Vision…

A few months ago I paid a visit to the eye doctor. I couldn’t order more contacts without a new prescription so I booked the appointment.

Over the course of the appointment, I looked through a lot of lenses and read a lot of letters.

I walked out of there with a little less money in my pocket but a prescription to help me see better.

I was once again reminded that as I have aged, my vision has gotten fuzzier.

Things are not as clear as they were during my teenage years and I need some help with my vision.

This can happen in our own spiritual lives and in the life of our church, so this Sunday, we begin a four-week series on the vision for New Life called, 20/20.

Cute, huh?

Seriously, we pray for every man, woman and child to experience and know the love of Jesus in Kansas City. We dream of the day we can take an active role to bring about spiritual and societal transformation so that,
…the Gospel continues to spread,
…deeds of mercy and justice flourish,
…disciples of Jesus are developed,
…missional community is enjoyed and multiplying,
…family life is valued,
…the Church experiences a renewed reverence for God,
and true followers of Jesus are known for their concern for the Gospel
and are relied upon for the well-being of the city and its culture.

Over the course of this series, our sermons will cover the topics of worship, community, mission and generosity. Additionally, we will ask you to step up and in to a greater role in the church and the Kingdom.

I hope you ask the Lord to clarify the role He has for you to join into His vision for you as a part of New Life and beyond.

If you are traveling or can’t make it to church on Sunday, be sure to catch our Livestream on Youtube. It’s the next best thing to actually being here!

See you soon,
Troy

New Life Sunday – Preparing for Easter…

I read an Instagram post by Bob Goff that says, “Darkness fell, His friends scattered, hope seemed lost – but Heaven just started counting to three.”

As Christians, we celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus every Sunday (actually every day). However, once per year we come to a date on the calendar that represents the day, Jesus of Nazareth (God who took on flesh), who had died and was laid in a tomb, ROSE FROM THE DEAD.

A way to appreciate the significance of this miracle is to reflect on the journey to get to the miracle.

As a church we took time out on Maundy Thursday and today on Good Friday to be reminded of the sacrifice made by Jesus for you and I on the cross. There were stations for individuals to read the Scriptures I have linked below and reflect on the events leading up to the crucifixion of Jesus.

In order to help you prepare for our Easter service this Sunday, I invite you to read Scriptures below. As you think about the Scriptures, consider asking yourself these questions:
-How would you have responded to the situation?
-What do these verses teach you about the love of Jesus?
-Do you feel worthy of Jesus’ love and sacrifice?
-How does your heart respond to this story?

The Last Supper (Luke 22:7-23)

The betrayal of Judas (Matthew 26:14-25, 47-49)

The Garden of Gethsemane (Luke 22:39-54)

Pilate washes his hands (Matthew 27:11-26)

The story leading up to the resurrection is lined with deep sorrow. It is dark and seems hopeless.

And then, morning breaks and the sun rises to reveal an empty tomb.

This is the day that changed the universe and it is meant to change your life. I hope to see you on Sunday as we celebrate our risen savior. I look forward to sharing from John 20 about the first trip to the empty tomb. Feel free to invite guests, this is certainly a story worth sharing with everyone.

See you soon, Troy

P.S. If you are unable to attend the service, we would be honored for you to join us on our you tube livestream.

Liberia…

I am writing this from Liberia after a jam-packed week with emotional highs and lows. Some of you may know that Leigh-Ann and I have worked hard to adopt Titus.

Unfortunately, this dream has not ended the way we had envisioned it.

We had dreams of bringing him home to America after we finalized his Liberian adoption, however the consulate administrator refused to sign his visa. After pleading our case in every way possible, including communication with the President, we had no other choice but to rescind our parental rights.

Since I needed to come back to Liberia to complete this process, I asked a friend if I could join with him and his team on a mission trip.

Over the past week, we have visited orphanages, schools and churches offering medical assistance, clothing and soccer equipment. We have done our best to share the love of Jesus.

We have touched, hugged and spoken with hundreds of children, teens and adults. The amount of germs our immune systems have fought off must be incalculable. We have laughed, cried, listened, sweat…and our damp skin has become a magnet for every form of dust and sand.

Nearly every day, we made it back to our guesthouse dirty and exhausted but with a smile and a deep sense of fulfillment.

In spite of the main purpose for this trip…it has exceeded all expectations. Our team has developed deep friendships with each other and many others in Liberia. We’ve personally witnessed a country under pressure (depressed, oppressed, suppressed, repressed, etc.).

In spite of it all, the Liberians laugh…a lot…maybe more than I do in America. They smile the most beautiful smiles. They are generous in spite of their poverty. This was perhaps most evident in the orphanages for the blind and the deaf.

I am rebuked.

Similar to our new friends here in Liberia and our experience with Titus, you and I live with missed expectations. Though it may not be a failed adoption or come as a result of a civil war (which has contributed deeply to the problems in Liberia), life does not always play out as we envision it.

This Sunday at New Life, I look forward to worshipping with you at 9:00 or 10:45am. Pastor Dave will be sharing a sermon from the perspective of Peter on Palm Sunday.

The parallels between Peter’s experiences and our own are similar in many ways.

Peter and the disciples are dealing with a new reality of a Messiah that was going to die. For three years they dreamed of serving Jesus while He ushered in a new Kingdom. Just a few days before the crucifixion, Peter and the disciples walked with Jesus to shouts of Hosanna and songs of praise. And then EVERYTHING changed. Expectations were destroyed.

Then, a new day dawned. Jesus raised from the dead and a new reality formed. There is so much to contemplate….and celebrate.

I hope to see you Sunday,

Troy

If you are unable to join us in person, we would love for you to tune into our livestream HERE.