We will be ending our series of "When I grow Up". Pastor Shawn will be wrapping things up, and help us to be better servants of Christ, and giving us guidance through God's Word on how to be good stewards as well. This series has offered several examples of how we need to live for Christ, regardless of where we are in our lives, and to never forget that no matter where we work, we need to remember that God is our boss. We work for Him, and we need to reflect that in all we say and do, both at home and at the workplace.
Rex will be leading worship, because Jess has the night off. So those of you who have never heard Rex lead (or just enjoy his style), come and join us! We would love to have you come worship and fellowship with us. We will also have discussion in Fuel Groups, so come prepared to share your thoughts.
Dinner is at 6pm (and I heard from my secret source, that we're having spaghetti!). Childcare is provided, and starts at 6:45, in the Junior High room. Worship starts at 7pm, and we will be reading Joshua 8 (for the Storyline Challenge), so you don't have to! You can either try to catch up to where we're at, or just wait until tomorrow, read Chapter 8 with us, and continue on to Chapter 9 on Saturday. Don't feel bad if you fall behind, just try to get in the habit of reading your bible daily. The point is to just get you immersed in God's Word, and learn more about Christ and His church.
Hope to see you all at Fuel!
For more information, go to www.towardtruth.com, and click on the "Fuel" link.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Sorry it's been so long!
Hey everybody. I'm sorry it's been so long since I've posted. I've been really busy with school, church, and life in general. I hope you guys have at least been visiting The Journey's website at www.towardtruth.com, or the group's blog at http://thejourneyie.blogspot.com. There are always new blog posts on both sites, that will keep you updated on Journey gatherings and announcements, just in case I haven't had time to post them myself. I truly apologize to all of my visitors. Rex and I are still trying to get used to the new apartment, we both are involved in more activities at church, and I'm trying to finish school. I know that's no excuse, and I'll try to get better about blogging on a regular basis again. Please be patient with me!
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Who am I?
After hearing Pastor Shawn's message on Friday, and seeing the video that Andre made with Potter and Jason, I had to ask myself this question: Who am I? I was no more clear about myself, than I had been before. I know who I would like to be, and I know what I would like to do with my life, but have no idea what I am supposed to be doing right now. So I asked myself these questions:
What is my purpose here on earth?
What is expected of me?
Why am I even here?
Why do I have the friends that I have?
I sat down and began wondering if I was truly being myself. I wondered if I was trying to be somebody I wasn't. I had spent so much of my life trying to fit in with different crowds, that I began to wonder if I had compromised myself. I doubted if I even knew who the real me is. Was I just wearing a mask, and playing a role? Did I spend more time trying to please others, rather than myself (or God) ? Once I finally convinced myself that I always do my best to be true to myself, and always try to honor God, I began to ask a different set of questions:
Am I identified by my parents?
Am I identified by my husband?
Am I identified by my friends?
Am I identified by my job (or whether I have one or not)?
Am I identified by my education?
I had to seriously figure out what makes me, me. After several hours of prayer and self-reflection, I've decided that I am my own person, but every aspect of my life (family, friends, church, work, school) has molded me into who I am today. If it weren't for all of those factors, I would be a completely different person. (I don't think I would have liked the other me.) This revelation led to a whole other set of questions:
Am I the best person I can be?
What can I improve about myself?
How can I continue to help others?
Can I truly make a difference in other people's lives?
Am I putting other's needs before my own?
Why was I chosen for this particular ministry?
How can I serve God better?
Unfortunately, I don't have the answers to these questions yet. I'm still in the process of figuring them out. Everyday, I learn something new about myself, and how I can benefit others. I pray to God for guidance, strength, and perseverance. Only God knows the person I will become. Everyday, He reveals to me more and more. Everything will be given to me one step at a time. He will not reveal more than I need. I may not be able to see the entire path, but I know that as long as I continue to have faith in God, I will become the person He wants me to.
What is my purpose here on earth?
What is expected of me?
Why am I even here?
Why do I have the friends that I have?
I sat down and began wondering if I was truly being myself. I wondered if I was trying to be somebody I wasn't. I had spent so much of my life trying to fit in with different crowds, that I began to wonder if I had compromised myself. I doubted if I even knew who the real me is. Was I just wearing a mask, and playing a role? Did I spend more time trying to please others, rather than myself (or God) ? Once I finally convinced myself that I always do my best to be true to myself, and always try to honor God, I began to ask a different set of questions:
Am I identified by my parents?
Am I identified by my husband?
Am I identified by my friends?
Am I identified by my job (or whether I have one or not)?
Am I identified by my education?
I had to seriously figure out what makes me, me. After several hours of prayer and self-reflection, I've decided that I am my own person, but every aspect of my life (family, friends, church, work, school) has molded me into who I am today. If it weren't for all of those factors, I would be a completely different person. (I don't think I would have liked the other me.) This revelation led to a whole other set of questions:
Am I the best person I can be?
What can I improve about myself?
How can I continue to help others?
Can I truly make a difference in other people's lives?
Am I putting other's needs before my own?
Why was I chosen for this particular ministry?
How can I serve God better?
Unfortunately, I don't have the answers to these questions yet. I'm still in the process of figuring them out. Everyday, I learn something new about myself, and how I can benefit others. I pray to God for guidance, strength, and perseverance. Only God knows the person I will become. Everyday, He reveals to me more and more. Everything will be given to me one step at a time. He will not reveal more than I need. I may not be able to see the entire path, but I know that as long as I continue to have faith in God, I will become the person He wants me to.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Fuel Focus for this month.........
The theme for the month of May, is "When I Grow Up...". The idea is for us to always serve God, regardless of where we are in our lives. Whether we're students, parents, unemployed, or working in our different professions, the goal is to grow into better servants for Christ.
On May 2nd, Pastor Shawn's message was to "Live for Jesus Every Day." He reminded us that regardless of what our job is, that ultimately God is who we're working for. We need to work honorably, morally, and humbly. We need to show our love for Christ through our work. Whatever we do, we need to remember that our actions should always honor our Lord.
May 9th: The message will be"Go With What You Know." Come join us at 7pm in the High School room of the Student Ministries Building, to worship and to hear what Pastor Shawn has to say. Or you can come early for dinner at 6pm. Childcare is provided, and starts at 6:45 pm in the Junior High room. For directions to Centerpoint Church, go to www.towardtruth.com.
May 16th: "Rise to the Occasion"
May 23rd: "Manage the Middle"
May 30th: "Live the Legacy"
We welcome all young adults in the Inland Empire, regardless of where your home church is. Our goal is to give a supplemental experience to your church lives. We don't want to take from, we want to add to. Feel free to join us every Friday, or if you're not available on Fridays, we have other small groups and bible studies available throughout the week. For more information, go to www.towardtruth.com, and click on any of the links you are interested in knowing more about. Or you can email me at marla@towardtruth.com.
On May 2nd, Pastor Shawn's message was to "Live for Jesus Every Day." He reminded us that regardless of what our job is, that ultimately God is who we're working for. We need to work honorably, morally, and humbly. We need to show our love for Christ through our work. Whatever we do, we need to remember that our actions should always honor our Lord.
May 9th: The message will be"Go With What You Know." Come join us at 7pm in the High School room of the Student Ministries Building, to worship and to hear what Pastor Shawn has to say. Or you can come early for dinner at 6pm. Childcare is provided, and starts at 6:45 pm in the Junior High room. For directions to Centerpoint Church, go to www.towardtruth.com.
May 16th: "Rise to the Occasion"
May 23rd: "Manage the Middle"
May 30th: "Live the Legacy"
We welcome all young adults in the Inland Empire, regardless of where your home church is. Our goal is to give a supplemental experience to your church lives. We don't want to take from, we want to add to. Feel free to join us every Friday, or if you're not available on Fridays, we have other small groups and bible studies available throughout the week. For more information, go to www.towardtruth.com, and click on any of the links you are interested in knowing more about. Or you can email me at marla@towardtruth.com.
Monday, May 5, 2008
Financial Woes
Rex and I are trying to figure out how we are going to pay rent for this month. We are already late, so now we have to tack on the extra fee on top of what we already owe. My landlord called me this morning, and said that if he doesn't receive the money today, he will be by tomorrow, to tack a "Pay or Quit" notice on our door. This notice will give us three days to come up with the money to pay him, so we don't get evicted. So, of course Rex and I are panicking, because we were expecting to have the money by now. We try to have faith that God will continue to provide, but it's hard when the people we owe money to are always breathing down our necks. We're expecting a check from my uncle and the "Economic Stimulus" check from the government, but we don't know when either of those will arrive. Please pray for us, because this apartment was truly a blessing when it was made available to us. It's close to church Rex's work, and many of our church family. We love it here, and we don't want to have to move again. Thank you.
Friday, May 2, 2008
Thanks!
To All Journey Members:
Everyone has been so supportive of my finishing school, deciding to quit my job back in December, helping Rex and I move, and my current job search. We appreciate everything the group has done for us. All your efforts and prayers have been a true blessing. Many things would not have occurred, if not for your love and support.
To Cristina, Wandica, Ammie, Kat, Chris, (and whoever else may have helped):
I appreciate the efforts of you guys on Sidewalk Sundays (especially last Sunday, since I wasn't there). I'm guessing everything went well, because Shawn hasn't contacted me with complaints. It was truly a blessing to find people who were willing to run the table for me, and outreach to other young adults at Centerpoint. Keep up the good work!
To Paul:
Thanks for having the patience to deal with me during announcements. I know sometimes I lose track of what's going on, and other times I get carried away. I appreciate all your efforts to keep me on track. I know I'm not always easy to work with.
To Shawn:
Thanks for giving me this opportunity to be such a huge part of The Journey. It has been a blessing for me, because it has helped me grow spiritually and further my education. I enjoy all of the work you pass my way, and I look forward to much more activities and assignments with the group. I love working with all of these wonderful people. I hope you continue to have faith in my efforts.
To my wonderful husband, Rex:
I love you so much! Thank you for loving me, and being a part of my life. You were the one who convinced me to go to Cal Baptist, and believed in me when I doubted myself. If you hadn't prodded me, I wouldn't be graduating on Saturday! Our marriage has been a blessing, and I look forward to many more years of happiness with you. God truly has blessed us both!
To anyone who is planning on going to my graduation on Saturday:
The ceremony starts at 9am, but I recommend that you get to Cal Baptist as soon as possible, so you can find parking! The ceremony will be two hours long, so we should be done by 11am. If you would like to meet up with me after the ceremony, you can meet me at the short wall in Stamps Courtyard. To get to the courtyard, you go up the steps in front of the Yeager Center (by the waterfall), past the rotating globe in the walkway, past Wanda's (on the right), out into the courtyard. It's the short wall just before the grassy area, and there's a black marble plaque on the ground. It's not far from the front lawn, promise! If I'm not there when you find it, Rex should be. Call one of us if you get lost.
Everyone has been so supportive of my finishing school, deciding to quit my job back in December, helping Rex and I move, and my current job search. We appreciate everything the group has done for us. All your efforts and prayers have been a true blessing. Many things would not have occurred, if not for your love and support.
To Cristina, Wandica, Ammie, Kat, Chris, (and whoever else may have helped):
I appreciate the efforts of you guys on Sidewalk Sundays (especially last Sunday, since I wasn't there). I'm guessing everything went well, because Shawn hasn't contacted me with complaints. It was truly a blessing to find people who were willing to run the table for me, and outreach to other young adults at Centerpoint. Keep up the good work!
To Paul:
Thanks for having the patience to deal with me during announcements. I know sometimes I lose track of what's going on, and other times I get carried away. I appreciate all your efforts to keep me on track. I know I'm not always easy to work with.
To Shawn:
Thanks for giving me this opportunity to be such a huge part of The Journey. It has been a blessing for me, because it has helped me grow spiritually and further my education. I enjoy all of the work you pass my way, and I look forward to much more activities and assignments with the group. I love working with all of these wonderful people. I hope you continue to have faith in my efforts.
To my wonderful husband, Rex:
I love you so much! Thank you for loving me, and being a part of my life. You were the one who convinced me to go to Cal Baptist, and believed in me when I doubted myself. If you hadn't prodded me, I wouldn't be graduating on Saturday! Our marriage has been a blessing, and I look forward to many more years of happiness with you. God truly has blessed us both!
To anyone who is planning on going to my graduation on Saturday:
The ceremony starts at 9am, but I recommend that you get to Cal Baptist as soon as possible, so you can find parking! The ceremony will be two hours long, so we should be done by 11am. If you would like to meet up with me after the ceremony, you can meet me at the short wall in Stamps Courtyard. To get to the courtyard, you go up the steps in front of the Yeager Center (by the waterfall), past the rotating globe in the walkway, past Wanda's (on the right), out into the courtyard. It's the short wall just before the grassy area, and there's a black marble plaque on the ground. It's not far from the front lawn, promise! If I'm not there when you find it, Rex should be. Call one of us if you get lost.
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