Thankgiving Really?

The end of Thanksgiving has finally happened at my house and probably yours too. We are about a week removed from “turkey day”. You’ve had your last turkey sandwiches; you’ve reheated those leftovers for the last time. You’ve washed all those special bowls, dishes and such now they’ve been put away until next Thanksgiving or Christmas. We are slowly replacing the pumpkins and corn shocks from our yards. Putting away the fall wreathes and other decorations and getting ready for Christmas.
Now there is nothing wrong with Christmas, I personally can’t wait to get all my lights out and decorate my house. But I think it’s ironic, I think we are ironic we spend a few days in November remember to be thankful, but what of the other 11 months? I think we simply have come to accept all that God does for us as “normal” and thus sort of “celebrate” in November, if we look back to the early Pilgrims and understand that they were Thankful not that Grandma made her famous corn bread stuffing, or that we get a couple paid days off from work. They were thankful that they were alive!
Are you thankful for life? Of course you’re thinking yeah I’m thankful. But I’m not really questioning if you are thankful that your heart is beating and your lungs are inhaling and exhaling. Are you thankful for the life that God has given you, that is Eternal life? When this physical body is done that there is something more, those who know Jesus as not just God but as their Savior will be spending eternity in Heaven! Take just a few second to breathe that in – no more tears, no more pain, no more bills, bug bites or dirty dishes.
If I’m thankful for what God had done . . . shouldn’t it affect everything I do? Shouldn’t I be telling everyone of what Jesus had done? We know the answer, yes it should, and we should be telling everyone we meet, inviting them to know this God that has blessed us and gives us so much but the question is will we?

See Ya Sunday
Mitch

thanksgiving thoughts

Did you ever have to sit at the kids table growing up? I remember back to my eating thanksgiving at my grandmother’s and grandfather’s house the kids would crowd around a small coffee table, there would be at least 6 of us eating our turkey and mashed potatoes. I can remember the smell of the food coming from the kitchen, the sound of laughter and talking. I can still see how all the windows would fog up from the cold outside combined with the humidity from the kettle on the oil burning stove, the number of people in their tiny house. Those were amazing times, these memories priceless, the feelings of love and joy, the laughter, the food.
Both sets of my grandparents have passed away, now my aunt and uncles are grandparents themselves hosting their children and their children’s children. My brother will be spending thanksgiving with his in-laws. I honestly can say I miss those family meals. November 18th we’ll be having out church thanksgiving meal, this brings a flood of those same feelings I experience as a kid. But you know we now live in a society where extended families don’t get together. That is why I think things like this the church does is so important. For many people, my family included, the church is their family. One day I hope my daughters will sit back and tell stories of the “good old days” their “family” meeting for a huge meal in a borrowed church building. But I hope this not just for my daughters but for others, others who have no family except the church family. And I pray that NBCC will always be a place where people can find a seat at the table! A place where they will fill totally loved. I hope on November 18th you’ll be there and you’ll bring someone that needs to feel this same kind of love.Oh, and make sure you sign up. . . or you’ll be sitting at the kids table

Last Friday night Melody and I meet with a group of friends for dinner. We all had been a part of a small group when I was on staff at another church. There were twelve or thirteen of us I think. We ended up eating on the patio of the restaurant; the night air was just perfect, the food decent, but what made the night was the fellowship, the being together, we laughed and joked. Stories about our times together, in general it was an awesome night.
Then I noticed a young couple that wasn’t with us. They look somewhat amused with us; I hope they weren’t on a romantic date! I started thinking about them I wonder what they thought. I wonder if they noticed that in front of us were glassed of sweet tea and water, no beer, alcohol or wine. I wonder if they noticed that as we spoke no one was belittled or no one person was the “brunt” of the jokes. That we men weren’t degrading to their wives. That profanity wasn’t flying everywhere, so that Sarah a one year old and Kallie at 12 didn’t have to have their ears covered to things “explained” later. That we simply had a great night and laughter and love abounded.
This is what I think the core of being a part of God’s family is all about, we were sort of celebrating (or mourning) the fact that 2 couples had just sold their homes and would be moving soon. But I think more importantly we were just being Christian friends doing what Christians are suppose to do, have fun and being together. This Friday night the men of the church are going to the Ocean View Fishing Pier (the old Harrison’s pier) I promise we’ll have fun that there will be laughter and stories. And if we are lucky we’ll catch a few fish! I hope you haven’t missed that part of being a part of God’s family.
Then more fun on Saturday as everyone is invited to eat fish as we have a church wide fish fry Saturday afternoon! Once again I promise you a good time and maybe some fish!
Mitch

I'm all in

I love watching ESPN and their coverage of the “World Series of Poker”. There is a lot of interesting characters that play, the do mini-background stories on the players. And the excitement of it all is great. But the most exciting part is when there is a player that has only a handful of chips left or an amazing hand they will say. . . I’m all in! Meaning that they are going to put the rest of their “tournament hopes” on this one hand of cards. Well I want to personally invite you this Sunday to say, “I’m all in!” as we continue in our series “sold out or for sale” we are going to be talking about the vision and direction of the church. At the end of the service we’ll be having an all in moment a time where I’ll be asking you if you’re all in. If you have been “visiting” us for a while, or you’ve been at NBCC forever we’ll be asking you to step out of your seat to show that you are “all in.” Meaning your committed to what NBCC stands for and where the leadership feels God is leading us. Won’t you pray between now and Sunday about being “all in”

FREE FOOD! I know some of you will be skimming this but the words free food will catch your eye! This Sunday after services we’ll be having a time of fun, food and fellowship. Each family is asked to bring enough for them plus a little extra! As soon as we finish breaking down the worship and children’s ministry we’ll be moving to the back of the school to get ready to eat! The church will be providing drinks, paper products and the like! This is a great time to learn a little about each other (or at least the eating habits!) and just share in the what makes New Beginnings a place to love and a place to be loved!

See Ya Sunday
Mitch

blog just to blog

this is my effort to blog. . .but more that blogging for people to read, I'm going to blog my heart and prayer so god. . .so read it if you want. . . but its me and god here! (and everyone on the web I guess)