Mark's Journey

2nd Chances...too far

Just because God gives us second chances doesn't mean that we should take advantage of them.  Sometimes we can think, "If I sin and disobey God, he'll forgive me anyway".  We think that we can use the gift of grace and forgiveness to our advantage to live however we want.  But it doesn't work that way...for a few reasons.  Here's one:  There are always...ALWAYS...consequences to sin.  Even if God forgives, we still reap the consequences of our actions.  We end up hurting ourselves or someone else.  We miss seeing what God wants us to see.   We may not have short term consequences, but it may be long term.  Sin affects our relationships, our view on life, our ability to have wisdom.

Romans 8:12-14... "Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation-but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it. For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die;  but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live."

2nd Chances

This morning I spent some time reading in the Old Testament of the Bible.  One of the things you see over and over again is how God gives 2nd chances...and 3rd, 4th, 5th, etc.  He is patient and doesn't just wipe you out if you mess up one time.  He is still the same God today.  He is patient.  He offers grace and forgiveness over and over.  Today, may that cause you to turn to a God as THE ONE to follow, the one to lead your life.  Follow Him... and follow no one or nothing, else.

Stuck?

Have you ever been stuck?  Maybe it was stuck in snow.  Or stuck in a relationship.  Maybe you were stuck in making a decision.  Have you ever been stuck in an all you can eat restaurant booth because you ate too much?  Or, stuck in traffic?

No one likes to be stuck.  You feel a little trapped, confused, or unsure of what is next.  You can't move. You just stay where you are.

Are you stuck with God?  Are you at a place were you are not growing, not making a decision, not trusting him?  We were designed to be in relationship with God, and a relationship that is growing.  God doesn't want us to be stuck.  He wants us to be moving forward, taking next steps.  How do you need to move forward?  What do you need to do next with God?  How do you need to trust him?  How do you need to rely on him?

Tuesday Stuff

Here some highlights of some Journey stuff, and stuff in our family:

-Been having some great conversations in my Sunday night Journey Group.  We've been looking all semester at Jesus through the book of Luke

-Monday nights have been time set aside for investing in some growing leaders who want to take next steps

-Tuesday nights I have been leading a beginnings group.  Lots of great discussion so far.  Can't wait til tonight.

-I have been doing some long range planning for the fall for Networks, Groups, leaders, next steps.

-Been spending time with Jacob on looking at colleges and planning ahead for that.  Did you know that college costs lots and lots and lots and lots of money?

-I am so loving the summer like weather!

-Got my vacation plans set for July.  It includes whitewater rafting, Cedar Point, Family Camp, and basketball tournaments.

-I think it is cool seeing my son take steps leading some songs at The Journey.  Especially seeing him sing to Jesus.

-I got to go for a bike ride with Jen this past weekend.  Love doing those kinds of things with her!

Your Authority

Who (or what) is calling the shots in your life?  Last night we met with some people who are ready to take some serious next steps in life and in their relationship with Jesus. One of the things we talked about was Biblical Authority.  What we mean by that is do we let the Bible have authority in our life.  Or, the way I think about it is...do I let God, through the Bible, call the shots in my life.  Instead of us being in control and deciding everything for our life, we let God's words guide us.  He calls the shots.  Who's calling the shots in your life?

A Second Journey Site

Yesterday Matt gave an update on our plan to have a second Journey site.  You can read more about it at http://s3.amazonaws.com/churchplantmedia-cms/the-journey-mi/spring-letter-2012-web.pdf

One thing I have been thinking about is how we need to make ourselves available to God.  This is his church.  And it is his mission. He has asked us to be a part of it.  We are looking at another site to give more people along the lakeshore more opportunties to experience a relationship with Jesus.  We still would like to go north as we think there are many opportunties there.  That has been our plan.  However, we have realized that may take longer than we like.  We also have opened up our search in other locations as well.  We are taking a position of wherever God opens some doors and opportunities.  Some of the doors we thought were open have closed.

So our part in this is to make ourselves available to God.  To bring relationship, not religion to where the opportunities occur.  Sometimes it is hard to make ourselves available because we don't always know where God may lead us.  But that is when our faith grows and we see what God does along the way.

Go Lead Today

Who are you leading?  Some of you would say, nothing.  I'm not a leader.  I don't lead anything.  But the reality is you do.  Or, at least, you have the opportunity to lead.  I've heard lots of people describe what a leader is over the years.  There are many aspects to it. One aspect is influence.  If you influence others you are leading them.  And we all have the opportunity to influence others...to lead them. The question is, how are you influencing them, or leading them?  Your kids, spouse, boyfriend/girlfriend, co-workers, neighbors, friends.  You can have an influence on all of them.  You can lead them.

But influence them how?  Or lead them to what?  Well, there could be lots of answers to that.  But how about towards Jesus.  The Bible tells us that the most important thing in life, the greatest single focus for all of us is to know and love God.  So we have the chance to lead others in steps towards a relationship with Jesus.  Even if you still have questions, doubts, and are unsure about your own faith, you can still share with others some of the things you are experiencing in your life.  You can tell them your story, tell them the things you have learned about God.

Today, go be an influence.  Be a leader.  Take the time to influence someone towards God.

 

 

I MARRIED UP!

Today Jen and I are celebrating 20 years of marriage.  We did a little get away last week just for the two of us to celebrate.  But today, there are all kinds of things I could say here about Jen and why I'm the most blessed guy on the planet.  But let me just say 2 things.  One,  I married up.  Seriously.  I got the better end of this deal.  And two, it is awesome being married to your best friend.  We have more fun, laugh harder, and enjoy more of life together than with any other person.  It is one of the best aspects of our marriage.  God has been the center and our foundation for the years. And he has given us this time together.  I'm really grateful today.

Can't wait for the next 20...or 40...or 60!

SOME NUMBERS
If you like numbers, or even if you don't, here are some things going on:
-At The Journey, 20 people showed up yesterday for the 300 Second Party to hear about next steps
-We have 14 people signed up to participate in a new Beginnings Group that starts this week (you can still jump in if you want to)
-This week Jen and I celebrate 20 years of marriage!
-The Cubs are 11-17...not good enough.
-At The Journey, about 15 that are jumping into a leadership development class
-We had about 10-12 parents at a child dedication class yesterday hearing about next steps as parents.
-I have 2 cups of coffee so far today.

Unlearn

I recently heard someone say that they feel like they
need to "unlearn" or "de-learn" (or whatever is the right
word) some of the things they heard or learned growing up about God and church.
They feel like if they decide to follow Jesus that they will be labeled a judgmental,
critical, prideful, hypocritical person. They feel that way because many
Christians they know are like that. They are OK with Jesus, but not with what
people have done in the name of God that doesn't represent God very well. Maybe
this is something you can relate to. Maybe you are considering a relationship
with Jesus. I encourage you to keep your focus on Jesus. When we follow him we
may be labeled as some of those things...either because others are that way, or
we are that way sometimes. Either way, Jesus wants us to experience forgiveness
and life with Him. He is able to crash through the junk to bring hope and
restoration. We don't have to let those things keep us from having that
relationship with God.