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!
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
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!!!!!
#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.
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!
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?
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
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!
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!
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