Winter is here - Let me tell you about an exciting last 3 1/2 months! (part 1 of 2)

This site is primarily for family, friends, and whoever cares to read about my journey in Christ. 

Note:  If you are looking for my devotionals go to: http://www.biblefood.blogspot.com/

This blog is long, and I do hope some will still read it since I took the time to put it together.  Thanks :-)

I also have added a video blog right here for those who would rather see and hear me share about these last few months, see attached Video Blog:

As I get ready to share in this blog, I found it interesting that outside of the USA we have had the most visits here from Russia (no way! who?), Taiwan (really? who?), and Nigeria (no surprise here - lol).  I would love to know who's keeping up with my journey from Russian, Taiwan, and Nigeria :-)  Actually, anyone outside of my immediate family and friends, I would love to know who you are.

This update will be broken into two parts  as it is much longer than usual as so much has happened in  the past 4 months, but it will get you up to speed on what's happening in my journey.  This blog will cover September/October. Then, in a few days I'll blog again covering November/December.

I will share the good (mostly) and the bad and ugly some, but I won't go into too much detail since this is viewable by all, and I do want to maintain some level of privacy matters.  You can always email me directly at: biblefood@gmail.com

So here's my new update:

September

Actually, we have to briefly go back to August, as a lot of what I have to share will be connected to an event in August.  Back in August we were told by some friends to watch "Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead" (1 hr. 37 min. movie/documentary). 

Free on Netflix and Hulu. (http://www.hulu.com/watch/289122/fat-sick-and-nearly-dead) and then the "Food Matters" (1 hr. 17 min. movie/documentary). 

This was the start of a change to my health and weight loss.  Joyce and I watched this in mid-August and we both decided to give it a go.  In order to change our eating habits, we had to rid the house of many processed/junk foods (some of which we may have overlooked as good foods).  So, we took about 3 weeks to slowly transition away from processed and junk foods to mainly fruits and vegetables.  During that transition, I lost 2 to 5 lbs. That was a pleasant surprise! Also, we got the book "Eat to Live" b y Dr. Fuhrman. What a great book of healthy eating and cooking! Then, on September 16th we started "officially" on our juicing, raw foods, healthy homemade soups, and salad diet.  I did the "Reboot" as it is called, and Joyce mainly did the "Eat to Live".  I really don't like calling either of them a "diet".  As diets are all those things we "try" and fail at, and are often not really healthy.  What Joyce and I did was more of a lifestyle change to healthy eating. So, that began a journey that would affect us in many areas of our life, all in a positive way.   Also, as shared previously, we had an eventful September with Joyce's birthday, my birthday and our anniversary.  September was quite an exciting month.

October
What a beautiful month and weather was great too!


Autumn tree from my back porch.  Beautiful!

By the end of October, I had lost approximately 17 lbs. - how exciting!  Also, most importantly, I have noticed that I fall asleep faster.  It used to take me a couple hours, now it's usually 5-15 minutes. I am still tired a lot, but at least I'm not dragging my butt 24/7 like I used to.  I have more energy and looking forward to that continuing to be the case. In addition to that, I have seen almost all of my digestive problems disappear.  So, I'm thrilled with the improvement in my health at the end of October with noticeable positive differences, and will share more of that in my November/December blog that I will be sharing in a few days (then I'll be caught up to the current time :-) in my blog).

Also, by the grace of God and others blessing Joyce with the airfare, Joyce was able to visit her 98-year-old grandmother.  When Joyce asked her, "Do you know who I am", she answered back, "Of course I know who you are, you're Joyce."  That made Joyce feel good, and she enjoyed her visit with her Grandmother, mother, sister, brother and other family and friends :-)

For those who think life is suppose to be a bed of roses, on the not so good side our financial situation is the worse in over a decade, really stretching us to believe God during this time. Honestly, it is quite draining emotionally, as well as financially.  I really don't care about "things" much now.  I just want to pay my bills, enjoy family, and hopefully get to see more of them and more often.  Also, most important of all to me is to live a life that pleases God, which often goes contrary to people's logic.  Being a God pleaser is so much more important than being a people pleaser.

To end this blog, on the more humorous side, here is a pic of our dog Rusty sleeping, he looks like he's dead but it's just one of his favorite sleep positions.



Rusty sleeping

Glad to be able to share with you all, your prayers are always needed and appreciated.

I'll post again in a few days, until then be blessed and be a blessing!

Summer almost gone - Exciting times!

It seem so strange that I am writing as summer is coming to an end and fall is coming in (though slowly). Our temperatures for the beginning of September have been in the  low 90's, but some cooler days, I think next week is supposed to be highs in the 80's all week (nice).

So what has happened since my last blog?

Weather wise from mid June to late August, the days have been hot, 90's every day (I think we hit a 100 once or twice).  While Joyce was miserable, I was fine as long as I thought about the Northern winters. 
I would rather have 100 than zero any day!

In July:

On my sister's (Terri) birthday (July 22) was also the birthday of Miki's daughter. It was a home delivery with a mid-wife and done in a large tub of water. The baby is Isabella, Miki's first girl after 3 boys. She makes our 7th grandchild.

Here is my first picture post of my granddaughter - Isabella Violet, born July 22, 2011.
Weight 7 lbs 8 oz and 18 3/4 inches long. She is a healthy baby - PTL!
 
Brandon (Miki's middle child) had a birthday in July, too.  He's a great grandkid - He's 7!

In August:
  

August 15th went to Billy Graham Library in Charlotte (about 35 mins from our home).
  

August 22 - Joyce and I went to Justus Apple Orchard. Took a little drive up to Hendersonville to pick apples and blackberries! Fun day!

On August 27th - We have been in Charlotte for over a year now. Really felt part of my ministry here would be Campus ministry to college students, so I was delighted when a friend asked me to come to the first meeting of http://intlcampusconnections.com/   We had approx. 35-45 students from 10 foreign countries: Philippines, China, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, Iran, Netherlands, India, Sweden. It was an exciting time for me with having a heart for University students and for missions.

As we go into September:

Today, we went to Jim and Jan's 50th Annivesary, they live in South Carolina (one hour away). We used to go to the same church in Woodstock, GA, until 2005 (when I took the pastorate in Pennsylvania).

Other thing coming in September:
Joyce's birthday is tommorow she'll be ____. You'll have to ask her, I ain't telling.

Then, my birthday on the 16th. Where have all the years gone!!!

Our anniversary is on the 25th, and I love Joyce more with each new day (we're lifers).

So September should be a busy month :-)

That's all the highlights I'll share in this blog.  
As always, we've had trials too (who hasn't), but in today's blog we'll just end it here on a positive note.

God Bless!

Jim

For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.  PSA. 100:5

Loving Charlotte, loving Jesus more :-) Spring 2011

Summer weather is upon us and has been for a month. Most days it gets into the 90’s. We haven’t crossed the 100 degree mark, but expect we will as summer officially begins tomorrow (June 21).

In early May, Joyce went to Houston, Texas, to see and care for Lucas (now 6 months old). She had a great time!

In mid-May, I went to Las Vegas for 8 days of ministry at a pool/billiards event (1,000’s). I worked in the only OPENLY Christian booth at this event, giving out free prizes, free Christian literature, running a Bible Study AND praying with people. As expected, God did many wonderful things!

Then in late May, Joyce was off to Atlanta for a baby shower. We will soon be grandparents again. We wait with excitement for our next grandchild to be born in July. Isabella, we can’t wait to have you with us and to love on you and teach you the ways of Christ J

We received the good news in May that my daughter Christine (age 26), who has lupus, has finally been approved for disability after more than 2-1/2 years. That means she is also eligible for Medicaid and can finally receive the medical treatment she has needed so badly. Please continue to pray for her health.

On June 18, we celebrated one year living in Charlotte, NC (moved from Kane, PA). It has made it a lot easier to visit family in Atlanta (kids and grandchildren) and to have them visit us. Meanwhile, in our everyday life we love it here in Charlotte. We have so much to do here! I take our dog Rusty on bike rides with me, and we also have some great paved walking trails around Charlotte, too. I find there is much to do here in Charlotte, and more importantly MUCH to do for the Lord in Charlotte. We also feel it is a great location for our ministry to branch out from, and we are only 25 minutes from the airport, making travel convenient. There is lots of good to say about Charlotte, and we’re happy to be here.

Tomorrow (June 21) is also a special day as I celebrate 36 years as a born again Christian (John 3:3, 1 Peter 1:23). I was saved and became a new creation (II Cor. 5:17) on June 21, 1975, while attending a Catholic prayer meeting at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Danbury, CT. What an exciting day to walk in spiritually dead to God, full of hate, bitterness, etc., and to walk out of that meeting spiritually alive to God and having the peace and joy of the Lord! I’ve never been the same and will never have to live in darkness again. Over these 36 years, I can say I love my Jesus more and more with each passing day. I will say Christianity is not boring, and ALWAYS more to learn and grow in as to my relationship to the Lord.

We still attend a “house church” (actually a couple). We have been doing so for 5 months now. It has been a great spiritual experience, and we have developed some really good relationships in a relatively short time. It is different than an “organized” church where a minister usually speaks and the people mostly just listen. In these small groups, many have the opportunity to share and we learn a lot of the Bible from each other. It is quite awesome, and praise God no flakiness.

At the same time, we have found an “organized church” we also attend – “Life Fellowship” (http://www.lifecharlotte.com). I love the rich Bible teaching there and friendly atmosphere. Also, they have a great weekly broadcast on YouTube called “One Minute Apologist” by Pastor Bobby Conway (and guest speakers). They sure do put a lot into these short clips! I encourage all to listen to them at: http://www.youtube.com/oneminuteapologist

That's pretty much our Spring 2011. May the LORD give us more good reports in the coming months.

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6

Life is NOT a Bed of Roses – Okay!

“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.” (2 Corinthians 4:17)

Paul in the same letter wrote these words:
“In journeys often, in perils (danger) of waters, in perils (danger) of robbers, in perils (danger) of my own countrymen, in perils (danger) of the Gentiles, in perils (danger) in the city, in perils (danger) in the wilderness, in perils (danger) in the sea, in perils (danger) among false brethren; in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness—besides the other things [like being stoned (i.e. rocked to death) and left for dead], what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches." (2 Corinthians 11:26-28). Yet, Paul counted these as light when compared to the "substantial magnitude" of the glory awaiting him in heaven. We would count these things as heavy weight and maybe even unbearable – But Paul looking at what awaits him in heaven and then being fully in God’s presence says, “Our light affliction.”

I want us to keep that in mind as I share from my heart about what life has been like lately. When I get to sharing in my devotions and blogs, I want to share all the "good" and "exciting" things with you all. And normally that's what you'll primarily get, but with that being said, I also think that we (including me) need to be transparent enough that we don't have everyone thinking we "walk on a bed of roses." Because that is not true for me and it's not true for anyone reading this. As Job says, “Yet man is born to trouble…” (Job 5:7 also see Job 14:1) and as Solomon says apart from a walk with Christ, these words, “Then I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had expended in doing it, and behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun” – Eccles. 2:11. If we don’t keep our eyes on Jesus (see Heb. 12:2), we will feel just like Solomon in this passage. Here is one reason we need to let the body of Christ (at least those we trust) know “hey, everything is not great." (See Heb. 10:25)

Personally, I struggle with major fatigue issues, insomnia, and other health-related issues, also some hurtful family matters, unemployment (no job) and not looking so bright for a 51-year-old with little "secular" talent. But God will make a way!!!

So, I guess in this update I want you to know I'm going through a really rough time in many areas - But through it all I am attempting to keep my eyes on Jesus. If I could just talk about Jesus and read about Jesus (when not too fatigued) all the time, I think that would be great. But in truth, life has its exciting times (mine are mostly Christ-related) and its down times (health issues, family issues, financial issues, etc). Note: Through it all I have a very understanding wife. Praise the Lord!

Lesson learned on trials and suffering:
Back in the late 1990's I started BibleFood Devotional (www.biblefood.org) and had an e-mail list at one time of over 6500 members (quite exciting). Then, over next decade the internet has changed and membership dropped to a smaller list (2,000) and has really gone more the way of the blog for sharing my devotions (www.biblefood.blogspot.com).

The point is through that devotional many, many wonderful things have happened. Among those things, I started to see almost everyone has "stuff" they are dealing with. It might be an illness, a divorce, a death, a rebellious child. The list is endless (and many have a combination of these ALL going on at the same time).

I think this has helped me to see my personal trials were not special or unique and to see that everyone has life trials. I like to tell people, "THIS AIN'T HEAVEN." I think the sooner we see that, the better off we are, as we will stop the why me and start seeing it is ALL of us living in a fallen/sin-filled world.

I even thought (sometimes still tempted to think) "why God did you make me thus?"

Yet, in all that I don't necessarily like about myself, my weaknesses, my "lot" in life, God has flowed through this broken vessel called Jim Mazzulla, yeah, he has!!! Blows me away!!!

I also love the fact that the less I accomplish (in my power), the more I can see God working in this broken vessel (Jim). (See Rom. 8:28, Phil. 1:6)

Life is not all fun, I don't handle everything like a "spiritual giant", but to KNOW that my God will NEVER leave me or FORSAKE me (see Heb. 13:5) is absolutely awesome. No matter what outside circumstances are screaming at me, God will see me through! (See Phil. 4:13)

So be encouraged that you were wrong to ever think this life would be easy or trial-free AND try to accept what you have no control over, or move out of the way in those areas God has told you to leave alone.

In the end it is all about GLORIFYING GOD!

My prayer for me and you is that our Lord would reveal to us, that no matter how dark it may seem (or be), He is with us ALWAYS! And that our lives here are to be lived not for us but for our creator, and to GIVE ALL GLORY TO HIM.

(These scriptures alone make for a good study on Glorifying God, please take the time to read them - See Psa. 50:23; Jeremiah 9:24; Isa. 24:15; I Cor. 3:20; I Cor. 10:31; I Peter 4:16, Rev. 4:11 & 5:13)

So my friends, family, and brothers and sisters in Christ, don't let ANYTHING (or anyone) take you away from the truth that "if God before us, who can be against us" – Rom. 8:31

He is God and I will praise Him! (Read PSA. 150:1-6)

AMEN! AMEN!

Other devotions/teaching on trials, test, tribulation (and other subjects) are available at: www.biblefood.org/archive.html

Trusting in God's perfect timing"

Church hunt, job hunt, and ministry...

Church: We have been in a church hunt since the church we attended closed in September. It's been interesting. We actually have been considering one of two PCA Presbyterian churches for quite some time, but most recently we are considering a "House Church." No more fluff churches (itching ears), no more all over the place week to week. I want to be in a strong Bible and Christ exalting church (body of believers).

Job/employment:

I am believing and ask you to believe with me for a full-time, decent-paying job here in Charlotte. I do not like job hunting. I honestly find it quite depressing. It is so competitive, so many looking for employment, and most applications processes are automated. I like the days when you dressed for success, showed up at a company, filled out a resume and in some cases interviewed then or scheduled an interview. Those days are long gone!!! For the most part, they don't even want to see you until the very end of the process...which often doesn't even happen. But just like all areas of life, I must believe that God is in Control. He's not worried about my job situation - lol!

As for me and ministry...

As many of you know, I had pastored for 4 years (2005-2009) a small church in PA. Now with being out of pastorate for 1-1/2 years, most of my ministry has been ministering to people wherever He opens opportunity, ranging from a evangelistic booth at a convention(s), to missions work in Africa, and a lot of blogging, teaching, and ministry by way of internet, emails, phone calls, and in person. I do enjoy discipling people and traveling ministry, of which I have been able to do some of both in the last 1-1/2 years.

So where is ministry taking me in the future? At this point, I'm not really sure, but I know my steps are ordered of Him. As stated in Psalm 37:23:The steps of a [good] man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. I absolutely believe in my heart that my calling is as real today as ever. I feel I am still a pastor/shepherd at heart. I love teaching God's Word, and I want to see the lost come to Christ. So ministry is alive and well, where it matters most- in my heart.

Currently, I have 3 active websites: http://www.goproclaim.com/, http://www.biblefood.org/ and http://www.christianpoolplayers.com/

I also have three main blogs: http://www.goproclaim.blogspot.com/ (this one) and http://www.biblefood.blogspot.com/ (devotional blog). And if you are interested in a Charismatic and Reformed perspective on things go to: http://www.charismaticreformed.wordpress.com/ :-)

I do a lot of ministry on Facebook (yes, it can be a positive tool). http://www.facebook.com/jim.mazzulla

I share a lot of spiritual helpful things on Twitter: http://twitter.com/jim.mazzulla or search Jim Mazzulla. I have 201 people following me there, and I have written 378 tweets :-)

Life is a journey with its highs and its lows, but I wouldn't trade my life in Christ for anything. I like to say it this way, "The worst day a Christian will ever have, is still better than the best day a lost sinner (non-christian) will ever have; or put another way, this (earth) is the closest to Hell the Christian will ever get (it only gets better, heaven), but for the lost sinner this is the closest to Heaven he'll ever get (it only gets worse, hell)".

That sure puts things in perspective.

I look forward to sharing more of my journey in Christ with you all.

God bless!!! (Eph. 1:3)

How 2010 ended and 2011 has started...hum

I last blogged in early December. So since then we have had Christmas, New Years, a visit to our kids and more...

So let's run through these highlights since early December.

Christmas has come and gone! It was a quiet day just me and Joyce (plus Joyce working all day) and no other family. The highlight actually was Christmas Eve. We went to a church service and worshiped our Lord with other believers rejoicing in our Jesus and His coming into this earth as a baby. One born to ultimately be crucified and bear our sins. WOW!

So though a quiet Christmas day, my highlight was Christmas Eve. Always good to get our eyes off all the commercialized holiday hype and onto Jesus Christ. Then late December 25th and into December 26th we had our first snow fall (4-5") here in Charlotte, NC. So we sort, almost, kinda had a white Christmas here in Charlotte, NC. Rusty our dog loves the snow.

Here is a clip of Rusty playing in our Charlotte snow on December 26, 2010.

Then came the New Year! I almost get a kick out of how people look forward to every "new" year. Most are happy the last on is past, and the one before that, and the one before that, etc, etc. You get the point. I do look at it as sort of a good "let's start this over and hope it's better than last year". Job so fitly put it, "Man is made for trouble... Be a realist this year (2011) has some unexpected challenges ahead of us. My prayer is Lord give me your grace to be ready for it. II Cor 10:13 and James 1: 2-4.

Some of these (if not all) of these are blessings even if in disguise as the Lord will use everything for our good if we live for Him (Romans 8:28).

Personally, my 2010 had some great moments!!! But as is natural it also had some not so great moments. It ended on sort of a sorrow note and no real excitement. Clock turning from 2010 to 2011 was just another day. So how should we go into a new year? As for me, my prayer is I'm ready for the obvious blessings, and please strengthen me for the unexpected challenges. So have I depressed you yet - lol! I'm not trying to just be ready :-)

Visiting family in Atlanta, GA on January 17th. See I'm ending this on a high note :-)

After missing our kids and grandkids for Christmas we were able to visit them January 17-21. It was a great time. We don't take family for granted (and don't you either). Boy do they grow so fast!!!

Next blog we will get into "Warning turbulence ahead"and "The timing of God" in our lives.

That title will take on more meaning to ME and you in our next blog. Coming soon! :-)