Josh Jamison's Blog Here are some of my thoughts, questions and things I have found helpful in my journey. Enjoy-

As I was reading through the weeks sports news, my attention was immediately grabbed by more headlines about the University of Oregon football program. Before I go any further, I want to clarify that my motives behind writing this are not founded upon bashing the Ducks football program or otherwise down-talking the school in any form. With that said, in the last year there has been a troubling string of events that have included young men dawning the green and yellow of UO.
The 1st, and most publicized came when running back Legarrette Blunt infamously punched an opposing player in the jaw, then tried to take on the whole Boise State Stadium, State Troopers and even his own teammates in what could only be described as "uncontrollable rage". More recently, both running back LaMichael James and quarterback Jeremiah Masoli have found themselves in serious trouble with the law. Charges ranging from physical abuse, harassment and theft have clouded the Oregon Ducks football program the last 9 months.

Almost as disturbing has been the way the Oregon Administration and Coaching Staff has handled these situations. Blount (their star running back) was initially suspended for the remainder of his senior season, a punishment that could be argued as fair. However, just weeks later, Coach Kelly announced that they had a "process" for Blount to return to the field by the end of the season, right at the time Oregon anticipated playing for a Bowl Game. If it were a isolated incident, this preferential treatment and bending of standards could easily be glossed over, but unfortunately this is just one example of the priority placed on talent over the priority of character and morality.

While Coach Kelly has publicly declared that he is "Not ready to discipline James and Masoli." for charges that span from malicious and violent to flat out evil, he certainly had no problem suspending freshman linebacker Kiko Alonso for the 2010 season, days after he was charged with DUI.
But in Coach Kelly's defense, why would he want to have to suspend or punish his two star players for the season in which they are ranked as the #4 pre-season team in the nation? We're talking national press, millions of dollars in bowl game money, recruitment leverage and booster support.

While the problems mount in Eugene, what is grabbing national headlines in College Football is, I believe, a common struggle within the walls of the Church. Character vs. Talent.
It's an unpleasant battle between seeing the potential in a person, wanting to pull the best out of them, setting them up for greatness in their future, but at the same time bringing the proper boundaries, restrictions and penalties that help us learn valuable life lessons along our journey.

I know in my journey, one of the things that hurt me the most was being elevated to places of leadership, authority and public view before I had developed the right character to properly lead and handle to pressures and perks of my positions.
Not only is that a dangerous place for an individual to be, it's a danger to the people under their leadership.

In his message at Youth Pastor's Summit, Pastor Les Welk spoke an inspiring word on the clash between Paul and Barnabas. The disagreement arose over John Mark, who had some character and talent issues. Barnabas saw the potential in John Mark, and even though he had some pretty big flaws to work through, Barnabas wanted to help him. Paul, on the otherhand, saw what a liability John Mark was, no matter how many talents adnd gifts he had. Paul wasn't willing to take the risk of his ministry being shipwrecked or people's lives being shipwrecked by John Mark's recklessness.
Later on in the story we find that Paul reconciles with John Mark, claiming "He has great value to me now".
Who was right? Both. Without the love and guidance of Barnabas and without the firm rebuke and punishment of Paul, John Mark would never have come full circle.

In retrospect, it was that same pattern that proved right in my own life. A place of firm punishement combined with a gracious hand led me to a humble understanding of my God given gifts and responsibilities. Ultimately, we need to allow our leadership to be fuled by Grace and guided by "God's glorious standards." (Romans 3:22-24 NLT) They both need each other.

In the end, I would rather it be said that I lived a life of character than a life full of talent.
Let's hope Coach Kelly can develop the character within the lives of his talented football team.

I am currently reading through the Bible chronologically and loving it. This morning I was reading through Numbers 32 and was compelled by a story that i've read before.

In Numbers 32 the tribes of Ruben, Gad and half the tribe of Manasseh approach Moses and ask to posses the land that they had just acquired from defeating the Midianites, which was on the other side of the Jordan river from the Promised Land.

Not that big of a deal on the surface, but in the eyes of Moses is proposed a huge problem.
Moses was instantly reminded of the 10 spies that stirred up fear and pushed against crossing over into the promise land, and the last thing he wanted was another group of people who were willing to settle for less than the God's promise.

Moses fear was that if he allowed the tribes of Ruben, Gad and Manasseh to posses the land on this side of the Jordan, then the other tribes would want to settle here and never cross over to posses the land that God was promising them.

In verses 16, the tribes come back to Moses with a profound agreement.
They wanted to build pens for their livestock and fortified cities for their wives and children, but "we are ready to arm ourselves and go ahead of the Isrealites until we have brought them to their place."

What an amazing picture for us today!
I think so often we as Christians and leaders in the church come to a place of comfort and security in our relationship with Christ and when we arrive at this place of comfort, our tendency is to settle down and become self focused and driven.

But as the Rubenites, Gadites and Manasseh showed us, our call as leaders is not to settle and occupy. It is to forge the way until others have received their inheritance as well.
What our generation needs, is not a bunch of leaders who are spiritual settlers, but leaders who are willing to arm ourselves and lead them into battle, not for our own victory, but for theirs.

Blessings-
Josh

Have you ever fell into the comparison trap?
I know I have, plenty of times and I think if we're all honest, we've all been there. Foolishly playing the "grass is greener" game between the person we see in the mirror and the people we see across the room.

I know for myself, there have been times when I have seen things my friends and peers are doing or that they are talented and gifted at and felt like what I have to offer and who I am didn't measure up.
Talk about a crappy feeling.

The sad truth is, too many of us allow that type of attitude and mindset to not only rob us of our joy, but ultimately rob us of our God-given potential.

Paul speaks to this issue in 1 Corinthians 12 when he writes about "One Body- Many Parts".
His paints the picture for us of the human body being made up of many different parts: Feet, ears, eyes, hands, etc.
None of these parts have been created to look the same because they all serve a different purpose, yet without each part, the body ceases to function the way it was designed.

The Body of Christ (the Church) needs each of us to simply be whom God has designed for us to be.
The Church needs you to be YOU!

I find great comfort even in the classic story of David.
In 1 Samuel 17 we find the tale of David and Goliath, but before David took the Battlefeild, King Saul offered for David to use his armor in battle.
As David put on Saul's armor, he found it to be uncomfortable and cumbersome to his movement.

I think the same thing happens to us when we try to put on the appearance of someone else.
We put ourselves into a mold that we were never created to look like and in doing so, we hamper the ability and progress we could be making by simply being ourselves.

Wherever you find yourself at this moment, take great comfort in the fact that God created and designed you just the way He wanted while you were still inside your mothers womb.
Giving you all the gifts, talents and qualities you would need to fulfill the mission he designed for you alone!

My good friend, Pastor Tyler Sollie, passed on a quote to me years ago from Pastor Jude Fouquier of The City Church. He said, "God's anointing is on the real you."

He's not asking you to be someone your not. He isn't asking you to look and function like another part of the body. He isn't even asking you to put on someone else's armor.
He is simply looking for you to be YOU. That is when He will unleash His full anointing on your life.

-Josh

2 Timothy 3:1-5 (New Living Translation) 

¹ You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. ² For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. ³ They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. ⁴ They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. ⁵ They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!

The NIV uses the term "a form of godliness". Without a life that worships God, our expression of music and song becomes nothing more than a powerless form.