Mark's Journey

Who is Writing Your Story?

You have a story. You may think you don't or think that your story is not a big deal. But the reality is you do. Your story is your life. And God cares about you, your life, and your story. There are parts of your story that you probably don't like that much. Parts that you hate. There are parts that no one else knows about. Parts that hurt, make you mad, disappoint, and parts you continue to struggle with. We all have parts of our story that are like that. But God wants to re-write our story. He can bring hope, strength, and life to our story. He can bring grace, forgiveness, and direction to our life and our story. What is your story? And how would you like God to re-write your story? Is it time for you to let go of your story and let God become the author?

What distracts you?

There are things in our life that can get in the way and distract us from or relationship with Jesus. Some things can distract us from actually beginning that relationship, others keep us from experiencing all that He has for us. Hebrews 12:1-2 "...let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith..."

What do you feel like ditracts you most? What do you need to throw off? How do you need to do that?

A Story of God and a Journeyer

Here is someone's story of how God is revealing Himself through His words in the Bible:

I read Acts and Romans. It's like someone flicked on the light switch. I knew Jesus died for our sins. But I didn't understand that having faith in Jesus is what forever forgives our sins. I had such a misunderstanding of this for so long. I know that we sin, and we pray for forgiveness. But until the last couple of days, I had honestly thought that unless I was continuously catching up on asking forgiveness for my sins, and if something happened to me that I could die without being forgiven. Now I see that I am already forgiven, and it lifted my heart so much to understand that correctly for the first time. I have questions too, but right now I am just filled with such relief and happiness. It is just incredible what I thought I knew and what I am learning now. I am glad that I have a better understanding. I feel as though I misunderstood so many things. Thank you for recommending this reading to me.

Stuff that's happening

A quick update on some things happening at The Journey, my family, and things I'm thinking about:

• My son (Jordan) baseball season starts today (unless it gets rained out). I love sitting outside in the spring and watching a ball game...no matter who's playing.
• The CUBS, however, are providing another painful season so far.
• We have been looking at and talking about colleges with Jacob. Lots to consider with this decision.
• Jacob has been playing and singing a bit at The Journey. It has been fun to watch him take steps that way and see him grow.
• I have been enjoying reading the stories on the teen blog.
• Journey Group signups are happening now. Great time to jump in and take some steps.
• Networks have some signups this Sunday for some great things happening in the next month.
• Looking forward to hearing another story this Sunday.
• Been thinking about summer vacation with my family...trying to plan something really cool.

Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved...Acts 10:13

Why do you or don't you read the Bible?

Do you read the Bible? Why or why not? There could be lots of reasons for your answer. Some similar reasons I often hear are that it is sometimes hard to understand, I don't get anything out of it, or it is hard to relate to my own life. Those could be good reasons and I can understand why reading the Bible can be difficult. But if you'd like to read it more, here are some tips that may be of help. These are things that I do when I read, and also, some other things that some people have shared that has been helpful to them.

1. Pray before you read and ask God to reveal himself to you. Ask him to help you understand. The Bible is God's words to us so he wants us to understand.

2. When you read ask (1) What does this tell me about God? and (2) What does God want me to do or rememeber when reading?

3. Underline parts that stand out to you so you can keep them in mind in the future.

4. If you don't understand one part, ask someone for help who may have been reading the Bible longer than you to help out. Also, don't get frustrated if you don't understand a part. Just keep reading until some thing stands out or you do understand.

The Hard Parts...but also the Good Parts
Recently I read Acts 2:19... "Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord..." I was struck with two things here. One, that we need to turn FROM the junk in our life, from our sin, and turn from life without God...TO God. Some times that is hard. It isn't always easy to do. BUT, it says that when we do our sin is forgiven, and God will refresh us. I love that. I need to be reconnected and encouraged by Him. If I am turning from that other stuff, I need to be filled with Him and all that he offers...grace, forgiveness, strength, hope, life.

UPCOMING NETWORKS

If you are not connected to a Network, we are encouraging everyone connected to The Journey to participate. It is about looking beyond ourselves. We have some huge opportunities to make an impact in the next couple months in all the Networks. Also, see who you could invite to join you.

Fruitport Network was in action on Saturday.
They helped host an event in their community. In Pamona Park they had an Easter egg hunt which included other activities...egg coloring, bounce houses, pinatas, food, etc. The event had around 500 people from the community. It was a great way to serve and get the word out about our Network.

GOOD FRIDAY. This is a day in our calendar that we take time to reflect on what Jesus did to restore our relationship with God. Throughout history, people have believed and sought after ways to be close to God, to reconnect with Him. But human efforts continue to fail. There is nothing we can do. We still have sin that separates us. We simply need forgiveness from God. But there is a price to be paid.

Jesus willingly came to suffer and die in our place to pay the price for our sin. Because of that, God offers us the forgiveness we need. It isn't about what we do, it is about what He has done. Ephesians 2:8-9 says "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--not by works, so that no one can boast." It's a gift. Today, think of Jesus' death as his gift to you. It is up to us to accept that gift. I hope you do.

Joel and Susan are the directors of the House of Hope Home in Kenya. They are pictured here with Jason & Lisa Hovingh who are from West Michigan, but live in Kenya to help provide leadership and support for the the HOH. If you remember, pray for them as the work they do is difficult and hard.