I read the report today from Christmas week at Journey. With 5 ‘Experiences’ in 2 locations Journey Fellowship Church had 1670 people in attendance. That was a record setting week for us in our new locations. The ‘Imagine Christmas’ production was magical and we have been busy editing the video. We should be able to post it soon. I will let you know when we do. Thanks to all the Journey folks who worked so very hard to produce the Christmas show. It was our best work to date. How will we top it next year?

  Are you still hanging on to that dream ? If you are, you’re in rare company. Most people stop dreaming because of discouragement or the stress of life or because it takes to long. And there are probably a thousand other reasons people stop dreaming. But most of us stop. But unless you connect yourself to a BIG dream you will shrivel up and die. God is a dreamer and He made us with that same attribute. Dreamers we are. If we don’t have one we seek one. Because that’s what the offspring of the Divine do. They dream. We are starting a new series in January called ‘DREAM ON’. And we are kicking off the new year with 4 illustrated messages. Beginning the weekend of January 3 & 4 and continuing each weekend thereafter we’ve got some special stuff planned. This will be one of our biggest Openings yet. DREAM ON.

‘Imagine Christmas’ is history. I do believe it was a record setting weekend for our new campus. This was the largest attendance for a single event at Journey. We will post more pictures tomorrow on the home page of journeyfellowshipchurch.com. Thanks to everyone who made this production magical.

   Well the first show is in the can and it was amazing. ‘Imagine Christmas was everything we hoped and then some. I laughed at the funny angels and cried when the Star of Bethlehem appeared. The beautiful Angel flying high was breathtaking. Great attendance too. I will tell you more tomorrow after the 9am and 11am productions. If you missed it tonight I will look for you tomorrow.

   We are in the middle of running through the Christmas production. THREE shows this weekend. Saturday 6 PM . Sunday 9 AM & 11 AM. Two angels tell the story of the Almighty going down to earth. Hilarious. Touching. Real. Dancers and singers and people who fly. Plus Santa will be here and Granny’s cookie kitchen will be open. The Christmas train will roll and Trig the Magician will be performing in the cafe. Gotta see this thing people. Amazing. Here are some pictures from Friday rehearsal…

   The Christmas Production at Journey is coming this weekend. The first show is Saturday night at 6PM, followed by two shows Sunday at 9 & 11 AM on the North Shore Campus with a special Sunday 11 AM production at the Ninth Ward Campus. 4 spectacular opportunities to celebrate the greatest Story ever told. IT IS GOING TO BE MAGICAL. Also Santa will be here as well as The Christmas train and the Balloon artist. Oh yeah and Grandma’s Cookie factory will be open too. All kinds of Christmas fun. Here are a few pictures from the prep work going on today at Journey.

   I wore my brand new Red Converse shoes to Vision Night yesterday. Man, they are some fine shoes. My brothers and I wore them back in the 70’s and they’re just as fine now as then. I bought this pair at Journey’s Shoe Store in the mall. (Ironic huh). On January 3rd and 4th we are kicking off the year in a HUGE  way. The New series will be called ‘Dream On’ and we will solve the mystery of the RED SHOES. January is going to be so much fun. You can even wear your red converse high tops to church. If the shoe fits…..

  Journey is gearing up for the next decade. We met tonight to dream together about the future and it was magical. Hundreds of the committed folks at Journey celebrated, laughed worshiped and dreamed together on Sunday night. An audio version of the talk I gave is posted on our Pod Cast. Here are the goals we set for 2009.

   1. INVITE 10,000 guest to Journey
   2. INSPIRE 2,000 people each weekend at Journey campuses
   3. INSTRUCT 1,000 believers at Journey events
   4. INVOLVE 250 new people to the Journey
   5. INVEST 100 Journey leaders to the nations on short term outreaches
 

  Here are a few of the pictures from Vision Night….

  This Sunday, December 14th is Vision Night at Journey. We will be celebrating the first decade and casting vision for the next one. The Worship Center will be transformed into a giant banquet hall. We’re going to roll out the Christmas spirit in a big way too. There will be music,food,entertainment,videos and a short talk about the future. We’re calling it Part 2: The Next Decade.(insert Star Wars music). Every adult member of Journey is invited. Sorry no childcare available. The fun starts at 6 PM. The Dream last forever…..

   I finished reading Glen Beck’s -   The Christmas Sweater   -today on the plane ride from Cleveland. I was surprised by the ending. The book is based loosely on Glen’s childhood and weaves a sad but hopeful tale. It was inspiring and easy to identify with. One of my favorite quotes from the book was, and I’m paraphrasing, “We ask the wrong question about life, It’s not ‘What will I be when I grow up?’ but rather the better question is ‘WHO will I be when I grow up?’ ” Isn’t that the great search we are all on in life. Our identity. Glen gives some insight into the answer. Great book.