We Won the LOTTERY!!!!

Not the Powerball one. But the Prayer one.

I know the powerball lottery was on many of your minds.
Come on, lets be honest. Some of you dreamed of what you would do if you won, and more of you even bought tickets. I know I know the first thing you would do is tithe.

But what was interesting about this lottery was the number of shows that talked about how the lottery could screw up your life. Only a few people in the world will ever see that kind of prosperity and so most of us will live well below the 500 million line. So those who win often will lose their lives because they cannot handle being rich.

When you've lived in poverty your whole life, its hard to live in prosperity.

And this is just as true in the church as it is anywhere else. Most of us associated with newLife know what it means to live in poverty. Never enough people to serve, never enough money to give, never enough musicians to play, never enough of the Pastors time.

I remember when we had no instruments for worship at all and for three months you could hear every dollar that hit the offering plate and it sounded like a bomb going off. We only had two singers and my song leader just got out of jail. Yes, he went back in six months later. Don't ask.

I remember when we had no qualified men to be leaders and so we used any man who would serve. Scary I know.

I remember when we stressed over every offering, especially in the summer wondering if we were going to be able to pay the light bill. Still there.

I remember so many Sundays asking Debra if she thinks anyone is going to come to church.

I remember long periods of time when no one came to know Christ.

If you've been with us over the last 10 years you know what I am talking about. We've lived in poverty as a church and we have learned how to live there. God is still Good, God is still Great, but the truth is its survival at its best.

When you've lived in poverty your whole life, its hard to live in prosperity.

Church, God is beginning to Prosper us.
Gary and Cindy
Brendon, Brittney and Christian
Our Amazing Small Group Children's Leaders
Our Outstanding Greeters and Ushers

For the first time in our History as a Church we have more than we have ever had or even thought to have. This is Ephesians 3:20-21 being lived our in our lives.

Ephesians 3:20-21 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,
²¹ Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

Yet, When you've lived in poverty your whole life, its hard to live in prosperity.

and so here are a Couple of thoughts I want to help you with:
Beware of your Attitude.
We're used to being poor, don't think that life was better there. We prayed our guts out for God to give us more, be thankful when you've received it. Don't worry because Gary isn't me. No one wants two of me. Don't complain because the music is different. So are Brendon and Brittney, With That attitude no type of music will move you to worship. Praise God that there is more and with more comes different.
Be Careful with your Friends
We are used to being poor and when God blesses sometimes they get jealous and do any thing they can to humble us. (they think its God's calling)
Be Ready for opportunities of life you've never had.
We've been poor, Now we're Rich, What kind of God experiences will we have now that God has provided so much for us?

We have won, what will you do with God's Blessings?

A Letter to newLife

Last night I was reading a blog post that was written by someone about me. I know its a strange world but its true. Now it wasn't what was said that bothered me because critics come with the job. But what bothered me is that it bothered me.

We live in a world where men and woman have the ability to say anything they want about anyone or anything. I get that. But it bothers me that it bothers me. I see it on Facebook when a lady gets mad at someone. Its said and believed by "followers" of that person. It is usually not true but the followers care more for the writer than the truth. But it still bothers me that it bothers me.

Call me "Old School" but I thought the bible says that if you have ought with someone your supposed to go to that person, alone, with restoration not rebuke the goal?

Matthew 18:15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.

and it bothers me that it bothered me. I am not upset with this person, in all honesty I understand his frustration, but it bothers me that it bothers me and so looking into my own life I came to this conclusion.......

...for the next two weeks I am unplugging. No electronics outside of the church phone.
If I am going to have a conversation with someone it will come face to face or on hand written card. If you want to talk to me you will need to find me.

I want to reconnect with people on a more personal basis.
I want my relationships to be more than a text, tweet, blog, or face book message.

But that does not mean that I am against these things nor does it mean that I won't be going back to them. It just means that I am taking a break. My Blog will be taken over by a few guests bloggers and the worship blog will be led by my lovely wife DJ.

I do ask for your prayers and understanding for the next couple of weeks, as it bothers me that it bothers me and I want to understand why.

See You Tomorrow

Letting Go................

It sounds so easy.
Just Let It Go.
But its been such a huge part of my life.
Just Let It Go.
I know I can't hold on.
Just Let It Go.
It cannot be Sustained.
Just Let It Go.
It Will Be the Best for Me.
Just Let It Go.
But I'm Comfortable, kind of.
Just Let It Go.
What Will It Look Like.
Just Let It Go.
What Will I Look Like.
Just Let It Go.
I Am Afraid.
Just Let It Go.
He Is Here.
I'm Letting Go.

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. ⁶ In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Soon I will share the story, but today, I'm Letting Go

Happy Veterans Day

At this moment, my only son is serving our country in Afghanistan. 
I could not be prouder.

If you would, take a moment and pray for those brave men and women who are in harms way, so that we don't have to be.

"This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave." -Elmer Davis

"If" only men today would live this way

If by Rudyard Kipling

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too:
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies,
Or being hated don’t give way to hating,
And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise;

If you can dream—and not make dreams your master;
If you can think—and not make thoughts your aim,
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same:
If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build ’em up with worn-out tools;

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breathe a word about your loss:
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: ‘Hold on!’

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with Kings—nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much:
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,
And—which is more—you’ll be a Man, my son!

Post Election Notes

There is a face book discussion I was a part of with my family and as my church family I wanted to share my part of it because I believe it so strongly.

The thread started with one Nephew talking about how concerned he is for the future of our country. Very Polite but very concerned.
My Sister in law wrote discussing how the popular vote should have one and my other sister in law wrote explaining the electoral college even more. My Brother added another thought, again very true. (all of the details are really not important)

Because of this.

My reply to them all.

Today I will go to work and try to help broken people. I've done it for 15 years. Whomever is president has not changed that fact. I suggest less time with broken politics and more time with broken people.
That's change we can agree with.

and while some of you may not like that I am not political, Neither was Christ.

Luke 19:10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
The Pharisees were Political
The Sadducee's were Political
and Jesus said this about them......
Matthew 23:13 But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.

The Romans were in Power and yet Jesus never rebelled against their tyranny but instead while hanging on the cross while roman soldiers fought over His cloak said this.......
Luke 23:34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.

I love my Country
but not as much as my Christ.

I voted fulfilling my responsibility to my Country
But today, I will carry out my responsibility to my Christ.
Find people far from God, and Let them Feel His Love

I care less for the future of our country as I do for the country that one lives in without the love of Christ in them.

That's a country I will fight for.

Important Read

I was reading over at a blog called Resurgence when I came across an intersting article written by Larry Osborne. Click over there and tell me what you think.

6 warning signs we’re becoming accidental Pharisees | The Resurgence

A Letter to newLIfe from Pastor A

Hey Guys I just wanted to mention a few highlights from yesterday.

#1 More Comments on our Greeters. From the moment people walk in the door they feel valued. I Love it when visitors feel Loved.

#2 More Comments on our Children's ministry. The kids are learning so much from amazing people. I Love it when Children feel Loved.

#3 More Comments on our Music Ministry. They see your passion for Jesus and each other. I Love it when the congregation feel Loved.

Its what we are called to do, Love as we have been Loved, and if I can quote Je'kob

Love is…everlasting
Love is…only kind
Love is…always patient
Love will…blow your mind

If you let it
OH
If you let it
OH
If you let it
OH
If you let it
OH
Have an Awesome Week and I can't Wait for Sunday