Tim Liston

Alvin Campus Sneak Peek (Great CoMission Update #6)

Here's a sneak peek inside the Alvin Campus building. I'm not a prophet, but I'm believing that God will fill this building up with people hungry for Jesus! (Thanks Pastor Chris for the video and for your work on this project!!) We will totally remake this building - and it will be awesome. (Thank you, Great CoMission givers!!!!!) Consider this a "before" video. Enjoy!

 

Great CoMission Update #5: Digging Trenches in a Dry Land...

 

Pastor Caleb from Haiti posted this on Facebook today: "If you think your house is too small to asking people come to stay with you its ok. But Heaven is Large! Ask theme to come with you!!!"

 

How right he is!! Heaven is big - and what God wants to do for us and through us is usually bigger than we're thinking as well! That's why our church hires, builds, expands, starts new campuses, and why we DREAM BIG!!! If you've been around our church lately, you know God is up to something. Even at this moment, I hear the sound of construction going on at the 288 Campus. Our East Campus recently smashed all previous records with an event held for our Krush students. There is an excitement in Alvin like I've never seen before as we move toward the renovation of our building/campus there. And our efforts in Haiti may have had a breakthrough recently!! (I'll let you know. Keep praying.) WE ARE GETTING READY! Here's an excerpt from a Charles Spurgeon sermon from the 1850's. It reminds us to be ready for what the Lord wants to do. Enjoy...

 

"And he said, Thus saith the Lord, Make this valley full of ditches. For thus saith the Lord, Ye shall not see wind, neither shall ye see rain; yet that valley shall be filled with water, that ye may drink, both ye and your cattle, and your beasts." -2 Kings 3:16-17

 

"The armies of the three kings were famishing for want of water: God was about to send it, and in these words the prophet announced the coming blessing. Here was a case of human helplessness: not a drop of water could all the valiant men procure from the skies or find in the wells of earth. Thus often the people of the Lord are at their wits' end; they see the vanity of the creature, and learn experimentally where their help is to be found. Still the people were to make a believing preparation for the divine blessing; they were to dig the trenches in which the precious liquid would be held. The church must by her varied agencies, efforts, and prayers, make herself ready to be blessed; she must make the pools, and the Lord will fill them. This must be done in faith, in the full assurance that the blessing is about to descend. By-and-by there was a singular bestowal of the needed boon. Not as in Elijah's case did the shower pour from the clouds, but in a silent and mysterious manner the pools were filled. The Lord has his own sovereign modes of action: he is not tied to manner and time as we are, but doeth as he pleases among the sons of men. It is ours thankfully to receive from him, and not to dictate to him. We must also notice the remarkable abundance of the supply--there was enough for the need of all. And so it is in the gospel blessing; all the wants of the congregation and of the entire church shall be met by the divine power in answer to prayer; and above all this, victory shall be speedily given to the armies of the Lord. What am I doing for Jesus? What trenches am I digging? O Lord, make me ready to receive the blessing which thou art so willing to bestow."

 

Charles Spurgeon

 

 

 

"Honor Your (elderly) Father & Mother" by Guest Blogger: Rebecca Axline

This week I have asked for more info on caring for aging parents from guest blogger (and New Hoper!) Rebecca Axline, who works with elderly patients and their families. Thank you for posting today, Rebecca. Here she is:

 

REBECCA: I’m sure this week’s message about aging family members is both excellent and difficult. I appreciate being a guest blogger and hope to add some additional ideas and links for our church family to consider.

 

My experience working with families (and being part of my own family) has taught me that conversations about “touchy” subjects can be difficult and are often avoided until a crisis happens. We have another choice! Learn ways to begin these talks early, more often, and for brief periods (kind of like “touch and go” landing practice). One helpful website uses the acronym T-E-M-P-O to keep it simple:

Timing (consider the timing of your conversations)

Experience (tie specific topic to your own direct experience)

Motivation (be aware of your own agenda in asking)

Place (create privacy, comfort & safe place for discussion– no set ups)

Outcome (be realistic that it is a process, not a one-time discussion)

 

Read more at: http://www.talk-early-talk-often.com/talk-to-elderly.html

 

Since many of us are living longer, we often find ourselves with elderly family members AND developing children who need us at the same time. Finances can be strained. Medical issues can be complicated and difficult to navigate. Seek information; be an advocate.

 

Learn about the particular health concerns affecting your loved one. Here are a couple of links that have more info on health concerns for caregivers:

http://www.caregiver.com/

http://www.alz.org

 

Be open to options for care needs; sometimes day programs, assisted living, and memory care centers provide the best and safest type of care. Using words like “always” and “never” when discussing options for elderly care make life choices more difficult. Check out these sites for more options on care of aging family:

http://caring.com

http://www.srguidance.org/

http://www.dads.state.tx.us/

http://www.careconnection.org/site/433/brazoria.aspx

 

Become a partner with your parent – NOT their parent. Build a relationship to talk about the future; base it on respect.

 

Pray together; ask for prayer from your church family as you have conversations and make decisions. Be a support to others in their journey.

 

Note to Self: Memories are made in each of our moments. No act of love is ever wasted.

Great CoMission Update #4: Walls on the ground, on paper, and in dreams...

 

288 Campus: The walls of the 288 Campus expansion have been poured! There will be a week or two wait now as the walls cure and the steel is shipped. Then the walls will be lifted into position.

 

Alvin Campus: Last week we had a meeting about the Alvin Campus and I was  very encouraged! Yes, we have a building. But all of the needed changes are still being worked out on paper. But it's fun watching a dream becoming a reality!

East Campus: We are about to begin the design of the East Campus build out! We've been told this shouldn't be a difficult process because the area is already under roof and everything has been removed.

Haiti Campus: As you heard in the service two weeks ago from Marc Davis, Haiti is a challenge! We knew it would be. We've got our eyes on a piece of land, but are moving forward with caution. It's risky, but the potential for making an impact for Jesus Christ is so great, we are going to keep pressing ahead in faith. Prayers please!!

Thanks again to every faith filled, fully devoted, commited and crazy New Hoper who is giving toward these projects! You are the GREATEST! Much love!!!

 

 

 

 

Teaching for Life Change...

Two weeks ago I mentioned the Bereans who received Paul's teaching with eagerness then went home to check what they had learned against Scripture. That one line in Acts gives us insight not only into the Bereans lives, but also into Paul's teaching. Let me explain by telling you about two types of Bible study...

• A "deductive" Bible study begins from a point that a teacher is making, and then uses a number of scripture verses and examples to support that conclusion. Many sermons and Bible studies are conducted this way.
• An "inductive" Bible study begins with the raw text of scripture. The student (or in our context, the teacher) takes the time to observe what is happening in the text, the “who, what, when, where and why.” The teacher asks questions which help him to understand what is going on, what is being said, and how. Then he moves on to determining the application based on the observation and interpretation.

 

 

I like the inductive approach in study because of the more precise interpretation of the text and, therefore, the correct application that it brings. It is why I went to Bible College. There I went through years of “inductive” Bible study. However, the inductive method in teaching has its limitations. When standing in front of people it is time consuming and laborious to get to the point using the inductive approach. What works in Bible College with students who are committed to years of training in the classroom and are paying to get an education, does not work with people in a service that lasts one hour each week. When people come to church they don’t need to watch the pastor "study" the text on the stage. They need to know the results of the study they are trusting him to do.

 

When you have only about 30 minutes to stand in front of people, it’s important to get to the point quickly. It’s not good stewardship of people’s time to spend 27 minutes “observing” and “interpreting” while only spending the final 3 minutes applying. What people really need when they are receiving the Word is a brief explanation of how you arrived at the specific conclusion and then what to do with it, or how to apply it. They don’t need to sit and watch you observe and interpret. People want and need to know what God wants from them. The pastor/teacher is supposed to deliver the goods, not put on a show of intellect. 

  
However, the inductive method done from the stage is preferred by many Christians who consider the historical and cultural information as “meat” and the application of the text as “milk.” In fact, I've often seen new Bible College students with a semester or two under their belt (i.e. just enough Bible knowledge to make them dangerous) scorn teaching that doesn't sound like one of their classes. They think they are chewing meat when in reality they are crunching back story facts. Hebrews tells us that meat of the word (or solid food) is the application of the Scriptural text in a way that helps us to discern what we should and should not do (Hebrews 5:13-14). In a word, meat is “applicable” Bible teaching, not the details and the minutiae of the back story.

 

James 1:22 actually says that we can listen to the word and be deceived. How? Be not applying it. In Matthew 7:26 Jesus tells us that when we hear His word and don't apply it we're like the foolish man who built his house on the sand. The emphasis of Scripture is on "doing."

 

As always, at New Hope we try to do things in such a way in our services that we do not alienate the people God has called us to reach. Paul encouraged the church at Corinth to do things in their gatherings in such a way as to not alienate the people who were outside of the faith (1 Corinthians 14:23). Therefore, effective teaching that can hold the attention of a wide audience will feel like a deductive study – but is really inductive. The inductive part is done in the privacy of the pastor’s office. The lesson is then put into a form that gets to the application quickly. The Apostle Paul obviously used this method in his teaching. I say this because the Bereans listened to him teach, but then went home and checked the Scriptures to see if what he had said was true (Acts 17:11). The observation and interpretation often found in public in the inductive method was missing from Paul’s sermon(s) – but was obviously done in private because of the purity found in his teaching. 

 

Information without application leads to frustration.

Information with application leads to transformation.

 

And at New Hope we want transformed lives!

 

 

 

 

Old School: A sermon from 1859...

The following is an excerpt from a sermon preached by Charles Spurgeon on February 6, 1859. I found it interesting on several levels. I imagined sitting there in the New Park Street Chapel, listening to a man who had a firm grasp on Scripture and was able to get his point across to his audience. I was also amazed because a sermon from 1859 spoke to me. Yes... truth is timeless. Read on...

"Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.” Luke 12:1

Suggested Further Reading: Matthew 23:23-28

"Some people I know of are like inns, which have an angel hanging outside for a sign, but they have a devil within for a landlord. There are many men of that kind; they take good care to have an excellent sign hanging out; they must be known by all men to be strictly religious; but within, which is the all-important matter, they are full of wickedness. But I have sometimes heard persons mistake this matter. They say, “Ah! well, poor man, he is a sad drunkard, certainly, but he is a very good-hearted man at bottom.” Now, as Rowland Hill used to say, that is a most astonishing thing for any man to say of another, that he was bad at top and good at bottom. When men take their fruit to market they cannot make their customers believe, if they see rotten apples at the top, that there are good ones at the bottom. A man’s outward conduct is generally a little better than his heart. Very few men sell better goods than they put in the window. Therefore, do not misunderstand me. When I say we must attend more to the inward than the outward, I would not have you leave the outward to itself. “Make clean the outside of the cup and platter”—make it as clean as you can, but take care also that the inward is made clean. Look to that first. Ask yourself such questions as these—“Have I been born again? Am I passed from darkness to light? Have I been brought out of the realms of Satan into the kingdom of God’s dear Son? Do I live by private communion near to the side of Jesus? Can I say that my heart panteth after the Lord, even as the hart does after the water-brooks?”

Sermon no. 237
6 February (1859)

 

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Applause vs Criticism

In life you will receive both applause and criticism. How do you balance the two? Actually, you don't have to. Here's what I mean...

 

"A reporter once asked an insightful question when interviewing a woman from the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra: 'How does it feel to get a standing ovation from the crowd at the end of your performance and then wake up in the morning to a negative review in the newspaper?' Her response was also insightful. She said over time she has learned not to pay attention to the applause of the crowd or the disapproval of the critics. She was only after the approval of her conductor. After all, he was the only person who really knew how she was supposed to perform."¹

 

As Christians, we live for an audience of One. Applause will come and go. Criticism will come and go. People are fickle in their opinions. It is impossible to please everyone. But, we're not supposed to even try. Paul says in Galatians 1:10, "Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ."

 

Recently I spoke "hard truths" in church (in the opinion of someone who was there). They cautioned me, "Coming right out and saying it like that... you're going to run some people off." Actually, that doesn't worry me. I'd rather have a church with 1 person and obey God, than to have a church of thousands where I have to waterdown the truth. Truth is truth. Abraham Lincoln once said, "If you call a dog's tail a leg, how many legs does it have? The answer is four. Calling a tail a leg doesn't make it a leg."

 

I'll stick with the truth of God's Word, His principles, and His standards. Besides, someday I will stand before God. The people who wanted me to bend the truth or shave off edges won't be standing with me. It will be me and Him. And I want to be able to hear him say, "Well done."

 

 

  ¹ Replenish: Leading from a Healthy Soul, by Lance Witt.

Cancer, Rebuke, Pastors, Weddings, Christ's bride...

It's early Tuesday morning and I'll admit it: I'm a little all over the map today. It's already been a long week. But somehow, everything around me is related. I sat in M.D. Anderson yesterday praying, reading, and waiting as Ty had his surgery. During that time I made it halfway through the book, Replenish: Leading from a Healthy Soul, by my friend Lance Witt. I want to share two excerpts with you. In the first, he’s talking about rebuke; why we need it and how it is the highest form of love. The second is an interesting take on a Pastor’s job. Enjoy…

 

“A question I often ask people in ministry is, ‘Who in your life can rebuke you?’ Solomon said, ‘He who listens to a life-giving rebuke will be at home among the wise.’ When’s the last time a trusted confidant rebuked you about how you treated someone, or an off-color joke you told, or your insensitivity to your spouse, or your distortion of the truth, or your harshness toward a team member? A rebuke can be life-giving in the same way that a doctor exposing and removing cancer is life-giving. There’s temporary pain but long-term gain. Usually when we think of rebuke, we attach words like shame, guilt, and failure. But a well-placed rebuke from a well-trusted friend actually exposes the stuff in my life that could destroy me. If I have a friend who loves me enough to rebuke me, it is a [blessing]…

...As a pastor, my job is to watch after the bride [the church] on behalf of the groom [Jesus]. I am like a spiritual wedding coordinator. The coordinator’s job is to assist and serve the bride and groom, behind the scenes, in making their wedding day a meaningful event. No wedding coordinator worth their salt would ever steal the spotlight from the bride and groom. Jesus said, ‘Father, I want these whom you’ve given me to be with me, so they can see my glory. You gave me the glory because you loved me even before the world began!’ There should never be anything blocking the bride’s view of the Groom’s glory. My constant challenge as a leader in the church is to get myself out of the way so that the bride [the church] will be awestruck by the incomparable majesty of her Groom [Jesus]!”

 

BTW- A question I’m constantly asked is: Why isn’t your name on anything at New Hope? (Some people seem a little disturbed by this!) But the reason is simple: It’s not about me! It’s all about Jesus and for His glory alone!

 

Blessings! And thanks for your prayers for my family!

 

Replenish: Leading from a Healthy Soul, by Lance Witt

http://www.amazon.com/Replenish-Leading-Healthy-Lance-Witt/dp/0801013542/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1327421226&sr=8-1

 

 

Trick or Treat?

I’ve been asked the following question many times throughout the years: Can Christians trick or treat, according to the Bible?

 

First of all, the Bible says nothing about trick or treating, since it was written well before this activity began. However, we know from reading the Bible that a Christian is not to do anything that glorifies evil. So, if a particular Halloween costume (or party) is centered on or around demons, devils, evil spirits, or the Dallas Cowboys, then the answer is easy: Don’t have anything to do with it. But... If the costume is not evil (or for our adults: too revealing) and the source of the candy is known, then I can’t find anything in the Bible that would forbid trick or treating.

 

What’s funny is I’ve seen churches preach against Halloween and trick or treating, and then offer an alternative event at the church… where kids dress up and get candy. Uhhh....... What’s the difference? How come if I take my kids to my neighbors or to their grandparents and they get candy it’s evil – but if I take them to a church and they get candy, it’s okay?

 

Take a look at the Christmas tree. It was originally an ancient fertility symbol. Yet, it has become a representation of Christmas and the place where we put the gifts when we celebrate the birth of Christ. Are Christians worshipping a pagan fertility god if they have a Christmas tree in their home? Not at all. That’s because the Christmas tree has now been totally separated from its pagan roots and has become a cultural symbol of the season of Christmas.

 

In 1 Corinthians 10:23-33, Paul talks about meat sacrificed to idols. There was meat left over after sacrifices were made to these pagan gods. This meat was often sold in the market. Apparently, Christians were going to the market, buying, and then eating this meat in spite of its questionable origins. And so the issue arose, "Should a Christian eat such meat?" (We can ask, “Should a Christian eat candy given to them on Halloween?”) Paul said in verse 25, "Eat anything that is sold in the meat market, without asking questions for conscience' sake."

 

This is interesting. He says it is okay to eat the meat bought in the market place even if it was sacrificed to idols. Meaning, meat is meat. To which I say, candy is candy. Yes, Halloween has pagan origins, but I don't think that's the intent of the kindly old neighbor who gives Smarties to your kids. It's become a cultural/social event. And my take is that because of our freedom in Christ, our kids can dress up in (non-evil) costumes, go door-to-door, eat lots of candy, and just have fun. After all, “Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world.” -1 John 4:4

 

Ultimately, you'll have to make the decision for your own family - and I'm sure you'll make the right one.

 

 

 

 

 

New Hope Church: What's next...

This weekend we introduced The Great CoMission stewardship emphasis at New Hope Church. What follows is brochure #1 which gives an overview of the projects. It also gives some info about "your mission" in the Co-Mission effort. Here's a hint: Jesus said, "Go!"

 

End of the Word Question: Does Jesus have a tattoo?

Question: Is Jesus’ tattoo a tattoo on his skin, or on his clothing?

 

Great question! This question comes from Revelation 19 where it says,

“On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.” -Revelation 19:16 (NIV)

 

Seems like it was a tattoo on his thigh when reading most translations. But the question won't go away. Why? And why are there a couple of translations that say “banner” instead of thigh?

 

The difference is barely a stroke of a Hebrew letter. If Revelation was originally written in Hebrew (as many believe) the word in question is RAGEL or... maybe it was DAGEL. What’s the difference? Ragel means thigh. Dagel means banner. In English, the difference is the two legs of the R. (I'm saying that, because if you removed the two legs of the R, it would almost pass for a D.) In Hebrew, there’s even less of a difference...

 

If the extension on the ד (dalet) was written like this: ר (resh) then the word means thigh not banner. You can see why it's not a closed case and why many translations say "thigh" while a few say "banner."

 

How are we going to know if Jesus has a tattoo or there's just something written on his clothing? Easy: Just look when you see Him! (Ahhh... So many questions will be answered on that day!)

 

 

 

End of the World Question: Will there be color in heaven or is it going to be black and white?

Question: Will there be color in heaven or is it going to be black and white?

 

Answer: Color! (Like High-Def-on-steroids color!!)

 

Check out the description of the walls and gates of heaven, found in Revelation 21. (Note: Numbers on pictures above correspond with layers in these verses...)

¹⁹ "The foundations of the city walls were decorated with every kind of precious stone. The first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, ²⁰ the fifth onyx, the sixth ruby, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth turquoise, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst.^{[f] 21} The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl. The great street of the city was of gold, as pure as transparent glass.  ²² I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. ²³ The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. ²⁴ The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. ²⁵ On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there." -Revelation 21:19-25

 

What an amazing, colorful place it will be!

 

 

End of the World Question: What age are we in Heaven?

Question: What age will we be in heaven? (Like, if a child passed away – and someone else passed away when they were 90 years old, will they be that old in heaven?)

 

Answer: That's a great question. The Bible doesn't tell us what "age" we will be (or will appear to be) in heaven. When talking about the people there it stays pretty general. Look at this verse from Revelation 7:9...

 

"After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands." -Revelation 7:9 (NIV)

 

Although a baby could wear a robe and hold a palm branch, I feel pretty safe in saying that the people he was referring to were of an age where such a task would not have been difficult. Some have speculated that we will all appear to be the "perfect" age. What age is that? Ask Arnold (pic above) and I'm sure he won't tell you his present age. :)

 

So, what if you lost a child when they were just a baby? When you get to heaven, will you know that the perfect young adult standing in front of you with a big smile on their face reaching out for a hug is your child? I would have to say, YES! You will know... no matter what age they "appear."

 

Bottom line: Heaven will be a good place - beyond your imagination!!!

 

 

End of the World Question: Will we recognize each other in heaven?

Question: Will we recognize each other in heaven?

 

Answer: YES!

 

Here on the earth, with human bodies and fading memory, we do pretty well. But someday, when we step into our glorified bodies, recognizing people will not be an issue!

 

"For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known." -1 Corinthians 13:12 (NIV)

 

 

 

 

End of the World Question: Are there layers in heaven? If so, which layer will I be on?

Question: I remember hearing once that there is several layers to heaven. Is that true and if so what determines who gets to sit near God and who or what type is in the lower levels of heaven? If we have all sinned and fell short of the Glory of God then why would some people have a better home than another one? Is the layer of heaven closest to God based on our deeds and actions?

 

Well, as far as I can tell, that idea is based on this verse in 2 Corinthians where Paul says:

 

“I know a man in Christ. Fourteen years ago—whether in his body or outside of his body, I do not know, but God knows—that man was snatched away to the third heaven. I know that this man—whether in his body or outside of his body, I do not know, but God knows—was snatched away to Paradise and heard things that cannot be expressed in words, things that no human being has a right even to mention.” -2 Corinthians 12:2-4

 

In the Bible there are three heavens mentioned….

• The first is the atmosphere, what appears to be intended by the firmament or expansion, mentioned in Genesis 1:6. This would be where the clouds “hang out” and where we get our weather systems.

• The second, the starry heaven; where resides the sun, moon, planets, and stars; in Genesis 1:17.

• The third is the heaven we think of where God sits on his throne and the saints (that would be ALL of us!) reside with Him for eternity. The Bible says little about a “third” heaven beyond this. But most agree this last heaven is what he is referring to in 2 Corinthians 12.

Since these are the only levels mentioned in the Bible, I feel pretty confident in saying, "You'll be on the right level!"

 

 

Matthew 24, Left Behind, and an old song...

 

I've had several people mention this song during our End of the World series, plus I heard my wife listening to it the other night, so I thought I'd share. I'm not sure how compelling it will be for those who've never heard it. When I hear it, it takes me back to my youth. Larry Norman, who originally wrote and performed this song, was one of the first contemporary Christian singers who looked the part back in the 70's. (He's the one with the long blonde hair in the video.) The guys doing the singing in the video are from DC Talk. It's taken from the Matthew 24 where Jesus says, "One will be taken, the other will be left behind."

 

Enjoy. 

 

 

 

Lots on my mind...

My future son-in-law Ty getting chemo at M.D. Anderson.  

 

I just took a break from sermon writing to update my blog. I can’t stay here long, but I just want you to know that I’m so incredibly amped about what God is doing at our church. We have a meeting later this week about the possible addition at the 288 Campus, a possible building for our future Alvin Campus and we’re being updated on our East Campus. And today, all day long, my future son-in-law, Ty, is undergoing chemo at M.D. Anderson. Jane and I took lunch down to him and my daughter a little while ago. He's doing so great! So… lots to think about in addition to the sermon I’m trying to write! (In fact, they are awaiting a Listening Guide from me in the office right now so they can get to the task of formatting, creating slides, and printing. So, I’ve GOT to get back to writing.)

 

Before I do, I’m going to ask you to throw up a prayer for me and my family. The Bible says, “We who teach will be judged more strictly.” –James 3:1. I’m ok with that. But I wouldn’t mind some prayers so I do this life HIS way and not mine! And of course, send most of your prayers up for Ty.

 

God bless. 

Much love.

 

 

30,000 reads?! Amazed to be used by God…

 

As I prepare to publish this post, my total blog “reads” are at 29,364. That means this post, more than likely, will move the reads beyond 30,000 total. Insert my amazed face here: ______!!  I’ve always been amazed that God would use me, at all. When I stand up to preach and look out at everyone (and our East Campus via the screen) I still have this thought after all these years, “Why do these people sit here and listen to me? I wouldn’t listen to me!!” Awhile back, someone was telling me they love the lessons at New Hope. Then they told me they drive an hour each way every weekend to come to church and I actually said, “Why?” Insert my embarrassed face here: _____!!

 

But I truly believe one of the reasons this all works is because it’s not about me.

 

Years ago, I sat down to talk to Howard Agnew (New Hope Worship Pastor). The church had just grown beyond 500 people each Sunday and I was feeling overwhelmed. I told Howard I was troubled that so many people were coming to church and I didn’t know most of them. He let me talk for a moment and then he said, “Well, they’re coming to church to get to know Jesus, not you.” Insert my "ouch" face here: _____!!!!!!!!!!!! Lesson learned: Preach Jesus hard and stay out of the way!

 

Now we move toward the fall with great and wonderful things on the horizon for our church family. And if you’re ever amazed by what God is doing in our church, or through the people of our church, please know that as Pastor… I’m just as amazed!

 

 

 

 

Haiti building dedication... pure joy!

Many of you are aware of our involvement with a young man in Haiti named Caleb. Caleb feeds almost 200 kids  twice a week and teaches them songs about Jesus and Bible stories. He also teaches them leadership lessons based on Bible principles. All this took place under a tarp/tent until the last few days. Now they have something more weather proof. Our church, New Hope Church, recently funded the building of a "shelter" where he can run his ministry. Here are some pics of the final clean of the building and the finished product. (That's Caleb front right in the above picture.) Pray for Caleb and the children of Haiti. And rejoice with them in their new shelter.

 

 

 

 

 

The smartest kid you know...

Today we have a guest blogger. His name is Eric Holt. Eric is seventeen years old and will be a Senior this fall at Elkins High School in Missouri City, TX. His mom, Carrie, is a staff member at New Hope. The reason I asked Eric to write a blog is because he is extremely intelligent. Super intelligent. In fact, after being pursued by several colleges for their summer programs, he is currently attending Berkley University. He is number one in his class at Elkins and is looking forward to pursuing a career as a theoretical physicist. Eric has been part of the New Hope family since 1994. On the heels of our "God Loves Science" lesson, I asked him to answer the question: Why does someone who is super-smart like you believe in God? in 300 words or less. The following is his 291 word answer. Remember, he's 17. Enjoy.

 

"Why do you believe in God?" is indeed a profound question, simply because absolute proof of God's existence cannot be realized by any human being. Therefore, in order to believe in God, we must have faith in Him and His word. Just as Hebrews 11:6 says, "without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." Such faith, however, does not come easily, especially in a world in which mankind's knowledge is exponentially increasing. Perhaps a better question would be, "Why is it that when we think we are smart we believe that a creator is impossible?" When the Big Bang theory of the origin of the universe was proposed, many people lost faith in God. We live in an era where our faith is constantly being tested by untruthful teachings. The only true, holy teachings we should believe in are those of the Word of God. I believe in God, because otherwise, everything and everyone in the universe, including you and I, are all part of a big accident. From a logical point of view, the sheer probability of the latter occurring is overwhelmingly close to zero. How could an accident possibly have caused the earth to be placed at precisely the right distance from the sun, have precisely the right mixture of gases in the atmosphere, and to have the countless other conditions necessary to support life? I don't know about the other scientifically-minded individuals out there, but I for one believe in a God who not only created the entire universe, but who loves us and wants to have a personal, intimate relationship with each and every one of us.

 

Laminin - The glue of your body...

This is a video from Pastor Louie Giglio. I loved it. Be inspired about the details of your own body, as put together by our Lord! (Read Psalm 139:1-18.) I've had several people (Glenda Hundl, Sabre Peacock, Steve Bonczek, Alisa James and others) give me info on this subject. Recently, I saw this video - and now I have to share. Enjoy!!

 

Dads: How to have the best Father’s Day ever…

 
Back in 2003 I was in a plane going somewhere and tucked in the pocket in front of me was a GQ Magazine. (That’s not an endorsement.) There was an article by an assistant at GQ who had quit his GQ job to go to Hollywood to make movies. That’s what the article was supposed to be about: Him leaving GQ to go to Hollywood to make movies. However, it was more about his dad. I tore it out and have kept it since then, waiting for a time to share it, hence, the folds in the pic above. It’s not a typical blog for me and it’s longer than usual. But I want you to read it because it shows the power dad’s have in their children’s lives. This is the first part of the Dave Kalstein’s article. I’ll join you again at the end for a closing thought…

 

     “Steven Spielberg said making movies is dreaming for a living, but he’s a liar. Making movies is waiting for your phone to ring. Anyone who works in films – writers, directors, actors – spends 90 percent of his time listening for the phone and, if he’s lucky, the remaining 10 percent making movies. We wait to hear from the people who make movies happen: producers or agents who, in turn, wait to hear from one another. A silent phone renders certain rituals impossible: attending your high school reunion, waving at an ex-girlfriend or calling your dad, because the last time any of them saw you, you were going off to make movies. And real men don’t come back as failures.

 

It’s been three years since I told my dad I was going to make movies, right after college graduation. He gave me this look – a look common to frugal self-made Jewish doctors who have just invested six figures in their eldest son’s college education – that said 'You must be drunk' (I was) and 'This is all my ex-wife’s fault' (it wasn’t). Dad didn’t raise his voice. He just found a mantra: ‘You and everyone else. What makes you special? A man doesn’t make his living that way. You don’t have a chance.’

 

The mantra became the centerpiece of every phone call we had, so I stopped calling. But sometimes I would catch myself writing father characters into screenplays in absurd places, just so I could hear the sound of his voice in my head. It’s the oldest story around: Son chases the Big Break so one day he can look his dad in the eye. Spend enough time waiting for your phone to ring and you’ll start to think that’s the plot behind every movie that’s ever made. Some guys hate Leonardo DiCaprio out of petty envy. I hate him because he can call home whenever he wants.” -Dave Kalstein

 

I’ve got an idea for this Father’s Day. Instead of waiting for your kids to tell you how amazing you are, give them the gift that every child wants: Your love and acceptance. Yes, every one of our children have had/will have their struggles. But we dad’s can remove the incredible burden of “looking for dad’s approval” off of their shoulders and take them to a new level with one line: I love you and I’m so proud of you!

 

You’ll say it from your hospital bed when your time here is coming to a close. Why not go ahead and say it now?

 

1 John 3:1

New Hopers in the sky...

 New Hopers Paul Steffenauer & Kyle Engelhardt watch over us from above.

 

Paul rides shotgun and directs the high tech instruments that track and assist in the apprehension of criminals while Kyle flies the chopper. Paul will soon enter flight school to become a pilot as well.

 

Well, I'm convinced: You never know where you might find New Hopers these days!! Recently, I had the privilege of riding for a shift with New Hopers, Paul Steffenauer and Kyle Engelhardt, of the Houston Police Department Air Support Division. Wow! Talk about a thrill ride! (Kyle was willing to increase his tithe if I puked on Paul. I couldn't... not that I didn't try!) It's amazing the support that these eyes in the sky are able to offer the guys on the ground, spotting, directing, warning... Basically, giving the law enforcement personnel on the ground a bigger more detailed picture of unfolding events. I'm a Pastor, so you knew this part was coming: The whole time we were up there I was thinking about how much we miss on the ground when we're right in the middle of "it" - whatever "it" may be - and how helpful a view from above is or could be. 

 

"'For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,' declares the LORD. 'As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.'" -Isaiah 55:8-9

 

That's another reason to call on God: He sees more than we can see. He knows more than we can know. And James 1:5-8 says He's willing to share that information with us.

 

Props to the guys in the skies and to all our law enforcement people who spend their days and nights watching over our safety.

 

New Series Begins...

We live in a society where everybody is peddling joy. Stuffed-shirt types try to sell us "religion" and the legion of advertisers tell us joy can be found in a bottle, pill, or new car. Yet, as we examine the teachings of the Apostle Paul, we will learn where real joy is found. Join us for our new series from Philippians beginning this weekend.   

Bring a Bible You Can Write In, Series Addendum...

 
I've had a number of people ask for the Series Addendum because they missed church this past Memorial Day weekend. First of all, shame-shame... :) Second, I want you to bring your Bible every weekend, if possible. We're going to be giving you the opportunity to mark each and every service. And third, here's the addedum! (Complete with typos...)

 

Series: Bring a Bible You Can Write In (Addendum)

 Instructions: Write the topic on each page near the underlined verse when marking a string. (This will keep you from confusing other marked verses on that same page.) To keep the string going, never leave a page without writing where you’re going next. Page numbers apply to the New Hope Bibles only. Add verses you find on your own to the end of the suggested string. “Other” section at bottom includes individual texts – not in a string. Enjoy!

 

 

Topic- First Verse (for inside front cover)                              >Next Verse in String

 

Prayer- Lev 16:2 (p79) >Lu 23:44-46 (p737) >Heb. 10:19-24 (p 843) >Heb 4:15-16 (p 840) >Lu 18:9-14 (p732) >Phil 4:6-7 (p 820) >1 Thess 5:16-18 (p826) >Matt 6:9-13 (p678) >1 Pet 5:6-7 (p852) >Jam 1:6 (p847) >Jam 5:17-18 (p849) >Ps 34:15-18 (p387) >Ps 50:15 (p395) >Acts 12:1-17 (p767)

 

Salvation- Rom 3:10, 3:12, 3:23 (p784) >Rom 6:23 (p786) >Rom 5:6-8 (p785) >Rom 8:1-3 (p786) >Rom 10:9-10 (p788) >Rom 10:13 (p 788) >Rom 6:1-4 (p785)

 

Overcomer- Ps 46:1-3 (p393) >Isa 54:17 (p512) >Rom 8:35-39 (p787) >Jer 29:11 (p546) >Phil 4:13 (p820) >Rom 8:28 (p787) >Isa 40:21-28 (p500) >Isa 41:10 (p501) >Isa 43:2 (p503) >Jn 16:33 (p753) >1 Jn 4:4 (p856) 1 Jn 5:5 (p857) >Rom 12:21 (p768)

 

Science- Ecc 4:12 (p463) 3 strands 1960AD > Isa 55:10-11 (p 513) Hydrologic Cycle 1580 AD >Rom 1:18-20 (p782) Design >Gen 1:1 (P1) Designer >Job 28:25 (p???) Air Weight > Job 30:5-6 (p???) Cave men? Sort of. >Gen 1 (p1) “According to their kinds” used 10 times = Genetic Codes. >Isaiah 40:22 (p500) Round earth >Luke 17:34-35 (p731) Simultaneous day & night – once considered impossible >Leviticus 17:11 (p80) Bloodletting 1616AD >Job 40:15-25, 41:1-34 (p372) Dinosaurs (NOTE: Hyperbole used in description.)  

 

Comfort- Ps 23 (p382) >Ps 103:8-18 (p418) >Ps 91:1-2 (p413) >Ps 139:1-12 (p433) >Ps 73:23-24 (p405) >Jn 10:11-29 (p748) >Matt 8:23-27 (p680) >Ps 30:4-5 (p385) >Phil 4:19 (p820) >Jn 14:1-4 (p752)

 

Speech- Ps 19:14 (p381) >Ps 141:3 (p434) >Eph 4:15, 25 & 29 (p816) >Pro 15:1 (p447) >Jam 1:19 (p847) >Pro 10:19 (p444) >Pro 15:28 (p448) >Pro 17:27-28 (p450) >Pro 18:13 (p450) >Pro 12:22 (p446) >Pro 12:18 (p445) >Jam 3:1-12 (p848) >Pro 25:11-12 (p455)

 

Example- 1Tim 4:12 (p830) >Matt 5:19 (p677) >Matt 18:6 (p688) >Lu 17:1-3 (p731) >Rom 14:13, 19-21 (p791) >1 Cor 8:9-13 (p797)

 

Jesus=God- Dan 7:13-14 (p619) >Mk 13:26 (p710) >Jn 6:38 (p744)  >Mk 10:17-18 (p707)  >Mk 14:60-64 (p710)  >Jn 10:33 (p748)  >Jn 8:46, 58-59 (p747)   >Mk 2:5 (p700)  >Jn 14:6 (p752)  >Rom 10:9 (p788 – we marked this during Salvation lesson. Lord=God.) >Col 1:15-20 (p821)

 

False Prophets- Jer 14:11-16 (p534) > Jer 23:1-4 (p541) >Ez 13:10-12 (p582) >Acts 20:29-31 (p775) >2 Pet 2:1-3, 17-19, (p853-4) >2 Cor 11:13-15 (p808) >Gal 3:1 (p811) >1 Jn 4:1 (p856) >Acts 17:11 (p772) >Rev 2:2-3 (p862)  

 

No Fear- 2 Tim 1:7 (p832) >Heb 13:5-6 (p845) >Ps 27:1 (p384) >Matt 10:28-30 (p682) >1 Jn 4:18 (p857)

 

Forgiveness- Isa 1:18 (p474) >Ps 32:1-5 (p386) >Ps 103:8-12 (p418) >Matt 11:28-30 (p682) >Lu 7:47-50 (p721) >Lu 23:43 (p737) >Lu 15:11-32 (p730) >1 Jn 1:7-9 (p855) >Ps 130:3-4 (p431) >Col 1:13-14 (p821) >Eph 1:7-8 (p814) >Acts 10:43 (p766) >Acts 4:12 (p760) >2 Cor 5:18-19 (p805)

 

Forgiving- Matt 6:12-15 (p678) >Matt 18:21-22 (p688) >Eph 4:31-32 (p816) >Mk 11:25 (p708) >1 Cor 13:5 (p800) >1 Pet 4:8 (p852) >2 Cor 2:7-8 (p804)

 

Sin- 1 Pet 5:8-9 (p852) >Jam 4:17 (p849) >1 Cor 6:12 (p795) >Pro 4:14-15 (p440) >Gal 5:19-21 (p813) >Rom 6:19-23 (p785)

 

Peace w/God- Matt 11:28-30 (p682) >Rom 5:1 (p785) >Jn 14:27 (p752) >Isa 53:5 (p511) >Isa 26:3-4 (p489) >Isa 9:6 (p479) >Ps 4:8 (p375)

 

Children- >Deut 6:6-7 (p126) >Eph 6:4 (p817) >Pro 1:8-9 (p438) >Gen 18:19 (p11) >1 Tim 3:4 (p830) >Col 3:21 (p823) >Prov 29:17 (p458) >Heb 12:6 (p845) >Prov 22:6 (p453) >Ps 127:1-3 (p430) >Matt 19:13-15 (p689)

 

Leaders Lead- Titus 1:5 (p835) >Acts 20:28 (p775) >Ez 33:7-9 (p599) >1 Tim 5:17 (p831) >Heb 13:17 (p845)

 

OTHER individual events/passages you should know (not strings of Scripture)…

Noah and the ark Gen 6:9 (p4)  | Crossing the Red Sea Ex 14:21-22 (p48) | 10 Commandments Exodus 20:1-17 (p52) | Birth of Jesus Matt 1:18-25 (p675) Lu 2:6-7 (p715) Jn 1:14 (p739) | Jesus’ Baptism Mk 1:9-11 (p699) | Temptation of Jesus Matt 4:1-11 (p676) | Sermon on the Mount Matt chapters 5-7 (p677) | Golden Rule Lu 6:31 (p720) | Lord’s Prayer Lu 11:2-4 (p725) | Last Supper Matt 26:20-30 (p695)  | Crucifixion of Jesus Matt 27:26  (p697), Mk 15:24 (p712), Lu 24:20 (p738), Jn 19:18 (p755)  | Love Chapter 1 Cor 13 (p800)| Fruit of the Spirit Gal 5:22-23 (p813) | Great Command Matt 22:37-39 (p692) | Great Commission Matt 28:18-20 (p698) | Faith Hall of Fame Heb 11 (p843) |

 

+ MORE TO COME IN THE WEEKS/MONTHS AHEAD!!!!

A Memorial Day Reminder...

 

 

Your freedom isn't free.

 

 

"Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends." -John 15:13

 

 

 

Prayer: Heavenly Father, We thank you today for those willing to pay the ultimate price for our freedom and protection. We remember their sacrifice today. Watch over their families and loved ones. In Jesus' name, Amen.

 

New Hope on the other side of the world, literally...

 
  
The dedication service of a building in 1ndia where young men who are studying to be pastors stay. Major funding for this building came from our church, which is why they chose the name, New Hope Center.

 

 
  
New Hope Church Operations Leader, Marc Davis, presenting six pastors with motorcycles that will expand the reach of their ministries. C1CM has found that pastors with transportation can reach 3 times as many people for Christ. New Hope Church paid for these motorcycles.

 

 
  
A church of Burmese refugees in the heart of the major city of De1hi in the moments after they received Bibles in their own language. These Bibles were purchased for this church by people of New Hope Church.

 

 
  
Ajai, the director of the Central 1ndia Christian Mission and one of the most amazing people I've ever met, "bringing it" at a youth conference.

 

This weekend, May 28-29, we will be hearing from our 1ndia Missions Partner, Ajai. 1ndia is in a "red zone" for Christianity, meaning, it's dangerous for Christians. (I hesitated to post this blog on the internet, because I don't want him to get in trouble at home. That's why I've purposely left off his last name, and spelled 1ndia with a "1" instead of an "I.") But right in the heart of 1ndia where danger for Christ-follwers abounds, we are seeing the Good News of Jesus spread and change lives. It's soooo exciting for our church to be involved in this move of God! 

 

I know this weekend is a holiday weekend, but I'm going to encourage you to be in church as we get inspired by a modern day hero of the faith! (BTW- June 11-12 is our "MISSIONS OFFERING WEEKEND." 100% of what is given on that weekend goes to support God's work away from our home turf. So please, give generously on that weekend!)

 

PS- This weekend, May 28-29, I'll also be passing out and explaining the "Bring A Bible You Can Write In" Series Addendum. 

You've got to read this! A note from Haiti... #haiti

  
Kids in the mountains near Jacmel, Haiti.

 

  
Birth of a great church? The foundation of the shelter where the kids in Caleb's ministry will be fed and taught about Jesus. This project is being funded by New Hope Church.

 

  
Caleb Midi (left) is our Haiti Missions Partner, along with some of the kids he feeds and teaches about Jesus. Below is a note from Caleb, unedited. Enjoy!

 

Hey everyone at New Hope Church!

How are you all doing? It's a pleasure today to write you this letter and to tell you God loves you and I love you as well. Thanks to God for His Kingdom and all of the people a part of it, especially you guys :) I am so thankful for your freindship. You allow me to see the love of Jesus in all of your hearts and you are always teaching me and encouraging me in so many ways. I would love to tell you, you are all awesome and I love you. Keep doing what your doing for God. He is so proud of all of you and all that you do for His kingdom. I would also love to tell you it is an honor for me to be a servant for the kingdom of God. I would like to let you know the impact you are having here in Haiti. First of all, the childrens program that you support and also me myself. I keep praying for the ministry in America and especially new hope church. I keep praying for all leaders, especailly brother Tim Liston and Pastor John the Hero because I know they are doing amazing things for the Kingdom and especially for new hope church. Thank you for your support and for your prayers and all you do for us. I pray you guys can keep supporting our prject here because we have so much pain here and so many lives to save for the Kingdom of God. I love you! And Im praying for you! And I hope I can see you  in November.

God Bless you!

Brother Caleb Midi the servent.   

 

 

 

Baptism Weekend 2011

 

I’m just amazed. This past weekend 304 people were baptized at New Hope Church. I loved cheering for the people who were going to be baptized who stood at the end of the service. Someone from the East Campus said there was a moment when tears were flowing as people stood to be baptized! Many people didn’t plan to do it, but made the decision on the spot and followed through a few minutes later. How awesome to see so many take this step. One man told me, right before he went under the water, “My detour away from God ends here.” I about lost it.

 

When Jesus was baptized, God the Father said, “This is my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased.” I called that statement, a heavenly high five! I’m sure there were lots of high fives in heaven this past weekend.

 

 I love this church!

 

“And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.” –Acts 22:16

 

(BTW- We baptize people every weekend at New Hope Church. If you haven’t done it, but would like to do so, email the church at mail@newhopechurch.tv.)  

God and Tough Love...

 
Paul tells us in Romans 1:24 & 28 that sometimes God gives people over to their destructive behavior so that they can hit bottom and (hopefully) turn to Him. Nowadays we call this, “tough love.” For anyone who’s had to do it, you know it’s tough. (See also 1 Corinthians 5:5.) It’s especially difficult when the person is saying, “If you love me, why won’t you help me?” Sometimes they ask the question because they’ve gotten real good at manipulating us. (i.e. We help them, but then that help enables them to go back to what they were doing.) But always, they ask the question not understanding that it is because we love them that we will no longer intervene. We put ourselves through short-term pain, in hopes of eternal gain for them.

 

God also loves people with a tough love at times. But as He backs away from them, ironically, sometimes the bad behavior increases. That’s because some assume that God’s silence is a green light. It’s not.  

 

God is giving them time to turn to Him.

 

After all, “…it is his kindness that leads us to repentance.” -Romans 2:4. (ALSO, please see 2 Peter 3:9-10.) Eventually, it will be “party over.” That’s when the real wrath shows up on Judgment Day. But don’t get me wrong here: It is the hope of a righteous, gracious, loving God that all people will wake up and turn to Him. And when they're ready, our church will be ready for them.

 

 

My Prayer for National Day of Prayer...

 
Dear Lord,

We thank You for blessing our nation beyond what any nation has ever experienced. We thank You for our heritage of faith that directed our nation for so long. We’re sorry for the times in the recent decades when we’ve excluded You. We apologize for those who want to remove You from all areas of American life.  (Forgive them for they don’t know what they’re asking!) Please help us to learn to live 'within our blessings' before it is too late. Thank You for the brave men and women who get up every day to stand between us and the evil that seeks to harm us. Watch over and protect them. Bless our leaders and give them wisdom to lead us according to Your will. Please do not remove Your favor from us. Send revival to our land and draw us back to You. Let that revival begin in us, the church.

We ask it in the powerful name of Jesus.

Amen.

PS: Proverbs 21:15 (OBL)

Pastor sought: Failure to pay toll...

 
Something interesting happened when I was going through a tollbooth years ago. Somewhere along the line, someone had not paid and now each motorist was paying for the person in front of them! It’s not the way it’s supposed to work, but for the moment it was working. Each motorist would put change in and let the car in front of them go. Then they’d creep up to the crossbar and wait for the person behind them to do the same.

 

Now it was my turn to pay for the person in front of me. I put in my change and up went the crossbar for the car in front of me to go through. Then the crossbar came down and I assumed my spot at the gate. I don’t know how long this had been going on, but I can tell you when it stopped: When it was my turn at the crossbar! I kept looking in the rearview and every time I’d make eye contact with the driver of the car behind me he would just shake his head, “No.”

 

So I put my truck in drive and broke through the crossbar. (Just kidding!)

 

Let me put Easter in perspective: We find it hard to give up a little change for someone else – but Jesus gave up His life for us! He willingly submitted to the cross for me and you. Romans 5 says,

^[7] “Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. ^[8] But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” -Romans 5:7-8 (NIV)

 

The cross stands as a graphic reminder of the price that was paid for you and I. And Easter is a time when we celebrate Jesus paying that price and then winning the victory over sin and over the grave! Come celebrate the victory with us this Easter weekend! Twelve services to choose from! www.newhopechurch.tv. I can't wait!!

 

Steal a Donkey for Jesus...

 

If the Lord is prompting you to do something, odds are He’s asking people who can help to be involved as well. Case in point: Luke 19. Jesus is approaching Jerusalem. He told his disciples to go ahead of him and get a donkey. He described the donkey and its location in great detail. Then he said in verse 31, “If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it.’”

 

What are the chances the line, “The Lord needs it,” would work if you were trying to take someone’s car without their permission? Not good, right!? Unless… (and you’d best be sure!) unless the Lord had spoken to the owner before you got there.

 

Verse 33 says, “As they were untying the colt, its owners asked, ‘Why are you untying the colt?’ They replied, ‘The Lord needs it.’” End of discussion. No push back from the owner. No 911 call. No more words exchanged. The donkey was taken back to Jesus for His ride into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday.

 

Step back from the story and you can easily conclude that the Lord had spoken to BOTH the disciples AND the owner of the donkey at the same time and they were both on the same page. What does that mean for you? It means when God asks you to do something, you’re not the only one He’s asking. If it is His will, He’s going to place others in your path to help you achieve it!

 

Following Jesus by Finishing Well...

 
I’ve always been intrigued by the transfiguration. Jesus goes up on the mountain and there’s smoke and haze, and then Moses and Elijah, gone for hundreds of years, show up and hang out with Jesus for a few amazing minutes. The disciples freak. Peter wants to build tents so they can camp out there, meaning, he freaks too! (Read about it here: Luke 9:28-36.)

 

For fun, let's dig a little deeper...

• Moses represented THE LAW. Moses was a STARTER. He started the work (gave the law) – Joshua finished his work (took the people into the Promise Land.)
• Elijah represented THE PROPHETS. Elijah was a STARTER. He started the work – Elisha finished his work.

 

Moses started... Joshua finished.

Elijah started... Elisha finished.

 

Both Moses and Elijah’s finishers’ names, Elisha and Joshua, mean, “The Lord saves” or “The Lord is our deliverance.” In fact, the name Elisha is a variation of Joshua, which is also the name Yeshua. So, both finisher’s names, Elisha and Joshua, are in essence, the SAME NAME: Yeshua. Both are finishers.

 

Guess what Jesus’ name is when translated into Hebrew? You guessed it: Yeshua!

 

Jesus was/is a finisher.

 

Verse 31 says that Moses and Elijah spoke with Jesus “…about his departure which he was about to bring to fulfillment in Jerusalem.”

 

Maybe they spoke to him about finishing well.

 

Yeshua/Jesus: The conclusion of the law, the fulfillment of the prophecies and, as Hebrews 12:2 calls him, “…the finisher of our faith.”  

 

Thank you, Jesus, for being a finisher. And thank you for finishing well. May we also finish well!

 

Get ready! The world is ending on Saturday...

 
Well, according to the billboards it will end on May 21! I’ve had a number of people ask me about it, so I thought I would address the subject. I looked up the website, read the claims thoroughly, and will give you my take. They’ve done a calculation based on dates in the Bible and are convinced that the world will end on May 21. One problem with their theory: Jesus said in Matthew 24:36 that, “no man knows the day or the hour.”

So if someone says they know it’s going to be a certain day, then you can just about bet it won’t be that day. Jesus instructs us in verse 42, “Keep watch, because you do not know what day your Lord will come.”

It will happen eventually. 

In verse 44 He says, “So be ready, the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”

You know what this means? He's probably not coming back on May 21. With that said, there's a good chance we'll still be here for the “End of the World” lesson series this fall at New Hope Church!

So, if we're still here... be there!

 

Jesus wants to ride in your boat today...

 

I was reading this morning in John 6 and points of an old familiar story hit me between the eyes. The disciples were out on the Sea of Galilee, it was now night and a storm began to blow. Verses 18-19,

“A strong wind was blowing and the waters grew rough. When they had rowed about three or four miles…”

They rowed a boat 3 or 4 miles! Big deal? Yes. Here's why: The boat was probably like the one pictured above, found in 1986 in the northwest corner of the Sea of Galilee during a drought. It was found in close proximity to where Jesus spent a lot of time, where his disciples fished, where Peter lived, and is from the same time period of Jesus. It’s big: 27 feet long and is typical for fishermen of the day. They rowed that sized boat - a big, heavy, wooden boat - 3 or 4 miles... in a storm! (What a workout!)

Now, I’m going to cut to the chase: They see Jesus walking on the water and in verse 21…

“Then they were willing to take [Jesus] into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading.” 

Ok, see the highlighted comparison?

Rowing and straining for hours to make 3 or 4 miles. Or invite Jesus in, and instantly be where you couldn’t make it on your own.

I've met so many people in my life who are rowing hard, trying to be good enough for God to love them and bless them - when what they really need to do is invite Jesus in and instantly He will give them favor with God. Or others who work hard (rowing!) trying to accomplish things and only end up frustrated, but if they would have invited Jesus to help, He would have made the trip much more productive.

Have you invited Jesus into your boat today? 

 

Big Obstacle < Bigger God

 
It was early Sunday morning, just after sunrise. Three women were headed toward the tomb to anoint the dead body of the Savior with spices. It had been a long night of grieving after a few days of hell on earth for those who loved Jesus. Maybe it was their grief that made them forget an important detail before their journey began: They didn’t have a way to move the stone that covered the entrance of the tomb. When that fact occurred to one of the women, the question was asked, “Who will roll away the stone?” –Mark 16:3. They certainly couldn’t. But (and this is what I love about the story) they kept going anyway. Why?

I think it was the same thing that keeps us going when we know there’s an obstacle in front of us determined to stop us. I believe we keep going forward in faith because we know deep down inside ‘Who’ will move the stone. And if we don’t keep going, we won’t get to see it happen.

When they arrived at the tomb, their walk of faith was rewarded with an encounter with a Savior who was alive and well. The large stone had become a non-factor.

Remember, God is bigger than any obstacle in your life. Keep moving forward in faith!

 

God, please do the impossible in the lives of everyone who reads this post today. Whatever the immovable stone is in their situation, I pray that as they do their part and walk in faith, that you will do what only you can do: Move the stone! In Jesus name I ask it. Amen.  

 

Thank God: Jesus is not my Homeboy

 

When Jesus walked the earth, most people were waiting for a Messiah that would be a powerful, political figure. Someone who would break the rule of the hated Romans and everyone would live happily ever after. Jesus tried to erase that picture, even saying to Pilate before he was crucified, “My kingdom is not of this world.” -John 18:36.

On one occasion, the Apostle Peter correctly stated that Jesus was “the Christ” (i.e. the Messiah). Jesus agreed and then immediately told the disciples what that meant: That he, the Messiah, was going to be killed. Then comes one of the most insane verses in the New Testament, “Peter took Jesus aside and rebuked him.” -Mark 8:32.

Bold move by Peter. But why did he do it? The answer is simple: Because what Jesus said did not fit within the picture frame that most people, including Peter, had of the Messiah.  

Then Jesus uttered his famous, though harsh reply to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan.” Apparently, Jesus felt that Peter’s push toward the political was a temptation away from what He really came to earth to do: To give his life as a ransom on the cross for me and you.

Bottom line: Jesus is Jesus. As much as people try, we can’t make him into something he is not. And I'm so glad, because he is so much  more!

He is the Son of God (Hebrews 1:3); The Messiah (Matthew 26:64); The Savior (2 Timothy 1:10); He is Creator God (Colossians 1:16; John 1:3); He is the King of kings and the Lord of lords (Revelation 19:16); He is the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world (John 1:29).

I’m so glad He’s not my President, or just a good teacher, or my “homeboy.” 

He is Jesus!!

Believe it: Origami in the offering bag!

 

I’ve enjoyed teaching the Money Origami lesson series. The above pic shows some actual “offerings” that we’ve received during the series! (What should I have expected from our very creative and fun-loving church family?! I love it!!)

If you know anyone who could benefit from the series, be sure and direct them to our website, www.newhopechurch.tv, where they can view the lessons and download the worksheets. We’re done with the series, but I’m still praying that we can make our money work for us – and glorify God in the process!

One Reason Heaven is better than Hell…

 
Matthew 5:22 contains a reference to Hell (Gehenna) which is tied to the Valley of Hinnom. This valley, outside the city of Jerusalem, was made infamous in the Old Testament because of child sacrifices, then desecrated to keep the people away. (See 2 Kings 23:10.)  It was outside the walls of the city, was at a lower elevation, and was far removed from the centerpiece of the city, the Temple, where God’s presence* was said to have dwelt. By Jesus’ time, the valley had become the city dump with perpetually smoldering piles of trash and constant fires producing ever-present smoke that drifted into the air day and night. Today, it’s been cleaned up (as you can see in the pic). But back in the day, Jesus used the valley as a picture of the real Hell for us. And it’s not a pretty picture for one very painful reason...

To be “there” was to be outside of God’s presence.* That’s hell. (See 2 Thessalonians 1:9)

Attach whatever biblical metaphor or literal description you want to it, but the thing that makes Hell hell, is that God’s presence is not there. Fortunately for us, the thing that Hell lacks that makes it so bad is the thing that Heaven has that makes it so good: God’s presence!

Here on earth all of us are blessed by his indirect presence. Someday, when He calls us home, because of what Jesus did for us on the cross, we will take a step into his direct presence! (See 1 Thessalonians 4:17-18)

That, my friend, is Heaven!

 

Thank you, Jesus, for your sacrificial death on the cross that takes away the sins of all who accept you as Savior and Lord!

Alex Made Us Stronger

 
Isaiah 11 says, “A little child shall lead them.” That’s a prophecy about Jesus, but the concept can certainly fit the way the childlike faith of young children can strengthen the faith of adults. And such was the faith of a little 8 year old named, Alex.

This young man led his mom back to church and once there, he invited friends to attend. He encouraged and impressed all of us with his deep faith. Even as brain cancer limited his ability to move and made his left side go limp, he never complained. Never. And he always had a smile on his face, though a little crooked toward the end.

Today, Alex is in heaven. At 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 9 his “faith turned to sight” as the old song says. But he didn’t leave us empty-hearted. No, he left behind something invaluable for us: Childlike faith so pure and trusting that just days before he made the trip he talked to his mom about turning to the left, once through Heaven's gates, to see New Hopers already there. And he also told his mom, “You’re going to be ok.” (What a big man, taking care of his mom before he left.)

Thank you, Alex, for your gift of strengthening the faith of all who knew you! We WILL see you again!!!

 

(Pictured: Alex's Mom Holly and Alex right after they were baptized. Thank you, Stacy Todd, for capturing these special moments in pictures!)

Hard Time in the Desert = Good Times in the Future

 
Last weekend, I talked about the beginning of our church when attendance reached 75 and stayed there for six [long] years. With attendance now over 5,000 and growing, I’ve been asked a number of times by pastors and church planters, “What did you do in the seventh year?” (They want to get right to the good stuff!) However, a better question is, “What did God do in my heart in the first six years?”

The children of Israel wandered in the desert for 40 [long] years before entering the Promised Land. In Deuteronomy 8:4, Moses gives the reason for their lean years. He said, “Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the desert these forty years, to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands.”

I know there’s a temptation for us to want to bypass the desert and go straight to the reward. But more often than not, God directs us to the desert first. For me personally, I lost all my pride in the early years. All of it. By the time the church began to take off, I was an empty vessel. In fact, to this day, God can bless me, or take away everything I have, and I will still give Him glory.

I learned that lesson in the desert.  

The Devil loves DVR…

 
I heard Louie Gigglio say it awhile back, “The devil is great at rewinding.” So true. In Revelation 12:10 the Bible calls him “the accuser.” He loves to rewind and remind us of our failures. Again and again he replays our past mistakes on the big screen of our minds. He even has HD! It’s his way of controlling us, of keeping us from stepping out in faith. Rewind and remind. Rewind and remind. It’s his specialty.

Let’s face it, we can’t go forward in our lives while we’re rewinding in our minds. Paul said, “Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is next.” –Philippians 3:13.

It’s a new year. 2010 is done, over. So is 2009 and 2008 and 2007 and 2006 and… Well, you get the idea. It’s time to move on. Because of Jesus, the sins you’ve committed are paid for, forgiven, and washed away. You are completely perfect in God’s sight.

You’ve got a fresh start.

Say a prayer of thanks.

Now, hit “play” and see what God has for you next!

Happy New Year! 

Christmas means: God loves you!

 

 
You do know God loves you, right? One of my favorite notes…

“I haven't been to church in a while. I've been feeling pretty down and out lately. My friend talked me into going and I'm so glad she did. The message completely lifted my spirits. I keep repeating 'God loves me' to myself, to remind myself that I'm not alone. I started crying on my way home, thinking about everything I had just learned. Unfortunately, I got pulled over. I was confused as to why, I wasn't speeding, and none of my lights were out. The cop that pulled me over said I shouldn't drive while crying, that it impairs my vision. I couldn't help but laugh. I told him [I was crying] because I finally felt the love of God. He smiled and asked me if I was on my way home from church. I said yes and he asked about what church I attended. I said New Hope. And his words, 'Wow, it must be a pretty amazing place to move a young girl to tears.' I nodded and told him it was a safe place for me, I had finally found home. He let me go with a smile. I just wanted to say thank you for reminding me that God loves me and that I'm never alone. And if I get pulled over again, hey, hearing God's word is worth it.”

Remember: Christmas means you are loved by God! John 3:16

Maybe you're just not ready to be blessed...

 
In 2 Kings 4, a widow was about to lose her sons as slaves to the creditors of her deceased husband. She went to the prophet Elisha for help. He asked her what she had. Her answer, “One flask of olive oil.” He told her to go to her neighbors and ask for empty containers. “Don’t ask for just a few!” he said. Then she was to take the flask of olive oil and pour it into the containers. She did. And one by one she filled them up! I’m sure there was much excitement in the room as her boys watched the oil, which would soon buy their freedom, continue to pour from that one small flask. I bet they were laughing with joy and moving around containers, trying to expedite the process. What a day! The Bible says that soon every container they had in the house was filled to the brim. The mom said, “Bring me another jar!” But the reply came, “There are no more!” (And for me the next line is the most poignant of the story...) “Then the oil stopped flowing.”

I bet she wished she had been ready with more containers.

I’m not a prosperity preacher, far from it. But I do know God blesses our faith. So what would happen if you set out some more containers and prayed bigger? Maybe God's been giving you time to get ready. Are you ready?

How could this happen?

 
This question kept me up last night. My heart ached when I received the news that Josh, the young man everyone was praying for, was no longer with us. How could this happen?

This morning I read from the Old Testament book of Laments or “Lamentations” as it’s commonly called. However, the original Hebrew name of this book was, ‘ekah, or “how?” A great question then, a fitting question now. But the very fact that this question has been asked repeatedly for thousands of years reveals to us again that the human condition is painfully sick without God. Even within the first family on the planet there was murder. “While they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel…” –Genesis  4:8

It’s not new to the world. Just new to our world. And it shows us that our church still has a lot of work to do in the community. For those of us who love God, let’s make sure that we do our best to spread the love of Jesus. Evil is in our world, but “the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” -1 John 4:4

"Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” –Romans 12:21

Pray for Josh's family.

I Told Them Not to Go...

 
What does an earthquake, flooding, tent cities, mosquitoes, a recent hurricane, a cholera outbreak, and New Hope Church all have in common? Answer: All of them are making an impact in Haiti. That’s because we have a group there right now.

Here’s the funny thing: I told them not to go. Last week, Pastor John asked me if I thought the group should postpone the trip because of the cholera outbreak. I said, “Yes. Let’s play it safe and postpone.” Then a few days later he texted me and said, “We’re going.” To which I boldly replied, “…ok.” And now they are making a difference for Jesus. (Oh me of little faith.)

When I heard from John in Miami before their plane ride over to Haiti I told him, “It takes crazy people to change the world.” Be proud, New Hope Church: You’ve got some crazy people in your midst. (Jeremiah 20:9; Acts 4:18-21) Pictured: New Hopers, Lisa, Christie, and Chris teaching Haitian children about Jesus.

 

Heaven is not Dallas

 
When I was in college, and stressed out, I had a reoccurring daydream: How far could I get on two tanks of gas? (That was all I could afford!) Do you ever find yourself daydreaming about escaping? God made us that way. It is our soul “yearning” for heaven. Many people try to create heaven here: A home on a beautiful piece of property... but then the yard needs mowed. A trip to the Caribbean... but you have to come home. An escape from the routine... but while you’re escaping the mortgage is due.

With the vantage point of time, experience, and an atlas (none of which I had in college) I know now that if I would have lived out my daydream I would have ended up somewhere outside of Dallas. Not exactly the stress free, tropical paradise I had daydreamed! (And that's not a shot at the Cowboys!)

But in God’s time we’ll get to the real heaven and it will be perfect: No pain, no sickness, no stress, no tears, and perfect weather all the time! He’s created it just for you. (John 14:1-4)

For now, we’re here. But somehow, knowing we’ll be there eventually makes being here now a little easier to take. (Philippians 3:20-21)

Happy (what’s the deal with?) Hanukkah!

 
Contrary to what many people think, Hanukkah is not some recently made up holiday to compete with Christmas. Most people know it’s a Jewish holiday, but may not know the history, or (drum roll, please) that Jesus celebrated it. Some background…

During the last few years of his reign, Antiochus IV Epiphanes, (bust statue pic above) made an effort to destroy the Jewish faith and ordered an end to the daily sacrifices. (BTW- Many believe he was the “horn” prophesied in Daniel 8:9-14.) Eventually, Judas Maccabeus recaptured Jerusalem and rededicated the temple to the Lord. This happened in December of 165 B.C.

Daniel 8:14 states, “…the sanctuary will be reconsecrated.” It was. To commemorate this rededication of the temple an annual celebration was held by the Jews known as the “Feast of Dedication.” This was the beginning of what is now called, “Hanukkah.”  

Fast forward to the time of Jesus, and we have this revelation in John 10… ^[22] “Then came the Feast of Dedication at Jerusalem. It was winter, ^[23] and Jesus was in the temple area walking in Solomon’s Colonnade.”

It’s not a stretch: Jesus, a Jewish man, in the temple during the celebration of the Feast of Dedication, i.e. Hanukkah. Would He celebrate it if He was still here physically? Don’t know the answer to that. But I do know Christians shouldn’t be offended by this holiday that commemorates an important event in Jewish history. Jesus wasn’t.   

Be Warm and Well Fed

 

I'm amazed by our church family. Our people gave tons of groceries, coats, jackets, and blankets. And early today, seven buses filled with volunteers and seven Uhaul trucks filled with donations left our church campuses and went to areas of need around us. Everything was given away. It was overwhelming to see the need and it was heartwarming to see our people respond. We based this mission on a passage of Scripture from James chapter 2... 

"14) What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such a faith save them? 15) Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16) If one of you says to them, 'Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,' but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17) In the same way, faith by itself, it it is not accompanied by action, is dead. 18) But someone will say, 'You have faith, I have deeds.' Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.'"

Thank you, God, for allowing me to be part of a church family that puts faith into action through love. We are blessed. I am blessed. 

(Video by Pastor Chris Hughes)