Step One

The first step of change is deciding that where you are at is not where you are supposed to be.  It is seldom easy to admit that what you are doing is wrong.  Truthfully, it is easier to justify what you are doing, how you are living, your problems, and your flaws.  Lay the blame elsewhere and just continue the path you are on.  The initial cost of continuing on is no greater than yesterday, while the cost of change can be enormous.  This cost is your pride, the realization that you are truly worse off than you pretend to be.  I tend to look at everything through rose colored glasses, tinting all I see to better please me.  That guy in the mirror, not really me, the thoughts and actions that come out, only because of other influences.

But there comes a time when the cost of staying the same catches up to you.  If you are sick and refuse to see the doctor, the outcome of a easily treatable disease can be death.  This is where we have to be totally honest with ourselves.  Few have ever told me that what I was doing, how I was living was wrong.  But I know the man in the mirror, that the reflection is what I really look like.  If I do not like the reflection, then I must change me.  I must admit failure, I must accept truth, I must find the answer to correct the problem, and I must continue to be honest with myself.  There are things that I must change because the costs have gotten too great.  There are things I must change because I love those around me.  There are things I must change or else a hypocrite I will continue to be.  There are things that I must change because Christ died for me.

Song of the Week

Shonlock - Transformed (feat. tobyMac)

The Hardest Place to Dress For

     I am not one to be overly picky about how I dress to go almost anywhere.  My goal is to be ready in 10 minutes or less depending on if I am wearing socks or not.  There is one place that really stresses me out about how I dress though.  It is not church, or an interview, or even court.  I am confident on how I should dress when I go to these places and have the outfits already chosen for them.  The hardest place to dress for is when I go to the doctors office.  It literally takes me an hour or more to get ready.  Shower first making sure all your body parts are clean.  Then the hunt goes on for the correct underwear.  Nothing that has holes in it is allowed(I am guy so this is harder than you may think).  Same goes for socks.  If it has holes, it is a no go.  The next part is the pants, no holes and can you button them without jumping around or struggling.  The undershirt has to have no stains and preferably no cut off sleeves.  Why the pressure?  Because you never know how far the doctor is going to want to go.  He will see it all.  The people you work with will never see your holey underwear(hopefully), but he will.  Your church will not see your toes coming through the holes in your socks, but he will.  So when I go to the doctor, I want everything to be clean, nice, and whole or I will be embarrassed.  Christ sees all and knows all, you may be able to hide the holes in your life from your family and friends, but you can't from Christ.  The wonderful thing is that Christ will help you fix these holes that are in you.  Take your imperfections to Him.  Where are the holes in your life?

Why Are We Shocked?

He rained down manna upon them to eat And gave them food from heaven. [25] Man did eat the bread of angels; He sent them food in abundance. [26] He caused the east wind to blow in the heavens And by His power He directed the south wind. [27] When He rained meat upon them like the dust, Even winged fowl like the sand of the seas, [28] Then He let them fall in the midst of their camp, Round about their dwellings. [29] So they ate and were well filled, And their desire He gave to them. [30] Before they had satisfied their desire, While their food was in their mouths, [31] The anger of God rose against them And killed some of their stoutest ones, And subdued the choice men of Israel. [32] In spite of all this they still sinned And did not believe in His wonderful works.  - (Psalms 78:24-32)

We see the news.  We hear the stats.  People are leaving the church, our nation is changing at a rapid pace.  And we are surprised and shocked at this.  We want to blame everything and everybody.  Yet this all comes back to human nature.  The writer of this Psalm is reminding us of the Israelites after they came out of bondage in Egypt.  Remember all the mighty miracles of God they saw and yet they still turned away.  Preach the Word, Live the Word, Love others, these are the things we are to do.  People will be people, don't let them discourage you from doing the things that God has called you to do.

Not Satisfied

But I don't need to write to you about the Christian love that should be shown among God's people. For God himself has taught you to love one another. (1 Thessalonians 4:9)

Indeed, your love is already strong toward all the Christians in all of Macedonia. Even so, dear brothers and sisters, we beg you to love them more and more. (1 Thessalonians 4:10)

Paul is encouraging the reader to love. He firsts compliments them on the love they already have and then encourages them to love others more and more. In all things good, we need to continue in them and get better. My love for my wife should grow with each passing year. My relationship with God should become more passionate year after year. I do not want to be satisfied with yesterday because yesterday is gone. We should be wanting to go deeper and deeper in God every passing day. Don't be satisfied.

“Just because nobody complains doesn't mean all parachutes are perfect.”

Pastor Bryan J

Just shove some Triscuits in their mouth!

We were watching a Tv show a couple of weeks ago when a girl commented about having Triscuits on hand to shove in her mom's mouth.(She was diabetic). Of course we took this little comment and now we use it for when we want someone to be quiet. It has been funny and I have only got in trouble once with my wife for it.(That was funny too.) There are times when we all need some Triscuits for our own mouth.

Even fools are thought to be wise when they keep silent; when they keep their mouths shut, they seem intelligent. (Proverbs 17:28)

My own mouth gets me in trouble from time to time. From biting remarks, tearing down others, to not letting things go when I should along with many other times, it would be best just to remain silent. Someone may even think I am wise.

Picks for the week.

Come&Live!

This website has music to download and it is more that just music, it is about actually ministering to others around the world. Oh, did I mention it has free full length albums(you can donate if u like). Pretty cool find.

Refrigerator Verse: Philippians 2:14: In everything you do, stay away from complaining and arguing, (Philippians 2:14)

Artist of the week. The Almost

Song of Day

Special Tribute Video to Brit

Have a Great Wednesday. See you later

Pastor Bryan J

One at a time?

I am a big believer in the concept of stepping back from time to time and looking to see where you are at in your life, personally, professionally, and most importantly spiritually. You have to be honest with yourself when you do this. You cant look at the mirror that is darkened but one that is bright and clear to show all the imperfections. I preached on Sunday about Songs of Solomon 2:15, the verse about little foxes that spoil the vines. I took the time to look at my life and saw that there were some things that I had let into my life that were not beneficial to where I want to go. The first thing was my food choices. I am a big man and love food with a passion. But I sometimes will let myself make unhealthy choices and lately it had come to a point of "accidentally" consuming double the amount of calories that I need every day. Extra extra fluffy here I come. Food may not be your problem but there is always something that we have in our life that can take us from where we need to go. It may be TV, relationships, jobs, money, Facebook, or any number of things that will take us away from where we need to be. So I am making the changes necessary to help me stay away from unhealthy choices and also to save money(a Taco Bell habit can be expensive).

I also normally think that a person should work on one area at a time in their life. This is how I usually work with people, overcoming one battle and then onto the next. For me right now though, there are some other things that need attention as well. So for now, I have made several changes at once in my personal life. This ought to be fun. I apologize in advance to my family if this makes me crazy or grumpy. Sometimes you need just a little repair work, sometimes a quick overhaul, and some people need a complete rebuild. You are the only one that can know for sure. Step back and look in the mirror and be honest about where you are in your life. It may take a personal challenge to yourself or maybe even outside help to make the change or changes needed. Just go for it.

Pastor Bryan J

Welcome to the new blog page for me, Bishop Bryan Johns from Pulaski, TN. I am an ordained bishop with The (Original) Church of God and I pastor at Trinity Worship Center in Pulaski, TN. IF I put the effort into this that I want, then I expect to have a good time and inspire some good conversation among friends and newcomers alike. Or I might post this once and never see it again. It could happen either way. This looks like fun so I might as well take the plunge. TTYL

Rev. Bryan Johns.