Mark's Journey

Do We Love Him?

If you go to The Journey, one of the things you probably have heard a bunch is that God loves us.  He shows his love for us in many ways...and Jesus dying to pay for our sin is the biggest act of love.  I think we like hearing that God loves us.  It can bring peace, comfort, and a sense of where we belong.

But there is this other part to the relationship with Jesus--our part.  The Bible also talks about us loving Jesus.  We don't just receive his love, we are love him back.  I was reading the Bible with my kids last night and we read 1 Peter 1:8-9.  There was one line in there that talked about us loving him.  I think we may hear about obeying Jesus, following Jesus, learning about him, do what he asks...and those kinds of things.  But we must never forget that those things should flow out of our love for Jesus.  Those are examples and ways to love him.

Have you ever just taken a few moments to sit, think, reflect, and pray about your love for Jesus?   I encourage you to do that today.  Tell him you love him.  That is part of your relationship with him.

Impacting our Community

The school supplies we've been collecting the past two weeks at The Journey are going to help kids in need.  I am so proud to be a part of The Journey were we do these kinds of things.  When I think about how we follow Jesus as a church, I know this is part of it.

But really we did the school supply drive to launch something even bigger...Networks.  We've been talking about them a lot because it is a big deal.  We will be making even greater impact in our community in the months to come, so stay tuned.

Thank you so much, Journeyers, for helping to make this happen this past 2 weeks!

Stuff floating around my brain

Want to know what is up?  Here's a few things:

• Sunday at 1:00 we are baptizing some people at Pere Marquette.  You should come if you can.
• Networks are gaining momentum.  I think faster than I can keep up with...which is good.
• I've been thinking about Journey Groups and what we'll do this fall to help people take next steps.
• I am so thankful for some people who have stepped up in big ways to lead.
• I want to get a few more good beach days before summer ends
• I am looking forward to the football season this fall.  But the Bears offensive line better step it up.
• I feel like I am learning a ton right now.  I also feel like I am doing things I am not fully equipped to do...but jumping in anyway.
• Jen and I are looking to plan an overnight get-a-way sometime this fall.  I always look forward to those times when we slow down and just renew, reconnect, and refocus.

Hope you have a great weekend!

 

 

School Supplies

This coming Sunday is the last Sunday we are collecting school supplies for kids in need in our community.  When you bring supplies to The Journey on Sunday, just drop them off at the Network booth you want to connect with.  This not only is a great way to make a difference in our community, but also allows you to connect with some others in your Network.  So far, I think we are doing great in what we've collected.  And Networks seem to be gaining momentum as more people are signing up and getting interested in them.

Networks (5)

I love going to a store where you get to sample something, or experiment before you guy something.  Grocery stores often do that.  In the deli section you can sample items.  You can test drive a car before you buy.  Best Buy lets you play with the toys first.  We often like to do that because you don't want to buy something, and then later not like it...or wish you would have checked it out before you bought it.

I think people are sometimes like that when it comes to following Jesus.  People don't decide to follow Jesus blindly.  People want to go at their own pace of knowing more about Jesus before they decide to follow.  Often people go through a process of exploring who he is.  They may even want to participate and "try some things out".  People may want to experience part of what it means to follow Jesus before they actually decide to follow Jesus.

We think Networks will give people an easy, comfortable way to do that.  They can hear some things, ask questions, serve, talk to other followers, check out a Beginnings Group, and go at their own pace.  It can give people a place to belong before they take a step to believe.

What about you?  Where are you in the process?  What's your next step to experience to help move you more to following Jesus?

Networks (4)

We talk all the time at The Journey about taking our next step.  We want to keep growing, keep moving forward, and keep taking steps in life, in our relationships, and especially in our relationship with God.  And taking next steps is a key part of Networks.  In addition, to impacting our community, we will be offering several options for people to take steps.  We'll be briefly communicating some things at the Network events that will encourage and challenge people.  We will be letting people know about some Journey Group options that people can try.  We will also be communicating about some resources that may be of help.

So, are you getting ready?  Momentum is building.  Networks are coming.  Networks are here!

Networks (3)

The main reason The Journey has grown in these first 8 years is because people that already attend The Journey invite others.  People inviting people.  Friends, family, co-workers, etc.  If you attend The Journey it is most likely because someone invited you.  That will continue and we encourage you to keep inviting people.  However, there are times (maybe even most times) that when we invite people attend a Sunday Gathering they don't come.  Or maybe it takes some one a long time to actually try it.

We think Networks can help with this.  What we want to be inviting people to is into a relationship with God...not just a Sunday Gathering.  Networks will give us another opportunity to invite people.  Our friends may be willing to participate in a Network event.  During that event, they will experience the joy of serving others, meet some people from The Journey, and hear about some next steps with the Network in their own community.  Networks will allow people to connect with The Journey and God, not just in a Sunday Gathering, but right in their own community doing some great things.

So as we kick off Networks, be looking to see who you could invite to participate.

Networks (2)

As we continue growing as a church, we have to adjust.  My role has shifted as well since I first joined the staff team at The Journey.  We moved here 4 years ago and the average attendance has about doubled since then.  God keeps doing amazing things in people's lives and Journeyers just keep inviting others.  But one thing we realize is that with more people we need to shift how we connect with people and help people take next steps.  Networks will allow us to do that better.  People can take an easier step of serving in a Network which occurs right in their own community.  They can connect and take steps with people thats are more familar.

I talked with a church in Austin, Texas that is doing something similar to this.  They are a church of 5,000 people.   When I asked a guy on their staff about doing Networks in a church of our size he thought this was the perfect size to start doing this.  We think this will set us up...not just for now, but for the future as we keep growing.

He's 14....TODAY!

Fourteen years ago today, our second son, Jordan became part of our family.  God provided a great kid for us!  Jordan brings light into people's lives, especially ours. He loves to have fun, cares about other people, perseveres, and can get really focused.  He is a follower of Jesus and cares about what God thinks of him.  In addition, he is really good at basketball (and other sports), he can kick my butt in ping pong (except last night I beat him once), and he likes reading good books.

I'm thanking God today for Jordan as my son. I pray you keep growing to be more like Jesus everyday!

Networks (1)

So what is the deal with Networks?  If you've been around The Journey lately you know we have launched Networks.  There are now 4 Regional based Networks.  Relative to The Journey, we will have one based up North, in Norton Shores, Fruitport, and Tri-Cities.  Networks are about impacting our community and helping people take next steps.  Each Network will look to serve and make a difference in each of their own communities in a variety of ways.  They may help the poor, people in need, do something that betters the community, or come along side the elderly or sick.  In addition, Networks will provide opportuntities for people to take next steps in life and in their relationship with God.  Through our Networks, we will offer Journey Groups, Beginnings Groups, Resources, and other communications about taking next steps.

Check back all this week as I'll be telling more about the what's and why's of Networks.