RUSSJONES.US

Ever watch the show, "Let's Make A Deal"?  No, not the one that's on television right now. The one that was on years ago. The hosts name was Monty Hall.   I just learned that he passed away this evening. I made mention of it tonight to my family and friends.   A millennial friend of mine, Bianca, looked at me and said, "Who"?  Man did that make me feel old.   If you don't know what the premise of this game show was about it was simple. Dress is ridiculously as possible and get the attention of the host.  He would then offer you a either/or deal. One would be lucrative the other a bust.   I have noticed, as a pastor, over the years that some people attend church thinking it works the same way. They will do anything they can to get Gods attention and then pray that He gives them a lucrative deal.   It never works and they feel disappointed because God doesn't work that way.  Matthew 28:20 Teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. An

North Korea wants to develop a Hydrogen Bomb.  Yea that sounds like a good idea - NOT! How many NFL players are going to kneel this week?  I don't know, I stopped watching NFL football a long time ago. Apparently, a bunch of our diplomats in Cuba were poisoned, seriously.  Now you can't get a visa into the country from the USA.  Oops! 1 Thessalonians 5:3  While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. God warned us that the whole thing would come flying apart at the seams.  So how can you have peace and security in a world that cannot offer it?  #1 - Don't rely on this world to provide peace.  There is no way this world can provide any kind of peaceful utopia for mankind to enjoy.   #2 - Know that no matter how bad it gets here, God has a plan.   Jer. 29:11 tells you that He has a plan.  Remember, that His plan for you is very, very goo

Heb 9:27  And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, Hugh Hefner passed away at the age of 91. He encouraged the sexual revolution of the 60's in its sexual liberation and freedom of expression.  He became the living embodiment of the Playboy empire which he founded and built.   Hef was a self-declared agnostic. That is a person who claims neither faith nor disbelief in God.  However, at his own admission, he claims to be raised as a “conservative, Midwestern, Methodist”. He rejected this guilt-ridden Puritanism environment and lifestyle. That in fact, it caused him to become the man who he was. Now the Bible says that are not to judge one another.  Believe me, I'm not.  However, the Bible also says that you will know a man by the fruit he produces in his life.  (Matt. 7:16)  In other words, you don't judge, but you do inspect.  Now, how does one, "inspect" another's life?  They use the Bible as their guide.  

Here is my new favorite song from Mercy Me.   Proverbs 15:13 A joyful heart makes a cheerful face, but with a heartache comes depression. PRAY:  Dear Jesus, let me laugh today!  Amen!

So I haven't said anything about North Korea yet.  I noticed during Hurricane Irma that they were up to something.  Then the President spoke at the UN and named them specifically as a significant problem.  If I was living in that region of the world, I would be concerned. It seems that most everyone is North Koreas enemy.  That in and of itself isn't a problem. It's the fact that they want to act on their anger is what has most disconcerted.  Making nuclear weapons and then develop long ranges missiles to deliver them is a recipe for disaster. While you may not be well versed in international diplomacy, you can understand this problem.  You've been in the position where someone doesn't like you and they will do whatever they can to get rid of you.  I've seen it in the workplace.  I've seen it in marriage and I have even seen it in families.  What do you do? Luke 6:27 - 28 But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, ble

Getting into the middle of this debate about NFL players disrespecting the flag of the United States of America while the National Anthem is playing isn't a wise thing to do.  Why?  No one is going to win.  At some point, I think that they will just stop playing the song, waving the flag or reciting the Pledge of Alliegence. But then, when things get political people usually tune out. - Oscars hit a 10 year viewership low. - Emmys hit a new low in ratings, and the NFL's viewership is slumping again. A nation divided. But I do have a suggestion for those players who take a knee.  Pray while you are down there.  If you don't know how or what to say, here are a few suggestions. #1 - Pray for this nation and those in authority. "But I don't like them!"  That's not the point.  They are the elected leaders and those in authority.  Pray for them. 1 Timothy 2:1-2  First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving

As I mentioned a few blogs earlier, when you're in hurricane mode you can't think of much else.  Literally, every moment of every day is occupied with a name.  Irma, Lee, Maria - you get the picture.  But when the season is over, and you can stop for a moment, you realize a lot happened while you were gone.  Too much!  You spend the next few weeks trying to catch up with work, needs, the news and so much more.   Eventually, life does return to normal.  Some sooner than later.  Then the days when a hurricane occupied your every thought eventually fade away into memory.   But something else is going on.  Some might say I am having a "gut feeling" others might call it intuition.   Galatians 5:25   If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. I think that God is up to something.  I believe that it is going to be good and I believe that it will be for those who are looking for it.   “But people who aren’t spiritual can’t receive

Shouldn't I have blogged about this before the Hurricanes?  I could have, but I am pretty sure that we all had enough fear to go around - why add to it? What I am talking about here is what Hurricanes and other life-threatening events will cause you to do. Make you think that you don't have enough. When you are looking down the barrel of a Cat 3, 4 or 5 storm, it gives you a sinking feeling in the pit of your gut.  Everything you own may disappear.  You want to do everything that you can to save it.  There are some steps that you should take, but you know there comes the point when even your best isn't enough.  If you think about this long enough, you will begin to believe that A) you never have enough and B) you've got to hang on to everything you have.  This is called a s carcity mentality - or the fear of never having enough.   Matthew 6:26   Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds the

Hurricane seasons happen one of two ways.  Either it is hushed and we barely even notice.  Or it's just one hurricane after another.  Then if you do get hit by one, the next one makes you twitch and freak out. After Irma, Maria showed up on the scene.  While it was over a week away, people were already making a run on water and bread at Publix. In 04' Hurricane Charlie hit the west coast.  All was quiet then Frances made a mess.  Hurricane Ivan had passed us, but then drifted back down to Florida as a tropical depression and almost washed the state away.  Then while drying out from that one, Jeanne hit us.  All any of us could say was, "What!?! Not again!!" Life has a way of just coming at you in waves. I was reading a facebook post this morning that recapped the last couple of weeks for someone. - Their father had two heart attacks a stroke and a number of other health problems. - They bought tickets to escape Hurricane Irma - lost them. - Their home was

A few days ago someone asked me about Hurricane Maria.  I told them I couldn't, I was too exhausted from Irma.  (FYI - Maria is about to strike Puerto Rico as a Cat 5 hurricane.  You need to stop and pray for them right now.) For the last few days, I have been fielding phone calls about the great need in the Keys.  We've been responding to a need for supplies and food down there. A question people have been asking me over and over, "Should I take my shutters down now?"  Answer: Yes.  Most municipalities only allow you to keep them up for two weeks after the storm, then they will fine you. Can you give money for Hurricane Harvey relief? Can you give money for Hurricane Irma relief? Can you give money for Hurricane Maria relief? At some point, your brain will just say, "ENOUGH!"  Then you will feel guilty about not helping.  Then you will get depressed about it.  So, what do you do? #1 - You are not responsible for fixing everything, do what you

Normal has now been redefined for many of us.  We drive around and see the tell-tale signs that we went through a hurricane a week ago.  But, Starbucks and Dunkin Donuts are open.  Publix has restocked their shelves.  School is back in session.  But it isn't quite the same, is it? #1 You might be exhausted emotionally.  To say that getting ready for, going through and recovering from a hurricane is like riding a roller coaster that never stops is putting it mildly.  If you find yourself fighting depression, that's normal.  Don't try to muscle your way through it, get some rest and recharge your batteries - NOW! #2 You might be exhausted physically.  I mentioned this in a previous post, but it can still happen.  Again get some rest but add to that plenty of water and eat right.  Diets were suspended during the event, but it's time to get back on track. #3 You might be exhausted spiritually. Matthew 6:33  But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, a

"When pigs fly" is a way of saying that something will never happen.   Such as when will I ever eat liver?  When pigs fly.  When will I ever root for the Patriots?  When pigs fly.  You get the idea.   Is there any situation when you can say, "When pigs fly" with God?  Sure there are.   God will never say WOW! Hebrews 4:13   And no creature is hidden from his sight, bu t all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account. God is all-knowing.  You cannot do anything that will make Him say, "Wow, I didn't see that coming."  Or, "Oops, I guess I shouldn't have done that."  God will never give up on you! Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” God will always be in your corner.  Even when you don't deserve it, He will never, ever give up on you.   As the old song says, &

Well, no blog yesterday.  I decided to blog from the house, but forgot, no internet.  So, sorry about that. Ephesians 5:20 Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. But today is a new day.  So here is my list, in no particular order. Coffee - My comfort food Daylight - Shutters have to come down!  No daylight = depressing. Gasoline - The thought of going empty with no gas is frightening. Electric - No I didn't lose mine at the house, that's why I am thankful. Internet - Don't have any and I really, really miss it. Family - Being locked up in the house with them can drive you crazy.  But I wouldn't trade anything in the world for it. Reading - This goes to no internet.  I read off my iPad.  No internet, no iPad. Prayer - Prayers were short and real during the hurricane.  "Oh, Jesus!!!" was said, a lot! Hot Food - After a few days of eating hurricane food a hot meal was wonderful! Neighbors -

Hurricanes make a great metaphor for life.  How many times has something happened that either threatens to destroy your life or outrightly did it?  During Hurricane Irma, an acquaintance wife lost her battle with cancer. During Hurricane Irma, a friend of mine received bad news about his dad. During Hurricane Irma, a friend of mine suffered a significant loss in his ministry. Romans 8:28  And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. #1 - Accept help.  You cannot bounce back on your own.  Have someone to talk to.  Help someone in need.  Don't be alone and don't let your family go through this alone either.  #2 - Belief in the plan.  God always has His best intentions in mind for you at all times.  How you may think, "Well, if God really loved me He wouldn't put me through this."  Nope, not true.  But God has a plan for you and your life.  This is only part of it.  He will

FPL says that everyone will have electricity on by the weekend. Comcast says they will have the internet and cable restored by Monday.  Restaurants are starting to open. Now that life is returning to normal - what did you learn? Psalm 25:4  Make me know Your ways, O LORD; Teach me Your paths. You should sit down and write down some notes.  If you plan on living in Florida, you need to be prepared for the next event.   But what did YOU learn through Hurricane Irma.  - How did you deal with your stress?  I watched everything from denial to self-medication.  If you don't like how you dealt with it - change your mind.  - How did your faith serve you?  Did you have a sense of peace in the midst of the storm?  Did you think that God abandoned you?  If it is the latter, you probably should learn more about the character of God.  - How did you do physically?  A hurricane will test the boundaries of your body.  Did you discover that you're not as young as you use

Sorry I didn't blog yesterday, couldn't find any internet.  Going to be a bit sketchy for the next few days too. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 give thanks in all circumstances . . .  Hurricane Irma is over.  Finally!!  You have probably been feeling a variety of emotions after the fact. #1 - Exhaustion.  Once the winds died down you probably fell asleep.  But you need more.  Don't push yourself over the edge now. #2 - Guilt.  You may feel some guilt over the fact that the hurricane that was suppose to hit here on the East Coast but went to the West Coast.  These kinds of feelings are normal but remember, you didn't choose to send the hurricane anywhere. #3 - Thankfulness - When you went outside, regardless of the damage, you were probably thankful that it wasn't any worse. Who do you thank? Thank God!  Thank God that He was with you during the storm.  Thank God that He gave you the common sense needed to protect you and your family before the storm.  Thank Go

For those of you who have never been in a hurricane, this is for you. Pace yourself.  If you are going to go through a hurricane, you want it to move along quickly.  Like pulling a band-aid off.  Just get it over with.  But when a storm lumbers along (like the one we are in right now) it seems like it will never end.  How do you get through it?  Take it one storm band at a time.  Take it one hour at a time.  Take it one minute at a time. I remember during one hurricane I received a phone call from someone screaming, "We're all going to die!  We're all going to die!"  Now, first of all, it wasn't a major hurricane.  Secondly, all he did to prepare for the event was buy two gallons of water.  It was his first hurricane, and he kept saying, "I don't know what you're all panicking about, it just a hurricane."  I had to chuckle to myself as I watched the tables turn.  I finally got him settled down and through the event.  He bought hur

By this time we are in the middle of Hurricane Irma.  You are probably thinking, "When will this stop?"  "I don't think I can take this anymore!"  Irma is a behemoth that needs to go on a diet.  But here is the good news!  You're going to make it! Mark 4:39   And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. The disciples are in a boat crossing the Sea of Galilee.  Jesus is asleep in the back of the boat.  Many people have wondered how anyone could be asleep in a storm?  You understand though, don't you?  If you're tired enough, you can sleep through anything.  Even a hurricane. During Hurricane Andrew, my music pastor and wife were evacuated from their residence and stayed at our apartment.  In the middle of the night, when the hurricane made landfall, everyone was asleep except me.  I watched the whole thing unfold.  The winds whipping palm trees around like they

And wait, and wait, and wait and . . . If you have never been through a hurricane, please understand that the week leading up to the "event" is one of the longest weeks of your life.  You eat whatever you have time for, which is usually nothing.  Sleep?  Who needs it!  You dealt with more stress and stressed out people than you know what to do with.  Your relatives keep calling to say, "I can't understand what you can't come on up and stay with us!"  WE CAN'T GET OUT!!  Then the lull before the storm.   Isaiah 40:31  but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. Take this time to do something constructive.   #1 - Take a nap.  Don't worry you will not sleep through the hurricane.  #2 - Catch up on your devotions and personal time.   Quiet your soul and recharge your batteries.  #3 - Gather whomever you are s

We've dealt with stress.  We've dealt with exhaustion.  Now we deal with panic. The best way to deal with panic is to prepare for it.  I mean the panic. So, let's deal with it.  #1 - Limit how much information you listen to.  Find one or two good sources and check on them periodically.  Listening to a consent stream of screaming will only push you over the edge.  #2 - Take time to calm yourself.  You push and push and push.  Then you look in the eyes of your kids and see the panic.  Take the time to calm your nerves and theirs too.  Being honest is ok, but don't panic.  #3 - 1 Peter 5:7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Prayer works.  I know you are praying that God will push this thing out to sea.  Some of you might even be railing at Him right now for letting this happen.  It's normal.  God isn't offended.  But He would like to help.  We'll pray in a minute.  #4 - Forgive yourself.  You've done all you

Remember the two story church that became a one story church from yesterdays blog?  Well, about a year later I met the pastor of that church and asked him how things were going?  He said, "Saint Andrew has been a blessing to us."  Now, this was in stark contrast to the man I met 48 hours after Andrew. He went on to explain that they were able to rebuild and restore everything.  In fact, he now had a new steeple!  More about that steeple in a moment. Gen 50:20 As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. Joseph had been sold into slavery by his jealous brothers.  They told their father that an animal had killed him.  But in fact, Joseph ended up in Egypt as a slave.  Then he was a prisoner.  Then he interpreted a dream for Pharoah and becomes Prime Minister of Egypt.  During a great drought, his brothers come to Egypt looking for food.  After a couple of encounters, he re

Many of you read my blog yesterday.  I hope that it was helpful. I've been through a few of these storms.  Never one this big obviously.  But after the stress comes the exhaustion. You've heard the weather man one too many times.  You've had it with the lines at Home Depot.  If you strip out one more screw to a hurricane shutter, you're going to scream.  Sleep?  Ha!  We'll sleep during the storm.  For the rest of your life if you meet someone named Irma your right eye will twitch.  You're exhausted. #1 - Pace yourself.  Yes, we are all on a deadline.  But don't die trying to get to the line. #2 - Prioritize needs.  Everything on your list will probably not get done.  Make sure those unfinished items at not the most important things. #3 - Ask for help.  The best thing you can do is surround yourself with a team.  Make sure you're on their team too. 1 Thess. 5:23 Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spir

I love spaghetti.  I don't love hurricane spaghetti models like this one.  They stress me out.  You think, "Which one is right?"  Then you realize you have better odds in Vegas. First of all, let me say that as a parent and a long time survivor of hurricanes - these things will stress your kids out.  Do everything that you can to reassure them of their safety.  Let them know what you are doing and why you are doing it.  Keep telling them, "We're going to be ok."  Don't let Chicken Little loose screaming, "The sky is falling, the sky is falling!"  Their routine is going to be interrupted and that will make them feel insecure.  Assure them that all will return to normal. But what about you?  How are you dealing with this? Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen Here's the problem, you can see a hurricane.  In fact, it will insist that you know it's there.  But you can'

I've been in tornadoes.  I didn't like it. I haven't been through an earthquake.  Don't want to. I've been in blizzards.  Really didn't like that. I've been snowed in for a month at a time.  Cabin fever is the least of your worries. I've been in floods.  I don't like swimming. But I really don't like hurricanes. Andrew, Frances, Jeanne, Irene, Matthew, Wilma plus a different number of Tropical Storms.  I really don't want to add Irma to the list.  Now as of the most recent tracking forecast, it's supposed to be going up the west coast of Florida.  Don't you dare trust those insidious beasts.  Hurricanes do whatever they want.  So what do you do? Remember that God already knew this was going to happen and has already prepared for your need. Isaiah 58:11  And the Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of wate

How many of you remember Mr. Rogers? - Did you know that he was a Presbyterian minister? - He was an Ivy League drop out. He was an accomplished musician who wrote over 200 songs, all the music for his show and a kids opera. - All of the cardigan sweaters he wore were knitted by his mother. - He is credited with single handily saving Public Television by testifying at a Senate hearing.  After speaking, funding jumped from 9 million to 22 million dollars. - Micheal Keaton got his start on Mr. Rogers Neighborhood. Stats from mental_floss on YouTube This morning I spoke about how we should be good neighbors.  (For those of you who are wondering, who is my neighbor?  The answer is, anyone but you!)  Proverbs 14:21 says  Whoever despises his neighbor is a sinner, but blessed is he who is generous to the poor. 1 Peter 4:9  Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. Showing hospitality, or being neighborly, was and is considered a Godly quality.  However, it has become

I didn't get to watch the game, I already knew how it was going to turn out.  FSU 7 - Alabama 24.  No, I didn't know the score otherwise I would be a rich man right now.  What I did know was this.  FSU was going to lose.  How did I know that?  Because Alabama was that good?  No - because FSU knew they were going to lose.  The only question was, how bad. 2 Chron. 15:7 "But you, take courage! Do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded.” Before the game I was listening to the local FSU fan base, what did they think?  They thought they were going to lose.  They had given up.  In fact, one fan said, "We need to pray!  That FSU doesn't lose by too much." But at half time, when they interview the coaches for 30 seconds, they asked Alabama Coach Saban what he thought.  He acted surprised.  He said that they had made a lot of mistakes implying that FSU should be in the lead.  So why weren't they?  FSU wasn't capitalizing on Alabamas

Ever overthink anything?  I have and it usually ends in disaster.  But why do we overthink?  Usually, it's because we are trying to get control of something.  A relationship, a project or a problem.  Whatever it is, we are struggling, and our brain is desperately trying to get a handle on the situation.   Someone once taught me that control falls into one of three areas.  - Things you have complete control over.  - Things you have some control over. - Things that you have no control over.   If you are overthinking about something that you have no control over, when you're done giving yourself a migraine, you'll still have no control over it.   Some people think that faith is the absence of common sense.  I would wholeheartedly disagree.  I believe that faith is the result of the generous use of common sense.  Faith says that God gave you a brain to use.  God expects you to use it!!   Faith says that God will give you wisdom if you need it.  God ex