Pathways Church Blog

I wonder what it is like to blaze a trail that nobody else has previously walked.

History is full of pioneers. From Alexander the Great to Columbus to Lewis and Clark. People who saw what could be and willingly paid a high price to pursue it.

When we conquered the earth, we moved into space and the 60’s brought us a new breed of pioneer. A new century brings pioneers that reach into cyber-space.

What does it mean for us, as followers of Jesus, and even more specifically, members of the community of Pathways, to be pioneers? To break new ground? To see what could be and willingly pay a price to pursue it?

I wonder what it is like to blaze a trail that nobody else has previously walked.

I’m trying to think how many different ways I’ve tried to start this entry. I’ve lost count. How can I possibly capture all the emotions we are experiencing in a few short paragraphs?

Thankfully, I don’t feel like I have to. I am blessed to know that I have one more opportunity to share our hearts face to face with the Pathways community this coming Sunday. I’m excited to have one more opportunity to offer thoughts of what I’ve been learning from the words of Jesus, dreams of what we would like to be part of in Austin, hopes for what Pathways might be, and the aches that go with a farewell.

We’re looking forward to one last time to be with you this Sunday. Hope to see you then.

Back to packing…

This weekend, people all around our country (and possibly others) will celebrate Father’s Day. For some, it is a great celebration of a man who had great influence in your life. For others, it is not a celebration – even if his influence was great, it may not have been positive. These are honest feelings that different people bring to the table on this day. So, in the midst of a world that does not do a very good job of reflecting a positive example of being a Father, what does it mean to honor our God as a Father?

No matter where you fall into this spectrum, I want to urge you not to miss this weekend. I believe that you will experience a powerful portrayal of what God’s love really looks like.

Three years ago, John and Sherri Chandler moved to Seattle out of a desire to pursue the burden God had laid on their heart for church planting. We invited them with the plan that they would continue to pursue that dream in three years by planting a church of their own. That dream is becoming a reality as next week, they move to Austin, TX and begin the process of planting a community of follower’s of Jesus.

I want to invite you to make sure that you are here on June 22nd as John shares his heart with us prior to their departure and we pray for and bless his family on their way to Austin, Texas. You can read more about their journey at www.hodosproject.org.

I’ve got a question for you…ready? Here it comes…it’s a doozy. (Don’t you just love the word “doozy”?) Now back to our question. It’s a big picture question.

Where are you right now?

No, not “where” are you, but where “are” you — in life? What ship are you sailing on? What is your current station in life?

Following Jesus is not necessarily about jumping ship, but in learning to pursue His purposes whereever we find ourselves. This is what the Apostle Paul will address with the Corinthians this weekend in our series: A Beautiful Mess.