I Love Ya Tomorrow

Soon after I graduated from high school I decided to go to college. I desired a higher education which is really a lie because what I really wanted was to get out of Astoria and Party with my friends. My Father, who is the wisest man I have ever known, caught wind of this and he worked very hard to talk me out of it.

He knew that I would fail so he made me an offer he thought that I could not refuse. He offered me his 1979 Ford F 250 Ranger Lariat with a brand new motor in it. It was a beautiful truck. But NOOOOOOO I was too smart for him and went to college anyway.

So after four months, $7,000, and going to two classes I came home. I did so fully believing that Dad would give me the truck to heal my pain. Nope, Nada, Denied. All I got was a cross look and a job in the woods.

I've never forgotten that epic failure. It stands as the first of many really stupid decisions in my life. But something happened this week that changed all of that. After 33 years of suffering, God provided me the opportunity to purchase a 1979 Ford F-150 very similar to the one I lost. Its not the same, but its close enough to heal the hurt of another failure in my life.

While some may wonder if this was a God thing or just a break, I believe its a gift from God and this isn't the first time He healed my past mistakes.

I see this gift of grace every time I see Brea Leanne as through my granddaughter I am experiencing a life I was too busy to experience with my own children.

I see this gift of grace every time I go to church and am surrounded by some of the most amazing people in my entire life, encouraging me that there is no longer any such thing as cranky old church ladies but a people of Love and Life.

I see this gift of grace every time Debra wakes up as our life together just gets better and better.

I have failed at times to take the best opportunities of life, but God often brings my failure around and by His love and grace gives me another shot.

I know that its not always the same, but another round is always appreciated.

God always offers us a second chance, its called "Tomorrow"

Lamentations 3:21-23 (ESV)
²¹ But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope:
²² The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end;
²³ they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

How many times do I have to say it!!!!!!!

I want every one to stop today and think about this.............
Great Days don't happen Alone and Yesterday was a GREAT DAY

People were Welcomed GREATLY by our Greeters
Children were Cared for with LOVE by our kidsLife team
People were Moved to WORSHIP by our Worship team
People were Excited to GIVE by the prayers of a Godly Man
People were Motivated to FORGIVE by the Word of God

Seriously, did you not see the Joy on peoples faces as they came in?
Did you not Hear the Voices Praising God?
Did you not Witness the walk of Love as people Gave?
Did you not See people DROPPING THEIR BITTERNESS into the OFFERING PLATES?

It all happened because so many of you are involved in this work.

Great Day guys, You helped God to do Great Things simply by being Great People
We are Blessed

4 Things I ask from you this week

#1 If you know someone who is struggling with bitterness, do whatever you can to get them to newLife church on Sunday.

#2 Know that this Sunday will be the Sunday that those who have been living with long term unforgiveness will be able to find freedom from the bitterness that depresses, stresses, and scares them everyday.

#3 Take some time to read the transforming story of the woman at the well. (John 4:5-42) and notice how her relationships changed once trusting Christ to be her savior.

#4 Please send the next couple of minutes in prayer for those you know who are hampered by bitterness and that they would be open to hearing from God this weekend.

It Shows and I admit it

It only took one run down the baseline and Pop! Must have been one of two things...
a torn tendon or the Voice of God. I think its both. But as an old friend used to say, it is what it is.
He also said something else similar but I shouldn't repeat it. Something about polishing and excrement.

But its time to let the Young Men be Young Men.
Their stronger, faster, and yes better.

And to admit that Old men need to be Old men.
Even the Jews of the OT knew when to take the older men out of the fight and place them into a new role.
We are smarter, wiser, and much more humble. (remember I am not too old to be wise enough to not play sports, but I am a learner). And we can offer so much to them.

We can help them improve their marriages
We can help them make wise decisions with families
We can help them create more Godly homes.
or We can simply be a safe ear for them to confess sin, seek council, or comfort them in weakness.

I am so proud of the young men God has brought to newLife. There is so much potential in them evidenced by how successful they are in the secular world. But the one thing that they are all lacking is the help of the older men.

And as of today, I have hung up my cleats, given my son my paintball gun, picked up a book on how to succeed by surrounding yourself with the best, and I am going to battle for them in prayer.

Its Time

Proverbs 20:29 The glory of young men is their strength, but the splendor of old men is their gray hair.

The Power of One Random Voice

As I sat having coffee this morning thinking about yesterday and planning for today, a good friend of mine sent me a random text. He was not seeking to encourage me but to simply inform me of what God is doing in his life. And in one moment, the problems of yesterday, the pressures of today, all went away. All from One Random Voice.

One Random Voice is powerful because its random ~ It was totally unexpected
One Random Voice is powerful because its real ~ His thought was of Me
One Random Voice is powerful because its right ~ Its good to share good things with good friends

So what did I do? I Became One Random Voice to Another with the hope that a simple moment of life shared might make a better day for someone else.

Thank you Random Voice, I didn't expect you but glad you took the time for me and encouraged me to take the time for someone else. You made my day

Its About YOU

Have you ever had a conversation with someone and then hours later thought of something that you wished you would have said? This happens all the time when I preach, mostly things I wished I wouldn't of said,but, this morning is different. I wished that I would have read this verse at the end of the service.

Psalms 138:7-8 Though I am surrounded by troubles, you will bring me safely through them. You will clench your fist against my angry enemies! Your power will save me. The Lord will work out his plans for my life-for your loving kindness, Lord, continues forever. Don't abandon me-for you made me.

I love this thought....
Though I am surrounded by troubles
You will bring me safely through them
You will deal with my enemies
Your power will save me
You have plans for me
You Love me
You are always with me.

No matter what problems we are facing, when we allow God to be God, and we do nothing more than obey His word, there is no defeating us.

Come out of the Darkness

Never Surrender

I just want to thank all of you who served at newLife yesterday. It was a great day in the Lord. 

Those who came in had such a wonderful spirit. I loved hearing the laughter and seeing the excitement in peoples eyes as they entered the building and began to gather together preparing to meet with their God.

The worship was amazing. Not just because of the great skill in which it was played, nor the passion in which it was led, but in the simplicity of people meeting with God. At one point I wondered if Jesus Himself had walked into the room.

While I am my greatest critic when it comes to the sermon, what I felt about it is insignificant. But it seemed that by the end there was a great awakening to the idea of the Rock and our inability to move it creating a greater need for God to help us. It was as if a door to the hearts of those in attendance was opened, but not by my words but by His work. 

Some thought that yesterday would be a low day. Many believed it would be a day to surrender. But newLife is not giving up on ONE day in 2014. Every day is an opportunity for God to do the miraculous.

Never Surrender