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THURSDAY THOUGHTS

Here's my weekly post of everything crammed in my carnium:

- It was my birthday early this week. Yipee. It was also Mr. T's 60th. I pity the fool who didn't wish him a happy birthday.
- Eli has been copying me doing stuff lately. Like he'll brush his teeth exactly like me. Scary. I know he'll copy me in other ways too.
- I can't stand to watch the Tigers right now. They need to pull it together.
- OKC vs. Spurs...for the championship. Finals won't matter. Sticking with my earlier pick...Thunder. 
- Clippers have a lot of pieces but they don't play D.
- LA Kings are playing for the cup in the NHL. I think Wayne Gretzkey will have a hat trick in game 1.
- I like watching horse racing. Preakness was a great race. This is the year for a new triple crown winner. I Want Another preaks in the late race and short be an advantage in the Belmont.
- Holiday Weekend...need a little break. I'm sure you do too.
- This weather is crazy. I'm glad it's nice for the holiday weekend but it's too hot for me.
- There weren't that great of artists on the Idol finale.
- Aerosmith...those guys are old.
- Phillip Phillips deserved to win because that was the first time in all 11 years that I heard the song to be released as their new single and I actually like it. 
- Went to Mia & Grace for my birthday dinner...Pork Loin Confit...amazing.
- Made some good stuff this week. Homemade meatballs for spaghetti and for leftover for subs. Grilled and Shredded BBQ Chicken Sandwich with Grilled Pineapple. Taco Salad with Avocado mash instead of dressing.
- Planning of grilling all weekend!
-  I would like someone to start a petition to make the school year go from Labor Day to Memorial Day. It will  be better for tourism, save schools money, and most families would love it. They don't do anything after this weekend and most kids have checked out already anyways. Some one get Gov. Synder on the phone for me.
- Playing with the band again this weekend at The Journey (no 5 pm this Sunday). Steph is singing an Adelle song too. Should be great!

Have a great long weekend everyone. 

GOOD START TO MY DAY

RELATIONSHIPS, NOT RELIGION

I was reading this the other day and I thought it really connected with our current series at The Journey. Maybe you've been burned by someone who was more about the rules but not about the heart. Maybe you've lost track of God because someone misrepresented Him. I think if we open our life to a relationship with Jesus, we can move from being burned in the past to a heart burning with life, hope, and purpose with God:

Steer clear of the barking dogs, those religious busybodies, all bark and no bite. All they're interested in is appearances...The very credentials these people are waving around as something special, I'm tearing up and throwing out with the trash—along with everything else I used to take credit for. And why? Because of Christ. Yes, all the things I once thought were so important are gone from my life. Compared to the high privilege of knowing Christ Jesus as my Master, firsthand, everything I once thought I had going for me is insignificant—dog dung. I've dumped it all in the trash so that I could embrace Christ and be embraced by him. I didn't want some petty, inferior brand of righteousness that comes from keeping a list of rules when I could get the robust kind that comes from trusting Christ—God's righteousness. I gave up all that inferior stuff so I could know Christ personally...

I'm not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don't get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back.

So let's keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision—you'll see it yet! Now that we're on the right track, let's stay on it.

Stick with me, friends. Keep track of those you see running this same course, headed for this same goal. There are many out there taking other paths, choosing other goals, and trying to get you to go along with them. I've warned you of them many times; sadly, I'm having to do it again. All they want is easy street. They hate Christ's Cross. But easy street is a dead-end street. Those who live there make their bellies their gods; belches are their praise; all they can think of is their appetites.

But there's far more to life for us. We're citizens of high heaven! We're waiting the arrival of the Savior, the Master, Jesus Christ, who will transform our earthy bodies into glorious bodies like his own. He'll make us beautiful and whole with the same powerful skill by which he is putting everything as it should be, under and around him.

- Philippians 3, The Message

 

VERVE

We have the priviledge at The Journey to support Verve Church. We've had Vince share at our church and we've been able to help with projects in Vegas to reach people with the life changing message of Jesus. I've led one of our trips to Verve in Vegas. It was very eye opening. Here's a taste of Verve. Pray for them. Support them. Get the word out.

 

More details at http://www.godblessvegas.com and http://vivalaverve.org

SUNDAY RECAP FOR MAY 20

BURNED BY THE CHURCH
week 3

 

 

SONGS
Fire & Rain - Mat Kearney (morning only)
Burning Love - Elvis (5:00 pm only)
Let Me Feel You Shine - David Crowder*Band
Alive Again - Matt Maher
The Greatest - the assemblies
I Will Worship You - Aaron Gillespie
Life Light Up - Christy Nockels

RECAP
Have you been burned because someone turned out to be different that what they appeared? Maybe you've been burned because someone's actions didn't line up with what they talked about in religious circles. Today we looked at Matthew 12 and some conversations between Jesus and the religious teachers. Again we see an empty side of religion that can leave us burned. It's isn't about just having an understanding of religious ideas, it's about a relationship that changes the way we live. Our actions need to line up with our words because our conduct will reveal our character. It's all a journey and we will mess up along the way because no one is perfect, but are we taking steps to live out the life with Jesus as the center?

VIDEO

THOUGHTS
- I think everyone thought it was a holiday weekend this weekend. Beautiful weather...light attendance.
- I'm fine with Paul wearing a hat, but he could have showered...haha. 
- Had fun playing with the band again this week.
- Big props to the our Journey kids workers. You guys are awesome! 

THURSDAY THOUGHTS

...on Friday because it's been that kind of week:

- My coffee is tasting really good this morning. I usually drink a more bold Starbucks roast but I opened a bag of the blonde roast this morning...smooth.
-  Love seeing Lebron/DWade & Kobe go down. NBA conference semi's have been good. 
- This weekend is bring in the summer. I foresee the grill going, soccer game in shorts, mowing the lawn, playing outside and more fun in the sun.
- Eli has only two more days of preschool then he's on summer break. That went fast.
- Can someone please fix the Tigers?
- This week I made some carnito's with corn/black bean salsa, pretzel coated chicken, t-bones & butter radishes.
- Yesterday I had baked oatmeal with blackberries for breakfast, spaghetti sauce with roasted cauliflower for dinner, but I also had Ray's Beefburgers for lunch.
- We got a ton of invites for Graduation parties in the past weeks. We would be cooking on the weekends in June I guess.
- Emma keeps asking when we can go to Michigan's Adventure. We're probably have to get season passes next summer.
- I've had a great time helping coach Emma's soccer team this year. It's fun seeing skills developing and she has a great head coach and fun girls on her team. 
- We had this session begin this week with some people at The Journey who are taking steps to make a difference in people's lives. I love seeing people take steps.
- People seem to be really connecting with this current series at The Journey...Burned by the Church. 
- I've been working on the series for June: Stronger. Expect some Kung Fu Panda references>
- Did you get the Journey Spring Newsletter in the mail? If not, check it out here. There is an update about next site stuff.
- We've expanded our search and have a couple creative options in North Muskegon we are looking at currently.
- I've been working on stuff for the next sites. It's been a challenge. It's been kinda frustrating at times but the hardest things are usually the best and most reward things.
- Looking forward to playing the band again this Sunday morning at The Journey.

Hope you have a great weekend! 

SUNDAY RECAP FOR MAY 13

BURNED BY THE CHURCH
week two

SONGS
We Didn't Start the Fire - Billy Joel
I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For - U2
    with Open the Eyes of my Heart - Paul Baloche
The Greatest - The Assemblies
Saviour King - Hillsong
From the Inside Out - Hillsong United

RECAP
Today we looked at another way some people have been burned by the church. Have you ever experienced someone who was quick to point out their good acts & appearance while judging others? Religion tends to be about behavior modification, but Jesus wants us to be connected with Him in a real relationship. Paul shared from Matthew 23 when Jesus pointed out how some of the religious rulers in His day were missing the point. They did many religious acts only to get noticed. Jesus was way more concerned with what was on the inside. If you have a dirty cup, you don't just clean the outside. Someone people think you need to clean up your act before you come to church. That isn't the case with Jesus. It's not about the act; it's about the relationship. He invites us to follow Him with our "dirty cup selves". As we experience His grace and the life He offers, we will change from the inside out. 

 

THOUGHTS
- Here's the Spring Letter with the Next Site Update we talked about at church on Sunday.
- The video with the Dirty Cup we made...I can't believe so many people thought Aaron drank the muddy water. We changed the camera angle before he drank & replaced it with coke.
- People really like the Mother's Day texting video. It was funny.
- I got to lead music at 5:00 pm. Fun times. 
- This series seems to be striking a chord with people. I hope people don't let the past or other people destory their opportunity to connect with God. 

SATURDAY FOOD BLOG

      

Some highlights from my week in food included some things like an early Mother's Day breakfast in bed for Steph, a baked frittata from leftovers, cilantro honey lime chicken, and a few house favorites like BLT Pizza and Cheese Ravioli's. The Cheese Ravioli meal started with mushrooms, onions, garlic & turkey smoked sausage. Brown them. Deglaze the pan with some chicken broth. Add a dab of butter. When that is melted in, add an egg yolk and mix in. Toss in the spinach to wilt a bit. Add tomatoes and ravioli (I just used boiled some frozen meijer ones due to time). Toss in a little parmesan cheese, serve with a salad & rolls and there's a 15-20 minute good meal. 

JUST + LOVE

I was reading my Bible in the Old Testament and it was about the nation of Israel taking the land that God gave them. God wanted them to wipe out all the people who were not following Him. I have to admit that it was kind of weird to read. When I picture God, it's more about forgiveness, love, the life He gives, and the guidance He offers as the Father. I think there are times we don't take God seriously. We act like a spoiled, bratty, naughty kid who acts out with no regard for others and our Father's directions. We know God is love but we forget that God is also just. No one likes justice when they get caught or do something wrong. We all want justice for those who do bad things. The problem is we all do bad things. We forget He sees all we do. We take advantage of His forgiveness. I am glad that God loves us unconditionally because we need it. I am glad He's not the kind of God who strikes us down for lightening bolts. I'm glad God doesn't work like karma. I'm glad God is merciful and doesn't give us what we deserve. I need to take God more seriously.

X RATED KIDS TOYS?!?!?!

Eli got a Leap Pad for his birthday. It's basically and iPad for kids....learning games and such. It also has a camera/video camera on it. 4 year olds and cameras always make an interesting combo. He was taking pictures and the Leap Pad says "Would you like to take a new picture?" But it sounds more like she is saying "nude" than "new" when you are listening from another room. Yesterday the kids are in the back seat and Eli shows Emma a video he shot. Emma is laughing out of control. I ask what's so funny. She says that Eli is naked in the video. Oh boy! So we have a little conversation, basically about not making porn with his Leap Pad. We talk about private parts...you know, typical parenting stuff. Turns out the video was just Eli's bare legs and his tan shorts. Never a dull moment.