j simon

Happy 21st to my Tiffani!!

Happy birthday to my baby girl Tiffani Brown! She is 21 years old today.

I stayed up past 12 last night so I could be the first person to text message her "happy birthday".

I wish that I could go to her house get her and take her to Vegas for a spontaneous 2 day "we will buy clothes when we get there" kind of celebration. Just me and her. That won't work for a number of reasons but it sure sounds like fun.

The following is a blog I wrote last year when she got married. I thought I would re-post it today in her honor.

originally posted June 18, 2008

To My Tiffani,

It seems like only months ago that you were born. I sat holding you and cried with joy that you were alive, healthy and beautiful. I promised you that I would always be there for you, that I would always protect you, and that I would never let you down. It was a young and inexperienced father’s promise. :)

You crawled, walked, talked, and went off to school before I could turn around. It seemed like over a summer you learned to read, swim and then became a teenager. They say time flies when you’re having fun. It sure has flown and I have had a blast raising you.

I am not lamenting the lost time. I am treasuring the memories of time spent with you. I am not a father wishing I had spent more time with my kid. I am a father very thankful to have the privilege of time spent with you. I am not a father filled with regret. I am a father filled to the brim with pure joy and amazing memories of laughing and doing goofy things with you. Like being in a Breckenridge Colorado gift shop and you dressing me up as hop hip  dad and taking pictures of me.

“Remember what your last name is”. You heard that in some form many times over the past 20 years. “Last name” has been a big deal in our family. When you were young and other kids would do something that you and Kandice were not allowed to do, you would hear “their last name isn’t Simon”. When you would go over to a friend’s house to spend the night, or on an outing without mom and me, you would get the “remember what your last name is” version.

The message was that I held you to a higher standard and I wanted it to be clear. You couldn’t do what they did just because they did it. You were my child and carried my name as a reminder. I expected excellence from you and expected you to expect excellence from yourself.

Well, this week you filled out the forms and officially changed  your name. Tiffani Michelle Brown. I’m not used to it yet. I changed it on my phone. That was weird. I can honestly say that I am not the least bit sad about it. I am thrilled to death that you and Josh are married and have come to accept that he wasn’t going to change his name. :)

What I want you to hear me say is: Well done! My expectations were so high and you exceeded them all. I know that it wasn’t easy. It wasn’t handed to you. You busted your rear to be a great human and you have done it successfully. The name Simon is better because you carried it for 20 years. Well done!

You are more than ready for what’s next. You are solid. You process complex issues on a level that is uncommon in people in general and very rare indeed in someone your age. You amaze me with your wisdom, passion, creativity, optimism, joy and your faith. I am especially impressed by your love and compassion for people. You remind me of our Father. You are a forgiver and a grace giver. I love that in you. Our world needs a lot more grace. Our world needs bold women like you to share both your dazzle and your depth.

One of the greatest joys of my life is being able to say that YOU are my daughter. I am so very proud of you! You’re everything I hoped for. You’re everything I dreamed. You are so beautiful to me!

Dad (June 2008)

 

 

 

Colin Powell and Joe Jackson

Michael Jackson's father, Joe Jackson, is a piece of work. I have decided that considering his father... Michael turned out as normal as could be expected. Geez! What a self-consumed goober!

Check out the video clip of Joe and his advisor, the always entertaining and puzzling Al Sharpton.

“He was loved in every country in the United States” …and “I extablished a record company....."  "He tried his hard to please everybody.” ????????????????????

Compare that to this quote from a brilliant and gracious gentleman Colin Powell. "Yes, there were some challenges in his life, Yes, there was a great deal of controversy about him. But he's now passed on. Let's celebrate his art."

What a class act! I love Colin Powell! He is filled with grace, strength, integrity and courage. Truly a man's man, and his own man. A black man unafraid to be a republican because he thought country came before race. A republican unafraid to endorse Obama because he believed country came before politics. An Obama supporter unafraid to disagree with his domestic policy yet applaud his foreign policy. A man who loves soldiers, hates war, would rather talk than shoot but has and would risk his life to go to war if that is what it takes to win peace and freedom. When I grow up I wanna be like Colin Powell.

If you haven't read the book Leadership Secrets of Colin Powell, it is a MUST read for all leaders. If you are in any way a leader of people... of many or of few... stop everything you are doing... go get the book... and read it NOW. I'm watching you on your web cam. I'll wait here till ya get back.

Wonder what Michael Jackson's life would have been like with a class act like Colin Powell as his father?

My July 4th prayer: God send more men like Colin Powell to lead our country. Help me to be more like him. I want to be unafraid of what men may think of me and simply live out my convictions with courage and grace.

blessings, joy and peace
jess

Words I Like

"The greatest freedom in the world
is having nothing to prove."
-Mark Batterson

Mark Batterson is a cool pastor from DC. I am a fan! His passion for life and God are obvious. But, he seems very comfortable being human and uniquely himself. I like that.
 
Follow Mark on Twitter: @MarkBatterson
Mark Batterson blog: www.evotional.com

My Friend

I have a dear friend having very important surgery today.

She is a newbie Christ Follower. She is also a world class mom and human being. God was doing very cool work inside of her for a long time, long before she even knew it was Him. You can tell when you get to know her awesome heart, it has His fingerprints all over it. 

Her surgery is very private. Her life is very public. I wont give you her name, God knows....... but please pray for my friend M.T.

My take on Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson.

Obviously, a very troubled soul. Obviously, one of the great talents in our nation’s history. Obviously, a weird dude with some strange ideas and behavior. Obviously, an easy target for jokes. Some in very poor taste. Some just freakin' hilarious! I passed one MJ joke along to my closest friends this weekend. It made me literally laugh out loud. What’s the harm? Well, unless you were Michael Jackson, his family or friends. But why let that get in the way of our sport?

Not so obvious, was he a pedophile? If he was... then I say fry him! In my book, it doesn't get worse than harming a child for one’s personal, perverse satisfaction. Small problem though: I don’t know if he was and you probably don’t either. Some say he was, but I DO KNOW that "some say" things on a regular basis that just aren't true. I don't think that most times they are trying to lie or injure. They are just stating as true - things they believe to be true - but don't KNOW to be true. Kids, this is called gossip and in my life I have found it to be unreliable, devastating to many, and I believe very unpleasing to our Heavenly Father.

My opinion? Oh will I ever catch flack over this.... I don't think Michael Jackson was a sexual predator. I think he was a disturbed child. Even at age 50 he was still a disturbed child. I think he had a kind heart. I don’t think he would harm children. He was weird. But when I listen to the words of the credible people which were closest to him, those that didn't have a financial agenda, it makes me think he was just was just odd. We didn't know what to do with his brand of oddness so we called him a pedophile.

I do think he did things that are highly inappropriate. Considering the dangers in our society to children, 40 year old men can't have 10 year old kids over to the house for "sleep overs".... much less sleep in the same bed with them!! I put the blame for that on star struck parents. Parents get a clue! Don't let your 10 year old kid spend the week with a 40 year old plastic man that lives in a place he named Neverland, has a ferris wheel, and has toys and tents in his bedroom! Here's your sign that the dude is odd and not a potential friend or role model for your kid!!!

Time for a little uncomfortable. I think the number of people harmed today by gossip will be higher than the amount of songs sold by MJ his entire life. I have been both a victim and a participant. I need to stop being a participant. Maybe you should consider opting out yourself. Instead of judging Michael Jackson for things we know nothing about, maybe we should deal with the stuff in our own lives that needs attention.

At the top of this blog post I used a picture of Michael Jackson as a smiling talented kid to remind myself and you that he was more than a plastic weird man. He was a human loved by God. I am sure a lot of things contributed to the man he turned into. Things we will never know. Everybody has a story.

As for me?

I'm Starting With The Man In The Mirror

I'm Asking Him To Change His Ways

And No Message Could Have Been Any Clearer

If You Wanna Make The World A Better Place

Take A Look At Yourself,

And Then Make A Change

My Dad

My Father is a great man. That isn’t Fathers Day hyperbole. It is the truth. I would not have always said that. There was a time I just didn’t understand him. He was hard driving, hard working and expected that of me. I wasn’t a fan of hard driving or hard work. I thought he was too hard on me as a kid. WOW! I’ll bet I was the first kid who ever thought that. :)

My perspective has changed a great deal through the years. I grew to appreciate his value of hard work. I tried to pass it on to my kids. I even became thankful for his strong discipline in parenting me. So much so, that I practiced a strong disciplinary style when raising my own children. (Not angry child abuse- don’t email me.) I am writing a book with my kids (who are now parents) tentatively titled “We Refuse to Raise a Brat” or “Do the world a favor and …just spank the brat, PLEASE!”. I’m sure Oprah will want to have us on her show to discuss how spanking a kid's hiney might break their little spirit. :)

Anyway, back to my dad. I understand him now. He has mellowed through the years. We have both grown. In many ways I have become like him. I am proud of that. I love him with all my heart! I have moved into a house down the street from him just to be near him.

My dad loves his God, his church flock and his family. He has been a faithful pastor for over 50 years. He is the real deal!

I was so afraid to retire (I prefer that terminology to “couldn’t hack it”) as a pastor because I didn’t want to let him down or embarrass him in any way. How do you tell a guy that has been a pastor for 56 years that the job is too hard for you? That you have officially failed at following in his footsteps and carrying on his legacy? He is a world class pastor! I sucked as a pastor! Don’t take that wrong. I am not beating myself up. I am just a fan of honesty and that’s the truth. I do many things well and I really like the human I am becoming. But, I reached a point where I was a terrible pastor. When I told him I was resigning I was so afraid. He was so kind, gracious and understanding. To my surprise he didn’t give a rip about me being a pastor. He just wanted his son to be ok. I will be forever grateful for those conversations. They poured strength and courage into me.

Watching my Dad love my grandchildren has been one of life’s all time great pleasures. He loves them and they love him. Watching them together is a beautiful thing.

This is an uncomfortable truth. I have been planning my Dad’s (and my mom’s) funeral for the past 10 years. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t intend to use the material for another 20 years or so… but I have a folder of stuff that contains plans for his memorial service… and when he goes home to be with Jesus.. I am gonna make dang sure we honor him well.

There is a song that will be sung at both my parent’s funerals. It was written by Vince Gill and best sung by Michael English. It is a sad and soulful song that is overflowing with joy. It is a song written to a person who has died.

The lyrics to the chorus are “Go rest high on that mountain. For your work on earth is done. Go to heaven a shoutin’. Love for the Father and the Son”.

I love that picture. Go rest high on that mountain.  My dad loves the mountains as much as I do. Your work on earth is… done. How beautiful!!! To live your life in such a way that your death is not a tragedy… simply a completion. Go on to heaven with a big smile, fist pump, and a “done”.

My dad has lived that. He has done his work on earth. DONE! I find that remarkable because I live in a world of started, procrastinated, considering, paused, in progress, workin’ on it, have an idea… but rarely DONE. I hope my father hangs out for another 20 years or so, simply because I love him and want his company. But, he has nothing left to accomplish.

Faithful to God? Done.

Faithful to my mom? Done.

Fantastic father? Done.

Great pastor? Done

Great preacher? Done

Extraordinary grandfather and great-grandfather? Done.

Gave his family freedom to be truly themselves without trying to “live up” to the standard he set? Done.

Gave everyone of his kids a significantly better start at life than what he had? Done

Dependable, steady? Done.

Generous, kind? Done

Full of grace, forgiving, accepting and loving to imperfect and broken people? Done.

Dang! My parents are a very hard act to follow! But the most beautiful thing about them is they don’t expect me to do so. They just want me to love Jesus and be my quirky, imperfect, very flawed self.

When my parents go home to be with Jesus I will do everything in my power to have Michael English himself sing that song at their funeral. I will be blogging asking for donations to pay whatever it takes to get The Man to come and sing that song for the 2 people it best describes.

I love my father! I love him more than those words can describe. He is my hero and my friend. One of these days, when my dad goes home to see his Father, he will hear Him say “done” … no... he will hear Him say “Well done. Very well done”.
 

BONUS
Click below and turn up the volume to hear Michael English sing "Go Rest High on that Mountain". Or, better yet, go to iTunes and buy his "Gospel" CD. Then email him and tell him I told you to buy it so he will owe me a favor some day. :)

Click Here to listen to - Go Rest High On That Mountain

Great Day at Lunch

I told ya I'd have a blog post Thursday on two people and "done". I'm gonna bring ya that tomorrow instead.

I had lunch with a friend today. I have only known her a few months. I met her when we did some business together. She's not much of a church person. She's a good human. A rare human. She is also facing some tough stuff in her life. You would never know it. She is doing it with strength, style and grace. She is going through some surgery next week. Say a prayer for her. I wont tell you her name, just pray for "Simon's friend". God will know who you're talking about. I told him you'd be calling.

Today at lunch we had a God talk. I told her about my faith. I wasn't selling or evangelizing. Just an honest talk about my relationship with my God and why I love and trust Him. 

It was cool. I wasn't "a pastor doing recruiting" or "doing my job". I was just a photographer guy talking with a friend about my Father. After telling her about my awesome God... I think I have loved him more this afternoon.

This old song has been floating through my brain all afternoon.

All to Jesus I surrender;
All to Him I freely give;
I will ever love and trust Him,
In His presence daily live.

All to Jesus I surrender;
Lord, I give myself to Thee;
Fill me with Thy love and power;
Let Thy blessing fall on me.

I surrender all,
I surrender all;
All to Thee, my blessed Savior,
I surrender all.

blessings, joy and peace
jess

  

The 7 Observations from Sunday @ The Ridge

For those who have been asking about getting a copy of the 7 Observations from my talk Sunday, here they are.

If you were not at The Ridge on Sunday, the back story is this. 1 Kings 17:1-8. Elijah was sent by God to the brook. The brook gave him exactly what he needed for an extended period of time. Then the unthinkable happened… the brook dried up.

I hate it when that happens!! Not literal brooks...I mean when relational brooks dry up ... vocational brooks dry up ... emotional brooks dry up... financial brooks dry up. When what once was a roaring flow of essential life nourishment begins to slow to a trickle, and then gets muddy, then gets dusty. And we look at God and say “What the heck are you thinking?!!!!”

You are too spiritual to ever question God but I do occasionally. As a matter of fact, many times God and I just disagree. I understand He is God and I am not but I don’t always like what He does. And, I really don’t care for some of the stuff He calls me to do at times. That “love and forgive those that hurt you” thing He tells me to do… I’m not a fan. If I were God I wouldn’t have said that.  :)

I have learned that trusting God is all about when we disagree on a course of action. It is in those times I learn if I am trusting Him or me. And, it is in those times I learn it is ALWAYS better to trust HIM.

The 7 Observations from Sunday:

1. Yesterday’s right answer is not necessarily today’s right answer.

God lead Elijah to the brook but he didn’t intend for it to be his permanent landing spot. I know many who are still stuck living the right answer to yesterday’s question. They are committed to it because they are confident it was the right answer. They are right… key word… WAS! Brook is now dried up! Time to move on Ethel!

2. God’s direction always includes his provision.

3. Seasons of change are painful and frightening. Remember, they aren’t conclusions, just transitions.

God wasn’t done with Elijah and he is not done with you. It seems fatal and final when brooks dry up. It’s not. It’s just time for a new season.

4. Be as willing to be obscure as to be prominent.

Everything in God’s creation has a dormant season. Including you. Dormant seasons seem like dead seasons to the untrained eye. Many pick up the leaves that are falling off, paint them green, tape them back on and declare that they are living in victory! Bull! (I can say that now that I am not a pastor.) Dormant seasons are better lived when you accept both words. Dormant: it’s true, I am not at my best and most beautiful right now. Season: seasons are temporary. The Fall is inevitable but Spring is coming. Give it time.

5. The God who gives the supply also removes the supply. Blessed be the name of the Supplier.

6. Trust God for the PRESENT season.

7. Your dried up brook may not be a sign of failure, but completion.

Elijah, Hoss, this project is done. How cool! Heck, my world is full of started, procrastinated, considering, paused, in progress but rarely DONE. Wouldn’t it be cool to say at the end of your day that your project is done? Wouldn’t it be cool to say done at the end of your week? Month? Year? What if at the end of your life you could say, done? I know two people who can. More on that on Thursday’s blog. Very cool stuff. See ya then.

It's Freaky Friday Baby!!!

Hey kids. I am speaking this Sunday at The Ridge while Don continues his honeymoon in Italy. Poor guy. He has no privileges. :)

Ya know, Don has become one of the people I love and admire most. He has become my close friend. He has made his share of mistakes but even those contribute to making him the person he has become. And, last time I checked we have all made a few mistakes in life. His love for God is genuine. He is a prayer and faith giant! He is relentlessly positive and hopeful! He is already a phenomenal leader! His passion for The Word and desire to help others is so strong. I am ready for him to return. He is gonna be a world class pastor!

In the mean time, I do have a small problem. I have had a crazy busy week and I have no clue what I am gonna say Sunday. I must get ready ... so I must get quiet. The quality of what I have to say rises in direct proportion to the amount of time I spend in silence and solitude before I go talk.

I am notifying all my peeps that I am gonna be very silent and absent the next 2 days. (“peeps” is street slang for people close to me. It makes me sound very cool when I use it. Also gives me street cred in my hood) I will be turning off my phone for long periods, so I may not answer calls or return text. Please leave me a voice mail if it’s important, but ya probably won’t hear back from me till Sunday afternoon or Monday.  

Pray for me that God will give me peace, clarity and words that bring His wisdom to His People. 

And one more thing. Please people… do all you can to put a stop to the incessant questioning of the chicken's motive for crossing the dang road. Just freakin' leave it be! Enough is enough!! _^*

blessings, joy and peace
jess

·        _^* Givin' credit to my friend Scott Davis for the chicken and road rant. He is one funny human. You can follow him on twitter @sdministry or check him out online at www.scottdavis.org 


 

Simone Goes Home

Simone went home from the hospital today!!!

Thank you Father that she is better. Thank you all for your prayers.

This is Simone sleeping tonight on her daddy's lap taken from his iPhone.

 

This picture is taken from Nana's Blackberry. She is staying close to her baby and been helping make sure she is well taken care of very. Way to go Nana! You rock!



We are very blessed!