At least I know I'm free

I know that Hannah is always scared to death that I will make her sing God Bless the USA any time we have a political holiday.  With all due respect to Lee Greenwood, I want to borrow a line from him today as we celebrate Independence Day.

At least I know I'm free.........

I'm proud for several things this morning:

A loving wife

Two great sons

Two great daughters in love (Hannah becomes official in 7 days)

Two awesome grandkids (Myles has been with us this week!)

A great church family

An awesome job

A beautiful home

but lets get down to the subject for today, freedom.

Most people don't really understand what freedom really means.  That is why we are in the shape that we are in today.  Rules and standards don't take away freedom, they define it.  Let me explain.

Laws are not here to restrict us, they are here to protect us.  Borders are not here to fence us in or others out.  Standards of Holiness that God set forth centuries ago don't make Him the bad guy, it shows us that He loves us enough to set us free to fail.  Before we start to argue Grace, let me also say that we are not to take advantage of His Goodness and continue to hang on to our pet sins and shortcomings, but He gives us "free will"  in our covenant relationship with Him to make right decisions without feeling that He is standing over us with a cattle prod or a giant eraser to zap us when we fail.

The key is ownership.  We have to be citizens of the Kingdom of God to enjoy the true benefits of His Grace.  By the same token, If people want to explore the greatness of America, they should go about it in a lawful manner.  The jailbreak rush over the border is not freedom, it is anarchy.

How can you really know you are free?  Go about it the right way.  Get your citizenship through the right channels.  Take some responsibility and form the right relationships.  When you do you will discover the true wonder that we call freedom.

Marriage and family

Salvation and Grace

Citizenship and Country

There is a price to pay for what we call freedom.  Is it worth it?  I say YES!!!!!!

In the flow,

Jack

Passages

A great philosopher once said "We may never pass this way again".  A lot has transpired in the time since I last blogged here.  In fact I went through several passwords and finally gave up before I confessed to the powers that be (Google of course) that I have no clue what my password is.  I will post a hint in this blog for myself that only I and my sister and brother would get so this wont happen again!

Here we are, almost a year later.  My apologies for not taking care of this blog.  It's not that I don't have anything to say (although you may disagree with me after you read this) or my sometimes poor internet skills (just ask Google or my web server, Fat Cow.com) or my desire to express myself (just ask anybody, no shortage of opinion here), but probably that awful four letter word.....TIME.

As I was cruising facebook one day I saw where a former student of mine was retiring from teaching.  She was admittedly from one of my earliest years of teaching, but still looks like she could be in her 20's or 30's and with the same sparkle in her eye that she had when I taught her.  My response was something like "how can you possibly retire?  Go back in that classroom and do another 20 years!"

It seems like only yesterday when we were all out there on that practice field (parking lot) or at band camp or at a football game and now?????  Some of my students have more grandkids than I do.

not you, Paige, that remark was for some of your classmates.

Which brings me now to current events.  My kids.

Kid #1, Christopher is as we speak finishing a family vacation at Myrtle Beach.  He and his lovely wife, Angie have two beautiful children.  Myles, who is now 5 and a pre-school graduate looks just like his dad (and therefore like me, don't you love the tie in to the beautiful remark?) and Emma, who is 20 months old and still looks at me like a calf at a new gate.  He is a customer service rep and a children's pastor.  I remember the first time he went to church camp and ended up going commando because Lew Nix, his counselor and Christopher couldn't locate everything in his suitcase.

Kid #2, Daniel just finished his Doctorate at Emory University in Physical Therapy.  He completed his education with a 4.0 average (Highest Honors) and is studying for his boards next month.  Also next month He is marrying Hannah Roesch, a beautful redheaded soon to be Elementary School teacher from Toccoa, Georgia.  He is also beginning a job search and together they are looking at houses in the Jefferson area.  It seems like only yesterday, Daniel was getting in trouble with Mary Williamson for disrupting Kindergarden.

Frances and I will be fine, no empty nest syndrome here.  We have plenty to keep us occupied, me with work, my music, my ministry, bowhunting, and my dogs and her with being my snowbunny super hot midlife crisis incredible drummer, gardener, sidekick, accountability partner, and soulmate.  As we prepare for Daniel and Hannah's wedding I remember when she came in the back door of Jefferson United Methodist church on that day in 1979 and took my breath away.

So my journey continues, from that place where the train City of New Orleans pulled out of in that famous song, (there's a hint for you) to a lazy morning on Runt's Private Drive.  Time is flying by and life couldn't get much richer.  To those of you who have played a part in this adventure, I say thanks and I love you, and stay in touch.  I promise to do better......really.....

In the flow, 

Jack

Matters of the Heart

Above all, guard your heart....

Let's look at two HUGE issues facing Christian people today:

Holy Spirit Baptism and Lust.   I will pause here for everyone to take a deep breath and to steady themselves.  OK.  READY?

1.  Holy Spirit Baptism   As someone born into the Methodist church, and sprinkled into the fellowship of believers in 1957 I can promise I had much catching up to do in this regard when I discovered the possibilities of gifts and manifestations of the Holy Ghost in the spring of 1978.  (math students, I was 22 years old, and in a close encounter of the God kind, I told the Lord that I was totally incapable of living a "Christian" life and if He wanted me to do so, He would have to give me the power to do it.  To make a long story short, He did exactly that.

There are many doctrinal discussions and theories about whether or not it is necessary to speak in tongues to be "Spirit filled".  Many Pentecostals insist that you must speak in tongues or you didn't receive it (or Him as it were).  I always say you don't have to speak in tongues, you GET TO.

Here is the key, as I see it.  Speaking in tongues is an exercise of faith that involves bypassing your understanding (and thus your mind) and speaking out of your spirit man.  To do so requires a level of submission and trust that supercedes any previous experience you have ever had.  The flow of living water from within should be beyond human understanding and communication skills, as the awesomeness of God is so far beyond description.  Trust me on this one.  If you think the essence of an unlimited, all powerful God can fit in your tiny human noggin you are kidding yourself.  So relax, check your submission level, take a deep breath, and say, "Holy Spirit, Speak through me".

Speaking in tongues is not the point.....Where is your heart?  Out of that overflow will come a sound with which you will be amazed.  We usually get this one backwards.

2.  Lust  Before you SuperChristians start to bark, let me say that as humans walking around in our earth suits, nobody is perfect and nobody is sinless.  Lust is a very real thing.  That new car, that boat, that diamond ring, that big house, all these things appeal to all of us.  When someone else has it, it is a perfectly normal thing to want it yourself.  Let's go one step deeper (or darker).

Sex

There, I said it.

Alright, buckle your seat belts.  Here we go.  What causes lust?  Pornography?  Scantily dressed men or women?  Improper physical or emotional contact?  Flirting?  I say these things are not the cause of lust, but are manifestations of a lustful heart.  The condition of your heart causes you to look at that R rated movie, to pick up that magazine, to flirt or even be unfaithful or lacivious.  If we would fill our hearts with good things, and take into captivity any wild imaginations or thoughts, and call upon the Lord to wash us clean with the water of His Word, we would see a difference in how these things manifest in our lives.   Try it this week and see what happens in your heart.

Because out of your heart flow the issues of life.

In the flow...

JACK

                                                               

Resurrection Sunday

Resurrection Sunday.....He is Risen indeed!

Amazing service yesterday at Walk on Water.  We continue to be surprised by His Presence week after week.  Pastor Angie Burgess did a super job with the teaching on the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus.  Altars filled with people hungry for a touch from God.  Worship time was strong, including the following songs:

Happy Day by Tim Hughes
Praise Adonai by Paul Baloche
Glorious Day by Casting Crowns
Grace Flows Down by Chris Tomlin
Here I Am to Worship/When the Music Fades

this blog, infrequent as it is, is networked with others at http://www.theworshipcommunity.com/sunday-setlists-245/#more-5844

Healing Flow will be leading worship Friday night, April 5 at a Seder dinner at the Garrison Center in Homer GA.  Yall come out and celebrate Passover with us!

in the flow...

Jack

Guitar Wars

been a while, huh?

Gun control, taxes, football teams losing heartbreakers, what?

Ok let's quit whining for a minute and get down to what is important.  What in the world is going on?

I feel a great disturbance in the force.  Well, in the Spirit, then.  God is moving at our little fellowship, Walk on Water church in Commerce, Georgia.  Peoples lives are getting changed, out little building is filling up, and we wonder what is next.

Question for all you deep thinkers.  Has this ever happened to you?  When we were going through our sound check today, I couldn't get my acoustic guitar to behave.  We tried everything and kept getting static, feedback and overall bad sound.  So, I switched to the Tele and made it work.  Me on an electric guitar is always an adventure, but at least it was working right.  Then in the middle of the set the top e string popped.  I reached for my all of the sudden no so trusty Taylor.  It worked fine.  WHAT'S UP WITH THAT!

Except for having to turn off a monitor because of switching from passive to active pickups the rest of the set was just fine.  Actually pretty good.  So the question remains, do you ever experience this kind of interference when God is about to move?

Today's set included

You are Good  Israel Houghton (first time in about 6 years)
Our God  Chris Tomlin
Hymn Medley  (In the Garden, There is None Like You, Leaning on the Everlasting Arms, I Saw the Light)
Hold On  Healing Flow
We Prepare the Way  Rick Pino

in the flow

Jack

This blog is networked from time to time with the Worship Community.com  check it out and see what others around the country are singing! http://www.theworshipcommunity.com/sunday-setlists-235/

Running on Water, Chasing Him....a followup report

So, its Monday morning and rainy and still trying to get my sea legs under me.

well, figuratively of course.

Sunday was amazing at Walk on Water Church.  Pastor Angie spoke on Worship using the story of Mary and the alabaster box.  The Presence of the Lord was there in a powerful way and lives were touched.

The set list included:

Rooftops by Jesus Culture
Everyday by Hillsongs United
Glorious Day by Casting Crowns
Treasure by Healing Flow
Ascend by Lenny LeBlanc
The More I Seek You by Kari Jobe

Its cool to see how our Hannah Roesch has learned to flow in the Spirit.  She is a gifted singer who is developing into an Anointed Worship leader.

Pray for us and Walk on Water Church as we seek the Lord's wisdom in the coming weeks.  I really feel that God is up to something big.

In the flow....

Jack

Walking on Water

OK, here it is, a shameless plug for my church home.  There are many reasons why I love my church.  Let me share the top 10.

10.   The Praise Team.  Yes, Healing Flow.  You have got to understand, a church like ours does not usually get to have live, passionate, contemporary praise music.  I am not bragging on myself and my family, I am bragging on God.  You really can't possibly understand how blessed I am that God uses us like he does.  Cathy Roesch, Hannah, Kenny Voyles, my wife Frances, and my son Daniel are all anointed by God to lead worship.  Commerce, Georgia's best kept secret.

9.  The People.  We have a core of people at Walk on Water that will absolutely go to war.  This is in a converted garage, at a body shop, with no sign, no advertising, and only word of mouth.  We are soon going to have to make decisions concerning where we will meet based on running out of space.

8.  The Spirit.  God shows up on a regular basis, in that very same garage.  We should never take the Glory of God for granted as few churches get to experience the freedom and the flow that we get at WOW church.  Thank you Lord.

7.  The Word.  Great preaching week in and week out by our talented Pastoral staff,  Pastors Perry and Angie Burgess and Outreach Pastor Greg Roesch.  Fresh Rhema word straight from the Throne in a challenging yet highly entertaining delivery.  Never a dull moment.

6.  The Children's ministry.  Children's Church led by Linda Seabolt, a Saint of God with a lifelong passion for children and a calling and Anointing to match.  You don't have to worry about what is going on with your kids when Linda is in charge.

5.  The Heart for Ministry.  Walk on Water served as a homeless mission in Athens and fed and housed hundreds of people during that time.  Our Pastors have such a giving heart and a drive to help people that is evident when you meet them

4.  The Heart for Souls.  People can and will be confronted with the Gospel in this church.  Lives are changed and people are meeting Jesus.  What more can you ask for?

3.  The difference.  This is not your usual church.  As a matter of fact, this church cannot be copied or compared to any other church.  There is no compromising of the truth, no meaningless religious rituals, no preconceived notions.  Only genuine seeking of God.

2.  The Freedom.  Unparalleled liberty in worship.  You might need a few weeks to get your sea legs as the flow can be pretty powerful.  In my over 30 years of leading worship I have never experienced a trust and a freedom to worship as I have with Pastors Perry and Angie Burgess.

1.  The Pastors.  They make it all happen.  Now, before you rebuke me about exalting man let me qualify this by saying, these pastors bring this to pass only because they are 100 percent sold out and submitted to the Holy Spirit.  Their transparency and honesty before God is so refreshing in a world that is crying out for something real.  We are truly blessed.

There you have it folks.  Now if you are curious, or need a church home, come to 217 Sandy Creek Road (off the Ila Road near the golf course) and turn at the sign for Scott's Body Shop.  You will not be disappointed, I promise.

In the flow.....

Jack