Big Announcement - Take 2

Well, the BIG Announcement I spoke about on Friday has been put on hold for a couple more days. The T's are still uncrossed and there are a couple if I's that need to be dotted. However, that announcement will be coming by the end of the week!

In the meantime I want to tell you about another initiative that NewSpective Church will be participating in this June.

One Prayer is a prayer initiative, initiated by LifeChurch.tv. Craig Groeschel is their Lead Pastor and the author of a great book, "Confessions of a Pastor." The premise behind, One Prayer is that hundreds of churches, all across America, would join together for a four week series of talks on Prayer. I am so stoked about this series and the way in which it is coming together that I can't wait for NewSpective Church to join in this effort.

Rather than have me tell you all about it, I'll let Craig tell you directly. Check it out by clicking the Play Button on the video below.



It's going to be amazing and I can't wait.

Let me know what you think of the idea.

G3,

BIG ANNOUNCEMENT

I just got back from a meeting and while I can't tell you all the details yet, look for a big announcement here within the next few days.

It's going to be big.

I'm talking B I G!

In fact, I believe it's going to totally change NewSpective Church and the impact we are going to have on the Lehigh Valley.

Stay tuned.

Did I tell you it's going to be BIG?

G3,

Be Encouraged!

The other day I received a Google Chat message from a friend of mine. He wanted to reach out to me and encourage me in our ministry here at NewSpective Church. While I won't go into his entire message, one of the things he said was:

We don't often get to hear from people that we are doing things right, but I just wanted to let you know that I think you are doing things right. It takes a remarkable individual to be sensitive to what is culturally relevant and biblically inspired to set tone, environment, and message.

The reason I'm telling you this is that I agree with the encourager's perspective. We don't often hear from people that we are doing things right. We don't often get encouraged and told that we are making a difference.

So, I wanted to take a moment and give a shout out to our entire NewSpective Church family. People, you're doing it right. God is blessing NewSpective by preparing our fields for His harvest. Some of you, in your last ministry post, were simply attenders. You went to the service and went home. Today, you are pulling the trailer, setting up equipment, doing administrative work, teaching NewKids, running cables, arriving early, staying late, playing music, handing out worship guides and much more. In short, you're doing a great job! I'm proud to be your pastor and pray that God will continue to use this church to reach and impact the Lehigh Valley for Christ.

Be Encouraged! God is Good!

G3,

22 Years! What a Saint!

It's been over a week since my last post. I should apologize for that or try and make some kind of excuse like, Easter weekend was busy or I'm trying to finish my 2007 taxes and haven't had time to blog. However, the reality is, I was just having trouble coming up with something better than the "Steven Bauer" photo. (see post below)

I finally have it. A photo of my wife!

You see, last Friday we celebrated our 16th wedding anniversary. I know what some of you are thinking. If they celebrated their 16th anniversary, why is this post titled, "22 Years!"

Well, there's a very simple explanation for that. You see, Jennifer and I dated for 6 years prior to getting married and this November will mark 22 years since I first tricked her into going on our first date. 22 years of putting up with me and my idiosyncrasies. 22 years of financial ups and downs. 22 years of job changes, ministry changes, people talking about me behind my back and 22 years of dealing with the challenges of being married to an ESTJ.

Let me just say this. 22 Years of me. . . is a challenge. Jennifer is a beautiful, caring, strong, sexy woman. I wouldn't want any one else on the planet, to have been by my side these past 22 years and I can't wait to see what God has in store for our next 22 + years.

Jennifer, I Love You!

G3,

I Want To Be . . . Jack Bauer

Last January, Jennifer and I began watching the 6th season of "24." After just a couple of weeks, we were hooked. We didn't miss an episode and if we had to, we DVR'd it so that we could watch it as soon as we got home.

If you are a "24" fan at all, you know the new season was put on hold due to the writers strike and Jack won't be back until January of 09. However, Jennifer and I have been able to maintain our "24" fix, thanks to Jennifer's sister, Jovine (pronouced Javeen). She owns the first 5 seasons and Jennifer and I have been methodically watching all of them. In fact we are currently about 6 episodes away from the end of season 5 and then I'm not sure what we're going to do until January.

One of the things that amazes me about Jack Bauer, aside from the fact that he doesn't eat or use the bathroom for an entire 24 hour period of time, is his commitment. Jack has a dedication to his job, his country, his goals and his duty like no other man I've ever seen. Over the 5 3/4 seasons that we've watched, Jack has given up his family, his wife, his daughter, his friends, his co-workers and his life for his cause. He's willing to do "whatever it takes" to get the job done, protect his country and save the world.

What if we, bible believing Christ followers had this same kind of dedication to saving the world as Jack does? What if we were willing to lay down our lives, give up everything we are and all we have for the sake of Christ Jesus?

In our Connecting Point on Friday night, we are going through the book of Romans and last week we read Romans chapter 9. I was convicted by Paul's convictions in verses 1-3. What if we had this same kind of conviction and dedication to reaching those who we care about, those who are in our sphere of influence?

How much different would our world be if we were more like Jack . . . Dedicated to the cause. . . of Christ?

G3,

Snow Cones and Flood Waters

When I was a kid, I used to love snow cones. On a hot Summer day, there's just nothing like a cup of pure, clean water that's been frozen and then shaved into little pieces, with the sweetest raspberry syrup poured all over it. (For those of you who prefer cherry or blueberry, I would question your salvation*.)

The snow cone is a staple at street fairs, carnivals, fireworks displays and many other community Summer festivals. While I love a good Snow Cone, when you break it down to it's simples form, it's just water. Simple, pure, clean refreshing water.

As I drive to work everyday, I follow a river along route 46 in New Jersey. With all of the rain we've had lately the river has risen above the normal bank and is dangerously close to the road. In fact there's a house along the river that has a bridge connecting the main house to a little island in the middle of the river. There is a small building on the island. As I past by the bridge yesterday I realized that about 1/3 of the bridge was completely under the water level. In fact the water was moving so fast and so powerfully over the bridge that you could see sticks and branches going across where the bridge normally is. In many parts of the river the water is moving so fast that all kinds of debris is just flying by.

As I thought about this raging river, I couldn't help but realize that in it's simplest form, it's just water. The same water, although much cleaner, that is used to create the amazing Summer refreshment that we call a snow cone.

So, what's the difference? . . . Power!

The same God who can take H2O and compress it and freeze it to make ice, can take the same H2O and let it loose down the raging river. The same God who can comfort and heal a broken heart can take that same person and let them loose to impact their world for Christ.

So, here's my question. Are you a frozen block of ice simply looking for refreshment or are you a raging river, looking to impact your world? Sometimes we need the refreshment and other times we need to be raging. However, we can't be just one all the time. All raging and no refreshing will kill a person. On the flip side, all refreshment with no raging isn't what God has called us to do.

G3,

*Please note: The cherry/blueberry comment with regards to salvation was just a joke. I realize that raspberry snow cones don't get you into heaven.