Comments for Troy Jones http://troyhjones.com +Discipleship +Leadership +Church Sat, 19 May 2012 18:22:45 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 Comment on What Does Your Heart Break For? by Angie http://troyhjones.com/2012/03/what-does-your-heart-break-for/#comment-570 Angie Sat, 19 May 2012 18:22:45 +0000 http://troyhjones.com/?p=1206#comment-570 It is so interesting how the Holy Spirit works! I have been thinking about what all people really need about the same time you wrote this message. And God showed me a quick but clear example. One of my coworkers stopped replying to my work-related requests and I did not know why (maybe she was going through a hard time, I do not know). I was not sure what should be done to claim this life experience for God's glory but I prayed about it. One day I saw on my working calendar that it was the Administrative Professionals day and I sent her a quick email with just a couple words (Congratulations!!! This is your day:)!!! Enjoy it!). She replied right away and stopped by my cube within 5 minutes smiling. I was so happy to see her happy and I learned my lesson: when people see that you truly care about them (I had now benefit from emailing her; I just wanted to make her day a little brighter), they open their hearts to enjoy the love of God that is poring through you. Simple things like this bring glory to our awesome God because they win souls. Unfortunately, even I, who have been going to church for the last 12 years, cannot stand Christians who try to take advantage of you and care only for "what works for them". It is SO boring. If I can feel it, people who do not know Christ feel it as well and definitely do not want to be a part of "this kind of Christianity". Thank you so much for writing about it! It is so interesting how the Holy Spirit works! I have been thinking about what all people really need about the same time you wrote this message. And God showed me a quick but clear example. One of my coworkers stopped replying to my work-related requests and I did not know why (maybe she was going through a hard time, I do not know). I was not sure what should be done to claim this life experience for God’s glory but I prayed about it. One day I saw on my working calendar that it was the Administrative Professionals day and I sent her a quick email with just a couple words (Congratulations!!! This is your day:)!!! Enjoy it!). She replied right away and stopped by my cube within 5 minutes smiling. I was so happy to see her happy and I learned my lesson: when people see that you truly care about them (I had now benefit from emailing her; I just wanted to make her day a little brighter), they open their hearts to enjoy the love of God that is poring through you. Simple things like this bring glory to our awesome God because they win souls.

Unfortunately, even I, who have been going to church for the last 12 years, cannot stand Christians who try to take advantage of you and care only for “what works for them”. It is SO boring. If I can feel it, people who do not know Christ feel it as well and definitely do not want to be a part of “this kind of Christianity”. Thank you so much for writing about it!

]]> Comment on Three Phrases that Drive Me Crazy! by Jason Grose http://troyhjones.com/2012/05/three-phrases-that-drive-me-crazy/#comment-569 Jason Grose Fri, 18 May 2012 01:40:56 +0000 http://troyhjones.com/?p=1242#comment-569 Thank you, Pastor. The two best parts of this: 1. "I am thinking about leaving the church (Stop with the childish threat to your pastor…leave) - awesome. I can get on board with a Pastor who is this bold. 2. "I am only being honest. (honesty is NOT an excuse to be rude)" - I am dealing with a person at work that uses this all the time to be, well, uber-rude. I struggle to be civil sometimes and I must admit, your sermons have helped me in that respect. I am tempted to let out 22 years in the Marine Corps on him but then my weekly visit to New Life Hospital for Sinners steps in and I have the strength to actually pray for him. You have no idea how much of a change this is from even a year ago. Thank you, Pastor. The two best parts of this:

1. “I am thinking about leaving the church (Stop with the childish threat to your pastor…leave) – awesome. I can get on board with a Pastor who is this bold.

2. “I am only being honest. (honesty is NOT an excuse to be rude)” – I am dealing with a person at work that uses this all the time to be, well, uber-rude. I struggle to be civil sometimes and I must admit, your sermons have helped me in that respect. I am tempted to let out 22 years in the Marine Corps on him but then my weekly visit to New Life Hospital for Sinners steps in and I have the strength to actually pray for him. You have no idea how much of a change this is from even a year ago.

]]> Comment on Three Phrases that Drive Me Crazy! by Dr. Dwaine Braddy http://troyhjones.com/2012/05/three-phrases-that-drive-me-crazy/#comment-567 Dr. Dwaine Braddy Thu, 10 May 2012 20:41:08 +0000 http://troyhjones.com/?p=1242#comment-567 One phrase that has always bugged me is when someone comes to me and says, "God has given me a word for your life". Then they proceed to tell me what I should or should not do about a particular matter. I interpret this to mean their saying, I believe you should or should not do this about this matter. Now, I do believe in the Spirit's giving one a word of knowledge for me. However, I believe He will have already been dealing with me about it; He's just using you to confirm NOT reveal it. That's why I will always take a so-called "word for me" to God in prayer before acting upon it. See Acts 13:1-3. One phrase that has always bugged me is when someone comes to me and says, “God has given me a word for your life”. Then they proceed to tell me what I should or should not do about a particular matter. I interpret this to mean their saying, I believe you should or should not do this about this matter. Now, I do believe in the Spirit’s giving one a word of knowledge for me. However, I believe He will have already been dealing with me about it; He’s just using you to confirm NOT reveal it. That’s why I will always take a so-called “word for me” to God in prayer before acting upon it. See Acts 13:1-3.

]]> Comment on Three Phrases that Drive Me Crazy! by Stephen Williams http://troyhjones.com/2012/05/three-phrases-that-drive-me-crazy/#comment-566 Stephen Williams Thu, 10 May 2012 03:12:52 +0000 http://troyhjones.com/?p=1242#comment-566 Regarding #2: The Bible says, "Test the spirits," not, "Assume a voice in your head was actually God talking to/through you and go beat other people over the head with it." Regarding #3: That's just some good ole' Northwest passive-aggressive anger coming out. The thing that bugs me is when people give unsolicited and unflattering advice, then say, "Don't take it so personal!" Excuse me, but you just butt into my life and said some rather disparaging things...how else should I take it? With gratitude? Regarding #2: The Bible says, “Test the spirits,” not, “Assume a voice in your head was actually God talking to/through you and go beat other people over the head with it.”

Regarding #3: That’s just some good ole’ Northwest passive-aggressive anger coming out.

The thing that bugs me is when people give unsolicited and unflattering advice, then say, “Don’t take it so personal!” Excuse me, but you just butt into my life and said some rather disparaging things…how else should I take it? With gratitude?

]]> Comment on Three Ways To Pray For Your Pastor Days Before Easter by Rod Terrell http://troyhjones.com/2012/04/three-ways-pray-for-your-pastor-days-before-easter/#comment-561 Rod Terrell Sun, 08 Apr 2012 14:41:12 +0000 http://troyhjones.com/?p=1222#comment-561 I pray that God will bless all New Life pastors with wisdom and descernment in knowing what to say and when to say the words that God gives you through His Holy Spirit. And, that those who hear your words will be blessed, especially those who never go to church. Pray that all the unbelievers in my community will one day believe. And pray that I will not lose hope. I pray that God will bless all New Life pastors with wisdom and descernment in knowing what to say and when to say the words that God gives you through His Holy Spirit. And, that those who hear your words will be blessed, especially those who never go to church. Pray that all the unbelievers in my community will one day believe. And pray that I will not lose hope.

]]> Comment on What Does The Bible Say About Same Sex Marriage? by Dr. Dwaine Braddy http://troyhjones.com/2012/02/what-does-the-bible-say-about-same-sex-marriage/#comment-559 Dr. Dwaine Braddy Thu, 05 Apr 2012 17:10:59 +0000 http://troyhjones.com/?p=1180#comment-559 So often people ask, what would Jesus say to those who are living a gay lifestyle, and by that, desiring to be married. We can't answer that question specifically because, Jesus never was confronted with this issue, as far as the Gospels tell us. However, I believe He would have supported what the Torah says about it, that it is sin. Having said that, I believe He would have addressed it as He did with the woman caught in the act of adultery in John 8. To the accusing, self-righgteous crowd He said, "If anyone of you is without sin, let him [her] throw the first stone". To a person living a gay lifestyle, I believe He would say, "Neither do I condemn you [showing compassion and forgiveness]. Go now and leave your life of sin [showing His respect for and the teacing of the Torah on the subject]" So often people ask, what would Jesus say to those who are living a gay lifestyle, and by that, desiring to be married. We can’t answer that question specifically because, Jesus never was confronted with this issue, as far as the Gospels tell us. However, I believe He would have supported what the Torah says about it, that it is sin. Having said that, I believe He would have addressed it as He did with the woman caught in the act of adultery in John 8. To the accusing, self-righgteous crowd He said, “If anyone of you is without sin, let him [her] throw the first stone”. To a person living a gay lifestyle, I believe He would say, “Neither do I condemn you [showing compassion and forgiveness]. Go now and leave your life of sin [showing His respect for and the teacing of the Torah on the subject]“

]]> Comment on Three Ways To Pray For Your Pastor Days Before Easter by Tim and Jen Bryan http://troyhjones.com/2012/04/three-ways-pray-for-your-pastor-days-before-easter/#comment-557 Tim and Jen Bryan Thu, 05 Apr 2012 00:00:12 +0000 http://troyhjones.com/?p=1222#comment-557 We are praying for you and Jana! We are praying for you and Jana!

]]> Comment on The Jesus Story Launches… by linda clauson http://troyhjones.com/2012/02/the-jesus-story-launches/#comment-556 linda clauson Wed, 04 Apr 2012 03:38:09 +0000 http://troyhjones.com/?p=1143#comment-556 it's never too late to read the Bible it’s never too late to read the Bible

]]> Comment on How To Lead An Established Church Part 1: Remodel don’t tear it down! by Bryan Davenport http://troyhjones.com/2012/03/how-to-lead-an-established-church-part-1-remodel-dont-tear-it-down/#comment-552 Bryan Davenport Fri, 30 Mar 2012 18:56:52 +0000 http://troyhjones.com/?p=1212#comment-552 Yup! Yup!

]]> Comment on How To Lead An Established Church Part 1: Remodel don’t tear it down! by Brad Carlson http://troyhjones.com/2012/03/how-to-lead-an-established-church-part-1-remodel-dont-tear-it-down/#comment-551 Brad Carlson Thu, 29 Mar 2012 21:53:51 +0000 http://troyhjones.com/?p=1212#comment-551 I saw the title and knew it would be a great post. I agree 100%!!! We are walking through the same challenge but it is so worth it. God is doing amazing things as we put in the time and energy to remake His Church. Keep on posting, brother. I am with you!! Brad I saw the title and knew it would be a great post. I agree 100%!!! We are walking through the same challenge but it is so worth it. God is doing amazing things as we put in the time and energy to remake His Church.

Keep on posting, brother. I am with you!!

Brad

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