We hosted a lunch for businessmen and women today. It’s called the Leadership Summit because we teach leadership principles. Our motto is “Taking your business to the next level”. The material we are using is from John Maxwell’s books. It’s a great way to encourage business owners and help them to grow in the faith. The Summit is free but the lunch is catered in for a small cost. With all the bad news about the economy today we took a little time to remind others that we live according to God’s Economy. The world may be having a recession but God’s economy is always solid. I took a few pictures today. The next SUMMIT is Thursday December 4, 2008 at noon.

   There was a buzz on the J9 Campus today. We are still preparing for our Grand Opening on November 9th. We will host two services that day at 11 AM and 3 PM to allow for folks from the Northshore campus to attend. The building is looking great in New Orleans as the work brings out the natural beauty.The original stained glass is breathtaking. You need to see it for yourself. We are only three weeks away from the birth of our second campus. I took a few pictures today.

   My worldview, which was shaped in large part by the Bible, tells me that every human life is valuable. And the greatest test to a society is how it treats its most vulnerable citizens. Furthermore I believe a man’s strength is measured by how he treats the weak. Jesus said if we feed the hungry or visit the sick He will consider it as if we did that for Him. God told Jeremiah that He knew him while he was still in his mothers womb. There seems to be a lot of evidence that God loves the poor and the weak and the UNBORN. And so should we. I found this video clip at  www.michellemalkin.com/2008/10/16/your-spirit-lifter-of-the-day/   . ( this link will take you away from my blog…once you are there look for the “Spirit Lifter ” video.) It’s about the Down Syndrome families flocking to hear Sarah Palin, because she has a newborn baby with Down’s. It’s only two minutes long but it will lift your spirit all day.

  Sunday after the 11AM Experience we hosted a luncheon for New-Comers at Journey. We kicked off around 12.30 with 60 guest and 20 staff members plus a dozen leaders from the X Team. Nearly 100 of us enjoyed Corn & Crawfish Bisque, Caesar Salad and sandwiches. The food was incredible and spending time with new friends was even better. Thanks to all who prepared, served and cleaned up afterwards. You made it a special event. And welcome to all the new families who connected with Journey. It was such an honor to eat with you. Welcome to the Journey.

   I spent the first part of Friday morning shooting a video for Hillbilly Halloween. That’s the Journey event we’re hosting on October 31st for young and old alike. The fun and games will be spiced up with a special guest appearance by the cast of the ‘Beverly Hillbillies’. Well not  the actual cast but some of us from the staff doing our best impression. That was the video we were shooting today. Our beloved Elementary Pastor cast me as Uncle Jed. Originally I tried out for the part of Jethro but he said I was TOO OLD for Jethro. Then he said, I would make a perfect Uncle Jed. I hate those snooty Casting Directors. But like the real professional that I am, I dove into the part with my whole heart. You can see the results on video next weekend and during Hillbilly Halloween on October 31st. “Ya’ll come now, Ya Hear ?”

    While we were on vacation last week I turned forty-six. FORTY-SIX. That doesn’t seem possible to me. You mean I’m forty-six years old ? That’s right. I’m still expecting my reflection in the mirror to be that of a 16 year-old. But now when I look in the mirror there’s a gray-haired fellow there staring back. The other day I was thinking that a lot of big events have happened since I was sixteen. Long before I was gray or forty-six, some of the biggest events in my life happened. I preached my first sermon when I was sixteen. I met Rachel that year too. And I bought my first car. It was a 1967 Chevy II that was nearly worn out. I finished high school when I was seventeen and found a full-time job. I worked for a valve manufacturer in Louisiana that supplied the Great North Slope Pipeline in Alaska. I worked there for five years saving up for Bible-college. Rachel and I got married while I was still working there. All these things were so long ago but it seems like yesterday.
    Isn’t it amazing that we make so many of the biggest decisions in our life while we are still so young ? Birthdays are a great time to reflect on decisions. I’m still preaching. That’s a decision that I made almost 30 years ago. Rachel and I are still married. 27 years and 5 kids later and we are happier today than ever. I’m still a student of the Bible. I am auditing a class with School of Urban Missions called Biblical Languages. And I’m still driving cars, though not the 1967 Chevy II, it died of natural causes in 1981. Decisions……

    Jeff Deyo spent the week with us recently. He led worship for all three of our weekend experiences as well as Wednesday night at Momentum. Over three hundred teenagers packed the Momentum service. Jeff lives in Tennessee with his wife and two sons but spends a lot of time on the road. He has a great album out called “Unveil”that is available now at www.jeffdeyo.com . We took Jeff to McAllister’s Deli (no relation) for lunch one day and laughed and talked the whole time. Jeff is a real guy who has a deep commitment to Jesus. Authentic. Even though he’s been on the top of the Christian music world for years it has not gone to his head. Journey is blessed to have a friend like Jeff. We are already looking forward to next year’s visit.

   It’s good to be home from a week in the Smokies. We spent a ridiculous amount of time with the family but I LOVED every second of it. I turned forty-six while I was there and we celebrated my birthday at A&W Rootbeer, with cheeseburgers and rootbeer floats all around. I’ve never had a better party than that one. Also Rachel and I discovered an incredible church called The Gathering. www.thegatheringfamily.com They are so much like Journey that it’s spooky. Check out their website and read their dream, it’s very similar to ours. It was immediately evident that their pastor (Gene) and I are both disciples of Rick Warren and the Purpose Driven Paradigm.
   East Tennessee is a great place to visit but there’s no place like home.

Just spending some time relaxing with family, Jesus and the mountains. Will return to blogging on October 7. Until then, take some time yourself, relax with Jesus.