Bless you dear Pastor. My heart is so heavy for you. You have been a great inspiration in the past and even today in your trials. Please remember He died for your sins of yesterday, today and tomorrow. I believe you have nothing to be forgiven for!! You have fought the good fight, and sadly you have a new fight to continue, and win, by His mercy and grace!!
You are loved and respected not only in past days, but in today as well!
You may have never stood taller than today on your knees!
We will continue to pray and pray for we know our God will complete the good work He has begun in you.
Bless you for all you have done, and continue to do for His church.
JD, what you are experiencing is so weighty upon my heart that I am compelled to examine my life more closely. I am one of many who does not comprehend how very deep are the workings of our sanctification and how unfathomable is the perfect exercising of the will and love of our Father God as He permits situations in our lives that we believe will crush and render us useless. And yet even in the severe and excruciating circumstances that He allows, even initiates, it is our brokenness that compels us to surrender our will and draw close to His.
And you are doing this. I share with you that in your brokenness, understand that you are a faithful witness to your fellow redeemed (moreso to the companions of this lost and dying world system)--your words reflect a heart that willingly submits to the will of our Father the Lord God I AM. And it is the ministering of Lord Christ Jesus who will bring you through this "dark night of the soul"; and in your exhaustion and frailty, enable you to persevere; and in your perseverance prove that your endurance is in and through Him; and in that endurance, become confident that it is His indwelling Holy Spirit who will bring in you His perfect result--that you may be complete and lacking in nothing (I refer to James 1:2-4 because the Lord's words are inerrant and mine are not).
It is the Lord God who is working in you; and we trust that His purpose of your calling as His servant of His Word may in future be far greater than you or any of us at present may even understand. You are beloved JD; you are a member of our Shepherd's flock. He will not leave His beloved redeemed unattended in the wilderness--not you or your family.
I was very saddened to read your letter this morning as this is the first I have heard of the struggles you (and your family) have been going thru. You have just gained one more prayer warrior beginning today.
I love ya dude. Get better. I'm in Ozark AR. Go wrench on your truck, split some wood. You had a good run and I got to see you run it. Ill never forget you. I'm proud of you.
Such an impactful story! I pray that you will never go back to being the man that you were. Do not let the wounds be healed that are intended to bring about God's new man in you, but let them have their intended result - Christ IN you. I think we often become warriors on the wrong stages of life, and we need to be taught - By God, and By Satan - where we are to stand, and where we are to stand down. And why we choose one or the other position is the ground of spiritual wisdom, and the prerogative of the leading of God's Holy Spirit as we submit ourselves to Him for that wisdom which only can come from the proper "fear of the Lord", and which also then implies that we fear not what man can or is doing to us, or what governments and evil people plot against us all the day long. These things must come to pass, not that we defeat them, but that we are refined in the presence of our enemies. You will come alive to Christ anew from this if you persist in your 2 Cor 3:18 transformational engagements with God's own Spirit of conformity to Christ so as by the Holy Spirit of God. It's all good brother - and necessary. But the learning from it is optional. You are in a great position with the Lord. Don't let it go to waste, and your influence in the future will be His influence, and it will be on a different field of battle for very different purposes than those of the past! To these ends I lift up my prayers to our Father God on your behalf, and when your strength is exhausted, His may be only just beginning to be discovered!! All spiritual blessings in Christ are ours brother - Read Ephesians. They are not contingent upon our successes, our strength, our victories. But they do seem to spring to life in the midst of our failures. Your failures are not for shame, but for spiritual recognition, and true biblical growth. This is the Way, the Truth, and the Life!! Stay the course, and hold on tight to Him as He changes your personal course, using it all as His own personal teaching tapestry of love in your life!!
Grateful to God for all our family has learned from your website and preaching. Praying for healing in you as God continues His work of sanctification. It is more difficult when it is so public but continue to point people to our King and Savior Jesus, bringing Him glory. He will take care of the rest, whatever that may be.
One of the best articles you have written (you have written many great ones), because it was born out of deep humility and a strong reliance upon the Almighty. Will be praying for you, brother.
Jordan, you are still a pastor and a brother. Sometimes we wear out for awhile, and your rest will come from Him. As hard as you have worked, it's only natural to need a rest. God Bless, Keep, and Direct you for His Purpose, in His time.
Your trials have weighed heavy on my heart and I’ve kept you and your family in my prayers. Around 2015 I found your ministry at a time when the church I attended was in an upheaval from a pastor who cared more about gaining the favor of the rich people in the congregation than the favor of God. At the time, I didn’t understand what polemics was, but as I listened, I realized how shallow the theological training I had received was, how much heresy and false teaching had crept stealthily into our midst. Suddenly, I understood why I had such a distinct dislike for modern worship music, and why it is actually okay to defend the integrity of the church by marking and avoiding people’s false teachers, even if it offended them. I learned why it is important to have sound biblical rules guarding the membership and protecting our most vulnerable from NAR types who tend to target them. All that you taught me (Praise the Lord!) at that very heart wrenching time when me and my family left the church we had attended for 20 years, (all my children and my husband were baptized there), is something I am eternally grateful for.
"I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work." (John 9:4). You worked right up till sunset preacher, nothing to be ashamed of in that.
I met you when you spoke for freedom on the front steps of the Gallatin Court House. Your fight was full on by then but you were committed to your word to speak that day. You delivered a godly and inspired speech, showing all who were there what a true heart humbled in God looks like.
Bless you dear Pastor. My heart is so heavy for you. You have been a great inspiration in the past and even today in your trials. Please remember He died for your sins of yesterday, today and tomorrow. I believe you have nothing to be forgiven for!! You have fought the good fight, and sadly you have a new fight to continue, and win, by His mercy and grace!!
You are loved and respected not only in past days, but in today as well!
You may have never stood taller than today on your knees!
We will continue to pray and pray for we know our God will complete the good work He has begun in you.
Bless you for all you have done, and continue to do for His church.
Candace L.
JD, what you are experiencing is so weighty upon my heart that I am compelled to examine my life more closely. I am one of many who does not comprehend how very deep are the workings of our sanctification and how unfathomable is the perfect exercising of the will and love of our Father God as He permits situations in our lives that we believe will crush and render us useless. And yet even in the severe and excruciating circumstances that He allows, even initiates, it is our brokenness that compels us to surrender our will and draw close to His.
And you are doing this. I share with you that in your brokenness, understand that you are a faithful witness to your fellow redeemed (moreso to the companions of this lost and dying world system)--your words reflect a heart that willingly submits to the will of our Father the Lord God I AM. And it is the ministering of Lord Christ Jesus who will bring you through this "dark night of the soul"; and in your exhaustion and frailty, enable you to persevere; and in your perseverance prove that your endurance is in and through Him; and in that endurance, become confident that it is His indwelling Holy Spirit who will bring in you His perfect result--that you may be complete and lacking in nothing (I refer to James 1:2-4 because the Lord's words are inerrant and mine are not).
It is the Lord God who is working in you; and we trust that His purpose of your calling as His servant of His Word may in future be far greater than you or any of us at present may even understand. You are beloved JD; you are a member of our Shepherd's flock. He will not leave His beloved redeemed unattended in the wilderness--not you or your family.
I will pray for your trial to glorify God and help you heal, for His glory.
God bless you. Jordan you are one in a million. I thank god he sent you to us.
I was very saddened to read your letter this morning as this is the first I have heard of the struggles you (and your family) have been going thru. You have just gained one more prayer warrior beginning today.
I love ya dude. Get better. I'm in Ozark AR. Go wrench on your truck, split some wood. You had a good run and I got to see you run it. Ill never forget you. I'm proud of you.
Your friend and brother in Christ
Gregory A Shirk
Such an impactful story! I pray that you will never go back to being the man that you were. Do not let the wounds be healed that are intended to bring about God's new man in you, but let them have their intended result - Christ IN you. I think we often become warriors on the wrong stages of life, and we need to be taught - By God, and By Satan - where we are to stand, and where we are to stand down. And why we choose one or the other position is the ground of spiritual wisdom, and the prerogative of the leading of God's Holy Spirit as we submit ourselves to Him for that wisdom which only can come from the proper "fear of the Lord", and which also then implies that we fear not what man can or is doing to us, or what governments and evil people plot against us all the day long. These things must come to pass, not that we defeat them, but that we are refined in the presence of our enemies. You will come alive to Christ anew from this if you persist in your 2 Cor 3:18 transformational engagements with God's own Spirit of conformity to Christ so as by the Holy Spirit of God. It's all good brother - and necessary. But the learning from it is optional. You are in a great position with the Lord. Don't let it go to waste, and your influence in the future will be His influence, and it will be on a different field of battle for very different purposes than those of the past! To these ends I lift up my prayers to our Father God on your behalf, and when your strength is exhausted, His may be only just beginning to be discovered!! All spiritual blessings in Christ are ours brother - Read Ephesians. They are not contingent upon our successes, our strength, our victories. But they do seem to spring to life in the midst of our failures. Your failures are not for shame, but for spiritual recognition, and true biblical growth. This is the Way, the Truth, and the Life!! Stay the course, and hold on tight to Him as He changes your personal course, using it all as His own personal teaching tapestry of love in your life!!
Praying 🙏
Grateful to God for all our family has learned from your website and preaching. Praying for healing in you as God continues His work of sanctification. It is more difficult when it is so public but continue to point people to our King and Savior Jesus, bringing Him glory. He will take care of the rest, whatever that may be.
All praise to God alone!!
Karen
One of the best articles you have written (you have written many great ones), because it was born out of deep humility and a strong reliance upon the Almighty. Will be praying for you, brother.
Jordan, you are still a pastor and a brother. Sometimes we wear out for awhile, and your rest will come from Him. As hard as you have worked, it's only natural to need a rest. God Bless, Keep, and Direct you for His Purpose, in His time.
I want to write something profound and helpful but the only thing I can think to say is you are loved and I will pray for you regularly.
Your trials have weighed heavy on my heart and I’ve kept you and your family in my prayers. Around 2015 I found your ministry at a time when the church I attended was in an upheaval from a pastor who cared more about gaining the favor of the rich people in the congregation than the favor of God. At the time, I didn’t understand what polemics was, but as I listened, I realized how shallow the theological training I had received was, how much heresy and false teaching had crept stealthily into our midst. Suddenly, I understood why I had such a distinct dislike for modern worship music, and why it is actually okay to defend the integrity of the church by marking and avoiding people’s false teachers, even if it offended them. I learned why it is important to have sound biblical rules guarding the membership and protecting our most vulnerable from NAR types who tend to target them. All that you taught me (Praise the Lord!) at that very heart wrenching time when me and my family left the church we had attended for 20 years, (all my children and my husband were baptized there), is something I am eternally grateful for.
"I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work." (John 9:4). You worked right up till sunset preacher, nothing to be ashamed of in that.
I met you when you spoke for freedom on the front steps of the Gallatin Court House. Your fight was full on by then but you were committed to your word to speak that day. You delivered a godly and inspired speech, showing all who were there what a true heart humbled in God looks like.
So heart broken to hear of all your trials and battles. Will certainly continue to hold you up in prayer. Jesus is with you , dear brother in Christ.