Molly and I visited a church in Allen this past week and the pastor spoke on part of Mark chapter 1. This is the part in Mark’s account that Jesus finds Peter, Andrew, James and John fishing in the Sea of Galilee and He says, “follow me,” and they “immediately left their nets and followed Him.” While this portion of Scripture brings up all sorts of questions concerning why the four of them felt compelled to leave their nets with no questions asked (which is explained in the other Gospel accounts), Pastor Buddy brought up a point I had never pondered.
Jesus tells them in verse 17, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” You probably have heard that before. I know I have for many years, and I have always run over it without much thought to His choice of words, but Pastor Buddy brought up the point of what is not there. Jesus did not choose to say, “Follow Me, and I will make you better Jews, or better people, or teach you how to preach a sermon.” Jesus used this moment in time to convey to them His passion for the hearts of mankind.
Did you know that Jesus is passionately seeking you? And He’s has no desire to make you a better churchgoer, or to capture you with His list of rules and regulations. He has a passion give you life and give it abundantly through a deep and meaningful relationship with him. Will you come to Him? Feel free to comment or email me at jon@outofshadows.com if you want to know more.
Monday, August 29, 2011
Friday, August 26, 2011
This Sucks...And You Need To Hear About It
Molly and I have been married for a little more than 4 years now (Keep reading, that's not the sucky part). Gone are the days of wedding planning and registering, but we recently had an experience that brought back fond (I did say "fond") memories of doing just that.
After trading nuptials and returning from our honeymoon we began to sort through the many gifts we were given, and a good lot of them had come from Bed Bath & Beyond. We chose B3 because of their return policy for newly weds which includes giving you CASH BACK for any unwanted items on your registry with or without the receipt. I seem to remember walking out of there with $450 in trade for the duplicated items from our list. Fast forward and we arrive at our recent experience which brought back these pleasant memories.
Not long after we married we bought a vacuum cleaner, and after visiting 4 different stores to find the perfect one, we settled on an Infinity from...you guessed it, B3. It came with a 5 year warranty, and the gentlemen assured us that they would stand by their product. This last Sunday, more than 4 years later, they did just that. We took back our broken and tattered vacuum cleaner full of hair and lent, and they gave us the full portion of our original purchase in trade for a brand new vacuum cleaner of our choice. Naturally we selected one with a 5 year warranty.
To close, Molly and I have a short list of fine retailers that we frequent because they know how to take care of their customers. B3 is one of them, and I would recommend them to anyone.
After trading nuptials and returning from our honeymoon we began to sort through the many gifts we were given, and a good lot of them had come from Bed Bath & Beyond. We chose B3 because of their return policy for newly weds which includes giving you CASH BACK for any unwanted items on your registry with or without the receipt. I seem to remember walking out of there with $450 in trade for the duplicated items from our list. Fast forward and we arrive at our recent experience which brought back these pleasant memories.
Not long after we married we bought a vacuum cleaner, and after visiting 4 different stores to find the perfect one, we settled on an Infinity from...you guessed it, B3. It came with a 5 year warranty, and the gentlemen assured us that they would stand by their product. This last Sunday, more than 4 years later, they did just that. We took back our broken and tattered vacuum cleaner full of hair and lent, and they gave us the full portion of our original purchase in trade for a brand new vacuum cleaner of our choice. Naturally we selected one with a 5 year warranty.
To close, Molly and I have a short list of fine retailers that we frequent because they know how to take care of their customers. B3 is one of them, and I would recommend them to anyone.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Never Stand In Line Again
You know the scene. You’re waiting for a flight that has already been delayed three times due to a non-descript maintenance issue, and the time for departure is quickly approaching. With no evidence to suggest that the flight will actually leave, you notice a line forming in front of the gate agents, and a mass of people who are quickly gathering their belongings to join them. Now you are left with a choice. Do you sit there and wait for a flight that might be canceled or do you join them in line to secure your spot on another plane. The answer is neither…
Your logic is not far off, but there are better options. Number one, typically any agent whether they are working at your gate or not can help you with your issue. If they are moving passengers to another plane at your gate, they can do it from another gate as well. The other nice thing about this is that the agents not manning the gate with 30 angry passengers in front of them will normally take the liberty to do things for you that their unfortunate counterparts will not do for others. Case in point, I was recently waiting for a plane to Los Angeles when this exact scenario arose. Knowing that I would receive faster service from another gate, I stepped to the one next to it and asked the gate agent to help me. By this point I had already purchased (with points) a free upgrade on the flight I was booked on. READ THIS CAREFULLY:
Your other option is just at your fingertips. If you have a cell phone, which most people do, you can call the phone number for your air carrier and the agent on the phone can do the same thing. I find that they are more likely to stick to the rule book when securing you on the next flight, but they can do everything I mentioned above for you.
To conclude, it pays to stop and think before you jump into a line that appears to be your only option. You may get varying results depending on the size of the airport or even the mood of the agents you are working with. If you have choices, go to one that’s smiling and don’t forget to smile back. Happy travels.
Your logic is not far off, but there are better options. Number one, typically any agent whether they are working at your gate or not can help you with your issue. If they are moving passengers to another plane at your gate, they can do it from another gate as well. The other nice thing about this is that the agents not manning the gate with 30 angry passengers in front of them will normally take the liberty to do things for you that their unfortunate counterparts will not do for others. Case in point, I was recently waiting for a plane to Los Angeles when this exact scenario arose. Knowing that I would receive faster service from another gate, I stepped to the one next to it and asked the gate agent to help me. By this point I had already purchased (with points) a free upgrade on the flight I was booked on. READ THIS CAREFULLY:
I asked him to secure me (or book me) for the next flight out to Los Angeles, but allow me to keep my seat on this flight just in case it goes.He gave me a First Class seat on the next flight (which he should not have done without charging me for the upgrade, which he didn’t), and I was also allowed the option to stay and see if this one left as scheduled. It did not and I enjoyed my First Class seat for free.
Your other option is just at your fingertips. If you have a cell phone, which most people do, you can call the phone number for your air carrier and the agent on the phone can do the same thing. I find that they are more likely to stick to the rule book when securing you on the next flight, but they can do everything I mentioned above for you.
To conclude, it pays to stop and think before you jump into a line that appears to be your only option. You may get varying results depending on the size of the airport or even the mood of the agents you are working with. If you have choices, go to one that’s smiling and don’t forget to smile back. Happy travels.
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Be Reconciled
There is a fear that follows reconciliation. Our desire burns to protect ourselves from unwanted pain a turmoil, but the thought of making things right with someone we have wronged or with someone who has wronged us can be dizzying. What if she doesn't want to reconcile? What if it just makes things worse?
This is the devil's handy work in action. The truth is that there is much freedom in reconciliation and the Lord is wooing us there.
God is pursuing us throughout Scripture. He is ever calling us into a relationship with Him, yet as we come to him in worship, He implores us to make our relationships right with our brothers and sisters in Christ before we come to Him in praise. How important is this? Paul tells us in Ephesians 4 that we ought not let the "sun go down while (we) are still angry. Do not give the devil a foothold." Our pent up frustrations are the devil's foothold and he will use them any way he can.
Lay your burdens down at the foot of the cross and be reconciled to your loved ones. Do not fear the outcome because God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of truth and love. He is life for all who believe.
This is the devil's handy work in action. The truth is that there is much freedom in reconciliation and the Lord is wooing us there.
Thefore if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift. (Matthew 5:23 & 24)
God is pursuing us throughout Scripture. He is ever calling us into a relationship with Him, yet as we come to him in worship, He implores us to make our relationships right with our brothers and sisters in Christ before we come to Him in praise. How important is this? Paul tells us in Ephesians 4 that we ought not let the "sun go down while (we) are still angry. Do not give the devil a foothold." Our pent up frustrations are the devil's foothold and he will use them any way he can.
Lay your burdens down at the foot of the cross and be reconciled to your loved ones. Do not fear the outcome because God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of truth and love. He is life for all who believe.
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