Dream Job!

Did you wake up and “have to” go to work this morning? Did you almost dread the thought of another 8-10 hours of your life spent doing something you don’t necessarily want to do at a place you may not really like?

In the new heaven and on the new earth people will finally be totally free to use their unique gifts and talents to honor God by endlessly building community and creating culture that glorifies God. Only then will we truly reflect His image and declare His goodness through untold diversities of gifts, talents and abilities that are in no way hindered by the curse. For thousands of years sin has thwarted the full expression of God glorifying work.

In heaven we will “get to” do work, not “have to”. In that time, we will know work to be an honor and a privilege instead of drudgery. Each new day will be an adventure as we “get to” do things as God’s servants that give full voice to what was always in our hearts but was suppressed by the curse of sin. Dancers dance like never before. Artists create like never before. Engineers design and build like no other time. Innovation and creativity will go to entirely new heights. Brokenness, sin, insecurity, and fear all gone.

With nothing to hold back expression, learning, development, and progress, resurrected people will be free to cooperate on projects and synergize to glorify God and create beauty at unprecedented levels. We can only imagine it now. The possibilities boggle the mind! What a day that will be! Luke 19 tells us that those who are faithful with the opportunities they have now, whatever they may be, will be rewarded and promoted in the next life. Finally, my dream job!

Heaven's Awful Alternative

"He will come with his mighty angels, 8 in flaming fire, bringing judgment on those who don't know God and on those who refuse to obey the Good News of our Lord Jesus. 9 They will be punished with everlasting destruction, forever separated from the Lord and from his glorious power 10 when he comes to receive glory and praise from his holy people. And you will be among those praising him on that day, for you believed what we testified about him." 2 Thes. 1:7-10

Scripture is filled with references concerning heaven's awful alternative-hell. In fact, Jesus talked about hell more than anyone else in the Bible. He refers to it as a literal, physical place. Jesus says that unbelievers "will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and nashing of teeth" (Matt 8:12).

In one place he says that in hell people will suffer horribly, be fully conscious, retain memory and desire, long for relief, and live forever without hope. Some have speculated that we will experience the diminishing of our very personhod. C. S. Lewis said, "I have met no people who fully disbelieved in hell and also had a life-giving belief in heaven." Is it possible to fully appreciate heaven apart from understanding hell? Could this be why Jesus spoke so descriptively about it?

If I were honest, (I guess I'm about to be) I would admit that I have sometimes avoided the subject of hell in my teaching ministry. I have been afraid of what people would think or do in response to such a hard truth. Would they perceive God as unloving or unkind? Would they be offended and not come back to church? My faulty reasoning has been challenged of late. I am now coming to realize that it is not unloving or unkind to speak of hell any more than it is to speak of heaven.

We must love people enough to tell them the truth- there are two eternal destinations. The scriptures are clear that many will end up in hell, separated from the Lord forever. These people are your neighbors, coworkers, and family members. This awful truth should break our hearts and lead us to share the message of Christ's love and forgiveness to as many people as possible. I would never suggest that hell be at the center of of our Gospel conversation, but to omit it or minimize it does not serve the mission of the kingdom well.

It does us good to remember that our Lord desired for us to be eternally with Him in Heaven so much that He died a terrible death and went to hell in our place. May we never forget the incredible wrath and separation that Jesus experienced so that we and others would never have to. To downplay hell is to downplay the amazing truth of the cross and what Jesus achieved for us there. To actually think about hell has produced a much needed perspective and caused me to be grateful afresh for my gift of eternal life in Jesus.

Current series: "If I die before I wake"This weekend's message: "Hell No!".

Invest wisely

"After all, what gives us hope and joy, and what is our proud reward and crown? It is you! Yes, you will bring us much joy as we stand together before our Lord Jesus when he comes back again. For you are our pride and joy." I Thes. 2:19-20

My wife and I have come to view our lives as an investment. We fully believe that every act of service- every kind word spoken-every financial sacrifice made is an opportunity to secure even more joy in eternity. Each time that we reach out to touch another in Jesus' name we put a little more hope in the tank. This eternal hope fuels our lives and sustains us in times of discouragement. It keeps us focused on what is most important.

Just as a wise man that started investing young in life approaches retirement with a growing sense of anticipation, the more we invest in eternity, the more excited we become about heaven. The wise man looks and begins to see that his portfolio is good and will provide a wonderful life in retirement. He begins to daydream about all he will do with what he has stored up. His thoughts about his future are hopeful. Jesus encourages us to think about our future in similar, yet at the same time, very different ways.

"Stop storing up treasures for yourselves on earth, where moths and rust destroy and thieves break in and steal. 20 Instead, store up treasures for yourselves in heaven, where moths and rust don't destroy and thieves don't break in and steal. 21 Your heart will be where your treasure is." Matt. 6:19-21

My heart is set on eternity and so I invest in it during time. I am investing in people. People and the difference we make in their lives will be a source of continual joy for us. And what is more is that God will reward us generously for everything we do in His name. "I tell you the truth, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to Christ will certainly not lose his reward." Mark 9:41

It is our priveledge and our joy to invest our lives in the people of NCC! Invest wisely in your eternity today. Touch others in Jesus' name! One day you will be filled with the joy and reward that is found in Jesus Christ.

Current series: "If I Die before I wake"

This weekend is message: "Hell No!".

Love In Heaven

“We know only a portion of the truth, and what we say about God is always incomplete. 10 But when the Complete arrives, our incompletes will be canceled. 11 When I was an infant at my mother's breast, I gurgled and cooed like any infant. When I grew up, I left those infant ways for good. 12 We don't yet see things clearly. We're squinting in a fog, peering through a mist. But it won't be long before the weather clears and the sun shines bright! We'll see it all then, see it all as clearly as God sees us, knowing him directly just as he knows us!” I Cor. 13:9-12 (MSG)





In my attempt to envision what it will be like in heaven, scripture provides a window of imagination for the eyes of my heart. Even though all I can dream of or say now is incomplete, that does not keep me from drawing certain conclusions that, though they are not fully developed, are none the less true.





Corinthians thirteen is often referred to as the “love chapter” and rightly so. What many may not realize is that this is also a teaching about life in heaven. It says our relationships here on present earth are like babies trying to love each other. Babies though innocent, are ignorant and selfish. They will not truly learn to love until much later as they mature into adulthood. We are in many ways like babies trying to love. Even the most mature of relationships here in this life are only infant-like at best. There is so much that we just do not know about each other’s needs. Our ignorance of real love sabotages us right and left. What’s more, our sinful natures make relationships the greatest challenge we face in life. The curse clouds our vision so we cannot currently see our way to the fulfilling relationships our hearts were made for.





One day in heaven, there will be no more curse. The fog will finally lift and Love will be clear. The lenses of selfishness will be forever gone. We will know Him and He will know us-like we have never been known before. We will forever be in the presence of Love. We will forever experience unhindered Love. I believe the beauty of heaven will not be primarily found in the amazing landscapes, but in the faces of resurrected beings who finally know how to give and receive love. Relationships with spouses, family, and friends will transcend all that we currently understand. Our hearts will forever be filled with the only thing that really satisfies or matters-Love. Just think of it!





“But for right now, until that completeness, we have three things to do to lead us toward that consummation: Trust steadily in God, hope unswervingly, love extravagantly. And the best of the three is love.” 1 Cor. 13:13



Current series: "If I Die before I wake"


This weekend is message: “Will I Be With Those I Love?”.


Coming Messages:


*Hell No!


*Finally, my dream job!

"Heaven-the church's best kept secret"

"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him." But we know these things because God has revealed them to us by his Spirit, and his Spirit searches out everything and shows us even God's deep secrets.” I Cor. 2:9-10

My wife, little boy, and I go to a restraunt in Vegas that is connnected to a casino. The restraunt is not really there to make money but to serve the customers who gamble in the casino (where the real money is). What many do not know is they have this patio that is perfect for breakfast. AND there is a starbucks right next to the patio! The breakfast plates are big enough for the three of us to share. Nobody is ever really there at breakfast so Sam can run around and play on the patio while shell and I relax and linger long over breakfast. It is one of the best kept secrets in Vegas. Where is it? I’m not tellin”.

Did you know that Heaven is also one of the best kept secrets? But it is the church that's not telling. While heaven is mentioned often, it is rarely discussed. It is even even more seldom described. Why? I do not know. Maybe Satan has a strategy to keep us from knowing the amazing wonders so we will anchor ourselves in the pleasures of sin here rather than longing for the mind-blowing experiences that God hasplanned and prepared for us in the new heaven and new earth.

“Then you will look and be radiant, your heart will throb and swell with joy;” Is. 60:5

Did you hear that? Heaven will make our faces radiant and our hearts swell and throb with Joy. I can’t wait! I will be everything we have ever desired and much, much more!

In our new Easter series, “If I Die Before I Wake” we take a provacative look at your next life. It has been the best kept secrets but I’m tellin’.

This weekend is message one: “Heaven-the church’s best kept secret”.

Come hear things you may have never heard before.

Let the anticipation begin in your heart.

Other topics include:

*Will I be with those I love?

*Hell No!

*Finally, my dream job!

Unleash the power!

“Remind the people to be ready to do whatever is good” Titus 3:1 (NIV) “I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good.” Titus 3:8 (NIV)

“Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good and not live unproductive lives.” Titus 3:14 (NIV)


Unleash the power of God's goodness upon the earth. Go about doing good for the rest of your life. Do good to someone even now.

Live beyond yourself!Have a great day today.

"The Power of Doing Good"

Living Beyong Myself Series Finale this weekend!

Never doubt that a small group of committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.--Margaret Mead

Don’t ever let anyone convince you that you have no power—together we have the power to change the world. Most significant changes in the world start slowly, at a single time and place, with a single action. One man, one woman, one single child stands up and commits to creating a better world. Their courage inspires others, who begin to stand up themselves, and then momentum gives rise to a powerful wave of good. You can be that person.
--The Better World Handbook

Achieve a new status

“Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself. 6 He had equal status with God but didn't think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. 7 Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave” Phil. 2:6-7

How do you see yourself? Do you think of yourself as equal to, or even better than others? If you do, chances are you are not very happy. Why? Because you were designed to contribute to the well-being of others-only then will you be at peace. If you serve, you bear the image of the one who created you. If you do not, you are doomed to a disfunctional existance of seeking to fulfill yourself in a myriad of empty pursuits.

Yes. Today is a day you can “cling to the advantages” of life lived for yourself. YOU can seek to align things for your comfort-for YOUR benefit. YOU can do just about anything YOU want. Or you can deside that you are here for something more. You can decide that your life is best lived when offered to others. You can grab the servant’s towel and seek to make life better for someone else. This is the way, the truth, and the life. You can transcend. You can escape. You can give. You can achieve a new status of greatness-SERVANT OF ALL.

“I tell you the truth, a servant is not greater than his master. A messenger is not greater than the one who sent him. 17 If you know these things, you will be happy if you do them.” -Jesus (John 13:16-17)

Live beyond yourself!

see a new world

Escape American Idolatry

Many do not have a sense of their worth. They make no real contribution. Our culture exalts the latest entertainer to the highest place and barely notices those in society who make real investments in the lives of others. Our young people grow up scripted in “American Idolatry” and thus blinded to a whole world of real contribution and significance.

I find it fascinating that God would create us in such a way that the only true path to greatness is found not with microphone in hand and camera in face, but in humble service to others. I am in awe of the wisdom of God who designs us in such a way that personal fulfillment cannot be achieved by selfish means. For those who have eyes to see, a whole new world of possibility opens up to them. Looking beyond self and into the need of another, they view what many cannot or will not see-a golden opportunity.

Once Jesus followers argued among themselves about who would become the greatest in His emerging new Kingdom. Jesus took a towel and, adorned like a slave, washed each one of their feet. Then He asked a question, “Do you know what I have done to you?” He told them that they did not get it then, but they certainly would later. He then said something that has been my meditation for the last several days, “Happy are you if you do it.”

Happy? Washing stinking feet? That status is reserved for slaves. Ah status-there it is, isn’t it? Our “American Idol”, image-driven, pleasure seeking culture does not even have eyes to see the real Jesus much less hear His upside down teaching on true greatness found in service. How will we look? Will we be recognized? No microphone? No cameras? Many will help others but only under certain terms- usually ones favorable or convenient to self.

Our world is miserable because we have lost our point of reference. Our compass does not point to true north. Jesus invites us to see a new world. Not a world viewed as full of problems, but with opportunities. A new world of real reward and fulfillment. This incredible world can only be viewed through the eyes of a Servant.

Come this weekend to New Community and see a new world.

see a new world

Escape American Idolatry

Many do not have a sense of their worth. They make no real contribution. Our culture exalts the latest entertainer to the highest place and barely notices those in society who make real investments in the lives of others. Our young people grow up scripted in “American Idolatry” and thus blinded to a whole world of real contribution and significance.

I find it fascinating that God would create us in such a way that the only true path to greatness is found not with microphone in hand and camera in face, but in humble service to others. I am in awe of the wisdom of God who designs us in such a way that personal fulfillment cannot be achieved by selfish means. For those who have eyes to see, a whole new world of possibility opens up to them. Looking beyond self and into the need of another, they view what many cannot or will not see-a golden opportunity.

Once Jesus followers argued among themselves about who would become the greatest in His emerging new Kingdom. Jesus took a towel and, adorned like a slave, washed each one of their feet. Then He asked a question, “Do you know what I have done to you?” He told them that they did not get it then, but they certainly would later. He then said something that has been my meditation for the last several days, “Happy are you if you do it.”

Happy? Washing stinking feet? That status is reserved for slaves. Ah status-there it is, isn’t it? Our “American Idol”, image-driven, pleasure seeking culture does not even have eyes to see the real Jesus much less hear His upside down teaching on true greatness found in service. How will we look? Will we be recognized? No microphone? No cameras? Many will help others but only under certain terms- usually ones favorable or convenient to self.

Our world is miserable because we have lost our point of reference. Our compass does not point to true north. Jesus invites us to see a new world. Not a world viewed as full of problems, but with opportunities. A new world of real reward and fulfillment. This incredible world can only be viewed through the eyes of a Servant.

Come this weekend to New Community and see a new world.