Mark's Journey

TOMORROW!

The Fruitport Network and Tri-Cities Network kick off the projects in their local community tomorrow!  The weather should be great and lots of people have signed up to help.  This is about impacting our local communities.

The many months of moving from an idea, to development and planning, to getting leaders in place...tomorrow we implement!  Let's do this!

Norton Shores and North Network...get ready....you start later this month!

Another good look

One of the things that we talk about at The Journey (and Matt mentioned it again this past Sunday) is that each of us is responsible for our own growth.  No one will do that for us.  Now, we all need some others to encourage us and take steps with.  God never intended for us to grow spiritually and in our relationship with Him all by ourself.  But, we all have to make the decision that we want to grow, being to do the things that help us grow, and actually take the steps.  If you have questions or need help, we want to do that.  We want to help in any way we can.  But The Journey isn't going to force it on anyone.

One of the ways we want to help people grow and take steps is through some new resources on our website.  You should go there and check it out.  www.thejourneycc.com/next-steps. We have lots of things to help in our relationships, learning about God, finances, and other things.

Again, we have lots of opportunities.  It is up to each of us to actually take those steps.

Take a good look

I know a couple at The Journey that went through some struggles in their marriage.  There were multiple issues they needed to work through.  Finances, communication, and how they spent their time were just a few.  Things didn't look good.  But instead of calling it quits, they rolled up their sleeves and put some time into making their marriage better.  They went to counseling, read some books, and got connected to a Journey Group to grow closer to God.  Their marriage isn't perfect today, but they have taken steps to grow and their life together is better than it ever has been.

So often there are marriages that deal with similar issues.  But it isn't just marriage.  Sometimes we struggle in parenting, with our finances, in our relationship with God, or other areas.  The question is "what will we do about it?"  Will we quit?  Will we just keep living a mediocre life?  Or will we take steps to grow?  Will we begin to move forward?

Today, ask the question...what area of your life needs to grow?  Where do you need to take some steps in your life?  Be honest.  Look in the mirror and be honest.  No more hiding.

Next Blog...some things to help.

The Fall Season

I get the feeling that with the fall season back, that people's pace of life has picked up.  There seems to be lots happening with schools, jobs, family activities, and things at The Journey.  That is happening in my life too.  Although it is busy and very full, I am trying to keep things in perspective and focus on what is important.  Here's some of the things I've been focused on right now with The Journey:

• Getting Networks going has been a lot of work.  But I can see the impact we will be having in the days ahead.
• We are trying to figure out how keep communicating about Journey Groups and keep that as a great step for people to grow in their relationship with God.  We are hoping long term that Networks enhanced and encourage more Journey Group involvement.
• The Next Site takes planning, buying equipment, staffing, communication, volunteers, etc.  It is going to be a great opportunity to reach more people with the message of Jesus.  But lots of pieces have to come together for this.
• I am looking at getting my Journey Group started up again and maybe starting another.
• One of the things I love most is meeting with people and talking about next steps for them.
• There have been some people stepping up to lead in some key ways at The Journey.  I am so thankful for them and I want to encourage them to keep taking steps of faith with Him.

Following--Making a Decision

When it comes to being in a relationship with Jesus, it begins with a decision.  It is a decision to follow Him.  Sometimes that happens in a few specific moments that people can recall.  They can remember the day and time they made that decision.  For others, it is a longer process.  Maybe a process of several decisions.  Regardless of how we are wired or how we come to make decisions, God has offered to bring us into a relationship with God.  He has provided a way for forgiveness through Jesus.  Whether we need a little time or a lot of time to process all of what He did, He wants us to keep moving forward toward that decision.  So, where are you in that decision?  Are you ready to follow Jesus?

What's up with Journey Groups?

So we have been kicking off Networks for the last month.  If you've been around The Journey lately you have heard about them.  If not, you can check out the info on The Journey website http://www.thejourneycc.com/networks.  But what about Journey Groups?  I've had some people ask if we are still doing them...and some other questions about them.  Here's a few details.

We are still doing Journey Groups.  They are still a big part of what happens at The Journey and we encourage everyone to participate in a Journey Group as a way to take next steps with God.  If you have been in a Journey Group in the past, your Group may be continuing this fall again.  However, we are shifting a bit...

We are encouraging everyone to participate in one of the four Networks to impact our community...the one that is closest to where you live.  And within each Network, we will also be offering some Journey Groups.  We are doing that to make it easy for people to jump into a group with others they may know or right in their community.  However, if you would like to be in a Journey Group that meets in a different community, that is A-OK!  We are about relationships, not religion.  So if that means you want to be in a group with some people from a different Network...go for it.  Not a big deal.  Just make sure you sign up on a Connect Card at a Sunday Gathering and we'll get you connected.

What are your weekend plans?

Labor Day weekend is bitter sweet.  I love the 3 day weekend and the chance to do some fun things...kind of the "last blast" before school starts and fall begins to come in.  But it is also the sign that summer is coming to an end in West Michigan.  So I got some things planned.  Nothing big, just fun:

• Beach.  Trying to squeeze some of that in.
• I am going to grill a lot.
• Lots of time hanging out with my kids.  I cherish those times.
• If it doesn't rain...smores around a campfire
• Some small outside projects...sometimes I actually enjoy those!
• Watch some college football
• And we are hosting a neighborhood cookout in our front yard on Monday night.  Love this!

What plans do you have?

 

Praying

Do you pray?  Do you wish you prayed more?  When do you pray the most?

We probably all have different answers for each of these.  But either way, the Bible often talks about how important it is for us to pray.  And praying is just talking to God.  He can speak to us through the Bible, but praying allows us to talk to him.  And he listens.  He wants to hear from us.

Here is a quick guide about how you could pray using A.C.T.S....remember, it is just talking to God:

-Adoration...this is telling God what you love about him and how great he is

-Confess...this is admiting our sins to God and asking him for forgiveness

-Thank...this is thanking God for some things or some people in your life

-Share...this is sharing your requests with God, asking him for help, praying for others