Note: I met Jason in 1998. We went to Southwest together for a year. He and his wife Cody have two sons. He preaches in LaGrange, TX.
Doug
Jay,
Its hard to place a specific value on friends, but one can more or less develop an idea by way of how friends endure things together. For example, Daniel’s friendship with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego seemed carry with it a particular kind of substance given what they endured together. Their friendship, similar convictions, and devotion to YHWH forged within them something truly special. At least that’s how I see them.
I use the example of Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego because I easily see you, Clay, Patrick and myself interchangeably in them. We, by no means, have endured the kinds of trials that they did. That’s not my point at all. Nor am I willing to put my faith in comparison to any of theirs. I’m not saying we can be compared with them. But I think they were friends and were willing to endure things together and what we’ve experienced since 1998,much of it, has been done together.
You, my friend, have been an amazing friend. Your experiences have afforded you with a unique perspective on life. You know that things get messy, and yet you’re willing to get a little dirty if you have to. I don’t know where I would be today without your encouragement. You are a great encourager, a modern day Barnabas.
Jay, I don’t believe you have a disingenuous bone in your body. You put everything into what you do. You’re fiery when you need to be, compassionate when it calls for it, but considerate at all times. I appreciate you immensely for all of these.
I hope your entire life is blessed. Family. Work. Friends. You name it. May God grant you the wisdom to persevere amidst difficulty, the patience to endure it and the strength to help others along the way. You’ve helped me more than you’ll ever know. One day, if you’re lucky, I’ll sit down and tell you all those ways.
I love you my friend. Tell Cody I love her too. When she responds with, “Yeah right,” just do like you always do.
Doug
Some friends sent this to Tisha. Hilarious!
At the Frisco RoughRiders game last night, their starter pitched a really good game. He gave up one run on three hits through seven innings. Going into the 8th, the RoughRiders were up 2-1. A set-up man came into pitch the 8th. He gave up no runs and allowed only one hit. Then in the 9th the RoughRiders brought in their closer who threw 95 mph heat! He gave up 5 earned runs on 4 hits. Ouch. The lesson is…one bad outing can mess up 8 innings worth of greatness.
The same rings true for us in life. All it takes in one slip of the tongue, one outburst of fury, or maybe even keeping your mouth closed when something should be said to ruin a situation. In the end, fixing things is 10 times harder and more arduous than messing them up was. While contextually James seems to be addressing an attitude we should have toward the word, maybe, “Know this my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God” (James 1:19-20) can speak to us in a broader sense about why its important to be on guard at all times?
Something utterly amazing was accomplished on Tuesday. Mainly through a blog site, a minister in a fairly small community ( 7500 population) at the base of the Texas panhandle raised over $10,000 to feed the impoverished of Honduras. To me, that’s utterly amazing.
Trey and Lea Morgan are the parents of four boys. I met him last year when he invited me to come to a Rangers game with him. Trey is engaging, thoughtful and concerned about the church and its image. Trey offers material and thoughts that are culturally relevant, addressing issues that affect husband, wife, children and church that are often, too easily, ignored. People from all over the world converge at his site and what they find is hope. I know I have. Others have told me they have as well.
Trey, may God continue to bless you, Lea, the boys, and the Childress Church of Christ! God is working mightily through your family!
