The Life of the Party

By Jason J. Nelson

We all have friends who light up a room with their presence. They transfer energy with a handshake or a hug. One smile and the world becomes a happier place. They can’t help themselves. This is who they are—naturally radiant and magnetic. Wherever they are, they become the life of the party. Jesus is like this. His presence is unmatched. When it comes to lighting up a room, Jesus is the brightest. And as far as being the life of the party, he’s the best.

In The Life of the Party, author Jason J. Nelson uses a combination of personal testimony, scripture references, and Bible stories to illustrate the important role Jesus plays in the lives of all of his people. Using the theme of being the life of the party, he communicates Jesus’ presence in every event of our lives and throughout our faith journey.

The messages conveyed in The Life of the Party encourage you to grow in your relationship with Jesus and receive everything he offers.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Jun 10, 2021
• ISBN: 9781664231184

Jason J. Nelson

Jason J. Nelson is an ordained minister in the Texas Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. He holds BA, MA, MEd, MDiv, and DD (honoris causa) degrees and is currently a Polycarp Community Fellow pursuing a PhD in theology. Nelson has served several churches under episcopal appointment and is currently the lead pastor at Rose Hill United Methodist Church, Tomball, Texas. Jason and his family reside in The Woodlands, Texas.

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Copyright © 2021 Jason J. Nelson.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This book is a work of non-fiction. Unless otherwise noted, the author and the publisher make no explicit guarantees as to the accuracy of the information contained in this book and in some cases, names of people and places have been altered to protect their privacy.

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Scripture quotations taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV® Copyright © 1973 1978 1984 2011 by Biblica, Inc. TM. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

ISBN: 978-1-6642-3119-1 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-6642-3120-7 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-6642-3118-4 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2021907661

WestBow Press rev. date: 09/29/2021

To my wife and best friend, You’re my inspiration.

To my mom and dad, Thank you… for everything.

And to my children, I love you past the stars and back.

CONTENTS

Introduction

Chapter 1 Beach Party

Chapter 2 Wedding Party

Chapter 3 Birthday Party

Chapter 4 Travel Party

Chapter 5 Pool Party

Chapter 6 Boat Party

Chapter 7 Royal Party

Chapter 8 Housewarming Party

Chapter 9 Dinner Party

Chapter 10 Surprise Party

INTRODUCTION

Sunday, April 18, 1982.

This was the date I invited Jesus into my heart. This was the date that forever changed the trajectory of my life. This was the date my soul was secured by my Savior.

I know this was the date because my dad has it written down in his Bible. I was five years old. Yes, I know. I was very young. But I was also very aware of God’s presence and love.

Up to this special day, I had heard many stories about Jesus. As a young child in Sunday school, I learned all about who he is and what he promises to anyone who believes in him.

So the knowledge of Jesus had been seated within my mind, but he was not yet sitting on the throne of my heart.

Communion was being served at our country community church that morning, and just like every other Sunday morning before, my parents took Communion but I didn’t.

This was not out of the ordinary, but this time, I felt left out.

I really wanted to take Communion just like my parents did. On the way home from worship, I asked my dad why I couldn’t take Communion and who could.

Dad looked at me through the rearview mirror and said, Well, Jason, Communion is for Christians; it’s for anyone who trusts in Jesus and invites him into his or her life.

I said, Well, I want to be a Christian.

My dad and I talked about this story not too long ago. He told me that at this point, he was a bit surprised because he hadn’t ever thought of child evangelism before this conversation.

He could tell though that I was serious and sincere.

That night at bedtime, my three-year-old brother, Ryan, and I went up to our bedroom we shared. Ryan hopped into his bed and I hopped into mine. Dad came upstairs, as he always did, to tuck us in and to pray with us, but this night, this time, this prayer was different.

This time I climbed out of my bed and knelt at my bedside. With my dad kneeling beside me, I prayed a simple prayer. Jesus, I love you and I know you love me. Forgive me of my sin. Come into my life. Be my Savior and my Lord.

That night I was sealed by the Holy Spirit, in the words of Paul (Ephesians 1:13 NIV).

Immediately afterward, I looked at my dad and said, What about Ryan?

My dad also told me recently that from that moment on, I was already very evangelistically minded and concerned about Ryan, which was sort of ironic since I beat up on him all the time as big brothers do.

After I asked about Ryan, Dad said, Well, Jason, Jesus loves Ryan too, but he’s still a little young to understand what it means to ask Jesus into his heart. But when he gets a little older, he can pray the same prayer you prayed.

From that day on, I took Communion as often as I could, and every time afterward, I would ask my dad, What about Ryan?

Fast-forward a few years. I was eight. Ryan was six. It was Communion Sunday again. During Sunday school that day, Ryan’s teacher taught her class about Communion, what it was, and who takes it.

After church, Ryan’s teacher cornered my dad and said, Jon, I need to talk to you about Ryan.

According to Dad, his initial thought was What? Ryan? This can’t be right. Ryan never gets in trouble. Trouble doesn’t follow Ryan; it follows Jason but not Ryan. She proceeded to tell my dad that Ryan told her he couldn’t take Communion, and when she asked him why, Ryan said, Because my dad won’t let me be a Christian.

Well, Dad started laughing and clearly explained the situation.

That night at bedtime, like so many nights before, Ryan hopped into his bed and I hopped into mine. Dad came into our room to pray with us.

Before he prayed though, he spoke to Ryan about what Ryan had said in Sunday school that morning. Dad explained to Ryan how to become a Christian and what it meant to live like one. Dad said, Ryan, when you confess your sin and invite Jesus into your life, that means Jesus lives inside of you and he helps you become a better boy.

Well, Ryan didn’t say anything for a few moments, and then, with a puzzled expression on his face, he looked at Dad, then at me, then at Dad again, and said, Well, how come he isn’t helping Jason?

I got mad and said, Yes, he is! Then I threw my pillow at him—in brotherly love of course.

Every time I reflect on these two experiences, or what many would refer to as conversion stories, my eyes are opened even more to an amazing truth.

Jesus loves me.

And Jesus loves you.

I hope you come to realize this powerful reality more and more every day.

By reading this book, I also hope you will grow in your relationship with Jesus, the Life of the Party, and receive everything he offers you.

CHAPTER 1

BEACH PARTY

Luke 5:1–11

Nobody likes a deadbeat. That’s a fair statement, isn’t it? Hanging around lazy and lackluster people is draining.

And I’ve never heard anybody referred to as the "death of the party." Am I right? Even if such a person did exist and we happened to be at the same party, I’d keep my distance.

Yeah, I know. That’s not very WWJD (What would Jesus do?) of me, but I’m just being real with you. Besides, I’m more a proponent of WWPD (What would Peter do?) because Peter sets the bar ridiculously low in the Gospels—just high enough for me to reach it. Most days.

Anyway, when you think about it, the truth is this: we aren’t drawn to death.

We gravitate toward life.

We’re naturally attracted to people who are lively, dynamic, and charismatic. Like a paper clip