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This Weekend

Okay, so let's be honest with each other - I'm a little nervous about this Sunday. You might be asking yourself "why?" The answer is simple - because I don't want to blow it. Journey is at the most incredible spot ever in our history! What God is doing is so big time that I sometimes get nervous about messing it up. 

This Sunday will be filled with some cool elements (including the last installment of the Ballot Box videos). But, more importantly, I will simply share where we are, what God is doing, and where I believe God is taking us as we do life together.

So what am I nervous about? I'm not sure, but I can tell you this - if we allow God to captivate our attention with what He is doing and we surrender our lives to it, it will change our city forever!

Don't miss Sunday!

Dream Marriage - Part Four

Yesterday I shared a little bit about how friends can affect a marriage. It really is a huge deal. Today I want to share some thoughts about what to look for in marriage friends.

Look for:

People who will encourage you in your responsibility as a husband or wife.

People who will encourage you to find your identity in Christ.

People who will not tolerate you speaking negatively about your mate.

People who will help you seek wisdom, and not just give their opinion.

People who will help you focus on the positive and not the negative.

People who will have your back at all times!! 

That is a short list to get you thinking, but it would be good for you to sit down and write out some values that you are looking for in marital friends. 

Dream Marriage - Part Three

FRIENDS

Simply put - friends can make or break a marriage! I have seen it over and over again where people will hang out with friends that influence their marriage in a terrible way. 

I know, you have been friends since you were in the nursery together, they have always been there for you, you can't imagine disappointing them, WWJD, etc. I know every line, but the question is - what is your top priority? It should be your marriage!

I would never suggest being rude to someone, but I will tell you that you might upset a friend at some point in your marriage - and that is okay. That doesn't mean it feels good, but the people you spend the most time with will shape your relationship.

Here are a couple of thoughts:

If your wife, or husband, is your best friend what do you do to build that relationship?

Do they feel like other friendships are more important? Have you ever asked them?

How can a single, party dude teach you how to be a Godly husband?

How can your husband be your best friend, but you email another guy all the time because he "understands"  you?

Jesus does want us to reach out to others! He would never want us to jeopardize our marriage in the process! Friends do make a difference. 

Tomorrow I will share what to look for in friends that will help your marriage.

Post Ballot Box Thoughts

Yesterday we wrapped up our series BALLOT BOX in a huge way! In every worship experience, I was almost moved to tears every time the Color Guard came in. It was a perfect ending to a great series.

I was also tremendously convicted about what my response needs to be in the upcoming election. I have so many thoughts and opinions about our condition as a country, but I need to remember that prayer and fasting is what is going to make a difference. I have never seen a move of God start with criticism! WOW! Read that last line again!

If you missed the series, go online and check it out! God will speak to you!

Lastly, I want to thank our Media Team for executing this series in an incredible way! It was amazing! 

I also want to thank Barry Switzer and Toby Keith for helping us out! 

If you missed BALLOT BOX go here and check things out!

Tomorrow

It's Saturday night and some of you are sitting at home deciding if you are going to get up and come to church tomorrow - the answer is, YES! Tomorrow we wrap up Ballot Box in a huge way! God has done so many cool things through this series, but tomorrow will be the best!!

I know you want to sleep in. You have soccer games, lunch with the future inlaws, etc. Guess what we have? Six Worship Experience options to help fit your schedule. Go to JourneyChurch.tv and check them out.

See you tomorrow!

Dream Marriage - Part Two

SAY IT AGAIN

I think one of the main ingredients for a great marriage is our words. I have been married to Robin for almost 18 years and have never felt demeaned by her words. She has always encouraged me in every aspect of my life.

One of the boundaries we have is that we don't use sarcasm towards each other. It's not something that we sat down and talked about, it's just something we have never done. 

We are also to make sure if we address issues with each other we don't do it in a critical way. We focus on pushing each other towards becoming better rather than tearing each other down - especially over little things!

Lastly, we never embarrass each other in public by what we say. If we do want to express our thoughts on something that frustrates us, we don't do it in public! One of my greatest frustrations is watching people always correct each other. 

So the simple rule: Use words that you would want to hear said again.

Dream Marriage - Part One

I want to share a few thoughts on marriage in honor of Chad and Martha. Chad is our Jr. High Director here at Journey and just got married this weekend. He, and Martha, are a huge blessing to our church!!

GET NAKED!

One of the greatest keys to a dream marriage is nakedness! While the men are yelling, "Amen", here is what I mean - Strip off all the layers of junk in your life and allow each other to see everything.

Robin and I have never kept secrets from each other. We never go to bed with harsh feelings towards one another. We never hold a grudge. We stay naked! We share what is on our hearts and mind in an encouraging way.

Getting naked doesn't mean you get to undress your spouse, it means you get to take off all the junk in your life. Your role with your spouse is to be an encouragement!!!

So, Chad and Martha:  know you are well on your way to a great marriage, and GET NAKED.

A Few Random Thoughts

It's Monday night and today has been a whirlwind of a day! Now when I say "whirlwind," I don't mean a bad day. I just mean it's been a crazy day! So here are a few random thoughts:

Yesterday was an absolute blast!! I spoke on the environment, for Part 3 of Ballot Box, and it was fun. I have never done a talk on the environment, so it was something different, but I really enjoyed it. The best things is that a lot of people met Christ!!

I think I offended a good group of people at the 9:45 experience at the North Campus. They left when I was doing the last part of the close, so I kicked into sarcastic mode and said a few things. If you were one of the ones I offended, please forgive me.

Today the Management Team met and it was intense - in a great way! I love the team God has surrounded me with to do ministry. They challenge me in a huge way and are ready to kick butt! We are running after the vision God has given us in a big-time way!

Has anyone noticed that gas is a lot cheaper? Funny how the media doesn't talk about that. One of my better decisions this year was to buy a Honda Accord - I can fill it up for $40!!! 

If you are a friend of mine, hanging out at a lake in Texas, you need to return my phone call.

The next 2 weeks are going to be great!! This Sunday we wrap up Ballot Box and then I will do a talk called "Together". You don't want to miss it!!!

Tomorrow I will start a series of posts on marriage in honor of Chad and Martha - our Jr. High Director and his new wife.

Good night!!

Responding to Crisis - P. 4

HAVE A PLAN

One of the simplest things to getting through a crisis is actually having a plan. I know that sounds simple, but yet so many people never get to this point. They panic, they pout, the pass blame, and worry, but they never take the time to sit down, write out a plan, and execute it.

Here are some key elements to your plan:

• God First - Make sure your plan includes daily habits that help you put your trust and focus on God.
• Reasonable Goals - Write out the goals of your action plan, including dates. Don't just write down random things that can never be accomplished.  
• TImetable - I know this should go along with goals, but for some people it doesn't. You need to benchmark your goals with a timetable that is aggressive, but doable. 
• Accountability - Find a friend, or mentor, who will hold you accountable. Don't pick a close family member because many times it will cause strife. On the other hand, don't pick a friend that will always let you off the hook.  
• Embrace the pain - Moving through crisis often times requires pain and sacrifice. If I want to lose 10 lbs. I have to sacrifice some things I love. The same is true with any plan to bounce back from crisis. It does take SACRIFICE. 
• Start immediately!!!

Responding to Crisis - P. 3

HUMILITY

Humility is a key component to responding to crisis. It is so tempting to be "strong" through the middle of adversity, but many times God is desiring our brokenness. The problem with brokenness and humility is that they are not great values of our culture today, so again, it is tempting to keep plunging forward in pride, digging ourselves into a deeper hole.

I recently consulted with a situation that involved someone being in over their head. Because of pride, the hole got deeper, and harder to dig out of. If only the person would have just admitted they needed help - it would have changed the whole situation. 

Brokenness and humility are keys to responding to crisis successfully! What are you hiding that you need to deal with in order to successfully navigate crisis? It will make all the difference in the world.