I really appreciate this quote. It's a great source of inspiration and encouragement. We all encounter times in which we experience setbacks. Ever felt like you've taken 2 steps forward, but then... 3 steps back?! At times all of us have.
God often allows us to advance from what initially feels like retreat - or defeat! Much like an arrow in a bow, when we feel like we're going backwards, often times God is about to launch us into future opportunities that only He can see!!
When the arrow is positioned to be shot by the archer, oftentimes the Master Marksman aims it in a direction to accomplish His ends.
God is the same way. He "Readies" us, "Aims" us, and then "Launches" us forward. Allow God to do that in your life. Ask Him right now, saying, "Lord, I yield myself to You. Knowing that You are aware where I can be most effective and accomplish the most good, no matter how I feel today. I trust where you're taking me."
God bless you friend. Good things are coming! Happy landing.
Happy spring season to you. The Lord speaks about the 4 seasons He created in Gen. 8:22, and from an informal survey I took recently while speaking to our church family, springtime seems to have won out as NV’s favorite. I hope you’re enjoying and adjusting to Daylight Savings…with all the ministry that’s been happening around here at New Venture, we could use that hour we lost, back! I sure like it lighter, later though. You too?!
It’s been nothing short of thrilling to observe many of the ministries at NV springing to life (no pun intended). Our Spanish Service is a blessing, with 14 additional friends joining us on our Transportation pickup last week. Epic teens just returned from Winter Camp. Children are having a blast, with many coming to Christ in Kid’s World. A recent All-Church Baptism saw many take this important step in honoring and pleasing God. MPACT Men’s Ministry has been hitting the streets and spreading the word of our fast-approaching 24th Annual Easter Outreach services. And the launching of our new Traditions service has been far beyond anything we could have hoped for, with 51 enjoying the great hymns of old this past weekend in our Upper Room. Soon we’ll be adding Gospel Celebration Services, for those who enjoy a different expression of worship. God loves variety – and He sure loves the amazing people of NVCF!
I couldn’t be happier as we move into spring. Here’s a neat quote I came across, that speaks about the importance of not making excuses, but to keep looking to God for great things. I tell you this... the fired-up folks at New Venture, not only relate to this, but are living it, looking to God for great things and looking forward to experiencing more of Him together in the days ahead.
Yep, spring is in the air. That means new growth and opportunities. Maybe in your garden but definitely with our God.
Warmly,
Pastor Shawn
Only a few weeks into the New Year and already God is moving at New Venture especially with our new, life-changing “NO REGRETS: Living the Life You are Meant to Live” series. Based upon Kerry and Chris Shook’s book One Month To Live, our entire ministry is gaining a fresh, new perspective on honoring God by “Living life like we’re dying!!” Do that, and you’ll find yourself living better! I love John 10:10 in the Message Bible – “I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.”
Ken Blanchard who’s a bestselling author, management expert and firm believer in our Lord, and has ministered here at NVCF, has said,
That’s a powerful dose of conviction right there.
As human beings, we all have varying interests. And those, in and of themselves are not necessarily bad things. Back in the day (a looongtime ago), when I was a regular dancer on the hit television show, Soul Train (I know, hard to believe, huh?!) I used to enjoy shaking it up on the dance floor. And boy - while I still love to dance - I love it so much more when God get’s my spirit dancing for Him, rather than the amazing things that He continually does, rather than secular television. Interests like the latest fads and trends are often interchangeable or replaceable. But more often than not, sometimes interests capture our attention away from committing our gifts, hearts, resources and even our time to heavenly matters – like living life for eternity, and not solely time...
21 years ago today, one of the biggest commitments I ever made to Jesus was to be the best father I could be to my son, Shawn Jr. No longer was parenting an interest, it was something I pledged everything I was, everything I would be and everything I had to. What changed…love is what changed. I was now responsible for the rearing of another human being in this world. I could see clearly what God must have felt knowing the sacrifice He’d pay because you and I were more than just His interests but rather his adopted sons and daughters. And His commitment to us is most evident in the sacrificial life and death of His Son, Jesus Christ. Now that’s commitment!
The direction of where we choose to take our faith lies in where our hearts are at. Today, ask yourself is church my interest or is my relationship with my Lord and Savior, my commitment? And if you can’t say the latter, I pray you come this weekend to discover more about what’s holding you back as we explore a life where we’re just breathing versus a life that’s breathtaking!
Join us, we’re saving a spot just for you… and so is God.
Dear New Venture Family and Friends,
It's that time of year again.…The beginning of a new start, a point in time to start fresh, to turn a new leaf, to write some goals, and more importantly, to be resolved! Welcome to 2013.
Direct your goals away from your own abilities and back on track toward God. For instance if you’re trying to take positive steps towards getting healthy try this goal out:
Less sugar, more fruit. Less meat, more vegetables. Less soda, more water. Less driving, more walking. Less worry, more sleep. Less words, more actions. Less me, MORE GOD!
Those who use this time of year to glorify and honor our Lord, rather than ourselves with our resolutions will be blessed (Matt. 6:33). Putting God back into the process of making goals and trusting in Him to guide your path is the best insurance of success you could ever have. The more we take ourselves out of the equation of our lives, the more God is able to work miracles in our lives. Here's how the equation should look: My responsibility is to get out of the way and allow Him to work. His Promise: "to do exceeding abundantly beyond anything I could possibly ask or think" (Eph. 3:20).
It's been wisely said that…"NOTHING VENTURED = NOTHING GAINED!" You can't get anywhere unless you're willing to take a risk (the Bible calls it "faith"). Don’t be afraid to risk it all - taking positive steps of faith with God this year, as opposed to merely "leaps of the imagination." This year, with Him, I plan on doing that. How about you?
My prayer for this New Year is that is that we become more than just resolved, but rather glorify Him with resolutions that honor God and draw lasting attention to Him.
"13" may not be a lucky number. But I've got a special feeling - that this year... it's going to be a blessed one!
“This is the day that the LORD has made; let's rejoice and be glad in it…” ~Psalms 118:24.
A God blessed and awesome year to you!
Our Lord says…
“…If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land”
(2nd Chronicles 7:12-14).
Tell someone else today who needs to hear it from you.
- My great God, who daily affords me “Mercies which are new every morning” (Lam 3:22,23)
- Jesus – who not only is the Lord of the universe… but the King over my life! Wow, simply… amazing!
- My wife of 25 years and best friend - Laurie, and an amazing son that I’m so proud of and grateful for - Shawn Jr. (see picture)
- For one of the most loving and amazing groups of people you’ll find anywhere… the incredible family of New Venture Christian Fellowshi
- Having a place to call home, a bed to sleep in, food in the cupboard
- Health (for me - that’s a miracle and a real big deal!)
- Vehicles
- And the list goes on…
Well it happened. My dad went to heaven today. June 26, 2012. 97 years old. What a day. What a Homegoing. It was perfect.
If you were with us at New Venture last weekend, you know that I told the story of how I received a call from the hospital on Father's Day that my dad had taken ill and was being admitted to the hospital. Obviously that changed the Father's Day luncheon that Laurie, Shawn Jr. and I were enjoying. I was told that his health was failing fast. In fact, his decline was so rapid that 24 hours later, the hospital informed my family that he was on life support and we would have to make a decision about pulling the plug.
That was over a week ago. The great thing was that we didn’t have to make that decision. He was taken off life support and the Lord kept him here with us another week – and what a week it was! Holding his hand, reading him the Word, singing songs, and speaking words of love into the ear of a great dad who was unable to speak or move, lying in that hospital bed waiting for heaven, and who undoubtedly heard every word that his grandson Shawn Jr., Laurie and I, and many others had a wonderful week to express.
Even as I write this, I’m smiling. Have you ever been both happy and sad at the same time? That was me when the nurse called and said, “Mr. Mitchell, I’m sorry, but your father passed a few moments ago. But he went peacefully.” I was immediately sad that he has left us for a little while…but oh so HAPPY as to where he is at this very moment!!! Reunited with my mother and two brothers, and most of all…being in the presence of the one he loved most – Jesus Christ. There’s no sorry in this story!! \
The Bible says, “to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.” (2 Cor. 5:8) I’m so happy my dear dad made it. He saw almost 100 years of life – but now…he REALLY begins to live!!
Thanks so much for your prayers for me and my family. We really feel them. I look forward to seeing my dad again, but there’s still more work for all of us to do down here first.
Tiffany, I hope that when you read this, that you will be as blessed and encouraged as I have been today, basking in the assured promise that, as Christ followers, we never fully die.
I’m reminded of what we discussed at last weekend’s Celebration Service:
Dance like No One’s Watching…
Sing like Only God’s Listening...
Serve Him, like it’s your Last Day…
Live like Tomorrow’s Not Promised...
Ad Enjoy Life…Like You’ll be Living Forever – Because You Will!! (John 11:23)
Much love to you. I’m looking forward to seeing you this weekend.
The most important act you can do in a moment this intense and heartbreaking – is to pray. I sensed God’s strong nudging to graciously but firmly call everyone to gather hands, bow and PRAY. The Seau family is a spiritual family, they understand where the Source of their comfort and strength comes from, and they all found it in that moment, as the “God of all comfort” (2 Cor. 1:3) supplied it, in the midst of unspeakable despair.
Through all the pain, I am most grateful that we at New Venture have been able to be a voice and a comfort for this entire city – and beyond, as God’s words of comfort have gone out over the airwaves here and across the nation. I have been contacted and/or interviewed, by personalities as diverse as Piers Morgan, Dr. Phil, Geraldo, ESPN and brain specialists from La Jolla to London. Tomorrow morning, Saturday, the TV interviews continue again bright and early – and every one is a chance to speak of Jesus Christ.
A noted pastor prayed for me the day I wrote this, that God would use all of this to “touch America.” I am aware that a prayer like that is only answered when a group of people believe that God works miracles when people pray. Without a doubt, “the devil has meant this for evil, but God means it for good” (Gen. 50:20). We can’t bring Junior back, a man who was an extraordinary athlete, and exceptional person. However, I’m so glad that Jesus Christ promises to “never leave us nor forsake us” (Heb. 13:5).
Whenever you read this, would you remember to keep the Seau family and Junior’s children in your prayers? They need them during this very difficult time -- but the need for prayer will also never go away. At New Venture, we spent the first weekend after this tragedy talking about God's strength “In The Midst Of Life’s Storms.” It's something we can continue to do: Celebrate LIFE, and the One who died – so that we wouldn’t have to. Ever.
