Reflections on the Journey

God is Our Father - One Prayer Part 3

We pray to Jesus asking Him to answer our prayers - what if we became the answer to His? In John 17:20-24, He prayed that we would be one, and One Prayer is an opportunity to see what can be accomplished when the Church works together.

In June 2008, God worked in amazing ways as more than two million believers stood together to pray, fast, learn, and love others. This year, we'll be joining forces once again for an extraordinary worldwide experience: One Prayer 2009. Beginning the first weekend in June, we'll come together for four weeks as we learn more about our Creator and go out into the world to share, serve and give.


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One Prayer Part 2

We pray to Jesus asking Him to answer our prayers - what if we became the answer to His? In John 17:20-24, He prayed that we would be one, and One Prayer is an opportunity to see what can be accomplished when the Church works together.

In June 2008, God worked in amazing ways as more than two million believers stood together to pray, fast, learn, and love others. This year, we'll be joining forces once again for an extraordinary worldwide experience: One Prayer 2009. Beginning the first weekend in June, we'll come together for four weeks as we learn more about our Creator and go out into the world to share, serve and give.


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Summer Jam Youth Concert Event - Tonight

Come live or watch us online @ journeynext.org

One Prayer for Our Family

Earlier in the week I sent out a tweet asking – What’s your one Prayer?

That One Prayer for the Jaffe’s would have to be for our family.

It would be hard to tell our story without mentioning the painful consequences of being in the throws of addiction, or the great joy of recovery. It’s played a huge part in our life and it at times has taken a huge toll on our lives.

As a Pastors Family there is no doubt that everybody is watching us and we have tried to live our lives with a huge level of transparency. Pastors families are in no way exempt from the challenges others face in life. In fact, the devil wants to do all he can to bring pastors families down. We have personally made it a habit to let people know that we have been through many of the same challenges they have been faced with and have come out not just surveying, but thriving.

As I look back at my life my struggle of addiction occurred from the age of 13 to 26. Thirteen years of using. This year I am celebrating 13 years of recovery. Many people on my side of the family suffer from the same challenges I did. Mary Jo’s family was not exempt either. There is no doubt her dad’s early passing had a lot to do with the role alcohol played in his life. We miss Francis dearly.

The past 2 years have not been easy for us as we have watched some of our children suffer from and experience the consequences of active addiction. There have been many tear filled nights, court appearances, even a few arguments as we have attempted to deal with the stresses and pains that result from loving people who are making really poor choices that affect not only today, but could impact their future. 

These types of struggles affect everyone in the house and everyone who loves us. Mary Jo and I have leaned on each other and other trusted advisors and are happy to be a united front in seeking to help our children against the attacks of the enemy. We have done everything the “Books” tell you how to do to parent our children in the best way possible but I guess not everything is written in the books. ☺ Luckily the Big Book – “The Bible” will not fail us! We realize that the devil may get minor victories from time to time but Christ will win the war and we will too.

We read verses like Hebrews 4:15 “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are–yet was without sin.“ and come away encouraged that God is on our side and that we have great friends, and a great church, that loves us and holds us in our prayers. 

We remain excited about the ministry God has for us and we remain confident that God has great plans for our children and our “One Prayer” would be that you remember our family in your prayers. That you know that we are not perfect, but that you know that we care much, we give much, we serve much, and we love much and that we have an incredible amount of faith in the power of our God to transform lives and turn around for good what the enemy has planned for evil.

As I close, I want to share one final thing with you. 

This week our son Matthew made what we believe is an incredible decision. He chose to move to Tallahassee to attend Teen Challenge. A residential faith based recovery program that has helped many people be delivered from addiction. Pray for his success. Pray that God touches him in a huge way. We know that our “Chewy” has a great call of God on his life and we look forward to watching him fulfill it.

If you would like to write him you can do so at:

Matthew Jaffe
Teen Challenge
4141 Apalachee Parkway 
Tallahassee, Florida 32311

Thank you all for your “One Prayer” for our family – and stay tuned for the incredible stories of victory that are going to be coming in the future!

Journey Next Transitions

Last night at Journey Next we announced that Matt Andrews has resigned his position as Journey Church's Youth Pastor. We want it to be known that we love Matt dearly and are excited for him as he looks forward to the next stages of his life, work, and future ministry. The work he did at Journey was simply amazing. When he arrived the youth group had about 20 people and no real direction. He and the youth leadership team did an amazing job of creating a vibrant life giving ministry in which many young people gave their life to the Lord. We are saddened by his departure, but are excited knowing that God has great things in store for Journey Next and for whomeever will be the next leader. Right now there is much to be confident about. We have an incredible group of youth leaders like Caine, Jim Reynolds, Jen, Heather, the simmons family, the garner family and more. All plan on rallying around the young people to contiue to build on the great foundation that has already been laid. Additonally, we have engaged Saul Altimirano who is one of North Florida's most highly respected youth leaders to assist us with the transition. Saul has worked for Teen Mania, has been instrumental in his work with Youth Quake Live, and has a great deall of leadership to lend to the transition process. He will be joining with us weekly on Thursdays to work with the team and facilitate great on going ministry as we seek out a permanent future leader for the ministry. If anyone has any questions, feel free to contact me directly 904.483.6881 - I would be more than happy to speak with you about the matter. As a side note - a poll was placed on Facebook to vote for the next youth leader. We have asked that the poll be removed, the search for the next youth leader is not an American Idol voting contest. :) But rather something that we all should be prayerfully considering, and seeking God on. Right now our youth group has about 75 young people in average weekly attendance. in Clay County Schools alone there are some 18,000 JR and Sr High kids. We are believing God for the day that Journey's youth group has 750 or more young people on fire and serving our God and King. Lord Bring us the leader whom you have chosen, and pre-ordained for such a time as this!

One Another Part 3 - Pastor John Wagner

Jesus said "Your love for One Another will prove to the world that you
are my disciples.” John 13:35.

At JourneyChurch.org, the focus for the next few weeks will be on
others. How can we love others with an even greater love, just as
Christ loved the Church? It's not enough to say the words. Jesus wants
us to live it out by, caring, helping, and reaching toward each other
through the good and bad times. The love level our of fellowship is
always in need of being raised up and this series will inspire you to
do that as we walk out our Faith in Christ together.

Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest
of these is love.

1 Corinthians 13:13


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Summer Jam Youth Concert Event - June 11th and 12th

Remember to mark your calendars for this awesome upcoming journeynext.org event.

Are you Crazy in Love with Christ?

Over the course of January, the staff and key leaders of Journey Church will be reading the book Crazy Love together as our small group. I think there may even be another small group on the topic in the Oakleaf area over the summer as well. Wanted to encourage you to read the book and join in with us. I will be doing a series of blog posts on the topic and would love to see everyones topics. The book has a powerful opening - "We all knew there was something wrong!" and continues on by looking at some of the HOLES in our faith. But Francis Chan does it in such a way that its not so much of a look at whats wrong, but rather what is right with God. The book challenges your thoughts about God, who He is, and how we relate to Him. I promise you it will expand your faith and love for God and challenge you to live your Christian life at a deeper level. Grab the book at a local bookstore or online - Author = Francis Chan - "Crazy Love"

One Another Part 2

Jesus said "Your love for One Another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” John 13:35.

At JourneyChurch.org, the focus for the next few weeks will be on others. How can we love others with an even greater love, just as Christ loved the Church? It's not enough to say the words. Jesus wants us to live it out by, caring, helping, and reaching toward each other through the good and bad times. The love level our of fellowship is always in need of being raised up and this series will inspire you to do that as we walk out our Faith in Christ together.

Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.

1 Corinthians 13:13


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A number of incredible moments to highlight this past weekend

So many unexpected moments this past birthday weekend..  wow

 

Memorial weekend – usually one of those weekends you just skip by in church because everybody seems to be on vacation. But not so this weekend at Journeychurch.org

 

What an incredible weekend as all of our services as well as our internet were bustling with people. I was just touched with a variety of interactions that simply made my week.

 

Check out this cast of characters.

 

There were soldiers, some dressed in full military gear, some representation their spouses who were in active duty, others who had retired, and some who came forward representing those who gave their life as an ultimate sacrifice for God and country. There were so many, that to my embarrassment we actually ran out of the Armor of God Coins we had ordered as a blessing for these great men and women of God.

 

Then there were friends like Dena Collins who we hadn’t seen in more 2 years who stopped by just to say hi and enjoy a Saturday night “Why Wait?” service.

 

Then there are folks like Kristen Hausmen who showed up with her family for service on Saturday then came back Sunday morning. Ended up showing up a little early for a scheduling error then decided to stay for both services to love on the little kids in the 3-4’s.

 

How about Ben and Nicole Parham who serve so regularly with their family. Ben on stage playing keys, Nicole faithfully serving with the 0-2s. Making a difference.

 

Then there is Steve. The guy who you would initially never guess would be nearly as funny as he is. Who stepped out in faith and helped out in KidsMo for the 2^nd time. It was awesome to see him in there with Miss Mary Jo helping serve those 6-10 year olds.

 

Or how about Jen Butler. Amazing woman of God. Saturday night checking out KidsMo for the first time. Brillian, Brilliant Brilliant as she worked with the Kids. Mary Jo said she is perhaps the best in the world that she has ever seen working with those kids. The next morning sharing a mix of tears and joy genuinely worshipping God during our 11:15am service.

 

I must mention Andy, whom God must be causing to cross my path as He was at IHOP today as well. Andy had the courage and bravery to share about the death of a loved one. Our prayer is that the service on wounds had brought not only Andy, but many others Hope that God has not forgotten them, but actually loves him so dearly.

 

Can’t by pass JC who brought his new girlfriend to introduce us to her for the very first time. What a smile on both of their faces. Or Tom Wyatt, hair like a surfer dude, all cleaned up fitting into and proudly displaying his old navy uniform.

 

Bryan and Renee – who stopped by before we left our house,  dropped off our favorite drink from starbucks, hid a Jesus Freak CD in our car, and stuffed love notes into my message notes.. We love you.

 

Then there is my wife and family. Mary Jo, I love you dearly and have from the moment I met you when we were 17 years old. You have been such a wonderful gift from God. You always think about the life of others, you always put everybody else first, you always love, always care, always go out of your way. I can’t say enough about you. I thank God every day that you are my wife.   Matt, Molly, and Miranda – I love you all dearly..