Monday March 30th a team of dry wall hangers came in and hung sheet rock at the Uturn. This guys really rocked (no pun intended). With the walls framed in, you can now see how the building will be taking shape. What a transformation step.
Next taping, mudding, sanding and then painting on Saturday.
By the way, this part of the project is another exciting gift from professional that do this sort of work daily. What a gift! A BIG YEAH God for what they have done, given, and will finish off.
With the walls going up, we move to our next step in getting the Uturn ready for Journey to move into.... Bathrooms must be set up. Check out the updated Razoo donation page and see how you can help us purchase these items in a timely fashion. The time is now, so that we can purchase, install and get inspected ASAP.
Our new goal to have Journey at Uturn is April 18th. Please help us reach the target.
http://www.razoo.com/story/Journey-Church-Of-Rochester-Minnesota
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Green Zone
Last night I went and saw the new Matt Damion film, "Green Zone".
First of all don't waste your time on it. It's falsely marketed and a very anti-American film. Now I don't normally get to hung up on people "sharing their view points" in film making. Everyone has a story to tell, and we all see life through a different lens at times. But this was not just another lens, it as a clear anti-American, specifically anti- President George Bush film
Before you jump on the idea, I'm so Republican I can't take some hard "truth".... that's not it. Each president, each political party has it's own pros and cons. Ever administration has made giant mistakes, buried lots of skeletons in the closets, and each one has made some great choices for our country. So I can handle seeing where Bush or any President messed up. After all... we are all sinners.
No this film went extra lengths to paint our country and it's leaders as stupid, irresponsible, puppet masters for our own gain and then actually working a secret deal with Saddam's right hand man. Plus it painted the picture that army, CIA, presidents advisers were not on the same page, cover ups and hidden agendas were everywhere and the big one.... American lives and honor didn't matter.
If I where in the military today serving our country I would take offense for such a picture being painted. Especially as the conflict is not over and our troops are still there.
I'm all for a good "blow um up movie"
I'm all for a film that is a "what if" this or that may have happened."
I'm all for even "exposing the truth" in a film.
But at least make it a good film, at least be honest in how you promote it.
GREEN ZONE could have been a good film.... rather it's a big miss fire.
Damion and his buddies should have simply done the next Bourne movie.
First of all don't waste your time on it. It's falsely marketed and a very anti-American film. Now I don't normally get to hung up on people "sharing their view points" in film making. Everyone has a story to tell, and we all see life through a different lens at times. But this was not just another lens, it as a clear anti-American, specifically anti- President George Bush film
Before you jump on the idea, I'm so Republican I can't take some hard "truth".... that's not it. Each president, each political party has it's own pros and cons. Ever administration has made giant mistakes, buried lots of skeletons in the closets, and each one has made some great choices for our country. So I can handle seeing where Bush or any President messed up. After all... we are all sinners.
No this film went extra lengths to paint our country and it's leaders as stupid, irresponsible, puppet masters for our own gain and then actually working a secret deal with Saddam's right hand man. Plus it painted the picture that army, CIA, presidents advisers were not on the same page, cover ups and hidden agendas were everywhere and the big one.... American lives and honor didn't matter.
If I where in the military today serving our country I would take offense for such a picture being painted. Especially as the conflict is not over and our troops are still there.
I'm all for a good "blow um up movie"
I'm all for a film that is a "what if" this or that may have happened."
I'm all for even "exposing the truth" in a film.
But at least make it a good film, at least be honest in how you promote it.
GREEN ZONE could have been a good film.... rather it's a big miss fire.
Damion and his buddies should have simply done the next Bourne movie.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Empty Tanks
I have a confession to make today.
EVEN MY GAS TANK GETS EMPTY.
Yup, even I can get so dry, toasted, used up that I really feel the depth and weight of ministry. It is not easy for me to get this empty. But this last Sunday night and most of Monday I was as about as empty as I have been in almost.... forever (no the last six years).
This emptiness has happened for several reasons:
First - the intense nature of daily minister is one thing, add a building project onto that and man you're bound to feel it more.
Second - four days at an Assessment Center... very intense and deeply spiritual and spiritual warfare atmosphere. Well worth it all...but man it takes a lot out of you. That's why I had Andy speak this week.... thanks buddy.
Third - Family. With three teenage girls, one about to graduate... man the home life calendar gets so full. I am blessed to have a great life partner / wife (Cyndi) help navigate all of that.
Fourth - The last few months I have had to deal with some personal loses, and in recent days.... some very personal attacks. In life you know this will happen, in ministry the enemy uses these events and turns them into spiritual warfare things.
Really intense at times and deeply personal.
I share all of this and reflect on who I am. I am driven by God, and my passion to use every day as best that I can for Him. I will not (even after all of this) stop going at Warp Factor 6. But I will try and stay alert more. I will try and guard myself in certain areas and ways. Plus, I will continue to learn how to use others better and better as a team.
Gas is expensive these days. Refueling an empty tank gets costly. It hits the wallet big time. The same is true for my (our) emotionally, physical and spiritual tanks.
It takes more and more to get it refueled. It's very costly and some have fallen off because they can't really recover from their break downs after running to long on an Empty Tank.
Guard your tank.
I'm a not saying STOP and sit.
Rather watch the gauges of life, don't push it the "E" line. Find time to regularly get fresh ed and refueled.
EVEN MY GAS TANK GETS EMPTY.
Yup, even I can get so dry, toasted, used up that I really feel the depth and weight of ministry. It is not easy for me to get this empty. But this last Sunday night and most of Monday I was as about as empty as I have been in almost.... forever (no the last six years).
This emptiness has happened for several reasons:
First - the intense nature of daily minister is one thing, add a building project onto that and man you're bound to feel it more.
Second - four days at an Assessment Center... very intense and deeply spiritual and spiritual warfare atmosphere. Well worth it all...but man it takes a lot out of you. That's why I had Andy speak this week.... thanks buddy.
Third - Family. With three teenage girls, one about to graduate... man the home life calendar gets so full. I am blessed to have a great life partner / wife (Cyndi) help navigate all of that.
Fourth - The last few months I have had to deal with some personal loses, and in recent days.... some very personal attacks. In life you know this will happen, in ministry the enemy uses these events and turns them into spiritual warfare things.
Really intense at times and deeply personal.
I share all of this and reflect on who I am. I am driven by God, and my passion to use every day as best that I can for Him. I will not (even after all of this) stop going at Warp Factor 6. But I will try and stay alert more. I will try and guard myself in certain areas and ways. Plus, I will continue to learn how to use others better and better as a team.
Gas is expensive these days. Refueling an empty tank gets costly. It hits the wallet big time. The same is true for my (our) emotionally, physical and spiritual tanks.
It takes more and more to get it refueled. It's very costly and some have fallen off because they can't really recover from their break downs after running to long on an Empty Tank.
Guard your tank.
I'm a not saying STOP and sit.
Rather watch the gauges of life, don't push it the "E" line. Find time to regularly get fresh ed and refueled.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Converge Assesment March 2010
So after a crazy day traveling I have arrived in Orlando,FL for a four day Assesment Center Experience. This is true an amazing process and one that has dramatically helped both our church planters and spouses be even more "sucessful" in fulfilling God's call on their lives.
As I arrive here, I clearly remember our assesment experience almost 8 years ago. (man how time flies) But as I arrive here I am also processing two fellow church planters and their churches that are either closing or looking new pastors. Both of these churches started close to same time that Journey Church in Rochester did. Both of the churches jumped to life way faster than ours did. Both had great men of faith, supported spouses and dedicated people to their specific mission. Yet their time in those particular settings has come to an end.
That's one thing about church planting... you have to be really comfortable risking. Because you never know what God has in mind for each planter or church family.
So tonight I am excited and humbled to gathering together with other pastors and leaders to watch, listen, study and see what God's Holy Spirit may say about each of the eight canidates that have stepped out in faith to be here.
8 years ago Cyndi and I really had no idea how this was all going to work out.
Today we still have no idea how it's all going to work out.
And is both still very exciting and very scary!
As my friends close down their church plants... I am confident that God used them and their churches in mighty ways. "For everything there is a season" the scriptures say.
Tuesday, may begin a whole new season for 8 couples.... even as my friends begin to see what new season they are moving into.
I may be in sunny Florida, in Orlando but it's not fun and sun that has called me here. It's God and his ever expanding Kingdom.
So please join with me a pray for this entire process.
Let's see what God may do next with some willing hearts and risk takers.
As I arrive here, I clearly remember our assesment experience almost 8 years ago. (man how time flies) But as I arrive here I am also processing two fellow church planters and their churches that are either closing or looking new pastors. Both of these churches started close to same time that Journey Church in Rochester did. Both of the churches jumped to life way faster than ours did. Both had great men of faith, supported spouses and dedicated people to their specific mission. Yet their time in those particular settings has come to an end.
That's one thing about church planting... you have to be really comfortable risking. Because you never know what God has in mind for each planter or church family.
So tonight I am excited and humbled to gathering together with other pastors and leaders to watch, listen, study and see what God's Holy Spirit may say about each of the eight canidates that have stepped out in faith to be here.
8 years ago Cyndi and I really had no idea how this was all going to work out.
Today we still have no idea how it's all going to work out.
And is both still very exciting and very scary!
As my friends close down their church plants... I am confident that God used them and their churches in mighty ways. "For everything there is a season" the scriptures say.
Tuesday, may begin a whole new season for 8 couples.... even as my friends begin to see what new season they are moving into.
I may be in sunny Florida, in Orlando but it's not fun and sun that has called me here. It's God and his ever expanding Kingdom.
So please join with me a pray for this entire process.
Let's see what God may do next with some willing hearts and risk takers.
Friday, March 05, 2010
Not just another day
This morning we cut a check for just under $5,000... not something I (we) do everyday. We cut the cut the check knowing that it almost wipes out our building fund. But we do this in faith, not reckless behavior. God has provided just what we needed, as we need each step of this process. Not any less or any more.
We are living on faith... not a bank account.
This morning I received an e-mail with an attachment. KNLW 98.8 FM has decided to create and run a radio ad for FREE that promotes our upcoming fundraiser at CiCi's pizza. (Tuesday, March 9 from 5-8 p.m.) Amazing!!! The event has been planned for awhile and we have been promoting it as best as we can. Our goal was to raise funds and spread the word on this city-wide mission. Now, God works through KNLW radio and increases our promotion output just as we almost break the bank.
It's not just another day... it's another faith builder day.
Tonight is Vision Night for Journey. A night to share some of the details of where we are going in 2010 (and beyond) as a church family. A day of challenge, call to commitment, personal investment, and budget growth as our country slowly climbs out of a bad recession. A night of faith building.
It's not just another day.... it's day where I hope people really catch the dream, can see God leading and desire nothing more to join with God on a wild mission.
It's only 8:25 a.m.
What more can happen today, that did not happen yesterday?
We are living on faith... not a bank account.
This morning I received an e-mail with an attachment. KNLW 98.8 FM has decided to create and run a radio ad for FREE that promotes our upcoming fundraiser at CiCi's pizza. (Tuesday, March 9 from 5-8 p.m.) Amazing!!! The event has been planned for awhile and we have been promoting it as best as we can. Our goal was to raise funds and spread the word on this city-wide mission. Now, God works through KNLW radio and increases our promotion output just as we almost break the bank.
It's not just another day... it's another faith builder day.
Tonight is Vision Night for Journey. A night to share some of the details of where we are going in 2010 (and beyond) as a church family. A day of challenge, call to commitment, personal investment, and budget growth as our country slowly climbs out of a bad recession. A night of faith building.
It's not just another day.... it's day where I hope people really catch the dream, can see God leading and desire nothing more to join with God on a wild mission.
It's only 8:25 a.m.
What more can happen today, that did not happen yesterday?
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