The Danger of Looking Around

We run into danger when we look around. Why is that?

I think of Luke 18 when we read of two men who came to the temple to pray. One was a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.

The Pharisee was part of the elite ruling class. He was a religious leader. He was wealthy. He had it together. When he prayed he said, "God, I thank you that I am not like other people---robbers, evildoers, adulterers---or even like this tax collector."

We read that the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even raise his head. He beat himself on the chest and said "God, have mercy on me, a sinner."

Jesus tells us that it is the tax collector who went home justified.

How easy we can run into the same trap as the Pharisee! Part of his problem was the fact that he was busy looking around---and pointing out all the people he thought were worse than he was!

It's always easy to point out people and say, "I'm not as bad as this person!"

Jesus does not accept this.

Here's the revolution.

The tax collector---who was the most reviled of all people, who earned money through a very immoral, and evil manner---he was justified. He knew that he was a sinner. He knew that his life was evil. He came humbly before God and pleaded for mercy.

This is the position we all need to take. We all are equal in sin. God gives grace the humble and resists the proud.

Don't look around. Don't compare yourself to others. You may find yourself feeling too highly of who you are. Or you may find the opposite. You may look around at all those other Christians who seem to have it more together than you.

They don't! They're struggling just like you and just like me!

Let us, instead, keep our eyes fixed on Jesus; the Author and Finisher of our faith. He endured the cross for you and for me. It doesn't matter how bad you think your sin is; Jesus finished it all on the cross. You can be forgiven. All who call on the name of the Lord will be saved.

Your fellow revolutionary,
-Jason Vreeke

Prayer Is Revolutionary!

Yes, it is!
In the very act of prayer is an admission that you need help.

When the fuel pump in my truck decided to go kaput recently, I did what any man would do. I bought the parts, did a little research online, and watched a YouTube video.

After an entire day of trying I came to the realization that I, in myself, could not fix it.

So I prayed under the truck. A name came into my mind. I knew this name---Larry. He is a retired mechanic. I called him and he got my truck all fixed up in no time!

So what does my truck have to do with prayer?

Here's the revolution.

We are practically inundated with the message "You can do it!" We are told that we have in ourselves all that we need. There are self-made men and women. We, especially Americans, pull ourselves up by the bootstraps and keep on keeping on!

Did you know it is not true that we have in ourselves all that we need?
Did you know we need to reach out beyond ourselves to the One who has everything in Himself?

In Christ all the fullness of deity lives in bodily form. We are told that He is before all things and that in Him all things are held together.

Why wouldn't I ask Him for help? Who else would we ask?
I dare not give a lesson on how to pray; as I am still learning this myself!
Instead I give an appeal simply to pray.

PRAY!

Even if you don't know what to say---God understands that we don't know how to pray as we ought and the Spirit Himself makes intercession.

And it is more than asking for things. Time in prayer is time with God.

And that is time well spent. So please, spend some time today in prayer.

Your fellow revolutionary,
Jason Vreeke

P.S. Stay tuned to the podcast feed. I have a bonus coming out this week!

Stitcher is Official

I am humbled to now be included on Stitcher!

A big thanks goes out to all who worked to make this happen!

If you are a Stitcher user please subscribe and give a strong rating to Tales of the Revolution with Jason Vreeke.

Episode 3 just got released on Saturday and is waiting for you!

Your fellow revolutionary,
Jason Vreeke

Humility

I had the privilege of attending a day-long conference as part of the Orange Tour. The primary focus was to help youth and children's ministers to better affect those to whom they are ministering.

One of the themes that really came forward was this: "Monday is coming."

The idea is that what happens on Sunday morning in a house of worship is basically meaningless if it does not affect change for Monday and the days following.

Today is Monday. I don't know if you found yourself in a house of worship yesterday, and I do not think I am better than you because I did.

From Isaiah 66 we were reminded yesterday, that God values humility.

The world, oftentimes, is filled with successful people who have practiced self-promotion. Confidence can easily escalate into arrogance. In many cases this is celebrated.

Let it not be that way in our Revolution.

Our leader Jesus Christ, who had every reason to be proud, lived a life of complete humility. He allowed the people He created to nail Him to a cross. This cross was made of wood that He designed!

How humble is Jesus of Nazareth? His story is the ultimate "riches to rags" story. He left the highest throne to be born in a feeding trough (a manger). He lived a life of poverty. He lived in ridicule as He was accused of being born from an unwed mother, and the list goes on. The people He came do save, who He also created, spat on him, tortured Him, left Him looking inhuman, and then murdered Him. Of course, the grave could not hold Him.

No motivational speaker of this world would counsel Him to take that course of action.

But He humbled Himself, and had the end in mind. He knew this was the only way for sinful man to be redeemed.

It is no surprise that God favors and values humility in people. Humility is the proper evaluation of who we are, and who God is. When we see humanity as sinful and see the greatness of God, humility is the normal response.

So today, Monday, let us not be too proud of ourselves. Let us model our behavior after the greatest Revolutionary of them all---and be humble!
-Jason Vreeke

P.S. I am humbled by the great response Episode 3 has garnered! If you have not yet, subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, Google Play, BeyondPod, or anywhere else you get your podcast! Episode 4 is in pre-production!

Episode 3 - Little Life

Tales of the Revolution with Jason Vreeke Presents:

Episode 3 - Little Life!

Storytellers include myself and Pastor Dave Annan, childrens pastor at Community Bible Church in High Point, NC.

There is also a very special guest cameo appearance by Joel Smallbone from the band For King and Country; my son Isaiah's favorite band!

Please subscribe today on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, or anywhere else you get podcasts!

Please leave a strong rating as well on those podcast services! This is one of the ways you can help the podcast get more exposure!

Remember, I want to hear your story and so do others! Contact me today!

Your fellow revolutionary,

Jason Vreeke

facebook.com/talesoftherevolution

Episode 3 is in Post Production

Hello fellow Revolutionaries,

The third episode of Tales of the Revolution is currently in post production. All the principle recording is complete!

We are looking good for a release tonight!

Keep your eyes on the feed for the need episode.

If you haven't already subscribed to the podcast please do so! Tales of the Revolution is listed on iTunes, Google Play, and now Stitcher!!!

Subscribe today!

-Jason Vreeke

Episode 3 Saturday Night

Hello Fellow Revolutionaries,

Tales of the Revolution Episode 3 is in production and will be completed tomorrow night.

Be sure to subscribe on iTunes and or Google Play so you don't miss this new episode!

Many new episodes are also in the works!

And remember, I want to hear YOUR story!

Contact me today!

-Jason Vreeke

iTunes

Dear Revolutionaries,

The iTunes feed of Tales of the Revolution is now live! You can search iTunes for Tales of the Revolution with Jason Vreeke.

I ask that you would subscribe AND please register a good, strong rating!

This will help others to find the podcast!

I would be so thankful if you would do this!

Your fellow revolutionary,
Jason Vreeke

Thanksgiving 2016

Earlier this month I was asked to give a testimony at the nursing home ministry about something for which I'm thankful.

As I began to think of all the different things I am thankful for, such as my home and my family, I realized that there are many people who do not have such things. I did not want to be insensitive to those who did not have all the blessings that I do.

I thought about God and how he is the source of all my blessings. And I considered a question. What if all of these blessings were taken away from me, would I still be thankful?

That night at the nursing home ministry I shared how I was thankful most of all for the fact that my sins have been forgiven because Jesus died on the cross. I shared how forgiveness of sin was our greatest need as human beings.

All of these considerations swirl about in my mind as I realize that I fall short when I am thankful for all my blessings. I am most thankful for the Blesser--- even Jesus Christ the Righteous.

Remember Him this Thanksgiving--- the greatest Revolutionary of them all.

-Jason Vreeke

Google Play

Dear Revolutionaries,

We are going to be listed on the Google Play podcast directory!

Thank you for your support!

-Jason Vreeke

iTunes is a Go!

I just got this email!
Thank you for praying!

Your fellow revolutionary,
Jason Vreeke

Blindsided

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, Mary Schmich writes:

"The real troubles in your life are apt to be things that never crossed your worried mind; the kind that blindside you at 4pm on some idle Tuesday."

The older I get the more I see the truth of this quote.

It was an idle Friday when I heard the news that our lead pastor had decided to take his own life.

I was blindsided. This sort of thing had never crossed my worried mind.

In the next few years our church began a rebuilding process that involved an interim pastor, a search committee for a new lead pastor, and a lot of self-reflection.

These few years have flown by and we have now arrived where we are today.

Last night was our church-wide Thanksgiving dinner. I would have to say it was something of a turning point. Our wounded church got together as a family. We enjoyed a meal, fellowship, and worship songs sung by our new lead pastor with the aid of an acoustic guitar. I saw real worship as I looked at the faces of those around me.

My crazy kids ran around and wreaked havoc of course. But you know what? That's what happens in a family. Kids run around; they are filled with wonder. Surprisingly, I got no stern looks from those around; but I got smiles.

I guess I was blindsided by last night. I love it. Our church is healing. We are a family again.

For that, I am thankful.

Your fellow revolutionary,
Jason Vreeke

P.S. If you're looking for a church in the Piedmont Triad, the Lord is doing great things at Community Bible Church in High Point

P.P.S. I am still waiting on approval from iTunes and Google Play for the podcast. New episode should come by the end of the week!

Pray!

I am awaiting approval from both the iTunes and Google Play podcast directories. If approved, millions of iPhone and Android users will be able to search for and locate Tales of the Revolution!

Please pray that this goes through!

Your fellow revolutionary,

Jason Vreeke

Working on an iTunes Podcast Feed

Hello fellow Revolutionaries,

In the podcast game one of the best way to increase your distribution is to get listed in the iTunes Podcast directory.

I found out my artwork was the wrong size due to iTunes regulations. A friend and fellow revolutionary helped by designing the new Tales of the Revolution artwork.

I went to submit my feed and iTunes is saying my episodes are not able to be downloaded.

I know from a good source that it you enter the feed into iTunes that you can download episodes.

I have done that with Beyond Pod as well.

Please be patient as I work out my feed so it can be listed in iTunes.

Until then you can still add the feed manually.

Listen to the first two episodes if you have not yet.

Episode 3 (Lord-willing) is coming by the end of the week!

Stay tuned!

What Do I Know About Mustard Seeds?

I was told that if I had the faith of a mustard seed I could move mountains and uproot trees.

Friday, I'm in love!!!

I don't care if Monday's blue, Tuesday's grey and Wednesday too. Thursday? I don't care about you!

It's Friday!! I'm in love!

These popular lyrics will be familiar to many. It appears that the cure for the week is the weekend; and Friday leads us to the cure.

For lots of people Friday beckons as the end of a workweek. It is the signal that exciting times are ahead! Time for birthday parties, golfing, fishing, cycling, dirt biking, or just binge-watching your favorite shows on Netflix or Hulu.

But suppose going into the weekend you knew you were going to die. Suppose it was such a certainty that it caused great distress---the kind that causes you to sweat drops of blood from your head.

That's our great Revolutionary leader. He was nailed to a cross, quite possibly, on a Friday.

I have been accused of talking too much about death. But the fact is that our Revolution suffers more death than you can imagine.

2014 marked the deadliest year for those who name the name of Jesus Christ.
It was surpassed by 2015.

Not a good trend.

But here's the good news. Here's the reason to celebrate. When our great Revolutionary, Jesus of Nazareth, died on the cross...He didn't stay in His tomb. When Mary went to the tomb she was asked by an angel, "Why do you seek the living among the dead?" It was sort of a cryptic way of telling Mary that Jesus was alive.

What can you say about a man who is so revolutionary that He turns even death around? You can say He's the greatest Revolutionary of them all...but I hope you say that He is Lord.

So it's Friday! It's a time to celebrate and get ready for the weekend; unless you work in retail like I did for almost 20 years.

But this weekend enjoy the blessings you have, Ppay for the ones who do not have such blessings, and give all the glory to the Revolutionary of them all---Jesus Christ.
 
-Jason Vreeke

The Greatest Revolutionary of Them All

When we think of revolutionaries we often think of political heroes and activists like Paul Revere or those who dumped tea into the Boston Harbor.

Some may consider moral revolutionaries like Mother Teresa; who basically spent her entire life putting others before herself.

When I think of the "Greatest Revolutionary of Them All" I think of somebody who is not simply a political or moral revolutionary. He is far more.

He did not simply come to create an upheaval in the political realm. He also did not simply come in the name of morality or behavior modification.

He did not come to make bad people good.

He came to make dead people live.

He came to Earth and allowed Himself to die. On the third day He rose from the dead. He, essentially, defeated death.

He says, "Follow Me."

"Because I live, you also shall live."

He is Jesus of Nazareth, the Greatest Revolutionary of Them All---Revolutionary of Revolutionaries.


-Jason Vreeke

Podcast Feed is Live!!!

Hello Revolutionaries,

I am excited to announce that the podcast feed is live!

Simply add this feed to wherever you get podcasts.

This could be iTunes or Google Play or what I use "Beyond Pod"

This will allow you to keep up with all the updates and new podcast episodes easily.

Here is the feed:

http://feeds.feedburner.com/TalesOfTheRevolution

Simply Add this to your podcast app to subscribe!

Thanks!

Your fellow revolutionary,
Jason Vreeke

Tales of the Revolution Podcast Episode 2 - Lost and Found

Here is a link to Episode 2 - Lost and Found!  Give it a listen and then look forward to Episode 3 coming soon!!!

Episode 2 - Lost and Found

Your Fellow revolutionary,
Jason Vreeke

Tales of the Revolution Podcast Episode 1 - Turnaround

Here is Episode 1 of Tales of the Revolution. I am currently working on episode 3.

Episode 1 - Turnaround

I am always looking for stories! Contact me!

Your Fellow revolutionary,
Jason Vreeke

Your Own Personal Renaissance

It's a Monday a Monday a Monday...

We usually grind our way through the week to get to the weekend---even Revolutionaries!

Is that what we are doing? Are we living for the weekend? The great theologian Michael Scott said that we should be living for the week!

But seriously, we often work hard during the week and look forward to something fun and/or relaxing on the weekend. It is fun to take weekends off.

I, unfortunately, have spent most of my adult life working in retail. If you work in retail you know that the weekend does not have the same impact for you. I am grateful for my time in retail but I am also grateful to be out!

The problem with taking the weekend off is facing Monday. When Monday rears its ugly head it means we are in for another grind for the next five days. Often our "weekend off" leaves us even more tired and in need of relaxation! That's why you won't find me rock climbing on my weekends off. :) I am usually exhausted after a weekend of running around with my kids at home, grocery store, or the church. These kind of things make Monday even harder.

Nothing is wrong about wanting to take the weekend off. It is purely natural! Even the greatest Revolutionary of them all, Jesus Christ took a weekend off! He had a tough week---tougher than mine and tougher than yours. He was arrested, beaten, and nailed to a heavy, wooden, splinter-ridden cross that He carried Himself up a hill. So then in His most vulnerable moment, all His friends ditched him. He died there on that cross and they put him into a tomb.

Rough weekend eh? No rock climbing for Him either. Instead, there was some rock rolling. Not rock and roll, but the large stone that sealed the tomb was rolled away on Sunday morning. To the surprise of those involved, Jesus, our model Revolutionary, was gone.

He would show up in a big way on that Sunday. He would astonishingly be alive and well after his horrific weekend ordeal. What a Sunday. Their Friend and leader died but then came back from the grave. Now that's the kind of weekend that can lead into a great Monday!

We are told that Jesus stuck around for many days later preparing His followers for their mission---a mission that is still going on to this day.

So on this Monday don't fret about five days of work ahead. Rejoice and celebrate the weekend that the great Revolutionary, Jesus Christ, experienced death and rose again so that you could have life.

Because He lives, we also shall live.

Have a great Monday and a great week!

-Jason Vreeke

My Double Brother

Hello Fellow Revolutionaries!

Episode 3 of Tales of the Revolution is currently in the works!

I am currently in a stage of pre-production...which can pretty much mean anything.  :)

The current story in my life is that of my baby. The baby is currently residing in my wife's womb. We will see baby Vreeke sometime in June of 2017.  Exciting Times!

What about you?  What is going in your story?  I want to hear it and I know others do too!!!

Let us know!

Also, I am always looking for people to share their story on the next episode of Tales of the Revolution.

Until then...vive la revolucion!

-Jason Vreeke

How time has flown by! I am currently working on a way to balance my schedule so that I can begin to create and post new episodes of Tales of the Revolution.

During my time away my hosing site, copy.com, has become extinct.

Thankfully I have now found a new way to host files simply by using Google!

Stay tuned for new updates coming soon!

Your Fellow Revolutionary,
Jason Vreeke