I can not wait until this Sunday at The Journey. I will often get that feeling in my gut when I believe it is going to be a big Sunday and I have it for this week. We are baptizing 5 people on Sunday who have given their life to follow Jesus - awesome! I finish the Radical Jesus series Sunday with the last message: Imparting Grace. I truly hope some people find liberation and freedom this weekend and accept God's free grace.
Be in prayer for the service Sunday -- that God would encounter people, distractions would be eliminated, and that people who are on the edge of faith would step across that line. Pray that those being invited by others and yourself would take that step of coming. This summer is not going to be typical at The Journey -- we are going to try and stir a movement, a Jesus movement.
Friday, May 30, 2008
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Scriptures That Speak to Me - Part 4
I continue my journey through Scriptures that have spoken deeply to me throughout my life. I believe it is good to have passages that have serve as road markers for your journey. I have recently been studying 1 and 2 Samuel in the Old Testament, my favorite two books in the Scriptures, so I figured I would write about my favorite passage from those two books today. This is perhaps my favorite passage in all the Scriptures.
2 Samuel 7:18-29 (Click to read passage)
The setting of this passage is David has just been anointed king over all of Israel. David was so overwhelmed with humility, gratitude, and thanks -- all that could come out of him was this heart-felt, authentic prayer. I have often prayed this prayer to God and have been brought to tears by it. I often feel overwhelmed that God would choose me to lead His people and build His kingdom, so I resonate a lot with David's prayer. Here are some of my favorite lines from the passage:
* "Who am I, O Sovereign LORD, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far? (vs. 18)
* Is this your usual way of dealing with man, O Sovereign LORD? (vs. 19)
* "How great you are, O Sovereign LORD! There is no one like you, and there is no God but you, as we have heard with our own ears. (vs. 22)
* "And now, LORD God, keep forever the promise you have made concerning your servant and his house. Do as you promised, 26 so that your name will be great forever. (vs. 25-26)
* "O LORD Almighty, God of Israel, you have revealed this to your servant, saying, 'I will build a house for you.' So your servant has found courage to offer you this prayer. (vs. 27)
2 Samuel 7:18-29 (Click to read passage)
The setting of this passage is David has just been anointed king over all of Israel. David was so overwhelmed with humility, gratitude, and thanks -- all that could come out of him was this heart-felt, authentic prayer. I have often prayed this prayer to God and have been brought to tears by it. I often feel overwhelmed that God would choose me to lead His people and build His kingdom, so I resonate a lot with David's prayer. Here are some of my favorite lines from the passage:
* "Who am I, O Sovereign LORD, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far? (vs. 18)
* Is this your usual way of dealing with man, O Sovereign LORD? (vs. 19)
* "How great you are, O Sovereign LORD! There is no one like you, and there is no God but you, as we have heard with our own ears. (vs. 22)
* "And now, LORD God, keep forever the promise you have made concerning your servant and his house. Do as you promised, 26 so that your name will be great forever. (vs. 25-26)
* "O LORD Almighty, God of Israel, you have revealed this to your servant, saying, 'I will build a house for you.' So your servant has found courage to offer you this prayer. (vs. 27)
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Summer Slumps
Throughout the church world summer is usually viewed as the season that everything slumps - attendance slumps, volunteers showing up slumps, serving slumps, etc. At The Journey, we have tended to buck most trends that define churches. Most churches don't have many, if any, twenty-somethings that attend -- the majority of our people are in that category. Most churches have a hard time getting volunteers -- most people who attend serve at some capacity. Most churches are plateaued or declining -- we are growing and baptizing new converts regularly.
I want to put the challenge out for us as a church to buck the trend of the summer slump like we have bucked other church trends. God does not take the summer off from trying reach His lost children, neither should we. My challenge for us is to not only beat the summer slump, but to see this summer as a chance to further ignite the movement that Jesus has erupted among us. Let this summer be one that is unforgettable! Make a commitment to serve, be in group, attend one of the services, and invite others who God has burdened your heart to reach out to. God does not take summers off, we won't either.
I want to put the challenge out for us as a church to buck the trend of the summer slump like we have bucked other church trends. God does not take the summer off from trying reach His lost children, neither should we. My challenge for us is to not only beat the summer slump, but to see this summer as a chance to further ignite the movement that Jesus has erupted among us. Let this summer be one that is unforgettable! Make a commitment to serve, be in group, attend one of the services, and invite others who God has burdened your heart to reach out to. God does not take summers off, we won't either.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Twitter Bug
I couple of weeks ago I posted a BLOG about this new technology called Twitter. It allows for people to stay connected and informed about what others are up to during the day. I actually I have a handful of people I "follow" and peek in on their daily lives. I talked about the possibility of test-driving this tool for connection for thirty days and see if I liked it or got annoyed by it - I never tried it. So, today is my first official day to test drive Twitter.
You can check out my updates on my BLOG here on the right side of the page or you can go to my Twitter page and stay updated. I would enjoy feedback over the next several weeks to here if you like this or not. I hate to be an initial resister of technology without ever trying it first - so here goes.
You can check out my updates on my BLOG here on the right side of the page or you can go to my Twitter page and stay updated. I would enjoy feedback over the next several weeks to here if you like this or not. I hate to be an initial resister of technology without ever trying it first - so here goes.
3 Things God is asking of Me
Things are incredible in my life right now. I love my God, I love my family, and I love my church. I feel that I am operating in the sweet-spot of life right now more than any other time in my life. God is blessing both my family and The Journey. We are seeing much fruit being produced in people's lives and our church. Even in the midst of all these things, God is still challenging me and stretching me to grow further. Right now, God is asking three things for me to focus more of my time and energy around.
#1 - The ministry to my family, particularly Katrina. Being married to a pastor is not easy. Everyone wants my time and often Katrina has to let others have me when she would rather have me for herself. Something God has impressed upon me is preparing her for what He has in store for us in the future. I believe God is going to bless the Journey beyond belief. The days ahead of us involve large numbers of people that we will be ministering to. I believe our influence will be beyond the walls of our region and will extend to the others leaders and pastors of churches throughout the country. This is not just something that could happen, God has impressed upon me that it will happen -- it is my job to be prepared and prepare my family. That is why I believe God is asking me to prepare my wife for all that He will use her for in the days ahead.
#2 - Spending more time in prayer, study, and reflection. As a pastor I am constantly on the go and meeting with people. God has started laying on my heart the need to spend even more time in the Scriptures, prayer and reflection on the vision He has for this church. It is not that I don't do this now, but God has made it clear that a new level of influence and impact will require a new level of hearing from Him and preparation to lead what He is going to bring.
#3 - Training of leaders and delegation of duties. This is something God is really hitting me with. I can't possibly minister to each person one-on-one in the church, especially as God brings more and more people. However, God has brought leaders and other passionate, gifted followers of Jesus to help carry the load. Something I feel led to do is to begin training and building into leaders of the church so that a considerable number of people can do things I currently do. This actually excites me, because I know that those who will be a part of this are going to experience tremendous joy in being used by God to serve and help others.
These are the things God is currently asking of me. What is God asking you right now? How is God stretching you to become everything you were created to be to reach your full potential? Are you answering Him? This is a growing and stretching season for the Journey and for myself. Join me in letting God do a work in us all.
#1 - The ministry to my family, particularly Katrina. Being married to a pastor is not easy. Everyone wants my time and often Katrina has to let others have me when she would rather have me for herself. Something God has impressed upon me is preparing her for what He has in store for us in the future. I believe God is going to bless the Journey beyond belief. The days ahead of us involve large numbers of people that we will be ministering to. I believe our influence will be beyond the walls of our region and will extend to the others leaders and pastors of churches throughout the country. This is not just something that could happen, God has impressed upon me that it will happen -- it is my job to be prepared and prepare my family. That is why I believe God is asking me to prepare my wife for all that He will use her for in the days ahead.
#2 - Spending more time in prayer, study, and reflection. As a pastor I am constantly on the go and meeting with people. God has started laying on my heart the need to spend even more time in the Scriptures, prayer and reflection on the vision He has for this church. It is not that I don't do this now, but God has made it clear that a new level of influence and impact will require a new level of hearing from Him and preparation to lead what He is going to bring.
#3 - Training of leaders and delegation of duties. This is something God is really hitting me with. I can't possibly minister to each person one-on-one in the church, especially as God brings more and more people. However, God has brought leaders and other passionate, gifted followers of Jesus to help carry the load. Something I feel led to do is to begin training and building into leaders of the church so that a considerable number of people can do things I currently do. This actually excites me, because I know that those who will be a part of this are going to experience tremendous joy in being used by God to serve and help others.
These are the things God is currently asking of me. What is God asking you right now? How is God stretching you to become everything you were created to be to reach your full potential? Are you answering Him? This is a growing and stretching season for the Journey and for myself. Join me in letting God do a work in us all.
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Sunday Reflections
Another great day of being with my favorite church in the world! I truly feel honored to serve as the pastor of The Journey and I'm thrilled to death at the work that is happening in the lives of people. We had our second Sunday at two services and had a stellar day -- we actually got to be back in the gym! I hope everyone has a great Memorial Day tomorrow and enjoys time off work. Here are a couple parting thoughts I will leave you with:
* I can't believe the series: Radical Jesus, is over next week -- I want to keep going...maybe I can bring it back in the fall with more content
* Don't miss next week's service, it is going to be amazing, bring somebody with you -- can I say 'baptisms' whooh!
* We begin new series in two weeks: One Prayer, we will join over a 1,000 other churches with every state represented and 18 countries total participating
* Shelly Baker did an incredible job singing 'God With Us' today
* Worship rocked as usual
* Be in prayer for me, I often feel heavy burdens while preaching and believe I am waging war against the enemy during those times. I want to speak and say everything God wants me to say and would appreciate your prayers throughout the week
* 11am service was energetic during worship today... 9am is going to have to bring it next week :-)
* Make an effort this week to evaluate where you place your identity -- center it on Jesus and who he says you are
I'm going to relax the rest of the night and get ready for my golf match in the morning with my godfather and dad -- I won the last one, I can't be slacking now!
* I can't believe the series: Radical Jesus, is over next week -- I want to keep going...maybe I can bring it back in the fall with more content
* Don't miss next week's service, it is going to be amazing, bring somebody with you -- can I say 'baptisms' whooh!
* We begin new series in two weeks: One Prayer, we will join over a 1,000 other churches with every state represented and 18 countries total participating
* Shelly Baker did an incredible job singing 'God With Us' today
* Worship rocked as usual
* Be in prayer for me, I often feel heavy burdens while preaching and believe I am waging war against the enemy during those times. I want to speak and say everything God wants me to say and would appreciate your prayers throughout the week
* 11am service was energetic during worship today... 9am is going to have to bring it next week :-)
* Make an effort this week to evaluate where you place your identity -- center it on Jesus and who he says you are
I'm going to relax the rest of the night and get ready for my golf match in the morning with my godfather and dad -- I won the last one, I can't be slacking now!
Friday, May 23, 2008
Motivations
Right now I'm wrestling through a concept that I believe I will eventually be teaching on at some point in the future. I haven't quite got my own brain around it yet, but I believe I am on to something. I'm thinking about motivations.
Everything we do it motivated by something. The question I'm working through is: what is the motivation behind all the things that I do? Do my motivations for doing things vary at different times? Here are some questions I am asking to get my brain and my spirit around this:
* Do we do things that look good on the outside because they are good things, but really have wrong motivations behind doing them?
* Is it possible that we sin more than we realize because our motivations for doing things are wrong, not necessarily the things we are doing?
* How do we constantly check our motivations to see if they are holy/righteous?
* Can we change our motivations for why we do things? How?
Partner with me in thinking about this topic. Let me know what you think. More to come on this later...
Look forward to seeing everyone on Sunday - I'm pumped about the service!
Everything we do it motivated by something. The question I'm working through is: what is the motivation behind all the things that I do? Do my motivations for doing things vary at different times? Here are some questions I am asking to get my brain and my spirit around this:
* Do we do things that look good on the outside because they are good things, but really have wrong motivations behind doing them?
* Is it possible that we sin more than we realize because our motivations for doing things are wrong, not necessarily the things we are doing?
* How do we constantly check our motivations to see if they are holy/righteous?
* Can we change our motivations for why we do things? How?
Partner with me in thinking about this topic. Let me know what you think. More to come on this later...
Look forward to seeing everyone on Sunday - I'm pumped about the service!
Thursday, May 22, 2008
The Big 28
It is official...I am another year older. Today is my birthday and I'm taking the day to hang out with the family. Tonight I will have dinner with my parents, sister, Katrina, and Kaleb and possibly go watch the new 'Indiana Jones' movie. These birthdays are coming quicker and quicker it seems. Hopefully, I am getting wiser as I get older...we'll see.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Fun Night With New Small Group
Last night Katrina and I hosted a small group in our home. We invited people from The Journey that live in the Hermitage/Mt Juliet area who are new and looking for connection. We have a great mixture of people and diversity of backgrounds. Each person in the group is in a different place in their journey of faith. The goal of the small group is that we would spur one another on toward growth in our walk with Jesus.
Things we talked about:
* We did an ice-breaker where you have to write down two truths about yourself and one lie. When you introduce yourself you have to share the three things and the group guesses which is the lie. It was hilarious trying to guess people's lie. Poor John Griffin learned that you never say that the age a women tells you is a lie. :-)
* We talked about where each of us are on the journey with God. We talked about where we would like to be a year from now. People opened up and shared a lot and the things they are looking to grow in really impressed me.
* I talked about the four things every group should have in order to be healthy(According to Rick Warren).
1. Authenticity - you got to keep it real (1 John 1:7-8)
2. Mutuality - giving and receiving, depending on one another (Romans 1:12)
3. Sympathy - entering in and sharing the pain of others, no flippant, quick solution answers to problems people share (Colossians 3:12)
4. Mercy - a place where mistakes are rubbed out, not in (2 Corinthians 2:7 / Colossians 3:13)
* We concluded the night with breaking the guys and girls up into groups. We share prayer request and challenged each other to take the necessary steps of journeying with God this week.
I look forward to the future of this group and all that we will experience together.
Things we talked about:
* We did an ice-breaker where you have to write down two truths about yourself and one lie. When you introduce yourself you have to share the three things and the group guesses which is the lie. It was hilarious trying to guess people's lie. Poor John Griffin learned that you never say that the age a women tells you is a lie. :-)
* We talked about where each of us are on the journey with God. We talked about where we would like to be a year from now. People opened up and shared a lot and the things they are looking to grow in really impressed me.
* I talked about the four things every group should have in order to be healthy(According to Rick Warren).
1. Authenticity - you got to keep it real (1 John 1:7-8)
2. Mutuality - giving and receiving, depending on one another (Romans 1:12)
3. Sympathy - entering in and sharing the pain of others, no flippant, quick solution answers to problems people share (Colossians 3:12)
4. Mercy - a place where mistakes are rubbed out, not in (2 Corinthians 2:7 / Colossians 3:13)
* We concluded the night with breaking the guys and girls up into groups. We share prayer request and challenged each other to take the necessary steps of journeying with God this week.
I look forward to the future of this group and all that we will experience together.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Scriptures That Speak to Me - Part 3
I continue today with the posts on passages of Scripture that speak to me and have spoken deeply to me throughout my life. I figured since God is doing such an amazing work right now in leading people to Himself in a powerful way, the Scriptures today would reflect that. Btw, yesterday I had the privilege of helping lead another lady to faith in Christ on the patio of Panera Bread in Mt Juliet. She has been attending the Journey for several months and decided it was time to relinquish control of her life and embrace the relationship with God she was created for. I'm so excited for her and the days ahead of her as she walks with Jesus.
Jeremiah 20:9 - (click to read brief passage)
This passage is a life verse for me. I believe I have truly began to let the fire out recently in my life. For many years I think I preached messages that I thought people would like, now I focus on preaching messages that God has consumed me with -- big difference. I can longer hold in the fire that God has blazing inside, indeed I will not.
Matthew 11:12 - (click to read brief passage)
This passage fires me up! The kingdom of heaven is forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it. God's kingdom and reign is breaking on to Earth and there is a tribe of people who see it as their role for advancing it forward. I feel that is my calling. I also feel that bringing others into the kingdom advancing calling is my role. What we are experiencing at The Journey right now is nothing other than the kingdom of heaven forcefully advancing! Let us all be forceful men and women who lay hold of it.
Jeremiah 20:9 - (click to read brief passage)
This passage is a life verse for me. I believe I have truly began to let the fire out recently in my life. For many years I think I preached messages that I thought people would like, now I focus on preaching messages that God has consumed me with -- big difference. I can longer hold in the fire that God has blazing inside, indeed I will not.
Matthew 11:12 - (click to read brief passage)
This passage fires me up! The kingdom of heaven is forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it. God's kingdom and reign is breaking on to Earth and there is a tribe of people who see it as their role for advancing it forward. I feel that is my calling. I also feel that bringing others into the kingdom advancing calling is my role. What we are experiencing at The Journey right now is nothing other than the kingdom of heaven forcefully advancing! Let us all be forceful men and women who lay hold of it.
Monday, May 19, 2008
God's Goodness
Today I have been reflecting a lot about God's goodness. Many people's lives are being changed and transformed by God right now at The Journey. It just happens to be at The Journey, God is the orchestrator of changed lives. I am amazed at God's goodness and His unfailing and unwavering love for us. I'm so humbled to see and hear people's stories of what God is doing right now in their lives.
Pray for me. I'm in a season where I'm going to be doing a lot of writing. I am officially writing the book on how to navigate through difficulties and struggles of life. By telling Kaleb's story, connecting the Scriptures, and sharing what God has revealed to me through both, I'm going to be writing a book intended to help and prepare people with dealing with life's "fires". Pray that I could be patient enough to sit at a computer and pound out the necessary words, as well as emotionally deal with reliving and exploring all the emotions and memories from our last several years of struggles. The purpose for writing the book is to help people see God's goodness even in difficult circumstances.
Reflect on His goodness in your own life today.
Pray for me. I'm in a season where I'm going to be doing a lot of writing. I am officially writing the book on how to navigate through difficulties and struggles of life. By telling Kaleb's story, connecting the Scriptures, and sharing what God has revealed to me through both, I'm going to be writing a book intended to help and prepare people with dealing with life's "fires". Pray that I could be patient enough to sit at a computer and pound out the necessary words, as well as emotionally deal with reliving and exploring all the emotions and memories from our last several years of struggles. The purpose for writing the book is to help people see God's goodness even in difficult circumstances.
Reflect on His goodness in your own life today.
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Weekend Review
Well it was quite an interesting weekend to say the least! We had our first weekend of the two service format (9am & 11am) and had a spectacular day. It did not look like it was going to be that way when we received a phone call from the school principal at 10pm last night informing us we could not meet in the gym today. Apparently, a breaker burned out from all the power being pulled for the 'Annie Jr.' performance the school had been performing all weekend. We went into hyperventilate mode for about a minute and then settled on a solution of meeting in the cafeteria for just this week. Here is what God revealed to me through it all:
* I'm so blessed to be with the people of The Journey and serve beside such warriors!
* When in a crisis situation, people of The Journey will always rise to the occasion -- way to go everybody that had a hand in preparing the cafeteria for services today!
* God could care less where we meet and can rain His presence down in any environment -- praise Him for the life given to Christ in the 11am service and all the commitments made today!
* Robbie Cheuvront is one big stress-ball and needs a day off -- I have given him off tomorrow. Man I love that guy! :-)
* Today we had our largest Catalyst gathering attendance outside of Easter!
* We now realize how much easier we've had it with set-up/tear-down after this week!
* We have not even seen the likes of what God desires to do at The Journey!
* The Journey @ Providence and @ Hartsville is coming this fall and I can not wait for the day of pausing on a Sunday and realizing that in three different areas, there is ONE church, gathering and praising the name of Jesus -- dang that is going to be awesome! (sorry, I'm having a moment)
* In the last four weeks, there have been 9 professions of faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and so far 5 have been baptized -- God is good!
Invest and invite this week. Get a hold of some folks from The Journey for coffee or connection time other than Sunday. Pray that God would saturate your life with His presence. Be light in this world! Next Sunday, we discuss how Jesus was about 'Redefining Symbols'. Let's journey together this week.
* I'm so blessed to be with the people of The Journey and serve beside such warriors!
* When in a crisis situation, people of The Journey will always rise to the occasion -- way to go everybody that had a hand in preparing the cafeteria for services today!
* God could care less where we meet and can rain His presence down in any environment -- praise Him for the life given to Christ in the 11am service and all the commitments made today!
* Robbie Cheuvront is one big stress-ball and needs a day off -- I have given him off tomorrow. Man I love that guy! :-)
* Today we had our largest Catalyst gathering attendance outside of Easter!
* We now realize how much easier we've had it with set-up/tear-down after this week!
* We have not even seen the likes of what God desires to do at The Journey!
* The Journey @ Providence and @ Hartsville is coming this fall and I can not wait for the day of pausing on a Sunday and realizing that in three different areas, there is ONE church, gathering and praising the name of Jesus -- dang that is going to be awesome! (sorry, I'm having a moment)
* In the last four weeks, there have been 9 professions of faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and so far 5 have been baptized -- God is good!
Invest and invite this week. Get a hold of some folks from The Journey for coffee or connection time other than Sunday. Pray that God would saturate your life with His presence. Be light in this world! Next Sunday, we discuss how Jesus was about 'Redefining Symbols'. Let's journey together this week.
Friday, May 16, 2008
Invest and Invite
How many times have you invited friends and family to church only to be disappointed that they never came? This happens a lot when we take that step of inviting people to attend church, but why? I believe we have to become great inviters, not great informers. We very rarely invite people to church, we informed them. If you tell someone what time the services are, where we meet, or what it is like - you are simply informing them. Sure, you tell them we would love to have them, but what is going to compel them to come? A true invitation comes in the form of some type of meeting up together. Ask the person you are inviting to join you for breakfast or coffee before going to the service. Plan a lunch between families for after the service. You have to go beyond simply giving information and make yourself available to the person you are inviting. It is less risky to the person you're inviting when they can walk in with you or know that you are going to be there.
Take the time to invest your life in relationships with people and then invite them to church with you, not inform them about it. See how this changes your ability to get your friends and family to church.
Take the time to invest your life in relationships with people and then invite them to church with you, not inform them about it. See how this changes your ability to get your friends and family to church.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Meetings Galore
Yesterday was a busy day, as I was in meetings from morning till night. I met with the Catalyst Team from The Journey to discuss future teaching series and our move to two services this week. That meeting was in Lebanon, so I got the 'fro' cut while I was there. I then headed to Franklin to link up with a mentor, and friend of mine, to discuss church, leadership, and life -- very good stuff, very refreshing. After my meeting in Franklin, I left for Mt Juliet for my third and final meeting. That meeting was with two editors/writers from The Journey to discuss the book God has given me to write. God has given me a story to tell about how to navigate through what I call "the fires of life". By telling the story of my son Kaleb, the story of Meshach, Shadrach, and Abednego found in Daniel 3 of the Scriptures, and the lessons we learned as a result of being in the "fire" ourselves, I feel there is a pretty compelling story to be told that can help a lot of people. The cool thing is that they agreed with that and we are going to begin work together to get the book written and to a publisher. I'm really excited about it; I've known for a while God was going to have me write this book, now's the time.
Today I am going to rest and spend time with Katrina and Kaleb.
Today I am going to rest and spend time with Katrina and Kaleb.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Intersecting Circles: Gifts and Time
I want to finish up the post that I started last week entitled: Intersecting Circles. The purpose behind the post was to explore how we can live in the "sweet-spot" of life. The four circles are: our passions, our calling, our gifting, and our time. Gifting and time are the two things I want to cover right now.
Our gifting is: the skills, talents, and strengths that we possess. These are often given to us at birth and some are given when we give our lives to Christ and receive His Spirit. Often the key to discovering these gifts is through involvement. That leads to the last topic: time. It doesn't bring fulfillment and joy to know your gifting, know your calling, and know your passions, but not put the time in deploying all of them. If what gets our juices pumping (passion) is directly linked to God's plan for our life (calling), and our skill-sets support both (gifting), and we are willing to submit our will to living it out (time)-- we are in the sweet-spot in life and positioned to do incredible things.
How many of the intersecting circles are you living in?
Our gifting is: the skills, talents, and strengths that we possess. These are often given to us at birth and some are given when we give our lives to Christ and receive His Spirit. Often the key to discovering these gifts is through involvement. That leads to the last topic: time. It doesn't bring fulfillment and joy to know your gifting, know your calling, and know your passions, but not put the time in deploying all of them. If what gets our juices pumping (passion) is directly linked to God's plan for our life (calling), and our skill-sets support both (gifting), and we are willing to submit our will to living it out (time)-- we are in the sweet-spot in life and positioned to do incredible things.
How many of the intersecting circles are you living in?
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Pounding Away
I have been locked in the cave (my office) all day! My extroverted self is dying to get around some people! I'm trying to craft out the entire Jesus series by tomorrow afternoon so I can give them to the creative team for planning. In the process of doing this I have gotten "ramped up" about this series: The Radical Jesus.
My prayer: Jesus, awaken us to a new reality of yourself, reveal who you were and are to us, and draw us all to a deeper devotion and commitment to you as a result!
Don't forget: 2 services beginning this week - 9am & 11am
My prayer: Jesus, awaken us to a new reality of yourself, reveal who you were and are to us, and draw us all to a deeper devotion and commitment to you as a result!
Don't forget: 2 services beginning this week - 9am & 11am
Scriptures That Speak To Me - Part 2
I continue a run through of the different passages of Scripture that speak to me and have made an impact on me during my life. These two passages today are extremely short, but profoundly impacting.
Isaiah 6:8 (click to read brief passage)
This passage of Scripture has always spoken to me in a deep way. I don't always feel qualified or worthy to do God's work, but I am always willing. I think God looks for a willingness to serve Him more than all the right credentials. This passage is an example of such an attitude. When God is looking around and asking, "Whom shall I send?" - is your first response, "Here am I, send me."? I pray daily that it would be mine. I pray it would be yours too.
John 3:30 (click to read brief passage)
This passage is always relevant and always something that we need to be reminded of. This passage is John the Baptizer speaking when he was questioned about Jesus beginning to gain many followers and an argument broke out between John's disciples and a certain Jew. Interrupting the argument, John brings into full focus the reality we must all realize, "He must become greater, I must become less." -- referring to Jesus. The passage incites humility upon anyone in leadership, because you are reminded that it is not about you, your fame, or your notoriety -- it is all about Jesus.
Isaiah 6:8 (click to read brief passage)
This passage of Scripture has always spoken to me in a deep way. I don't always feel qualified or worthy to do God's work, but I am always willing. I think God looks for a willingness to serve Him more than all the right credentials. This passage is an example of such an attitude. When God is looking around and asking, "Whom shall I send?" - is your first response, "Here am I, send me."? I pray daily that it would be mine. I pray it would be yours too.
John 3:30 (click to read brief passage)
This passage is always relevant and always something that we need to be reminded of. This passage is John the Baptizer speaking when he was questioned about Jesus beginning to gain many followers and an argument broke out between John's disciples and a certain Jew. Interrupting the argument, John brings into full focus the reality we must all realize, "He must become greater, I must become less." -- referring to Jesus. The passage incites humility upon anyone in leadership, because you are reminded that it is not about you, your fame, or your notoriety -- it is all about Jesus.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Just a Glimpse
I am still riding on "cloud 9" since yesterday's amazing Sunday service. I am still blown away at the amazing Spirit that was filling the building yesterday. I felt like I was in a twilight zone and time was standing still. I have been reflecting about what we witnessed yesterday and could not help but begin thinking about all the stories in the Scriptures where people encountered God in amazing ways and were witnesses to God's movement first hand. Those who were at The Journey yesterday can chalk up that experience as parallel with the incredible things that occurred in the Scriptures.
Here is what God has spoken to me since yesterday: We only seen a glimpse of what is to come. If we are obedient, faithful, and hungry to ignite a Jesus movement, we only seen a snapshot of all that God desires to do through us. This is not just some poetic vision casting thing, this is what God is saying to me: We haven't seen anything yet. The Journey's best days are ahead of us! One thing is for certain: Mother's Day, May 11th, 2008 marked a place in time for us as a church. I believe we will look back and see things through the filter of that was before May 11, 2008 or it was after. I believe this to be so. After looking at the eyes and smiling faces of those in attendance following service, I believe everyone is hungry for more. We can't go back, only forward. May 11, 2008 marked the day in which we shared our last day with one service, but it also marked the day in which we realized that God is about to ignite something we can't even begin to imagine -- and we tasted it!
Here is what God has spoken to me since yesterday: We only seen a glimpse of what is to come. If we are obedient, faithful, and hungry to ignite a Jesus movement, we only seen a snapshot of all that God desires to do through us. This is not just some poetic vision casting thing, this is what God is saying to me: We haven't seen anything yet. The Journey's best days are ahead of us! One thing is for certain: Mother's Day, May 11th, 2008 marked a place in time for us as a church. I believe we will look back and see things through the filter of that was before May 11, 2008 or it was after. I believe this to be so. After looking at the eyes and smiling faces of those in attendance following service, I believe everyone is hungry for more. We can't go back, only forward. May 11, 2008 marked the day in which we shared our last day with one service, but it also marked the day in which we realized that God is about to ignite something we can't even begin to imagine -- and we tasted it!
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Sunday Evening Reflections
All I can say is...wow! I don't even know where to begin describing the kind of day we had today at The Journey. I am amazed at what God did today as we opened ourselves up to Him and let Him have control. As far as ministry is concerned, this was the greatest day in ministry I have ever experienced. Here are the highlights:
* We had one scheduled baptism and ended up having 5, as people responded the prompting of the Holy Spirit and gave their lives to Christ and were baptized
* One of the guys baptized was a self-proclaimed atheist who has been attending the church for months. I remember the first words he ever spoke to me when he came, "I'm not a Christian or anything, is it still OK if I come to this church?" - unbelievable! From the first day he came until now, he has been on a journey of discovering God and today he crossed the line of faith
* We dedicated five children today as well, and spoke blessings over their lives with their families
* We commissioned some new staff at church and have many more soon to follow
It was such a great day today that I'm not quite sure how we can top it next week, but I believe the more control we give God the more He desires to show up and blow our minds! We begin a new series next week: The Radical Jesus and we go to two services 9am and 11am. Be sure to be there and bring some friends and family. Buckle up, it's about to get fast!
* We had one scheduled baptism and ended up having 5, as people responded the prompting of the Holy Spirit and gave their lives to Christ and were baptized
* One of the guys baptized was a self-proclaimed atheist who has been attending the church for months. I remember the first words he ever spoke to me when he came, "I'm not a Christian or anything, is it still OK if I come to this church?" - unbelievable! From the first day he came until now, he has been on a journey of discovering God and today he crossed the line of faith
* We dedicated five children today as well, and spoke blessings over their lives with their families
* We commissioned some new staff at church and have many more soon to follow
It was such a great day today that I'm not quite sure how we can top it next week, but I believe the more control we give God the more He desires to show up and blow our minds! We begin a new series next week: The Radical Jesus and we go to two services 9am and 11am. Be sure to be there and bring some friends and family. Buckle up, it's about to get fast!
Friday, May 9, 2008
Big Weekend Ahead
I have had a great day so far. I went to Pump it Up with Kaleb and Katrina this morning. He is still skeptical about going down all the slides, even though this is the 100th time we have been there. I then went and had lunch with a bud at a Greek Deli in Donelson -- great food! I've got a wedding I'm doing tomorrow evening, so I'm going to the rehearsal tonight. These are always nerve racking for me. If I mess up, they will forever remember that on their wedding day the "pastor" ruined their special day. No pressure right?
It is going to be an amazing weekend at The Journey. We are honoring graduates, dedicating children, taking communion, commissioning new staff, and doing a baptism -- on top of all that it is Mother's Day. Don't miss out this Sunday!
2 Things: (1) Don't forget that May 18th we are going to 2 services (9am and 11am) and I will begin a new series called: The Radical Jesus (2) Send me your questions/topics that you want me teach on in the coming months during the series created to answer your specific questions
It is going to be an amazing weekend at The Journey. We are honoring graduates, dedicating children, taking communion, commissioning new staff, and doing a baptism -- on top of all that it is Mother's Day. Don't miss out this Sunday!
2 Things: (1) Don't forget that May 18th we are going to 2 services (9am and 11am) and I will begin a new series called: The Radical Jesus (2) Send me your questions/topics that you want me teach on in the coming months during the series created to answer your specific questions
Intersecting Circles: Calling
What were you created to do? What is it that God birthed you to accomplish and to give your life to? The answer to these questions is where is you will find your calling. Throughout the Scriptures were reminded that God has created us for a purpose, that he has plans for our life. We see how God used other men and women throughout Scripture and "called" them to leave the life they were living and tap into the life they were created to live.
Are you living in your calling? It is important to understand what it is we are walking the Earth to accomplish. No person is an accident, but created in the image of God for good works.
Ephesians 2:10 - For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Are you living in your calling? It is important to understand what it is we are walking the Earth to accomplish. No person is an accident, but created in the image of God for good works.
Ephesians 2:10 - For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Intersecting Circles: Passion
When you think about serving God and trying to help accomplish His mission on Earth, does anything get you excited? Is there anything that gets you pumped up and ready to roll up your sleeves? For some this could be serving the poor, for others it could be building a home, it could be taking a complicated Biblical truth and simplifying for a child to understand, or it may just be encouraging people in God's army who are serving. We can discover our passions when we tap into the things that we would do everyday, all day, if money was not an object. In other words, if you didn't need a job or any money and you could do ___________ all day long, what would that __________ be?
Another way to discover this is from the opposite approach. Is there anything that is your "holy discontent"? Is there anything that you see happening or don't see happening that makes you mad - in a righteous anger? For me, seeing churches that were irrelevant to the lost and unconcerned with reaching them made me yearn for a church that could possibly change that - hence The Journey.
It is important to discover your passions, they are God-given. God gives us these passions because He knows it will drive our efforts to advance His Kingdom on Earth. In order to live in the "sweet-spot" of life, you must discover yours.
Another way to discover this is from the opposite approach. Is there anything that is your "holy discontent"? Is there anything that you see happening or don't see happening that makes you mad - in a righteous anger? For me, seeing churches that were irrelevant to the lost and unconcerned with reaching them made me yearn for a church that could possibly change that - hence The Journey.
It is important to discover your passions, they are God-given. God gives us these passions because He knows it will drive our efforts to advance His Kingdom on Earth. In order to live in the "sweet-spot" of life, you must discover yours.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Intersecting Circles
Life can be hard. Not every decision is easy. There are times when we have to really struggle with our purpose and where we find meaning. There is nothing sadder, in my opinion, than people who try so hard to do something they were not created/wired to do. Equally as sad, is the person who fights so hard from doing what they were absolutely created/wired to do.
There are four intersecting circles that I believe must overlap to create a "sweet-spot" in life. The four circles are: our passions, our calling, our gifting, and our time. We are capable of operating without all four circles being present in our lives, but the results are not an amazing life lived. If what gets our juices pumping (passion) is directly linked to God's plan for our life (calling), and our skill-sets support both (gifting), and we are willing to submit our will to living it out (time)-- we are in the sweet-spot in life and positioned to do incredible things.
Have you answered the question about the four circles for yourself? What is your sweet-spot? Over the next couple of days, we'll explore each circle a little further.
There are four intersecting circles that I believe must overlap to create a "sweet-spot" in life. The four circles are: our passions, our calling, our gifting, and our time. We are capable of operating without all four circles being present in our lives, but the results are not an amazing life lived. If what gets our juices pumping (passion) is directly linked to God's plan for our life (calling), and our skill-sets support both (gifting), and we are willing to submit our will to living it out (time)-- we are in the sweet-spot in life and positioned to do incredible things.
Have you answered the question about the four circles for yourself? What is your sweet-spot? Over the next couple of days, we'll explore each circle a little further.
More about Twitter
Watch this video for another quick explanation of Twitter -- if your lost, read my last post.
Would you twitter?
Would you twitter?
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
OK, I need some feedback from as many as possible.
There is a new technology that is being used called Twitter. Twitter is a free social networking tool that many are using to let people keep up with what they are doing throughout the day and so they can keep with others they are "following" - a Twitter term. I've heard a lot of good things about this. I've heard that this a great tool for ministry leaders and the people they lead to use to keep communication and share life together - even when they are not with each other. There are many business types, corporate leaders, pastors, and many others adopting this technology to assist in accomplishing their mission.
Almost every new technology is often resisted by the majority, adopted by the few - THEN - the majority catches on and begins doing it. Examples: MySpace, Facebook, Text Messaging, BLOGGING, fashion trends, etc.
I'm pondering trying this for a 30 day trial run. What do you think? Is this a useful tool for continuing relationships and leading? Read12 Reasons to Start Twittering by Michael Hyatt, CEO and President of Thomas Nelson Publishers, by clicking here -- then tell me what you think. Who knows...this could be how my wife can keep up with everything going on with me? :-)
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