Jesus loves me this I know. Debra Wants me this I know. My kids appreciate me this I know. My church encourages me this I know. My Life Group cares for me this I know. Everything else I know, I will share with you.

Friday, February 25, 2011

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Frankly my Dear, I don't give a .......................!

Have you ever noticed how when something like Snow comes along there is anticipation and celebration.
We Anticipate its coming.
We Anticipate not having to go to school or work.
We Anticipate driving down the road in it
We Anticipate making a Snow man, Snow Angel, or having a Snow Ball Fight.

and when we see it, we celebrate its Beauty.

But have you also noticed that after a while, we anticipate its leaving and celebrate when it does. My Snow Joy only lasts a few days and then I am ready for dry roads, warm sun, and things to be normal, wet.

Is your faith that way?
We anticipate what God is doing in our lives and the lives of others, and even celebrate them when they come.
Answered Prayer
Souls Saved.
Lives Changed.

But after a few days, we just want it to go away.
What was wonderful becomes too much work
What was beautiful becomes burdensome.
What was exciting becomes exhausting.
and we just want it to go away.

And while I know that your not thinking that really, but deep down, it can be seen.
In our struggle over time to serve God verses ourselves
In the strife caused between Christians
In our lack of sacrifice as a need is presented
In the Suffering we must endure to reach a lost world for Jesus.

Every once in a while, I need to be reminded of why I do what I do for the Kingdom of God and here is it, I hope its encouraging.

Isaiah 1:18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
All that we do for God, results in Scarlet Sins being made White as Snow.

Lets never get weary of the SNOW.

Its Snowing, lets give a ....................well you know.

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

The Fountain of Youth

This Sunday after services I got to speak to an amazing young lady in our church. She is beautiful, articulate, smart, funny, simply put, amazing.

She is our Future.

One day she will teach children about Jesus.
One day she will encourage a soul that's been wounded by abuse.
One day she will share her testimony of her love of Jesus.
One day she will help people know Jesus Christ.

But for her, One Day, seems a long way off.

Today, she struggles with whether she is pretty enough.
She worries about her future.
She wonders who will love her for her.
She wants to feel valued.

Wouldn't it be a shame to lose her to the world because that's where she found love?

That's where we come in.
As adults it is our responsibility that the children in this church see, feel, and know love. Through the messages, through the music, and through our home meetings.

They are our future, we must invest love in them today, and it will pay dividends of love later.

While not all of them will continue in the faith, lets not lose them because we did not put effort into their lives.

Psalm 127:3 (KJV) Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

A Letter from Pastor A to newLife

Several things to share with you Lifers

#1 A young man named Joshua came up to me after the AM service and said, "I heard everything you said, I want a relationship with God" 30 minutes later Heaven Rejoiced and Ephesians 2:1-10 had begun in his life!

#2 Thursday Night there could be a couple of people who show no shame of Jesus in their life! Its called baptisms for those of you who don't get it.

#3 A man I greatly respect came up to me on Sunday and shared his joy over what he is hearing in the pulpit! I don't think that there is any thing more encouraging than when someone you look up to is encouraged by you! Whose doing that in your life?

#4 As I was visiting Ken Ness in the Hospital (His liver is still rejecting, Keep praying) I met with a woman whose son and girlfriend are struggling with prescription addiction. It was an awesome opportunity to minister and they are supposed to call me this week. (pray for Ryan and his girlfriend)

#5 I believe that at no other time in our History a door is opened for us but as the bible says, there are many adversaries, some in the church. 1 Corinthians 16:9 (I'll share more of this tomorrow)

#6 This Thursdays message will be powerful. See Malachi Chapter 1: 2-14.

#7 This Sunday's might be the most encouraging message you will ever hear in your life. We will be looking at the Giants of our past and how to defeat them.

ANTICIPATE great things, and we will CELEBRATE great things, Anticipate NOTHING and we will celebrate NOTHING.

Friday, February 18, 2011

Heavens at it again

Last night after church I was able to witness a young woman trust Christ as her savior.

and it never gets old!!!!!

Luke 15:7 (KJV) I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Has the Fat Lady Sung?

This of course is a child's view of the Opera. Whenever the "fat" lady came out, it meant the Opera was about over.
and I haven't heard her voice yet.

But I wonder if some of you are looking for her.
   I saw it in last Sunday's attendance.
   I felt it in last Sunday's worship
   I fought it in last Sunday's Sermon.
   I heard it in last nights music practice.

We are getting tired.
We've let the critics bother us.
We have lost the excitement that comes from the beginning of something because now we are in the middle of something.
and we are waiting for the fat lady to come out and end the program.

Some of you have stopped celebrating what God has done.
Some of you have stopped anticipating what God will do.
Some of you have stopped believing.

The Bible tells us that we are to live by Faith, but maybe we need a reminder of what faith is.......

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1)

What do you hope for this Sunday?
What are you asking God to do that you have not seen?

 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.(Galatians 6:9)

 Lets Reap a harvest planted by seeds of Faith this Sunday.
I anticipate God doing Great Things with people who have Great Faith.
 


Wednesday, February 16, 2011

How is not a Native American greeting

How are You?
   Are you drawing Closer to God?
   Are you Frustrated by Life?
   Are you Hurting?

How can we help You?
   What can we say to make a difference in your life?
   What can we do to take some of your burden off of you?
   What do you need us to pray for?

How, its a question we want to answer in your life.
  It means we want to be involved in improving your life through Jesus Christ.
  It says we care about you
  It begs for involvement with you.

How ought to be the question we ask every time we gather together.
  How can I make a difference in someones life.
  How can I share the love of Christ with someone.
  How can I let the world know Jesus loves  them.

How ought to be the question every time we go to work.
  How can I be a profitable employee/boss.
  How can I keep my testimony of Christ in such wickedness.
  How can I change my work environment.

How ought to be the question every time we are with our families.
  How can I keep peace
  How can I show love
  How can I share value

Its a big word, that most of us ignore. And its no wonder so many of us are discouraged at the end of the day because most of us live our days thinking.

What.
What about me?
All What will leave you with is disappointment.

Try How and tell me how it worked.
Just don't hold your hand up when you ask it.

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

A Letter from Pastor A to newLife

I have to admit, I was a little broken hearted on Sunday.
I loved the message. Its a theme for me right now.
Gods Love is Clean, Committed, and Christian.
The power of that is overwhelming! and I can see why so many people wanted to follow Him. Especially those whose lives were so messed up.
His love offers so much.
But Broken Hearted? Yea, many who needed to hear it, were gone. Especially the teens.

But my broken heart was healed by a meeting Debra and I had with a young couple who have been coming as of late. They are amazing people whose lives have been ruined by sin. At lunch they opened up their lives to us, shared their pain and needs all because they felt loved by our church. And it hit me.

The message from Sunday has become Cultural. It really is a part of our church philosophy.We are offering a clean, committed, Christ like love to those who are seeking it. Loving others has become foundational to us. Its no longer a theory or a thought, but a truth that lives within us. And every week, no matter who misses what, gets to experience that message from our church body!

We are not judgemental, angry, name calling, hateful Baptists. We are not Pharisaical in judging the outward, but spiritual by loving the inward.

Thank you newLife for restoring my hope in Christianity.
Thank you newLife for loving as you have been loved.
Thank you newLife for bearing the fruit of the Spirit.

I love you!

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Coming Attractions and other thoughts!

There are a few things I want to share with you as we Celebrate what Jesus has done, and Anticipate what He is going to do in the coming weeks.

#1 I am overwhelmed by what God has been doing in the last couple of months. It clearly shows that people are wanting to be loved and responding to it.

#2 I have one more week of the Christian Fairy Tale Series with this Sunday's message being the most life changing. We will study the life of Cinderella and look at the difference between real love and the love most of us have experienced.

#3 Our next Sunday Series will be "Who am I". This will be a study of Davids life as he went from shepherd boy to king and how it changed him. Our mid week series will be entitled "Silence" What happens when the voice of God goes quiet. This is something that all of us are in danger of but trust me, none of us want. I am very excited about both.

#4 We have a schedule change coming up as we enter into two services. The Nines will be more traditional while the Eleventh Hour will be more modern yet the message will be the same. I am scared as well as excited about this opportunity to grow.

#5 I had an amazing conversation with Adam Cave our youth guy and am so excited about where God is moving our youth ministry. Pray for more involvement as well as Adam and Khaylas growth through the work of God.

#6 I am currently resting from a crazy ministry season but look forward to getting back into peoples lives on Sunday.

#7 Invite your friends to church on Sunday! I anticipate an awesome day in the house of the Lord.

#8 Jesus said that the last shall be first, so here is number one for the day...............A young lady trusted Christ as her savior this week!!!!!

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Ten things to watch for as a Church Grows

Whenever a church grows Satan takes notice and begins to work in the hearts of the members.
Here are some things to watch for in you.

1) "Hurt" Feelings. Some one hurt my feelings!!!!
2) "Self" Examination. Noticing what others are not doing. (this goes with how much you are)
3) "Nit" Picking. Good thing you were there to pick that nit! No one else saw it and you know how dangerous nits can be.
4) "Sibling" Rivalry. As in the Pastor used to pay me so much more attention but now he only talks to the new families.
5) "Miss" Fitting. I just don't think I fit here anymore. Only because you don't feel so special.
6) "Fine" Dining. Too much Whine makes anyone stupid.
7) "Lazy" Days. Now that there are others to do my work, I can take a break, miss some services, take care of me for once. Jesus loves to hear this one.
8) "Crazy" Days. I am going to self implode so that I get some attention from the church people. Great Plan for the abundant life!
9) "Hazy" Daze. Sorry about the theme going on at the end but I haven't read my bible yet nor have I prayed. Why should I God is blessing no matter what.
10) "The Big Jerk". Someone, Somewhere is going to get angry at the Pastor. Its all His fault that you didn't listen to the messages. Its His fault that you didn't sacrifice for the church. Its His fault that you didn't grow. Its all His fault that Egypt is in turmoil and that cancer is spreading. I want a better Pastor.

It happens every time, Just don't let it happen to YOU as Satan is looking for the weak sheep to work through.

1 Peter 5:8-9 (KJV) 8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.


Tuesday, February 8, 2011

A Letter from Pastor A to newLife

Years ago, I was challenged by God to examine our church.
This challenge came through a person who called us out on our love.
We at that time had a theme we were advertising. and that theme was that we were a church who loved people.
And while I believe that there were some in the church that did, for the most part, not so much.
We were taught to love with limits.
Love those who attend church, condemn those who don't.
Love those who attend our church, separate from those who don't.
Love those who attend faithfully to everything our church does, judge those who don't.

(Yes I said it, if anything I prefer honesty to hypocrisy)

I felt as if much of Christianity was filled with false prophets. or prophesiers.
Cause it wasn't just our church that was this way, but most Christians I had ever known were this way.

and this passage of Scripture kept coming to mind.

Matthew 7:15-28

and this part of the passage kept resonating in my heart and mind.

.....You shall know them by their fruits.

hence the road to change started with a desire to have our Christianity bear the right kind of fruit.

that fruit being love.

and I said all of that to say this.

This Saturday I witnessed the greatest outpouring of love I have ever seen in our church.

No one felt condemned, no one felt less of themselves, no one felt judged.
People came and felt love.
Not just our love, but His Love.

and in one day, we shared the true Gospel of love with our community.
Thank you for Loving God, as you loved others.

I believe we are well on our way to becoming the right Kind of church!

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Sundays Coming, But Saturdays very important

Ok Lifers, here's the skinny.

Dales Service will be on Saturday at 1:00pm, but our service will begin before that.
We are going to activate our home groups to minister to the needs of this service providing workers!

James Jackson's home group will be responsible for setting up and serving at the reception hall.
Ron Isom's home group will be responsible for the Church building. This includes set up, clean up, ushers, and nursery workers.
Daniel Jasper's home group will be responsible for serving and clean up at the reception hall.

This is huge for us as we have an opportunity to share the gospel with people most of which may never be open to hearing the good news any other way.

This is a test to see if our church really does love God and others. This is evangelism baby!

How can you help?
Call your Home Group Leader and offer to serve where HE needs you.
Then, Come with a servants heart, which means if something needs to be done outside of your responsibility do that too!

I am excited to share with Dale's friends and family how awesome Jesus is, but I need your help. Would you?

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Thank you newLife

For every tithe given
For every minute serving
For every talent shared
For every truth lived

Dale is in heaven, because you loved God enough to be faithful

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

A Letter to newLife from Pastor A

Souls being Saved never gets old, seeing people get baptized never gets old, having people desire to be a part of our church body never gets old and knowing that the work that we do results literally in people ending up in heaven never gets old.

Lets not let it get old.
Every soul that is saved through your labors ought to be just as exciting as your own.
Every soul that joins our church through your love ought to be just as exciting as when you joined.
Every prayer, every person, every sermon, every song ought to be as awesome as the best you have ever experienced.

Why? because in Christ we are new Creatures Old things are passed away!

Live today as if its a new day.
A new day to Worship - It helps that its a beautiful day outside!
A new day to Witness - God is always working on hearts, shouldn't we?
A new day to Win - Christians are Victorious - Just bring your battles to God in prayer!

Live it, as if it just happened today!