Home For The Summer

I am really excited for this summer. Here’s why…

1. I’m youth pastor at The Rock
2. My bro is getting married this coming Saturday
3. And most of all I’m getting married July 25th

Now, reason number three would be enough in and of itself to have me super pumped, but I also get the privilege of serving as youth pastor at The Rock, alongside my Dad, and being Rayford’s best man in his wedding. What a great summer! Today was my second Sunday as youth pastor at The Rock, but it was really like my first because last Sunday I had only been home for a day and I had no clue what was going on. This week I was actually able to answer most questions and make announcements about our action packed summer. I am really excited in aiding our youth in their spiritual growth. It’s going to be an awesome summer.

To Whom It May Concern

I’ve been coming across the importance of community lately in my scripture reading and discussions in class and with friends. And I cannot get over how central the church is to each Christian. You see, I feel like it is a current trend to think that “I don’t have to go to church to be a good Christian.” That is such a legalistic attitude. What? Yes, a legalistic attitude. And it’s funny because the people who say, “I don’t have to go to church to be a good Christian” are saying that because they think going to church every Sunday is legalistic, when really they are missing the picture completely. Going to church is not a matter of legalism, it is a matter of the heart. The bible makes it clear that Christians desire to be with other Christians. It is one of the main functions of Christians. God called us to be one in Christ. You can’t be one in Christ if you never express a desire to be with other believers. There are plenty of passages in the bible that show us the importance of being in the community of faith. It would take forever to comment on each one so I’m just going to list some passages I’ve been reading lately that stress the importance of being apart of the Body and meeting together, and assume that if this post concerns you, you will read them. Hebrews 10:24-25 “not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some”, 1 Corinthians 14:26 “when you come together”, Paul assumes that the Christians at Corinth come together regularly, Ephesians 2:11-22 especially in 16 he says “and might reconcile us both to God in one body though the cross” both meaning Jew and Gentile, what this passage means is that we must reconcile with other believers, so we can become one body, in order to be reconciled to God. Still some of the strongest support for being apart of the church is found in 1 John 4:20-21 “if anyone says, ‘I love God’, and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.” How can we love our brothers and sisters without meeting together to worship our Lord regularly. Loving non-believers is great and necessary, but it cannot come at the cost of loving our fellow Christians. It is clear that our priority as Christians is to meet together with other Christians and worship God. If you are struggling with why you should go to church then you should read these passages as a start. I’m learning this myself, but it is a true sign of spiritual maturity to view church as somewhere you want to be rather than somewhere you have to be. It is a heart issue.

Jackpot

Not intended to be a pun

God seriously landed me into one of the most stacked families ever. I am so thankful for my family. I miss them, save Rayford…and Becca (although technically not my family yet, but whatev). Okay first we have the patriarch, Dad (Mike Jarrett aka Pastor Mike), and he’s awesome. He has always been there to love on me, sometime of the tough variety, and guide me in the best possible direction. Then there’s Mom, (Karen Jarrett aka Momma, and Momma J, although not to me, mainly Adam and Laura), and she has always been there as my conscience, asking me questions and making think and stuff, and feel guilty when necessary, and praying for me, 24/7 I’m almost positive. Then Carrie, the eldest of the kids (Carrie Jarr…Robertson aka Carrie Jarrett, on accident, out of habit, also Carrie Berry or Care Bare) and Adam (Adam Robertson aka The Wreckingball). Carrie used to beat me up until I reached puberty, then the tide changed and she turned to getting under my skin about still being able to take me, even though she couldn’t. It worked for awhile, then I just realized how crazy she was. She’s the best big sister ever! Adam is great, I would have chosen anyone else for Carrie in the beginning, but then God showed me how stupid I was and how awesome he actually is. We share a great passion for Root Beer, one could say he is my right hand man when it comes to Root Beer.

This is getting long….sorry.

Next is the Rayford. He’s my roommate as of right now (soon to change as he and I are getting married this summer). I know he’s got my back no matter what. I’m his best man and he’s mine, nough said. Becca, God’s gift to Rayford. Then Sara (Sara Jarrett aka Sara Beth), she is very much like me, I see myself a lot in her, hope that’s not a disappointment to her. People say we have the same eyes. She is just getting started in life and I’m excited to see where she goes. Last is Renee (Renee Jarrett aka Nee Dog) she is the the culmination of all of us. Her intelligence is off the charts, she’s stunningly beautiful, as are the rest of the girls in the family, and good at sports, which I had my doubts early on, boy she proved me wrong.

And if you missed her there in the picture Laura Brocco, soon to be Laura Jarrett, which sounds amazing. I am so thankful for her and I miss her so much. She’s tearing it up this semester 20hrs of classes and a journalism internship, where she’s soon to have her fourth front page story.I miss them all so much. Of course I’m most ready to see Laura and start our new life together, but I also miss my family a lot.

Love you all!