Two weeks ago the Children of newLife presented Debra and I with a wonderful bag of Home made fortune cookies. The cookies themselves were amazing but what was even better were the words of love shared by the children. This morning I want to share them with you.
Pastor and DJ
We are FORTUNATE to have you because...........
We love you
boys are bad
you make me laugh
you are so cool
you teach us about God
You sing Pretty (this one was for Debra I think)
Your Funny
You are an example of how to love God
Boys are bad (The girls are listening)
For all the Hugs
I love You
You Guys are Funny
You are Awesome
You Rock
You are Amazing
There were more but I think I ate them with the Cookies, but what I loved about the fortunes is that these children are the church of the future. So let me share some things about that future.
They will want to Love and be Loved
They will want to be Pure
They will want to enjoy Jesus
They will want to be relevant
They will want to learn about God
They will want to Worship Well
They will want to Laugh
They will want to be Examples
They will want to be Holy
They will want to show Love
They will want to be personal with that Love
They will want to encourage Joy
They will want to be Greater
They will want to be Awesome
They will want to be Powerful
They will want to be Amazed making them Amazing.
And everything we do as a Church today, will either help or hinder their Future.
This week I ask you to do something that would encourage those in our Children's Ministry as they are the "Point of the Spear".
Lets Do This
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Monday, October 29, 2012
A Letter to newLife
I just wanted to say thank you for the wonderful gifts given to Debra and I yesterday.
Your love of us is appreciated more than you know.
But........................
I appreciate your willingness to not allow Pastor Appreciation Month to over shadow Jesus in our services.
I appreciate your willingness to minimize me and maximize the work WE are doing.
I appreciate your willingness to let God work through me even when you may not understand what God is doing to me especially when it affects you. (that was a mouth full)
and I appreciate your willingness to GO BIG or go home. This is where Pastoral appreciation is really important.
Thank you for being such easy people to pastor, and I look forward to our future.
I can't wait for Sunday
Your love of us is appreciated more than you know.
But........................
I appreciate your willingness to not allow Pastor Appreciation Month to over shadow Jesus in our services.
I appreciate your willingness to minimize me and maximize the work WE are doing.
I appreciate your willingness to let God work through me even when you may not understand what God is doing to me especially when it affects you. (that was a mouth full)
and I appreciate your willingness to GO BIG or go home. This is where Pastoral appreciation is really important.
Thank you for being such easy people to pastor, and I look forward to our future.
I can't wait for Sunday
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Pot Heads and Ministry
One day in high school I was approached by a classmate who was highly intoxicated by weed and what his words for some strange reason have always stuck with me.
"Hey Dude, I'm All Burned Out" meaning he was baked, done, smoked too much.
What makes this funny is that recently I was approached in a similar fashion only it was from someone who had been high on Church and they said the same thing.
Only in place of Dude it was Pastor.
and as it got me to thinking about burn out I made some observations from my own struggles with Burn Out and I came to some interesting conclusions.
#1 Burn Out Comes From Doing Something You Shouldn't Do.
The purchase and use of marijuana is against the law. This never would have happened if this young man was doing what was right.
In my time as a Christian every time I felt burned out it was because I was doing something I shouldn't be doing. It wasn't right for me and burning out was Gods way of showing me that.
#2 Burn Out Comes From Doing Something You Shouldn't Do Too Much.
Not only was he doing the wrong thing, He did way way way too much of the wrong thing leading him to burning out.
Again, every time I have felt burned out it was because not only was I doing something I shouldn't be doing, I was trying to hard to do it leaving me frustrated and feeling lost.
Why is this important to us? Because in the church world it is so easy to do the wrong things too much. There is a need and you want to fill it.
God hasn't called you to it, God hadn't created you for it, but you do it and for a while you might even think that your doing good, but wait for it, you will get weary of it.
So how do we Keep from Being Burnt Out?
#1 Make sure Whatever you do, God, not You, has called you to it.
I know this. I have never gotten burned out from Preaching the gospel but I have from other areas of ministry I have tried to do.
In fact the one thing that keeps me passionate about ministry is Preaching the Gospel. But ask me to teach, I can do it, but it will burn me out.
Ask me to lead singing, I can do it, but it will burn me out
Ask me to do anything in the church, I can do it, but it will eventually burn me out.
But let me share a couple of things about God's calling.
I didn't ask for this calling, it came to me. I didn't go to school to preach, I didn't beg my pastor to preach, in fact I never preached publicly until one week before I was voted in to Pastor this church.
If God has called you to it, it will bear spiritual fruit. While I do not consider myself to be an excellent Preacher, I believe that God uses me in the lives of others as people trust Christ as their savior as well as grow in the grace of our Lord and Savior.
(see 1 Corinthians 2:1-4) If there is no real fruit gained for others through your labors its because its your calling and not His.
#2 If your feeling Burned Out ask yourself these two questions.
Is God changing what He wants or needs me to do for His Kingdom?
The Apostle Paul went through this when he was called to the gentiles and not the Jews as well as when he wanted to go east and the Holy Spirit led Paul to the west.
Is what I am doing a God thing or a Me thing.
If its a God thing it will be done in His power and hence no power outages, but if its done in my power i will go through times and encouragement and discouragement as well as frustration and aggravation. If I am feeling these things I always know its time to reevaluate what I am doing for the Kingdom.
"Hey Dude, I'm All Burned Out" meaning he was baked, done, smoked too much.
What makes this funny is that recently I was approached in a similar fashion only it was from someone who had been high on Church and they said the same thing.
Only in place of Dude it was Pastor.
and as it got me to thinking about burn out I made some observations from my own struggles with Burn Out and I came to some interesting conclusions.
#1 Burn Out Comes From Doing Something You Shouldn't Do.
The purchase and use of marijuana is against the law. This never would have happened if this young man was doing what was right.
In my time as a Christian every time I felt burned out it was because I was doing something I shouldn't be doing. It wasn't right for me and burning out was Gods way of showing me that.
#2 Burn Out Comes From Doing Something You Shouldn't Do Too Much.
Not only was he doing the wrong thing, He did way way way too much of the wrong thing leading him to burning out.
Again, every time I have felt burned out it was because not only was I doing something I shouldn't be doing, I was trying to hard to do it leaving me frustrated and feeling lost.
Why is this important to us? Because in the church world it is so easy to do the wrong things too much. There is a need and you want to fill it.
God hasn't called you to it, God hadn't created you for it, but you do it and for a while you might even think that your doing good, but wait for it, you will get weary of it.
So how do we Keep from Being Burnt Out?
#1 Make sure Whatever you do, God, not You, has called you to it.
I know this. I have never gotten burned out from Preaching the gospel but I have from other areas of ministry I have tried to do.
In fact the one thing that keeps me passionate about ministry is Preaching the Gospel. But ask me to teach, I can do it, but it will burn me out.
Ask me to lead singing, I can do it, but it will burn me out
Ask me to do anything in the church, I can do it, but it will eventually burn me out.
But let me share a couple of things about God's calling.
I didn't ask for this calling, it came to me. I didn't go to school to preach, I didn't beg my pastor to preach, in fact I never preached publicly until one week before I was voted in to Pastor this church.
If God has called you to it, it will bear spiritual fruit. While I do not consider myself to be an excellent Preacher, I believe that God uses me in the lives of others as people trust Christ as their savior as well as grow in the grace of our Lord and Savior.
(see 1 Corinthians 2:1-4) If there is no real fruit gained for others through your labors its because its your calling and not His.
#2 If your feeling Burned Out ask yourself these two questions.
Is God changing what He wants or needs me to do for His Kingdom?
The Apostle Paul went through this when he was called to the gentiles and not the Jews as well as when he wanted to go east and the Holy Spirit led Paul to the west.
Is what I am doing a God thing or a Me thing.
If its a God thing it will be done in His power and hence no power outages, but if its done in my power i will go through times and encouragement and discouragement as well as frustration and aggravation. If I am feeling these things I always know its time to reevaluate what I am doing for the Kingdom.
Monday, October 22, 2012
I WANT MORE
I have to say, I love what God is doing in our church and so I want to share several things that happened yesterday to encourage your heart.
#1 MORE Prayers were Answered.
Some of our ladies have been praying for a young woman whose been hurting due to a rough season of life. Yesterday, to their surprise, she showed up to hear just how much God loves her MORE than she ever imagined.
#2 MORE People were Inspired.
I know that God wants to do MORE in your lives, and you blocked the aisle way as a testimony to it!
#3 MORE People were Inspiring.
This week I asked one of our ladies to pray for someone specific and not only did she pray, she was given by God many ideas to encourage this person she was praying for.
She didn't just pray for her, but was moved to do MORE!
Four other young woman answered the need for MORE ministry without hesitation.
The men who Greet us in the morning did MORE with a smile than thought possible.
Maybe this ought to be our theme - MORE
Ephesians 3:20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,
#1 MORE Prayers were Answered.
Some of our ladies have been praying for a young woman whose been hurting due to a rough season of life. Yesterday, to their surprise, she showed up to hear just how much God loves her MORE than she ever imagined.
#2 MORE People were Inspired.
I know that God wants to do MORE in your lives, and you blocked the aisle way as a testimony to it!
#3 MORE People were Inspiring.
This week I asked one of our ladies to pray for someone specific and not only did she pray, she was given by God many ideas to encourage this person she was praying for.
She didn't just pray for her, but was moved to do MORE!
Four other young woman answered the need for MORE ministry without hesitation.
The men who Greet us in the morning did MORE with a smile than thought possible.
Maybe this ought to be our theme - MORE
Ephesians 3:20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Sorry.........
....but I will be off line for the next two days ministering to some very specific people.
Please Pray for Debra and I that we will have the strength and wisdom to share the love of God with some hurting people and I will see you all Sunday.
BTW - Thanks Garth for ministering to me so wonderfully. Your Amazing
Please Pray for Debra and I that we will have the strength and wisdom to share the love of God with some hurting people and I will see you all Sunday.
BTW - Thanks Garth for ministering to me so wonderfully. Your Amazing
Monday, October 15, 2012
A Bright Spot on a Cloudy Day
I have to say newLife yesterday wasn't our best service, but that does not mean that God did not do something amazing with it.
#1 A Young man visited us and loved that He was accepted at his first time coming. He saw that we were real and it opened him up to the possibility of new life.
#2 A new couple commented on how encouraged they are at hearing honesty. Again it reminds me that people have little problem with the truth, but that have to hear it honestly.
#3 Our Senior Class gave up their class space for the nursery and did so excited to be a greater part of the auditorium ministry. We have missed their touch as we prepare to worship. They are Amazing People.
#4 Our 1830's are developing a Passion for the Church. They are the next gen and I am excited to see their growth in Christ.
Accepted, Honest, Sacrificial, Passionate - All things we want to hear about us.
#1 A Young man visited us and loved that He was accepted at his first time coming. He saw that we were real and it opened him up to the possibility of new life.
#2 A new couple commented on how encouraged they are at hearing honesty. Again it reminds me that people have little problem with the truth, but that have to hear it honestly.
#3 Our Senior Class gave up their class space for the nursery and did so excited to be a greater part of the auditorium ministry. We have missed their touch as we prepare to worship. They are Amazing People.
#4 Our 1830's are developing a Passion for the Church. They are the next gen and I am excited to see their growth in Christ.
Accepted, Honest, Sacrificial, Passionate - All things we want to hear about us.
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
The Face of Janae
Yesterday I got a response to a blog post on the services Sunday from Janae and the first thing that came to me was immediate Joy. Not that she commented, but that she is a part of our church. When I see names or even people, I see their face. Truth be told one of three things happen.
#1 I Feel Nothing. I don't know them and so my thoughts are blank. For me it doesn't matter what they wear, how many tattoos, or how they are shaped. I don't know them so nothing comes to me. (Judgemental people never feel nothing)
#2 I Feel Sick. I know them and so my thoughts are busy. Will they be negative, will they be critical, will they whine. Have they forgiven me, have I forgiven them, and more importantly has Jesus forgiven them. Because I know them and they have either been antagonistic or opportunistic towards me or mine, part of me wants to hurl.
#3 I Feel Joy. I know them and their Amazing. While not perfect, there is love in their hearts. I see it in the way they worship, I see it in the way they love, I see it in the way they live. Janae is a happy person towards me, always an encouragement. When I hear her name or see her face, I immediately feel joy. She is a happy part of my life.
Now I realize that not everyone will respond this way. Some people are just bitter blamers who don't want to see anyone in a positive light. To them everyone is a #1 and a #2. But right now in my life, there are way more #3's.
and it brings me to this question....................
Does my face bring #3's to others?
When my name is mentioned are people encouraged?
When my face is seen are their hearts filled with joy?
Or do they feel nothing because I haven't gotten to know them or even worse, do they know me and because of my attitude towards them they feel sick around me?
Maybe today our prayer needs to be to have the Face of Janae.
If you know a person who feels nothing about you, introduce yourself.
If you know a person is feels sick about you, seek forgiveness.
If you know a person is happy around you, call them and let appreciate them more.
Today the goal is to be a #3.
1 John 4:20 If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?
And by the way, if someone comes to you to be #3, don't be #1 or #2
#1 I Feel Nothing. I don't know them and so my thoughts are blank. For me it doesn't matter what they wear, how many tattoos, or how they are shaped. I don't know them so nothing comes to me. (Judgemental people never feel nothing)
#2 I Feel Sick. I know them and so my thoughts are busy. Will they be negative, will they be critical, will they whine. Have they forgiven me, have I forgiven them, and more importantly has Jesus forgiven them. Because I know them and they have either been antagonistic or opportunistic towards me or mine, part of me wants to hurl.
#3 I Feel Joy. I know them and their Amazing. While not perfect, there is love in their hearts. I see it in the way they worship, I see it in the way they love, I see it in the way they live. Janae is a happy person towards me, always an encouragement. When I hear her name or see her face, I immediately feel joy. She is a happy part of my life.
Now I realize that not everyone will respond this way. Some people are just bitter blamers who don't want to see anyone in a positive light. To them everyone is a #1 and a #2. But right now in my life, there are way more #3's.
and it brings me to this question....................
Does my face bring #3's to others?
When my name is mentioned are people encouraged?
When my face is seen are their hearts filled with joy?
Or do they feel nothing because I haven't gotten to know them or even worse, do they know me and because of my attitude towards them they feel sick around me?
Maybe today our prayer needs to be to have the Face of Janae.
If you know a person who feels nothing about you, introduce yourself.
If you know a person is feels sick about you, seek forgiveness.
If you know a person is happy around you, call them and let appreciate them more.
Today the goal is to be a #3.
1 John 4:20 If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?
And by the way, if someone comes to you to be #3, don't be #1 or #2
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
God wants you to know........
That this is how He feels about YOU
Jeremiah 31:3 (KJV) The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with loving kindness have I drawn thee.
Jeremiah 31:3 (KJV) The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with loving kindness have I drawn thee.
Monday, October 8, 2012
The Hand of Cassie
I don't know if you've noticed, but our church has been changing. Throughout the building, from the coffee cart to the ladies bathroom we can see the changes. I call it the "Hand of Cassie". This amazing lady has been expressing her personality through her amazing gifts and its been awesome to see.
Cassie is doing nothing more than living out Romans 12:6-8. She is placing her stamp on the Body of Christ at newLife.
and this made me think.
This church is nothing more than the "Hands of its Owners"
When Debra Sings, she is placing her hand on us.
When Anthony Plays, he is placing his hand on us.
When Newton Prays, he is placing his hand on us.
When Lori and Lila welcome, they are placing their hand upon us.
When Randy Worships, she is placing her hand on us.
When Garth Teaches, he is placing his hand on us.
We are nothing more than an expression of You.
Go anywhere in this church and you will find the hand of someone who Loves God and Loves you.
From Kim greeting newcomers, to Melissa in the Nursery loving on babies, to Nick with his welcoming smile your hands are all over the place.
Your Hand is Nothing more than an expression of You on Us.
This excites me as I think about those who are new to us, whose touch has not been felt yet.
I can't wait to see how their love, life, and gifts will be expressed.
So I want to encourage you this morning, Your Hand is important to us.
Don't minimize the power of your touch on this body.
If God has brought you here, its because we need you.
We are nothing more than an expression of You.
Thank you Cassie, your Touch is making us better.
Have a Great Week
Cassie is doing nothing more than living out Romans 12:6-8. She is placing her stamp on the Body of Christ at newLife.
and this made me think.
This church is nothing more than the "Hands of its Owners"
When Debra Sings, she is placing her hand on us.
When Anthony Plays, he is placing his hand on us.
When Newton Prays, he is placing his hand on us.
When Lori and Lila welcome, they are placing their hand upon us.
When Randy Worships, she is placing her hand on us.
When Garth Teaches, he is placing his hand on us.
We are nothing more than an expression of You.
Go anywhere in this church and you will find the hand of someone who Loves God and Loves you.
From Kim greeting newcomers, to Melissa in the Nursery loving on babies, to Nick with his welcoming smile your hands are all over the place.
Your Hand is Nothing more than an expression of You on Us.
This excites me as I think about those who are new to us, whose touch has not been felt yet.
I can't wait to see how their love, life, and gifts will be expressed.
So I want to encourage you this morning, Your Hand is important to us.
Don't minimize the power of your touch on this body.
If God has brought you here, its because we need you.
We are nothing more than an expression of You.
Thank you Cassie, your Touch is making us better.
Have a Great Week
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
This Stinks
For four years I prayed to God..............
Give me a Revelation, Show me what to do
I've been trying find my way, haven't got a clue
Tell me should I stay here, or do I need to move
Give me a revelation, I've got nothin without You, I've got nothin without you
(Thanks Third Day)
and since my trip in June, God has been opening my eyes to His plan for my life.
I am so certain of so many things I doubted before.
And then this week happened.
I have gone from God's quiet leading in my heart, showing me love and comfort that created change.
To God Screaming in my ear to Go Big or Go Home and even as recent as this morning rebuking me for slowing down and waiting for other things to happen.
Adding insult to injury, I Read in a Blog Post this morning by Perry Noble
#1 – Is there ANYTHING that God is really dealing with me about right now that I am trying to deny? (Denial doesn’t make us a great leader…if God’s pressing in on YOU then He wants YOU to do something.)
YES, but I don't want to.
Is that denial? No its worse, its rebellion.
Its uncomfortable (to Me)
Its unprofitable (to Me)
Its unmanageable (for Me)
Trust me, its about me and I know it.
So here goes my conversation
Why can't God just do it? ...........Because He has called me to do it.
Why can't God just make it easy? .........He has, I can trust Him.
Why do you have to do this to me? ............Because He loves me and wants to show me how great that love is through this situation.
I am not denying it, but I am struggling with it.
Pray for me.
Not for courage, Not for strength, nor for understanding.
Pray that I would humble myself and please Him and not me or even you
And by the way, what are you saying no to?
Give me a Revelation, Show me what to do
I've been trying find my way, haven't got a clue
Tell me should I stay here, or do I need to move
Give me a revelation, I've got nothin without You, I've got nothin without you
(Thanks Third Day)
and since my trip in June, God has been opening my eyes to His plan for my life.
I am so certain of so many things I doubted before.
And then this week happened.
I have gone from God's quiet leading in my heart, showing me love and comfort that created change.
To God Screaming in my ear to Go Big or Go Home and even as recent as this morning rebuking me for slowing down and waiting for other things to happen.
Adding insult to injury, I Read in a Blog Post this morning by Perry Noble
#1 – Is there ANYTHING that God is really dealing with me about right now that I am trying to deny? (Denial doesn’t make us a great leader…if God’s pressing in on YOU then He wants YOU to do something.)
YES, but I don't want to.
Is that denial? No its worse, its rebellion.
Its uncomfortable (to Me)
Its unprofitable (to Me)
Its unmanageable (for Me)
Trust me, its about me and I know it.
So here goes my conversation
Why can't God just do it? ...........Because He has called me to do it.
Why can't God just make it easy? .........He has, I can trust Him.
Why do you have to do this to me? ............Because He loves me and wants to show me how great that love is through this situation.
I am not denying it, but I am struggling with it.
Pray for me.
Not for courage, Not for strength, nor for understanding.
Pray that I would humble myself and please Him and not me or even you
And by the way, what are you saying no to?
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
A Letter to newLife from PRob
I believe this with all of my heart...Our Best Days as a Church are Ahead of us!
I say this because too often churches and Christians live in the successes of their past as well as hang onto their failures, instead of seeing the amazing things that God has in their future.
I think that once of the reasons that this happens is because to believe Better Days requires faith where remembering the past does not.
The Bible is full of truths concerning our future
To Nathanial Jesus said
John 1:50 Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these.
To the Disciples Jesus said.............
John 14:12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
To the Ephesians Paul believed this about God
Ephesians 3:20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
Greater Things
Greater Works
Greater than we could ask or think
Greater is Ahead of us so Pray with us as a Church as we press on to see, do, and experience Greater things in the coming days.
Have a Greater Day!
I say this because too often churches and Christians live in the successes of their past as well as hang onto their failures, instead of seeing the amazing things that God has in their future.
I think that once of the reasons that this happens is because to believe Better Days requires faith where remembering the past does not.
The Bible is full of truths concerning our future
To Nathanial Jesus said
John 1:50 Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these.
To the Disciples Jesus said.............
John 14:12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
To the Ephesians Paul believed this about God
Ephesians 3:20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
Greater Things
Greater Works
Greater than we could ask or think
Greater is Ahead of us so Pray with us as a Church as we press on to see, do, and experience Greater things in the coming days.
Have a Greater Day!
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