Mark's Journey

Your Authority

Who (or what) is calling the shots in your life?  Last night we met with some people who are ready to take some serious next steps in life and in their relationship with Jesus. One of the things we talked about was Biblical Authority.  What we mean by that is do we let the Bible have authority in our life.  Or, the way I think about it is...do I let God, through the Bible, call the shots in my life.  Instead of us being in control and deciding everything for our life, we let God's words guide us.  He calls the shots.  Who's calling the shots in your life?

A Second Journey Site

Yesterday Matt gave an update on our plan to have a second Journey site.  You can read more about it at http://s3.amazonaws.com/churchplantmedia-cms/the-journey-mi/spring-letter-2012-web.pdf

One thing I have been thinking about is how we need to make ourselves available to God.  This is his church.  And it is his mission. He has asked us to be a part of it.  We are looking at another site to give more people along the lakeshore more opportunties to experience a relationship with Jesus.  We still would like to go north as we think there are many opportunties there.  That has been our plan.  However, we have realized that may take longer than we like.  We also have opened up our search in other locations as well.  We are taking a position of wherever God opens some doors and opportunities.  Some of the doors we thought were open have closed.

So our part in this is to make ourselves available to God.  To bring relationship, not religion to where the opportunities occur.  Sometimes it is hard to make ourselves available because we don't always know where God may lead us.  But that is when our faith grows and we see what God does along the way.

Go Lead Today

Who are you leading?  Some of you would say, nothing.  I'm not a leader.  I don't lead anything.  But the reality is you do.  Or, at least, you have the opportunity to lead.  I've heard lots of people describe what a leader is over the years.  There are many aspects to it. One aspect is influence.  If you influence others you are leading them.  And we all have the opportunity to influence others...to lead them. The question is, how are you influencing them, or leading them?  Your kids, spouse, boyfriend/girlfriend, co-workers, neighbors, friends.  You can have an influence on all of them.  You can lead them.

But influence them how?  Or lead them to what?  Well, there could be lots of answers to that.  But how about towards Jesus.  The Bible tells us that the most important thing in life, the greatest single focus for all of us is to know and love God.  So we have the chance to lead others in steps towards a relationship with Jesus.  Even if you still have questions, doubts, and are unsure about your own faith, you can still share with others some of the things you are experiencing in your life.  You can tell them your story, tell them the things you have learned about God.

Today, go be an influence.  Be a leader.  Take the time to influence someone towards God.

 

 

I MARRIED UP!

Today Jen and I are celebrating 20 years of marriage.  We did a little get away last week just for the two of us to celebrate.  But today, there are all kinds of things I could say here about Jen and why I'm the most blessed guy on the planet.  But let me just say 2 things.  One,  I married up.  Seriously.  I got the better end of this deal.  And two, it is awesome being married to your best friend.  We have more fun, laugh harder, and enjoy more of life together than with any other person.  It is one of the best aspects of our marriage.  God has been the center and our foundation for the years. And he has given us this time together.  I'm really grateful today.

Can't wait for the next 20...or 40...or 60!

SOME NUMBERS
If you like numbers, or even if you don't, here are some things going on:
-At The Journey, 20 people showed up yesterday for the 300 Second Party to hear about next steps
-We have 14 people signed up to participate in a new Beginnings Group that starts this week (you can still jump in if you want to)
-This week Jen and I celebrate 20 years of marriage!
-The Cubs are 11-17...not good enough.
-At The Journey, about 15 that are jumping into a leadership development class
-We had about 10-12 parents at a child dedication class yesterday hearing about next steps as parents.
-I have 2 cups of coffee so far today.

Unlearn

I recently heard someone say that they feel like they
need to "unlearn" or "de-learn" (or whatever is the right
word) some of the things they heard or learned growing up about God and church.
They feel like if they decide to follow Jesus that they will be labeled a judgmental,
critical, prideful, hypocritical person. They feel that way because many
Christians they know are like that. They are OK with Jesus, but not with what
people have done in the name of God that doesn't represent God very well. Maybe
this is something you can relate to. Maybe you are considering a relationship
with Jesus. I encourage you to keep your focus on Jesus. When we follow him we
may be labeled as some of those things...either because others are that way, or
we are that way sometimes. Either way, Jesus wants us to experience forgiveness
and life with Him. He is able to crash through the junk to bring hope and
restoration. We don't have to let those things keep us from having that
relationship with God.

Who is Writing Your Story?

You have a story. You may think you don't or think that your story is not a big deal. But the reality is you do. Your story is your life. And God cares about you, your life, and your story. There are parts of your story that you probably don't like that much. Parts that you hate. There are parts that no one else knows about. Parts that hurt, make you mad, disappoint, and parts you continue to struggle with. We all have parts of our story that are like that. But God wants to re-write our story. He can bring hope, strength, and life to our story. He can bring grace, forgiveness, and direction to our life and our story. What is your story? And how would you like God to re-write your story? Is it time for you to let go of your story and let God become the author?

What distracts you?

There are things in our life that can get in the way and distract us from or relationship with Jesus. Some things can distract us from actually beginning that relationship, others keep us from experiencing all that He has for us. Hebrews 12:1-2 "...let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith..."

What do you feel like ditracts you most? What do you need to throw off? How do you need to do that?

A Story of God and a Journeyer

Here is someone's story of how God is revealing Himself through His words in the Bible:

I read Acts and Romans. It's like someone flicked on the light switch. I knew Jesus died for our sins. But I didn't understand that having faith in Jesus is what forever forgives our sins. I had such a misunderstanding of this for so long. I know that we sin, and we pray for forgiveness. But until the last couple of days, I had honestly thought that unless I was continuously catching up on asking forgiveness for my sins, and if something happened to me that I could die without being forgiven. Now I see that I am already forgiven, and it lifted my heart so much to understand that correctly for the first time. I have questions too, but right now I am just filled with such relief and happiness. It is just incredible what I thought I knew and what I am learning now. I am glad that I have a better understanding. I feel as though I misunderstood so many things. Thank you for recommending this reading to me.

Stuff that's happening

A quick update on some things happening at The Journey, my family, and things I'm thinking about:

• My son (Jordan) baseball season starts today (unless it gets rained out). I love sitting outside in the spring and watching a ball game...no matter who's playing.
• The CUBS, however, are providing another painful season so far.
• We have been looking at and talking about colleges with Jacob. Lots to consider with this decision.
• Jacob has been playing and singing a bit at The Journey. It has been fun to watch him take steps that way and see him grow.
• I have been enjoying reading the stories on the teen blog.
• Journey Group signups are happening now. Great time to jump in and take some steps.
• Networks have some signups this Sunday for some great things happening in the next month.
• Looking forward to hearing another story this Sunday.
• Been thinking about summer vacation with my family...trying to plan something really cool.

Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved...Acts 10:13