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. 

• We officially closed on our loan today- I thank God new life is signing this with me.
• Teens with cell phones average 2,272 text messages a month. 
• Simply Worship is this Wednesday.  We will have a moment where we will pray over Pastor Greg and Cindy! 
• I taught at Northwest University this week on preaching in the 21^st century. I love spending time with future leaders and preachers.
• We are baptizing three students this weekend.  I love seeing people go public with their faith.
• We are working aggressively on our parking flow/problem.  We are growing as a church.  Growth always causes problems.  Thank you for your patience.
• Crossing is gaining momentum.  At the last Crossing night we had 60 young adults worshiping together. 
• It has been one year since I lost 45 pounds.
• The purpose of preaching every week is life change.  My goal isn’t to impress people with information, we want to see transformation.   The goal is to see God transform people’s character and conduct. 
• Are you a cheerful giver?  Are you a generous giver? Are you a systematic giver?
• People are excited about our “Man Up” series coming June.  We are thinking about doing a special Man Up service on a Friday night with Roosevelt Hunter.  Men only!  What do you think?
• Every week we focus primarily on one text in our preaching.  While we have the Scriptures on the screen, I think it is a very healthy habit to have your Bibles on your lap reading along. 
• The annual business meeting is March 11.  Ok, not the most exciting meeting all year.  But very important.
• A dragonfly can fly backward just as fast as it can forward.
• I am very proud of my two daughters. 
• Did you know you can watch our sermons online every week?  Click here.
• I twitter.  You can follow if you have a twitter account.
• Easter is six weeks from Sunday!
• I heard in my small group this week that Sushi Town is opening in Covington.  Great place to eat.
• In our new building we will use 8,831,200 lbs of concrete. 
• Read Hebrews 7-10 to prepare for Sunday.
• We are building two homes in Mexico in May.  We need $12,000 to construct these two homes.  On Sunday we will give you an opportunity to help.
• Jana and I love serving you!

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 our permit! I love working with the city of Renton. On Sunday I am going to do a “status update” on our new building. God is faithful!  
• Jana and I were at Quizno’s tonight (I like the Sammie’s). We ran into someone who has been attending New Life for a few months. We have amazing people attending New Life.
• Ken Griffey Jr. is coming back to Seattle.
• We are baptizing kids this Sunday. These are my favorite moments at New Life!
• I met with our Elders this week. We talked about how David was a shepherd to his people with a heart of integrity and skillful hands. (Psalms 78:72). Here is my prayer for our pastors—Help us shepherd New Life with integrity of heart and skillful hands.
• Membership Orientation is this Sunday at 5pm. You don’t want to miss this. 
• Pastor Greg spoke at Primetimers this week. He did a great job.
• We need 10 people to sign up to work in our parking lot on Sunday’s. Email Pastor Ricardo at ricardo.quintana@newliferenton.com.  
• Married Life Live was amazing.  200 married couples.
• God is leading Pastor Greg Holman to begin a new ministry to surrounding area churches and this community focusing on weddings, funerals and memorials. This has been a growing passion for Pastor Greg for years. He will still be available to serve New Life Church. At guest services we have a one page “status update” from Pastor Greg. Feel free to pick this up. 
• A mole can dig a tunnel 300 feet long in just one night.
• Choir starts back up this Sunday preparing for our Good Friday service. They never ask me to join the choir. They say it is because I am busy on Sundays…but I have a feeling they would vote me off if I joined.
• Do you like our new bulletins?
• Simply Worship is only 10 days from this Sunday. I am very excited.
• Our youth ministry is doing “Rush Hour” Bowling Night on Friday, Feb 27^th for all Sr. High students. I am so proud of our youth ministry.
• We are doing something new this year—volunteer appreciation night on Friday, April 24. I think this will become one of the most defining evenings all year at New Life. If you are volunteering in anyway here at New Life—mark this date on your calendar. 
• We minister to people—through people.
• Our giving in 2008 ended 8.9% above last year. 
• During the first six weeks of 2009, our giving has gone up 16.9% from last year. God is amazing! Thank you New Life! 
• Thank you to everybody who has moved to our 9am or noon services. Our 10:30 service is full. I love problems (like this).
• I am really enjoying the book of Hebrews (and this series).
• I recently read Psalm 119 in my quiet time. Longest chapter in the Bible. But wow! Worth the read. 
• Did you know we will have 600 truck loads of material brought in for the new building?
• Psalms 119:136 says, “Streams of tears flow from my eyes, for your law is not obeyed”. I have been thinking about this verse all week.
• I read 1-2 Psalms a day. This gets me through the book of Psalms twice a year. I am almost done with Psalms and will be starting again. How do you read your Bible?
• Hebrews 5-6 to prepare for Sunday. Some very tough statements made in these two chapters of the Bible. I am glad the Bible isn’t afraid of tough conversations.
• In June, we are doing a series called “Man Up”. I am thinking about coming up with 30 Scripture readings and prayers for men to use to lead their family in a weekly “Family Meeting”.

It is valentines day this Saturday.   I was listening to KVI and they asked the question, “why would I remarry my wife again?”  They are having some kind of contest. 

I wrote this up.   I know this sounds cheesy.  But, I want the world to know how much I love my wife. 

Here is how I would answer this question

Very few people can look into the mirror of their soul and say, “the decision I made 20 years ago—I would do it again and again”  I  was 22.  She was 19.  We were kids.  We were in love.  Now I look back and ask myself “would I remarry this gal again?” The answer is a resounding yes. 

Why?  Very difficult to put into words. 

Jana is beautiful from the inside out.  I can honestly say every day I know my wife she gets more and more beautiful.  She is a drop dead gorgeous lady on the outside.  But, her outside is only the beginning.  Her beauty goes deep inside.  She is full of life and love.

Jana is my friend and my lover. My best friend.  My only lover.  We have built a great family together.  We aren’t rich, but we are rich.  We have two kids together. We were husband and wife before we were dad and mom.  Our marriage is the foundation of our family.

Jana is the most sincere person I know.  I really mean this.  She cares deeply.  She feels sincerely.

Many women do noble things in this life-but my wife surpasses them all. There is no one on earth like her. 

I am a better man because of her!  She teaches me.  She loves me.  She cares for me.  My wife allows me to be human—but doesn’t allow me to settle for status quo.  I am respected in my job and this community because of her character and life.

I honor my  wife.  The greatest gift God ever gave me is  my wife.  We are parnters— yet individuals.  We are lovers—yet friends.  We are no longer kids—but young at heart. 

She is  my wife.  Today, tomorrow—until death do us part!

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 had Simply Worship on Wednesday night.  Amazing.  There is a hunger for God and a spiritual awakening happening at New Life.
• Easter is only 9 weeks away.
• My daughter turned 18 this week.  I took her out on Monday night and we had a “dad and daughter” moment.  I wrote 18 thoughts for her 18^th birthday. Click here to view this. 
• Roosevelt Hunter was outstanding last weekend.  Thank you New Life for praying for my friend.  Last night I had someone ask if they still can give to Roosevelt..  The answer is yes.  Just put in offering marked “Roosevelt Hunter”.
• As always you can watch the sermon online.  Click here to watch Roosevelt from last weekend. 
• This Sunday we will be showing Roosevelt Hunter at Encore Café.  Great time to check out Encore Café this Sunday at 6:30 PM.
• MarriedLife Live is filling up quickly. Buy your tickets online or in the lobby on Sunday.  (men-don’t forget Valentines day)
• It is amazing how many churches are asking about our kid’s ministry.  Our KIDTOUGH material is stirring up a lot of questions with other churches.  Next month we have 3 churches showing up just to check out “Kidstown”.
• Did you know that Polar bears are left handed?
• I start a new series over the book of Hebrews this week.  I am very excited.  Read Hebrews 1-3 to prepare.
• Our students are fired up after last weeks winter camp with Roosevelt Hunter.
• Did you know that we baptize adults on the third Sundays of the month?  The next water baptism is Sunday Feb 15.
• Are you a member of New Life?  If not—our next membership orientation is Sunday, Feb 22nd. 
• Today I prayed Psalms 107:29 over New Life—“He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed”.
• Jana and I are praying for people who may be losing their jobs.  We have already had people respond back saying God has answered the prayers.  Email me your story if you also want to be added to our prayer list.
• Just met with some missionaries from Argentina.  New Life is having an impact all over this world.
• I cleaned out my desk drawers today.  Why do we save weird things? For so long?
• Did you know we gave Northwest University $25,000 to help building their new science center?  As we build our new building, let’s sow seed into other people’s dream.   
• Every day I walk into our church, I see the impact we are also making Monday-Friday.  We have over 450 kids in our school and daycare.  If you are remotely interested in Christian education, I want to encourage you to attend the open house for RCS this Tuesday (Feb 10^th).
• Randy just walked into my office.  He reminded me we are having an annual business meeting on March 11^th. I am hoping we can do this meeting in 90 minutes or less. (less is the key word)
• Drifting is a slow process. It doesn’t happen over night.  We don’t fall away from Jesus, we drift away.  You don’t wake up one day and say, “I don’t want to follow Christ”…we slowly, without even thinking about it, “drift”.  How do we avoid the drift?  This is the question we will wrestle with as we study the book of Hebrews.
• I have put together a small group study guide over Hebrews.  You can pick this up at guest services each week or download from our web site (great for personal growth too).
• Memorize Heb. 2:1 to prepare for our Hebrews series “We must pay careful attention therefore to what we have heard, so that we do not “drift away” (put it on a 3 x 5 card and hang on refrigerator, mirror, etc).
• This week I read Proverbs 1-6, some Psalms and spent time digesting the book of Hebrews during my quiet time.  I love the Word of God!
• Jana and I love being your pastors! 

 It is hard to believe I have an 18 year old in my house. My daughter, my little girl…the joy of my life. When Kaylee turned 13 took her out to a nice restaurant and gave her a purity ring. At 16 we did a big party on a boat with her friends. Now she is 18. Talk about an emotional time for me. I bought her a diamond journey pennant. Then we went out to have some Mexican food together. I wrote down 18 thoughts for her18th birthday. I put this on nice paper and read these to her after dinner.

With her permission I am posting them.

1. I am proud of you

2. The good thing about turning 18— You are now considered an adult, and GET to make your own decisions. The bad thing about turning 18—You are now considered an adult, and HAVE to make your own decisions.

3. I am giving you a “journey” necklace. I want you to know I respect your journey of becoming a woman of God. I want to give you the proper space for your journey—yet the proper direction.

4. Remember—no matter what man comes in your life—you are always my date on New Years day

5. I meet your mother when she was 18. Your mother is the most Godly person I know.

6. At the age 18 I was a senior at Liberty High School—getting excited about going to Northwest University, had no money, preached my first sermon, working as a Janitor at New Life and excited about the future.

7. I still remember the first day I dropped you off at Northwood Junior High. You are growing up. But you will always be my little girl!

8. Take our teddy bear everywhere you go (he is heavy..but cute)

9. Thank God cleaning your room isn’t a sign of becoming an adult

10. Thank you for listening during our family times—I know you struggled with this. But deep inside you really do like it.

11. I know you had way to many youth pastors. Look at the bright side—they may all make your wedding one day (and hopefully get you a gift)

12. Remember the purity ring I gave you, my daughter. Purity is a lifetime pursuit. You have pursued purity as a teenager. I am proud of this. Now commit as an adult. Don’t drift for a moment.

13. How many car accidents did you get in?

14. I don’t want to count how much money I spent on your cell phone. One day this will be your bill.

15. Every penny you make—tithe 10%, save 10% and buy your daddy something

16. You are gorgeous on the outside and inside. I pray that falsehood and lies would be kept far from you.

17. More than likely your future husband is alive somewhere on this planet. I pray God would direct you to him, I pray you would seek God to know who this is, I pray that your marriage wouldn’t come to quickly…but in God’s timing

18. Kaylee my greatest piece of advice– Above all else—guard your heart my daughter. Don’t let sin enter, greed take over or people embitter you I pray your heart would be tender for God and people