This weekend Spider-man 3 opens up world wide. This time the story deals with the battle of letting power be miss used and you turn from your mission and go bad. Spider-man was created to remind us and encourage us a simple yet powerful truth...
"With Great Power, comes great responsibilty."
Journey and it's leadership are facing a responsibilty, power battle right now. The church is growing and growing. Ministry ares area being pushed on a weekly basis. Leaders have gifts and abilties, personal live and families and burning hearts to make a impact and difference for God. Right now the battle is on..."How much more can we take with leaders that we have?" "How much more can you ask and expect of me?" "Where are the other heroes?"
It's a reality of ministry and life that we must all figure out. As we step into leadership, as we improve our gift mix.... God promises to ask more of us, give us greater responsibilty. I pray that every leader (current or new) stanfs firm and accepts the challenge that comes with these new / greater responsibilties. Don't give in, don't let the pressure crush you or make you give up. This weekend we gather for our annual Leadership Advance retreat. Our theme is IMPACT. Not only focus on more impact, but celebrate how much of an impact we have had through the grace of God and the working of the Holy Spirit.
There are great challenges ahead.... we'll give them name, faces and begin to do battle with them this weekend.
I am ready to lead and follow God to the next step of leadership and responsibilty..... are you ?
Tuesday, May 01, 2007
Monday, April 09, 2007
Mac vs PC
"Hi am a Mac and I'm a PC".... have you seen the comercials? Have you taken sides on this major issue of life?
I have been a mac user for over 15 years and I live and die by them. This last week I faced a serious challenge when my / churches mac laptop hardrive died. I have no problems with macs in 15 years, and this was a big one. Two days before Easter, planning a head to the discussion series, a lot of creative materials, e-mail addresses, church documents and much more untouchable. Man it was scramble.
I ended up using a Dell PC this last weekend (still using this Monday morning)to pull off the service. It was a lot tougher... really! I have to admit that the PC software did the job and did not lock up, but it but was really hard switching platforms.
With my laptop being three years old, a dead hard drive and growing visual and creative needs... we are taking a big step forward. This week we plan on purchasing a Dual processor mac. It will handle both the Mac creative stuff that I use, and allow the tight system that I have trusted these 15 years, and allow us to use some PC worship software. Many have enjoyed the friendly debate of Mac/ PC at Journey and I'm sure that it will continue. But for the record... we use a mac... that happens to be able to work with PC software. Now that I have that off my chest :)
I have been a mac user for over 15 years and I live and die by them. This last week I faced a serious challenge when my / churches mac laptop hardrive died. I have no problems with macs in 15 years, and this was a big one. Two days before Easter, planning a head to the discussion series, a lot of creative materials, e-mail addresses, church documents and much more untouchable. Man it was scramble.
I ended up using a Dell PC this last weekend (still using this Monday morning)to pull off the service. It was a lot tougher... really! I have to admit that the PC software did the job and did not lock up, but it but was really hard switching platforms.
With my laptop being three years old, a dead hard drive and growing visual and creative needs... we are taking a big step forward. This week we plan on purchasing a Dual processor mac. It will handle both the Mac creative stuff that I use, and allow the tight system that I have trusted these 15 years, and allow us to use some PC worship software. Many have enjoyed the friendly debate of Mac/ PC at Journey and I'm sure that it will continue. But for the record... we use a mac... that happens to be able to work with PC software. Now that I have that off my chest :)
Tuesday, April 03, 2007
God Speaks
Have you ever wonder if or how God speaks to people? Does God still speak to people today?
As I read the scriptures, I find it interesting that God spoke to many different people in many different ways. God spoke through visions, light, angels, people and even a donkey. As I read and ponder that, I wonder how does he speak to me?
There have been several times in my life when I sensed or felt God "speak" to me. No there was no audiable voice, but there was a unmistakeable sense of clarity of thought and ideas. Idea, thoughts, even words that were clearly not of my own creation or planning came together. Asking my wife to marry me was clearly one of those moments. I could not sleep and I clearly remember "hearing" God inpress on my to not missout on a life with our her. Launching and plantiing Journey was clearly a vision and dream that God communicated to me. It was so clear and vivid long before it ever came to be.
This week I had another experience when God "spoke" to me. I had already prepared my next message series for after Easter, even began promoting it and putting together visual elements. Then God spoke through the actions of my wife and oldest daughter, Abbi, as they were spring cleaning. God showed me a perfect message series about how to teach and demonstrate how we as Jesus followers get to put on the "new nature / new clothes" and change. It was so clear, so powerful in a half-hour the 6 week series was thumb-nailed out. Then today, I had an entire "Mothers Day" service featuring two special guest planned, lined up and confirmed within an hour! It was like a switch was turned on and had to get the pieces all put together right away. And it happened so amazingly fast! It was exciting and fun to go with God's voice and vision. My other series will follow this new one. A revisied newsletter is in the works and I am so pumped to see what God does over the next month.
More and more I hear God at the oddest times and it is powerful and clear.
Taking a shower in the morning, after 11 p.m. and especially as I am alone in the car driving.
I look forward to these moments with God. I am getting more and more comfortable "Hearing and sensing" his voice and visions. How does God speak to you? Are listening? God knows that I am visual person and he uses that to talk to me.
God knows each of us, inside and out and he knows what to use to "speak" to us. Are you looking, listening and ready to respond?
As I read the scriptures, I find it interesting that God spoke to many different people in many different ways. God spoke through visions, light, angels, people and even a donkey. As I read and ponder that, I wonder how does he speak to me?
There have been several times in my life when I sensed or felt God "speak" to me. No there was no audiable voice, but there was a unmistakeable sense of clarity of thought and ideas. Idea, thoughts, even words that were clearly not of my own creation or planning came together. Asking my wife to marry me was clearly one of those moments. I could not sleep and I clearly remember "hearing" God inpress on my to not missout on a life with our her. Launching and plantiing Journey was clearly a vision and dream that God communicated to me. It was so clear and vivid long before it ever came to be.
This week I had another experience when God "spoke" to me. I had already prepared my next message series for after Easter, even began promoting it and putting together visual elements. Then God spoke through the actions of my wife and oldest daughter, Abbi, as they were spring cleaning. God showed me a perfect message series about how to teach and demonstrate how we as Jesus followers get to put on the "new nature / new clothes" and change. It was so clear, so powerful in a half-hour the 6 week series was thumb-nailed out. Then today, I had an entire "Mothers Day" service featuring two special guest planned, lined up and confirmed within an hour! It was like a switch was turned on and had to get the pieces all put together right away. And it happened so amazingly fast! It was exciting and fun to go with God's voice and vision. My other series will follow this new one. A revisied newsletter is in the works and I am so pumped to see what God does over the next month.
More and more I hear God at the oddest times and it is powerful and clear.
Taking a shower in the morning, after 11 p.m. and especially as I am alone in the car driving.
I look forward to these moments with God. I am getting more and more comfortable "Hearing and sensing" his voice and visions. How does God speak to you? Are listening? God knows that I am visual person and he uses that to talk to me.
God knows each of us, inside and out and he knows what to use to "speak" to us. Are you looking, listening and ready to respond?
Monday, March 26, 2007
EVEN IF...
This week we wrapped up our series on HEROES: are you on the list and we looked at modern heroes of the faith (martyrs).
Hebrews Chapter 12 speaks of a "Great crowd of witeness" that are in heaven cheering us on. (Imagine a stadium filled with Abraham, Issac, Moses, Noah and other Bible greats.) Often we invision their stand of faith and how God showed up to save them and save the day. Yet one of the most challenging things about this hero crowd and modern day heroes is that God may not save you from harm. He may not show up and save the day.
I find that so challenging! I am solid enough in my faith to pay the price as Jesus follower... "even if" he does show up as Shadrack, Meshach and Abednego declared in Daniel Chapter 3:18. Here they are facing a furance heated up 7 times that of normal! Man the King mad at these three, and their faith because they won't conform and bow dow to his statue and him.
Yet, the refuse to worship anything other that God. They refuse to waver in their public stand as children of the real king.
Yes, they hoped, prayed and even expected God to protect and help them. But they also stated, "for the record"... even if he doesn't save us we'll not doubt our God.
Bam their thrown in the fire... expecting death! And they were fine with that... just as countless modern martyrs still do today. The only way to accept the "even if" option of faith is to so secure in your faith, salvation, future in Jesus Christ and you have to have already died to this world. If you've already died to this world.... physical death is nothing to fear.
Yesterday three people got baptized at Journey. Three people publically committed to follow Jesus no matter the cost.
They committed tp follow, not wavier...."even if."
What if they are modern day Shadrach, Meshach and Abedego's in the making?
Accept, believe, receive, follow, risk, and never wavier... even if happens in your life (my life) because their is a great crowd of witnesses cheering you and I on. By the way.... they maybe saving a seat for you. Are you on the list?
Hebrews Chapter 12 speaks of a "Great crowd of witeness" that are in heaven cheering us on. (Imagine a stadium filled with Abraham, Issac, Moses, Noah and other Bible greats.) Often we invision their stand of faith and how God showed up to save them and save the day. Yet one of the most challenging things about this hero crowd and modern day heroes is that God may not save you from harm. He may not show up and save the day.
I find that so challenging! I am solid enough in my faith to pay the price as Jesus follower... "even if" he does show up as Shadrack, Meshach and Abednego declared in Daniel Chapter 3:18. Here they are facing a furance heated up 7 times that of normal! Man the King mad at these three, and their faith because they won't conform and bow dow to his statue and him.
Yet, the refuse to worship anything other that God. They refuse to waver in their public stand as children of the real king.
Yes, they hoped, prayed and even expected God to protect and help them. But they also stated, "for the record"... even if he doesn't save us we'll not doubt our God.
Bam their thrown in the fire... expecting death! And they were fine with that... just as countless modern martyrs still do today. The only way to accept the "even if" option of faith is to so secure in your faith, salvation, future in Jesus Christ and you have to have already died to this world. If you've already died to this world.... physical death is nothing to fear.
Yesterday three people got baptized at Journey. Three people publically committed to follow Jesus no matter the cost.
They committed tp follow, not wavier...."even if."
What if they are modern day Shadrach, Meshach and Abedego's in the making?
Accept, believe, receive, follow, risk, and never wavier... even if happens in your life (my life) because their is a great crowd of witnesses cheering you and I on. By the way.... they maybe saving a seat for you. Are you on the list?
Monday, February 19, 2007
HEROES.... Are you on the list?
This week we launched into a new discussion series at church inspireed by the hit TV show "HEREOES" on NBC.
Ordinary people are finding out that they have extraordinary abilities. Now what do they do with the gift that they have been given? Will they hide it, will others accept them and their new gift? Most of the story thus far has delt with how the "heroes" from all over the world are beginning to connect and fight a common foe.
The Bible is packed full of ordinary men and women that God transformed into "heroes" Hebrews chapter 11 is commonly known as the "Heroes Hall of Fame". Bible greats that we need to remember, because they remind us, inspire us to step out and follow God.
Ewrin McManus in his book Chasiing Daylight writes, "Jesus came to take our mundane lives and make the miraculous."
Gideon was the least in his tribe, in the weakest tribe, at a time when all of Isreal was gripped by fear. A great foe... the midiantes wanted to destroy the Isrealites. As Gideons story begins he and his people are hiding in caves and actually starving because the crops are being destoryed or taken by their enemy.
Then an angel appears and calls this fearful, weakest of the weak guy "Mighty Hero!" God has a plan to take this seemingly simple guy on an amazing adventure that will help free Isreal and bring a nation back to God! What a great "ORIGIN" story.
God choices to use an ordinary man for a extraordinary purpose.
Are you on the list? Do you have a "origin" story that retells how you met God and how He called you out and into his great adventure? Share it, write it down, jump into your story. If it hasn't happened yet... beware, God may appear to you and day and turn your mundane life into a miraculaous adventure.
Ordinary people are finding out that they have extraordinary abilities. Now what do they do with the gift that they have been given? Will they hide it, will others accept them and their new gift? Most of the story thus far has delt with how the "heroes" from all over the world are beginning to connect and fight a common foe.
The Bible is packed full of ordinary men and women that God transformed into "heroes" Hebrews chapter 11 is commonly known as the "Heroes Hall of Fame". Bible greats that we need to remember, because they remind us, inspire us to step out and follow God.
Ewrin McManus in his book Chasiing Daylight writes, "Jesus came to take our mundane lives and make the miraculous."
Gideon was the least in his tribe, in the weakest tribe, at a time when all of Isreal was gripped by fear. A great foe... the midiantes wanted to destroy the Isrealites. As Gideons story begins he and his people are hiding in caves and actually starving because the crops are being destoryed or taken by their enemy.
Then an angel appears and calls this fearful, weakest of the weak guy "Mighty Hero!" God has a plan to take this seemingly simple guy on an amazing adventure that will help free Isreal and bring a nation back to God! What a great "ORIGIN" story.
God choices to use an ordinary man for a extraordinary purpose.
Are you on the list? Do you have a "origin" story that retells how you met God and how He called you out and into his great adventure? Share it, write it down, jump into your story. If it hasn't happened yet... beware, God may appear to you and day and turn your mundane life into a miraculaous adventure.
Thursday, January 04, 2007
IMPACT
Happy New Year and prepare to make an impact for God!
I have always loved seeing people give themselves to a cause, team, group, or event 100%. Most often the more people that invest 100%,, the greater the outcome and great the impact. That was so true of the early church and first century believers that were so passionate about Jesus that they gave themselves 100% to Him and other Jesus followers. These beievers made such an impact in their cities, villages and world that they were viewed as a threat (Acts 17:6-7).
These followers of Jesus did not make a radical impact in their world by marching on the government, buiding billboards, wearing logo wear clothes like many try today. Instead they lived a life that was so counter-cultural, so committed to their real King Jesus... others took notice. Real people, really changing and really living a bold life for God, even at the risk of life, career, and more.
This is what the early church was and why it made suich an impact.
This is what the church and Jesus followers are called to be still today.
This is what I dream the community of Journey church to become.
If you read this and are apart of Journey, prepare for a year focused on the idea of being "People of impact". Prepare to rise up, risk more, love more and change more. Not out of guilt... but out of a deeper love, devotion, commitment to our King Jesus.
If you are not apart of a church, tribe, group like that and you what to make an impact for Jesus as the early church did... we invite you to join with us on this amazing series. There are practical life lessons that bwe can apply to ourselves today, that made a big differnce 2,000 years ago.
PREPARE FOR IMPACT.... it's all or nothing in 2007!
I have always loved seeing people give themselves to a cause, team, group, or event 100%. Most often the more people that invest 100%,, the greater the outcome and great the impact. That was so true of the early church and first century believers that were so passionate about Jesus that they gave themselves 100% to Him and other Jesus followers. These beievers made such an impact in their cities, villages and world that they were viewed as a threat (Acts 17:6-7).
These followers of Jesus did not make a radical impact in their world by marching on the government, buiding billboards, wearing logo wear clothes like many try today. Instead they lived a life that was so counter-cultural, so committed to their real King Jesus... others took notice. Real people, really changing and really living a bold life for God, even at the risk of life, career, and more.
This is what the early church was and why it made suich an impact.
This is what the church and Jesus followers are called to be still today.
This is what I dream the community of Journey church to become.
If you read this and are apart of Journey, prepare for a year focused on the idea of being "People of impact". Prepare to rise up, risk more, love more and change more. Not out of guilt... but out of a deeper love, devotion, commitment to our King Jesus.
If you are not apart of a church, tribe, group like that and you what to make an impact for Jesus as the early church did... we invite you to join with us on this amazing series. There are practical life lessons that bwe can apply to ourselves today, that made a big differnce 2,000 years ago.
PREPARE FOR IMPACT.... it's all or nothing in 2007!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
