Jess Boctor

Tag: Christian Life

  • Rejoicing in Suffering

    I attended service at Mosaic Church in Hollywood on Sunday.

    The pastor, Erwin McManus, was preaching on the idea of being ‘All In’ for God. His premise was that God is already all in for you and requires nothing less than we be all in for Him. It is not a choice or an option as a Christain, it is what we are called to.

    McManus referenced Acts during his talk, and there was one verse which stuck out to me. It is was given in the context of the Temple leaders having imprisioned, released, and then flogged the apostles for preaching in the name of Jesus. The verse which hit home is Acts 5:41:

    “The apostles left the high council rejoicing that God had counted them worthy to suffer disgrace for the name of Jesus.”

    I have a habit of writing questions to myself in my journals. Things which I know I need to ponder and consider later on. That night I wrote to myself, “When was the last time I rejoiced in suffering for Jesus?”

    When was the last time I rejoiced that God counted me worthy to move to another country? When was the last time I rejoiced that He knew financial stress wouldn’t break me? When was the last time I rejoiced that by declaring myself a Christain I am often thought of as narrow minded, foolish, and uninteligent? When was the last time I was glad for the rebuff I have received for living a life grounded in the Bible?

    As I talked some of these thoughts over with my dad the next morning, it was clear rejoicing was not the term I would use when thinking on these things. However, I am going to make it my goal. Not the fake “everything is okay though the world is falling to pieces” type of rejoicing. Not a plastic smile type. I want the real type. The type of joy which settles in your bones and bubbles out slowly. I want the type of rejoicing which is quiet, undeclared and always present. I want the type which makes me assured God knows what is happening sucks and it hurts me. I also want Him to know I think He is worth it.

    Continuing the adventure,

    Jess

  • Mumford and Sons, Exellence, and Common Ground

    This post should have been up a month ago.

    Admittedly, I am not excellent.

    Mumford and Sons, however, are. They excel at their craft, which is why last month a few thousand people and myself packed the Hollywood Bowl to see them play. It was an awesome show. Paul and I had seats pretty close to the front. It was inspiring to look back and see a sea of faces behind us, all stomping their feet, shaking their fists and singing along.

    It made me remember once again the power of refinement and pursuing excellence in your craft. I love the message of Mumford and Sons. Their lyrics point to a human experience which I believe is common to all of us, however, without their skill at intertwining chords and rhythm, the message would be lost. The power would be lost.

    So here is my challenge to the Christians out there, and myself is included in this, go be excellent. Whatever it is you do, whatever your calling, whatever your craft, be excellent. Do not create a subculture where slapping a “Christian” label on something means it is good enough. Go put on your big boy and girl pants, refine your skill, put in the time and compete with the culture at large.

    This is important.

    It is important because being excellent creates common ground. No one gets angry at Mumford and Sons for singing “Serve God, Love me and mend” (which is a quote from a favorite Shakespear play, bonus points if you know which one). People don’t get angry because Mumford and Sons are excellent. They have a larger scope of influence because they are excellent. They attract people of all different walks of life because they are excellent.

    Do you get it yet?

    So next time you feel frustrated with the culture of the world, don’t withdraw. Don’t be angry. Don’t try to shove Jesus at them and make angry picket signs. Instead, quietly and resolutely continue the process of becoming excellent. It will be noticed.

    Continuing the adventure,

    Jessica

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  • Little Drummer Boy

    Really, I hate the fact that Christmas music starts to get played before Halloween is even over, but today I was flipping radio channels and I heard Jars of Clay’s version of this classic Christmas song. I found the lyrics to the song here.

    Drummer Boy

    Come they told me, pa rum pum pum pumA new born King to see, pa rum pum pum pumOur finest gifts we bring, pa rum pum pum pumTo lay before the King, pa rum pum pum pum,rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum,So, to honor Him, pa rum pum pum pum,When we come.
    Little Baby, pa rum pum pum pumI am a poor boy too, pa rum pum pum pumI have no gift to bring, pa rum pum pum pumThat’s fit to give the King, pa rum pum pum pumrum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum,Shall I play for you, pa rum pum pum pum,On my drum?
    Mary Nodded, pa rum pum pum pum, The ox and lamb kept time, pa rum pum pum pum I played my drum for Him, pa rum pum pum pum I play me best for Him, pa rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum Then He smiled at me, pa rum pum pum pum me and my drum

    It’s the last two lyrics that get me. “I have no gift to bring, that’s fits for a king, Shall I play for you?..I play my best for him,…Then He smiled at me”I have to admit, I cried listening to this song tonight. It really convicted me about what I bring before the Lord and offer him. I don’t have anything fit to give a king, and most of the time I don’t even give him fifteen minutes, let alone my best. Is it any wonder I haven’t felt him smile at me lately?I want to change that, its not a new years resolution, its a heart desired resolution. I want to play my best for my king and have him smile at me.What can you do best for a smile?-Jessica