I received this email from my friend Doug Ehrgott.   Doug sent this as a mass email, but it struck me down and really spoke to me.  Doug works with Horizon International serving AIDS orphans in Africa and around the world.

In a conversation this week with a church mission committee, they expressed to me that they were not having the results they anticipated for participation on their next Global Outreach team. I asked them how many people they had each invited to go on the trip. The silence was deafening. Then I asked if other people from their congregation who had been on a GO Team had be encouraged to invite others  to experience a GO Team.  It was apparent that this was a foreign concept.

The fact is inviting people into the life God has given us is one of the foundational truths of living out the Spirit lead life.  It is a primary characteristic of the Jesus style to invite others into our life and experiences. Another way of saying it would be to “call people out.” The word we use for church in the original language means, “called out ones.” We have been called out and it is part of our DNA to be involved in calling out others and inviting them to join us in the Way of Jesus…ie what he is doing in our life.

Not a day goes by that I seek to invite someone to GO to Africa with me. Just last night two cars stopped in front of my house. One was out of gas the other trying to help. Both cars were filled with teenagers who had just attended a local concert. One of the young ladies who was driving the gasless car came up to me as I was working in my garage and asked if she could borrow some gas. Fortunately we had just filled one of our spare cans for the lawn mowers. As I was pouring the gas into her car our conversation turned towards…you guessed it…Africa. I invited her to go with me some day. Amazingly she has just finished her nursing degree and wants to go to Africa and serve children. I gave her my card. I expect to see her on a GO Team with me soon. What if I had not “called her out?”

God has called you out and to himself. Who you calling out and to what.

Please pray for our team as we go to Uganda and conduct the African Pastors Conference.

Please pray about participating on one of our fall GO Teams. You can learn more about them on our website at horizoninternationalinc.com.

Blessings
Dance with God
 
Douglas Ehrgott
Global Team Builder
Horizon International

I wanted to share a saying I read the other day about character.   I thought it was really good:

Watch your thoughts, They become your words.

Watch your words,  They become your actions.

Watch your actions, They become your habits.

Watch your habits,  They become your character.

Watch your character,  It becomes your destiny.

What do you think about this?

I am loving the Hope Rising album by Fee.  There are two songs I wanted to post that are really speaking to me right now.  We might not always know why trials and hardships arise, but resting in God will help us push through.

Maybe these songs will speak to you too?

Oh to have the faith of a child.  Jesus said:
 
"Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.  I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." (Mark 10:13-16)
 
An amazing thing happened this last week at Northview Church.  347 people stepped forward to be baptized in water by a spontaneous invitation from our Lead Pastor Steve Poe.  The invitation was spontaneous to the church members, but Northview had it planned out.  Every detail was accounted for to take away any excuse a person might make.  Shorts, tee-shirts, towels, changing rooms, hair dryers, etc.  All were present to remove any obstacle.  That is except fear.  Fear was the one obstacle that would still prevent a person from coming forward.   I have to imagine that as the team at Northview were planning for this service if they wondered how many people would step forward.   How do you plan for a movement of God?  You can't.  You just pray and hope the Spirit moves people.
 
The Spirit did indeed move people.  At the Saturday night service they ran out of dry supplies and people were literally wringing out wet clothes to let others use them.  Those in attendance that had previously been baptized in water cheered for each person that stepped forward.   Our hearts were touched as so many responded in obedience to God by getting baptized.
 
The Spirit is indeed moving at Northview. 

The best part of the weekend?   My son Camden prayed to accept Jesus into his life on Saturday night.  Holli and I are so proud of him.  He's talked about it in the past, but this time I truly feel like he understood and was ready.   What a blessing as a parent to help him make that decision and pray with him.  Camden decided on Sunday morning to step forward and get baptized too.  He was one of the 347.

I got to walk with him up the stage and back to the changing rooms.  

I got to accompany him to the stage and helped him into the water tank.  

I got to watch as he confirmed to Steve that he has committed his life to live for Jesus.  

I got to watch as he was dunked and brought back up.   

I got to help him out of the tank and hug and squeeze him so tight.   

I got to tell him how proud I was of him. 

Later that day, completely unprompted, Camden says to me "Dad, I just feel different now".   "You know why that is?" I asked him.   "That's the Spirit living inside of you now." 

Childlike Faith.   That's all Jesus tells us that we need.  If you are reading this and you don't think you have ever prayed to ask Jesus to be a part of your life, you can do that right now. 

Just pray something like this: 

"God, I've sinned against you.  I've made mistakes.  I ask that you forgive my sins and come into my life.   I believe that Jesus died so that my sins can be freely forgiven by you.   I believe that Jesus paid my price.   Right now I pray that you fill me with your Spirit and lead me in a life focused on you.  Amen." 

If you pray this prayer, the Bible says that the angels in heaven rejoice over your decision. (Luke 15:10) 

[image by >wouteR<]

If you have questions about what I wrote, please feel free to contact me privately using the Contact link above.  I'd be happy to talk with you.

This weekend marked a big milestone in the history for Northview Church.  Who's Northview Church you ask?  Well, that's the new name of Northview Christian Life in Carmel, Indiana.  Not only did the name change, Northview had its first services in our new auditorium.  This has been a multi-year project that has been fun to watch as it unfolded.   Being in the new auditorium was simply amazing this weekend.  The worship was incredible and the buzz in air with excitement was felt by everyone.

Northview doubled it's seating capacity from 1000 seats to 2000 seats with the new auditorium.  With 2000 seats, I have to admit it still felt extremely intimate with the way it was designed.   The stage is off the charts cool and the seats sort of wrap around it in a semi-circle. 

So why does a church need to spend money on a new auditorium?  It's been a big question many have asked.   I like the way our Lead Pastor Steve Poe put it (paraphased):

"The new auditorium is just a tool.  It's a way to reach more of our friends and neighbors around Hamilton County.  With the old auditorium full and no empty seats, it's hard to get passionate to invite friends to church.  Actually, this new auditorium is just a toolbox.  We, the people, are the tools.  We're the ones to do the work and reach out and invite our friends and neighbors to come and visit."

The Bottom Line: 

At Northview, it's never been about a building.  It's always been about people.  Reaching people and loving people and helping them connect with God.  There are some awesome things happening at Northview and I'm excited to be a part of it.  In Indy and want to visit?  Drop me a line.

PS: 

I took some photos from my iPhone, but they simply were quite pitiful, so I couldn't post them.  I stole these pics off of my friend Ryon's facebook page.  I knew he'd have some good ones!  He's an awesome photographer.  You can catch up with Ryon over on his blog at: http://hawaiianhoosier.blogspot.com 

Do you get weighed down at times with stress and struggles?  I do.  Many times I look at the things I need to do or problems I'm in the middle of and I begin to get overwhelmed.  I was recently reading in Isaiah and the answer was simple: 

Isaiah 45:22 -- "Look to Me and be saved" 

Too simplistic?  I don't think so.  I can look back on my life and see times of when I was stressed out and I simply took the time to look up and seek God and my stress lessened.   Every time.  Does the issue/reason causing the stress go away?  Of course not.  However, my viewpoint has been changed and I'm able to think clearer on what my next actions should be.

Get yourself up and look to God.  He is waiting for you.   Put your hope in Him and get the peace that He is able to give.  That's a great way to live an intentional life.

[image by n0nick]

Can you relate to this idea?  Share a comment on how you seek God in the midst of your stresses and how it helps.

I'm loving this song right now.  The message is awesome.   There are some great shots from Cambodia in this video.

Aren't we supposed to meet the needs of the needy?  I think yes.

Watch it on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ajIFfSaEzE 

O Holy Night is my favorite Christmas song.  Here's a great version of it on YouTube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZFxG6-WSnI 

Merry Christmas!

My 6 year old son asked me this morning if some people we knew celebrated Hanukkah.  I asked why he wondered that.  He replied that they don't believe in Jesus, so they don't celebrate Christmas.   I told him that many people still celebrate Christmas even though they don't believe in Jesus.   He didn't quite understand why they would celebrate it, because we've taught him that Christmas is Jesus' birthday.  We've taught him that Jesus is the reason we celebrate Christmas.   Christmas does not exist so that we can get gifts or go to Christmas parties, but to celebrate His birth.  Christmas wasn't always so commercialized and centered around Santa Claus.   Yes, we do Santa at our house, but Santa is so not the point.   

Santa gives our boys one present and we give them 3 presents.   Baby Jesus was given 3 presents, so that is why we give them 3.   We are so blessed in this country compared to others and our boys lack for nothing, so we see no point in giving them piles of gifts.

We're starting to teach our boys (6 & 3) that it is better to give than to receive.   How do you celebrate Christmas?   Why do you celebrate Christmas?

Here's a great video of Ronald Reagan giving a Christmas address to our nation.    What if our country returned to this type of thinking and message from the White House?  Oh, how far we have drifted.

Merry Christmas! 

I recently finished reading Primal by Mark Batterson.   I have to admit, from the minute I opened the book, I started squirming in my seat.   The book is sub-titled “A Quest for the Lost Soul of Christianity.”   Mark explores what it really looks like to live your life with a focus on the Great Commandment:

Mark 12:30
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.

The question that kept arising in my mind was “am I living this way?”.  Hence, the squirming.   In all truth, Primal really spoke to me and I very much enjoyed it.  When I read I have to read with a pen in one hand.  I love to underline words or thoughts that really grab me.   My copy of Primal is filled with underlines and notes.   I really enjoy the way that Mark writes.  The way he weaves his words, stories, examples and information make for an interesting read.    I was able to read this book while on an airplane during a business trip.   I read half the way out and half the way back.

Mark breaks down the Great Commandment into four elements:

The heart of Christianity is primal compassion.
The soul of Christianity is primal wonder.
The mind of Christianity is primal curiosity.
The strength of Christianity is primal energy.

Have you lost your passion in life?   Are you feeling depressed at the pace in which we live our lives?  Perhaps taking a moment to slow down and read Primal would be a way to re-energize your life.   I can tell you that after you’re finished reading you will walk away with at least a few great ideas to chew on and continue to use to help grow.  If a book can make me squirm and really think about how I’m living my life, I have to say it is a great book.

Why not start out 2010 a new way? I dare you to get this book and see how it speaks to you.  You can get a copy here:
http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/catalog.php?isbn=9781601421319