Leah Rade

"Come and See"

Last weekend I had the great opportunity to spend 3-1/2 days learning and growing with 45 women, all seeking God's wisdom together, and may I add, were far wiser than myself.  During one of our discussions we talked about serving and the imagery of a sponge was offered by this particularly wise woman named Martha.  She shared that she even had a sponge on her desk to remind her that she is not to just absorb knowledge and information, but is called to squeeze out everything that she has learned and absorbed, onto someone else.  

The imagery continued as we discussed what happens to a sponge that is full of water and just sets without being wrung out.  It rots and grows rancid and is of no benefit...to anyone.  That's what happens to us too when we refuse to share knowledge, information and training.  We rot because it is in the sharing and teaching others that we continue to be shaped through community.  We open up ourselves to new channels of learning when we share knowledge with someone else. (Hint - Someone is waiting to squeeze their sponge on you too, with fresh insight and ideas.)

After all, it's all about transformation, not just information.  When we apprentice someone else, we spur them on to trust their gifts, and now, new skills learned from you; to be an effective part of the body of Christ.  In turn, you are transformed through your service to your apprentice; as God uses others to pour into you.

So, how about it?  Are you going to squeeze your knowledge and insight into someone who is just waiting to learn?  Or, are you going to keep your knowledge and skills to yourself and, well, quite frankly, become stinky, rotten and useless?  If you're ready to help someone else grow in their unique gifting through the knowledge you've gain through serving Him, come see me this weekend at the Serving Team HQ Tent and I'll have a special "sponge" pin waiting for you.  When someone asks you about it, you can tell them, "'Come and see' what I do here at New Horizon Church to help people know they matter to God.  I'd love to teach you." 

Insight from 2 Samuel 24:24

Reading from 2 Samuel last night right before our weekly Celebrate Recovery meeting and was struck by something I read in 2 Samuel.  David says, "I won't offer God that which costs me nothing."  Following God requires sacrifice, especially of our time.

So many times when I talk with people about serving, I hear, I just don't have the time to serve.  I feel very sad when I hear this because serving, especially when it requires a sacrifice of time, catapults us into a closer relationship with God.  

Want to get closer to God, fast?  Sacrifice a little time and serve someone.

"Miracles Of The New Creation"

I have pondered, praised and thanked God for His "miracles of the new creation" yesterday.  C. S. Lewis, a literary genius and spiritual giant (can you tell I'm a fan) is known for his phrase, "miracles of the new creation" which refers to the power of God, who created the world, uses His power to create something out of virtually nothing.  One of the greatest examples of this is when Jesus created food for 5000 from five loaves and two fish.  He could have fed 5000 without the loaves and fish, but He chose to let a little boy and the disciples participate in His miracle.

I believe this happened again yesterday at New Horizon Church, when God used ordinary people, who through inviting, prayer and a willingness to serve; for His "miracles of the new creation" as 254 people nailed their sins to the cross.  What an amazing privilege that God would use the little bit that we have: the willingness to welcome, park cars, hold babies, sing songs, play instruments, operate equipment, encourage children, hang out with students and clean bathrooms; to bring 254 people into His kingdom. Wow!

Just like the little boy, we all have a little to share.  If you're not sure what you have to offer, we can "look in your lunch bag" with you and help you figure out how to serve.  Then, after we all bring the little that we have, God can do what only He can do and redeem the lost to Himself.

Check out here how you can begin serving this week, then be part of a miracle!

Long-time Serving Team Member Shares Wisdom and Invites You To Serve

"I was privileged and honored to direct services yesterday as NHC brought it home for 250+ folks who made their way to the foot of the cross and took a stand. It was awesome to see God's hand at work and I am humbled to have been able to work with the most amazing Tech Team and Band around to contribute in some small way to the day's events. If you were one of those 254 people who nailed your card to the cross, congratulations on taking a great step forward in knowing and growing in Christ. Don't let it end there though! In NHC, you haven't just found a church. You've found a community, a haven...a home. Strike while the iron is hot and get involved in a serving team. You'll grow by leaps and bounds when you open your servant's heart and use the gifts and talents He has blessed you with to move someone else further along in their journey to know Christ. (Shameless Plug Warning) If you have any interest in video cameras, multimedia, sound and audio, lighting, stage managing or directing, then be sure and introduce yourself to a member of our Programming Ministry Tech Team. We'll help get you plugged in and start you on some of the most rewarding volunteer work you'll ever do."

Tom Hillery

Ready to get connected? Contact Rachel Kitto, Connections Director at rachel.kitto@newhorizonchurch.tv

What's Next for 254 New Creations?

Today was awesome as 254 people nailed their sins to the cross, deciding to follow Christ.  Heaven exploded with a party!  The Bible tells us that Jesus "came to seek and save the lost." Luke 19:10. That was Jesus' primary mission and indeed, it is ours too.  Another distinctive characteristic of Christ was serving.  In fact the book of Mark is all about Jesus' serving...from start to finish. 

"Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." Mark 10:43-45 

Jesus also tells us, "I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you." John 13:15. Jesus was the ultimate servant and one of the clearest examples is when he washed his disciples' feet. A big takeaway for me when I read about Jesus serving his disciples in John 13:3-5 is that He was showing me that it doesn't take any special abilities to serve someone. Making eye contact and offering a welcoming smile doesn't require special abilities, yet sends the message,  "You matter!"  Cleaning the bathrooms does not require special abilities, yet sends the message, "You matter!" Welcoming cars onto the property and directing cars to park, does not require special abilities, yet sends the message, "You matter"!  Setting up chairs does not require special abilities, yet sends the message, "You matter!" Welcoming serving team members at the "Serving Team HQ tent" does not require special abilities, yet sends the message, "You matter"!  You get what I'm saying.

Today, 254 people gave their lives to Christ and began a journey following Him.  Fortunately, they, along with the other 1500+ people attending, were served by 250 serving team members; who through their serving, grew closer to Christ today. One of our members, who from his hospital bed, while on a respirator for two days, prayed for our "Ones" and was serving, in spite of his circumstances.  check out what he told me during our visit today, "Thank you for including me in this [serving through prayer]. I know that's why I'm feeling better and stronger." 

Here's the deal, If you served today, your life was change too as you grew closer to God through serving others.  You can tell the 254 new Christians better than I can, so I'm asking you to share about your serving experience today by leaving a blog comment about how serving today impacted you.

If you are one of the 254 "New Creations" and want to know how to start serving, contact our awesome Connections Director, Rachel Kitto, and she get you connected this week - rachel.kitto@newhorizonchurch.tv. 

Healing Through Serving

Wednesday night I got a call from a New Horizon Church family member.  She was calling from the emergency room and was very distraught because her husband who suffers from chronic lung disease had been rushed to the hospital and was placed on a ventilator.  What made this news even more alarming is that during another crisis in July the doctor told us that if a ventilator was needed, he probably would never come off of it.

After being sedated for 24 hours, I was able to talk with my friend, who while groggy, was totally tracking with me.  As we sat in the ICU I shared about all of the preparations for 10.10.10.  I told him about the 20 New Horizon Church members and staff who gathered at noon on Wednesday and Thursday to pray for all of the people needing to meet Jesus on 10.10.10.  This list had been compiled throughout the week through submissions via the website, Twitter and Face Book.  The list was extensive. 

I knew my friend was a man of prayer, as we have prayed together many, many times.  His wife recognizes that through prayer, her husband has beat the odds, as 3 years ago he was given 1% chance of living after a chronic lung infection.  I asked my friends if they would be willing to commit to praying for all of the "ONES" on our list.  Because of the ventilator my friend couldn't speak, but the tear running down his face spoke volumes.

I returned to the ICU on Friday, list in hand and upon my arrival I found a stronger, less sedated friend.  His wife cautiously shared that doctors were slowly weaning him from the ventilator and were going to access later in the day whether they could remove the breathing tube.

Meanwhile, we gathered together in the small ICU room and began praying for the lengthy list of people who need Jesus.  About twenty minutes later as we finished our prayer with , "Amen", a gentle "Amen" came from behind us.  It was the voice of the respiratory therapist who then exclaimed, "I'm here to take your breathing tube out!"  We were blown away with excitement, as this was unexpected!

Fifteen minutes later we re-entered the room where my friend was praising God through his raspy voice. Tears were flowing and we prayed through the list again.  I left the list with my friend who is committed to praying fervently for your "ONES", in spite of his serious condition.  God has a purpose for us and can use us, especially when we are weak.  My friend received renewed strength at his weakest point when he focused on God and others.  I can't wait to celebrate with my friends tomorrow following the harvest at New Horizon Church, knowing that my very sick friend is playing a huge part through his dedication to others during his weakest time.  God is good, all of the time.