Future Thoughts

Wednesday nights our Journey Church core leadership team meets to pray, to worship, to plan, and to prepare for things to come. It’s the most important thing we do together as a team. This past week as we were reviewing our vision and purpose Pastor Doug said something that really stuck with me. He mentioned that we have all become so close that it would be impossible to “do life” without each other. I believe I can speak for our entire team when I say that it’s true. I certainly don’t want to even imagine how empty my life would be without the friends and family that I serve the Lord with. This is the atmosphere that we strive to build within our church body.

Don’t get me wrong, this relational type of ministry is messy, it’s hard, and it’s not in any textbook I’ve ever read…but I believe it to be the most rewarding way to live life and do ministry. And with all that being said, I’m excited about the future. I was telling our ridiculously awesome worship pastor, Mark, this morning how excited I am for the future. I’m excited about my future, the future of my friends and family, the church, and all that. But I’m most excited that in twenty years our children will be reaping the benefits of our sown seeds of time, energy, tears, hugs, giving, and work that are building a firm foundation for all these relationships. I’m excited that my children will be able to grow up in an environment that exemplifies true Biblical community, love, and  an ongoing exchange of the Spiritual giftings God has placed within each and every one of us. Just think about it: if we model this now, if we continue to join together in what is the best type of relationship with our brothers and sisters in Christ, why would our kids want anything other than that type of influence in their lives as they grow up? If we are examples of unconditional love, of fun, of fellowship, why would our children ever think there is anything they are missing out on? This is what excites me. Can you look into the future and see generations built upon the hard work of our relational lives now? It’s a beautiful thing. It’s risky to love unconditionally, but the risk is worth the effort. So let’s build genuine, authentic relationships. Let’s take the risk, let’s build the foundations of relational revolution now and change the future of our community!

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Call Me Crash Armstrong…(everyone else is).

Today I was reunited with my Mac computer for the first time in a week. Yeah, I’ve got it bad. I love love love my compy. Now for a quick update to soothe your soul…

I was in a car accident last wednesday. I wouldn’t bring it up except that I’m still getting phone calls from people just hearing about “the incident” as I have dubbed it. In a nutshell, my car is beyond demolished – there is practically no front-end left. I’ll post photos when I can get them on my beloved computer. Anyway, I was in a head on collision at 55mph that left me really banged up and bruised. I was picked up by the ambulance, visited the ER, all that jazz. I suffered a broken left collarbone and severe sprain to my right ankle. As far as the doctors can see now there aren’t any torn ligaments or other damages but we’re keeping a close eye on that and the rest of me just in case something pops up that we didn’t initially notice. My ankle, arms, and legs are every shade of red, blue, purple, yellow, and green that you can imagine – I look like a character straight out of Beetlejuice. A lot of paperwork and insurance claims to come. I would REALLY appreciate your prayers as I begin the insurance battle!

It’s often during tragedy or hardship that we see the true character of others and when we easily can see who our closest friends are. This is what I’ve seen during “the incident”: one of the greatest blessings in my life is my church family. You see, the church isn’t a building, it’s you and it’s me and the fellowship and relationship we share and cultivate. My blood relatives live 700 miles from me. What in the world would I have done in “the incident” if not for my church family? Who could I call?

I’ve never been prouder than now to say that my church is the best church. This is how church should be. These are the kind of deep and Christ-centered relationships that the early church was founded on. Church isn’t made to be a country club or a community event center. The church of our precious Lord is a living and breathing organism that grows, feels pain, rejoices, loves, lives together. So if your church isn’t like this – find a new one or pray for your leadership! Let’s all rise up and be the hands, the feet, the church that our Savior has called us to be!

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Microsoft gives us another reason to go with a Mac.

True story: Microsoft is encouraging people to host “Windows 7 Launch Parties” at home. And here is an actual Microsoft-endorsed video (starring probably 4 of the most desperate actors alive) showing you how to host a party…and if you can make it through the entire six minute video, you’re a better man than I.

The 3D’s of Successful Execution: Decision, Discipline, Dedication

This is what I’ve been trying to wrap my brain around the last few days:

The very word “decision” to me carries with it an idea of being steadfast, to say what you mean and mean what you say. Every executable action is first a decision to act…or react. Hopefully, if you are serving in any kind of leadership capacity, you’re a man or woman of action. Real leadership requires us to be innovators & initiators. There is something about leadership that demands of us the courage to act in faith instead of always waiting for direction, permission, or encouragement. Leadership is a lonely road at times but the journey is worth every step.

Secondly is discipline. This part is HUGE. If you look into history at anyone great, any famous achiever, any world-renowned inventor you will undoubtedly note that they are people of passion. That passion is what gives fuel to and drives their discipline. Being passionate and in love with Jesus keeps us going when the world calls us crazy or cannot understand our sacrifice or servanthood. Paul even said that he disciplined his body and made it his slave so he would be able to preach and then practice what he taught. Great achievements are not made through a single act of genius, but through invested time in consistent dedication.

Finally, dedication. This is what stokes the flames of our passions. I’m dedicated to the Lord, to carry out His will and purpose in my life. If a husband is dedicated to his wife, he will remain passionate about his decision to walk in love for the lifetime they’ve decided to invest together. Without dedication, it’s easy to let the emotional aspect of our passion fizzle out. Dedication is the choice that helps us adhere to our decision, and gives strength to our passions, which ignites our discipline.

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How do YOU walk?

Each of us finds our way with God differently. What is important is that we are walking, that we keep moving, that we are pushing onward, upward, and forward. This week a friend led me to an online tool that is a wonderful help in your daily journey with God. I want to urge you to check it out: http://www.examen.me. Sign up (it’s free) and just walk through one day’s devotional…I’ll bet you’ll love it!

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Simply Worship. Tomorrow.

With Everything

Our worship team has been praying and fasting and preparing music like mad to ensure that this weekend it’s easy for families and individuals to connect with God in a real and tangible way. As we have been praying and interceding for our church and our city one thing has become very clear: we are in a time and place ripe for a powerful move of God. Most everyone I know is in desperate need for a touch from God in their lives – whether it be financial need , relational need, spiritual need, clear direction…the list could go on and on. But with great need also comes a great opportunity for a mighty move of the Spirit in ourselves, our families, our church, and our city.

I pray earnestly that you would consider taking part in our worship service this Sunday, August 9. I know that this will prove to be a time of refreshing, of revelation, and of destiny! There is no limit to what God can do with an open heart and a willingness and expectancy for a move of God!

For information about Journey Church, or for service times and directions, please visit http://www.jcacworth.org

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Video Blog: Simply Worship

Quickly Now

So if you follow my blog or other blogs from my Journey Church family, you by now have noticed that things have been exceptionally quiet. We are so focused on completing our office renovation that we haven’t had too much extra time to hang out online. So, here is an abbreviated and quick bit of what has been happening with myself and Journey:

- Tomorrow, July 21, we will meet the building inspector who will hopefully give us the green light to complete our project. Pray for favor!
- After inspecion, we have the fire Marshall inspection. And no, not with Fire Marshall Bill.
– The only things left to complete are cosmetic in nature: painting and hanging trim, touching up paint, installing flooring, and then the big move! We are getting so close I can smell it…or maybe that’s the paint fumes…
- Our creative team has been cooking up some wonderful new series set to begin next month!!! Pastor Chuck will be speaking again soon, which is always fantastic. We will also be having a worship service soon – yay!
- This Sunday, to complete our “Together” marriage series we have something different and special planned so don’t miss out!

That is all I have for now. It’s well past time for me to turn in for the evening and get my rest for another day of office renovations!

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Choose Your Own Adventure

I love to read, and I always have. When I was a kid there was one set of books that was really popular called “Choose Your Own Adventure”. Anyone remember these? They allowed you to change the plot and final outcome of the story by the putting the reader in the driver’s seat and allowing them to make the choices for the character. You could read and re-read all the stories and have a different story and ending each time.

I think our lives are a lot like those books, but with consequences that are far more real and enduring. You see, each and every choice that we make in our lives, in our days, in our moments will either lead us toward or away from the adventure God has prepared for us. Our choices really do affect our destinies and the lives of others. No man is an island unto himself. We are in life what we choose to become, and our choices dictate the path we travel.

Our goals, ambitions, dreams, and future are decided by the choices we make today. Our choices and decisions are vitally important. Don’t take for granted the power and impact one decision can have on your life. I try to always keep in mind the scripture in which Paul said everything is permissible, but not all things are profitable or constructive.

So today, choose your own adventure and strive to make decisions that will propel you towards what God has for your life!

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