when it’s time to move on

Was reading this morning in Numbers 9 about the Israelites when they were moving along in the desert wilderness, post-Egypt.  Was reading verses 19-23.  Just some thoughts about following God in this verses that really stuck out to me.  I’ll try to keep this brief, but I’m thinking out loud so it probably won’t be.  May become a sermon at some point

¹⁹ If the cloud remained over the Tabernacle for a long time, the Israelites stayed and performed their duty to the Lord. ²⁰ Sometimes the cloud would stay over the Tabernacle for only a few days, so the people would stay for only a few days, as the Lord commanded. Then at the Lord’s command they would break camp and move on. ²¹ Sometimes the cloud stayed only overnight and lifted the next morning. But day or night, when the cloud lifted, the people broke camp and moved on. ²² Whether the cloud stayed above the Tabernacle for two days, a month, or a year, the people of Israel stayed in camp and did not move on. But as soon as it lifted, they broke camp and moved on. ²³ So they camped or traveled at the Lord’s command, and they did whatever the Lord told them through Moses.  – Numbers 9:19-23

Basic premise is that there was a cloud that was the Lord’s presence and would lead them through the wilderness on the way to the promise land (which included a 40 year sight seeing tour because of their disobedience, whining, complaining and wishing that they could go back to Egypt – but that’s another post for another time).  When the cloud came down and settled on the tabernacle, they were to camp there until the cloud lifted back up and moved on.  Here are my thoughts:

• 19 – wherever the cloud settled, they “performed their duty to the Lord” – they worshipped, they lived, they did what God told them to do.  How about for you and me.  Are you at a place where you know there is a coming destination, whether in your career, family or ministry but right now you’re in the “getting there stages”?  Am I being obedient in serving Him wherever I am in the journey.  To coin a song title, am I being faithful where I’m at “while I’m waiting”?  Also, I think it is key to not miss the lesson in the waiting.
• 20-22 – Sometimes they would camp for just one night.  Sometimes they would pull up camp during the night.  Then, sometimes they would camp for a month at a time, even a year.  When they were moving at a rapid pace, there had to be excitement in the camp..and probably some grumbling.  “Again, God?  We’re moving again?”  The flip side to that had to be in those prolonged times..the months and year times.  The text doesn’t say, but you know there had to be thoughts of “When, God?  How long until we reach the promised land?  We’ve been out here a long time.”  I think this is reality for most of us at some point in our journey.  There are times and seasons in my life where it seemed like God was moving in my life at a rapid fire pace.  Exciting things in life and ministry just firing off.  And then there are times where it seems God waits….He pauses.
• 22-23 – As soon as the cloud lifted and moved on, they got up right then, pulled up stakes and followed.  This is tough.  This is hard at times.  Obedience.  Obedience is not doing what God says, when I feel like doing it and how I want to do it.  Obedience is doing what God says when HE says to do it and how HE says to do it.  Sometimes that is easy.  Sometimes not so much.  Listening, expecting, hearing and doing what Jesus says.  Praying and asking for grace to do them all.

my mom was always talking to herself….

I remember it clearly.  We would be going somewhere, anywhere.  Driving around in our 76 Cutlass and later an Oldsmobile 88, my brother Ken and I in the back seat…sometimes just me.  My mom would start whispering, talking to herself it seemed.  I was a young kid and always thought it was funny…and different.  “Mom, who are you talking to?”  Her reply: “Oh…just talking to myself”.  I know now what she was doing.  Today, I found myself doing the same thing and instantly having a flashback to those times.

While I’m sure at times she could have been saying under her breath, “Just wait till I get these boys home…” or something like that, I’m fairly certain she was praying.  See, my mom loves Jesus today and she did back then as well.  She was murmuring prayers, whispering them as she was driving.  I’m at the point where I’m understanding that more.  It’s those prayers when things on the inside of your mind are desperate, feeling helpless.  Maybe it’s for your child that is struggling at school, a financial crunch, a dealine that you fear you’re not going to make, a relationship that is struggling, or a job where you feel like you’re losing your mind.  It’s the kind of prayer where you’re basically saying, “God, if you don’t come through, I’m dead meat.”

One of the things I said in an earlier post was that I wanted to increase the amount of prayers I mumble through the day…trying to be not only consistent, but more deliberately constant.  I never put that together with my mom’s own “prayer mumbling” until today.  I’m hoping to join a long line of mumblers and pass it down, too.

Pray without ceasing. – 1 Thessalonians 5:17

A Psalm 22 Year

2009 ends today….and I’m glad to see it go.  I’ve got to be honest.  It’s been a Psalm 22 year.  I was reading through the Psalm 20’s or so and came across the 22nd.  For me personally and so many others that I know, it has been that type of year.  Would definitely encourage you to check Psalm 22 on your own when you have time, but here are the first two verses that kind of give a glimpse into that chapter:

My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? Why are you so far away when I groan for help?
Every day I call to you, my God, but you do not answer. Every night you hear my voice, but I find no relief. (NLT)

Now, please don’t misunderstand, there have been a number of positive and good times, this past year, and there are so many things that I look at in my life and know that I am a blessed man.  And when considering the plight of others and what they have been through/going through, my junk seems trivial at times.

If you know me, then you know that I am horrible at hiding what’s going on in the inside.  In fact, that’s probably part of why I’m writing this post…that and it is somewhat therapeutic for me.  Had a friend last night even comment to me “it’s good to see you smile” which is code for “what’s your problem been?”   Life is like that during seasons of our life…that’s true for everyone.  When those times are prolonged for months and years, it weighs on you.  From unrealized dreams to illness and disease, life is tough.

Last January, I wrote down some goals and some dreams….in fact I wrote down 10 specific thoughts under the heading of where I saw us/myself within a year (that would be now).  How many of those dreams were realized? …. 1

So, on to a new year.  I probably will write down some more dreams and goals for the new year.  Some will be the same as last year, some will be new I’m sure.  I don’t have any new answers, insights, resolutions to make or 10 steps to a new and improved me….or you.  I do have some thoughts for any that have had a Psalm 22 year.  Some of these I’ve been processing, some that I’m still trying to “get there”.  These won’t be terribly deep, just real:

1. You’re not alone…there are others that have been and are going through what you are. I think for me, that has been huge.  Partly because I can look at where they are now and realize that they made it through.  That gives me hope.
2. My time vs God’s time. My timing is not His timing.  His timing is not my timing.  This is probably the hardest truth to live and work through.  The Bible is full of stories where God would make a promise, a realization of a dream, and the fulfillment of that promise or dream would take years.  His time is not our time.  It doesn’t mean that God’s not at work, it doesn’t mean that God doesn’t care, it just means….His timing is not my timing..rinse and repeat.
3. In the meantime…. If you’re in the area between “the promise and the payoff” of your dream (to quote Furtick), find a place to serve and do that.  Not a place that is your “job” or in your area of core competency necessarily…just a place where you can help meet a need.
4. Mumble a lot of prayers.  This is a goal, a hope and a need of mine that I’m experiencing and need more of through my day.

Anyway, I really do hope that you have a very happy new year, a great and memorable new year.  Perhaps a Psalm 20 year:

May he grant your heart’s desires and make all your plans succeed.
May we shout for joy when we hear of your victory and raise a victory banner in the name of our God.
May the Lord answer all your prayers. (vv. 5-6, NLT)

AJ Mind Dump

Well, blogging has been sketchy as of late.  Just really been a lot of things here and there going on that have kept me away.  This will probably be pretty random:

• Loving the fall, even more than usual this year.  I was trying to think of why, and I think I’ve nailed down several reasons.  Last year this time I was feeling incredibly overwhelmed because I was trying to get the remaining media, lighting and other pieces together to help launch the West Campus at Cedar Creek.  That and I was also beginning an online start up side business which I had to lay to rest this summer (that’s another post for another time).  It was a crazy time last year.  Plus, it seems that in this area we’re actually having a fall with some cooler temps here and there this year.  The trees have been pretty brilliant, too, in all their colors.
• Kind of along with that, I think this year I’ve actually taken the time more to “breathe” and enjoy the fall and Thanksgiving season.  I’ve had a chance to really think through how blessed I am…and we are.  God forgive me for the times I haven’t told You enough just how grateful I am for everyone and everything in my life.
• Can I be real?  Is it okay here to do that?  This past year has been an incredibly dry time in my life spiritually.  It’s been difficult.  Just been going through a lot on the inside and for a guy that usually wears his emotions on his sleeve, that’s not always a good thing.  I sit here now, not having a whole lot of “answers” about the things I’ve been praying about.  I think that is how life is sometimes, that it is not so cut and dry and we don’t always understand why we go through those times…not on this side of Heaven anyway.  That said, I am hopeful.
• Been working on several web projects over the past several months.  Here are a few that have gone live: Symphony Orchestra Augusta (previously the Augusta Symphony), Gateway Community Church, relaunch of 4Thought Media and the Swank Co.
• Feeling like I really want to become an After Effects guru.  I’ve pretty much run the gamut in Final Cut Pro, but am still kind of a novice in After Effects even though I’ve done a good many projects in it.  Looking to spend some time over the next several months learning more.
• Heading to Macon, GA for Thanksgiving this year.  Haven’t been there in 3 or 4 years so it will be good to see everyone there on my mom’s side of the family.  Looking forward to hanging out with my sister, too.
• My Christmas List: 1. Gift cards to go shopping for some clothes 2. chocolate 3. a new defensive coordinator and linebacker coach for my DAWGS………..and World Peace.
• Speaking of the DAWGS, really sad to hear that UGA VII passed away yesterday.  Wasn’t very old at all and died of a heart attack.  Came across this short video put together with Larry Munson below.  The word is now that they won’t get another UGA until after the season.
• That’s about it for now.

AJ Mind Dump

Been a while since I’ve blogged, with any consistancy anyway.  Here’s the latest in the world of Jones:

• This past Sunday I preached at the Banks Mill campus at CCC.  It had been close to a year since I preached last due mainly to having to focus on multi-site media development.  Was good to speak again.
• Felt pretty raw at times during the message.  As I shared in my message, it has been brewing for a while out of all that’s been going on in my life.  Came out of some things that I’ve been through….and still going through.
• Had a chance to speak at Christian Heritage Church in Graniteville last Wednesday to some students there.  Bobby and Angie Sanders are good friends that go there and invited me to speak.  Love them and their heart for students.
• Whatever happened to lazy summer days?  It has been flat out non stop this summer.
• We’re about 3 to 4 weeks from launching our second multi-site campus at CCC: Cedar Creek – On The Ridge.  The campus is located in Ridge Spring-Monetta.  They have been meeting in small groups for a while, but we’re about wrap up the building for Sunday worship.  I’m going to post some photos of the new campus later on this week probably.
• Am seriously ready for football.  UGA starts off the season playing Oklahoma State in Stillwater, OK.  Let the big DAWG eat!   Can’t wait to be HERE.
• I think Kim is ready for the kids to go back to school.  Spencer got bored today so he just started breaking the heads off of his army men…yeah, he does best with some structure.  Although, we use to blow them up with fireworks so I can’t really talk.
• Saddened seeing so many people that I know seem to be struggling in their marriages.  People that you “never would have thought” would have gotten divorced are exactly there.  Been thinking through ways to strengthen my own because of it.  Wes mentioned this book so I grabbed a couple of copies for Kim and I today on Amazon.
• My A/C in my car doesn’t work except when it wants to.  Not fun when you’re about to hit August.
• All for now.

AJ Mind Dump

So it’s been a while since I posted as I’ve been out of town some.  Here is the latest from the world of Jones:

• Spent the past week and a half in Hilton Head, SC.  From Sunday to Friday, I was there with Walter and Danny doing some production for a camp called Breakaway.  The rest of the time was spent with my family on some vacation time.
• Breakaway – This was a our 4th year doing that camp.  Basically our day at breakaway consists of the following: 1. morning worship – where we run cameras, and propresenter for the meeting 2. film seminars – around 10:30 am 3. afternoon – Danny and Walter film recreation (both organized and non) and bring tapes to me where I edit for the the evening highlight reel 4. 6pm – tape student stories/testimonies to be used in the morning worship time 5. around 7:45 – evening worship where we run cameras, and propresenter for the meeting.  Also tape the messages/meeting for later use 6. late night – edit student stories and other pieces for morning/evening the next day.  Somewhere in between, we eat and sleep.  Not a whole lot of beach or pool time in there at all.  Seeing 300+ students encounter Jesus is a VERY cool thing.
• We usually hit Myrtle Beach with the family but things worked out great to spend our family vacation at HHI.  Was a great change of pace and some much needed R&R.
• Got to read a little bit and finished up Craig Groeschel’s book IT.  I’ve read a good number of books on leadership.  This one ranks at the top, imo.  His chapter on Vision and the last two chapters should be a must read for every pastor and staff.  Some insightful questions at the end of each chapter that would be great for a leadership team to walk through, too.
• Got the vacation hangover.  Calls for double doses of coffee.
• Still have a lot of exciting things heading this way this summer.  Looking forward to it.
• Biggest takeaway from the book IT was a prayer: God, stretch me, ruin me and heal me.  Amen…..seriously, you need to get that book.
• Reading through Andy Stanley’s “Making Vision Stick”.  gonna be good, I can already tell.
• I’m seriously thinking of going to no conferences over the next year.  I might make an exception, though, for Catalyst.  dunno
• Wrapping up several ecommerce sites over the next few weeks.  Looking forward to seeing them go live.
• Waiting on God’s timing is TOUGH!  Possibly the hardest thing I’ve had to process through in my life.  I’m not a very patient person, you can ask my wife.  Once I get an idea, a thought, a passion or new direction, usually my immediate next thought is “okay, let’s roll on that…” Can you relate to that?
• all for now.

Sunday Mind Dump

Here’s the latest from the world of Jones:

• Good day today at Cedar Creek.  Kim and I went with Hannah to a meeting for parents of rising 6th graders.  That’s just blows my mind…I’m about to have a middle schooler.
• Having worked with middle and high school students for close to 12 years in student ministry, I’ve had the opportunity to be on the giving end of that talk…not the receiving end.  Kind of surreal.  Now I’m waiting for the day she loses her mind for the next 6 or so years.  Hopefully she won’t
• Thought Phillip’s illustration of how we rely on one “charge” to last us the whole week or month was spot on.  Set the tone perfectly for the message.
• Well, here it is 6 months out from the launch of our first multi-site campus and we had our first major media glitch this morning.  Unknown to our banks mill media team, neither our primary recording of the 9:30 service (p2 cards) nor our primary backup (dvd) had audio going to them.  Freak thing.  Found the culprit.  It was a small button that never (and I mean never) gets pushed that caused the problem.  Add that to the list of things to check during warmup.
• With plan a and b not working, we went with plan c: Wes, our campus pastor at the West Campus, preached.  Phillip always gives Wes a copy of his message.  Cool thing is that Wes said he had a feeling that today was “the day” when he would preach.  Also, as he was looking over the outline this weekend, he saw some natural personal illustrations he could use.  He did an outstanding job from what everyone said.  Sounds like a setup to me   God’s good at that.
• Kim and I went out on a much needed date Friday night.  Was good to hang out together.  Went to see Night at the Museum 2…bad call.  Should have gone to Borders and gotten some coffee instead.  Wait for the DVD on that one.  We were going to see Terminator 2 but missed the showtime.
• Was saddened to hear the news about Revolution Church today.  I’ve worked with Gary and RC on several projects for their message series and really have a lot of love and respect for all of them.  Praying for them that God would bring healing to the Lamb family, the other family involved and Revolution Church.  Would you pray for them right now, too?  Bottom line on all of that is an old school quote: “There but for the Grace of God go I”  Pray for them as you think of them.
• Next couple of months should be pretty fun and exciting.  Vacation with the family somewhere in there, doing production and video for two student ministry camps at the beach and get to preach the last Sunday in July.
• I’m out..peace.

AJ Mind Dump

Whew!  What a week.  Took a blogging break, but I’m back in the saddle again.  Here’s the latest from the world of Jones.

• We spent this past week in Orlando.  The kids had never been to Disney so we spent two days at the Magic Kingdom.  When we weren’t there, we were chilling poolside.  Was a much needed break and was a great time with the fam.
• Was amazed at how efficient Disney is at moving massive amounts of people through lines and rides.  Very impressed.
• Love Masters week.  Was kinda odd being out of town during the tournament but wouldn’t trade the time away for anything.
• Weird thing about the Masters this year – I can’t remember this many people just shanking the ball so much.  More miscues than I can remember seeing.
• This weekend we had 6 Easter services at Cedar Creek.  We had approx 4,000 in total attendance.  11 am at Banks Mill was slammed.  CCC West had around 600 in attendance there.
• Still blown away by God’s love for me.  “Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” 2 Corinthians 9:15
• Waiting on God’s timing is tough.  Been praying through a lot of stuff and just trying to follow His lead.  One of those times where God seems “quiet”…don’t know if that makes sense to you or not.
• Still feeling kinda wiped out from our trip.  Could use a double shot of starbucks right about now.
• On the way to and from Orlando we passed through several retirement communities.  Reminded me of Seinfeld and Del Boca Vista

AJ Mind Dump

Been a week or so since my last mind dump so here’s the latest in the world of Jones.

• Kim and I had a chance to get away last weekend to North Georgia.  It was just the two of us.  Had a great time doing a whole lot of nothing.  Awesome!
• We took the opportunity to worship on Sunday morning at Oak Leaf Church in Cartersville, GA.  They meet in a movie theater and are blowing it up!  They are already at 4 services.  Pretty interesting in that they stagger worship times which allows them to get 4 services in.  They are currently renovating an old bar called The House of Rock and will be moving there once their renovations are complete.  Love seeing how churches doing Sunday morning in portable settings.  OLC is doing it with much excellence.
• We’re taking the kids to Disney in April.  I think Kim and I are about as geeked up about it as they are.  We’re in the process of planning out our plan of attack for the parks.  Probably going to spend a couple of days at the Magic Kingdom.  Still considering Universal Studios.
• Oh, and by the way, that sucking noise you hear….is our money going down the drain as we pay for the tickets.  I will never complain about the cost to go to Six Flags or Carowinds again
• 40 Days of Blogging has been a lot of fun.  40 Days is up next Tuesday, but my plan of attack from here on out is at least one post per day.
• NCAA Bball tournament is here, and I love it!  Next to college bowl season, it’s probably my favorite sports-times of the year.  Now if only the DAWGS can get a decent new coach and return to it.  We’ll see.
• Looks like the On the Ridge campus will be launching sometime around May, but there’s just no definite date as of yet.  Still ALOT to be done as we retrofit/renovate the building.  Our lighting and media vendors are on hold until the electrical happens.
• Speaking of multi site, finally heard back from the guy we’re hoping to give us the solution for live streaming.  We’ll see how that goes.
• Had another fun week in medical field.  Yet another “abscess” visit to the ER and then to my surgeon to have it dealt with.  ER is a very interesting place..not fun, but interesting.  I think I’ve spend a total of 6 hours just waiting over the past two days.  Doing much better now.  Just discovering that I’m allergic to some antibiotics…fun
• Don’t know if I’ve shared the linkage to one of my closest friends, but Brent Cline is now blogging.
• That’s about it for now….peace.

AJ Mind Dump

Just a few random thoughts and updates from the life and mind of Jones:

• Been a good week.  Finally started feeling like myself in the last few days.  Hoping for a much healthier spring.
• Speaking of spring, excited about spring practice starting up for the DAWGS.  I’m still shocked that we were able to win 10 games in spite of how bad we played at times, especially on defense.  Spring ball can give you an idea of who may be the next player to breakout.
• Can’t wait to take the kids to Disney World in about a month.  It will be their first time.  We’re working on getting everything in order for it right now.
• Speaking of traveling, excited about heading to UNLEASH at Newspring this week.  Then, Kim and I are heading to North Georgia for a quick weekend getaway.  Looking forward to it.
• Speaking of football, GATORS WEAR JEAN SHORTS.
• This story is why we have security at CCC.  I am convinced that EVERY church should have solid, well thought out security, not just a guy named Bubba that looks really mean.  This could happen to any church, anywhere.  I use to think that guys who had large churches were pompous when they had security around them.  That changed several years ago.  As your church grows, so do the number of crazy people that want a piece of you.  At CCC, the security is packing heat for good reasons.
• Was sitting in church this morning, and I looked over and there was a lady sitting there crocheting during the service, listening to the message…..that’s a first!  ….crocheting…during church….really?
• Been loving this weather this weekend.
• Ready to get back into my routines.  Since I’ve had this stuff going on with the staph infection, it has totally thrown everything off in my schedule.  Ready to get back into working out more regularly.  During the last week, my workout has consisted of hitting home runs on Wii sports.  Better than nothing, but not quite what I need
• Love my wife…she’s my best friend and she’s hot
• I’ve had a ton of people over the past week that have been inquiring about doing some website work for them.  I’m grateful, but I’m wondering what has caused it to skyrocket all the sudden, especially in this economy.
• Going to enjoy the day.  peace.