Some of you may remember when our dear friends Jake and Michelle Zieg lost the 17 month old son Brayden in a drowning accident. You can click here to read about it. I still don't know how they did it and have done as well as they have. But God!
Well, you may or may not remember this, but....Michelle was pregnant at that time. Just the other day, the Lord brought new life to them trough Elliana Grace. They now have a beautiful baby girl.
I wanted to share this testimony. I have been thanking God all week for this baby girl. It reminds me of how good our Living God. He is the giver of new life. Nothing brings a child back, but a new baby brings forth so much joy.
"The Lord gives and the Lord takes away, but blessed be the name of the Lord." Job 1:21
Davis helped his Aunt Bird make "Bawnies" the other day. We filmed it with the camera. Just wanting to capture some of these special moments. Enjoy our Cutie!
Listen close at the end and he says, "bye, bye cheese!" Hilarious.
OK, this was crazy but oh so fun! Just spent better than 2 hours with our IT Director, Perry and our friend Steve (this is a snapshot of them on video with me tonight). First of all, I never stay up this late. But, while they were in laurel and I was in my recliner, we were getting me hooked up to the church server and shared drive. So cool!
And...I joined Skype tonight. So neat. We were talking and I was showing them my Christmas decorations...from my laptop!! Technology is amazing! Sometimes it has us acting like geeks! Now, if we could only figure out how to get these computers to upload to me some of the fudge they are eating (right in front on me).
--Noah
BTW- this is my shot out to Perry for the IT ministry that he extends to CCF out of the goodness of his heart! Go Perry!! We appreciate you!
Well, some of you follow me, but let me tell you a few people I follow on Twitter:
President Bush, The White House
Barak Obama, President Elect
CNN
Jaye Lindo, My Manager :-)
Sheila Walsh, Women of Faith and Author
Selah Hunt, My Sister
Max Lucado, Author
Nicole Lindo at college
Big Q, our CCF Cleaning guy
Thom Rainer, author of "Simple Church"
Whole bunch of Pastors and Authors
You may wonder what it means to "follow" them. For me, it means that once every day or two, I read through all of their twitters on one page in Chronological order to see what they have been up to. That's it. To me, their are lots of benefits for a small time investment. I won't bore you with all the "whys".
I find that most people either love it or they think it is a big fat waste of time. Regardless of what camp your in, have a super day, tweeps!
Been hearing more and more about this young Pastor in Charlotte leading a rapidly growing congregation. His name is Steven Furtick. We are actually the same age. Seems like an interesting dude. He seems to have a lot of vision and leadership ability from what I have read and observed. Click here to read his blog. Click here to see the church. Kinda intrigues me to find other guys in the Pastor tribe who seem to be leading and doing more than they "should be" for their age. Says who, huh? God is the God who calls. I love learning from others. I may give this guy a ring.
Even as I write this, though, I think of other young leaders that inspire me just as much who are doing tasks that are just as difficult and terribly honorable...like my friend Ben Rainey who is 2 years into planting Severn River Church in Anne Arundel County (that CCF has supported for 2 years). He also is a great visionary and a mature and gifted leader who is called and faithful and doing ministry that is just as beautiful as this booming church in Charlotte.
Look, I am not comparing Steven to Ben. Heck, neither know each other or even know I am posting this. It just gets me reflecting on how important it is to have the right perspective on these things. One church is 7,000 people in 3 years. The other is 50 in 2 years. Different than business, that does NOT mean that one is better than the other. Both are doing meaningful work in building the kingdom and ONE life matters! Sorry I got rambling, just doing some thinking and even applying some of this to my own journey.
One of our conference leaders sent me this article this morning. They thought of CCF and our desire to make disciples. It is worth a read. You can click here to read the whole article. At least check out this excerpt below:
In the old days, we protected people's anonymity; today we thrust them into community, doing life together. We used to invite them to attend church; now we invite them to be the church. I used to ask, "What can we do to get more people to attend our church?" Now I ask, "How can I best equip and empower the people to go be the church in the marketplace where God has called them to serve?" ....it does expand the Kingdom and fulfills our mission of equipping empowered disciples....disciples who are actively ministering to one another's needs, even in life and death situations.
Example: "Walt, my grandson is in the hospital, and I don't think he is going to pull through," Lee said. "Will you go and pray for him?" "Sure, Lee, I could do that, but so could you. Come with me," I said. We walked over to the altar, and I pulled out a small vial of oil. "Take this with you to the hospital and put a drop of oil on his forehead and pray that God will heal him."
Before, the staff worked in a high control/low accountability environment. We controlled the programing and the people came if they wanted to come. The people had very little control and because of that, they had very little accountability. Now it is low control/high accountability. We have less control but hold the people accountable to transform their community.
I didn't go to the hospital to minister to Lee's grandson; Lee did. Instead of controlling the ministry, I held Lee accountable to minister to his community and gave him the tools he needed. Lee went to the hospital to be a priest to his own family. "Hold still, son. Grandpa is going to pray for you," he said. The boy watched his grandfather's trembling hands take the lid off the container, and listened to him pray.
"I ask in Jesus' name that you heal my grandson," Lee prayed, and then he placed a drop of oil on the boy's forehead. Thirty-six hours later, his grandson returned home.
Today, that's how we define success. One changed life and one empowered disciple at a time.
by Walter Kallestad, Pastor of Community Church of Joy in Phoenix, Arizona
After years of teaching Discovery 101, I will lead our final Discovery Class at CCF...
It will be this coming MONDAY, DECEMBER 8th at 7:00pm at the church. If you have never been, come. If you know of people that need to come, invite them!
Starting in 2009, we will be introducing our all new series to replace Discovery. It will be called Entry Point. More to come later. It is going to be solid!
Heading out this morning to speak in 2 Christian School Chapels. I love the chance to speak in schools and really appreciate when I get to share with Kids and Teens! Keeps that part of me tuned up. My primary audience is adults, but I like the chance to break it down with the kids every so often. This morning, I am going to attempt to bring to life an OT Prophet by the name of Habby...otherwise known as Habakkuk. Kinda living in that book now, so I feel pretty confident that I can lay the notes aside and just tell this guy's story. Plan to bring it to life and animate it. Here we go!
After that, I will spend my afternoon in back to back meetings until heading home for family night. And that's a day!
In June I spoke at a High School Graduation and shared 10 lessons I have learned in my 10 post high school years. I promised the graduates that they would see them again. Today, I am mailing this to their homes. I posted this back in June, but it stands being looked at again. These are good lessons to consider.
10 Life Lessons in 10 Years
The local church is the hope for our broken world. Find one get involved and help them make it happen. Over 40 commands in the Bible are very difficult to fulfill if you are not a part of a church. They need you and you need them!
Show me your friends and I will show you your future. Who they are is who you will become. I know it is tempting to think of friendships as projects….the problem is…they will win—not you.
Present yourself as you want to be treated. If you want to be treated like a woman, dress like one. If you want to be treated like a man, wear your hair and your pants like one! If you want to be treated like an intelligent adult, talk like one (speak English). If you want to be treated like a professional, behave like one.
It is more important that you love who you marry than that you marry who you love!I am not saying don’t love who you marry…..I am saying that I am NOT SURE WE REALLY KNOW WHAT LOVE IS until we have loved the same person unconditionally for many years. That is why our divorce rate is what it is! Americans marry who they think they are in love with, but they are not in love.Then, they fail to love who they married. Remember this young people…..Love is not discovered on accident, but chosen on purpose. Love is defined best with the word—INTEGRITY! Not emotion, goose bumps, romance, or passionate sex. And…you do not know someone isyour soul mate in 3 weeks.
Have kids that are a blessing not a burden….God values life too much for you to create one that is a burden. Be responsible with your sexuality.Better yet, be biblical!
Treat the Internet as a tool, not a God. Ours is a fast paced, get it now culture. Slow down! Be cautious! Just because you can click on it does not mean you need it!! That applies to purchases, pornography, relationships, gaming, surfing, etc.
It pays to Discover you cannot afford a relationship with VISA. Credit Card application are on there way! RIP THEM UP! Save what you DO HAVE, don’t spend what you DON’T HAVE! Don’t talk yourself into believing that you need or deserve something at the expense of your future.
Frequently ask “the best question ever”!! That question what is "what is the wise thing to do"? In light of my past, in light of my current circumstance, in light of my future hopes and dreams, my finances, my family, my time ... what is the wise thing to do? I am convinced that we talk ourselves into believing in unwise decisions all the time! This might change is we start asking the best question ever! Do the RIGHT THING, not the EASY THING! The easy thing is for weak people! Doing the right thing takes a champion!
God's purpose and dreams for your life are 13.2 billion light years away from yours! Isaiah 55:8-9 states: "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” There are known “heavens” that are 13.2 billion light years from the earth. Graduates, GOD HAS A WAY BIGGER DREAM AND PURPOSE FOR YOUR LIFE THAN YOU CAN IMAGINE!!! 13.2 billion light years bigger!
The place that you let Jesus Christ take in your life will determine the place that your life takes you! Give him first place! Give him first dibs on your dreams, your talents, your time, your attention and your heart!
I think I have a secret love for photography. I have not really worked with it and I know very little about it. I just know that I love a good photo when I see one. I love it even more when I took it. Here are a few pictures that I have taken that I like. The first one below I just took yesterday in Fenwick Island. Love the feel of that dock and the perspective it offers.
Actually, the pictures below (I took them all), were all taken in a different year and a different location.
Loved preaching out of Habakkuk 2 this morning. I just love to preach out of texts this rich. Actually, at a quick read, you may wonder what is so applicable from Habakkuk chapter 2? But check this out! When you are in the DIP...when you are confused, questioning and wondering what God is doing...
Verse 1 says that we should position ourselves to listen to what God is going to say.
Verse 2 says that we need to capture and write down what God is saying.
Verse 3 reminds us of the need to wait....he will not be late.
Verse 4 reminds us that the righteous will live by faith.
Verse 6-19 reiterates to us that God will handle his business. Leave his business to him.
Verse 20 tells us that the Lord is in His temple. Sit silent before Him!
Great Chapter, Great Book, Great series we are in. Looking forward to grappling with chapter 3 this week and preaching it this weekend.
Kids, don't try this at home! Here is the video of the men frying the Kaye Thanksgiving Turkey. Fried turkey takes it to a whole new level of "thanksgiving!" Here we are. Boys will be boys! every man's hands on deck. The women were in the house missing the piro-fun!
I just wanted to take a moment to wish each of my fellow blog readers and friends a HAPPY THANKSGIVING!! I am thankful for you today! Thankful for the connection this site allows. Thankful for the community we get to share electronically. It far surpasses no connection. Thankful for the thoughts we exchange, the things we engage and the conversations we start. I hope that you have a great day with your family today!
"Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name." Psalm 100:4
Me and my entire family...yes, all of us...Mom, Dad, their 5 kids, their spouses, their kids....I think 18 in all have rented a huge beach house in Bethany Beach, DE. It's gonna be loud, but it's gonna be fun. We are heading out this afternoon. We'll be back to see you at church Sunday. We will continue our Habakkuk series and be in chapter 2. Read it if you can. Just finished preparing. Really excited about what God will show us this weekend from his Word.
But, as for now...off we go!
Signing out of the blogosphere, unless we have internet...in which case I may check in.
I was asked by our District Bishop to email him about the strengths of Capital Christian Fellowship. What are the positive things that the Lord has put in us that can be used for Him? Actually, every church in our district is doing the same. I enjoyed the exercise and thought I would share my answers:
Diverse in age, culture, class and spiritual background, yet loaded with unity and celebrating our uniqueness! We even express incredible diversity in our services, music and ministries.
Flexible enough to embrace change, take risks and experiment! Sometimes the experiments work and become successes and even define our culture. Sometimes the experiments fail and we try new ones. That is the strength! We try! We will not stagnate at CCF!
Authentic…in relationships, faith and community. We are the real deal. You will not come to CCF and sense distance, cold or legalism. You will experience warmth, welcome and that we are real people with real issues who really love God!
Purpose Driven. Our ministry, budget, leadership and discipleship decisions are all driven and informed by our purpose…which is plastered everywhere and becoming cultural language. Loving God, Loving People and Living as Disciples. We live this out through people gathering in large groups and small groups for relationship and discipleship.
Fun and High energy! We do creative and fun stuff on a regular basis. It has become a part of our DNA. You never know what is next. It creates an atmosphere of expectation.
Are you a CCF'r? What do you think of these? Do you have others you would add?
In church life, we are always in a season.A key responsibility of the leader is to know what season the organization is in, to name it, and then to communicate the implications of that season.
Here are a few of the seasons that Bill Hybels defines in his book, Axiom:
An easy season to identify is a season of growth.In a growth season, everything is rosy.Attendance is spiking, giving is on the rise, programs are thriving, and the future looks bright.In seasons like this, leaders have to be organizationally aware enough to say, “Look, everybody, we’re going through a fun growth spurt here.Let’s enjoy this season and play it out for as long as we can.You know as well as I do that it won’t last forever, but while it’s here, let’s thank God for it and see how long we can keep it going!”
Another season might be called consolidation, which usually follows a season of growth.The goal during consolidations is to assimilate and support the people who showed up during all of that growth.Newcomers typically need discipleship and community and care.Investing in your infrastructure and protecting your recent gains proves you can be trusted with the growth God graciously gives.Effective consolidation earns you permission to enter yet another season of growth sometime in the future.
Another season that is familiar to leaders is a season of transition.It might begin when several staff decide to leave all at once, and everything and everyone feels at bit off balance and uncertain.It might be complicated by external factors such as a downturn in the local economy or a major upheaval in the community, and leaders are the ones who must give voice and language to that reality.They must explain why the era is occurring, what it means, and how to navigate through it.
Finally, there’s reinvention.This is when the leader announces that it’s time to put every ministry of the church under the microscope and discern whether it needs a face-lift, an overhaul, or a funeral----a necessary pruning exercise to make room for future growth.
This leadership-seasons idea traces back to Ecclesiastes 3:1, which says that “there is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.”
Do yourself and those you lead the favor of learning to spot your season and give voice to the realities of that season.Assign appropriate language to it, designate helpful parameters to succeeding within it, and confidently offer solutions for moving through it.You’re always in a season!It’s your role to know which it is and what to do about it.
I found this really insightful.I will be writing soon about what season I see CCF in.
I grew up in a house where traditions were a big deal! Mom always created them and made a big deal of them. Kinda gets in your DNA. Well, my wife might have my Mom beat in the tradition department. She LOVES TRADITIONS. One of them in our home is that we decorate our house for Christmas the weekend before Thanksgiving. That way it is all purdy when we get home from our Thanksgiving travels. Well, tonight was the night! Here are a few pictures of our memory. The Christmas music is on, the Christmas cookies are in the oven and we even had a nice candlelight dinner. Nice to share it this year with the Hunt's. My sister and Brother in Law live with us and we are tag teaming our favorite decorations. We're getting really excited!!
Mark your calendar and join us for the CCF Christmas party! We will enjoy great food while hanging out. The "Twisted Christmas" production is the same night. Party and production back to back. Sure hope you can come!
If you cannot see my Twitter log on the left, scroll all the way to the bottom of this webpage. For some reason, she is hiding. Not sure why. Will try to resolve.
--Noah
Noah Kaye
Lover & follower of Jesus, devoted to my wife Tricia & my kids, Davis, Lily & Graceson, serving & living in Africa as a man on mission for the Kingdom of God.
Some of you may remember when our dear friends Jake and Michelle Zieg lost the 17 month old son Brayden in a drowning accident. You can click here to read about it. I still don't know how they did it and have done as well as they have. But God!
