Journey Church

We have a family in need of a few items, and are wondering if anyone in our church has gently used pieces they aren't using any more and would be willing to donate: - A bunk bed - A twin or double bed - A couch... Message us if you have any of these things, thank you Journey!! You are the absolute best! See you tomorrow!! See more

We will be highlighting different outreach areas that Journey Church supports! This month we look at our Missionaries, there are 5 families all across the world that we financially and prayerfully support. These families are embedded in their communities, establishing churches and making Jesus’ love known. When you give to Journey, you are helping to support these missionaries as they do incredible, necessary, and urgent work! Thank you Journey, for your generosity, it is changing lives!

Join us tomorrow, in person or online, for our new series: What the World Needs Now. One Family service time: 10:30am! Message us with any questions you may have! See you there Journey!

Thank you church for all your help and loving comments for the Abeln family! Our meal train has been filled. If there is another need for them that arises we will let you know! Thank you Journey!

Journey is reopening for in person services THIS SUNDAY with new service times. We will be having one Family Sunday Service at 10:30am! We hope to see you at our socially distanced, in person services or online if you need to continue worshipping from home. Our JKids classes will be opening in phases. In the coming weeks kids will be sitting with their families in the main services. Can’t wait to see you Sunday, church!

These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. John 16.33 I feel like when I pray for peace I imagine it being this bucket of water poured out on a fire to put it out. When I pray that God would give me peace, I expect to feel different, to be ok, to not be anxious, and above all else I expect for my issue to be close to non existent. Like I have magically developed a... tolerance for something that moments before had crippled me. But this verse doesn’t line up with that theology. Where I am asking for God to take me out of my restless situation, He reaches out and says: peace is found IN Me. Peace is an invitation to abiding IN Me. Peace is not given, it is found...IN HIM. When we find ourselves lacking Peace, it is a direct reflection of us distancing from Him. In Him there is peace. In Him there is joy. In Him there is fullness of life. He overcame everything so that you didn’t have to fight through it alone. If you’re looking for Peace...it looks a whole lot like Jesus, so ask for more of Him! Day 7...one whole week, let’s walk in Peace! See more

And he said to all, If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. Luke 9.23-24 I have a friend that I pray fervently for everyday...I pray everyday that he would not allow that little red alert number to continue to accumulate on his unread texts...we’re not talking about 2,3,10 unread texts...I’ve seen 215...and when I asked h...im WHY?! He said: I’ll get to them when I can...WHAT?!?!? Well, because of this TERRIBLE BAD HABIT, he missed a few things: announcements from friends about big events, my nagging texts to make sure he picks me up on time at the airport(which he never has...not once), and countless other small day to day information. We can laugh at this example, but I realize more and more how much that is a picture of me with God. How many conversations have I left God hanging when he called...only to find out later that it was not just something He wanted me to do, but something He had FOR me. When I live in a mentality of I’ll get to it when I can...I miss out on the now, and His now always has exactly what I need. My prayer always is: God lead me...but what I really mean sometimes is: IF I’m in the mood, then I’ll respond, or IF I’m ready I’ll do it...think of this fast...did you start? Did you commit to it? Did you find every excuse in the book so you couldn’t do it? Did you start it off by saying: I’ll try next year? He has set up an appt. with us...are we going to meet Him now...or wait for when it’s convenient for us? Let’s take this 21 days to lean into the heartbeat of heaven, and not miss another word He may have for us. See more

Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. Matthew 6: 34 If everyday was like a brand new relationship, how many times would you say you cheat on today thinking and worrying about tomorrow? How many today’s(that are limited to only 24 hrs) have you been caught up in what will happen tomorrow? How many today’s have you neglected to spend time mapping out your tomorrow? I worry about the weir...dest things. I worry about people not making the right decisions. I worry about if people will remember things they need to remember. I worry about people spending money they don’t have. But if you take a look at my hair...no gray hairs. I think it’s because I’m so nosy and busy worrying about everyone else that I don’t think about my own issues...which can make me an unhealthy avoider(but we’ll leave that devo/therapy session for another day) worrying is something, I think I can safely say, everyone deals with in some way shape or form, at some point in their lives. I love this verse in Matthew that Jesus says. Tomorrow will worry about itself...it’s like when the oldest child inevitably has this grown up gene where they assume the parental role and lord over their younger siblings in telling them what to do(I am an eldest child...I know this well), and mom’s you have to intervene and say: hey, I’ll be the mom today, how about you take the day off? In the same way our creator, probably chuckles when he sees us stressing over tomorrow...because we have no control over it. Worrying about things never adds a second of life to your life! So when you start worrying about all the what if’s or yikes moments of tomorrow, listen for God to say: hey, I’ll be God today, how about you take a break. And then actually take the break...day 6 church...don’t worry! See more

But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. Jeremiah 17:7 My middle name should be Micro-Manager. I LOVE making people think that they are doing a lot of work, but I’ve actually taken it back and done most of the work for them...you see I’m like a sneak attack micro manager. I don’t lord over people, I don’t nit pick things they do...instead I’m like a parent who will tell their child: you bake the cookies they will be great...! And then when they have put their inedible pastries in the oven, and aren’t looking...I switch it for the perfect batch I’ve pre-made...making them feel like they are on top of the world, while simultaneously preventing everyone from food poisoning that would be inevitable from their baked goods. The problem with being a micro manager in most areas of my life...actually means I am a micro manager in EVERY area of my life. So yes...I like to micro manage my relationship with Jesus. I live in this constant dance with God, where I say: I surrender control, you take it...then I find ways of grabbing the very thing I just laid down in his hands. I will use the excuse of: it’s not that big of a deal Jesus, I can take care of this one...but the truth is the complete opposite: this IS a big deal. It means a lot to me...and I don’t know that I trust that you would care about this as much as I do. The biggest problem with this is that I set myself up for more distrust in him, because I never give him the opportunity to show me he cares. What areas have you stolen opportunities for God to show up? Let’s take some time today, and step away from micro managing our relationship with him...scripture tells us to cast all our cares on him...cuz he cares for us. He’ll catch the cares, the stress, the issues, because he cares so deeply for us...we just have to give him a chance. Day 4, start chuckin those cares, church. See more

The Elmore baby is here! Let’s make life a little easier for mama and papa! Feel free to sign up for a day to bring a meal! Thank you Journey! https://www.mealtrain.com/trains/wk7dkw

Join us this Christmas Eve from our living room to yours! We will have an online experience filled with a Christmas message, carols, fireplaces, family, and more! The festivities start at 5pm Thursday, Dec. 24th! See you there Journey!

What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us... AW Tozer I love and hate this quote. At first glance it will make you Yelp out an Amen...but when you sit with it, when I sat with it, it revealed so much that I was not willing to admit. When I really sat with that question: what do you think about God? Initially it was: he’s the best, he’s my lifeline, he’s my everything...but then after I said all the Sunday school answers I began ...to realize what I really thought: that He withholds things from me, that He’s good to everyone else but sometimes I feel like my life’s a joke to him, I’m his henchman(yes...awful right?) here to do whatever he wants me to do. Yuck. I hated realizing that this is what I thought about the God who gave me breath...then I began to realize, this is why I struggle with control, always needing to have it, because I didn’t trust that God was in control of my life in a way that was FOR me. As much as I hate admitting all of that, it was only in that place of reflection and self awareness that I was able to start relearning some things. In my moment of disgust, God knelt down, wiped my tears and said: now let’s see who I really am. Our whole life we just want to know who we are? What type of person we are, what is good about us? What if the only way to truly know that, is to find out who He is? In these next few weeks, you will learn ALOT about what you are capable of doing, what you focus on too much, and even where your affections lie...but the most important thing you have the opportunity to learn is: who He is. How much He loves and thinks about you. How much He is for you. Day 3, what do YOU think about God... See more

Join us this Sunday, online, for our new series! Just in time for the Holiday season! Grab some hot cocoa and a blanket, this Sunday 9 & 10.30am! See you there Journey!

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 2 Corinthians 5.7 2020 will not soon be forgotten. Like an embarrassing moment, when recalled makes your stomach drop, there is a physical feeling we get when 2020 is mentioned. Now I know my positivity people want to remember the good that came with last year(I am those people, so I know) but can we take a moment to think of the things we are leaving in 2020. The bad habits, the... worry, the fear, the pain...you see I have this tendency of avoiding the bad, just don’t look at it and it will be fine...for instance, there is this beauty mark that came out of nowhere on my toenail. My mom keeps telling me I need to go get it checked, so what did I do? Painted my nails. Duh. If I don’t see it, it’s not harmful! Well...that’s NOT how it works. In order to know if it is something bad, I need to intentionally get it checked and possibly remove it(in Jesus name that will not happen). But this is how we are...with our bad habits, with our fears, with our worry...if we don’t talk about it, maybe it will just go away. It doesn’t tho. It sticks around...and sometimes it grows. So today make some space. Give yourself some time to think back on the things you discovered about you that you did not like...how are you going to actively surrender that, so that you don’t take it with the new you. Let’s be intentional in leaving the past behind us, and stepping into all the new God has for us. See more

One more sleep! It’s almost time for our Family Halloween Party! See you tomorrow! 6pm!

...and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness. Romans 6.18 Here’s another version: But offer yourselves to the ways of God and the freedom never quits. All your lives you’ve let sin tell you what to do.(msg) I sometimes forget this verse exists. My rule following ways overtake my heart and my relationship with God becomes this machine, that I do good, in hopes that I’ll live a good life. Go to church, check. Read my Bible, check. I don’t know ...that I would ever describe it as freedom never quitting...but then who’s fault is that? If God is Holy and righteous, and cannot be anything but who he is...He is true to His character, and the Word says that to be free from sin is to be a slave to righteousness, a place where freedom never quits...have I embraced that freedom? Or am I too focused on doing everything right so I get the right outcome...that is what sin has trained me to do: do something for momentary satisfaction. If I do this, this will happen. If I give this, I will receive this...sin is the bartering system I’ve been enslaved to, but in Christ I’m given a new set of rules: Make Him first in every area of my life...and I’m free to be the best version of myself, I’m able to tap into unconditional love, and peace, and joy...I’m in HIS care, not my own. But instead I choose to lock myself in a room, all the while there is a whole field that is mine for the taking, to run in, to enjoy, to rest in...this is why we fast. To get out of the patterns we’ve been enslaved to...and get in sync with the rhythm of His grace. Day 2 can sometimes be the hardest, but don’t give up...there is so much more He wants to show us! See more

The highlight of our 2020 year...One. Full. Hour. Added. Don’t forget this Sunday, Nov. 1st is Daylight Savings. Stay in bed an hour more...and eat an extra doughnut, because...why wouldn’t you?!

You are invited to a Family Halloween Party on Friday, October 30th at 6P. We will be having a drive in movie themed night featuring a family friendly Halloween movie, a concession stand dinner, costume contest, photo booth, and trick or treat gift bags. In addition to the costume contest, kids are welcome to build a car out of a cardboard box or whatever supplies you may have on hand to watch the movie in. We need to reserve a venue that will allow us to have space to soc...ially distance. If you think you might be able to make it, please comment with number of adults and kids. I’ll be sure to get back to you with a location. Have a great day!

Our Ladies’ Bible Study will be kicking off its 6 week study Tuesday, Sept. 29th at 8pm via Zoom! If you are interested in joining please DM us so we can get you on the email list! Can’t wait!

Join us this Tuesday at 6.30pm for a night of prayer! Masks and social distancing practiced. See you all Tuesday!

CHRISTMAS CHILL INFORMATION: This year EVERYTHING has been different, but different DOESN’T mean cancelled! We are planning our annual Foster Teen Christmas Event. The details are not ready just yet, but we know we will be in need of help. There are roles that will not require you to have to interact directly with people, so social distancing can be exercised WHILE HELPING! If you are interested in helping at any capacity, please DM us here or on our facebook! We will be organizing volunteers as the months progress, but we wanted to remind you: this will still happen! Join us, as we put aside all this year has bombarded us with, and focus on loving and supporting the foster youths of our valley! Make sure to leave us your info so we can get in contact with you! Thanks Journey!

Who can we look across the aisle today to love with compassion and place a kingdom value on? Being the church, means that we look different to the world, loving people with an unconditional love. Today’s mission: apply the golden rule to every person we encounter and let our compassion for people be evident in the overflow of our words and actions.

Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me-watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythm of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or Ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly. Matt. 11.28-30 Have you ever tried to make your body do something that it’s not used to doing? One of my favorite pass-times is t...aking Zumba classes. Not only because it’s a great workout & fun to dance, but my guilty pleasure is people watching. Specifically the people who are not used to dancing...their bodies can lock up when told to do something. It’s like they start overthinking everything they are doing, start looking intensely at the instructors legs, then to theirs, then to their neighbors with this look of: wait, does YOUR body do that?!? They tense up, taking all the fun out of the actual dance, & probably leave the class with a stress headache. As they walk out our instructor will smile and say: next time, just let the rhythm move YOU! They nod, probably vowing never to do THAT again. I do this in my life, when it comes to Jesus. I sit, I listen, I spend time with Him, & then when I realize I’m not doing the right move I stress out. I try & force myself to move like others do. For goodness sakes, if everyone else can do it why on earth can’t I?!? I feel like I just can’t get this living in grace move down. I feel like I’m missing the mark often...& somehow everyone else got the instructions & I missed them...then I read the verse in Matthew. I’m gently reminded to join him in the UNFORCED rhythms of grace. That just like that Zumba instructor, God wants me to let the grace move me. Let His rhythm move me. Can you relate..like you can’t quite get the moves down of our instructor Jesus. It feels forced & seems to be easier for others. In those moments stop & reflect on what Jesus is saying here. Listen for HIS rhythm of grace, this is meant to be enjoyed, life to the FULLEST! Not filled with stress headaches from doing it wrong or not doing remember He’s the one calling out: Let the rhythm move you! See more

Maybe the one thing you CAN control in a world that’s OUT of control...is in you. - Dave How good(and convicting) was church today?!? Focusing on our external more so than focusing on our internal? (GUILTY AS CHARGED) In a time when we are searching for places in our life we can have some sort of control, let’s begin to dig deep into the corners of our HEART, allowing God to expose what HE wants to change and heal and restore in us!

Now we look inside, & what we see is that anyone united with the Messiah gets a fresh start, is created new. The old life is gone; a new life burgeons! Look at it! 2 Corinthians 5:17 MSG I tore my Achilles 2 years ago this May...nothing super athletic or impressive, just your average 35year old mosh pitting with a bunch of teenagers at a youth convention. I was TERRIFIED. I think I asked my doctor every appointment what the stats were on people dying on the surgery table fo...r an Achilles surgery. He would never even respond, instead he’d chuckle(how dare he...my life was on the line). Lucky for him, I pulled through my surgery. The second day of recovery at home I placed my weight improperly on my scooter, & fell...ON MY BAD FOOT! Instantly I screamed, my dad picked me up & placed me on my bed asking what hurt. I was a mess of tears yelling, I can’t do this again, I can’t go through all of this again! In 5 min. I was on my phone in tears telling my Dr. the sob story & apologizing for possibly re-tearing my Achilles. Once I settled down, he only responded with one thing: I know how well I sewed your foot...you are fine. Let it heal until it’s time to check in on it, let your body do what it does naturally. Honestly if there is ever a physical manifestation of my relationship with Jesus...it’s in my Dr./patient relationship. Healing is a process, & all we want to know is: what is the risk? I need a guarantee. I need to know I’m not going to just die when you take me through this. Jesus just chuckles. He doesn’t even give us the satisfaction of an answer. Then as we go through healing, we stumble, we do something we know will hinder growth, but this time we are so much more aware it’s wrong we kinda catch ourselves...but it’s not enough. We slipped. We fell. In our minds that will only bring damage BACK. Then we sit there & apologize & want to bring up how terrible we are for ruining this new thing. So what is our healer’s response? Reprimand? Disgust with our lack of self control?Disappointment? No. I know how well I healed you. I know how strong my healing is. Let your new creation of a spirit do what it knows to do.He makes the focus on HIS work, on HIS strength, on HIS healing. Not my faults. Not my stupidity. And not my damage...today I’m going to celebrate my healing. Celebrate where He’s taken me from. And the more I look at Him and how good He’s been to me, the less time I have to look at me and nitpick my faults. We are a new creation, the old is gone, let’s celebrate the new! See more

You are amazing Journey! With your generous hearts and donations we were able to bless DCFS and iLead with school supplies! Thank you for always having the biggest hearts in the AV! We love you Journey!!!

JOIN US!! WE NEED TO SEE YOUR FACES! Swing by THIS SUNDAY 5-6pm in our main parking lot we will have little gifts for your students AND parents/teachers. Don’t forget your smile! We’ve got a photobooth for you to take a quick back to school pic with! Please wear masks! Can’t wait to see you all!! Invite your friends too! Everyone’s having to adjust to distance learning, we want to give you a little YOU’VE GOT THIS gift!

Kind words heal and help; cutting words wound and maim. Proverbs 15.4 MSG I’ve taken up gardening during quarantine. Plants have taken over my house & are now producing the most amazing oxygen for me to breathe. Right outside my backdoor is a vegetable garden happily sprouting a harvest for me! When I take up any new endeavor I become immersed(some would say obsessed) with wanting to do it well, so I read, I watch, & talk to people who are in this same world of gardening.... Plants can be a bit of a fickle thing, a bit moody & emotional(like me, which is why I think I can relate to them so well). They can be droopy & mopey, then give them some water & they perk right up. Some need more humidity, so like any good mom I plop a humidifier in their room at night. Some don’t want a lot of light while others crave it. I work hard at accommodating to the needs of my plants. Making them thrive, not just survive. Taking the extra time to inspect them & see if there is anything I can do to make their growing season(now) most impactful & when something doesn’t look right I start researching what could be wrong & what I can do to help heal them. There are very easy steps to helping out a plant: 1) detect what the problem is; overwatering,under watering, too much sunlight, not enough sunlight, bugs, root rot, etc. 2) change the behavior that is creating the outcome & lastly 3) treat it nicely... As I navigate a few healing moments with my plants I have felt God ask me: do you do the same for you? Do you check in to see how your growth is? Do you care for yourself by examining all the parts of you? when you find something not right...do you change the behavior that is creating this outcome? And lastly...do you treat yourself nicely? Do you speak life over yourself? Or are your words cutting deeper into rotting areas that need healing? I have to say, I was not impressed by my response to these questions. This time in quarantine is a gift. A space in all of history where things have slowed down to a pace where we can examine our own self, so take some time today, ask these questions the Lord asks of all of us...let’s start making space for growth, for healing, for life. See more