j simon

Really??

A guy in Kansas is against abortion because its murder. So he murders a doctor that performs abortions??!! In the name of God???!!!

I have a sick feeling in my stomach that some cross-wearing nut case walked into a church yesterday and killed someone "inspired by his faith?". Sounds like the same kind of "radical faith" that drives Muslim terrorists.

"They are evil, therefore I must go kill them?" Really???? Didn't Jesus say, "They are sinners, therefore I must go LOVE them and die FOR them"?

If we Christians want moderate Muslims to condemn terrorism loudly, then we must do the same when those same kind of radicals commit terrorist acts in the name of our Christ.

I know most people now think of it as an over-commercialized bracelet.... but it remains one of the all-time great questions..... What would Jesus do?

I Love This!!!!!

This is remarkable! The engineering alone is fantastic. The concept is so creative. It's all done by street musicians from around the world. The differences in humanity are beautiful. The music is groovin. The art is splendid.

Take 5 minutes. Stop what your doing. Watch and listen. This ROCKS!!!

Playing For Change | Song Around The World "Stand By Me" from Concord Music Group on Vimeo.

Latin Quote of the Day

Latin quote of the day:
- dum spiro, spero -
While I breathe, I hope

Key to Failure

"I don't know the key to success,
but the key to failure
is to try to please everyone."
—Bill Cosby

Memorial Day Weekend & my "Poppy"

My grandfather, "Poppy", was a deeply patriotic World War 1 combat veteran. He loved his country. He loved soldiers. He hated war! He knew the ugliness of war firsthand. His funeral was appropriately held on July 4th, 1976, our nation's 200th birthday.

I love him still. He was understated. He was a southern gentleman. He was tough. He was kind. He gave broken people grace and the benefit of the doubt. I can still hear him say “Ya know Jess, everyone has a story. You don’t know what life is like in their shoes.”  33 years have passed since we have talked but not a week goes by that I don't hear his voice in my head. His thinking still shapes my decisions and opinions. His hat sits in my living room and I will never forget the man who walked under it.

We shared a bedroom for the last 3 years of his life. He smoked his pipe, told me  stories of war and taught me to love our country. Those 3 years formed a lasting appreciation in me for this nation and the price soldiers have paid so we can live in freedom.

Because of Poppy I love soldiers but I hate war! Hate it! I think much more is lost than won in most wars. Not all wars, but most. Much more was won than lost in WW2. I understand that war is sometimes necessary but I think it should be avoided if at all possible. I often wonder what my Poppy would think of the wars we are currently involved in. But, I know how he would feel about the soldiers who are fighting them.

Did I mention that I hate war? BUT, I love soldiers!!!! I hope you will pause and give thanks to, and for, a soldier this weekend.

Words I Like

"If someone puts you on a pedestal,
offend them quickly,
so you won't have so far to fall later."
- Mark Lowry

Latin quote of the day

Latin quote of the day:
Ad augusta per angusta
to honor through difficulties

Life Stuff & 12 Observations

Wow. It has been an interesting weekend.

Sunday was my first time speaking since retiring as a pastor. The three days leading up to Sunday about killed me. I get so stressed out. I fret over every little thing. My body just doesn't handle stress very well right now. Stress used to make me better and I would always rise to the occasion... now it makes me curl up in the corner like a whimpering puppy. I thought I was ready. I think not.

I was really disappointed in my effort Sunday. I had so much inside of me that I wanted to say. I couldn’t sleep Saturday night; I was mentally slow Sunday morning. When it came time to deliver I felt like I completely rambled and made very little sense. God’s presence was real. I DO believe HE will take my weak efforts and work His wonder. But honestly, I wanted to deliver excellence so badly. Probably for reasons that were honorable and for reasons that were prideful. Both are true. I wanted to be great for the people who came to hear me talk. I wanted to come through in a big way for my pastor, Don, who has been so kind to me and allowed me grace and opportunity to use my gift. I wanted my family and friends to be proud of me (I know... poor motivation, but an honest confession). Most of all, I wanted to be at my best using my gift for my incredible Father that still uses broken vessels. Honest truth, I was extremely disappointed in what I delivered. I worked so hard to deliver a beautiful ballet and felt like I stood up and had a public seizure instead. I know, too graphic and offensive but it’s my blog and my place to be completely transparent. For some strange reason it helps me on my journey to again become a person I respect.

Monday started poorly when we discovered both of our cars had been broken into and robbed during the night. Monday ended poorly when Keli was informed that she would be losing her job. We are very dependent on her income for a season while I try to start this new photography business.

Interestingly enough, I am not panicked and I don’t know why. I think I just really believe God is up to something. He loves us and will see us through. In the mean time if you know of job opportunities and would like to help God out..... we would be very grateful if you would send them our way.

Pray for Keli. This is sooo tough for her. If you know of anything please give her a heads up. She's a very good employee with a wide range of skills. She honors leadership, is loyal, dependable and just dang smart. She is proficient in Microsoft Office (all programs).She has fantastic written and verbal communication skills. She is very creative and loves being in a support role working with strong leaders. She understands what it takes to make a leader successful.

I said Sunday that I would post my “12 Observations” on my blog. I know, I said I would do it on Monday but give me a break, yesterday was kinda traumatic. Plus, I don’t think they would make much sense if you weren’t there. If you would like a copy of them just email me at simon@jsimonphotography.com and put “send me the 12” in the subject line. I will send them to ya pronto.

Please pray for our family.                            

1. That I will get the ball rolling with the business. It is taking me longer to get my act together than I thought. I need to be put in a slower group. I’m getting close.

2. That Keli will find employment quickly.

blessings, joy and peace
jess

I Am Man! Hear Me Tweet!

I am gonna try this twitter thing. I am making no promises. We will just see how it goes. I will try to do short, random posts a couple of times a day about the ongoing oddities of my journey.

Go to twitter.com and sign up to follow me jessiesimon (all one word)

Instructions for signing up

1. I would recommend asking someone who knows what they are doing because I don't have a clue.

2. If someone who knows what they are doing could comment on this post with specific instructions that would be great.

3. If all else fails email one of my daughters. Tiffani tiffani@ridgecommunitychurch.com or Kandice Kandice@jsimonphotography.com They can get ya hooked up.  

Say a prayer for me over the next couple of days. I am preparing to speak Sunday and I am VERY nervous. It is my first message since my mongo life change and resigning as a pastor. I have Saturday night stomach and its only Friday afternoon. This would be a lot easier on me... if it didn't matter so much to me.

blessings joy and peace
jess

Words I Like

"It's never to late to be who you might have been."
-George Elliot