What About You?

"The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people. They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. They seized Peter and John, and because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day. But many who heard the message believed, and the number of men grew to about five thousand." Acts 4:1-4

Sometimes I wonder if I would so willingly preach if….

• they threw me in jail instead of laughing at my jokes.
• if they flogged me instead of applauding.
• if they spat in my face instead of waiting in line to shake my hand afterward.

Would you still lead worship, greet, teach the kids class, pray, host a small group, or serve on church staff if it weren’t so encouraged, accepted, and celebrated?

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

Terica and I wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Right now, as we celebrate the birth of Jesus, many of us tend to have annual moments of introspection where we reflect on what has happened over the past year.

But as we reflect back it's important that we keep our focus on moving ahead. We are so excited about what is to come and we encourage you to dive in and join us as we forge ahead to all that God has in store for the future.

2009 is going to be a great year! I truly believe...the best is yet to come!

Learning From An Atheist

Who knew we could learn from an atheist.

Powerful words from Penn Jillette:
"If you believe that there is a heaven and a hell and people could be going to hell or not getting eternal life or whatever...How much do you have to hate somebody to not proselytize?... If I believe without a shadow of a doubt that a truck was coming to hit you and you didn't believe it but a truck was bearing down on you. There is a certain point that I tackle you and this is more important than that."

Here's the video:

Monday Morning Thoughts...

What a great Christmas experience yesterday at NewLife! Can't wait to do it again Christmas Eve! One of my favorite services ever!

Our creative team did an incredible job! Our band was off the hook! BUT…most of all…the presence of God was POWERFUL…

To all of our volunteers who served yesterday and who will serve Christmas Eve…THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! EVERYTHING you did MADE A DIFFERENCE!!! Our church is being used to advance HIS KINGDOM because of YOU allowing God to use YOU!!!

For the record…I thought our media/production team did an incredible job of using the gifts God gave them to make sure the name of Jesus was heard and seen loud and clear.

I want to make sure you know about our Christmas Eve service this year at NewLife. I’m really proud of our team and how hard they’ve worked to create such a special service.

I know that I might be guilty at times of over hyping things, but I feel completely confident in saying you will not want to miss this. Join us Christmas Eve at 6:30pm for our last Christmas experience and whatever you do don’t come alone. Invite a neighbor, co-worker, or family member to come with you. (If you attended Sunday you might consider attending again and bringing more people back with you.)

Blogging WILL be a bit more sporadic this week (and next) as I will be trying to catch my breath and spend some time with my family! (But…I have written a few posts and set them to update this week and next already.)

TCU plays their bowl game tomorrow night! I'll be wearing my PURPLE! Go Frogs! =)

January 4, 2009 - that’s right, I already can’t wait for it. I am so excited about starting a New Year together and I am believing that God is going to show up and change even more lives. Remember, next weekend we have no gatherings so be ready Jan. 4 and bring people with you!

A NewLife Christmas

Got plans for Christmas Eve?
I do, and I think you should join us.

Preparations are well under way. It's going to be great! This is something you'll just have to experience for yourself.

We're hoping that there aren't any empty seats.
It's going to be a Christmas you'll not soon forget!

Celebrate Christmas at NewLife:
Bring your friends and family to NewLife to experience and celebrate the wonder of Christmas.
Sunday, December 21 10:15am*
Wednesday, December 24, 6:30pm*
*Two identical services
(For Directions Click HERE.)

The Purpose of Christmas

Luke 2:10 - The angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people."

In his new book, The Purpose of Christmas, Rick Warren wrote, "The good news of Christmas is worth celebrating for three reasons. It is personal: 'I bring YOU.' It is positive: 'GOOD news of great joy.' and it is universal: 'for ALL people.'
It doesn't matter who you are, what you've done, where you've been, or where you're headed - this news is for you."

I am filled with hope!

I long for the Savior!

How Are You Making An Impact?

Stop making excuses.

Ouch!

I cracked up...something tells me you will too!?!

Behind The Scenes

Yesterday we kicked off the Christmas season at NewLife with a behind the scenes look at the birth narrative of Jesus. We talked about four feelings as we went behind the scenes in the Christmas story. Afraid, Uncomfortable, Occupied, Awestruck.

Then I turned things to you. I asked you to go behind the scenes of your own life. I want you to go backstage of your life, to the place that no one else can see – your soul. What do you feel when you focus on Jesus? Many of you did that…I was overwhelmed with the amount of cards we received. (And how honest they were…)

Now I want to try and help clarify what might be happening in your life that makes you feel that way. We have to get to the Why? That’s going to take a little more depth. That’s going to take a little more reflection. You’re going to have to peel a layer back to get to the Why.

Doing so is going to help you be able to respond more like the wise men and the shepherds. Not just during one season of the year but every day of the year.

To consider before next week:
1. Identify which of the four feelings best describes your response to Jesus? [WHAT do I feel when I focus on Jesus?]
2. Clarify what might be happening within your life that makes you feel that way. [WHY do I feel that way about Jesus?]
3. Re-read the biblical events surrounding the birth of Jesus. Matthew 1:18-2:23; Luke 2:1-20.
4. Come back next weekend and we’ll attempt to uncover some Christmas hope for whatever it is you’re feeling. Consider bringing a friend and we’ll make sure to do a short review and bring them up to speed in preparation for part 2.

Spread The Word

"When they had seen Him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them...The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told." Luke 2:16-18;20

Could getting people to church really be this easy?

Maybe it could be. Maybe it should be.

Who will be at NewLife this Christmas season because of you?

What are you doing to "spread the word concerning what you have been told about this child...?"

Reasons I Don't Like Most Christians...

I have been open many times both publicly and privately with those whom I am close to that Christians can be VERY irritating. So open that during the summer of 2007 we did a series at NewLife called "The Most Irritating Things About Christians." It's been one of my top 5 favorite to teach ALL-TIME.

The reason that I enjoyed it so much is that it was a challenging series...both to teach and it's still to this day challenging to live out. So often there are things that we want to do...that we know we should do but we don't do them, and in doing so we miss the mark. When people who are on the outside looking in at our lives it becomes a barrier to people coming to Christ.

Tony Morgan is a blogger I follow and a pastor at NewSpring Church in S. Carolina. He formed a list of reasons why he found Christians irritating. Be warned before you read it...it's convicting.

Here's the list from Tony Morgan's blog:
10 Reasons I Don’t Like Most Christians

1. They consistently seem angry and bitter and worried. I thought Christians were supposed to reflect joy and kindness and peace.
2. They don’t dream big dreams. That seems odd given the fact that we’re supposedly worshiping a God who is “able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare ask or hope.”
3. They seem to worship their theology more than Jesus. For whatever reason, this appears to be especially true for folks that come from a reformed theology.
4. They don’t like it when other people or ministries experience success. Think about it. There are Christians who would be overwhelmed with joy if NewSpring experienced fewer salvation's, fewer baptisms and our attendance dropped.
5. They use prayer as an excuse for inaction. They’re waiting for God to do his thing, but they aren’t willing to step out in faith and obedience.
6. They’re more concerned with the BMW next door than the lost person who drives it. Christians hate people with money. They’re willing to sacrifice time and money for those without it, but they’re satisfied to let “rich” people go to Hell.
7. They would rather people live life without Jesus than give up their personal preferences. What happens when your preferred teacher doesn’t teach? What happens when your preferred worship leader doesn’t lead? What happens when you don’t like the music?
8. They are fake. They dress up a certain way on Sunday and they live as completely different people the rest of the week.
9. They think they’re better than other people. That’s why they create rules to follow. It helps differentiate why they are holy while others are not.
10. They’re comfortable with mediocrity. Doesn’t matter where. Think Christian music and movies. Think how we invest our time and money. You don’t seriously think God deserves our best do you?

After reading that list I thought to myself...I’ve sinned in just about every one of these areas. It pains me to say that, but it’s true.

If people hear the Gospel and reject Jesus, that’s one thing. If I’m the barrier to people accepting Christ because of me and my sin, that’s a completely different deal. Fortunately, God’s much bigger than my stupidity.

I think reading this causes me to ask myself some tough questions. If you want you can play along from home too...

• When does your humanness get in the way of people knowing the hope, forgiveness and love of Jesus?
• Does your life make people curious about the claims of Jesus or does it make them flee?
• What would you add to the list above?

More Than Blessed…

Last week, as we celebrated Thanksgiving, I spent a lot of time contemplating how thankful I am for so many things. At the top of the list is my bride. I had the privilege of being stuck in a car with her for 24 hours over a 36 hour period as we tended to a family issue. We had time to talk, laugh, karaoke. =)
She even helped me prep for my Christmas talks…trust me, they are going to be better now because of it too!

No one knows the life of a pastor’s wife and mom unless you are one. I’ve watched her strength and grace in so many situations. She carries the same burdens I do, and prays for NewLife, and has the same passion burning within to see God do huge things. She has compassion that is second to none. Honestly, I’ve never met anyone who comes close to her.

I’m more than blessed.