by Jason Joyner | Jan 3, 2007 | Blog, Uncategorized
Go Broncos!!!
No, not the Denver variety, the ones who dropped out of the playoffs on Sunday (my condolences for your fallen teammate – a tragedy).
Boise State University, of Smurf Turf fame, went and made all of Idaho proud, and shocked the big power-makers of college football. And they did it in the most imaginative, entertaining way possible.
Hook and ladder on 4th and 18 for a touchdown. Halfback option pass in overtime for a TD. The ol’ Statue of Liberty play for the gutsy 2 point conversion that sealed the win.
Boise State proved against Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl that they can play with the big boys. So here’s a shout out online for the boys in blue! Way to go guys. For an excellent article describing the Boise State win, click here.
Oh, and if all this wasn’t enough, the running back who scored the winning 2 points proposed to his cheerleader girlfriend while on national TV. Dude!
AP Photo/Ted S. Warren
by Jason Joyner | Jan 1, 2007 | Blog, Uncategorized
Every new year brings resolution, changes, promises. And everyone knows that so many of these fall by the wayside. I am glad that my new year is a good, secure change.
I have my job.
2006 became a crazy year back in June, when I blogged about how my contract at my job wasn’t being renewed. The timing was very interesting – just after I was preaching about living in the adventure God has for us.
I finished up at my old job right at the end of August, and thought I would have a couple weeks at home before getting a new job. I had a few interviews lined up pretty quick, so it seemed like it wasn’t a big deal.
Except for what the Lord was speaking.
As I prayed, I had a sense this process would take some time. My wife felt that I wouldn’t get a job right away. My pastor had the same leading.
Great. 😉
None of the interviews worked out. The places decided they weren’t ready to hire, or I wasn’t the right person despite a good resume and interview. One place just never got a hold of me again (not too bad, I didn’t want to work there anyway).
So I had a long fall of hanging out at home, spending time with my family and with God. It was a good time of reflection and learning. I wish I could say I got a ton of writing done: I also had a wicked case of writer’s block a lot of the time.
Right before Christmas I got the call that I was being offered the job that I was pursuing. It looks to be a great deal, with four 10-hour shifts a week and a steady schedule. More importantly, it seems to be God-ordained. My wife reminded me of when I said, “I would never work there” (I can’t recall…).
One thing the Lord reminded me of during this time was the principle of letting Him work in His time. It was frustrating at times to be looking for a job for six months, and be out of work for four months (aside from a little fill-in work recently). But whenever I took it to Jesus, He spoke encouragement to me to let Him handle it. He provided for our needs. We didn’t incur any debt during this time. He is faithful in all He says.
So 2007 promises to be a good year for me. I pray that whatever He has for you this year will be to your benefit. Of course, sometimes bettering ourselves means going through hard times to purge us, so be careful what you wish for!
Blessings (and thanks for the prayers and support to those who did)!
Jason
by Jason Joyner | Jan 1, 2007 | Blog, Uncategorized
Every new year brings resolution, changes, promises. And everyone knows that so many of these fall by the wayside. I am glad that my new year is a good, secure change.
I have my job.
2006 became a crazy year back in June, when I blogged about how my contract at my job wasn’t being renewed. The timing was very interesting – just after I was preaching about living in the adventure God has for us.
I finished up at my old job right at the end of August, and thought I would have a couple weeks at home before getting a new job. I had a few interviews lined up pretty quick, so it seemed like it wasn’t a big deal.
Except for what the Lord was speaking.
As I prayed, I had a sense this process would take some time. My wife felt that I wouldn’t get a job right away. My pastor had the same leading.
Great. 😉
None of the interviews worked out. The places decided they weren’t ready to hire, or I wasn’t the right person despite a good resume and interview. One place just never got a hold of me again (not too bad, I didn’t want to work there anyway).
So I had a long fall of hanging out at home, spending time with my family and with God. It was a good time of reflection and learning. I wish I could say I got a ton of writing done: I also had a wicked case of writer’s block a lot of the time.
Right before Christmas I got the call that I was being offered the job that I was pursuing. It looks to be a great deal, with four 10-hour shifts a week and a steady schedule. More importantly, it seems to be God-ordained. My wife reminded me of when I said, “I would never work there” (I can’t recall…).
One thing the Lord reminded me of during this time was the principle of letting Him work in His time. It was frustrating at times to be looking for a job for six months, and be out of work for four months (aside from a little fill-in work recently). But whenever I took it to Jesus, He spoke encouragement to me to let Him handle it. He provided for our needs. We didn’t incur any debt during this time. He is faithful in all He says.
So 2007 promises to be a good year for me. I pray that whatever He has for you this year will be to your benefit. Of course, sometimes bettering ourselves means going through hard times to purge us, so be careful what you wish for!
Blessings (and thanks for the prayers and support to those who did)!
Jason
by Jason Joyner | Jan 1, 2007 | Blog, Uncategorized
Whoops. I really meant for this book to make my list. I can’t believe I left it off, but it was the book I read earliest in 2006. Maybe that’s why the Oscar contenders are released in December usually.
Plague Maker by Tim Downs probably is my #2 choice in 06. It had a great story with suspense, humor, and interesting plot details. I learned more about fleas than I probably ever wanted to know. It had intensity and kept the page turning without the intense “ick” that comes off in Germ (although it does have its own ick, it just is smarter about it).
My apologies Mr. Downs. But this way you got a post all to yourself. Whoo-hoo.
by Jason Joyner | Jan 1, 2007 | Blog, Uncategorized
Whoops. I really meant for this book to make my list. I can’t believe I left it off, but it was the book I read earliest in 2006. Maybe that’s why the Oscar contenders are released in December usually.
Plague Maker by Tim Downs probably is my #2 choice in 06. It had a great story with suspense, humor, and interesting plot details. I learned more about fleas than I probably ever wanted to know. It had intensity and kept the page turning without the intense “ick” that comes off in Germ (although it does have its own ick, it just is smarter about it).
My apologies Mr. Downs. But this way you got a post all to yourself. Whoo-hoo.
by Jason Joyner | Dec 28, 2006 | Blog, Uncategorized
Yes, just what the world needs: another top 5 or 10 list. The proliferation of blogs, forums, and other internet outlets lets our opinions be trumpeted out to… no one in particular. But I have read some good books this year, and I wanted to share about them one more time. So without further ado my top SIX books of the year:
1. Scoop by Rene Gutteridge. If you want to laugh out loud at an original premise and great characters, then this is the book. I looked forward with delight at getting to sit down and read more of this very enjoyable piece. See 11/15 post and following.
2. Firebird by Kathy Tyers. Okay, this is a trilogy, but I’m counting it as one. (My blog, my rules) This was the best science fiction book I’ve read in a long time, probably since the Thrawn trilogy of Star Wars books. Good company, as Kathy has written some SW novels. The worlds she creates are vibrant and exciting, and it is very easy to get lost in the events of the book. Book 3 suffers a little in pacing, but overall the trilogy is very worth the investment of time and money! See 8/21 post and following.
3. Hood by Stephen Lawhead. Lawhead returns with a great read and retelling of the Robin Hood story. He creates a believable scenario for making the hero Welsh, and builds great characters and harrowing situations. Here’s hoping the sequels hit the same high mark. See post here.
4. Waking Lazarus by T.L. Hines. A debut novel by the brainchild of the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance. I enjoyed it at the time, but I was going through such a tumultous time it was hard to truly appreciate it. As I reflected, it was an engrossing story with an amazing concept. Be sure to watch for The Dead Whispers On from Mr. Hines in 2007. See 6/26 post and following.
5. Violet Dawn by Brandilyn Collins. I had been enjoying BC’s blog since March of 2005, but Violet Dawn was the first book of hers I read. To my regret. The book grabbed hold and didn’t let go with the suspense of the story rushing through 14 hours of life in Kanner Lake, Idaho. With such a compressed timeline, she kept the excitment up while making the town and its denizens come to life. Of course, I have also enjoyed participating as Pastor Hank in the book’s blog, Scenes and Beans! See 9/27 post and following.
6. Germ by Rober Liparulo. This one may be cheating, as it is scheduled for a blog tour in January. I don’t want to give it away, you’ll have to check back then for more. Suffice it to say, this book kept me in suspense more than any other book this year. When I got it I sat down to check out a few pages. 45 minutes and 50+ pages later, my wife came looking for me since I was so distracted.
There you have it. My top 6 of ’06. Here’s to more great books in 2007!
