Be careful there- not "old" like you were thinking because none of us is getting older! Right? The children all grow up and get old...but not us! So I mean "old" as in "we have been friends for many years!" No matter how you cut it though, it still comes out "old!" Well, maybe I had better start this little post all over again!
As we travel we have had the unexcelled privilege of meeting and making, new friends! There are wonderful people all over the place who are faithfully serving the Lord Jesus Christ. And in their sphere of influence they are making a difference! I believe that is what the Lord is asking of all of us- make a difference. Well Jesus said it a little differently. He said "...bear much fruit!" In fact as you read John's Gospel, chapter 15, you get the clear picture of what Jesus meant about making a difference!
These new friends come in all shapes and sizes. They come from large churches and from house churches...and everything in between. Their backgrounds are as varied as one can find. And they all have a story, not only personal stories but also ministry stories! And are these stories ever fun!
- Some are serving faithfully in feeding the poor...not only around the world but right here in America.
- Some serve in churches as Elders, or Deacons, or Musicians or Artists or Teachers of Children.
- Some have traveled the world serving others.
- Some have barely made it out of the county in which they were born and they are serving the Lord with great sacrifice right there!
- Some are living paycheck to paycheck- really, by faith.
- Others are living out retirement dreams as they serve the Lord.
- Many if not all, have been on some sort of a short term mission project- somewhere around the world.
- Some have been followers of Christ since they were tiny.
- Others have made that choice to follow Jesus just recently.
- Some know the Bible inside out.
- Others have a difficult time knowing the difference between Genesis and Concordance!
Here is the bottom line though. They all love Jesus and they want to see His Kingdom advanced. They want to know that not only are they learning the Gospels, and not only do they know the Epistles, and not only can they navigate the Old Testament, but most importantly what they are doing in the Name of the Lord counts for eternity! When you love Jesus, you have the values of eternity in mind!
One passionate young man told me that if Jesus was so driven to choose to come and live among us, and if He was so committed to our salvation that He was willing to die on a cross, then he wanted to give that same dedication and extraordinary commitment back to Jesus Christ! When you meet people like that...people who "get it," you just get pretty excited about what this entire "Jesus venture" is all about! It is not "just a ride!" It is an "adventure!!!"
Well, we are meeting some great folk. And we hope to meet you. I am speaking at different places about STADIA INTERNATIONAL-JONATHAN PROJECT and it is a real joy to see "OLD" friends and it is equally wonderful to meet "NEW" friends...all in Jesus Christ!
Prayers and blessings,
Graydon Jessup
August 22/23 Missions at Mission Viejo Christian Church, Mission Viejo, CA
September 1/2 Prayer Walking Salt Lake City, Utah
September 13 Dedication of LifeSpring Christian Church, Beaumont/Banning
Sep 28-Oct 10 JONATHAN TRAINING, Chiang Mai, Thailand
Oct 18, 25, Nov 1, 8, Alaskan Churches
Nov 19-22 National Missionary Convention, Peoria, IL
January 2010 India
1 comment:
I'm very excited to see what you and Judy are able to be involved with! I consider you and Judy an "old" friend, though you may not remember me. I met you briefly for a week of family camp at New Life Northwest in 1999 or somewhere thereabouts. Judy and I were able to have a conversation about being a minister's wife which has helped me tremendously throughout our ministry. I'm glad to have found you again and am thankful for your faithfulness!
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