Rev. Dr. Jay Hogewood is Senior Pastor at St. John’s United Methodist Church in Baton Rouge. He previously served as pastor of Ingleside and St. Luke’s in Baton Rouge. Jay served 15 years in ministry as a pastor in the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. He is currently seeking to become an Elder in Full Connection in the United Methodist Church. He received his B.A. in English and history from Samford University in Birmingham; he then completed his M.Div. at Truett Theological Seminary at Baylor University. His Ph.D. is in Hebrew Bible/Theological Hermeneutics conferred by Brite Divinity School, Texas Christian University. Jay is married to Amy James, a local artist in film photography. They have four children. Watch Bill Hawn read the scripture text for the day and then read Jays word of testimony. Have a great day! People from across the countryside of Judea and from the city of Jerusalem came to John the Baptizer and confessed that they were deeply flawed and needed help, so he cleansed them with the waters of the Jordan (Mark 1:5 The Voice). “Are you finally ready to stop hiding?” That’s how he said it. My pastor a handful of years ago called me out. I was struggling with a massive decision. For several months, I wandered away from God’s call on my life. Facing a wilderness of my own making, I wondered aloud in the safe space my pastor made for me, hoping help would really come. He knew my story but only the generalities. I was holding back. Reluctant to bear my soul. Finally, after dozens of meetings, he called me out. Like a blazing flare of grace and mercy rocketing into my soul, he opened in me a new possibility “Are you ready to be found?” I once heard a biblical scholar say that confession is the link that connects contrition to repentance. By admitting our sin, we move from the emotion of sorrow over sin to the action of moving away from sin. This is the hope – confessing our sin and experiencing the cleansing of sin – that John the Baptist brings to the world. John’s work inaugurates the monumental gift of Jesus into all creation and into our lives. May we consider again the power of confessing our flaws, our failings, and our fractures. May we sense again our need for cleansing – a cleansing Jesus brings to everyone who calls his name. Prayer: We need your help, Lord Jesus. Prepare your way and make your path straight in our lives. Lead us to confess our sins unto you and experience again your glorious entrance into our world. Amen.
Posted on: Sat, 06 Dec 2014 11:55:00 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015