Like everyone, I'm a bit concerned (I won't say "worried", 'cause worry is a sin!) about what 2009 is going to bring. The great thing is that God's not concerned at all. He knows what's coming down the road for me, my family, my church, my country. And He's got a plan.
My job - your job as a Christ follower - is to discover that plan and follow it. That may mean we all have to make some adjustments in our way of life. You probably already have. I'm always looking, for example, for simple ways to save money.
But it's the mystery ahead that often causes us to fear. We are naturally afraid of the unknown.
With that in mind, I'm starting January's first two Sundays off with a little mini-series I'm calling, "If Only I Had a Crystal Ball". The obvious implication is that I don't have one. So do I panic over what I can't see or know? I hope not.
The first Sunday I'll take us to some promises in the Bible about events God has planned that are getting closer every day, and why those events bring hope to us, even in the darkest of times.
The second Sunday we'll switch over to asking, "So what should we as a church be doing this new year full of unknowns?" As you did last Sunday from Larry Benson, you'll hear a word that might be somewhat new to you: "missional". And I'll talk about the difference between planning for the future and being prepared for it.
Then on January 18 Doug Whitley will be with us to help me launch into a new series on the life of Moses. I've wanted to teach through Moses' life for a long time. You can find out about Doug by visiting this site. But I promise you won't want to miss that Sunday.
Another thing coming in January will be the appearance of a new blog site (taking the place of this one) just for us at NHC to use interactively. I hope it's use will grow and be an encouragement to the church family as we share what God is doing and how He's growing us.
January is also a month when we support our local Crisis Pregnancy Center. You'll see baby bottles at church. Take one home and during January fill it up with change (or bills). Then at the end of the month we'll give it all to the Center to help them save the lives of otherwise unwanted babies and educate young girls and women on how to be good moms. They also share Christ very effectively with them.
So, don't be scarce in January! Lots of great opportunities to learn, grow and serve are ahead.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Christmas Eve and Sunday Flashback
Unbelievably, I rarely touched my computer between Christmas Eve and today. With all the family together like we were for the holidays I had other priorities. But today it's back to work!
First, Christmas Eve's worship gathering was phenomenal. This was our 17th consecutive year for doing this, and every year it grows. Nate did a great job putting it all together, and the MP13 Band and our NHC Worship Choir are both top notch when it comes to leading us in worship. Instead of a the usual Christmas sermon we used a series of short videos we got from BluefishTV that I recommend highly for advent. There were 5 of them that told the story from the Old Testament prophecies through the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem. In between each video clip the Band and choir led us in a Christmas song. The link above will allow you to view them.
One of the results of being a growing church was that we almost ran out of communion elements. Gotta pick up another tray or two! We were set up seating-wise for 185 ("with so many people out of town...") but had about 225 in the service. So, thanks to Mike and his team for scrambling (again) to get more chairs set up. Thanks, too, to the children's ministry and nursery teams for providing child care. The little ones had a birthday party for Jesus. Guests were there from as far away as Australia and Canada.
Sunday was a breather for me. Not having to preach allowed me to relax and enjoy Christmas a little more with so many of our family in town. So, a special thanks to our missionary to Honduras, Larry Benson for taking the lead Sunday and bringing a great message on our "missional" God and what that means. I took lots of notes and he had my brain working overtime.
The 9AM gathering was really sparcely populated! It's the one most of our local congregation attends. But I knew that meant 11:00 would be slammed, which it was. Even though it was after Christmas we still enjoyed some Christmas music, too. Next Sunday we'll put up some round tables in the auditorium again, which is a luxury we can afford in the winter months. We tried it last year and the tables became hugely popular, giving attenders a place to spread out their notes, Bibles and coffee!
It's hard to believe another year has come and gone. For so many reasons 2008 was the best year ever for our church. More was accomplished for ministry and missions and by more people being involved than we've ever experienced. The church continues to grow in health and strength. 2009 will, no doubt, pose some new challenges with the economy, etc. So we will get to see God work even more as we learn to trust in Him.
First, Christmas Eve's worship gathering was phenomenal. This was our 17th consecutive year for doing this, and every year it grows. Nate did a great job putting it all together, and the MP13 Band and our NHC Worship Choir are both top notch when it comes to leading us in worship. Instead of a the usual Christmas sermon we used a series of short videos we got from BluefishTV that I recommend highly for advent. There were 5 of them that told the story from the Old Testament prophecies through the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem. In between each video clip the Band and choir led us in a Christmas song. The link above will allow you to view them.
One of the results of being a growing church was that we almost ran out of communion elements. Gotta pick up another tray or two! We were set up seating-wise for 185 ("with so many people out of town...") but had about 225 in the service. So, thanks to Mike and his team for scrambling (again) to get more chairs set up. Thanks, too, to the children's ministry and nursery teams for providing child care. The little ones had a birthday party for Jesus. Guests were there from as far away as Australia and Canada.
Sunday was a breather for me. Not having to preach allowed me to relax and enjoy Christmas a little more with so many of our family in town. So, a special thanks to our missionary to Honduras, Larry Benson for taking the lead Sunday and bringing a great message on our "missional" God and what that means. I took lots of notes and he had my brain working overtime.
The 9AM gathering was really sparcely populated! It's the one most of our local congregation attends. But I knew that meant 11:00 would be slammed, which it was. Even though it was after Christmas we still enjoyed some Christmas music, too. Next Sunday we'll put up some round tables in the auditorium again, which is a luxury we can afford in the winter months. We tried it last year and the tables became hugely popular, giving attenders a place to spread out their notes, Bibles and coffee!
It's hard to believe another year has come and gone. For so many reasons 2008 was the best year ever for our church. More was accomplished for ministry and missions and by more people being involved than we've ever experienced. The church continues to grow in health and strength. 2009 will, no doubt, pose some new challenges with the economy, etc. So we will get to see God work even more as we learn to trust in Him.
Monday, December 22, 2008
Sunday Flashback
Christmas joy abounded at church yesterday! People were obviously abuzz with the excitement of the Season. Lots were going around handing out Christmas cards and gifts. I'm munching right now on my bag of macadamia nuts Roxanne gives me every year.
More folks were checking into two new courses set to begin in January - Divorce Care and Focusing on Christian Womanhood. There should be a video promo for the latter next Sunday.
I don't know of a church around with the quality of music God has blessed us with. And what's so great about being able to say that is some of us old timers can remember when this church had no musical talent. Nada. The Christmas carols yesterday were fantastic, including "Gloria (Angels We Have Heard on High)" and "O Holy Night". My dad, who with Mom is visiting for Christmas, said (about Thanisha), "That girl can SING!". And the choir was sooo goood. Their best yet. The MP13 Band also intro'd The David Crowder Band's "O Praise Him". Perfect for Christmas.
(I'm waiting for Crowder's version of "I Saw the Light". I'll dust off my banjo.)
My message title, "Mythbusters: Jolly Old St. Nick", was a bit intriguing for many ("Where's he going with this?"). It should be up on the podcast shortly. Sorry (to any zealots out there), but I didn't attack Santa! What I did was talk about the real St. Nicholas and the role he played in the Council of Nicaea, giving Christianity the Nicene Creed, which stated the orthodox (definition 1a) view of Christ. Before he died and all kinds of myths and legends were spread about him he was a defender of the biblical Christ. Then we turned to John 1 to get the Bible's take on who Jesus is.
After the message I had some great interaction. One attender approached me saying, "For 50 years I've recited the Nicene Creed and never knew what I learned today". A couple more had great questions about the Trinity. Best of all one young lady came up to me after and said, "Thanks for helping me to believe". She had unwrapped God's Gift (John 3:16) to her.
It's so awesome to be in a church where so many grasp the purposes God has for us and live it out. Sunday's are always a celebration. Yesterday I shared some of what the church has been doing in the past few weeks to reach out to our community and world.
Welcome home Emily Benson from her time as a missionary in Honduras!
Welcome home Dale Hamilton from Iraq! (He returns January 3).
Congrats to Jay S. for graduating from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary!
Wednesday night is our Christmas Eve Worship Gathering at 6PM. Please join us!
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Christmas Quiz Answers
Dates and Mates
1. d The Bible gives no record of their means of travel.
2. c Matthew 1:18
3. b and c Matthew 1:19; Luke 1:39, 56
4. d December 25 was selected late in the 4th century as the day to celebrate Christ’s birth
Kings and Wings
5. c Luke 2: 1
6. c
7. c Luke 2:10 (“the angel said to them”)
8. d Luke 2:13 (They didn’t sing; they said. OK, if you picked c we’ll give you a point.
Barns and Yarns
9. e Luke 2:7 (We aren’t told where Jesus was born, only that after His birth He was laid in a manger.)
10. d The Bible doesn’t say anything about animals being present.
11. c
12. b He was fully human as well as fully God.
Signs and Lines
13. c Luke 2:4
14. e none of the above (Three kings are not mentioned in the Bible. Only in songs.)
15. c Luke 2:12
16. e An innkeeper is never mentioned in the Scriptures.
Wise Guys and Testing Lies
17. The Bible doesn’t say how many – only that Magi came bringing gold, frankincense and myrrh (see Matt. 2 :12).
18. c Astrologers who dabble in the natural sciences.
19. b Matthew 2:11
20. b Check it out!
1. d The Bible gives no record of their means of travel.
2. c Matthew 1:18
3. b and c Matthew 1:19; Luke 1:39, 56
4. d December 25 was selected late in the 4th century as the day to celebrate Christ’s birth
Kings and Wings
5. c Luke 2: 1
6. c
7. c Luke 2:10 (“the angel said to them”)
8. d Luke 2:13 (They didn’t sing; they said. OK, if you picked c we’ll give you a point.
Barns and Yarns
9. e Luke 2:7 (We aren’t told where Jesus was born, only that after His birth He was laid in a manger.)
10. d The Bible doesn’t say anything about animals being present.
11. c
12. b He was fully human as well as fully God.
Signs and Lines
13. c Luke 2:4
14. e none of the above (Three kings are not mentioned in the Bible. Only in songs.)
15. c Luke 2:12
16. e An innkeeper is never mentioned in the Scriptures.
Wise Guys and Testing Lies
17. The Bible doesn’t say how many – only that Magi came bringing gold, frankincense and myrrh (see Matt. 2 :12).
18. c Astrologers who dabble in the natural sciences.
19. b Matthew 2:11
20. b Check it out!
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Rick Warren invited to give Obama's inaugural invocation
Sen. Obama is getting a lot of flack (especially from gay organizations) for asking Rick Warren to say the prayer at the beginning of the inauguration. Warren will get a lot of flack from fundamentalists for being on the platform with Obama. (But flack from fundamentalists isn't necessarily a bad thing, IMO).
There are big differences between the men on issues such as abortion and homosexuality.
What do you think? Is Obama wrong for inviting Warren? Is Warren wrong for accepting the invitation? Or is Obama showing he believes in diversity? Is this an example of what it means for a Christian to be "missional"?
There are big differences between the men on issues such as abortion and homosexuality.
What do you think? Is Obama wrong for inviting Warren? Is Warren wrong for accepting the invitation? Or is Obama showing he believes in diversity? Is this an example of what it means for a Christian to be "missional"?
Planning a Family Christmas Worship Time
The tree is up. The gifts are wrapped and ready. Most of all the kids are about to explode with anticipation of Christmas. But that’s true in every home, Christian as well as non-Christian.
So should being a Christian family make a difference? Shouldn’t we be worshipping on Christmas morning? After all, it’s Jesus birthday! And the answer is “Yes!”. For NHC this will be one of those “Acts 2:46” worship events when we worship from “house to house”. The church will be worshipping, just not all together. But how do we do that?
For some of you, having family worship at Christmas is nothing new. But for many of you, it will be your first attempt. Let me give you some suggestions to make your Christmas morning extra special. Many of these ideas are things Gail and I have done at our home through the years.
1. PUT YOUR FOCUS ON CHRIST
How difficult is this in our society? Everything we see and hear on the media tells us that Christmas is about giving and receiving to and from each other. But very little is said anymore about the gift God gave in Jesus.
Before we allowed the kids to tear into their presents we had our worship time. What a better time than this to teach them that life is “not about me”? Isn’t that hard to do? If it’s your first time to try it, yes, it will be. It’s also a great way to teach them patience.
But don’t wait until they get up on Christmas morning to announce it! You’ll have a revolt on your hands, and angry people don’t make good worshippers. Prepare your kids in advance by talking at meal times about how Christmas should be a special time to worship Jesus. But we’re not going to worship at church. Tell them, “This year we’re going to start our Christmas Day with worshiping Jesus right here at home.”
God’s principle of worship always includes sacrifice, and giving God the “first fruits”, not the leftovers. And think about it for a second. Once they open all those toys you’ve lost them for the day! It’s easier to do the worship first than to try to corral them in later.
2. EAT A MEAL TOGETHER
We start with a big family breakfast together around the table. Gail has this recipe for a breakfast casserole that she prepares on Christmas Eve and keeps in the refrigerator overnight. Then early on Christmas morning she pops it in the oven. Thankfully, as the kids get older, Christmas starts a little later!
Now, if you just can’t see that happening in your house, let me give you an alternative. Later that day have a big family meal together and turn your meal time into a worship time. By the way, whether you have your worship time early or later, include in it the opportunity for everyone to serve – do ministry – by helping with the meal and clean up. Don’t let Mom do it all!
Eating together was a big part of the New Testament church’s worship experiences. And since you have everyone around the table at the same time, it’s an excellent place to have your worship time.
3. MAKE IT AGE APPROPRIATE
When I say “worship time” I don’t mean you have to go for an hour or preach a sermon! The younger the children, the more you’ll need to make it brief (10 minutes max for little ones) and use some visual aids. We always have had a manger scene that we used when the kids were very young to tell the Christmas story. We also have done a “Birthday Party for Jesus” and sang Happy Birthday to Him. They understand birthday parties! That helps teach them what the day is really about.
Whatever you do, be creative. If you have a wide age span, try to have something for everyone, and include the older kids in helping the younger.
By the way, your children will likely see plenty of “Christmas” shows on TV this time of year. Why not invest on a good video that tells the real Christmas story and watch it together that afternoon? There are some productions (Hanna-Barbera for example) that have it in a cartoon format.
4. READ THE CHRISTMAS STORY
When they’re very young, find a good Bible story book with pictures. Make the story come alive. As they get older, read it from the Bible. Have the kids read it. Ask questions. Let them ask questions. (You might want to study up on it!) Keep in mind the incarnation (God becoming Man) was a miracle. And miracles can’t be explained by science. You’ll find the Christmas story in Matthew 1 and Luke 2. Don’t forget to explain why Jesus’ birth was necessary for our salvation.
5. SING CHRISTMAS SONGS AND PRAY TOGETHER
For your worship time sing a song or two that honors Christ. Little children all love “Away in a Manger” and “Silent Night”. Older ones love them, too! And if you’re family isn’t necessarily musically inclined, put on a Christmas CD and sing along with those who are.
Encourage everyone to say a prayer and in the prayer include something about Christmas for which they can thank God. With the very young expect prayers of thanks for their toys. But allow your Christmas Story time to lead into the prayer time. If you do a good job of telling the story, they’ll get it.
6. DO A FAMILY CHRISTMAS PROJECT
Christmas is about giving. “God so loved the world that He gave.” If your children are going to learn to be givers and not takers, plan a giving project.
Maybe as a family you can find a way to give to something special. Perhaps you put together a shoebox for operation Christmas Child. Take a moment to pray for the child who is receiving that box. Some families intentionally give up one gift on their list and use that money to give to missions. On Christmas Eve our church will be giving out goodies to the public safety and hospital employees who will be working that night. Visit someone (even a stranger) who is spending Christmas in the hospital. Send a card or package of cookies to a serviceman/woman in Iraq. One year we visited seniors in their homes and sang carols with them.
Most of all let them know the greatest gift they can give Christ is their own lives.
7. DAD: TAKE THE LEAD
Here’s another opportunity to take the God-given role of spiritual head of your family. Don’t leave all this to Mom. Let your family see that this is important to you. Too often in our American culture the men leave the spiritual things to the women. Dad, you be the initiator. Of course, if you’re a single mom, you’re the spiritual head of your home, so you make it happen.
8. INVITE SOMEONE TO JOIN YOU
Look around. Not everyone has a family with whom they can celebrate Christmas. There are singles and older folks who are alone or just the two of them who would love to come over to your house for Christmas. There are still international students here on the beach working. It may be someone at work or a neighbor or someone in your Connection Group. We’re always looking for someone outside our family to invite. Practice biblical hospitality. Share your Christmas with others. It will only make your celebration that much better.
After it’s all said and done, I’d like to hear what you did and how it went. Email me at rick@nagsheadchurch.org.
©2008 Rick Lawrenson
So should being a Christian family make a difference? Shouldn’t we be worshipping on Christmas morning? After all, it’s Jesus birthday! And the answer is “Yes!”. For NHC this will be one of those “Acts 2:46” worship events when we worship from “house to house”. The church will be worshipping, just not all together. But how do we do that?
For some of you, having family worship at Christmas is nothing new. But for many of you, it will be your first attempt. Let me give you some suggestions to make your Christmas morning extra special. Many of these ideas are things Gail and I have done at our home through the years.
1. PUT YOUR FOCUS ON CHRIST
How difficult is this in our society? Everything we see and hear on the media tells us that Christmas is about giving and receiving to and from each other. But very little is said anymore about the gift God gave in Jesus.
Before we allowed the kids to tear into their presents we had our worship time. What a better time than this to teach them that life is “not about me”? Isn’t that hard to do? If it’s your first time to try it, yes, it will be. It’s also a great way to teach them patience.
But don’t wait until they get up on Christmas morning to announce it! You’ll have a revolt on your hands, and angry people don’t make good worshippers. Prepare your kids in advance by talking at meal times about how Christmas should be a special time to worship Jesus. But we’re not going to worship at church. Tell them, “This year we’re going to start our Christmas Day with worshiping Jesus right here at home.”
God’s principle of worship always includes sacrifice, and giving God the “first fruits”, not the leftovers. And think about it for a second. Once they open all those toys you’ve lost them for the day! It’s easier to do the worship first than to try to corral them in later.
2. EAT A MEAL TOGETHER
We start with a big family breakfast together around the table. Gail has this recipe for a breakfast casserole that she prepares on Christmas Eve and keeps in the refrigerator overnight. Then early on Christmas morning she pops it in the oven. Thankfully, as the kids get older, Christmas starts a little later!
Now, if you just can’t see that happening in your house, let me give you an alternative. Later that day have a big family meal together and turn your meal time into a worship time. By the way, whether you have your worship time early or later, include in it the opportunity for everyone to serve – do ministry – by helping with the meal and clean up. Don’t let Mom do it all!
Eating together was a big part of the New Testament church’s worship experiences. And since you have everyone around the table at the same time, it’s an excellent place to have your worship time.
3. MAKE IT AGE APPROPRIATE
When I say “worship time” I don’t mean you have to go for an hour or preach a sermon! The younger the children, the more you’ll need to make it brief (10 minutes max for little ones) and use some visual aids. We always have had a manger scene that we used when the kids were very young to tell the Christmas story. We also have done a “Birthday Party for Jesus” and sang Happy Birthday to Him. They understand birthday parties! That helps teach them what the day is really about.
Whatever you do, be creative. If you have a wide age span, try to have something for everyone, and include the older kids in helping the younger.
By the way, your children will likely see plenty of “Christmas” shows on TV this time of year. Why not invest on a good video that tells the real Christmas story and watch it together that afternoon? There are some productions (Hanna-Barbera for example) that have it in a cartoon format.
4. READ THE CHRISTMAS STORY
When they’re very young, find a good Bible story book with pictures. Make the story come alive. As they get older, read it from the Bible. Have the kids read it. Ask questions. Let them ask questions. (You might want to study up on it!) Keep in mind the incarnation (God becoming Man) was a miracle. And miracles can’t be explained by science. You’ll find the Christmas story in Matthew 1 and Luke 2. Don’t forget to explain why Jesus’ birth was necessary for our salvation.
5. SING CHRISTMAS SONGS AND PRAY TOGETHER
For your worship time sing a song or two that honors Christ. Little children all love “Away in a Manger” and “Silent Night”. Older ones love them, too! And if you’re family isn’t necessarily musically inclined, put on a Christmas CD and sing along with those who are.
Encourage everyone to say a prayer and in the prayer include something about Christmas for which they can thank God. With the very young expect prayers of thanks for their toys. But allow your Christmas Story time to lead into the prayer time. If you do a good job of telling the story, they’ll get it.
6. DO A FAMILY CHRISTMAS PROJECT
Christmas is about giving. “God so loved the world that He gave.” If your children are going to learn to be givers and not takers, plan a giving project.
Maybe as a family you can find a way to give to something special. Perhaps you put together a shoebox for operation Christmas Child. Take a moment to pray for the child who is receiving that box. Some families intentionally give up one gift on their list and use that money to give to missions. On Christmas Eve our church will be giving out goodies to the public safety and hospital employees who will be working that night. Visit someone (even a stranger) who is spending Christmas in the hospital. Send a card or package of cookies to a serviceman/woman in Iraq. One year we visited seniors in their homes and sang carols with them.
Most of all let them know the greatest gift they can give Christ is their own lives.
7. DAD: TAKE THE LEAD
Here’s another opportunity to take the God-given role of spiritual head of your family. Don’t leave all this to Mom. Let your family see that this is important to you. Too often in our American culture the men leave the spiritual things to the women. Dad, you be the initiator. Of course, if you’re a single mom, you’re the spiritual head of your home, so you make it happen.
8. INVITE SOMEONE TO JOIN YOU
Look around. Not everyone has a family with whom they can celebrate Christmas. There are singles and older folks who are alone or just the two of them who would love to come over to your house for Christmas. There are still international students here on the beach working. It may be someone at work or a neighbor or someone in your Connection Group. We’re always looking for someone outside our family to invite. Practice biblical hospitality. Share your Christmas with others. It will only make your celebration that much better.
After it’s all said and done, I’d like to hear what you did and how it went. Email me at rick@nagsheadchurch.org.
©2008 Rick Lawrenson
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
What would Rick teach in another church?
In case you might be wondering what I might say to another church...
Here's the podcast from Forest Park Baptist Church in Vero Beach, FL.
I should add that the pastor asked me to speak on the purposes of the church. Hmmm. So what I did was take the short devotional I gave at our last F1rst Wednesday and take it farther. So don't be surprised if it sounds somewhat familiar!
Here's the podcast from Forest Park Baptist Church in Vero Beach, FL.
I should add that the pastor asked me to speak on the purposes of the church. Hmmm. So what I did was take the short devotional I gave at our last F1rst Wednesday and take it farther. So don't be surprised if it sounds somewhat familiar!
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