7/1/2025

How was summer camp for Journey youth?  I’m so glad you asked!

Our church had two students commit their lives to the Lord for the very first time.  We had many others who recommitted their lives to the Lord and even more who grew in their faith and were challenged in their faith.

Here are just a few remarks from some of our teens regarding what the Lord did in their lives at FUGE camp:

This week I wanted to fully surrender my life to the Lord.  I learned that surrender isn’t just a singular moment, but it is a choice and a decision every day.  I wanted that emotional rush, that “camp high”, but I learned what comes quickly, leaves quickly.  I also learned about the value of Biblical community and the importance of having regular spiritual conversations.  I want to get into the habit of routinely talking about Jesus with others.

I learned that God deserves my all, not just my leftovers.

I felt convicted about my social media problem.  I have deleted TikTok and have an accountability partner.  I also learned in coming home that not everyone is going to make the same decisions you did at camp, but that is okay.  You can let your light shine in the darkness.  You can keep being the light and maybe one day they’ll find the light too.

Camp made a big difference in my faith.  This week I realized I’ve been hanging on to other people’s faith, and now I have my own faith.

Worship was my favorite part of camp!

One of the main focus words this week was “fuel.”  I realized that I’ve just been riding around on a spiritually empty tank.  I get too busy, and I just put in $1 of fuel in at a time, just barely hanging on.  I’ve learned to dial in and to fill up every day.  Another example that stuck with me is that God is like a lamp.  Not a flashlight, but a lamp.  If He lit up our path like a flashlight, we’d see all the way to the end, and we might get scared, so He lights up just a few steps at a time.  And again, the importance of keeping the fuel in the lamp, if you let the light run out, you won’t be able to see your next steps.

For me, camp was a new start.  I feel more connected to God.  It was an amazing experience.

I learned I need to be more intentional with my words because the proof of the resurrection is in me.

I learned about the value of Christian community.  I know that when I leave for college, I need to find community so they can help me stay connected to God.

At camp I realized I have a borrowed faith, and now I’ve decided to be baptized.

So how was camp?  I’d say it was pretty amazing.

-Jackie

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7/7/2025

I wish that I was wiser than I am.  I am grateful for the wisdom found in the Bible.  I am also grateful for the wisdom of spiritual guides like the theologian, Frederick Buechner, whose quotes inspire me to ponder more deeply the wonder of a Jesus-like faith.  Here are some of his sayings I’ve reflected on recently that I hope might inspire you as well.

-Michael

“Listen to your life.  See it for the fathomless mystery it is.  In the boredom and pain of it, no less than in the excitement and gladness:  touch, taste, smell your way to the holy and hidden heart of it, because in the last analysis all moments are key moments, and life itself is grace.”

“The grace of God means something like:  Here is your life.  You might never have been, but you are because the party wouldn’t have been complete without you.”

“Pay attention to the things that bring a tear to your eye or a lump in your throat because they are signs that the holy is drawing near.”

“Faith is stepping out into the unknown with nothing to guide us but a hand just beyond our grasp.”

“Wherever people love each other and are true to each other and take risks for each other, God is with them and for them and they are doing God’s will.”

“The world says, the more you take, the more you have.  Christ says, the more you give, the more you are.”

“We find by losing.  We hold fast by letting go.  We become something new by ceasing to be something old.”

“The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.”

“You can’t be too careful what you tell a child because you never know what he’ll take hold of and spend the rest of his life remembering you by.”

“Here is the world.  Beautiful and terrible things will happen.  Don’t be afraid.”

“Even the saddest things can become, once we have made peace with them, a source of wisdom and strength.”

“Resurrection means that the worst thing is never the last thing.”

“Go where your best prayers take you.”

“Coincidences are God’s way of getting our attention.”

“A Christian is one who points at Christ and says, ‘I can’t prove a thing, but there’s something about his eyes and his voice.  There’s something about the way he carries his head, his hands, the way he carries his cross—the way he carries me.’”

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7/14/2025

An article I wrote was published and sent out by one of our church’s mission partners to leaders of over 1,000 churches in Virginia.  It was about Journey internships.  Here it is . . .

Do you dream of equipping the next generation of church leaders?  Can you imagine the impact of a hands-on congregational internship program on young leaders, your church, and God’s Kingdom?

Since 2009, Journey Church in Roanoke, VA, has had 33 interns in pastoral, worship, youth, and children’s ministry roles.  These young leaders have grown through real ministry experience and meaningful mentorship.

Here’s what some interns have said about their experience:

“The internship allowed me to grow and be challenged in great ways.”

“I learned the inner workings of church leadership—this perspective has been invaluable.”

“It allowed me to come out of my shell and be a leader.”

“I would not have been able to flourish like I did without the amazing support of the church before, during, and after my internship!”

One intern shared:

“The experiences I’ve had as an intern at Journey Church have been life changing.  I have learned so much about God, his church, and even myself.  I have deepened in my faith and gained a clearer sense of purpose and direction with what I believe God’s plan over my life is.  I plan to take all the lessons I’ve learned into my vocation in ministry.”

Church leaders have enthusiastically commented on our internship program, observing that it:

•       is exciting and encouraging
•       offers a bright future for the church
•       is instrumental in developing leadership abilities
•       provides a great bridge for young people to step up and take responsibility while being shepherded and encouraged

Congregants also noted that the internships gave confidence to try new things and explore interests, allowing interns to deepen their relationship with God and to feel empowered to share their faith.  One stated, “This will draw more young people into continuing active connection with the church as they grow.”

One of our church leaders commented on the many facets of the internships’ value, explaining:

“A major challenge in the corporate world is recruiting, training, and retaining talent.  Internships are a terrific way for churches to be intentional in finding Next-Gen talent for God’s kingdom that give the interns an ‘inside’ look at ministry.”

A pastor at Journey described the program as “a powerful catalyst for spiritual formation and ministry development, where interns bring passion and fresh perspective that enrich our culture and help shape the future of the church in real and lasting ways.”

About two thirds of the interns have come from within the church; others came from Christian colleges, seminaries, or partner churches who wanted their young leaders to grow through their experiences and bring their learning back to their home churches.

Each internship is personalized.  Interns work with a staff pastor to create learning goals, receive coaching, and be held accountable.  They may serve part time or full time during fall, spring, or summer semesters.  Some interns have served multiple semesters in differing types of internships.  Some begin as early as their junior year in high school.

The fruit?  Seven former interns have entered vocational ministry—in pastoral ministry, worship leadership, campus ministry, international missions, and Christian higher education.  Two current interns are preparing for pastoral ministry in college.

Church internships can be transformational for young leaders—and energizing for churches!  Why not give it a try?

If Journey Church can be a resource in helping churches start internships, email office@journeyconnection.com.  We’d love to help!

-Michael DuVal

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7/21/2025

People have responded to the Central Texas floods with a massive outpouring of financial support and personal engagement.  Why are Americans so generous?

Jim Denison says:  Americans are by far the most generous people in the world.  Our annual private philanthropy as a percentage of GDP is twice that of Canada, four times that of the UK, and fifty times that of China.

What explains this?  According to theologian Peter J. Leithart (PhD, University of Cambridge), revival movements “fundamentally shaped the shape of the church” in America.  This emphasis on the individual’s relationship with God stood apart from institutional Christendom.

In Leithart’s view, revivalism is the main source of the uniquely vibrant social activism of American Christianity.  Temperance, urban renewal, prison ministry, abolitionism, and education reform were all energized by awakenings. . . . Thanks to revivalism, Americans donate a larger portion of their money to charities than any other people on the planet.

Without revivalist Christianity, America would have rolled over and succumbed to secularism long ago.  Religion is still at the heart of American generosity today:

•       Those who attend religious services twice a month or more give over four times more to charitable causes than those who never attend religious services.

•       Among Americans who have volunteered within the last year, three-quarters belong to a religious organization.

•       The US states that are the most religiously active are the most generous; some of our wealthiest but less religiously active states are the least generous.

-Michael

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7/28/2025

Are you up for the challenge?  This summer everyone in our Journey Church family is being challenged to read the New Testament book of James.  Here’s some of what you’ll learn . . .

Since the beginning, our loving Creator has been pursuing us, drawing us closer to Him.  He invites us to move closer to Him so we can be fully His.

Wisdom is the ability to live life well and make good decisions.  Wisdom begins with knowing and depending absolutely on God.  When we try to go it alone—without God—trouble is around the corner.

If you give in to temptation, then sin is born.  If you give in to sin long enough, it overpowers you and costs you your life.

God the Father is the giver of all things and is looking for every opportunity to bless us.  But many people have difficulty trusting and receiving good things, even when those things come from God.  The problem is that we not only have trouble trusting God’s work in our lives, but we also don’t always respond to God’s voice.  People often hear the Scriptures but don’t really listen.  People store truths in their brains but never put them to use.  The only good religion is religion lived out every day.

Ignoring the needy and favoring the wealthy is completely contrary to the example Jesus.  God often chooses those who are the poorest materially to be the richest spiritually.  We should welcome everyone equally into God’s kingdom, even if it means upsetting boundaries like class and race.  The rule is simple:  we should treat others in the same way we want to be treated.  God does not play favorites, and neither should we.

Worldly wisdom may promise the good life, but it leads to chaos and destruction every time.  Ultimately true wisdom comes from God.

-Michael

6/2/2025

Journey is committed to serving our community and sharing the love of Jesus.  A terrific team of volunteers from our church recently had a blast serving at Cloverdale Elementary School, creating a day full of fun and celebration for preschool through 5th grade students as they wrapped up the school year. 

Our incredible team of volunteers showed up with energy, joy, and servant hearts.  They made smiles happen, gave high-fives, led in games, and made memories the kids won’t forget!

Here are parts of some of the thank you notes the children wrote (with spelling corrected on some of them!):

Dear Journey Church, you are awesome!

Journey Church, thank you for all the fun you let us have.

Thank you for all that you did.

Journey Church, I love how you have fun and laugh.  I appreciate you all of my life.

I am so thankful we have Jesus.

Dear Journey Church, thank you for the volleyball net.

Thank you for the snow cones.  The snow cones were the best.

Thank you for giving us stuff.  I loved the popcorn.

Thank you, Journey Church, for the bouncy houses.  I loved them.

Dear Journey Church, thank you for the games and the fun day!

Thank you.  You are so kind.

Thank you, Journey Church, for everything you did for the whole school.

Thank you, Journey Church, for the water balloons.

I had fun.  Thank you.

Thank you, Journey Church, for basically planning the whole Field Day!

This is what happens when the church is the hands and feet of Jesus!  Let’s keep serving and loving our community well!

-Michael

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6/9/2025

A Heartfelt Thank You to Journey Church

At Cloverdale Elementary, we are continually reminded of the incredible impact our community partners have on our school—and Journey Church is one of the shining examples of that support. We are so thankful for the time, energy, and heart they pour into making our school events joyful and memorable for our students and families.

This year, Journey Church played a key role in the success of both Back to School Night and Field Day. Their amazing team brought volunteers, games, and sweet treats that added excitement and laughter to both events. The photos from these days say it all—smiling faces, active play, and students having the time of their lives.

On Field Day, the reusable water balloons were a huge hit—especially when students got the chance to toss them at teachers and even the principal! The inflatables brought endless fun and are always a student favorite. After all that activity, popcorn and snow cones were the perfect treats to cool down and refuel.

Journey Church also brought interactive games that encouraged teamwork and friendly fun—like the giant Jenga game pictured here, which had kids strategizing and laughing with their friends.

It’s clear that when our school and community come together, incredible things happen. Thank you, Journey Church, for being such a generous and joyful part of our Cloverdale family. We appreciate all you do to support our students and create moments they'll never forget.

With heartfelt thanks,

Kelly Rooney

Principal, Cloverdale Elementary School

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6/16/2025

Thom Rainer writes that for Generation Z and Gen Alpha, the smartphone isn’t just a tool—it’s a lifestyle.  And that lifestyle is quietly rewiring their brains, stealing their sleep, shrinking their confidence, and fueling a mental health crisis that cannot be ignored.

In his book The Anxious Generation, Jonathan Haidt lays out disturbing trends with clarity and compassion.

From 2010 to 2020, major depression among boys rose by 161%.  Among girls, it increased by 145%.  Suicide attempts among girls surged 188%.

Social media platforms, turbocharged by smartphone access, have created a culture where worth is measured in likes, followers, and filtered images.  For many teens, especially girls, their phone becomes a mirror that always whispers, “You’re not enough.”

The pressure to curate a perfect online persona leads to exhaustion, low self-esteem, and a fear of missing out.  When their worth is tethered to digital affirmation, every missed like can feel like a rejection.

The damage isn’t just emotional.  It’s physical too.  Smartphones are robbing young people of sleep.  The blue light from screens disrupts melatonin production, the hormone that regulates sleep.  And since teens are already prone to irregular sleep patterns, the effect is amplified.  Chronic sleep deprivation impairs memory, concentration, and decision-making.  It also fuels mood disorders and increases the risk of depression.

Then there’s cyberbullying.  The smartphone has made bullying a 24/7 reality.  The mean words and cruel taunts follow kids into their bedrooms and through the night.  Unlike schoolyard bullying, which ends with the final bell, cyberbullying is relentless—and often anonymous.

The never-ending stream of notifications, the dopamine hit from a new message or like, the endless scroll of content—these features aren’t accidental.  They’re engineered for addiction.  As a result, physical activity among young people has declined.  Face-to-face conversations have been traded for emojis and memes.

Young people are growing up in a world where everything is shared—and nothing is truly forgotten.  What they post today could resurface years later, shaping job opportunities, relationships, and reputations.  They’re building a digital footprint they don’t yet understand, but one they will live with for the rest of their lives.

Churches need to become part of the solution.  What if the local church became a refuge of real conversation, real connection, and real hope?

What have smartphones done to our young people?  The answer may be painful.  But the church must address the problem—and it must begin now.

-Michael

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6/23/2025

There’s a bar in Boston whose official name is The Bull & Finch Pub.  It was an inspiration for the hit TV series Cheers that’s popular on Netflix.  The actor and comedian George Wendt who played Norm Peterson on Cheers recently passed away.  Whenever his character would enter the bar, the folks there would yell “Norm!”  It was a place where he was known and cared about.

This popular TV series had memorable characters, funny stories, and great one-liners, but what connected many people to the show was the sense of community that was experienced there.  At Cheers, everybody seemed to support each other and accept one another’s weaknesses.  It was the kind of place people could go to, be themselves, and hang out.  The theme song, which was almost as popular as the show itself, would hook you with the refrain:  “You want to be where everybody knows your name.”

There’s something about community—the relationships, the sense of belonging, the support, the encouragement and understanding—that enriches our lives and strengthens our souls.  That’s why community is an essential purpose of God’s church.

The new community that Christ came to establish is to be life-transforming.  It’s where love, intimacy, compassion, service and honor are to be found.  In God’s church you can love and be loved, know and be known, serve and be served, celebrate and be celebrated.  These aspects of community are all indispensable to a life in Christ.

When you love and are loved, you are never to assume the worst about or give in to suspicion toward others.  The novelist Dostoevsky wrote:  “To love a person means to see him as God intended him to be.”

When you know and are known, you can acknowledge that we all have weaknesses.  Genuine community allows people to say:  “My name is John, and I’m struggling with porn; my name is Betty, and I have breast cancer; my name is Steve, and my marriage is falling apart; my name is Carol, and I lost my job; my name is Alice, and I’m lonely.”  Knowledge of one another in the true community is not to be the basis for wounding, but rather for healing through the giving and receiving of grace, love and support.

When you serve and are served, you commit to care for the needs of others as you are cared for.  A spirit of giving is evident and is necessary for genuine spiritual growth and development.

When you celebrate and are celebrated, you enjoy being together.  You talk, laugh, and share the goodness of life together.

Anne Lamott wrote:  “No matter how bad I am feeling, how lost or lonely or frightened, when I see faces of the people at my church, and hear their tawny voices, I can always find my way home.”

Will you do your part for Journey Church to be that kind of spiritual home?

-Michael

5/5/2025

How do you deal with all the unrest perpetuated by social media?  There are comments that are unkind or condemning.  There are political rants that are harsh.  There is incivility and rudeness.  There are falsehoods and lies.

Social media may have good features, but its flood of information and opinions can threaten to overwhelm.  When that occurs, intentionally step away from social media and turn your attention to God to find rest.  Carve out time in your life to listen to words of Scripture to cultivate a spirit of non-anxiousness and peacefulness within you.

When you’re burdened by upsets, stress, exhaustion, Scripture can remind you to rest in the Lord.  David, whose life was filled with hardship as Saul hunted and tried to kill him, gave his troubles to God.  He declared:

I call out to the Lord.  He answers me from his holy mountain.  I lie down and sleep.  I wake up again, because the Lord takes care of me.  I won’t be afraid even though tens of thousands attack me on every side.  Psalm 3:4-6 (NIRV)

One way to cultivate rest in the Lord is to take mini-breaks from social media, for example, turning off notifications at a certain point in the day or not checking social media on certain days.  Find a practice that genuinely helps you and comes from your heart.

Social media can be redeemed.  You can be a person of peace in your posts and tweets.  You can post things that are uplifting and encouraging, giving your friends and followers a breather in an otherwise deafening digital space. 

When it comes to social media, keep your attention focused on the Lord.  Paul writes:

Then the peace of God that exceeds all understanding will keep your hearts and minds safe in Christ Jesus.  From now on, brothers and sisters, if anything is excellent and if anything is admirable, focus your thoughts on these things: all that is true, all that is holy, all that is just, all that is pure, all that is lovely, and all that is worthy of praise.  Philippians 4:7-8 (CEB)

Instead of being consumed by social media, find rest by reading your Bible and journaling your prayers.  Spend time in nature.  Have meaningful conversation with a caring friend.  Play a song that reorients your heart toward Christ.

Despite the constant stream of content from social media, you can find rest and peace in God.

-Michael

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5/12/2025

Technology.  It’s used by all of us.  It can be used wrongly when not employed in ways that are consistent with the life and person of Christ.  It can be used rightly and meaningfully in shaping people into the kind of persons whose being and doing are consistent with the life and person of Christ.

Here are some online technological tools that may help people deepen in their relationship with Christ:

YouVersion

BibleProject

Read Scripture

Lectio 365

Our Daily Bread

BibleGateway

Blue Letter Bible

RightNow Media

Here’s a prayer as we seek to live in a God-honoring way in an increasingly technological world:

Lord God, you are the maker of the heavens and earth and of all that is in them, seen and unseen.

In this world you placed us, according to your loving purposes, and instilled in us the desires and skills to make and create.

Yet our technologies are beset with our human strengths and weaknesses filling us with both wondrous awe and deep anxiousness.

Lord, let us always use our technological skills in the loving service of you and through that service seek the wellbeing of our neighbors.

Let the skills and knowledge we develop be tempered by faith, hope, and love, not driven by pride, self-interest, and idols that turn our faces away from you, Lord.

Teach us to use our technology with patience, kindness, humility, and truthfulness, being slow to anger and not delighting in the suffering of others.

Remind us, Lord, that these human things will ultimately pass away and that which remains will be grounded in your love and hope.

Draw our eyes to the future your hope provides, of a world redeemed and ordered by your power, love, and grace.

Let that vision shape all our creative activities in every aspect of our lives leading us to wise, ethical agency in the service of your kingdom.

In all our technological endeavors may we continue to worship and glorify you, Lord.

And, may the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be present in all our works for the glory of your name and your kingdom now and forever more.  Amen.

-Michael

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5/19/2025

Brennan Manning wrote:  “We should be astonished at the goodness of God, stunned that he would bother to call us by name, our mouths wide open at his love, bewildered that at this very moment we are standing on holy ground.”  Are you astonished by this?  Do you at times find yourself questioning the goodness of God, wondering how God could really love someone like you?

The “how” of God loving is determined by the “who” that God is.  Holy Scripture is clear:  “God is love” (1 John 4:8).  The word “love” here means “unconditional commitment to seek the best for another.”  This is not just what God does—it is who God is.  There is nothing we can do to make God love us any more or less than God already does.

Jim Denison says that if we really believed God loves us without qualification:

We wouldn’t try to earn his forgiveness by punishing ourselves.  We would believe that our Father forgives all we confess (1 John 1:9) and then separates our sins from us as far as the east is from the west (Psalm 103:12).  As it is, we often punish ourselves for sins God will not punish through self-inflicted discouragement and even self-harm.

We wouldn’t try to excuse our failures so as to minimize our need for forgiveness.  As C.S. Lewis said, the worse our excuses, the more they contribute to the problem by adding deceit to our other failures.

We wouldn’t be tempted by a transactional faith that seeks to earn God’s favor through religious activities and good deeds.  Rather, we would serve because we are loved, not so we will be loved.  We would give because we have received, not so we will receive.

We would love and serve others whether they love and serve us or not since we are secure in the fact that we are unconditionally loved by the God of the universe.

-Michael

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5/27/2025

Our church has just completed a series called Christian-ish.  Here are several questions to help discern if a person has a genuine faith in Jesus.  They focus on hallmarks of a growing relationship with God.  How would you answer them?

1.  What evidence is there of God’s presence in your life?

How real of a sense of God do you have in your heart?

How clear is your assurance and certainty of God’s forgiveness and love for you?

When was the last time you had a season of joy in your life precisely because of your sense of God’s presence active in your life?

2.  What evidence is there of Scripture changing you?

How are you finding the truths of Scripture alive and active in your life?

Which Biblical promises do you find precious and encouraging?

How are you experiencing God’s calling you or challenging you to actively do something or not do something through the Bible’s teachings?

3.  What evidence is there in you of a growing appreciation for God’s grace?

How are you finding God’s grace more moving in your life now than you have in the past?

How are you conscious of a growing sense of the selfishness in your heart, and in response, a growing dependence on and grasp of the preciousness of the grace of God in your life?

-Michael

4/7/2025

Leonard Sweet tells of a story that’s haunted him ever since its first telling.  It was in one of his doctoral seminars . . .

The scientist ran his fingers along his desk in his lab.  Thirty years had passed since he’d been in a church—thirty years chasing facts, building a life on what he could prove.  Then his son died.  No formula could fix it; no data could fill the gap.

When his doctoral student—a pastor—met him in his office, surrounded by tools of precision, he wasn’t after empty comfort.  He was a scientist daring to face gnawing pain.

She didn’t preach or sugarcoat.  She talked about the theology of the cross—how suffering wasn’t outside God’s story but part of it.  How redemption wasn’t just old words on a page but something happening now.

Then she hit him with it:  “This work of healing a broken world—it’s what you do every day.  Your research, your teaching, your science—it’s not separate.  It’s part of the same story.”

Outside, students walked by, oblivious to the clash of worlds inside—faith meeting science, loss meeting meaning.

He searched her face for a hint of a lie.  Seeing life, not lies, his guarded look eased.  He leaned in, voice low, tinged with the same awe he’d felt at his biggest breakthroughs.

“Does anyone else know this?” he whispered, wonder breaking through.

At Journey Church this holy season, will you share the story of redemption in a broken world that’s grieving and suffering and in need of healing? 

Who will you invite to experience the wonderous love of God at work through the power of the cross but even more in the resurrection?  So many people need to know there’s hope—will you share it and invite others to experience it with you?

-Michael

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4/14/2025

Churches are different in multiple ways, but whatever church a person attends on Sundays, there are some crucial things to realize.

A church is not just a place you think that if you attend God will have to let you into heaven.  It’s not just a place you attend and then “clock out” for the week when it’s over, saying, “I’ve done my duty.” 

It’s a loving spiritual family you get to belong to.  Once you become a follower of Jesus, you become a part of the family of God, not an isolated individual.  It’s a community of faith where you can love and be loved, celebrate and be celebrated.

A church is not just an entertainment center.  It’s a job center.  If you judge church services purely as entertainment, they may not match up to the level of what you may hear on TV or at a concert.  Worship in a church isn’t meant to just be a show put on for the benefit of the congregation while people sit back and just watch.  

People who are a part of a church are brought together by God to work together for God’s kingdom and to help one another to develop into more fully devoted followers of Jesus.  Get involved in helping to build God’s kingdom. 

The New Testament describes God’s church as “the body of Christ.”  Like any other body, it has a lot of different parts, but they all are important and needed.   Every Christ-follower is to be a minister.

A God-honoring church will:

Learn together.  A church is built on what God has said.  Get a hold of God’s dynamic message.  Don’t miss out on any opportunity to learn.

Worship together.  Gathering to worship God is absolutely central to church life.  Worshipping God is a crucial way Jesus followers express our love for God and strengthen our relationship with God.

Serve together.  Every Christian should serve in some way to show the love of Jesus and demonstrate to the world the reality of how Jesus transforms lives and that’s revealed in caring for the poor, helping the hurting, working to overcome injustice, exhibiting Christ-like compassion.  We can all do these much more effectively together than on our own.

-Michael

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4/21/2025

Last week in kids church, something happened that I just can't stop smiling about.

We had a new volunteer serve in our preschool room. He’s a kind, gentle man with long hair and a beard—someone you might say resembles modern-day portrayals of Jesus. And apparently, one of our preschoolers thought so too.

The moment this little one laid eyes on him, his face lit up with recognition, and he shouted, “It’s God!”

No matter how many times our team gently explained that the volunteer was not God, the child couldn’t be convinced otherwise. He followed him around with joy and awe, asking if “God” needed to visit the other classrooms too. He even insisted on introducing “God” to his dad at pick-up—because obviously, who wouldn’t want to meet God after church?

It was one of the cutest and most innocent moments I’ve witnessed in a while.  But as funny and sweet as it was, it also struck a deeper chord in me. Isn’t that exactly what we’re called to do? To imitate Christ so closely that when people see us, they catch a glimpse of Him?

Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 11:1, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” And Jesus Himself said that the world would know we are His disciples by our love. What if, in our kindness, our presence, our compassion, and even in our service, we could reflect Jesus so well that others—especially children—see something divine in us?

That preschooler reminded me of something profound: little eyes are watching. Little hearts are learning. And sometimes, they see Jesus in places we might never expect.

So, to the volunteer who unintentionally became “God” last Sunday—thank you for the reminder that living like Jesus really does matter. You never know who might be watching.

-Jackie

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4/28/2025

As the world reflects on the passing of Pope Francis, these words he wrote two months prior to his going to be with the Lord may speak to us as we seek to live for Christ in the world today . . .

How often we have felt the need for a change that would affect our entire person!  How often we have said to ourselves, “I need to change; I can’t keep on like this.  My life is leading nowhere, it will never bear fruit, it’s all pointless, I’ll never be happy.

How often have we had these thoughts!  And Jesus, who is nearby, always reaches out to us and says, “Come, come to me.  I will do the work:  I will change your heart, I will change your life, I will make you happy.”

Jesus, who is with us, invites us to change our life.  It is he, with the Holy Spirit, who sows in us this restlessness to change our lives and become better people.

Let us accept the Lord’s invitation without resistance.  Only by opening ourselves to his mercy will we find true life and true joy.  All we have to do is open the door—he will do the rest.  He does everything; we just have to open our hearts.  He can heal us and help us move forward.

-Michael

3/4/2025

Jesus is coming back. There’s no question about it.

I’ve heard this truth my entire life. It’s written with certainty in Scripture. And I know it’s true because Jesus Himself promised He would return.

But do we really believe it? And more importantly—do our actions reflect that belief?

If we knew Jesus was coming back in 1 year, 5 years, or even 10 years, would it change the way we live? Would we share the Gospel with urgency? Would we live in greater obedience? Would we wake up every day with purpose, making sure that no one we encounter misses out on the goodness of God?

This very question—What if Jesus came back in 10 years?—is what sparked a global movement called Gather25.

In 2022, author and evangelist Jennie Allen began wrestling with this idea. She couldn’t shake the reality that there are 5.5 billion people in the world who don’t know Jesus. And she asked: What would happen if all 2.5 billion Christians were mobilized to share the Gospel?

So she gathered a team. They prayed, dreamed, and trusted that God was moving. Leaders stepped up. Major partners joined in. And on February 28, 2025, for 25 hours straight, the first-ever global gathering of God’s Church took place.

Christians from all seven continents came together. People from almost every nation, every denomination, and every generation united to pray, to repent, to listen to what God is doing around the world, to worship the Lord Almighty and to bee recommissioned to spread the Gospel to a world that is lost, hurting, and broken.

Did You Miss It?

Gather25 was unlike anything the world has ever seen. The impact is still unfolding, and we may not fully understand its reach for years to come.

But here’s the good news: You can still be part of it!

All 25 hours are available to watch online through the end of this month at Gather25.com.

You may choose to watch all 25 hours, select specific sessions hosted by different nations, or view the highlights, the most powerful moments, from each session.

One session I implore you to watch is the session on the persecuted church. Their stories of courage, faith, and God’s miraculous work in some of the most dangerous places on earth will leave you inspired, challenged, and convicted.

So don’t wait. Go watch now. Seriously—now. Gather25.com

 -Jackie

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3/17/2025

I can still remember the impact on my life of years ago reading Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s penetrating book The Cost of Discipleship.  It challenged me.  It humbled me.

Bonhoeffer was a German theologian and pastor who opposed the rise of Naziism and its takeover of much of the German church.  He could have stayed in the U.S. and protested Hitler, but he felt that he had to return to his native country to join the effort to end the Third Reich for the sake of the Jews and his own people.  He was hanged just two weeks before American soldiers liberated his concentration camp.

Here is some of what Bonhoeffer wrote that still challenges and humbles many of us who call ourselves Christ-followers:

“Being a Christian is less about cautiously avoiding sin than about courageously and actively doing God’s will.”

“Faith is only real when there is obedience, never without it, and faith only becomes faith in the act of obedience.”

“Salvation is free, but discipleship will cost you your life.”

“Your life as a Christian should make non-believers question their disbelief in God.”

“Christianity preaches the infinite worth of that which is seemingly worthless and the infinite worthlessness of that which is seemingly so valued.”

“When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die.”

Are you and I willing to die for the cause of Christ?

-Michael

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3/24/2025

I read a blog about a framework for letting it go (whatever “it” is).  I hope it’s helpful to you.

1.  Feel it fully.  Name the emotion:  “I am feeling ____.”  But be careful not to project it onto someone else.

2.  Rest.  Give yourself space to pause.

3.  Process the emotion.  Write, cry, talk it out, move, listen to music that resonates.  Clean your space, nourish your body—anything that helps release it.

4.  Gain perspective.  Once the intensity fades, reflect.  What did this teach you about your needs?

5.  Own your role.  If it’s a random event, great—let it go.  If it’s a pattern, notice it until you’re ready to grow.  Being human is really hard.

6.  Acknowledge your humanity.  Embrace every imperfect part of you.

7.  Acknowledge their humanity.  The person who hurt you is playing out their own story.  What they did was about them, not you.

8.  Forgive yourself.

9.  Forgive others.

10.  Seek forgiveness—internally or directly.  Ask for forgiveness, even if only in your mind.

11.  Reclaim your power.  Where have you given away your story—to societal expectations, family, friends, or the person who hurt you?  Take back control of your life.

12.  Rewrite your story. “I was ____, but now I am ____, and I’m grateful for the change.”

13.  Repeat as needed.  Start again whenever new realizations emerge.

-Michael

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3/31/2025

I find research about the church to be interesting.  You might find interesting these findings from Barna’s 2025 State of the Church report . . .

— Men have outpaced women in church attendance the past three years.  Women had outpaced men in attendance since 2000, then at 47% to 38%, before men began outpacing women in 2022, at 35% to 30%.  In 2024, 30% of men were attending weekly, compared to 27% of women.

— Overall, 2024 closed with 28% of U.S. adults attending church weekly.  But early 2025 shows signs of promise with as many as 32% of adults attending church weekly.

— Weekly church volunteering, at 24% of U.S. adults, surpassed pre-COVID 2019 levels of 18%, with Gen Z and Millennials leading the efforts.

— 65% of U.S. adults, including Christians and non-Christians, believe the church is still relevant in today’s world.

— Most adult church goers actively seek relational connections at church, engaging in conversation before or after church with a pastor (57%), other attendees (53%), or church staff (50%).

— Spiritual encounters make church meaningful, Christians said.  Top spiritual encounters cited were “connecting to God,” chosen by 73% of respondents; the “presence of the Holy Spirit,” chosen by 68% of respondents; “growing closer to Jesus,” 67%; “praying together,” 59%; “emotional comfort,” 58%; and “the sermon” and “worshiping together,” each drawing 56% of respondents.  “Serving,” 47%; discipleship, 41%; and “giving or tithing,” 39%, ranking lowest among factors that make church meaningful.

-Michael

2/3/2025

We have watched with great sadness the loss of life and destruction of property as a result of California’s devastating wildfires.  Among the structures burned were houses of worship.  One was Altadena Community Church.  “It’s shocking,” said their pastor.  “It’s a reminder to us all of the fragility of life.”

The congregation’s Facebook page showed an image of the building engulfed in flames.  But another image showed parishioners singing outdoors.  The caption read, “WE are the church!  We can worship anywhere.”

The Greek word ekklesia can have the meaning of “the called out” ones.  It’s the word translated “church” in the New Testament.  The church is composed of people who are called out of conformity to the world to wholehearted commitment of their lives to Jesus.

Acts 17:24 says:  This is the God who made the universe and all it contains, the God who is the King of all heaven and all earth.  It would be illogical to assume that a God of this magnitude could possibly be contained in any man-made structure, no matter how majestic. (VOICE)

Matthew 18:20 says:  For when two or three gather together in My name, I am there in the midst of them. (VOICE)

1 Corinthians 12:27 says:  Together you are the body of Christ.  Each one of you is part of his body. (CEV)

The church is not a building.  The church is people.  Wherever the church gathers, we are a part of Christ’s body.  We are a part of one another.

Ephesians 4:1-3 says:  As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.  Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.  Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. (NIV)

May we as Journey, a part of Christ’s body, live lives worthy of Christ’s calling as a church and may there continually be a unity of Spirit among us wherever we may gather together.  WE are the church!

-Michael

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2/11/2025

Who has time to read the Bible?  Why bother?  Evidently, increasing numbers of people think there’s a good reason.  According to the Wall Street Journal, sales of Bibles are booming, fueled by first-time buyers.  Bible sales rose 22% through October compared to the same period the previous year.

Bishop Robert Barron says the Bible has been—certainly for Western civilization, but even all over the world—the main source of meaning, purpose, value.  He believes people are turning back to the Bible in greater numbers because they’re looking for that, and they realize instinctively they’re going to find it.  Publishers attribute the jump in Bible sales to rising anxiety and a search for hope.

Barron says he’s seeing a notable shift away from the New Atheism of the early 2000s.  He believes that in the beginning some people thought, “Oh, great.  Stick it to the man, and I’m against religion.”  But when you take that message in, what are you left with?  It’s a complete nihilism.

Barron added that he hasn’t been surprised by rising rates of depression, anxiety and suicidal ideation, particularly among young people.  That’s what happens when you say there’s no meaning or purpose.

If you’re not right now regularly reading the Bible, I encourage you to get to know Jesus by reading the biographies about him in the New Testament books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

-Michael

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2/16/2025

Lola Sheen is the nineteen-year-old daughter of actors Charlie Sheen and Denise Richards.  Her life was transformed by the love of Jesus, and she was baptized to publicly declare it.  She shared on Instagram how Christ changed her life:

“When I was in my deepest depression, there was a moment where I realized I hit rock bottom.  I felt so lost and hopeless, and was just doing my best to make it to the next day.  I just accepted my life was going to be like that forever, and thought I would never genuinely laugh again.

Until, I met not only my Savior but my best friend, Jesus.  I can’t really explain it other than it was supernatural, but Jesus met me exactly where I was.  I began to trust Jesus with my life, when He chose me when no one else did, and loved me when I didn’t feel worthy of love.  He gave me a light, when I couldn’t find my own, and rescued me from the darkness.

Jesus saved me from battling severe anxiety, and gave me a peace that makes no sense.  I now find myself laughing again, in places I only had cried.

Jesus fulfilled His promise of making me new, and completely renewed my mind.  I am forever saved by His Grace, through faith.  I thank You Jesus for everything, I love You, and I hope You are proud of me.”

Now, Journey folks, who will you share with, online or in person, how Christ has changed your life?

-Michael

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2/24/2025

Do you feel unhappy?  Do you wonder why?  Do you question what it would take for you to be truly happy?  You may expect a preacher type person to say that you need God to be happy—but is that true?  Can you be happy without God in your life?

In his book Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis says:  “God made us:  invented us as a man invents an engine.  A car is made to run on petrol, and it would not run properly on anything else.  Now God designed the human engine to run on himself.  He himself is the fuel our spirits were designed to burn, or the food our spirits were designed to feed on.  There is no other.

That is why it is just no good asking God to make us happy in our own way without bothering about religion.  God cannot give us a happiness and peace apart from himself, because it is not there.  There is no such thing.

That is the key to history.  Terrific energy is expended—civilizations are built up—excellent institutions devised; but each time something goes wrong.  Some fatal flaw always brings the selfish and cruel people to the top, and it all slides back into misery and ruin.  In fact, the machine conks.  It seems to start up all right and runs a few yards, and then it breaks down.  They are trying to run it on the wrong juice.  That is what Satan has done to us humans.”

Is Satan winning out in your life, and you know an inner unhappiness because you’ve bought into the lie that you can make yourself happy without God?  That’s not true.

Or, is God winning out in your life, and you know a genuine happiness, a life-transforming happiness and peace, because that can only be known through the presence of God active in your live and can never be known apart from God.

Will you embrace fully a faith that fuels your spirit as daily you live and love like Jesus so that you know a true happiness, realizing your relationship with Jesus is what’s really important, and happiness is just a by-product.

-Michael