Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope all of you guys are about to indulge on an incredible day of giving thanks and eating some food.

I am going to be taking the next few days to EAT and REST.
But before I'm away I thought I'd take a few minutes to share what I'm thankful for...

• My wife!
• Our son!
• NewLife Fellowship
• NewLife Staff
• NewLife volunteers…
• TCU Football
• That there's football to watch on TV during Turkey Day!
• God’s absolute sovereignty!
• AND…seriously, MOST of all…I am thankful that Jesus power washed my soul and gave me a brand new start!

I said to the LORD, "You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing." Psalm 16:2

That verse is SO TRUE in regards to my life! I've got tons to be thankful for!!!

What are you thankful for?

Watching Changes Everything

I’ll never forget it. I can trace it all the way back to our very first date…the way you looked at me...that smile...

Today, Terica, you celebrate another year of life. What I saw on that first date I’ve now been watching for over 10 years. I’ve watched, and still I learn more and I am more drawn in everyday. I’ve watched you smile, laugh, cry, hurt, love, nurture, and so much more. I’ve watched you sacrifice for your family and for others. I’ve watched you struggle and wrestle and grow.

I’ve watched, and our son has watched, as have so many others…and because of you we’re all better. Your life has captured me and I’m forever yours.

The important things I’ve learned in life haven’t been from some effort in gaining knowledge, its simply been caught from watching, loving and living with you.

I pray you have the most blessed year of your life. I can’t wait to see what you teach me as I “watch” this year.

Happy Birthday! I’m crazy in love with you.

Things I’ve Had To Learn

Being a Lead Pastor has presented many unique challenges over the years that I’ve been leading at NewLife. There have been many times I’ve thought…"Wow, If I’d known that I don’t know if I would have ever agreed to do this.”

I remember early on seeing statistics that showed that 50% of the people who are there as the church begins would be gone as the church grew.

I remembered thinking…"No…surely not!” “Not us…our people are different…”

Umm…No! The lessons I’ve learned since have been hard…but real…

• You will lose people!
• Whenever you call for sacrifice…you will lose people! (See John 6)
• Whenever the church grows you will lose people!
• Whenever the church makes a major move you will lose people!
• Whenever things seem to be going well you will lose people.
• I don’t like it…but it’s true! I’ve seen it happen first hand.

I realize now that there isn’t a ministry on the planet that hasn’t had to deal with the painful reality that people leave…even when you feel like you are being completely obedient to God and doing what He says!

I guess it’s true what they say…“If people aren’t leaving then you are not leading!”

B90X: Guest Blogger-Kazia Ferguson

Well, we made it!!! The entire bible in 90 days. What a journey it has been. I am not even sure I have the words to sum up the past 90 days. It's been challenging, yet rewarding. Tough, but life changing. Sometimes a chore, but mostly a priveledge.

I wanted to throw up when this challenge was first presented to me. Not because I didn't want to do it, but because I was very afraid I would fail and that's one thing I didn't want to fail at. But God's grace if sufficient, even when reading His word. He gave me strength I needed, the determination and drive to push through and even when I didn't want to read another chapter and He changed my life along the way.

My journey is not over, it has just begun. My prayer is that the fire that was lit during the past 90 days will not burn out, but continue to burn passionately in me.

"And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns." Phil 1:6

B90X: Guest Blogger-Debbie Nicewonger

B90X is over but not forgotten - God is good and shows us his love through his word time and time again. Why then do we have so much trouble living out our lives daily? He really has showed us his plan for us. Why do we insist on our own way?????? Do we really think our way is better than God's way???

Isaiah 42 (The Message) ...But I'll take the hand of those who don't know the way, who can't see where they're going. I'll be a personal guide to them, directing them through unknown country. I'll be right there to show them what roads to take, make sure they don't fall into the ditch. These are the things I’ll be doing for them --- sticking with them, not leaving them for a minute…

God’s promise – he won’t leave us or forsake us. Why do we leave him and think we can go on without his input and guidance when we don’t like what he is leading us in? He knows best.

I’m so excited about all God’s word has spoken to me during B90X as I devoted time to his word daily. Now it’s up to me to go out and live it – not adding to it or taking anything away from it to make it fit me but to allow God to mold me and make me all he desires me to be.

B90X: Guest Blogger-Terica Nicewonger

Wow! B90X! Oh, how I wish I could say that was my first response. Hey, I have been very honest from the start. I was not fond of the idea...reading the entire Bible in 90 days...that's like 15 chapters a day! When am I going to find the time to fit that in? I hardly have time to read my Bible now. And there in lies the problem. I had not been spending time lost in God's word. It's sad to say, but it was not a priority. Knowing this, I was staring a conviction right in the face. Now, I was forced to make the time for it ...and am I so very thankful.

I found that as I began to make time for B90X, it was not a have to but a want to. I began reading things and God began revealing himself to me in ways I'd never experienced before. The sacrifices I had to make in order to make the time were not even worthy enough to be called sacrifices. So what, I had to turn off the TV, get up early, stay up late. I found that I didn't lack anything but was gaining everything, such an understanding of who God was, who he is and yet, still to come. His word had never before become so alive. It was almost as if I was seeing a film play out before my very eyes. The stage was set for each new chapter and from book to book. One seamless act after another. How beautiful is God's word!

So, although I did not have the initial response one might expect from a pastor's wife, it did not take long for my attitude to change. Day one pretty much did it for me. I was in...hook, line and sinker. Was it challenging? Yes! Were there days when I didn't get all 15 chapters in? Yes! Was it worth it? Absolutely, Yes! I now have such an appreciation for the Bible and understand the importance of and reasons why we need it. That's right, we need it. It's vital for our survival. Our fleshly bodies would not be satisfied with a meal once or twice a week. Why do we expect anything different for our spiritual well being? Snacking on the Word of God, here and there, will not fully nourish our spirit. I don't know about you, but I want to strive in this life and God's purpose for me. In order for that to happen, we must be well feed.

Thank you B90X for re-igniting my passion for God's word. Thank you Brandon for having vision and setting forth the challenge. Thank you NewLife staff, what a phenomenal group of people to be accountable to and with. What an adventure this has been...and oh I am so grateful.

B90X: Guest Blogger-Nathan Martin

A little over three months ago Pastor Brandon challenged the staff of NewLife to read the entire Bible in 90 days. When he first issued this challenge I had mixed emotions, I was excited yes, but also skeptical that I could see it through.

It was not an easy task in the least, there were times when I thought I wouldn't make it, but somehow I did. This was one of the most powerful things I have ever participated in and I know I'm better for it.

Here are just a few of the things I learned on this 90-day journey through the greatest Book ever penned:

• God is faithful even when I am not.
• Being a Pastor(Priest) in the Old Testament was one of the suckiest jobs EVER!
• God forgives repeated mistakes.
• God disciplines justly and lovingly according to the sin committed.
• Running from God is useless.
• Jesus ain't playin'!
• I've been given way more than I deserve.
• Jesus doesn't need my opinion, He is doing just fine without it.
• People need Jesus and He wants me to tell them He loves them.
• Religion is worthless noise.
• Jesus is, was, and will be the best thing I could ever commit my life to.

I know this doesn't even begin to cover all that I have learned in the last 90 days, but this one thing I know for sure. I will never be the same again, not even close.

B90X: Guest Blogger-Brooks Ferguson

Here are just some of the things that I took away from my B90X experience...

• If you make up your mind you are going to accomplish something, it can be done (along with prayer to be able to finish!)
• I would recommend that if one has a desire to complete this task, that one have an accountability partner who is willing to do it with you.
• It was very rewarding to have my 3 year old want to read the Bible with me and to have no doubt that I was setting a good example for her.
• Our Father cares about the little things and is very detailed.
• It was interesting to see how some very important people in the Bible suffered hardships and imprisonment for many years, yet were able to witness to many people through and despite their circumstances.
• After recently reading through Revelations, it is not as long and scary as I hear many people say (I think it could make a great movie if done properly).
• I am confused by people who say that the Bible is not real and is something that is fiction (You can't make this stuff up).
• Even if you don't believe in Jesus, there is no better guide to live your life.

B90X: Guest Blogger-Laura Gordy

What an experience!
Reading through the Bible in 90 days has been the most rewarding Bible reading experience I have ever had!

When I first began this adventure I had a preconceived idea about how God would be portrayed differently throughout different portions of scripture, for example I just knew God would be shown as the holy, black & white, king during the early books of the law, then the angry, do or die God throughout the prophets, and finally the loving, caring, only wants to bless you God of the New Testament, (before having a quick relapse during Revelations.)

I always knew, and often quoted, the classic "God is the same, yesterday, today, and forever" but I still thought God had mood swings, or at least different things to focus on that brought out different parts of his personality. But without reading the Bible cover to cover it is so easy to misinterpret God's motives and actions.

The biggest, most obvious thing I felt God show me throughout this experience was that He, at every moment in history, and for every moment for the rest of eternity acts out of ONE single desire: that none shall perish.

Every little thing God did and said lined up with His desperate longing that we would turn away from the things of this world that capture our hearts and come back to the only true Joy, Security, and Hope!

I felt like everyday I read God peeled more scales back from eyes, allowing me to see that this is the only thing that He is interested in. Even Paul explained, "I have had one message for Jews and Greeks alike—the necessity of repenting from sin and turning to God, and of having faith in our Lord Jesus." - Acts 20:21.

It was such a joy to see God's true desire rise to the surface as I raced my way through the Bible. There is nothing like knowing God's heart!

Some Random Monday Thoughts

Wow! What a fun weekend I had. Here's a quick recap...

• Got to work a playoff game Friday night.
• Saturday morning I got up and headed down to TCU and was a part of the crowd there to see ESPN's College Gameday which was being shot live on campus.
• Saturday night I got to hang out with 50,000 of some of my favorite people who were all dressed up in purple as we watched our beloved TCU Horned Frogs dismantle yet another team.
• Then NewLife yesterday! What a fun day...after our worship experience we fried up 6 turkeys for the our "Gobble & Give" event last night. It was a HUGE success.
• Thanks to all who stayed after church to help set up, the turkey crew that helped me get the turkey's cooked and all who stayed to clean up afterwards.
• The night was a great success and we were able to collect a good amount of items to be donated to the Community Storehouse. Thanks to all who contributed.

This past week I asked the staff who joined me over 3 months ago on a journey through the Bible we called B90X to share about their experience and what God showed them through this time together. This week I'll be sharing with you their responses.

Happy Monday to all...

Christmas Eve Experiences

We’re in the process of dreaming up our Christmas Eve experience at NewLife.

We're not just creating an opportunity for the Gospel, but also what we want to see become a cherished tradition for families.

NewLifers who have been a part of past Christmas Eve experiences…what do you cherish and look forward to the most?

Financial Management from a 4 Year Old’s Perspective

Take a look at this video.
Trust me, once you watch this, you’ll want to watch it again!

Pastor Steven Furtick from Elevation church had his 4 year old son, Elijah, teach their church how to manage money God’s way… it’s a simple concept, yet so many of us haven’t mastered it.

I hope this video challenges you, makes you smile, and encourages you to assess your own financial management of the money God has entrusted to you.
Give 10% to God
Give 10% to savings
Spend the rest

If a four year old can manage money God’s way, so can you!

Elijah Offering Video from Elevation Church on Vimeo.

The Task & The Takeaway

I sit here staring at a blinking cursor.
The task: to some how sum up the completion of a 90 day journey that was spent reading from Genesis to Revelation.

There’s no way that I could sum up what this journey has meant to me in one blog post.
The good news is I’ve got plenty to write about going forward.

Reading God’s inspired Word…His love letter to us. I was reminded over and over again of His promises toward us.

Isaiah 54:17“No weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and this is their vindication from me,” declares the LORD.

This verse promises that no weapon formed against the child of God will prosper.But that doesn’t mean the weapon won’t be formed against you. It actually let’s you know that there will be weapons formed against you.
Every accusation leveled at God’s servants will be refuted in the end. But that won’t stop accusations from coming. It assumes that they will.

As I thought about who God is and what He’s promised us it occurred to me:
God is our healer…but that doesn’t mean you’ll never battle sickness.
God is our comfort…but that doesn’t mean you’ll never contend with loneliness.
God is our provider….but that doesn’t exempt you from trials or tribulation.

David said the Lord was a shield (Psalm 3:3) for him.
And you don’t need a shield unless you’re under attack.

So here’s the takeaway…one of the many things that God taught me through this 90 day journey. The struggles that you’re facing don’t disprove God’s promises. They’re the very reason He made the promises to begin with.

Makeover

Thanks to @n8dzl my blog got a much needed makeover.

What do you think of the new digs...?

Thanks Nathan for sprucing up the place!