The Boy

I am really excited about my son's life right now. He is 8 years old. He gave his life to Jesus Christ when he was 4. He did so most sincerely. If you ask him, to this day, when he crossed the line of faith, he will tell you exactly what was happening when he was 4 years old and how he took the steps of faith.

Before my children were born, I decided my children would have to really be accountable in their steps of faith. I would lay a solid foundation, but the Christ-walk was to be "owned" by them.

My son is owning his faith. I have placed hurdles in front of him to test his faith. He has passed every test. I had decided, again before my children were born, that they would own their testimony. My vision of their baptisms? "This is my child, and this is their testimony..." Then THEY speak, then I baptize. I'm not throwing them any bones. To me, the stakes of following Christ are too high. Own your faith kid. You'll have to do it the rest of your life, so your baptism is a great place to show the world, this is MY faith! The boy has recently told me how he plans the logistics of his baptism to go. Way to man up, boy! :-)

He is no angel. he is a normal little boy. Mischievous, disobedient at times, and just flat-out "you're gonna get yourself killed" crazy a lot of times as well.

But the boy is truly, daily, growing in the understanding he is forgiven. The boy finds, more and more, his identity in Jesus Christ. The boy is growing in his faith every day.

Do you know, that in Christ you are a new creature? Do you know that in Him, the old has gone and the new has come? Do you know that in Him you are covered by the blood, paid for - once and for all - at the ultimate price. I just can't get over HIS wonderful grace. I'm thankful that even a child can get it.

Are you like the boy?

After the Altar - Sex

Hello After the Altar Community!

First of all, thank you for braving the elements to attend class tonight.
Also, it appears some of my notes did not make it to all of you, so I am placing them here. If you have any other questions about tonight's talk, please email me at ajordan@southlandchristian.org.

Only 2 more classes for After the Altar and then...(We'll see!!!)

Resources to check out:
Books: Red Hot Monogamy, Sheet Music, Intended for Pleasure
Seminar: Wellspring, Feb. 18-19
Videos: Song of Solomon http://www.gotothehub.com/ and Love and Respect
Christian Sex Expert: Joe Beam
Blogs: The Generous Wife, The Generous Husband, Simple Marriage

Questions
What is one thing that you heard tonight that will cause you to think and discuss more about Biblical sexuality in your marriage?

What reasons do you believe caused the failure in church history to remain faithful to the Bible’s positive approach to sexuality?

Is there any sexual activity in marriage that you feel is clearly not appropriate for Christians? Why?

After the Altar Community

The "After the Altar" Blog is not up yet, so I will be writing here until it's ready to go on the Southland Christian website.

Until then, enjoy getting to know me through past blogs

25th MLK Day

Happy Martin Luther King, Jr. Day everyone. Today is the 25th Celebration of the National Holiday.

I fear there is still much work to do to really honor the day.
If I hear, on Thanksgiving, "we should be thankful EVERY day;" on Christmas, "We should celebrate the birth of Christ EVERY day;" on Easter, "We should celebrate our sins being covered by the blood of Christ EVERY day;" then what does it look like to celebrate the meaning of this holiday every day?

I think it looks like celebrating Hope.
I think it looks like celebrating Opportunity.

As an African-American, it's easy for me to happy today. I am a little disappointed that the holiday seems to be politicized. This is not a day only for members of any one political party! [I'm not a Democrat, a Republican, or any of those U.S. political party members. I am a child of God, and that means more than being a part of any political party. It means, on a day-to-day basis and for an eternity, I get to be a part of THE party - here on earth and for an eternity in heaven when my soul leaves this flawed body.]

No, this is a day for ALL of us. It's about Hope. It's about Opportunity. If African-Americans were not around, you can bet some other group would be the victim of discrimination this very day. We live in a fallen world. Yet, on this day we have the opportunity to celebrate.
Hope. Opportunity.

I have hope in my relationship with Jesus Christ. I have opportunity to impact this world through His power. Martin Luther King, Jr. was a flawed man like you or I, but he took advantage of his opportunity and shared hope.

I pray we all take advantage of our God-given hope. And opportunity.

If you agree (or disagree), holler!

2011 - New Things!

After over a year of not blogging, I have discovered reasons to take up writing again.
My family now lives in Lexington, KY and I currently serve at Southland Christian Church.
(www.southlandchristian.org)

I am looking forward, tonight, to beginning a class called "After the Altar" at Southland Christian Church. I pray for marriages everywhere, and for a blessing on the folks who will attend this class to strengthen their marital relationships.

In the class we will discuss Pain, Money, Sex, Power and Discipline. If you are in the area, I hope you can join us, for 5 weeks in Lexington beginning tonight, Wednesday, January 12 at 7 PM in Bldg. B.

Until then, stay warm!

Indescribable

Leading pre-service worship music on saxophone at Hill Country Bible Church - Northwest, Austin TX

Influence

Mi familia - as we began our 2009 family summer break

I've had the privilege of having my life touched by some wonderful people. I just returned from a trip designed to visit a few of them. I feel the Lord Jesus has really blessed me by the people He has placed in my life. I credit Him for the timing and order in which He has placed each and every person.

So here are some photos of my vacation. A few years ago, my wonderfully wise wife helped me realize I get "the summer blues" in ministry every year. I suppose when the summer rolls around and people are in and out of what I consider their "normal" places, this people-oriented pastor gets a little down. She has been instrumental in helping me take myself a little less seriously. I realize many of you only see the sunshiney-happy side of me, but she sees...a lot.

So, thank you God for the awesome people YOU have placed in my life, starting with my wonderful wife, Jen and including, but not limited to, others including (this is my way of signing off and saying "Enjoy the photos." I'll make a photo album in Facebook as well):

John & Wanda Strappazon with the kids and me.

John and Wanda had to deal with super-raw Adaryll.

John discipled me in the faith, leading to the re-commitment of my life to Jesus Christ which led to a call to pastoral ministry.

Young Adults of Traders Point Christian Church

God gave me the great privilege of ministering at this wonderful church for 5 1/2 years of my life right after leaving New Orleans Seminary.

Tom Nelson, the family and me
For 8 years of my life I was encouraged and challenged as a member of the Song of Solomon Conference team with Tommy. Tommy told Elena how Jen and I drug Elias around to some conferences with us beginning when Elias was ~ 3 months old!

I pray that whoever and wherever you are, God will place some fantastic influences in your life as well - that is, people who will help you grow more into the image of Christ Jesus. There's nothing like it!