What a mockery our world has made of marriage.
How cutting is this humor?
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Monday, April 27, 2009
Some Random Monday Thoughts
About to head out of town. Really looking forward to attending THR3E in Charlotte with Steven Furtick and the gang at Elevation Church.
Yesterday at NewLife was amazing...worship was awesome and I'm loving the current series we're doing on Parenting. I mentioned yesterday how excited I am that some parents are going to grab this stuff and their lives and families are going to be changed for generations to come. Other's will blow it off and ignore it and continue down the same trajectory that their lives are on and they'll miss God's best for their life.
Ever wonder why some Christians grow and others don't? Steven nailed it with this blog post right here. Seriously...you should read it. Have you devoted yourself?
Catching a plane in a few hours...I'll blog about my time in N.C. later.
Yesterday at NewLife was amazing...worship was awesome and I'm loving the current series we're doing on Parenting. I mentioned yesterday how excited I am that some parents are going to grab this stuff and their lives and families are going to be changed for generations to come. Other's will blow it off and ignore it and continue down the same trajectory that their lives are on and they'll miss God's best for their life.
Ever wonder why some Christians grow and others don't? Steven nailed it with this blog post right here. Seriously...you should read it. Have you devoted yourself?
Catching a plane in a few hours...I'll blog about my time in N.C. later.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Town Hall For Hope
We've been testing the feed from the great people at Lifechurch.tv and we're ready on our end to team up with Dave Ramsey’s team for the upcoming Town Hall for Hope.
This 90-minute free event will address what’s happening with the economy, how we got here, and where we’re going. During the town-hall-style gathering, participants will have a chance to ask Dave financial questions through email, phone, text, YouTube, Facebook and Twitter.
Over 6,000 churches and businesses throughout the nation have signed up to simulcast the Town Hall, with an estimated audience of more than one million people. Additionally, it will be broadcast live on the Fox Business Network and several radio stations across the country. It all starts this Thursday, April 23 at 7:00 p.m CT/8:00 p.m. ET, and again at 7:00 p.m. PT so people on the West Coast can participate.
I know that I speak on behalf of the entire staff at NewLife...we’re honored to partner with Dave and the great people at Lifechurch.tv who are broadcasting the event from their Oklahoma City campus. I am so excited to see how God is going to use Town Hall for Hope to change our country!
*This is a free event and childcare is provided but you must pre-register by clicking HERE.
This 90-minute free event will address what’s happening with the economy, how we got here, and where we’re going. During the town-hall-style gathering, participants will have a chance to ask Dave financial questions through email, phone, text, YouTube, Facebook and Twitter.
Over 6,000 churches and businesses throughout the nation have signed up to simulcast the Town Hall, with an estimated audience of more than one million people. Additionally, it will be broadcast live on the Fox Business Network and several radio stations across the country. It all starts this Thursday, April 23 at 7:00 p.m CT/8:00 p.m. ET, and again at 7:00 p.m. PT so people on the West Coast can participate.
I know that I speak on behalf of the entire staff at NewLife...we’re honored to partner with Dave and the great people at Lifechurch.tv who are broadcasting the event from their Oklahoma City campus. I am so excited to see how God is going to use Town Hall for Hope to change our country!
*This is a free event and childcare is provided but you must pre-register by clicking HERE.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Parenthood
We started our new series Parenthood yesterday! I hope you left challenged...I know that God is challenging me on some things.
I am so passionate about parenting and can't wait to see what God does through this series.
Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it. - Proverbs 22:6
I shared some ways yesterday that Terica and I are trying to lead Braden intentionally.
Here's a list you can use to study and go further:
1) Train them to manage God’s money. (Prov. 3:9-10)
2) Train them to carefully select friends. (Prov. 13:20)
3) Train them to watch their words. (Prov. 4:24)
4) Train them to be responsible. (Prov. 6:6-8)
5) Train them to guard their minds. (Prov. 23:7)
6) Train them to be generous. (Prov. 11: 25)
7) Train them to fear God. (Prov. 1:7)
In what other ways are you training your children?
I am so passionate about parenting and can't wait to see what God does through this series.
Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it. - Proverbs 22:6
I shared some ways yesterday that Terica and I are trying to lead Braden intentionally.
Here's a list you can use to study and go further:
1) Train them to manage God’s money. (Prov. 3:9-10)
2) Train them to carefully select friends. (Prov. 13:20)
3) Train them to watch their words. (Prov. 4:24)
4) Train them to be responsible. (Prov. 6:6-8)
5) Train them to guard their minds. (Prov. 23:7)
6) Train them to be generous. (Prov. 11: 25)
7) Train them to fear God. (Prov. 1:7)
In what other ways are you training your children?
Friday, April 17, 2009
God's Plan A
Today, as you interact and move about in the world you live. The school, the job, the hospital, the team, etc…realize this as a Christ-Follower…YOU ARE GOD’S PLAN A FOR REACHING AND CHANGING THAT CLASS, FAMILY, WORKPLACE, ETC…and please understand that there is no ‘Plan B’…Jesus in us is Plan A!
If we are waiting on something…or someone else…I have come to realize that when our opportunity passes (AND IT WILL)…When we graduate, change jobs, move, etc…the only thing that we’ll have then are regrets…because of the missed opportunities.
No Regrets = Recognizing Christ in us is God’s Plan…right now.
If you believe this to be true I’ll leave you with 1 simple charge…“PROVE IT!”
Never forget: Christ in you is the hope of Glory…
If we are waiting on something…or someone else…I have come to realize that when our opportunity passes (AND IT WILL)…When we graduate, change jobs, move, etc…the only thing that we’ll have then are regrets…because of the missed opportunities.
No Regrets = Recognizing Christ in us is God’s Plan…right now.
If you believe this to be true I’ll leave you with 1 simple charge…“PROVE IT!”
Never forget: Christ in you is the hope of Glory…
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Monday, April 13, 2009
Monday Morning Thoughts...
Simply in awe of all the amazing things God did yesterday!
Honestly, I feel that this weekend’s service was the most amazing service we’ve ever had since NewLife started.Thank you NewLifers for being faithful to invite your friends and family members to hear about Christ. Through your commitment to see people far from God filled with life in Christ we now have reason to celebrate!
The response that we saw yesterday was the most people that have ever responded to the Gospel in a weekend service here at NewLife. Reality is this…Hell is going to be less crowded! Yesterday we saw first hand people cross over from death to life.
Weekends like this make it all worth it. All of the comments from people that don’t like the way we do things…all of the long days and sleepless nights…all the extra time and preparation…it’s ALL worth it!!!
I stand by the fact that the only way our community will be changed is by the church preaching AND living the Gospel. I believe as we do that we’re going to see Jesus do the unexplainable and undeniable…and His church will become unstoppable!
Really enjoyed following some of my pastor friends on twitter. So cool to get updates on how everybody's Easter was going. What a great day for the kingdom!
We have to continue to invest and invite. There’s no reason we shouldn’t continue to invite people who are far away from God to join us every Sunday. We can’t let up…we’re going to make sure that the Gospel is presented every weekend no matter what the teaching series might be…it all comes back to Christ. We celebrate the resurrection of Jesus EVERY weekend at NewLife so don’t let up.
Really looking forward to staring Parenthood this weekend. If you have kids, are thinking about having them, or you just know some kids…you won't want to miss this four-week series that explores what God's Word has to say about all things parental.
Yesterday…on the way home from an awesome lunch with Terica and Braden I had a moment where everything caught up to me and I was completely overwhelmed by God’s grace. My eyes welled up with tears as I thought about the fact that I deserve hell and the wrath of God. But because of Jesus I am born again. Truth is…the difference between the hell I deserve and the grace I enjoy is Jesus Christ.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Put Up Your Dukes
Pastor Steven Furtick and his wife Holly are the lead pastors of Elevation Church in Charlotte, NC. Steven's wife wrote an insightful blog post about the pressure that families in ministry face leading up to big initiatives.
As we prepare for Easter weekend I felt lead to share this with you so you will know how to support your pastors and their families during this time.
Check it out below.
I am not a fighter. I really hate tension. But there is one fight that I am learning to fight.
In our three short years of ministry I have noticed a pattern. Around Christmas and Easter, Fall push and the opening of a new campus, the start of a new ministry or addition of a service we seem to come against a strong opposition.
Ephesians 6:12 says For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Does this mean that I blame the devil for every bad thing that happens to our family around Easter? No, of course not. But do I think that there are forces in this world that want to attack and/or distract us during a time of year when many many people will come to church for the first time (or maybe first time in a long time). Absolutely.
How do I fight? Well first of all I am aware. I see a negative attitude that rises up inside me as an opportunity for there to be a tension in my marriage. I am sensitive to the Holy Spirit. I try to spend more time meditating and praying as I go throughout my day.
I am also not going to bring up a conversation that may cause a disagreement. I realize that my husband needs to focus most of his attention on the goal and vision of our church and reaching people. To cause some kind of disagreement would be to cause a distraction for him. If the enemy cannot get at my marriage through a moral failure, he is going to attack through the seemingly small.
You may be reading this post and think, this is not for me. I am not in the ministry. This post is for everyone.
If you are in the ministry, open your eyes. Be aware, be sensitive, be prayerful.
If you are not in the ministry, be in extra prayer for your church, your pastor, your church leaders and for their families. Pray for smooth services, functioning equipment, plenty of volunteers, good health, the list can go on and on.
This is a fight worth fighting because people’s lives are at stake. Put up your dukes.
As we prepare for Easter weekend I felt lead to share this with you so you will know how to support your pastors and their families during this time.
Check it out below.
I am not a fighter. I really hate tension. But there is one fight that I am learning to fight.
In our three short years of ministry I have noticed a pattern. Around Christmas and Easter, Fall push and the opening of a new campus, the start of a new ministry or addition of a service we seem to come against a strong opposition.
Ephesians 6:12 says For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Does this mean that I blame the devil for every bad thing that happens to our family around Easter? No, of course not. But do I think that there are forces in this world that want to attack and/or distract us during a time of year when many many people will come to church for the first time (or maybe first time in a long time). Absolutely.
How do I fight? Well first of all I am aware. I see a negative attitude that rises up inside me as an opportunity for there to be a tension in my marriage. I am sensitive to the Holy Spirit. I try to spend more time meditating and praying as I go throughout my day.
I am also not going to bring up a conversation that may cause a disagreement. I realize that my husband needs to focus most of his attention on the goal and vision of our church and reaching people. To cause some kind of disagreement would be to cause a distraction for him. If the enemy cannot get at my marriage through a moral failure, he is going to attack through the seemingly small.
You may be reading this post and think, this is not for me. I am not in the ministry. This post is for everyone.
If you are in the ministry, open your eyes. Be aware, be sensitive, be prayerful.
If you are not in the ministry, be in extra prayer for your church, your pastor, your church leaders and for their families. Pray for smooth services, functioning equipment, plenty of volunteers, good health, the list can go on and on.
This is a fight worth fighting because people’s lives are at stake. Put up your dukes.
Eph 6:10-11 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Easter
The weekend is the biggest weekend of the year for us as a church. I am preaching a straight forward message on salvation using some of the Last Word Jesus ever said. I will be giving an invitation for your friends and family who are far from God to accept Christ. Please make the most of this opportunity by inviting everyone you know that is far from God to hear this message.
I’m counting on you to do your part in reaching our community with the love of Christ this Easter.
Will you help me get the word out?
I’m counting on you to do your part in reaching our community with the love of Christ this Easter.
Will you help me get the word out?
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
What's Your Life Saying?
Read a Francis Chan quote that grabbed my attention this morning…In regards to this passage of scripture…
Here's what he said:
“As a Christian we cannot raise our hands and sing ‘Hosanna’ when our lives scream ‘Crucify!’…”
What is your life saying?
Here's what he said:
“As a Christian we cannot raise our hands and sing ‘Hosanna’ when our lives scream ‘Crucify!’…”
What is your life saying?
Monday, April 6, 2009
Finish Strong
Yesterday I asked the question at NewLife "How do we finish strong?"
The Bible teaches us two principles to finish strong. The first thing is to commit to a finishing decision, to make a decision to step across the line and to say, “I am deciding to commit.”
I believe as Jesus prayed in the Garden before he was crucified, He made the decision that no matter what, “I will do what the Father sent Me to do.” He said, “Nevertheless, not my will, but the will of God be done in my life.” It doesn’t matter how much pain, how much ridicule, how much torture, I believe at that moment, He made the finishing decision. No turning back. “Your will be done, God. Not mine.”
The second thing that we do is this. We execute finishing actions. We commit, and then we execute. If God has called you to do something, take a step in that direction today. Finish the work.
This week we celebrate Easter...the death, the burial and the resurrection of Christ. Jesus fulfilled prophecy after prophecy and I mentioned that I'd put some of them out here on my blog for your further study. I'd say as you look at His life we can see someone who finished strong.
The Bible teaches us two principles to finish strong. The first thing is to commit to a finishing decision, to make a decision to step across the line and to say, “I am deciding to commit.”
I believe as Jesus prayed in the Garden before he was crucified, He made the decision that no matter what, “I will do what the Father sent Me to do.” He said, “Nevertheless, not my will, but the will of God be done in my life.” It doesn’t matter how much pain, how much ridicule, how much torture, I believe at that moment, He made the finishing decision. No turning back. “Your will be done, God. Not mine.”
The second thing that we do is this. We execute finishing actions. We commit, and then we execute. If God has called you to do something, take a step in that direction today. Finish the work.
This week we celebrate Easter...the death, the burial and the resurrection of Christ. Jesus fulfilled prophecy after prophecy and I mentioned that I'd put some of them out here on my blog for your further study. I'd say as you look at His life we can see someone who finished strong.
- Born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:21-23)
- Born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2, Matthew 2:1; Luke 2:4-7)
- Would enter Jerusalem as a king on a donkey (Zechariah 9:9; Matthew 21:4-9)
- Would be rejected by Jews (Psalm 118:22; I Peter 2:7)
- Die a humiliating death (Psalm 22; Isaiah 53)
- Sold for thirty pieces of silver (Zechariah 11:12; Matthew 26:14-15)
- Betrayed by a friend (Psalm 55:12-14; Matthew 26:49-50)
- Disciples forsook Him (Zechariah 13:7; Matthew 26:56)
- Accused by false witnesses (Psalm 35:11; Matthew 26:59-60)
- Spit on Him (Isaiah 50:6; Matthew 27:30)
- Silent before His Accusers (Isaiah 53:7; Matthew 27:12-14)
- Wounded and bruised (Isaiah 53:5; Matthew 27:26)
- Hands and feet pierced (Psalm 22:16; Luke 23:33)
- Crucified with thieves (Isaiah 53:12;Mark 15:27-28)
- Prayed for His persecutors (Isaiah 53:12;Luke 23:34)
- People ridiculed Him (Psalm 22:8; Matthew 27:41-43)
- Took his clothes and cast lots (Psalm 22:18; John 19:23-24)
- His forsaken cry (Psalm 22:1;Matthew 27:46)
- Gall and vinegar given Him (Psalm 69:21; John 19:28-29)
- Bones not broken (Psalm 34:20; John 19:33)
- Committed Himself to God (Psalm 31:5; Luke 23:46)
- His side pierced (Zechariah 12:10; John 19:34-37)
- Darkness over the land (Amos 8:9; Matthew 27:45)
- Buried in a Rich Man’s tomb (Isaiah 53:9; Matthew 27:57-60)
- Would rise from the dead!! (Psalm 16:10; Mark 16:6; Acts 2:31)
- Ascend into Heaven (Psalm 68:18; Acts 1:9)
- Would sit down at the right hand of God (Psalm 110:1; Hebrews 1:3)
What do you need to commit to finish and then execute on?
Commit and execute and don’t give up.
Friday, April 3, 2009
SEXTING?? It's real...
This is real...and it's happening even in our local school's. (Don't forget...I teach in one.)
I thought there was some great advice in there for parents on ‘taking responsibility’ for their kids cell phones… Parents...hello, YOU OWN THE CELL PHONE!
Parents - kids need us to lay down their boundaries...and for some who are reading this you need to stop being your kids friend and start being their parent. (And don't give yourself away...the one's that get upset by hearing that are the one's I'm talking to.)
Have you guys seen this epidemic???
Do you think those numbers are legit??? (1 out of 5?)
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Isn't Twitter A Waste Of Time?
I've been using twitter for almost a year now. I am a FULL ON user and think life would be boring without it.
What's funny to me is that after all the news stories and the discussions about it I still get asked on a regular basis:
Isn't it a waste of time?
What IS it anyway?
Recently, Michael Hyatt, CEO of Thomas Nelson, Inc. answered both questions quite well in his post: 12 Reasons You Should Start Twittering.
What's funny to me is that after all the news stories and the discussions about it I still get asked on a regular basis:
Isn't it a waste of time?
What IS it anyway?
Recently, Michael Hyatt, CEO of Thomas Nelson, Inc. answered both questions quite well in his post: 12 Reasons You Should Start Twittering.
- It will enable you to experience social networking first-hand. One of my pet peeves is people who pontificate on new technologies but have never actually used them. This is particularly annoying—but common—among CEOs.
- It will make you a better writer. Twitter only allows you to post 140 characters at a time. As a result, you are forced to be concise. In my opinion, this is one of the hallmarks of good writing. Short messages. Short paragraphs. Short sentences.
- It will help you stay connected to people you care about. This is one of the few technologies I’ve found that actually contributes to community-building. In today’s busy world, it’s difficult to keep up with others.
- It will help you see a new side of your friends. In an odd sort of way, Twitter “humanizes” people and provides a context for better understanding them. If you follow me on Twitter, for example, you’ll quickly see that I get excited, bored, frustrated, and confused—sometimes all in the same day. You’ll also learn what is important to me and what drives me crazy.
- It will introduce you to new friends. I have now met several new people via Twitter. These have contributed to my life in small but significant ways.
- It is faster than text-messaging. In a sense Twitter is a universal text messaging system. You can broadcast to people who subscribe to your Twitter feed or send a direct message to just one.
- It will make you think about your life. You start to see your life through the lens of the people following you. Interestingly, it has made me more intentional and thoughtful about my life.
- It will help you keep up with what people are talking about. Via Twitter, I have learned about hot books, cool software, breaking news, and even great restaurants. Because the information is coming from real people who care enough to Twitter about it, I have found it more valuable and authentic.
- It can create traffic for your blog or Website. I have noticed a 30% uptick in my blog traffic in the last 30 days. It may be related to the fact that I have been in the news more or have been writing on more controversial posts. However, I also think it is related to the fact that I am Twittering every time I post a new blog entry. This seems to have a viral effect.
- It requires a very small investment. Twitter itself is a free service. In terms of my time, I probably invest less than 10 minutes a day. Since “tweets” (i.e., posts) are limited to 140 charters or less, you can scan them in a second or two. Writing them usually takes less than 30 seconds.
- It can help build your personal “brand.” When people hear your name, what comes to mind? What is your reputation? What is the “brand promise”? Brands are built incrementally, one interaction at a time. Twitter gives you one more way to build your brand, one tweet at a time.
- Twitter is just plain entertaining. Following your family and friends is kind of like watching reality TV. The difference is that you know the people and actually care about them. In this sense, it is even more fun, because you know more about the people from other contexts.
Twitter is just one practical illustration of how we've moved past the industrial age through the information age to the interconnected age. But, naysayers are still calling it dumb and dismiss it without much thought. On the other hand though...Anything can be dumb--depending on how it's used.
So...what are you waiting for? Give it a try...
