New Year, New Road - 1st Stop Atlanta

I'm off to Atlanta for a gathering I look forward to ever year. Passion 07 is a gathering of College students that come together for a few days to worship and adore Jesus Christ. Even though I am not a college student I will be what they call an "adult chaperone". In other words, I am one among many who loves these conferences and will find any way to go even though I am too old. It is also a great chance to see old friends who are worship leaders, speakers, and College ministers. It is one of the few times that I get to see friends in ministry from all over the world and spend time together worshiping our savior Jesus Christ. This will be a great week for me before I head out to New York, Virginia, and Florida in the coming weeks to speak about the reality of God's existence and His amazing grace. Please pray that this will be a great start to a great year filled with God's providence and my obedience. If you would like to watch the gatherings at Passion online go to www.268generation.org.

For His Namesake,
JP

"Yes Lord, walking in the way of your truth we wait eagerly for you, for your name and your renown are the desire of our soul". Isaiah 26:8

The road less traveled.... (the purpose of this blog)

"If it was a simple, painless process then I don't think the records would have the same intensity or resonance. You have to gouge away and open the veins to the find the stuff that really matters to you, and to do that you have to go to some dark places". - The Edge (U2's guitarist)

After spending a few years volunteering, interning, and being a Student Minister I was still feeling like my part in the kingdom of God was not being fulfilled. I was not doing the things that I felt really mattered to me. What does matter to me is simple. That is to see people embrace with their lives, the reality of God. Meaning that God is not just another thing that we sign our name to and claim that we are apart of. Rather, a relationship that His name is signed on as ownership over our lives. This may seem obvious but it only sounds that way because we have heard it so many times. The very fact of God existing, and His amazing story of His Grace and Glory is something that should awaken us to amazement every morning. After spending some time being a Student Minister I now understand and have discerned that God is calling me to speak full time on His grace and the reality of His existence. This was a very scary and intimidating road for me to go on, one that I should mentioned I avoided for some time. But after spending many months in prayer about the next step in my life, God showed me that this was it. God continues to confirm this by showing me many of those who have partnered with me to pray for me and encourage me. Throughout the month of December I sent many prayer letters to many people asking for their time in prayer for me. God has blessed his plans by filling up my calendar for most of January and February. God has given me the opportunity to speak and visit in Alabama, New York, Virginia, and Florida in the next 2 months and I can't thank enough, the people who have been praying for me. You can be praying for me as I prepare and travel for the coming months, and that the spring and summer would fill up as well.

For His Namesake,
JP

Believe?

Wednesday night I had the chance to speak out at Cedar Grove Baptist Church in Leeds, Alabama with Chuck Hooten leading worship. It was an amazing night and Chuck did an awesome job of leading us in worship. The message was beLIEve. Emphasizing that there are things in this world that are real and that are not real. Even more, do we truly believe that God is real? It sounds simple but it's not. The fact that God is real may be the greatest thing we can say about Him, considering that we live in an environment where going to church, being a Christian, and owning a David Crowder CD or some other Christian artist CD is the cool thing to do. If you are not a Christian you are considered an outcast, not part of the normal grind. As if God is normal, no way! God is other, not normal, not part of the southern Christian boxes we try to fit Him in that says this is just a part of my life. Some people call themselves Christians because they feel it is the right thing to do or say. Some people call themselves Christians just because they don't want to call themselves non-christians. Point is God is not a country club, program or even an organization. God is a person, a reigning King. God is real and in our midst, He's watching, listening, comforting, solving problems, holding, caring, instructing, leading, helping, directing, reigning! God is not a mere service or building, or even an idea. God is who He says he is. Do you believe? Praise God that 4 young men Wednesday night believed for the very first time in their life.

2 Days 15 Hours 25 Minutes 20 Seconds till Christmas!

JP

"On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem: "Fear not, O Zion; let not your hands grow weak. The Lord is in your midst".

Beginnings

This week has been the start for a number of things. First and foremost, my sister had another baby boy. Henry Drake Bell weighed in at 7 lbs. 10 oz. on Tuesday afternoon. This is the latest addition to the series started by Jack and then followed by Andrew. Secondly, This week was the beginning of this blog and setting up the 2007 calendar year for speaking engagements. I am in my second month of this ministry that God has called me to which I will talk more about in the coming days. For now I will simply thank the people that have been praying for me these past few months and that have partnered with me in following the Lord's leading to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ full time. It was your prayers that got this month off to a very fast start with numerous opportunities. Thank you!

JP

"As for the saints in the Land, they are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight" - Ps. 16:3