set a higher standard for yourself

Friends, I’m just going to be blunt. There are better things to do with your time than to watch movies like Hangover 2 or Bridesmaids. I realize that I’m risking coming off as “holier-than-thou” by posting this. That’s not my intention.

It’s just that when I get on Facebook, when I hear conversations, I’m saddened that I’m finding people who call themselves Christ-followers, bringing stuff like this into their homes (and then announcing to the world that they’ve watched it).

“Oh, come on, John, don’t be such a prude. Good grief…It’s just entertainment.” I get that. But here’s what I can’t get past: you and I, as Christians, are called to a higher standard. Guys, we can do better!

Philippians 4:8 says:

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.

Help me with what is admirable about the storyline in Hangover 2?  Check out this quote from one of the stars of the movie:

The Hangover Part II's star Zach Galifianakis, who plays the movie's goofy man-child Alan, told comingsoon.net, "It is so bad in parts that I told my mom she is not allowed to see it. I forbid, forbade, forbid her from coming." But as Time's Joel Stein reports after talking with him, "When kids come up to [Galifianakis] and say how much they love The Hangover, he yells at their parents for letting them see it. In fact, he's not sure how he feels about adults' seeing the movie. After his mother watched the first Hangover, she voiced objections to the crass humor. 'I had to get on the phone with my mom and say, "I agree with you,"' he says. 'But at some point, as it did well at the box office, all that embarrassment flew out the window. As long as I can fly them all over the world, they don't care. I could be in porno.'"

Am I way off base? Label me a religious nut if you want to (though I don’t think I am). I just saying that if our goal is Christ-likeness…well, I don’t need to go on…you get the point. To simply dismiss it as pointless entertainment that does not have an effect on you is to be naive.

If you think I need to lighten up, I can’t. The stakes are too high.

I love movies. I love to be entertained. I even enjoy pointless humor. I’m merely suggesting that we can all do better with our entertainment choices (me included).

Set a higher standard for you and your family. It’s worth it.

newpointe in the newspaper

Sunday was a big day for NewPointe Community Church. On Sunday we started a second service at our Canton campus and thus, for the first time ever, NewPointe hosted eight—count ‘em—eight services in three locations.

Over 400 people attended the Canton services Sunday. On Saturday the Canton Repository published a story about the new Canton campus opening. Check it out:

Church opens Plain Twp. campus Sunday

that was awkward…

Great billboard. Has anybody heard from Harold Camping lately? Would love hear his thoughts now.

carla’s story

Sunday at NewPointe was nothing short of amazing. Really. Sunday was one of those rare occasions where God showed up in an unusual and powerful way at all NewPointe campuses. One of the things God used to teach us and shape the services was this video of Carla and Paul Westlake telling their story of Carla’s cancer. Talk about a brave, courageous, godly woman. Wow. If you didn’t get to see it, here it is. If you did get to see it, I know you’ll appreciate seeing it again.

Thank you, Carla, for living out your faith in a way that truly impacts and challenges us all. You are loved and you are making a difference for Christ!

wilma and leeann’s remedy

Hope you got to experience NewPointe last Sunday and see this video of Wilma and LeeAnn telling their stories of emotional healing. Good, good stuff. In case you missed it or you’d just like to see it again here it is:

Thanks Wilma and LeeAnn for having the courage to share your stories with all of us. You are a blessing and an inspiration.

And major kudos to our video crew (specifically Molly) for shooting and editing this terrific piece.

sunday’s scuds (may 8, 2011)

Sunday Dwight continued the Remedy series at NewPointe. And just let me say: this has been one tremendous series. Wow. In this message Dwight talked about the remedy for our messed-up emotions. Here are a few of the scuds he fired:

• Whatever effects you emotionally affects you physically.
• We are not able to pass on good things to the people we love if we are not emotionally healthy.
• Your emotions never die. When you suppress them you do not kill them—they are still there.
• God wants you whole and he wants you well.
• HEART + NEEDS + PAIN = emotional problems.
• We try to remedy the body first when so often what we need is emotional healing.
• We’re all sick puppies.
• We all have emotional issues—it’s not just your spouse who has the issues—you do too!
• When we try to meet legitimate needs in illegitimate ways, we experience pain. And that leads to emotional unhealthiness.
• Is there hope for emotional healing? Yes. It’s a journey. It’s not a quick fix but it’s worth the trip.
• No one ever changes by themselves or heals themselves. No one.
• The key to emotional healthiness: expose the lies, believe the truth.
• The past is the present that hasn’t yet been dealt with.
• Many of us are controlled by our past. Face the pain, forgive, and leave it behind.
• Emotionally healthy people are grateful people.

(Jesus): I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10

Join us this Sunday at one of our NewPointe campuses for the conclusion to the Remedy series. I literally could change your life.

mike’s remedy

Here is a video of my good friend Mike. He’s come a long way thanks to Christ at work in his life. We showed this video on Easter Sunday at all NewPointe campuses to start our REMEDY series.

I love seeing the transformation taking place in Mike’s life. And he’d be the first to tell you, he’s not perfect, but he’s definitely different—and becoming more like Christ every day.