February 22, 2021

Jesse Carey wonders just how powerful Americans’ obsession with consumption really is.  He found:

Nearly 40 percent of food in America goes to waste.  Americans waste 165 billion dollars worth of food every year (stunting due to malnutrition and lack of food affects 161 million children around the world every year.)

In America more money is spent on fashion accessories than college tuition.  The amount spent on shoes, watches and jewelry alone totals $100 billion.

Despite making up just over 3 percent of the global population of children, American kids consume 40 percent of the world’s toys.

On average, homes in the U.S. contain more TVs than they do people.

Despite being less than a quarter the size of China, Americans throw out more than 1 million tons more electronic devices than China.  America creates more electronic waste than any other nation on earth.

Americans use 100 billion plastic bags annually.  Plastic kills 1 million seabirds every year.

The average American household credit card debt is $7,849.  The median total annual household income for the global population is $9,700.

On average, the amount Americans spend in a single weekend is more than half of the total they give to churches in an entire year.

What do you think of Americans’ patterns of consumption?  What do you think Jesus thinks?

-Michael

February 15, 2021

“So what exactly do you do?” It is a question that I get quite often, and it makes me chuckle. I have the privilege of serving at Journey Church in a variety of ways, but I have to be honest, one of my FAVORITE ways that I get to serve is in the area of missions and outreach.

At Journey Church, we are focused on going outside of our church “walls” and serving in the community. Last week I delivered breakfast, valentines and school supplies to two local schools on behalf of our church family. This week I get to make two more of those deliveries. It is such an honor and privilege to serve our church and our community in this way. I get to be the face of Journey Church as I make these deliveries, but it is you – your heart, your generosity, your faithfulness—that is the true hero of the story. Just listen to the impact you made in the life of one educator last week:

Wow. You guys at Journey Church really know how to be the hands and feet of Jesus in this community and at Read Mountain Middle School!! This morning I showed up to see such a wonderful act of kindness being displayed to all staff here at RMMS with breakfast!! This is no surprise as you have been doing this all year for us. BUT, I would be remiss if I didn't stop and give a shout out and THANK YOU for being and having such a servant attitude in your community. THANK YOU for all that you do. Know that it is much appreciated and everyone here is AWARE of what a kind and loving church you are. Have a great day!

Thank you for your faithful generosity that makes acts of kindness like this in our community a possibility! Thank you to all those who wrote valentines to encourage these educators. Thank you for your hearts that yearn to love and care for others the way that Jesus loves and cares for others! Thank you for allowing me the awesome privilege to serve you and Jesus in this incredible way!

-Jackie Taylor

February 8, 2021

I don’t know about you, but I absolutely love transformation stories.  I don’t care whether it is a house that’s been remodeled or if someone has lost 100 pounds, I am absolutely addicted!  I think it’s the sense of hope it gives me to watch such a huge goal achieved.  It is instantly gratifying to look at the before picture in all its terrible glory and then to see the amazing, and most of the time, utterly unrecognizable after picture.  I’d like to share with you the most amazing transformation you’ve never seen.

The Apostle Paul is responsible for writing over a quarter of the New Testament of the Bible.  It is impossible to know the full extent of the impact that Paul had in spreading the message about all that Jesus did and who He was.  His life and legacy have helped shape nearly every Christian in history.  Who is this man that God gave this extraordinary mission to?  Was he included in Jesus’ inner circle of closest friends?  No.  Was he a disciple of Jesus during His earthly ministry?  Again, no.  Not even close.  That is what makes this the greatest, most amazing transformation you’ve never seen.

Paul, formerly known as Saul, was a Pharisee.  This was the type of religious elite that Jesus so often railed against during His earthly ministry.  Pharisees tended to be self-righteous, only pretending to uphold God’s laws and instead burdening others with impossible standards that could not be lived up to.  They took advantage of others.  And Saul was a Pharisee of all Pharisees.

In fact, Saul was in the business of killing Christians.  He was on his way to track down Christ followers to have them thrown into prison when he met Jesus in a breath-taking, life-altering, history-making moment.  Saul was on the road to Damascus when a blinding light appeared, and the resurrected Jesus spoke directly to him.  From that moment on, Saul was a changed man.  He went from Christian killer, to one who would himself suffer and die for his belief in Jesus.  We still look to Paul’s letters and teachings to know how to live in our modern world as a dedicated Christ follower.

If you ever think you are too far gone, that there is nothing good in you for God to use, just look at Paul.  Paul was arguably one of the worst Pharisees in history, but God STILL used him.  A willing heart is all God needs to change your story.  You may never know the full impact of your life, as I am sure Paul didn’t, but have faith that God can and is using you in an immense way.

-Jackie

February 1, 2021

I’ve been thinking about the importance of resilience—the ability to adapt to or recover from adversity, crises, disruption, life changes.  I believe Godly resilience is something we all desperately need to embrace in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic in order to avoid paralyzing anxiety and a spirit of pessimistic hopelessness.

In the Old Testament Joseph was someone who demonstrated resilience during tough times.  His brothers planned to kill him out of jealousy, but they eventually sold him into slavery.  Joseph repeatedly encountered difficulty after difficulty, but he did not give up.  He recognized that none of us can control all that the future may hold.  He held to a deep and abiding trust in God and a spirit of hopefulness and optimism even when confronted with calamity.

What are some ways that followers of Jesus may build and maintain resilience in trying times?  Here are some suggestions.

1.  Realize life doesn’t end just because life changes—because life is always changing.  Intentionally choose not to emotionally internalize disasters.  Recall past problematic situations that you were able to work through and continue on with life, believing you will be able to do so again.

2.  Be willing to give and receive emotional and spiritual support.  Connect with people whom you may care for and who will care for you.  Sharing our struggles helps ease the burden.

3.  Care for your physical health.  Get appropriate rest and sleep.  Exercise.  Eat healthily. 

4.  Be patient with yourself and with others.  None of us is perfect.  We all are struggling.  Refrain from taking on a critical spirit that injures you as well as others.

5.  Engage in prayer and meditation that focuses on the strength and wisdom of God even when there are unknowns which we cannot control.  Understand life is full of uncertainty.  Regularly focus your attention on the love and goodness of God which will sustain you so that you may find a peace within your soul in turbulent times.

6.  Participate in meaningful activities that lessen your stress instead of contributing to it.  If what you do increases your upset, choose another activity.

Resilience.  Do you have it?  Will you develop it?

-Michael