Mark's Journey

Back at it

I took almost all of last week off to take a break, breath slowly, and have some fun with my family.  I needed the break as I have felt a little overwhelmed lately.  But today, I am back at it.  We've got some things brewing at The Journey...and it isn't just the coffee.  Here is what's coming up that I'm working on:

• Networks.  This is a whole church deal so there is lots to prepare for and communicate.  It feels massive and I feel like we need to trust God in big ways as this unfolds.
• Journey Groups and Beginnings Groups.  We are looking to have some more great opportunities this fall for people to explore who God is and grow in their relationship with Him.
• Doing some leadership development to get some key leaders in place to do what they do best...and to live out the way God has wired them.
• Staff evaluations.  We do reviews to sharpen ourselves and see how we can improve.
• Lots of meetings with lots of different people for lots of different reasons.  Love it!
• Alignment.  As we keep growing, it is important that all areas of The Journey are aligned and we are carrying out the vision together.
• There is more...but these are the biggys.

I want to be sure to enjoy a few more days at the beach as well!

 

 

Networks are coming...

We've been saying that for a while.  And guess what?  They are about to launch.  This is the month we are rolling them out.  I hope you are ready.  I hope you've got your game face on.  I hope you can handle big things in our community.  It's coming!  AND IT ALL STARTS THIS SUNDAY!

Check out one of the services at The Journey at 9:30 am, 11:00 am, or 6:30 pm to hear about the BIG LAUNCH!

Romans 12

As a part of the summer Bible reading we are doing (B90X) and from this past Sunday I read Romans 12 a couple times.  I was asking God while reading "how can I be transformed by the renewing of my mind"?  How do I need to think different?  How can I be more like Jesus.

Sometimes when I look at Jesus' life I want to do the things he did.  I want to lead like he did and serve others like he did.  But the thing that has been sticking out to me lately is that I want to be praying more like he prayed.  In Romans 12:12 it says to be faithful in prayer.  I pray.  I actually like praying.  I connect with God when I do so.  But I'm not so sure I have been faithful in prayer lately.  When I think about that I think it means to be consistent and to not give up.  I think God wants me to not give up on praying for people and situations over and over again.  Just because I pray for them once doesn't mean I can't pray for them again.  God wants me to bring my requests to him...he listens.  But I think I can be a little more faithful in prayer.

Reading this week

This past Sunday (with the movie Transformers) we talked about Romans 12 and that God wants to help us transform our life.  We don't have to stay stuck in some of the patterns of the world that are not working and are broken.  And Romans 12 has several examples of how to be transformed to be more like Jesus.  I challenged each of us to read that chapter.  If you've not read much of the Bible, this chapter is one that is easy to get some real practical stuff out of it.  I am trying to read it a few times this week.

So.....any one read it yet?  If so, what has stood out to you?