2012 in Review and a look at 2013.

 

This site is primarily for family, friends,

and whoever cares to read about my journey in Christ

Sort of like an open diary.

 

 

"In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, ⁷ that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ." 1 Peter 1:6–7

  

2012 - WOW! What a year! I can't really say I'll miss it as it was a year of trials and valleys for the most part.  As always, even in that God was at work in my life (see scripture above).  AMEN FOR THAT!

Today, I am going to briefly go through a couple areas of my life,

and then go through the last year nationally (and some world events),

and then have some closing words in "my" look at 2013.

My prayer is that you will continue to lift up me, my family and this ministry (www.goproclaim.com) AND that something in what I share, especially from scripture, will speak to your heart.

Let's get started!

 

The last few months have been pretty much a continuation of previous months, so I won't get into much detail except for my year in cycling and new church plant possibility.

 

As for my cycling: That has been one of my most exciting adventures and allowed me much quiet time to think things through, and talk to the Lord and have Him speak to me (through the Bible and in my heart). 

Here is the breakdown of my year in cycling:

It started with a goal of 1250 miles by year end, but to my surprise it ended with cycling a total of 3,223 miles. It involved one crash/injury in May, of which I am 90-95% healed (except the colder weather has brought out much more pain in the injured joints). I also was able to do my first charity ride in July for Cystic Fibrosis raising $415.  That was my cycling highlight (raising money and doing this ride).

 

We were heavily involved in "House Church Movement" in 2011, and it was a good time, but didn't at all convince me against the "institutional church" as some (many) in that movement believe.  It did show me that my personal desire (with I believe the Lord's leading) is to have a church with as little overhead as possible, and to do much for the kingdom with a smaller group (zero desire for a mega church), but as always, to build on the Bible and not the ways of man (how ever good they may seem).  Thus, I started, "The Gathering" and a new blog at:
 http://thegatheringnc.wordpress.com/ with the theme "Small church with a big vision."  As such, we have been meeting with some couples at our house and at their homes.  It is sort of like a pre-church launch as we seek God for 2013 and the possibility of pastoring again.  I do feel I am pastoring in my calling even though I don't have a "congregation" to speak of. 

So, those are the two biggest highlights that stand out to me for 2012.
Note: I'm sure the Lord might highlight other things in my year :-)

Now, I would like to look at the year in review (nationally/worldwide). Boy, was it a crazy year for the most part!

Just a few events of 2012:

 

July 20th - 12 people are killed and 59 injured after a gunman opens fire at a Dark Knight movie premier in Aurora, Colorado. 

 

July 27 to August 12 - The 2012 Summer Olympics in London.

 

September 11th - The US consulate in Benghazi, Libya, is stormed, looted and burned down, killing five people including the US ambassador.

 

October 29th - Hurricane Sandy makes landfall in New Jersey resulting in 110 deaths and $50+ billion in damage including the New York area and other East coast states.

November 6th - Barack Obama wins the presidency again this time over Mitt Romney.

December 14th - 28 people, including 20 children, are shot to death at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut.  A most horrific shooting in my hometown of Newtown!

 

It is hard to date all the car bombs/fighting/wars around the world, including Syria, Israel, and Palestine to name a few. 

 

While 2012 had many tragic happenings, I know for many there were some exciting good things that happened too and for that I rejoice. I really rejoice!!!

 

Now looking into 2013 (from my perspective).

For starters, I always find it interesting that people welcome in the New Year like it won't have the trials and tragedies that the previous year brought us. 

 

Yet God's Word (Bible) says in Job 14:1 "Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble" and in John 16:33 "These things I have spoken unto you, that IN ME (Jesus) ye might have PEACE. In the WORLD ye shall have TRIBULATION: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world".  And there are numerous scriptures that say the same thing.  Yes, as a Christian we can have "the peace of God that passes all understanding" (Phil. 4:7).  But those without Christ do not have this hope, so year after year they keep hoping the next year will be better, but unless they come into a relationship with Christ, they will have the same emptiness, and many troubles as this year 2013 comes to an end; then again some how hope 2014 will be better, and the cycle will continues for the rest of their lives (especially that emptiness only Christ can fill).

As you now enter into the new year, I don't have to be a prophet to tell you, you will have trials and troubles, but if you have Christ in your life you can have a peace that is amazing, and you will grow through any trials thrown your way.  Like every year should be, let this be a year that you grow closer and closer to Jesus.

In His Service,

Jim

I do not count myself to have apprehended ; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.   PHILIPPIANS 3:13-14

Seeking God's Will all Summer LONG!

This site is primarily for family, friends,

and whoever cares to read about my journey in Christ
Sort of like an open diary.

This blog will cover quite a few subjects and is a little lengthy.

My shared scripture and brief thought:

And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship,

and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. Acts 2:42

I would like to break down 4 essentials to being God's Church:

1. Committed to Apostles Doctrine (teachings of the BIBLE) 

2. Fellowship - This was doing LIFE TOGETHER

3. Breaking of bread - Either sharing a common meal and/or Lord's Supper

4. Prayers - We need this in our modern church

What a good guideline for the newborn church of Acts and for us today!

That's my little nugget for today's blog.

Now, We'll look at various areas in my journey over the past few months.

CYCLING:

 In my last blog I mentioned hurting my arm and wrist(s) on May 17 when I feel off my bike. Well, I'm happy to report it is pretty well healed, still hurts occasionally ,and I still don't try to lift heavy stuff with it.  Then, this summer I battled with a hurting knee.  That is under control as long as I put ice on it after rides, massage it, and take a basic anti-inflammatory.

Back in the end of July I cycled 35 (34.54 miles) to help raise funds for the
Cycstic Fibrosis Foundation

I had a blast doing it through the rolling hills of Waxhaw, NC

My support for this great cause was slow coming in and then in the last 2 weeks of July it jumped up. My final amount raised was $415.00 - Praise the Lord! 

Peanut Loop - 2 miles

Also, with riding about 300+ miles most months, I have found the Greenways are great for rides and going through UNCC campus (my highlight). Then, recently I started going to the "Peanut Loop" for cycing (above).  It's a nice, safe, well lit oval ride that looks like it was made for cycling.  It is around 2 miles long and I just go around it as many times as I like. It is one of the most popular cycling spots in the north Charlotte area.

WEATHER:

The temperature has been wonderful.  Actually, I like it warm so I'm not thrilled about what the next few months is going to bring but enjoying the moment.  No heat on, no air on, just open windows when it's not too chilly.  Over a 12 month period I would rate the weather in Charlotte as an 8 out 10.  Fall and Spring I would give it a 10 out of 10.  It's just wonderful.  Trees just now starting to turn, so full Fall foliage should happen in another couple weeks.

SPIRITUALLY  

This part of my journey I'll start with this clip from "Casting Crowns" (one of my favorite Christian groups). The song is called, "Praise You in This Storm."   Pretty much tells my story at this time.  

This is the worse financial situation I have been in for the last decade.  The late 1980's and early 1990's had been a pretty bad time financially, and in every other way possible.  In that trying time, I fell a way from the Lord and ran in the wrong direction for awhile.  This time with financial struggles, family issues, and then spiritually things seeming so quiet, too quiet! I have not gone the way of the world to fill the silence, struggles, and pains.  This time is so different than my last desert exprience (in 1980's-1990's). I have really tried to keep my focus on the Lord AND I have a level of peace through it all (which doesn't mean an absence of pain, stress, etc.).  It's hard to explain it. but I'm happy I'm not in 24/7 torment.  I am also blessed with a wonderful wife (Joyce) who is going through this with me. Boy does that make a difference! Though some of it has to be just me and God, she shares in a lot; but she doesn't get to be in my personal desert and time of face to face with God, that is my responsibility.  I know God is working in these trials, I know He is faithful, and ultimately it will all work out.  But in the mean time pray for me to "be strong in the Lord", and also pray for my family and fiances.

CHURCH

We are still involved with 1-2 house church groups, and visit a local fellowship when those house groups can't meet, and we will be starting a church in our home in November.  The main thing is being where God wants you and serving God and seeing His people as church and is not a building, but the people of God under the direction and care of the Lord Jesus Christ.

GO PROCLAIM MINISTRIES 
Our website (www.goproclaim.com) is slowly evolving into a better site.  Also, we are open to ideas for a new logo (I'm working on it, but would love input).  Things have been so quiet in Go Proclaim Ministries (zero support in the past year), but I have been able to chat online with many around the world, and counsel quite a bit by e-mail, chat, messaging, and some on the phone. That has been exciting and rewarding.

Praise note: There is also a couple that I have wanted to see get married, and to do their wedding, a month or so they announced they are engaged and want me to do their wedding (August 2013), I am so excited.   

Also check out my (newer) blog "Simply and Profoundly Christian" at: http://blessedtobeachristian.wordpress.com/
And my brand new "church blog" called "The Gathering" http://thegatheringnc.wordpress.com/  
Note: Some of my blogs have different info, sometime the blogs carry some of the same materials/articles.

BibleFood Devotional  
BibleFood Devotional website (www.biblefood.org) is doing well, last month we had our highest visits for the year with 211 visits per day.  This is another site needing some updates. You can follow BibleFood devotional on our website (www.biblefood.org) and our blog (www.biblefood.blogspot.com) and our BibleFood Twitter account (www.twitter.com/jimmazzulla)

Christian Pool Players Association (CPPA) -  I play about 3 hours a month, but not a whole lot of outreach. We did meet once this summer with brothers and sisters in Christ for a night of fellowship and playing pool for 3 hours (and will be meeting again this week).  It was also good because I got a chance over that time to reacquaint myself with some of the local pool players, it was an all around good time. I would like to play in an in-house weekly tournament, but my game isn't quite what it was. Not that I care about winning, I just would like to play a somewhat respectable game.  It also gives me opportunities to build relationships with other pool players (which has been fruitful in the past).  But my main reason I'm not playing is that with the tournament fee (though relatively small considering I play non-stop for 2 1/2 - 3 hours) and gas (round trip) adds up to about $30 an event - As I stated earlier, money is super tight right now :-/

CONCLUSION

ELECTION - I'm not thrilled with our choices, but please do vote while we still have the freedom to do so.

Please pray for ministry opportunities to open soon.

Thanks all for taking an interest in my life :-)

Jim

My Journey - Spring is here!!!

This site is primarily for family, friends, 

and whoever cares to read about my journey in Christ.

Have A Jesus Blessed "Resurrection Day!"

As we "officially" celebrate Easter, I personally call it "Resurrection Day."  This day would prove whether Jesus was either a liar, a lunatic, or LORD!  His Resurrection showed He is indeed LORD!!!  

For more on this, see my devotion

"Lord, Liar, or Lunatic? at : www.biblefood.blogspot.com

Now to what's been happening over the past 3 months...

ME CYCLING!!!

Cycling continues.  I have only missed one week since starting to ride.  Not bad considering I thought the winter would be a problem, but it was such a mild winter, I was able to get out on my bike regularly (although it was cold a few times).

My longest ride is 19.65 miles (done on March 31) and my total miles in March is 185 miles (a record month). 

WEIGHT LOSS/NUTRITION

Weigh in:  I have lost a total of 30 lbs. and kept it off. I have changed most of my eating habits permanently. I am now working on exercise (cycling), and trying to eat more alkaline foods rather than acidic.

HOUSE CHURCH
We are now involved with 2 (sometimes 3) house church groups (two in Charlotte, one in Mooresville, and occasionally one in Huntersville).

JOB
I am still working at a local vitamin/health store. It has had its challenges - Especially battling against my memory issues and brain fog (nothing new), but at times it can be very discouraging.  And to top it off the pay is low!  Please keep praying for that right job to come along in ministry or otherwise.

MINISTRY
This has been a quiet time for ministry outside of House Church, and occasional opportunity at work.
So, I'm open to ministering as an interim pastor, missions, teacher, etc. I just want to serve Him in a meaningful way.  I recently went through Ecclesiastes, and really could relate to it.  Apart from Christ being in every aspect of your life, life really is meaningless.  Solomon had everything, but when He left the Lord out of the equation, his life (existence) was meaningless.


Christian Pool Players Association (CPPA) - I have been tempted to give up (pull the plug) on CPPA due to time required, lack of supporters, and needing a person to help take it to the next level. Plus in 2011, my playing went from fair to worse.  In the last month or so, I have been playing a little to see if it is even still in me. I haven't lost the joy for the game or the burden for the lost in the pool industry.  As with any outreach, you have to go where the people are. Contrary to popular opinion, people don't just come to church, and we have to go to where they are, and in my case that means pool rooms.  Please do pray for my game to improve enough to play a respectable game and to also (and most importantly) give me a platform to share Christ. If ANYONE has this same burden and would like to work with me, please email me or comment below.

Missions - I have also been asked by a ministry in India, who I know well, as I spent 3 weeks with them in India, to be the USA contact in helping organize groups to go on mission trips to India :-)

CONCLUSION

So, here we are at the the beginning of a wonderful warm Spring.  I am happy also for the longer days :-)
There is still some stress and breakdown with relationships with family members (not Joyce - She's the BEST).  Some do not understand some of the stands I take and feel I must take, but there again, I must live how I believe is right, and will be ultimately accountable to just one, that is God.

Please pray for me as I deal with these family issues and resulting emotional pain, and for me to be used of God in 2012.

Thanks all for taking an interest in my life :-)

Jim

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)

Ministry changes at our Church and in my future ministry!

I have been the Senior Pastor at Community Fellowship Church (CFC) in Kane, PA, for the past 4 years with NO regrets, but my position as Senior Pastor has come to an end. Our church leadership, including myself during the last year had made the decision for an elder-led church. With me having no church income, there is a need to obtain secular work. On top of that, we are hoping for a good paying secular job or a full-time ministry position will open in a warmer climate and, hopefully, closer to our children and grand-children. With these possible changes in my life, it was suggested I withdraw from consideration as an elder, so I did. We (Joyce and I) feel our calling may be in another direction of ministry than Kane. That being said, I am still a member of CFC and will still be teaching in the church, as my church recognizes that I have a call to ministry and to teach.

Meanwhile, Christian Pool Players Association is growing and maturing at a great rate in 2009. I believe God's hand is on CPPA and I am able to give more time to it than I have in the past 4 years as Senior Pastor. See: http://www.christianpoolplayers.com/

Also, over 30 years ago God put in my heart "Africa" and a desire to minister there. In God's plan and timing, it is about to come to pass. I have been invited to be guest speaker in various churches in Nigeria, Africa (Nov. 27 to Jan. 3, 2010). Now, during an economic crisis in America, I just need to raise $2500 to make this trip. No big deal to God!

Links: www.goproclaim.com/africa.htm and www.goproclaim.com/support.htm

I can definitly say this is a year of "change" in my life. As I head rapidly toward 50 yrs. old, I feel the Lord has plans for me beyond how he has used me up tuntil now. So, in my heart (not my emotions) I excitingly look forward.

Until next time - Be blessed and be a blessing!