Leah Rade

Hitting Rock Bottom

Several times per week, as I listen to people passionately share about loved ones, describing how low they are; they often end with, "I guess they'll just have to hit rock bottom."  I take great comfort in knowing that God is that "Rock".  A few years ago I listened to a testimony of a man who made horrible decision, after horrible decision and ended up hitting rock bottom.  In his testimony he said, "I ended up hitting rock bottom, and when I did I discovered the rock was solid." He accepted Christ & his forgiveness and became a new creation.

Psalm 62:1-2 [MSG] says,

 ^1-2 God, the one and only— I'll wait as long as he says. 
   Everything I need comes from him, 
      so why not? 
   He's solid rock under my feet, 
      breathing room for my soul, 
   An impregnable castle: 
      I'm set for life.

Pray for your loved ones, that if they hit rock bottom, they discover the Rock is solid.

More Unstoppable Impact!

Good morning world!  I just received a story from one of our long-time New Horizon Church members.  Her story demonstrates how God uses us to impact people, far beyond how we can imagine.  It started with our pastor's vision and his obedience to God and continued with our obedience to God.  DD's story says it all and I know we'll hear even more impact stories in the coming days.

"Leah, I work with the parent of one of the CC Spaulding kids. She came into work showing the voucher to our co-workers (not knowing that I was a member of NHC). She was overwhelmed! She said that her little girl was so excited and could not wait to pick out her coat. She told us how she has seen children standing in the cold waiting for the bus, many with no coat. I have always been proud of my church and my church family but this day, I was not only proud but also thankful to be the member of an UNSTOPPABLE church. Thank you Jesus!"

Rosie - Update

I am touched by so many inquires about Rosie.  If you're unsure what or who I'm talking about, check out my post from yesterday.  I heard from Sherri and Jay today and was delighted to hear that Jay was able to talk to Rosie about God while driving him to the Raleigh bus station.  While I don't know the details, I do know Jay and I'm sure that he shared the awesome Jesus whom he trusts.  Upon arriving in Raleigh Jay bought Rosie dinner before watching him board his bus to Rocky Mount.  After a quick wave, Rosie disappeared into the crowded bus.

While we all believe that we were placed in Rosie's life to help him with the basic necessities of life...I believe that Rosie was placed in our lives in order for us to grow and be blessed by serving him.  Several of our group members shared feelings of being part of something profound.  Want to get closer to God?  Want to be part of something bigger than yourself?  Serve someone.  We serve a monthly meal to 100 men residing at the Main Durham Rescue Mission on the first Sunday of every month and we'd love to have you join us.  Are you ready?  Email me at leah@newhorizonchurch.tv.

Rosie

There's been lots of life-stuff going on in the past couple of months and I have to confess that the blog has taken a backseat to other priorities.  However, I absolutely have to share this amazing story!

Last night our small group met and we used Rob Bell's "Rich" as a great one-time follow up study to pastor Dave's awesome message.  We had just worked through some provocative questions, including: "Do you consider yourself to be a follower of Jesus?" "Do you live the kind of life that Jesus described his followers would live?" "Do you believe everything you own is in some way a gift from God?" "Everything?" "Are you generous? With your money? Your time? Your stuff?" "What can you give? Who are you going to bless?"

As if on cue, the doorbell rang and we discovered Rosie, a homeless man who had traveled all the way from Florida on his way to Roanoke Rapids where he had a brother.  Needless to say, he was wet, cold and hungry.  Our group was now stunned at the timing of the appearance of Rosie.  It was amazing to watch everyone scramble to get him some chili, cornbread, cake slices, water, as well as pack up the leftover carbohydrates for his journey.  The group also pooled together money for a hotel room with the questions, " What can you give? How are you going to bless?" still fresh on our hearts.

Below is an email follow up from a couple in our group and the ongoing story of Rosie.

"Jay and I left Rosie (the homeless man) at the Scotsman hotel tonight after he ate the bowl of Chili and cornbread.  We may never see Rosie again but as Jay said, God may have sent him as an angel to us to see how we would respond.  How appropriate Rosie's timing after just hearing about how fortunate/blessed we are and how God wants us to give to others. It is with Gods love that we were able to pay it forward to one of his people.  Contentment.... I felt very content and at peace by helping Rosie tonight and being a part of Gods ministry. It makes me proud to be with people like each of you to serve God by giving to his people.  We will may never know what an impact we just had on Rosie  but the situation tonight has had a profound impact on me.  We may not be able to save the world but if we can help just one person.... 

 

I thank everyone tonight for another wonderful community group time together and experience!!! 

 

Have a great week and GOD continue to BLESS US...so we can be a blessing to others."

The following email just arrived from the same couple sharing the ongoing story:

"Jay just called me and on his way home from school, guess who he saw walking on the road.... yep Rosie.  He pulled over, called me and we decided to see what was up with Rosie.  Jay is currently on his way to Raleigh bus station with Rosie!!! Rosie is trying to get to family up in Roanoke Rapids area.  I called the Gray Hound in Durham to learn that they leave from Raleigh at 6:30 tonight to Rocky Mount which is the closest place to Roanoke Rapids.  Jay said Rosie smells much better and he is going to make sure he has dinner before he gets on the bus.  Please pray for Jay right now as he is going to share God with Rosie and I ask that you pray for Rosie that if he hasn't accepted Jesus that he will during this ride with Jay.  I told Jay that this is not by coincidence and that God put this man in our path again so that he will know Him.  Wow... I said last night that Rosie has made an impact on me and he continues to do so.  I will keep you all updated about Rosie!"

Wow, is right, Sherri...To be continued.

"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'

 "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'Matthew 25:37-40

Guest Blogger - Beth Bivins

On Saturday we held Activate, our 2nd annual small groups conference, where we equip our small group leaders with the resources to successfully lead their groups.  Since groups are all about relationships, our best resources are our people.

Beth Bivins is a small group member who started attending Celebrate Recovery in the Spring.  Beth shared her life-change testimony with our small group leaders, bringing many to tears, including me.  I was so impacted by Beth's story that I asked her to share it with you.  Here is her testimony of recovery and support found in Celebrate Recovery and through her small group. 

     "I am a grateful believer in Jesus Christ and I suffer from self esteem, food addiction, confidence, rejection, fear, guilt and shame and for many years I thought no one cared..  For years I have felt broken, unwanted, unloved and hopeless.  These feelings have festered like wounds.    I tell myself that these things are the reason that I have had risky and harmful behaviors, the reason that I have had many sexual encounters, the reason that I overeat, the reason that my self esteem has been nonexistent.   I was an unwed mother at 17 years old in high school,   I endured and survived abuse in my first marriage,     I have raised 3 children alone, I have so many stories I could tell you of hurts. I have dealt with  shame and guilt that I felt from my family after having my son and which sent me into years of depression with  low self esteem.            

            All these hangups, habits and hurts made me retreat from God and the world.  I hid behind a mask that made me feel empty and alone. When I attended my first Celebrate Recovery group I was very skeptical and the next day told my colleagues at work  and my small group leader that I would not return to another meeting. My small group leader sent me a long email encouraging me to try again and broke down the obstacles that I put in front of myself and the excuses I made.  But the next week, I was back.  As I sat and listened to the lives of the women that I was among I felt accepted.  I felt a sense of relief coming over me each week as I walked into that room….knowing that I could remove the mask I had long hidden behind.  I didn’t have to try to prove anything to anyone.  I didn’t have to pretend that everything was ok and that I was fine.  I didn’t have to do anything but be myself and for that I was accepted and welcomed with open arms and loving hugs.   I have been in therapy for years trying to break down the walls and barriers that I put up for myself.  I found myself responding to these hangups, habits and hurts and accepting myself for who I am in CR ….. something I couldn’t do in therapy.  Being able to share my thoughts no matter what they are without fear was comforting.  Each week I feel blessed with my fellow CR friends as they reach out to me with a hug, or to just listen, or to check on how I am doing.  I will forever be grateful for finding this group and know that I will continue to grow in the presence of my friends, confidants and sisters that sincerely care about me.  If I am down they are a phone call away and I am so grateful to them and NHC for offering this wonderful program.  It has changed my life and I know it will continue to impact me and my hangups, habits and hurts.  I don’t worry as much as I use to.  I feel comfortable speaking and sharing my life’s experiences, yes, even the bad ones in open share.  Everyone has a story and it is amazing that each week I listen and can relate to something that someone else says.  One time or another, we all suffer from various things that disrupt or interfere with our daily lives.  One week it may be jealousy and the next it may be anger.  I may have problems trying to relate those exact feelings and someone else just nails it on the head and you agree and admit that is what is wrong. It is a judgment free zone. Each week a new revelation about myself emerges.  When I see others in pain it makes me realize how much I have to be grateful for.   We work on ourselves from the inside out.   It is a growing experience and changes, which means that we change…..but as the creed goes “to accept the things I can not change and the wisdom to know the difference.”   CR works, the people make it work and make you better.  Give it a try."

Beth Bivins

 

Life

The past two weeks have been somewhat of a blur and many of you have noticed and commented that I haven't tweeted or blogged much. Life is happening fast and I want to fill you in for several reasons, but primarily so you'll remember us in prayer.

You may or may not know that my mother came to live with us five years ago when her pulmonary fibrosis worsened to the point that she could no longer care for her self.  Pulmonary fibrosis is a progressive lung disease that slowly consumes the lungs until oxygen can no longer be absorbed through the air sacks (crude explanation, if you're a doctor reading this).  Last Tuesday evening her fibrosis turned that ugly corner and she was hospitalized for 4-1/2 days.  After extensive evaluation the doctors determined that Hospice should assume responsibility for her care.  We brought her home on Saturday night and met with the Hospice team on Sunday.  I'll be posting more about Hospice, as they have literally carried us this week.  I have told the team they are the "Disney" of care. 

So, if I'm not tweeting as often or not posting as often, know that we're eyebrow deep in life and trusting God more and more than ever.  Thanks for your prayers.

Michael's Debut Sermon

Sr. Pastor, Randy Carter, of First Baptist Church, Hillsborough, invited our son Michael to deliver the message during both services on August 9th.  Here is the mp3, Be Holy.  Please indulge a proud mother and listen to Michael's message to Christians.

An Amazing Reason To Join A Serving Team!

Last Monday a regular NHC'er came by the church to share that they had made a committed decision to deal aggressively with an addiction after encountering a new member on their Sunday serving team.  While serving together for the first time last Sunday, the two NHC'ers spent the next hour or so talking in the parking lot, discovering similar backgrounds.  This serving team member served as a beacon of hope to the other NHC'er who then made a decision to attend AA.

During our conversation, the NHC'er shared their fears and after finding meeting times/venues on the website, appeared hesitant to go by themselves.  Based on what had already been shared, I encouraged the NHC'er to call the serving team member and share their decision to attend AA.  I was so touched when that serving team member offered to attend the meeting with the other NHC'er, providing the necessary support to begin healing.  So far, the NHC'er has attended an AA meeting every day since.  Join a serving team! 

Why Read The Bible?

Last night I received a crisis call from someone I have been counseling.  After determining that the person just needed to talk it out and was not in immediate danger, I asked if I could read some passages from the Bible.  I grabbed my Bible and opened it to Psalms and started reading Psalm 34 and read vs. 17:18 a couple of times - Is anyone crying for help? God is listening, ready to rescue you.
                                        ¹⁸ If your heart is broken, you'll find God right there;
                                       if you're kicked in the gut, he'll help you catch your breath.

I then read Psalm 23. The person on the other end of the phone began to regain control and spoke calmly.  I prayed with the person and encouraged the person to just open the Bible and hear God speak.

First thing this morning I received a very different call from the person who excitedly wanted to share something.  The person told me that upon ending our call, let the Bible flop open.  Upon looking down, here is the passage of scripture that brought needed rest and comfort:

Psalm 130
 ^1-2 Help, God—the bottom has fallen out of my life! Master, hear my cry for help!
   Listen hard! Open your ears!
      Listen to my cries for mercy.

 

^3-4 If you, God, kept records on wrongdoings,
      who would stand a chance?
   As it turns out, forgiveness is your habit,
      and that's why you're worshiped.

 

^5-6 I pray to God—my life a prayer—
      and wait for what he'll say and do.
   My life's on the line before God, my Lord,
      waiting and watching till morning,
      waiting and watching till morning.

 

^7-8 O Israel, wait and watch for God—
      with God's arrival comes love,
      with God's arrival comes generous redemption.
   No doubt about it—he'll redeem Israel,
      buy back Israel from captivity to sin.
                                    The Message Version

I can't wait to flop open my Bible tonight and hear from God!

God Has Always Known You & Has Plans For You

I started reading Jeremiah this morning and want to share the first thing that struck me.

Jeremiah 1:5 (The Message)

 ⁵"Before I shaped you in the womb,
   I knew all about you.
Before you saw the light of day,
   I had holy plans for you:
A prophet to the nations—
   that's what I had in mind for you."

God clearly tells Jeremiah that He knew all about Jeremiah before He created him in his mother's womb.  He goes on to tell Jeremiah that before Jeremiah was born, He had plans for him.

Wow!  How does that make you feel that God knew all about you before he created you?  How do you feel when you think about God having plans for you before you were born?