Vision

The vision God has set for our church is so far beyond me. In fact it scares me a little. For the past two months I have been praying and seeking Him, asking Him to make His vision so clear.

It's no wonder we have come up with a vision statement that is so far beyond us. It really is a God thing when you think about it. I believe that is what a true vision from God is. It is something that we can't do. It is a vision that can only be accomplished with a team in total surrender and trust in God.

That is why when I keep going back to this vision statement it kind of scares me. This is way bigger than me. There is no way "I" can do it. There is no way "I" can remain the same and it be accomplished. It is going to take so much more.

Here is our vision: To DOMINATE the Coastal Bend area with the life of Christ.

Dominate - to predominate, permeate, or characterize; to exert a supreme, guiding influence on or over; to enjoy a commanding, controlling position in

Acts 6:7 So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.

John 10:10 I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.

We want that real and eternal life that Christ came to give us to dominate, or permeate not just Corpus Christi but this whole region of the Coastal Bend...it will be an area which is characterized by disciples, people who adhere to following Christ and becoming more like Him, increasing rapidly.

Like I said...way beyond me...way out of my comfort zone.

We are not here to create a church so that I can live in a lap of luxury...driving BMW's or living in a $500,000 home. We are not here to create a country club where people will come just to hear some fancy motivational message. We are not here to create just another church filled with people who didn't like the last church they were in.

Corpus doesn't need another church. It's got plenty of them. It has far too many Churches that are set up just to keep the status quo of the Christians that sit in its pews.

We are here to create a movement. We are here to create Kingdom impact. We are here to bring radical change to this area. We are here to create a new culture with a God mindset. We are here to DOMINATE the Coastal Bend area with the life of Christ.

ARE YOU READY TO GET ON BOARD WITH US?

The Church Plant Update

Wow...what a culmination of a last month. Really...about a two or three month culmination has led to this months results of: the formation of the vision of our church, deciding on the name of our church, and the rewriting of the values.

I tend to work things out through my blog which is much like my journal. Only thing is you get to see how that all plays out. So if you have been paying attention you will notice the changes. Over the next 7 days I'll be listing all of this out.

Those three things are important to me as our church is established...you have to have a great name, vision is vital, and values are our core DNA.

Launch Team Gatherings

Coming up in January of 2008 (Jan. 6th), we are going to begin weekly launch team gatherings. These meetings will be held Sunday evenings at 6:00 pm. The purpose of these meetings is twofold: 1) Build up a core of leaders 2) Disseminate the vision of our church

I am still working on a structure for our meetings which I'm sure will evolve over the first month or two. These meetings will be highly different from what we will be doing on Sunday morning when our church is fully launched.

With that in mind, for the first meeting of 2008 we will be having the following elements: welcome, worship, vision, team teaching, and offering.

As we go along I can also see some team breakdowns happening as well as some team leader thoughts. I will be evaluating the format during the first month.

I have decided that we will be studying through the book Visioneering: God's Blueprint for Developing and Maintaining Vision by Andy Stanley. Visioneering is the engineering of a vision. It's the process one follows to develop and maintain vision. The book follows through Nehemiah journey in rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem.

If you are in the Corpus area and would love to be a part of a team that is going to DOMINATE the Coastal Bend area with the life of Christ...send me an email or a message and let's connect.

I'm Back

We are back from Christmas trip...I've not felt like blogging just yet. I have been doing a lot of twittering though. Last night was spent watching two movies, Deck The Halls with the family and then The Bourne Ultimatum by myself.

This week I have plans to finish up all the little stuff for our new myspace and wordpress sites that I have been building for our church. Mummms been the word on our new name....and I want to release them all at once.

January 6th is the next launch gathering...we are moving to Sunday evenings as Fridays and Saturdays are a tough time. Is there really a great day??? Not sure but we have to choose one that will allow for the maximum access for people as we begin to build what God wants. If you are in the Corpus Area and want to be a part of a church that is going to DOMINATE the area with the life of Christ then join us from 6 to 8 that evening.

Busy At Work

I have been furiously at work making graphics, myspace sites, and on wordpress. hmmm...wonder if it has anything to do with this >>>Click Here<<<

Can't wait to pull the wrapping off on January 3rd.

Merry Christmas Part 2

Just wanted to say Merry Christmas to everyone. I know this week will be quiet in the blogosphere. To those that read and to those that call me friend, let your Christmas be filled with many blessings, let joy fill your home and let peace reign in your homes.

Journey Through Acts (Acts 21)

Read - Acts 20

My Key Verse - Acts 21:11-13 He went right up to Paul, took Paul’s belt, and, in a dramatic gesture, tied himself up, hands and feet. He said, “This is what the Holy Spirit says: The Jews in Jerusalem are going to tie up the man who owns this belt just like this and hand him over to godless unbelievers.” 12 When we heard that, we and everyone there that day begged Paul not to be stubborn and persist in going to Jerusalem. 13 But Paul wouldn’t budge: “Why all this hysteria? Why do you insist on making a scene and making it even harder for me? You’re looking at this backwards. The issue in Jerusalem is not what they do to me, whether arrest or murder, but what the Master Jesus does through my obedience. Can’t you see that?”

My Reflection - This may be a little out there but it is what went through my mind when I read this.

Most of us would probably agree. If we got a prophecy from God like this, we wouldn't go. Right??? Isn't this what we pray for? God protect us and don't let any harm come to us.

Not Paul, he gets a prophecy and says what's the bid deal. In fact he really has a flip side that I'm not sure any of us realize. He says, "the issue...is...what the Master Jesus does through my obedience", and then asks the question, "Can't you see that?"

Here is where my brain went on this. God is in eternity...there is no time frame with him. In fact, time is something that is irrelevant to Him. He sees the beginning from the end all at one time. Does God actually manipulate our future? He obviously already sees what is going to happen, that's what prophecy is right?

So then this prophecy to Paul actually leads him to go to Jerusalem, it wasn't a warning to go away from it. I don't know if I can get all the words or the picture my brain saw when I read this. I may have to meditate on it a little more.

My Prayer - Lord, help me to learn a little more about you through this event in Paul's life. Help me to understand how it is you work through prophecy and to look at it objectively as Paul did.

Pictures From 2007

My wife and daughters always grab the camera when we go to my parents house. These are some of the pictures they have snapped. I really like the one with the rubber boots.

Our Church

Major announcement about the church we are launching coming in the new year. I know you all hate that. Why even tell us? It's like pouring salt on a wound.

Well, I did it anyway, so be prepared as we are going to flip this thing in 2008. God is going to DOMINATE in 2008.

Church Choir (Clash of the Choirs)

If we could have a choir that jammed like this....then we would do a choir. This has forever ruined me from liking any church choirs....THESE GUYS ROCKED. You have to at least watch the "Flight of the Bumble Bee" one....amazing!!!!!!

Natasha Bedingfield - Unwritten


The Pretenders - I'll Stand By You


Flight of The Bumble Bee


This took the whole week to grow on me. Give it up for all the amateurs who looked like pros that performed on Clash of the Choirs.

Reaping

Reaping is the reward for the planter. If you want to reap, you must do the work of planting.

Journey Through Acts (Acts 20)

Read - Acts 20

My Key Verse - Acts 20:28 “Now it’s up to you. Be on your toes—both for yourselves and your congregation of sheep. The Holy Spirit has put you in charge of these people—God’s people they are—to guard and protect them. God himself thought they were worth dying for.

My Reflection - What a great challenge to me as a pastor. I can really feel God saying to me in this new season, STEP UP. It's now up to me.

God is challenging me to new levels. That is why I have been journaling. Trust me it's not easy. It takes discipline and intentionality. But the reason is that I need to be on my toes. There is one thing I know about myself - I'm not perfect. I got a long way to go.

I don't want to take this calling lightly. The Holy Spirit will draw people to our church and when he does I must realize that He has put me in charge to guard and protect them.

WOW....that's a lot of responsibility.

My Prayer - Lord, I think this might be more than I can handle. That is why I'm trusting you, relying on you to help me get this done. I'm going to do better than my best. I ask that you meet me there.

Hand Bell Hero

I know I'm a little off on my posting...I get a little a.d.d. sometimes.

With this post yesterday and then, thanks to Bill, I found Hand Bell Hero....I'm now a little off pace.

Hand Bell Hero....it's Guitar Hero on Christmas...go check it out. It's harder than it looks.

Journey Through Acts (Acts 19)

Read - Acts 19

My Key Verse - Acts 19:2 The first thing he said was, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed? Did you take God into your mind only, or did you also embrace him with your heart? Did he get inside you?” “We’ve never even heard of that—a Holy Spirit? God within us?”

My Reflection - Sometimes I feel we live in a culture that has embraced God with their minds but not in their hearts. Many people acknowledge there is a God and a Jesus, but those same people haven't embraced following Him wholeheartedly.

Paul talking to the church at Ephesus here asks them if God got inside them. That really freaks a lot of people out. Many have never been challenged in the manner Paul challenges this church here. I think it is a great question to ask ourselves, "Are we following God with our head or our heart?"

My Prayer - Lord, tonight I embrace you with my heart. Live fully within me. Reign over me. Be my Lord.

Twitter Update

I am really digging Twitter and see a whole lot of possibilities for it. I've been following a guy, Jeremiah Owyang, on Twitter who is really maximizing it. He has almost 3,000 followers and is following about 2,500 people himself.

I could see some things that churches and youth ministries could do if they really brainstormed about it, everything from Prayer Chains to Weekly Announcements to Scripture discussion. I really even haven't put a whole lot of thought into it yet.

What exactly is Twitter? It is a microblog in a nutshell. You can put small blurbs, 140 characters only, of what you are doing or reading and others can read them. It is sort of like text messaging and blogging combined. You can read more about it here.

I have it integrated into my facebook and google talk so I can update really easy without having to go to another web site and log in. Then I have an RSS feed to my Google Reader of everyone I'm following.

It really is a neat little tool with the promise of great potential. You can check me out on twitter @ www.twitter.com/jasoncurlee

Needed Quotes

If you haven't left a quote on my post Inspirational Quotes at Making Difference Makers, please go do it. I'm needing a motivational quote for my classroom as I go into 2008 and I'm leaving it up to my readers to deliver one.

Go over right now and leave a comment for me.

Journey Through Acts (Acts 18)

Read - Acts 18

My Key Verse - Acts 18:8 But Paul’s efforts with the Jews weren’t a total loss, for Crispus, the meeting-place president, put his trust in the Master. His entire family believed with him. In the course of listening to Paul, a great many Corinthians believed and were baptized.

My Reflection - I think the important thing to always remember is that when it comes to ministry...what we are doing is never a total loss. It may feel like it is...it may even seem like it is....BUT it isn't.

I know I have felt exasperated in ministry just as Paul felt. I have also seen though the fruit of the labor. I have seen young men who I never thought would have been in the ministry go to bible school and become pastors. I have seen young men and women involved in their church and are still faithful.

We never know the ends to what God is doing in people. The work we do is not in vain. We need to keep on keeping on, no matter what happens.

My Prayer - Lord, help me to always know that the work I do will never cease. That the connections made in the past and the ones being made now are for important work you are doing.

Sharing Posts

Do you use Google reader and Google Talk?

Reader and Google Talk (also known as chat in Gmail) are now linked together to make shared items visible to your friends from Google Talk. Once you've logged into Reader and been notified of the change, these friends will be able to see your shared items in the Reader left-hand navigation area under "Friends' shared items".

This is great for me as I like to know what posts people who are my friends are reading. So...if you use Reader and Google Talk add me as a friend and let me know what you are reading. Add pastorjcurl@gmail.com to your Google Talk.

Journey Through Acts (Acts 17)

Read - Acts 17

My Key Verse - Acts 17:21 Downtown Athens was a great place for gossip. There were always people hanging around, natives and tourists alike, waiting for the latest tidbit on most anything

My Reflection - I think many times I see churches wanting Acts chapter 2 to happen. I even think all the time "what if what happened in there, happened here". And we work to set up a church that tries to do and be an Acts 2 church.

Only problem is...we live in an Acts 17 culture.

BUT there is some power in that. I feel we must take advantage of the marketplace. That we must take advantage of the workplace environment. Our culture is set up around the work and marketplace. There are places where people hang out and naturally gravitate to. This should be taken advantage of by Christians. Often times we are waiting for God to bring in the people.

Are we doing our part and taking God into the marketplace?

My Prayer - Lord, as a church let us partner with people to equip them to take you and be effective in the marketplace and their workplaces.

Blog Links

I've kind of come to a crossroads right now when it comes to my blog links. I left a post comment on another blog about how building community is something I don't see.

Most of my links in both of my blogs are based on people I read. I guess I'm tired of giving props to people that aren't into building community. They are pastors who have blogs and don't allow comments. Pastors who when people leave comments on their sites don't respond. Guy's like Noble, Furtick, Franquiz, Arment, Stevens, Morgan, Batterson, etc...are saying bye-bye in my links. I love what you guys write and you will be in my reader...but no more props. I may occasionally link to you if you have something inspirational but if you aren't about building the community then no link from me. I know you may not care and it may not be a biggie to you but

I know that the world is busy and especially on blogs that have people that leave a lot of comments it is hard to respond to everyone, but I have seen guys like Craig who can do it.

So...unless you are a blog that links me, or who is one who is trying to build community I'm no longer giving you props. I'd rather give the props to people who are small and trying to build community.

So here you go. Here are my blog post rules:

1) If you comment on here on a regular basis, you get a link.
2) You have a link on your page to mine, you get a link.
3) You are a personal friend, you get a link.
4) If I read you regularly and you respond to my comments either through email or in your own comments, you get a link.

There may be others but if I feel you are a blogger that is adding to my community in some way or the other you will get a link.

Journey Through Acts (Acts 16)

Read - Acts 16

My Key Verse - Acts 16:4 As they traveled from town to town, they presented the simple guidelines the Jerusalem apostles and leaders had come up with.

My Reflection - Sometimes I think what made the early church so powerful is they kept it simple. I think that is the challenge for me as we seek to build Journey Community Church - Keep It Simple.

Churches often make it so hard for people. Even today they have unwritten regulations that are thrust upon people. The fact is Jesus died to set us free from bondages. It is important that we don't put people back into bondage.

My Prayer - Lord, as we seek to build your church let us work to free people and not put them back into bondage with regulations. Sometimes it's easy to do that but help me to keep it simple.

Journey Through Acts (Acts 15)

Read - Acts 15

My Key Verse - Acts 15:1 It wasn’t long before some Jews showed up from Judea insisting that everyone be circumcised: “If you’re not circumcised in the Mosaic fashion, you can’t be saved.”

My Reflection - It never fails. Make a decision and some people will come along to challenge what you believe. Here you see the Jews show up and tell everyone they aren't saved unless....

You see this happen in the church world all the time. Not only that but you see churches challenging churches on how they do church.

Truth is...stick to your guns. Stand strong, stand fast. Surround yourself with people who will help you stand strong.

My Prayer - Father, help me to stand in what you have done in my life. Let me not add to it or take away from it.

Journey Through Acts (Acts 14)

Read - Acts 14

My Key Verse - Acts 14:22 putting muscle and sinew in the lives of the disciples, urging them to stick with what they had begun to believe and not quit, making it clear to them that it wouldn’t be easy: “Anyone signing up for the kingdom of God has to go through plenty of hard times.”

My Reflection - This scripture has pretty much two points to it. First, you see that Paul was always pouring into the lives of people. It wasn't a one time thing. He made his rounds building a core and then returned to encourage and build them up.

Second, is that last part, “Anyone signing up for the kingdom of God has to go through plenty of hard times.” Being a Christian doesn't mean it's going to be easy. He said we will go through plenty of hard times. This is so much a reality. Often times people are presented at salvation that God is and will make everything ok. I'm not going to dispel the work He does in our lives. That He doesn't help us in hard times. I just think that sometimes it's presented as a cake walk. We need to challenge people at their conversion.

My Prayer - Father, as I present your Gospel let me present one that is true to your word. I know that you are there and work in every believer. I also know that we can lean on your through all the tough times in our life. Help me to present that to others.

Journey Through Acts (Acts 13)

Read - Acts 13

My Key Verse - Acts 13:12 When the governor saw what happened, he became a believer, full of enthusiasm over what they were saying about the Master.

My Reflection - I was talking about this scripture with a buddy of mine. Sometimes people do need to see something miraculous or supernatural to believe. The governor saw the supernatural manifest right before him and that was the catalyst to his belief.

Gets me thinking: Maybe we do need to see more supernatural things happen in church.

I really feel the supernatural manifestation of God is a strong witness. A lot of people down on poor Thomas...they say he was a doubter, but I think it was just part of his personality and Jesus me him right where he needed it.

My Prayer - Father, put in me a strong belief...one that is full of enthusiasm. Not for just what I've heard but for also what I've seen.

Missing Lost

One tv program that grew on me this past year was Lost. It's been a while since I have watched any and came across Lost - Missing Pieces.

If you are a fan of Lost enjoy these short mobisodes.

Merry Christmas

Just wanted to say a jib-jab Christmas to everyone!


Thanks 'los for the link!

Launch Gathering Thoughts

Last night we had our second launch team gathering. Our goal is to slowly build and prepare to launch as a church in September. To do this we decided to have some gatherings so many of our friends could share in what we are doing.

For the month of December, we decided to host two meetings at our home with many of our friends to share what God has laid on our hearts for Journey Community Church.

One of the reasons I started this personal blog is to be able to journal many of my thoughts along the way as we proceed to the destiny God has designed for us. So you will see often posts like this. Let them maybe inspire, encourage and even help you along your journey.

Last night went great and here are my thoughts for it:

• Atmosphere was great as everyone arrived. All our Christmas decorations were in full effect and we had Christmas music going. At the last minute we decided that it would be a Christmas party theme.
• Food was fantastic. We had several finger foods that people could all feast off of. Wings, cheese sticks, shrimp, cheese, chips and dips, etc....
• Was able to share how God has been challenging me to think What If? What if what happened in the book of Acts happened here in the Coastal Bend?
• Talked about how we want to have what happened in Acts 2 within a culture of Acts 17.
• Shared on how people are addicted to the church and need to become more spiritually independent in their spiritual growth. The culprit though are pastors who have set it up like that. I was guilty of being one and am challenging my own thinking.
  
• Thought I got a little rambly and tried to rush adding stuff in at the end. I have to learn to be concise and shut up.
• A lot of stuff came out that wasn't in my notes. I think I want to blog on a lot of it. God has really been challenging me as I have really sought to say if church could be re-imagined what would it look like.
• Want to see what we talked about? Here is the link: JCC Vision 2
  
• Thought I should have left out the Church of Act Principles...there are some things in there that I think fit...just need to be more concise.
  

Can't wait 'til January as we start to kick this baby into a higher gear.

Did I Do That?

Yep...just posted a list of 40 points of advice for senior pastors out there.

Honestly, some pastors just don't get it. Youth pastors would stay a lot longer and be a lot happier.

What To Get Your Pastor For Christmas

Are you a little unsure what to get your pastor for Christmas? Maybe he or she has an Amazon.com wish list like mine.

Journey Through Acts (Acts 12)

Read - Acts 12

My Key Verse - Acts 12:12-17 Still shaking his head, amazed, he went to Mary's house, the Mary who was John Mark's mother. The house was packed with praying friends. When he knocked on the door to the courtyard, a young woman named Rhoda came to see who it was. But when she recognized his voice—Peter's voice!—she was so excited and eager to tell everyone Peter was there that she forgot to open the door and left him standing in the street.

But they wouldn't believe her, dismissing her, dismissing her report. "You're crazy," they said. She stuck by her story, insisting. They still wouldn't believe her and said, "It must be his angel." All this time poor Peter was standing out in the street, knocking away.

Finally they opened up and saw him—and went wild! Peter put his hands up and calmed them down. He described how the Master had gotten him out of jail, then said, "Tell James and the brothers what's happened." He left them and went off to another place.

My Reflection - When I first read this story I wrote in my bible, "What kind of faith was this? Isn't this what they prayed for?"

How humorous is this story? Peter just gets out of jail in one of the most miraculous ways. Makes his way to the house where they were at. Knocks on the door. Rhoda comes to see who it is...I can just imagine it from Peter's side.

Peter: Knock, Knock.

Rhoda: Who Is It?

Peter: It's me Pete open up I think the cops are coming.

Rhoda: Who?

Peter It's me Pete, you know walked on water...Pete...OPEN UP I thinks the cops are coming.

Rhoda: Pete's not here.

Peter: KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK

Rhoda: Who is it?

Peter: It's me Peter, Open up.

Rhoda: Peter?

Peter: Yeah Peter...was with Jesus...you know your Pastor now.

Rhoda: Peter it is you.... (runs in and tells everyone while leaving Peter outside)

Rhoda: Guys it's Peter he's out...

Everyone: No way...we are praying for him...it can't be him.

Peter: Knock, Knock, Knock

Rhoda: No really it's him...he's really at the door

Everyone: No it's just his angel it can't be him

Peter: Knock, Knock, Knock...(thinks to himself...what the hecks wrong with these people?)

Rhoda: Really, it is him.

Peter: Knock, Knock, Knock

What is it about the lack of faith? Even when their prayers were answered they still didn't believe it was true. The funniest line here: All this time poor Peter was standing out in the street, knocking away

I wonder what he was thinking while he was out there. Knocking away at the door.

My Prayer - Father, help me to realize when you answer my prayers and not doubt when it is there knocking at my door.

Journey Through Acts (Acts 11)

Read - Acts 11

My Key Verse - Acts 11:1 The news traveled fast and in no time the leaders and friends back in Jerusalem heard about it—heard that the non-Jewish "outsiders" were now "in."

My Reflection - This is probably one of the reasons why I feel church should be exciting. Some people don't see it that way. They think that we should be stoic and that the bible should just be sufficient. There is some truth to that. The bible should be sufficient but the presentation in most churches is very lacking.

This verse shows that when there is something that is exciting the news spread. That is why you should be intentional about creating momentum. Use a community project or a in-house project to create a buzz and excitement.

If we present like we have a dead product who on earth would want to buy. I hate to quantify the gospel in terms like that but isn't it true.

My Prayer - Father, help us to present the most awesome message there is in a way that shows the world that we are excited about what you have done for our lives.

Random Topics

This week on Making Difference Makers, I've been hitting some random topics. Topics I think every leader should tackle in one way or the other.

Beginning next week, I'm going to be doing a series to help you develop a Personal Growth Plan. I see this as a huge dynamic in a leaders life and I want to give some positive and helpful advice.

Journey Through Acts (Acts 10)

Read - Acts 10

My Key Verse - Acts 10:39-41 And we saw it, saw it all, everything he did in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem where they killed him, hung him from a cross. But in three days God had him up, alive, and out where he could be seen. Not everyone saw him—he wasn't put on public display. Witnesses had been carefully handpicked by God beforehand—us!

My Reflection - One of the big things that I notice is God hand picks people to spread His message. He does this through their natural interactions as well as strategically putting people across our paths.

Right now I happen to be working in a totally secular environment. I usually tell people I have heard more cuss words in the last month than I have in 14 years. This I know though...God has strategically put me in this environment for this season for a reason. And I don't want to let Him down. I am going to do my best to let my life be a witness to these students and co-workers. That doesn't mean I have to be Jesus this and Jesus that. What it does mean is that my life can speak a thousand words and be ready to witness when the time is right.

My Prayer - Father, help me to be a witness with my life on a daily basis. Let your light shine bright through my actions and words. When the time is right put the words in my mouth to spread your Gospel.

More DOMINATE

Walking through Wal-Mart tonight and it hit me...

DOMINATE in 2008

This should almost be the theme for churches everywhere. At least it will be the rally cry for ours.

Googled

Ever Google yourself....every now and then I do. Here is how it went down today.

Jason Curlee - 23,900 results....I'm # 1

Jason - 13,900,000 results....Not in the top 300 (I didn't look further than that)

Jay - 18,200,000 results...Again not in the top 300

Looks like I'm the most popular Jason Curlee on the internet.

DOMINATE

More and more as I think about what God is calling Journey Community Church to is: DOMINATE!!!

That might be a scary word for a lot of people. I really hear that word resonating within me more and more.

That JCC is about DOMINATING the Coastal Bend Area with the Gospel of Christ making it the hardest place to go to hell.

It is about making an impact. It is about doing something that not a lot of churches are doing. So many are social clubs filled with people who only care about themselves. So many churches have stagnated because they have forgotten that Jesus has called us to make an impact in the world directly around us.

Are you ready to DOMINATE????

Journey Through Acts (Acts 9)

Read - Acts 9

My Key Verse - Acts 9:15 But the Master said, “Don’t argue. Go! I have picked him as my personal representative to non-Jews and kings and Jews.

My Reflection - How many times have you or I had God tell us something and we gave excuses of why we couldn't?

Here is Ananias arguing with God about Saul. Now, I don't blame him. Saul was the bad guy here. Going and killing Christians. I would have said the same thing. I kind of like how he put. You can't be serious.

Reality check here. God is the one that sees it all. He sees the beginning and ending of it all. He told Ananias to the point, "Don't argue. Go!"

When God has the plan, He is going to make us able to accomplish every task He assigns. We always have millions of excuses but making Him Lord of our lives means obeying when He says GO.

My Prayer - Lord, as you give me direction let me be quick to respond with yes Lord. Give me the courage to do whatever assignments you may have for me.

Journey Through Acts (Acts 8)

Read - Acts 8

My Key Verse - Acts 8:1 That set off a terrific persecution of the church in Jerusalem. The believers were all scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. All, that is, but the apostles.

My Reflection - Oh how we hate persecution. Although we don't feel the full heat of it in America as we feel it around the world, we are ridiculed and our faith is put to test daily in our going around world.

This verse is shows us that the persecution of the church had a positive effect. It is what spread the gospel all over the world. I might believe that if had been easy in Jerusalem the church might be like many churches today, a social club. They may not have ever gotten out of the country.

My Prayer - Lord, as persecution comes let it drive our resolve to spread your message around this world.

Just About Jesus

As I am continuing to filter all that God is pouring into my heart about what Journey Community is to be and represent, some things just seem to be more easy.

Lately I have been reflecting on what our ethos is and should be as an organization. These would be our working values as we set what our work environment is to be about.

Over the years in working on staff and looking at the landscape across the country I have seen an unhealthy environment where everything is about "the pastor".

From, they speak to much from the platform, to how the environment and church are set up to promote them, to how the staff is made to bow down and serve them or else.

Being in these types of environments have driven in me that our church should "Just be about Jesus". Let's get back to the simplicity of things and elevate Him as the Lord. That we are a team striving to serve Jesus. We want to keep our roles in order and realize that this is about Jesus.

I don't want to diminish the role of the Pastor in this. I believe that my role is important in holding JCC to the vision God has laid out for His church in making disciples. I believe that role is to be a guiding force in establishing the teaching of His Word and ensuring that we are saying what He wants to say to the church in the language of our culture. My role is to ensure that the environment is one that is relevant to those whom God is drawing and that we don't get in His way.

BUT in all of that it is going to be about building the Kingdom of God not the kingdom of Jay. I believe there are many pastors who have lost balance of this. That's not to say it is easy or that I won't have to work to keep people's eyes off the pastor. If they are on God and go to Him then JCC will be a church with a healthy spiritual balance.

Let it be JUST ABOUT JESUS.

Journey Through Acts (Acts 7)

Read - Acts 7

My Key Verse - Acts 7:42 God wasn’t at all pleased; but he let them do it their way, worship every new god that came down the pike—and live with the consequences...

My Reflection - Probably one of the greatest things about living a life for God is that it is by choice. Most people think following God is about giving things up. Although that is partly true it is not at all what it is about.

Choice is about love. You can't have true love without choice. As I look at verse 42 here, I see that unique thing. God lets us live with our choices and the consequences that come with them. What is amazing though is that we tend to blame God or want Him to bail us out. I'm not totally sure how it all works but I know that God loves us so much that He walks us through those consequences.

If we simply would look more at His Word and live it out our choices would lead to the abundant living He provides for us.

My Prayer - Lord,help me to make choices based on your Word and hearing from You. Let my life be filled with abundance as I follow you.

The Ultimate Fighter Finale

For those that may not know...I love watching the UFC. If there is a fight on tv I'm going to be watching it. Tonight was the Ultimate Fighter finale.

Overall the card was good. Most of the fights were with guys from the season.

Mac Danzig won his fight against Tommy Speer. Going into the fight I was hoping for a great showing from Tommy but knew this would be a tough fight because Mac is truly on a different level. This was perhaps the most lop-sided fight of the night. Mac won hands down with a rear-naked choke. Mac totally out-classed him. Mac is the champion for this Ultimate Fighter season and wins the six-figure contract in the UFC.

The Main Event was sizzling. It featured Roger "el matador" Huerta vs. Clay "the carpenter" Guida. This fight was high octane, non-stop action from bell one to finish. I don't know many guys in the UFC that can go at the pace these guys fought. I had Clay winning the first two rounds going into the third. In the third round Huerta turned the tide and finished Clay with a rear-naked choke. I was pulling for Clay in this fight.

Best fight of the night in my opinion was the fight with Jon "War Machine" Koppenhaver def. Jared "J-Rock" Rollins. This fight was brutal from the get go, with most of the action on the ground. J-Rock, a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, ended up scoring some brutal elbows to War Machine's head from the bottom in guard. These wear some of the most brutal I've seen from on someone's back. This match was bloody and it looked like J-Rock had the match put out until War Machine swept him from the bottom, mounted him and then knocked him out for the TKO. I was pulling for J-Rock to win this one.

All in all the guys I was pulling for let me down on the night but there was some awesome showings.

What does all this have to do with my blog? Absolutely nothing but something I enjoy. That also has to be the most links I've ever put in a post.

Greatness

Great little thought from a buddy of mine, read "Greatness". Short and Sweet!

Launch Gathering

This coming week we are having our second Launch Gathering for Journey Community Church.

See Event Details

If you live in the Corpus area and are interested in being a part of a team that is going to DOMINATE this area with the Gospel of Christ then join us this Friday from 7 to 9 at our house for our next Launch Gathering.

Come out and hear the vision for Journey Community Church as we seek to make the Coastal Bend Area the hardest place to go to hell.

Myspace Anyone

Got a myspace? I just gave mine a Christmas overhaul.

Go check it out at myspace.com/pastorjcurl

Top Five Message Series

That I Want To Teach Are:

1. Drift
2. Arrested
3. Sabotage
4. Is It In You?
5. Intersect

Would you like to know what they are about?

What Are Your Actions Saying

My wife always has some great thoughts when she writes. Today, she actually picked up that new book I received, unChristian, and read four chapters. Stirred up here thinking so she put some words down for her blog.

Check out What Are Your Actions Saying Part 1

The Leadership DNA of a Pastor

If you are a pastor or ministry leader I wrote a new series at my blog, Making Difference Makers.

Lots of stuff was packed into this series this week. This weeks series called, "The Leadership DNA of a Pastor", was a series devoted to helping a pastor or ministry leader to be more effective.

All week we dug into some leadership principles for a pastor or department head that can help make them more successful.

To read any and all parts here are the links:
Part 1 - Intro
Part 2 - PACESETTER and VISIONARY
Part 3 - DIRECTOR and RECRUITER
Part 4 - COACH and FRIEND
Part 5 - Wrap Up and Resources

Journey Through Acts (Acts 6)

Read - Acts 6

My Key Verse - Acts 6:2-4 So the Twelve called a meeting of the disciples. They said, “It wouldn’t be right for us to abandon our responsibilities for preaching and teaching the Word of God to help with the care of the poor. So, friends, choose seven men from among you whom everyone trusts, men full of the Holy Spirit and good sense, and we’ll assign them this task. Meanwhile, we’ll stick to our assigned tasks of prayer and speaking God’s Word.”

My Reflection - Imagine some pastors today going to say that to their congregation. This is such a valuable word for us today. As the church grew the disciples, now apostles, delegated leadership to others.

This is such a valuable example to us. Praying and teaching the Word of God is a high priority for today's pastor and many of the other tasks and ministry jobs should be filled with people from within the congregation. They had an easy list:

1) Do you trust them?
2) Are they filled with the Holy Spirit?
3) Do they have basic good common sense?

I think often we create barriers to serving in ministry...although some of these barriers sound good, it almost makes it impossible for volunteers.

BUT, when the apostles delegated and the people responded, what was the result? Acts 6:7 The Word of God prospered. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased dramatically.

My Prayer - Lord, help me to have the wisdom to delegate to the right people and the constitution to stay focused on the important task of communicating your Word.

Journey Through Acts (Acts 5)

Read - Acts 5

My Key Verse - Acts 4:38-39 “So I am telling you: Hands off these men! Let them alone. If this program or this work is merely human, it will fall apart, but if it is of God, there is nothing you can do about it—and you better not be found fighting against God!”

My Reflection - What is it that God has laid on your heart to do for Him? Whatever it is He is for you. So often so many people don't do anything for fear that it is not God.

I say go for it. You have a vision for helping teens...go for it. You feel God has laid it on your heart to plant a church...go for it. You feel like starting a home bible study...go for it. I could go on and on.

I'm saying go for it. That is what faith is all about anyway. You can set and let your questioning of whether on not it's of God stall you into doing nothing.

If you see the need and have a passion for it....then go for it. God is the one who lays up those desires on your heart. And know this...God is going to make it happen. He said, "if it's of God, there is nothing you can do about it"

My Prayer - Father kick my faith into overdrive. As I step out help me to be secure in my faith and believe you are going to make it happen. Open the doors ahead of me and bring in all the connections to make it happen.

unChristian

Just got a new book in the mail today. A month or so ago I signed up to receive the book, unChristian: What a New Generation Really Thinks about Christianity... and Why It Matters by David Kinnaman and Gabe Lyons.

I've been looking forward to reading this book, as it presents a very, very revealing picture from the perceptions of 16 to 29 year olds. My hopes are that as we seek to launch Journey Community Church we can be a church that reaches this younger generation and doesn't turn them off.

Here is what it says on the back cover:

Christians are supposed to represent Christ to the world. But according to the latest report card, something has gone terribly wrong. Using descriptions like "hypocritical," "insensitive," and "judgmental," young Americans share an impression of Christians that's nothing short of...unChristian.

Journey Through Acts (Acts 4)

Read - Acts 4

My Key Verse - Acts 4:32 The whole congregation of believers was united as one—one heart, one mind! They didn’t even claim ownership of their own possessions. No one said, “That’s mine; you can’t have it.” They shared everything.

My Reflection - Two reflections off this verse:

1. One word, five power-packed letters: U.N.I.T.Y. This is what made the early church so dangerous and powerful. If a church could get behind the vision as powerfully as the first church did, there would be nothing to stop it.

2. They looked out for others. They used their possessions to help others. They made sure no one was lacking or was in need. Another failure of today's hording and prosperity Americanized Gospel. God gives to us so we can be an extension of Him.

I honestly believe the unity led to them being so self-less in their giving.

I could go on and on about these two points, but what are your thoughts?

My Prayer - Father supply me with the whatever it takes to be a blessing and meet the needs of those around me. Give me creative ideas to give me increase so that I might further your kingdom. Help me stay centered on the vision you have laid out for Your church.

Work Bible Study

I was so excited because this morning I started a weekly bible study before work. One of the teachers and I got together and talked about John 1:1-4 this morning and then prayed over our school.

It is so awesome to be putting many of the things that I have preached over and over into effect in a secular work place. I think it is important that every Christian figure out how they can make an impact at their work place.

1. By Being a Witness - arrive on time, work hard, give extra effort. As you seek to be a witness these are things that matter most to your employer first.
2. By Praying - Praying for your workplace can change the spiritual dynamic. Pray for favor on your co-workers and employers. Remember when you walk on the property...you are bringing God on the scene.
3. By Starting A Bible Study - This is what I did. Before work starts I am now meeting with one teacher once a week to read, talk, and pray for the school.

What are some other ways you can think of that we can impact our work place?

Tree Man

Talk about freaking me out. Check out tree man. His hands and feet look like tree roots growing out of them.

Journey Through Acts (Acts 3)

Read - Acts 3

My Key Verse - Acts 3:6 Peter said, "I don't have a nickel to my name, but what I do have, I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk!"

My Reflection - This is a great example of one of the main dynamics of a Christian's life. Using the gifts that He gives us is one way that we can fulfill bringing the life of Christ to this world.

The big thing is that Peter didn't wait, didn't question or just walk on by. This was a divine interaction in which Peter gave what he had.

It is important that wherever we are we give what we have. Each of us has a unique mix with our strengths, personalities, talents, passions, and attributes. God divinely interacts our lives with others when they or us need it. It is in that moment that we are challenged to give what we have.

My Prayer - Help me to give what I have. To use my spiritual gifts with boldness. Not to hold back in fear. Help me to see around me those that are hurting or need healing and allow me to be used by You.

Should A Church Be "Seeker-Sensitive"?

As we begin to establish Journey Community Church, one of the organizational values is going to be "Oriented To Seekers".

That is a question that is up for debate in a lot of church circles. I'm not sure if I like the term sensitive. Although I think that a church should be sensitive to seekers.

One of the challenges often is with the word "seekers". I believe that there are seekers out there. The way I see it happening is that God draws someone to Him. When He places that drawing tug within them...they are seeking what is going on. No one seeks God on their own.

"Sensitive"....I don't like the word. Maybe that is why my wife always tells me I need to be more sensitive. I'm a guy. I played football and got muddy. I didn't cry. I didn't want to be in touch with my sensitive side. Home Improvement with Tim Allen resonated with me.

For me the term "seeker-oriented" would be a lot better term. As we seek to instill the values and principles that will guide our church, one of those principles will be be an orientation towards seekers. This principle should permeate the atmosphere of our Sunday Morning meetings.

The vision of Jesus' life was to seek and save that which was lost. This should be our main priority, to seek and present the Gospel to those who God is drawing.

Journey Through Acts (Acts 2)

Read - Acts 2

My Key Verse - Acts 2:11 ...“They’re speaking our languages, describing God’s mighty works!”

My Reflection - There is so much written and taught about the Holy Spirit. Whole movements have been based on this. The baptism of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues. I'm not going to get into any of it here. I'm just going to reflect on what I am seeing and hearing God speak through this verse to me.

It is vital that as we seek to build the church that God wants to build that we speak the language of our culture around us. At the time of Pentecost, there were Jews who came from around the world to be in Jerusalem at the time. When the Holy Spirit was poured out, the believers spoke supernaturally the languages of those around. These Jews were amazed and perplexed.

I think when we, led by the Holy Spirit, begin speaking the language of our surrounding culture. It will do the same. They will scratch there heads and say "what does this mean?"

The language of our culture is media. Music, movies, tv, etc...is what drives our culture. When we begin to speak with boldness, as Peter did, through todays media I believe there will be a supernatural response just as happened on day one of the church.

My Prayer - Father as we seek to build your kingdom and the church you want to build, help us to speak the language of the culture around us. Don't let us get so inward focused that we aren't in tune with those who are in our world.

Rider Falls

That has to hurt...just goes to show you...it ain't over 'til it's over!!!!

Annual Lighting Of The Christmas Tree(s)

This weekend was our annual family lighting of the Christmas Tree. Well more like tree's since we have eight. This year we decided to memorialize it on youtube. Here it is!



Then today it came crashing down...all 9' of it.

Churches Hatin On Churches

It's really quite funny when I think about it. I have been in Corpus almost two years now. I have lived within two hours of Corpus all my life in various cities.

During the last ten years Bay Area Fellowship has practically exploded and done something in Corpus that has never been done before. This past year they moved into their new 3,000 seat facility and do three services on Sunday and one on Saturday.

Over those past years I had heard so many rumors and things about Bay Area. I'm not even going to go into all of them. The main things is that they came from churches. These churches were blasting Bay Area.

One of the philosophies I had was don't blast a church especially if you have never been to it. I can tell you this, over the past two months I have been attending there as we are getting settled into the destiny God has for us and during that time it has been so awesome.

BAY AREA FELLOWSHIP is the real deal. The worship is outstanding. The messages are awesome. In fact, just a month ago I heard God speak in so many ways to me through the message Pastor Bil spoke. God hadn't done that for me in many, many years. It was like the whole message was just for me.

Two or three weeks ago, Pastor Bil spoke on repentance in probably the best way I had ever heard someone preach on it. Today, he was hitting the hard issues. There is no fluff there my friends.

All I can say is my charismatic/pentecostal friends that are running down Bay Area and any other church. You need to step down and repent. God is using these churches in a big way. It may not fit your style of ministry or your core beliefs but I can tell you this, IT IS GOD!!!!!!!!!!!

Bogus Championship Series

This is the most absolute craziest college football season every.

Can everybody say with me? PLAYOFF SYSTEM

In my opinion none of these teams should even have a shot at the national title. NONE!!!

Take out your favorite team. Sure you might be happy they are there and are playing for it. But none of them deserve the BCS title.

It is more like the BOGUS CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES.

I hate it. It is ruining college football. PLAYOFF SYSTEM. It's time.

Journey Through Acts (Acts 1)

Read - Acts 1

My Key Verse - Acts 1:7 He told them, “You don’t get to know the time. Timing is the Father’s business.

My Reflection - It always seems like God doesn't move on our time. Me? I always want it right now. If I'm hungry and I need to it, I head over to my favorite fast food spot and get it right then. If I'm thristy, I hit the convenience store and get something. Only problem is, when it comes to God...He doesn't move on my time.

I'm in a financial problem, where's God? I need healing, where's God?

I'll tell you where He always is, right on time. God transcends time and space. He sees what we need and when we will need it. Not only that, but He sees even further up the road. Only thing about all this is that it's not the time I want Him. I always think that God moves on His time and that time usually stretches me. It stretches my faith and trust in Him. Over the past few months I truly don't know how we have made it. I only know that God has been there at the right time and with exactly what we need.

My Prayer - Help me to be patient...help my faith to stay strong. When I'm under the gun and I need it right then, help me to have the faith that I need.

A Vision For Journey Community

Tonight we had our first launch meeting with several friends in which we laid the foundation of the vision for Journey Community Church (JCC). It felt so awesome sharing with some of my closest and best friends.

God is up to something great and I personally want to be a small part of the big something He is doing. JCC is a church that is about:

• GATHERING weekly to connect people far from God to the life of Christ
• GROWING them to be disciples through small groups
• Teaching them to GIVE their time, talents, and treasure to make an impact in this world.

Feel free to read what I talked about in a document called A Vision For Journey Community.

Our desire is just to be used by God to make a difference in our world. Stay tuned for more updates. Our next launch gathering will be Friday, December 14th. For details send me an email.

Launch Gathering

Tonight is the night of our first launch gathering. What is that?

It is a gathering of people who want to hear about the vision and mission we are laying out for Journey Community Church. I really believe that Jesus has already laid out the vision for our church. It really is one every church should be following. You can read it in Matthew 28 and

I am also going to be looking at the first few chapters of the Book of Acts. Basically, I'll be asking the question What If?

What if what happened in the book of Acts...happened here in the Coastal Bend.

If you live in or near Corpus and want to come, leave me a comment with your email address and I'll get you directions.

Journey Community Myspace

I made an overhaul of our Journey Community Myspace site. New look as it was finally reloaded. It is not completely finished though.

I have been thinking of doing some side work for churches who would like to develop social networking sites. If you are interested in me doing totally personalized to your church myspace/facebook sites, please give me a holler at pastorjcurl@gmail.com.

Coming soon to myspace will be a Making Difference Makers site. Can't wait for that one.

21 Day Journal Challenge Wrap Up

I finished up my 21 day challenge where I read through the book of John one chapter per day.

You can read about why I started it in my post Journaling As A Spiritual Discipline.

I also posted my top take-aways from the challenge in a post called Lessons Learned From The 21 Day Challenge.

I'm starting a new challenge in December. I would encourage you possible take up this as a discipline in your life. Make sure you read the posts.

Unforgiveness

Can't say this was a biblical thought but it popped out anyway. My wife and I were walking though Wal-mart talking about forgiveness and unforgiveness when all of the sudden I said.

"You aren't worth my unforgiveness."

Course I didn't tell her that...we were talking about a situation we went through and that was what my response would have been to them. It just kind of popped out. We laughed hard at that one.

How do you deal with unforgiveness?

Purpose

I love this quote from Agent Smith in The Matrix Reloaded. It is one of my top movie quotes of all time.

Church Mentoring

Got some great advice from Tadd today that is going to be a huge help. As a church planter or pastor it is important to look for mentors.

I hear all the time from guys..."I'm must gonna pray and only listen to God." Although I think that is the most important thing we should do, it is not the only thing we should do. I would have to say that it is not using the wisdom or even sound biblical principles God has laid out for us.

Paul had a mentor and mentored someone. Proverbs lays it out clear that plans are established in a multitude of counselors. There is some wisdom to be learned in partnering with others and gleeming from their experience.

You can cut your learning curve tremendously. I'm not saying you need to copy cat. I'm saying that people who have been where you are going can help you get where you want to go.