Things I Meant To Tell You Before You Left

Proverbs 1:8 “My son, hear the instruction of your father, and do not forsake the law of your mother.”

This is on open letter to our son Luke. We moved him to Spring Arbor University to begin his freshman year on Monday. If you’ve gone through this then you can totally relate to the emotions a parent goes through at a time like this. If you haven’t, then let me warn you, it’s horrible. There I was crying like a baby, knowing all the while that Luke was smack dab in the center of God’s will for his life, but still not wanting to let him go. As we drove away, I thought of a million things I meant to tell him about life. So, I thought maybe I could share a few of them with you:

(1) Do you remember all those bedtime stories I made up about “super boy”, the kid in the neighborhood who always rescued the other kids when they were in trouble, and then always ended the story by asking, “do you know who super boy really is?” and you would smile, point to yourself and answer “Luke”? I meant to tell you that I did that because I wanted you to grow up with the confidence that you had what it takes to help people who are in need. I can see that now in you as you reach out to your friends who need a word of encouragement or just a little help in life, you're there for them.

(2) Do you remember the time we laid down in the driveway to face the wind and the thunderstorm that scared the snot out of you? I meant to tell you that I did that because I wanted you to learn to face your fears. Because no matter how old we get, things come up in life that scare us and we need to learn to face them just like we did with that storm. Now I can see that you’re a guy that doesn’t scare easy and that you have a strength and confidence that comes through everything you do.

(3) Do you remember when you joined the Rocket Football Team and thought that first side-ache was terminal and wanted to quit? I meant to tell you that the reason I wouldn’t let you quit is that if you were ever going to be a winner in life then you would have to learn to push through, and press on, when things get tough. That every successful person I know has had to learn how to do the “hard things." I can see that in you as you’ve faced the challenges of learning to shoot and edit videos, create your own website, and become a worship leader. Aren’t you glad you didn’t quit that dumb football team?

(4) Do you remember all those mornings after our time at “big daddy’s bistro” that I drove you to middle school and you slept the whole way? I meant to tell you that I didn’t mind getting up early to make you breakfast and then drive you to school because I loved to spend time with you. I wanted you to know that your Heavenly Father is the same way. He just loves spending time with you too. I can see that today as you make your personal devotion time with God a real priority in your life. I love seeing how genuine your relationship with Jesus is and how much He has helped shape your life.

(5) Finally, do you remember the million times we butted heads on issues? How I seemed to hold you to a higher standard then your sisters, or even your friends? I meant to tell you that I wasn’t trying to be hard on you, but was just trying to help you become the man God created you to be. So, when those seemingly little things became big things it’s only because every decision we make in life has consequences, and consequences matter. But I’ve watched you over the last few years make some really great choices and decisions in your life.

Well that’s all there’s room for. Just know this Luke, even though the season has changed and you’ve gone off to college I’ll always be your dad, and you’ll always be my super boy. I love you son!

Thanks everybody for letting me share this with you.

With love-


Jeff

Heirs Together

Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered. 1 Peter 3:17

There are two parts of this scripture that are worth taking some time to drill down on. The first is this idea of living with your spouse “with understanding” as a way of honoring one another. Which means that it’s possible that we could be married for years but really never take the time to understand each other. If husbands and wives are ever going to understand each other than we need to take time to have honest, God honoring communication.

The other day I came across 10 questions that I had ask my wife to answer for me about 8 years ago to help me understand her better. According to this verse if we can learn to understand each other we get to partake in the second part and become “heirs together of the grace of life.” In simple terms, this just means that we can expect God’s grace to rest upon our lives and marriage. I don’t know how it is for you, but the more of God’s grace I get to tap into the better!

So, these questions are not original with me, and frankly I just don’t remember where I got them. So, if you’re reading this and think, “hey, I’m the author of those questions”, well let me apologize. I don’t mean to plagiarize you, I just forgot the source, so please don’t sue me. Here they are:

(1) Is there anything I could do to cause you to feel more loved

(2) Is there anything I can do that would give you the confidence that I respect you and the desires of your heart?

(3) Is there anything I need to do that would cause you to feel more secure?

(4) Is there anything I can do that would indicate that I hear and understand your heart?

(5) Is there anything further I need to do to cause you to have an even greater confidence regarding our future direction?

(6) Is there any attribute you would like for me to develop or strengthen?

(7) Is there any attribute you would like me to help YOU develop in yourself, even if it’s only by praying for you?

(8) What achievement in my life would bring you the greatest joy?

(9) What can I do to indicate to you my desire to be more like Jesus?

(10) What mutual goal, or goals would you like to see us accomplish together?

May I suggest that you share these questions with your spouse and see how you can understand each other better? It may just result in you both becoming, “the heirs together of the grace of life.” May God help you take your marriage and your life to a whole new level!

Peace-

Jeff

On Monday we moved our daughter Annie down to college for the start of her junior year. Annie’s a great kid, and she’s doing fantastic in college. She’s a wonderful student, a great athlete and leader on her volleyball team. So we found ourselves giving her one of those mom and dad pep talks. Really what we were doing is what Jesus often did with His disciples as He challenged them to look beyond what they saw with their natural eyes. He wanted them to look beyond this natural field of wheat, and see a world that needed to hear the Good News.

Do you not say, 'There are still four months and then comes the harvest'? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest! John 4:35

It’s what we were doing with Annie as we talked about what this year could look like. We were trying to help her paint a picture of what this next year could look like. God reminds us that people without vision perish, or we could say, they end up living below God’s best because they lost their vision for what life could be like. It’s too bad, but people often limit themselves to their natural vision, but God has so much more for us. Our hope was to help Annie see that a good year could be transformed into a great year by looking to set bigger goals for herself and her team.

Vision—Biblical vision is not what you see with your natural eyes, but what you see with the eyes of your heart. It’s not what “is”, it’s what “could be”. He wants us to use our faith and look beyond the natural fields in our life, and grasp the reality of what is possible.

Are you living below God’s best for your life? What do you see? Is it time to “lift up your eyes” and see beyond your circumstances? Maybe it’s time to looks beyond your present disappointments, your present heartaches, or maybe even your present position at work. So lift up your eyes, what do you see with the eyes of your heart? Begin to paint a new picture for your life. Is it a picture of a healthy marriage, and happy and blessed family, is it a new job or a brand new course in life? It’s up to you, will you do it today, will you take some time with God and “lift up your eyes” with Him. Remember, He said, what’s impossible with man IS possible with God, so lift up your eyes and dream big!

Meghan

In the third chapter of Ephesians it talks about really grasping how much God loves us. There's a phrase in the Amplified that I just love, it goes something like this. "...that we would come to know practically, through experience the love of God."

Our oldest daughter Meghan graduated from college this May and is heading off to Bible School here in a couple of weeks. It’s been a time of reflection for me as I’ve tried to put my mind around the last 22 years since Meghan was born into our family. My goal as a dad was a pretty simple, yet at the same time incredibly important. You see my goal has always been to love Meghan like God loves Meghan so that as she grew up she would know, practically through experience, the love that her Father God has for her, and even more, that He approved of her, and was proud of her.

Words can’t accurately express how proud I am of our little girl. She is just so special to Beth and I and we are so grateful for the role she has played in setting a great example to her sister and brothers. She’s smart, she’s gorgeous, she’s got a tender heart for people, and a genuine desire to make her life mean something for God, and I don’t doubt that she will.

Don’t ever underestimate the importance of feeling loved and being accepted will do for someone. It’s what allows them the freedom to explore who they are without feeling like there is a critical eye on them. There’s a strength that comes to all of us when we know, practically through experience, that the people who are the most important to us are on our side through thick and thin. They are there to cheer us on win or lose. You see that’s what God does for us. He made you and I to succeed in life, and He’s always there cheering us on to our next accomplishment.

I can hardly think about the 22 years with our Meghan without tears forming in my eyes. She’ll tell you that’s pretty common with her dad. I just hope that my little “tenderheart”…that’s what I called her, knows that her dad is extremely proud of her and very thankful that God brought her into our lives. We are so looking forward to seeing what God has in store for her and we will always be her biggest cheerleaders. We love you Meghan with all of our hearts!

Do you have someone cheering you on? I hope so. But if you can’t name anyone, don’t forget that there is always someone cheering you on. He’s the One who thought so much of you that He freely gave up His life for yours on the cross. He’s proud of you. He accepts you, and He is cheering you on to greater things today. His Name is Jesus Christ!

Next Level

Wow, we just came back from hearing some testimonies from a bunch of the high school students who are attending the Next Level program at our church. Next Level is a two-week intense discipleship program that we've offered here in the summer for the last three years. The program runs from 9 to 9 everyday, Monday through Friday, and is a combination of prayer, worship, teaching, serving, goofing off and having fun.

This year we have just over 100 students who have given up two weeks of their summer to grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ and each other. I wish you could have heard what we just heard. These students are the real deal and as they shared with us the things God has been teaching them the last week in a half we just shook our heads in amazement. The insight that these young people have is truly inspiring as they went around the room and talked about how God was changing them and how much they were in love with Jesus and willing to give Him their lives.

A few of them spoke of how hard it was to lose some of their other friends because of their commitment to become a true-blue follower of Jesus, and these are kids who are still in a season of their lives when relationships are everything.

Well, I just wanted to share with you that we just left a room full of hope. A hope for a brighter future, a hope for America and a hope for the world. Jesus is still changing lives here on earth and He is doing it here in the lives of some high school students at Valley Family Church. Beth and I are so thankful for Matt McCarty our pastor/director over high school and middle school ministries and Jeff (PJ) Werkmeister our high school pastor. These two young men have a heart after God and a love for these kids that is real and genuine and their work is truly impacting their generation and beyond.

Thanks Matt and PJ for making a difference in the lives of these kids, and for what you've done in the lives of the four Jones kids. We will be forever grateful for your efforts. We love you guys.

So, if you've ever wondered if this world has a chance, then be encouraged because there is a generation of Jesus lovers and people servers who are being raised up in Kalamazoo, Michigan who are ready to take themselves and the world around them to the Next Level.

Yours for Him-

Jeff

A Day of Solitude

What a day I've had. I'm one of those guys who enjoys a little time alone. Hope that doesn't sound too self-centered, but I know there are others out there just like me. We love people and to share our lives with others, but every so often it's nice just to get alone and get quiet. I've had one of those days today, sitting all alone on our back deck by the pool wrapping up this weekend's message. It's been good just to spend some time with my Bible and my Lord talking about life.

In just a little while I'm heading out with my wife to play a round of golf with some other couples and have a nice dinner with some new friends. What a great way to end a day of solitude with nice conversations and a lot of laughs.

Thank you Lord!

Preparing for a Message

I'm taking a little break from my studies to talk about the sermon that I'm working on. What an awesome privilege it is to share with our congregation from the Word of God. It's such an awesome responsibility that should never be taken lightly.

Today we are preparing the last message in a series called "Slacker" and the message deals with jerking the slack out of our 9 to 5. As you can imagine it's a message of how we can glorify Jesus Christ through our work lives. I'm going to be using an example from the life of David that will remind us all that he didn't start out being the"King David" we all know and appreciate, but that he started his journey much lower on the org chart. In fact, he was the youngest of eight boys, but there was something special about this young man and his approach to life that guided him from shepherding his father's sheep to shepherding a entire nation. So my prayer today is that God will continue to guide my thoughts to allow this message to touch the hearts and minds of our people, helping them to apply these simple principles to their lives and glorify God everyday in their 9 to 5.

Like it says in Colossians 3:23, "and whatever you do, do it heartily as to the Lord and not to men." May all of our "whatever we do's" today show off our love and commitment to Jesus.

In Him-

Jeff