It is exciting to see God at work!  Since my last blog regarding our church, our church family has stepped up to the plate and taken the steps toward a fresh start.  You have continued to attend and serve, not letting the enemy to pursuade you to give up.  You have given more than usual, allowing more than $16,000 of our financial debt to be paid off in the last 30 days.  On May 5th, we voted in 5 trustees in order to have financial accountability; and next Wednesday we will be voting in elders for leadership, accountability and support as our church continues to grow.

Over the last few weeks Derrick has portrayed what we value as a church and has given a vision for us to focus in on:  LOVE GOD / LOVE PEOPLE / SERVE YOUR WORLD!

There is an excitement in the air and great things are on the horizon.  We are scheduling many events for our church family to connect and unite.  Just to name a few, we will be having "Baptism at the Beach" including baptism, delicious food and loads of fun.  Also we will be having a few  "Pizza at the Park" and "Movie Nights" for families to enjoy during the summer break.

As I laid my committment card down at the altar Sunday morning and took my servants towel, my heart swelled with joy as I watched everyone else do the same!  There is nothing like a room full of humble, willing servants ready and eager to do the work of Christ!  So New Hoper's....keep on keepin' on!

If you are not a part of New Hope's family, we covet your prayers and you can keep up with us at www.findhopehere.com or be-friend us on facebook "new-hope church"!

 

Well, I got a ticket last week.  It was supposed to be a speeding ticket, but the officer "gave me a break" by just issuing a $119 ticket for not having my address changed on my license.  I guess I should be thankful since it won't affect my insurance, but I sure could have thought of alot more things to do with that money!
Wouldn't it be awful if we were given a ticket for every little thing we did wrong?  I can't imagine the fees!  Yes, even those things that we do when we think that noone is watching.  Talk bad about someone...boom!  Ticket! (Phil. 2:3)  Get a little greedy...boom!  Ticket! (I Timothy 6:10)  Eat too much...boom!  Ticket!  Drink too much...boom!  Ticket!  (Proverbs 23:20-21)  Love anything (family, friends, job, ideas, dreams, money, car, home) more than God...boom!  Ticket!  (Rom. 1 :25)  Not obeying the laws of the land...boom!  Ticket! (Titus 3:1-2)  Obviously I could go on and on, but I think you catch my drift!
Thankfully, we have a loving Saviour that died on a cross for our sins so that our debts have all been paid.  All those fees for my daily, fleshly wrongs have been covered with the blood of Christ so there is no need for ticketing my every weakness...except when it has to do with breaking the law of course!  :)  My having to pay a fine is the consequence of my sin.  Although my sin is forgiven by Christ, sin always has a consequence.  That's why it is God's ultimate desire that we fashion our lives after Him.  To live a holy and blameless life so that we get to enjoy a life of abundance and joy instead of living a life of consequences.
God says in His word, "I am the Lord your God.  Keep yourselves holy for Me because I am holy."  I think this is something that Christ-followers have continually drifted away from.  I am speaking to myself as well believe me!  The uglier the world gets, it's almost as though Christians feel that they can live on the edge because it doesn't look quite as bad as what the world is doing.  God has called us to be different. Light in a dark world. 
It's time we stop the excuses for all our bad habits and know that we can overcome anything because "I can do all things through Jesus Christ who gives me strength!" 
Phil. 4:13  It's time we stop doing as the world does...the way we dress, the music we listen to, the places we go, the things we watch on tv, the impurities we just overlook...it's time to reflect the life of Jesus!  If you are wearing His name as a CHRISTian, let's strive to live a life of holiness!  Yes, that even means driving the speed limit!  :)