This is one of my favorite seasons. The weather is in transition from cold, to warm, to rain, to sun – you just never know. Flowers are coming forth, the grass is green, things are growing, the days are longer – for me it’s an incredible and exciting time.
This month we celebrate our moms. Let her know how much you love her and appreciate her. Don’t take her for granted. Do it now; she won’t be around forever. It’s also a time for graduation parties and mixed feelings. With the celebration of great accomplishment comes the sense of sadness that your home will never be the same; your son or daughter is moving on to a new season of life. Our oldest child and son, Caleb, is graduating. It reminds me that time is moving fast, and that I need to be intentional with our children. They aren’t going to be in our home forever.
I sense great growth and change at NewPointe, too. We just experienced our largest non-holiday weekend attendance at the kickoff of our series The Marriage Experts, which continues through May 30. This is a topic we all can learn from, so bring your family and friends!
Tomorrow is First Wednesday, and I’m excited to be sharing about breaking free from bondage. I believe that most Christians live in bondage to hurts, habits, hang-ups, fear, anxiety, finances, and the list can go on and on and on. The Bible tells us that we shall know the truth and it will set us free, but I am afraid that none of us are as free as Jesus died for us to be. This Wednesday is a great opportunity to experience freedom in Christ and strengthen your faith.
Thursday is the National Day of Prayer. God says in 1 Timothy 2:1-4, “I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth.”
On Friday and Saturday NewPointe is hosting the Ohio Free Methodist Conference where all of the Free Methodist Churches in Ohio gather, and we have been asked to host and give leadership. The theme is UnTypical – Anyone Can Be Ordinary, and our hope is that we all would be inspired to never settle for ordinary. Please pray with me for this.
Also on Saturday, we are kicking off Second Saturday Serve which happens the second Saturday of each month where you can show up and choose from a variety of serving options. This is for the whole family, and no special skills are required.
Lastly, I want you to know that each week our staff takes time to study and break down a truth or leadership skill. This week we talked about kernels of truth in our lives. Inside nearly every criticism (whether given or received) is a kernel of truth that we can utilize or discard. There are great rewards and benefits for the person who is not only willing to speak the truth in love, but who is open to receiving truth and life-giving correction in love. Knowing the difference between my IDENTITY in Christ (who I am – I am loved, accepted, and secure in Him) and my ROLE in life (what I do – how I lead, perform, and do things) is critical. Let’s cultivate community in our families, small groups, friends, etc., and reach our full God-given potential by welcoming truth telling and receiving.
The following Proverbs keep my heart soft: If you ignore criticism, you will end in poverty and disgrace; if you accept correction, you will be honored (Prov 13:18). If you reject discipline, you only harm yourself; but if you listen to correction, you grow in understanding (Prov 15:32). An open rebuke is better than hidden love (Prov 27:5)! People who accept discipline are on the pathway to life, but those who ignore correction will go astray (Prov 10:17). Wounds from a sincere friend are better than many kisses from an enemy (Prov 27:6).
