus and the truth of the matter is, not a single one of them has done Jesus justice. As I look back over my life, I [...]

History over the past two thousand years has painted many pictures of what Jesus looked liked and who he was. Many theologians and skeptics throughout the centuries have each had their idea of Jesus and the truth of the matter is, not a single one of them has done Jesus justice. As I look back over my life, I have seen Jesus visualized as a stoic, serious figure and at other times as a swinging zealot who liked to party. He has been written about more than anyone else in history, but history has not been a friendly judge to Jesus.

As a kid going to Sunday School in a Southern Baptist church, I remember Jesus as the man who had the lamb on his shoulders, or the guy in the “Jesus Loves Me” song or the Jesus in the picture that hung over the mantle whose eyes would move when you moved. I was taught that he was the Son of God who could save me from sins and I would go to heaven to be with him for eternity. To a kid, that sounded like an awful long time to be standing around with other people. That has lead me to examine the Jesus I know.

I did not say the Jesus I knew, because I know Jesus. As an adult I carried over the Jesus I knew
from my childhood into my family and to my children. That Jesus saved me from my sins, but it wasn’t the Jesus that would lead me to a life that is filled with struggle in following him as I should. The Jesus of my adult life has said to pick up my cross and follow him and he said it wouldn’t be easy. I never took time to examine Jesus the radical outcast who was shunned by his family,
scorned by religious leaders, and shamed by his friends. I mean, I saw Jesus as the beneficent lover of mankind. In seeing him this way, I have realized that I missed out getting to know the Jesus that was counted among the poor because he was poor. The Jesus who would go to the bowels of hell for those he loved if it was required of him because he had been there and back. And the Jesus who was as human as I because he truly loves me.

The Jesus I have come to know and love is a different Jesus that what I remember growing up. He
is the loving shepheard, but he is also the wild Lion of Judah. He is the lover of my soul, but he is also the condemner of sin. He is not the weak human portrayed by Hollywood and novelists, but the Creator of all.

A New Year for Me

On January 1, 2009, In Jeff's random thoughts, by Jeff Calloway

Happy New Year! Another year has come and gone as the old saying goes. What will 2009 hold for me? I do not have any freaking idea, but I do know I will do my best to make the most of what comes my way. Why are we afraid of the future? One reason is [...]

Happy New Year!

Another year has come and gone as the old saying goes. What will 2009 hold for me? I do not have any freaking idea, but I do know I will do my best to make the most of what comes my way.

Why are we afraid of the future? One reason is we don't know what it's going to bring. It's an unknown. Even our best forecasts are educated guesses. Nobody really knows what's going to happen in the future. Mankind can transplant livers, program computers, send men to the moon, you may have an incredible IQ, you may have a PhD, LSD, everything but you don't know what's going to happen in the future. I don't care how smart you are it's just an educated guess. On top of that it's uncontrollable. We try to control the future through our worry and fears but it doesn't work.

There are a lot of things that are going to change in your future. But one thing that is never going to change is you're going to have the same old temptations. Same problems. Same weaknesses. You're going to have these, probably, the rest of your life because satan knows your hot buttons and so he knows your areas of weaknesses and he's going to keep pushing that button the rest of your life. That means if you have a predisposition to loose your temper then probably for the rest of your life you're going to deal and struggle with anger. Or if you have a tendency or predisposition to get depressed you will probably struggle with that predisposition the rest of your life. That doesn't mean you have to give in to it. It just means it's going to be a struggle.

The problem with that is some of you are afraid of the future because you're afraid of a relapse. You've gotten victory over a habit or over a questionable lifestyle or over a problem or addition, hurt. You've gotten victory over it but you're thinking, "What if I stumble again? What if I fall flat on my face? What if I go back into that habit?" Satan has got you intimidated and panicked. "What if I crack up again? What if I have another breakdown?" He gets you worried about the future, looking at the past. God says, Don't worry about it. I'm faithful and I will assist you when you're tempted.

I Corinthians 10:13 "No temptation is irresistible anytime somebody comes to you and say, "I just couldn't help myself!" they are lying. God says no situation is irresistible You can trust God to keep the temptation from becoming so strong that you can't stand up against it. For He has promised this that's His faithfulness and He will do what He says. He will show you how to escape." You don't have to walk with a fear of a relapse if you're walking with the Lord in your life. God knows exactly the struggle you're going through and He is pulling for you and He's preparing an escape route.