So tonight I ran up to Penn Square, with Robin, to the Genius Bar at Apple. Here are a few thoughts I walked away with:

GEEKS ON THE RISE

It is so cool to me that people who were total geeks 10 years ago are now Tech Heroes. They used to get pushed over, their books stolen, and crammed in lockers, while today they can absolutely screw up the lives of those who picked on them. I like it!

TED BAKER SALE

On the way to techie land I swung through Dillard's. They started carrying my favoritie brand of about 6 months ago. I would never pay regular prices for Ted, but the jackpot was better than Riverwind today. Are you ready? $2000 worth of clothes for $300! Come on now! That is the blessed life!

CHEESECAKE FACTORY

Due to the blessing of having a 16 year old son, Robin and I decided to take a quick stop for dinner. I have to say that my $5 strawberry lemon ... Read More »

Don't miss this weekend! God is doing big time things in people's relationships as we look at the different kinds of intimacy He intends for us. We are having a blast and you don't want to miss out! Get there early to find a seat at the 9:45 and 11:30!

The East Campus has grown by 50% in the past 6 weeks!!! Brian is tearing it up at Journey East and people are coming in like crazy! If you haven't checked it out, it is worth it. Every week Brian shares life change stories that are incredible!

I'm pumped about Easter! Already? Yes, already. You want to start planning for Easter now! You will want to bring every unchurched friend that you know. God is up to something big! The media team is working on some stuff that will blow you away. God will transform people lives!

Actually, I'm pumped about the rest of the year! Believe it or not, I have things laid out for the rest of 09 and it's good!

Since I didn' ... Read More »

As I live life leading a church, watch other churches and organizations, and watch people in general I have noticed that there is always tension around a tipping point. A tipping point occurs when you, or your organization, reach a point where your effectiveness multiplies quickly and the fruit of that is huge! But it is at that point where you as a person, and leader, will feel more tension than ever.

In one moment you will be laughing, smiling, and celebrating all that God is doing and the next you will be crying, and praying, about all that God needs to do. Tipping points create opportunity, but they can also create anxiety. They create great joy, but they also create great worry.

Will I do the right thing?
Is this the right timing?
Look at all that God is doing.

All those thoughts will run through your mind in a matter of seconds.

So here is to all those who feel the ti ... Read More »

Eighteen years ago today, I was blessed with the greatest wife in the world! Every day I get to live with my wife, Robin, I'm more and more grateful for God allowing me the privilege of being married to her. As you sit and think about all that happens in life, it really is amazing what happens in 18 years!

As I'm grateful for my wife, I ask you to be praying for a friend and his wife. I usually don't share prayer requests because we have so many, but today hit pretty close to home.

One of our friends woke up this morning and had a couple of seizures. This was a new experience for this lady, so the husband immediately called 911. By the time they got to the hospital, she had a major heart attack and stopped breathing. After a massive effort they were able to revitalize her. She is touch and go, so let's pray.  She has an incredible husband and 3 teenage children.

So all that being said, I'm grateful for my wife and praye ... Read More »

One of the exciting things that we are working on is what we are calling Leadership Journey.  Leadership Journey is a part of the vision that Clark introduced a few weeks ago on Sunday morning. LJ is going to be our leadership development strategy that is forming over the next few months and years at Journey Church. I personally am passionate about leadership development and am continually trying to develop myself and give away whatever I can to develop others. Read More »

I'm really excited about Journey Community starting this Sunday, Feb 15th, at the North campus and next Sunday, Feb 22nd, at the East campus. Read More »

Today was one of those days that I'll remember forever. When our kids turn 10 Robin and I surprise them with a trip with just the two of us. They know it is coming but they don't know where or when. Today was the day for Caitlyn!

After going to bed last night we snuck into her room, changed her alarm clock, and kicked into gear. We woke her up about 4 this morning, got her ready for school, and headed out the door. As we were driving down the road she noticed the clock said 4:25, so she had some questions. I love that moment! "Sweetheart, were not going to school, we're going to Disneyland!" Man, I love that!

So for the next few days, the boys (with supervision) will be holding down the Mitchell House! Robin and I will focus on spending time with the most precious girl in the world! We love this week!

The rest of the week, some of the team will be sharing some thoughts about all that God is doing at Journey. This past S ... Read More »

This has been one of those great days in life. It began having a breakfast burrito at Rudy's with Joe Grizzle. Joe is the pastor of Crosspointe Church here in Norman. He is one of my heroes in life! He also is responsible for getting me hooked on boating every chance I get.

After a few hours knocking out the rest of my talk for this weekend, it was off to the ranch in south Oklahoma. A family in the church has a 1600-acre place with 1.5 miles of the blue river, lots of pastures, dense forest, and a little of Colorado-type boulders. It is cool! We are possibly going to be doing some cool things down there in the coming months.

Now I'm back at home, Robin is taking the pastors' wives out to dinner, the kids are cleaning their rooms (seriously!), and I'm praying about this weekend and I have to tell you - it is going to rock! You need to invite every person that has a pulse (of course, that is not ... Read More »

If you could choose to be effective or balanced in life which one would win out? There is always great debate, passion, and conversation over how we need to live a "balanced" life, but is that what we are really after?

We had this conversation as a staff yesterday and it was a blast! It was decided that effectiveness trumps balance!

I know that absolutely tears some of you up, but here is the deal - if your goal in life is to be balanced you are never going to accomplish anything great.

A few of my goals are:

• To be the most effective follower of Christ possible!
• To be the most effective husband possible!
• To be the most effective dad possible!
• To be the most effective pastor possible!
• To be the most effective... (you get the idea)

Wow! What a day! I can't even to begin to express the emotions running through my mind after sharing today what the next 7 years looks like for Journey Church!

First - I was blown away with response to the vision! At the 9:45 the place erupted with applause and at 11:30 people (especially college students) were lined up to ask how they could help! I love it!

Second - I am continually blown away by the stories of life change that we hear every week. God is up to some big time things in people's lives! I love it!

Third - We are having huge attendance every week. The East Campus has seen a 30% increase in the past 3 weeks! The North Campus was wall to wall at 9:45 and 11:30! I love that problem!

Fourth - Your giving rocks! While our country faces economic challenges you continue to give! Thank you! Every dime goes towards the vision of seeing a city transformed!

Fifth - People a ... Read More »