Sing a new song...

For years now, this phrase in the psalms has caught my attention. “Sing to the Lord a new song.” While it would definitely make sense for the Lord to be directly speaking to me, “Matt, you’re way out of key son! Find a new one.” I thankfully know Him to be much more gracious than that, as scripture calls us all (no matter how skillful or talented) to make a joyful noise to Him (Psalm 95:1-2, 98:4-6, 100:1, Colossians 3:16).

So what does it mean? Well, some have suggested that it is not as much about creating a new tune as it is about responding to the Lord’s goodness in a fresh and genuine way. Interestingly, each psalm reflects a unique experience of God’s grace. For instance, Psalm 98:1 sings a new song that speaks of the Father’s marvelous and supernatural works and Psalm 144 says to shout a new chorus because He has rescued and delivered His people. Psalm 96:1-2 suggests a fresh melody about His salvation, while Psalm 33 prompts us to express a new song of gratitude for our Creator that knows, strengthens, and empowers His people. So perhaps, “sing a new song” is an encouragement for us to do both - praise Him for what He’s done, but also for all He's doing.

When I was a child, I can remember my dad getting together with some of his old high school buddies and telling stories from what Springsteen would call the “Glory Days”…whether it was a story about learning to play baseball with an axe handle and a whiffle ball, or the time dad ran for 4 touchdowns, or the time they pulled the bumper off a truck because “whoa” and “go” sound an awful lot a like – we’d hear the same stories over and over!

Now, despite all the grief that we children gave our poor dads, we actually love those stories. And as I get older, I understand how homeruns seem to measure a little further with each passing year than when they were first hit. Tales of sandlot fame and bonehead blunders are funny and timeless. They should definitely be told! But perhaps the point of this phrase found throughout the psalms is to remind us that our faith stories should be different.

Sure, we should tell of how the Lord first made Himself known to us. We should frequently reference how He has saved our soul! When conversation allows, we should often remind our children of those times of deliverance – from disease, during financial hardship, when loneliness weighed heavily. But if we only speak of that which He did years ago, the unsaid thing is that He isn’t stirring us currently. Without meaning to do so, we convey that we’re not dependent and expectant of the Lord’s grace today.

My prayer for us is that we might authentically display a reliance on His living and active word, gratefully anticipating His new and tender mercies each morning. Psalm 40 reminds us that we don’t have to come up with the lyrics to this new song, but rather it is the Lord that puts these words in our mouth…

1 I waited patiently for the Lord; and He inclined to me and heard my cry. 2 He brought me up out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay, and He set my feet upon a rock making my footsteps firm. 3 He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God; many will see and fear and will trust in the Lord.

 

Oh, that we might have the spiritual eyes to witness the Lord at work and the faithfulness to joyfully sing of His grace.

Intentional Parenting = NBFamilies, "What a ride!"

Raising children is like a journey. Life is like the road you travel. There are times when that journey is like a pleasant drive, like coasting down hill, like cruising with the top down on your convertible, or like a sunny vacation day. But there are other days when the ride is bumpy, frustrating, scary, and exhausting. The desired destination for every parent on this journey is seeing your kids enter into adulthood with strong faith in God, healthy loving relationships, and solid godly characters to face their futures.

• Have you ever been lost?
• Isn’t it upsetting when you are not sure where you are or how to get where you want to go?
• Isn’t it frustrating when you get that feeling that you are late and growing later every minute you remain confused?
• What if you had a map that would lead you to your intended destination?

New Beginnings Family Ministry or NBFamilies is a critical undertaking that leads parents (traditional parents, single parents, blended family parents, grand parents) on the journey of raising kids to become fully devoted, vibrant disciples of Jesus Christ. When the parents partner with one another (the church) they can support one another, encourage one another, and challenge on another to journey well.

• Faith Map is the NBFamily’s guide to raising fully devoted disciples of Jesus Christ who He can use to change the world!
• Imagine teams of parents who have partnered with their church to track their children's spiritual formation from birth through young adulthood.
• Picture in your mind disciple-making parents who partner with other New Beginnings parents to plan to tackle specific spiritual essentials which are age appropriate for their kids.
• Faith Map is a plan that engages parents in their kid’s spiritual growth.
• Faith Map is a strategy that addresses each kid's unique spiritual need at each stage of their life.
• Faith Map identifies spiritual milestones which mark key moments in the spiritual life of the child. These moments have the potential to change the trajectory of the child's journey for a lifetime.

1. Preschool

   First Steps: is a class where parents learn how to become the primary faith trainers for their children and accept the responsibility of the lead discipler(s) or faith influencers in their kid’s lives.

   Parent/Child Dedication: After the First steps Class parents participate in a public ceremony called ”Parent/Child Dedication.” This ceremony typically occurs for parents who have children between birth and five years of age. During the "Parent/Child Dedication" ceremony, the New Beginnings Church commits to partner with the parents in the faith development of the child for the duration of the discipleship journey.
2. Genesis Kidz (1st - 4th Grades)
   Salvation, Profession of Faith & Baptism: The most important milestone in the life of every person is salvation and baptism. New Beginnings Church will partner with and equip parents to lead their kids toward a personal relationship with Jesus Christ that leads toward salvation. Making a decision to surrender to Jesus as Savior and Lord occurs at every age. But parents seek to lead their kids to trust Jesus as soon as they have the ability to understand. There are two opportunities for parents:
   • 
"I'm a Christian Now" is both a book and a 4-week class. Parents are encouraged to attend with their kids. This class teaches how to understand salvation, their testimony, baptism, the church and the biblical habits of prayer and bible study.
   • Baptism: Parents are encouraged to invite family, friends and those who were a spiritual influence to see their kids be baptized. Baptism should be a family (both personal and church) event.
3. Wired (5th - 8th Grades)
   • Preparing for Adolescence: It is so important to help children prepare spiritually, emotionally and physically for adolescence. Between the ages of 10 and 12, NB Family Ministries begins to introduce these concepts to middle school students and parents. Parents are equipped to intentionally prepare their children to enter the teen years well. 

   • Purity for Life: In our sexually saturated secular culture, it is obvious that "sexuality" must be addressed from a biblical perspective. The Wired student ministry partners with parents by teaching the importance of family communication, healthy male & female communication, healthy male & female friendships, the compassion of truth & homosexuality, accountability, the biblical standard for purity and covenant Christian marriage.
4. NB High School (9th-12th)
   • Rite of Passage: The passing from childhood into adulthood is a significant event. Biblically, we must equip our children to become men and women of God. Age 16 is a significant time of freedom in our culture. Rite of Passage is not about keys to the car; instead, it is about becoming a man or woman of God. Real freedom is about equipping you to disciple your freshmen and sophomore students for adulthood.
   • 
Emerging Adults: Parents must help their students develop the practical and spiritual skills to leave home. The NB High School student ministry partners with parents and equips them to prepare their students fro the world outside of the nest. This can be a very healthy time in the family journey if parents continue to keep the lines of communication open with their students.
   • 
Graduation: Parents celebrate this occasion with their personal family and their church family through a service of honor, focus and challenge.

NBFamily’s prayer is that as we travel this road together, we can celebrate the journey, we can learn to follow our Lord, and we can bring Him glory along life’s milestones.

“Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming "Wow! What a Ride!”
Hunter Thompson

Who wants to go to Mars?

I found this short article in Leadership Journal magazine, Spring 2013 Edition. I thought it was interesting and valuable reminders for married couples.

Marriage to Mars?
" For some married couples, just the prospect of a cross country driving trip, trapped, in a vehicle with the spouse is enough to induce dangerously high blood pressure. So when millionaire space tourist Dennis Tito recently announced that his team was seeking a couple to man (and woman) a planned privately funded 18 month mission to planet Mars in 2018, people recognized that the selected pair would need to have a special relationship.Like that of Deborah Shapiro and her husband Rolf. They spent 15 months together on the Antarctic Peninsula, nine of which were in total solitude. Their secrets?"

• "Give the other person mental elbow room."
• "Show tangible signs of caring and of empathy."
• "Remain sensitive to each others moods and concerns."
• "Don't belittle each other."

 "Good marriage tips for this solar system and beyond."


So let's go to Mars with our marriages! (Figuratively, not literally, of course)

If we, both husbands and wives, could just concentrate daily on the bottom 3 action points listed above, what would our marriages look like? 

Let's pray that God, through the gift of the Holy Spirit, would give each of us the desire, the strength and the courage to love each other, whether poor or wealthy, in good times and bad, in sickness and good health, through the kind of actions discussed above, as we build stronger and stronger foundations in our marriages.Amen.


Terry Langenberg
Twitter: TheLangenberg
Facebook: TheLangenberg

Jezi Renmen Ayiti

A few nights ago during our bedtime prayers Charleigh prayed: "Fathder, Peas be width Haiti hep him to find a forever home and gives him food to eat".  Though it might not be a 'perfect' prayer... it was a very sweet moment to realize Charleigh (and for that matter all of our kids) is beginning to catch the Faith Mission vision!!  

Courtney and I have been going to Haiti together for over 10 years now.  Though we have gone with several different groups with many different purposes/focuses, the goal is always the same: Love.  What I have come to realize over the many trips is that no matter how crazy life gets, all of this world is really pretty simple: Love God, Love People!! 

Next month Court & I will be leading our second group from New Beginnings to the village of Neply in Leogane.  If you want to see pictures and periodic updates (from this trip and others) make sure you are following me on Twitter (surgeberg) or search the hashtag: #NBHaiti 

Though the May 2013 trip is full, there are several spots open for the November 2013 trip.  
If interested please attend the brief information meeting THIS SUNDAY (April 28th) after second service!!  

2003

2011*

2012*

2013

*Want to see more pictures from those trips... Click on the picture or the date!!

Haiti Mission Opportunity

November 2nd - 9th

If you are interested in joining the missions team going to Haiti November 2nd - 9th, there will be a short informational meeting on Sunday April 28th immediately following the 2nd service.  There will NOT be childcare or a meal provided (we said it was brief :)).  For more information, contact Matt Fowler (matt@nbchurch.info).

Want to meet the kids we will be loving on or read a little more about the organization we have partnered with?  Click on the graphic below: My Life Speaks

Jezi Renmen Ayiti = Jesus Loves Haiti

No Ordain-ary Gift

How do you respond as the recipient of a big gift? Of my myriad of struggles, this topic is one of the toughest for me. While I enjoy being spoiled and I find myself truly grateful for the many gifts received, there comes a point when it is nearly too overwhelming. I mean, what do you do when you’re abundantly given more than you can ever repay?

My family has been in an extended season of being blessed. From our wedding showers last fall, to our big day in November, to house warming gifts, Christmas presents, St. Patty’s Day offerings (ok – I actually made that one up), to most recently, my ordination ceremony where we were loved on in a variety of ways - we have been so graciously given to! Financially, practically, thoughtfully, with kind words of encouragement, tender prayers for guidance… Folks have literally blessed the socks off of us only to turn around and supply us with new footwear!

Ok, so you get the picture. Much grace, much favor, blessing overload… So how can we really say thanks? I mean, we will continue to write thank you cards but are well aware of the fact that mere words can never fully express our gratitude. If we were to have as many days as Methuselah, it still wouldn’t be enough time to prove our thankfulness for the love and support we’ve been shown. But then, perhaps that’s the point of grace…

Red & Kathryn have been big contributors to this incredibly sweet season. As I spoke with Red last fall about how difficult it is for me to receive so much, knowing how undeserving I am, he shared a little story with me. Now a very successful businessman, it has not always been so. When he was much younger and just getting started, Red had an older gentleman gift him quite well. He offered to repay his friend but was simply told this…

“In the future you will have an opportunity to help somebody else out, and when you do, you will be paying me back.”

What a beautiful picture of the gospel call! Not only are we to be recipients of grace but dispensers of it as well. What an amazing showing of stewardship to truly take those words from decades ago to heart, and pass them on.

As I think on this, I realize it’s never been about paying anyone back. And maybe thankfulness looks differently than I’ve imagined. Perhaps deep gratitude comes as we turn our gaze heavenward and find divine motivation to live more focused and on mission, realizing that every good and perfect gift is from above (James 1:17). Maybe these blessings are meant to remind us of what Jesus accomplished for us on that cruel cross. Maybe the point of grace is that we bask in it. Rest in it…then share with others.

It is a lot to think about for sure and I can not pretend to understand all of this season’s intentions and implications. However, there is one thing I’m quite confident of. How we respond when given much, speaks volumes to our understanding of the gospel.

A Ray Ortlund tweet I saw yesterday said it perfectly. “God is rich in mercy, and a big spender.” May we receive it well and make the most of each opportunity.

Little Jimmy is afraid! - Helping Our Kid's Cope with Tragedy

As my wife Carol and I crawled out from under the stairway, having escaped potential storm damage, (Chris and Dawn Glimp, their sons, and others from our church weren’t as fortunate), I grabbed my phone to inform those who were asking if we were safe. The first tweet I read when the storm passed was from my daughter Julie.

Julie Sallee Partin ‏‪@JuliePartin "Can the world just STOP with the scariness?!"

I assumed she was exasperated by:

1. The Newtown, Connecticut school shootings?
2. The Boston Marathon Bombings?
3. Terrorist threat targeted at the U.S.?
4. The nuclear war threats from North Korean tyrant, Kim Yung Unn?
5. The tragic chemical explosions in West, Texas?
6. The thought of her parents being hurt and flying to Oz like Dorthy?

We live in a sometimes dangerous, sometimes cruel, sometimes evil, broken and, yes Julie, “scary” world. The world is “out of order” and seems to being to be growing scarier in intensity each day. I can only imagine what parents of younger children must be thinking.

Fear has always been a part of the equation for a wrecked world. For instance, the King James Version of the bible says “Fear not” or “Be not afraid” 103 times.
There are many promises in scripture about fear. There are things we should fear and things we should “fear not!”

Isaiah 41:10; Philippians 4:6-7; Psalms 56:3; 1 Peter 5:6-7; Matthew 6:25-34; 2 Timothy 1:7; Psalms 34:4; 1 John 4:18; 1 Peter 5:7; Psalms 23:4; Isaiah 35:4; John 14:27; Proverbs 12:25; Luke 12:22-26; Matthew 6:34; Joshua 1:9; Deuteronomy 31:6; Hebrews 4:14-16; Hebrews 11:1; Psalms 27:1; Psalms 27:1-14; Job 11:14-15; Romans 15:13; Isaiah 43:1; Psalms 55:22-23; Romans 8:31-39; Proverbs 16:6; Job 3:25; 2 Timothy 1:7; Hebrews 1:1-14

If a parent is intentional, they can seize opportunities to form their kids faith in the direction of becoming stronger disciples. Faith Talks and Faith Walks are two great ways to address real life issues with bibilical truth. Parents want their kids to grow into secure and strong believers in the face of tragedy, disaster, and fear. No parents want to raise kids who are fearful, timid, and too anxious to thrive.

Jim Burns is President of HomeWord and Executive Director of the HomeWord Center for Youth and Family @ Azusa Pacific University. He wrote this helpful blog for parents who are raising kids in this “scary” world:

When tragedy strikes, children respond in a variety of different ways. If your child has experienced any sort of loss, it’s important to help that child through the grieving process. True, there’s a big difference between being jilted by a boyfriend or girlfriend and sorting out feelings after a school shooting or a terrorist attack. But the process itself remains fairly consistent.

1. Allow your children to acknowledge the crisis. This may not take very long – or it may go on for weeks, depending on the event. But the first step in helping a child work through the grieving process is to encourage them to admit there’s a reason for grieving. This may be a bit unsettling to some kids. They like a sense of consistency and order in their lives. Help them to take ownership of the change.


2. Shelter your kids from graphic video and pictures. In our "24/7 live" news coverage from around the world, be aware that the graphic, often disturbing video and pictures - don't have to be part of conveying the "news" of what's happening to your children. My advice is that when tragic events occur – especially in the immediate aftermath – keep the television news programs off when your kids are around.


3. Give them the opportunity to respond to how they feel about the change. Kids are very creative in finding ways to express pain and grief. Encourage the use of the arts and music in particular. A poem about the event or how they feel about the aftermath can let the healing begin to flow in the life of a young person who can’t really put into words what’s happening in the hearts at that moment.

4. Reassure your kids - as best you can. Since we don't have control over natural disasters, or senseless acts of terror and violence, as parents, we shouldn't promise a child that we will protect them from any harm that such an event may bring. Our job here is to reassure them as best we can. If kids are worried about being caught up in a tragic event, we can tell them how unlikely it is to happen. And, of course, we can tell them, "Mom and Dad will do everything we can to always make sure you are safe from harm."


4. Don’t underestimate your kids’ spiritual depth. If you’ve ever wondered about what your children think about God or faith in Christ, you’ll probably find out in the wake of a crisis or trauma. Be prepared for questions about life and beyond you may never have heard from your child before. Kids really do want to talk about theological issues. Sometimes it takes a crisis to bring those questions to the forefront. Be ready—and don’t be surprised!


5. Do get the help they need. If you don’t have the answers to their questions, find someone who does. Be the grown-up and get the information. Put your pride on the shelf if you must. Your own self-esteem won’t be worth too much if it costs you credibility with your own child.


6. Give your kids something tangible to hold on to. My good friends John and Becky Hart serve a church in Upper Montclair, New Jersey. Their church is literally within eyeshot of what used to be the Twin Towers at the World Trade Center in New York City. They saw and heard the 9/11 attacks from their neighborhood, and lost a couple of church members in the attacks. In the aftermath of September 11, 2001, Becky noticed the comfort her own daughter found in a small anchor she had given her. It served as a symbol that her faith in Jesus Christ was her anchor in the midst of the storm that resulted because of the terrorist actions. Crosses, doves, anchors and eagles all serve to remind us that we have a Friend like no other who will never leave us in times of trouble.

Remember the hope that lies in each one of us who believe in Jesus Christ and trust in His Name. Your kids will feel better about surviving a crisis when they see the confidence of God in you!

When I was a kid, Channel 8 had a weatherman named Don Woods. Don was a gentle and kind believer who drew a quirky little cartoon named “Gusty,” each night at the end of the weather portion of the news. He would give the drawing of to a hopeful viewer each night.
Occasionally Don would draw “Gusty” jumping into the “fraidy hole” to be safe from the dangerous stormy weather. We have come along way from the “Fraidy Hole” to meteorologist storm trackers using “Doplar” technology. Although I am extremely thankful for the new technology and its ability to keep us informed, in the final analysis, we still need to jump into the “fraidy hole” when the storms rise (weather storms, political storms, financial storms, terrorist storms, disastrous storms of any type).

May we lead our children out of anxiousness to the Source of real strength (Philippians 4:6-7).

The Forecast Is Rain

Our Men’s Ministry group is finishing up the book “Courageous Living: Dare to Take A Stand”, by Michael Catt. We have covered all ten chapters in the book, each describing the courageous nature of individuals in the bible from Abraham to Stephen and challenging us to learn from their courageous actions. Over the past three months there has been time of great reflection, great teaching, great small and large group discussion. The final chapter on Stephen, may have been the most humbling and convicting for me and for my calling. I wanted to share with you a portion of the last two pages of Chapter 10. This is a challenge to myself, as a leader of my family, and a leader in the church, as well as, to the readers who lead themselves and their families to be "witnesses" for Jesus Christ.

"The American church is not ready for persecution. We aren't the stuff of which martyrs are made. We are wimpy, self-serving, and self-centered, dining on pabulum and watered-down Christianity. One of my favorite illustrations ever used by Ron Dunn was entitled, Braving the Rain. He wrote the following article for his church newsletter at MacArthur Boulevard Baptist Church after reading another pastor's article thanking his members for "braving the rain" to come to church.

I want to thank all of you who BRAVED THE RAIN last Sunday morning to attend church. Such sacrifice and suffering humbled me. I can imagine how it must be to awaken to the petrifying noise of rain. Dedication hangs in the balance. The silky voice of the Tempter whispers in your ear: "Don't be foolish! Why risk your life?" Suddenly, your shoulders snap to attention, the jaw sets in determination. "Get thee behind me, Satan!" you shout, "and hang the crease in my pants." Then, counting not your life dear unto yourself and side-stepping treacherous mud holes, you splash through the deluge to your waiting car. 

Demonstrating raw courage, you navigate your four-wheeled ark over three blocks of slippery streets, while rain slams against your windshield like silver bullets. Surely, this deserves a place among those other heroic exploits of the faithful: "they were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword; they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tortured, THEY BRAVED THE RAIN." 

Reaching the church, you once again take your life into your hands and with nerves of steel, plunge from the drenched car and over soppy sidewalks to the dry haven of the classroom. As I stand at my window watching this spectacle, my heart swells. I hear distant applause----strange applause----wings clapping? I can hardly preach. I feel I must write a new edition of Foxes Book of Christian Martyrs. How the world must have gasped in unbelief and admiration as they saw you BRAVE THE RAIN.

The cross demands more of us! The twenty-first century finds us facing increased persecution in America. We can no longer expect (and maybe we don't deserve) preferential treatment. In a generation absorbed with celebrities, we need stand-up men like Stephen."    Courageous Living, Chapter 10, pp 142-143.


I read this to my wife Monica. We were humbled and challenged by the message. She talked about a missions trip she took with her parents and a church group to Guatemala where it poured down rain on a Sunday. The missionaries rode in a vehicle to church that day. The locals walked. The missionaries were not expecting to see many at church that day. They were surprised to see the church was packed. Monica said she was humbled by the sight because most had walked barefoot and they were soaking wet. She said the rain was coming down so hard that day, it hurt your skin as it struck you.

It reminded me of the church service I was fortunate to speak at in Malawi, Africa. No lights in this small building, but for the sunlight that came through one open window and through the single doors at both ends of the building. Everyone sat on a dirty concrete floor, except for us. They provided Monica and myself a mat to sit on. A very emotionally, humbling experience for me, knowing what we have for church buildings in America.

Our discussion reminded us, that we are unbelievably blessed to live in this country. Have we gotten soft in our faith because of those blessings? Soft enough that a little rain can keep us from the fellowship and worship of our creator, while fellow believers, on other continents, will walk through rain, barefoot, to do the same.  And maybe it's not rain that keeps you from that fellowship and worship, maybe it's "fill in the blank". It's whatever is keeping you from your relationship with God and fellow believers. Why is that important? When the time comes to answer the call, will God be able to trust you to stand, when everyone else is falling? The forecast is rain. It's your call now.
 

Terry Langenberg
Twitter: TheLangenberg
Facebook: TheLangenberg