paulurban.blogs.com

Stimulus

Yesterday I talked about the upcoming stimulus package.  I talked about discretionary funds in our homes.  We all have them.  Money that we CHOOSE to use in different areas.  Vacation.  Cable.  Dining Out.  Bowling or Golf league.  Scrapbooking.

So, here's the question for the day:  Is bringing back to God discretionary or non-negotiable?

Yesterday I said I'd mention something that would make a difference in our communities TODAY.  It's simply this - the mission and message of Jesus.  In a world that seems paralyzed by fear and uncertain of the future, the message and mission of Jesus is what is needed.  Certainty in the midst of uncertainty, peace in the place of fear.  That's why what happens at The Journey (and churches all along the lakeshore) is so important.  That's why the mission must continue.  Bringing hope, bringing spiritual encouragement, being family for one another, and supporting financially the needy and hurting in our community.

Jennifer and I see that as non-negotiable.  So, even though fear can creep in, even though grocery bills have gone up, even though times are VERY tight, we've chosen to continue to bring back faithfully.  I believe with all my heart, that the local church is the hope of the world because of the message of Jesus.  That may sound self-serving coming from a pastor.  But, if I didn't believe I wouldn't be sold out to it the way I am.  I wouldn't put my reputation on the line.  I would keep my money to myself.

Stimulus Package

I've heard lots of positives and negatives about the Stimulus Package that was just approved in the House (more negatives than positives).  At least they took out the $200 million line item for contraceptives - how does that help the economy???  I heard one economist say that the $30 billion given to infrastructure (roads and bridges) was about 1/10th of what it needs to be to make a real difference.

I was thinking, though.  It's interesting with all the Doomsday prophets and pictures of the Great Depression - some of it's real, and some of it is just fear.  The truth is, most people have discretionary spending.  It's evidenced by the fact that every time I drive by the mall area there are tons of cars in the restaurants.  People are still going bowling, to the Movies, they still have their expanded cable.  We're squeezing our dollars, but it's discretionary.  We're picking and choosing.  I would guess, most families, could find a couple hundred bucks a month (at least) if they had to.

So, here's the question(s):  What are you doing to save money during this recession?  What are you spending your discretionary money on?

Tomorrow I'll share something that I think would really make a difference in our current climate.

Sacrifice

So, this weekend, one of the things we're talking about is sacrifice - but here's the cool thing that I've observed . . . when we sacrifice for God, it ends up not seeming like too big of a sacrifice - because of what we receive out of it.  That's living with the eternal perspective.  How have you seen that reality in your life?  And, what might God be asking you to sacrifice for?

Certainty

In the midst of uncertain times, there is a sense of uneasiness; worry can come slamming into our lives over and over again; there's pressure as you lead; fear can be a constant companion.  Every week at The Journey I learn of someone else from our faith community that has lost their job.

A year ago, although the economy was bad, it wasn't anything like where we are today.  When we planned out the Doors project and had our commitment Sunday, things weren't great - but it's nothing like where it is now.  When we hired Mark and Virginia 1 1/2 years ago - the financial strain was no where near the level it is today.  More than ever, it feels very uncertain as I lead at The Journey.

We're having as many people as ever walk through the doors, there is a great deal of momentum that seems to be building, there is a renewed sense of creativity from our staff.  I believe we're on the verge of big things.  Yet, at the same moment, none of that translates (for the time being) into paying your bills and salaries and insurance.

Like any other company, we're in the process of making and/or facing really complicated and tough decisions dealing with our finances.  Everyone is tightening their purse strings, people are out of work, or their hours are cut back - and that means contributions are down as well.

So, pray for God's blessing on us.  Pray that God gives us wisdom.  Pray for good stewardship of what has been given. 

Today, I was reading in 1 Peter.  In the midst of all the uncertainty, there is a certainty that we can have.  Nervous about the future, about the economy?  You might want to read 1 Peter 1:3-9 today.  It brought me encouragement and hope.  We have a living hope, an inheritance in heaven that can never perish, or spoil, or fade (like kids' college funds and 401K's).  It's kept in heaven for us.  And that's some very good, certain, news.

Things on my heart (and mind)

  *Great night last night for Parents Night Out!  Good job, Mark . . . and Deb!

*I read from the book of Ezekiel this morning - weird stuff.  It included four headed beings, a wheel with eyes all around the rims, a prophet who had to lay on his one side for 390 days and on his other side for 40 days and the whole time had to just eat bread that God originally wanted him to cook by using human excrement as the fuel - but only after Ezekiel protested, did God decide to let him just use cow manure instead.  Yeah, I know . . . weird.

*The above was a SERIOUSLY long run-on sentence!

*Great day yesterday.  Had a lot of fun with the 80's Child Series.  11 am was packed.  We had almost 100 kids and leaders yesterday in Journey Kids.  Thanks to everyone who volunteers and is impacting the lives of our littlest journeyers!

*Props to Chris Lund and his brother-in-law, Paul for clearing up our parking lot!  We needed those spots for the 11 am service.  Before they cleared it out, it was absolutely insane!

*We've got a lot to do for our "God at the Movies" series.  Busy week.

*We've got a Beginnings group starting again in a couple weeks.  Looks like we've got about 5 couples in - so it should be a good time!  Jen and I are really looking forward to it.

*Can't wait for Chuck to get back on the air next Monday night - with a 3-D episode!

*Times are tough - finances are tight, but I love my life.  I love The Journey.  I love the staff I get to work along side.  I love my wife and kids.

*Pittsburgh 27  Arizona 17.  Mark it down.

*Big victory for MSU yesterday, after a crushing defeat earlier in the week.  Up and down, they're killing me!

*Thinking about Valentine's Day . . . thinking . . .

*Met a number of new people yesterday, including two couples who hadn't been to church in a LONG while.  Sounds like they'd be a perfect fit at The Journey.

*Oh, yeah - the costumes were SWEET!  We had an 80's dress up contest as part of our 80's Child series.  Some Journeyers really brought the goods - including a prom dress, a Pat Robertson '88 presidential t-shirt, and a "Bad Boys" Pistons t.  You all had it going on!

Alright, that's it.  Urban, out!

good days ahead?

In these dark days of our economy, I'm encouraged that there are good days ahead.  There are good days ahead, because it can't stay dark forever . . . right?  But there are good days ahead for The Journey.  I believe that our best days are ahead of us.  Why?  I firmly believe God has brought us the staff He has in order to take us to a whole notha level.  You may not see this week to week, but we have an incredibly talented staff.

Matt is one of the most talented people around.  He is a jack-of-all-trades, and is talented and proficient in so many different areas it's ridiculous. 

Mark is one of the best and most tireless connectors I've ever met.  He's just great at connecting with people and focusing in on relationships.

Virginia is so talented and passionate.  She's new to church leadership and growing all the time, but she could lead at a church much larger than ours.

All of them are passionate about the vision, and passionate about helping people begin relationship with Jesus.  On top of all that, we all get along - we like each other.  And frankly, chemistry is a big part of effective staff development.  It's a lot funner doing life and work with those you like.

I kind of feel like God has set our staff up for a future that is bigger and brighter than where we're at, even now.  We may go through difficult days, uncertainty, rough patches, but brighter days are ahead, the sun is rising in the east, new days of adventure and impact are coming!

Say what?!

I was reading today in the (somewhat obscure) Old Testament book of Zechariah.  Not the easiest book to understand, but then chapter 7 verse 13 jumped off the page at me.  If you're a frequent reader, you know that I've talked about my struggle to hear God's voice.  Some people claim to hear God all the time:  "God told me", "God spoke to me", "God gave me a shout out" (maybe they don't say that).  I, on the other hand, struggle with knowing if I'm hearing from God or not.  Sometimes I know, sometimes I think I just ate something funny.  I want to hear from God.  I want to listen to His voice. 

Then, there are the times that I think I hear from God, but I talk myself out of it - because it would mean I'd have to turn the car around and help that person and I don't have time (I tell myself), or because it would mean a difficult conversation (and I'm not really that close to that person anyway).

Here's what it said in Zechariah 7:13 - "When I called, they did not listen; so when they called, I would not listen" says the Lord Almighty.

Oh Shoot!

A new day?

  No matter what your political affiliation, or what you like or dislike about Barack Obama - today is an historic day in the USA.  I don't even pretend to understand how much it means to many.  Interesting how it lines up with Martin Luther King Jr. day.  Poetic . . . prophetic . . .

I'm interested today in seeing how the markets respond.  So many think today brings a new day to America.  Will it?  Will the economy turn around?  Will investors start investing again?  Regardless of what happens, or again - what your political affiliation is, we're called to pray for our leaders.  So, today, I'm going to pray for soon-to-be President Obama - I'm praying that He would listen to God, and that he would follow Jesus, and that God would direct his steps.

You know, as historic a day as this is (especially in the African-American community), I was thinking about what heaven will be like, where every tongue and tribe and nation will be joined together and race won't be an issue, and we'll all worship God alone.  Sounds pretty good, huh?

So, are you watching the inaugeration today?

enough's enough

  Seriously, this whole winter snow thing is starting to get a little old.  Besides the serious amounts of snow (15 inches Saturday??), it seems that our really bad weather is always happening on the weekend.  That may be great for some, but when you're a church, it just adds extra stress and pressure.  So, enough's enough.

By the way, Jennifer was saying the other day, that she has a hard time believing Hell would be all burning hot and fire . . . it seems to her that it should be about -10 wind chill and 12 inches of snow.  Although, does that mean we're living in hell on earth right now?

From the mouth of . . .

Michael Scott.  I so relate to Michael, who last night said that sometimes he starts talking and doesn't really know what he's saying or where it's going, so it kind of becomes improvisational conversations.  Been there, done that.  How about you?