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Talk about a sucker punch!

I surrender all...today

I was listening to a song by Above the Golden State called "Sound of Your Name" and this line popped out at me:

The plans we made were bound to stumble Only you remain...

So often we make plans that we want to happen. So often those things never happen or what happens don't remotely resemble what we had in our minds. Things change...people change. I find it kind of funny to think back to when I was in college 5 years ago and what I had planned on my 5 year goal list. I don't have that but I bet it looked something like: I want to be a pastor...be married and have kids. Thats it...interesting huh? Never would I have imagined how much I've learned and finding the love of my life right beside me. The kid thing is...well...part of the story yet to be written.

As I was watching a sermon online today the pastor was talking about our passions and what would we do if we knew we wouldn't fail. It hit me that I don't do a lot of things and plan things that I know that I can't do. I plan things that I have control over and know that I have the ability to do. This isn't the Christian life. This is the life of most Christians who when you ask them how they are doing they reply with their latest sad story about this or that and let you know that they are"here" or that "the bills are getting paid". Did Christ die for that? So that we could pay the bills or just be here? Doesn't John 10:10 tell us that Christ came so that we could have an abundant life?

I am realizing lately that I have misunderstood the song I surrender all. For the longest time I thought it was about a moment in time where you announce or proclaim that you have given everything to Christ. While that might be part of it, it is much more of a daily process that too many of us forget. We need to surrender the small things...the things that we don't think are that big...the times when we decide against something that is God-sized and do something that is our-sized.

Mark Batterson said that he wanted to do less things in ministry and life that he could take credit for and do more things that only God could take credit for. That is what I want...that is what all Christians should want. A life that is God-sized, worthy of the calling that God has placed on our lives. Not a calling that requires you to be in the ministry or a missionary. Rather a calling to live out your life, no matter the field, for the GLORY of God. Still, too often we find ourselves just getting by and we don't reach for the God-sized things. We fail to surrender all...we only surrender some. Today and every day forward that simply is just not good enough.

The plans we make that are our-sized rather than being God-sized ARE bound to stumble and fail.

May we all reach for things that are beyond our reach and plans that only a God like our God could accomplish!

Perspective

Who is Jesus to you?

I watched a sermon online today and it was talking about perspective and how it affects us. Automatically things and songs began popping into my head about my perspective right now.

1. My Jesus by Todd Agnew talks about which Jesus do we follow. Is it the one who is seemingly after the America dream? Does he pretty blue eyes, curly brown hair and a clear complexion? Or is it the one who was battered and scarred for our sins?

The last few Christmas's I have been thinking a lot about why he came rather than about the baby in the manger. It was incredible that he came so weak and so powerless. I love to be reminded of the stories but often times, like in the movie "Talladega Nights" we sometimes stop and have warped pictures of who Jesus really is. In that movie Ricky Bobby prays to "baby Jesus" and they all go around the table saying how they like to see Jesus. That is what the American Church has done due to the consumerist culture that we live in. We turn Jesus into something specific that we need rather than him being all we need. We perceive him to be an avenue to get to where we want to go, rather than being "THE Way, The Truth and The Life"!

2. Chris Tomlin sings a song "God of this City" and it talks about how God is not done working...a line in the song goes "greater things have yet to come, greater things are still to be done in this city". Wherever you are right now...don't miss God moving...maybe it is in the small things or maybe you are too close to see what he is doing. Take the time this Christmas season to look around and notice God's hand moving...changing and shaping the world around you!

3. The video above has really hit me in the face. I need to give more relationally and be aware of those around me...everyday...those people that I miss and that need to be noticed!

Advent Conspiracy

Jellyland update 12.2.08

Hey...here's a top ten list of what's going...or has happened or is going to happen in the Jellison home



10. I am loving me some Swiss Miss hot chocolate right now! There is NO BETTER hot chocolate anywhere than Swiss Miss!

9. We had a great Thanksgiving week. We went down to Anderson on Wednesday and played some ball with the guys and Sarah went shopping with her friend from college. We went to Buffalo Wild Wings (like 20 ppl!) and then went back to mom's and got in the hot tub! Thursday Kerry and his girlfriend and her kids, and Peggy came over to Elwood for food and some Hold 'Em! Great times...I got to hang out with Ben too!

8. I got a new phone but...I lost my old phone and all the phone numbers! So...if you would call me or text me with your number that would be wonderful (if you want to :) ) ...it is amazing when I think about how few numbers that I have memorized because of the lack of needing to!

7. Sarah bought me Indiana Basketball tickets for my birthday to go to the December 6th game at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis...that is this saturday and I cannot wait!

6. Sarah and I went on a date yesterday to Pottery Schmottery in Elkhart and painted a piece of pottery and then they glaze it and magic... pics will follow when we get our pieces! then we went to chili's and had some great food....great date!

5. I am addicted to playing Scrabble...I cannot get enough of it!

4. We are going to put up the tree today...pray for us!

3. I had a nostalgic moment yesterday trying to find some christmas music and remembered listening to Kenny and Dolly's Christmas album...anyone still have that (EHM...mom?) with the song, "I'll be home with bells on" ? My dad ended up hating that song because we played it so much...good times!

2. We all have favorite Christmas songs...I like the one listed above and O Holy Night and The Chipmunks "Christmas Don't be Late" ...what about you? What's your favorite Christmas song(s)?

1. I am so thankful for the family that I have and the changes that have happened over the past year. I am so thankful for Sarah and her family and our friends...be thankful for whats around you now so that you won't miss it twice! Once now and then again later when you wish you had it back