So I watched Forest Gump for the first time tonight. Yeah, that was VERY sad. That is one very moving and very deep movie. I give it 5 STARS in my book!
Later,
J
Later,
J
Archive - December, 2005
Friday December 9, 2005
This week, has been rough. I would explain in detail, but I must get to bed. I've survived and God has assured me that He's always there for me and has given me such great comfort and peace.
May God bless you and let His ever abundant grace flow upon you. May you feel His presence and He fill you with His love...
John
May God bless you and let His ever abundant grace flow upon you. May you feel His presence and He fill you with His love...
John
Tuesday December 6, 2005
So, I haven't had a good deep post here lately. One that has meaning besides complaining or filling everyone in on how much I run through a week. Maybe it is time to have a deep, theological based, posting on Xanga. Comment appropriately, as all others will be removed. Thanks in advance...
As you can see, I chose and interesting title for this post. "Beaten With a Baseball Bat". So, if you look at the history of this journal you will see that Friday I had a "Big Day". I guess I am jumping a few things here, but I might as well fill the Xanga people in. As many of you know I attend New Horizons Community Church in Blacklick, Ohio. I've been involved in the media for a few years (9, going on 10). After leaving the last church, I took a year of light service to grow in God before going back to another church.
Well, I felt God preparing me to take on a different role at a church. So I looked for that church, throughout this last year. I finally arrived at New Horizons and I just felt God tell me, "Here is the beginning of your new journey." So I attend a few Sundays to find that they really need some help. So I like the church and feel "at home" and I pour my heart out in a 11 page, typed, single spaced, letter to the pastor. He never gets it, but I didn't know this. So I am praying and pondering why he hasn't talked to me.
Over a month later I find out that his e-mail wasn't working and he had a new e-mail address. So I went in and e-mailed him the letter again, explaining what happened. Friday night he met with me and told me he would like me to assume the leadership role for media elements in the church. Pretty much to be the Technical Arts Director (though we haven't talked official titles yet). I oversee the media elements in the church (sound, video, graphics etc...). I left the church that night feeling so high up on the spiritual mountain that I couldn't even see the ground.
So I went to bed, and got up Saturday. This is where the sweet story changes...
As you can see, I chose and interesting title for this post. "Beaten With a Baseball Bat". So, if you look at the history of this journal you will see that Friday I had a "Big Day". I guess I am jumping a few things here, but I might as well fill the Xanga people in. As many of you know I attend New Horizons Community Church in Blacklick, Ohio. I've been involved in the media for a few years (9, going on 10). After leaving the last church, I took a year of light service to grow in God before going back to another church.
Well, I felt God preparing me to take on a different role at a church. So I looked for that church, throughout this last year. I finally arrived at New Horizons and I just felt God tell me, "Here is the beginning of your new journey." So I attend a few Sundays to find that they really need some help. So I like the church and feel "at home" and I pour my heart out in a 11 page, typed, single spaced, letter to the pastor. He never gets it, but I didn't know this. So I am praying and pondering why he hasn't talked to me.
Over a month later I find out that his e-mail wasn't working and he had a new e-mail address. So I went in and e-mailed him the letter again, explaining what happened. Friday night he met with me and told me he would like me to assume the leadership role for media elements in the church. Pretty much to be the Technical Arts Director (though we haven't talked official titles yet). I oversee the media elements in the church (sound, video, graphics etc...). I left the church that night feeling so high up on the spiritual mountain that I couldn't even see the ground.
So I went to bed, and got up Saturday. This is where the sweet story changes...
*Enters Satan*
So my Saturday was filled with a rollarcoaster of emotions which ended up with me sitting in my car talking with a friend and feeling like someone was taking a baseball bat and beating me over and over with it. Finally I was able to sleep that night at 4:00 AM with church at 10:30 AM. So I got a few hours, and no matter what nothing was going to keep me from that church.
I arrived and had a great service. Then I left for the day and Satan gave me a break for a little bit. I was able to get to bed at a decent hour and that was that. Then Monday rolls around, I didn't get to work early like I wanted. So that sucked. So I get through that day, and it wasn't all that great. Then I hit college. Prof was late for the final and that totally threw me off, the calculator broke and by the end of the final I was just fed up with everything. So then I go and have an appointment and that went well. I come home and hang out with the family. Day is finally done, and I get to sleep.
So today comes around. I get up bright and early and head into the office an hour early to get some stuff done. So, if anything could go wrong today, it did. I had servers shipped to other locations and server data lost and international machines that had to be shipped and just a huge mess. So I leave there and Satan decides to come back, with his bat.
So I drive home in bad traffic, and all the time Satan just beats me up. Then I hit my home and Satan just beats me up more, and more. I finally sit down at my computer, and here I sit feeling like a lump being beaten over and over. All I can do is immerse myself in God and pray that He protects me.
I guess I write this all to say the following, "No growth comes without opposition."
Now I have been told I am optimistic, and maybe that is true... I just know that when bad things happen and I feel so spiritually beaten down that it makes me physically tired, that it is all for good. I would never have to rely on God to fight my spiritual battles if I never had them. Also, I wouldn't get to experience His great peace.
I guess it is all in what you do with opposition. If you take it and run with it yourself, then you get no where but in a bigger world of hurt. If you take it and run with it to God, then you grow spiritually! Here is another thing to remember. Satan is the author of lies. Don't forget that. Many times the best way I get beaten down is Satan sits and lies to me to get me to give up. However, I have such a great cloud of witnesses cheering me on.
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us."
- Hebrews 12:1
Satan is something that obviously hinders and tempts us to sin which entangles us. So my daily prayer is that I am able to "throw off" Satan and run that days races with perseverance.
I once heard that you always know when you're doing God's will when you get spiritually attacked. Well, if that's the case I must be on God's will 110%. So keep me in your prayers as I have quickly come off the mountain top to go diving into the valley. I guess the scripture that comes to mind is one that I learned when I was all of three years old and it has stuck with me since...
"The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever."
I remember that verse daily as I walk. I feel like I am walking in that valley, but I do not fear evil for God is with me.
So maybe you are going through a hard time, or know someone who is, pass it on. I hope this brings you all as much encouragement as it does to me as I write...
With Christ's Love,
John C. Massie
I arrived and had a great service. Then I left for the day and Satan gave me a break for a little bit. I was able to get to bed at a decent hour and that was that. Then Monday rolls around, I didn't get to work early like I wanted. So that sucked. So I get through that day, and it wasn't all that great. Then I hit college. Prof was late for the final and that totally threw me off, the calculator broke and by the end of the final I was just fed up with everything. So then I go and have an appointment and that went well. I come home and hang out with the family. Day is finally done, and I get to sleep.
So today comes around. I get up bright and early and head into the office an hour early to get some stuff done. So, if anything could go wrong today, it did. I had servers shipped to other locations and server data lost and international machines that had to be shipped and just a huge mess. So I leave there and Satan decides to come back, with his bat.
So I drive home in bad traffic, and all the time Satan just beats me up. Then I hit my home and Satan just beats me up more, and more. I finally sit down at my computer, and here I sit feeling like a lump being beaten over and over. All I can do is immerse myself in God and pray that He protects me.
I guess I write this all to say the following, "No growth comes without opposition."
Now I have been told I am optimistic, and maybe that is true... I just know that when bad things happen and I feel so spiritually beaten down that it makes me physically tired, that it is all for good. I would never have to rely on God to fight my spiritual battles if I never had them. Also, I wouldn't get to experience His great peace.
I guess it is all in what you do with opposition. If you take it and run with it yourself, then you get no where but in a bigger world of hurt. If you take it and run with it to God, then you grow spiritually! Here is another thing to remember. Satan is the author of lies. Don't forget that. Many times the best way I get beaten down is Satan sits and lies to me to get me to give up. However, I have such a great cloud of witnesses cheering me on.
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us."
- Hebrews 12:1
Satan is something that obviously hinders and tempts us to sin which entangles us. So my daily prayer is that I am able to "throw off" Satan and run that days races with perseverance.
I once heard that you always know when you're doing God's will when you get spiritually attacked. Well, if that's the case I must be on God's will 110%. So keep me in your prayers as I have quickly come off the mountain top to go diving into the valley. I guess the scripture that comes to mind is one that I learned when I was all of three years old and it has stuck with me since...
"The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever."
I remember that verse daily as I walk. I feel like I am walking in that valley, but I do not fear evil for God is with me.
So maybe you are going through a hard time, or know someone who is, pass it on. I hope this brings you all as much encouragement as it does to me as I write...
With Christ's Love,
John C. Massie
Tuesday December 6, 2005
Sometimes I feel like writing a long list entitled:
"Things That I am and Things That I am NOT"
Some examples:
I am a listener, I am NOT a personal 24/7/365 psychiatric helpline
I am a computer technician, I am NOT a personal warranty plan
I am a licensed driver, I am NOT a personal taxi service
I am a Christian, I am NOT God
I am a... well, you can see this could go on for a while...
No, this isn't directed at anyone. So please remember that before everyone writes me some frantic e-mail asking if they caused this or if they're acting that way. Just a general observation of the day... Maybe someday I will make out the entire list...
So there's the thought of the day. I am going to mess around on the computer now.
Merry Christmas,
John
"Things That I am and Things That I am NOT"
Some examples:
I am a listener, I am NOT a personal 24/7/365 psychiatric helpline
I am a computer technician, I am NOT a personal warranty plan
I am a licensed driver, I am NOT a personal taxi service
I am a Christian, I am NOT God
I am a... well, you can see this could go on for a while...
No, this isn't directed at anyone. So please remember that before everyone writes me some frantic e-mail asking if they caused this or if they're acting that way. Just a general observation of the day... Maybe someday I will make out the entire list...
So there's the thought of the day. I am going to mess around on the computer now.
Merry Christmas,
John
Monday December 5, 2005
So today went, ok. I took my math final, did ok... Calculator broke in the middle of the test, wasn't too pleased. Teacher was very late, and we didn't get to start our finals on time which made me late for another appointment I had.
Well, that's about it for today. It was long enough... I am wore out and I am going to bed. I have work, bright and early tomorrow. Which reminds me, I forgot to enter my time today... well, better do that tomorrow.
See ya,
J
Well, that's about it for today. It was long enough... I am wore out and I am going to bed. I have work, bright and early tomorrow. Which reminds me, I forgot to enter my time today... well, better do that tomorrow.
See ya,
J
Sunday December 4, 2005
Good Evening,
I figured since I haven't posted, I should do so. For those who are in constant wonderment regarding my schedule, here is this week's outlook.
Monday - Work / Math Final
Tuesday - Work / Church Work
Wednesday - Work / Worship Team Practice
Thursday - Work / Previous Plans
Friday - Work / Previous Plans
Saturday - Out of Town: Waverly, Ohio
Sunday - Church
So that is this week... a little slower, which *should* allow me to catch-up on stuff around the house.
Later,
J
I figured since I haven't posted, I should do so. For those who are in constant wonderment regarding my schedule, here is this week's outlook.
Monday - Work / Math Final
Tuesday - Work / Church Work
Wednesday - Work / Worship Team Practice
Thursday - Work / Previous Plans
Friday - Work / Previous Plans
Saturday - Out of Town: Waverly, Ohio
Sunday - Church
So that is this week... a little slower, which *should* allow me to catch-up on stuff around the house.
Later,
J
Friday December 2, 2005
Well, I really should be in bed, but I can't sleep. Today is going to be a big day for me, from what I understand. Nothing to do with work, just some personal stuff happening this evening. Now I just need to sleep so I can start my big day. Once things are a little more solid as to what is going on, I'll post details.
Later People,
J
Later People,
J
Thursday December 1, 2005
Well, well, well... I checked the sitemeter for the past few weeks. Looks like I have a few (or more, can't really tell on some) new visitors. Some where I obviously don't know you personally and others I think I might know. So this is your chance, step up to the plate, introduce yourself as a comment to this post. If you're a regular, go right ahead and introduce yourself as well...
