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PICTURES OF MINI STEPH AND MINI MATT

We finally ordered 6 months worth of pictures and 350 pictures came in the mail yesterday from snapfish. In this season of thanksgiving, I'm thankful for digital cameras. I wanted some new and current pictures of my kids so I spent over an hour outside last week trying to capture the moments. Kids don't sit still, especially kids with my genes. It's the hardest thing to try to get a picture of them together. So I took like a million pictures and got like 15 good ones. Here's a few of my favorites.

      

      

THIS SUNDAY

This will be week four of SKEPTIC? and it's a big one. Why do bad things happen? If God is good and loving then why is there pain and suffering? Big questions. Mark is gonna bring the heat on Sunday. Don't miss it. You can check up on the series here.

WHERE DO YOU THINK YOU'RE GOING?

I like to present things at church as "we" not "me" (or you, but you doesn't rhyme with we) for a couple reasons. 1) I am not perfect and I'm trying to figure out God and the journey as well. 2) It's not about me (that goes for all of us). The more I make it about me, the less I understand God. The less self focus the better - more focus on God and others. Times when I've taken steps have been when my perspective changes and I saw that in many of the responses. For me it's been when I am investing personal with others, when I get and take advantage of opportunities to take risks or talk to people about God or on missions trips.

I posted a question and thoughts earlier this week about next steps. Our end game is for people to take steps towards a personal relationship where they connect with Jesus on their own and for people to look beyond themselves - to sacrifice, give, care, invite and share. Basically, the greatest commandments is love God and love others - Jesus said so. So instead of doing random good things, we want to give people options to take next steps with this in mind. We aren't doing a lot of methods the same way as when we started - Vision is same, methods change. Mark is over volunteering and groups and we are making some shifts. (FYI - Mark is the real deal and does a great job). It's about moving the group focus to help us focus on others and God to take next steps and not just talking about steps. 

So where do you think you're going? Join in and journey with us and take next steps. 

FYI FOR CHRISTMAS DECOR

Just so you know...you can help put up the Christmas decoration at The Journey on Tuesday Dec. 2 from 6:30 - 8:30 pm. You can come at any time & for any amount of time - and oh yeah - there will be cookies. We will have a more blue/silver theme in the auditorium this year instead of the traditional green & red. We will put up trees and lights - in case you were worried from yesterdays blog. 

My question from yesterday still remains...how much tradition is needed and what are the most meaningful parts of Christmas services for you?

MEANINGFUL CHRISTMAS

I am in the middle of Christmas planning and preparation for our December Series and Christmas Eve at The Journey. Every year Christmas is challenging for us at The Journey for two reasons revolving around traditions. Part of it is music - Christmas music is typically traditional so we try to spice it up a little without changing the whole song and losing the Christmas feeling. The other issue with tradition is partly about being nostalgic. We don't do things traditionally but people still want a nostalgic experience because there are certain things like candle lighting and carols that are Christmas experiences with religious symbolism. So, Christmas - especially Christmas Eve - is a little challenging and I was wonder how much and what exactly to change up. Do we need the candles? What if we didn't sing carols? Can you have Christmas without trees and lights? We aren't going to through out the story of Jesus. It hard trying to figure what traditional items should be part of a service and what can we change up. We don't want to change it up just to make it cooler. The issue is how can we tell the story of Jesus in a fresh way so it's not just the same Christmas. This story deserves a great telling in a way that people can experience it's life changing message. So, I need your help...

What is the most meaningful part of Christmas services for you? 

TUESDAY THOUGHTS

- I love the generousity of people at The Journey. Thanks for stepping it up. Vince and Verve Church are thankful too.
- This week at church we will be talking about the most requested question.
- DId you notice the Paul handles two of the top questions you asked back on the survey the first week of October.
- Anyone interested in helping out with Journey Teens?
- I have really enjoyed church this month...speaking and playing with the band.

 - Took the kids out to lunch today. Emma picked "the place with a car on the wall" aka The Station. They have the best burgers (and many other bests). I love it. The kids love. 
- Eli is playing with Star Wars toys. Do you think he will grow up to be like his dad and make action figure movies?
 - We just ordeded pictures this weekend. We haven't order pictures since April. 300+ prints are coming in the mail from snapfish this week.
 - Had Turkey Breast and stuffing last night...I am ready for Thanksgiving. My Dad just got back from South Dakota so we'll have some pheasant too!
 - Christmas shopping in mostly done...but what to get Steph? We usually do one gift or a family gift.
- Here's a typical day of me heading out with kids for school. Hey Now, You're an All-star put your shoes on...

QUESTION OF THE DAY

We want to take people on a journey of relationships -  with Jesus, caring for others and investing in relationships with unchurched people. Our end game is for people to take steps towards a personal relationship where they connect with Jesus on their own and for people to looking beyond themselves - to sacrifice, give, care, invite and share. 

I've been think about this because we don't want methods to drive us so we want to continue to make shifts to help people take next steps. I know this might be different for everyone but the big question is...

What steps have helped you connect with Jesus and look beyond yourself?

SUNDAY RECAP FOR NOVEMBER 15

SKEPTIC? WEEK 3
searching for God. asking questions. 

RECAP
Todays question was in two parts...Is Jesus the only way? but Paul started with...Aren't all religions the same? The answer to that is...yes but no. All religions are exclusive. In the end it's do certain things to find their way. All religions are about DOING their religion. The problem is religion doesn't work. We all all screw up and if it was like a scale, we would all miss out. What we see in Old Testament is that religion does work, but then comes Jesus and the new Testament. It isn't about religion and trying to DO things to earn our way. The thing that sets about Christianity is things...it's not about you what what to DO, it's about Jesus and what He DID. He died on the cross and offers us grace. In John 14, Jesus said I am the way the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father but through me. It sounds exclusive - He's not a way, but THE way. However, no one is more inclusion - anyone can come no matter how bad, His love is free and salvation is gift, and you don't have to try to earn. John 3:16 say that God loved the world so much that He said His Son that WHOEVER believes they can have life. It's not about being moral or good or sincere - all those things are great and help, but it all about the truth and finding life. It's not about religion - religion just shows we aren't good enough to make it - it's about a relationship with Jesus - following Him, His love and His ways. So keep searching asking questions and find faith.

THOUGHTS
- Paul handled this very well today. If you missed, listen to the podcast
- I hope this was helpful for everyone. I think if you are a Christian, this gave you a chance to think about your faith and to get some good answers for future questions.
- 9:30 was low energy and kinda empty - problem hunters were out in the woods. Anyways, it's like too different services. 11:00 was packed and full of energy.
- Today we gave our offering for Vince and Verve Church in Vegas. We basically gave away our offering today up to $5000 and sacrificed doing a Christmas mailer.. We want to be generous as a church even when things are tight. 
- Brent filled in on drums today for his son Caleb...he rocked it
- Good morning this morning.

ANNOUNCEMENT
Christmas Project starts next Sunday. We will have two parts. The Global part is with our kids in Kenya. Today we announced the Local part - we will be donating to the Christmas Store in Muskegon. People with little can go to this store and still buy some warm clothes or toys for their kids. It helps our community and allows them some dignity of providing for their kids.

VIDEO
Christmas Conspiracy - We showed this as a reminder from last year to keep thinking about giving more while spending less.

There were a few other small videos...lead in, clips from O My God documentary, and a thanks from Vince Antonucci for helping Verve Church

SONGS
Open Your Eyes - Snow Patrol
Show Me What I'm Looking For - Carolina Liar
Here with Me - Plumb
Saviour King - Hillsong
Who You Are - Desperation Band (cut for time at 11:00)
Look to You - Hillsong United  

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MY WEEK FROM TWITTER

I know a lot of you don't "tweet" but here's a look at some of my life from some of my "tweets"...

1. http://twitpic.com/pdy0v - Loving this great fall weatherabout 16 hours ago from TwitPic
2.  switchfoot 

     

   In case you missed it, watch @switchfootperform #MessOfMe on Jimmy Kimmel Live!http://bit.ly/2s1JJcabout 18 hours ago from TweetieRetweeted by you and 2 others
   • Reply
   • Retweeted (Undo)

3. My son Eli is playing with Emma's Barbie-Should I be worried? Wait-Barbie is naked. Is it ok then?Oh wait-is that bad too?Parenting is hard.about 18 hours ago from web

4. Leftovers for lunch were just as good as dinner last night...spinach fettuccinie with two types of italian sausageabout 19 hours ago from web

5. Hey Hunters. Be safe out there this weekend and remember this one important thing...I love venison jerkyabout 24 hours ago from Echofon
   Working on some creating planning for Christmas Season and Christmas Eve. I want to put Paul in a snowglobe and shake him up...he said no

6. http://twitpic.com/p83xu - Family is ready for an all star kind of day8:36 AM Nov 12th from TwitPic

7. Isn't celebrating Christmas yet. We still has Fall things around the house like pumpkins & mainly leaves in the yard-that's decor right?1:10 PM Nov 11th from web

8. Spicy Tuesday. Mexican for lunch. White chili for dinner thanks to Jen R7:40 PM Nov 10th from Echofon

9. Listen to SKEPTIC? here: http://bit.ly/1wKxA IS THE CHURCH ALL ABOUT MONEY? by Me or IS THE BIBLE RELIABLE by Paul2:42 PM Nov 10th from web

10. Good Music Day: New Switchfoot Hello Hurricane (it's awesome) and a new Robbie Seay Band single1:19 PM Nov 10th from web

11. If you don't volunteer at The Journey, you miss out on a fun and meaningful experience AND this: http://bit.ly/4fXx0g10:27 AM Nov 10th from web

12. Anyone interested in doing some meaningful and fun? Looking for a few more Journey Teen leaders...http://fixon.typepad.com/ma...9:28 AM Nov 10th from web

13. My fantasy football teams are so up and down this year.9:01 AM Nov 9th from web

14. In church. Addressing questions about God & the Bible.10:06 AM Nov 8th from Echofon

15. Going to church online right now at www.Lifechurch.tv7:35 PM Nov 7th from web

16. Thanks to Lea, Tina, Steve, and Dan for painting this morning with me12:49 PM Nov 7th from Echofon

17. Happy Saturday 2 you. Painting, yard work, work & taking care of Stephani. She sprained her ankle 4 her birthday yesterday-a gift 2 herself.9:24 AM Nov 7th from web

18. There are two new journeyers this week. Congrats to the Keelers and DeRuiters3:50 PM Nov 6th from Echofon

19. Painting Party at church tomorrow at 10 am if you wanna come paint with me1:42 PM Nov 6th from web

20. Funniest thing last night was on 30 Rock - Does a crazy person laugh like this... Other random thoughts-http://fixon.typepad.com/ma...12:51 PM Nov 6th from web

21. Happy birthday to my beautiful and awesome wife!9:46 AM Nov 6th from web

22. Had a great conversation with Scott Hodge this afternoon Gaining insight for the next phase at The Journey.6:20 PM Nov 5th from Echofon

PUT YOUR MONEY WHERE...

At The Journey, we believe that God is the Blessor who blesses us to be a blessing to others. Over the next month and a half, we will have many opportunities to live this out and put our money where our mouth is (I always thought that is a weird thought if you talk it literally - I don't want dirty money on my lips...)

This Sunday, we are giving away our offering...up to $5000. We committed to help Vince and Verve Church with their building project. November has 5 Sundays and that's when we usually use the extra giving to get caught up to budget. But we are going to be generous even when things are tight because generousity isn't born out of wealth. We are sacrificing for the benefit of others. We are basically giving up doing a Christmas mailer to the community to help reach people in Vegas. 

Also, this Sunday you will hear part one of our Christmas Project - the local part and then next Sunday you will hear part two - what we are doing in Kenya this year. The project will start next Sunday and go till Dec 6. Also Nov. 29 will bring a Benevolence offering.  

Two things to think about...what special giving will you do? Maybe something even beyond our projects. Maybe serving in our community or doing a project with you journey group? Also, with all the special project, don't forget about regular giving as The Journey is a non-profit or your don't forget your own personal budget - don't blow your finances this year on Christmas - you might want to sacrifice to be generous - but I know it will mean more when you do. Thanks for making The Journey awesome!