What We Are For

A few weeks ago during our Difficult People series I said it's time that we are known for what we are for.

If you spend anytime on blogs or twitter, you can find a lot of opinions on what we should be against. Too often, that is also the impression that people far from God have of Jesus and His Church. I want to be a part of changing that.

We want Northeast Tarrant county to know that NewLife Fellowship is FOR Jesus.
We are FOR seeing broken lives changed by Christ every week.
We are FOR loving and serving the least of these in our city.
We are FOR generosity.
We are FOR empowering people to live out the dreams and ministry God has placed in their heart.
We are FOR seeing all churches rise up to advance the gospel.

We want to be all about what Jesus is all about, what Jesus is FOR.
I'm all in when it comes to this...are you?

It's Easier Not To...

....take extra time in Bible study and prayer to humble ourselves and get under the anointing of God
....spend time brainstorming for our upcoming Weekend Services
....challenge my team to trust God with their name and their advance
....hold our leadership accountable to live lives above reproach so that what they are saying matches what they are living
....carve out time to stay fresh creatively
....pour into those who are leading so that they are refreshed and ready to lead our church
....have more than "leftovers" for my family when I get home
....invest into our volunteers and learn about the things they love
....fight to maintain unity within our church.

BUT we can't build the Church and see God's Kingdom come doing what's "easier."
I am fully devoted and I am all in. How about you?

Today's An All-Play

I thought I would do a post today that anyone who reads could get involved in.

I know that we have some awesome people who pray for NewLife on a regular basis. Just thought you should know that I appreciate the prayers and would love to have you pray for us!!!!

Here are some things you can pray about:

• That Jesus is made famous. That is the only reason we do what we do. We want to reach people who are far from God, plain and simple.
• Pray for our staff. The amount of hours that are put in by our team behind the scenes and during the week is overwhelming...especially considering they work other jobs. Pray for their time, their rest, their walks with God, and their families as we press forward in doing what God's called us to do.
• Pray for me. Yes, that sounds self serving but the reality is that as the Lead Pastor the pressure I feel right now is off the charts. At one time I would have apologized for asking you to pray for me specifically but not now. God has been dealing with me about some BIG things that are to come and I am focused on the entire church, every ministry, finances, etc. Thanks so much...I really do appreciate the prayers.
• Speaking of finances. God has showed up time and time again through the people of NewLife as so many of you have stepped up to the plate. As you pray and as we continue to give I know provision is going to be there to do all that God is calling us to do.
• Distractions. This is how the devil works. It seems like here lately I have been letting little things bug me that should not be bugging me. I need to focus on keeping the main thing, the main thing.

Why Is It...?

...that the wrong choices seem better than the right choices?

...that it’s really easy to be selfish even though you know it’s wrong?

...that you know you can choose to forgive and move on, but still hang on to past hurts? Even though you know you’ll be so much better off if you just let go?

COMMON SENSE eludes me often.

You?

What Complaining Says About You

This past Sunday we started a series called "Difficult People."
The idea for the series was to give people a simple guide to dealing with the needy, manipulative, and overly critical people that drive you crazy every day.

This past Sunday I talked about overly critical people. And one characteristic that I've found to run in all of the overly crticial people I know is that they like to complain...ALOT!

So for those who may have discovered that they fit into that over critical people group I thought I'd try to help you out today. (I think we can all learn something though...noboy is immune from complaining.)
I've discovered that the opposite of complaining is leading...
If you don't like a decision your boss makes, lead up.
If you don't like your office culture, lead around you.
If you don't like your circumstances, lead through it.
If you don't like your church's short-comings, lead out.

Complaining is a sign of giving up. It's admitting that you're a follower, not a leader.

A leader is a never a victim. But someone who sees that all conditions are subject to change with the right influence.

God Is Still God, And God Is Still Good

I don't know Zac Smith...but through Christ he is a brother. Today Zac passed away. In case you missed it this is his story...



Lord help me to learn to trust you as Zac did. You are still God...and You are still good.

Might Say Goodbye To Facebook...

Yes...you read the title right. I am thinking about pulling the plug on my facebook account.
But before I did I thought I'd give you a chance to tell me why I shouldn't.

Here are a few of the reasons as to why I think I'm going to pull the plug...

1. I don't want to be a Ninja, a Pirate, a Farmer, or be your Neighbor. Please stop asking.
2. I don't need another Inbox. I have enough on my plate as it is, Mr. Facebook.
3. Poking is creepy. Especially when the poke comes from a childhood friend you haven't spoken with in twenty years.
4. I'm happier with Twitter. No annoying ads, no weird invites, just happy bliss.

It's up to you...tell me why I should stay.

If I do pull the plug I'll still be hanging out on Twitter. Hope to see you there...

Thanks For Being Patient

Years ago when I took a volunteer youth pastor position I had no idea how God was obviously preparing me for a journey that I never would have thought I'd go on.

I am so thankful for all the things that God has taught me. I look back and see how so much has changed since I was 19 years old volunteering in student ministry.

Here’s what hasn’t changed…

• I’m still humbled that God called me to do what I get to do.
• I’m still convinced we live in a world that desperately needs the forgiveness, hope and love that only comes through Jesus.
• I’m still figuring out what it is to be a fully-devoted follower of Christ.
• I’m still discovering how to help others be all that God designed them to be.
• I’m still passionate about the potential for the local church and its impact in people’s lives.
• I’m still waiting to see what God does next.

It's been awesome to have a front row seat to see people commit to following Jesus. To see people experience physical, relational and spiritual healing in ways that could only be classified as miracles. And to have the opportunity to share that experience with people I love.

What an honor. I don't deserve it.

I’m still a work in progress. He must become greater. I must become less. Why doesn’t that get easier? You’d think I’d learn.

In case you haven’t figured it out, God’s not done with me yet. Please be patient.

Monday Morning Thoughts

A few thoughts on an incredible Mother’s Day!
- I hope all of the mother's had a happy Mother’s Day!!
- We have some incredible MOM's at NewLife who are making a HUGE difference in the lives of their children and for the Kingdom!
- How about my wife...Terica did an amazing job yesterday!! I had tons of people come up to me yesterday and I think they were ready to have me replaced...going to be tough to follow her next week! =)
- Seriously though...I could not have been more proud. I loved how she shared the story of Hannah and how it wasn't just for a mom who was longing for a child. It's a story that should teach us all something about going after God and then trusting for Him to come through.
- It was awesome to see so many parents who made the decision to dedicate their children. We are definitely committed as a church to helping establish God centered homes.

I am really excited about what's coming up...
- We're starting a brand new series this week called Difficult People. I know we all know some difficult people...some of us may even be difficult people. Join us this Sunday as we dive into this topic...and invite someone to come with you.
- Refuel is next Sunday night...you don't want to miss it. We're going to have a time of worship and going to hear from two of my favorite Pastors who in my opinion are two of the best communicators out there. It's going to be a great time of encouragement and prayer.
- B'LoveD lauched a brand new blog. For those of you who aren't familar with B'LoveD...it's the ladies ministry at NewLife. Go check out the new blog: http://blovedwomen.blogspot.com/

Lastly...
- I am so thankful for my MOM! She's doing an outstanding job leading our children's ministry. I'm honored to have her serving along side of us at NewLife.
- Speaking of our children...WOW!! Weren't they rock stars yesterday?!? It was so great to see them help lead us in worship...

Here's a little video...the audio is not that great but they sure do look good up there!
(And yes I did zoom in and keep the camera on my kid for a few seconds...you would have done the same with your kid!) =)

Time's Running Out

I don't know if you've seen this commercial or not...A woman goes from birth to school to wife and mother in this beautifully shot commercial for retailer John Lewis.

Seeing this really got me to thinking...I remember when I was a kid sitting in my elementary school classroom. It took three days for one hour to pass. I thought I'd die before the last bell rang and the school day ended.

What happened?
These days time flies. I leave a weekend service, turn around three times, and it's already time for another weekend service to begin.

I think the length of a day is in direct proportion to the number of them you've already lived. The more days you've already been given, the faster the remaining days pass. The sands of time drop through the hour-glass more quickly with each grain.

So, the time you thought you had will pass more quickly than you realize. Whatever you're delaying, putting-off and procrastinating, you better engage. You better get on it, or you may discover time ran out before you got around to living the life you're planning to live.

Catching Up/Checking In

I feel so bad that I haven't done a better job of keeping up with my blog here lately.

If you don't know...our house is in the middle of tee-ball season right now...I'm coaching my son's team. So between coaching, teaching school, and leading a church I haven't found much free time to do anything.
(And if you think it's just my blog that is what I'm letting slip you should probably know I haven't played golf in over two months...)

School is quickly coming to an end...only 16 more days left! (Not that I'm counting down)
Baseball season is now half way over...
And things at the church...well they are as busy as always!

I just wanted to check in...let you know I'm still going to make every effort to share what’s on my mind, what I'm up to and what drives me each day.

Since I'm checking in...why don't you check in too! Leave me a comment...check in with me! Let me know how I can be praying for you.