Off to the Northeast!

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Tricia, Davis and I are leaving in about an hour drive to East Greenbush, NY (near Albany) to spend some time with family. Tricia grew up in Upstate New York (6-7 hour drive). We are really looking forward to spending time with family that we have not seen in person since our decision to move overseas. There are certain things that you just need to discuss and share in person. We are really looking forward to being with them. We will also visit some friends in Syracuse, NY and Keene, NH! We may even spend a day in southern Maine and a day in Boston. I love the Northeast in the Summer.

On the road again...but we enjoy it!
(Took this picture the morning of our wedding from a hill in East Greenbush---this is a shot of Downtown Albany.)

What if you actually had to talk?

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Thinking a lot about church these days. Here is a simple question that I have been pondering.

What if you had to offer or share something of yourself with other believers when you gathered?
Can you imagine how crazy it would be if when we gathered, we were all expected to share something of what Jesus is doing in us? Maybe a word, a prophecy, an idea, a story, a gift, a poem, a hymn, psalm or spiritual song? Something. Anything.
I wonder if people would take walking with Jesus throughout the week a tad more seriously if they thought they might be asked to display a little proof of intimacy in front of others. It's impossible to cram with discipleship!
Sunday, we asked people to share in groups in our service again. I am proud of CCF. I think we are getting better at this. But we still have a long way to go.
I am convinced that we are missing out on the main heart of the body of Christ when hundreds of people offer nothing and 3 people offer everything at our gatherings (church services).
It's like playing football while one person moves. Crew with one person rowing. Basketball with one man on the court. A choir where no one sings. Why on earth are so few Christians being a contributing part of the church they signed up for? And since when are Christians only good enough to ush, greet, cook, clean and play an instrument? The jobs we offer in most churches are insulting at worst and busy work at best--if we are not creating a place for people to bring something of JESUS and His work within them to the rest of us.
May sound strong here, but it's because I mean it. Few things bless me more than to see the Lord working in and through YOU!

Family Passage

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Last week, Tricia and I had lunch with an older couple that we love very much. They have served in ministry for their entire lives. Before we left, they wanted to read and proclaim a passage of scripture over this next season of our life and ministry. They proceeded to read Colossians 1:9-12 as we hung on every word. Examine this:

Be assured that from the first day we heard of you, we haven't stopped praying for you, asking God to give you wise minds and spirits attuned to his will, and so acquire a thorough understanding of the ways in which God works. We pray that you'll live well for the Master, making him proud of you as you work hard in his orchard. As you learn more and more how God works, you will learn how to do your work. We pray that you'll have the strength to stick it out over the long haul—not the grim strength of gritting your teeth but the glory-strength God gives. It is strength that endures the unendurable and spills over into joy, thanking the Father who makes us strong enough to take part in everything bright and beautiful that he has for us.

We are considering adopting this as our family passage to guide us as we prepare for this next season. It is a truly a beautiful proclamation of our hope!

Brayden Zieg

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It is hard to believe that two years ago today, Tricia and I received the frantic call that Brayden Zieg (Our Dear Friend's 17 month old son) had drowned in their backyard pool! Davis and Brayden were born an amazing 2 days apart. Michelle and Tricia carried together. Since Jake (Brayden's Daddy) and I had been friends for 25 years, we knew our sons would be buddies too. We are still shocked that Brayden is gone. The pain of it actually feels quite fresh to us...which makes our hearts for Jake and Michelle ache even more.

Well, if anyone could find a way to bring good out of bad, the Zieg's can! Today, I am thrilled to tell you that last week they launched "Because of Brayden," a non-profit organization to raise drowning prevention awareness. Click here to check out the website. (Michelle and Lauren, Brayden's Aunt have co-founded it.)
We are so proud of Jake and Michelle and example that they have been to us all. Today, we really miss Brayden. But we are also super, super thankful for the Lord Jesus and his promise of eternal life.
(Picture is of Davis and Brayden in 2007.)

Reimagining Communion

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1. Communion happened often.

  • Church in Troas took it weekly. (Acts 20:7)
  • Churches in Jerusalem and Corinth took it regularly. (Acts 2:42, I Cor. 11:20-21, 33)
  • Jesus himself made a strong point about not neglecting it. (Luke 22:19-20)
  • The reason that it was taken so regularly is because it embodied and represented the features of Christian life.

2. The bread represents the humanity and accessibility of Jesus.

  • Almighty took on the form of a servant. (Phil. 2)
  • The bread being the most basic and lowly of foods points to the humility and availability of our Lord.

3. The BROKEN bread represented the BROKEN Jesus!

  • Jesus BROKEN body on the cross.
  • Bread made from CRUSHED wheat.
  • Wine made from PRESSED grapes.
  • Both represent death.
  • John 6:53- Eat the flesh and drink the blood of the son of man and have LIFE!

4. Communion was a meal, not a snack!

  • When Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper it was taken as a part of the Passover Feast. (Luke 22:15-20)
  • I Cor. 11 makes it clear that early Christians considered this a meal.
  • The NT Word for “Supper” literally means “dinner. And the NT word for table literally refers to a table in which a full meal is spread.

5. Shared meals help us celebrate what matters, appreciate memories and make new ones!

  • Just think about our cultural holiday dinners.
  • Reflect on old memories and make new ones…cement relationship and life together.

6. Shared meals can seal the covenant deal.

  • Moses Example in Exodus 24.
  • Jesus example in Luke 22.

7. This meal points to the greatest meal of all….the Wedding feast!

  • The Lord’s Supper points to His coming future glory.
  • The Lord’s Supper carries eschatological overtones that point to the Messianic banquet that is addressed in Matthew 22 & 26, Luke 12 & 15 and Rev. 19:9.

8. The supper transcends time.

  • The Lord’s supper possesses past, present and future implications.
  • The Lord’s supper is a living testimony to the three chief virtues: faith, hope and love.
  • By proclaiming the Lord’s Supper we “proclaim [present] the Lord’s death [past] until he comes [future]” I Cor. 11:26

9. Themes of eating and drinking shadow the nature of a triune God.

6 Years Ago Today...

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Today is a special day. Exactly six years ago today was my first day on staff at Capital Christian Fellowship. I remember the morning. I traveled over to the Eshleman's home on Eastourne Lane in Laurel to meet with Pastor Dave (Senior Pastor at the time). This was back before we had a building. Both Pastors worked from their home offices. We were the only two on Staff. My, have things changed in six years!!

This morning, I am reflecting on how thankful I am for this season of life and ministry. I cannot imagine how it could have been more impacting, shaping and wonderful. I really believe that the rest of our lives will be shaped by our years at CCF. I still can't believe that the trusted this young kid with such big responsibility. I can't believe the Lord did either.

Interesting fact:

We spent 6 years at Valley Forge Christian College.

We've spent 6 years at CCF.

I hope that doesn't mean....

EMM Interview- Off to PA

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Over the last few months we have completed much of the application process for being sent by Eastern Mennonite Missions into South Africa. They have a very responsible and thorough process for sending people abroad. Will we go as prepared as one can be.

Today, Tricia and I head to PA to begin meeting with the Staff regarding such things as developing a Missions Support Team and creating a budget so we can begin to raise support. We are excited about today.
We have so many questions. There are so many things that we still do not know. And there are many, many dollars that we will need to raise in the next six months. Some days, I wonder if we will need a miracle. If we do, I think that we are trusting in the correct source for miracles.
We are placing our full trust the Lord for clarity, leadership and provision of our needs. Today is a big step ahead for us.
Counting on God and welcoming your prayer support!
Noah & Tricia
PS- We will spend the night in PA and enjoy a few hours together tomorrow morning as we get ready to celebrate 8 years of marriage. Blessed!

Reversed Vision

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Been thinking a lot these days about church...and how sending plays into the vision of church. For the first time in my life, I am encountered with new thoughts about what the definition of "Missionary" is. I wonder why? ;-)

I have noticed something. Most churches that I know of have a vision that somehow revolves around getting people into their church. They make strong cases for church growth and root it in scripture. I am okay with that, really. I believe that healthy churches are growing churches (with some exceptions). Recently, I was at a church and in large letters across the top of the stage was this: "Finding, Feeding, Fencing"! I'd love to hear more about that vision. But, regardless the goal at most churches is obvious...get people into the church so it grows.
Since the early part of this year, the Lord has been gradually revealing something to me...
What if we reversed that? What would happen if a church decided to adopt as it's vision the goal of sending people out instead of getting people in. What would happen in the broader church if we measured success by the quantity of people equipped and SENT instead of the number gained in the pew? And I do not mean just sending overseas. I mean sending to lost people locally, globally, glocally...in mission? I would love to be a part of a church like that...a church whose vision is to send, not collect.
What are your thoughts? I'd love to hear. Leave a comment.

The Christian Atheist

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Yesterday I finished reading "The Christian Atheist" by Craig Groeschel.

Great book. As with any book, there were things that were more helpful than others. The book is geared in the direction of those that are farther from God. It's basic. It's great for those who distant from God and His church (which is all of us at times).
Premise: Christian Atheists are folks that say they believe in God, but live like he does not exist. This excerpt captures the heart of the book really well!
Several years ago I increasingly recognized inconsistencies between what I claimed to believe and the way I actually lived. I preached that people without Christ go to hell, but my life showed I wasn't equally passionate to reach those people. Though I believed God wanted my life to be different I found comparing myself to others easier than measuring my life against Christ's. I preached that prayer is critical. But my prayer life was virtually nonexistent. God's word said my treasure shouldn't be in this world, yet material things continue to grab my attention. Jesus said, "don't worry about tomorrow." But worry came as naturally to me as breathing. If I truly belonged to Christ, I should surrender my whole life to him. I just gave him parts instead, and took them back whenever he didn't to what I wanted. I called myself a Christian, but I lived like an atheist.

The Porn Event

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LifeChurch and XXX Church are sponsoring and leading a powerful online event throughout this week called The Porn Event. Click here to check it out. They are holding multiple online experiences where people talk VERY OPENLY about their struggles with porn and God's ability to heal.

(They have even launched a global Google AdWords campaign so that anyone googling porn will be directed to this event!! So cool!!)

From May 23-28, LifeChurch.tv and XXXChurch.com present ThePornEvent.com, a 25-minute interactive experience focused on the real-life effects of pornography. ThePornEvent.com has two segments, one for men and one for women; more details and the schedule can be found at ThePornEvent.com. During ThePornEvent.com we will examine the effect porn has on our lives and relationships, and look at next steps for those who are struggling. Expect a non-threatening environment featuring stories, helpful answers, and an open conversation with people whoʼve traveled a similar path. ThePornEvent.com is for anyone who is interested in what it looks like to live a life beyond pornography.

Perhaps you need to check it our or share it with others! Do it! Be bold.

Social Media Training Event-- This Thursday!

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I totally enjoy using social networking sites for building community, strengthening connections, communicating information and investing for God's kingdom!

About 150 CCF'rs are on Facebook now.
So, after a number of requests, I am leading a training event. It will be held this Thursday. We will cover some basics of Facebook, Twitter, Blogging, and maybe Skype.
You are cordially invited to join me!
Date: This Thursday, May 27th
Time: 7:00pm
Location: CCF Upper Room
Note: you can come whether you are already on these sites or not! We will have some fun and learn what we can!

Oh yeah, send me an email, message me or call me if you plan to come.

Fast Obedience

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Recently, I have been thinking vividly about what obeying God looks like. While I know that we have missed the mark many times, these last few months have been a season of practicing reckless obedience. I want to share one lesson we have recently learned.

When God speaks, obey Him fast!
Do not delay. Do not wait. Don't weigh out every "what if" and "what could be". Don't ask for too many opinions. If you are confident that the Lord is speaking, OBEY! Make your move. Because the longer you wait, the higher the chances become that you will talk yourself out of it. Fast moving is often frowned upon as unwise. When it comes to obeying God, I don't think there is any such thing as moving too fast.
I will make this personal: If we had waited until later this year to move out of our house, I have a hunch we may have talked ourselves out of obeying God's call to South Africa. There are some days that the pain and the loss feels like more than we can take. But, we obeyed already. We took the plunge! There is no turning back. God said it and we did it. And that first act of obedience (leaving our home) was the first step in the process toward total surrender. No turning back...and we are thrilled for that!
If God is calling you to do something, can I encourage you to DO IT! Obey fast.
"We will serve the Lord our God and we will obey His voice!" Joshua 24:24

Surprise 30th Party

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We just returned home from being with some wonderful, wonderful people whom we love very much!! Tricia turned 30 in March and I am turning 30 in June. This afternoon, about 50-75 family and friends SURPRISED Tricia and I with a SURPRISE combined 30th B-Day party. They rented a pavilion at Watkins Park and had a beautiful spread of food. We were so surprised at some of the people present (from 5 states). We felt extremely honored and loved today. It is remarkable how good the Lord has been to us. I wish I could bottle the feeling of support that we felt today....there will be some times in the next several years where we will want to open it up and take some. ;-)

Thankful for this day,
Noah and Tricia
PS- Special shout out to my family (parents and siblings) who made this happen. You all are dear to us.

Powerful Words from a Snowy Sunday in January

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On Sunday, January 31st, it snowed! We had a guest speaker scheduled at CCF. We still had church. Only 135 people attended. The speaker was Floyd McClung. The day will stand out in my mind FOREVER! It was one of the pivotal days in revealing our future calling as a family. The message that Floyd preached that Sunday captured much of my heart for church these days. This morning, in preparation for where I am headed with this Sunday's message, I listened to Floyd's January 31 message again. As I did, I jotted down things he said that really impacted me. You will hear them on Sunday too. Here they are:

  • Instead of us going to a man to get to God, God is going to send a man to get to us (Jesus).
  • Is church a place we go? Or is church a people who go?
  • If we will discover what church is and its purpose, our hearts will come alive because we are made by the living God for the purposes of God to be lived out through the people of God. And the closer we get to this, the more alive and full of God we become.
  • The more you keep, the more you lose. The more you give, the more you gain. The best way to grow church is to give away church. (Hence, Church-Planting.)
  • Sunday is not a place where church happens, it is the time to equip the church to make things happen.
  • The church is locker room and Sunday is halftime. The game is played on the field!!
  • You’ve asked me to come. I’ve asked you to go. I will come when you go. -Jesus
  • If you don’t have a real battle to fight in the world of darkness outside the church, you will fight silly battles within the church.
  • Stop waiting for people to become Christians to be discipled by the church, start discipling people now so that they will end up as Christians linking up with the church!
Deep stuff. More Sunday.

iPhone & App(etizer) Party

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After several requests, I've been trying to get the nerve up for this for a long time, and I am finally ready. ;-) I am throwing an iPhone party!! Go ahead and hate. It's ok. I'm ready for the hateage.

What is this? Party and food for iPhone owners (or those who long to be) where we will share ideas, favorite apps, teach each other things we have learned, exchange knowledge of cheap accessories, etc. While we do this we will download APPS and eat APPS (appetizers).
Who is invited? Anyone with an iPhone or iPod touch or who is considering getting one (and is also looking for an excuse to hang out on a Friday night).
When? Friday, June 25th at 6:30pm
Where? 3317 Mont Clare Lane in Bowie
What to bring? Your iPhone, accessories, and an appetizer if you know how to make a good one.
RSVP if you are coming! Email, call, comment, DM, FB message, text, whatever.

The One Thing

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Recently, I've been reminded of a series of blogs I read earlier this year on the Swerve blog. The one thing. There are a few places in scripture that we see these words used...and I think they reveal something neat. I will share one today and then maybe a few more in some future blogs.

What one thing do you desire from God?

When David found himself afraid and on the run, he begged God for one thing.

He wrote in Psalm 27:4, “One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.”

I think that if we could could name one thing that we desire God to do, it could bring laser focus to your prayers. And then perhaps it would allow us to expect from God and wait on him in ways that we haven't before.

Maybe above all else, you want to see one of your family members meet Christ. Or you need to hear God’s voice regarding some major decisions for your future. Or you need God’s healing in your marriage or physical body. Perhaps you are desperate for God's intervention as you parent a rebellious child. Maybe the one thing for you is that God would somehow show up and rescue you from what seems like a hopeless financial predicament.

As you seek reflect, what is the number one thing you desire from God right now? Maybe, like David, it would help you to name it. And pray it.

What will we be doing in South Africa?

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We don't know. Well, we know some things, but our honest sense is that in many ways the Lord is calling us into the unknown. We have a strong sense that we don't know the half of the reason why the Lord has called us out of CCF and into South Africa. Time will tell.

That said, I thought I would share a little more of what we do know at this point:
  • We will be officially moving to Cape Town on or about January 15, 2011.
  • Then, we will take a few weeks to get settled, scope the area, get Davis into school, adjust to culture some, etc.
  • The first weekend in February, we will begin a six-month Church Planting Training with All Nations called CPx. CPx is an intense church planting training experience where will be trained in how to plant church-planting movements as simple, missional communities. You can click here to read all about it.
  • By July, 2011 (after CPx) we expect to secure a modest place to live as a family there in Cape Town. At this point, we expect to remain in Cape Town at least one year following the conclusion of CPx. During that year we will serve within All Nations and participate in church-planting and caring for the poor, neglected and unreached people of Cape Town.
  • During the entire stay we plan to serve, learn, dream, write, communicate, contextualize, and envision ways to carry effective church planting to other places around the world....very possible to this area from which we are being launched.
  • We plan to be personally mentored by Floyd and Sally McClung, founder of All Nations. We were honored to have him at our Dining Room Table on January 31, 2010. We hope to be at theirs one year later. ;-)
IMPORTANT NOTE: Please notice the word "we" appearing throughout this post. That is because this next season of our life is one that we are launching into together. Tricia and I will both be participating in this endeavor as a couple. And Davis will be involved as much as a 4 year old can. This is a call on our family, not just me.
These are some of the things we will be doing that we (think we) know. There are many other aspects that the Lord is preparing and we will take hold of them as we walk in faith....

10 Life Lessons for Graduates

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This post is for Graduates and anyone else who reads it. I was recently asked to speak at the Lanham Christian School graduation this June. I spoke there 2 years ago as well (which would have been 10 years after I graduated from LCS myself). As I am now beginning to prepare this commencement address, I was reminded of my message from two years ago. Here are the notes. Maybe you want to share them with a graduate you know:

10 Life Lessons in 10 Years.....

  1. 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 that are very difficult to fulfill if you are not a part of a Body. They need you and you need them!
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. It is more important that you love who you marry than that you marry who you love! Oh, Pastor Noah…I disagree….how can we marry someone we don’t 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, they are in heat. 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, passionate sex. AND YOU DO KNOW IT IS YOUR SOLE MATE IN 3 WEEKS or 3 MONTHS---Chemicals in your body are still lying to you that early in a relationship.
  5. Have kids that are a blessing not a burden….God values life too much for you to create one that is a burden. Outside of marriage or inside of marriage!
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. Frequently ask what Andy Stanley calls “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! The right thing often takes a champion!
  9. 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” 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! (indebted to Mark Batterson on this one)
  10. The place that you let Jesus Christ take in your life will determine where your life takes you! Give him first place! Give him first dibs on your dreams, your talents, your time, your attention and your heart!

--Noah