Jason R. McNaughten's Blog

Charlie Kirk’s death has gripped the nation, much like the tragic day of 9-11. For a few, the response has been evil joy, relishing over his demise. For others, it has stirred their faith. Charlie was more than a political figure, he was a bold Christian. So, believers have been emboldened to share the faith, and nonbelievers are asking questions, attending church, and praying. His death made me think of Stephen, from the book of Acts. I am not saying Charlie is the equivalent to Stephen, but they were both bold in the faith and violently murdered. Think of the impact Stephen’s death had at the time. Sure, some were cheering it on. But for others, they saw a young man bold in the faith, willing to die for Jesus. We must all be this way, boldly sharing the faith, willing to die for Jesus. There is nothing more important. As we grieve the death of Charlie, and remember his family, let us not forget the ultimate solution is Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

Today is the day. Will it be Donald Trump or Kamala Harris? Maybe, like me, you will be glued to the screen tonight watching the results. Maybe you are filled with anxiety or concern. What if things don’t turn out as you desire? Psalm 95 has the answer. It tells us:

To sing to the Lord, V. 1 To come into his presence with thanksgiving, V. 2 That He is a great God and King, V. 3 That all things are in His hands, V. 4-5To come, worship and bow down before Him, V. 6That He is our God, and we are His sheep, V. 7

When you are anxious or worried today, or tomorrow, or the next, focus on God. He is the one in charge, not the politicians. He is the one taking care of us. He alone is worthy of worship and praise.

Some decisions don’t matter. It’s insignificant what color shirt you wear, or which cereal brand to buy. But, some decisions change everything, even the entire trajectory of your life, such as: Whom should I marry? Where do I go to school? Should I move to this town, or the other? The goal is to make the right decision, and ultimately to honor God, making sure we align with Him. How do we do that? I don’t pretend to have all the answers, but when facing decisions ask yourself:

Have I surrendered to God and His will? Have I prayed for wisdom and humility? Have I talked to others for their perspective and wise counsel? Are my motives pure and in line with God and His word? What are the pros and cons of making this decision? How will this affect my family? After making sure you have covered all the above, ask yourself: What is the desire of my heart? Which response provides the most peace, excitement, and clarity for my life? In other words, what makes the most sense? What is the best and wisest course of action?

The list is not exhaustive, yet it provides a framework to think through things. It has benefited me, and I hope and pray it benefits you, too.

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Are you a glass half-full type of person, focusing on what you have? Or are you a glass half-empty type of person, dwelling on what you don’t have? Most of us waver between these two perspectives. When things are good, we tend to think of life as half-full. When things are bad, half-empty. Perhaps we should be thankful we have a “glass” to begin with. Perhaps we should remember that it is neither half-empty or half-full. In Christ, it overflows. David declares in Psalm 23:5-6, “My cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life. And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Stop dwelling on what you have or don’t have. Focus on the Good Shepherd. Since He is your shepherd, you shall not be in want.

Today is my birthday. I am 47, three years shy of the big 50! We all want to stay young, including me, but there is a blessing to growing old. Proverbs 16:31 says, “Gray hair is a crown of glory.” I don’t have much gray hair, but the truth is still relevant. Growing old has it’s benefits. Here are 6:

Wisdom. The older you are, the more situations you have faced, making it easier to navigate decisions, obstacles, etc. Perspective. You understand that life is not about what kind of clothes you wear, what you drive, or how much money you make. Life is about relationships with friends and family, and of course the most important relationship of all, the one with God. Appreciation. You appreciate the little things in life like the laughter of a child, a hot cup of coffee, a peaceful walk in the park, or better yet, going to bed early! Serving others. You see the benefit of passing on knowledge and life skills to others. Life is so much bigger than yourself. It is about preparing and helping the next generations to come.Confidence. I am way more comfortable in my skin, if you will, than I was twenty years ago, even five years ago. Aging helps you realize that its ok to be you. Some people will like you, that’s great. Some people will not like you, that’s ok, too. Life is not about blending in, but rather living the life God has for you, being who God has created you to be. There’s only one you, be that one! Glory. Every day you age is one step closer to eternity. I am one day closer to being at the feet of Jesus. People say that problems, etc. is better than the alternative (death). No, it’s not. The best thing that could ever happen to a Christian is to leave this world behind and enter eternity. Hebrews 11:16, “Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.”

When it rains, it pours. I’m drenched! For the last five or six weeks I have been in the school of testing.

Both of my cars were towed in the same week. Lori’s needed a new computer and radiator, mine is an electrical problem. It’s been at the mechanics for over a month and is still not running.I took my daughter to the dentist and she needed a root canal and three cavities filled. My swimming pool was filled with algae and I couldn’t fix it, so I had to take several days to drain it and refill it. It took me over three times, over several weeks, to get a travel visa for a trip I’m about to take. Now, as I write this, my wife and two of my kids have the flu.

This has caused a tsunami of financial stress, along with physical, mental, and emotional fatigue. All the while I have faced the challenges and demands of pastoring a church, leading them through a renovation, and preparing for a major trip overseas. I say this not to be pitied, but to encourage you. If you are going through a tough time, you are not alone. Not only that, you can get through it. Here are four things that have helped me endure these issues (though not perfectly I admit).

Prayer: Seeking God increases when trials come your way. Hand it over to God. It is a reminder that He is in control. People: My family and church family have encouraged me. They have also prayed for me. Just sharing with a few of them has been helpful. Again, it is a reminder that you are not alone and people care for you. Perspective: My problems are fierce, but not serious. Nothing has been a matter of life or death. Nothing has happened that will adversely affect me forever. Praise: God seems to show up more in the hard times. I have definitely felt His hand upon me, using me of late. When I am weak, He is strong. Also, I can praise God because there have been an abundance of blessings of late, too.

Do you have some problems you need to handle? Try the 4 p’s. Is there a loved one facing a slew of issues? Encourage them with these 4 p’s. Never forget: God is good all the time. All the time God is good.

It’s good to jump. A jump shot is great for basketball. A jump rope gets the heart pumping. Hurdle jumping keeps you limber. Jumping to conclusions; however, is not ideal. Have you jumped to conclusions, only to be wrong? I was reminded of this recently. People hear something, quickly gather their opinion, and act like it is the gospel truth. Not only that, they post it online, and if you disagree, you are in the wrong. We are quick to speak and slow to hear. James 1:19 tells us to be “Quick to hear and slow to speak.” Gather the facts. Understand all perspectives. See the big picture. It is better to take your time and be right, then jump to conclusions and be wrong.

We are being being brainwashed constantly. People and agencies are shaping our thoughts, decisions, and entire being for that matter. Who wants to do this? It’s a long line: The government, Hollywood, the media, and the internet, to name a few. I want to be brain washed. Not by these entities of course. We need our brains washed and cleansed by the Word of God and the Holy Spirit. Having our brains washed by God is not God manipulating us for control. It is not us following like good robots. It means our brains are stained with sin. Our minds are filled with sinful, selfish, and dark thoughts. Even the best thoughts and intensions are tainted. Paul, in Romans 12:2, writes, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” This verse reminds that to follow God, we need our minds washed, transformed, and renewed. “Lord, my brain and thought life is jam packed with sin and selfishness. Clean my thoughts. Make me more like You.”

The Bible is the best-selling book of all times.

It’s a life-changing masterpiece.

The Bible is actually a collection of 66 books. It’s approximate 750,000 words can overwhelm the reader.

Many people start reading at the beginning in Genesis. Then they next read Exodus, then Leviticus, and they start getting bogged down.

If you’re new to the Bible, I recommend another approach.

Here are 3 Options to Get you Started1. Read the Gospel of Mark

Why Mark? Mark tells the life and ministry of Jesus. It’s written like an action film. The word, “immediately” is repeated throughout. It’s also the shortest of the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John).

2. Read the Proverbs

What are proverbs? Short sayings of wisdom.

“A penny saved is a penny earned,” is an example of a proverb, though not in the Bible. The book of Proverbs is a collection of proverbs, short sayings of wisdom. It teaches about friendships, money, and decision making, to name a few.

Proverbs has 31 chapters. So, on the 1st day of the month, read Proverbs 1. On the 2nd day, read Proverbs 2 and so forth. You’ll have read the entire book in one month.

3. Read Genesis

The Bible is a collection of books, but it ultimately points to one story, or truth. God has created us to know Him and follow Him. Though we’re rebellious and disobedient , God sent Jesus to restore us.

Genesis starts the story. It tells us about creation, Noah and the Ark, Abraham, and Joseph, for instance.

Are you new to the Bible? I recommend Mark first.

Then maybe try Proverbs or Genesis. If you’ve read those try Romans, James, or the Book of Psalms.

2 Timothy 3:16, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”

Communication is key to a successful marriage.

I’ve been married 26 years, but it’s still a struggle for my wife and me. Even when we communicate, life’s so busy, we tend to forget what the other person said.

My wife and I try to have a weekly “meeting.” We sit down, look at the calendar, and talk about life. A weekly meeting, for us, is not enough. It’s need to be daily. My goal is to daily ask my wife these 4 Questions.

1. How full is your bucket?

If the bucket if full, your spouse is ok emotionally, physically, mentally, etc. If the bucket is empty, your spouse is tired, weary, anxious, or discouraged. Your spouse needs extra attention. Maybe both your buckets are empty, leading to agitation and conflict. Find ways to refresh together.

2. Is there something about money we need to discuss?

Money is a sore subject for many marriages. Take the opportunity to discuss what’s needed for the week, upcoming expenses, bills, etc.

3. Is there anything about the kids we need to discuss?

As a parent, you’re bombarded with the daily flow of info. Homework, practice, events, etc. are overwhelming. Be on the same page with your spouse about events, needs, discipline, etc.

4. How can I help you today?

You desire help from your spouse, and you’re irritated when nothing happens. Take the initiative and you be the helper. Maybe your spouse wants to help, but doesn’t know how. Questions like this help you tend to one another’s needs.

James 1:9, “Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger.”