One Thing Campaign

One thought. One idea. One smile. One word. One action.

One thing can change the world.

The world is so vast and its problems so overwhelming that we often lose sight of the truth that we can make a difference. We think that we have to have special talents, boat loads of money, or incredible skill sets.

The truth is that YOU can make a difference – starting right now. You don’t have to have a powerful position, be a great public speaker, or be a doctor, scientist, teacher, or celebrity. God will work through YOU to lead others to Jesus through YOUR unique abilities and personality.

With that truth in mind, we created the One Thing Campaign at Journey Church to highlight the fact that a single material item is a tool that helps us reach others for Jesus.

Consider a few scenarios…

You bought a chair. A meth addict sat in the chair during a church service. He heard about the love of God and gave his life to Christ. You changed his life with just one thing.

You bought a crib for the nursery. A baby girl slept there. Years later, she gave her heart to Jesus in the children’s ministry. She later became an advocate for fighting sex trafficking and slavery. You changed her life, and thousands more, with just one thing.

You bought a microphone. That microphone amplified praise and worship and the Word of God. During a song, the Holy Spirit inspired a young man with a business idea. That idea launched a company that brought hundreds of jobs to the city. You changed your city with just one thing.

No matter who or where you are, YOU can make a difference in your community and world.

Use your influence for Him.

If you are interested in helping Journey Church through the One Thing Campaign, click HERE.

-Mark

Home Sweet Rome

Well, it’s been a while, people.

Actually, that’s a bit of an understatement.

It’s been almost TWO YEARS since I’ve updated this blog. But I’m sure all 2.5 of you that read it have missed me tremendously. And I’m sure that you will leave a copious amount of comments to say just how MUCH you’ve missed me and the wonderful insights that my blog provides. Ha!

We are back in Rome again, just in case the 2.5 of you that read this haven’t already figured that out from looking at Facebook…or by helping me actually make the move.

Rome is a great city. Truly, it is. And it is a community that is ripe and ready for great things, GOD THINGS, to happen. I think that it has taken me a while to grasp this reality in the midst of all of life’s ups and downs during the past few years. But I get it now. Or I’m STARTING to get it, at least. (And I’m grateful that God is patient with me. My wife is pretty patient, too. She’s a lot like Him. Seriously!)

God’s Kingdom is advancing here. He is up to something. And maybe it’s not fully seen just yet. And maybe, just maybe, there aren’t many people who FEEL it just yet. But I do.

I can see it in the eyes of my pastors. I can sense it in the tone of voice of my team members. And I can see a small subset of this greater community beginning to be stirred up. And right now, it may seem small – imperceptible even – but the seeds of an awakening are HERE.

I don’t mean to get all “deep and hyper-spiritual” on you, so I’ll cut to the chase.

Here’s the bottom line.

I feel like God is moving in a really exciting way in my community and through Journey Church, and I don’t want to miss out on it because I am too tired, annoyed [insert your excuse here], distracted, lazy, whiney, prideful, worried, OR stubborn to recognize it.

What is He up to where you are?

Side note: The picture is of the Viking Trail at BerryCollege that might as well be my new backyard. It is a great place to log those much-needed therapeutic miles. Here’s to more consistent running (and blogging)!

-Mark

I have been using a Bible reading plan a…

I have been using a Bible reading plan at www.biblestudytools.com since January of this year, and I’ve got to say that it’s been a great experience. I’m attempting to read through the entire Bible in one year using the chronological reading plan. Skipping around and reading events in the order in which they occurred seems to break up the monotony of the Old Testament lists of “he begat so-and-so and he begat so-and-so.”

I just wanted to share Psalm 101 today. Since I read it sometime last week, I keep going back to it and reading it aloud as a confession. These are some powerful and assertive words penned by King David.

Psalm 101 NLT

I will sing of your love and justice, Lord.
I will praise you with songs.
I will be careful to live a blameless life – when will you come to help me?
I will lead a life of integrity in my own home.
I will refuse to look at anything vile and vulgar.
I hate all who deal crookedly; I will have nothing to do with them.
I will reject perverse ideas and stay away from every evil.
I will not tolerate people who slander their neighbors. I will not endure conceit and pride.
I will search for faithful people to be my companions. Only those who are above reproach will be allowed to serve me.
I will not allow deceivers to serve in my house, and liars will not stay in my presence.
My daily task will be to ferret out the wicked and free the city of the Lord from their grip.

Psalm 15

I’ve been both challenged and encouraged by this Psalm yesterday and today. I’m thankful for His Word.

Psalm 15 (New Living Translation)

Who may worship in your sanctuary, Lord? Who may enter your presence on your holy hill?
Those who lead blameless lives and do what is right, speaking the truth from sincere hearts.
Those who refuse to gossip or harm their neighbors or speak evil of their friends.
Those who despise flagrant sinners, and honor the faithful followers of the Lord, and keep their promises even when it hurts.
Those who lend money without charging interest, and who cannot be bribed to lie about the innocent.

Such people will stand firm forever.

And so it begins…

I hope this new year and the beginning of the Daniel Fast finds you seeking God and anticipating what He’s going to do IN and THROUGH you in the days and weeks ahead. One thing is for sure, God is active. He is speaking, teaching, and guiding His people today. So we’ve got to be listening and ready to DO what He says.

There’s just one quick thing I’d like to share today. It seems that each year I do the Daniel Fast, God uses it, especially during the first few days, to root out sin, wrong mindsets, etc. I think that’s only appropriate since it’s impossible to receive from God with a tightly closed fist that’s gripping something else. Got to let go of the “junk” and approach God with an open hand – ready to worship, ready to receive.

So this year started with forgiveness. There was old friend that I had been holding a grudge against. (Shocking, I know…who holds grudges in this day and age? Joking, joking…) I have always struggled with holding an offense against someone, especially if I feel that they’ve wronged close family or friends, and in turn, me. God had been bringing this particular offense up with me for awhile…but, being stubborn, I had refused to reconcile. I had refused to ask for forgiveness, and I had refused to forgive.

But, thankfully, He’s merciful. He’s patient. He’s faithful. He’s kind. And that kindness leads us to repentance.

It led me there. And I am amazed at how much God can do – how much love, grace, mercy, and sensitivity to His Spirit that He can pour out, simply because I let go of the anger, bitterness, and unforgiveness I had been harboring in my heart.

So…be open during this fast. Be open to what His Spirit is saying. Be open to what He’s leading You to do. And if there are areas in Your life or heart that He wants to cleanse, reorganize, or get rid of – be willing to do it. He’s FOR you, not against you.

He’s working things out for your good.

Emmanuel: God+Us

I am greatly looking forward to our worship service this Sunday. You DO NOT want to miss it! Sunday, December 13th 10 AM – Russom Elementary.   See you there!

more about “Emmanuel: God+Us“, posted with vodpod

Urgent: You are a target

Do you know what steadfast means?

Steadfast = fixed in direction; steadily directed.

Psalm 89:1 Amplified

I will sing of the steadfast love of the Lord, forever;
with my mouth I will make known your faithfulness to all generations.

So if the love of God is firmly fixed or constantly directed, then what is His love directed at?

It’s you. It’s me. It’s us.

His love is firmly fixed in direction towards US. We are the fixed targets of the love of God.

Let that simmer just a bit.

…

…

Maybe you can’t feel it today. Maybe you can’t see it today. Maybe you don’t want anything to do with God or His love today or any other day. But that doesn’t mean that His love isn’t directed at you. If you’re still here – breathing, reading this post – then God’s love is directed at you. And whether you know it or believe it or not, He cares for you, wants the best for you, and is seeking relationship with you. He wants to know you. And He wants You to know Him.

May we not miss out on the pursuit from a loving God because we are too busy to notice His acts of invitation.

Psam 144: 1-2 Amplified

Blessed be the Lord, my Rock and my keen and firm Strength, Who teaches my hands to war and my fingers to fight–My Steadfast Love and my Fortress, my High Tower and my Deliverer, my Shield and He in Whom I trust and take refuge…