No Perfect People Allowed

I Want To Be Held...

I heard a great question last night that really got me thinking...  It's a question that I believe every pastor, leader, teacher, believer should ask themselves as they pursue to mature in their faith and relationship with Jesus.  One of the greatest growth processes in becoming more like Jesus is reading and embracing God's Word!  So many neglect this powerfully packed, principle-laden, personality enhancing, supernaturally inspired collection of the wisdom of God. 

So what's the question?  It was asked by a student who had just listened to a pastor/teacher speak on developing a relationship with God... Here's the question... "As he spoke... I noticed that he held the Bible but my question is... was he held by the Bible?"

That's a huge question for me... as I speak... do I just hold the bible or has the Bible been holding me?  Is it still holding me... even when I don't speak?

I don't know about you... but I want to be held and not just hold.

Heroes....

This Sunday we continue our series on Heroes!  It's going to be another awesome experience... and, I don't want to give it away... but there's going to be a hero here who will make your life sweeter! 

We're going to be looking at "The Movement Of A Hero" and contrast the movement of "so called heroes" during the early church era!  What makes a hero super?  What motivates heroes to be heroes?  I think that you'll be surprised that there's a "hero" inside all of us... just waiting to be unleashed!  Look what happened in the book of Acts when heroes were unleashed?

November 4th is quickly approaching!  Are you as "poli-ticked" as I am?  No matter how "ticked" you are... don't give up your right to vote!  I heard the other day that in the state of Indiana, 60% have already voted... That's awesome news for me!  That means the line on Tuesday will be shorter!  Thanks for voting early!

It Begins With Us...

I couldn't have said this any better!  If anything... this election has been a "wake up call!"  Here's what Cameron Strang wrote in Relevant...

"Let’s get this out of the way up front: I’m not a politically motivated person. Which is why I felt a tad out of place meeting with Barack Obama this summer. And talking to John McCain. And doing countless interviews about the faith and shifting political views of our generation. Yet I have unwittingly found myself thrust into the political arena, a place where people are vehemently passionate about their ideologies and platforms. It’s an entire industry built around being right and proving your opponent wrong, and winning at any cost. It’s a continual power struggle and—from my humble vantage point—seems a bit flawed. I’m someone who tries to think independently and objectively, rather than simply follow what the pundits tell me to think. Because of that, I’ve realized I cannot fully embrace either political party. Both sides of the aisle have some great ideas and goals. But both also have areas where they simply get it wrong. I know the power of politics and the importance of the process in our world. But I also know that, historically, real, lasting change has started first at the grassroots level long before it was ever legislated. Cultural mindshifts influence Washington, not the other way around. Many Christians traditionally have voted Republican because of their justifiable conviction to protect the lives of the unborn. Now, many younger Christians are voting Democrat because of their justifiable desire to see our nation, the most prosperous in the world, address issues of poverty, global aid and the environment. The problem is, many Christians vote these convictions, but that’s largely where their personal involvement in the issues stops. Are the government leaders we vote for meant to do our job for us? If God has given you a heart for the poor, or to see a reduction in the number of abortions, or to promote peace, or to help the sick, or to stand for strong moral values, or to be a better steward of the environment, then your personal focus needs to be on that—whether or not the President shares your same values. The Bible reminds us to pray for our leaders, but it also talks about praying for those who persecute us. Though I can’t foresee any situation where this would be the case, what if one day every value Christians stand for, even religious freedom itself, was legislatively removed? Christians in China and many other parts of the world face this reality every day. Would it change us? Dare I say, it might actually spur the Body of Christ here into greater action. Could it be that the loss of religious freedoms would ultimately be the best thing for American Christians because it would cause us to stand on our own feet rather than relying on the government to legislate our faith and values for us? I’ve heard that only 5 percent of people who attend church regularly actually serve in any way. I’ve read that if every Christian in America actually tithed 10 percent of their income, we would have enough financial resources to wipe out global poverty. There’s more power lying dormant in pews around the nation than any government could hope to provide, and that’s where our focus should be.  Many Christians want to overturn Roe v. Wade, but I don’t hear nearly as many leading the charge on a national adoption movement. If Roe v. Wade is overturned, where are all of those babies going to end up? Christians should be focused on personal action regardless of legislation, not just waiting for the right number of Supreme Court justices to come along.  I’m not saying don’t vote. Do. Vote your convictions and let your voice be heard—that’s one of the perks of living in a democracy. But don’t let politics breed division, or make you see people in a different light.  If you have a passion for an issue, rather than judging someone who doesn’t share that passion or viewpoint, just go do something about it. Give your life to it. Be the change you want to see.  We need to pray for our leaders and our country, but always remember that our leaders and country do not define us. We are the generation that will shape the direction culture, government and social action will take in the next 50 years. It’s not up to Washington, it’s up to us—and I say it’s time we step up and lead the charge."

Let's Lead the Charge!

Unleash Conference....

I am so pumped about this coming March!  I just signed up 8 inspiring leaders of our church family to head to a place in Anderson, SC for 1 day of incredible teaching, inspiration, worship, and powerful, passionate motivation!  Where are we going and where is Anderson, SC?  We are heading to the Unleash Conference founded by Newspring Community Church!

Now you might be asking... why there?  Here's my answer...

• What is happening at Newspring is Acts 2 in real life.
• Anderson, SC is not too much different than Madison, IN
• Perry Noble, the Sr. Pastor, is "bringing it" in his messages... (I work out to his sermons...yes they are that good)
• Part of their vision is to help other churches in similar situations to expand God's Kingdom!
• The 1 day conference is only $35! (Note: if more from the NMCC family want to go... we can still register more!)
• I want to learn, grow, and develop the leadership at NMCC to capture that same passion!

Newspring has been on my "radar" for quite some time.  I read their staff blogs, listen and watch their weekend experiences, and while we are not Newspring... and I don't want to be... we can learn from their passion how they are applying biblical principles that work everywhere to reach the unconvinced for Jesus!  We're getting ready and prepared to Unleash!

What A Weekend!!!!

For those of you following my blog...

• We found "THE" wedding dress!!!! Yes!  Someone asked me if I cried... and I said yes!  Twice!  Once when I first saw my daughter in the dress... and 2ndly when I saw the price tag!!  Ha.  Kidding!  But... no doubt about it... God blessed me with a beautiful daughter!!
• The Heroes series has started out awesome!  I can't explain it!  3 more people made public decisions by saying "yes" to Jesus and being baptized!!  What an awesome "Sanctified Moment" we shared this past Sunday!  It is so incredible to be a part of someone's destiny change!  I'm still pumped about all this!!!
• Fellowship One is in the next preparation phase!  If everything goes as scheduled... we should be going live before the New Year!  It's going to be awesome! 
• Our "Whatever It Takes... Investing For Eternity" stewardship campaign is only weeks old and already we're seeing incredible commitments continue to pour in!  I know that our country's economic situation is shaky... but God's economy is always secure and NMCC is right on target with this venture!
• Just finished putting the final messages together for the 2009 series... Oh my.  I'll blog this week on what to look forward to in the coming year!  I'm really excited about what is coming up!
• Our Madison Cubs football team is in the sectional finals!!!!  They beat a good South Dearborn team that birthed them that spot!  Go Cubs!

So many blessings!

Shopping for THE DRESS...

My daughter got to come home for the weekend and we are off and running... looking for "The Dress!"  It's going to be a blast... a little emotional... but exciting to see how happy she is! 

I'm really blessed to have such a great daughter and a great future son-in-law!  Sara and James have a lot to offer God's Kingdom... and I'm excited to see what God has in store for them!

Did anyone say... Cha Ching....

Heroes Series Begins This Sunday...

It's going to be another incredible Sunday at NMCC!  We're kicking off our new series called, "Heroes!"  Deep inside all of us God created the"hero gene."  It's there.  The Bible specifically tells us that God gave us these gifts to be used in heroic fashion to unify, equip, love, and meet needs!  (Ephesians 4:16)   Have you accessed your "Hero Gene"? 

Taking the next 3 weeks we're going to unpack...

• The Making Of A Hero
• The Movement Of A Hero
• The Ministry Of A Hero

And as always we'll give everyone the opportunity to take their next steps to unleash the hero inside!

Whatever It Takes... Commitments So Far...

I am so amazed at what God continues to accomplish through His people here at NMCC!  Just when I think I can't get anymore amazed... Boom!!! He does it again!

So far... the commitments that have come in for our 3 year campaign to pay off the debt, seed the beginnings of Phase 2 our Worship Center, and ENGAGE in the world... $967,200!!!!  And I've been told that more commitments are coming!  Praise God for the movement that is happening in people's hearts!

That to me is simply amazing!  What that does is pay off the Phase 1 facility... go beyond the design phase of our Worship Center ... and begin ENGAGE!

This is way too awesome!!!!

Get Smart....

Are you as tired as I am about hearing the negative issues from both sides of our potential presidents?  Are you worried or anxious about our economy?  Are you feeling pressure... stress... chaos... in and around you?  What do you do with all that? 

I know what a lot of people do... when they're struggling with hardships... dealing with relationship conflicts... whatever... the first thing that becomes optional is usally... church.  "I just don't feel like going..." 

We all can learn a lesson from Jesus when in 54 hours He experienced the highest levels of stress, chaos, pressure that anyone could imagine... We'd never get to those kinds of levels in our lifetime!  But He experienced it all... political, economical, relational... it all came crashing down.  When Jesus was surrounded by a grove of olive trees... knowing that He was about to be arrested and physcially, emotionally, and mentally assualted for the next 54 hours what did He do?

1. He Stayed Connected!  He stayed close to His friends... His community.... His "church"... because He knew that it was there that He could receive the encouragement needed... even if they fell asleep, even if they weren't perfect.  We need to stay connected!
2. He Kept Communicating!  Scripture says that Jesus went to pray atleast 3 different times... praying the same thing over and over.  Notice... Scripture doesn't say that God answered... Oh, He heard... but God's responce was silence.  What can we learn from that?
3. He Celebrated The Outcome!  The next 54 hours was anything to celebrate... just watch the "Passion" movie again.  But that was Friday... Sunday was coming!  And celebrate God did!

What chaos are you going thru?  Whatever it is... stay connected.  Keep communicating. And there will be a celebration on the other side.

You can hear more about this here.

Good Job Madison Cubs...

It was a tough battle... even a tough season... but the Madison boys soccer team came out as sectional winners!  They faced a tough Providence team in the regionals which ended their 2008 run.  Congrats to all the players.  Here's my son Jacob working hard as the goalie! 

 

They will be working hard off season to recapture the sectionals and head into the regionals!