Eric Taylor

Mad Money

This weekend we begin a brand new series called "Mad Money".  I believe this could be one of the best series that we've ever done at Journey.  I believe that because I've talked with couples and individuals over the past year or so and many of them point to money as the biggest producer of stress in their lives.  It affects their marriage, their relationship with their kids, with friends.  It even affects their spiritual lives.  I've seen over the past few months, as worries about the economy are growing, people are allowing their money and economic stress to drive their lives... we want to help.  So we're giving everyone $1000 this Sunday (just kidding, but it made you perk up didn't it?)  We are doing some very practical things to help you experience financial freedom and help you develop a plan for financial relief.  Casey Graham, President of ReThink Money, is going to be with us this weekend to kick off the series.  Casey is a dynamic communicator and passionate about helping change people's lives "one dollar at a time".  Casey says that we can't experience spiritual freedom until we experience financial freedom and that's what we want to help you do... experience the amazing freedom in Christ without the shackles of money woes and financial pressures looming over you all the time.  For 3 weeks we'll help you get a grip financially and on Saturday, May 10th from 8am - noon, Casey will come back to do a ReThink Money Class.  It's 4 hours that will change your life financially and spiritually.  The cost of the event is $45/couples and $25/singles.  You can register at church this Sunday or by emailing us at info@journeytogether.net.   This is a great opportunity to invite your friends to Journey... they may not be ready to come to church on a Sunday yet, but I'll bet if they can find out how to get their money straight and kill the stress in their lives caused by it, they'd be interested.    I believe God is going to do some amazing things in YOUR life during this series.   

Crock Pot Sermons

This week we finish up our series called "Conversations with God".  The last 2 weeks have been awesome.  God has stretched us and challenged us and I can't wait to see what He does this week.  With that said, I'll have to admit to you that my prep for this week has been different.  Instead of hammering out 90% of the message by Wednesday, I've got about 10% done.  This can be frustrating to me because it throws off my rhythm... but here's the cool thing...  We're talking about listening to God... and God is stretching me to listen a lot before I write one outline, one paragraph.  It's like putting something in the crock pot... it takes a lot longer than a microwave meal... but you know that it's going to be good!  That's what God is doing in me right now... He's allowing the message to simmer in me and after a while it will come together.  There are times when I hate when God does this... because it messes with my iCal schedule...but on the other side I always look back and say... "Thanks God for teaching me".  As I'm trying to prepare a lesson on Listening to God... He's doing it again...making me slow down...stop... and listen and know that He is God. 

Weekend Preview

I have to CONFESS something to you... I was a bit concerned how this message series we're in called "CONFESSIONS OF A PASTOR"  would be received... But God has shown up in powerful ways and is doing some RADICAL stuff in people's lives.  For the first time or the first time in a long time, people are confessing things to God and to others and I'm seeing healing and blessing happening in our church.   There is a sense of excitement and anticipation about what God's up to and you've been bringing your friends (keep it up!) and they're even excited about what's happening at Journey... I'm telling you to get ready because God's about to blow the doors off! 

I'm sitting at one of my "offices" at Panera Bread Company preparing for this weekend and I thought I'd give you a sneak peek into this week's message.  Here's my confession:  I struggle with liking a LOT of Christians.  I mean, a there are a LOT of Christians who get on my nerves.  Now, that may offend some of you, that may make some of you mad... you'll just have to come this weekend and find out what I mean.  Others of you may say... "yeah, I'm with you... I can't stand a lot of Christians"... you'll have to come this weekend too and find out what we can do about it... Bring a friend that may be turned off from church and I promise they'll have a great time.  See you Sunday.

Remember when...

I'm so ready for this weekend to get here.  I can't wait to begin our new series called REMEMBER.  We ripped off ideas from several churches... Granger, LifeChurch, Northpoint and Elevation and created a series that deals with some ancient practices like Communion, Baptism and Fasting that, frankly, are often misunderstood.  We're going to look at each of these practices and remember and rediscover the beauty and significance of each.  I will warn you though... don't expect some religious ritual stuff... The next 3 weeks could be the most spiritually significant time of your life.  Whether you've been a Christ Follower for a long, long time, or you've just recently gone public with your faith, or even if you're still exploring Christianity, this series has something for you.  I believe we will see God move in a big way in our church during the next few weeks.  So, get ready... make sure you clear your calendar... you don't want to miss it... and plan to bring a friend with you.  If you think this series is just for Christ Followers you will miss an opportunity to help someone who is disconnected from God and the Church to discover and begin to understand some of the weird stuff we do at church.  I hope you'll talk it up around your office, your classes, your neighborhood and let's fill the place up and watch God do something amazing!

Gotta Serve Somebody

Today I had a great time at church.  Even though my voice started going away halfway through, this may have been one of my favorite messages ever.  I love Philippians, especially Chapter 2!  If you weren't there you missed it!  Email me or send a comment my way and I'll send  you the MP3 of the message.  The challenge was to reflect the character and attitude of Jesus by being Humble Servants.  To help put feet to our faith  we gave everyone "Bright Idea" cards and we challenged everyone to serve 3 people this week and give them the 3 cards that came with the Bright Idea cards.   I believe all over Auburn this week people's lives will be impacted because YOU are willing to serve someone!

I want to hear your stories.  Post a comment and let me know the details:  what did you do to serve someone, where you were and what impact did it have on you and others.

Our Worship Rocks!

This past weekend our band really rocked!  In fact, I would go as far as to say it was one of the best times of worship I've experienced since we launched last August.  What made the difference?  Was it the specific set list they did?  Was it the musicians and vocalists on stage?  Yes and No.  Yes, we have some incredible musicians and vocalists... in fact, I would put them up against anybody.  I love our worship team.  I don't think it was just the songs we sang.  (You can take a look at the set list from Sunday here.)  I think it was the fact that the Spirit was thick in the worship room on Sunday.  Several people came up to me and told me it was the best worship time they've experienced in a while.  That happens when God moves in the place and connects His spirit with our spirit--and it Completely Rocks!  So, special props go out to the band this week-- Zach, Nathan, Joel, Ellen and Zack... you guys were awesome this week... But not for how great you played...but how you pointed us to Jesus and set the atmosphere for  His Spirit to move in the place!