Wednesday, November 26, 2008

A Few Random Things...

...before I take a few days off for the Thanksgiving holiday.
  • I am completely bummed that I forgot to set my DVR to record Charlie Brown's thanksgiving special last night. It's timeless...would have loved to watch it with my son.
  • I am REALLY looking forward to Thanksgiving food tomorrow! Seriously, I am going to DESTROY some of my mom's home cookin'! (and the turkey I'm deep fryin')
  • I HATE the BCS...something has got to be done about this system that is being used to determine a "National Champion."
  • We complete the “Zip It” series this Sunday…I think this has been a very challenging series. I know that God has been dealing with me on it and I've caught myself many times over the past few weeks almost mid sentence hearing that zipper rip. I just shut my mouth and in my heart thanked God for working on me. I'm not who I once was...but I'm not yet who I will be.
  • You NEED to be here Sunday for the conclusion of this series...truth be told most of you are going to NEED church after hanging out at the family rebellion, er I mean reunion on Thursday! =)
  • Finally...I have so much to be thankful for but nothing greater than what God did for me. I can't out give God! Here's for your thanksgiving reading pleasures...II Corinthians 9:6-15!!! The gift He gave is what I'm most thankful for.

What are you thankful for?

Monday, November 24, 2008

It's Your Day


Happy Birthday, Terica.

Friday, November 21, 2008

Can You Say Free?

Free Dr. Pepper.

24 hours only.

For every single person in America.

Really.

You're welcome.

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Check This Out...

I'm not sure if very many people have seen this yet, but I'm impressed by what I see.
I haven't read everything about it yet, but what I've seen so far I like...A LOT!
See more here.

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

One Prayer 2009



I am excited to see this announced:

ONE PRAYER 2009

Last march while reading a short blog post about the idea of One Prayer my spirit leaped in anticipation of what such an event could do and accomplish. More than 1,800 churches and one million believers later, it’s clear that God had some big plans for One Prayer...even more I'll admit than I even considered that day I first read about it.

After seeing what was accomplished in 2008 with just two months of preparation, I am stoked to see that plans are already being made for One Prayer 2009.
Here’s where things are so far:

  • One Prayer begin June 7, 2009.
  • The premise for One Prayer will remain the same: what if we could be the answer to Jesus’ prayer (John 17:20-24) for his Church to become one?
  • The teaching theme for 2009 is, “God Is...” We’ll be exploring the attributes of God through messages like “God is Powerful,” “God is a Fortress,” “God is My Provider, ” and “God is Love.”
  • We’ll unite as the Church in action as we share, serve, and give. We’ll be sharing resources, serving our communities, and giving to a meaningful cause.
  • One Prayer is all about churches working together and several churches have offered to contribute ideas, time and resources to making One Prayer 2009 a success. Plans are also being made for opportunities that will engage more leaders in the creative process for One Prayer. It’s going to be a great year for unity in the body of Chirst!
I am marking my teaching calendar. I know with out a doubt that NewLife will be a part of this exciting series again in 2009. I am anticipating an even bigger response to One Prayer in 2009 and can't wait to see the impact that comes through this series. It truly is an opportunity to leave a permanent imprint of Christ on the world.


What would you like to see happen during One Prayer 2009?

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Guest Blogger: Nathan Martin

You can check out n8dzl's blog HERE.

Our world is driven by sex. It's everywhere and you can't stick your head in the sand and deny it. Sex is used to sell everything from cars to mops, it's on every freeway, in every magazine, and on every channel, or so it seems. Our culture has taken a God given gift and twisted it into what it was never intended to be and it's high time WE as Christians start making the effort to turn this destructive movement on its heels and make a difference in our world.

I think there are two places where we HAVE to talk about sex.

The first is in the home. Parents we have the responsibility of making sure our kids understand what God, and his Word, have to say regarding sex. WAKE UP! Don't be deceived! Your kids WILL learn about sex at school. I don't care if you paid extra for them to be in a private Christian school, they will still be surrounded by other kids and they WILL talk about sex. Do you want your kids to learn about sex from them, or you? Take the time to figure out when and how to have this difficult conversation and DO IT. If you need help, read on.

The second place we MUST have the sex talk is in the church. We have to talk about it in the church because the BIBLE talks about it. I have been encouraged as of late because a lot of churches have finally wised up and started talking about sex. For far too long the church has been way too passive on this matter. Somewhere along the course of church history we got the idea that sex is "dirty" and it became taboo to talk about it. The truth is that God created sex and made it so that, in the right context, we can worship Him through it.

One of the many churches that has began to be very vocal concerning sex is Fellowship Church right here in Grapevine, TX. Through the vision and Godly leadership of their pastor Ed Young, they are playing a huge role in turning our cultures' thoughts and actions of sex back to what God intended it to be.

Ed is currently doing a series called "Leaving Lust Vegas" concerning sexual sin and purity. I highly recommend that you check it out. The most talked about part of this series is Ed's "Seven Days of Sex" challenge. In the hopes of restoring intimacy and strength to marriages, he has challenged all of the married couples at Fellowship to have sex every day for seven days. Check it out here.

The media, who of course knows everything that is righteous and holy, has grabbed hold of this and has literally gone crazy. Ed has been interviewed on practically every major network, on morning talk shows, and even on ESPN! The fact that God is using the secular media to spread His Word makes me want to shout. I love God's sense of humor!

I also love the creativity that is in play with this idea and I am hoping it is just the beginning of a cultural revolution regarding love, intimacy, and sex. I am so thankful that God is still in the life-changing business and that he is leading his Church to go against the grain and teach the whole Truth and nothing but the Truth.

(Attention Married Couples ONLY)
Terica and I are in on the challenge...hopefully you will consider doing the same. After all...when it comes to sex...God made it so that we could make it!

Thursday, November 13, 2008

LifeImpact

OK NewLifers…we need EVERYONE to step up this weekend.

We want to come together and provide food for the organizations in our community who supply food to those who need it. Thanksgiving is right around the corner and we have the opportunity to help families in need right here in our city!
THIS SUNDAY is the last Sunday to bring your donated items! And I’m asking everyone who can to pitch in so we, as a church, can make an IMPACT.

Here's the List:

  • Laundry Basket (to hold food)
  • Canned broth
  • Canned chicken
  • Canned fruit
  • Canned pasta
  • Canned vegetables
  • Cereal Cereal bars
  • Cooking oil
  • Cranberry sauce
  • Dessert mixes
  • Dry pasta
  • Instant potatoes
  • Juice boxes
  • Kool-aid mix
  • Macaroni and cheese
  • Pancake mix and syrup
  • Peanut butter/Jelly
  • Ramen noodles
  • Snacks/crackers
  • Spaghetti sauce
  • Stuffing mix
  • Sweet potatoes
  • $15 or $20 grocery store gift card to buy a turkey

I think it would be AWESOME if every person that attends NewLife this weekend could at least bring ONE thing (more if possible) and allow the community we live in to see the IMPACT of a church that is serious about meeting needs in the name of Jesus!

IT’S TURKEY TIME! LET’S DO THIS!

Grace

"Our huffing and puffing to impress God, our scrambling for brownie points, our thrashing about trying to fix ourselves while hiding our pettiness and wallowing in guilt are nauseating to God and are a flat denial of the gospel of grace."

-Brennan Manning, The Ragamuffin Gospel

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Presidential History

Barak Obama is our next President. Wow...What a historic election!

If you will allow me a few moments to rant…Christians who are freaking out about this election are getting on my nerves – BIG TIME. It's time to grow up and trust God!

I don't recall ever having seen fear, anxiety, or worry listed as "fruits of the Spirit."

Let's pray for President-Elect Obama and ask God to guide and direct him as our new leader. I think God can bless that a lot more than He can bless all the badmouthing and disrespectful attitudes.

So if this applies to you and in keeping with the new series beginning this weekend at NewLife…Zip It. =)

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

50,000 in 50 days?





I know in our world there are a lot of good causes that we could be involved in. I for one wish it were possible to support ALL of them but I can’t. That being said…here’s one I think just about anyone can and should support. Let me give you three reasons…

1) It’s easy

2) You can afford to.

3) It’s the right thing to do.

A company located just outside of Nashville called Soles4Souls is launching a campaign to have 50,000 pairs of shoes donated in 50 days! All someone needs to do is make a $5 donation which buys TWO PAIRS of shoes! Go to 50000shoes.com to donate $5!

Help out the 300 million children worldwide that do not have one pair of shoes!

Friday, November 7, 2008

Closer To The Start

Last night Terica and I took an opportunity to go to Fellowship Church and be there for the live recording of the DVD for their new album "Closer To The Start."

I was so impressed with what they did...their worship and media teams killed it. It was INCREDIBLE! I picked up a few copies of their new CD...looking forward to sharing with NewLife. (listen in before service this weekend) I have a feeling you'll be hearing and singing along to some of these songs soon.

The great thing about this album after having listened to it for a day and half now over and over again is that it represents through song the conversation the Church should be having with the world.

Last night blew my mind. I wished you could have heard how loud the audience was as they worshiped Jesus. Just a small sample of what heaven is going to be like someday.

"Imagine if tomorrow's sunrise revealed a brand new world and a brand new life. Imagine the second chance, the freedom and opportunity to begin again. This album rises from the reality that in Christ we are all closer to that second chance, closer to freedom, and closer to an opportunity to begin again. We are CLOSER TO THE START."

Thursday, November 6, 2008

Leadership Quotes

This post is probably for me more than it is for anyone else. Below are the 5 leadership quotes that are hanging in Andy Stanley's office right now (he shared these recently at a talk he did at the Catalyst Conference):

  • "To reach the people no one else are reaching, we must do the things no one else are doing." -Craig Groeschel
  • "The next generation product almost never comes from the previous generation." -Al Reis
  • "What do I believe is impossible to do in my field... but if it could be done would fundamentally change my business?" -Joel Barker
  • "If we got kicked out and the board brought in a new CEO, what would he do? Why shouldn't we walk out the door, come back in, and do it ourselves?" -Andy Grove
  • "When your memories exceed your dreams, the end is near." -Michael Hammer

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

I Need A Little Help

I posted this at the bottom of yesterday's blog...but some of you might not have read to the bottom. So here it is again...

I need your help with something. There has been alot of incredible things take place at NewLife this past year. As we're getting towards the end of the year I want to know two things...(they will help with something we're going to do at the end of the year.)

  • Please e-mail me your most memorable moment at NewLife for the year 2008. Please don’t send me a book…just a paragraph or two about the moment and why it was so special. brandon@newlife-fellowship.org
  • What is your favorite song that we sing OR that has been performed here at NewLife? Send me NO MORE THAN TWO…seriously–please AND NOT songs you'd like to see us do...just one's you like that we're doing! =)

Thanks...can't wait to hear from you!

Monday, November 3, 2008

Monday Morning Thoughts

What a great weekend...here are a few of my thoughts!
  • Wow...thanks to all who came out and volunteered their time to make the Fall Festival a HUGE success. I saw many, many faces that I did not recognize. It was awesome to see such a great turnout and our KIDS were having a blast!
  • I have a head cold...stuffed up and my head is killing me! Pray for me...I think the dunk tank did me in. That water was COLD!
  • Sunday was incredible! We had an incredible time of worship and then to see the way that God was moving in hearts and lives during the invitation. Wow...that's all I can say. I still can't believe I get to be a part of all this!! Thanks Jesus!
  • Start inviting people again this weekend...there will be an opportunity for them to accept Christ in the service. The people God has placed in your life may only be one invite away from spending eternity in heaven with Jesus. Together we can make hell less crowded...will you help?
  • Perry Noble said this on his blog this morning...I could not agree more! "The Great Commission is NOT OPTIONAL! There are SO MANY PEOPLE in this world that do not know Jesus…and HIS CHURCH (in most cases) doesn’t seem to care! We’ve got to be more intentional about reaching people for Christ…and amp up our level of urgency as well!!!"
  • I was reading a book called Pop Goes The Church. I layed it down somewhere at the church...if you found it could you return it to me...unless you're reading it and you can't put it down. I am going to order another one today from Amazon! I just don't want to wait for it to be shipped....
  • My TCU Horned Frogs won again!! Big test on the road this Thursday against Utah! I'm already nervous about the game...it's going to be a long week. =)

Last but not least...I need your help with some thing. There has been alot of incredible things take place at NewLife this past year. As we're getting towards the end of the year I want to know two things...(they will help with something we're going to do at the end of the year.)

  • Please e-mail me your most memorable moment at NewLife for the year 2008. Please don’t send me a book…just a paragraph or two about the moment and why it was so special. brandon@newlife-fellowship.org
  • What is your favorite song that we sing OR that has been performed here at NewLife? Send me NO MORE THAN TWO…seriously–TWO!