Pastor Jay's Blog

Good Morning Lord!

2010-09-11T08:14:00.003-04:00

I love the early mornings. There is nothing like rising to see the sun greet the day. It is God's welcome to the world. He reminds us that He is still in control; there is no need to panic and He is watching out for us.

I read that the sun is on average about 93.5 million miles away from the earth and that the surface temperature of the sun is about 11,000 degrees farehheit and that it takes about 8.3 minutes for the heat of the sun to reach the earth. This means that the earth is perfectly positioned close enough to the sun that it will not burn up and too far away that it will freeze up. Wow! God is awesome don't you think?

As I reflect on this, I am fortified in my spirit that God is really seated on His throne and that all I need to do is worship the God of the universe. This day is already mapped out by God; He knows what will happen and He knows how to guide me throughout these next twenty four hours. Thank you Lord. I look to you for your wisdom and strength.

What is true for me is true also for you. Do you think you can entrust these next few hours to the Lord? Let Him lead you through whatever will happen during the course of your day.

Resting in Him,

Jay

A Changed Life

2010-09-09T17:51:00.003-04:00

I had a wonderful time yesterday baptizing a new convert to Christ in water in a lake not too far from our church. Brooke had recently come to know Jesus as her personal Savior and in her desire to follow the Lord in His example of being baptized in water, she asked if I would baptize her. Of course, I said, "Yes!" Brooke loves the outdoors and asked me if we could do the baptismal service outside. Pastor Eric and I followed her to the lake where he was able to capture the moment on video, and there in the beauty of God's creation, Brooke was immersed in water as her father watched with deep gratitude to the Lord.

I never get weary of seeing people baptized in water because it signifies a changed life; a forgiven life and an empowered life. Even though Jesus died over two thousand years ago, his death, resurrection and ascension to the right hand of God still produces powerful changes today in the hearts of those who turn their lives over to Him. Salvation is a beautiful gift! Praise God!

How has your salvation changed your life?

Loving God!

Jay

Doing Ministry Together

2010-09-07T14:28:00.003-04:00

Today is Tuesday and I love Tuesdays beacsue I have our Team Meetings on this day. This is the day that our Pastoral and Administrative Team meet to pray and plan together. Our time is rewarding becauase it allows us to come together and share our thoughts, our dreams, our challenges and our victories with each other. Where else can that happen?

What I love about being with the team is that it is a constant reminder that God wants us to do life and ministry with those we love and appreciate. I think that what God allows us to experience on a micro level with everyone who works at Solid Rock is also true on the macro level! God, in general, wants us to experince life together with those we love. In fact, life becomes so much more satisfying and fulfiling when we share the journey with others who want to move in the same direction.

How about you? Are you doing life with people you love?

Together in the journey!

Jay

Laboring No More (for today)

2010-09-06T09:40:00.005-04:00

It is Monday morning (Labor Day)and I am enjoying a day with the family. Times of rest and a change of pace is good. It is wonderful to be able to hang around with the kids with no agenda; no place to go; no person to meet and no chore to complete. Well, can I hear someone say, 'Praise the Lord!' I plan to kick back and smell the roses so to speak.

You know what I have also observed? The kids seem to enjoy the laid back, lazy times as well. They seem to relax more and to be able to relate with each other in more encouraging ways. I love seeing them interact with each other.

The boys are sleeping (what else is new) at the time of writing; the girls are painting by numbers and Danna is working in the kitchen. As for me, I am sitting on my Lazy Boy laboring over this blog. Well, isn't life good. My big hope is that this day goes by slowly so that we can capture each moment.

Have a great Labor Day!

Jay

God's Creative Genius

2010-09-04T08:18:00.006-04:00

Danna and I have just returned from Wyoming where I attended Executive Meetings for Priority One - a world Missions Organization that emphasizes the building of Bible Schools and Seminaries. I really believe that the training of nationals is the most effective way of advancing the Kingdom of God. I was so grateful to be a part of something that is changing the world.

However, while in western Wyoming, I saw majesty in the mighty Teton mountains; it was spectacular and breathtaking. I sensed God in the wide open spaces and in the big sky and I felt humbled by the awesomeness of God who created it all. God, you are beyond description. I love you!

I think we need to take more time to reflect on and enjoy what God has given us. What about you?

Have a God filled day.

Jay

Father's Day - Finally.... Closure!

2010-06-20T07:31:00.007-04:00

Just a few days ago, my family (all seven of us) went to Canada to finally lay to rest my father who was killed in a car accident on March 16th. His Memorial Service had been a long time coming as we waited for my mother to recover from her injuries. On Wednesday, June 16th, exactly three months following my dad's death, we gathered as a family in Mississauga, Canada, along with special friends from all over the world, to reflect upon and celebrate the life of Reginald M. Bailey. He was 78 years old and a wonderful person. The very last words I heard my dad say were, "Please give Danna and the kids a kiss and hug for me." Those words still resonate in my heart as I think about our final phone conversation we had the day before his death.

Final words are important and I am so thankful for words that bring life and inspire love. Such were the words that flowed between my father and me. I am glad that he called me on Monday, June 15th. I, nor he, knew that the next day would be his last day on earth. When I think about that it really reinforces how fragile life can be.

Today is Father's Day and I am thinking about my Dad. Dad, I love you and I thank you for investing in my life and helping to shape me into the person I am today.

Please know that even though you are no longer with us, you will never be forgotten.

Your son,

Jay

Hallelujah!!!

2010-05-12T10:37:00.003-04:00

It is Wednesday morning and at the time of this writing, my mother, brother and sister in law are flying back to Jamaica after my mum's extended medical convalescence in Miami. I cannot tell how thankful I am to God for bringing her through a very difficult recovery from injuries incurred in a car accident back in March. Her journey has been long and hard but God's faithfulness is infinite and personal and I feel a deep sense of gratitude to Him for taking care of my mother.

We never doubted God's power to heal and restore her but watching her struggle is not easy and it can sometimes leave you drained but I am reminded of the Scripture that says "...weeping may endure a for a night but joy comes in the morning." We have wept and prayed but now we are rejoicing and praising God.

Enjoy Jamaica mum and may God continue to strengthen you every day. You are loved very much.

So thankful,

Jay

God's Loyal Love

2010-04-21T07:40:00.006-04:00

It's Wednesday morning and I have just come out of the sanctuary after spending some time in prayer. I love spending time in God's presence. I always feel happier, better,cleaner,and stronger after having connected with God through worship and prayer.

He is so absolutely faithful and loyal to me and I am so not worthy of that kind of allegiance from an eternal and all powerful God. Wow - how He loves us.

I was thinking about Lamentations 3:22-24 and I was curious as to what it said in The Messsge: Check this out!

"God's loyal love couldn't have run out,
his merciful love couldn't have dried up.
They're created new every morning.
How great is your faithfulness!
I'm sticking with God (I say it over and over).
He's all I've got left.

Those verses alone are enough to inspire me to press deeper into his loyal love and his irresistable grace. Thank you Lord for loving me!

This same awesome God loves you so incredibly much today too. Why don't you launch out into the sea of His inexhaustible lov. You won't regret it either.

Warmly,

Jay

God Answers Prayer!

2010-04-13T15:00:00.006-04:00

Many of you know that Danna and I, along with my brother and sister have been going to Miami to be with our mother who has been hospitalized due to an auto accident on March 16th that killed my father.

Watching your mother lying in a hospital bed and experiencing pain is not a pleasant sight. You feel helpless wishing there is something that you could do to alleviate the pain but knowing there is nothing you can do to change the situation other than pray. However, this past week, my mother was having a very rough week. The level of her discomfort was intense, the physical battle was taking its toll and the frustration of not knowing when she might be released from the hospital was evident.

As a result, during the Wednesday night worship service, our church family was led in prayer by one of our Staff Pastors (Danna and I were not present), and I was told that there was a wonderful spirit of intercession that came upon our people. Upon conclusion of that time of prayer, it was obvious to those in attendance that something had shifted with my mother's health.

Not knowing what had happened during that prayer time, I can tell you that the very next day there was a dramatic improvement in the medical condition of my mother. The pain diminished, the fluids draining from the perforation of the small intestine reduced substantially and in just a few short days has completely stopped and her strength has increased so much so that my mother will be released from the hospital today.

Speaking not as a pastor but as a highly thankful son, my mother was the benefactor of the care of some wonderful medical professionals and also the magnificent power of a loving God who responded to the prayers of his people.

I am so grateful to the Solid Rock Church family who were willing to spend some time in prayer on behalf of my mum. Praise be to God for His goodness and a great church!

So thankful,

Jay

My Father's Death

2010-03-22T12:36:00.002-04:00

On Tuesday, March 12, I recevied a phone call from my sister lettting me know that my father had been killed in an automobile accident in Miami, FL. The news was indeed a shock. Never did I anticipate my dad leaving this world due to an accident. I still cannot believe that he is gone. Dads aren't supposed to leave us you know. Death is so permanent and it leaves a hole for sure.

I had spoken to him the day before and his last words he shared with me were, "Give Danna and the kids a kiss and hug for me." His death has come as a shock, however, I feel the undergirding of the Spirit throughout these past several days. While in the midst of our sorrow, we are so grateful to God for protecting my mother. She too was in the car with my father and escaped with some moderate injuries.

Danna and I would like to thank our church family for your incredible love that you have shown to us and all the prayers that have been offered on our behalf during the loss of my father. It is incredibly comforting to have a loving church family. You are the best!

We love you!

Jay

Lessons in the Snow Flakes

2010-02-18T10:23:00.011-05:00

For the last two years, Columbus and Midland have experienced winter snow storms that caused our schools to close, businesses to adjust their hours of operation and the Bailey family, especially my wife, to get all excited. A few days ago, during our recent snow storm (a whopping three and half inches of snow), my children could not wait to get outside and play in all that white stuff. They ran around launching snow balls at each other, building snowmen and rolling in the white carpet. I must tell you, I exulted in watching their enthusiasm over this snowy shower. Their child-like effervescence reminds me that the simple things in life can still bring great joy to our hearts.

Life, would in fact, become more enjoyable if we could pause for a few moments longer and look for the wonders that life really offers - the beauty of a sunset, the tapestry of clouds painted on the canvas of heaven, the majesty of a waterfall cascading over towering rock faces or the innocence of children gleefully laughing at snowflakes falling from the skies. As I watched my children play, a part of me wished that I could freeze time and halt their journey to adulthood. In fact, I have often expressed to each of them my paternal proclamations forbidding them from getting any bigger or any older – all to no avail. Thankfully, my children help keep me focused and convict me that I ought not to take life seriously all the time. They remind me that laughter is good, simplicity is wonderful, and life is awesome.

Perhaps this is something we should all think about!

Thankfully, I am Solid Rock’s pastor!

Jay

Another Lesson

2010-02-01T17:35:00.007-05:00

I warned you that I would keep you up to date on the lessons I am learning through my ruptured Achilles Tendon. On January 18th, I had surgery to repair the tendon and since then I have been in a cast with the doctor's order that no weight can be placed on my injured leg. Thirteen days have since passed and I have noticed something quite startling; I am noticing considerable loss of muscle mass in my leg. I am surprised that the deterioration would take place so rapidly. In fact, I find this a little troubling. I have at least five more weeks before I can place any weight upon this foot so I am wondering how much atrophying will take place.

I talked with the doctor about my concern this morning and he tells me that the muscle loss is normal but the good news is that it comes back quickly. Thank God!

As I thought about this, I soon realized that difficulties have a way of strengthening me and helping me to develop character. If my character is never tested and everything in life rocks along without any challenges, it wouldn't be long before I would become weakened. Instead of me growing and expanding to be more like Christ, I would be shrinking in character and my ability to reflect Jesus to those around me.

In reality, I am not sure I want to say this but I thank God for these opportunities to help strengthen me. Every challenge becomes a stepping stone for growth and maturity!

I am still looking forward to some more lessons.

With love,

Jay

My Ruptured Achilles Tendon

2010-01-26T12:44:00.002-05:00

After forty-six years of living, I experienced something for the first time. I ruptured my Achilles tendon while playing tennis with my brother. I have heard stories of others who have experienced such an injury but going through it for myself has been surreal. It all began with my hearing this unbelievably loud pop and feeling the vibrations shooting up into my head. I knew exactly what had just happened.

As a result of this injury, I had to go through surgery for the first time. Never had I been under a knife or having to be put to sleep. Wow! However, lessons are learned when you are placed in situations never encountered before. I am learning to shave and brush my teeth while standing on one leg; I am learning to move around with the aid of crutches; I am learning to shower with a garbage bag wrapped around my leg and I am learning to be totally dependent on my wife to care for me. I am learning to be more patient with myself since everything I do takes at least four times longer. I am also learning to preach from a "hoveround" - a motorized wheel chair because I can place no weight on my injured leg. All interesting lessons indeed. However, I think the greatest lesson I am learning is that life can catch us by surprise. Things we take for granted all of a sudden become more challenging. These unexpected surprises force us out of our comfort zones and cause us to evaluate the way we do everything.

I am just two weeks into my new experience of not being able to walk around freely but I know that there are more lessons to be learned. My biggest desire is that I will be a good student and learn everything that God wants to teach me.

I will keep you up to date on what He teaches me.

With love,
Jay