PJ's Journal

Over the past 15 plus years of ministry experience, I have been able to focus in on what I believe the role of the church should be (Philosophy), what I would love to see in the church (Vision), and some core issues that serve as a framework for how I function in ministry (Values). Here they are: Philosophy: Disciple-making is the primary role of the church. Disciples are individuals who have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and are being transformed from the inside out to become more like Him. Disciples are called to make disciples! Disciple-making is most effective in the context of community. God designed the church, a local group of Christ followers, to help each other move toward Christ-likeness. Disciple-making starts with the transforming truth of the Scriptures. God's Word transforms minds and conforms hearts to that of Jesus. Disciple-making is not just the responsibility of the "professionals", it's the goal of every disciple. Healthy, lasting...

"1 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received." Eph. 4:1 A Badge of Honor: I love how Paul views his imprisonment as a badge of honor, not as something that went wrong. As he sought to live a life worthy of his calling it landed him in chains... and he is ok with that! I would like to think that I would be ok with that as well because it is a result of following my calling. I love how he sees his purpose for imprisonment as well. He is a prisoner for the Lord, not because of the Lord. The point is that it doesn't matter where it leads, you are to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. What is this calling? It's all the previous chapters in Ephesians! 1. You were chosen in Him to be holy and blameless in His sight! 2. You were predestined to be adopted into God's family! 3. You were redeemed to be for the praise of His glory! 4. You were included in Christ and held securely by ...

"14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge --that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. " Eph. 3:14-19 First, to know the full measure of the love of God starts with knowing that you are loved by God! When I read a word like "rooted" I think of security, and the word "established" communicates foundation. To know that you are loved by God is a foundational re...

"11 Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called "uncircumcised" by those who call themselves "the circumcision" (that done in the body by the hands of men) -- 12 remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. 14 For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15 by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, 16 and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to...

I am continually fascinated by the courage shown by the Apostle Paul. I have been studying Eph. 3 for about a week now and Paul's character is beginning to surface. First of all, we get the indication that he is suffering to some degree, and most likely he is in prison. As he writes to the believers in Ephesus, he tells them not to be discouraged because God has called him to this end and it is ultimately for their good. These reasons also provides answers as to why he continues to willingly suffer! With that being said, he takes the focus off his dilemma and tells them that he is praying for them! He is praying for them to have divine inner strength so that Christ might have dwell in them with complete authority! What keeps a man going in the midst of suffering? Certainly, the reason for your suffering makes a huge difference. Paul understood his purpose and calling and was willing to sell out for that purpose. He lived out the teachings from Christ that were given to him...

"14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge --that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." Eph. 3:14-19 Two things jump out at me. 1. There is a focus on the internal. What is being prepared for this indwelling? It is the inside... the core of who you are. 2. Divine power is necessary! Why does that require power? At the core of Christianity is the living Christ! It is all a...

"8 Although I am less than the least of all God's people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. 10 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, 11 according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. 12 In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. 13 I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory." Eph. 3:8-13 Have you ever met someone who was hard to approach? Maybe it was their personality or maybe their position, but for whatever reason they seemed un...

"1 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles-- 2 Surely you have heard about the administration of God's grace that was given to me for you, 3 that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. 4 In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God's holy apostles and prophets. 6 This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus. 7 I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God's grace given me through the working of his power." Eph. 3:1-7 What are you willing to sell out for? I can't help bu...

"13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. 14 For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15 by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, 16 and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility." Eph. 2: 13-16 The Great Unifier! I am trying to picture what it would have been like back in the days of the early church. Most of us long for those days because we have an idealistic view of what the church was like. There are some appealing parts: 1. Their commitment to corporate prayer! 2. Their sense of community! 3. Their fire for the Gospel! I could probably name a few others, but I am reminded th...

"19 Nevertheless, God's solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: "The Lord knows those who are his," and, "Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness." 20 In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble. 21 If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work. 22 Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart." 2 Timothy 2:19-22 Sometimes Trish will get frustrated with me because of our cleaning practices. If she asks me to clean the living room, I'm like... "cool". So I pick up everything that makes the living room look bad from the ...