Wednesday, May 27, 2009

On the road again...

The great poet Robert Frost talked about two roads and which one to choose in his poem "The Road Not Taken". I got to thinking about all the choices we make each and every single day. Some, seem small and trivial. Others, large and heavy. We make decisions what to wear, where to go, how we'll spend our money, who our friends are, what to eat and when to go to bed. Other times we decide which car to buy, what to name our first child, whether or not to look for another job or when we'll buy a house. I preached a message to our graduating seniors this past sunday and I told them that wherever you end up will be determined by what road you are on.
You see, you can't end up somewhere, even if you had good intentions and good planning if you are not on that road. Our choices and decisions generally determine what road we are on. Circumstances and other people sometimes cause us to go down a different path but most of the time it is a daily journey that leads us and brings us to where we are today.
So, where are you? What is happening in your life that brings you passion and joy? How is Christ reflecting off of you? Can others see Him in your daily words and actions? Or is that light reflecting dimly to those around you? It is a daily process that leads us to look, to act and to become more like Christ. We must choose daily to make other peoples problems our problems. To come along the sick, the hurting and the oppressed and just be with them. It isn't someone elses job or something we should do because that would be nosy. It is the Church's job to be Christs' hands and feet. To accept all people but let them know that Christ loves them too much to let them stay on the path that they were on.
Where is your path leading? What choices do you think about that you haven't made in the past but should have made? Here's the kicker, we still have time. We have time to make a new choice. Start down a new path. One that leads to our lives reflecting the forgiveness, the grace, the mercy and the love of Christ daily to those around us.
Don't expect your path to lead somewhere where the road you're on isn't headed.

Monday, May 25, 2009

Jellyland Update Memorial Day Edition

Hey all...we have been uber busy lately...so here is an update from the Jellisons of the North!

10. Two out of the last 3 Sunday mornings I have preached and led worship. It takes a lot out of me but I love doing both things! I love leading worship and playing the guitar. I am so glad that I took the time and taught myself to play. Preaching on Sunday mornings is something else that I just love to do. Still, it takes a lot out of me.


9. I haven't been getting enough sleep lately because of the stupid NBA playoffs. I can't remember a more exciting playoff season than this year. Go Lakers!

8. We leave for vacation to Myrtle Beach a week from this Thursday. I am so ready! We are flying down this year because Sarah didn't want to make that trip being nearly 7 months pregnant!

7. It seems like time is just flying by. It seems like the year just started and yet here we are in the last full week of May! Summer is upon us and I am not sure that I remember Spring every getting here. It went from cold to hot.

6. We have painted the baby room. We did it in a dark brown and rich pink. It is definitely girly! I am sure that baby jelly will love it!

5. I have felt Baby Jelly kick already! It is an amazing thing to be on this journey. I can't wait!

4. A couple of weeks ago we held a fundraiser for our youth group missions week. Usually we do this fundraiser (selling chicken) in July. However we needed to do it earlier this year with everything going on. It was FREEZING!!! We sold a lot after the sale because one of the parents of a teen went around to different people and sold the leftovers! As soon as we were done, the clouds parted, the sun started shining and it warmed up. Fancy that!

3. I was shocked that Kris Allen won American Idol! We started rooting for him a long time ago and kept voting to the end. I love his style of music and his humble attitude (unlike someone else). We also liked JT from Survivor so we were two for two on winners this year.

2. Sarah and Baby Jelly are doing great. God has really blessed us with good health for both of my girls. Sarah is always concerned about this or that but overall, things are going as smoothly as they can.

1. We had our first shower this past Saturday in Bluffton. It was good to see family and friends. We also got a lot of the things we need, I am sure that the other two showers will help with that!