31 day Challenge

This Sunday we kicked off a new discussion series "Wisdom For Living" based on the book of Proverbs.
At the end of the morning I placed a church-wide challenge to search, seek, cry out, read and explore one Proverb per day for the next 31 days. It has been really exciting to hear people's reaction to the challenge and their desire to seek more of God's wisdom rather than man's wisdom. Several people are journaling on face-book about their daily readings.

The biggest challenge that see for life transformation is allowing Wisdom (God) to move from the head to the heart. Only 12 inches... but it's so tough for so many to allow to happen. Why is that? If Wisdom is worth chasing after, why don't we let it get to our heart and really change us. Could it because we do believe that change will come and that's the very reason we keep the heart locked up. We are afraid of God size change.

But why fear a loving father, with all that wisdom for life?

12 inches... is that what's keep me and you from really being transformed and experiencing a better life?
12 inches.... what waste of space.

Goose Lessons

This week I got "goosed" at the Exponential Church planters conference on Orlando.
As I got "goosed" I had to do the chicken dance in front of a packed room of pastors and fellow church planters.
Thankfully... neither Bill Elliingson or Rachel Strouf (who made the trip with me) saw me do the dance.

But besides being "goosed" I was reminded of a powerful leadership/ life lesson from geese.
As the geese fly, the form a V-shape. One goose takes the point, while others fall in line on either wing. And then the next, and the next, and the next geese do the same. As they flap their wings together, they are able to fly 71% further than if they were trying to do it all alone. Plus as after awhile, as you get tried. You slide out of formation, drift to the end the V-Shape and allow someone else to take point, and allow all the other geese flapping their weeks help make your efforts easier.

This is how a vision driven church should move as well. All together, behind a common, mission, vision and goal.
If we form up intentionally together... we'll fly further and faster than if we were all "lone rangers" serving God.
The key is that EVERYONE must flap their wings, use their gifts, top help us get to where God wants us to go.
We all needs breaks, but we must not fall out of line.
We all will have our chance to lead out, but that doesn't make you any more important than the goose at the end.

As we move forward into another exciting and outreach focus Summer.
As we intentionally pursue the Outreach Center site.
Believe and commit to help us lighten the load, flying further than we can dream, as we seek to follow God's calling and direction.

Have you been "Goosed" by God?
Well start flapping!

Exponential Conference '09

Today was day one of of (if the largest) church planting conferences on all North America. About 3,000 planting pastors and leaders are expected to be at this years conference which is held at First Baptist of Orlando.
Today I tried to sit on a session that supposed to focus on leadership development. Man was I disappointed.
So I jumped to several other break out sessions and finally ended up at "Creating a Disciple Making Movement" with Jim Putman.
Rachel was sitting in on that one and was excited by how Jim was presenting and the information, ideas and concepts being shared. I was excited to hear how much of his presentation links up with what we are already doing at Journey. And how there were several solid take away concepts that may helps us improve our focus on "making fully devoted followers of Jesus".

I had the change to talk briefly with Mark Batterson about their coffee shop and our possible site for our outreach/ coffee shop.
Ebenezer is a great place and Washington and I look forward to learning more from Mark and his team in the coming weeks.

Take away from the day... "There are not growth barriers.... but really only leadership barriers." - Jim Putman

Here's to day two and a hearing from Erwin McManus for the first time live (in person).

Could this be it?

For five years we have prayed and searched for a place to create out outreach center. A coffee shop style place for people to relax, surf the net, listen to live music, connect and have spiritual conversations with friends, family and strangers. We have dreamed of a place downtown Rochester, that has plenty of parking, great signage and easy access. It has been very hard to find all of things, plus having it be a place that we could put some blood, sweat and tears into.

Well today I believe that God showed us the place.
Everything on our dream list and more!
The possibilities are unbelievable!

Today, begins a new chapter in prayer, focused research and planning.
I believe that there are times that God provides the amazing and he wants to jump in.
As far as I and the other Directors can see, this is the place and we need to jump with God.
The Journey Cafe may not be far from reality!

Dreams are just dreams until you step into them.
I pray, that we step into this and God provides over and above what we could ever ask or imagine!

Do you dare to jump with us?
Stay tuned for more exciting news. This has been an amazing God moving week!

Resurrectuion Day

Resurrection Day or Easter as most people call is an amazing day. It's a day of bitter joy, freedom, and new chances.
As a follower of Jesus, Resurrection Day defines my life. I am free to live completely in the knowledge that God loves me.
More than that, I am able to live life without fear, because God are I.... our relationship is restored.

The Apostle Paul writes in the book of Romans, "And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love." romans 8:38)
Nothing!
As a follower of Jesus, still living in a fallen, broken world it's easy to forget that no matter what I am ok with God. Not because of anything that I have done, or not done. But simply because of all that He has done for me through his son Jesus. As often as my kids blow it, they know deep down inside that they will always have mom and dads love. Yes the mistakes and pains of life may hurt and leave lasting marks... but my love for my three girls will never go away. Nothing, can separate me and my family!
The truth that because of Christ's death and resurrection God feels the same way about me is amazing and humbling.

But I don't get to just live because of Christ. I get to LIVE!
The apostle Paul writes, "Despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us." (romans 8:37)
Overwhelming victory paints a picture of victory from a intense battle. Celebration breaks out in the streets as enemy forces are driven back and away from homes and families. That's how free we are in God's love.

The tomb is empty.
The Savior lives and walks among his people.
He longs to give life to everyone.... all we need to do is believe and accept this amazing free gift.
Do you want to be resurrected from your every day normal life of pain and suffering, loneliness and hurt.
Be convinced as Paul and I are... "Nothing can separate you from God once you've joined his family.
I pray, that this resurrection day many souls are set free, and we see people celebrating, dancing in the streets a life is renewed.

Anniversarys

This is an exciting, exciting time of year for me and my family. April is one celebration after another.
Today marks Cyndi's and mine 20 year anniversary!
It has been an amazing adventure and life with my life partner. At times it seems like we just got married, jumped through a time portal and ended up with a daughter as a Junior in H.S and Twins that are about to enter Middle School.
How did all of that happen?

Plus we celebrated our 5th anniversary as a church. Honestly there were so many that never thought we'd make it to our first or second year celebration. But by the grace of God we have and over 50 kids and adults celebrated with a pizza party and old picture memories.

Yeah it's a party month.

Seeing God

This week the question of really seeing God vs "seeing what you want to believe" has come up several times.
I agree that often we have the ability to see what we want to see in things. Believe because we want to believe in good not evil and so forth. So how we know really know that we are seeing God move and work today verse wishful thinking?

I personally listen to life stories.
How is pray answered.
How has a life been unexpectedly touched, blessed, even rescued for certain destruction.
Yes, I choose to believe in God and his movement in my life and the lives of others.
But as I choose to believe, I actually see more and more that confirms my choice to believe.

I know that there are many, that of a miracle of biblical proportions happened today they would still deny, write if off and not choose to believe. It happen during all of Jesus ministry and it will happen until the end of time.

I'm curious how do others "see God" and know that he is still moving among us?
How much does simple faith verse "having to see it to believe it" work in your life.

I do know the more that I pray, seek God, ask to see His movement.... the more clearly I see it.
It's like the wind... you can't see it, but you do see the effects of the wind.