It's Been Too Long

Hey Everyone...

WOW …it has been way too long since I have posted anything on my blog! For that I want to sincerely apologize.

It is has been a fun and crazy summer. I spent two weeks on a mission trip to Juarez, MX with 26 wonderful people. It was an awesome experience that challenged us beyond our wildest imaginations. But God is so great! He saw us through every step and enabled us to accomplish one of the toughest builds that Lone Tree Missions has ever attempted.

At Journey we are about to wrap up our Summer Worship Experience. It was a great success and we are going to celebrate it with worship around a campfire, a BBQ and lots and lots of S’mores! That’s tomorrow night and I can’t wait!

There is so much more that I want to share with you, lots of exciting stuff on the horizon for Journey. So…that should help me blog more often. Thanks for not giving up on me.

…Bob

Still Buzzing

God really rocked my world at Buzz 07. It's been just 24 hours since I returned from Washington, DC and I'm still "Buzzing". This conference was jam packed with gems that stretched me professionally and personally. I have to say that Buzz was even better than I anticipated and I know that Matthew and I will be digesting it for some time.
I was totally blessed by the the Buzz staff from NCC, what an amazing group of people, they really made us feel at home. In fact, the staff at NCC and their volunteers are one of the highlights of my visit to DC. Thanks Everyone!
I'll be sure to share more later as I digest all that God is doing in me through this life changing experience.

His agent for change,

Bob

Transformers

What an awesome day! On Sunday, June 24th, Journey concluded it's Transformers series by making an impact on our community. We began the day with praise and worship and ended with shopping and a BBQ.
The focus of the day was to live the message we had been hearing and the people of Journey really came through. They were challenged to go shopping at a local grocery store to buy food for the John Knox food bank. They were dismissed from "church" at the time that I would normally preach a 23 - 30 min message and were sent out to "be the church and live the sermon" instead.
The results were beyond our expectation. As people began to return we saw waves and waves of food being brought, sorted and ready to be delivered. We were able to fill a 6 x 12 trailer, front to back and about 3 feet high with nonperishable food and personal items for those in need within our community. We delivered the trailer full of goodies on Monday morning and were greeted with smiling faces and many thanks for Cindy and Shirley, the directors of the John Knox food pantry.

Way to Go Journey! You have been Transformed and have become Transformers!

Bob

Juarez is Just Around the Corner

Hey Everyone...

I'm sorry it has been so long between blogs. I have been busy getting Journey ready for their next mission trip. That's right, I said next! We are still a young church and I am so proud to say that we are about to embark on our second mission trip. Our first was last January when we sent several people to New Orleans to help with the rebuilding effort.

Now, we are just 3 weeks away from sending 28 people (students and adults) to Juarez to build a house for a needy family. We have been real busy raising the $21,000 dollars that it takes to accomplish this 2 week trip. And the end is in sight!

Please keep this team in your prayers as they make the final preparations for this Journey of a Life Time!

Happy to be back in the blogospher,

Bob

Refreshing

Last week was totally amazing! Matthew Starner (Journey's Director of Worship and Arts) and I attend a leadership retreat with some old friends (and new) who are part of a youth ministry network. The topic of discussion focused on staying relevant in ministry. The reality is it doesn't matter if you are a youth pastor or a lead pastor, a director of worship or kids ministry, we can learn from one another and encourage each other as we strive to help others take their next step toward Christ.

The discussions we shared as a whole group and the individual conversations were refreshing, vitalizing and just down right fun. It is so great to be among a group of people who share your passion and encourage you to think outside the box and believe that no dream is impossible for God.

The company and topic of the retreat were not the only thing that was great. We stayed at an amazing place called "The Rock of Ages" This incredible 13 bedroom home right on Lake Eire is incredible. Just being there made it possible to relax and enjoy a few days to recoup and re-energize for ministry. I totally understand why Jesus would take his disciples away from time to time and why Peter, James and John wanted to stay on that mountain with Jesus. It was a lot nicer than a tent at Rock of Ages, and I could have just stayed awhile.

I pray that you and your family have a chance to get some mountain top time this summer. Time to relax, recoup and get energized for ministry. Expect that in the midst of your moment...Jesus will show up and encourage you as you live for him.

Journey On!

Bob

Seize the Moment

Most of us live as if we have all the time in the world. We let days, weeks and months go by without a second thought. We often put off until tomorrow that opportunity to visit family or a friend. We have been meaning to pick up the phone and call someone we love but we figure it can wait another day.

If there is anything that I have learned from the events of the last few months in my life or the events of this last week at Virgina Tech, it is this:

“Make the most of every opportunity, because we really never know how much time we have to enjoy the family and friends that God has blessed us with. Make the most of every opportunity to touch someone’s life and heart with the love of Christ. Always be willing and ready to help someone take their next step toward Jesus!

The time is now, today, this moment! Seize it and make it last!

Making the most of every moment with you,

Bob

In Loving Memory of Wayne Hughes

Sorry it has been so long since my last post. Things have been a little out of balance for me and my family since my Nephew Wayne was killed. Bellow is a poem that my Nephew David wrote in memory of Wayne. He shared this at Wayne's memorial and I thought that I would post it here for everyone to enjoy.

<Dear Heavenly Father,

Today were here to celebrate the life of our beloved brother,
You made only one, he’s not like another

A smile from cheek to cheek, with a Mohawk to go
God were going to miss him, take care of our bro

Please let him know that we’ll miss him so dear
But were doing alright, we’ll be OK. Down here

Show him around in your heavenly glory,
I’m sure he’ll tell you 5 or 6 stories

I'm sure He’ll love to see his dad,
And walk and talk where nothing is bad

And get a chance to be like father and son
Where every moment he fills like he’s won

A perfect place where there,s no more pain
Where there's nothing to lose and everything to gain

I’m a little jealous God that he gets to see you first
But I'm glad he lives in a world with no anger or hurt

Lord can I ask you just a little favor
Give him a mansion with Ferrari of his flavor

He lived in a small place his entire life
Give his something big, to imaginable for sight

But don’t let him get too spoiled peeling out on your streets of gold
If he get to careless give him a beat up olds

No I'm just kidding God, give him the best
And let him know we’ll see him someday, as we lay him down to rest

Thank you God for hearing our prayer
Take care of our bro up there

Wayne we all love you and miss you lots
You ll never be forgotten
Your legacy runs through your daughter
Give your dad Walter a great big hug for us
Till we see you heaven

Amen

On Our Way Home

Lissa, Mandi and I are in Chicago and ready to board a plan Wednesday morning to head for "home". Back to family in California where we will gather to comfort and encourage one another as we gather before the throne of God's grace. On Saturday, we will celebrate Wayne's life and find comfort in the hope that is ours in Jesus. It is a hope that does not disappoint us but is sure and certain in the Victory of Jesus over sin, death and the power of the devil.

Please keep Terri (Wayne's Mom) and Nikki, Shane and Jarrod (Wayne's sister and brothers) in your prayers that they will know that they are not alone and that we are all on our way home (heaven) and we will be with Wayne again soon.

On the Journey "Home" with you,

Bob

You're Never Alone

This last week has been one that I would rather forget or at least undo. Many of you already know that my nephew, Wayne Hughes, was murdered in California just a little over a week ago. This experience has taken me on a rollercoster of emotions, and questions that continue to race through my heart and mind.

It's at times like these that we most often question where God is in the midst of all of this. I have to admit that I have struggled with this question myself this last week. In my prayer and devotion time, I have cried out to Jesus for understanding in the face of a senseless situation, for hope in the midst of hopelessness and for His peace to fill my heart. I'm sure that you have or will be in a similar situation and i would like to share with you what I have discovered.

In Matthew 28, Jesus makes a promise to you, me and everyone who calls on His name. That promise is simply: "I will be with you always" Those words became the focus of my devotions, my prayers and my search for peace. I began to dig into scripture and discovered the truth behind the promise. Consider for just a minute Jesus promise, "you are not alone" in the face of these facts. We find Jesus with His disciples in the midst of the storm, with David in the valley of the shadow of death and in the midst of his enemies. He was with Danial in the lions den and Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in a fiery furnace, with Johna in the belly of the "whale" and Mary and Martha when their brother died.

As I read these and other accounts I began to feel His presence with me, to understand in the depth of my heart and soul that God is with us no matter what the situation, no matter how we are feeling or reacting, regardless of how we got there, Jesus is there! It is so comforting to know that when life doesn't make sense, when it gets to hard for us to take another step, when the foundation has given way and we feel as if our world is falling apart...Jesus is There! He is with us always! To carry us, to comfort us to encourage us with His love.

I pray that you will never have to face a struggle like the one my family is facing right now, but I know that you will have similar struggles of your own. And when you do, my you remember that you are never alone!

Walking with Jesus through this Journey,

Bob

Do You See The Family Resemblance?

Last Friday, my sister Penny went to get her head shaved because her hair had begun to fall out as a result of the chemo treatments. I know that it was a very difficult day for her, so I wanted to do something to help.

So, while she was getting her head shaved in CA, I was getting mine shaved in MI. Those that know me, understand that this was not an easy thing to do. I am very OCD when it comes to my hair. But, I couldn't let Penny take this step alone! I was able to send pictures and made a video of the event for her and I was able to upload it to the net so that she could see it that same afternoon. I am so thankful that it help to bring a smile to her face and make the day just a little easier to face.

I thought that I would let you decide for yourself if you notice any family resemblance.

enjoy, Bob





Can you guess which ones Penny?
Here's a clue...she's the cute one!

Failure is not an option

Today I had the chance to sit with my sister Penny as she received her second dose of chemo-therapy. (just 6 more treatments...yea God!

I thank God that I could be here to walk a few steps with her on this journey that she is experiencing. It is a long difficult climb, but she is determined to be victorious as she trusts in Jesus to see her through.

Penny wears a rubber band bracelet on her left wrist that simply says: "Failure is not an option" It sums up her entire approach to her battle with cancer and I know that It's not just a motto or a wish, it is the conviction she has as she trust in Jesus, the promise of God that resounds in her heart!

I'm not sure what valley you might be facing or what hill you are climbing in your life right now, but what ever it is I want to encourage you not to give up. Do not lose heart because the battle is already won! If God is for us, who can be against us!

Today I will take another step with Penny, another step with Jesus, another step on the journey..."because failure is not an option"!

Bob

It's About Perspective

Have you ever felt like the worlds against you? Like the odds are not in your favor and you just can't catch a break. It never ceases to amaze me how powerful one negative comment / person can be. It can steal our energy, enthusiasm and dreams. We lose all focus of everything else and are unable to take another step in our journey, all because of one comment or a few people.

Over our last few staff devotions we have been reading through Acts 21 - 23. Paul has returned to Jerusalem only to experience what everyone had warned him about, opposition at every turn. While at the temple, a few Jew's from Asia turned the crowed against him. After addressing the crowed and boldly proclaiming the Gospel, Paul is forced to face the Sanhedrin and later discovers that there are 40 men who have taken a vow not to eat until Paul is dead. Talk about opposition! More than enough to steal any ones dreams.

However, the Lord reminds Paul that he is not alone and tells him to "Take Courage"! In other words, "Don't worry Paul, I've got your back!" Jesus goes on to show Paul that there are far more people supporting him than there are opposing him. The list of those that God has put in place to support Paul include: The Roman Commander, his nephew, 200 sounders and 70 horsemen and 200 spearmen. Now that's support!

The point is simple, it's all about perspective. You and I will face opposition as we strive to live for Jesus and take our next steps toward Christ. It might come in negative comments or a lack of support. But the Lord wants us to remember that "He's got our back!" The next time someone tries to steal your dreams take a look around, I'm certain that you have far more support than the few / the one that is opposing you. "Take Courage!" because Jesus has your back!

Confidently moving forward with you,

Bob

Do you Dread Mondays?

I tend to think that most people dread Monday mornings because it's back to the grind, the beginning of another long work week with all its demands and expectations. I have to admit, that I use to feel that way about Monday's, until recently.

Matthew (Journey's Director of Worship and Arts) and I meet every Monday morning as a staff to go over the previous Sunday and look at the week ahead and even beyond. Lately Journey's drummer Matt Rubino has been joining us for our Monday monrning meeting. You might be wondering, what's so special about a staff meeting? It's not so much our meeting, but the way we begin our week. We have been reading through the book of Acts, typically one chapter at a time, and asking 2 very simple questions. First we ask, What caught your attention? (It could be anything, from the thought provoking to something trivial. We talk about it, read through the notes in our study bibles, look up additional passages and generally just think...wow that's interesting.) Our second question is, What does this passage have to do with Journey or our roles as ministry staff or our individual lives? (This is where we try and apply what God is trying to teach us. You would be surprised how much of what we read is exactly what we need to hear for that week or gives us insight into the challenges that we might be facing.)

If you have been dreading Mondays, why not let Jesus set the stage for your week. It can be as simple as 10 minutes, one verse and 2 questions before you head out the door, or the first 15 minutes as you sit at your desk. You could make use of your drive into the office with a good book on CD or the latest Journey Pod Cast. Jesus can touch our lives in so many ways if we just let Him. Even on Mondays!

Just another step on the Journey,

Bob

Understanding How God Works

This last week I had the opportunity to visit a few blogs and found some that I really enjoyed. I have listed them on right if you would like to check them out. Anyway, as I read some of what God was doing at other churches I found myself becoming envious and a bit jealous. I know what your thinking, but "The Battle Within" effects me just as much as anyone else!

The main culprit of my battle with jealousy was National Community Church. The are a very exciting ministry in Washington DC. that has a lot in common with Journey . They are one church with 3 locations, one is a theater, another in a mall and the third is a church owned and operated coffeehouse.

Have you ever been frustrated with other people coming up with your ideas? There are so many times when i have an idea for a book or a new approach in ministry and then I read about those ideas in a book or come across a church like Nation Community (the latest in my long list of dream stealer's) that is implementing ideas / vision that I have shared with many people in our own ministry. As I wrestled with my feelings of frustration and jealousy I came to some profound conclusions. Maybe all these years that I have felt like others were stealing "my" dreams or implementing "my" vision for ministry wasn't meant to frustrated me but to affirm what God was trying to do!

The Lord has been working on me this last few days to help me understand what He is up to. You see, it was never really "my" dream or "my" vision to begin with. God had lead me to see what He wanted me to see, to dream, to set goals and to move forward in ministry in the direction that Jesus had set in motion. It should be no surprise that if the Lord is leading me to understand what He desires to accomplish in and through His people, that He would be leading others in the same way. It never was my vision but God's vision placed in my heart that I might lead His people in the way that He desired. What a wake up call! All this time when I was jealous or envious of what others were doing, feeling like i was three steps behind and never going to catch up, God was simply trying to affirm the vision that He had laid on my heart.

What an awesome and wonderful God we serve! He has lovingly opened my heart and mind to understand how He is working among His church, what He desires and where He is leading. I will no longer be jealous of what others are doing or whine when I see ideas, dreams and vision that He has place on my heart in the books or ministries of others. Instead, I will see that as an affirmation that we are walking in the right direction. I will use it as a catalyst to launch us forward in ministry and I will thank my God for using others to affirm the steps we are taking.

One Giant Step on the Journey,

Bob

Flippin' Switches is Fun!

Have you ever had one of those moments when it was like someone flips a switch and all of a sudden everything is clear? I have always been on the receiving end of that experience, almost like a light bulb literally pops above my head and bamm! You get it! Yesterday, I had the opportunity see that happen to someone else, and it was an awesome experience.

I was invited to be a part of a meeting that was talking about launching a new church in the Allendale community. Allendale is a suburb of Grand Rapids, MI and is experiencing phenomenal growth, mostly because of Grand Valley State University. It is becoming a very post-modern college community. Anyways, at the meeting as we were talking about the possibilities I began to share insight into the mutli-site movement that is occurring in churches accross the country. It was then that I saw it - as if God had used me to flip a switch in Scott Sommerfield, Pastor of Holy Cross Jenison. In a moment we went from the impossible to endless possibilities; from I don't have the time, effort, or energy to someone energized and excited about the future that God has in store.

Please keep Holy Cross and Scott in your prayers as they seek to take a step forward in ministry! I can't wait to see what the Lord unfolds in Allendale...it's going to be great!

Flippin' Switches for Jesus,

Bob

The First Step

Today I took my first of many steps into the world of blogging. I have a lot to learn but I'm sure that it will be a fun adventure.
I hope to use my blog to share some insight and wisdom on this Journey we call faith. One thing that I have discovered about life is that it is never predictable. We all need help from time to time to find our way or the encouragement to take one more step when we are so tired that we don't feel like going on. I hope that this blog can be a place where we all might find a word of encouragement, a shoulder to lean on and a sense of direction. A place where we can realize that we are not alone on this journey, because we have each other and a God who will never abandon us!

Just another step on the Journey,

Bob