One Person at a Time...

On the Road Again....

Please lift us up in prayer this week as 17 of us will be heading off to St. Bernard's Parish, Louisiana for a week of home renovations in the ongoing aftermath of Katrina.  The departure time is set for 2:00 p.m. and the trip is officially a middle school/high school trip.  It will be my first trip that is a "national" trip for some time, and am looking forward to it, since Jesus' command in Acts 1:8 is for us to be witnesses locally, regionally, nationally and internationally.  I pray that your week of serving in one of those spheres of influence glorifies Jesus!

Next Step #11!

Hi Everyone!  This week’s next step comes to us once again from

1 Corinthians 2

.  Today, let’s look at verses 6-10:

⁶Yet when I am among mature Christians, I do speak with words of wisdom, but not the kind of wisdom that belongs to this world, and not the kind that appeals to the rulers of this world, who are being brought to nothing. ⁷No, the wisdom we speak of is the secret wisdom of God, which was hidden in former times, though he made it for our benefit before the world began. ⁸But the rulers of this world have not understood it; if they had, they would never have crucified our glorious Lord. ⁹That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him." ¹⁰But we know these things because God has revealed them to us by his Spirit, and his Spirit searches out everything and shows us even God's deep secrets.

   Here the Apostle Paul contrasts God’s wisdom with the world’s wisdom. God’s wisdom comes only from HIS SPIRIT.  Notice that in verse 10 Paul writes, “We know these things because God has revealed them to us by His Spirit, and his Spirit searches out everything and shows us even God’s deep secrets.”  That means we hold a tremendous advantage as followers of Jesus, because in our everyday lives we have access to the wisdom of God! Do you have difficult decisions before you right now—and who doesn’t ? Do you have areas of life where you are seeking God’s insight into the matter—and again, who doesn’t? God’s Spirit lives in us and is ready to give us those insights. As you go about today, remember to turn matters over to God, and to ASK for His wisdom to guide you not only for the “big” matters but for the daily matters as well!

This Sunday At New Life

Hey Everyone, remember that this Sunday is the day Clyde Campbell will be sharing his testimony of what God's been doing in and through his treatment for leukemia.  The tough question is:  What is God's Purpose in Suffering?"  Clyde will join us via video as his on-going treatment precludes his being in crowds of people, but you'll want to be there for sure as Clyde's words will give strength to each of us whether we're going through suffering or not!

The Fairman Reunion!

Today is the Fairman Reunion!  Nancy's dad came from a huge family, and I have been attending their reunions since I was 18.  That means that except for a few missed while away on missions trips over the years, that I've attended about 30 of them.  The reunion offers the opportunity to catch up with those we haven't seen for a while and to be reminded of the importance of family.  I'll never forget the first Fairman reunion I attended--about 300 people showed up for the day!  To me that was a huge reunion.  The Marshall reunion brings out about a tenth of that number.  Over the years, the numbers have diminished as Lee's (my fahter-in-law) generation has mostly gone on to be with the Lord, and the succeeding generatons haven't been so prolific in producing offspring.  Even so, the reunion is still bigger than most families.  As I reflect on that gathering together of loved ones, I'm reminded this morning that one day we who trust Jesus as Savior and Lord, will be part of an amazing reunion.  We will join with all people of all times and places who are our brothers and sisters in Jesus, and the reunion will be for ETERNITY!  The thought of meeting folks such as King David, Peter, Paul--not to mention Jesus overwhelms me.  Hebrews 11 and 12 tell us of the family heritage to which we belong and of the "great cloud of witnesses" who will be part of that reunion.  As I go about this day, the thought of that incredible future humbles me and motivates me to follow faithfully, to "run the race with endurance," because that's going to be one reunion in which we all want to participate!

Next Step #10

Hi Everyone!  This week’s next step comes to us once again from

1 Corinthians 2

. Today, let’s look at verses 1-5:

¹When I first came to you, dear brothers and sisters, I didn’t use lofty words and impressive wisdom to tell you God’s secret plan. ²For I decided that while I was with you I would forget everything except Jesus Christ, the one who was crucified. ³I came to you in weakness—timid and trembling. ⁴And my message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit. ⁵I did this so you would trust not in human wisdom but in the power of God.

Notice how the Apostle Paul contrasts “clever and persuasive words” with “the power of the Holy Spirit.” In our daily lives, the greatest value of the Holy Spirit’s presence is that He assures us of Jesus Christ’s salvation in our lives. He gives us the power to offer that assurance to others. Paul’s basic message was JESUS DIED ON THE CROSS TO CANCEL THE POWER OF SIN IN OUR LIVES! For Paul the cross of Jesus and the blood of Jesus is everything. Indeed, it is! After all, each of us stands condemned before God, apart from the saving act of Jesus’ death on the cross. As we go about each day, the Holy Spirit gives us power and wisdom to live the reality of the new life Jesus purchased for us on the cross and to tell others about it. Notice that Paul’s preaching and message were “very plain.” We live in a world of glitz and glamour, yet the message of the cross has been, is and always will be “very plain.” As we go about this day and this week, let’s remember that the Holy Spirit wants to speak through us, to let others know the simple message that Jesus died on the cross to rescue sinners. As we rely more and more on the Holy Spirit, we will gain boldness and power to present that message in our words and through our lives. May the Spirit give us such boldness and power today!

Ready or Not....

Have you ever noticed that life marches on whether we're ready or not?  New technologies replace the "old" at breakneck speed.  Our children grow and become adults before our eyes.  We "slow down" even with all our attempts to keep the pace.  Loved ones move on -- to other places or to the ultimate other places.  Occasionally, even for the guy who loves change, it can be a bit overwhelming. 

We're now just five weeks from "releasing" Abby to the college years.  Inside, I know she's ready.  I'm not sure I am.  Over the summer she's been doing more and more independent activities: a trip to Kings Island with her best friend, Maggie, an upcoming trip to the beach with some of her friends; regular evenings out with friends and graduation parties; playing basketball with her soon to be college team in a summer league on the South Side.  As Nancy and I watch Abby make good decisions in the midst of all the options, we're grateful to God for answering our daily prayers for her since before she was conceived!  At the same time, there's that urge to protect and provide that never leaves as a parent.  My mother used to tell me, "Your children are always your children."  I'm learning first hand, now, what that means.  As I reflect on it and pray through it, the reality comes home:  ready or not life goes on.  That means we need to do all we can do to be ready, and trust God's guiding hand for whatever comes.  I'm so grateful to know that even though the future is unknown to me, the one who knows it loves us and desires our good infinitely more than we desire our own.  With that foundation, how much easier to be ready.......even when think we're not!

Sneak Preview of July 29!

I don't usually focus on what's happening in worship two Sundays ahead, but on July 29, we'll be viewing an interview with Clyde Campbell as our "message" of the day.  The tough question is, "What Is God's Purpose in Suffering?"  Clyde has learned some answers to that question first hand as he has been treated for leukemia.  "Taping" of the message will take place this morning, so pray for God's hand to be on the process, and mark July 29 on your calendar now.  You'll want to join us in worship for sure!

This Sunday at New Life!

I know it's only Tuesday, but I want to remind everyone EARLY that this Sunday at New Life is a special day in many ways.  We're focusing on a key question in our life together: What Is God's Plan for New Life's Future?  We'll be keying in on the seemingly impossible mission God has given us, and how He is going to provide the resources necessary through His Holy Spirit and our following His lead to fulfull that future!

We're also worshiping AT 127 Knoch Road, Saxonburg, PA, the future site of our Mission Outpost!  So, we'll get to gain something of a sense of what it'll be like in the not too distant future when we're gathering there every Sunday.  All that will be missing is a building and electricity!  (Details, details.)  We hope you'll join us at 10:00 a.m. and then stick around for fellowship afterward. It's a day for dreaming dreams and envisioning God's vision for New Life.  You'll want to be there for sure!

Big 33 for Clyde!

Thanks to all who participated in the Central Blood Bank mobile blood drive held at Knoch High School's parking lot on Sunday!  33 pints of blood were donated, which means dozens of lives may be saved or enhanced.  Thanks to Clyde and Pat Campbell for thinking of offering this opportunity to the folks of New Life and the Saxonburg community.  Clyde has received a number of units of blood or blood "parts" during his treatment for leukemia, and thought it would be good for us to hold a blood drive to help replenish the supply.  The goal for the drive was at least 20 units, so the "Big 33" that were donated far surpassed the goal.  Thanks to the administration of the South Butler School District for permitting us to have the Blood Mobile in the parking lot and for the Central Blood Bank folks for being there early on a Sunday morning, too!

As the first donor of the day, I had the opportunity to give "twice," as they used the relatively new technology of taking two units of red cells and giving me back some of the fluid along with some "contact lens solution" (actually saline solution) as Abby puts it.  The nurse from the Central Blood Bank explained that giving the double units makes it safer for those--such as trauma victims--who need more than one unit of blood, because there's less chance of infection when two units are given from the same donor.  While it takes a little longer than giving one unit, the needle is SMALLER, and there's no waiting after donating, because you don't lose any overall fluid volume.  For a preacher -- or ANYONE -- on the go, it's a great way to make a good thing twice as good!

In Search of....Leaders!

Do you remember the old TV show:  "In Search of...."  Probably not!  Anyway, the show was in a documentary format and the search was for things like Big Foot, Noah's Ark...you get the idea.  At New Life we're in search of leaders, and we're doing something about it.  Starting on September 9 at 9:00 a.m. I'll be leading "LEAD," which stands for Leadership Equipping and Development, every Sunday morning. The time is exactly what the name says a time for equipping and developing leaders.  You may not consider yourself a leader right now or you may.  Either way, I'm inviting you to join us, because the only pre-requisite for being there is that you love Jesus and you want to become a better leader.  That leadership may take place in your family, at work or school, in a ministry of New Life or anywhere that it can advance God's Kingdom.  The first topic for the fall is "Everyday Evangelism," a five week training based on Bill Hybel's great book Just Walk Across the Room. 

I'm telling you about the opportunity NOW, because I want you to put it on your calendar for fall and BE THERE every Sunday.  While the show "In Search of..." didn't always find what it was looking for--we WILL find leaders, because you're already out there, and we want to help equip and develop you to serve at your God-given potential!