Moving to JeremyBlount.com

My Deep Thinking is moving to Jeremyblount.com I still have some work to do on the site (The main font color is pink) but I am making the move now.

WHY THE CHANGE?

• The free wordpress account does not allow me to add my messages to thinkingdeep.wordpress.   
• I have more flexibility on the appearence.   
• Its easy to point people to my website.  

SO COME check out my new site.

My last Overflow Message

I am totally pumped up about  my message for Wednesday January 7th, which will be  my final OverFlow.     This morning I was working on my personal purpose statement and values and God laid an awesome message on my heart.  I personally wrestled through it, and then I worked on a message that I believe God will use for His honor and Glory.   
I can’t wait to share with you Clayton’s story.  An 18 year old  kid from California was has battled cancer for 12 years. He was recently told he only had 3 months to live, and that over 2 months ago.   Clayton attends Cornerstone Church  (where Francis Chan Pastors) and when I asked the Youth Pastor Mark Snee if I could use claytons testimony he said:

You can totally use Clayton’s testimony! That’s exactly what he wants and it’s pretty amazing to hear how God is multiplying the work He’s started through Clayton’s testimony already. His story is getting out all over and I’m just praising God for the ways He takes our little plans and magnifies them through asking Him to bring Himself glory and praise!

If you are student who attend ODSM please plan on coming Wednesday January 7th @ 7:00 PM.  Invite your friends that dont know Christ.  Invite your friends that are struggling in their relationship with God.  

If your parents, or one just someone who likes to read my thinking please pray that God will use the message that He has given me for His Glory.  Pray that students will surrender their lifestyles for the Glory of God.  

Answering Questions #2- How are we going to grow spiritually

Many students feel that I have personally helped them grow in their own spiritual journey and I think its great.  But someone are wondering how they are going to grow spiritually with me leaving.  

My first response is- you are little confussed. It is God who has been working in your life.  He just decided to use me to help you grow. If you continue to seek hard after God I believe he will continue to help you grow.

My second response is- OWN YOUR FAITH.   I suggest you visit Ron’s blog and read his post titled The Water is Stirring. Good thoughts Ron- I hope students step up!

And third- talk to your small group leaders.   Tell them the areas where you need to grow.  Ask them to help hold you accountable.  

Fourth- Get under the teaching of Gods word. Dont stop coming to church.  Come more often.  Listen to podcast of other pastors you like.

Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, 1 peter 2:2.

Answering questions- Confusion

This morning I woke-up thinking about some of the questions and struggles many of the students from The Open Door Church are having as a result of my resignation this past weekend.  The next serveral days I want to try and help answer some of their questions via my blog.

Many students have simply said they are confused and they just dont understand.  I want to say that it is okay to feel confused. Its okay to not understand what is going on. But let me encourage you to be faithful to God no matter how confused you become.

For the past three years I have been hear watching God work in and through your lives.   Many of us have become good friends.  To you, me leaving just doesnt make sense.  You might be saying:

• God been working in our ministry.  Why now? – Because God has called me to another place where people need to hear what I have already shared with you.   And, I believe the both you and the leadership are ready to handle doing ministry without me.  
• It seems like every time I get closer to God, someone I am close to in this life leaves, and I just want to know why? Honestly, I dont know the answer.  But I do know that our hope and trust must be in God not a person.  I do know that God has allowed the Satan to be the ruler of this world (  Jn 12:31, Jn 14:30) and I dont think God causes all things, but sometimes He allows them. 
• God has used you to bring me closer to God and I am not sure how I will continue to grow without you.  As I have taught ever since I got here, you gotta Own Your Faith.  Know what you believe and why you believe?  DRINK AND FLOW.  Personally drink deep of Gods love and allow it to flow through you to others.    Commit to DWAPS.  And finally God promises in Jeremiah 29:13 that those who seek Him will find Him.  Continue to seek GOD.  Abide in Him for He produces Growth.  John 15.  

When stuff happens in our life  and it does not make sense to us, our first reaction is to blame God, because we dont understand.  But I want to encourage you to seek God.  To be faithful to God.  And over time, even if you dont understand completeley, I believe the picture will become more clear.    

Let me give you a couple of examples:

1. Moses was asked by God to communicate with Pharaoh to set the people of Israel free.  The very first time (Ex 5) Moses asked Pharoah to let the people go, Pharoah made the people of Israels lives miserable.  You want to talk about confusion.  God you asked me to do this, but now the situation is even worse.  Confusion continues to occur as once again Moses is asked by God to speak to Pharaoh.  Moses response is a good one.   Ex. 6:30- “I speak with faltering lips, why would Pharaoh listen to me?”   Moses says God I dont get it.  Out of all these people you chose me? And besided Pharoah already told me NO.  CONFUSION.  The confusion for Moses only gets worse, because time after time  Moses goes to Pharaoh and is told NO.   CONFUSION.  I just dont get it.Moses remained faithful to GOD despite the confusion.  The result of being faithful even when confused was the promise of God- “I will gain Glory for myself through Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord.”
    
2. The confussion of the cross.  I mean think about it.  It still doesnt make sense to me why God would send His son to die on a cross for my sin.  And I am sure that it did’nt make sense to those who were there on the day Jesus died.  CONFUSSION.  But the result of confussion this big leads me to FAITH.  We just gotta trust in the promises of God.  We gotta trust that His ways are not mine, but yet His ways are right.  We just gotta to be faithful to God despite the confusion of our circumstances.

So Jeremy, I am confused, why are you leaving?
Because,  I desire to follow hard after my God.  I desire to live my life for His honor and His Glory.   My heart beats to teach people that we need to live our lives for the Honor and Glory of God, we need to surrender our lives for HIS GLORY.   Many of the ODSM students and leaders have done this.  You have surrendered to God’s Glory.  Now its time for you to live for God’s Glory no matter what happens in your life.  BE FAITHFUL despite confusion.  God is faithful and He loves.  

Please follow my lead, and no matter how tough the decision, no matter how many people are disappointed, hurt, or confussed by your decision, BE Faithful to be where God needs you to be.

Following His Lead

I try to live my life with my eyes fixed on Jesus Christ.  Everyday I want Drink Deeper of God’s love.  Everyday I want His love to flow through me and touch the lives and hearts of those around me.   The past couple months have been so hard.  As I am seeking God, desiring to be closer to Him, I felt that He was leading me to a place that I have never been.  

Sometimes following God’s lead is not easy. It is especially hard when following His lead means hurting those you love.  The past 3 years I have had the privilege of serving God as the Director of Student Ministries at The Open Door Church.  I have built many great relationships, with some awesome people.    I have seen God do  incredible things.  I have watched God’s love flow through me and into the lives and hearts of other.

 Following God into a deeper relationship is never easy,  but it’s extremely difficult to do when God challenges you to move away from the relationships where you have seen His love flow through you to them.  
But today, I am saying “Where You Lead Me I Will Follow”.  Today, I am saying I want to fall deeper in love with you God, even if that means moving away from a group of people I love and care deeply about. Today I have told THE OPEN DOOR CHURCH that I am officially resigning from my position as the Director of Student Ministries.   January 14th will be my last day as a part of The Open Door Church Staff.  

God has challenged me to follow His lead to the City of York, PA.  Here I will be joining the PATHWAY Community Church as their YAYA Pastor.  I will be the Pastor for the Youth And Young Adults.  Nicole and I are excited to be joining Pathway Community Church and their leadership team, but it is so bitter sweet.   

We will greatly miss the students, leaders, and people of THE OPEN DOOR CHURCH. We pray that no matter what happens in your life, you will join us in Following HIS LEAD as you drink deep of His love and allow it to flow through you to others.      

View jeremy’s resignation statement

The Truth About You

About a month ago I ran across a great opportunity to read and review Christians books from Thomas Nelson.  I agreed read books and then write a review.  So here goes.

Recently I read The Truth About You- Your Secret to Success written by Marcus Burckingham.  This book is designed like no other I have read.   It’s design allows the reader to become actively involved in the content of the book.   After reading several pages you are challenge to watch a DVD from Marcus Burkingham.  

For me viewing the DVD would be worth the price of the book.   The DVD is very well done, and the story of a little boy who desires to be a drummer, but is learning a different instrument is powerful,  in itself could change your life.   So far I have showed this DVD to my wife and plan on sharing it with others.  The DVD is captured my attention for the entire time.   

DVD changed my perspective of how I read and understood the author.  After watching the DVD  I know have a visual picture of the author and as I read I can actually hear and see him explaining his points.  Wow, I wish I could explain the impact the DVD had on the rest of my reading.   

The the thoughts that are presented in this book  are great.  I have read many different leadership books, but I must admit that some of the ideas presented in this book are new.  One of the ideas that I love from this book is the idea of ” neutralizing” your weaknesses.  Now, if your a reader of leadership, this is nothing new to you. But, Marcus Buckingham redefines what a weakness truly is.  And if watching the DVD is not reason enough for you to buy the book, learning how he defines weaknesses is.   

If you like applying what you are learning this book is for you.  Marcus Buckingham ask that as you read the book you take a note pad with you throughout the week to help you learn what your weaknesses and strengths truely are.  He then challenges you to act on what you are learning.   

This is truly a great read. If you are a leader you have got to read this book.  If you are a leader I recommend that you buy this book for the leaders under your authority.  An easy read, with great information.

Is your church real?

In my personal life I want to fall so in love with God that His love flows through me to others.    For me that means be honest and real.   It means wearing who I am on my sleeve.  When I am struggling you will know it.  When I am doing good I will glow with excitement.   

In our churches, we often want the samething that I desire in my personal life,  we want our people to fall so in love with God that His love with flow though them, to others. But often, the Church has a tendancy to do whatever it takes to get people to come in.   I just read an this article and it sure does make me think.  

Is my Church real?  Better yet am I real?   

My first Sunday back from some time away, I sat in the worship service and wept. It struck me as such a production, so performance driven. In a word, it was shallow. I couldn’t believe this had happened on my watch.  READ THE REST HERE

Center and Focus

“Seek His Face Always” is a phrase I have been thinking about a lot lately.  It comes from Psalms 105:4 in TNIV.  What a thought.  When I think about that Phrase I think about making HIM the Center of everything I do.  

Not only am I thinking about Seeking His Face Always but I am also reading about Centering Prayer.  A prayer habit that focuses on listening to God.  Is clearing your thoughts of clutter and just being there to listen.   I really dont want life to be about me and my desires.  I want to be Centered on Christ and His Desires and I think this happens through listening.   

As a result I have been trying to make God the center and focus of my life.  It is not easy as distractions come all day long.  Even when I pray my mind drifts.  The key is to not get mad, but to refocus.  

At the same time I am reading a book called “The Truth About You”   and it is challenging me to focus on my strengths.  This book redifines what I thought about strengths.  Its not just anything that you do well, but it’s something you do well and enjoy.  It is doing something that makes you better for having done it.  I can do business administration but I hate.   Some say its a strength, but I would say its a weakness.  It makes me miserable.   

All this to say I am learning to CENTER and FOCUS.  To center my life upon God and focus on my strengths.

Sweet Podcast

I love listening to other Pastors from around the country.  Man are they challenging me.  They are making me think deeper about my walk with God.  

Here are the Podcast I listen to reguralry.  

CornerStone Church Francis Chan Author of Crazy Love.  I love this guys heart.  He is real.  

Lifechurch.tv  Graig Groeschel

Newspring Church Perry Nobel

Elevation Church Steven Furtick

New Life

Today we are in Lancaster as Nicoles sister just gave birth to a little girl.  Cute little thing was 7lbs 13 oz & 21 inches long.  It fun being with the family and all the excitement that comes with a new life.  Nicole is enjoying seeing little Natalie.   Its really making us think about our little one that is coming February.  What an exciting time.