Next Steps

Sometimes I think at this stage of my life I should be able to sort of coast through life. I've paid my dues in work and volunteering and service. Some days I just get tired. Some days I just want to have responsibility for only me. But the Bible teaches that is not the way to live a life pleasing to God. I am always to be looking for the next step God wants me to take. 

God gave next steps to Abraham and Moses when they were in their 70s and 80s, old by today's standards but maybe not so old when people lived well into their 100s. Nevertheless, God doesn't shut me down just because I get a little age on me. The key is to not get so comfortable doing what I'm doing that I don't hear or listen to the voice of God.

I am about to take a next step in my volunteer life at NewSpring Church. I have served with Sunday production/media for almost 20 years. This has always been so exciting as I've run cameras or operated computers or did whatever was necessary, including live TV at my previous church, to make the presentation of the Sunday service available to those in attendance. Although I believe this is a "front lines" effort in the presentation of the Gospel, the people who serve are generally out of sight behind doors and curtains and rather isolated from the rest of the Church in attendance.

Now God is moving me out of my passion for the last 17-20 years and sending me in a new direction. This Sunday will be my first with Guest Services, starting as a Greeter. I don't know what God is up to in my life or how new responsibilities will develop in this area but I do know this is definitely not a behind the scenes area of ministry. 

For the past 10 months I have been caring for the Production Team without any weekly hands on responsibility. I have been responsible for scheduling, 1st serves, training, and generally encouraging the team. At first I was not sure I wanted to give up sitting in a chair and making things happen but I see now how God was using that time to prepare me for this transition to Guest Services.

I may be caring for a team there as well but more than that I may be caring for first time visitors. That is becoming my new passion; helping new people connect with NewSpring and know that we really are glad they are with us for the day. Another passion that is growing is actually being part of the 6pm service each week. Last Sunday night I got to do that and had the opportunity to pray with Linda who stood when the guest preacher asked for those struggling through a time of silence from God to stand and then asked those nearby to go pray for them.

I don't always know what God is up to in my life but I do know that I want to be obedient to every next step He puts before me.

I Love My Church

I am so glad God brought me to NewSpring Church in 2008. God is doing amazing things and I get to be part of it. I think that is the most amazing part!! King David said in Psalm 8, "...what is man that You are mindful of him..." and I would say who am I that You have blessed me with such favor?

As my Father, God wants to give me good things! One of the very good things He has given me is NewSpring Church. I call it "my" church because it is the one I attend but this church, like THE Church - with a capital C - of course is His. It was established by Jesus when He gave His life for sinners and rose from the dead to conquer sin and death and then ascended to the right hand of the Father to intercede for me, for us.

What I love so much about NewSpring is no one cares how you dress or wear your hair. No one cares about your age or your race or your past. No one gets upset when lost people act like lost people. We want the addicts and sexually impure and the gossips and the liars and the drunkards because everyone DOES care that you have a personal relationship with Jesus. Jesus went after the lost, the outcasts of society, those shunned by the religious leaders as unclean and unworthy. Since Jesus did, we do too.

People all over South Carolina, and even the world, are submitting their lives to Jesus through the teaching and ministry of NewSpring. We have seen people from just about every scenario of sin you can imagine be set free from the chains of bondage that have held them captive. Not only are they meeting Jesus, they are being baptized and getting into small groups and giving money and serving others through volunteering.

I am so encouraged when I read stories of this life change in people I don't know. I am encouraged when I see people I do know experience life change. I am encouraged when my own life is changed as my relationship with Jesus grows and expands. God is so good to me that I overflow with joy!

Sacrifice

My pastor, Perry Noble, has been having vision events around the state this week to tell us what God's plans are for the future of NewSpring Church in reaching the lost of SC with the gospel of Jesus Christ.

I have not actually heard this vision yet because he is coming to my location tonight. But I have heard through social media that two new campuses have been announced with one pastor already in place. These two, along with three new campuses this year including the Spartanburg Campus that I attend, will bring our total campuses to 10.

All of this costs money - a lot of money - so I have been thinking about how God would have me support this work and whether I am I willing to sacrifice something if necessary to give what God would have me give. One of the expressions Perry uses is "if it's God's will, then it's God's bill" meaning God will supply from His great riches all that is needed to support what He asks us to do. But He funnels those riches to people and then asks us to give.

Ah, but I'm not rich! Based on America, maybe not. Based on the rest of the world, I am infinitely rich. The problem is, I'm just not used to having to sacrifice anything. Tithing and giving are in my budget so it's no sacrifice; the money is allocated and I give it each month. But if God asks me to sacrifice something, would I be willing to do it?

I don't have a smart phone with a data plan. I don't have cable or satellite TV. I don't have magazine subscriptions I can cancel. So those kinds of sacrifices are not possible. I really do live a pretty simple life on a pretty small budget. But if I had them, and God asked me to, would I give them up to advance His kingdom?

As I have been seeking God on this, a budget item came to mind that I could reallocate to "Take the Land". I have already said OK to God about that. This reallocation would cause a small lifestyle change for me so maybe that is sacrifice on my part. It just seems so simple and I take such joy in giving the money that I don't see it as sacrifice. What a privilege to be part of what God is doing here!

Traditions

As I was reading in Galatians this morning, Paul is reminding the people of Galatia that works of the law do not save. Even Peter was admonished by Paul when he behaved one way with the Gentiles but another when the Jews showed up. Wanted to live up to THEIR traditions!

Sometimes when I read those things I have a tendency to think why didn't they get it? Especially the Jews. But then I thought about the 1400 - 1500 years of the law that they had lived under and how hard it would be to give up all that tradition. Even though they had been looking for the Messiah, they didn't want a Messiah that actually changed their view of God or life or their position in society.

How like the church in America today! How many churches bicker over music styles or leadership styles or English translations of the Bible. How hard it is for some churches not to do things "the way we've always done them" even as the numbers in attendance dwindle. How cloaked in "holy huddles" are some churches that new people are not even wanted. How many churches steadfastly refuse to step into the 21st century by using technology to reach the next generation.

There is nothing wrong with traditions; we need to know our roots. And there is no gospel to preach except Jesus Christ, crucified and raised from the dead. But if we hold to our irrelevant traditions at the expense of reaching a dying world with the love and saving grace of Jesus Christ, I do not believe we will hear "Well, done" when we stand before Him one day. Jesus turned the religious world on its head 2000 years ago and I see Him still working that way today.

An Easter Story

A brief story from NewSpring Church, Columbia Campus...two guys came to church Friday night and got saved. That's not unusual at NewSpring BUT these guys saw a bunch of policemen and thought it was a police checkpoint. (The police were actually just directing traffic because of the crowds at the church.)

So these two guys wanted desperately to avoid a checkpoint and turned into the parking lot of a place they could tell people were going to something. They didn't know it was a church or church service. Then the NewSpring parkers parked their car, the greeters welcomed them, and they were invited into the church to have a seat. They sat on the back row but stayed for the entire service and heard Perry preach a powerful gospel message. At the end of the service he asked people to pray to receive Christ and then stand to their feet if they had done that. Both these guys stood up because Jesus was at work in their hearts.

And by the way, they are not even from Columbia; they never heard of NewSpring. In fact they are not even from South Carolina. These men were on the road from Texas. Praise God for His amazing grace!

Haven't heard a total number of salvations this Easter but through Friday there were over 100. Greenville had its first two services yesterday, Saturday, and more that 30 people gave their lives to Jesus.

I thank God for bringing me to this church and allowing me to be part of what He is doing through NewSpring in South Carolina and beyond through our web services. Now to head back to Greenville for 3 more services on this beautiful Easter Sunday morning. He's alive! Hallelujah! Amen!

Day 13 - 21 Day Bible Reading Plan

John 13:

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." (v.34-35)

Jesus gave this commandment to His disciples that they should love other disciples. This is not about loving those who don't yet follow Jesus. And Jesus did say this is a commandment so that means I need to strive to love those who are following Christ even if I disagree with them. That does not mean that I accept sin or heresy in the body of Christ but I do not find fault with someone who doesn't agree with me, especially on personal preference things, but also on interpretation of Scripture.

Public bickering is the worst and is not a good testimony of the love of Christ. Too often these disagreements are power struggles better suited for the boardrooms of corporate America than for God's house.

James MacDonald hosted a meeting yesterday called Elephant Room that my pastor participated in. The link to the summary post is here. Video will be available later but this was a discussion among pastors on various topics and they often disagreed but with grace and love. This is how the commandment to love one another should be lived out.

Mark 13:

"Therefore stay awake - for you do not know when the master of the house will come..." (v.35) The disciples were marveling at the temple but Jesus said it would be destroyed. The disciples asked when and Jesus gave some signs of the times.

He told them specifically to be on guard because false christs and false prophets will come along to deceive people. How do I prevent being deceived? By knowing what God says and who Jesus Christ really is. How do I do that? By reading my Bible daily, sitting under biblical teaching, asking God for wisdom and discernment. If something is a blatant error it is easy to spot but when a touch of truth is mixed in, it can be hard for even the elect to recognize the deception.

God Confirms

Today I went back to my "old" church for the funeral of a friend. It was the first time I'd been back in over 2 years and I have to say God confirmed in a very powerful way that I am exactly where He wants me to be. Although I was on staff at the church for 2 years, I had known for several years prior to my going to work there that God wanted me to leave. But I was disobedient.

I was comfortable where I was. I liked the ministries I was part of. I knew just about everybody - and they knew me - even though there were several thousand members. I'd built lots of friendships over the course of 22 years there. But I was becoming discontent because I knew God was telling me it's time to go.

Although I never verbally disagreed with the leadership, I found myself disagreeing mentally with a lot of things. After I went on staff, I began to disagree with even more. It became obvious that I could not stay on staff so that job ended.

I stayed at the church for about 6 more months - in the choir, running camera, heading the prayer ministry until one day I just said I can't do this any more. So I walked away - with notice to my pastor, the music dept, and the media dept. I didn't have any idea what God had in store. Now I'm just sorry I didn't leave many years earlier when I knew that's what God wanted me to do.

You'd think I would learn. I wasted many years wandering in the desert, in sin and disobedience, outside the body of Christ. Here I was wasting years in sin and disobedience INSIDE the body of Christ. When God says do it, I should just do it. Why, oh why, am I so stubborn? So slow to obey?

Lots of Churches

This morning I went to church early to help prepare for communion. Because the Fuse guys who help with load in and production setup stayed to help with communion, we were done by 7:40 rather than 8:30 as had been expected. I didn't have enough time to go back home and come back again and too much time to sit around and wait. So I did the next best thing...drove through downtown Greenville and out Anderson Rd (Hwy 81) and ended up in Anderson in time for the 9:15 service. (I really miss going to Anderson!)

As I was riding down the road I saw lots of churches along the way. They were mostly Baptist churches of some flavor but they were large and small, some with old buildings, some new, some "expanded". The expanded ones often have 2 fronts with columns - a small building with a flat top where the steeple used to be and the new, larger, taller sanctuary that now sports the steeple.

As I looked at all these churches, I wondered what God is up to in their midst. Do they recognize what He is doing? Were they expecting God to show up in their services today? I wondered what would happen if I went in in my jeans and flip flops.

But of course the question returns to me...do I expect to meet God each time I go to church? What do I do to prepare myself to meet Him? And then do I expect to see Him all throughout the week in the pages of Scripture, working around me in the office, in my family, in my finances, in my thoughts, in my attitudes? Because I am His child, He is always there! He NEVER leaves ME but I often leave Him.

And then, of course, that tied right in to Perry's sermon. What thing do I lack? What am I holding back from God?

Different Kind of Sunday

Last Sunday was a really different day for me. We didn't have church at NewSpring. As I was debating about what to do, where to go, I thought about watching something on the web or TV but decided I wanted to go to church and worship with other people.

I thought about First Baptist Spartanburg and their Genesis service. I've heard good things about it but it's in the Hangar and there are no seats, only concrete bleachers. Since I have back problems occasionally, I quickly nixed that idea.

Then I thought about Sea Coast Church. I looked them up on the web and pondered it a little but nixed it too.

So I ended up at the 10:30 service at Brookwood Church in Simpsonville. I had not been there in about 2 1/2 or 3 years. It turned out to be a pretty traditional service. They had an acoustic set for the worship time and an older man - the missions pastor - preaching. The music was good and the auditorium was full. The service lasted about 63 minutes from beginning to end.

The one thing that was different was communion. The communion juice and wafer were prepackaged and picked up at the door with the bulletin and a pen as you entered the auditorium. The commercially produced product had a little wafer about the size of a nickel and about as thin as a dime. It was sealed on top of the juice which was in a little round container the size you'd get cream for your coffee in at a restaurant.

Since it was still early in the day when Brookwood let out, I decided to go check out Redemption World Outreach Center. That service was at noon and lasted until about 2:15. It was loud and jumping and shouting and all sorts of commotion. There were dancers on stage and in the aisles. People stood and talked out loud during the message - talking to the pastor, agreeing with what he said. They probably had about 3500 or so people there.

Both pastors were preaching on the prodigal son - which is what Perry preached about at our Christmas Eve services. Hearing 3 different views on this same passage was interesting. But I have to say going to other churches helps to reinforce in my heart that I am right where God wants me to be!!

Pray for Perry

Yesterday, I was convicted that I don't pray for my pastor, Perry Noble, nearly enough. He told a story of being in Sam's with Charisse and Lucretia and having a man come up to him and just really tear him down.

I need to keep lifting Perry and his family before the Lord. Not only does he have the tremendous responsibility of being shepherd to 10,000+ sheep, he is faced with an onslaught of attack by the enemy.

I don't know what would make a man think he has the right or responsibility to tell Perry what he thinks of him while in the middle of a store and Perry is holding his 2 year old daughter.

Father, I pray that you would protect Perry, Lucretia and Charisse. Protect them physically from all the stuff of life - accidents, illness, injury. Protect them emotionally from the barbs and arrows of hate and misunderstanding that are flung in their direction. Protect them spiritually so that they will not grow weary in serving You and so that they will never doubt Your presence or the call on their lives. Help me and others be just as vocal in our love for and support of Perry as those who want to tear him down. Amen

Who's Afraid of Portable Church

Yesterday was the first "tear down" day for me at NewSpring since we went portable. We started a 1:00 and were finished at 2:21. I mean finished with trucks ready to drive off.

We had taken down and loaded all the video, audio, lights and cabling as well as all the children's ministry things. Although this is still a work in progress, the organization was amazing.

First every rolling case for audio, video and lighting had a A, V or L on it (KV for kid video). Also the cases were labeled with a number: 1-# or 2-#. The 1 or 2 indicated the truck it was to go on. The other numbers indicated the order for loading on the truck. Those actually on the truck had a color coded diagram to show what was stacked on top of what and whether the case was to go longways or sideways in the truck.

I only saw 3 trusses (out of 9 or so total) and some plates to hold the trusses that were not on wheels. As things were taken down and packed or covered they were rolled into a single file. Once everything was packed, the train started moving everything to the dock. I couldn't believe all this stuff was packed and ready to go in less than an hour and a half.

Now, this coming Sunday will be my first "load in". I'm sure set-up will take a lot longer. Aligning projectors and hanging screens and white balancing cameras and hanging speakers and lights and running all the cables to make it all work again just takes longer. But I am still so impressed with how it all comes together.

God is so good to give us this place!

Sunday at CFC

Yesterday was my first Sunday at NewSpring - Carolina First Center. I was REALLY impressed with what is being done with a portable church!

As part of the production team, I was able to see all the same equipment we had before, just now in cases with wheels that can be rolled around. The lights, sound, computer set up, KidSpring, all of it was WAY better than I imagined. What's really nice of the CFC is allowing us to set up early and not requiring us to tear down all the stuff in the ballroom if they don't have the room scheduled for use. That means that even though I got to church at 5:30 AM we didn't have a lot to do because most of it was set up on Friday. After church we only had a few TVs to move. I'm sure it will be a lot different when we have to set everything up on Sunday morning. I think that day is coming in a couple of weeks. Should be interesting.

KidSpring is another matter. I went to help them and I must say they are organized in a huge way. A place for everything and everything in it's place. I was surprised to still see inflatables and actors and games and all the things that make KidSpring so much fun. Teaching tools were just as well organized so that everything can put out again next week. The kids areas did have to be completely packed up and moved but it didn't take too long because of the number of people helping and someone knowing where everything went.

One of the things that I wondered about was the volume of the music. I couldn't hear the director and had to watch him so I could read his lips. Kinda freaked him out that I was staring at him so much. Kevin has ordered us all new headsets to help with the noise. The director will get one like they use for NASCAR that has a mic that won't pick up any peripheral noise. Everyone else will have noise cancelling headphones.

But I did wonder if the other 2 churches having services downstairs were drowned out by our music. Maybe with the doors closed the ballroom is pretty soundproof. Guess they will let us know if there is a problem.

Worship - God's Way, Sunday, June 14

We headed back to Segera Mission for Sunday services. About half our group stayed at Segera; the other half walked about an hour through the countryside to another small church. I stayed at the mission.

To say the service was different is, I think, a compliment to the Kenyans. One of the first things I think we all noticed was the attitude of prayer. Even though the service had started and we were standing and singing, late comers - men and women - sat down and prayed before joining in the music. There was prayer and singing, testimonies by elders, more singing and prayer and testimonies by our group, scripture reading and more singing. An offering was taken and people with absolutely nothing found something to give. Everyone was smiling and singing and dancing and having a great time.

What was even more remarkable was that some of these people had walked for over an hour to get there...with small children on their backs, or crippled legs, or bare feet. They wanted more than anything to come to church to worship God.

We had been told in advance to be prepared to share our favorite verse. Mine is Romans 15:13 which I did share - "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust is Him, so that you might overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." But before we got up to speak God overwhelmed me with the verses in Revelation 7. So I shared that too. I really believe I got to see a glimpse of heaven...every nation and tribe and people and language worshiping God together. Here I was in a service being spoken in 3 languages with people vastly different than me in color and dress and tradition but we were all worshiping the same God because of Jesus! I was overcome with the greatness of our God, the omnipresence of God, the majesty of God. It was without a doubt one of the most meaningful worship services I have been in.

NewSpring Greenville Is On the Move

Literally...we are on the move, or at least soon will be. We learned today from Perry that the NewSpring Greenville campus will be giving up its lease on the property we now use.

We sub-lease from Bi-Lo which just declared bankruptcy. The owners of the property now want us to pay the full lease price which is over double what we are paying now. So...Howard and Perry and others have been praying and talking and have signed a contract for us to move to the Carolina First Center in Greenville. This is a 95% done deal.

All I can think is how exciting this is going to be!! We will be able to triple our attendance. Perry preached today from 1 Kings 17 when God told Elijah to go to the brook during the drought but then God allowed the brook to run dry. Do we trust God only when things are going great? Maybe we don't have to trust Him at all during those times. But when we get in a place of desperation, we are set for a new revelation of who God is and just how powerful and faithful He is. So I can't wait to get to our new facilities!

How Can You Not Know

Last Thursday I stopped by Miyako's to see Jeremy for a little while. As I sat at the bar, a nice looking young business man (button up shirt, tie) sat down. After a few minutes he asked Jeremy is this your mother. When I said yes, he introduced himself.

Seems he was Andrew, a guy Jeremy went to public school with and who also grew up in the youth program at FBC. Andrew's mom and I were in the same Sunday school class for many years. We had a really long conversation and some of the things he said made me shake my head.

I brought the conversation around to church and beliefs and listened to him talk about getting into heaven by being good. I wanted to shout at him and ask had he never listened all those years he was in church. I know he heard over and over about Jesus. Yet here was this young, successful man telling me heaven was for good people.

He does feel a void in his life and knows that he should be seeking a church so of course I invited him to NewSpring. I will pray for him to come and to meet Jesus head on. But what amazed me most is how he could not know Jesus is the reason you go to heaven - not being good or bad. Maybe he DOES know but was hesitant to speak Jesus' name. That even happens with active Christ followers.

Great Sunday!

God is soooo good. I can't believe He actually allows me to be part of something as special as NewSpring Church. God is alive and well and leading people to a saving relationship with His son, Jesus.

Perry is currently preaching a series called The Gospel, mainly from Matthew 7. This series started on Easter Sunday and in 2 weeks we've had about 450 people cross over the line from death to life. It is just so awesome to be praying for and expecting God to do miraculous things...and then seeing Him do it!!

The music today was really special in my book. I love every song we sang...Revelation Song, In Christ Alone, Jesus Messiah plus 3 others...all were serious worship songs. And I know more people gave their hearts to Jesus. What an exciting place to be Sunday after Sunday, as God just pours out His Spirit to draw men and women to Himself.

God Is in Control

As I was reading about Joseph and all the things that happened to him, I was reminded that God can take any situation and use it for His glory. When Joseph's brothers were so filled with jealousy and hatred toward him that they plotted to kill him, they decided to sell him as a slave instead. As a 17 year old boy taken from Canaan to Egypt, Joseph continued to serve God. God blessed his work and Joseph became the head slave for the captain of the king's guard. When the captain's wife tried repeatedly to seduce Joseph, he fled her advances until one day she falsely accused him of trying to rape her. This landed Joseph in prison but God continued to bless him and he became the assistant to the jailer.

I don't believe Joseph was happy with his situation. He made a point of asking the king's servant to help him get out of prison because he didn't belong there. TWO YEARS later the servant says to the king BTW...there's this guy in prison who can help you. Joseph was 30 years old before he got out of prison. Then he became 2nd in command for the whole country with only the king having more power than Joseph. All the time Joseph was enslaved and imprisoned he worshiped God. When Joseph was finally reunited with his brothers he recognized and gave credit to God for being in control (Genesis45:7-8).

Sometimes, I think God should just make all my days smooth sailing with no problems or conflicts or "issues" but that is RARELY the case. In fact God uses those tough times to refine me, to build my character, to strengthen my faith, to move me where He wants me. Sometimes the bad days come because I keep ignoring what God is saying to me so He has to take away my job or my finances to make me pay attention. Sometimes he allows hardship for a season because He is preparing me for much, much more and perhaps I would not receive "the more" as the blessing of God without the hardship.

I want to be like Joseph, and Paul (Philippians 4:11-13), being confident of God's love, care and provision no matter what my circumstances.

No Perfect People Allowed

Perry just started a new series at NewSpring called No Perfect People Allowed. I am so glad God didn't require me to come up to His standards before I could come to Him as my Savior. In fact, the Bible tells me that while I was still a sinner, Christ died for me (Romans 5:8).

Over and over God uses imperfect people who mess up. Jacob was like that. With his mother's help, Jacob deceived his father in order to steal Esau's blessing. Yet God continued to proclaim His covenant to Jacob and to show Jacob who He is. How did Jacob respond? The way I should - by worshiping God.

I am so glad that God gives me second chances. I can never be what He wants me to be apart from the Spirit of God that lives within me. As long as I walk this earth I WILL screw up but I have the assurance of 1 John 1:9 to know I can be forgiven.

Been a WooHoo! Day

WOW! What a great day at NewSpring. Perry started a new series today called No Perfect People Allowed. He was so PUMPED about casting the vision God has given him that it pumped ME up. What a privilege to be part of all God is doing!! It was great to hear how God called Perry to plant NewSpring church and how faithful God has been to fulfill the vision. Perry talked about times when he had doubts and fears and misgivings but he has always let God take the lead and has strived to be obedient. And God has poured out his blessing on all that is going on.

It was announced today that the Greenville campus will start a 6PM service on January 18. So excited about that. We had 1959 people in both services today - almost 1300 at 11:15 - and we've only been around since July 13. God is growing his church!

Thank you, JESUS, for allowing me to be a small part of what you are doing.

What is my aroma?

Today one of the errands I had to run was to the garbage dump. Usually it smells just like what it is - garbage. But today there were stacks of Christmas trees waiting to be recycled. The aroma of the Christmas trees was strong enough to mask the aroma of the garbage.

It made me think about my aroma. In 2 Corinthians 2:14-15, Paul likens himself, and all Christ Followers, to the aroma of Christ to those being saved and those who are perishing. And it made me think about my aroma. AM I the aroma of Christ to those I come in contact with? Do I have about me an aroma that makes others want what I have?