My New Horizons

International Thanksgiving Celebration!

Steve — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 21:31:34 +0000

This is one of our favorite events as a young church family. Since we launched in March of 05, I don’t think there is anything we’ve done which has generated so much excitement as our International Thanksgiving Celebrations. The sharing of cultures really makes NHCC unique. It’s just another reason why Debi has said, “I just love our church.” Our church family here in Rancho reminds me so much of what John experienced in Revelation 7:9-10 where he saw a “great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne . . .” Yup, I’m thankful for NHCC. What are you thankful for?

American “Church Vote”

Steve — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 23:44:58 +0000

     A couple of weeks ago one of our work teams arrived at Navigator to set up for the Sunday morning assembly only to find out that we could not use the stage area that week. So being the resourceful folks we are, we just set everything up in a different format. The funny thing was that we actually had a number of people who liked the new setting. The gym did look bigger because of the lengthwise setup, but it also presented a number of other problems. So as we surveyed the pros and cons of the arrangement someone jokingly said we ought to “Take a Vote”. After all, aren’t we Americans? While this was a small issue, it does raise the question of how churches are to make policy within themselves. It’s election year, so why not vote? But the reality is that we can’t find any reference in the New Testament Church of anyone taking a vote on anything. Rather, the pattern we find in the Bible is twofold. 1. The church was lead by qualified leadership. These were elders, and men and women, of serious commitment and dedication. Check out 1 Timothy 3 on Eldership. Leadership in the early church was a serious thing and nothing to be taking lightly. This is especially true considering that a great many church leaders in the first century and other times lost their lives for their faith. In addition to this, Hebrews 13:17 shows that the leadership would be held accountable for how they served and lead the church body. 2. The Church body followed the direction of its local leadership. They did not vote on policy. They prayed for, supported, and followed those entrusted with leadership. The first part of Hebrews 13:17 actually exhorts the body to “obey” their leaders and submit to them.
     This all totally flies in the face of many churches in America where everyone wants to have their own piece of the leadership pie. Because of that, every time a church takes a “vote” we have an opportunity for division. So the ideal situation that I painted for the assembly that Sunday morning was one of a leadership that listens to and cares for the flock, but that we as a young church would be “voting” on virtually nothing outside of the hiring of a new lead minister if the need arises and something big like the purchase of land to build on. I’ve seen huge health problems in churches where everyone gets a vote. I’ve seen situations where the eldership or other levels of leadership have really invested and wrestled over issues only to get shot down in a “vote” by a body that does not understand the intricacies involved or have the level of commitment or Biblical wisdom of the leadership. It appears that control is a big word in the discussion, which is kind of oxymoronic to authentic Christianity which is all about surrender.
     Maybe we can talk about this more later, but the short of the story is that voting is much more of an American thing than it is a biblical reality. Can you think of other Western concepts that have dictated the way Church is “done” here in America?

Election Prediction.

Steve — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 17:14:49 +0000

I got this last week from an attorney friend who is a Christ follower. Enjoy and be encouraged.

Top 10 Predictions No Matter Who Wins the Election.
1. The Bible will still have all the answers.
2. Prayer will still work.
3. The Holy Spirit will still move.
4. God will still inhabit the praises of His people.
5. There will still be God-anointed preaching.
6. There will still be singing of praise to God.
7. God will still pour out blessings upon His people.
8. There will still be room at the Cross. (I like that one)
9. Jesus will still love you.
10. Jesus will still save the lost when they come to Him.

And God approves this message.

“ISN’T IT GREAT TO KNOW WHO IS REALLY IN CHARGE”

On the Way to Election Day.

Steve — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 22:03:15 +0000

Sorry for the delay in posting something. My time last week was mostly spent with my brother who works as Director of Student life at Dallas Christian College. I had the privilege of speaking for the Thursday morning chapel service while there. As I understand my sermon will soon be online at DCC. I really enjoyed the chance to challenge the student body there toward a greater commitment to Kingdom service. But a big issue that is on the radar for many people is the election next week. Some are excited to see it come and others just can’t wait for it to be over with. Some are chomping at the bit and others are biting their nails. Still it does raise the question of how followers of Christ are to respond. I received my weekly email edition of the Christian Standard Magazine today and the lead article dealt with just that issue.

The author, Jason Rodenbeck, closed his argument by saying that, “Our role isn’t to tweak the political code of this world’s kingdom. Our role is to live in this kingdom and to demonstrate a better one.” While I totally agree with that initial assessment, Jason did not give a practical answer of what we are to actually do on Election Day itself.

Jason is right on the money in that we, as followers of Christ, are part of a bigger Kingdom than the United States of America. Our ultimate goal is not to change laws, but hearts. The answer for our world’s woes is not better politics, but the Kingdom of Jesus Christ played out in the hearts and lives of men and women. Rodenbeck is correct in all of that. But he stops short of offering any direction for November 4^th 2008. Is his suggestion that we just not go to the polls?

The Word tells us to pray for those who are in authority over us and I am all for that. It’s interesting to note that Paul wrote that in a time that was much more decadent than our day when Nero was on the throne of the Roman Empire. So we are to pray for our leaders, trust God, and then love those around us. But the additional point to ponder is that we in America actually have a chance to help select our leaders.

We do indeed have the right to vote. On one hand we don’t want to throw all our weight and trust into this system. But on the other hand we don’t want to ignore it. Are we not being salt and light by simply stating what we believe? Is a vote not a statement of what we believe? Can we not say, “I voted this way because of this reason?”

It appears that we have another illustration of the pendulum swing at work here. While some Christ followers have put all their eggs of change into the political basket, it seems that others have swung the other direction of doing nothing. In the past, the most publicized Christ followers who entered into the dangerous field of politics stood for such issues as the life of the unborn and protection of marriage. Today we have a number of what the media calls, “Young Evangelical” who are stomping for issues like attending to the poor, immigration, and the environment. But now there seems to be another plank in the discussion that says all these moral issues should not even be brought up in the political arena. At point is the whole “Separation of Church and State” issue which is actually not what the First Amendment to the Constitution means.

But in one very real sense, aren’t all laws to some extent a moral issue? Public policy prohibits murder, stealing, and perjury. Those are moral or religious issues. Check out the 10 Commandments. So why all the hang up on policy for the taking care of the poor and standing up for the rights of the unborn? Ok, I know we might be digressing here a bit. But it somewhat reminds me of Dietrich Bonhoeffer in Nazi Germany. While I believe he went too far in actually supporting the assassination attempts on Hitler, he did try to engaged what was going on around him. We at least in American have a right to vote, which is something Bonheoffer did not have.

So maybe we can at least do this:

1. Pray indeed. Pray that our Lord’s will be done in America. Pray for the new President and all government officials.

2. Just take the responsibility of an American citizen seriously and simply vote.

3. If you are called of God to enter the political arena, do so in love. (and make sure it is indeed of God.)

4. Find ways to exercise the love of Christ all around us without having to enter into politics. Like supporting homeless shelters, crises pregnancy centers, or just opening your home to those in need.

5. Take God at His word and live in peace that God is still sovereign.

What else would you add?

“Third Sundays” Officially Launches.

Steve — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 18:48:56 +0000

While we have a great bunch of praying folks in the NHCC body and a number of small prayer gatherings going on all the time, we have never completely invested in an all out, full blown church prayer meeting. Well that all changed last night as we launched our first “Third Sunday Prayer Meeting.” I want to thank Dan and Peggy Converse for opening up their home for our gathering. We started the evening with a reading from Acts 12:1-19 and then Deb lead us in four profound worship songs, one of them being a great hymn of a past era, (I’ve pasted those below). We then went into a season of thanking God for all his blessings. So many times folks go to God and the first thing they do is start asking for more stuff. But we started by just worshiping him and praising Him. We then went into a season of lifting up those who need to know His love, issues of need for divine intervention, and other petitions. Over all it was just a great time and another reason why I’m so thankful for NHCC. We’ll be meeting at the Converse home again next month. Do you have a favorite passage of scripture, books, or occasions that reminds you of God’s power and answer to prayer?

Great Is Thy Faithfulness

Thomas Chisholm, 1923.

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father;

There is no shadow of turning with Thee;

Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;

As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be.

Refrain

Great is Thy faithfulness!

Morning by morning new mercies I see.

All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;

Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,

Sun, moon and stars in their courses above

Join with all nature in manifold witness

To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.

Refrain

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth

Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;

Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,

Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

HUNGRY

Hungry I come to you
For I know You satisfy
I am empty but I know
Your love does not run dry
So I wait for You
So I wait for You

I’ve fallen on my knees
Offering all my needs
Jesus You’re all
This heart is living for

Broken I run to You
For Your arms are open wide
I am weary but I know Your touch
Restores my life

So I wait for You
So I wait for You

More Precious Than Silver.

Lord you are more precious than silver
Lord you are more costly than gold
Lord you are more beautiful than diamonds
And nothing I desire compares with you

There Is A Redeemer lyrics

Keith and Melody Green

There is a redeemer,
Jesus, God’s own Son,
Precious Lamb of God, Messiah,
Holy One,

Jesus my redeemer,
Name above all names,
Precious Lamb of God, Messiah,
Oh, for sinners slain.

Thank you oh my father,
For giving us Your Son,
And leaving Your Spirit,
‘Til the work on Earth is done.

When I stand in Glory,
I will see His face,
And there I’ll serve my King forever,
In that Holy Place.

Thank you oh my father,
For giving us Your Son,
And leaving Your Spirit,
‘Til the work on Earth is done.

(Man, I want that one sung at my funeral)

Benevolence and Fundraisers.

Steve — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 23:29:06 +0000

Another thing that really makes me proud of our young church is our growing concern for those in need. I got a call today from one our folks and we talked about how we can better help those in need. I was excited about his concern and just wanted to hug the guy. The sad reality is that there are occasions when churches get so concerned with their own internal issues that they fail to see the needs of those around them. I’ve not seen a hint of that in NHCC in our short history as a church family. As we have reached out to share the life changing message of Jesus Christ with our community and the world, we have also reached out to help those with physical needs. Yes, I’m proud of our church family who looks out for others in a world where most look out for themselves. But as we continue to do this, our “benevolence” account can easily dry up. So what to do? We’ve included a category in our regular budget to help people. The problem comes when the fund gets depleted quicker than the regular budget can put into it. So the question is how to maintain that account while reaching out. Some churches put together some kind of “Fundraiser” to keep that coffer filled. But I’ve always felt funny about those kinds of things, you know, the “Bake Sale / Spaghetti Dinner / Garage Sale” type thing. Here are the reasons just off the top of my head for my lack of enthusiasm for such events:

1. The Bible teaches us that the church body is to tithe and give regularly. One way a mature Christian demonstrates his or her faith is by a consistent, regular, and full 10% tithe of everything God gives them. The premise goes that if they do that, then the needs will be taken care of. (Not to mention just honoring God) But I’ve noticed that there are occasions when church families have events like these to raise money while all the time they’re filled with people who already have all the money they need. The just haven’t taken their responsibility to give seriously.
2. I don’t want to “sell” stuff to the community when we could “give” to them. I’ve always felt funny when churches go to the world to help meet their needs.

Ok, well that’s my quick rant and I’m over it. But then while talking to my sweet wife this morning; who happens to be quite wise, she noted that there are actually people who consider organizing things like these their ministry. Yes, people actually like doing events like this and they are good at it. Part of Deb’s observation is that we actually might be taking someone’s ministry away from them by our not doing a “Fundraiser”. So I guess like a lot of things there might be a balance here. On one hand the church is different than a community service group. We rely on God and make personal sacrifice just a part of our lives. Thus the “Anti-Fundraiser” camp. But on the other hand, by organizing such a festivity we may actually bring people together and secure more needed cash for Benevolence. What’s your take on the issue?

A BIG Boost for little People!

Steve — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 20:45:06 +0000

I’m excited to report that we’ve just hired our first “Official” Children’s Ministry Director. Francine Voudouris has energetically answered the call to oversee our children’s ministry and she will officially start next Monday. This is a great time in the life of our young church as Francine will be able to strengthen our present program and give vision for future ministry to children in our area. As many of you know we have been praying about this area of our church family for quite a while and we couldn’t be happier with God’s provision in Francine. Francine comes with her husband Chris, two fun kids, and a whole lot of energy. Be sure to check out her bio below and get ready for great things to come in the children’s ministry. But for now; “Three cheers for Francine . . . !”

Francine is a credentialed teacher who has elected to stay home with her 2 children while they are small. She has been involved in coordinating Children’s Ministry in the past two churches she’s attended in the Midtown area. Her heart for Rancho Cordova, children, and growing God’s kingdom has sent her our way. Francine substitute taught in the Folsom-Cordova School District for many years and went on numerous mission trips to the Former Soviet Union. She welcomes any opportunity to practice speaking Russian. Since having children, she started her own tutoring agency and manages a staff of teachers who travel to students homes. Francine is active in a Rancho Cordova playgroup where she enjoys meeting moms and their preschool aged children. francine@mynewhorizons.org 202-7237.

An Explanation and an Exhortation.

Steve — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 17:18:50 +0000

Considering that Monday’s post is now outdated, here’s an attempt to explain what the Bail is all about in layman’s terms and to offer what God says to His children in seasons of distress. To accomplish this I’ve asked one of my friends who really works in this area to do a short write up and I’ve followed that with an outline of our sermon tomorrow entitled “Divine Answers to Economic Anxieties.” The main text for our study tomorrow is Philippians 4:6-7. Hope this helps.

Steve,
The panic that we have seen on both Main Street and Wall Street during the past few weeks has put our economy in jeopardy. On Main Street depositors withdrew $16.7 billion in 10 days from Washington Mutual causing it to fail. On Wall Street investors are not willing to lend out causing even low risk borrowers such as the State of California to be unable to sell bonds to raise money. This is really a crisis of confidence as individuals and companies who are afraid of losing money or not being able to pay their bills hoard money. So today, the US House of Representatives passed the bill that will give the Secretary of the Treasury access to $700 billion to lend out in order to add money to the financial system. Now when depositors rush to the bank to take out funds the bank can rest assured that it can sell assets to the government to raise the cash to pay its depositors if needed. Already the State of California has approached the Treasury Deportment about borrowing $7 billion if it cannot sell the bonds in its upcoming offering. This will allow these entities to function normally and encourage depositors and investors to lend their money out.

Chase, carmer@plannedsolutions.com

Divine Answers to Economic Anxieties.

1. Keep Cool . . . 2 Timothy 4:5.
2. Remember whose really in charge . . . Ps. 46:10.
3. Trust in God’s Provision . . . Matthew 6:25ff.
4. Pray and Thank God . . . Philip. 4:6.
5. Seek God’s Will above our own . . . Matt. 6:33.
6. Do the next thing . . . Prov. 20:4.
7. Help others . . . Acts 20:35 / Prov. 11:25.
8. Be Wise with wealth . . . Just check out Proverbs.
9. Continue to Tithe . . . Prov. 3:9-10.
10. All Out Surrender to Christ . . . Matt. 16:24-25.

No Whale of a Bail.

Steve — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 00:03:26 +0000

The big headline news today was that the House failed to pass the huge 700 Billion dollar bailout. While some were thrilled at the outcome, others, like one of my economist friends, saw it as disastrous. I’m not sure anyone knows exactly how bad things are, but one author I read this morning felt like the present crisis would take a generation to completely work itself out. I really can’t comment on that as I’m kind of like Amos; neither a prophet nor a prophet’s son. But it does raise the question of how Christ followers can react in such a time as this. After all, aren’t followers of Christ supposed to be different?

While praying this morning over our next direction for Sunday morning study, I kept coming back to what Jesus said about worry even before I heard the news regarding the bailout. In Matthew 6 Jesus calls us to trust in God’s provision rather than give into worry. There are all kinds of ramifications to that which we’ll look at Sunday. But for now, consider some ways Christ followers can react.

-Remember who is really in charge: One of the passages that have really kept my emotional feet on solid ground in the past has been Psalm 46:10. In the text, King David begins to describe his confidence in God’s control even though it appears everything is falling apart around him. He concludes in verses 10-11 by stating: “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.”

-Keep cool and in control: In the middle of one of my favorite passage, the veteran apostle Paul exhorts the young evangelist Timothy in his ministry and calls for him to Keep his head in all situations. 2 Tim. 4:5. One of the true marks of maturity is holding firm and steady even when the boat is being tossed all around us.

-Trust in God’s provision for our needs: As mentioned above, Jesus calls us away from a life of worry and notes that if God can take care of the birds of the air and grass of the field, he can take care of us who are more important. Note Matthew 6:25ff and Philippians 4:6.

-Think about what’s good for others: Jesus said that it is better to give than to receive. The bottom line is that much of the problem we have today is the greed of others and maybe ourselves as well. But when we set out to give and think about others first we begin to act like Christ and life works out better for everyone. Note Acts 20:35.

-Be wise with wealth: check out the whole book of Proverbs. It’s amazing how much the Bible has to say about money and possessions.

-Continue to tithe: As strange as it may seem, to really live right side up in an upside down economy, we have to continue with the spiritual discipline of tithing at least 10% of what God gives us back to the local church. Note Malachi 3:6-10. One of the reasons we make a regular habit of tithing is that we are authenticating our faith in this. When we begin to retreat from giving back to God we are actually living as Practical Pagans. We do this when we say we trust God in the good times, but make up our own rules in lean seasons. But an honest tithe is actually proof of our trusting God to meet our needs.

Those are few quick things that come to mind. We’ll look more at the subject on Sunday, but what would you add now?

27/16 Victory for the Boys, and something better.

Steve — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 17:37:51 +0000

I haven’t lived in Texas for 19 years now but still consider myself to be a Dallas Cowboy fan. I mean it’s just the logical thing to do. When you’re on the right side, why switch? But I wasn’t able to catch the whole game last night. I did watched a little bit of the game with my second son early on, caught some more on the radio while driving to see some friends in the hospital, and then finished up the evening by catching the last few minutes. Though Romo didn’t have his best game, the “field general” still led his team to a 27/16 victory over Green Bay and my brother in Dallas and I couldn’t have been happier.
A few weeks ago a friend here at NHCC and I were talking about the Nov. 23rd game against San Francisco and I told him we ought to rent two Big Projection Screens for the game. We could put them back to back and have the 49er’s fans on one side and the Cowboy fans on the other. My friend liked the idea, but told me it would be lonely on my side. I figure that would be ok, because me and God still makes a majority. Too bad though that kick off for the game is noon Texas time. That makes it 10:00 here in Rancho which is when our Sunday morning gathering starts. Maybe we can pick up the highlights of the massacre that evening.
But it is funny how often I run into Cowboy fans even out here in Nor. Cal. While my neighbors are diehard Raider’s fans, I still bump into Cowboy loyalist all over the place. I even remember teaching English in Moscow and talking to Russians who wanted to know more about the Cowboys and “Amerikanski” football. One thing for sure is that you will always find Cowboy supporters all across the globe and that’s a great feeling. It’s always fun to run across someone whom you can connect with and encourage each other in the face of all these other miss-guided and envious fans from other teams of lesser merit.
But a greater feeling is that of connecting with Christ followers all over Rancho and the world. I am so thankful for our community here at New Horizons Christian Church. It is encouraging to know that we are building each other up and working together to make a positive and eternal impact in our society. But in addition to that, I am thankful for the greater body of Christ that reaches all over the planet. Every time I run into a true Christ follower, no matter where it is, there is an instant bond of inner brotherhood that nothing else can touch. It is a bond of connection to the eternal King and His Kingdom. It is a bond of hope that will last even when the temporary pleasures of this life pass. It is a brotherhood and sisterhood of Christ that far outshines the best communities of this world. Yes, even the Cowboys; and certainly that of the rest of the NFL.