Happy New Year!

by Al Garcia 31. December 2009 10:17
Happy New Year.. New Life Oak Forest Family,
 
As another year draws to a close I just wanted to share how grateful I am for all of you. I'm looking forward to an exciting year of seeing God move in some awesome ways.
 
Currently we are in a teaching series entitled The Road Back-A Recovery JourneyMany people have gone down the wrong road in life only to see their life crash.  You or someone you care about may be in this situation.  I want to encourage you to attend New Life Oak Forest and experience how God will work in your life through this series.
 
Starting on January 24th we will begin a new series entitled God Provides.  This is a message that all people must hear.  God does provide and He wants to provide our every need.  In these challenging economic times it may be tempting to doubt that God will provide.  Join us as we drop in on the lives of several people to see how God provided supernaturally in their lives.  Be looking for special invite tickets in the Sunday bulletins so that you can invite your friends and family to God Provides.
 
During the month of January we will be having a special emphasis on prayer and fasting.  I want to invite as many of you who can make it to a special time of prayer with me and the New Life Oak Forest leadership team on January 17th from 5p-6p at New Life Oak Forest, 5333 W. 151st.
 
The beginning of a New Year is a great time to reflect on your life and to set some goals for the New Year.  To help you set goals I want to share with you a coaching tool I use to help gain insight on how a person is living their life. It's called the Wheel of Life.  You can download it by clicking here.   The instructions are included with it.
 
Lastly, I want to encourage all of us to read our Bibles daily.  The last several years I have used the One Year Bible to help me stay on track.  This year I will be reading through the One Year Chronological version of the Bible.  It's fun and easy to do it this way.  I encouage everyone to give it a try.
 
God, I pray for the people of New Life. That we will have a year that is devoted and focused on You.  You, are the author and finisher of our faith.  We declare your lordship in our lives. I pray that you will provide our every need and even grant us the desires of our hearts. I pray that many lives will turn to you and that you will grow our church inside and out.  We love you. We praise you. We exalt you. We know that God Provides.  In the blessed name of Jesus, we pray.
 
In Christ
 
Pastor AL

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Oak Forest

Book recommendations from the New Life pastoral team

by Mark Jobe 29. December 2009 08:24
Reading is a rich form of discipleship. Reading a book means getting the author's distilled best thoughts and ideas. But choosing good books--like choosing good mentors--can be challenging. To help you choose good books, I've compiled a list from our New Life pastoral team. Here are some of the books we've read and recommend from this past year: Personal/spiritual growth:
  • The Great Omission by Dallas Willard (insightful book on spiritual formation and discipleship)
  • The Flip Side by Flip Flippen (identifies personal constraints and how to establish a plan to overcome them. Great for personal growth)
  • Secrets to Spiritual Power by Watchman Nee (full of spiritual insights and practical pastoral concepts. best to read as a devotional supplement.)
  • A Contrarian's Guide to Spirituality by Larry Osborne
  • A Million Miles in a Thousand Years by Donald Miller (such a valuable enjoyable read, powerful on story and life-vision, a book to hang ideas on, recommended by several pastors)
  • His Needs, Her Needs by Willard Harley (A classic. Written in 1986 but updated a couple of times. Great practical insights into the differing needs of men and women as it relates to marriage.)
  • Just Do Something by Kevin DeYoung (great book on discerning the will of God and making decisions, strong theology written with great humor and practicality)
  • The Coffeehouse Gospel by Matthew Turner (sharing faith in a relaxed, engaging way.)
  • Crazy Love by Francis Chan
Mission/church history/theology: Culture/history/science: Church leadership:
  • Church Unique by Will Mancini (great for vision, strategy, and clarity of mission)
  • Beyond Megachurch Myths by Thumma & Travis (describes common characteristics of churches that have over 2000 in attendance. Debunks some of the myths about these churches.)
  • Reclaiming our Prodigal Sons & Daughters by Larson & Bendtro (a moving book about the lives of urban youth)
  • Deep Church by James Belcher (book of the year on several lists, insight on being a life-giving, historically rooted church. mediates the emerging/traditional church conversation well)
  • Heralds of God by James S. Stewart (timeless, spiritually rich book on preaching)
  • Sticky Church by Larry Osborne (useful for honing church follow up & small group systems. recommended by multiple pastors.)
Fiction: Business/Leadership:

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Main

LA PUBLICIDAD

by Roberto Oreamuno 28. December 2009 09:35
¿Se han fijado ustedes cómo la gente trata de conseguir un anuncio al costo mínimo? Todos le dan importancia y saben el valor de la publicidad. Anunciar un artículo es casi asegurar su venta.. Y ahora, con el Internet, es más factible que la venta de dicho artículo se realice.
 
En otras palabras, todos conocen la importancia de la publicidad pero casi nadie quiere pagar su precio.
 
Hay quien pretende que se anuncie desde el nombre del dueño del negocio, la ubicación y el teléfono del mismo, incluyendo desde luego, todos los servicios o artículos que se venden en dicho negocio, pero si es en prensa escrita, (un periódico o una revista), quieren que quepa en un octavo de página, en letra bien visible y con toda la información para que no cueste muy caro.
 
Si el anuncio es en radio, quieren todo lo anterior en un espacio de diez segundos porque el tiempo en la radio es costoso; y si es en televisión, entonces el anuncio en los mismos 10 segundos, tiene que incluir la fotografía del dueño del negocio con sus hijos, sus nietos y los perros de cacería que usa cuando va al campo además de fotos de la tienda con todos sus empleados y los artículos que promocionan.
 
Los otros días llegó a mis manos un periódico de mi país y por curiosidad puse atención a la página en que se anunciaban las defunciones para saber si algún conocido se me había adelantado en el viaje sin regreso, pero hubo varias notas luctuosas que llamaron poderosamente mi atención. Especialmente algunas como estas:
 
" La Esperanza", fabricante de las mejores ollas y sartenes del país, con cinco capas de hierro y dos aleaciones de cobre intercaladas para más rapidez y economía de gas al cocinar su comida, pasa por la pena de comunicar el fallecimiento del Señor Zacarías Piedra del Río, abuelito de nuestra asistente de recepción..."
Otra nota decía: "Lamentamos el fallecimiento de la Señora Rosario de Piedra, prima lejana de doña Consuelo de Afligido, una valiosa clienta de esta importante empresa fabricante de la mejor ropa interior de seda para damas. A la vez que enviamos un mensaje de solidaridad a doña Consuelo acompañándola en su pena, aprovechamos para informarles a ustedes de la importante liquidación de artículos de algodón que se nos quedaron en bodega desde el año pasado y que están a mitad de precio... También muy pronto estaremos anunciando nuestra nueva colección de trajes de baño".
 
Y termino los ejemplos con esta otra nota luctuosa: "LA PATADA", fabricantes de las mejores botas de cuero de vaca, de avestruz, de culebra y de venado, tiene la profunda pena de comunicar el fallecimiento de don Canuto Cañas, tío de nuestro mensajero. Al tiempo que nos unimos a la pena de la familia Cañas, también les comunicamos que tenemos un especial de botas altas de cuero de lagarto en preciosos colores; las de avestruz y las botas de venado, están rebajadas un 50 por ciento durante este mes, y las de piel de vaca tienen el 75 por ciento de descuento. Además, en cuero de vaca estamos fabricando botines de fútbol que nos permiten garantizar que el jugador que los use, con seguridad anota un gol en el próximo partido. Si falla la anotación, le cambiamos las botas sin ningún costo para el jugador".
 
Lo anterior viene porque algunos hermanos han querido unirse a esa corriente de aprovechameinto publicitario, y al comentar el contenido de los "blogs" aprovechan para vender la cría de perritos de raza que nacieron la semana pasada, los zapatos que no les quedan o que ahora les maltratan el juanete pero que todavía están a medio uso y otras cosillas por el estilo. ¿No creen ustedes que se han montado en el bus equivocado?

Planning to grow

by Kevin Bruursema 28. December 2009 09:32
Everything that's living is growing. And everything that's growing is fed and watered. Healthy disciples take responsibility for their own spiritual growth by having a plan. Now is a great time to make a spiritual plan for the new year. Here are some helpful links to get you moving: Bible reading plans: Guidance on making spiritual plans: Help with memorizing Scripture:

Busyness

by New Life Berwyn 17. December 2009 05:14

Have you ever felt like you were forced to be the energizer bunny? Keep going and going…  Whether it’s the daily cares of life or added stress of the holiday season, you feel the need to keep going. 

Let me ask one more question.   Where is God in all this?

We have all been prone to the above time, and time again.   We have set God on the bench to observe, as we take each play of our lives into our own hands.  We absorb the daily cares and stresses of sickness, or financial burden that strike our household.  You may say, “It’s not my intention to leave God on the bench, but I just forget to include Him in my busy schedule.”

Many times we run ourselves until we are on empty, and then we try to run ourselves a bit more.   All of a sudden, we feel alone, alone to handle every dilemma that comes our way.  But, in the midst of our pain He calls out from the bench, “Trust in me with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.” (Proverbs 3:5)   At this point, we have no choice but to surrender our cares and stresses to the Lord almighty.

As the year is coming to a close, and a new one is about to begin let’s make a conscience effort to keep God in our daily lives.   No matter the circumstances or how busy our schedules may be, let’s seek His will in all we do, and He will show us which path to take. (Proverbs 3:6)

Blessings,

Christina Hernandez

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Berwyn

A note from Sergio

by New Life Berwyn 17. December 2009 05:12

God bless you,  

I trust that you are having a good day today, since everyday that God creates is a good day... even though we all have our own trials and struggles in our everyday lives, we can always find a way or a reason to be thankful for another day.   

I want to take a few minuets and first of all invite you to come and visit us at NEW LIFE in our Berwyn campus where God is truly doing amazing things.  For the past 7 months I have had the honor of serving at our Berwyn campus along side a great team, and let me tell you that God has been speaking directly to each and everyone present, especially myself.  

I can say that God is calling for all of us to be leaders in our homes, in our jobs, in our everyday lives. God is really challenging us to look at every person through His eyes so that we can work to spread His love and His gospel to all.  This is one area in my life that God has opened my eyes to, and really worked on.  I have plenty of shortcomings, we all do as humans, but I'm extremely grateful for the opportunity God continues to give me to prove myself to Him.  I’m thankful for all that He continues to bless me, and my family with.  I’m thankful that He is still dealing in my life, and continues to speak to me.  I’m especially thankful that He is on my side.    

I really want to encourage you to trust in God, and let yourself be guided by His voice.  Find a church that is guided by the Spirit of God, and that teaches His word and you will see how much richer your life will be! 

Sergio Huesca

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Berwyn

When You Fast

by Kevin Bruursema 17. December 2009 05:05

And when you fast...

In Jesus' mountainous sermon he utters this simple phrase to introduce some brief teaching on the spiritual discipline of fasting. Speaking into an especially religious culture where fasting (abstaining from food for a set period of time) was regularly practiced among the spiritual "elite" he gives concrete direction about how to fast.

But what is easily missed is that short introductory phrase "and when you fast". By that simple phrase Jesus expresses fasting as a practice that his followers would engage in.

As a church we practice fasting both privately and together. Beginning on January 3rd we'll be fasting together for 21 days.

If you'd like to get your heart, mind and body ready for this fast, I'd encourage you to read a free pdf edition of John Piper's book A Hunger For God. I'm reading it (off my Blackberry) and its stirring my heart to be ready for the fast.