Acts

As we began the new year meeting at a new location we also started studying a new book on Sunday mornings. We began our study in the book of Acts in January. The book of Acts is always exciting to me. It's amazing to see the birth of the church and the lives of our spiritual ancestors.

Whenever I go through Acts I'm always encouraged that it gives the answer to the question of what a church looks like. It's so common to look at what every other church around us is doing and try to pattern ourselves after them. But I believe it makes much more sense to look back at how things began and make the church of Acts our model. This particular verse blesses me a bunch.

Act 2:42 They continued steadfastly in the apostles' teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and prayer.

Look how basic and simple it is, and yet the consequences of living this type of life are amazingly profound. I was reminded that all the things the church does; studying the word, having fellowship, taking communion and prayer are not just rituals or traditions. Each one of these pillars is in relation to the Person of Jesus Christ. We study the word to know Jesus, we have fellowship because of Jesus, we break bread to remember Jesus, we pray to and through Jesus. It's all about Jesus. Amen.

Calvary Blue Water flows to another place

We recently moved our Sunday morning service from the Holiday Inn to the Best Western Inn. We did this because the Holiday Inn stopped allowing us to use the breakfast lobby for children's ministry.

There is only one hotel in this area with more than one meeting room and they are already booked by another church. Please pray that the Lord would continue to lead us by the hand. For now, we're totally blessed to be at the Best Western. It is the "best" after all.

As we start off the new year in a new location we'll also be starting a new book. We'll be in Acts chapter one this Sunday. Lord willing.

It is 9 degrees outside right now. I am so thankful that I do not have to chop wood to feed a fire to stay warm. It's the little things that mean so much.

Jay

2008 is here

Happy New Year everyone,

Sonia and I decided to take it easy and stay inside where it's warm this holiday. It's a good thing too because as you may have heard in the news, we got a whole lotta snow overnight. News reports say we got somewhere between 8-14 inches. There is a lot of speculation as to how much actually fell. We may never know the truth.

Anyway, I hope you had a wonderfully cheery New Year. We are really looking forward to what the Lord has in store for 2008.

God Bless.

Jay

A Rare Update

Hello folks,

Once again, it's been a mighty long time since an update. The months just keep flying by. All is well. Sonia and I are doing great. The Lord has blessed us more than words can say. Sunday mornings continue to roll along for Calvary Blue Water. We're closing in on finishing the gospel of Luke. You can check out the ministry here.

We started a street witnessing ministry every other Saturday night. We've had some great conversations with some people and we've given out lots of gospels of John. It's been a great time planting some seeds.

Sonia continues to develop her gift of leading worship and she's starting a new women's study next week.

I'll be hitting the road later this week for the annual Calvary Chapel Men's retreat. It's located at Lake Ann in northern Michigan. It's a totally beautiful place and the Lord is faithful to meet us there and speak to His boys.

The Lord bless you all,

Jay

Sunday Mornings

Hello,

I'm writing to let you all know that we had our first Sunday Morning Service this past Sunday, May 27th. It was a great blessing and we had wonderful fellowship. We're so happy to be meeting on the first day of the week as we celebrate the resurrection of our living, loving Lord.

After much prayer and consideration, the Lord spoke to me through His word and confirmed that it was time to move to Sunday mornings. I had been thinking about it for a while but I didn't want to make a move until I had the okay from our Father. Once again, I've discovered that His timing is best.

Here is the passage He used to speak to me.

1Samuel 14:6-8
(6) And Jonathan said to the young man that bore his armor, Come, and let us go over unto the garrison of these uncircumcised: it may be that the LORD will work for us: for there is no restraint to the LORD to save by many or by few.
(7) And his armorbearer said unto him, Do all that is in thine heart: turn thee; behold, I am with thee according to thy heart.
(8) Then said Jonathan, Behold, we will pass over unto these men, and we will discover ourselves unto them.

May the Lord continue to bless you and use your life for His glory.

Jason & Sonia

Unexpected Blessings

Hello everyone,

All is well here. The Lord continues to demonstrate His faithfulness in many ways. My work schedule has changed a bit. I'm working less hours, which is giving me more time to spend with Sonia and to study. I thought I was being demoted. Turns out, I was sort of promoted. Just like the Lord to bless me in a way that was totally unexpected.

Yesterday, April 29th, Calvary Chapel Oakland County (our home base for fellowship since we moved here 2 years ago) gave us an ordination/send off service. It was their way of showing their support for our ministry @ Calvary Blue Water. I was blessed to be able to share the Word for the Sunday morning services. That fellowship kind of adopted us as soon as we arrived here and has been nothing but an example of Christ's love and comfort to us. We thank God for them.

Grace and Peace,
Jason & Sonia

Survived Winter Number Two

I know, I know. It's about time! I thought I'd finally fire off a post to let you know we're still here in Michigan. It's starting to feel a lot like Spring here as all the snow has melted away and the thunderstorms are starting to roll in.

I want to give you a quick update of current events here.

Sonia is doing great. She is now working part time at the Blue Water Pregnancy Center as the Client Services/ Client Advocate Coordinator. This is a real blessing for her as she gets to serve along side her sisters in Christ and share the Lord with women that are in a unique and often desperate situation. Women's ministry is going well and she continues to lead us in worship at our Saturday Night Service.

Speaking of Saturday Night, after much prayer and consideration we were led to move the service from Sunday to Saturday at the beginning of this year. Practically, it's been working out real well for everyone involved. We are moving through the gospel of Luke and having great times of fellowship. We are continually amazed at God's grace and faithfulness in our lives and those around us.

Thank you for your prayers. We miss you. It is my aim to write here on a much more frequent basis from this time forth. Check back for updates and you can also find us at Calvary Blue Water.

Amazed by Him,

Jason & Sonia