We've all seen the pictures, haven't we?
The aftermath of a hurricane, or a flood, or a tornado that rips through a town. Everything is destroyed, covered in gooey muck, and washed away.
We see that imagine and think, "What if that were my home? My town? My mess? Where would I even begin? It's too massive to even come up with a game plan for cleaning this up!"
Truth is, you'd tackle the clean up just like those people. One board at a time, one branch at a time, one step at a time. Messes this big don't get cleaned up in a day or a week.
But then we go back some time later and are amazed to find that things are restored, homes rebuilt, the piles of debris are gone. Life has returned to some semblance of normalcy.
We've talked last week about why the world is in such a mess. And we found that it's not God's fault. It's ours. So, when God looks down and sees this world we totally messed up, it might have looked impossible, might have looked hopeless, might have looked irredeemable.
He could have just built a big wall around this world and starting up something new on some other planet.
But that's what separates God from the rest of us.
The mess we couldn't fix, He did. Want to know about his strategy?
Amazingly, He started just like we do in cleaning up after a tornado - with one branch, one board or, in this case, one man.
Genesis 11-15 might be some interesting reading in preparation.
Sunday at 11:00am, to hear more about the biggest clean up job in history.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
New Life on TV!
In an effort to get a little website traffic and name recognition, New Life will be airing a series of "Random People" commercials on many of your favorite TV programing!
You might find these commercials on during programing on Comedy Central, TBS, and NBC so keep a look out!
The videos are 15 seconds each and very funny, so please let us know what you think!
You might find these commercials on during programing on Comedy Central, TBS, and NBC so keep a look out!
The videos are 15 seconds each and very funny, so please let us know what you think!
Thursday, March 19, 2009
What is wrong with the world today?
We first heard the news from my wife, Jackie's hairdresser who told her that the woman was brain dead.
It was pretty depressing that the accident had happened in the first place, but even more so that we were informed by a hairdresser! I was an intelligence analyst in the CIA; I'm supposed to know things!
So, it probably wasn't true.
I mean how could a hairdresser know about things that weren't even in the paper yet?
Then sure enough, I pick up the paper today to see that, yet again, hairdressers are pretty much clued in to everything.
Natasha Richardson, esteemed stage and screen actress, wife of Liam Neesom, dead at 45 from a fall on a bunny slope.
That's right... a bunny slope.
Somehow, we just know, don't we, that this isn't right?
We know Liam knows it isn't supposed to be this way. We know Natasha's two kids know it isn't supposed to be this way.
How can we make sense of something like this?
And for those who believe in God, there's this tendency to look toward the sky and ask: What are you thinking? Are you even thinking? Are you aware of what's going on down here?
Good questions, but are there good answers?
We'll give it a shot Sunday at 11:00 at 1988 Kirby Road in McLean.
The topic? Why is the World So Messed Up? Perspective is everything.
To get a head start open to the first story in the Bible - Genesis 1.
Or, if nothing bad has ever happened to you or anyone you know, feel free to take a pass on this one. I'm sure we'll do a message on "Being in Denial" soon.
It was pretty depressing that the accident had happened in the first place, but even more so that we were informed by a hairdresser! I was an intelligence analyst in the CIA; I'm supposed to know things!
So, it probably wasn't true.
I mean how could a hairdresser know about things that weren't even in the paper yet?
Then sure enough, I pick up the paper today to see that, yet again, hairdressers are pretty much clued in to everything.
Natasha Richardson, esteemed stage and screen actress, wife of Liam Neesom, dead at 45 from a fall on a bunny slope.
That's right... a bunny slope.
Somehow, we just know, don't we, that this isn't right?
We know Liam knows it isn't supposed to be this way. We know Natasha's two kids know it isn't supposed to be this way.
How can we make sense of something like this?
And for those who believe in God, there's this tendency to look toward the sky and ask: What are you thinking? Are you even thinking? Are you aware of what's going on down here?
Good questions, but are there good answers?
We'll give it a shot Sunday at 11:00 at 1988 Kirby Road in McLean.
The topic? Why is the World So Messed Up? Perspective is everything.
To get a head start open to the first story in the Bible - Genesis 1.
Or, if nothing bad has ever happened to you or anyone you know, feel free to take a pass on this one. I'm sure we'll do a message on "Being in Denial" soon.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Does It Really Take a Village?
Everyone's terrified of the monster lurking right outside the house, in the dark, now tromping on the front porch, now rattling the door handle.
Everyone knows it's there, and you want to shake with fear, but you know you have to remain absolutely still and try not to breath.
Honestly, if you could stop your heart from beating, you would; because surely it can hear you and OH MY GOSH, YOU ARE GOING TO DIE TONIGHT!!!
OK, so this isn't really everyday life, rather a scene from M. Night Shyamalan's movie, The Village.
If you wanted to see it, you already should have (it came out in 2004 for Pete's sake!), so let's blow the ending, shall we?
THE WHOLE THING'S A SCAM!!!
Well, sort of...
There is a monster. But it's the leadership of the village, who has invented this whole "religion" to keep the sect together. And they are not above killing someone to keep the charade alive.
You know, this sounds far fetched, but it's what a lot of people think of Christians who yap on about how the Bible is God's Word and use it to keep the people in line.
I mean, after all, we all know the Bible is full of errors and contradictions, right?
And that supernatural stuff? What's the deal with that? Great for a Tolkien fantasy. But, come on, it's the 21st Century already! Get a grip!
Hey, here's a thought. What if you're wrong? What if you're actually in the village, and you're being scammed?
What if the Bible really is God's Word and can be trusted? Couldn't be true, right?
Nah, cause some nutty professor told you otherwise when you were in college, and we know that all professors have all the truth on all things and never make mistakes and never mislead anyone... right?
So, here's our deal.
We're not looking to prove anything to you on Sunday. Just want you to think for yourself.
But, hey, if that's too scary for you, just join the people from the movie and stay in your village, man.
If not, come to ours - 1988 Kirby Road, McLean, VA, at 11:00am this Sunday.
The sun will be up, so it'll be safe to go outside.
For folks who want to ponder, read 2 Timothy 3:13-17.
Everyone knows it's there, and you want to shake with fear, but you know you have to remain absolutely still and try not to breath.
Honestly, if you could stop your heart from beating, you would; because surely it can hear you and OH MY GOSH, YOU ARE GOING TO DIE TONIGHT!!!
OK, so this isn't really everyday life, rather a scene from M. Night Shyamalan's movie, The Village.
If you wanted to see it, you already should have (it came out in 2004 for Pete's sake!), so let's blow the ending, shall we?
THE WHOLE THING'S A SCAM!!!
Well, sort of...
There is a monster. But it's the leadership of the village, who has invented this whole "religion" to keep the sect together. And they are not above killing someone to keep the charade alive.
You know, this sounds far fetched, but it's what a lot of people think of Christians who yap on about how the Bible is God's Word and use it to keep the people in line.
I mean, after all, we all know the Bible is full of errors and contradictions, right?
And that supernatural stuff? What's the deal with that? Great for a Tolkien fantasy. But, come on, it's the 21st Century already! Get a grip!
Hey, here's a thought. What if you're wrong? What if you're actually in the village, and you're being scammed?
What if the Bible really is God's Word and can be trusted? Couldn't be true, right?
Nah, cause some nutty professor told you otherwise when you were in college, and we know that all professors have all the truth on all things and never make mistakes and never mislead anyone... right?
So, here's our deal.
We're not looking to prove anything to you on Sunday. Just want you to think for yourself.
But, hey, if that's too scary for you, just join the people from the movie and stay in your village, man.
If not, come to ours - 1988 Kirby Road, McLean, VA, at 11:00am this Sunday.
The sun will be up, so it'll be safe to go outside.
For folks who want to ponder, read 2 Timothy 3:13-17.
Craft Fair - This Saturday, March 14!
This Saturday, March 14, New Life Westmoreland will be teaming up with the Avon Foundation Walk for Breast Cancer to host a silent auction event to raise money for the treatment and research of Breast Cancer.
The event itself, a craft auction and sale, starts at 1:30, with the silent auction portion ending at 3:30. For a list of all items that will be auctioned off click here.
In addition to the silent auction, there will be a bake sale and some local crafters selling items.
For any additional information please email Leigh Robinson at m.leigh.robinson@gmail.com
Summer Camp for your Preschooler
Kirby Kids Early Childhood Education Center, located at New Life Westmoreland, just launched their new website - www.kirbykidspreschool.com
In addition, the website is now offering information for their 8 week summer camp program for 2009.
This program will include 3 sessions (2-3 weeks each) between June 29 and August 20, 2009. The sessions will focus on "Discoveries of out World," "Space Adventures," and "Underwater Exploration."
Currently this program is limited to preschoolers from ages 3 (potty trained) to 5 years.
For additional information or to download the summer camp application, visit their website or contact the director Terry Finks at 703-534-0006 or terryfinks@gmail.com
In addition, the website is now offering information for their 8 week summer camp program for 2009.
This program will include 3 sessions (2-3 weeks each) between June 29 and August 20, 2009. The sessions will focus on "Discoveries of out World," "Space Adventures," and "Underwater Exploration."
Currently this program is limited to preschoolers from ages 3 (potty trained) to 5 years.
For additional information or to download the summer camp application, visit their website or contact the director Terry Finks at 703-534-0006 or terryfinks@gmail.com
Financial Peace University
New Life Westmoreland's first class just graduated from the Financial Peace University, and we are all ready to kick off the series for a second class!!!
This series highlights tips and secrets from financial genius Dave Ramsey.
The kick off session (which does not obligate you to complete the series), will be Sunday, March 22, at 5:00pm. The course will be held at the residence of Paul Gardiner (resident finance exert) - 12705 Nathan Lane, Herndon,VA 20170.
This session is geared for people who want to learn more about the course, and decide if they are interested in the full course.
The course is free, and the materials are $99 and include CDs, books, and forms.
The full course will begin Sunday, March 12 and will run each Sunday for 12 weeks at 5:00pm (with Holiday breaks pending). For more information you may email Paul at paul@makingmoneysense.com.
This series highlights tips and secrets from financial genius Dave Ramsey.
The kick off session (which does not obligate you to complete the series), will be Sunday, March 22, at 5:00pm. The course will be held at the residence of Paul Gardiner (resident finance exert) - 12705 Nathan Lane, Herndon,VA 20170.
This session is geared for people who want to learn more about the course, and decide if they are interested in the full course.
The course is free, and the materials are $99 and include CDs, books, and forms.
The full course will begin Sunday, March 12 and will run each Sunday for 12 weeks at 5:00pm (with Holiday breaks pending). For more information you may email Paul at paul@makingmoneysense.com.
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