Troy H. Jones

Every week (or most weeks) I take a moment to share what is on my heart.  Everything from what is happening at New Life, our culture, in my life and just random stuff.  I call this “New Life Ramblings”.  Enjoy! Feel free to respond back!  Give input!  Ask questions!  Grab a cup of coffee and catch up on what is going on in my mind.

• I had so many meetings today.  Every time I meet with anyone from New Life I feel so blessed to be pastor of this great church.
• I met with Darla Sherman.  She is long time member of the church.  Full of wisdom.  So full of God.
• I met with Jason and Kelli Krafsky.  They  have recently made New Life their home church.  They have a passion to see married couples love  Jesus  and be in healthy relationships.  Check out his  blog at www.marriagejunkie.com.  New Life is blessed to have people like them involved with our church.
• One more thing about Jason and Kelli Krafsky—they will be our  speakers at MarriedLife Live on Friday, Feb 13th.  (yes, Friday Feb 13th, let me say it again, Friday Feb 13th)
• I met with our general contractor today.  They are so excited to get started. Details are coming together.
• You will see some progress in the construction zone on Sunday…we have a work trailer, some dirt is moving—we are still jumping through some hoops…hang in there…stuff is happening.
• Ok, enough telling you about my meetings.
• Will we make another mistake and communicate the wrong date of MarriedLife Live again?  Read the bulletin closely and see this weekend. Click here to sign up for MarriedLife Live today.
• We have been approached to do a pilot program weekend called “Fireproof your Marriage”.  It is based around the movie “Fireproof”…What do you think New Life?
• This week we connected a ton of  people in Small Groups.  Last Friday 30 adults joined men and women Small Groups, on Saturday 30 couples joined married Small Groups, on Sunday we started a couple of new Crossing Groups and Starting Point Groups.  On top of all this  63 people started in Crown Financial Groups.
• Our  youth are going to Winter Camp this weekend.  Pray that God would  do some powerful things.  Roosevelt Hunter is the speaker there.  Roosevelt will also be speaking Sunday morning at New Life.  You don’t want to miss it.
• I had another local church give New Life $5,000 to our new building program.  Talk about the body of Christ working together!  Amazing!
• I watched the interviews with Ted Haggard this week on Larry King Live and Oprah.  Talk about mixed emotions.
• Simply Worship is next Wednesday Night, Feb 4.  Jana will be leading us in worship.  This is a time to be in the presence of God together as a church family.  We do this nine times a year (every first Wednesday of the month expect July, Aug and Dec).  You don’t want to miss this.
• Our giving for January was strong.  Thank you for your generous and systematic giving!
• Did you know that a snail can sleep for three years?
• Sunday night is Super bowl.  There will be no Encore Café, or Axis youth service.  Join with some friends (or your Small Group) and watch the game.  Crossing and Fusion will be doing a Super bowl party together.
• Part 2 of the Perfect Storm is this Sunday called “The Other Side”.  Again, I am so excited to have Roosevelt Hunter sharing. He will share his personal story of dealing with cancer.  Read Mark 4:35-41 to prepare for Sunday.
• Last Sunday we almost ran out of room in our  10:30 a.m. service.  I need 50 people to move to 9, 12 or 6:30.  (this is  why we need to build)
• This Sunday we will be praying for people at the end of all of our services who need a miracle.  Come Sunday prepared to receive from God a miracle!
• Our staff is reading Hebrews together.  We read Hebrews 3.  I am so excited for the next teaching series beginning Feb 8.
• Jana and I want to pray for individuals who are being or in danger of being laid off their job.  Feel free to email me your story.  We will add your name to our prayer list.  David said, “I have never seen the righteous forsaken”.  I  have faith with and for you.

I don’t typically cut and paste some article off the web site.  However I found this article very helpful. Life can be so stressful.  We need to stop and find ways to enjoy life.  

So, now that you realize how destructive stress can be in your life, what are you going to do about it? Here is what I found helpful:

• Laugh. It may sound silly, but laughter not only supplies oxygen to your body, it creates movement. I am personally addicted to episodes of “Absolutely Fabulous” but I have been known to slip an occasional “Fawlty Towers” cassette into my player and roll on the floor in hysterics.
• Sing. The benefits of singing are numerous, especially if you learn to sing from your diaphragm (the part beneath your rib cage… not the one in your drawer!!) I especially recommend doing it in a foreign language so as to eliminate the embarrassment of not remembering the words.
• Dance. There is nothing more stress relieving than an attack of “Happy Feet.” It doesn’t matter what style you choose, just move and breathe and feel the rhythm of the music.
• Walk. Take 15 minutes a day to soak in the sunshine. Not only will you improve your mood but it can help you lose weight by adjusting your melatonin cycle and making you more responsive to insulin.219
• Pose. Just making yourself be still can help blow off steam. Yoga or meditation are ways to lower the stress hormones. For others, running helps them meditate in motion. If you’re feeling stressed, assume the balance pose or T posture. Begin by standing comfortably, arms at your sides, and slowly fold forward from the hips. Extend your arms past your ears and bring your torso parallel to the ground. Simultaneously extend your left leg straight behind you. Breathe deeply and aim for stillness. Gently come back to your standing position and switch sides.
• Primp. Pamper yourself. Remember, you’re a goddess and worth every cent you earn or spend. Take a bubble bath, a steam shower or soak in a hot tub filled with flower petals.
• Sleep. Get to bed by 9:00 PM. Melatonin levels start to rise around 9:30 so pay attention to how much light you are exposed to in a 24 hour period. At least 9 hours of sleep are required by your body to reset your biological clock and improve your insulin sensitivity.
• Inhale. Pay attention to aromas. Cleopatra soaked the sails of her ship in fragrant oils to announce her approach to Rome. Try relaxing oils of ylang ylang, bergamot, tuberose, motia or orange soaked on a cotton ball. Inhaling a fragrance can stir pleasing memories which cause endorphins, the body’s natural pain killers, to be released. Burn a candle or put a diffuser in your room. Just a few whiffs of lavender oil can lull you to sleep.
• Pray. Prayer-walking, also known as “walking meditation” provides an easy way to be active and relieve stress. It can be a meandering saunter down a garden path or a brisk march around a track. The point is to walk with prayerful intentions realizing that your journey is an interior one.
• Post inspirational quotes around your work area and be thankful for being alive. There’s more to life than you’ll ever realize and every day brings new chances to share.

 

From The Menopause Diet, by Larrian Gillespie. Copyright © 1999 by Healthy Life Publications.

Every week (or most weeks) I take a moment to share what is on my heart.  Everything from what is happening at New Life, our culture, in my life and just random stuff.  I call this “New Life Ramblings”.  Enjoy! Feel free to respond back!  Give input!  Ask questions!  Grab a cup of coffee and catch up on what is going on in my mind. 

 

• We have a new president.  I pray for God would give President Obama wisdom and knowledge. 
• One of my prayers this week has been for a spiritual awakening in America and a spiritual fervor in the local church.
• GroupLink is Friday, Saturday and Sunday this weekend. (Tonight!) This is a great time to join a small group.  GroupLink is a church social with the full intent of meeting people with the hope of finding a small group.
• Beginning Feb 8^th I am starting a new series called “Hebrews—the slow drift”. I will be providing small group questions during this series. If your small group would like to study the book of Hebrews we will have a “study guide” for you.
• The next two weeks I am doing a very important series called “The Perfect Storm”. So many people are experiencing a storm in their personal lives. Everything from financial, health, emotional and family storms. How should the church respond? How should you respond when the storms attack your life? 
• “The Perfect Storm” (Week 1–this Sunday). I am going to look at the life of Job and discover what he did to make it through the storm of a lifetime.
• “The Perfect Storm” (Week 2–Feb 1) Roosevelt Hunter will be sharing. Roosevelt and I have been friends for 15 years. He has recently been diagnosed with cancer. He will be sharing this story with us and we will have a time in every service to pray for people facing storms.
• Here is some info on Roosevelt from his bio—“he is a passionate communicator that has traveled millions air miles sharing the good news of Jesus Christ. He’s visited over 27 countries as well as every state of our Union.  He appears on TBN and has taught at Promise Keepers stadium events as well as Fellowship of Christian Athletes events.” (Ok, more importantly—he loves Jesus, we have been great friends for years and he lives a life of integrity)
• Roosevelt will be the speaker at our youth winter camp next weekend. Trust me, we don’t – and you don’t want your students to miss this weekend. Click here to sign your student up for Winter Camp 09.
• I need to do something for Jana on Valentines Day…..Yes, I will take her to Married Life Live…but I have a feeling I better put a little more thought into this. 
• Married Life Live is a few weeks away. The correct date is February 13. (We had a mistake in our New Life News)Click here to sign up for Married Life Live: Romancing The Heart. 
• Did you know – “the sound you hear when you put a seashell next to your ear is not the ocean, but blood flowing through your head”?
• I spoke at our Primetimers lunch this week.  We are blessed with an incredible group of seasoned saints who know how to pray.
• I posted a blog challenging men to lead in family meetings every week.  I encourage every man to take a moment to read this.
• It was great to see two people get baptized last weekend.  Their stories were amazing.  We will be showing their water baptism stories in all of our services this weekend.
• Read Job 1-3 to prepare for this weekend.  Job 3 is not the most comfortable chapter in the Bible.  However it is Job sharing his real grief.  I would call this Job’s Journal.

 

About one year ago I put together some practical thoughts around giving.  I have had so many people make comments how helpful this was and is to them.  Here it is…we must excel in giving.  I pray in 2009 we would all discover the grace of giving

  

In 2 Corinthians 8:7 Paul said, “But just as you excel in everything – in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us – see that you also excel in this grace of giving.”

 

For those who call New Life home, giving cheerfully and sacrificially of our finances is part of our worship. A believer does not work to accumulate personal wealth or possessions, but to be a good steward of God’s resources and model Jesus to our brothers, sisters, and community.

 

Our mission is to lead people into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ. One of the primary ways we serve God is by cheerfully giving God our “firstfruits” (2 Corinthians 9:7; Proverbs 3:9).  God expects us to give, not to meet some petty, required percentage, but by digging deep and sacrificing for the sake of the gospel because Jesus sacrificed for us and all that we have is His anyway.

 

People ask me questions all the time around the subject of giving and specifically tithing.  Here are responses to some of those questions:

 

1.     What is the difference between tithing and giving?

        Principle: They are both found in Scripture.  Giving is what we were born to do.  Tithing is a very specific way we give.  Tithing defines God’s beginning point in our giving as Christ followers.

 

        Practice:  Jana and I love giving.  We tithe 10% to the local church and then give to missions, building fund and other heart felt opportunities. Tithing is a floor for us, not a ceiling.  We are not paralyzed by meeting some petty, required percentage – we are driven to be good stewards of God’s resources.

 

2.     What is a tithe?

        Principle:  The literal meaning of the word tithe is “a tenth” or 10%.  A tithe is the firstfruit of your harvest.  This is given to God through your home church in faith as a practical means to finance the mission of the church (Malachi 3:8-10, Matthew 23:23)

 

        Practice:  Jana and I have been tithing for almost 30 years. (It was easier when I worked at McDonald’s).  We believe in the local church and that our tithes make a difference.

 

3.    How do you tithe?

        Principle:  Find a systematic way to tithe.  Such as following each paycheck, once a month, or having it automatically taken out of your check, etc. (1 Corinthians 16:2)

 

        Practice:  Jana and I have our tithe automatically taken out of each check.  This makes it very simple.

 

4.    What kind of attitude should I have when I tithe?

        Principle:  The Bible says, “Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7).

 

        Practice:  Most of the time Jana and I give cheerfully.  Sometimes out of pure discipline. But we do it because we love God and people.  We also think giving is foundational to being a healthy human being (1 Corinthians 13:3).

 

5.    Isn’t tithing just an Old Testament concept?

        Principle:  Giving is a Biblical concept.  Tithing is found in the Old Testament.  Generous and sacrificial giving is found in the New Testament (Acts 2:42-47, Acts 4:32-35). Tithing is not explicitly commanded in the New Testament but the bar is raised considerably by Christ and the apostles of the early church.  Christians must give whenever there is a need to be met.  Those who get lost in a percentage amount have lost the whole point of giving.

 

        Practice:  Usually this question implies the New Testament requires less giving.  Actually the opposite is true.  In the New Testament they actually sold land and gave it to the church.   The New Testament church went way beyond the tithe.  This is why tithing is just a beginning point in my giving.

 

6.    Should I give first to missions or tithe?

        Principle: Our first and foremost responsibility is to tithe.  This is both a scriptural truth and a practical truth.

 

        Practice:  Here are priorities of our giving:  We tithe first, give to missions second and then prioritize our building commitment and other heartfelt areas as God leads us.

 

 

 

7.     If I send kids to camp or am not reimbursed for ministry expenses can I include that as part of my tithe?

        Principle:  No!  The tithe belongs to the storehouse (Malachi 3:8-10).

 

        Practice:  Personally I love paying kids way to camp.  It is worth every penny. This is why Jana and I push ourselves in giving beyond tithing.

 

8.    What should I do if I can’t afford to tithe? Can I start with a smaller amount?

        Principle:  Start somewhere.  The Biblical standard is to tithe. Honestly, you can’t afford NOT to tithe.  If you wait until you can afford it—you will never start.  Start today!

 

        Practice:  I think the big question is “are you going backward or forward with your giving?”  No matter how much you give or don’t give right now – we should always be asking this question.

 

9.    I want to tithe but my spouse doesn’t want to, what should I do?

        Principle:  Very good question.  Be on the same page with your spouse.  Most people don’t reject the idea of giving.  Instead of pushing the “tithe” concept agree on charitable giving.  You will be surprised how open your spouse may be about giving if you frame it in the context that we should give back to this world.

 

        Practice:  My wife likes tithing.

 

10.   Is tithing just an adult thing? When should my children begin to tithe?

        Principle:  You can’t start too young to teach your kids to tithe (and save).

 

        Practice:  Since my girls were walking I have made sure they tithed 10% and saved 10%.  I tried to get them to give to me 10% but Jana wouldn’t let me go there.

 

11.   Do I need to tithe on a financial gift? Tax return? Bonuses?

        Principle:  If in doubt, tithe.

 

        Practice:  Yes, on the financial gift and bonuses.  I don’t tithe on my tax return because I already tithed on my gross.  (Although, a tax return is a great opportunity to be a generous giver)

 

12.   Can I tithe through volunteering my time and saving the church staffing expense?

        Principle:  We need to learn to financially give our money and time. The answer is no.

 

        Practice:  Jana and I give my time and money.

 

13.    Is it ok for me to get a tax deduction from giving?

        Principle: Yes, this is called wisdom.

 

        Practice:  We get a tax deduction for my giving.

 

14.    If I tithe will God bless me financially?

        Principle:  Yes (Proverbs 11:24-25, Proverbs 3:9-10)

 

        Practice:  He has blessed Jana and me.

 

15.   Should I tithe off of my gross income or net (after taxes and deductions)?

        Principle:  If in doubt, round up.  The firstfruits principle would indicate gross.

 

        Practice:  Jana and I tithe on our gross income.

 

16.   Can I give my tithe on a credit card? Is it ok to get airline miles off of my giving?

        Principle:  This scares me.  Although in theory it is possible, you should never go in debt by tithing.  Most people should not consider this option.

           

        Practice:  We have not and do not tithe on my credit card!

 

17.    If I am in debt, should I get out of debt before I begin to tithe?

        Principle:  No, begin to tithe first.  I know this sounds strange but God will open up heaven and begin to give you wisdom to get out of debt.

 

        Practice:  Get out of debt.  Depending on how far in debt you are, I would recommend you get help.  Crown Financial is a great place to start.

 

This May will be 20 years of being married.  I love my wife and two precious girls.  They are the centerpiece of my life.  I have to confess something to you though…sometimes it is very difficult to lead them spiritually.  I know this is horrible to admit…but at times it is easier to lead a church of 2,000 than a family of 4.  I am not sure why. 

Over the past 20 years I have discovered one simple truth.  I need to carve out a time every week to lead my family spiritually.  Again, I know sounds like a very obvious statement.  Here is what I have discovered–carving out a time once a week–fosters a culture to lead my family throughout the week. 

“The family that prays together stays together” Great quote.  But, it scares every man alive.  This quote makes us feel intimidated, guilty and lost.  Where do we start?  How does this look?

Then if you have a wife who loves Jesus–this makes it even tougher.  Why?  Ladies just seem to know how to pray better than men.  I don’t know why.  It just seems like they are more comfortable.  Listen to me ladies–if you have a husband remotely interested in leading the family in prayer times…give him space.  Don’t pressure him.  Let him lead.

Jana and I have struggled with this over the years.  She just prays more naturally out loud than I do.  She has her images of what “family” prayer looks like.  She has had to learn to give me space. Let me find my own way to make this happen.

So men–here is my challenge.  Be bold.  Start a family meeting today.  I want to help you with this.  So here are a list of practical ideas I have found helpful.  There are a ton of other ideas.  But here is what I have found to help me out.

1. Again, ladies let your man lead.  Don’t tell him how to do this (unless he ask).  He will be awkward.  This is ok.
2. Have your family meetings only once a week.  I can hear some people say, “is this all you  do?”.  Yes.  I have found this  makes the family meeting special and unique.  My girls are at church all day  Sunday, in their small group once a week and involved with so many other things.  They don’t need me to over church them at home
3. Make it short.  I mean this.  No more than 10 minutes.  I plan for seven minutes.  Sometimes it will go longer because we spend more time “catching” up on the week.  But, make it short.  If you go  to long, you will avoid it next week.
4. Pick a time.  We do our family meeting after dinner on Monday night.  We only get a few dinners home every  week.  Mondays is  a good day for us.  We don’t set up an exact time.  We simply say, “after dinner on Monday”
5. Pick a location. We simply go to our family room.  We don’t  have a TV in our family room.  This helps. 
6. Just  do a few things.  Don’t over complicate it.  We do  three things—discuss the upcoming week, read the  Bible and pray.  I will explain each  of these.
7. The  first things we do is discuss the  upcoming week.  Jana writes down “details” that  impact the family.  Who is going where?  What  time is this or that?  We catch up with each other.
8. The  second thing we do is read the Bible.  Here is the rule of thumb: The age of your kids will determine what to read.  When are kids were young I  simply found a kids Bible and read from it.  Today  I read 10 or  so Scriptures out  of the  Proverb of the day.  For example tomorrow is January 19.  I will read 10 scriptures from Proverbs 19.  DON”T MAKE COMMENT OR PREACH WHEN YOU READ.  There is  something powerful and simple just  to let your kids hear the Bible.  They don’t want to hear dad preach.  They just don’t.  Don’t complicate this.  Just read the Bible. 
9. The third thing we do is pray.  I simply pray  a short prayer.  I will sometimes mention my kids and wife by name.  If you have to– write down the prayer.  Don’t complicate this prayer.  After the  Scripture reading say, “Let’s pray”.   I know you will feel awkward.  I get this.  But, just  open your heart and pray.  (Again, ladies…thank God your  husband is different than you.  Let him be different)
10. When you miss the family meeting (and you will) don’t try to make it up.  Just get back on it next week.
11. Don’t use this time to deal with discipline issues.  (Occasionally we will have emergency family meetings.  But this has nothing to do with this subject.  Maybe another blog)
12. Be natural.  Be yourself.  While everything I just wrote works for me…find your own voice. 
13. Occasionally  we will run and go grab ice cream or go to starbucks afterwards. 
14. Don’t expect angels to show up every week. 
15. Again, keep it simple.

One more time…  here are the three things we do during our weekly family meeting:

• Discuss the upcoming week…a time to catch up
• Read the  Bible..a time to read not talk k
• Pray…a time for dad to pray for his  family.

Men–step up and lead.  I totally understand that there are many homes where the mom has  to provide this leadership.  Perhaps you are a single mom or your husband has no interest to even think about this.  In those environments for sure mom you have to step up to foster this culture. 

I am beginning a new communication piece called “New Life Ramblings”. Every week we will send out the New Life News and the New Life Ramblings. Communication, communication and communication. I hope you find this communication piece helpful

• Today I prayed at a building dedication for Vision House. Vision house works with homeless moms and provides housing for them. Amazing, amazing and amazing! They are located in the Highlands. I was moved to see this ministry and their impact on this community.
• The leadership at Vision House was overwhelmed with the generosity of New Life during the Christmas season. I love this church!
• Did you know a tablespoon of coffee creamer is 30 calories? I need to cut back on coffee creamer big time. Can you say green tea?
• I read Proverbs 15 today. This chapter is filled with convicting truth. “he who hates correction will die” (Prov 15:10) or “A mocker resents correction” (Prov 15:12).
• Our 10:30 services are full. I know I say this often, but if your schedule allows you to make it at 9:00, 12:00 or even 6:30 this is great.
• We are baptizing 2 people this weekend. Water baptisms remind me why I pastor.
• My small group started to meet again this week. I sure missed them over the holidays. We are studying LOST. A great study on how God views money.
• I met with our creative team today. We talked about a series we are doing right after Easter on Genesis. I love the Word of God. We will focus on the life of Joseph
• Easter is only in 13 weeks…crazy…
• God continues to build patience in me regarding our building permit. We are held up due to some issues with the Muckleshoot’s Indian’s. Nothing big….patience, patience and patience. I am looking in the mirror as I type this.
• I haven’t sat in my hot tub yet this week…I need to do this.
• 63 people signed up for Crown Financial. Wow! I love seeing people get their finances in line.
• Pastor Ricardo made a statement this week, “we minister to people, through people”…profound thought. How can we mobilize 2,000 people to minister to people?
• Had a meeting today—we talked 45 minutes about missions. I am very excited about the strategy we are developing to reach people in this community and around the world.
• Going to Hawaii in May. Can’t wait! 20 years of marriage…I am sounding like an old married guy.
• We are starting a series over Hebrews in a couple of weeks. Very excited about this.
• Read Acts 15 to prepare for Sunday. Focus on Acts 15:19. Great Scripture.
• Next weekend is GroupLink. If you are not in a small group this is your chance to find one. Click here for more details. We have GroupLink three times a year. You don’t want to miss this!

Between facebook, my blog, talking with my team and people giving me comments I received a ton of responses on these guardrails for leaders.  Very healthy dialog and input. 

I took all this input and rewrote the guardrails…here they are.  I would love to hear your perspective.

1. When showing affection to the opposite sex always do it with “absolute purity” and ask “would I do this if my spouse was present?” (1 Timothy 5:1-2 “appropriate hugging and touching).
2. When accessing the internet use accountability software or have someone in the room. (office, home, library, hotel, etc).
3. When communicating with the opposite sex through “social networking” use wisdom and be extremely careful with use of words. (email, text, facebook, Myspace, blog, twitter, instant messages, chat rooms, etc).
4. When emailing the opposite sex personal comments CC or BCC your spouse or assistant. (prayer request, personal encouragment, etc).
5. When meeting the opposite sex in a office make sure the blinds are open and someone else is in the office complex.
6. When counseling the opposite sex only meet with the person once without having their spouse present.  Refer them if necessary.  Refer them if necessary.
7. When talking to or in front of the opposite sex avoid obscenity, foolish talk and coarse joking (Ephesians 5:4)
8. When talking with the opposite sex never discuss your personal marriage problems.
9. When praying with the opposite sex ask someone to join you during the prayer time.
10. When going out to lunch, driving or any other environment avoid being alone with the opposite sex except for family members.

Over the past 12 months I have been working  off and on what I am calling “10 guardrails for leaders”.  I have been thinking, reflecting and pondering these.    I have lived by these for years.  I am not a legalistic person.  But, when it comes to the opposite sex I think we have to be. I  have reflected, rewrote, deleted and added.  I have asked, “how do you create some healthy guidelines without being legalistic?”  “Is this the job of the lead pastor to provide these for the staff?”.  “How  far do you  go?”(I am considering implenting these guardrails for  all staff at New Life.)

 

 

A guardrail is a rail acting as a safety barrier at the side of a freeway, highway, road, or ship’s deck. 

 

 

In today’s world we need safety barriers.  In the day of text, facebook and emails…we need to be ok with creating some personal legalism.  Agree? Disagree?  Is this the job  of a lead pastor to provide guardrails like this?

 

 

Is  this to far?  Am  I missing something?  Are there ”rules” on this list that you think are not realistic?  If so, which  ones?  Do these guardrails stifle ministry or empower ministry? I would love to hear your observations

 

 

We have talked about this as a team.  We haven’t  100% adopted these guidelines.

 

Is this over reacting or providing great leadership?  Curious to hear your input.

1. Thou shalt never be alone with the opposite sex for any reason other than family members. (pick you up, drive you, eating at restaurant, etc)
2. Thou shalt only show affection to the opposite sex that is done with “absolute purity” 
   (1 Timothy 5: 1-2 “Appropriate hugging and touching”)
3. Thou shalt not access the internet without using “Covenant Eyes” or having someone in the room with you. (office, home, library, hotel, etc)
4. Thou shalt use Godly wisdom when communicating with the opposite sex on emails, text, facebook, MySpace, blog, twitter, instant messages, chat rooms or any other form of technology.
5. Thou shalt CC or BCC your spouse or assistant on emails to the opposite sex that  contains any  information that would be personal in nature (prayer requests, personal encouragement, etc)
6. Thou shalt not have the opposite sex in your office alone without the blinds opened and someone else in the office complex. 
7. Thou shalt not counsel or meet with the opposite sex more than once without that person’s spouse. Refer them.
8. Thou shalt avoid obscenity, foolish talk and coarse joking. (Ephesians 5:4)
9. Thou shalt not discuss your marriage problems with the opposite sex.
10. Thou shalt not pray with the opposite sex alone.  Simply ask someone to join you in prayer.   

 

Obviously there are rare exception’s to these guardrails.  We have unmarried staff.  Guardrail one wouldn’t apply in this situation.  Although if they are dating we have another whole set of guardrails that is for another conversation. 

 

Love to hear your honest perspective on these…

• What is the deal with this weather?  Snow, floods…crazy.  We actually had people think we were going to cancel Simply Worship on Wednesday.  I had to chuckle…come on Seattle “we can handle rain”!  
• We had an incredible time at Simply Worship on Wednesday.  Amazing to see people worship and love Jesus. 
• I’m starting the New Year off with some new eating habits.  Actually trying to drink less coffee and doing everything I can to NOT to eat after 7:30 PM. 
• Today during my quiet time I wrote in my journal, “Eating is a spiritual decision”. Then I wrote, “Every time I eat I honor or dishonor God”. Something to ponder for sure.
• The beginning of the year is a great time to get your finances in shape.  I would love to see everyone at New Life to do a Crown Group.  A great way to build Biblical foundation for your finances.
• It was Ricardo’s first week in the office.  He and Karen are great addition to this team.
• I am very excited to start our series over Hebrews beginning in February.
• Our pastoral staff reads the Bible together every Tuesday morning.  We just finished reading I Timothy. This week we started the book of Hebrews. 
• In a couple of weeks, our youth are doing their winter retreat. Their speaker is Roosevelt Hunter. Roosevelt is a great friend a mine and one incredible speaker.  He will be speaking at New Life Sunday February 1.
• On Wednesday night I had the privilege of praying with Chelsey and her small group.  They are saying good bye to Lucci.  This was a moving experience for me.  Read about it on my blog (Click here)
• Many of you know that we needed $115,000 the last four days of the 2008 to end the year strong.  Last Sunday we celebrated $111,000 that came in the last four days of 2008. On Monday we had another $8,000 in the mail post marked December 31, 2008.  Unbelievable! God is good.  There is no way for me to communicate how much I appreciate your faithfulness in the middle of this economy and weather.
• Read Acts 9:19-27 to prepare for Sunday as we continue “My Big Fat Greek Church”  The message this week is titled “Providential Relationships”.
• Jana and I are planning on seeing Seven Pounds on Friday night. I have heard mix reviews.  It will be interesting to see for ourselves.
• Jana and I are excited to get our small group going again after the Christmas break. 
• If you are not in a small group, Grouplink is the best way to take this step. Click here for more information.
• Did you know every week we have 10-15 people fill out the NEXT cards on Sunday?  Amazing. These are people who want to get involved and take the Next step here at New Life.
• Jana and I love being your pastors.
• I had someone ask me to do a blog on how to do a “Family Meeting” every week.  I will do this blog sometime in the next couple of weeks.
• Click here to read my blog

My daughter Chelsey has a friend name Lucci.  I feel like Lucci is part of our family.  For the last couple of years the two of them have developed  a great friendship.  Chelsey and Lucci are part of one of our senior high small groups.  Their leader is Trisha Houlihan.  They meet every Wednesday night for Bible study, prayer and spiritual growth.  Lucci’s family recently decided to move to North Carolina.  This was a heart break for Chelsey and their whole small group. 

Tonight I had an incredible experience.  Here is the back story to appreciate what happened.

We had Simply Worship tonight.  After Simply Worship the youth ministry had an after party. 

Ok, now the story gets meaningful.  After Simply Worship I walked into the after party for the youth ministry.  Trisha had a cake their for Lucci.  Their whole small group was gathered around to say good bye to Lucci.  I thought “this is what youth ministry is all about”. “Every student needs this kind of belonging and care” It was an incredible sight.

 

Then I said, “Let’s pray for Lucci”.  Honestly I thought maybe the girls would be a little hesitant.  The music was loud so we walked into the hallway to have a moment of prayer.  Before I knew it–all the small group was gathered around.  All of sudden I was surrounded with a bunch of very emotional senior high girls praying for their friend, Lucci. 

 

It was powerful.  These girls love each other.  They cried together.  They prayed together.  (I have to admit being in a circle with a bunch of emotional ladies was a bit overwhelming..but incredible)

 

I prayed for Lucci.  After I was done, my wife prayed.  Ok, I thought we were done…then Trisha prayed.  After Trisha prayed Chelsey prayed.  Wow…I thought these girls would never stop praying.  They prayed for their friend Lucci.

 

Lesson—we need people to pray with us.  We all need to belong to a Godly group of friends. We all need to be part of a small group who cares like this. 

 

Lesson to parents—get your kids dialed into Godly relationships. 

 

Lesson to teenagers—your friends will determine the quality and direction of your life.  Get Godly friends.  

 

I loved this moment as a dad and as a pastor. 

 

I say to Lucci…Good bye.  God’s favor go with you.  You will always be part of our family and home. 

 

Chelsey wanted me to blog on this so all her friends can say “good bye” Lucci.  Really we are not saying “Good bye” we are saying “see you on facebook”