Soulfari

The Magnificent Seven

noreply@blogger.com (Jay Cookingham) — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 20:55:00 +0000

What greater blessing to give thanks for at a family gathering than the family and the gathering. ~Robert Braul

I am a father of seven, well, nine actually (lost two to miscarriage) but seven walking this planet. My small nation is comprised of five boys and two girls, ranging in age from 23 to 9…yes, that’s quite a range. For a dad, a large family poses various challenges to navigate.

Seven different cultures and languages to learn

Seven powerful personalities to discover

Seven characters to help mold and grow

Seven wonderful minds to help nurture

Seven souls to guard and protect

No wonder I’m tired

The juggling of seven distinct individuals into a unit that is for each other is quite a feat and one not for the fainthearted. My wife and I are daily dealing with the training of young children while coaching the decisions of our adult children…and guiding teenagers in between. It is a financial strain, a physical challenge, a spiritual wrestle and sometimes a nine ring (including parents) circus! It is all that and more…

It’s my family

It’s my blessing

The lives of my children are the seven best things that have ever happened to me. They have made me a better man and a better father than I ever dreamt I could be. Each one has stretched me, each son and daughter interaction has increased my heart and the love it contains. They have taught me about God, they have taught me about acceptance and they have brought me great joy.

I am the father of seven…and they are all magnificent!

del.icio.us Tags: Family,seven,kids

Bad Sheep - Orange you glad to see me?

noreply@blogger.com (Jay Cookingham) — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 00:07:00 +0000

The Bad Boys of Wool are back with another slice of their zany life and it seems a little payback may be in store for one of the boys. Hope you enjoy and remember to leave a comment...Lambo and Chop love FEEDback!

LiveJournal Tags: Bad sheep #51,Orange

32

noreply@blogger.com (Jay Cookingham) — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 06:00:00 +0000

" For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD,plans for peace and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."Jeremiah 29:11

The number 32 is special

The number (atomic) of germanium (not the flower)

The number of completed, numbered piano sonatas by Ludwigvan Beethoven

The number of pages in the average comic book (not includingthe cover)

The number worn by Jon Matlack, one of my favorite NY Mets1977

The number code for international direct phone calls to Belgium

Yes, the number 32 is special...32 years ago I received aninvitation to the rest of my life.

I started traveling with a not-so-famous Christian Rock Bandcalled Charismata (if you do a Google search...you won't find us). We werehaving a series of concert gigs in Vahalla, NY and the sponsoring churchhosted a welcome party for us.

As we were pulling into the church parking lot with our bigbus, I had no idea I was going to meet my future but there she was. ChristineMarie Breden was just one of the many faces in the crowd that day, excited tohelp bring a Christian band into her church and perhaps touch people's lives.She, of course, had no idea her life was about to change as well. It seemedrandom, our meeting...like the random facts above but the truth is...

God orchestrated two lives into one.

32 years ago a banged up knight met his beautiful princessand two years later I married the most beautiful soul on the planet.

That future and hope thing is working just fine for me.

Love Sonnet for One - Poetry for my Wife

noreply@blogger.com (Jay Cookingham) — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 02:16:00 +0000

I could seek out a thousand blossoms,

inhaling none like the aroma of your love.

Countless sunrises could fill my horizon and

not brighten my day more than your smile.

The moon jealously guards her sky,

knowing your rising during the night

would outshine her glow.

The air tingles with excitement on touching

your cheek as you pass by.

Sound itself, hushes to take in the
melody of your voice.

Rainbows swirl with mere color while your

eyes captures them all.

Beauty is not a grand enough word to

fill the picture of you.

Such is your grace,

where flowers bathed by the sunrise,

given rest by moonlight,

pale in your company.

Where dreams and elements seem less

than all you are.

I am a castaway on the shores of your heart.

No desire of rescue is found within me.

I find myself lost in your pleasant walkways

seeking more.

Jay Cookingham, September 18, 2002 ©

Bad Sheep - Pun-ishment

noreply@blogger.com (Jay Cookingham) — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 23:35:00 +0000

Well, well, it seems the Bad Boys of Wool have been up to no-good again. Let's see if they can redeem themselves!

LiveJournal Tags: Bad Sheep,#50,stationary

Warrior Poetess – Guest Post

noreply@blogger.com (Jay Cookingham) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:05:00 +0000

Well, it must be guest post season here at Soulfari! This time it’s my oldest daughter Sarah returning with a poem…with a twist. My daughter is taking after her warrior poet Dad and I think she is extremely talented (of course), so read and enjoy! (BTW, You can read her first guest post Mission Possible here)

Waiting

A Life or Death Question:

Waiting, longing, hoping, and needing

Oh, when will it be for me?

Begging, entreating, moaning and pleading

What is my answer to be?

Groveling, sighing, practically dying

Still she is unmoved by me

Grousing, beseeching, basically screeching

Mom, can I have a cookie?!!!

By Sarah Cookingham © 2012

del.icio.us Tags: Sarah,poem,cookie

Speaking up Again…

noreply@blogger.com (Jay Cookingham) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 14:51:00 +0000

Today I'm honored to do a guest post on Longings End, the blog and labor of love by Michael and Sheila Kimball. This husband and wife team are terrific writers and have huge hearts towards Father God, I suggest you stop by often and be blessed by their gifts. As for my post...its a repost for me but one I thought that fit the flavor of Longings End, see if you agree and read it here.

Blessings, Jay

del.icio.us Tags: New friends,speak up,voice

Ponder and Muse

noreply@blogger.com (Jay Cookingham) — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 14:31:00 +0000

I will ponder the way that is blameless. Oh when will you come to me? I will walk with integrity of heart within my house; (3) I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless. Psalm 101:2-3

This verse has me pondering and musing on my heart. It's a great reminder of the influence I have over my family, the impact I have in their lives. I must walk with integrity wherever I am but it is at home that it matters most!

The measure of a man's real character is what he would do if he knew he never would be found out.
~Thomas Babington Macaulay

May I offer a simple prayer for all of us?

Father,
Help me walk a blamesless path before you. Strengthen my faithfulness, enpower my character with yours and set my eyes on worthy things. Let my life reflect your life before my family and all I come into contact with. - Amen!

What do you think of this verse?

Strategic Family

noreply@blogger.com (Jay Cookingham) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 23:07:00 +0000

Many of you know about my ministry called Strategic Fathering (you can go to http://www.strategicfathering.com to find out more). Well, this ministry took a different turn than expected today. While I was at my desk working, Becky my 9 year old daughter came into the room and asked me how to spell "STRATEGIC". Thinking nothing of it, I told her and she was gone in a flash. Later on she handed my wife and I a very colorful, hand drawn flyer...this is what it said.

Strategic Sistering

1. Love your sister

2. Love God

3. Be happy

4. Play with a angel (She is studying Hebrews 13:2 right now." Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.")

5. Play with your sister

6. Share happiness

This is how to be a little sister.

So, there's a old saying that more is caught than taught...I think my daughter has caught something and I'm a very happy daddy right now. Thank you Father God for making me a dad!

What do you think? Is more caught than taught? How valuable is our example to our kids? I would love your feedback!

Blessings, Jay

LiveJournal Tags: Beckyism,sisterhood

Father Prayer 2

noreply@blogger.com (Jay Cookingham) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 13:15:00 +0000

I woke up with this prayer on my heart for all of you this morning. I know the battle is hard and many are trying to hold it all together, do the right thing and be obedient to our Lord. Please remember who you are this morning…you are His son, His daughter! You have bought with a price by the greatest heart the universe has ever known. The Father’s focus on you is sharp, precise and never wavers. I pray this prayer for you…and me. - Jay

Father,

Strengthen and encourage my brothers and sisters today, infused them with vitality and a clear purpose. Enlighten their minds, focus their thinking and empower their plans with your will. Fill them with insight, discernment, knowledge, and give them wisdom to apply it effectively. Make them cunning against the enemy’s plans and lies. Make strong their hands for battle. Guard their hearts and ears against anyone that tries to define them less than what they are in YOU! Help songs of hope, songs of redemption and songs of restoration rise up from deep within, setting them free as they worship you. Love through them today, in powerful and noticeable ways, so all who see them…see your son Jesus.

In your name I pray and believe…amen!

"That ye might walk worthy of the Lord, in all pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God." Colossians 1:10

del.icio.us Tags: Father prayer 2

Joy Is – Warrior Poetry

noreply@blogger.com (Jay Cookingham) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 20:26:00 +0000

This poem is submitted as part of the Warrior Poet Circle hosted by Jason Stasyszen of Connecting to Impact. Click here (or the logo) to read some mighty fine poetry! Joy is such a marvelous gift from our Father and as I mused about that, I quickly wrote this down as it flowed out my spirit this afternoon…hope it blesses ya!

Joy Is

Joy is sunlight dancing across my soul
Giving breath to my spirit

Joy is the surround sound of completeness
Settling the anxiousness of my heart

Joy is the duplication of laughter
Pushing the deep sorrow from my bones

Joy is the fuel of fellowship
Igniting the freedom of who I am

© Jay Cookingham 1-16-12

del.icio.us Tags: poetry,Joy,warrior poet

Mission Possible

noreply@blogger.com (Jay Cookingham) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 11:29:00 +0000

This post, I promise, will bless you...my talented and beautiful daughter Sarah (21) wrote this "guest" post after a huge God moment in her life. Please read on and get ready for God to speak to you...I know He did to me when I read it. Blessings, Jay

“I’m not picking up that phone Ethan, because, you don’t want me on your team. I was in Croatia. I had one job, just one, and I failed.”

Ok. I am not a Secret Agent. I don’t work for the military, secret service, special ops..nada. The closest I get to being a spy is sitting here watching Mission Impossible 4 with my brother. And I love it! This quote is from a scene near the end of said film, where new team member Agent Brands is informing Ethan Hunt that he failed in his duty to protect his target in Croatia. Who was his target? Ethan’s wife, who was, as far as Agent Brands knows, murdered because he couldn’t protect her. He has carried this guilt around with him for a few years, and has to tell Ethan; he can’t accept his offer to be on his team, how can he? He failed to save this man’s wife from Serbian terrorists! You can see the pain and despair in Brands eyes; this isn’t something he could ever brush off, it effected his career; he stopped being a field agent after her murder. He’s just waiting for Ethan to tear him apart, kick him off the team, maybe even beat him up…and Ethan just asks him a question…

“How do you know she died?”

He’s so calm, so quiet about the whole thing. Brandt is taken aback. Ethan goes on to ask him if he ever saw a body, to which Brandt replies in the negative. Then Ethan, much to Brandt’s relief (the guy almost doesn’t make it as he fumbles to his chair) explains how he faked his wife’s death to keep her safe, and how he doesn’t blame Brandt.

“It was never your job to protect her” he says, looking right at Brandt,
“It was mine”

Wow! Brandt is beyond thrilled. He takes the phone, accepts the mission, and is back on the team. Ethan smiles at him as he leaves. All is good; Agent Brandt is set free from that debilitating guilt and restored to his former self. Ethan and his wife see each other. Ethan disappears mysteriously into the night. Epic music, movie ends.

Skip to after the movie, real life now folks. My brother and I are at the diner, talking, when we bring up a painful subject for me. It’s a friendship that went awry; not just any friendship, I lost my best friend. How it happened is not for this story, but suffice it to say that this has caused me to feel pain, doubt, guilt, anger, and hopelessness in abundance. This is not something I talk about with just anyone, haven’t even really talked about it with him. But I want my brother to know my heart.

As I talk about how God is healing some things in my heart, and the lingering feelings of regret and “could haves, should haves”, I tell my brother that, unfortunately, these doubts affect all my other friendships as well. I often think to myself, well, if I messed up one of the most important relationships in my life, what will happen to the rest? I don’t know if he is getting my point, so to illustrate it I say, “It’s like Brandt at the end of the movie, I feel exactly like that. Like I am saying to God, “God, You can’t possibly want me on Your team, to be in relationships with Your creation. I had my chance, I had one mission, and I blew it! Someone was lost because of what I failed to say and do. I failed one of Your daughters.”

As I sat there, hoping my point would sink in, my brother came right back at me with the next quote from the same movie, “And God is saying, it wasn’t your job to protect her, to save her, it is Mine.”

Boom! I was floored! And, just like in the movie, the shame and guilt lifted almost instantly from my shoulders. I felt just like agent Brandt. The one and only person who can blame me, doesn’t. God doesn’t blame me, or even hold me responsible…He wants me on His team. He is orchestrating how to save His children; that’s not my job. My job, my mission, and I hope I choose to accept it from now on, is to follow Him, be on His team, trust His plan. My responsibility is to rest in His grace and the truth that He has a good plan for me, for my lost friend, for all His children. It is a mission that, with God, is completely possible.

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God, all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26

- Sarah Cookingham

LiveJournal Tags: Sarah,mission

The Father Prayer

noreply@blogger.com (Jay Cookingham) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 23:47:00 +0000

"I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land..." Ezekiel 22:30

I posted this prayer way back in June of 2011 and I felt led to post it on my Facebook page this morning...then I started to reflect further on the words. I made a few slight adjustments (after some prayer) and decided that it will be the "Household Prayer" for the Cookingham family this year.

I call it...the Father prayer.

I plan on praying it everyday over my family and all the friends in my life. In my heart I want to see my family, my friends and all the people God brings into my journey with Christ...set free. I think that's the Father's heart and I hope to be used in that wonderful mission of standing in the gap...

Will you join me?

Father, hold my family this year. Hold them in your mercy, in your grace and your strength. Clear their vision, lift their heads and help them tighten their grip on you. Surround them, saturate and fill them with your love. Intensify their hope, strengthen their faith and overlap everything with your joy.

Open their spirits to you, to your plans and your desires for them. Help them embrace the wondrous journey with you in ways they once thought impossible. Open their hearts and draw out the gifts, the abilities and talents that you have given them. Erase the pain of regret and past failures and in its place plant deep the power of your purposes for them.

In all of this, let your name be known and praised...for you are a great God!
In Jesus name....Amen!

LiveJournal Tags: Father prayer,mission,God

More Bad Sheep - A New Song

noreply@blogger.com (Jay Cookingham) — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 01:51:00 +0000

Seems like the Bad Boys of Wool still have a bunch of Christmas cheer to spread around. So, lets TUNE in and see what's going down in the pasture.

LiveJournal Tags: Bad Sheep,Christmas

Bad Sheep Time - Christmas Humor

noreply@blogger.com (Jay Cookingham) — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 01:58:00 +0000

Well the Bad Boys of Wool have been a little quiet for a while...too quiet it seems! Chop has once again been tossed from church but for what? Read on my friends...read on!

LiveJournal Tags: Bad Sheep,Christmas,Mary,Stable

Wanting More

noreply@blogger.com (Jay Cookingham) — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 16:47:00 +0000

“Please sir…I want some more.” – Oliver

In my heart today is an urgency of unsettledness…a mixture of inquisitiveness and hunger. I want more of something…but what? Christmas does this to me. It upsets my routine, overturns my mundane meanderings and consistently causes me to look at the sky. I try to imagine what I would have done with a star announcing a messiah’s birth. Would I leave my land, my comfort to follow such a sign? What affect would a shepherd story and angel songs have on my life? Would the presence of soldiers threaten me away from belief?

What affect do all these questions (and signs) have on me today?

I realize that I am not content with…contentment…that I want more. Not more stuff, not more possessions or material things, no. This is not a greedy, selfish cry for all of that.

The importance of wanting more is all about a Messiah and the deep desire to be closer to Him. I look at the nighttime sky, at all the beacons pointing to Him and wonder how I lose my way sometimes. Those other “wants” gain volume and attempt to drown out my Master’s voice and I cringe that I allow it to be so. Thankfully, His song penetrates through that gunk and reverbs within my spirit.

I believe the Father draws the “want” from us and direct it towards His heart with that reverb. It synchronizes our heartbeat with His, uniting our songs as one. The hunger for more is a God implant on our soul and it leaves us restless until we find our way to His presence.

As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. (2) My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? Psalm 42:1-2

Did I mention that Christmas does this me? It does so wonderfully. In a little village God reveals Himself in a powerfully humble and relational way. The Incarnation, the birth of Christ, the announcement of the Good News is both a historical marker and a cry to all time and space.

Including that hungry space in my heart.

Yes…please sir, I want some more…and that’s a good thing.

Are you hungry?

Blessings, Jay

LiveJournal Tags: Want,Christmas 2011,Christ,hunger

The House-Band

noreply@blogger.com (Jay Cookingham) — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 02:57:00 +0000

A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, and always with the same person. - Mignon McLaughlin

The title of my post is not referring to a group of musicians who regularly play at your local bar and grill…although there may be a connection. One ancient meaning for the word “husband” was "the house-band"; a wonderful picture of connecting and keeping together the family. The harmony of marriage plays distinctive tone within a family and I believe my role as “house-band” helps everyone learn their part. My home is the place I play my best music, the surround sound of the songs I sing should deepen the relationships of my wife and children. Night after night the refrain needs to be the same…reminding them of my love and commitment to them.

When I put my children’s needs first…I sing a song.

When I lay my life down for my wife…I sing a song

When I faithfully guard my marriage…I sing a song

The songs connect, the songs unite, and the songs encourage and lift. The singing is a melody of strength when each family member is given room to lift their voice. A strong house-band assures that their voice gets heard and valued. My words, actions, prayers and sacrifices help keep the tempo of family growth steady.

Brothers, you have the count the measures, you can’t forget the words of marriage (the vows), the music you make together with your wife. Here the house-band has to play the loudest, drowning out all other tunes. This is the beautiful part of our strength as men…the ability to hold it together, to hold that note of love as long as God gives us breath.

Father God is the conductor, the maestro of the songs inside us. He orchestrates a man and a woman in the stanzas of married life to produce future life…in and through them. The chords, the downbeats, the riffs, and the rhythm of marriage need a strong lead vocalist…thankfully, He gives us voice to be (and become) a strong house-band.

“GOD, not you, made marriage. His Spirit inhabits even the smallest details of marriage. And what does he want from marriage? Children of God, that's what. So guard the spirit of marriage within you. Don't cheat on your spouse.” Mal 2:15 The Message

LiveJournal Tags: Marriage,music,house-band

Making Room

noreply@blogger.com (Jay Cookingham) — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 01:32:00 +0000

"Do not look for God to come in any particular way, but look for Him. That is the way to make room for Him. Expect Him to come, but do not expect Him only in a certain way." - Oswald Chambers

The Christmas season reminds me of many things, all of which requires room and the space for life to enter. Two thousand years ago, an unnamed innkeeper made room (unknown to him) for the Messiah to be born in the last space available…a stable. Perhaps it was compassion for the young pregnant woman and her distressed husband that moved the innkeeper to “make room”, perhaps it was simply a business deal. Whatever the innkeeper’s intent, this much is true…

When you make room for God, the miraculous happens.

And here is my challenge (and perhaps, yours as well) that despite the business of the holiday, the stress of my struggles and the difficulty of my journey…

I will make room for Him.

When I make room for God, miracles do happen, and things I may have not seen as miracles, shine with star power. When I make room for God, I have more space to dream, to love, to give, to follow and to be all I was created to be. When I clear out the soul clutter and open every room of my heart (not just the spare room) I’m ready to open myself to the people in my life (love-ones and otherwise). This is miracle time, when relationships strengthen, when lives are touched with the Good News, when prayers are lifted…all because I make room…for Him.

Let every heart prepare Him room…

LiveJournal Tags: Room,God,miracle

Gatekeeper

noreply@blogger.com (Jay Cookingham) — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 01:24:00 +0000

“Her husband is known in the gates when he sits among the elders of the land.” Proverbs 31:23

“A distant enemy is always preferable to one at the gate.” Emile M. Cioran

My perspective on the recent Penn State revelations of abuse and moral failure is twofold. Being a father of seven and the history of abuse I suffered gives me a unique dual look into what is going on that Pennsylvanian campus and in the lives of the victims.

A national figure, a legend in college football lost his job and perhaps his place in college lore. Worse than losing his hold on college football immortality was the fact that people under his authority hurt innocent children and other authority figures tried to cover up those horrible actions…seeking to protect not the victims, but an image…a brand.

Joe Paterno (and others at the university) failed those children because he wasn’t doing his job as an elder at the gate. His power, his influence over the “city” of Penn State was legendary in its own right; yet, somewhere a decision was made in favor of a coach abusing children in his care…that is not administrating justice at the gate. And there lies the danger for all of us.

In the Old Testament, elders met at the city gates to decide civic matters and make sure justice (right relationship between people) was upheld in the community. During my reflection time this week I read the following:

“In that day the Lord of hosts will be a crown of glory, and a diadem of beauty, to the remnant of his people, (6) and a spirit of justice to him who sits in judgment, and strength to those who turn back the battle at the gate.” Isaiah 28: 5-6

We all have a “city” (our family) to protect, a “Happy Valley” (our community) to defend. Our personal comfort, our position and our preferences are secondary to that role of gatekeeper. We have been given huge responsibility, tremendous influence and according to the passage in Isaiah…a spirit of justice to judge fairy and wisely. We have also been given strength to turn back the battle at the gate. We can’t let anything interfere with that duty that God has given us.

This time of meditation led me to some deep questioning…

What, who am I responsible to guard?

Who do I let in my “gates”?

What do I hear, ingest, see and experience that potentially causes harm to my “city”?

These are important questions to ask and allow the Holy Spirit to change our hearts in order to be wiser elders at the gate. This is why a company of men is God’s ideal for leadership in a community and to stand together in the defense of our families.

What battle are you turning back at your gate? How I can pray with you?

LiveJournal Tags: Gatekeeper,Elder

You know a long sermon is coming when...

noreply@blogger.com (Jay Cookingham) — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 02:09:00 +0000

I was going to write a serious (seriously, I was) post tonight but I decided to re-post one of my famous Top Ten Lists...hopefully it will bring a chuckle or two to your face...which I pretty sure, needs one.

You know a long sermon is coming when...

1. You’re asked to bring a covered dish to share during the sermon.

2. There are coffee pots on the communion table.

3. All the clocks in the sanctuary are missing and you’re asked to surrender
watches at the door.

4. The ushers hand out snacks and cold drinks during the sermon.

5. The sermon notes are carried in by seven ushers.

6. An ambulance crew is standing by.

7. The pastor is hooked up to an intravenous coffee line.

8. The ushers ask if you’ll need overnight accommodations and a wake up call.

9. Your kids ask if it’s still Sunday.

10. The bulletin announces that the longer the sermon goes the more frequent
flier miles you’ll earn.

God Bless!
Jay

The With-ness of Christ

noreply@blogger.com (Jay Cookingham) — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 00:06:00 +0000

"And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach." Mark 3:14

This is a loud Scripture for me, it speaks to the core of who I am. In this passage Jesus speaks purpose (appointed) and identity (named), which only happens...with Him. The journey as a disciple has to be WITH the Master, there is no purpose or identity without Him.

There's more..."and he might send them out to preach."

He also promises a direction to go, a mission to help complete the disciple's journey. This relational transference of purpose, identity and direction gives us life...empowering us to walk the talk, and live a life that IS the Gospel, not just sharing but imparting.

That's the with-ness of Christ...a closeness, a tightness, a understanding that I am no longer my own. It's following Him with my entire life wrapped up in Him.

No man can follow Christ and go astray. - William H.P. Faunce

LiveJournal Tags: disciple,following,Jesus

By Invitation Only

noreply@blogger.com (Jay Cookingham) — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 00:51:00 +0000

Just a quick post about the sermon I gave this past Sunday...which turned out to be a huge blessing for me. There was a surprised guest and it threw me for loop...in a good way. The Mom of the family that is responsible for me walking with Christ came to hear me speak...I was hard pressed to keep it together. Her influence on my life gives a whole new look on disciple making...which is what I was speaking on. I invite you to listen in on more of my life story.

Blessings, Jay

Randomness Reunion

noreply@blogger.com (Jay Cookingham) — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 20:09:00 +0000

No, I haven’t dropped off the face of the planet or even run out of life stuff to write about…I have been busy with that life stuff. So in order to answer the request of my many fans (wink, wink…you know who you are) here is few reposts of randomness to satisfy the blog crave you’re experiencing (or not) right now. BTW…(sssshhhh) I’m supposed to be sermon prepping right now so lets keep this quiet OK?

RANDOMNESS #1

A New Beckyism (My nine yr-old daughter) One Sunday not too long ago in church (http://www.bridgebuilderscc.com/HOME.html) our pastor was talking about discipline and he asked the kids a question.

Pastor Tim: “Kids, do your parents talk about discipline at home?
What words do they use?

Becky: (very loud) “Banishment”

Now we are are not talking about sending our children out in the wilderness to suffer but let’s say for example, that when they lose playing video game rights (because of poor behavior)…then they are “banished”. Of course my older kids starting yelling out things like floggings, mind control…I’ll get them later.

RANDOMNESS #2

My theory about what makes a good movie involves…chickens.

Every good movie has a chicken in it, mentions chickens or (in the case of Sci-Fi) has some creature that resembles a chicken. Really bad movies will try to fool you into believing that you’re watching a good movie by randomly throwing a chicken in. However, the attempt is usually lame and obvious.

Now that you know the secret, you’ll never look at films the same way again. Watch for the chicken…it’s worth it.

RANDOMNESS #3

If I meet you in person and we become friends, I will probably call you bro’, dude or studhead…provided you’re a male that is. Actually, I’ve moved on…now I don’t even have to meet you in person for you to get that honor!

RANDOMNESS #4

I once traveled in a Christian Band called Charismata…can you find me? Win a valuable prize…well, no prizes but you’ll feel really important if you do!

LiveJournal Tags: Randomness,Beckyism,Charismata

Summer Book Review – A Memoir of Don Volk

noreply@blogger.com (Jay Cookingham) — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 22:58:00 +0000

"It was beyond my wildest dreams to become a military pilot in the U.S. Army Air Corps at the young age of 18, serving my country in 'The Greatest Generation' of WWII in North Africa."
- Don Volk

Over the summer I had the pleasure of reading “Tractors, Planes, Golf and Dames” a book about Don Volk a man with quite a story. The good folks over at Five Star Publications contacting me about reviewing Don’s book and I’m so glad they did.

Don’s journey through life is a wonderful story to visit through the pages of his book. From growing up on a farm in the countryside of Utah to serving his country through three wars (WWII, Korea and Vietnam), he has a great story to tell. Add a post military career with the Professional Golf Association and the story takes on another interesting twist.

However, it was the love story woven through both of those legs of his journey that captured my attention. He shares the passion and the compassion that developed through his marriage (and His wife’s illness) with openness and dignity.

Don’s autobiography captures his incredible journey through life and offers up a tale that can inspire and teach us all.

Jay Cookingham

LiveJournal Tags: Book review

By Invitation Only

noreply@blogger.com (Jay Cookingham) — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 23:25:00 +0000

“Then Jesus said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” Mark 1:17

This the greatest ongoing invitation ever given…nothing else compares. Entrance to the Kingdom of God is open; Trinity fellowship is ready to be enjoyed and a quest prepared to be shared.

By invitation only…

No pressure, no arm twisting, no gimmicks, no hard sell, no fine print, no strings attached…

Just…Come follow me…

Becoming a disciple requires a choice to follow, a buy in, a sold-out surrender to the call and to the quest to “become”. The invitation is engraved…on our hearts and our reply is to become part of the invitation. We are sent…royal invitations…wrapped in a message of love to share the Good News. The address is applied by the Master, not the disciple, where we follow and where we are sent is in His hands. Thankfully, this is a message “hand delivered” by the Master…we are sent by and in His hands.

Come follow me…what a journey!

“Christ did not appoint professors, but followers. If Christianity ... is not reduplicated in the life of the person expounding it, then he does not expound Christianity, for Christianity is a message about living and can only be expounded by being realized in men's lives.” - Soren Kierkegaard

LiveJournal Tags: discipleship,Jesus,invite