Hello Everyone...
Yesterday, we wrapped up our Direction Series. As we finished up the "partner" teaching, we invited everyone to take the 90 Day Tithe Challenge. So far, 11 families are going to honor God with their resources but are also testing him (Malachi 3:10) at the same time. It is going to be an amazing journey together this Fall as a church and i wanted to invite you to watch a video that will help teach us how to give back to God.
Monday, September 7, 2009
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Marriage Retreat
Dawn and I just returned home for an awesome marriage retreat this weekend. This is the first "chris & dawn" trip that we have had since we launched New Community. I am confident that we will make this an annual trip.
We spent the weekend in Gatlinburg, TN. We had several sessions that dealt with Covenant Marriage and how our marriage will only be as strong as our relationship with God. We ate, slept, played and spent time together. It was great...getting reconnected. We feel like we have a plan to keep moving forward in our marriage each day, week, month and year.
the only bad thing about the trip is that Gatlinburg didn't have a Starbucks...i know...what the. Seriously, it was a bummer because the only other coffee shops didn't open early and their coffee sucked. On the way home, we found the nearest Starbucks and had a spiritual experience enjoying a good cup of Joe.
Anyway, if you and your lover ever have a chance to go on a marriage retreat...i highly recommend it.
Grace and Peace...
We spent the weekend in Gatlinburg, TN. We had several sessions that dealt with Covenant Marriage and how our marriage will only be as strong as our relationship with God. We ate, slept, played and spent time together. It was great...getting reconnected. We feel like we have a plan to keep moving forward in our marriage each day, week, month and year.
the only bad thing about the trip is that Gatlinburg didn't have a Starbucks...i know...what the. Seriously, it was a bummer because the only other coffee shops didn't open early and their coffee sucked. On the way home, we found the nearest Starbucks and had a spiritual experience enjoying a good cup of Joe.
Anyway, if you and your lover ever have a chance to go on a marriage retreat...i highly recommend it.
Grace and Peace...
Saturday, April 18, 2009
vision coming to life repeatedly
Last night, Dawn and I were invited by the Mayor to attend a fundraising event for the Arts Commission of Hoschton. This commission is doing everything they can to develop and launch an arts community within Jackson County. It was a great time to just hang with Dawn and marvel at how beautiful she is, especially when she is pregnant.
As we were walking up to this historic house in downtown Hoschton, it became very clear that every person of influence was present at this event. Beer, wine, sweet tea and good food were served while a silent auction was running. As Dawn and I made our way in, we were overwhelmed with how many people we knew and with how many knew us. Over and over, throughout conversation, New Community was lifted high with praise and appreciation.
When Dawn and I moved here to start NC, we knew we wanted it to be a church (movement) that loved people without strings attached...with no agenda...just the big and safe love of Christ. As we mingled, ate and talked, we were seeing this vision played out right before our eyes. This town, these people love NC because of who we are and who we represent. It is a beautiful thing.
This wouldn't be possible if it wasn't for the people of NC. Everyone of YOU make this happen, day in and day out. Your generosity allows me to be in the community and your volunteerism and selflessness, has a reverberating effect all through Jackson County.
As always, i am proud to be your leader and i am stoked about what God is doing!
As we were walking up to this historic house in downtown Hoschton, it became very clear that every person of influence was present at this event. Beer, wine, sweet tea and good food were served while a silent auction was running. As Dawn and I made our way in, we were overwhelmed with how many people we knew and with how many knew us. Over and over, throughout conversation, New Community was lifted high with praise and appreciation.
When Dawn and I moved here to start NC, we knew we wanted it to be a church (movement) that loved people without strings attached...with no agenda...just the big and safe love of Christ. As we mingled, ate and talked, we were seeing this vision played out right before our eyes. This town, these people love NC because of who we are and who we represent. It is a beautiful thing.
This wouldn't be possible if it wasn't for the people of NC. Everyone of YOU make this happen, day in and day out. Your generosity allows me to be in the community and your volunteerism and selflessness, has a reverberating effect all through Jackson County.
As always, i am proud to be your leader and i am stoked about what God is doing!
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Easter @ NC
What a day it was on Easter. People just kept coming in and coming in...it was amazazing. I have to give a shout out to several groups of people. First, to all of you who invited friends...YOU ROCK. Most of our guests were from personal invites...way to go. Second, All of our volunteers that made Sunday happen...YOU are the best. So much preparation went into getting ready...and by 10 AM, we were ready. Third, everyone who gave to the Easter Offering. THANKS for getting us close to the goal your generosity is overwhelming.
Here are the highlights from the day:
- 445 in total attendance!
- More volunteers than ever before...55 people serving.
- 8 people indicated that they wanted Jesus to be the leader of their life.
- We received $9800 toward our Easter Offering Goal of $15000
- Over 50 first time guests with the families and kids
- Parking lot team launched and did a fantastic job
- We added a toddler environment and it was packed.
- 43 elementary students in the GARAGE...96 NC Kids all together!
So, i am still on cloud nine. I am so proud to be your leader and i am thrilled with what God is doing @ New Community. Let the good times roll.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
1% Spiritual Initiative
If you have or haven't heard about this new initiative at NC, this video discusses the nuts and bolts of our 1% Spiritual Initiative. We will be launching this on Easter Sunday.
We are inviting you to partner with God in this manner so that in June, New Community will be able to start paying a salary to our student and children's pastors. These two areas are the fastest growing at NC and we need to continue to take care of them well.
We are inviting you to partner with God in this manner so that in June, New Community will be able to start paying a salary to our student and children's pastors. These two areas are the fastest growing at NC and we need to continue to take care of them well.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
The Mystery, Day Eight
Yesterday, i encouraged you to memorize Colossians 2:6-7. Take a few minutes to review that verse and write it out from memory.
Today, I want to invite you to read Colossians 2:16-19.
1. Read the passage a few times underlining what sticks out.
2. What is this passage saying to you?
3. Have you ever met someone who was judgmental? What was that like?
4. Have you ever been the judgemental person?
5. What is this passage saying to the christ-follower about that person?
6. How can you be less judgmental as you follow Jesus.
Prayer time:
Obviously, most of us make "judgement calls" everyday of our life. Spend your prayer time today confessing to God that you are sorry for being judgemental and also spend time asking God to give you strength if you get judged all the time.
Ask God to continue to live through us through the power of Jesus. Invite Jesus to reside in your heart and mind today. Give him permission to remind you of things that are not of Him.
Amen.
Today, I want to invite you to read Colossians 2:16-19.
1. Read the passage a few times underlining what sticks out.
2. What is this passage saying to you?
3. Have you ever met someone who was judgmental? What was that like?
4. Have you ever been the judgemental person?
5. What is this passage saying to the christ-follower about that person?
6. How can you be less judgmental as you follow Jesus.
Prayer time:
Obviously, most of us make "judgement calls" everyday of our life. Spend your prayer time today confessing to God that you are sorry for being judgemental and also spend time asking God to give you strength if you get judged all the time.
Ask God to continue to live through us through the power of Jesus. Invite Jesus to reside in your heart and mind today. Give him permission to remind you of things that are not of Him.
Amen.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
The Mystery, Day Seven
Good morning everyone...welcome back to the daily readings for Colossians. I hope that you are using this tool to help create a daily or weekly time with God.
Today's time is going to be a little different. Just as we have to nourish ourselves physically with food to stay alive, we must also nourish our spiritual vitality. It is not us who does the changing, it is Christ in us, working through us.
I want to invite each of you to memorize 2 verses of scripture. Colossians 2:6-7. Now, you and i do this all the time with music. As a follower of the way, it is vital that we do this with God's Word.
So, this is how i memorize scripture. I read it over and over 4-5 times. Then i write it out multiple times. As i am writing the verse, i pray that God will allow this truth to take root in my life. I repeat this each day until it is memorized.
Spend all of your time today, beginning this process of scripture memeory...it is food for your spiritual health.
Colossians 2:6-7 "So then,just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness."
Have a great day...hide God's word in your heart!
Today's time is going to be a little different. Just as we have to nourish ourselves physically with food to stay alive, we must also nourish our spiritual vitality. It is not us who does the changing, it is Christ in us, working through us.
I want to invite each of you to memorize 2 verses of scripture. Colossians 2:6-7. Now, you and i do this all the time with music. As a follower of the way, it is vital that we do this with God's Word.
So, this is how i memorize scripture. I read it over and over 4-5 times. Then i write it out multiple times. As i am writing the verse, i pray that God will allow this truth to take root in my life. I repeat this each day until it is memorized.
Spend all of your time today, beginning this process of scripture memeory...it is food for your spiritual health.
Colossians 2:6-7 "So then,just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness."
Have a great day...hide God's word in your heart!
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