BIG News, Friday Morning Clubbin’ and some Jesus is ______!

It’s more official than a ref with a whistle! I am engaged to the one, the only, Jennifer Diane Magel!! Miss Magel to you students.  Next school year she will be Mrs. Montgomery! I took Beyonce’s advice- “If you like it then you should put a ring on it”. Jenn and I will be getting married at sunset on Friday night, June 24th outside.  Then a Friday night reception/ dance party/ blow-your-mind-fun-time to follow, with a few surprises here and there!   We are both very excited to say the least! I have known Jenn for 8 years and it feels good to get to marry my best friend (Kurt, you’re a close 2nd ha).

Jenn and I lead FCA at Brittany Hill on Friday mornings every week.  Its a good group of middle schoolers, averaging around 30 students weekly.  We started a series called “Jesus is _______” (Thank you Judah Smith for the idea, check out his podcast on the City Church).  Today we talked about Jesus Is our Example.  Sounds easy enough, just wear a W.W.J.D. bracelet right? NO! Jesus is so much.  He is God, the Word, Savior, Redeemer, Love, and the list can go on and on…  Many believers see Jesus as Savior.  You know, the One who forgives our sins so we can go to Heaven and that’s that.  There is so much more to redemption than this.  Everything we see in Jesus, is who we are to be and how we were created to live.  When a person believes in Jesus and becomes born again, he becomes a new creature.  He is now a child of God.  Every believer is a son or daughter of God and Jesus is THE Son of God.  The Bible refers to Jesus as our older brother.  He is the first of many brothers and sisters.

When I was growing up, I had no older brother.  My best friend Kurt did. (I have known Kurt since age 3).  Kyle Lower was two years older than us and I looked up to him.  If he parted his hair in the middle, so would I.  If he got the George Clooney cut, so did I.  I’d dress like him.  Learned to dance from him.  Learned to pick up girls from him.  I wanted to play basketball like him.  I looked up to Kyle like an older brother.  You could say that I imitated Kyle.

That is how we are to be with our older brother Jesus.  We imitate Him.  Learn from Him.  Follow Him.  Trust Him. He shows us how we were created to live apart from sin.  Jesus shows us how to relate to our Father in Heaven.  He shows us how to relate to others.  Lets list some ways we can use Jesus as our example:

-He communicated to the Father all the time. (He rose early to pray. He did nothing that he didn’t see the Father doing or say anything that he didn’t hear the Father saying).

-He knew the Word. (Lived it, spoke it, taught it, saw Himself in it and was the Word made flesh).

-He loved people. (Healed those who were sick, hung out with”notorious sinners” and “scum”, gave his life for others in every way, even unto death).

 

Jesus is not just a person to admire.  Jesus is an example for how to live.  We were created to live that kind of life! Jesus is referred to as the 2nd Adam because Jesus shows us what the 1st Adam was supposed to have and pass down to the generations.  Jesus has come to break the power of sin (that Adam allowed in) and restore us to the life God created us to have.  (Check out Romans).

We don’t have to wait til we go to Heaven or Jesus comes back.  We can live a Heavenly life on earth now! We bring Heaven to earth.  That is why Jesus taught us to pray, “Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.” 1 John 4 even says, “as Jesus is, so are we in this world.” Put that in your pipe at 420 and smoke it.  Or chew on that.  Or ponder and meditate these thing in your heart.  Or just open you Bible and check it out!

 

I feel like free stylin now:

 

Im’ in love with a girl named Jenn

I’d have to give that girl a 10!

I’m in love with a man

Don’t worry, I’m talkin about one with a Middle East tan.

His name is Jesus

He’ll never forsake or leave us.

I’m in love with Love

That could only come from above.

I’m in love with Jenn Magel,

Sweeter than a blueberry bagel.

She’s the milk to my cereal

The dessert to my meal.

She’s the creamer to my coffee

I’m excited for her to be my wifey.

She’s the book I just can’t put down

I always want her around.

She’s the wind to my kite

for her I would UFC fight.

She puts the WHOA in wo-man

and I’m her biggest fan.

I’m in love with a girl and I’m in love with a guy

the three of us are tied together tighter than a bowtie!

 

Much Love to all and Merry Christmas!!!

Jared

 

 

 

Life, Starbucks run-ins, Halloween, & PERSPECTIVE

Hello Hello Hello!!

I think I say this every time I blog, but I really would like to do this more! Even if I can get something on here once a week consistently.  Here’s my life, thoughts, likes, dislikes, etc etc etc

 

LIFE

Life as I know it is GOOD! I’m home in BS Missouri (Blue Springs… common people).  I’m workin workin workin, serving, hangin out, loving God, loving people and loving my girlfriend Jennifer Magel! My sister just got married to Larry Lovelace so she is now Tara Lovelace.  My 5 & 10 year old nephews are playing basketball this year. This 25 year old, old man plays basketball too every week.  Jenn is the Head Basketball Coach this year for the Lady Eagles. She’s the prettiest coach I’ve ever seen!! Watch her coach, so you can see her stomp those high heels.  Youth Ministry is swinging in Blue Springs! Many saved last night at Hell Night!  God’s presence made me cry today while mowing haha.  There was an overwhelming sense of destiny on me while I was on a lawn mower in 40 degree weather (maybe it was the cold and wind that made the tears…). I’m currently listening to the Jesus Culture- Passion EP and Israel Houghton- Love God Love People.  I’m reading some N.T. Wright and Sun Stand Still by Steven Furtick.  I’m a Miami Heat AND Boston Celtic fan.  Durant is my favorite NBA player.  MIZZOU is MY TEAM.  So glad we beat OU, I dislike them as much as the Jayhawks.  Enjoyng the KC Chiefs!  I’s good to be a loyal fan! MU, Chiefs and Royals for life!! I feel bad for my ATX friends and those Longhorns… At least the Texas Rangers are in the World Series!! I’m pullin’ for them!

 

STARBUCKS

Well, I’m at Starbucks right now.  St. Arbucks Cathedral really.  I’m here often and bump into people more than I use the ap.  Today I bumped into pastor Dave Muolo! So, many great stories of convos with this man.  It was good.  Encouraging. Insightful.  As he would say, “Sometimes people kick you between the legs.” We talked about the testing of character and how Joseph was tested for years before God used him on a global scale to literally save the world.  I have always related to Joseph and have been given prophetic words with Joseph mentioned.  It made me smile.  Yesterday I bumped into Micah Chrisman editing his book.  This will be published next year and you will want to read it!!  Buy many many copies! I love that man! I have two favorite baristas at my local BS St.Arbucks- Hailey and Hailey.  I ran into younger Hailey on her break and got to learn some cool things about her: She’s home-schooled, loves Jesus, and loves dancing.  Her dream is to open a dance studio on the side of a mountain in Colorado and teach young girls to dance.  I love hearing about people’s dreams! I’m in dream and vision mode myself- overwhelming sense of destiny is all over me. Anyways, Starbucks is NOT just about Jared having a coffee addiction, it’s about sharing life with people and loving on them. Connecting people to God and to their dream.

 

HALLOWEEN

I haven’t been this excited for Halloween since I was a kid.  This year I am doing a Light the Night neighborhood party at my house.  We are doing 17 around the city this year.  It’s basically a party in your driveway to connect with neighbors.  There are carnival games, TONS of candy, prizes, hot cocoa, and 2 bikes given away at EVERY party! Kids love it, parents have fun, people get saved, new people are added to the local church and to the Kingdom.  I’m PUMPED! If you want to volunteer, holla at me. Also, I need a costume for work so I need suggestions please and thank you.  Jenn and I want to dress up as peanut butter & jelly (I’m Jelly) for light the night.  Is that corny (not candy corn…)??  Like Beyonce once said, “I don’t think they ready for this jelly”.

 

PERSPECTIVE

Today I was listening to “Love Rev” by Israel Houghton and it got me thinking.  It’s about being where people are.  Seeing what they see.  God is with us when we are with them.  Be an answer, a solution.  It’s the Love Revolution.  People are worrying about no running water and we worry about our internet connection. Mother’s have babies with HIV and we are upset that the pizza delivery man is late, and we want it for free! People live with deadly mosquito’s and their bites and we have our flu waiting on the dumb medicine to kick in. Kid’s play on trash heaps, while we get bored with the wii..  ”What if the ‘I and the me’ turned into the ‘they and the we’? Together we could be, the change we all want to see”.  Just some things to think about today.  My biggest trouble can be paying my car payment for my 2006 Scion xB or my iPhone bill.  All this provoking thinking as I type on a MacBook in Starbucks, in Blue Springs, Missouri USA.  I’m blessed and we have so MUCH to GIVE.  Not just in monetary value but in the riches we have IN Christ Jesus who fills us! We have Hope, Life, Love, Joy, Peace, and GOOD News! A Kingdom to BELONG to. A new way of living.  A Daddy who loves us and freely gives us all things. Freely we’ve received, now freely give.  Let’s be a people who truly Love God and Love Others

 

Living the Dream

Jared Channing Montgomery

 

I’m back!

It’s been TOO long! I decided to write again.  I have so much to say so I think I’ll be using this more.  I just read Brian Zahnd’s blog (brianzahnd.com) and decided to leave you with his version of the Beatitudes.  Tomorrow I will fill you in on my own thoughts and insights which I am very excited about!!

Blessed are those who are poor at being spiritual,
For the kingdom of God is well-suited for ordinary people.

Blessed are the depressed who mourn and grieve,
For they create space to encounter comfort from another.

Blessed are the quiet and content, the humble and unassuming, the gentle and trusting who are not grasping and clutching, for God will personally guarantee their share when heaven and earth become one.

Blessed are those who ache for the world to be made right,
For them the government of God is a dream come true.

Blessed are those who give mercy,
For they will get it back when they need it most.

Blessed are those who have a clean window in their soul,
For they will perceive God when and where others don’t.

Blessed are the peaceful bridge-builders in a war-torn world,
For they are God’s children working in the family business.

Blessed are those who are mocked and misunderstood for all the right reasons,
For the kingdom of heaven comes to earth amidst much persecution.

BZ

 

Check in for my next post… Could include Aladdin, Spiderman or the King of Pop

Mucho Amore!!

Jared

Matryoshka Dolls

Growing up, we had a matryoshka doll on a book shelf in our living room.  I remember taking this doll and opening it to find another, smaller, doll inside.  This continued to happen until you reached the last and the smallest doll. I have never been one to play with dolls (although my mom and sister may have some stories to tell that are very UNTRUE).  Nor have I been one to compare people, especially men, to dolls.  But, today I must say loud and clear that every believer IN Christ is like a Russian Matryoska doll.

I am reading The Naked Gospel by Andrew Murray.  He says, “I imagine most of us don’t think much about what it means to be hidden in God.  But the Scriptures emphasize our being IN Christ about six times more often than the fact that Christ is in us.  Obviously, this is an important truth that God wants us to grasp.”

If you think about who Jesus is and what is in Him, it’s staggering.  And God goes on to say we are hidden in Christ.  Our identity is IN Jesus.  There is no sin, sickness, lack, doubt, worry, fear, shame, guilt…. in Him. There is love, joy, peace, patience, power, faith, perfection, confidence, authority, wholeness and so much much more. Our old man is dead and buried with Christ. We have been raised with Christ when we believed and we are new.  We are completely forgiven (past, present and future) and clean.  John 1:12 says, “But to ALL who believed Him (Jesus) and accepted Him, He gave the right to be children of God.”  Jesus is THE Son of God, the first of many brothers and sisters (children of God). We are now sons and daughters of God.  Our identity has changed. We are no longer sinners, saved by grace. We are righteous children, living in the grace of God.  We live IN Christ. So, even if you don’t like Russia (God loves Russia), you should still see yourself being a matryoshka doll. It is IN Him that we live and move and have our being-  Acts 17:28

Those are my thoughts and meditations for the morning…..

XL last night: God was in the house like Steve Aoki ft. Zuper Blahq.  Lives were Mos Def transformed, bodies were healed, hearts were healed and it was a privilege to see God move.  If you put butts in the seats, God will touch their butt… LITERALLY.  We had a young man who pulled his glutius maximus playing football.  God touched his butt and he was healed, jumping around and praising God.  I imagine God being like a Good Coach, slapping him on the butt saying, “good game son” and now he is healed!  Keep XL weird

IN Christ,

Jared “White Boi” Montgomery

Too much to say! (but this will be short)

That just means I should update this thing more often.  I have been @ Celebration Church here in Austin for a little over a month now and there has been so much going on.  I don’t have time to say it all or give details but we started things off and running from day one…

The Whosoevers

The Whosoevers came in town the 1st day I was in town. John 3:16- “For God so loved the world, that WHOSOEVER believes in him, shall not perish but have eternal life.”  This group of Whosoevers came and spoke to XL on Wednesday night and XL @ UT thursday.  They brought the raw love of God and many lives were changed and saved.  Check them out http://www.thewhosoevers.com

Spring Break!

No “break” for us bc XL serves.  We took a bunch of high school and jr high students into the community during spring break for a local mission trip.  Let’s just say ATX, you got SERVED!

Buffalo

The game of Buffalo has officially been introduced to the ATX.  I have heard some crazy buffalo stories.  They really do things bigger in Texas! Here is a pic of me getting called out by interns in class, right after introducing the game to them ha

Easter

One word: EPIC.  Many saved and baptized this week! I’m so excited about what God is doing and the lives that are being changed and transformed.  We baptized 128 youth on Wednesday night! Watch the video on my facebook

Coming soon…

XL FEST- June 24-26.  It’s not a camp.  It’s not a conference.  It’s XL FEST! It will be weird and wyld! Get ready for your mind to be blown! For high schoolers, college age and young adults.

Sumterns- High school interns are about to get rocked and rock this place.

Goal- Keep XL Weird & Wyld

I plan on writing on this at least twice a month to be more thorough.  God is moving and we are moving with Him.  I have a lot of Word He has downloaded into me that I would like to share as well, to motivate and encourage all of you who read this!   Feel free to respond, facbook me, twitter, holla, whatever!

A verse to leave you with: //John 1:12// “But as many as received him, to them he gave the right to become sons of God.”   -It feels GOOD to be a son!

MUCHO AMORE!

The BIG News is OUT!

Hey everybody! It’s been a minute since I have updated the blog. A lot has been going on in my life. If you haven’t heard the word yet, I have big news. So here it is:

I’m moving to Austin, Texas! I’m going to serve at Celebration Church as assistant youth pastor and to serve the great city of Austin.  We will be doing it BIG in Texas and with the XL Youth Ministry.  The motto in Austin is “Keep Austin Weird” and they definitely will be by adding me to the team! (I’m really not that weird… haha)

I’m so excited for what God is doing! Keep me in your prayers and stay in touch! I will be updating the blog, holla at me on facebook, follow me on twitter, email me, come be an intern, whatever! I will miss all my KCMO people, thelink, Cornerstone and my family!!!  I’ll try to update this blog like once a week!

The Word: Joshua 1:8-9 and the whole book of Colossians

MUCH LOVE

Jared

I Recommend…

For all of you who having been asking… here it is.  Many of the youth leaders and youth have asked for recommendations on worship music and books to read. So for all of you and whoever else, here is a short list of what I recommend to you!~

MUSIC

Bethel Live, Brian & Jenn Johnson, Christ for the Nations, Church of the Harvest, Cory Asbury, David Crowder, Deluge, Eddie James, Fred Hammond, The Glorious Unseen, Hillsong United, Israel Houghton, Jason Upton, Jesus Culture, Jon Foreman, Kim Walker, Kris Dillard, Kristene Mueller, Lecrae, Leeland, Misty Edwards, Phil Wickham, Rick Pino,  Shekinah Glory, Tedashii, Trip Lee, Tye Tribbett & GA, Worth Dying For, 116 Clique… To name a few. Look them up on itunes and see what you think….

BOOKS (Authors)

Bill Johnson, Beni Johnson, Kris Vallotton, Kevin Dedmon, Mike Bickle, John Crowder, Max Lucado, Brian Zahnd, Kenneth Hagin, etc etc…  There’s many many books and authors ha! Run them by me! Get into the Bible above all.  I just wanted to get you all started.

Also, get a Twitter ya’ll and follow each other. Connect with each other. If you all have any questions or comments, let me know! I know many of  you mainly wanted worship music so there it is! Have fun with that!  Feel free to comment and let me know what God has been speaking or doing in and through you!! Oh and check out that Flickr pic of Karah and Sarah 

Holla!

Jared

Enthusiasm 101

What does the word enthusiasm bring to mind?? Cheerleaders? Salesmen? Infomercials?

Ephesian 6:7 says, “Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.”

My thought of the day would be this: Believers have more to be enthusiastic about than anyone in the world and in turn should be the most infused, enthusuastic people on the planet! Salt and light for the world to taste and see that the Lord is good. Sooooo GOOD! Tasty!

The word “enthusiasm” comes from the Greek en theos, which means to be filled with or inspired by God.  Being filled by the Holy Spirit brings zoe life, joy, excitement and enthusiasm.

Be filled and stay filled. Let your cup overflow.  We are partnering with Jesus in His work in the earth! That is something to be excited about! Let’s go and do it with enthusiasm!!

P.S. The past two days, Neil and I have been meeting with two 20 year old, mormon missionaries.  It’s been filled with love and enthusiasm to their shock. The Holy Spirit is working. As we left today, we prayed for one of the backs before we got in our cars.  He injured it in high school.  He works out everyday and everyday it hurts.  He is going to call me tomorrow after working out for the first time with no pain in years! God backs up His word!!

so.. Being FILLED or INSPIRED by GOD = Enthusiasm

P.S. #2 Read some revival history on the 2 Great Awakenings, Jonathan Edwards, or any revival.  They had moves of the Spirit and manifestations they called, enthusiasms! These included visions, trances, shaking, falling out, uncontrolable laughter, etc. The whole 9!

Feel free to leave comments ya’ll!

Jared

JOY!!

After much delay, I’m BACK in the blog world!

Tonight I had the wonderful opportunity to teach young youth leaders and there was one word: JOY!

1 Peter 1:8 says “Though you have not seen Him, you love Him and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you GLADLY REJOICE with JOY inexpressible and FULL of GLORY.”

There is an intoxicating JOY found in the presence of God and in His love.  Jesus had the oil of JOY without measure.  God is a God of celebration. He is GOOD and wants you to be happy! There are no tears, gloom or depression in Heaven.  ”Your Kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven.”

Psalma 16:11 says, “You make known to me the path of LIFE; in your presence there is FULLNESS of JOY; at your right hand are PLEASURES FOREVERMORE.”

There are waaaaaayy too many verses to quote and thoughts to write right now. I feel like I could write a book! I just wanted to give you a bit of what’s going on in my heart. You can dive deeper into the presence of God and find this JOY! It’s right at your finger tips! Hangout with the Author of JOY, fun, party and celebration. Let your cup overflow with His goodness.  His JOY is inexpressible and FULL OF GLORY!! As we are filled with His JOY (our strength) inexpressible, we will be FULL of His GLORY and be a walking encounter for all we come into contact with. Be filled with love in His presence. Be filled with JOY! Release His glory in the earth. Then we will RE-present Jesus to everyone around us!

Much Love!!!!

Jared

ETERNAL LIFE pt. 2- The Cross??

Over an 800yr period the Romans crucified 600,000 people,Only 1 came back to life.It split history into BC/AD.

1 Corinthians 15:3-8 (Msg)

“The first thing I did was place before you what was placed so emphatically before me: that the Messiah died for our sins, exactly as Scripture tells it; that he was buried; that he was raised from death on the third day, again exactly as Scripture says; that he presented himself alive to Peter, then to his closest followers, and later to more than five hundred of his followers all at the same time, most of them still around (although a few have since died); that he then spent time with James and the rest of those he commissioned to represent him; and that he finally presented himself alive to me.”

 

Eternal Life was initiated by death on a cross.  God’s One and Only Son dying for humanity.  Jesus initiated the Kingdom of God when He resurrected from the dead.  Sound absurd?  Read this poem by Brian Zahnd:

 

The Cross is a Scandal on Every Level

The Cross is a scandal on every level
A king with a crown of thorns
A death march processional
Acclamation by insult
It’s a macabre coronation

The Cross is a scandal on every level
You say he won a war?
You can’t win a war that way
You have to kill to win a war
Who could win a war that way?

The Cross is a scandal on every level
Love your enemy
Forgive your enemy
Reconcile your enemy
Whoever heard such madness?

The Cross is a scandal on every level
“Take up your cross and follow me”
No one would ever sign up for that
Promise me pleasure and riches
Don’t bid me come and die

The Cross is a scandal on every level
We’re promised glory and we’re given this
A kingdom to come and we get that
The glorious kingdom of a crucified king?
We want gold and silver, success and splendor

The Cross is a scandal on every level
Pharaoh did it first
Alexander did it great
Caesar did it best
But not a crucified conqueror

The Cross is a scandal on every level
Give us sword and shield
Something we can win with
Not outstretched arms
And a pierced side

The Cross is a scandal on every level
No wonder the followers fled
What is there left to follow?
It’s the ultimate dead end
It’s common sense to run from that

The Cross is a scandal on every level
You say it’s the road that leads to life?
It’s quite obvious it’s the way of death
And when you’re dead the story ends
Unless you believe what the silly women said

So what do you believe?  As I did with my last post, I will leave you with 1John 5:11-12 

“And this is what God has testified: He has given us ETERNAL LIFE and this LIFE is in the SON.  WHOEVER has the SON has LIFE; WHOEVER does not have the SON does not have life.”  

You got Him.. your good.  You don’t.. your not.  Jesus gave us the FREE GIFT of salvation.  He paid for it on the cross. 

 

Lovin’ LIFE

Jared