Jeremy Dillon Productions

Packing: I have too much stuff!

jeremygriswold — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 01:11:00 +0000

So I am getting ready to drive to Kentucky in a few days; headed out to the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville. As I am trying to get packed up and fit everything I own in my little Toyota Corolla, I am realizing that I am blessed with many “things of this world”. I praise God that he has clothed me and fed me for so many years. This morning’s readings have reminded me where those blessings come from:

Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. (Matthew 6:31-34 ESV)

Pray that I will “seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness” because it is so easy to trust the blessings rather than the One who gives the blessings. O that I would never trust anything but Christ!

Blessed with every spiritual blessing for life and godliness,

Crazy Family: got to love them!

jeremygriswold — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 18:42:29 +0000

I spent the weekend with my extended family, not to far from where I live. It is amazing to see the generations all together and God’s faithfulness to our family. I am grateful that our family has continued this tradition (that is, meeting on a hot, fly infested farm, for 101 years!). However, many funny things occur when you put this much family together. For one my great aunt Lucy “brands” every male with her red lipstick, then points and laughs every time you walk by yelling “you’ve been branded”. She also has a love for singing, and no only patriotic song, but songs that she makes up on the spot.

I also love my grandma who at the family softball game yelled out “heavy batter.” As my mom leaned over and asked if she meant heavy hitter, my brother yelled from the field, “is that a fat joke!” As finite humans we have to learn to laugh at our own mistakes and quarks. That is why I love my family, fully ready to embrace their quarks and imperfections! Lets just say the apple hasn’t fallen too far from the tree.

- J.D

Up and Running

jeremygriswold — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 07:00:29 +0000

Hey everyone!

I am officially launching the new website! I hope to be blogging more; also I have posted some of my recommended resources, all in which I have read or listened too.

Peace,

J.D

Advice for the Friends of Mourners (Job 2)

jeremygriswold — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 14:00:37 +0000

Recently, I have had the opportunity of starting a Bible overview. In 61 days the overview will hit different portions of scripture and today was Job. I have read through Job before, but this time was different. After losing my father almost four years ago, I have found much comfort in the story of Job. This time around, in thinking about Job’s friends, I simply have to laugh.

Around the time of my father’s death, everyone—I know they were good intentioned people—gave their own terrible and otherwise baffling advice to how my family should react to cancer and death. If that wasn’t bad enough, most people stretched to find some semblance of common ground, which sounded like this. “I’m sorry to hear about your dad; you know I had a dog that died a while back and it was pretty hard.” Yes—pick your jaw up—that was actually said. From this experience comes my advice, through the eyes of the story Job.

When Job was mourning his friends heard about Job’s sufferings and came to him. When they came upon Job “they sat down on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights with no one speaking a word to him, for they saw that his pain was very great” (v. 13, emphasis mine). Most of the time believers think of Job’s friends as giving the worst advice! Taking a step back, it really wasn’t all bad (though, don’t forget, most of it was). However, the first action his friends was the correct action. They didn’t say anything! Before they gave advice they sat with him for seven days without saying a word; it wasn’t until Job spoke did they give their own advice. From this I give you a few points of advice for friends of mourners:

1. Don’t speak. Seriously, your magical, awe-inspiring words (sarcasm of course) will not make the situation better. Most of the time you will be putting your foot in your mouth, and do you really want to have your comment be blogged about later?

2. Be wise about speaking. Remember Job’s friends, don’t be the first to speak (Also see James 1:19). If you do choose to speak, many words are not needed and the best topic is pointing the person to the gospel of Jesus Christ and the comfort found in the only True Comforter, God!

3. When in doubt, say nothing. It is better for you to be with the mourner without saying anything, than for the mourner to be given horrific advice or for them to be talked to death by a well-intentioned friend.

Whether we like it or not, one day we will all need to comfort a mourning friend. May we be God-centered in our advice and comfort; furthermore, the most God-centered action for you to take might be to close your lips.

– Jeremy Dillon

Shane and Shane – Everything is Different

jeremygriswold — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:34:56 +0000

First, I have to say I was a little worried when I heard Shane and Shane were coming out with a new CD. Their last album Pages is still a CD often played in my car, and I was wondering if Everything is Different (their new CD) would live up to its predecessor. Yet, they didn’t disappoint and I am glad to hear the new sounds of God-glorifying music produced by Shane and Shane from their new album, Everything is Different (click here to purchase). Although most of their songs are not written for congregational worship, they write and sing songs that honor and glorify our great Lord! Here are a few of the lyrics that you will hear when listening to this CD.

I’ve been crucified with Christ/And I no longer live/But He lives in me/And the life I live/In the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God/Oh who loved me and loves me/And who gave himself for me/You have resurrected my heart from the grave.

Who am I to know Your glory/Who am I to recognize Your voice/Calling out/How could I be in Your story/God who was and is, and is to come/Who has won/I was dead in my sin/You came in

I appreciate the way they sing songs that are straight from scripture or things that the Lord is teaching them. Moreover, they understand that God doesn’t need us; He is completely self-sustaining on His own. Shane Bernard said in an interview with Christianity Today, “A lot of people [worship leaders] have pure motives, but our whole idea of impact is jacked because God doesn’t need us and He never has needed us and can use someone just as powerfully as he used me in a basement with six guys worshiping him for three hours on a Sunday night so much more than he can use you leading worship in a football stadium.” It is words like these that encourage me to seek Christ as my ultimate treasure, not music.

Overall, It is a great album to have on your shelf or .mp3 players (whatever you prefer).

– Jeremy Dillon