Discipleship Questions To Consider 1

Over the next several months, I’ll be bringing out some thoughts and questions about disciple-making that I’ve spent the last 17 years thinking, attempting, engaging, failing, and eventually learning through the many lives and relationships we’ve been privileged to do life with. I’ve also spent hundreds of hours reading and studying this area and there is a lot of good material out there on the subject. 

In this new role at New Beginnings, I'll be focusing a lot of attention on our involvement with the Relational Discipleship Network. The emphasis here is that we must be intentional with the gospel, intentional with relationships, and intentional with mission. If one of those aspects is dropped--it affects everything else. 

Sometimes, I may bring up questions in an attempt to stir more thought and discussion. 

This week, I wanted to bring out some simple questions that I believe every believer, every church leader, and every pastor/elder serving in churches must deal with. Here’s the first question:

Are you seeing lasting disciples being won to Christ, discipled to maturity by mature believers, and then released to go out and reproduce what just happened to them? 

If you were to ask leaders in the church (pastors/elders/deacons/staff guys/teachers) how well they would grade their church on disciple-making—many of them would admit that they’ve been real busy, they’ve sat and listened to many sermons and lessons given by teachers, and many have given financially to the cause—but they have not been taught and trained in how to engage with difficult people around their lives. 

Many churches have programs, meetings, and committees going on every night of the week at the building. But we must keep before us the oft quoted adage “busy-ness does not equal production.” 

Some churches focus only on Bible teaching—but when we have Bible teaching and lessons without intentional mission and intentional relationships we do not necessarily make disciples who know how to make other disciples. Here we must keep before us the rest of that adage "busy-ness does not equal production...and production does not equal reproduction." 

I saw a quote from Jeff Vanderstelt out on Facebook this week that said:

“If all your discipleship happens in a classroom or at events, people will believe following Jesus is a study or a program.” 

He is exactly right. And some churches that focus ONLY on doctrine and time spent alone in “the Word, the Word, the Word..” never break into the everyday rhythms of life with other people whom God has placed right in front of them. 

Other churches have the end goal of "creating community." But that is not the end goal. We must be communities who are intentional in clarifying the gospel as communities sent on mission. As we go along through life, gospel communities will be created (so there is our community we long for) that are able to create other gospel communities (reproducing disciples) who live on mission. 

Here’s that question again:

Are you seeing lasting disciples being won to Christ, discipled to maturity by mature believers, and then released to go out and reproduce what just happened to them? 

So, first for you as an individual believer, are you intentionally praying & expecting, intentionally planning, intentionally engaging in relationships, and intentionally clarifying who Jesus is and what Jesus has accomplished for us? 

If not, what is your Christianity about? 

For pastors/elders and church staff, are you intentionally praying/expecting, intentionally planning, intentionally engaging in relationships, and intentionally clarifying who Jesus is and what Jesus has accomplished for us? 

If not, what is your Christianity doing? 

And if not you…who is leading people to Christ, discipling them to maturity, and releasing them to reproduce what happened to them? 

The reality is that we are all surrounded by lost culture and people far off from God—some of which know it and some of which confused. 

Jesus is worthy of their worship. 

Sankie P. Lynch

www.nbchurch.info

www.nbfamilies.info

sankie@nbchuch.info

Man, I love Brad.

I almost titled this, “Things We Can All Learn From Brad." But the first line was this:

Man, I love Brad. 

At the end, after writing all of this, I still went with "Man, I love Brad."

NB Story: Brad from New Beginnings Church on Vimeo.

And man, I love the living Person, Jesus Christ, who arrogantly, rudely, and inconveniently grabbed a hold of Brad as if to say, “Enough! Your life is done. It is ended. Your life will now be all about ME!” 

Brad may have more understanding of rich theology and perpetual repentance in his pinky than many people have in all their years of church attendance. Here are some things I can learn and contemplate from a small glimpse of Brad’s story. 

1.    August 9th, 1999 —Jamie and I were enjoying the warmth of the beach and ocean two days into our honeymoon—Brad was dead—spiritually dead—unknowingly about to be interrupted and assaulted by the Missional God—as Brad says later “the call of the cross is the end of us.” 

2.     “I thought that God would have no use for a dog like me.” (See Ephesians 2:1-3; 1 Timothy 1:15;) What is amazing about God is that somehow, with guys like me and Brad, through an abundant outpouring of grace, he does still have redeemed plans and purposes in His Kingdom. 

3.     “I ran with a bad group of guys…” 

• Some may come from a more “cleaned up” background, some may have a better “pedigree” and family tree. But the truth is everyone of us are a “bad group of guys.” (See Isaiah 53:6; Romans 3:10-12, 23; Romans 5:12-14; Ephesians 2:1-3) We’re all much worse than we’d like to think. 

4.     “When you live in darkness, you don’t realize that all that is is the absence of light.”

• Beautiful...beautiful statement! Read it again. Oh, that each one of us could start each day realizing we have hearts formerly controlled by darkness. And that the only light that changes that is sufficient to completely re-create all things. (1 John 1:5-10)

5.     “The decision to commit suicide was an emotional decision, I think, that contradicted what I had gained in knowledge. And so when I went out there, the thing that stopped me was that God caught my heart up to my mind."

• Many people struggle with allowing emotions/feelings to dictate truth. They allow feelings and emotions to stir up thoughts that are contrary to truth—especially God’s truth. 

• Things change for people when they start allowing God’s truth, found in His word, to dictate their feelings and emotions. 

• For example: “My life is horrible(feeling inside). Everything is miserable (feeling inside). There is nothing to live for (thoughts not based off of truth).  Therefore, based off of those feelings—I decide (thoughts disconnected with actual truth) to jump off a bridge.” You see where emotions have dictated and influenced thinking. Let’s look at the opposite where God’s truth influences our feelings and see the result.

• For example: “My life is horrible (feeling inside). Everything is miserable (feeling inside). There is nothing to live for (thoughts based not off of truth). But in actuality, no matter how bad I’ve screwed up my life. No matter how bad I’ve hurt others. No matter how horrible I feel or think about myself—I know that even in all my sin and pain—God has forgiveness and mercy for me (truth from God’s word). The Bible tells me not to dwell in anxious, miserable, fearful thoughts (Philippians 4:6-7), but to instead dwell on truth and things worthy of praise (Phil. 4:8). There is something to live for—I was created by God and redeemed and forgiven by Christ no matter how long and how horrible my list of sins could ever be! (Ephesians 4:14-21 truth from God’s word that begins to shift and transform our thinking and the emotions begin to follow) Therefore, since I deserved wrath from God, but was forgiven much, I am brought low. I am humbled. I am amazed at this God and this Savior Jesus Christ! (feelings change from horrible/miserable to humility, awe, and gratitude) Since Christ accomplished salvation for me on the cross—even though I could have done nothing to earn it—I am filled with praise and look forward to living for Him and His Kingdom! (feelings of thankfulness, hope, and love have emerged from God’s truth). 

• So we see how God’s absolute truth—must dictate our emotions/feelings—not the other way around. (See 2 Cor. 3:18-20; Romans 12:1-2)

6.   “Kind of now that I’ve matured I can look back and kind of smile at the whole thing, because the result of that night was still death. I’m a firm believer that the call of the cross is the end of us. Anything less, and we haven’t really surrendered to the gospel.” 

• Wow. Does he teach theology at a seminary near here? Does he speak to every single person’s need in understanding what it means to be “Christian.” 

• In an American culture where we’re taught and told that God saved us because we were so special—here’s a statement that says that in saving us—it was not all about us—it is the death of us. That being a Christian is NOT making God a “useful tool” for my own health, wealth, and prosperity. It is a call to die to self and live for King Jesus. 

• Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote, “When Jesus calls a man, He bids him, ‘Come and die.’” Death to self and our old life is a matter of learning to love and trust God. That is the essence of faith. From the outside looking in—friends and family don’t understand the change that happens internally in a person. People think it is a matter of external rules (don’t cuss, don’t get drunk, don’t do drugs, don’t steal, don’t be mean, just be a better you!). Nothing is farther from the truth. Most people think that a person starts going to church because they want to be a “better person.” 

• There is an assumption that once a person “finds God,” that they now look down on “sinners” or people who still partake of practices that this person formerly did. The truth that Brad understands is that if we have understood God’s salvation provided by Jesus’ death on the cross where He, the perfect innocent Lamb, was slaughtered for all MY SINS as a substitute—that it should ONLY produce immeasurable humility in their own person and awe as they are captivated by Jesus Christ. 

• From the outside looking in, people often wonder why their friend become, in their opinion, such a radical. “Sure, I think it’s fine if a person wants to better their life and start going to church, but you don’t have to become one of those extremist Christians.” What this thinking misses is their friend’s amazement and worship of of Jesus Christ. They don’t do churchy stuff in order to be better—they don’t abstain from things to earn closeness to God—but instead, in response to what Christ has accomplished for them—a heart of captivation occurs. He becomes everything. This is the surrender Brad now lives out day-to-day. 

7.     “And a year into marriage…and all that fun stuff, I was diagnosed with the same disease that had caused me to rebel, somewhat, from my father. And as I look at it today I think it’s been one of the greatest points of my personal worship. Um, because it made me ask questions that I honestly hadn't really asked. Like, if today is the last time that I’m able to speak, what are the last words I’m gonna say? If today is the last day I’m able to use my hands, what am I using them for? Is it an offering or a consumption? If today is the last day that my brain functions clearly, what am I thinking about? 

• Not in the plans. This is not what you want to hear your first year of marriage. Notice that Brad says it has brought about worship. That doesn’t mean it was easy. That doesn’t mean it was a light blow. It means that in the midst of weighty news—there is something more luminous and weighty. 

8.     “Um, and it really caused me to focus on that kind of stuff…let’s look at it just black and white, right. The cross didn’t cost us anything right? Nothing. And at the same time if the cross becomes a reality to us…if the resurrection of Christ becomes a reality…if that birth in a manger becomes more than a fairy tale story and becomes a bloody baby being brought into the world that would lead to a bloody cross that would lead to an empty tomb…then I think the cross cost everything.” 

• It is by grace alone that Jesus came and sought Brad as a young man more dead in his sins and transgressions than he could imagine. So that Brad’s boast could be only in Christ and what He had done. That part is a payment that we could never pay. Like Brad said, the cross cost us nothing initially. Salvation, redemption, reconciliation, atonement, forgiveness of sins was completely and comprehensively bought by the slaughter of Jesus on the cross. The innocent, perfect One, took on the guilt of mankind. Brad is broken knowing he was undeservingly atoned for. Yet, after Jesus gets our captivation, He begins to show us the cost. Salvation free, truly and totally. But sanctification costly and difficult. And both salvation and sanctification supplied by Jesus’ life, death, resurrection, and soon return. 

9.     “So, you know, initially, the fair is pretty cheap. At first, you know, that night that I accepted Christ, it felt like He had paid it all. And as I have become a disciple of Christ, whose desires now lines up with my Father’s desires, it causes me to groan even deeper for my sin. Because to truly follow Christ, and to worship our Father in heaven, I believe it cost everything. It’s not a song. It’s not a poem. It’s not a video interview. It’s…It is about God’s glory. The end.” 

• Following Christ is increasingly costly. And He is increasingly more glorious. The deeper a person understands these truths—the greater their insight into the contrast between true holiness and righteousness—and the vast gap to their heart’s corruption and depravity. We are wired to want to hear how great we are and how wonderful we are—and there are truly times where words of affirmation, appreciation, gratitude, and encouragement are needed. But our hope lies not in greater view of ourselves nor greater self-esteem. Those lead to pride. Instead, we need a smaller few of ourselves and a greater, higher, more glorious view of Christ! It truly is all about His glory, in the end. Not ours. 

Sankie P. Lynch

www.nbchurch.info

www.nbfamilies.info

sankie@nbchurch.info

The Power of Thanks!

The last two months the staff at New Beginnings has done something powerful. For many years now, we have been celebrating one another’s birthdays by going to lunch together. However, the last two months have been different. After we have ordered our lunches, we have taken time to each take a turn telling one reason that we are thankful for the person celebrating their birthday. The results have been awe-inspiring. There have been tears of joy, smiles of thanks, and humble reactions. Something powerful happens when we express our thanks for one another. How can something as simple as being thankful cause such a powerful reaction?

Thanksgiving is the right response from the created to the Creator!

Thanksgiving and thankfulness is fairly rare in the Old Testament for two reasons:

1. Sadly, people were not thankful after the emergence of sin (Genesis 3:1-24). Thankfulness is not a character strength that naturally flows from the ruined hearts of humanity. Thanklessness is on display after the miraculous exodus of God’s people (Exodus 3:20; Numbers 14:2). Israel grumbled again and again, rather than thanking God for His deliverance and for food that literally fell from heaven.
2. The most common Hebrew words for “thankfulness” can also be interpreted “praise.” The link in between “praise” and “thanksgiving” is not accidental and should not be ignored. When we are thankful and express our thanksgiving we are acknowledging God as our source of blessings and contentment. We should remember that Thanks = Praise and Praise = Thanks.
   Thanksgiving is common in the psalms. About twenty psalms command or invite Israel to sing songs of thanksgiving. "Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good" is a common refrain
   • Psalm 106:1 ;
   • Psalm 118:1 ;
   • Psalm 136:1
   Some psalms specify a reason, linking thanksgiving with deeds of love and worship, encouraging worshipers to glorify God with thanksgiving (Psalm 69:30 ), come before him with thanksgiving Psalm (Psalm 95:2 ), enter his gates with thanksgiving (Psalm 100:4 ), sing to the Lord with thanksgiving (Psalm 147:7).

   Perhaps surprisingly, perhaps not, cries for help and grief also conclude with thanksgiving. These cries come from individuals in Psalm 7:17; Psalm 28:7; Psalm 35:18; Psalm 52:9 ; Psalm 54:6 ; and Psalm 86:12. But there are also cries from the community in Psalm 79:13; and Psalm 106:47.

In the New Testament the vocabulary for thanksgiving expands and expressions of thanksgiving increase.

• Thanksgiving is a motive for Christian life and conduct.
• Thanksgiving is a general attitude toward both the blessings and trials of life.
• Thanksgiving is a central component of prayer.
• Thanksgiving the right attitude for the ability to work and serve others.

In the Gospels and Acts thanksgiving most often occurs in prayer over a meal (Matthew 15:36, 26:27 ; Mark 8:6, 14:23 ; Luke 22:19; John 6:11, 23). Paul also thanked God for his final meal on the storm-battered boat that took him to Malta (Acts 27:35).

The Gospels introduce and the Epistles develop the concept that gratitude for God's deliverance in Christ characterizes the believer.

• When a sinful woman interrupted a dinner party to anoint Jesus with precious perfume, Jesus told His shocked host that her actions sprang from thankfulness for forgiveness (Luke 7:40-47).
• When Jesus healed ten lepers as they walked to the temple, He commented aloud that only one, a Samaritan, returned to thank him (Luke 7:11-19).
• Paul’s letters teach us that believers should be thankful for every individual provision, and that gratitude for God's saving grace should envelops the entire Christian life.
• A general attitude of thanksgiving in both the trials and blessings of life distinguishes the Christian. Paul instructs his churches to give thanks for all things, in all circumstances (Ephesian 5:20 ; 1 Thessalonians 5:18), even in suffering (Romans 5:3-5; James 1:1-4), and to do everything in the name of Jesus out of a spirit of gratitude (Colossians 3:17).
• Believers in Jesus retain joy and peace especially when, "in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving [they] present their requests to God" (Philippians 4:6-7 ).
• Thanksgiving is a central component of prayer for Paul. He prays that his churches will be thankful (Colossians 1:12), and gives thanks for answered prayer, especially for the extension of the gospel and the strength of his churches (2 Corinthians 4:15).

  As we take time out to observe Thanksgiving we should honor the concept by being and expressing our thanks. See if you can experience the power of thanksgiving this holiday. Watch as thanksgiving transforms your attitude and the attitudes of those for whom you are thankful. Thanksgiving is powerful. Thanksgiving is biblical. Thanksgiving is right.

  Be thankful and tell others why you are thankful!

  

  Dr. Phil Sallee, Pastor
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  facebook.com/phil.sallee
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Why Porn and Thanksgiving Don't Mix

A week from today will be Thanksgiving Day 2014. The title of this blog came from a blog posted on Tuesday, Nov 18th from Covenant Eyes: http://www.covenanteyes.com/2014/11/18/porn-thanksgiving-dont-mix/

The blog references a book written by Dr. Heath Lambert, counselor and professor at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, called Finally Free: Fighting for Purity with the Power of Grace.


A portion of the blog from Nov 18th is written here below. When you are finished reading it, ponder the statistic in the picture at the bottom from the same blog that says "Americans watch 30% less porn on Thanksgiving."

Thanksgiving and the Battle with Lust

"It is in Chapter 8 of this nine-chapter book that Lambert explores the power of being thankful. Lambert starts his argument for using gratitude to fight pornography with Paul’s letter to the Ephesians.

“But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.” Ephesians 5:3-4 

The majority of this verse is pretty straightforward, but it’s pretty easy to gloss over the words greed in the first sentence and thanksgiving in the second sentence. Lambert points out that God forbids “greed” to strengthen His command against sexual immorality, and He urges us in “thanksgiving” to spur us to healthy action.

Greed isn’t just about money. You can be greedy for food, power, and in this context, you can be greedy in your sexual appetite. Greed is being focused on what you do not have. This lustful greed is not to be confused with sexual desire—after all, God gave you a healthy sexual attraction that is designed to attract and bind you to your spouse. Sexual desire is not sinful, but greed points and perverts that desire to someone who is not your spouse and to lust.

Thanksgiving or thankfulness is the polar opposite of lust.

“The logic of lust requires you to be discontent with what you have and pay attention to all the things you don’t have. The logic of thankfulness requires you to focus on what you have already received and to be overcome with thanks. Gratitude is the opposite of greed“ (p. 126).

“If you struggle with porn, one of your greatest needs is to grow in the grace of gratitude. Just because you may never have thought about it doesn’t mean it isn’t true. Porn is only consumed by thankless people. The desire for porn is a desire to escape from what the Lord has given you into a fake universe full of things you do not have and will never have. Porn is the trading of gratitude for greed” (p. 127).

Cultivating Thankfulness

So what now? In recognizing this battle of the mind and spirit, Lambert urges people to use gratitude as an offensive weapon in one’s fight for purity. Intentionally focus on the blessings God has given you, from friendships and relationships, to extended family to your children, to your spouse and the good times you’ve shared. Be thankful for the talents God has given you and be thankful for the responsibilities in your life. And be thankful for God’s gift of salvation and for the price Christ paid for your sins.

Lambert’s words might inspire you to list your blessings. Write them down as a reminder when you feel greed and lust entering your mind. Journal about the good and honorable gifts in your life, and run from temptations that lead to porn.

“Every greedy glance at pornography is a missed opportunity to be thankful to the Lord and to others for all the good things in your life,” Lambert writes.

The result of continually exercising thankfulness is growing in gladness.

There is no authentic joy in pornography; rather, it delivers a promise of joy for a moment and that brief time is fleeting. The battle for freedom from pornography is a battle to find deeper joy. Greedy lust undercuts gladness, Lambert says, while gratitude produces it.

Lust is never satisfied.

But gratitude energizes and fuels a glad and thankful heart and mind. It is the logic of gratitude to be thankful for what is yours rather than longing for what is not, and that leads to deeper joy. Lambert points to 1 Thessalonians 5:18: “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

 
 

Family and Surprises

Last weekend Monica and I took another trip to Iowa to see our daughters, son-in-law and our grandchildren. I thought it was going to be normal weekend visit, however, my daughters had another plan. They have been working with Monica for weeks on planning a surprise birthday party. My 50th birthday is coming up soon in August.They rented a sky box at the minor league baseball park and invited my mom and dad, sister and brother in law and their family as well as my best friend since I was age 6 and his wife. They did a great job of surprising me. I had no idea what was up. It was really fun for me to see everyone. It was also as much fun for me to see the excitement in my daughters eyes that they had pulled off the surprise on their daddy without him knowing about it.

As I think about writing on this topic of surprises, I think back over the years of how I enjoyed surprising my daughters at Christmas and for their birthdays and sometimes for no special occasion at all. I was trying to create memories, but I was also trying to bring joy to their hearts.

I can see now how they have taken on that tradition. I remember when my younger daughter Bridgette surprised me on a Sunday morning at New Beginnings where she sang a solo during worship on Fathers Day. It was her first time to ever sing at church on stage, ever. It blew me away and I cried like a baby. I remember my oldest daughter Larissa and son-in-law Brian, surprised me on a trip to Oklahoma by arriving way earlier than they told me they were going to arrive, so that we could have more time to spend together.

What is it about surprises that bring us so much joy? And what is it about surprises that make them SO memorable? Maybe it's because the person or persons doing the surprise cared enough to make a plan and to pull that plan off. Plans like that take time and commitment to see them through. Plans like that take a giving and unselfish spirit. Maybe it's also because the person or persons doing the surprise, received joy from providing some happiness and joy for the person being surprised.

Do you think God likes to surprise us? Do you think Adam was surprised when Eve showed up? I wonder if Adam had a smile on his face and joy in his heart when he saw Eve for the first time? Or Saul and his armies joy, when they see David knock out Goliath, surprise! What about any of the miracles performed by Jesus, surprise! Or when Jesus rose from the dead and then showed himself to Mary Magdelene, surprise! What do you think their facial expressions were like when they were surprised? Do you think you would see joy on their faces? Would they feel joy in their hearts? Check out some pictures from my surprise party below. I see joy on their faces. We had a great time together!I am SO thankful for their willingness to share their time with me to make a memory that was very special.

 Think about all of the blessings you have received from the Lord. Did any of those surprise you? When you think about those blessings, do they make you smile? Take some time to reflect on the blessings that God has surprised you with. Now think about blessing others, your family, your friends. Think about creating memories by creating joy for someone else in your life.

Black Friday After Thanksgiving Thursday

They're all home this Thanksgiving Day!

I write my part of NBFamilies blog on Fridays. This Friday just happens to be Black Friday. Say it out loud, slowly, in a low voice, “Black Friday.” In Black Fridays past, Thanksgiving Thursdays were interrupted with an insidious strategic war plan to out smart the weaker greedy consumers.

Some of us are facing a type of affection schizophrenia due to our love for Thanksgiving Day being splintered in between our love for family, our genuine thankfulness for God’s blessings, our love of a good sale, and purchasing gifts for our loved ones.

Instead of me ranting about how sinister is the insatiable consumer appetite, and admit it, you and me are unsettled about some major retailers starting Black Friday as early as Thanksgiving Thursday. AND it isn’t hard to envision all the best deals being snatched up by the ungrateful early buyers? I thought I would spend more time with my family and encourage you to read another blog about a families attempt to stem the rising tide of ungrateful kids.

Raising Grateful Kids in An Entitled World

I loved it and I hope you will too. I’m thankful that you are reading this instead of outwitting other decadent capitalist greed mongers. ☺

Giving Thanks Is All About Perspective

On this Thanksgiving Day, knowing that I will be sitting down with my family soon to have an amazing dinner and probably leftovers the next day, I am reminded of a missions trip a few summers ago to Malawi, Africa.

Malawi is one of the poorest countries in the world. According to the World Bank 2009 data, of the 15 million people living in Malawi, 50.7% live in poverty and the life expectancy is 52.2 years of age.

We took lots of pictures while we were there. This picture below show the results of their harvest of corn still on the cob and in the husk, which was all picked from the field by hand. Remember this was only a couple of summers ago.

     In America we have an abundance of corn harvested by a small number of men. Using huge machines, that pick the corn off the stalk, shell it from the cob, and pour the kernels into these huge wagons, this is ALL accomplished without one human hand touching the corn on the cob from the stalk to the wagon.

They pump their water by hand from a well into a large bucket that is then transported on top of the head of usually a woman or a child to their home. Sometimes they will walk over a mile or two, just to get fresh water, every day.

And in America we have not one faucet, but usually multiple faucets, in our homes. with both hot and cold water at our finger tips and within a short number of steps.Our water is purified for us. We don't have to boil it before we drink it. We have no worries about bacteria that will cause disease or may cost us our life.

We went to Malawi to share the Gospel with as many who would listen. There is no possible way we could help change their environment with one week in Malawi. According to Jesus' own words in the Gospel of John, He said this: “I am the bread of life,” Jesus told them. “No one who comes to Me will ever be hungry, and no one who believes in Me will ever be thirsty again." (John 6:35)

I am thankful we had the opportunity to share the Gospel with so many in Malawi who were hungering to hear the "truth" about Jesus Christ. I am also thankful for the reminder this Thanksgiving Day, that every time I get a drink of fresh water, it should remind me that we truly live in a rich country. We are a rich people, who need to understand perspective. We live in a land of plenty. How are we blessing others with the blessings we have been given? I pray that we don't take our blessings for granted and that we can teach our children and grand-children to be thankful for the opportunity to live in this great country and to share those blessings with those in need. Happy Thanksgiving everyone:)



Terry Langenberg
Twitter: TheLangenberg
Facebook: TheLangenberg

Be moved...

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. There’s time to relax with friends and family, always plenty of food, football games on the tube, tryptophan induced naps, desserts, and plenty of leftovers for the next week or so. I mean, what's not to love? I also enjoy this holiday because its very title reminds me to pause and consider all I have to be grateful for. And as I count my blessings this year, I recognize God’s abundant grace and favor. I'm married to my best friend that just so happens to be extremely attractive and a lot of fun to spend time with (see picture below). We have three healthy children that daily bring genuine joy and laughter to our home. We also just moved into a new house with the help of many friends that put in some late nights of heavy lifting and unloading to help us make the transition smoothly. Meanwhile we had numerous others that offered to be available and would have been there had we asked. We are relationally rich! We are also fortunate to minister and belong to a church that seeks to make much of Jesus by proclaiming the hope of the gospel to families and individuals. Additionally, I’m grateful to serve alongside a staff and group of volunteers that not only care for each other, but also long to make a kingdom impact within our community. And that's just the tip of the iceberg (or for those who read last week, the visible part of the Easter Island heads). I could go on and on but the bottom line is this: The Lord has been so gracious! And while I am beyond grateful for all I just mentioned, I feel it is imperative that I express one more thing that I'm particularly thankful for this year… I am thankful for the ability to be moved.

My wife being exaggeratedly excited about my superb parking job.
A couple more inches and we would have lost our security deposit.

Earlier this month we were able to spend a week in Haiti. While we were there, we had some firsthand experiences of the raw realities of life. Of course, we saw entire towns and villages filled with people far less privileged than us. We saw poverty and sickness and a way of life that is far different from our cozy comforts here in the states. Unfortunately we also witnessed tragedy strike the community where we were staying, as a five year-old boy passed away with complications from an illness. Of all we observed, I’m not sure any was more impactful. As the parents mourned, we were blessed to see this particular village pull together to love and surround the grieving family. Look, I know that stories such as this happen here every day. In fact, I’ve had similar heartache visit some of my loved ones too. I hear sad stories like this far too often, but there was something about being pulled away from my responsibilities and routine that allowed me to slow down and take a special notice. The sorrowful news didn’t just pass by like so many others. It affected me. I was able to see and feel and soak up the emotion of the entire experience and it deeply moved me.

Honestly, I am grateful to be able to feel such empathy – to identify the value in others and see hurt in a way that produces a sense of compassion. Simply put, it was grace extended to me that allowed me to feel for those individuals. Lord knows there are far too many times that I’m indifferent or so consumed with myself that I have no real time to be concerned for others. My heart has been hard and distant for seasons, but God has been merciful to not let me remain in such a sad condition. He has closed the gap. He has drawn near and softened my spirit. This type of grace is so often overlooked, but in this season I’m extremely grateful for it. My prayer for us this week is that we may be moved. If we are in a rut, may the Lord bring us out! If we’ve been too hectic and busy to process His goodness, may He slow our pace that we might contemplate more deeply on Him. Perhaps as we consider the Lord's presence and provision, we might ultimately look to the cross and be reminded of the hope that’s found in the empty tomb. May we think on God and have our affections for Christ stirred. Might we see His favor that helps us to capture life’s significant moments and may we be moved.

matt@nbchurch.info

Twitter: @FattMowler

Facebook: TheFattMowler

Why don’t I pray more?

Why don’t I pray more?

Max Lucado has written,

“God's solution is a prayer away! Prayer is the window that God has placed in the walls of our world. Leave it shut and the world is a cold, dark house. But throw back the curtains and see His light. Open the window and hear His voice. Open the window of prayer and invoke the presence of God in your world.

There are so many promises is the bible about the power of prayer (Philippians 4:6-7; Matthew 7:7; Matthew 18:19; 21:22; Mark 11:24; Luke 11:13; John 14:13-14; 16:23; Romans 10:12; Hebrews 4:16; 1 John 5:14-15).

So, why don’t I pray more?

I may not be able to explain how prayer works but I can explain that prayer was modeled for me in scripture over and over again. Think for a minute about praying people in the Bible.

• Abraham prayed for a city (Gen. 18:20-33).
• Moses prayed for God’s people (Exod. 32:11-13).
• Joshua prayed for guidance (Josh. 7:1-26).
• Hannah prayed for a child (1 Sam. 1:1-20).
• Solomon prayed for wisdom (1 Kings 3:1-15).
• The prophets of God prayed, too (1 Kings 18:36-39; Jer. 20:7-18).
• The early church prayed fervently (Acts 1:14, 3:1, 4:31, 6:4, 10:9, 12:5, 13:3, 14:23, 16:25, 20:36, 28:8).
• The apostle Paul prayed for believers (e.g., Rom. 1:8, 1 Cor. 1:4).
• Jesus, of course, modeled a life of prayer (e.g., Matt. 26:36-46; Mark 1:35; Luke 4:42; John 17).

The point is that God’s people have prayed and God’s Word recorded it for us. There must be a reason for this.

So, why don’t I pray more?

So prayer matters, and God’s people must be a praying people.

Too often, though, we don’t pray until we feel like we have to – that is, until we face a situation we can’t handle on our own. There is a better way.

God is up to something very special at New Beginnings Church. But I can’t help but think He want to do more. Something powerful. Something inexplicable. I believe that the future will be even more powerful if we would bathe each day in genuine heartfelt prayer.

Join me in this simply and strategic 10 days of prayer? Find time each of the next ten days to pray these ways for New Beginnings Church.

1. Day 1 – Pray for your church staff and leaders. If you are the only staff member, pray for yourself and the other spiritual leaders (e.g., deacons, elders). Pray that all will be holy, passionate, and evangelistic.
2. Day 2 – Pray for our D Group leaders. Ask God to give them a caring heart, a teaching ability, and a prayerful spirit. Pray they will willingly reproduce themselves and multiply their groups.
3. Day 3 – Pray for the children in your church. Pray your church will give them such grounding in the gospel they will always think about Christian faithfulness when confronted with the world’s options. Ask God to raise up a next generation of missionaries from your children.
4. Day 4 – Pray for the students in your church. In particular, pray for those whose parents do not attend. Then, pray the students will be vibrant witnesses in their schools. Ask the Lord to give them strength in temptation.
5. Day 5 – Pray for the couples in your church. Lift them up by name, and pray for their marriages. Pray that each husband will love his wife as Christ loves the church (Eph. 5:25). Intercede especially for those couples you know are struggling.
6. Day 6 – Pray Ephesians 6:18-20 and Colossians 4:2-4 for ten leaders in your church. Ask God to give them boldness in sharing, clarity in message, and others ready to hear. A few members with a thirst for evangelism can spark an awakening.
7. Day 7 – Pray for new believers in your church. Ask the Lord to raise up leaders who would led them to become disciples. Pray that they would find a redemptive, missional community (D Group) to pattern vibrant faith for them.
8. Day 8 – Pray for your church to be a Great Commission-minded church. Commit to pray for an unreached people group [http://media1.imbresources.org/files/167/16709/16709-93098.pdf]around the world. If your congregation is already going to the nations, pray for more members to go.
9. Day 9 – Pray for more laborers in your church (Matt. 9:35-38). Jesus told us to pray that way, so be obedient to His command. You may find you seldom struggle in finding workers when you pray this way.
10. Day 10 – Pray for our next Sunday service. Ask God to make Himself known in such a powerful way in response to your prayers that your members recognize a difference.

Our prayers may be awkward. Our attempts may be feeble. But since the power of prayer is in the One who hears it and not in the one who says it, our prayers do make a difference.

This thanksgiving season lets make our voices be heard to God.

A Time for Reflection, A Time for Rest

This past weekend my wife Monica and I enjoyed our 10th wedding anniversary. We had a short two and a half day, getaway planned to a nearby quiet and scenic location in Arkansas. The plan from the beginning was to go to a place within a short driving distance where we could just be still and enjoy each others' undivided and uninterrupted attention. The location was at the highest point in Arkansas called Magazine Mountain and there was no cell phone or internet reception up there, so that ended up being an added blessing.

Monica and I spent our time gazing over a huge valley and talking for hours. We talked about our wedding. We talked about our past ten years together. We talked about how we have grown together as a couple.We talked about our children and their individual growth over the past 10 years. We talked about me being called to the ministry; how that call has changed our lives and how it has impacted our relationship, our marriage and our family. We talked about how God was working in each of our lives currently. We talked about how blessed we have been over the years, even through tough times financially, personally, together as a couple and individually. That was all in day one.

Day two, Monica and I then spent our time talking about the future. We talked about what we want for our future together? What will the next ten years be like? We spent some time dreaming about the future years. We spent some time reading and we spent some time in prayer.

I wish we would not have waited so long to take time to reflect and to dream about the future.Life with 4 children and two careers tends to keep everyone busy. But the time spent this past weekend was freeing. It was inspiring and it was filling to us both. We are very thankful to God for blessing us with each other, for the time we were able to get away to draw closer to each other and to God.

We understand that we need to do this more often for our relationship and for our individual mental and spiritual health. We are looking forward to making future plans to do just that on a more regular basis.

Hebrews 4:9-11 ⁹ Therefore, a Sabbath rest remains for God’s people. ¹⁰ For the person who has entered His rest has rested from his own works, just as God did from His. ¹¹ Let us then make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall into the same pattern of disobedience.

6 Word's That Will Change The World

This Tuesday do yourself a favor and follow the link below:

6 Word's That Will Change The World

This mother stumbled on a phrase that uniquely and significantly encapsulates the spirit of NBFamilies.

1. Read it.
2. Say it.
3. Thank God for the way He works in your family.

Let the church say, "Amen!"

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.