For what it's worth...

noreply@blogger.com (jamie riley) — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 15:07:00 +0000

I have moved...

Thank you for visiting me at "For What it's Worth". I appreciate your visit and would like to invite you to visit my new website and blog. You can find it at jjriley.net. Please feel free to check out the new site and tell me what you think. I look forward to hearing from you there.

Have a great day...

Once again the site is jjriley.net...come on over!

noreply@blogger.com (jamie riley) — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 02:54:00 +0000

Where do you run when life turns upside - down?

Proverbs:18:10
The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.

Psalm 121
I lift up my eyes to the hills—where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD watches over you— the LORD is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The LORD will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.

Are you in trouble? Is your life out of your control? There’s only one you can run to who can see you through…He’ll be your Strong Tower. Run to him…he’s trustworthy.

noreply@blogger.com (jamie riley) — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 04:42:00 +0000

Thank God for little children!

During worship this past Sunday – my daughter Kendall – age six – held up and waved a piece of paper that she had drawn several hearts on. As the congregation is singing, and Kendall is waving this piece of paper with the hearts – my wife inquires as to what, exactly she is doing.

Her reply – “I’m showing God how much I love him!”

I may be a little slow... but I didn't miss this one.

noreply@blogger.com (jamie riley) — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 03:17:00 +0000

My Thoughts on Winter ...

This may sound a little strange – but I really enjoy winter. It’s not just the winter… I love all four seasons. I especially enjoy them in Southern Ohio. Don’t get me wrong… winter, to me, is forth on a short list of four seasons – but it’s still amazing. I believe God reveals a little of himself to us through every season, and winter is no different, just a little colder. The night skies are so clear in the winter that it seems you can just reach up and touch the stars – and snow covered pine trees display a beauty that can only be born out of God's awesome creativity.

Spring and fall are my favorites by far – but summer and winter are amazing.

There are a few details that when present make the winter much more pleasant. One detail would be snow – lots of it and often. Along with the snow comes sleigh riding, snowman (snow people) building with Kristin and Kendall, and snow ball fights… you can’t go wrong there. A second detail would be warm enough temperatures on occasion – 40 to 45 degrees – to play just enough golf to keep what game I have from getting too rusty.

The only problem I can see with winter is that after the National Championship Game and the Super Bowl – the college and pro football seasons are over and baseball season is still a few months away. Sport fans are left with little more on ESPN than basketball and hockey. College basketball is pretty cool, but still leaves us a little sports starved during the coldest months of the year. I’m thankful that Golf starts in February, at least we can watch Tiger, Ernie, Phil, Rich, and the others between hockey fights and missed traveling calls in pro basketball.

By the way… I went to a fight one time – and three hockey games broke out! (Sorry)

Which season is your favorite – winter, spring, summer, or fall?

noreply@blogger.com (jamie riley) — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 06:17:00 +0000

My Music...

Here is a small list of the music CDs I’ve been enjoying lately – and would highly recommend to you as well.

Toby Mac: Portable Sounds
Newsboys: Go
Jars of Clay: Good Monsters
Relient K: 5 Score and Seven Years Ago
David Crowder Band: Remedy

All of these CDs contain songs that are very powerful and relevant. The groups share great lyrics with great music – focused on God… what more could you want in the music you listen to.

Here are the lyrics to one of the songs on the Go CD by Newsboys…

Secret Kingdom/Newsboys

This here comes breakin' in
Like brick to glass

Like grace to sin
Gonna kick down walls like West Berlin
Shout an amen

Hug it out, then
This here's gonna light a fire
Gonna pink slip preaching to the choir
Gonna send us hobbits outta the shire
Here's the theme song
Get your ring on
That there's still propagating, waiting on a rooftop
Our journey's just begun...

COME HERE, A LITTLE BIT CLOSER
I WANNA TAKE YOU TO A SECRET KINGDOM
IT'S HERE SPINNING OUR WORLD AROUND
TURN IT UPSIDE DOWN
THIS HERE IS BIGGER THAN SHOW BIZ
IT'S GONNA SHOW US WHAT THE GOOD NEWS REALLY IS
THIS HERE IS SPINNING OUR WORLD AROUND
'TIL WE'VE GOT NO FEAR

This here won't be contained
By culture, wars and trendy names
Been there, done that, wore out the t-shirts
Don't need free perks
Don't need knee jerks
This here still wakes the dead
Still gets God's people Spirit-led
Gonna put in action all we've read
Not all enraged, just all engaged
'Cause that there's still fabricating kingdoms out of boxes
We're gonna leave that slum

This here wants faithfulness, not easy fixes
This here won't shrink to fit no politics, yeah
This here knows whistles make for better mixes

COME HERE, A LITTLE BIT CLOSER
I WANNA TAKE YOU TO A SECRET KINGDOM
IT'S HERE SPINNING OUR WORLD AROUND
TURN IT UPSIDE DOWN
THIS HERE IS BIGGER THAN SHOW BIZ
IT'S GONNA SHOW US WHAT THE GOOD NEWS REALLY IS
THIS HERE IS SPINNING OUR WORLD AROUND'TIL WE'VE GOT NO FEAR

The lyrics to this song are great – but it’s even better when put to music.

So… who is your favorite group – and what are you listening to on your ipod – CD player -- or radio right now?

noreply@blogger.com (jamie riley) — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 16:29:00 +0000

Shooting in Portsmouth

A few hours ago a man entered Notre Dame Elementary School where he shot and stabbed one of the teachers who authorities believe to be his wife. The town is pretty much in shock… everywhere I’ve been today in Portsmouth the people want to talk about it hoping somehow to make sense of the whole thing. Obviously the most concerned are the parents of children in the Portsmouth area schools.

It’s a bizarre and sad day in Portsmouth… as you may know Innermission Campus Ministry is about 4 blocks from Notre Dame Elementary – and approximately 8 blocks from where the Portsmouth Police – Scioto Co. Sheriff’s Department – and the Ohio State Patrol have a block of Argonne Road shut down as the gunman is holdup in a house there.

The students here at Innermisson are anxious and hopeful for how all of this will turn out. We are all concerned for the victim of the shooting – the children at the Notre Dame Elementary School who knew the teacher well…and saw all of this happen – and for the man who is responsible for the shooting.

There are helicopters flying all around Portsmouth, and one is pretty much hovering right over Shawnee State University, and Innermission. As I said before… there is a lot of anxiety in this town today. Please pray for everyone who this tragedy has and will touch.

noreply@blogger.com (jamie riley) — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 03:15:00 +0000

You and Me - Unity

I think amazing is the word I’m looking for…I think.

As I read the story of The “Tower of Babel” it seems to me that our God finds unity amazing. I want to say impressive – but I don’t think God finds us all that impressive. I know he loves us with a love we can’t comprehend – and that he’s relentless in his loving pursuit of us – but I don’t think he’s really all that impressed with us. So at least for now I’ll use the word amazing – I think it fits. If you follow the link to Genesis 11:1-9 you can read the story of the “Tower of Babel” and decide for yourself.

Genesis 11:1-9

When I read this story I think it’s clear that their unity is more than just interesting to God. And I believe they did more than “get his attention.” The result of their unity – both in what they we able to accomplish and the steps God took to bring it to a halt, point to something amazing – and unity is amazing.

For a more insight into unity follow this link…

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

There are so many directions we could go from here, but just let me say this…

If they could accomplish so much by working together on their own… can you imagine what we could accomplish if we allowed God to unite us – to make us one in him? There would be no end to the amazing things he could accomplish through us.

But the most amazing thing our unity in him would accomplish can be found by clicking on the scripture link below…

John 17:20-23

If you have any thoughts on unity – please feel free to share…

noreply@blogger.com (jamie riley) — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 17:44:00 +0000

Take a Hike...

Hocking Hills hosted their annual Winter Hike this past Saturday the 19th. The weather forecast called for temps in the mid 20s – and for snow flurries and showers. Despite the cold temps, there was an estimated 5,000 hikers that took part in the hike, and I’m proud to say that our group of Innermission students as well as a few from Sunshine made up 18 of those 5,000 hikers.

The Winter Hike is always a great time, and the scenery is spectacular -- it's like a small part of God's amazing art gallery. We have participated in the hike for several years now, and always look forward to it with great anticipation.

Here are a few pics from the hike this year...

Click on any pic to enlarge it.

God is amazing, and it's always a blessing to see his handiwork. Not only in the things he created, but especially in people, his most magnificient creation of all.

BTW -- Please remember to pray for the 7 members of Sunshine who are on day 4 of their week long mission trip in Haiti.

noreply@blogger.com (jamie riley) — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 19:55:00 +0000

Haiti Mission Trip

In approximately 17 hours and 15 minutes 7 members of Sunshine - Brandy Gampp, Scott Gampp, Aaron Kallner, Matthew Gampp, Mike Dixon, Jason Coriell and Karen Griffith – will be departing from Port Columbus Airport in Columbus, Ohio. They will be embarking – with many prayers and much love – on a mission trip for 1 week to Haiti to work together with "Hope for Haiti’s Children." We appreciate their hearts and honor them for their desire to serve the Lord by ministering to the needs of the people of Haiti.

Please remember to pray for the team and their families – that all will go well and that God will use them for his purpose and will.

The following is an excerpt from a prayer of Saint Patrick taken from “My Sacrifice His Fire,” by Anne Ortlund.

I establish myself today in:
The power of God to guide me,
The might of God to uphold me,
The wisdom of God to teach me,
The eye of God to watch over me,
The ear of God to hear me,
The word of God to speak to me,
The hand of God to protect me,
The way of God to lie before me,
The shield of God to shelter me,
The hosts of God to defend me,
Christ with me, Christ before me,
Christ behind me, Christ within me,
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ at my right, Christ at my left,
Christ in breadth, Christ in length,
Christ in Height, Christ in the heart
of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of every man who
speaks to me,
Christ in the ear of every man who
hears me.
Confident in Christ.

Serve well in His strength guys, we’re praying for you, and we love you.

noreply@blogger.com (jamie riley) — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 02:17:00 +0000

Adventure Kingdom – Adventure for His Kingdom…

Kendall and I went to Adventure Kingdom for a while Thursday evening.. She loves to play in their Jungle Gym and I get a kick out of watching her have fun.

I thought there would be a huge crowd to deal with, but to my surprise the place was basically empty, except for a dad who had brought his three sons for an evening of fun and games. Other than that we had the joint all to ourselves.

You know the scene… parents pass one another, smile and nod, while chasing their child from one place to next. From time to time your kids are actually at the same place at the same time and you make small talk...

“How are you? It looks like your sons are a lot of fun.” I remarked.

He replied, “Thanks, your little girl is pretty.” To his sons, “Guys be a little careful around her,” Then turning to me, “You know how boys can be.”

Anyway, after a few of these 20 second visits I introduced myself, “I’m Jamie Riley,” to which he replied “I’m Steve (last name omitted),” and then he added “Things have been pretty hard lately, my wife just served me with divorce papers and I didn’t see it coming…”

I have to admit -- I didn’t see this coming at all either. I want to be available for God, and he gives me wonderful opportunities. But for some reason I thought the only thing God was using me for at this time was to love his little girl/my daughter Kendall, by allowing her to do one of her favorite winter things…play at Adventure Kingdom. But by this time I’m fully aware that he has more than one thing in mind for me.

I told Steve I was very sorry for what he was going through, and asked if there was anything I could do. He simply said “Please pray.” I said I would and told him I would ask some of my friends to pray as well. After offering to listen anytime, I gave him my cell number, and told him about Sunshine, a place where God is working in the lives of his people, and that he would be very welcome with us.

We shared a little more about our lives and as we left I assured him that I and others would be praying for him and his family. So please remember Steve, his wife, and their three sons as you spend time with God, I trust he will do something great for them.

noreply@blogger.com (jamie riley) — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 22:29:00 +0000

"THE BIG MANLY"

"Play the last song Daddy... just slide it over to the last one, it's called "The Big Manly."" That was the request of my 5 year old daughter Kendall as we drove to visit my Mom a few days ago.

So, I pressed the forward control on the cd player until we came to the last song on the Veggie Tales, "A Very Veggie Christmas" cd. I was wondering how I had missed a song called "The Big Manly" all this time -- and just what that song was.

As the music began I recognized the very familiar "Joy to the World," followed immediately by "Oh Little Town of Bethlehem," followed immediately by "Oh Come All Ye Faithful," and it finished with "We Wish You a Merry Christmas."

After the second song began I asked Kendall... what is the name of this song honey? She said "The Big Manly daddy..."

As one song ran into the next I quickly realized the name of the song was "The Big Medley," not "The Big Manly," but that's ok; she's only 5 years old. As we drove I listened to her sweet little voice singing every word to each song of "The Big Manly/Medley -- each song of hope, clearly about Jesus, and I couldn't help feeling very blessed. My daughter loves Jesus, and loves to sing to/about him. And as for the name of the song... I think it should be called "The Big Manly!" It makes total sense to me...

noreply@blogger.com (jamie riley) — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 05:01:00 +0000

A Few More Thoughts on Being Thankful…

I know it’s time to start counting the days until Christmas – time to put up the tree, the lights, and all the other great Christmas decorations. It’s time to go shopping, wrap gifts, and watch those favorite Christmas movies – as well as listen to favorite CDs or play lists – all the while reading and re-reading the story of Jesus’ birth.

It’s time …

And what a great time it is!

It’s time for the world to focus on Jesus, and when he came to earth as a human baby and changed our lives forever. And though it should be our focus daily, he’s on our minds more – much more this time of year.

But in thinking about this, my mind goes back to Thanksgiving… I mean, shouldn’t it go there anyway? But since our Thanksgiving holiday has just passed, and Christmas is quickly approaching, I just want to look back at a few things, and just a few, that I’m thankful for in 2007.

1. I’m thankful for a blessed 2007 for Kristin, Kendall, and me.
2. I’m thankful for a blessed 2007 for the Sunshine family.
3. I’m thankful that Intermission has been blessed in so many ways in 2007.
4. I’m thankful that my family had two great vacations in 07… Florida and Holden Beach, N.C.
5. I’m thankful that my arm healed so quickly (thanks to God and your prayers) after
breaking it in the cycling accident – I shot my best golf scores ever after it healed, weird
huh?!?
6. I’m thankful for a great Vacation Bible School.
7. I’m thankful that our week of camp was awesome, again.
8. I’m thankful for our mission trip to Honduras, everyone we met, and all God taught us
through the experience.
9. I’m thankful for all the simple, yet great opportunities we are blessed with on a daily basis,
as a family at Sunshine.
10. I’m thankful that God is my God, my Father, and friend – and for his patience in teaching
me that I have a lot to be thankful for.

noreply@blogger.com (jamie riley) — Thu, 22 Nov 2007 17:08:00 +0000

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

noreply@blogger.com (jamie riley) — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 16:51:00 +0000

Cumberland Falls, Crazy Teens, and a weekend with Jesus...

I was blessed again with the opportunity to teach at SpiritFest this past weekend, it’s an annual event that takes place at the Cumberland Falls State Park in Corbin, Ky. SpiritFest is always a great, spiritual event for teens and adults alike, and I enjoy participating in it.

The theme for the weekend was "Escape," a very relevant subject for Christians and non-Christians alike, and God blessed us with a wonderful atmosphere and clear focus for our time together.

The teens that attend SpiritFest are some of the most respectful and enjoyable you will meet -- and the Adults that God uses to make it all happen are fabulous. Special mention goes out to Mike Anderson, and Mike Lewis (Mike & Mike) -- God uses you guys in wonderful ways together -- thanks for being available for him and us.

My family and I were very spoiled again this year – Kristin and Kendall deserve it, but you're going the extra mile in spoiling me, and I'm thankful for all the love and kindness.

Here are a few pics taken during free time, God is amazing!

Click on any photo to enlarge it.

noreply@blogger.com (jamie riley) — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 04:27:00 +0000

“Shine Baby Shine”

Tonight in our bedtime devo we read Matthew 5:13-16.

"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

As some of you know, my daughter Kendall is 5 years old. She has a great heart, is lots of fun – and she’s a “pill” just like her mom. I never thought it possible to be in love with two ladies at the same time, but I am… my wife and my daughter.

Anyway, back to the story… after I finished reading the verses above I asked Kendall if she knew what the verses mean. Without taking a breath she said “it means that when you’re good it’s like a light that helps people see God.” I was so proud of her – like always – all I could do is smile and say you’re so right sweetie. After that we prayed, hugged, told a “made up” story, hugged some more, kissed goodnight several times – and then she went to sleep.

Now here I am winding down after another day “blown up” with blessing after blessing from God. It seems I can’t keep my mind off that sweet little girl in the other room, and as I think of her the words that keep coming to mind are the same as the title of this post…
SHINE BABY SHINE!

noreply@blogger.com (jamie riley) — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 21:06:00 +0000

One Thing

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Matthew 5:8

This verse is one of the most if not the most passion inspiring verses for me in the Bible.
Just relax for a moment, close your eyes and block out everything that is going on around you and hear it again...

"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God."

I said hear it, not read it again -- you're supposed to have your eyes closed! Anyway I think we get the point, this really is a very powerful, passion inspiring verse -- and I really do want to be pure in heart. But I'm not... not for the most part.

Pure means to be one thing and one thing only. If there is anything else in the mix there is more than one thing and that's not pure, and scripture says "the pure in heart will see God." (I have the song "One Thing" by Rich Mullins running through my head as I write this)

So how do I become pure in heart? Well... I don't become it, there is only one way I will ever be pure in heart and that is to allow God to make me that way. David prays in Psalm 51... "Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me." I know we like the comfort of trying to convince ourselves that we are going to try harder to be pure -- but our lives will NEVER EVER be pure as a result of our trying harder. When we try harder we are already failing -- that's the thing -- when I try harder it's me trying and not him doing, so now I'm tainted and not pure before I even get started on this thing. Only by allowing God to create a clean, pure heart in me will I ever be pure in heart.

How does that happen? That question is not easily answered...

We have all heard the illustrations of how we get pure gold or silver, or pure anything for that matter. It has to be seperated, and sometimes this is a painful process. That's one of the reasons we can't do it on our own -- we like things painless -- but it can't always be that way.
To get pure metals such as gold it takes fire to melt away the impurities -- when that process is complete what's left is pure gold. In the same way if we want to be seperated from the impurities that have taken root in our lives we have to give ourselves over to God and allow him to seperate them or melt them away from us. In doing so he is making us pure in heart.

How God purifies is not always so obvious but one thing is sure, only God can purify, and he will if you allow it.

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.
1 John 1:7

noreply@blogger.com (jamie riley) — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 21:12:00 +0000

Life and godliness...

2 Peter 1:3-8
His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

I love what these 5 verses have to say to us… Through the power of God we have everything we need for life and godliness! We don’t have to manufacture anything, or try to figure it out on our own, it’s his to give, and he will give it!
Of course tied with that promise is our coming to “know him,” but that’s to our benefit even if it wasn’t tied to this particular promise – just check out John 17:3 “Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.”

It’s pretty obvious that knowing God is definitely good for life – now and eternal.
There is so much more to this passage than that though…
Verse 4 tells me how to participate in the divine nature of God himself.
And verses 5 – 7 tell me the characteristics I need to allow God to develope in my life, and there is a promise that comes with these as well…
Verse 8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Delivered from being Ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ… wouldn’t it be great if we would allow Him to get us there??!!

noreply@blogger.com (jamie riley) — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 19:22:00 +0000

Humility

In Guideposts, Ronald Pinkerton describes a near accident he had while hang gliding. He had launched his hang glider and been forcefully lifted 4200 feet into the air. As he was descending, he was suddenly hit by a powerful new blast that sent his hang glider plummeting toward the ground.

“I was falling at an alarming rate, Trapped in an airborne riptide. I was going to crash! Then I saw him – a red-tailed hawk. He was six feet off my right wingtip, fighting the same gust I was….

I looked down to the ground: 300 feet from the ground and still falling. The trees below seemed like menacing pikes.

I looked at the hawk again. Suddenly he banked and flew straight downwind. Downwind! If the right air is anywhere, it’s upwind! The hawk was committing suicide.

Two hundred feet. From nowhere the thought entered my mind: Follow the hawk. It went against everything I knew about flying. But now all my knowledge was useless. I was at the mercy of the wind. I followed the hawk.

One hundred feet. Suddenly the hawk gained altitude. For a split second I seemed to be suspended motionless in space. Then a warm surge of air started pushing the glider upward. I was stunned. Nothing I know as a pilot could explain the phenomenon. But it was true: I was rising.”

On occasion we all have similar “downdrafts” in our lives, reversals of fortunes, humiliating experiences. We want to lift ourselves up, but God’s word, like the red-tailed hawk, tells us to do just the opposite. God’s word tells us to DIVE – to humble ourselves under the hand of God. If we humble ourselves, God will send a thermal wind that will lift us up.

- taken from 750 Engaging Illustrations.

noreply@blogger.com (jamie riley) — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 20:09:00 +0000

A dear friend and brother - Dewey Cordle - sent me an email with a link to this video. It is amazing and very powerful. If you take the time to watch it I'm sure you'll be blessed.

Special thanks to ScottyG of "ScottyGs Place" for his help in making this possible. Your efforts on our behalf haven't gone unnoticed. (Ok so it sounds a little over the top, but I really do appreciate your help Scott.)

noreply@blogger.com (jamie riley) — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 20:07:00 +0000

What Are You Thinking?

…whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
Philippians 4:8

Our thoughts are very powerful and have a big impact on our lives. If our thoughts are negative, hopeless and sinful, our lives will tend to be negative, hopeless and sinful.
On the other hand, if our thoughts are positive, hopeful and focused on God, then our lives will tend to be positive, hopeful, and focused on God.
This verse gives me comfort and hope that I can get past all the noise, junk and just plain messiness in my head that seems to dance around in there so often, and allow him to develop a heart in me that is truly focused on him.

noreply@blogger.com (jamie riley) — Tue, 05 Dec 2006 14:00:00 +0000

I Can Do Everything through Him...

Philippians 4:13
I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

Today several college students and I are going Christmas Shopping and to the Clifton Mill Christmas Light display... check it out www.cliftonmill.com, and click on Christmas lights.

Some would think I have a wish for punishment. I just believe in what was written in Phil.4:13.

I'm joking -- we're going to have a blast... but please keep us in your prayers.

In Him,
Jamie

noreply@blogger.com (jamie riley) — Mon, 04 Dec 2006 18:04:00 +0000

Desiring God and His Word…

There are passages in scripture that ignite passion in me, and I’m sure it’s the same with you. I know it’s all inspired and that it should all be very important to me – and it is very important to me. I believe and know that the Bible is the inspired Word of God, and that it’s of utmost importance to seek him in his word. All I’m saying is that some of the passages are more passion igniting to me than others.

In one of the passages Jeremiah says – “When your words came, I ate them…” Now that’s passion for God and his word – and Jeremiah’s passion for God and his word fires me up spiritually! God takes the words he inspires in Jeremiah and gives me a fire for him and his word – and for doing his will in my life. I know there has to be more than just the “feeling it” – and there is! God gives faith and passion, and desires us to live it out… to allow him to use us to ignite passion for him and his word in others, and that they would live it out. And so on and on it goes.

I’m not saying that my passion for God and his word is what it should be, but we’re working on it together, and I hope you’re allowing him to work the same in your life.

Jeremiah 15:16
When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name,

Psalm 119:103 - 104
How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path.

1 Peter 2:2-3
Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.

noreply@blogger.com (jamie riley) — Sun, 03 Dec 2006 05:02:00 +0000

If you’ve visited here in the last 9 or 10 days only to find nothing new posted, I want to first thank you for your patience, and second apologize for my absence.

Thanksgiving and the weekend following is a very busy time for most – my family included. Also during the last week – a good friend and member of Sunshine was diagnosed with a potential brain tumor. Needless to say we were all very concerned and spent a lot of time asking God to bless and intervene in the situation.

God did what he has done so many times in the lives of his children… he delivered him! The surgery took place (brain surgery that is) and it turned out to be an infection which can be treated. I’m happy to say that – thanks to God – tonight he is home recovering with his wife and 2 young children. God is really, really, Good!

Please remember to pray for Matt Cram to have a quick and speedy recovery.

noreply@blogger.com (jamie riley) — Thu, 23 Nov 2006 04:14:00 +0000

Thanksgiving…

Thanksgiving is here! It’s the time of year that is set aside to do what we’re called by God to do continually – be thankful for all he’s done in our lives. And it’s not so much that he’s called us to walk around saying – thank you for this and thank you for that. No, what he’s called us to -- is to have a thankful heart. Don’t get me wrong, if we have a thankful heart we will express appreciation to him – but the words can be said and have no meaning. So God has called us to have a thankful heart.

With that being said I just want to say that I’m so thankful to God for counting me worthy to be his son. There’s nothing I’ve done to deserve this great honor – it’s simply because of his great love for me. I’m also very thankful for my wife and daughter, and for family and friends who love me. The list goes on and on – job, health, and that he is developing in me a heart that is growing in it’s thankfulness to him.

Psalm 95:1-5
Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD? let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. For the LORD is the great God, the great King above all gods. In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him. The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land.

1 Chronicles 16:8-10
Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done. Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts. Glory in his holy name;

2 Chronicles 20:21
After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the LORD and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying: “Give thanks to the LORD, for his love endures forever.”

Psalm 35:18
I will give you thanks in the great assembly; among throngs of people I will praise you.

1 Corinthians 15:57
But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 2:14
But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him.

Colossians 3:17
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

1 Thessalonians 6:16-18
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

So – what are you thankful for?

Happy Thanksgiving!

noreply@blogger.com (jamie riley) — Wed, 22 Nov 2006 04:40:00 +0000

Value…

Value is determined by the price someone is willing to pay for something. If I own something such as an antique -- or a great baseball card collection that has been appraised and found to be worth a large amount of money, but no one will pay me for it, it is really not worth all that much after all.

The same seems to be true when it comes to how people are viewed in the world today. If you have a little you’re only worth a little. But if you have a lot – nice home, great financial portfolio, live in the right part of town, run in the right circles – then you’re worth a lot. According to the world’s terms I would have to say that I clearly fit in the – I have a little – therefore I’m only worth a little category… according to the world’s terms that is…

Fortunately for me that’s not the last word when it comes to how valuable I am. You see the Bible says…

Romans 5:6-8
You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

John 3:16-17
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

If value is determined by the price someone is willing to pay for something – and it is! Then there is amazing news – not just for me but for all of us. The best of heaven was given on our behalf to buy us back for God. When we were lost and the price of sin was on our head – Jesus found us so valuable that he bought us back with his very life.

You are truly valuable to God – and Jesus paid the price to prove it!