chazzdaddy

Archive for November, 2007|Monthly archive page

big news

In Church History, New Hope Stuff, Wooster Campus on November 30, 2007 at 2:12 pm

Who would have thought? Big news here…I won’t even keep you hanging…here it is:

Our Wooster Campus will be moving to their permanent home in 2 weeks! You heard right! Our new facility that we are remodeling will be our home outpost on a permanent basis.

No, construction won’t be finished until January-February (depending on how many of our amazing workers show up!), but we are far enough along to move in so we can have our own space by Christmas! God is good!

Here are the details on how you can help make this happen:

WE NEED WORKERS EVERY NIGHT (No Sunday’s) UNTIL DECEMBER 22nd to help with some things to get us over the hump so we can have the space at least to the point of occupancy. Please come out…our team will be there every night to make this happen…FOOD PROVIDED (that’s the best part I think…besides all that stuff about saving souls for eternity!)

And that includes Loudonville Campus brothers and sisters. At our Loudonville Campus we will be pushing especially for help the next 2 Saturdays and any night you are available to head to Wooster. We have a great group of people who have amazing hearts to serve our King! Thank you!

Our service schedule will look like this:

Sunday, December 2nd and 9th @ Wooster High School @ 10:30

Sunday, December 16th @ 10:30 @ our NEW FACILITY!

SPECIAL CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE: Sunday, December 22nd @ 11:00 am @ NEW FACILITY!!!

All Sunday’s after that: REGULAR TIME (10:30 am) @ our NEW FACILITY!!!

Excuse the dust…and bring a friend! Here we go!

PS…A little church history for ya this AM…for those who still like to bust instruments in church worship (especially satanic back beats) check out Martin Luther’s position on organs…

ohh…and don’t forget to come support the kidz christmas outreach!

blessings and peace.

trees

In New Hope Stuff; Teaching Series; Ashland Campus; Wooster Campus on November 29, 2007 at 5:27 pm


Our current series starting this weekend is going to be amazing. All I can say, is BRING AS MANY PEOPLE AS YOU CAN! We will be preparing for Christmas this weekend with a message that is totally different from anything we have done before…you don’t want to miss it! And all I can say about our teams who decorated the church and the set is…WOW. God certainly has gifted people in unique ways at all our campuses!

Weeks 2 and Christmas Eve, I will be presenting the gospel, so if you are looking to bring people who need a clear presentation of the gospel, those are the weeks! I am so excited about Christmas Eve. Our team is putting together a service like no other to welcome the birth of our Savior! We have an amazing group of people (including you) who believe in this mission and will do anything to see people come to know our great God!

And please note special Christmas Eve Service Times (all services are identical):

Loudonville Campus
Saturday, Dec. 22: NO SERVICES
Sunday, December 23: 5 & 7 pm (no AM services in Loudonville)
Monday, December 24: 5 & 7 pm

Wooster Campus
Sunday, December 22nd @ 11:00 am at our NEW FACILITY!

Lastly, our next Ashland Campus Launch Team Informational Meeting is Wednesday, December 5th @ 6:30 @ our Loudonville Campus. Bring your favorite snack or dessert if you can. Childcare provided…no obligation, just information! Come on out an hear what God is doing in the Ashland area as we hope to launch this campus next Fall.

And if you could…pray for my family, we have a huge burden on our hearts right now. thanks.

Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. Psalm 20:7

blessings and peace!

grow

In Church Leadership; Discipleship; Growth in Christ on November 27, 2007 at 2:56 pm


Seems that there is quite a stir over what churches are producing the best growth in Christians. I wish there was more of a stir on why most churches aren’t producing any Christians, much less how they are growing…but for another time. Willow Creek, the big church that helped many of us realize that we must step outside the four walls of the church has been actively engaged in seeking whether or not there is “growth” produced in new believers all the way through mature believers. It seems that much of the findings were taken out of context and Tony Morgan has posted a great read on this topic of growth and what the action Willow is taking is really all about. PLEASE READ IT.

So here is my rambling on this (read the article or at least skim it so this makes sense):

1. Most “new believers” are so engaged in the MISSION of Christ (the Church) that they are self-feeding and self-fired up daily to serve Christ.

2. Over time this fades for whatever reason, and I say this hesitantly “mature” believers become dissatisfied with the church and their “growth.”

3. It is not the churches job to “produce growth” it is OUR job through our walk with God and the Holy Spirit. I don’t want a mortal being my primary growth engine.

4. The church helps SPUR ON what Christ is doing in us, but WE must maintain this connection.

5. I as Pastor am rarely “fed” by others, am rarely engaged in “classes for growth” etc. But for whatever strange reason, I am still bleeding the mission of Christ and the group of people who call themselves New Hope Community Church. I am so engaged in raising others around me up and reaching the lost, and helping to reach the outcast, that I don’t have much time to complain about “me” not getting fed enough.

6. It is my daily job to grow with Christ. Not a weekend event or a class event or even a small group event. It must be a consistent walk with the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. We must all learn to become engaged in a mission so much larger than ourselves and learn to become “self feeders.”

Blessings and peace…oh, and growth in Lord!

i heart monday

In Family, My Life, New Hope Stuff on November 26, 2007 at 2:58 pm

The Top 7 Things on My Mind Today:

1. I gained weight this weekend, I am going to run.

2. We are going to get our Christmas Tree today.

3. I am supposed to put up our Christmas lights today.
(Kicker? It is pouring rain/and changing to snow later today…can’t wait! I am certain that it won’t stop…until tomorrow, and it will be like 72 degrees because that is life in Ohio.)

4. My neighbor who is a wonderful older lady is paying for me to buy a monster snow blower for the neighborhood. In exchange we will do her house. (That’s a deal!)

5. We will be finalizing our Wooster Building Project this week and hope to occupy the facility in the next 8-10 weeks. So be happy tear-down/set-up crew…your sentence is almost over! And on a flip note, our second Ashland Launch Team informational meeting is THURSDAY, December 15th @ 6:30pm @ the Loudonville Campus…free childcare! Our campuses are off and running! Watch the website for more info or drop me an e-mail!

6. We are starting our new series called TREES this weekend. It will be amazing. PLEASE BRING SOMEONE! Work like mad…it’s about expanding HIS Kingdom! Go…bake cookies, buy gifts, whatever it takes…BUILD A RELATIONSHIP! It will pay eternal dividends!

7. Our KIA teams are assaulting the community. Free Thanksgiving meals, hot chocolate at the local holiday parade, and collecting thousands of dollars of toys, clothes and gifts for those in need…and so much more. That’s the CHURCH in action!

Bonus: 8. We serve an awesome God and I am glad I am a part of ushering in HIS Kingdom!

(If you missed my Mom’s guest post last week…see below!)

Blessings and peace.

SPECIAL GUEST POST: From the heart of my Mama in China…

In Uncategorized on November 20, 2007 at 1:33 am

Putting on the Character of Jesus

I am so thankful for the series called “Mosaic”. We gathered this Sunday to worship and learn with all you New Hopers and I was blessed as I was reminded that as part of the body I am never insignificant. I really thought that when we were sent over here that we would do great things for the Kingdom and many would come to know Jesus as their Savior. It has been a year and it is slow going. God is showing me that part of my purpose in China is giving Christ’s invisible character a glimpse of visibility. Let me share a victorious story with you about carrying the character of Christ in all you do.

I was thinking, “Father that I really don’t feel like running today I think I will just stay in and meditate on your word and clean house and pray, you know Father anything but go run.” My Father reminded me that my running time belonged to Him and to get out there.

It was one of those beautiful China days, you know, blue skies, puffy white clouds and a soft breeze blowing off the river. I ran down to the river about 11/2 miles and on the way said hi in mandarin to at least 5 guards and many workers and most of them did not even look up to acknowledge me. I started praying and asking my Father to help me to keep on showing love for the people even though they acted as if they never saw me. “Father this is a normal day with no one smiling and everyone ignoring me. I am really trying Father to show them I care about them and love them so please help me to not give up! Jesus help me to make it through these 9 miles because it is really hot I know I need to press toward the goal and my prize will be when one of these workers waves or smiles at me, after all Lord it had been 3 months!”

So here I am running all sweaty and tired and I saw a Chinese Lady looking at me so I quickly raised my hand and waved at her and as I passed her I said “Hi” and she waved back!! I was so excited I started jumping up and down when I knew no one was looking. So I continued my run and as I rounded the corner there she was pointing at her wrist so I assumed that she wanted to look at my watch to see what time it was. I stopped and showed her the time and held her hand (which is just not done here) and claimed her for the kingdom and went about my run.

About 2 days later I was running and I saw her from the back as she swept the leaves off the grass. I thought she did not see me and was hoping to see her when I came back around. Sure enough there she was pointing at her wrist wanting the time. I stopped and showed her the time and claimed her for the Kingdom and went about my running. I did not get 10 steps away when my Jesus said to me “give her your watch”. I was so excited that I turned right around and started running toward her all the while taking off my watch. With both hands I gave her my watch and bowed my head in respect to her however she wouldn’t take the gift. I finally just put the watch in her hands and ran off knowing I had won the prize!!!

The next day as I was running at the river I noticed that at least 5 workers waved and smiled and spoke Hello to me. As I got to the end of the path at the river I saw her sitting, waiting for me, and as I came closer to her she held up her wrist and pointed to the watch with her toothless grin she bowed her head to me. I stopped and walked up to her and as I did she gave me a big hug and said “sha sha” which means thank you. Because I never gave up loving and caring for these people and putting on the character of Jesus, I won the prize, a smile and a hug. It may not look in mans eyes like much is happening over here however with a yielding spirit, in obedience to His calling, I am becoming more like Christ which is all I want others to see in me.

I am only one small block in the body of Christ, I will remain there Victorious, I will never again feel insignificant.

His Servant,

Mary


See…I have the best Mama in the world. This is where I learned to see Christ in a new way. By watching the faithfulness of my Mother. Love ya Mom! Can’t wait to see you in a few weeks! Thanks for answering the call. Blessings and peace this THANKSgiving week.

(Pic is me and my Mama baptizing someone she led to the Lord in Loudonville!)

eyes

In Church Leadership on November 16, 2007 at 7:43 pm


So not that our youth guy Tom didn’t have enough adventure spending a night on the streets (or at least part of a night) with the youth of New Hope…he was up bright and early and let me know Gordon MacDonald would be at ATS today…Gordon spoke about having a Christian Worldview {A worldview is a set of presuppositions (or assumptions) which we hold (consciously or unconsciously) about the basic make-up of our world. –James Sire}… something that our society is slipping from more and more each day. So here is the brief synopsis for those who love to dig in…

1. God is the author of creation.

a. Creation is designed to reflect His nature and glory.

b. All things belong to Him.

c. We are stewards of creation.

2. All of human life was/is designed to live in communion with God and according to His purposes.

a. We are to be in His family.

b. We are to serve in His household.

c. We were meant to reflect His splendor.

3. Creation (and humanity) are damaged/broken through the effects of evil.

a. The result is ambient violence and abuse of power.

b. Result: humanity is “enslaved”.

c. The ultimate consequence is a form of condemnation.

4. God has set into motion a redemptive effort.

a. Jesus is the agent of redemption.

b. Grace, not retribution is God’s intention.

c. Freedom is the highest way of life.

d. Faith is the way to redemption.

5. The Church is designed to be God’s corporate witness and servant to the world.

a. We are in community.

b. Our brand is Christ-like love.

c. We are called to be noble servants doing the world of Christ.

6. We are called to live/work in the world, and our model of life is stewardship.

a. We are called to be generous.

b. We are to be faithful.

c. We are to be worshipful.

7. There is life beyond death, and it is identified with heaven.

a. An ageless, timeless experience.

b. A life of discovery.

c. A life of solidarity.

Where we might be heading?

1. Church movement in North America will change in organizing principals, practice.

2. Theology will be taking dramatic turns in the road. (Franciscan Perspective)

a. Concern for creation.

b. Expansion of sanctity/life issues.

c. Compassion: weak/poor/marginalized.

d. Servant emphasis.

e. Community/relationships/movement.

f. Prophetic voice in to systems/structures.

I told ya…you have to dig…this is not fluffy stuff. Now what will we do with this…???

Blessings and peace today!

PS: 41 people and many who could not make it at our first Ashland Launch Team informational meeting last night @ New Hope…too cool. God continues to blow me away…

dad

In Devotional, Family, New Hope Stuff on November 15, 2007 at 12:45 am


So I just sent my son an e-mail because he hasn’t gotten any in a while…and I signed it DAD. Don’t think I have ever signed anything DAD before…it made me freak out and kind of feel old. (My apologies…) And I sure do miss my Dad and Mom…Mom will be home in 3 weeks, Dad in 5!!!!! (They are in China if you are new to this place…)

I’m a Dad…I am a Dad…weird…you know sometimes stuff just slows down enough to sink in, and weird me out.

Anyway, the pic is what my Wife discovered last night when she left me home alone with the kids…or she left the kid home with the kids. Took 2 showers to get rid of that homemade tat. and for once, she didn’t yell at me! (But I will get it when Join thinks because she can write on me, she can write on anything…)

This all reminds me of the love our heavenly Father has for us. He is surprising, outrageous at times, fun, and faithful…not to mention a bunch of other things.

“Our Father in Heaven…hallowed be your name, your KINGDOM come, YOUR will be done…”

p.s.–We got a contract on our Wooster house! What an answer to prayer! 1 down, Ashland house to go! Know anyone who wants to rent to own an amazing house in Ashland? Drop me a line! ($1195 a month)

God is so good. Be in prayer…tomorrow is our first Ashland Campus launch team informational meeting. (6:30 @ the Loudonville Campus…dinner and childcare provided). It brought back some deja vu for me! It was exactly 7 years ago that New Hope began as Tiffany and I decided that God was leading us to Loudonville to start New Hope…and here we go again. Who would have ever imagined this?

blessings and peace.

coming soon…

In New Hope Stuff; Teaching Series on November 13, 2007 at 2:09 am

1. My first Coke in a long time….and maybe some Apple Crisp, but it is getting late.

2. Our numbers from Building New Hope Wooster.

3. Our first Ashland Campus Informational Meeting this Thursday Night @ 6:30 @ the Loudonville Campus. All welcome…no obligations…free childcare and dinner!

4. A guest blog from my Mama in China.

5. An amazing Christmas Series…I can’t wait.

6. Oops…dare I forget Thanksgiving Eve Prayer and Praise Services (5 Lville//6:30 Wooster//7 LVille)…Simply one of the best of the year!

7. Watching the rest of The Undertaking @ PBS.com…it is fascinating.

8. Another Bengals victory…or not (7 field goals?). The Bucks and the Browns made me sick…at least one of my squads pulled it out!

9. And I will be at the Ashland playoff game this Friday Night @ Freemont, OH.

10. Lord-willing, some great rest tonight and another day to serve our King.

blessings and peace!

“In the beginning…God!” (Genesis 1:1)

snot

In Church Leadership; Discipleship; Growth in Christ, Devotional on November 10, 2007 at 8:12 pm

Yes, snot. And lots of it. In my sinuses. Not good for preaching. So yes, I am not well this weekend…think it has anything to do with the series we are in? But what I want to write to encourage everyone with is that it seems that when we are at our lowest, that God always seems to show Himself so true. Right when we need it. When the snot is rubbing us raw…He hands us the decongestant and Kleenex.

Like during this insane week with our staff having to pick up the slack with our Campus Pastor in Wooster (get well Matt!) being in the hospital and their capital campaign this week (receiving pledges this weekend) and me being ill, and then having to spend time at the hospital with a suicidal neighbor last night…God sends a breakthrough.

My study this morning for the message came together well, but we also are getting calls on our houses we have for sale. If you didn’t know, I sell a house or two on the side to try to pay off those wonderful student loans and to make our building fund pledge. And of course so I can buy golf and ski equipment and Lord-willing, my wife wants a purse. (She never buys anything, but loves purses…you know, the really expensive kind that I have never been able to buy her). But mark my words…I will soon. (By the way…both are amazing houses, fully remodeled…1 in Ashland (btw: Go Arrows Football), and 1 in Wooster if you or someone you know is looking! Give me a call or e-mail…pleeeeeeeeease.) And it sure has been tougher than normal with this crazy market we are in!

But as I sat here this morning, He just showed Himself true, whether or not these calls amount to anything…I needed it. Just in the nick of time. I needed a boost, and not just from the drugs and energy drinks I am on to get through the weekend. We serve a great God, and I give Him praise today…even with the snot flowing!

Here is a great verse to meditate on that we are examining this weekend. May it bless you:

Luke 11:28–”Jesus replied, “But even more blessed are all who hear the word of God and put it into practice.” (nlt)

blessings and peace as we put His Word into practice and not just allow it to collect dust or…well, you know.

battles and victories

In Church Leadership, Devotional, New Hope Stuff; Teaching Series on November 8, 2007 at 3:30 pm


Good morning! As I sit and journal here on-line and listen to some kickin’ worship of our God, I want to update you on what is going on as we progress through this teaching series…crazy stuff! I am not always sure where events come from. Is God testing us, or is Satan attacking? Ever ask that question? It is hard to determine, but one this I know is that we are to press on in our mission for the King! I also know that when we are attacked or tested that God will bring it about for good!

Since beginning this series, Pastor Matt (Wooster Campus Pastor) is back in the hospital, other staff are ill, and I spent a day in the hospital 10 days ago, but am battling through it. Tonight is our Wooster Capital Campaign banquet and I woke up with a throat on fire. (Praise God the Dr. had an opening this AM as I need it, as well as a follow-up from my hospital visit 10 days ago!) I am understanding more and more that there is a battle raging.

But God is at work. The battle and victory is HIS! Claim this today in your life!

Last weekend around 30 people trusted Christ as we opened this series up. We had record attendance for the year, and other blessings have come into my life as well, so we take the blessings with the trials! A big blessing is if you look to the right of the blog and see the China flag as a city that has been online to my blog…it was my Mom who for the FIRST time was not blocked from my blog and spent a huge time reading it yesterday! What a blessed breakthrough that is! Hi Mom! Love you!

We also found a great spot for our Ashland Campus as a possibility. Things are moving forward! Pray that the people and finances will come through as we take our ministry to those around us! We need to as we are maxed again in 3 services at our Loudonville Campus. We serve a great God!

I had my interview with the “psychic” last night. Thanks to all who prayed for us during that time and leading up to it. I felt very impressed to investigate what goes on in the other side so as to not be ignorant. I will be sharing footage and stories about it this week as we unpack what all this stuff means.

Thanks to those of you who also are leaving your supernatural encounters on our main web page. And if you don’t attend New Hope, please listen on-line each week to follow the teachings as they unfold.

Stay in prayer for us!

Meditate on these verses ( I love how the KJV renders it!):

Ephesians 6:11–”Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

12For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

13Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”

blessings and peace today.

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