New Day

Its hard to put into words what happened Sunday.
I don't know if it was the Atmosphere, the Attitude, the Activity, or the Amazing People but I know this, Its a New Day in the Church.

The excitement over someone trusting Christ as their Savior.
The impact of an Amazing Story.
The power of God working in us through the truth of the word of God.
The security of an Altar filled with tears.

All I know is its amazing and I can't wait for next week.
What would your two words be to describe Sunday?

A Letter from PRob to newLife

There are a few things that I would like to quickly share with you today from the service in Knappa on Wednesday Night.

1. People Sacrificed.
2. Lila trusted Christ as her Savior.
3. and I was Baptised by a Knappa Sweatshirt. (does that mean I am an honorary Knapparian?)

For me it was an amazing service with amazing people serving an amazing God and I am so glad that I got to be a part of it.

I love my Life and I can't wait for Sunday

Lies all Lies

Do you realize how much of our lives are filled with lies today?

Twinkies look like food.
CGI animation may have you looking to the sky for flying avatar dragons.
Face book may have you believing that those relationships are real.
Cheating makes sense.
Porn looks like love.
Living together is like being married.
And debt like freedom.
but its all lies.

and Christianity is not exempt.
Church attendance is not Faith.
Tipping God is not tithing.
Traditions of men are not truth.
Saying Hi as you pass by someone in Church is not relationship.

Why do we settle for the fake, when we could have what is real?
Why do we believe the lie?

Jesus says it best.
John 8:44-45 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. ⁴⁵ And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.
People would rather believe Satan than Jesus.

Still need Help for the 12th

On February 12th during the service my Beautiful and wise wife Debra will join me in answering martial questions you may have Live from the Platform.

We won't be taking them from the floor as it might not be safe. (if you know what I mean) and I know that you have more questions.

Here are the two we have so far

Can a wife get the love she needs simply by showing her husband respect? What if he doesn't deserve it?

What is the average times a week a "normal" couple is intimate? I could be intimate almost everyday, but my husband and I are not on the same schedule sexually.

Great Questions but we need many more than this and I know you have them. Simply reply to this post anonymously and we will choose about ten of them for the service. The ones we can't answer publicly we will answer on this blog after the service so please send them in. And Guys, give me something to work with as well.

Have an Awesome Day

Seven Proofs that we must be doing ok

I think God is pleased with us.
How do I know?
Just take a moment and reflect on yesterday in regards to this verse.
1 Corinthians 12:18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.
When these seven people joined our church it was clear evidence that God is happy with the work that newLife has been doing.

James and Janae are an amazing couple who have a huge capacity to love.
Bradley is stronger than even He thinks.
Becky has the most Joyful Spirit and brings such happiness to our body
Kat seems so quiet but behind that silent persona is a dedicated and devoted follower of Jesus.
Ken is a great man who leads His family by Love and is ready to see just how God will use Him
and Lynette has an amazing Story that I promise will change lives for the kingdom of God.

Each one of them have unlimited potential to change the world and I think God believes it too.
Do we need anymore proof that we are going in the right direction?
Could we be any more blessed?

I can't wait for Sunday

blah

Have you had one of those days where your brain did not work?
You know, you have a thought and it floats away.
You have an idea and it falls apart.
You want to accomplish something but after trying, nothing.

What do you do to motivate your brain to begin functioning?
Give me some Ideas. otherwise its going to be a blah day.

I need more help for February 12th

On February 12th you will be given an amazing opportunity at newLife.
For the first 15 minutes of the sermon we will give you the opportunity to ask not only me, but my wife Debra Marriage questions you've always wanted to ask. But we are smart enough to not have you ask those questions live and so here is where I need the help.

Over the next month I need you to ask the questions on this blog.
You don't have to sign your name, just ask the question and in three weeks a team of trusted owners will decide (without Debra and My input) what questions to ask us.

It is going to be a HOOT if you know what that means.

so Start asking

A Letter from PRob to newLife

I wanted so badly to write this after the morning service because I was so excited so let me share a few things I learned yesterday.

#1 We have some Passionate People coming to our Church.

#2 We have some Pained People coming to our Church.

#3 We have some Promising People coming to our Church.

#4 We have so Problem People coming to our church. (They are having problems, not that they are a problem)

and what is so exciting you say?

What if we got the Passionate Promising people together with the Pained Problem people?

What if those who are in Love with Jesus and filled with His gifting began to use their abilities to minister to those in need? The answer is found in verse 47.

Acts 2:42-47
⁴² And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
⁴³ And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.
⁴⁴ And all that believed were together, and had all things common;
⁴⁵ And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.
⁴⁶ And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
⁴⁷ Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
The Lord Added to the church Daily such as should be saved.
I can't wait for Sunday

Marriage Series Help

Hey Ladies-and Guys if you really want to....

I need a list of favorite wedding songs for our upcoming marriage series.

Songs sung at Your wedding

Songs you've heard that you would have loved to have had.

Songs that would be good for someone else you might not particularly like. (just kidding about that one)

Comment fast and furiously

As Sands through the Hour Glass, so are the days of our lives

As a child I heard that statement every afternoon. I never watched the show but my mom must have.
While its an interesting statement, it wouldn't work for today's television.
If that statement was made today, it would be a reality TV show where they break the Glass and throw the sand at each other with the hope of destroying each others lives.

I don't know why we are so bent on hurting one another. It makes little sense because our time is so fragile.

David said this.............
Psalm 39:4 LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am.
The Psalmist noted something most of us miss.
Not just the brevity of time, but how fragile that time is.
      Moments of Joy can strengthen a life.
      Moments of Pain can destroy.

David is simply asking God to help him appreciate his time on earth. To help him understand how to live it with less pain and more joy.

Isn't that true for all of us?
I know how frail I am when attacked, rejected, or beat down.
I  also know how much damage I can do to another's life by my weakness in attacking them.
Its truly a waste of time that becomes something I want to forget.

While we may not be able to do much about how others break down our time, maybe today we could examine the way we respond to others.
Rather than abusing their time with critical or cutting words, we could seek to build them up.

Paul wrote it this way....
Romans 14:19  Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.
What a better use of our time and a greater way to live our days.

Sloth and the Critic

I have noticed something about the church world. I know it might be in other places but due to the life I live I don't get out much. But what I have noticed is the large number of critics who feel called to the ministry of correction. (not to be confused with the ministry of reconciliation. 2 Cor 5:17)

It doesn't matter what it is, if someone says it or does it, there will be a critic for it.

Now Critics rarely come out and admit to this calling but have no shame in fulfilling this ministry.
It might come in the form of a blog post. (Always taking things out of context for their text because they have no original thoughts of their own)
It might come in the form of a side comment thinly shaded as a joke. (The joke is a cover for their critical calling because their too ashamed to just say it)
or it might come in the form of an old fashioned open rebuke.
All in all these men and women feel a God calling to their ministry of correction.

But know this.....

Critics Critique because they can't or won't do.
Lets be honest, its easier to judge someone for their faults than to actually encourage them to walk by faith.
Its easier to critique what another says than to share the gospel.
Its easier to critique what the church is or is not doing than it is to do something about it.

and the truth is the Critics Critique because their slothful.
I do not Pastor a Large church by any means, but the truth is if I am doing the ministry of reconciliation I don't have time to complain and attack what anyone else is saying or doing. I say this because I also know that Critics cause so much harm as their words hurt those who work so hard at trying to reconcile men unto God. and often they discourage people from even trying because who wants to give their life to something and have a critic tear bits and pieces of it apart.

I think Jesus said it best to Peter when Peter was critiquing Johns life when He said, "What is that to thee, Follow Thou Me" John 21:22.

And so I am not criticised by critiquing the critic, let me help you learn how to deal with them.

1. Recognize a critic does not do. Nuff Said
2. Realize a critic by nature is critical. They always see things their way and its the only way and they don't care about any other way meaning they don't care about YOU.
3. Respond to a critic in three ways.
           Listen to what they are saying without making it personal. There might be "some" truth in what they are saying.
           Pray for them. God called us to the ministry of reconciliation not correction and those who believe they are called to critique are outside of Gods will for Christians.
           Separate from them. Critics care for themselves. You cant make them like you and the only way they will is if you worship their criticisms by obeying them. Jesus never hung around the critics but the compassionate.
4. Surround yourself with people who have invested their love into your life and listen to them. Critics don't invest they infest and no one needs a critical infestation in their life. How negative. People who have invested their love into you will lovingly correct, will be working with you not against you, and will be doing right themselves.

If your a critic, shut up, get off your computer and get busy. If you've got time to critique you've got time to reconcile someone to God.

If your criticised, keep working. There is nothing like a soul saved and a heavenly response to silence the critics. (Luke 15:10)

I'm Not a Sixteen Year Old Girl

Growing up on a farm my main job was to feed the calves milk. Everyday I would get up and make sure they were fed. But never did I think that there wasn't going to be a time when the calf would feed itself. What started with a bottle would soon become a bucket and then a trough and then a field. It was never believed that the calf could survive on a milk but at some point would be mature enough to care for itself.

Jesus came to earth for one primary purpose. To give us newLife.
In fact in Luke 5:27-32 Jesus rewords His mission so that we might understand it.

Luke 5:31-32  And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

Jesus came so that sinners like us could have new life through our repentance and His forgiveness. And its this experience that changes our lives.

Every once in a while I have to be reminded of this truth as its so easy to get sidetracked in ministry. We are not called to minister to the righteous but to those who are lost and in need of forgiveness.

Yet much ministry is designed more for babysitting the Christian than bringing the lost to forgiveness through Christ. And I am not a sixteen year old girl.

And so don't be upset when we don't chase you, pacify you, burp you, or change your diapers when you've made a mess of your life. We will Love you but if you've been in church for more than a year grow up. It ain't about You its about those who don't know Him.

1 Corinthians 3:1-3 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?

Sorry for the attitude. Just excited about those who don't know Christ!

The Thief of Time

Martin Luther King once wrote:

“We are now faced with the fact, my friends, that tomorrow is today. We are confronted with the fierce urgency of now. In this unfolding conundrum of life and history, there is such a thing as being too late. Procrastination is still the thief of time. Life often leaves us standing bare, naked, and dejected with a lost opportunity. The tide in the affairs of men does not remain at flood-it ebbs. We may cry out desperately for time to pause in her passage, but time is adamant to every plea and rushes on. Over the bleached bones and jumbled residues of numerous civilizations are written the pathetic words, ‘too late.”

Procrastination is the thief of time.

Have you ever said "Someday.............."

Someday I'll "Step out in Faith"
Someday I'll "Serve in the Church"
Someday I'll "Start saving Money"
Someday I'll "Smile More"

Have you also noticed that rarely that someday comes?

In Fact I could not find Someday in the Bible anywhere.

But I see it in my life everywhere. And while I am waiting for Someday I lose another day and there I am, "Standing there bare, naked, and dejected by another lost opportunity."

Today is the Day to put the thief of time in His rightful place.

Fill in the Blank. "Today is the Day I_________________________"
and Erase those pathetic words, "Too Late" from your life.

Five things I Must do to Love 2012

#1 You will need to Stop Listening to negative people but try and hear what God is possibly saying through them to You. People are not the enemy, Satan is (Ephesians 6:12) and yet throughout the bible God often uses that negative person to motivate Gods people to movement. (David and Goliath)

#2 You will want to Start Listening to anyone who is positive about Jesus, the Church, and You. Its so easy to complain about Christianity, the church and even your own life when there are so many amazing things happening. The greatest experiences I had in 2011 came when I was with people who Loved Jesus, the Church, and me.

#3 Take a Huge Step of Faith. The reason Christians and churches die is because they never get out of the boat. (Matthew 14:29) Do you really want to begin your year without Anticipation and live it without Celebration?

#4 Your going to have to get your eyes off of others and onto Yourself. Who you are in Christ and what He has called you to accomplish for Him this year. Most people will waste 2012 comparing themselves to others, complaining about others, and crying about others instead of Living for others.

#5 Your going to have to spend more Time communicating with God than man. More time on your face in prayer than face book. More time in the text of the bible than texting LOL. More time talking to real people who need ministering than watching reality TV. The sign of a weak spiritual life is the fear you feel when you  lock up your computer, lose your phone, or the cable goes out. When Pacific Power is your God your year will be powerless.

If you hear God's voice, you know your never alone, your always loved, and your walking with the creator of the world. Look back on 2011 and ask yourself how much better your year could have been.

A year of hearing God through the negativity instead of the negativity.
A year of being around people who know how to love God, others and you.
A year of experiencing God in new and amazing ways.
A year of learning about Gods love for you through His plans for you.
A year of power through a real relationship with God and others by allowing your God relationship to be your base on which all other relationships are built.

I am gonna Love 2012!

A Letter from PRob

Hey newLife, five things I want to share with you today.

#1 Sunday was Amazing. Every time I think that I am the only one, God gives us something to agree upon. The number of hands raised as wanting to Go Forward shocked me but excited me at the same time.  I can't wait to see how God moves in your lives as you move forward by faith! I can't wait for Sunday.

#2 Baptism must be a Theme. Sunday I had three people approach me about the subject all of them giving a clear testimony of their Savior and wanting to let the world KNOW! I can't wait for Sunday.

#3 This Sunday I will begin to share ten things I want every owner of newLife to know.
I can't wait for Sunday.

#4 Thank you so much for inviting so many people to our Christmas service. We saw double our average attendance and met some amazing people. Lets be praying they join us every week. I can't wait for Sunday

#5 I love my LIFE. And can't believe that your buying sweatshirts. Its awesome to see your love of your LIFE and the desire to promote it. But I want to put this out there. If you are a pre teen to adult and you would like a t-shirt and didn't get one, call the church and we will order one up for you. We don't want any of you to feel left out. p.s. don't tell the kids but we will be ordering them some in the coming weeks. I can't wait for Sunday.

I believe this will be the best year possible for newLife and your life and am thankful your all along for the ride!

Have a Great Day and I can't wait for Sunday