Jason Hayes

STORY

I consider myself as much of a storyteller as I do a preacher.  Now, hold on for a minute.  Before you claim heresy and throw me under the bus, let me clarify.  I'm not talking about telling fluffy stories that move people no closer to the Gospel.  Instead, I'm talking about telling the grand narrative of Scripture.  That is why I'm jazzed up about a new event coming this fall.

STORY is a first-of-its-kind experience for communicators of the Gospel - the greatest story ever told. It will be held on Wednesday, October 28 at the Paramount Theater in Aurora, Illinois. Speakers include Donald Miller, Nancy Beach, Dave Gibbons, Ed Young, Stacy Spencer, Chris Seay and Mike Foster. A day of workshops will follow on October 29 at nearby Orchard Valley Community Church, featuring illustrators, designers, scholars, authors and communications experts. Register for the conference and enter to win 2 free trips to the Kilns - CS Lewis' home in Oxford, England - at www.StoryChicago.com.

Threads will have a heavy involvement and is partnering with my friend, Ben Arment, to help make this event happen.  We're fired up about seeing how it all comes together and I am personally really excited about teaching at it. 

Leftovers

Imagine for a moment being invited to a really special meal for your birthday. Your friends were hosting this dinner and they had all come to celebrate your life and your friendship.  Despite their promises of a feast, they actually all decided to just empty their respective fridges and compile a bunch of leftovers. Wow – what a let down! You came expecting Filet Mignon and instead found Sally’s chicken fingers from Thursday and Tim’s moldy salad from last week. Doesn’t seem like much of a celebration, does it?

As you consider your relationship with the Lord and your life in the context of being an offering unto Him, are you presenting to Him your best or your leftovers?

Our life should be a celebration of His greatness and appreciation for the relationship we can have with Him through the work of Jesus.