By Clark Mitchell on 9/28/2009 7:18 PM

We are one week into STORYLINE and the stories we are hearing are incredible!!! I am so proud of the intentionality that people are using in their lives. This week we talked about living differently, so here are some questions that you might want to consider.

• How does my personal, everyday life look different than others?
• How am I intentionally choosing every day to make a difference in the world?
• What have I done today that will make a positive difference in someone's life?
• What area do I need to choose to "live differently" in, in my marriage?
• How do I need to reimagine my finances to live differently?
• Can people tell I am a follower of Christ by how I am living?

Just some thoughts to get you going.

By Clark Mitchell on 9/24/2009 8:48 AM

I have heard some great comments from people about the debate between public versus private schools for our children! The one question I have heard is, "what about home schooling?" Great question!

A little known fact about Robin is that she actually was homeschooled during her last 4 years of high school. So our perspective on home schooling is very close and very real. Here are what we see as the pro's and con's.

Start with the Con's: (these are observations of many, not representations of Robin)

• If you are not highly structured, your children can learn a high level of slothfulness and complacency.
• Children can become highly introverted if you are not intentional about having them in "community" somewhere.
• We as parents can be guilty of isolating more than preparing.
• I have seen many home school children walk away from t ... Read More »
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By Clark Mitchell on 9/21/2009 9:32 AM

 This weekend we began a new series called "STORYLINE". For the coming weeks we are taking the whole church through the process of discovering and shaping their story. It is going to be an incredible ride!!! We have challenged everyone to begin by writing their story. Here are some tips to help you get started:
 
1. Don't make it harder than it is! Relax!
 
2. Begin to think about all God has done in your life.
 
3. Start with the basics. When and where were you born? How many siblings do you have? What was your childhood like? Where did you go to school? How did you meet your spouse?
 
4. Share about when you met Christ.
 
5. Write about the big events in your life.
 
... Read More »

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By Clark Mitchell on 9/17/2009 2:23 PM

My Concusion: Hear God on what is best for your family!

There are plenty of situations that private school, by far, is the best choice!

But, there are plenty of situations that public school is the best choice.

So how do you choose:

• What has God said to you?
• What are your values?
• Do your children thrive in big settings or small?
• What can you afford?

Bottomline: Your child's education is your responsibility! No matter what option you choose they will need help at home. You can't count on any school to raise your child. So the question is - who do you want to partner with long term?

Ending with how I began - I have a senior and if I had to start all over again, I would pick a smaller setting, with more student / teacher interaction, and value reinforce ... Read More »

By Clark Mitchell on 9/16/2009 12:01 PM

No, not health care! I'm talking about education.

As Robin and I get ready to watch Christopher graduate, it has caused us to reflect on what we would have done different with his education. Christopher has spent time in both private and public schools, so it has given us a great opportunity to look at the strengths and weaknesses of both.

What have we concluded? Great question! I am not sure we are ready to write our thesis, but here is the pro/con argument for both.

PUBLIC
Pros

• We get to reach the lost!!!!
• Our kids get exposed to a lot of real life issues.
• It is free - beyond what we pay in taxes!

Cons

• Small fish, Big pond
• Over populated classrooms which causes less  individual leacher / student interaction
Read More »
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By Clark Mitchell on 9/14/2009 9:10 AM

This past weekend Journey experienced several wins that we had been playing towards for months. Here are a few!

1. We re-launched our East Campus in a great area in Norman! This process started back in February when I gave a talk about what the next 8 years would look like. We began to access the location of the East campus to make sure it reflects the vision and now it does - in a huge way!!!

2. We had hundreds of new people sign up for small groups! Our heart is to see everyone involved with a smaller community here at Journey, and we took a big time step towards that yesterday!

3. We began our new worship experience times without too much confusion! Many of you have asked, "Why the change?" The answer is simple - opportunity to reach people! The new schedule allows us to increase the amount of people that are being influenced by God's presence every weekend by about 50%! We love reaching people, but it does take spac ... Read More »

By Clark Mitchell on 9/10/2009 10:49 AM

• I just finished walking through the JCEC (Journey Church East Campus). All I can say is - WOW! It truly is remarkable what has happened in such a short amount of time!
• This Sunday we hold our first worship experiences as the JCEC! The times there are 10:30 - 12:15.
• Caution - there is still more work to be done in the coming weeks and months, but due to the crowding at the North Campus we feel it's best to go ahead and open. What does all that mean? While things are incredible, there is more work to be done!
• The North Campus times are 9 - 10:30 - 12:15 and 5:30. I have said that a million times now, but I don't want anyone to feel uninformed.
• I'm reading through the book of Daniel right now in my quiet times. Pretty interesting stuff!
• This week I'm doing a talk called "SIMPLY GOD" and then I kick of a 6 weeks series called "STORYLINE". T ... Read More »
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By Clark Mitchell on 9/8/2009 8:00 PM

So, the truth is, for whatever reason, technology and I don't get along all the time. I don't know what the deal is, but lately I have been having some trouble with the fruit in my life - Apple. I still love them though! I'm sure it's all me. That being said I have actually posted, but when I hit update it has evidently not updated - 3 times now! So we'll try again.

• I had a great time this past weekend in Dallas with my family. Caleb played in a soccer tournament, we went to the OU game, and then we headed to Tenkiller for a day of play, and to dodge I-35 traffic.
• It was kind of sad to wrap up Dialogue this weekend. I really enjoyed teaching on hearing God!
• This weekend we Relaunch the East Campus! It is truly remarkable what the team has done with an old bowling alley!
• Bring every unchurched friend you know to church this weekend. God is doing great things!
Read More »
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By Clark Mitchell on 9/2/2009 12:37 PM

Well, as August has wrapped up and September is underway, it marks that annual time when our congress reconvenes in Washington. The stories are already being leaked, the members are already taking their stance, and the media is ready to jump at the next season of Washington Politics.

So why would I take blog space to remind you of Washington? Simple Answer: You need to let them know what you are thinking!

There has never been a more critical time, at least in our recent history, that those in Washington need to be reminded of what you think. Doesn't matter if you are Republican, Democrat, or Independent - it doesn't matter if  you are for or against health reform, if you want to raise taxes or lower taxes, the bottom line is that the folks in Washington work for you.

Last week I watched an interview with one congressman that simply said, "I will not vote in line with what the folks in my state want. I will vote in l ... Read More »

By Clark Mitchell on 8/31/2009 9:31 AM

As I sit in my office reflecting on all the incredible things God did this weekend, I can't help but think about all He is going to do in the next two weeks.

• This weekend we wrap up "Dialogue" and I have to say I'm a little sad. This has been one of my favorite series in the history of our church. I have been blown away by the way God has moved in so many people's lives!
• Sunday's message will be on how to have a "Dialogue Retreat" with God. I am convinced that you have to pull away from the busyness of iife to hear God about major areas in your life. This weekend we'll find out how.
• We are moving towards relaunching the East Campus on September 13th! That is huge! Our team is working nonstop to pull off what everyone else says can't be done!
• We need your help! There will be a lot of work you can do to help us on the East Campus in the next 2 weeks. If you can ... Read More »
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