how do you handle...?

Not too long ago I was driving through New Philadelphia and as got off the interstate, this dude was standing at the red light:

His sign read: DOWN ON LUCK. ANYTHING WILL HELP. GOD BLESS.

Then, Friday night while I was in Vegas, a dude stopped me on the street to ask me if I could spare a few bucks.

What do you do when you encounter people asking for money? Do you ignore them? Avoid them? Give them money? Set stipulations? Buy them food?

What's the appropriate thing to do? What would Jesus do?

all access

NewPointe hosted a two-day conference for church pastors and leaders over the weekend. The All Access experience gave attendees "all access" to NewPointe...all access to staff, our environments, Dwight, and the behind-the-scenes stuff. About 40 people attended from churches in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.

Dwight was firing scuds. If you can't get fired up after listening to Dwight's passion and vision, then someone ought to check your pulse.

The event began on Saturday evening with dinner and teaching from Dwight. The group arrived early Sunday morning for the whole NewPointe experience. After lunch on Sunday Dwight shared more about how we do church and why we do what we do. That was followed by two break-out sessions. Attendees could choose to attend two of the 8 or 9 breakouts offered. Danny, Dave M., and me were able to sit around with leaders from other churches and share our approach to service programming. We had a great time sharing and answering questions.

All Access was a solid event and a great time for us to be able to invest in other churches--to share the little bit that we've learned with others so they may benefit from it. Expect more All Access events. Looks like the next one will happen this fall.

bubba does vegas

I'm typing this post from my hotel room in Las Vegas. I've been here for two days doing a "Bubba Joe" gig for Wayne Dalton. I did six shows yesterday with two more to go today...it was all Bubba being Bubba, helping trade show attendees get informed about a new WD product.

Vegas is crazy, man. And it gets even crazier when you've got Bubba Joe on the prowl at the Strip. Man it's funny. People don't know how to take Bubba. Most people think he's for real so they just roll with it. The fact is, Bubba Joe is not even the strangest dude lurking the Strip.

It's been a fun but VERY tiring couple of days. I'm looking forward to getting home. And I'm looking forward to church at NewPointe tomorrow.

See you there!

conformists

So...you never know who you're going to run in to at Aqua on Tuesday nights...

...or what they'll be WEARING!

If three people show up at Aqua, all wearing the same shirt that says, "Don't Conform," does that make them conformists?

Speaking of Aqua, you can join the Aqua group on Facebook by clicking here.

pat is back!

My main man (or is that wo-man), Pat, is back! For all of you who've been concerned about his (or her) well-being, I'm happy to report that Pat is alive and well in the Bunn family fish pond in our back yard.

I guess he (or she) was just a little shy in his (or her) new environment. But it's all good now.

So here's to you, Pat. You da man! (or is that Wo-man?). Whatever. Welcome back.

to tattoo or not to tattoo...that is the question

Scott left a comment on my last post about secular music. And he asked me about tattoos. We did a First Wednesday a couple years back called "Marked By the Cross" and we talked a little about tattoos.

Since the tattoo thing is so huge right now, I thought I'd go ahead and post a couple of interesting links that address the subject of tattoos and Christians. Is it okay for a Christian to get a tattoo? What does the Bible have to say about it?

Check out these sites for some insight on the subject:

Sacred Ink

Got Questions: What does the Bible have to say about tattoos/body piercings?

What do YOU think?

secular music in church?

If you've been around NewPointe much at all, you know that it's not unusual for our band to cover a secular tune from time to time. For instance, recently they've done songs from U2, Los Lonely Boys, and Guns-N-Roses.

Occasionally, but not often, someone will question why we would bring "secular" music into a "sacred" environment. Sometimes the question is, "How am I supposed to worship to music like that?: Here are my thoughts on the subject:

We occasionally play secular music because we are trying to reach both non-Christians as well as Christians in the same service, and playing a secular, popular song up front in the service helps put people who are far from God at ease.

At NewPointe, we think that "Christian people" should be the ones who are the most uncomfortable in church--not the non-Christians. In other words, at NewPointe, we'd rather offend the Christians before offending non-Christians.

Our music selections are not pointless and random. We go to great lengths to make sure everything we do has purpose and relevance. I love the idea of "redeeming" a Guns N' Roses song--using it to ease the tension for someone and help make a connection. I'm sure Guns N' Roses never imagined that their music could pave the way for someone to connect with God...but it sure is cool what God can use to reach people.

Now, I'm not trying to over-spiritualize all this. I know you're not going to be able to "worship" to some of the music we play. But "worship" is not always our intent with every song. We want to make a connection, put people at ease, help them open their minds and their hearts, and let the Holy Spirit do His work.

an update on "pat"

If you were here Sunday (or watching live online like my brother-in-law and my mom), then you know I brought a friend with me to church--a goldfish named Pat.

Many of you have asked questions about Pat since Sunday, so I thought I'd just give an update here on my blog.

I took Pat home with me after church on Sunday. That afternoon, my kids poured Pat into our fish pond in the back yard. We've added other fish like Pat to our pond from time to time...and they've always done well there.

As I walked by the pond on my way to work today, I noticed that the pond was unusually clear. The sun was shining, and the fish were are very clearly visible (even the black ones that are sometimes hard to see). I looked for Pat. No sign of him/her. I don't know if Pat was just hiding but...I'm worried.

Maybe the other fish didn't take much of a liking to Pat. Maybe it's like going to prison and all the other fish started chanting, "fresh fish, fresh fish..."

Anyway, I'll try to keep you updated on Pat. Is he hiding? Or was all that talk about heaven on Sunday mere foreshadowing for one Pat the Fish?

sunday's scuds (april 13, 2008)

We continued the Knockin' On Heaven's Door series yesterday. It was my turn to speak. My assignment: What is heaven like? Here are the scuds:

• I think that the honest truth is that the thought of an unseen heaven is not all that appealing to many of us.
• When we think about heaven, if we're honest, it sounds boring.

Satan need not convince us that heaven doesn't exist; he need only convince us that heaven is a place of boring, unearthly existence. If we believe that lie, we'll be robbed of our joy and anticipation. We'll set our minds on this life and not the next. --Randy Alcorn, Heaven

• Heaven is a place where we'll make important decisions and work productively.
• Sometimes the Bible talks of heaven being a place of rest, and that has led some people to falsely assume that it's just kinda like eternal rest.
• If you think of work as a bad thing, it's probably because you're in a very dissatisfying or unfulfilling career that doesn't utilize your God-given gifts. In heaven, you'll get to tackle projects that thrill you.
• Jesus warned more about hell than he emphasized heaven.
• Just as there is an unbelievable, inconceivable, indescribable place called heaven to be gained, there is a horrendous, awful, agony-filled place called hell to be avoided.

Hell is nothing but yourself for all eternity. --C.S. Lewis

• You don't have to fear death if you've been redeemed by Jesus Christ.

If you find the subject of heaven fascinating, and you have more questions, here's an article from Christianity Today that you mind find interesting: What Will Heaven Be Like?

the sport of cornhole is introduced to a nation

If you live in the Mid-West, you've probably seen or played cornhole by now. It's a blast. Jenny and I got a cornhole set as a Christmas gift this year.

As we were planning our trip to the orphanage in Egypt, the team was kicking around a bunch of ideas for games we could take with us to teach the kids...Frisbee, whiffle ball, dodge ball, cornhole (what? cornhole?...how you gonna play cornhole in Egypt?).

Well, we made it happen. Someone built a custom, luggage-sized cornhole set for us to take with us. Someone else sewed corn-bags, and voila! We were set to introduce the great game of cornhole to a nation.

We played cornhole several times with the kids. I admit, it was hard for them to grasp the concept but man, when a kid got one in the hole, the whole place went crazy.

I'm fairly certain that this was an historical event for the nation of Egypt. Never before had cornhole been played there. And the best part? We left the cornhole stuff there. Egyptians will now be enjoying cornhole for generations to come...all thanks to NewPointe. Hey, we just wanna be a blessing!

no jesus, yes jesus (american idol)

Yesterday I posted the video of Shout to the Lord from the Idol Gives Back show. The song was great, and it was awesome to see it on Idol. But I was wondering why they replaced the second word of the song. "Jesus" with "shepherd." Just trying to be politically correct, I guess. Then last night they sang the song again, and they sang "Jesus." I wonder why the alteration to begin with, and then the change back last night. Your thoughts?

Anyway, here's the video from last night's show...

did i really see that on american idol last night?

Really? Shout To The Lord sung by the final eight contestants. Wow.

If you missed Idol last night, here's the video of the song:

big surprises in store for the next MLL

Married Life Live tickets went on sale last weekend. Here's a piece of advice if you're planning on attending: don't wait to purchase your tickets. They're going fast and we expect another sell-out.

I don't want to reveal everything that's happening at MLL...we want to keep some things under wraps...but here are a few things that I can reveal:

• We're bringing in a special guest speaker, John Turner. John is a speaker and author from Atlanta and he's one of the masterminds behind the whole Married Life Live idea that originated at North Point Community Church. It going to be great having him at MLL...I know you'll be inspired and challenged by him.
• The music, as usual, will be off the hook. We're still working out some of the details but at this point some of the song ideas on the table include music from Survivor, Paula Abdul, Rascal Flats, and Billy Joel.
• If you like Whose Line Is It Anyway?, we've got a special MLL feature for you.
• The meal? I don't have a clue about what's for dinner at this MLL...but I know it will be amazing.

LET'S GET READY TO RUMBLE!!!

stuff to keep you in the know...

Exclusive information for the readers of my blog:

• I'm speaking in the big room this weekend. We're continuing the series on heaven. This week: What is heaven like? If you live too far to attend this Sunday, you can watch the services live by clicking here.


• The band is opening the services this Sunday with a great song from Los Lonely Boys. Make sure you're there in plenty of time to hear it.


• I love edamame. I think it's my new favorite vegetable.


• We've been studying the book of Malachi in Aqua over the past few weeks. Man, that dude didn't pull any punches. I recommend reading Malachi (last book in the OT, only four chapters). It'll rock ya.


• My office has been IKEA-ized. IKEA is awesome. A couple of months ago, Kevin started a whole urban renewal thing in his office. Now the rest of us are trying to keep up.


• Bubba Joe reappeared in KidStuf Sunday. He was up to his usual shenanigans. Here's a pic:

more wisdom from andrew

I was looking for something on Saturday and not having much success finding it. Andrew's advice to me:

"Daddy, if you think harder, an idea will come."

sunday's scuds (april 6, 2008)

Week two of the KNOCKIN' ON HEAVEN'S DOOR series. The message: the way to heaven. Here are the scuds:

• What are your chances of going to heaven? In order to get there three things are required. 1. You have to believe in heaven. 2. You have to want to go there. 3. You have to know how to get there.
• This may be the greatest statement in all of scripture: "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." --Jesus (John 14:6)
• There is only ONE WAY to heaven: Jesus Christ.
• At NewPointe, we like to think outside the box in many ways...but when it comes to how you get to heaven, we're very narrow-minded on that.
• The way to heaven is not through a practice or a program or a premise. It is a person: Jesus Christ.
• The Bible tells us that God makes no distinction between 'bad people' and 'good people.' The playing field is level.
• We've all forfeited our right-standing with God. We've blown it. There's no way to make up for imperfection.
• But you can be in right-standing with God through faith in Jesus Christ.
• Some people think coming to church will establish a right-standing with God--it won't.
• Good people don't go to heaven. People in right-standing with God go to heaven.

closing song from easter now on youtube

Here it is...enjoy!



Thanks Dave.

what's next? bubba joe cologne?

I stopped by the NewPointe bookstore after First Wednesday and look what I found:

My kids came running to me and said, "Daddy look! Bubba Joe mouse pads!"

I had no idea that the Bubba Joe product line had expanded from T-shirts to mouse pads. Crazy. I'm told that the bookstore has already had to order more T-shirts (they're sellin' like hotcakes). And hey, what kid wouldn't want a Bubba Joe/KidStuf mouse pad next to his computer.

What's next? Bubba Joe bumper stickers? Mugs? Credit cards? Cologne? Essence du Bubba. Stay tuned.

Oh, one more thing, rumor has it that there may be a Bubba sighting in KidStuf this Sunday. We'll see...

newpointe writes

We've got some talented folks around NewPointe. Here are a few fun facts about NPCCers who write:

Within the next few months we'll be introducing NewPointe's own, brand-spankin' new Starting Pointe study material. We've had a team of writers and designers working on this project for over a year. And boy-o-boy is it sweet! Expect to be blown away when this thing gets rolled out.

Fellow NewPointe staffer Todd Colucy is now a published author! He recently wrote an article for the Your Money NOW website. Here's the link: Best Ways to Use Your "Debit" Card at Retailers.

Kevin and Jess do a phenomenal job writing the KidStuf scripts. Betcha didn't know that.

Did you know Danny B has mad song-writing skills? He's even had one of his songs hit #1 on the radio charts. Betcha didn't know that either.

more staff reductions

It's no secret that the NPCC staff is in the middle of a weight-loss/get-healthy initiative. How's that going?, you ask. Very well, thank you. As of this week, the NPCC staff has lost a combined 311 pounds (since February 1).

The superstars of shrinkage so far are:

Jane Miller

Jon Brown

Chad Stutzman

Danny Bunnelle

Each of them has lost at least 20 pounds!

Me? I'm down 17 so far (with a long way to go).

Anyway, if it seems like you've seen less of the staff around NewPointe, it's because you have!

welcome to kumler field, home of the cougars

Over the weekend we visited the ol' stomping grounds to attend a family wedding. Every time we visit Jenny's folks, we drive by our high school. The football field is visible from the road. And every time Andrew (our little football addict) asks, "Daddy, is that where you played football?" I always answer, "Yes." And Andrew is always so fascinated by that.

This time, we had time, so we decided to stop and let Andrew check things out up close. The gate was open so we helped ourselves to the field of dreams...

Andrew thought it was the coolest thing ever. I had him run a couple of routes to the end zone as I threw passes to him (of course, he already had his football with him).

Home of the Cougars. Home of my glory days. For the record, my senior team was 7-3 (barely missing the playoffs).
Who knows...maybe Andrew will get to play in the state playoffs someday. Hey, a dad can only hope, right?