One Person at a Time...

NOT--Baptism by Water Cooler!

Hey Everyone!

Somehow the embed cue for "Baptism by Water Cooler" actually loads a powerful video about Jesus' overcoming our sin, so while it isn't "enjoyable" to watch, it is incredible!

Sin Revisited...

Somewhat to my surprise, this past Sunday's message, "The Antidote for Sin!" was a big hit with many of you.  Not that you "enjoyed" thinking about sin, or being reminded of the reality that all of us DO sin.  What most of you have told me that made it valuable for you is the reminder that GUILT is a GIFT from God, because when we sin, the accompanying guilt, drives us to Him, so that we may confess, repent and BE FORGIVEN!  The other thing many of you appreciated was the point that a prayer of confession is really "saying the same thing" (homologeo--the Greek word for sin) or "agreeing with God" that we have sinned--and that the sin was specific:  gossip, "murdering" our brother or sister with our words, lying, etc.... Most of all you appreciated the truth of God's word:   "...when we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness." 1 John 1:9.  Remember--when you sin, just agree with God, do a 180 (not a 360!), and walk back to God.  He'll always be there to forgive you!  If you missed Sunday and want to listen to or read "The Antidote for Sin" just go to NEW LIFE'S WEBPAGE.

When 70 Is Better than 280

When we lived on Keithwood Drive our driveway was 70 feet long.  It was also made of concrete.  Our new driveway is 280 feet long and is made of stone. Given all the snow we've been having recently, 70 is actually better than 280!  This morning I went out to shovel the driveway.  In that past the task was relatively simple, and made easier by the driveway having been poured in 10 foot sections.  Each joint I came to was 1/7 closer to the finish line, and gave me a more or less immediate feed back of my progress. Now, there're no dividing lines, and if I'm not careful, I end up shoveling limestone into the surrounding yard along with the snow.  For the most part, the plan has been to just drive up and down the driveway enough to keep it clear, and quite often the nasty winds we have blow the snow right off the driveway,  but this most recent snow drifted in parts of the driveway, so the drive over it technique didn't quite cut it.  Some would say, "Why not plow it?"  Good idea, except that plowing requires great precision or the stone goes with the snow.  So, today it was shoveling 280 feet of driveway.  It was good exercise.  It gave a sense of accomplishment at the completion, and it reminded me that sometimes 70 is better than 280! (or that sometimes "less is more"!)  Hope you're enjoying the snow, and the SUN that's melting it.

This Sunday at New Life!

Join us this Sunday as we focus on THANKSGIVING, the third of our four-part "Back to Basics" series on prayer.  Youth and Worship Leader, Brad French's message is titled "ALWAYS Give Thanks!"   I've already read it, and you all are in for a real treat!  Many of you have told me how much you are appreciating the "Back to Basics" messages, because they are helping you to commit or re-commit to living with Jesus first in your life.  If you've been with us for these messages, then you'll want to BE THERE on Sunday as we continue to build one another up in God's word.  If you HAVEN'T been with us for these messages--the good news is that each one is a great STARTING POINT, for building yourself up in God's word, so we hope you'll BE THERE, too. 

We're also celebrating the sacrament of the Lord's Supper, and at the close of worship we'll be participating in a time of commitment to living Generous Lives, based on the "40 Day Spiritual Journey to a More Generous Life," so I hope to see you there!

This Sunday At New Life!

I hope you'll be there this Sunday as we move to the second message in our four-part Back to Basics series on PRAYER.  This week's message is titled "The Antidote for Sin!"  When was the last time you saw SIN in the title of a message?  If you've ever sinned, ever felt on-going guilt for a sin, or even if you believe that sin doesn't exist, you'll want to join us as we address this vital reality, and how to overcome it!

"The Samson Syndrome"

In this not so recent release (Copyrighted in 2003), Mark Atterberry hits one out of the park with The Sampson Syndrome: What You Can Learn from the BADDEST Boy in the Bible.  Atterberry reviews twelve negative (read sinful) tendencies found in Samson and in "strong men" in general, and how we can overcome them through God's guidance and power.  This is a "must read" for anyone who wants to fulfill God's design and calling in life.  Thanks to Jim Brown for recommending it!

The ABC's of Salvation

Hi Everyone!

Below is a great video I just received from a friend. It's a presentation of God's plan for you and me to trust Him as Savior and Lord presented by some really cute children! I hope you enjoy it:

From "GodTube"

If You Missed Worship Yesterday...

I know the weather and the extended weekend kept some of you away from New Life worship yesterday, and if you missed it, you missed a great time with God!  Worship Administrator Mia Tepper coordinated the music yesterday as Worship/Youth Leader Brad French served as the preacher of the day.  The music was outstanding, and Brad's message incorporated some great visuals, a humorous video, and an AWESOME teaching on God's AWESOMENESS! We also welcomed new covenanting disciples, and Pastor of Administration Pat Fecich gave us a "delicious" introduction to this year's "Blessing Bag" ministry.  If you missed it you missed a lot, and you'll want to go to New Life's Website and download the audio!

Tough Questions...

Webservant Lisa Johns passed along a series of blog entries by Pastor Geoff Surratt, which are responses to some really good and tough questions asked by a young woman who has been struggling with whether Christianity is really the one, true faith.  You can see these posts at Geoff Surratt.  Pastor Geoff has dealt with the questions well, both scripturally and pastorally.  You'll benefit a lot by taking the time to see what he had to say!

Next Step # 38

This week’s “Next Step” comes to us once again from the Book of Acts. In Acts 5:29-32, we find a record of Peter and some of the other apostles giving testimony before the Jewish leaders. They had been arrested for performing miraculous works in the Temple. The Jewish leaders told them that they had to stop talking about Jesus and acting in His name. Here’s how they responded: ²⁹But Peter and the apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than any human authority. ³⁰The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead after you killed him by hanging him on a cross. ³¹Then God put him in the place of honor at his right hand as Prince and Savior. He did this so the people of Israel would repent of their sins and be forgiven. ³²We are witnesses of these things and so is the Holy Spirit, who is given by God to those who obey him.”  Did you notice that both the apostles AND the Holy Spirit are witnesses of what God had done through Jesus?  This is another example of how the Holy Spirit works in our lives when we are facing questions or even persecution for living in Jesus’ name. Remember that we are never alone when it comes to being witnesses for Jesus. The Holy Spirit lives in us to guide us, empower us, and speak through us when opportunities come to tell others about Jesus and His salvation. If you are ever afraid of speaking up in Jesus’ name, make sure that you take the time to call on the Holy Spirit to speak through you, to give you the words to say, and then THANK HIM afterwards for His faithfulness to do just that!