Adventure Week

Tonight is the last night of Adventure Week! To say it's been fun would be an understatement. There have been so many great moments!! My favorite was from last night...seeing kids make a decision to follow Jesus...that's why we do all the hard work we've done!

What's been your highlight this week?

Thanks Jake for all the awesome pics this week!

Monday Morning Reflections

Wow...I'm still processing yesterday! It was intense...

• Yesterday’s message was what is often referred to as a “space maker!” Sometimes truth isn’t easily digested!
• To say that the room was tense is an understatement. But I’m learning as a preacher that often times where there is no tension there is no truth!
• Personally…I thought the music today was unbelievable! Nate and the team did great!! WOW!
• As followers of Jesus Christ we are called to completely submit to His authority in every area of our lives…we don’t get to pick and choose.
• The Gospel is not people in church telling people not in the church “you are bad,” but rather people who have met Jesus telling those who haven’t met Jesus, “I’m bad and your bad…and the only difference between us is that Jesus paid for my sins!”
• People that follow Christ out of convenience do more damage to God’s Kingdom than those who do not follow Christ at all!
• Yes, I did say that parents who allow their children’s sports schedules to govern their times of worship are missing it!!! One day your child will stand before Jesus…and He will not be obsessed with how well he or she can kick a ball!
• Everyone of us have broken every single one of the 10 commandments…we’re not good and we NEED Jesus!
• There are too many Christians who are willing to wear a cross around their neck but not put one on their back and follow HIM daily! (Luke 9:23-24)
• The call that Jesus places on the lives of people who surrender to Him is to make Galatians 2:20 a reality.
• When a group of people get radically committed to Jesus they are often referred to as a “cult!” Why is it that we equate “cult” with commitment and not “Christian?”
• I’m afraid it’s because Christianity in America has been reduced to, “live however you want…just show up at church every once in a while and you will be fine!” The problem is that I can’t find that anywhere in scripture…maybe someone could show me?
• So looking forward to hanging out with our children this week! Adventure Week is going to be awesome! The Spy Chase theme is incredible…I always wanted be a 007 agent. =)

NewLife…I love you guys…I am so blessed to be here and serving as your pastor.

Critics

The greatest advice I've ever received on handling critics:

"Somebody has said a very nasty thing about us.
Well, well; we will answer him when we have got through the work we have at hand, namely, praising God continually.
At present we have a great work to do, and cannot come down to wrangle. Self-love and its natural irritations die in the blaze of praise."
- Charles Spurgeon

I'm Going To Enjoy It More

During my down time last month while I was away from preaching for a few weeks I thought a lot about this:
What—as a pastor— do I need to do that I’m not doing?

I came away with this: I need to enjoy it more. Man, this is the greatest ride a guy could ask for. And I refuse to waste it on pressure, doubt, criticism, anxiety, insecurity, self-pity, self-importance, and impatience. Bottom Line: I don't want to let anything rob me of even a sliver of the joy of being the pastor of NewLife.

To be completely honest...I cannot believe I get to be a part of this. It overwhelms me at times because I still remember like it was yesterday when Jesus found me...when He cleaned me up...and when He called me.

So I’m working on it. You know...being present in the moment and being more grateful to God and not letting the insignificant things get me down.
I'm sure you can relate...

Monday Morning Thoughts

Here are some random thoughts that I am processing this morning...

It was SO awesome to be back at NewLife today…the five week break from speaking was a blessing…God has used it in so many ways!

My favorite part of yesterday was hearing about and seeing the life change in our students! That never gets old...Thank You Jesus!

The band was ROCKING! Seriously, I think they get better and better every week.

My whole body aches...and the bottom of my feet are tore up. We had a staff get together last night at Lee and Debbie's house that resorted to some full contact pool basketball with all the guys on staff. I just wish they all weren't so competitive so I wouldn't have had to try so hard.

We have made it to the All Star break...that's good news because that always means...FOOTBALL SEASON BEGINS SOON!!! Can I get an Amen?

Now for fun: I am always wondering to myself who reads this blog and I thought of a fun way to find out...this Sunday after service instead of shaking hands after service just come up and give me a fist bump...then I'll know you've read this. Yes...I am resorting to “fist bumping” - Yes, I have issues.

Some Funny For Today

Because we could all use more funny in our day...




You're welcome...

Things I'm Learning

As a leader there have been many times where I've made decisions that aren't popular.

I know this isn't rocket science...but it's something that I'm learning...
As a leader I MUST be willing to make unpopular decisions at times…and when that happens you can bet on the fact that people aren't going to like it and you're going to hear about it. Arrows will fly in your direction. Some people might even leave.

Now for even more of what I'm learning...
When attacked we have to stay focused and keep doing what God has called us to do. As a leader you cannot afford to waste time defending yourself and making sure the opinion polls of people are always in your favor.

It's my job as a leader to be passionately obsessed with listening to God and then doing what He says…EVERY SINGLE DAY. We can never allow the voice of the enemy to take the calling that the God of the universe has placed in our lives!

So based on what I'm learning...here's what I'm going to do...
Keep desperately running after Jesus and the vision He has given me for NewLife…and not allow other voices to detour me from hearing the ONE true voice.

Questions I'm Asking

Here's a question I've been asking myself...

What is possible when the church actually becomes obsessed with Jesus and HIS mission and begins to impact the world?

"And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hell will not overcome it." - Matthew 16:18

What do you think?