an unknown future

Corrie ten Boom once said: "Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God." Sounds like a pretty good prayer to start the new year.

the worst disease

Mother Teresa was once asked about the worst disease she'd ever seen. Her answer: "the worst disease I've ever seen is loneliness." Faith is more than beliefs to be learned; it's about bonds to be lived. I ask myself: "How am I doing at loving in ways that eradicate loneliness (in others and myself?)"

got you covered

I heard one character on a TV show say to another in the midst of a volatile and uncertain situation: "I've got you covered." As I think of the unpredictable, changing environment in which we live, I believe a distinctive characteristic of genuine community is saying "I've got you covered" to one another and truly meaning it. Being there for one another in tough times is a way that we show life in the body of Christ really does make a difference. It's a way that our faith takes on flesh. It's how we in actuality live out the truth that God created us for companionship. As persons we're not meant to be isolated entities, existing apart from one another. Our identity as Christ-followers is revealed in our relationships.

what do i want this christmas?

I want a glimpse of God in the here and now. I want the church not to be so interested in saving itself and more interested in saving the world (or more correctly, Christ saving the world through us.) I want to do what is just, to show constant love, and to live in humble fellowship with God. Micah 6:8

why do we need another church?

Vision 360 is made up of global business and spiritual leaders that are committed to seeing this generation reached with the Gospel through impacting and reproducing churches. Don’t read what they have to say below unless you want your world to be shaken and your heart to be broken to do whatever it takes to follow Jesus. “There has never been a more important time than right NOW to start effective church ministries. The message of the Gospel is the greatest answer to the problems of our current generation, yet less than 18% of Americans attend church on any given week. And that is only the beginning! In the U.S. there is a net loss of over 2,400 churches each year. That means that every four years, with a growing population, the United States has 10,000 fewer churches. Without a rapid and intentional church planting strategy, many areas of our country will enter a post-church era. In these uncertain times, we seek to bring the hope of Christ to this Generation. We believe God is calling us to risk everything in order to change this trend.”

number 60

Just got back from Memphis. Debbie's parents were celebrating their 60th anniversary. Imagine. 60 years. Her mom summed it up best in her Mississippi twang "I still love my boy real good." Love that lasts. Isn't that the goal?

can you topo?

Even know that means? Journey has contracted with an engineer to do a topographical ("topo") survey of our new property. It's needed by the architect in figuring where future buildings/parking might be placed.

master plan

Yes, God has a master plan. But that's not what I'm talking about here. Journey has contracted with an architect who formerly served on the staff of Rick Warren's Saddleback Church. He will help us develop a master plan for developing the new property. He has a great heart for Jesus and is wonderfully gifted. We're just beginning the process of coming up with a first draft of the property master plan. There will be opportunities for much input. Multiple revisions are to be expected.

it's official

It's official. Journey now owns property. On December 1 our church closed on the purchase of 9.3 acres located at 3574 Read Mountain Road. It has a brick building on it. I genuinely believe God has been in this, especially since we weren't even looking to buy at the time the seller approached us. I look forward to how the Lord is going to lead us to use this property for ministry. The goal isn't just to be able to say we have a building; the goal is transforming lives for Christ. Property is just a means to accomplish this.