Series: Fruit of the spirit.

 Apples are delicious but not all apple trees are created equal. One time I was walking with my cousin and we came across a crabapple tree. I thought crabapples were just smaller apples so I bit into it and it was bitter and gross. I know now to stay away from crab apples but the only way I can tell the difference between a crabapple tree and a regular apple tree is by the fruit.
 It's the same way in Christianity. Religious people are just like Christians right? Until you find out that they are bitter and gross just like crabapples. The only way to tell the difference is by their fruit.
 Now I don't mean to be judgmental, nor do I intend to condemn anyone because they are imperfect. (I would just be condemning myself.) My intentions are to study what it really means to have a Godly character. I want to bear the best fruit possible. So what what fruit should I bear.
 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self‑control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other. (Galatians 5:22-26 NIV84)
 Alright, so let's get right into it. Every week we're going to look at a different fruit and see how it applies to our relationship with God, others and ourselves.
  It's easier to spot an apple tree in a desert than it is in a forest. What I mean by that is that it's easier to spot love where love doesn't normally grow. It's important to demonstrate these Godly characteristics when it's not 'normal' to do so. So, when times are difficult I have to ask myself this:
Do I love when it's easier to hate
Do I bring joy when it's easier to bring sorrow
Do I bring peace when it's easier to star a conflict
Am I patient when it's easier to jump the gun.
Am I kind when I "have the right to be angry"
Am I good when being bad has better rewards
Am I faithful when it's easier to give up and give in
Am I gentle when I want to be harsh
Do I show self-control when it's easier lose control?
 What sacrifices am I willing to make for the name of Jesus?
I'm really excited to start this series. I want to dig and dive in to what it means to have a Godly character.

- Jdwayt

My blogging advice.

There is very little I can offer you. I've been blogging since I was about 15 years old. Here I am 7 years later and I don't have much to show for it. But blogging has been a hobby of mine and believe it or not, I've learned a thing or two about blogging.

1. What is your theme?
Mine is my life as a Christ follower. I share with my readers the work that Christ is doing in me so that they can also learn from it.
Stick to your theme. It's what gets people to keep coming back. People want to know what they're expecting when they read your blogs.

2. Post. Edit. Write.
This is what my time consists of on Wednesdays.
First I post a blog. The next thing I do is edit another blog so it's ready for the next week. The last thing I do is write a blog. I might not have the time or the creative energy to write on Wednesday but it's ok because I'm already a week ahead. I work ahead to avoid pressure.

4. Make time.
If you read my blog from a couple weeks ago you already know what this is about. It's important that you set aside a time specifically for the purpose of blogging. Use that time to do the less creative and more laborious parts of blogging. Like editing and posting and promoting for example.

5. Do what you do no matter what.
This is probably the most important point. Keep in mind it's YOUR blog. Even if you are the only one that reads it (and I have a ton of posts that nobody has read) its fine because it's still a part of who you are.


Anyways that's it. I hope it helps. Next week I'm starting a 'series' and it's going to be a lot of fun! (For me anyway).
- Jdwayt

My New Job

  So I started a new job. I like it. The people at my new job are nicer. My new job is easier and my new job is one step closer to my dream job. It wasn't too bad of a transition because my new job is actually with the same company as my old job. In fact it's the exact same position at the exact same location as my last job because...well...it's the same job.

  Truth is, I feel like I have a new job but it's really just a matter of perspective.I read the book Quitter by Jon Acuff and it's really helped me 'fall in like with a job I don't love.' One of the things Jon suggests is to make a list of things that are parallel between your day job and your dream job. My dream job is to be a youth pastor. So here are some things I like about my day job.

1. I get to do something I like and something I need.
  I work customer service at a retail store. 85% of our guests have some sort of issue that needs to be fixed. I get to listen to people and help them with problems. It's customer service and that's what ministry is, service. I get to serve people everyday, some are more difficult than others, but it's a good way to strengthen my patience.

2. I get to do something I don't like, but I need.
  I'm a 'people pleaser'. I don't like telling people what they don't want to hear. But there are times where I have to tell a customer that they can't return something or that we can't order something or their coupons/sale paper are out of date. Some people get angry and others get disappointed. It forces me to think, though, about what I can do. If we don't have something, what other stores do? If they can't return something, can they exchange it? I'm forced to tell people what they don't want to hear and I'm also forced to think of a way I can still help.

3. I have some surprising inspirational moments considering it's retail.
  My favorite customers are the ones that come up to me super angry/flustered but they end up walking away happy. I love turning someone's attitude around. It makes me feel like I was a good part of their day. I also love when my job doesn't feel like work.

  I helped a lady out to her car once. She was an older lady and she couldn't push her cart. I helped her out to her car and she was so happy. She said she couldn't give me any money so she just gave me a hug...and I'm glad she didn't give me money. Number one I'm not allowed to take it, but taking money would also have made it feel like work. Taking a hug makes it feel like I actually helped somebody. And I did.

  Truthfully, I think anyone can find fulfillment in their job. Find a way to be you in your job.

  There's something you can find I'm sure. If you're a photographer and you work in fast food, you're a writer but you unload trucks in a warehouse, you're an athlete but you work at a desk job, no matter what I can guarantee there is some sort of fulfillment you can find in your job.


Anyway, thanks for reading!

- Jdwayt

The difference between finding time and making time.

 I have a problem. I have a lot of hobbies but I can never find time to spend on them. I'm either too tired, too hungry, too busy, too stressed or whatever I can think of. It doesn't matter how much I want to do something, finding time is impossible.

 Which is why it is important to make time for the things that are important. Making time is different than finding time. Making time means you set aside part of your day for a specific purpose. For example, I have and event on my calendar called 'Blog time'. Every Wednesday I devote 1pm-2pm for blogging. I use that time to post, edit, and write blogs. It's much easier than trying to find extra time to blog.

 I think of it like this: expecting to find time is like expecting to find money. Saying "I'll find time to spend with God next week." is like saying "I'll find money for my car insurance next week." Expecting to stumble upon extra money is absurd, and so is expecting to stumble upon extra time.

 The truth is that we are habitual beings. It's way easier to do something if we schedule our time around it and make it a routine. We do this all the time. We set time aside for boring mundane things like work or school, we even schedule things like dentist appointments every six months. If we can set time aside for the things we don't like doing, doesn't it make sense to set time aside for the things we do like doing?

 We make time for our jobs and other important events, we schedule things and we expect to do them during a set time. It should be the same with hobbies or spending time with God.


Anyways that's what I've learned. Thanks for reading!


- Jdwayt

I'm desperate

  I'm desperate for a girlfriend. Yep. I've managed to fool most people, they think my singleness doesn't bother me because I've been single for so long. But the truth is that it does bother me.

  I'm more desperate than most people. Most people go from one relationship to another because they are 'desperate'. Not me. I'm so desperate that I'm not willing to be in a relationship that won't work. I'm desperate for a real relationship that is beneficial to other areas of my life. I'm not just looking for a relationship, I'm looking for someone to change my life forever.

  My desperateness gets me thinking. Am I the same way with my relationship with God? Or am I willing to settle for a relationship that won't work, where I don't really care about the other person I just don't want to feel alone? A relationship that crumbles when it's not convenient?

  I want to be truly desperate for God. I want a real committed relationship. An I'm-in-for-good-no-matter-what kind of relationship. A relationship that is honored even when no one is around. A relationship that absolutely turns my world upside down.

I think that's what it means to follow Christ; an unrelenting pursuit after a real, everyday, life consuming relationship with Jesus Christ.

This blog didn't turn out the way you thought it would huh?

Thanks for reading!
- Jdwayt

Alright time to get back into this.

I've recently been inspired by my favorite blogger/author, Jon Acuff. I was watching some of his youtube videos on blogging and I've decided to start blogging again.

However I'm not going to blog daily because I don't have the time nor the energy to do so. So I've set a time to blog. It's Wednesdays at 2pm. I have plenty of time to blog then. I'm guaranteed to be awake then and I'm free until 4pm on those days. So in other words, it's prime time for blogging then.

The second thing I'm going to do differently is I'm going to write blogs at least one week in advance. This way if I'm ever in a rush. I'll still have a blog out by the time it's 'due'.

Finally the third different thing I'm going to do is stray away from blogging from a chapter in the Bible. Not that it was bad. In fact I really enjoyed doing it, but I feel like my blogs should be more personal and practical.

With that being said, I'm not going to quit blogging about chapters in the Bible. In fact, I may do a series about the life of David or the gospels or something of that nature but for the next few weeks anyway I'm going to blog about the general things I've learned.

Oh and here's the video that got me back into bloging.


Jon Acuff's video.


Thanks for reading,

-JDWayt

Blogpress test.

I'm going to try posting a blog from Blogpress on my iPad...let's see how well it works. This is just a summary of last week as an intern at Under1.



This week has brought a lot of changes. I've learned so many things in such a short period of time. These changes have taught me some great things about ministry and responsibility. I'm not only learning, but I'm also doing what God has called me to do and that is the greatest feeling I can ever experience.
The first learning experience I had was moving in. That's when it kicked in that I was making a huge step. I realized that this ministry is going to require me to step up and take on more responsibilities. I know that these responsibilities will challenge me mentally, physically, and spiritually but the end result is something I am looking forward to.
The first day at the office was great. I was really excited about being apart of what goes on behind the scenes at Under1. The areas of ministry that no ones sees are often times more important than the ones that take place in the spotlight. I don't think I did anything extremely important, but I know that the phone calls, e-mails, copies, or whatever will be a part of something greater.
I learned to 'draw circles in the sand'. In other words, I learned that I need to pray fervently and seriously. I need to pray expecting a response from God, even if it's not the one I prefer or expect. I also learned that the first step is to ask.
Open door ministry was great. Serving people was awesome. I was surprised to see so many teenagers volunteering. Many of them were there to get community service hours, but Steve brought up the point that it's a great opportunity to invite some of these students to Under1. I'm excited to serve at ODM.
Sunday was a big day for me. I had to preach for the first time. It was much more difficult than I expected. I'll have to work on my public speaking skills. I've realized that I'm a better writer than speaker. I'm usually the type to get straight to the point so I need to focus on elaborating the areas that introduce and reinforce my points.
Overall this week has been crazy. Again I feel like I'm at a point where I'm doing more and getting less recognition. This is a good thing because He must become greater and I must become less. This week I've had less free time, less money at the end of the week, less sleep, less things to boast about, but I've given more honor to the name of Jesus Christ and that is greatest accomplishment I can ever hope to achieve.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad