Okay, since I went on my rant yesterday I'm going to wrap up MY 5 today with #4 and #5.

I want every person to feel valued!

Man, this is a huge thing to me! We live in a culture that loves to tear people down! Every day people are bombarded with rejection, negative comments, etc. God has created each one of us in a unique way, we need to help bring out the best in one another, not point out the weaknesses. As people feel valued, they since God's affirmation on what their God-given potential really is! I want people to feel valued!

I want every person to feel invested in!

It absolutely tears me up when a church asks people to invest in its dreams but doesn't invest in the dreams of their people. That doesn't always mean financial investments, it means creating environments where we can deposit the things needed for people to prosper in every area of their lives. I want every person to feel invested in!

Taking a break from My 5 to vent for just a moment. I usually try to keep things on the down low on my cultural opinions, but every once in a while I sit back and go - really? This is really happening?

So I minding my own business, sitting in my reclliner, watching basketball, and checking out the news. I'm reading about the AIG bonus mess, the North Korea missile crisis, the Mexican Drug Lord ordeal, the Pelosi National Government Health Care plan, the trillion dollar debt, etc. Even through all that I have remained in a pretty chipper mood, but then our government possibly crossed the line.

I found this article - http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D9759GG00&show_article=1 - What is it about? Oh boy, here we go.

A Senate Jud. Committee is studying how we crown a national champion in football! Are you serious? We just went in debt a trillion dollars, Drug Lords are walking over our borders killing American citizens, ... Read More »

I want every person who attends Journey to be growing in their faith!

This sounds so simple, but I might take a different look on it than most. I believe that the number one indicator of sprititual growth is seen in your influence on others! What? Every day you influence people all around you. So, if you are growing spiritually, it should be affecting those around you in a postive way.

Many people believe spiritual growth is about knowledge. I don't. I think it's about allowing Christ to have more influence in our lives so that we can be a light to others. Gaining knowledge is a means God will use to help you grow. Gaining knowledge just for gaining knowledge's sake won't do anything but make you religious. You have to apply what you learn.

My heart is for every person who attends Journey to be growing in their faith; allowing the hope, grace, and encouragement of Christ to help them live into their God-given potential and dream ... Read More »

I want every person, that attends Journey, to feel cared for!

Throughout my life I have only attended a few churches. The Presbytarian Church, Metro Church (which is now Lifechurch.tv), and now Journey. During my years attending Metro, I was always impressed with how they made me feel cared for and pastored. It was a large church, but there was always great community.

Now, as I pastor, I believe that making people feel cared for is more important that wowing them a production. That does not mean that I don't expect a high level of excellence in our worship experiences. But it does mean that I want people to feel equally cared for in their crisis experience.

Crises come in all shapes and sizes, but one thing is for sure - if your church doesn't care for you in your crisis, it hurts!

Again, we have a long way to go, but I want to make sure we at Journey care for people in crisis in a God-honoring way!

Well, vacation was great, but it is equally great to get back in the swing of things here at the church. I am so pumped about all that God is doing around here. This week I want to share 5 things that I want every person to experience here at Journey. Just because they are on the list doesn't mean we are doing them perfectly, but we are making strides in moving forward.

My prayer is that through these 5 things people will experience the presence of God and allow His power to transform their lives.

#1: I want every person to feel connected.

People need to connect with God and with each other! We were created for both, not just one or the other. It is our responsibility to create experiences where you can do both because you need God and you need Godly friends!

As we approach our future we are constantly asking, "How does this help people find 8 to 10 people for them to do life with?" Our heart ... Read More »

There has been a couple that has attended Journey for years that has recently experienced God in a huge way! They have always been here, but it has been sporadic due to kids, activity, etc. They are a great couple, with great hearts.

Several months ago, their journey got thrown for a loop when she found out she had stage 4 cancer! She is a young lady, good shape, no bad habits, and boom - cancer!

As soon as we found out we began praying with her on a daily basis. They would come up front every week for ministry time and began to pray together on a regular basis as a couple.

This past week we found out all the cancer is gone! After prayer, and treatments, she is 100% cancer free! Everyone has been blown away! Just a few months ago she was using a walker to get around and now she is cancer free!

God is good! All the time!!!

While I'm taking some time off this week I have to admit I'm a news junkie. Now I'm a news junkie all the time, but when I have a little bit more free time - wow - I read all the fun stuff about politics. After doing so, here are a few questions, or thoughts:

• When CEO's are getting grilled for flying private, should I, a taxpayer, be paying for Peloisi to use air force jets as private carriers?
• Are we really surprised about the AIG bonus situation?
• Did a Senator really suggest that the AIG execs commit suicide? If so, his party should ask him to resign immediately!
• Did Bill Clinton really write a book encouraging "more generous giving" among the wealthy and then encourage the President to limit the tax deductions on charitable giving for the wealthy?
• Are we really requiring all stimulus projects to pay union prices instead of market prices? Real ... Read More »
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The first Sunday of "In Your Dreams," two couples walked through our doors whom we had never met before. One of our pastors happened to notice them and went over to introduce himself to them, asking them some questions about life. Over the course of the conversation, a connection was made and the couples felt comfortable.

Through the conversation we discovered that these couples were friends and both were experiencing struggles in their marriages. They decided before they divorced to come and give the series a try. They had not been in church in many years and were very skeptical.

After 5 weeks of God moving on their hearts, they have set a new path for life and their families! They opened their hearts for God to speak to them and He did! One couple is renewing their vows in the next couple of weeks!

God did a miracle in these folks lives! The miracle began in the lobby by being noticed and made to feel welcomed! Jour ... Read More »

So it's time for a quick country western song update. I was sitting in my living room last night when Christopher came in to talk about the greatly acclaimed CW hit from Journey Church. He was pumped about how everyone is talking about it!

Friday, Kyle even did a radio interview with a station about the song! This whole process has been a blast the past few months! From sitting around my office with Kyle writing, to watching the media team story board the music video, to hearing the team talk about going to the recording studio - it has been a fun project that everyone has grown through.

If you haven't helped us out yet, go to itunes and buy the song today! Look for "In Your Dreams" by Kyle Cantrell.

I'm pretty amped up about starting 3 weeks with Dave Ramsey this week! The Lord is really challenging Robin and I about some things in our life right now that are really exciting! Listening to Dave will fan the fire in a ... Read More »

Today's blog is dedicated to help--You helping us and us helping you. We will help you first.

DON"T FORGET this weekend is daylight savings time. No, I don't get it either, but it happens every year. With that in mind, let's get ready to lose an hour, be on time for church, and have a great Sunday!

You can help us by going to Itunes Monday and buying the song, "In Your Dreams." You can search for it by typing in Kyle Cantrell and it will pull it up. We are encouraging everyone to go purchase the single to help continue to up the ratings. All proceeds will go towards the recording of a new worship CD this fall.