— Pastor Doug December 29, 2009 @ 7:47 pm
I found an old cigar box today and it started me thinking about things that have disappeared from my daily life. When I was a boy we would use empty cigar boxes for all kinds of things. Things like homemade piggy banks and crayon storage containers, to name a few. But not anymore.
The world has changed tremendously in the last few decades and it’s the details of life where the change is noticed most. It’s the little things in our daily life that shape our unique existence, create our memories and define who we are as a person. And then one day you wake up and all the details have changed. Life is funny like that.
So the cigar box inspired me to make a list about the things that I treasured as a little boy. Here’s a list of things that have changed greatly or disappeared completely from my daily life.
1. Blackberry picking. (not the handheld device) Momma would give us an empty bowl and me and my brother would fill it up with fresh berries that were growing wild in the woods near our house.
2. Gravel roads. Paved roads were pretty scare in the country. Everybody I knew lived on a gravel road.
3. Clothes lines. My momma would hang our laundry out to dry on a clothes line. The sun and the wind would do the rest.
4. Attic fans. In the days before air conditioning this was the best way to cool the house at night. A fan was installed in the ceiling of the hallway drawing air into the attic from the whole house. Opening your bedroom window would create a cool breeze blowing through your room.
5. Back porch bands. We would go to our neighbors house at night to listen to them play live music on their back porch. They played a lot of bluegrass.
6. Hand pumped water wells. My dad had such a contraption in the strawberry field beside our house. That water tasted so sweet. At least it does in my memory.
7. Going to the ‘Show’. That’s what we called a trip to the movie theater in the 1960’s. Back then the theater had one screen and a very limited schedule. But it was a big event to us.
I thought of a few more but that’ll do for now. I’m going to find a use for my ‘new’ cigar box. Maybe a home-made piggy bank. Or maybe…..
— Pastor Doug December 25, 2009 @ 10:23 pm
In 2010 I will tell His Story in bold new ways, using fresh ideas, trying new methods and experimenting with new technologies. For He is the only History Maker whose influence will change eternity. That’s a big concept I know, but Jesus is shaping this life and the next life, now. I know He changed this life of mine, I can only imagine how He will alter the next. And that’s precisely why I am recommitting myself to be a Story-Teller. His Story Teller.
I’ve been captured for many months now with the term “History Maker”. It seems to be a developing theme for Journey in 2010. We have called our first series of the year by this title and it will serve as the name of our next campus campaign. History Maker.
Every person leaves a mark on this world. Each organization affects the future in some way. But the Church is uniquely positioned in this generation to change the world and to change eternity. Followers of Jesus come from every nation, labor under diverse governments, thrive in every culture. That’s why I believe it is the Church who is the authentic agent of change.
So today I re-enlist. I whole-heartedly join the movement that has been rolling through the centuries. I joyfully link myself to the humble shepherds and the unwashed fishermen and bold followers who have served the people of the Lord for thousands of years. You and I will be dwarfed by the legends of the men and women who have gone before us. I honestly don’t feel qualified to stand in their shadow. But I am compelled. Driven. I don’t think I could do anything else. So I cast my destiny with the Foot-Washer.
I will tell His Story. He is THE History Maker.
— Pastor Doug December 24, 2009 @ 9:54 pm
The Readers Digest magazine was a huge part of my childhood. That sounds a bit corny I know but I couldn’t wait to get my hands on the next copy. We never actually had a subscription to the magazine at our house but I was always able to find them at garage sales, used book stores and the library. I think over the years I must have read nearly every edition printed since the 1950’s. The first place that I would turn would be the funny stories in,’ Life in These United States’. Then I would look for ‘Humor in Uniform’. And there was always a story of heroism or courage or some heart warming tale about a family overcoming terrific odds. I think I developed a love for story-telling from the style of Readers Digest. Funny how things we love in childhood seems to stay with us forever. There was a section about developing your vocabulary called,’Word Power’. I enjoyed taking the quiz and learning new words.
When I met Rachel and began visiting her family, I discovered her mom had had a subscription to the Digest for many years and had a huge collection of back issues. Wow! I knew I would fit right into that family. I think I read every back issue from their collection.
It seems even now whenever I read something, I always compare it to the Digest. Precise. To the point. Moral clarity. Entertaining. That’s kind of how I enjoy life too.
I heard recently that the Digest may be going out of print. I hope that’s not true. I learned a lot from the Readers Digest. Thanks RD.
— Pastor Doug December 19, 2009 @ 11:15 pm
Journey is moving to a three Sunday morning service format in 2010. The last time we had three Sunday services was before Katrina. But this is the first time with this format. The new schedule for 2010 is 8:30 am 10:00 am & 11:30 am. All three Experiences offer identical music, message and children’s ministry. I’m excited about the new service times and ready to get this new year started. Experience the Journey. Three times every Sunday.
— Pastor Doug December 7, 2009 @ 2:10 pm
On Sunday December 13, 2009 at 6 PM, Journey will host our annual ‘Vision Night’. Bring the whole family for a celebration for what the Lord has done in 2009 and for a sneak peek at 2010. We will enjoy some refreshments in the Main Lobby followed by the Vision meeting in the Worship Center. We will also present some Cardboard Testimonies based on some of the incredible stories from Journey members. Our last edition is posted on YouTube and has over 100,000 views.
I sense in my spirit that our best days are still ahead. The Lord gave us a huge opportunity with the 140 acres right on Interstate 12 in the heart of the North Shore. This campus has a divine purpose. I believe it’s Journey’s destiny to reach thousands more for Christ, here at home and to make an impact in the nations of the world. You get one chance to do something great for God and this our chance. I’m ready to get this new year started.
I want to be a History Maker. Are you in?
