It’s just part of our reality. We don’t like to think about it, but it’s coming. None of us know how many days we have in this life. We hope for long, healthy and happy lives but in light of eternity our time here is brief.
So, if death is something we’ll all have to face, what will it be like?
Is hell a real place?
What about heaven?
This Sunday at NewLife we’re going to launch a brand new series, “So You’re Dead… Now What?”. We’ll put some fears to rest, and look at a huge truth that can re-define life.
Invite people like crazy!
Friday, January 29, 2010
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Monday, January 25, 2010
So You're Dead Now What
This weekend we’ll launch a brand new series, “So You’re Dead… Now What?”. The afterlife is cloaked in mystery.
What happens moments after we die?
What is Heaven really like?
What about Hell?
And does what we do in this world really matter in the next?
Join us as we uncover the life-altering answers to these questions in the series “So You’re Dead…Now What?” January 31 and February 7, 14, 21.
Honestly, I really can’t wait for Sunday… I’m so pumped! Be there, invite everybody you know, be on time, pray, and get ready to see God do huge stuff…
What happens moments after we die?
What is Heaven really like?
What about Hell?
And does what we do in this world really matter in the next?
Join us as we uncover the life-altering answers to these questions in the series “So You’re Dead…Now What?” January 31 and February 7, 14, 21.
Honestly, I really can’t wait for Sunday… I’m so pumped! Be there, invite everybody you know, be on time, pray, and get ready to see God do huge stuff…
Friday, January 22, 2010
Commitment
Keeping up with my posts this week from Acts...
Read Acts 16:3. That’s commitment.
Timothy did what he had to do to preach the Gospel.
Will you?
Read Acts 16:3. That’s commitment.
Timothy did what he had to do to preach the Gospel.
Will you?
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
What If We Partnered Together?
"Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul..." - Acts 4:32
Last August we did a series called "Unstoppable" at NewLife and I unpacked why we're moving toward the biblical term partnership as a church.
We're going to fully embrace this mentality as we move in to 2010.
Membership = Me-centered, selfish. Consumer. "What do I get out of it?"
Partnership = We-centered, selfless. Consumed by the Gospel. "How may I give myself away?"
Membership = Power-oriented, pride-centric.
Partnership = Humility. The first are last and the last are first.
Membership = Disposable relationships (just like disposable membership cards). Here today and gone tomorrow. Dating the church.
Partnership = Gospel-centered relationships. Unity by choice. Passion + Commitment. Falling in love with God's family.
Membership = Critical spirit. Always pointing out what's wrong. Putting others in debt to yourself.
Partnership = Serving the concern. Seeing yourself as the solution to the problem. Celebrating others.
Last August we did a series called "Unstoppable" at NewLife and I unpacked why we're moving toward the biblical term partnership as a church.
We're going to fully embrace this mentality as we move in to 2010.
Membership = Me-centered, selfish. Consumer. "What do I get out of it?"
Partnership = We-centered, selfless. Consumed by the Gospel. "How may I give myself away?"
Membership = Power-oriented, pride-centric.
Partnership = Humility. The first are last and the last are first.
Membership = Disposable relationships (just like disposable membership cards). Here today and gone tomorrow. Dating the church.
Partnership = Gospel-centered relationships. Unity by choice. Passion + Commitment. Falling in love with God's family.
Membership = Critical spirit. Always pointing out what's wrong. Putting others in debt to yourself.
Partnership = Serving the concern. Seeing yourself as the solution to the problem. Celebrating others.
Monday, January 18, 2010
What If We Narrowed The Focus?
I just got through reading the book of Acts again. Wanted to share over the next few days a few things that I took away while reading...
About a year ago our ministry leadership team got together and we asked..."What if we narrowed the focus?"
In Acts 2, the first church had a simple rhythm existing in 2 environments: the temple courts (large-group worship gathering on Sundays) and house-to-house (smaller community gatherings doing life together).
At NewLife, we've narrowed our focus by leaning into these 2 types of environments.
I was excited to have started a new semester of LifeTeams last night. I am looking forward to what this next season of sharing together will bring.
If you're not in a LifeTeam it's not too late to join one. Sign up by clicking HERE.
About a year ago our ministry leadership team got together and we asked..."What if we narrowed the focus?"
In Acts 2, the first church had a simple rhythm existing in 2 environments: the temple courts (large-group worship gathering on Sundays) and house-to-house (smaller community gatherings doing life together).
At NewLife, we've narrowed our focus by leaning into these 2 types of environments.
I was excited to have started a new semester of LifeTeams last night. I am looking forward to what this next season of sharing together will bring.
If you're not in a LifeTeam it's not too late to join one. Sign up by clicking HERE.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Bring On The Rain
I found myself today rereading the story of Noah.
As I reflected on Noah's faith I thought about something I've never thought about before in all the times I've read that story.
Noah obeyed God - built the ark, got on the ark, rode out the storm, then waited some 150 days for the waters to descend, then began to rebuild his life. I don’t know how much time passed, but…I wonder what Noah thought the very next time it began to rain?
So often, even when God takes us through something, when life begins to look similar to the “storms” we’ve experienced…we wonder…is it beginning again?
Will it be as bad or maybe even worse?
We remember the 150 days, because the residual effects of the storm hang around long after the rains stop. The not knowing how long it would last…or if life will just be this way forever now… all because of rain. It’s starting again.
Today it was like God spoke to me and said...Brandon you can’t stop the rain, but you can decide how it will affect you.
Each time it rains in our lives it can bring new fears or grow new faith.
It’s going to rain…so when it does...let it feed new faith that will grow in your life and expand your influence for Christ!
Bring on the rain!
As I reflected on Noah's faith I thought about something I've never thought about before in all the times I've read that story.
Noah obeyed God - built the ark, got on the ark, rode out the storm, then waited some 150 days for the waters to descend, then began to rebuild his life. I don’t know how much time passed, but…I wonder what Noah thought the very next time it began to rain?
So often, even when God takes us through something, when life begins to look similar to the “storms” we’ve experienced…we wonder…is it beginning again?
Will it be as bad or maybe even worse?
We remember the 150 days, because the residual effects of the storm hang around long after the rains stop. The not knowing how long it would last…or if life will just be this way forever now… all because of rain. It’s starting again.
Today it was like God spoke to me and said...Brandon you can’t stop the rain, but you can decide how it will affect you.
Each time it rains in our lives it can bring new fears or grow new faith.
It’s going to rain…so when it does...let it feed new faith that will grow in your life and expand your influence for Christ!
Bring on the rain!
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
My Hope For 2010...
That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life — the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us...
Like the author of First John, I want to experience God in a deeper way. And to be changed as a result.
I want to see Jesus anew.
I want to feel His presence.
I want to testify and proclaim Him with a steel-in-my-spine, stronger faith.
Because eternal life has been made manifest to us.
Like the author of First John, I want to experience God in a deeper way. And to be changed as a result.
I want to see Jesus anew.
I want to feel His presence.
I want to testify and proclaim Him with a steel-in-my-spine, stronger faith.
Because eternal life has been made manifest to us.
Friday, January 1, 2010
Come Home
Happy NewYear!
I saw this video that NewSpring showed at their Christmas Eve services and it messed me up! Thought it would be fitting to show it to you today as you begin a NewYear and start a new decade.
Christmas Opener: Just Come Home from NewSpring Production on Vimeo.
If you need to come home you can join us this weekend at NewLife as we kick off a NewYear and a new series. We'd love to have you.
For service times and directions you can click HERE.
Will you come home?
I saw this video that NewSpring showed at their Christmas Eve services and it messed me up! Thought it would be fitting to show it to you today as you begin a NewYear and start a new decade.
Christmas Opener: Just Come Home from NewSpring Production on Vimeo.
If you need to come home you can join us this weekend at NewLife as we kick off a NewYear and a new series. We'd love to have you.
For service times and directions you can click HERE.
Will you come home?
