Look at the news this morning. Go ahead….I’ll wait. Yup there it is. The big story?? The return of….Lebron James to Cleveland. It’s funny how in today’s world, a person coming back home to play a game of basketball is such a BIG deal. It dominates topics of discussion, enrages a whole town, beefs up security, and can put the pride of a single individual at stake. All for the sake of coming home.

For all you sports fans out there, I know you followed where Lebron James would end up playing this summer. An entire hour of TV was devoted to a special highlighting his “Decision.” But why is his return today such a big deal?

Because of the road he took to get “home.”

We all make “decisions” in our lives, and sometimes those choices take us away from home, help us grow, and put us in better positions of influence. Some of those “decisions” cause us to learn, forget, remember, and appreciate. Regardless of the actual decision, the immediate consequence is that we all begin a journey because of that action we take. And one day, our journey will end. We will come home.

But what will that reaction be when you come home? Will you be booed? Cheered? Remembered? Loved? Forgotten? This is a strong, personal subject for me because today I return home. 3 months ago I made the decision to step away from our ministry team because I felt that I was not being the leader God called me to be. Did I commit some huge sin? Nope. Did I make any unethical decisions? No. Those would be the easy ways out. Instead, I realized that to fully understand the meaning of “home” I had to leave it willingly so I could appreciate what it really was.

I didn’t write any blogs, view email, go to our weekly prayers, be involved in any new event planning, and couldn’t even contribute crazy ideas for the next funny video :) Anything and everything ROC3:22 related was separated from my life. And I missed it. I missed home.

But I realized one thing while making my decision. One day I will be back. And my decision and how I handle my time away will reflect how I come back to our team. So I spent the last 3 months really seeking the Lord and His will…..and its just crazy how God works when you give up EVERYTHING just to seek Him. So how will you make decisions? Do you make them with the end in mind? When we all go to our “home”, how will we be received?

Critics for Lebron James don’t really question the move itself (he should’ve went to the Bulls :), but HOW he handled his decision. If he handled it gracefully, maybe Cleveland would cheer him tonight. Maybe not. But even Lebron himself mentioned that looking back he may have taken another route.I realized that whenever I make a decision in my life, I have to think about HOW it can affect not only my path, but everyone around me. I had to be a true leader in every sense.

1995 was a different world. I was 12 and rumors were swirling in the news that Michael Jordan might actually come back to the Chicago Bulls after his 1st retirement. We didn’t see commercials for a TV special, but saw him pulling his car up to the practice facility. Working with the players. Working out. Getting ready. Chicago had a buzz unlike any other time I could remember. But MJ was just doing his routine. And when the time came to come home, there was no TV special, exclusive interview, or even a huge press conference….

A simple fax came in with two words; “I’m back.”

God bless,

Jobbin

So I’m back in Chicago for the Thanksgiving break, and I can’t help but mention how awesome God is.  He’s alive, and He has sustained each and every single one of us.  This ministry, its leaders, its members, those who have helped and donated towards various causes, so that we can help those less fortunate than ourselves.  More importantly, He has formed us into a community for Christ.

I know the water is still rising, and people are still drowning in this world in a sea of greed, lust, fashion, money, sex, alcohol, drugs, and many other vices that this world turns to for temporary pleasure.  I want to encourage all of you though, to continue being faithful to God… not just by abstaining from “worldly pleasures”, but through each and every word, thought, and action, so that we can entirely be used by God in these days… so many people out there are oppressed, and are worshipping in secret on this Sunday morning… but yet, they still give it their all.  We have the comfort of a building and laws proclaiming free religion, and yet we pretend we’re not able.

Stand up today for Christ.  Leave tomorrow for tomorrow.  Remember the past and all that He has done for you, and KNOW that our God is ALIVE today, right now, in you and in each of our hearts.  Lift up your lives to Christ, break the curse and conquer the temptation that is at our doors, (it’s possible because through Christ, we become MORE than conquerors), yet remain humble, and give it ALL up to Jesus.

Let Him into your hearts again this morning, renew your relationship with Him, He’s waiting to come inside again and use you… so, live in gratitude for all He has done, and in thankfulness for His ever so tender mercies, that He would die for each of us, ‘while we were yet sinners.’

Be encouraged. :)  God bless!

Oh how many times have I broken Your heart
But still You forgive
If only I ask
And how many times have You heard me pray
Draw near to me

Everything I need is You
My beginning, my forever
Everything I need is You

I was doing some homework with this song playing All for love by Hillsong. The chorus started to play and I stopped what I was doing and amped the song up. I started the song again and carefully listened to the song and I looked up the lyrics. As I was reading it, it reminds me of his unconditional love that he gave me. He has given me so much and yet I break his heart over and over again. Because he loves me so much he forgives. Everything I am is because of him. I’m not perfect but because of his grace I’m still here. Therefore, I live for him.There is nothing like his love. He doesn’t judge, he doesn’t criticize, he doesn’t blame. He just loves me for who I am and no one can take that away from me. Anyone who doesn’t have a personal relationship with Jesus, I urge to make one. It’s simple. Go somewhere quiet and talk to him. It’s amazing.

I believe there’s a generation

Ready to acknowledge God’s salvation

Brought to us through His Son, Jesus Christ

We won’t forget what He had done that night.

 

He glorified the Father

Through His death upon that cross,

Every last drop of blood

Was shed for our cost.

 

The pain He endured

Was for us to be assured

That God so loved the world

That He gave His only Son for us to be cured.

 

He redeemed us of our sins,

Over death, sin and sorrow, He wins

But it’s up to us to choose

Whether we will live for Him, or lose.

 

Satan brings us this world on a platter

Deceives us with lies, “Hey, I’ll help you climb up that ladder!”

Our minds, our hearts, our souls unguarded

We say yes, just like that time in the garden.

 

We think we have it altogether

Until the ladder comes tumbling down, and we splatter.

We cry out to God, “Save us!  Where are you now?”

And His only reply is “Son, I must teach you now.”

 

With open arms He embraces us,

Shows us His way and shields us,

Cares for us like none other,

Loves us ‘cause He’ll always be our Father.

 

He gave us this free will

To enable us to be wise;

Love is something we choose

But this world will never suffice.

 

Like a warm apple pie,

Left to cool on a window sill,

We leave our hearts wide open

For anyone and everything to come and fill.

 

But there’s something about choosing to Love

He who is precious and unfathomable,

A Love so pure and divine,

That He would give Himself up for both you and I.

 

I believe we are that generation

Who is ready to unite,

To be called Holy, for He is Holy

In a world filled with dirt and grime.

 

So stand up with me and say

“Our God is greater than this life”

That we may prepare ourselves and be ready

To be called his one and only, pure bride.

God bless!

-SjC-

Hey guys…hope all is well. I’ve been studying intensely for my final exam for OB. I’ve never  been so dedicated to a test ever before in my life. The day comes and as I read the test I could tell it was no easy test. I took the test and went on with my day. A couple days later the grades were posted and I saw my D. I didn’t pass the test or the class. I was devastated and I wanted to punch a hole in a wall. My best efforts was a D. At that moment, my motivation and confidence was slowly diminishing. I can’t believe I have to repeat another class (another class was repeated earlier in the program). My plans that I planned were ruined. I wanted to move out, get a car, and enjoy life, but clearly that’s not going to happen now. Then I think how much more I really do have. I have parents who are understanding and love me. I have friends who actually care and aren’t fake. I have a God who has kept me alive by his Grace to this moment. Life isn’t easy. We have many ups and downs. Yeah I have to stay another semester in school till I graduate but I was give another chance and I know some kids don’t have that. A verse from the bible really helps me in my situation.

Jeremiah 29:11:  For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.