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pastorjbstone
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Interests: “If you want your life to count, if you want the ripple effect of the pebbles you drop to become waves that reach the ends of the earth and roll on for centuries and into eternity, you don't have to have a high IQ or EQ; you don't have to have good looks or riches; you don't have to come from a fine family or a fine school. You have to know a few great, majestic, unchanging, obvious, simple, glorious things, and be set on fire by them.” – John Piper
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Member Since:
1/26/2006
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| So I'm the new assistant coach for
the Washburn varsity girl's soccer team. That's cool. It's
the first "official" coaching capacity I've ever had. I hope it's
the first of many opportunities to come. Pray for me that I can
help lead and coach in a manner that is glorifying to God. I came
on halfway through the season, though, but that's ok, it'll still be
fun.
This is an announcement for any of the Dunntown Youth who frequent my site...
Sunday, September 10th is the official kickoff meeting for the Junior and Senior High youth groups. We'll begin at 4:30pm at the church
with a meeting of both groups. There'll be food, fun and prizes
to welcome you guys back. Bring friends who you'd like to see
start coming to youth group more regularly. After the kickoff is
over, we'll move upstairs for the September Dunntown Youth Service which starts at 6pm.
I hope everyone comes out because it's going to be a great night of fun
and worshiping the Lord! We look forward to seeing you guys there!
***For all my BICS-ers I wish you guys could be here, too. We
miss you guys, but we commend you and give thanks for your desire to
deepen and increase your knowledge and relationships with Jesus.
Keep on
learning all you can!***
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| “If you want your life to count, if you want the ripple effect of the pebbles you drop to become waves that reach the ends of the earth and roll on for centuries and into eternity, you don't have to have a high IQ or EQ; you don't have to have good looks or riches; you don't have to come from a fine family or a fine school. You have to know a few great, majestic, unchanging, obvious, simple, glorious things, and be set on fire by them.” – John Piper Lately I've been troubled by the amount of "me-ness" that seems to be going on around me. It seems like everyone wants to be the center of it all. People are jealous of others success. Why? Because they want it for themselves. They want glory for themselves. It even happens in churches across the country. People are focusing upon the blessings that God has given them as a cosmic payback for all the good that they are doing and "deserve". I think we're going down a path that we're not going to like in the end. I spoke this past weekend at NOMACCA's Labor Day Retreat on this topic. I am really concerned for the youth of this generation because we've lost sight of what matters, what is important and where lasting joy comes from. Today we are told that if we want to count, if we want to be happy we need to take it from wherever it will come. If we have the money or the friends or the relationships then we matter! It's not true! We think we're somebody because of who we are, but in truth we are somebody because of who He is. Even Christians are struggling with "me-ness". We can sometimes be the worst, because we act no different then the world around us and then we treat Jesus as a supernatural insurance policy, an add-on. It's no good! We need to shift our mentality away from fulfilling our desires which only provides temporary, half-hearted joy to fulfilling God's desires for our lives which provides lasting, fulfilling God-glorifying joy. If only we could be set on fire for His glory and not our own, then we'd see joy. Then we'd see lives that count and honor directed in the right place. My dream for you guys is that you'd be ignited with a passion that seeks to center Christ in every aspect of your lives. That'd you'd be passionate with a desire to honor God in all you do. That'd you'd be passionate in finding joy in the blessings and trials that God allows you to partake in for His glory and your growth and maturity. "So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." - 1 Cor. 10:31 (ESV) For more on this topic (the why and the how) please read Luke Middleton's post located here: http://www.lukemiddleton.com/?p=609 "The Battle of the Mind" | | |
| Hello to everyone out there in web
land! It's been awhile since I've graced the presence of my Xanga
page. Now that summer is over, I should have a chance to show up
a bit more often. Anywho, I've been wanting to do a music review
of the newest stuff I've been listening to and maybe give some
suggestions to all you readers out there of what might be the next
thing on the Christian music scene to pick up. We're getting
ready to head off to the NOMACCA Labor Day Retreat, so I'll dive right
in with it. Enjoy!
Pastor Josh's New Music Playlist
 Good Monsters - Jars of Clay
Technically
this album isn't out yet, but the EP is available on iTunes. Jars
of Clay is one of those groups who truly are 'artists'. They are
constantly working on redefining their sound so that they're never
stale and trying to hone their gifts and abilities so that they always
have a new offering for God. I don't think this album is as good
as Who We Are Instead, but it
does have a great sound and I think it will be very popular. It
has a similar sound to the 'new' alt/80's rock typified by bands such
as Franz Ferdinand. I got to hear most of their new songs live at
this year's Soulfest and was impressed with the new sound and look
forward to the release of the new album.
Song Picks: Dead Man (Carry Me), Work, Good Monsters
 Sound of Melodies - Leeland
Until
Soulfest, I had never heard of Leeland, but I'm sure glad I know who
they are now! Much like Scotty Mac, I can't get these guys' tunes
out of
my head. I think they have a bright future as Christian artists
and
worship leaders. I think part of the hook (and strictly from an
aesthetically pleasing listening point) is the awesome Irish accent
that is evident in their
vocals. These guys really have a heart for worship and you can
almost 'feel' the joy and urgency in their praise. They have a
very classic U.K. sound and if you like bands like Deliriou5?, Coldplay
and Oasis, you will like Leeland very much. I think if you buy
just one CD in the near future, this should be it.
Song Picks: Sound of Melodies, Tears of the Saints, Beautiful Lord
 Let It Go - Paul Colman
Not
really a new album, but one that is worth a listen. It's really
too bad that not more people listen to Paul Colman because he is one of
the most talented and all around good artists out there. The
music on this album is very personal and well-written. Nice if
you like an acoustic feel. You may have to get used to the songs
on this album because since becoming a part of the Newsboys, he might
not have a new record out for awhile.
Song Picks: Gloria (All God's Children), The One Thing, Holding on to You
 Wide-Eyed and Mystified - Downhere
I
always forget how much I like these guys until I hear their new
music. Even though they are just a rock band, they have a
different vocal blend
than everyone else and it really sets them apart. You'll
find their songs are catchy and the lyrics are packed with meaning and
praise. Has reminicent tones from the DC Talk, Jesus Freak
era. A great pick for someone who wants great Christian rock with
a tasty flavor.
Song Picks: The More, A Better Way, Surrender
New Single Picks
- I'm Not Alright - Sanctus Real
- I Will Lift My Eyes - Bebo Norman
- This is a beautiful song. It probably will be sung in alot of churches across America.
- It's Not Over - Story Side B
- A new band. Decent sound, but not a new sound. Hey they're new, they'll get better.
- Made to Worship - Chris Tomlin
- This is a great new worship
song, but to have the maximum enjoyment you need to hear him do it live
in concert. Man, it was so good at Soulfest!
- Tonight - Jeremy Camp
- This is the first single off
his new album. I was thoroughly suprised and delighted that it
doesn't sound like all his other songs. If the rest of the album
is this good, expect it to be REALLY big.
- Son of God - Starfield
- Also another great, new
worship song. Acoustic and moving. Expect to hear this in
your local worship time sometime down the road.
- Praise You in This Storm - Casting Crowns
- Glorifying God in the midst of His sovereignty. Sigh... there need to be more songs written like this. See also, "Calmer of the Storm" by Downhere.
- You Don't Know - Fighting Instinct
- Cool
rock tune from another new band. They sound very much like a
Christian version of Hoobastank so if you like power rock filled with
driving guitars and sweet solos, you'll like this, too.
Well
there it is. The new music 'guide' from your very own Youth
Pastor/DJ. Check these songs and albums out. Let me know
what you think of them!
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| NLYC Tour starts next week. I'm pretty pumped up about it. I need to post more. Since I haven't done Youth Group devotionals in awhile (because of our book study) I've got things I wanna share with you guys just spilling out of me. Usually, though, I don't get them down on paper and I lose them. Not good. Anyway, keep the choir in prayer next week as we travel and also pray that the people who see the choir would be truly ministered to and that the Spirit would move in the hearts of people who desperately need to know God. Be praying also for me as I serve in leadership of our church and the choir. It seems like there are a lot of people around me right now that are hurting, seeking earnestly and desiring joy, but not knowing how to find it. My hope is that nothing I would do would be for my own ego, but that I can be the man and pastor that God has called me to be. That I can be an effective witness. That I can be a Godly leader. That I can be a man called and consecrated, for nothing but the Glory of God! Amen!
Thanks guys. Just wanna tell you that I love you. All of you. Thanks for loving me as a pastor and friend. It inspires me and encourages me in ways you all could never know.
God's been so very good to me!
-Pastor Josh | | |
| "This is the terrible fix we are in. If the universe is not governed by an absolute goodness, then all our efforts are in the long run hopeless. But if it is, then we are making ourselves enemies to that goodness every day, and are not in the least likely to do any better tomorrow, and so our case is hopeless again....God is the only comfort, He is also the supreme terror: the thing we most need and the thing we most want to hide from." - C.S. Lewis from Mere Christianity
Lewis had a way of taking a truth and really hammering it home. Nothing we do brings us to righteousness. It's futile. We can be as good we humanly can be, but it won't save us. Lewis said we're making ourselves enemies to that goodness. Well, what does that mean? It means that even though we are aware of God, aware of His righteousness, our sin nature puts us at odds with God. So, not only can we not be good enough to save ourselves, the bad that is in us it making us enemies of God. This is not good. God's justice demands our lives as payment for our sin (Romans 6:23a), as a result we really want to hide from Him.
But that's not the end...
Thank God we don't have to save ourselves. Praise God for the calling of the Holy Spirit to our souls out of the darkness and the salvation of our lives through the atoning work of Christ alone! Glory to God that our regenerate minds desire to do God's Will and when we do stumble our sin is forgiven and we are credited Christ's righteousness in exchange for our apology! That is a truth that should knock you off your feet. That truth is GOD'S PERFECT GRACE...
...and its really good! | | |
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