tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-84165633485532395392024-02-08T10:14:36.462-08:00New BeginningsPhilippians 3:8 "What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ."Jonathan Ayershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03972656406542632038noreply@blogger.comBlogger122125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8416563348553239539.post-31418701278917333892009-11-09T07:45:00.000-08:002009-11-09T07:48:18.428-08:00True ObedienceI know I haven’t written in a while. I haven’t really known what to say, but something has been heavy on my heart and I feel as though I should share it with you. Jonathan was a great leader, especially at home. He led by example. He taught me so much about true obedience. He wanted to be obedient to Christ at all costs. Let me give you a few examples of how just in the past year he helped me do this. Last summer (2008) we made a move from Gainesville to Lavonia to pastor Shoal Creek. We had been praying about this for some time. We had prayed, okay God, if you give Abby a job we will move. Jonathan came to me one day and said that he felt that we were saying to God that we would only be obedient to His call if it was financially secure and that he felt that we should go regardless of whether or not I had a job . . . so that is what we did. It didn’t make sense and a lot of people thought we were crazy. At the end of July, just before school started, a job miraculously appeared at Stephens County High School, by the grace of God. <br /><br /> Another example: The trip to Zambia. Jonathan and I were so excited when we decided to go together to Zambia. Not long after we made that commitment, we found out that we were expecting our first child. This trip could potentially put our child in danger with vaccines, diseases that could be contracted, the long plane trip, etc. I couldn’t even use bug spray! Again, it didn’t make sense for me to go and people thought we were crazy, but again Jonathan said, Abby, we cannot say to God that we will only be obedient to You if it is safe for us. Jonathan reassured me that God knew I was going to get pregnant when we felt as though He wanted us to go, should we change our decision to be obedient now? So, Jonathan, our baby, and I went to Zambia and made it back completely unharmed (except for the bug that Jonathan got). <br /> <br /> When I was struggling with this decision, Jonathan brought me this scripture. I feel as though God was preparing me for what was coming in the future. Jonathan used the scripture to teach me that even if we did suffer in some way by going to Zambia, it was for the sake of Christ and we would be blessed for it. <br /> <br /> 14But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened." 15But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 17It is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.<br /> -1 Peter 3:14-17<br /> <br /> I felt that God was telling me that Jonathan and I would suffer for some reason in the future. Honestly, I assumed it would be in relation to our precious child we were expecting in February and prayed that God would not take this child that we had prayed for so long. I never imagined that I would suffer the loss of my wonderful husband. I especially never imagined that Jonathan would have to suffer what he did. However, based on the scripture above, I know that Jonathan will be blessed for his suffering and is being blessed now for being obedient regardless of what it cost him. I am proud to have been his wife and bear his name. I will always be thankful for his spiritual leadership and for teaching me to be obedient even in the face of suffering. I will never understand why God did not spare us this tragedy. I will never understand why our child will never truly know how wonderful his father was this side of Heaven. I will never understand why God allowed us to suffer so . . . but I do find comfort in knowing that hopefully soon, Jesus will return to take His children home and I will see my beloved Jonathan never to be separated from him again. We will be able to worship Jesus together forever, which is something that we loved doing. <br /><br /> I want to extend a challenge to anyone who reads this blog. Don’t be afraid to be obedient to Christ. Don’t put stipulations on your obedience. Obedience is not true obedience if you have an attitude of “I will be obedient as long as it is financially secure or physically safe.” I think this is especially hard for most “American” Christians who are more than likely the top 5% richest in the world. Don’t be afraid of God’s calling on your life. You will be rewarded for your willingness to obey, maybe not in this life, but for eternity in the next. Use the scripture above as an encouragement from Jonathan himself to be truly obedient!Jonathan Ayershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03972656406542632038noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8416563348553239539.post-36566151395274925222009-10-02T11:48:00.000-07:002009-10-02T11:51:05.296-07:00Hope In EternityThe sorrow and sadness of living without Jonathan sometimes seems too much to bear. I have lost the spiritual leader of my home, the love of my life, my best friend, and the one in which I confided the most here on Earth. That void seems hopeless at times during every day and during every week. I know that there are many who are suffering with me. I wanted to share some scriptures that if we let them, can give us hope of a better day and life . . . not here on this Earth, but in Heaven if you are a believer. We have to keep in mind the eternal side of this. We do not belong in this world. We are of another, better, not full of sin, beautiful world. If we don’t think on these things, I think at least for me, I will lose sanity. I hope that at <em>some time</em>, these scriptures can be comforting to those of us who are grieving.<br /><br />*For when I am overwhelmed thinking about what Jonathan went through . . . and for what we are suffering through now . . . and for when I feel like his death was in vain and that nothing good can come from this for the glory of God . . .<br /><br />Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:4<br /><br />But if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not feel ashamed but in that name let him glorify God. I Peter 4:16<br /><br />Therefore, let those also who suffer according to the will of God entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right. I Peter 4:19<br /><br />Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praise worthy, meditate on these things. Philippians 4:8<br /><br />And we know that God causes all things to work together for the good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28<br /><br />*For when I need hope of a better day that I will not be without Jonathan and will be forever with the One who died for me . . .<br /><br />For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. Romans 8:18<br /><br />So that the proof of your faith, being much more precious than of gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. I Peter 1:7<br /><br />Come now, you who say “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit.” Yet, you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. James 4:13-14 <br /><br />*For when the grief, sorrow, sadness, and the future become too much for me to consider . . .<br /><br />And he has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may dwell in me. II Corinthians 12:9<br /><br />God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Psalms 46:1<br /><br />*For when I think I can’t take another step, I can’t say another word, I can’t live another day (I have learned from reading Dr. Frank Cox’s Trusting God’s Heart that temptation=a putting to proof by adversity). . .<br /><br />Therefore, let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man, but God is faithful who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. I Corinthians 10:12-13<br /><br />*For when I am scared of forgetting the life I had with Jonathan, scared of presently living without Jonathan, and scared of the future without Jonathan . . .<br /><br />Do not fear for I am with you. Do not anxiously look about you for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Surely I will help you. Surely I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10<br /><br />Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you! I Peter 5:6-7<br /><br />When you pass through the waters I will be with you and through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire you will not be scorched nor will the flame burn you. Isaiah 43:2<br /><br />The eternal God is our Refuge and underneath are the everlasting arms and He drove out the enemies from before you and said “Destroy!” Deuteronomy 33:27<br /><br />Do not be afraid of sudden fear nor of the onslaught of the wicked when it comes, for the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught. Proverbs 3:25-26<br /><br />*For now when my heart is utterly shattered and when I feel like my life is forever ruined . . .<br /><br />The righteous cry and the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near for the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous but the Lord delivers them out of them all. Psalm 34:17-19<br /><br />The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His namesake. Psalm 23<br /><br />*For when I feel utterly alone . . .<br /><br />For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you or forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5<br /><br />*For when I can’t make sense of the situation and can’t understand why this happened . . .<br /><br />For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, declares the Lord, for as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9<br /><br />~I also wanted to share with you that based on the work that God allowed Jonathan to complete on his blog, a man from Alabama is now part of the Kingdom of God. I was able to speak with him on the phone about Jonathan and about how Jonathan is no longer here on Earth with us, but he is in Heaven because He trusted Jesus to take away his sin. This man prayed with me on the phone and told Jesus that he wanted to put his trust in Him as well. Praise God! This man knows now that when he dies he will be with Jesus in Heaven!Jonathan Ayershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03972656406542632038noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8416563348553239539.post-4318104864875728482009-09-18T05:19:00.000-07:002009-09-18T05:24:36.341-07:00A Baby BoyI wanted to let everyone know that yesterday I went to the doctor and received good news! In February, Jonathan and I will be having a little boy! Psalm 112 has given me so much comfort during this time in my life. It talks about a righteous man. Jonathan was and defnitely is full of a righteous fear of the Lord. Because of that, Psalm 112:2 says that "His children will be mighty in the land, the generation of the upright will be blessed." Because Jonathan was faithful to the Lord, our child will be blessed. Amen.Jonathan Ayershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03972656406542632038noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8416563348553239539.post-21207590802293912982009-09-15T08:48:00.000-07:002009-09-15T08:57:39.312-07:00Missing JonathanToday will be two weeks since the day my wonderful husband was taken from me. I miss him in the depths of my soul. There will never be a day as long as I am here on Earth that I will not miss his smile, his touch, his voice, his laugh, his desire to make me happy, his humor . . . If you knew him, you knew how loving, kind, merciful, generous . . . . (I could go on and on) he was. It was clear to anyone who knew him that letting Jesus work in and through his life was the number one priority to him. I am happy to say that I of course came second, which is the right, biblical way to be married. We loved each other so completely with the love that only Jesus Christ can give to two married people. We were made for each other. I loved being in ministry with Jonathan and serving on his staff. He was such a good spiritual leader in our home and in his staff as well. The four years that we were married were absolutely wonderful, and I will never forget the love that we shared and the memories we made. I will always love him. I will always tell our child how wonderful his/her father was and that he will be waiting for us in Heaven. This is my hope, that I do not have to live in this sinful world forever, it is not my home, Heaven is my home, and soon I hope Jesus returns to take all of His children home with Him. Thirdly, he loved the church and wanted to serve the people in it whole-heartedly. He loved the people at Shoal Creek-he cried over them, stayed up at night over them, worried over them-he wanted so badly to see the Holy Spirit come and work in the lives of the church and in the community. He was able to see that before he was taken. We talked together about how excited we were about the changes we could see in the spirit of Shoal Creek. We also talked about how excited we were to see new people accepting Jesus’ gift for the first time and becoming a part of the family at Shoal Creek. We were excited about seeing people who had been at Shoal Creek become active and working for the Lord. I hope and pray that the vision God gave Jonathan will continue at Shoal Creek and that his work will continue on as well. <br />It is clear to me that some of you who have read his blog did not know him and has not let the Lord save you from your sins. Jonathan believed in a man called Jesus. He believed that He could take away your sin and give you a life in Heaven when you are taken from this world. I would like to share with you how you can know Jesus like my Jonathan did here on earth, and even more so now in Heaven. <br />1. You need to know that you are a sinner. Romans 3:23 says that All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. This means that we have all done things wrong in the eyes of God-stealing, lying, having sex with someone who is not your husband/wife, murdering, gossiping-there are a multitude of things that can go under this category. Everyone has sinned. <br />2. You need to know that there are consequences for that sin. Romans 6:23 says that The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Because we sin, we earn death forever in a place called Hell. If you die and do not know Jesus as your Savior you will spend forever in Hell. <br />3. You need to know that Jesus died for those sins so that we would not have to die forever. Romans 5:8 says that while we were still sinners Christ died for us. Jesus died and took all the sins of the world on himself as well as the punishment for those sins. He did this so that you and I would not have to do it. <br />4. To be saved from your sin, you must trust that Jesus died and rose again, and that He has the power of taking away your sins. Ephesians 2:8-9 says that it is by grace (God giving you what you don't deserve) you have been saved through faith (putting your trust in Jesus), it is not of yourself, so you cannot boast about it. Romans 10:9-10 says that if you confess with your mouth “Jesus is Lord” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. It is really a simple thing. <br />5. If you want to tell Jesus that you trust Him with taking away your sin and that you want to live for Him for the rest of your life, and with Him in Heaven after you die, you can say the following prayer. “Jesus, thank you for coming to Earth from Heaven to save us from our sins. I want to tell you now that I believe in you and that I want you to take away my sins and wash me clean. For the rest of my life I want to be committed to You and to Your work. I want to live with you forever in Heaven. Thank You!”<br />6. If you prayed that prayer and truly believed it, you are now a Christian. It is important to find a local Bible believing church that you can be a part of and one in which you can be baptized. Congratulations in your new found faith! I have no doubt that my husband Jonathan is rejoicing with you now!<br /><br />Sorry the blog is so lengthy, but it is all what I needed to say and what I thought people needed to hear! God bless!Jonathan Ayershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03972656406542632038noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8416563348553239539.post-37733979717314609892009-08-25T09:18:00.000-07:002009-08-25T09:21:54.359-07:00TomorrowIf your a die hard Georgia fan then here is some need to know info. Tomorrow 8/26 at 11:00 a.m. on 90.9 FM Mark Richt and his wife Katherine are going to be the guest. They will also be on there thursday. If you can't catch the broadcast then google family life today and find the broadcast there. Also, don't forget Sunday is High attendance Sunday.Jonathan Ayershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03972656406542632038noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8416563348553239539.post-36703529470911045852009-08-18T07:37:00.000-07:002009-08-18T07:44:32.955-07:00Ten Things that I can't Believe- Part 26- I can't believe that my wife loves me!<br /><br />7- I can't believe that this year is almost over! Man, I am like what are we doing? Time is going by so fast and the church is just sitting here.<br /><br />8- I can't believe Brett Farve is going to play football again. I guess his 401-K is getting low? <br /><br />9- I can't believe that the first college football game is two weeks from this Thursday!<br /><br />10- I can't believe that I thought of ten things that I couldn't believe!Jonathan Ayershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03972656406542632038noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8416563348553239539.post-22094946882801211542009-08-17T18:24:00.000-07:002009-08-17T18:36:40.135-07:00Ten Things that I can't Believe- part 11. I can't believe that Jesus would choose me. I never deserved it! I can't believe that He would love me and want me!<br /><br />2. I can't believe that everything God has is available to me! As a matter of fact the only thing that holds back the power of God in my life is me!<br /><br />3. I can't believe that God allows our church to be apart of His Church. Too many times we think our church is the Church, but in reality we are a part of His church that can or cannot exsist.<br /><br />4. I can't believe that I am going to a dad. Holy Crap!!! I want to apologize to the whole world because this kids going to be one messed up, Jesus loving, church going, Georgia fan if there has ever been one. I pray and hope that is at least for the first two things!<br /><br />5. I can't believe I get to do ministry! Seriously, we take ministry for granted so many times. We think "well without me this place couldn't run, I do everything, and no one could do what I do". New's flash! Had Jesus not died none of could do this! I am so thankful I get to do this!Jonathan Ayershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03972656406542632038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8416563348553239539.post-46117676111948245832009-08-16T18:38:00.000-07:002009-08-16T19:02:14.010-07:00A Great Day!What a great day at Shoal Creek!<br /><br />- Right now I am watching "rat race". I just got done eating an awesome meal from Burger King.<br /><br />- We baptized 2 people today who accepted Christ this week at their home. That's 18 people this year who have accepted Christ. <br /><br />- I had a lady who told me after the service today that she was going to join next week. <br /><br />- We had around 22 people sign to be a partner in Christ today. I think this is going to be amazing. <br /><br />- I can't wait for some College football.<br /><br />- We are going to have a skeet shoot on Sept. 26 at 10 a.m. to raise money for missions.<br /><br />- We are starting a student ministry in October.<br /><br />- In September I am preaching a message series on the Dechurched.<br /><br />- In October I am talking about money. This is going to be awkward. I have never preached a series on money before so I am nervous!Jonathan Ayershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03972656406542632038noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8416563348553239539.post-53497509984288156272009-08-13T18:22:00.000-07:002009-08-13T18:40:20.640-07:00Scared as CrapI got pulled over today for no insurance. I was like are you kidding? The deputy told me "no I am not kidding you have no insurance". We both got on the phone and called the insurance company to figure this whole thing out. They told the deputy that I had a policy but no vehicle's was on the policy. I was like what kind of policy do I have? So we finaly got it fixed.<br /><br />I left there and I wandered how many people go through life and think they are ok because they are a good person, have done some good deeds, and they aren't as bad as some other people. Here's the thing they don't know Christ! They have never started a relationship with Jesus. One day they will stand before God and He will say "depart from I never knew you". They are going to be in for the sadest day of their life. Don't miss Jesus because you think you are good enough!Jonathan Ayershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03972656406542632038noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8416563348553239539.post-15262012141022663792009-07-30T20:27:00.000-07:002009-07-30T20:40:08.916-07:00The Main ThingThis past week there has been an uproar of attention to a situation in Mass. where a white cop arrested a black professor. Today our president, who I do my best not say much about, had a beer with the two guys and tried to work out things. This was ridiculous!!! He should have never been involved in the whole thing! We have troops dying every day overseas, the economy is in shambles, and he is worried about an arrest in Massachusetts. But this does not frustrate me like the following issue!<br /><br />The church has the same problem! We are constantly putting our nose in things that God never called us to put our nose in. He never called to protect the environment, He never called us to get involved in politics, and He never called us to take on social issues. He called us to promote His son Jesus Christ! He called us to lift Jesus as high as we could lift Him! We cannot get side tracked. God's Word has not called us to focus on abortion, alcohol, same sex marriages, or any other issue you can think of. He has called us to get people to Jesus and to teach them to grow in their walk with Him! Keep the main thing the main thing! Jesus is our main thing!!!!!Jonathan Ayershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03972656406542632038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8416563348553239539.post-52412632353027072092009-07-29T08:48:00.000-07:002009-07-29T08:54:37.219-07:00PrayerI would like to ask everyone to pray for a family in our area! It's kind of a bad situation and I am not sure how to handle it. Either way the kids stand a real good chance of losing! I will be frank about this I care about the kids and I ask you to pray!<br /><br />I don't understand why some people even get the chance to raise kids at times when there are other people who would be great parents who can't even have kids. I am not God and His ways are above mine and so I will trust Him even in this matter.Jonathan Ayershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03972656406542632038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8416563348553239539.post-78529757036863336422009-07-27T06:29:00.000-07:002009-07-27T06:46:32.998-07:00What's going on- I just got up around 8:30. I stayed up last night after preaching the revival service! I had a final to take and finished around 1:00 this morning. I am still half a sleep though.<br /><br />- Revival went well last night! I always enjoy going back to Old Canon.<br /><br />- The service yesterday morning was great. I enjoyed the fellowship afterwards and I enjoyed the response to the message. We talked about prayer! Not how to do it or methods to prayer. We simply talked about how much we need to pray together.<br /><br />- My next semester starts back in about three weeks and I wished it was about never.<br /><br />- I am reading a new book right now called "Every Mans Battle". Seriously, guys you need to check this out.<br /><br />- This Abby's last week off and I am seriously depressed!<br /><br />- Tomorrow we go for our second ultra sound! I can't wait!!! Abby is starting to feel better as she goes into her second tri-mester. Yesterday Abby and I went to Burger King and got something to eat and she wanted Dills. We got about two miles from BK and she said I would like what you got so we turned around and went back. I love her!Jonathan Ayershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03972656406542632038noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8416563348553239539.post-66277531366608452932009-07-24T18:03:00.000-07:002009-07-24T18:51:43.005-07:00Reaching CultureI believe in reaching culture, not one group or a sub-culture, just culture. You have to look at who is within your community and that has to become your target. So many churches think that their only group is the group within their church and while that group is still important you cannot stop their. We have been called by Jesus Himself to reach farther. We as a church at Shoal Creek are fixing to embark on a journey through our vision. My prayer is that we as a church will quit looking at some of the things that have no eternal consequences and start looking at the things that will impact eternity. So what are the messages going to look like?<br /><br />Prayer- I am going to look at prayer in the first church (by the way all messages will more than likely come from Acts) and see just how important it was. I am going to explain some simple things like why we have quit taking prayer request on a Sunday morning and started praying more on Sunday night and how prayer will be the gauge by which our church runs!<br /><br />Leadership- I am going to challenge the leaders within our church on faithfulness and integrity. I am going to challenge on issues like an 90% attendance goal for leaders in the upcoming year. Which means someone could miss 14 services a year. I want to say something about this! Before God called me to preach I was faithful to His church. I didn't have to get paid and since I have been in ministry I haven't always got paid but I have still been faithful. I have a hard time believing that someone can be where Christ wants them to be and not be at Church. There is one group that I believe He has understanding on and that's the shut-ins and even then I have noticed that there is hunger in these people to be at church.<br /><br />Outreach- If we are looking with-in then we will see our problems but if we are looking outward then we will see the problems of others and our true problems will come to the surface. We all have problems! The true problem is that we do not deal with the root of these problems. Even in the Church we are guilty of this!<br /><br />Discipleship- This is the big one for me! I am going to deal primarily with Sunday school. There are some people who are saying it's not working! Well let me say this! That Sunday we had eight people in Sunday school that was not in Sunday school one year ago! Our problem right now is that our people will not try it! We will let five hours keep us out of Sunday school! This is not a Biblical issue and by the way the point of Sunday school is to grow people, growth involves being stretched, and stretching involves change. I want to make a plead to some of you. I have prayed more about this then anyone in our church, I have studied scripture about this more then anyone in our church, and I have studied our culture about this more than anyone in our church so please trust me. <br /><br />Worship- Our culture is diverse! Their is black, white, Hispanic, and Asian there is men and women, young and old, there is rich and poor, there is traditional and contemporary. I say lets reach them all! So our worship (our church) has to be diverse. I am going to talk about our music, our projectors, our drums, etc., and how we will use them in the upcoming year. <br /><br />I have people who say well why did we quit our gospel singings? Because no one was coming! Why did we quit Sunday school in the morning? Because it wasn't working! Why did we quit our normal Sunday evening services? Because no one supported it hardly! I refuse to lead a church to continue to do something for the sake of doing it. That makes no sense! I want to close with this thought! A few months ago we switched banks because of interest rates. It made no sense to stay with one bank when you could make more money at another bank. Well we are going to make some more changes this year but it's not going to be back in the direction we came from because we know that didn't work. The church was dying and in a few more years it would no longer exist!!! Please join me! But if you are not going to join me please know this! That I have not done one thing personal to hurt anyone in this church and if you want to help pray! I am going to reach culture join me!Jonathan Ayershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03972656406542632038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8416563348553239539.post-10064903531000382162009-07-21T19:12:00.000-07:002009-07-21T19:38:24.097-07:00One thing that would change the churchOne thing that would change the church is realizing that hell is real! We forget so many times that hell is not just a fictious religious term. At times I believe people forget that there is a hell just as there is a heaven and people from our area are going there if they don't have a relationship with Christ. With that being said I need to clarify a few things that I have said that have been brought to my attention. <br /><br />I said that we didn't need to cry as a leader if people left our church. I want to make sure everyone understands this. I do not believe that everyone has to agree with me. I do not believe that our church or any other church should ignore people in order that they leave. There are people in the church that I like more than others but even then I don't want anyone to leave. When we get to heaven if that's my attitude then I don't believe you will see me there.<br /><br />What I do believe is this! There are people who will never be happy no matter what I do. They will never be content, they will never see the bright side of things, and they will never stop and say "could I be wrong". So what I have learned is that I have litterally begged people to stay and a month later I was begging again. It's not worth it! Some people have to see for themselves that you really do love them but the only way they will ever see it is through their own eyes.<br /><br />Now the reason I started this blog off the way I did is because of this! I can't set around and continue to go back and forth concerning the vision God has laid on my heart. I want to say something to every Shoal Creek member: I love you! And I promise you that every thing I have done as a pastor is after much prayer and study of God's Word and I would like to ask one thing of each of you. Please try! That's all I am asking! Just try! We remodel our houses, we buy new clothes, we buy new shoes, we make new freinds, we buy new cars, and if our church is not willing to change and try something new then in twnety years there may not be a Shoal creek Baptist church. If you love this church please try and if you love this community please try!!! Right now somewhere in this world as we speak someone is going to hell so please help me to prevent this from happening here in our community. When I came I asked for five years and so give the benefit of the doubt. Give me five years! That is just four more and after that if it's not working then I am gone! There won't be any hard fillings (heck there won't be any of those anyway right now) if you want me gone then!Jonathan Ayershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03972656406542632038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8416563348553239539.post-44048654987544065822009-07-20T04:26:00.000-07:002009-07-20T04:47:57.363-07:00A Kingdom Mindset<strong>A Kingdom Picture will change a few things in your life!</strong><br /><br />#1 You will look outside your church! It's easy to see our church and not His Church, it's easy to fill up our church and not His Church, and it's easy to love our church and not His Church.<br /><br />#2 You wil pray for other churches! If we would stop being in such a competition with other churches and start praying for other churches we just might see God's Kingdom grow!<br /><br />#3 It will change how you grow your church! Church growth show grow the Kingdom! Some church growth has not been from Kingdom growth but from other church decline. I will never consider healthy church growth gaining disgruntle members from another church. Now if someone has simply left a church and the church didn't pursue them I will go after them but that's it! Even then it's not Kingdom growth!Jonathan Ayershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03972656406542632038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8416563348553239539.post-55515129293310021832009-07-17T02:42:00.000-07:002009-07-17T02:59:46.516-07:00We're backWe just got back from Zambia! We were there for ten days and it amazing! I am so humbeled right now by what I saw! I have been preaching for almost nine years and I have the oppritunity to lead around hundred people to Christ! But this week I saw God move in a way that topped anything else I have ever seen! I saw a kids and people who treated us like celebrities, I saw a lady healed in the spot, and I saw 305 people come to Christ this week! The most people I have saw accept Christ at one time was seven and I preached one time this week and 42 people came to Christ. <br /><br />I am going to blog more about this over the next week!<br /><br />In His Strength!Jonathan Ayershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03972656406542632038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8416563348553239539.post-65401379881570243362009-07-03T20:34:00.000-07:002009-07-03T20:55:51.575-07:00Five things that will HELP you!There are a few things that will give a leader sanity in ministry! I wanted to share a few of those things tonight!<br /><br />#1- Listening to God<br /><br />To many times we get caught up in everything that's going on around us and we forget to listen to God! We will listen to everyone in the world but Him! I am not worried about job security, I am not worried about what if, and I am not going to have a melt down if someone doesn't like me! I am called by God, to serve God, for His glory, and nothing else matters!<br /><br />#2- Listening to GODLY people!<br /><br />I want to hear God and then I want to hear GODLY people! There is a difference between people and godly people! People want what they like and what they prefer, godly people wants what God wants! If you are not in His Word, in your closet, and in His Church then there is no way for you to be godly! Seriously, I refuse to listen to someone who is more concerned about their agenda then God's.<br /><br />#3- Not crying when someone leaves!<br /><br />Not everyone stayed with Jesus and so I don't expect everyone to stay with me! Vision will push the non-God seekers away! If you are not seeking Christ and there is a strong vision for Christ in the church then you are going to have a tough time staying! <br /><br />#4- Rejecting gossip!<br /><br />Gossip will tear a church down quicker than anything else! Someone calls someone else to tear down what going on! Hears the thing I am afraid of if God is the one doing what's happening then I feel sorry for the person who stands in the way! If you live for Christ and you do His will then God will lift you up! I think gossip is a SIN that God hates! It's time that we reject gossip!!!<br /><br />#5- Stepping away!<br /><br />My success is Abby and our child that's on the way! Sometimes just don't worry about those who don't support the vision, step away, and look at what's in front of you!Jonathan Ayershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03972656406542632038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8416563348553239539.post-86244357829087624182009-07-02T05:17:00.000-07:002009-07-02T05:33:35.120-07:00Un-stuckThis Sunday we are going to continue a message series dealing with sin in our lives! This past week we dealt with being stuck! This week we are going to talk about getting un-stuck! This series is primarily for Christians who can't get freed up from a particular sin in their life!<br /><br />You know as I have dealt with this issue in my own life the one thing I am learning about Christians in our area is that they have plenty of Bible knowledge but they don't put that into play. I was talking to a pastor this week who told me that "for years he placed the emphasis in Ephesians 2:8 on grace instead of faith but now he realized that grace was abundant but our faith wasn't". I have been blown away by that comment.<br /><br />We have to grow our faith! We have to be stretched to the place that God wants us to be on a constant basis. Most of the time when God calls us to do something it will cost us something! Sometimes it's time, other times it's money, and then theirs times when it will cost us everything! But in order to activate grace it starts with faith!<br /><br />It's only through this growing faith that we can deal with sin! The problem with sin is that we can't fix it, so we have to allow God's grace to fix it and the only way His grace can fix sin is when our faith allows grace to step in and do it's job. Grace is the gun but our faith pulls the trigger.Jonathan Ayershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03972656406542632038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8416563348553239539.post-88981089506043064722009-06-22T08:07:00.000-07:002009-06-22T08:08:36.235-07:00Things I Am processing in my mind right now!- The church has a problem! But what is the greatest problem the church faces? Is it programs, facilities, or leadership? I believe the greatest problem we face as a church is SIN!!! Satan would love to make us think that sin is not our greatest problem and that we need to focus on fixing other things! Well guess what that’s a lie straight from hell!<br /><br />- How to deal with criticism! I hate when someone tells me that they don’t like what I am doing! There two things I am dealing with on this topic! First, there is times when I need to stand firm and trust the vision God has given me! Secondly, I cannot let my pride keep me from being right! There are times when we say those magic words “God told to do this”. I am very careful and fearful about this. Because listening to God is tough and I don’t want to blame Him for my pride.<br /><br />- Quitting Mountain Dew! This is the big one! I feel so tired most of the time so I am committing to living healthier. I drink around 5 a day! I may start a MDA (Mountain Dewics anonymous) <br /><br />- How am I doing on my New Year’s resolution? I have read two of the five books apart from school, date night is going great, I shot a 92 in golf and that means I am fixing to break 90, I am struggling with living out faith in radical way so I am re-committing, and the weight thing well I have lost a grand total of three pounds! <strong>How is your New year’s resolutions going? </strong>Jonathan Ayershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03972656406542632038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8416563348553239539.post-5800307202887331142009-06-21T18:45:00.000-07:002009-06-21T18:54:37.030-07:00New stuffWell tonight I am back! Here's a few things to catch everybody up on!<br />- Vacation was great! I got some serious rest.<br /><br />- I am getting ready for the upcoming church year! It is going to be great!<br /><br />- I am learning that leading gets tougher as you get closer to the problems.<br /><br />- I just got done reading "Next Generation Leader". I am going to post on it the next few days. But the one thing I have learned is that I cannot fear.<br /><br />- The greatest news is this! We are having a baby! I am so proud and so thankful!<br /><br />- VBS is this week and I can't wait.<br /><br />- We are leaving for Africa on July 6th and will be gone for 10 days. I am praying for a 1000 souls and I can't wait to tell how God does more than that!Jonathan Ayershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03972656406542632038noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8416563348553239539.post-43945188294616454362009-05-27T19:11:00.000-07:002009-05-27T19:33:43.021-07:00VisionWow! It's almost been a year since we arrived at Shoal Creek! I am still excited! I am still expecting! I am still craving! I cannot wait for the upcoming year. It's going to be a year where we really take a hard look at our vision. Here are few things that God is working with me on.<br /><br />- Structure! We are going to redo the structure of our church and make sure everybody knows their job like the back of their hand. A healthy church has to have structure. <br /><br />- Leadership! We are going to invest more time on growing leaders. I have two conferences that I believe we need to go to. Leadership will make us or break us!<br /><br />- Youth Ministry! I am ready for a student ministry to launch.<br /><br />- Missions! We have to take our missions program to the next level and look at missions from a local, to a regional, to an international stand point! <br /><br />- Disciples! We are going to look this summer at how we make disciples. I would say that not many people in our church know how we make disciples and that's because there's not a proper vision that's before us.<br /><br />- Enjoyment! I want people (including myself) to quit taking everything so serious. That is in how we do ministry. We worry so much and just simply do not enjoy ministry. God gave us the church to enjoy!Jonathan Ayershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03972656406542632038noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8416563348553239539.post-40388466237944790792009-05-17T20:00:00.000-07:002009-05-17T20:18:44.219-07:00Great DayToday we started a message series entitled "Emotional Wreck". For the next four weeks we are going through emotions that we struggle with. Today was awesome! God really moved in the hearts of our people. Today was great all around and the next few months are going to be out of this world.<br /><br />- VBS is going to be June 24-27. I am so excited about the future of children's ministry.<br /><br />- Abby and I had lunch with a Joshua (who likes disc golf! Cool!) and Caroline (who laughed at me when I got tongue tied preaching today! Not cool!) and talked about a new student ministry which fires me up.<br /><br />- We are leaving in July to go to Zambia. I am out of my freaking mind on this whole deal.<br /><br />- In August we are having "No Member left behind" which is going to be stinking awesome. I am praying for over a hundred people.<br /><br />- In September we are doing a series called De-Churched and I cannot wait to preach this.<br /><br />- On June 13th we are going to Mexico Beach with Abby's family which is going to be nice.<br /><br />- We are fixing to complete our first year at Shoal Creek and I cannot wait for year two.Jonathan Ayershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03972656406542632038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8416563348553239539.post-2926182549888227982009-05-15T19:14:00.000-07:002009-05-15T19:26:54.570-07:00Kingdom ChurchWe have to view church from the stand point of a Kingdom picture. If there is one thing I want Shoal Creek to be is a Kingdom church. Sometimes we want God to send us certain people or certain families but God doesn't always work that way. He may not send people who are white collard families or who are like us. We as a church have to think in the mindset of a kingdom. <br /><br />It's God's kingdom that needs growing not our church. It's His kingdom that needs the harvest but the laborers are few. It's His Kingdom that needs our service not our church. As a matter of fact Jesus spoke more about His Kingdom than any other subject. He is not worried about one church growing or one Sunday school class growing He is concerned about His Kingdom growing. <br /><br />I love people! I love old people and I love young people, I love white people and I love black people, I love rich people and I love poor people. But God has called me to love Him more. God's calling on my life as a Pastor is not just to be a simple pastor but an obeidiant pastor. That is obiediant to Him. With that being said I don't want to be a great pastor, I want to be a great Christian and only when I focus on His Kingdom will accomplish this.Jonathan Ayershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03972656406542632038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8416563348553239539.post-76515533252862477182009-05-11T19:14:00.000-07:002009-05-11T19:34:11.043-07:00Amazing People in my Life: Part 2I have around 4 people in my life that I meet with every week who hold me accountable. This is huge! Most people fail because they are set up for failure. Johnny Hunt once said "who is asking you the tough questons?" In our culture we are so closed off from other people, even those who are closest to us never come close to getting to know who we realy are. <br /><br />Lets face it we have a hard time understanding who we are at times. So for us to be honest about our struggles really gets us out of our comfort zone. We have to face who we are and if we don't confront who we are it will consume us. So many people are miserable because they hate theirself! <br /><br />This is where accountability comes into play. Since it is difficult for us to understand ourselves we need to find someone who can help us understand us better. I don't care if you are a pastor, deacon, Sunday school teacher, or just a Christian who seems to have everything together friend you can fall flat on your face, I know! Find someone who is going to help you know you better.Jonathan Ayershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03972656406542632038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8416563348553239539.post-48020107707657533272009-05-05T11:54:00.000-07:002009-05-05T11:55:02.080-07:00Awesome people in my life: Part 1I have a lot of friends who are pastors and I listen to a lot of pastors preach and teach. Deacons have become the grunt of several jokes that pastors tell. Now I know that many times it’s just a joke. But I want to take a second and say something to the deacons at Shoal Creek Baptist Church. There is not a group of guys that I would exchange our deacons for. They support me in everything I do as a pastor and I would trust them with my life. We have monthly meetings and talk most every week by phone at least and there is not a one of them that I couldn’t call on. Seriously, they pray for me, encourage me, and lift me up to others even when I don’t deserve it.<br /> <br />Now let me say this as well. Somebody is probably thinking wow they must be getting ready to vote on something huge. Well we’re not but we do have a huge work for Christ and I need those guys to accomplish it. So deacons let me say this keep up the good work, keep loving people, and keep loving Jesus.Jonathan Ayershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03972656406542632038noreply@blogger.com0