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JOURNEY MUSIC: THANKS TO JASON

This week I will be doing a series on the music at The Journey. But to kick off the week, I want to say a BIG THANKS to Jason Dill. He started with the band over 4 years ago when he was 18 and fresh out of high school. He has helped out with youth group, the band, led worship, and been a good friend to me. Over the last couple years, he has been going to Kuyper College in Grand Rapids majoring in music ministries. We have been giving him gas money to come back at least once a month. He now has an awesome opportunity for an internship at a church near him. This is are really great next step for him and he will be finishing school this year. So, this past Sunday was his last official Sunday with us at The Journey. We gave him a gift basket with an ipod touch, gift cards, tshirts and more. He really deserves more than that. He was been a great asset for our church as a volunteer for many years, a big help to me and a good friend. So a BIG THANKS to Jason for living for Jesus and using his gifts. 

SUNDAY RECAP FOR JULY 26

DIRECTION - WEEK 2

RECAP

This was week two of DIRECTION. We can find ourselves going no where, stuck, feel like life is dead. We need direction (Prov 29:13). Jesus can bring direction (Is 48:17). Last week, we talked about limiting our activity to find more focus. Today we talked about how some things can knock us off our direction (Gal 5 - vs 7, vs 25) - let's not over-think our lives. Let's focus on Jesus and others instead of just thinking about ourselves. This can keep us on track. Don't let roadblocks or a change of plans get us off track. We took time to talk through what this means for The Journey. We focus on 3 Key Relationships: with Jesus, with other journeyers, with people who don't know Jesus. We are currently dreaming big dreams like starting more church in our state, having multiple Journeyer experiences in West Michigan, making a bigger impact in our community and in the world. Whether it is our direction as a church or a big dream for your life, God can do more than we could ever ask or imagine (Eph 3:20). As I think about Journey stories and the lives changed, God has already done more than I imagined. As we look ahead and dream big, I know He can do even more. So keep taking next steps individually and as a church. Live a focused life that has direction from Jesus. Don't let the unexpected or problems knock you off track or put you in a rut. Rick Warren - A key to a life of impact is FOCUS.

THOUGHTS

- Paul and Mark was gone. I had a few extra responsibilities this morning.

- With moving the office, the Journey Teens projects, and some other extra work this week, I was not as prepared as I wanted to be.

- I don't see myself as a preacher, more of a motivational speaker (insert your own Chris Farley joke). This morning a felt a little like a rambler. I talk fast when I am not focused. I needed direction I guess.

- I got a little emotional this morning. Three reasons: seeing lives change, too much time around Paul, and I was tired.

- The band was tight today again.

- I love baptism stories.

SONGS

Salvation is Here: Hillsong United

Saviour King: Hillsong United

Who You Are: Desperation Band

Empty Me: Jeremy Camp

Enough: Chris Tomlin

ALL THE JOURNEY TEENS SMELL LIKE BEER

Last night started my three day adventure with Journey Teens. We are doing local service projects. Today we are doing some serious yard work - no yard extreme makeover - for a women in need. Tomorrow we are doing some yard work, paints, and repairs for a grandmother who cares for her grandkids. We hope to bring some hope and share God's love with our community. So, last night we did a pop can drive to get some cash for these projects. We had almost 2000 bottle in 2 hours. Then we had to spend 30 minutes cashing them out at Meijer. A bunch of people asked if we would take beer cans/bottles. We were like yeah no problem. So about 80% were beer cans. The teens, the van, everything smelled like beer by the end of the night. Funny. I hope everyone showers before our project today.

PLAN STEPS

I don't know about you, but I am organized but not organized. I have a messy desk and I don't always keep things neat. I am not organized in that way, but I am organized in my train of thought. As we think about direction, I like to think about where I want to be or what I want to accomplish and what steps do I need to get there. Paul and I met yesterday to do some planning for this next year and dream about where The Journey is going. We looked at one issue and began to lay out steps in order to deal with the issue. This is why we call it The Journey - this is why we talk about next steps - it is a process. We can't just say we want a relationship with God, heal our marriage, be a good parent, or see other people discover God and not do anything to make it happen - it takes a plan, next steps, a process to make it a reality. We need to keep taking specific steps in the direction we want to go. So, what direction to you need to go? What is your plan? What steps do you need to take?

ALMOST AUGUST

I can't believe it is almost august already. Summer always goes fast. But just because they start the back to school season on July 5 - don't be fooled - there is still lots of summer left. There is still some great summer opportunities like Unity Festival and Coast Guard Festival. It isn't too late to spend quality time at the beach, Michigan's Adventure or Cedar Point. Be optimistic people! So, enjoy the last month of summer. Beside, school doesn't start till like mid-September this year so enjoy that last month of summer.

HOW DO WE FIND DIRECTION?

How do you know when God is leading you? I have talked and blogged about this before but it always worth repeating. One of my college professors shared this piece of wisdom that really stuck with me. He was a navy man and talked about how a harbor will have a series of lights that become like an arrow so you can line up in the right direction. The Bible is the major way God directs us, also in the Bible, God would guide people through circumstances/open doors, the sense of His Spirit, personal passion, and with godly counsel. So, when we look at a situation where we need direction, we can funnel it through those 5 "lights". The more that line up, the more confident we can be (FYI - the Bible overrules all others - you can't go against it). I know that whenever I have faced major decisions, I have thought through those 5 "lights' to make sure that God is leading me and that I am heading in the right direction.

KEEP TAKING NEXT STEPS

For The Journey, it's all about come as you are...BUT...but don't stay where you are. Keep taking next steps. Don't get comfortable. Don't settle. Don't give up when you stumble. Keep going. Keep taking next steps.

SUNDAY RECAP FOR JULY 19

DIRECTION - KEEP TAKING NEXT STEPS

WEEK ONE RECAP

Have you ever been lost? It's a horrible feeling. What's worst is feeling lost in life - stuck - like you're going no where. We can all use some direction in life because the reality we're all busy, but sometimes busy going nowhere. Without direction our lives feel dead (Prov 29:18). Rick Warren from Twitter last week - "the key to a life of impact is FOCUS! Many things aren't necessarily wrong, they just aren't necessary." If we want direction, don't be fooled by activity. Activity doesn't equal productivity. Let's take next steps that lead us somewhere. Today we talked about how a relationship with Jesus can bring us direction (Is. 48:17). For us at The Journey, we talk about taking next steps in three key relationships - with Jesus, other Journeyers, and people who aren't connect with Jesus. These relationships can help us stayed focused in the right direction. So, let's do what Paul says in Phil 3 - let's take next steps - forget all the times we have messed up - leave that behind and keep pressing on.

THOUGHTS

- Caleb led the band for the first time today with Stephani singing lead vocals. They did a great job.

- I think it was very different with a female lead. My wife can sing - but it was different and a good change up.

- I was a little sleepy this morning. We got home late last night from a wedding in Traverse City. There was a time in the first service where my mind went blank and I forgot a 4 minute section 

of the message...oh well. Everyone else on staff was on vacation so I had to be on.

- We showed 4 baptism videos. They are the best. I love seeing lives changed.

- 9:30 needs to step it up with some more energy. It is like two different groups. We're gonna work at it. Maybe do some jumping jacks or practice clapping or something.

- I think the month-long journey sheet is going well. What do you think?

- Pretty good turnout for July again today.

SONGS

Life Light Up - Christy Nockels

Sing to the King - Passion/C.Pearson

Revelation Song - Gateway/Kari Jobe

You Alone - David Crowder Band

Lead Me to the Cross - Hillsong United

Love Me Like You Do - Vineyard

SUMMER TV

Anybody watching The Philanthropist? It's on Wednesday nights at 10 pm on NBC. I've found it very interesting as this guy battles to find meaning in life.

I DVR'd the Coldplay Live Concert and was watching it last night. I don't know why I didn't drop everything to go see it. Amazing.

Emma's favorite is still Wipeout. It is the same thing every time yet I still laugh. 

We have watched a little of Superstars too. I remember back with Herschel Walker use to dominate that show.

I also DVR Around the Horn and 1st & 10/ESPN FIrst Take. Good shows.

What are you watching this summer?

THURSDAY THOUGHTS

The best things I have cooked this week was a spicy pork kebob and I served it with some pepper jam from Mia & Grace - it was good. Last night I made pizzas on the grill including a Greek Pizza - Hummus in place of sauce.

Granderson should've been the All-Star MVP. I felt bad for Inge not hitting any HRs in the Derby. He is still my boy. I hope the Tigers can keep it up for the 2nd half. The Cubs need to pull it together too.

Pistons traded Arron Afflalo to Denver with Walter S. - I thought AA had a lot of potential - but I guess they don't need him with Stuckey, Rip, Ben G, and Will Bynum.  They're also looking into Big Ben to come back - if so, they better not pay him anything. He isn't the player he once was but I like the idea if cheap for entertainment sake. They for sure need a big guy. I would like to see them sign Chris Wilcox. They will need to go after Bosh or Amare next year. Dumars drafted well this year. Austin Daye has been playing great - he can shoot and run curls like rip. But Summers was a steal. He's playing great in the summer league.

Stephani and I went on a sailboat ride for our anniversary. It was cool to be out of the big lake. It was a great anniversary moment too.

I'm almost done with the playground. I haven't really worked on it much lately.

We need to do a garage sale this summer. We have tons of kids clothes and baby stuff to sell.