Visionary Leadership
Do you know the problem with blogging? After a time you start to think you have think you need something to blog about or you need to sound smart. Before Facebook you could just blog, now Facebook and Twitter took the short and often meaningless posts away from blogs.
So my point in this blog post it to make me anything but smart. I am writing just because I am glad you care enough to come to JakeRinard.com. What is not to love about that?!
I am on the train currently sitting backwards on the train. Sitting backwards is just like the old station wagons with the rear seat facing the car behind you. Wave, smile, make faces, and then try to pretend like you don’t see each other.
Riding trains to and from work is pretty nice. What makes it a proud moment is knowing that your dad is directly responsible for commuter trains in Los Angeles and the surrounding counties. Many people credit him as the reason things actually got done in the first place. Yes, a proud son riding the train to work.
It also gives you time to relax and think about the day. We all need to take some time to plan the day ahead or reflect on the day and what we accomplished.
Today I fired up my notebook and got on the internet to do a little post as well as talk to my mother in Australia. All in a train ride to home.
Yesterday my sister-in-law Melissa posted the fruit of the spirit on Facebook. Some of us have been going through some issues and been down and out to say the least. Seriously when one looks at his life, are these traits being exhibited?
We should ask ourselves if we are showing love. Are we joyful? Do our actions promote peace, patience, kindness, and goodness? Are we gentle with each other or are we rough in our words, actions, and thoughts?
I know that I need to have the self control in many areas just to practice the above traits! Today, be encouraged because we can choose to exhibit these things and as we choose the fruits of the spirit God will do a work in each of us!
Galatians 5:22-25
22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.
Tonight I was invited to head over to Crossroads church in Corona for a night of comedy. It was a blast. The main acts were Michael 
Rayner and Robert G. Lee. Both were very good and definitely good for the whole family.
Excellent night filled with great fun. If you ever get the chance to see Michael Rayner you need to take the opportunity and bring the kids. He is very good and you can just tell he is a fun guy. Definitely a guy that you just like from the beginning.
It was a great time with some good friends. Great job Crossroads!
Wow, time is sure flying by. Here it is almost February and I haven’t posted in this great new year of 2011. Most of you know I am sure from Facebook that we are expecting ~~ twins!
Surprise Surprise! Crazy how Facebook have ruined the need for most personal websites. Truly it is unfortunate, but ultimately Facebook is better for the social needs of people.
The twins have been quite the news and even more of a miracle than people know. We had more than 1 doctor tell us that there was no hope for these babies to make it. Yet, here we are entering the 13th week of pregnancy with 2 beautiful babies.
This is only 1 of them, and yes there is another beautiful baby. The ultrasound tech didn’t give us as good of a picture so I didn’t post it here.
Lot’s more exciting news to come. Big things are always in the works.
Psalms 23
A psalm of David.
1 The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3 he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,[a] I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
As you can see I am playing around with JakeRinard.com. So caution! It may or may not look good when you arrive, but this has always been a playground of sorts for new ideas, and here we go again!
The story of Jonah.
“It is in adversity that you will find blessing if you choose to be thankful.”
This year has been one of learning for me. I had never been hit with death so close. I never expected to lose a child. I had wrongly assumed that life would follow a natural course and I would outlive my kids.
This year with the passing of my 8 day old son I am reminded that life is precious. You are never guaranteed any more than this moment. At any time the candle can be blown out.
I am challenged this year to appreciate what we have been given. Never take for granted what you have been given.
This year I have learned to choose to be thankful. I am thankful for my beautiful son, John Carter Rinard. His time was short with me, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world. He is and always will be a part of me that is invaluable. For this I am thankful. I was blessed by his short life. I remember him kicking me while he was in his mommy’s tummy. The time I took his mommy, brother, and sisters to an ultrasound and he rolled over and the kids were amazed at his beauty perfect body.
I am thankful for the moments this year.
It is in adversity that you will find blessing if you choose to be thankful.
-JAR
Married 17 years
Father of 6 (2 Passed Away)
Ordained Pastor
Air Force Veteran
Texas Small Business Owner [Read More …]