The Love Dare, Day 1

So, Amy Lynn and I officially started the Love Dare challenge book last night. if you have not ordered this book, you can do at our Resource Center or any reputable book store.

As we were preparing for bed last night, we opened up the book and read the devotion for Day 1, the title being, "Love is Patient." I knew I was in trouble right away. :-) We laughed really hard as I kept saying, "Really, I am supposed to be patient for an entire day...really, I am supposed to not say one negative word all day - REALLY?" We decided the best way to accomplish this was for her to get up really early, head to work before I crawled out of bed, avoid each other in the office, and then for me to go out and watch Monday Night Football with the guys! By the time I return home tonight, she will be fast asleep in the bed - it was/is a brilliant plan but clearly not of God. :-)

On a serious note, this is a wonderful and challenging book. We are so looking forward to what God is going to do in our lives personally during this 40 day Love Dare challenge. Part of the devotion last night really spoke to me. The author says this:

"No one likes to be around an impatient person. It causes you to overreact in angry, foolish, and regrettable ways. The irony of anger toward a wrongful action is that it spawns new wrongs of its own. Anger almost never makes things better. In fact, it usually generates additional problems. But patience stops problems in their tracks. More than biting your lip, more than clapping a hand over your mouth, patience is a deep breath. It clears the air. It stops foolishness from whipping its scorpion tail all over the room. It is a choice to control your emotions rather than allowing your emotions to control you, and shows discretion instead of returning evil for evil." (The Love Dare, Pg. 1 - 2)


Lord God, that rings so true in my life. I can't ever remember a time when anger yielded anything of value for the Kingdom or spurred anyone on to good works and greater impact for the cause of Christ. Lord Jesus, please help me, and all the other couples reading this post. Help us practice patience and resist anger. Pour out your Holy Spirit and give us wisdom to love our spouses as you would love them through us. Grant us the courage to choose love and respect so that you might be glorified in our marriage covenants. We thank You and praise You, even in advance. In the strong name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

Sunday's Coming!

This Sunday morning our current message series turns toward marriage and what happens when one says, "I Do!"

In order to live life fully and happily, we become people who are able to count the cost in almost every area of living. Marriage is one of those institutions which demands a high personal cost. The church’s wedding ritual begins with these sobering words, words that are so often taken too lightly. It says, marriage is, "Not to be entered into unadvisedly, but reverently, discreetly, and in the fear of God." Each person makes a covenant to love, comfort, honor and take care of the other in sickness and in health. That can be a difficult commitment to keep if a spouse becomes critically ill or severely disabled. The husband and wife agree to stay with each other, "For better, for worse, for richer for poorer ... till death do us part."

The Bible says, ”A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one. This is a great mystery, but it is an illustration of the way Christ and the church are one.” (Ephesians 5:31-32)

What a verse! God uses marriage to illustrate the relationship God has with His Church. That blows my mind and I can’t wait to talk about it more tomorrow.

Leadership Summit 2008 - Session #4

I would love to post about Sunday as we had the largest crowd EVER for a non holiday Sunday and I was officially water logged from baptizing so many believers and dedicating so many babies. It was life at its best! But I will save that for another time. For now, let's just say, GO GOD - you are absolutely blowing our minds these days!


I want to press on with the Leadership Summit talks. We are on session 4, which was delivered by John Burke, the Pastor of Gateway Church. He was one of my favorite speakers. Enjoy...


The younger generation is spiritually hungry but CYNICAL.

A tag line for Gateway Church is:

“Come as you are...no perfect people allowed.”


What kind of soil do you think people need to grow in?

I Corinthians 3 - The Bible says, “God has been making it grow...”

Burke says, "Spiritual leadership is all about creating the right soil for people to grow healthy and flourish!"

To do so, we have to be willing to get our hands DIRTY, in the organic soil, to grow them up in Christ. See Matthew 9 – Jesus hung out with messy and broken people.


Great LEADERSHIP for God is always MESSY:

1. First we have to cultivate the soil WITH GRACE. The world does law – we do grace.
2. Help move barriers out of the way so people can experience God. For example, hatred toward gays is a barrier to people coming to Christ and grace. There are many cultural barriers out there preventing people from grace. Our job is to remove barriers.
3. Cultivate the soil with authentic confession. Relational re-connection to God and others. Our job is not fixing people – God does that.
4. Provide constant connection to God’s Spirit. Stay connected to God and provide that connection. When you do, fruit happens. Remember Jesus said, "Abide in me and you will bear much fruit." (John 15)


Thanks Pastor John - I want to get and keep my hands dirty for God!

Weekend is here!

I made it through the week and God has been faithful every step of the way. Thanks for your prayers - it means so much.

My talks are all done and I am sitting here going over it one last time. In just a few hours, I will get the kiddos from school, and head over to Raleigh for the Fireproof retreat. It is going to be GREAT! (Thanks Amy Lynn and Jarred) Check in at the Embassy Suites is at 3 pm and the first session starts at 7 pm.

We will wrap up the retreat with lunch at a park tomorrow and then I will take the big kids to the UNC Vs. Virginia Tech game at 3:30 pm. Go heels!

Sunday will roll around with 3 Worship Celebrations, with Believer Baptisms and Baby Dedications after each service. The worship and video and Word are spot on this weekend. FYI - I shot a video this week with a couple from our church in the bed, literally. It is a powerful demonstration of what we are saying when we "shack up" outside of the marriage covenant.

Dang, I can't believe I get to live my life with this kind of excitement and adventure.

Thank you, Jesus.

Leadership Summit 2008 - Session #3

This was a powerful talk and actually has some pertinent relevance for my life this week.. :-) I hope some of it applies to you and increases your leadership potential.

Peace...

Session 3 – Finding Your True North
Bill George – Professor at Harvard Business School


The speaker started with the question, "Are you leading to bless God or are you holding back?"

Leadership is not money, fame, or power. Leadership is responsibility.

Leaders have to transition from a 20th century model to 21st century leadership -

Leadership used to be all about power and top down authority. In the 21st century, it needs to be all about:

o Alignment – this is hard but you have to get people on the same page and enthusiastic about being there!
o Empower them to step up and lead. Delegation is key!
o Serve – as Pastor, I have to be a servant of the servants of Christ
o Collaboration – this has to be done to accomplish BIG issues
o Following your compass and not your clock
o Feedback – Get written feedback as much as possible. This can be helpful and show you blind spots...
o Live an integrated life – this is being the same person in ALL environments. Authentic means being whole


QUESTION: When you turn 90 years old, and your grandchild asks, “What did you do to change the world?” What will you tell them? Wow - that is something to ponder.


Bill starts speaking straight to Senior Pastors and asks, "Why do senior leaders fail?
➢ They do not fail to lead others, they fail to lead themselves...self leadership is always the most difficult
➢ Glory seekers fail, as well
➢ Impostors inevitably fail
➢ Shooting stars will eventually fail – they work 100 hours a week and eventually fizzle out and fall back down


A special thanks is given to Bill George. If I ever take course at the Harvard Business School, I will definitely register for your class.

Will You Pray for Me?

No worries - I feel fine. I just have way too much to do this week.

With meetings tomorrow, a video shoot, the Starting Point Celebration Wednesday night, Fireproof Retreat this weekend, three Worship Celebrations Sunday, along with 3 Baptism/Baby dedication Celebrations, 6 talks to prepare and deliver this week, and the regular family stuff like school and football - I am feeling a little tapped out.

There is an old hymn called, "Standing in the Need of Prayer." Maybe you remember it? There is a part of that song that has been coming to mind today. It goes like this:

"It's Me...It's Me Oh Lord, Standing in the Need of Prayer..."

I would really appreciate any prayers you could throw my way. Thanks so much.

BTW - for those of you who remember that old hymn, I thought I would throw the lyrics your way as yo travel down memory lane...

-----

Not my brother, not my sister, but it's me oh Lord
Standing in the need of prayer
Not my brother, not my sister, but it's me oh Lord
Standing in the need of prayer
It's me, it's me, it's me, oh Lord
Standing in the need of prayer
It's me, it's me, it's me, oh Lord
Standing in the need of prayer

Not the preacher, not the sinner, but it's me oh Lord
Standing in the need of prayer
Not the preacher, not the sinner, but it's me oh Lord
Standing in the need of prayer
It's me, it's me, it's me, oh Lord
Standing in the need of prayer
It's me, it's me, it's me, oh Lord
Standing in the need of prayer

Not my mother, not my father, but it's me oh Lord
Standing in the need of prayer
Not my mother, not my father, but it's me oh Lord
Standing in the need of prayer
It's me, it's me, it's me, oh Lord
Standing in the need of prayer
It's me, it's me, it's me, oh Lord
Standing in the need of prayer

It's me, it's me, it's me, oh Lord
Standing in the need of prayer
It's me, it's me, it's me, oh Lord
Standing in the need of prayer

Sunday Afternoon Download...

I LOVE OUR CHURCH. And I don't just say that because I am blessed to be the pastor. I mean, this movement rocks for God! Here are just a few examples:

* Tons of people got the email communications this week re our growing pains and parked down the road and walked to church so that we had parking spaces in our regular lot. That 2 - 4 minute walk literally changed the eternal destiny for people today and will every Sunday we sacrifice for others. You have done this kind of thing at every turn in our history and that is one of the reasons why God blesses this church.

* The spirit, passion, joy, and eagerness to worship God are tangible at newhope these days. Like the song says, "It's rising up among us."

* Where else can you have coffee, energy drinks and "surf and turf" at church. :-) You had to be there.

* Our children's ministry is excellent. The last two Sundays I have watched Amy Lynn Kelley and Karmen Kent lead the leaders/servants of hopetown. Those two, and all the leaders serving in hopetown really "get it" and love our children. As a dad, I say, THANKS.

* The Worship Arts Ministry rocks - plain and simple. From the technicians, to the vocalists, to the instrumentalists - you guys/gals amaze me.

* I loved the flow and order of Worship today - simple and powerful. Pastor Curtis told me after Worship that he thought it was one of the most effective and excellent Worship Celebrations EVER at newhope.

* The kitchen set looked and felt great.

* The Pathfinders are navigating the crazy parking lot situation nicely - well done team.

* If today was any indication of the next seven weeks of Fireproof - WOW!

* I am crashing hard from the Holy Spirit and Energy drinks. :-)

* More and more people are Investing and Inviting their friends, neighbors, colleagues, and family members. That is what God uses to truly grow a church.

* More pastors and ministry leaders were at newhope today. I love it when folks from all over visit our church.

* First Contact (Pathfinders, Ushers/Greeters, Higher Grounds and Resource Center) keeps getting better and better!

* Pre-sold tons of "Love Dare" books today! I can't even imagine how God is going to use this 40 day challenge to unconditionally love our spouses. Our plan is to have the books available in church this coming Sunday. If you want to order it on your own, here is the link.

* God is building His local church through us. (Physical and spiritual) For the latest physical pics, go here.

* The pastoral/staff team of this church blows my mind. I can't believe I get to work with such people.


These are a few examples of why I love our church! I could go on and on but I am going to chill with the fam. I can't wait to do it again next Sunday.

Peace people...

Begins THIS Sunday...

You have heard about it for some time and it all begins this Sunday at newhope. You might have heard but we are experiencing some wonderful growth problems. (55 % growth rate currently from a year ago to date) Here are some things to consider:

~ Come early...

~ Speak to people you don't know before and after Worship...

~ Please park next door in the general equipment parking, if at all possible...

~ Come to the first or third Worship Celebration, if at all possible... (Of course you are welcome at any of our Worship Celebrations)

~ Pray that God will be glorified in your life and mine and that He will move mightily through this relational series...

~ Invite - Invite - Invite FRIENDS...

~ THANK GOD FOR A MOVEMENT THAT IS SPREADING LIKE WILD FIRE THROUGHOUT CENTRAL NORTH CAROLINA~

C U Sunday...

A Franciscan Benediction

Many have commented and/or emailed and asked me about the Franciscan Benediction I gave at the end of Worship this past Sunday. Here it is:


May God bless you with discomfort at easy answers, half-truths, and superficial relationships, so that you may live deep within your hearts.

May God bless you with anger at injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people, so that you may work for justice, freedom and peace.

May God bless you with tears to shed for those who suffer from pain, rejection, starvation and war, so that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and turn their pain into joy.

And may God bless us with enough foolishness to believe that we can make a difference in this world, so that we can do what others claim cannot be done.

My One and Only Baby Girl Turns 11 - WHAT?

I can't believe she is eleven years old today. It seems like yesterday that I held my firstborn child that we chose to name Anna Grace. She has been the apple of this dad's eye from moment one. I shall never forget what I felt deep inside when the doctor handed that bundle of joy to me and I walked her over to her mother. Where has the 11 years gone?

Just last week, while sitting in my office working, I received an email from Anna Grace. Like it is not enough that she is now sending me emails, right? But this email rattled my cage and has me numb to just how fast she is growing up. I opened the email and this is what she wrote:


Hey dad, can you have the church send me a giving report? I need to see how I am doing with my Legacy of Hope pledge for the new church building. Thanks.

I love you, Dad.

Anna Grace


You have to be kidding me. My baby is now requesting a financial statement from the church. What?


Lord God, You know how hard this is for me. If she is 11 already, before I know it she will be "Sweet 16". Then comes 18, 21, college graduation and whatever her future holds. I confess all of that will be both wonderful and very hard for this dad. I need You, Father God, to show me how to parent and handle these transitions.

On her birthday, Lord, I pause and thank You for such an amazing young lady. At dinner, I had everyone go around the table and share what we love most about Anna Grace. As we shared, Father, I found myself thanking You for such a gift. She is so beautiful, inside and out. I have never seen a girl so loving toward You and your people. I have never seen an 11 year old so helpful and caring to her family and all those boys that are coming behind her. She gets it from her mother, God, and that makes me thank You for both the Kelley women in my life.

Please watch over her Lord Jesus. Cover her with Your protection and care. Continue to draw her heart to You so that You become the ultimate and everlasting love of her life. Her mother and I thank You for this 11 year gift of Anna Grace. When You gave her to us, we gave her back to You. We continue to do so, even now, and entrust her to You. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Bye - Bye Hurricane and Hello Sunday Morning!

I am stinkin stoked about tomorrow morning! The Sunday after Labor Day has traditionally been a BIG day in the life of the church as every accepts the fact that summer is history and it is time to get back into a routine. In addition to that, tomorrow is going to unbelievable Worship, Word, Video and a verbal/picture testimony related to missions at newhope, and a time of celebrating the Lord's Supper! And in addition to all of that, the weather woman tells me it is going to be a gorgeous day. You know, it is always gorgeous after hurricanes! Did I say I am stinkin stoked about worship tomorrow!?

Couple points of encouragement for the newhopers reading:

1. Speak and greet everyone you see and don't know. That is right - I am really not concerned about us speaking to those we know. (I know that happens) PLEASE speak to those you don't know and help them find their way in the building, drop children off at hopetown, and find their place in worship. Why not offer to have them sit with you?

2. Speak and greet people after Worship. This is just as important as on the front of end of Worship.

3. If at all possible, park next door in the equipment parking lot, to the right as you face our building. You can park there and walk across the parking lot without having to get on the road. In doing so, you open a parking space for someone to come and experience Christ. (FYI - two weeks ago, in AUGUST believe it or not, we had only one parking space available at the middle Worship Celebration)

4. Related to that, PLEASE come to the THIRD Worship Celebration, (11:45 am) if at all possible. I know, we used to say 1st or 3rd but now the first service is just as slammed in the parking lot and hopetown children's area, as well.

5. Come with a heart of joy and excitement to gather and Worship our God. The Bible says, "I was glad when they said, 'let us go to the house of the Lord'" (Psalm 122:1)

6. If possible, bring bottles of water, canned food, tarps, and baby products for Hurricane victims - we will ship them away this week. (You can also bring them to the Garrett Rd/ location between 11 am - 1 pm on Monday, if you miss this announcement before Sunday)

7. Pray on your way to church and ask God to move mightily in your life.

8. Pray for me - I ALWAYS APPRECIATE AND COVET YOUR PRAYERS.


Did I say I was stinkin stoked about Worship tomorrow? :-)

Hope to C U there...

Hurricane Relief THIS Sunday...

I am sure you have heard that Hurricane Gustav pounded the Gulf Coast region on Monday. Have you also heard that there are over 500,000 homes that still do not have power? It is a bad scene once again. In fact, I just learned this morning, while on vacation at the beach, that emergency shelters are running out of food and water!

Jesus had a great idea. He had this crazy notion that the church could be the hands and feet of Christ! In fact, in I Corinthians 12 he likened us to an actual body and declared that WE ALL HAVE A PART/FUNCTION! Check it out - it is in times like this that we should be stoked to BE THE CHURCH!

I just got off the phone with The Healing Place Church in Baton Rouge. This is one of the most generous churches in our country. We are going to partner with them to provide relief.

Here is how this dealio will work. This Sunday, we will be collecting the following items before and after our three Worship Celebrations. We will also be collecting these same items Monday at the Garrett Road location between 11 am - 1 pm! Here is how you can help and what the good people of Louisiana need:

1. Canned food
2. Bottled Water
3. Tarps for roofs
4. Baby Products like diapers, pacifiers, formula etc...

Let's be the church, newhope! I cannot stress how important this is! This is a great opportunity to offer a powerful testimony for thousands of people who don’t know Christ. Let's pray for the area, The Healing Place Church, and for the people of God to rise up and be the community!

I hope to see you THIS Sunday as we worship God in Spirit and truth, draw near to the WORD, pray for our brothers and sisters, and celebrate Holy Communion.

Peace...

Leadership Summit 2008 - Session #2

In the second session, we heard from Gary Haugen. Gary is the CEO of International Justice Mission. His message was titled, "Just Courage - Charging the Darkness..."

Here are my personal notes from his talk:


We all want to participate in leading something that matters to our maker. To lead something that matters you have to lead in the issues that matter to God.

QUESTION: Do I have something in common with Jesus? Am I concerned with the things that concerns God? Do the things that break the heart of God break my heart? If not, I have drifted from my Lord.


There are two things most common to the heart of God in Scripture:

1. God is concerned for the world. (John 3:16) Interestingly enough, we are God’s plan – He has never communicated another plan. God's Gospel is to save the lost and He uses people to accomplish that good news. We are God's only redemptive plan. (This absolutely blows my mind - let that sink in...)

2. God is concerned for injustice. This is not the "victim mentality" so prevalent in America today. In the Bible, injustice is SIN.

If you want your leadership to matter, lead in the things that matter to God. Jesus did not come to make us safe – He came to make us brave. In fact, if my ministry is not dangerous, than I might need to consider whether I am following Him. is it possible to go on the trip of ministry, but miss the adventure? Answer - YES.


BTW - now that I think about it, this is a great reminder for us as we head into this Sunday. You do NOT want to miss Sunday at newhope. We will talk about ministry and missions that matter to the heart of God. Thankfully, newhope is place, I believe, passionately concerned with the issues, the Bible says, matter to God. This Sunday is HOPE Missions Sunday. It promises to be a great day in the life of our church as we Worship our God, hear the heartbeat of God in Scripture, hear from our Summer Mission trips, and celebrate Holy Communion. Good stuff - I can't wait until Sunday.