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Burdened

Burden: To carry; to feel the weight of; to weigh heavy on heart and mind
   

 Some men came carrying a paralytic on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus. When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus. Luke 5:18-19

The men who carried the paralytic obviously felt a burden for his health. It was something that must have weighed heavy on their hearts and minds or they would have not made the effort to position him for an experience with Christ.

Carrying means we do what ever it takes to position people for a miracle!

We carry because of the burden we have for others! A burden will change they way we do life. It will mess up our schedules, creep into our finances, focus our family, and test our willingness. A burden (good burden, not a bad burden) is a responsibility that comes from God.

I've thought about this a lot lately and about having a burden for the lost. Here are some of the thoughts I have had:

• Carrying a burden means living an inconvenienced, uncomfortable life.
• Living with a burden for the lost will affect every area of your life, public and private.
• Having a burden for the lost, and specifically, will affect the way you lead your family and the way you function as a family. (In other words, if you are in ministry and your spouse views it as a job you need to evaluate how you have helped your family gain a burden for others.)
• Living with a burden will always lead back to the question of - who is missing? Who is missing from church this week? Who is missing from the Kingdom of God? Who is missing? (Let that question drive you.)
• A burden is often what separates those who survive in ministry versus those who thrive in ministry.
• Many people who are considered "driven" are simply burdened for the lost and hurting; their drive is a result of the pain they see in others.
• A burden is often what separates the effective and the ineffective; Many times people will love Christ, but not others.

My prayer for you today is that God will give you a burden for others. 

Late weekend Recap

Man, things are good! God's faithfulness is showing up in every area of my life right now and it is nice. I want to give a BIG TIME thanks to everyone who led the worship experiences this weekend. I have heard so many incredible things about what God did! My favorite is that at the end of the talk we had people who were serving in the forces, or had a relative who is, come up so that we could pray with them. I love having the opportunity to connect with people and to see what God is doing!

Here are some other thoughts:

• Caleb won citizen of the year at Roosevelt Elementry this year! I went to the awards ceremony Friday morning, where he found out, and it was cool! All of his friends' parents stood up and cheered! It was a great surprise to end the year!
• Thanks and way to go! This month has been the best month ever in the aspect of giving! Usually as we head into the summer things tend to drop, but because of your obedience we are heading in the right direction. As we all continue to do our part God will open up doors for us far more than we could ever imagine, guess, or request in our wildest dreams! Let's all keep doing our part!
• I got to hang out with my family all weekend long at the lake! I love the lake!!! We might have a Tenkiller campus some day. I had a blast, all 17 of us in one house, being with my nephews and nieces.
• Yes, the water was cold so I didn't get in, but the kids did and tubed like crazy!
• Sunday I drove to Conway, Arkansas and attended New Life Church  pastored by Rick Bezet. Rick is becoming a great friend and a huge help in my life. The worship experience was really solid! NLC was the 4th fastest growing church in the nation last year. I can see why!
• I saw a park in Conway called "Toad Suck Park". I thought Oklahoma had some weird names!
• This weekend we wrap up "HONOR" with talking about "Honor in the Home". We are going to do something with communion we have never done before to drive home the point, so don't miss it!
• On June 8th we get to join hundreds of other churches for "One Prayer". This is really going to be fun!

Journey Church, I told someone the other day that I am having so much fun right now leading our church that I don't even want to take any time off this summer. (I'm going to, though, because it is healthy for me.) God is doing so much! Let's continue to honor God, build healthy relationships, and have a blast!! Thanks for allowing me to be your pastor!

Just a little bit

A friend and I were recently engaged in a conversation about what we do to grow as leaders. In the midst of the conversation I asked him if he ever read at night while he was at home, because I know his work schedule and there's not a lot of time during the day to read. His response was one that hit home with me! He said, "It's hard for me to read at night because I will fall asleep after a few pages." Man, can I relate! I'm not a good nighttime reader.

It was about 3 years ago I had this thought though, "Isn't reading 5 to 6 pages a night, and at different times throughout the day, better than not reading at all? Doesn't it all begin to add up and make a difference?" So it was at that moment that I started the habit of reading almost every night at some point, even if it is just a little bit.

Here's the deal - we always wait for the big breakthrough moment to change our leadership, or to grow in our leadership, when the reality is the best way to become a better leader is to work on it "just a little bit" everyday. Over time what seems to be a small degree of change will add up and make a huge difference in your life.

Don't wait! You know what you need to do, so just do it! If you wait until you really feel like it, or you can stay awake, you'll never be the person that God is calling you to be! Commit to doing "Just a little bit" everyday! It will change your life!

Public Service Announcement

Okay, it's time! For several years now, I have sat and kept my mouth shut concerning one of the growing trends in America today. A trend that has possibly affected us all at some point. A trend that could possibly be solely responsible for the lack of honor in our nation today. Yes, it's that big of a deal.

So here we go.

Today, I was at the State Capitol and was on my way out when I thought, "I probably should go to the men's room before I leave. I have drank a lot of water and am fixing to be in the car for a while." So I innocently strolled into the men's room and was met with a very uncomfortable situation.

When I walked in, I couldn't help but notice a suit coat hanging over the door of the stall. Then it began - the guy sitting on the pot having a conversation with someone on his cell phone! I began to cringe! It makes me so stinkin' mad when people make phone calls from the throne room.

I stood there choosing to have a good attitude when I heard the toilet flush. The conversation went on! I heard the guy starting to open the stall door and you know I had to see what the guy looked like and give him the friendly stare down. As he opened the door I was amazed! He came out, grabbed his coat, and continued to talk on his blue tooth! If I didn't make a commitment this past weekend at church to speak life I would have shared my thoughts with the dude. So here are my humble, but accurate, thoughts:

How does going to the bathroom (1 or 2) while you're on the phone show value to people? I think you are so important that I'm going to talk to you while I'm sitting on the pot! When you hear the toilet flush (and we do hear it) in the background, that is just one more way of me saying, "I value you". Matter of fact, I value you so much that I'm relieving my body of its waste (what my body doesn't want) while I talk to you! That should show you how important you are to me! I took you to the toilet with me! We must be tight!

What in the world are people thinking? STOP IT! Don't talk on the phone in the bathroom! It doesn't make you cool to prove that you're coordinated enough to do both at one time! Let me say it one more time - STOP IT!!!

Since I'm on my rant, let me cover one more thing: Please don't wear your bluetooth unless you are on it! It makes people in a conversation feel like you are focusing on them, unless you get a better option on your bluetooth.

And that is your public service announcement of the day. Please remember, the view and opinions expressed on this blog do not always represent the views and opinions of Journey Church. But if I catch you using your bluetooth while using the bathroom at Journey, I can not be held responsible if I yank the thing out of your ear. (I'm still working on a few issues in my life.)

Have a great day!

Weekend Recap

The only word that can describe what I felt at the end of the day yesterday is overwhelmed! If you happened to miss yesterday, we continued our series "Honor" and studied how our words reflect the true level of honor in our hearts.

At the end of the message we went back into worship and allowed God to deal with our hearts. I asked everyone who needed to let go of hurt, disappointment, etc. to write down those situations on a piece of paper and bring them to the front and leave them at the alter. As they did so they were making a commitment to speak life about the situation. A commitment of honoring God, and others, no matter what the circumstances and to trust God to move.

It was overwhelming as hundreds of people at every experience came forward and laid situations at the alter! I stood and watched as people laid their hearts open before Christ. One man simply knelt there for a few minutes. You could see how God was working on his life!

This weekend we're going to talk about honoring governmental authorities. This is going to be fun!

Evaluation Time

As I have shared a little before, we are going through a time of evaluating almost everything at Journey. Again, the reason is simple - to be the church God is calling us to be we have to continually evaluate things to make sure we are being good stewards of what God has given us.

With that in mind, one of the questions I am asking is - where are we spending and where are we investing?

I know it seems like a play on words, but the more I thought about it, the more convicted I was to take a look. Here is the gist:

SPENDING - to pay out, disburse, or expend; dispose of

Spending is really focused on current wants and a consumer mentality.

INVESTING - To spend or devote for future advantage or benefit

Investing is focused on a vision, long-term thoughts and legacy thinking.

Our call as followers of Christ is to carry forward His ministry in a way that will affect generations. With that as our challenge we should always be evaluating our spending, as individuals and corporations, and asking the question - What is the benefit of this expense? What effect will it have now? What effect will it have long term? Do I need this to accomplish the vision or want it to accomplish the vision? Will not doing it affect our ability to accomplish our vision?

My guess is that when you start thinking this way, and discipline yourself, you'll find yourself saving a minimum of 5% annually. When that happens you'll have financial margin in your life! Along with financial margin comes peace and freedom to be responsive to God's voice.

Random thoughts

Today has been an interesting day as I have tried to recover from 18 holes of golf in 30 MPH wind yesterday. I look like I lost a fight! I feel like I lost a fight! But I did play 18 holes of golf.

Sometimes I wonder why in the world we take time to set up 4 golf tournaments a year. While I enjoy playing, is that what we really need to spend our time doing? The answer for Journey Church is - YES! It is remarkable how many people end up coming to our church through playing golf. I have heard so many stories, just from yesterday, of how people who don't attend church anywhere are planning on coming to check things out at Journey.

So here is my point - It doesn't matter if you have a golf tournament or not, the real question is: What are you doing to create environments for lost people, outside your weekend worship experiences or small groups? I believe more than ever that we are going to have to build relationships with people on neutral ground before they attend our churches. I also believe that when they attend they want to experience God in a huge way!

It is interesting to see how things are shifting in our society and how many people are open to God, but don't want the "9 Steps to a...", they simply want to experience the presence and power of God.

Weekend Recap

Here's the run down:

• I love today! We started a new series called "Honor" today. God has rocked my world over the past several weeks as I have studied this topic.
• It was a blast to switch things up today a little. For those who weren't there, we moved worship to the end of the talk today. Everyone recieved it great! It's fun to mess around with things a little bit.
• During the extended worship it was amazing to watch people respond to God with Honor. There were people kneeling, singing, taking communion, and lifting their hands everywhere! I was so proud of the way everyone responded!
• Over 25 people gave their lives to Christ today!
• Robin and I were worshipping together when Christopher came and joined us. I thought I was going to lose it. We all took time to take communion together sitting on the steps of the stage. When Christopher was growing up we would take communion together every Sunday and sit on the steps of the stage of the church I worked at.
• We took a crew to the Creative Marriage Conference this week in Dallas. It was really fun to hang out with some of our staff. God has blessed us with some great folks!
• Tomorrow we have a our first golf tournament for the season. Every year we get to reach out to hundreds of people through hanging out on the golf course together.
• I'm pumped about One Prayer starting in a month. I'll share more about it this week.

That's it for tonight!

Guest Blogger – Jay Stokes – Campus Pastor

Last night was a fantastic night of worship at First Wednesday. It was great to see all of you there. Thank You for being a part of a great evening. It is awesome to be able to come together as one church to worship the Father. Todd did his usual great job of sharing with us from the word....Our Father is unshakeable.....Our Father is patient......and He is undignified when it comes to us as His kids!! WOW!!! Kyle and the Band led us into the presence of the Father, which allowed us to focus, worship and glorify Him!! Thanks!!!

We are (as Clark says) “SUPER-EXCITED” about all of the upcoming stuff at Journey Church. This summer will be a BLAST!!! You will have opportunities to connect and Build Healthy Relationships!

This Sunday we honor Mothers on Mother’s Day, have Baby dedication and kick off our new series called “Honor”. You don’t want to miss this Sunday and don’t be late!! The worship experiences will have a different twist to them so come early and get your seat!

Other upcoming important stuff......

* Wired this Friday (6-8 PM) at the North Campus. Parents if you have never been to Wired you need to bring your kids out and have a BLAST!! It is a fun filled evening with skits, moon bounces, food and focus on the character virtue of Patience. Come check it out, you don't want to miss it!!
* Sunday is Mother's Day & Baby Dedication.
* Monday is the Fore the Kids Golf Tournament.
* VERY IMPORTANT -  Sunday May 18th - New worship Experience times – East Campus 9:45 & 11:30 AM – North Campus 9:45 & 11:30 AM & 5:30 PM.
* Student Journey Summer Camp - June 1st - 5th
* Vacation Bible Xperience (VBX) - June 10th - 13th

I am honored to be a part of what God is doing through Journey Church and to partner with each of you. Thank you for the opportunity to pursue our vision with you…..Seeing our City Transformed One Life at a Time!! You are the BEST!!!

Have a GREAT week and see you on Sunday.......Remember to Honor God...Build Healthy Relationships and Have a BLAST!!!!

Random thoughts

Journey Church, you are amazing!!! God is amazing!!! God in you is amazing!!! Now you are wondering what I am referring to. Well, here it is--you truly tithed this week! As we wrapped up our series "The Blessed Life" you responded to God and you tithed as a group! I was overwhelmed by your obedience when they shared with me what the offering was this week. It was 90% larger than what the first of the month usually is!! I had to ask if there was a large gift that made up the majority the giving and I was thrilled to find out that there wasn't. (Not that we don't appreciate large gifts.) I just wanted to see our church family all as individuals doing our part. It doesn't matter what amount your tithe is, when we all tithe God moves! Way to go!

Other random thoughts:

• Be here on time Sunday!! We are switching some things up Sunday, so it is important for you to get here on time. We kick off "Honor" and it's going to be good.
• Robin is on her girls' trip to the beach this week so I am on my own. We are one day into things and I still have the correct amount of kids! Our staff does a great job making sure I don't forget anyone.
• I meet Robin in Dallas for a marriage retreat Thursday. We are taking alot of the pastoral staff - it will be fun!!
• QDOBA is open! I know for those of you outside of Norman that it seems like we are a little behind the times, and we are, but we still celebrate when we get new things. (Although we are the last ones in the metro area)
• Lake season is quickly approaching and I can't wait. I bought Caleb his own wake board this year and he is pumped about trying it out. Hopefully the water will warm up quickly where I can get my body tossed around on a tube some.
• I have dance rehearsal tonight. That's right, you read it right. Every year for Caitlyn's dance recital all the dads do a "Dad's dance". I have kept that secret quiet for a couple of years, but after doing High School Musical last year how could I be quiet any longer? Truth is I don't enjoy it (because of my lack of ability), but my daughter loves it. I love to see her face when she comes and meets me on the stage.
• By the way, Christopher is working now at Rusty's if you ever need a good custard. He is such an incredible young man!