I’ll be back blogging next week!

• I’m out for the next 6 days with my son Caleb.
• We moved to a season of simplistic worship…I love how intimate worship can be.
• I wanted Cane to be better (what a disappointment).
• The weather held for the weddings this weekend. With three outdoor weddings I know a lot of people were praying (myself included).
• I’m starting to think about migrating TJN to Macs.
• We are two weeks away from making a huge announcement that will impact thousands of people.
• This week will involve the smoking of several cigars from Big Lous.
• Thinking about new fall TV took me to the 24 Site…January seems a long way off.
• Two of our original launch team members took the platform to talk about risk, vision and faith. I find the TJN story to be incredibly encouraging.
• Sleeping tonight in Ely, MN before heading out in the AM.
• MN Church Planter Retreat is just around the corner…It is one of the highlights of my fall.
• All the windows in our house have been recalled. The company sent new ones that are now piled in the garage until the install folks get to it.
• Our 101 Class was awesome this past weekend. I love the vibe in the room and could have really enjoyed bulking up more time with that group. It’s fun to teach a class like that (wishing it didn’t have to end).
• The copier may have died. Oh man - I hope not.

Tonight we’re keeping it smooth with a toss back to the year I was born - 1968.

Here is a recored version of Summertime. This time Ella Fitzgerald has Louis Armstrong on the horn and bringing his one of kind voice to the microphone.

I was so blessed to have had the opportunity to help three couples tie the knot this weekend.  In a day and age when we see so many marriages fall apart ending in disaster, it is remarkable that the drive to connect and to commit runs so deep with in the heart.  I find the desire to give oneself to another for a lifetime, evidence of God’s design and plan.  My prayer for each of these new marriages is they all make the decision to design and craft a life that honors this God given desire.

After beginning with Prayer and Worship (Key Lane led us in “Unchanging” by Chris Tomlin) we learned what was was going on at the church this fall. I think we were all a little blown away as we stepped back and looked at the enormous amount of activities that is be coordinated, administered, lead, taught and experienced. This is going to be an awesome year.

• Aaron Sutton (Our New Youth Leader) shared about the upcoming events for the youth. He talked about the Great Commission purpose for the youth group and painted a preferred picture for the future. As he ended his time before running back down to lead the meeting (youth group was meeting at the same time) he shared an original song that God had given him 3 weeks ago…Awesome!
• Brett Richmond (Children and Family) went on to talk about creating learning and growing experiences rather than just create programs. He is crafting dozens of experiences for our parents and for the children that will draw them into a deeper relationship with both one another and with God.
• I discussed a little about what it means to be a Purpose Driven Church and then Julie Steiff (Adult Education Coordinator) gave us a growth track to run on.
• Ron Sander (Property Elder) unpacked the building status. The Franklin building is weeks away from the sale to ArtSpace. In ongoing discussions with ArtSpace it has become clear that we will need to move. The media center (where we were meeting last night) may become part of our new office suite).
• Joel Keller (Small Groups Coordinator) shared that there are currently 15 adult small groups. His goal for the small group kickoff is to have 20 in place. He reminded us that part of the DNA of The Journey North is to be a church “of” small groups and encouraged us to all live out increasingly a passion for intentional community. This year the strategy that he is implanting to starting new groups along affinity.
• Carl Mills (Sports Ministry) directed us to the sports website (make sure you check out the Dodge Ball Videos). This Sunday is the finally for Kick Ball come and cheer for the grand finally. Floor Hockey registrations is starting next Sunday and he also has some pick-up Football games coming up.
• We ended on a high note as Tim Lake (Outreach) talked about the ways we are going to be putting our feet to our faith this season. In the coming weeks we will be rolling out some things that are going to blow you TJN’ers away. I am going to let him unpack this for you in the services over the next few weeks.

If you missed the meeting last night all I can say is WOW! Suffice to say, God has some HUGE plans for us.

I am very excited that Dave Ramsey’s financial course is being offered at The Journey North this month. It only adds to his credibility and my excitement to see his name added to the Fox Network staff.

Nationally syndicated radio talk-show personality and personal finance expert Dave Ramsey has joined Fox Business Network (FBN) as the host of a primetime program, announced Kevin Magee, Executive Vice President, FOX News. The show’s title and time slot will be announced at a later date.

In making the announcement, Magee said, “Dave Ramsey is a welcome addition to FBN’s programming. Our primetime format will offer a new opportunity for Americans to benefit from Ramsey’s practical financial advice.”

Ramsey added, “We’re honored to be part of the FOX Business Network from its launch. Television is a logical step for The Dave Ramsey Show and I’m glad we have the opportunity to take that step with our friends at FOX.”

Well we are doing our part. The Bjorlo Gang is adding to the family. We are having another child. Pastor Brett will be glad (job security).

It took us a little while to process our feelings when we discovered that we were going to have another child. We had been on a seesaw, teeter tottering back and forth about having one more for some time. We had finally determined that we were indeed done having kids and that I should take some decisive action. It wasn’t so much that we didn’t want another child… more than anything, Elizabeth was feeling like pregnancy lacked some of the appeal it once had (I sure don’t have much thought about that – I’m just glad I don’t have to do it).

The other day it was announced that my 40^th Birthday was being planned and the gift would be amazing…and, did I want to know what I was getting? Yep – it looks like the baby is due on or around May 30^th. Incredible!

We are increasingly feeling excited and are praying that God will give us a blessed pregnancy.

• It official…Elizabeth and I are having another child. Number five is on the way.
• Sunday was unbelievably awesome (in my humble opinion). Hats off to the band (did they rock or what???). Bernie and Greg you are my heroes for sharing what you did!
• This is an unbelievable week. Three weddings, town hall meeting and a 101 class.
• Next week I am taking my young lad up to the Boundary Water Canoe Area for 6 days.
• I can’t wait for Sunday (you won’t want to miss it).
• 3 Weddings this week – love is in the air.
• We are going to scale back worship for a season and create something very simplistic, more of a series of acoustic sets. I am very excited about these next few weeks…they will be very intimate times with God!
• Our finance coarse has limited availability…sign up ASAP if you hope to be apart of it.
• For the past three weeks TJN has had over 500 in attendance. I wonder what the future will hold.
• Start planning for a mid-January baptism. We are cutting a hole in the ice and doing a polar-dunk…we are the frozen chosen!
• The “1 before” slogan is having a great effect. I am jazzed about how seriously you TJNers are about greeting guests.
• Elizabeth and I are mid-way though Lost season 3. Man, I have really come to love this show.
• 101 Class this Saturday!
• Big stuff is underfoot. Be in prayer about how out building space will work our as Art Space takes over.
• Town Hall meeting this Wednesday – all are welcome - you won’t want to miss it.
• Today is Abigail’s day to go hang with me. McDonalds here we come!
• I bought the pre-release of this DVD last night!
• I am praying to find a church planter for Northern and/or Central Minnesota like crazy. I would love to get someone into one of our Top Ten cities within the year.
• If you don’t have facebook…get it! It has been a blast. If you check out my facebook profile you will even find an early Bob Dylan video highlighting the sermon notes from this past week. Crazy fun!

Many Sunday nights I find myself listening to sweet but often somewhat unfamiliar tunes… So I’ll be posting some of the folks that I get jazzed about.

Tonight I hope to introduce many of you to Beirut Band…21-year-old Santa Fe native Zach Condon’s band. The first official release under the Beirut name was assisted by Jeremy Barnes (Neutral Milk Hotel, A Hawk and a Hacksaw) and Heather Trost (A Hawk and a Hacksaw), it combines elements of Eastern European and folk sounds. Though young, Condon has already released a few albums.

CLICK to hear SUNDAY SMILE or Download it HERE>>>  I just love this tune…I would have loved to have been there as it was recorded.

If you know me well you know I love church planters. One of the guys I dig is a dude named Gary Lamb. His blog post on Sept. 20th cracked me up. I just have to share it and offer a hearty AMEN!

“We have learned to take a pretty good beating from critics since we started Revolution. We never respond, we never fight with them, we just stay focused on what we are called to do. It is pretty simple, we know not everyone is going to like what we are doing and that is cool. We’ll laugh about it in Heaven.

The e-mails, websites, blogs, and phone calls are even cool. If you feel the need to do that, that is cool. I don’t agree but respect your right to be stupid.

However, when you call our office you really should not be so nuts. Because if there was a chance you could change our mind or a chance we would consider what you have to say, you lose the benefit of the doubt when we answer the phone and introduce yourself as “watchdog sent from God” or when you start singing at the top of your lungs “Shout to the Lord” like you did today. We appreciate you calling long distance but save your money because trust us you crazy nut, we have no desire to have you sing to us. Nothing personal, you just aren’t a very good singer.

When you do those things, we really can’t do anything but laugh at you, make fun of you all day, and do impressions of you througout the office. Really, you leave us no choice.

Criticize away, just quit being so freaking nuts. “

Check out my office manager. She is one great up and coming blogger.

Her post “Reflections” is awesome!
Looking in the mirror - my reflection can show many things. When I have tired eyes, or I am stressed, that shows up not only in the mirror, but to others who see me throughout the day as well. What I find interesting are the characteristics of faith that seem to have etched their way into that reflection… when did that show up? And peace… is it possible to see peace on someone? Yes.”

I’m on my way this morning to meet with my small group of church planters from Minnesota. We get together at Ruby Tuesday in Brooklyn Park for lunch and to work through various planting questions, encourage one another and learn how to honor God as we try to serve him by building great churches.

Today we are doing something we haven’t done before.There is a region in Africa and some from our number are wondering if together we many not be able to make a difference there. They have a HIV/AIDS pandemic. So we have invited a representative from World Relief, a group that was originated within the National Association of Evangelicals, and who’s mission is to work with, for and from the Church to relieve human suffering, poverty and hunger worldwide in the name of Jesus Christ.

We are going to learn about some strategies to work with local churches and agencies who are working in Africa. And explore ways that by banding together our group can make a real difference in helping with the HIV crises there.

While TJN has a fairly advanced Mission strategy with our work in Ukraine and Honduras, I am interested in learning more about what God may be doing with this unique opportunity. It may just be a place where we serve as an encourager of our network churches or perhaps God has other plans…either way today promises to be a very exciting day.

Many of us at TJN are reading a Proverb every day. This morning I read Proverbs 19 (It is the 19th of the month. With 31 chapters in Proverbs I like to read the chapter that corresponds with the day). Today as I was reading these two verses kinda jumped out at me:

Proverbs 19:2&21
It is not good to have zeal without knowledge,
nor to be hasty and miss the way.
Many are the plans in a man’s heart,
but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.

I see people all around me who are running through life at an amazing pace. They are purposing their lives for enjoyment, wanting first and foremost to have fun. So many of them are trying to live out the mantra, “Live today…Die tomorrow”. Others are trying to hard to succeed. They have a ton of passion to get this, purchases that and own more. So they work and spend and then work some more to pay off the credit card bills.

It doesn’t matter how fast you run if you’re running in the wrong direction. Take a moment and ask yourself, “If God was going to give me a fresh start what would my new God centered purpose be?”

Over and over, I see these chances to start fresh. Every now and then something has clicked and I have taken hold of these opportunities for a fresh start with God and with life. I think the one thing that has kept me from engaging the things God would have for me can be found in one simple word: Procrastination.

Procrastination is a strange phenomena. The truth is, you already know the right things to do. You already know them. Not only that, you know the benefits of doing the right things in life. So why don’t you do them? You keep saying, “I’ll do it later…I’ll read the Bible later…I’ll pray more later”. In our culture the thing that keeps us paralyzed in our procrastination (from doing the things God would have for us) is our wildly busy lives. We fill our lives with all kinds of triviality and then wonder why God seems so far off.If you’re a TJNer I hope you will stop this fall and spend the next 4 weeks with me reading a Proverb every day and starting your day with a little prayer. Let’s do this together…Let’s do it today.

…but these are considered the most dangerous jobs in America:

1) Fishers and Fishing Workers
Deaths per 100,000 workers: 142
Total Deaths: 51

2) Pilots and Flight Engineers
Deaths per 100,000 workers: 88
Total Deaths: 101

3) Loggers
Deaths per 100,000 workers: 82
Total Deaths: 64

4) Iron and Steel Workers
Deaths per 100,000 workers: 61
Total Deaths: 36

5) Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors
Deaths per 100,000 workers: 42
Total Deaths: 38

6) Farmers and Ranchers
Deaths per 100,000 workers: 38
Total Deaths: 291

7) Electrical Power Line Workers (Installers and Repairers)
Deaths per 100,000 workers: 35
Total Deaths: 38

8.) Roofers
Deaths per 100,000 workers: 34
Total Deaths: 82

9) Drivers (truckers and salespeople)
Deaths per 100,000 workers: 27
Total Deaths: 940

10) Agricultural Workers
Deaths per 100,000 workers: 22
Total Deaths: 158

Read the rest of the story >>>

Church Plant: Evergreen Community Church

Church Planter: Seth Hinrichs

Age: One year on the ground

Average Fall Attendance: 150 people

Baptized: 11 (Aug. 26th)

Coached by: Dave Reno and Bill Burg

Challenge Area: Finance are a prayer request (as they often are for new churches).

Vision: To share the story of Jesus with relevance, imagination, compassion and excellence, inviting others to the foot of the cross where we will encounter God in faith, grow together in hope, and learn to live together in love.

The Simple Truths of ServiceAn unforgettable true story about a young man with Down’s Syndrome who changes the culture of a grocery store by being creative and giving the customers more than they expect.

Best-selling authors Ken Blanchard and Barbara Glanz have written a book that any company can use to reshape their culture around serving the customer. Designed by Michael McMillan (The Race and Paper Airplane), this book will become a customer-service classic. This story will grab your heart and get your creative juices flowing on ways to create “customer enthusiasm” in your organization.

View This Movie »

• Can anyone (who was at TJN Sunday) guess just how awesome it was sharing the stage with my mom. Wasn’t her faith story incredible?
• Jen Castro did awesome leading worship yesterday and Fay’s original song (towards the end of the message) was a perfect fit.
• TJN has had a ton of visitors the past few weeks. The word on the street is we are a very friendly church…Thanks for making the effort to not only be friendly to your friends.
• Our new fall slogan is “AFTER ONE”…Don’t talk to friends until after at least meeting one person you didn’t know.
• We ate at Prairie Bay for lunch yesterday…what a great lunch spot. The Duck sandwich on Focaccia Bread was fabulous.
• I watched my wife’s kickball team last night. Our Sports ministry is AWESOME!!!
• Fozzy (my beloved pooch) will be getting a trim today. He hates it when I cut his hair.
• The Viking really stunck up the joint yesterday.
• Planning on a family walk through Pillsbury Forest for Family Time late this afternoon.
• The kids have piano lessons today. It used to be painful to have to listen to them practice…they are at the stage where it is fun just being in the room and listening to them play.
• We have three episodes left on Lost season 2. We should have that wrapped up tonight (Monday Night Football could be a factor).
• There is a great chance that people at TJN will be blown away by the Honduras Announcement we are making in a few weeks. There are just a few more details that we need to hammer out.
• Our outreach initiatives this fall are unbelievable.
• We are looking at moving our offices to a new place in the building. I am hopeful to share some definitive information within the next two weeks.
• Our Leadership Team, Staff and HR Team have been reading this book…it is rocking our world.
• I think this fall could set the stage for our future in a very significant way. Keep your eyes open, you won’t want to miss what God is doing.

Ok, after a few cups of coffee I typically warm up to the routine.  It is 6:20 am and I am the first to have arrived.  I have opened a few doors and turned on the blowers to circulate the air in the auditorium.  The phone just rang and a very pleasant voice was asking when our services were (and that call is what generated this post).

After I hung up the phone I thought to myself, “Did I get the service times right?  What did I just say?  What am I doing answering the phones when I don’t even know the service times?” 

I have never been a morning person.  How do people expect to function coherently in these early hours?  It’s a mystery to me. I am pretty much worthless at thinking and speaking.

So, while I am excited about the day ahead (it is a well planned and crafted service), it is these first few hours before my first few cups of coffee that I dread!

Just because the dude rocks…

What is your future going to be like? The truth is that God put you here for a purpose. Whatever else life has been, it has not been without meaning or purpose. God created you first in his minds eye and he has a plan, a dream for you. Often people miss living the dream because they would rather just let life unfold rather than push into the things of God and seek him for their purpose. But God always waits patiently for those who will call on him and chase him. That’s why God made you. He made you so He could use you on this earth.

For most people the problem with unpacking the purpose of God or engaging the future has to do with what goes on in our mind and the blocks we put up that get in the way. You have mental blocks and emotional barriers that keep us saying, “Man, how can I ever be used by God?”

It is incredible but without exception every great goal or objective that has ever been accomplished throughout history had its inception in someone’s imagination. It starts with a thought in your mind before it actually becomes a reality. It has been said before by wiser people than me that if your life is going to really be meaningful the key will be in learning to dream God sized dreams. Without a God sized dream for your life, without an understanding of God’s purpose for you, you really aren’t living your just existing.

The Bible says, “Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.“

The Future –

“The best way to predict the future is to create it.”

Austrian-American economist and author

• I ended the day Sunday listening to Andy McKee…the dude blows my mind.
• Another 16 people decided to get baptized yesterday.
• About 300 people showed up for a very cool picnic and watch some awesome folks declare their decision to make Christ their life leader.
• Yesterday may have been one my new top ten Sunday Services.
• I loved listening to Chico Resch share his faith journey.
• The drama was rocken…thanks Cal.
• While Sundays are almost always my favorite day of the week and I pour my whole heart into them, Sunday nights I sometimes feel like I have been hit by a bus. My attitude was a little bit sour last night…Sunday nights aren’t my best.
• Bethany (my 5 year old) and I are going to Rockwood’s Grill for breakfast.
• Vikings win.
• I LOVE Monday’s – I almost always go out for breakfast with one of my youts.
• This is the second week of the month. TJN’s Finance Team meets on Tuesday and our Leadership Team meets on Thursday. I love these two teams and am honored to be building the church with these Men and Women. God has given TJN a huge talent pool.
• I am shopping today for a few things for my son and I…we are prepping to be out next week on a BWCA trip.
• My men’s group have worked through our core wants and are translating these into our core value statements… we will soon begin working on personal life vision statements.

 Join me and my men’s group in reading the Bible in a year.  Just Click the calendar and enlarge.

Many of you TJN’ers will remember Sam Anderson from when Teen Challenge visited a few weeks ago. I just got off the phone with him and he is very excited about the possibility of Teen Challenge acquiring the Assembly of God building in south Brainerd.  He has also sent me this for the church:

Dear friends of Teen Challenge at The Journey North,

The Lord is miraculously opening a door for Minnesota Teen Challenge to take ownership of the former Brainerd Assembly of God church building on Hwy Business 371 on the South end of town. We have just toured the building and believe it will work perfectly as a Teen Challenge facility without major renovations.

There are still some hurdles and we ask you to keep us covered in prayer. On Wednesday, September 12th at 6:00 pm we will be meeting with the City of Brainerd Planning Commission. This will be a vital meeting for the future of Teen Challenge in Brainerd. If you are available and would like to attend the meeting in support of Teen Challenge coming to Brainerd and using that facility, we would love to have you join us.

Thank you so much for your support and the love you have already shown our students. Our time together a few weeks ago was nothing short of amazing. Our students are still talking about it.

In the months to come, Lord willing, there will be some clean-up and preparations that will need to take place so if you would be interested in helping at that time, please let us know.

May the Lord bless each of you!

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I love sitting around the table with the family. Now that school is back in swing we find ourselves getting up earlier. I love it because during the school year we typically have breakfast together. After breakfast (most of the time these days) Elizabeth and I go out on the front porch and as I finish my coffee we read a chapter from the Bible and pray together.

Over the past few months we have also done a better job at having sit-down dinners more often. It is this time at the table that I am increasingly becoming excited about and protective of. I love the interaction that happens there and the family relational health that is emerging in my home.

Sometimes sitting at the table can be a little risky. While it is a time to laugh and joke it can also be a time to learn about the important things going on for the kids. I am always a little surprised what I learn when I take the time to listen.

Last nights risks weren’t so much emotional as they were physical. I noticed an object flew past me and then another hit my daughter in the head. My son was flicking corn from his plate. Elizabeth was quick with a – “CALEB…THAT IS UNACEPTABLE!” But I may have undermined her as a grabbed my phone to snap off this quick photo and we all started to laugh. Sometimes family just cracks me up.

Many of you work to hard. Labor Day was originally created in the 1880s to acknowledge and celebrate the efforts of trade and labor organizations. Today, however, the day is largely seen the last great hurrah. It’s the day to wrap up vacation and it marks the end of the summer. People often celebrate with BBQ’s and trips to grandmas. Beyond being the end of the summer season and marking the beginning of school, we also enjoy the extra day of rest. As I was driving back from the cities yesterday and thinking about my Labor Day golf outing with my brother in-law Rob, I also found myself thinking about and reflecting on the idea of work and its real meaning in our lives.

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• My mom married the most amazing man yesterday. It was an incredible day.
• Caleb my son walked my mom down the isle. My sister Heidi was the Matron of Honor, my daughter Rebekah was in the bridal party and Bethany and Abigail were flower girls.
• We danced the night away.
• Today I’m golfing at Prestwick with my brother-in-law Rob.
• Sunday morning was unique…we went out for breakfast at one of our favorites the Original Pancake House at 10:30 am (unheard of).
• I ran into two dear people, Jon and Donna from the MBC as we were leaving (small world).
• Tomorrow night I am going to the Brainerd City Council Meeting to learn about their plans for our parking lot.
• I missed not being at The Journey North yesterday. I love that I missed being there.
• Next Sunday is going to be incredible as we launch our new series. Chico Resch will be sharing his faith story.
• I love church picnics and Sunday will be our end of the summer potluck and baptism.
• The family started Lost Season 2 on DVD.
• Home School starts on Tuesday.
• I’m planning a fall BWCA trip with a few men and my son.
• A hurricane is about to hit Honduras…praying in advance for TJN’s many friends there.
• Our youth group leadership at the church is taking shape. I am so thankful that God has led Aaron Sutton to the helm. We have been blessed with an awesome youth group from day 1.
• Four years ago we moved into our home in East Gull Lake. It felt like a huge step of faith as we began unpacking boxes.
• I am about to go and take a morning Sauna…I love nice hotels. Thanks Wayne and Mom!
• We are sending 15,000+ peaces of mail out to invite the community to church Sunday. Pray that God would move on the hearts of those who need their faith renewed.
• Make extra for the potluck
• This is going to be a great week.