Author: pastorjonathan

Christian,Husband, Dad, Pastor, Mentor, Volunteer.

3 Things I’d Do Over If I Were Starting My Blog Today!

On By pastorjonathanIn Uncategorized22 Comments

So I’ve been blogging here on wordpress for just around 3 years and I got to thinking… What would I do different if I were to start a blog today? In essence what have I learned? While I have learned many lessons from blogging, three stick out to me the most:

1. Write for a Broader Audience in Mind. Many of my posts are very specific in nature to an audience with a specific palate. While I think these posts relevant and good I think they would have been better had I written them with a larger audience in mind. For example the following posts are pretty theological in nature, but what would they look like had I been sensitive to people outside of my religious background? I wouldn’t water down the content, but perhaps clarify terms and be sensitive to “outsider” reading.

2. Use points and embolden text more often. Many people will skim the article to see if it has the content they are looking for. Points and emboldened text highlight the main message of your article and allow people to perceive you message. This also helps clarify my writing. When I know that I’m trying to pull out specifically meaningful content it changes the way I write and I’m told that I communicate better.

3. Interact more with other bloggers. My first few years of blogging I stayed minimally connected to a few other bloggers. I wish I had reached out more, commented on other sites and developed friendships with other bloggers earlier in my writing.

So what about you? If you were given a few do-overs what would you do different? Any Advice you would add?

For Unto Us a Child is Born!

On By pastorjonathanIn Uncategorized2 Comments

It is Christmas! As a Christian this is a special holiday for me and my family as we celebrate the moment when God stepped into humanity.  Today is a special day to remember the message of the gospels… God is not far off and He can be known. Jesus stepped out of Heaven and into humanity to reveal God, remove our sin, reconcile us to our Creator, and ultimately prepare an eternal home where we will abide with God forever (never to be separated again). Below is a picture of a painting by Botticelli and 3 of the Gospel accounts that talk about the history and meaning of the birth of Christ. Merry Christmas!

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them (Luke 2:1-20, ESV).

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: “‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.'” Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way. Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” And he rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed to Egypt and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, “Out of Egypt I called my son.” Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men. Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah: “A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be comforted, because they are no more.” But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, “Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child’s life are dead.” And he rose and took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel (Matthew 2:1-21, ESV).

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.'”) And from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known (John 1:1-18).

There are several more passages throughout the scripture that talk about the theological aspects of God becoming a man, but these are the ones traditionally read and remembered at Christmas time. I am open about my faith and willing to carry on a friendly dialogue with friends and honest skeptics.  What are your thoughts on Christmas?

How we are Reading the Christmas Story to our Children this Year.

On By pastorjonathanIn Uncategorized4 Comments

Every year it’s a struggle to fit Jesus back into Christmas. With all the presents, parties, and pretend our family struggles to make sure that Jesus is still central to the season.  We are excited about the Advent season and look forward to being more prepared for the next Christmas, however we still want Christmas Day to be special for our kids. We decided that reading the Christmas Story from the Bible sometime after the presents are opened would be a great way to celebrate and remember the “reason for the season.”

When our children were younger it was easy to read from my Bible.  However as they have grown older and more interactive we have found that The Jesus Storybook Bible is a great way to share the story of Christmas (of course it doesn’t hurt that we read from it every night to our kids as part of our family devotions and bedtime routine).

To get a feel for the Jesus Storybook Bible check out the videos below.  Each video is a simple reading and dramatization of a chapter from the Jesus Story Book Bible. You can also get The Jesus Storybook Bible on the Kindle !

Disclosure of Material Connection:Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

5 Keys to Making and Keeping Your New Year Resolutions.

On By pastorjonathanIn Uncategorized251 Comments

So the new year is almost here and it is time to think about your resolutions. Your goals may be to finally give up a bad habit, lose a little weight, broaden your intellectual horizon, or even commit to be more generous.  Whatever your resolutions for a new year are, here are a few keys that will help you be successful in making and keeping them.

1. Define the Win. Many people make mistakes of making very general goals and never end up keeping them.  It’s one thing to say, “I want to lose weight” and entirely another thing to say, “I want to lose 50 pounds by Thanksgiving.” Fifty pounds is a defined win.  When you state, “I want to lose weight.” you have defined a direction, but you haven’t defined a measurable goal line. How will you know when you have lost enough? You can always make another goal later.

Here are some abstract goals that have been better defined to understand a win.

I want to read more – I will read 12 books this year (1 book a month)

I want to eat better – I will eat a minimum of 2 vegetables a day

I want to exercise more – I will run 500 miles this year.

I want to be more generous – I will give 15% of my income away this year.

2. Make smaller goals along the way. In football there are two lines that really matter. The official goal-line where all the points are scored and the first-down line where a team advances ten yards and gets 4 more shots at the goal-line.  The smaller goal of the first-down marker is often what really advances the ball and helps teams make it across the bigger goal-line that counts.  Create for yourself smaller goals that you can achieve on a weekly or monthly basis that will help you achieve your bigger goal.  If your goal is to read twelve books a year, that translates into one book a month.  If you want to lose 50 pounds, that’s roughly one pound a week.  Make smaller goals and celebrate when you’ve reached them. celebrating small successes along the way will give you the momentum you need to reach your bigger goal.

3. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.  Your goal may be something huge like to quit smoking. Do some research and consult some people or products that are geared to help you. If you want to lose weight, don’t be afraid to consult your doctor and even sign up to meet a trainer at the gym. If you want to read more, ask someone you know who reads a lot and ask them for strategy and tips.

4. Make the goal with a friend or group of friends. If you are trying to lose weight,  get your spouse on board to exercise with you or to make a similar commitment to eat healthier. If you are trying to read a book a month, start a book club. Have a friend meet you at the gym 3 times a week. If you want to write more, start a blog and ask your friends to follow.

5. Evaluate your results. Set an end date and set aside time to evaluate how you did throughout the year towards your goal.  Every goal achieved and not achieved is a chance to learn.  Maybe you only read ten books instead of twelve (odds are that’s about nine more than you might have otherwise). Maybe you only lost 35 pounds (that’s still 35 pounds!).  Maybe you quit working out in February because you got a cold and never went back. Figure out what went wrong and what went right. Take the time to measure how far you have come and challenge yourself with something new for the next year.

What kind of resolutions are you making this year?

The 100 Book Reading Challenge and How it Has Changed Me

On By pastorjonathanIn Uncategorized12 Comments

For those of you following along, you know that I took up the challenge to read 100 books this past year.  I made my page number goal and then some but missed my book goal by 18.  Never-the-less I’m confident that I have read more in the past year than I have in any single year prior.

It’s difficult to asses all the changes that attempting such a goal has had on me.  Yet as I reflect on the past year and dream about the future I cannot help but notice that I have changed as a result of becoming a more disciplined reader. I am different than I was a year ago and here is how:

1. I don’t waste as much time (though I still have the ability).  I thought I was busy before and didn’t have enough time to read more, but I found out that by eliminating or reducing a few small pleasures (like late night TV, facebook stalking,  spending time with my wife and children… Ok! I was kidding on that last one.) that I have more time than I thought I did and can spend it in more productive ways like reading.

2. I’m a faster reader now. I didn’t set out to increase the rate at which I read or even comprehend what I read, but as a result of reading more often it just happened. I read faster now and comprehend better than I ever have (but I’m still not a speed reader by any stretch of the imagination).

3. I’m a more discerning reader.  I’ve learned that the quality of the books you read is more important than the quantity of books you read. My goal next year is not to read more books, but to read better books.

4. My Daughter is a better reader. She’s five and she’s advanced from just knowing the sounds that letters make to reading on a first grade level in the past year. (Technically if you count all the books I’ve read to her I’m well over double my 100 book goal.)

5. I’m actively and intentionally encouraging others to read. This past year I volunteered to mentor a couple of kids at our local junior high and have been impressed to see them start reading at and above their grade level. I’m also involved at my daughters elementary school helping her peers learn their sight words.

I’m sure I’ve changed in other ways as well. These are just the 5 that jumped out at me.  I’ll be sharing more in the coming weeks about my goals for next year! And I’ve got some big ones.  How about you? What are you thinking about challenging yourself to next year?

 

Night of the Living Dead Christian Review

On By pastorjonathanIn Uncategorized2 Comments

I’m excited about Matt Mikalatos’ book Night of the Living Dead Christian.  The book recounts the tale of Matt and his friends as they search to cure the neighborhood werewolf, Luther Martin.  Their urgent quest leads them through some bizarre and incredible adventures around town.

Night of the Living Dead Christian is not a scary book.  Don’t be freaked out by the monsters. The monsters serve as a metaphor for something much greater and in many places they supply a healthy dose of comic relief.

I was greatly impressed with scope of this book.  Mikalatos is proving himself to be an excellent author and master of metaphor. He will have you laughing one moment and pondering the deeper things of life the next.  He has witty sense of humor and an engaging style of writing. Reading Night of the Living Dead Christian is a breath of fresh air.  I’m looking forward to reading any future books that Matt may write and am seriously considering picking up his first book Imaginary Jesus.

Check out the video below and the following links for more info on The Night of the Living Dead Christian, including a free download of the first chapter.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book free from Tyndale House Publishers as part of their Tyndale Blog Network. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Zombies in your Neighborhood?

On By pastorjonathanIn FictionLeave a comment

Zombies are making a huge comeback and according to at least two Christian authors, Zombies are real!  What’s interesting is that both authors claim that you might even have zombies living in your neighborhood.  Hiding in plain sight. Maybe even looking you back in the eye when you look in the mirror?

Both writers are using zombie allegory to proclaim biblical truth. Each author has his own slant and one author doesn’t even stop with zombies, he goes all the way into figuring out how to fight the ill effects of the rest of the monster world. Both books are exceptional in their own right and well worth a read. I’ll be posting reviews on them next week here on the blog, but in the meantime check out what Amazon has to say about Matt Mikalatos’ book Night of the Living Dead Christian and Jeff Kinley’s book The Christian Zombie Killer’s Handbook.

Check back on December 15th for my review of Night of the Living Dead Christian and a chance to win a voucher for your own free copy.  What can I say, I love to give out free books (and especially books about zombies!).

Oh and be looking for Zombies in your neighborhood and in the mirror, you might be surprised at what you find.

Is Church Designed for Sissies?

On By pastorjonathanIn books, Manhood, Ministry1 Comment

  Why Men Hate Going to Church by David Murrow is a compelling book about the gender gap that is growing in congregations world-wide.  Women outnumber men in some congregations with the differential ratios as high as 63 to a measly 37 percent.   In his newly revised ground breaking book Murrow attempts to explain the feminization of the church and what pastors and leaders can do to restore the masculine appeal.

The thing that piqued my interest most about Why Men Hate Going to Church is that way that Murrow lines out his argument for masculine church being a Biblical model.  According to Murrow (and he has some interesting stats and historical data on his side), the church (in general) has slowly drifted into a feminized form of Christianity which by nature appeals to women and excludes men.  The most damaging element of the slide into gender favoritism is that Church has historically appealed to men.

I really enjoyed reading this book and give it a full five stars. I can see it being useful to pastors and ministry leaders who are looking to restore some of the biblical and redeemed cultural initiatives that appeal to men.  For women who are interested in helping men find their way back to church, David Murrow has written another book that you may find helpful as well, How Women Help Men Find God.  You can find out more about author David Murrow and the book Why Men Hate Going to Church on his website: churchformen.com

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson as part of the BookSneeze program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Attitude of Gratitude: Appreciating what we have

On By pastorjonathanIn blogging, Holiday, Just ThinkingLeave a comment

It’s Thanksgiving (or at least Thanksgiving Eve) and for the past week I have been bombarded with e-mails touting Black Friday deals, Cyber Monday offers, and Christmas specials. I get it. It’s the same message every year I can remember since the 80’s.  “The economy is in the tank and we are getting ready for Christmas early this year in hopes that Christmas will save the economy.”  I’ve heard rumors that some stores are even opening up on Thanksgiving this year to get a jump on Black Friday.

Could it be true?  Would we miss Thanksgiving in order to get a jump on holiday spending?  Is our last great hope for the economy really Christmas?   What index do we use to measure our gratefulness as a nations, because I’m pretty sure that’s what’s really in the tank here.  We stand in line to buy the newest toys, the greatest gadgets, order the most impressive hand held computer devices only to complain about how terrible the economy is and how poor we are.

Here is the deal.  I don’t think we are poor.  I think we are rich and ungrateful. Share your holiday woes with a man who works for as little as $2 a day in a third world country and see how far you get.  We covet what we don’t have instead of being thankful for the many blessings in our lives.  So this year I propose we stop some of the silliness and take time to be thankful for the blessings God has bestowed on us. Don’t skip Thanksgiving.  Don’t miss this opportunity to be grateful.

Here is my list of 21 simple things I am thankful for feel free to share some of the things you are thankful for in the comments section!

1. The gospel that has so radically changed my life.  Jesus is worthy of all glory, honor and praise.

2. My precious wife who is so much more than I deserve.  Every day with her is a gift and a blessing.

3. My children who have enriched my life beyond comprehension.  Every moment holding, loving, teaching them is a precious gift from God.

4. The Bible. I have a copy of God’s word in English that I can read and understand.

5. My education. God has provided me with a great education every step of the way.

6. My job.  I get to tell people about Jesus and walk with them as they grow… full time!

7. My Church. I get to serve along side of some of the best people I know and help others along in the journey as I have been helped.

8. My Parents. I avoided so much pain and trouble in my life simply because I grew up in their home.

9. My siblings. I have the best brother and sisters in the world. The have been God’s gift to me in shaping my personality and are a huge blessing in my life beyond the years we spent together as children.

10. My In-Laws. I love them all, especially my mother-in-law. They have all been a huge blessing, help and encouragement in my life.

11. My friends.  Though time and distance have separated many of us. I still have several men I could pick up the phone and call with anything and they would be there to listen and pray for me.

12. My Pastors.  The two men who at different churches and different times have poured into my life and blessed me as I grew in maturity.

13. My mentor. Who lead me to Christ and still keeps up with me all these years later.

14. My home. I get a roof over my head, heat in the winter, air conditioning in the summer and a bed big enough to share with my wife. It’s more than I deserve.

15. My car. It gets me from point a to point b.

16. Over the counter medicine. I have access to simple drugs to treat common symptoms like diarrhea that kill people in other parts.

17. Ice.  A large part of the worlds population doesn’t have ready access to ice for their drinks (imagine… no iced tea).

18. Books. I have so much information at my fingertips.

19. The internet. I’m able to instantly connect with people on the other side of the world. It used to take days to communicate with people on the other side of the globe.

20. Indoor plumbing. I don’t have to leave the house to bathe or take care of business in a sanitary way.

21. The freedom of speech that makes this blog and millions more like it accessable

 

What are you thankful for this Thanksgiving season?

Amazed at Amazon.com

On By pastorjonathanIn blogging1 Comment

Ever wonder how big Amazon.com is?  Check out the info-grafic below courtesy of Frugaldad.com

Amazon Infographic

 

Source: Frugaldad.com