Christmas Outreach 2008

December 13, 2008

Today was our Christmas Outreach at New Life.  We took baskets of food and $25 gift certificates for a local grocery store to approximately fifty families.  Some of the teams that went out came back with stories of how God broke their heart for the families they met.

Isn’t it neat how God ministers to the ministers when they are ministering?

It reminds me of a message Craig Groeschel preached where he said that God ruined him in the best possible way.  When we touch someone at their point of need, it changes us.

Here are a few pictures from our preparation last night:

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The team pictured above put the baskets together Friday evening.  The team pictured below are the ones to delivered them earlier today.

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In Matthew 25, Jesus says that when we feed the hungry, clothe the naked, visit the hurting, we are doing those things to Him.  So this outreach was not only about reaching out to people in need, it was giving to Jesus.  It was literally an act of worship.

These food baskets were birthday presents for Jesus.

I’m so proud of everyone who showed up to help this weekend.  We had a far greater turnout than we expected!  I’m pumped now and can’t wait until our next opportunity to serve our community in Jesus’ Name!

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Posted by Chad Payne

My Favorite Bloggers

December 1, 2008

I haven’t been contributing a great deal to the blogosphere of late.  Mainly it’s because I wanted to take a break and didn’t feel like I had anything significant to say.  I can’t stand fluff and filler.

I think one of the most profound statements in all of movie history is in Disney’s Alice in Wonderland.  When the rabbit encourages Alice to tell her story and says, “START at the beginning!!”, the Mad Hatter adds, “Yes, yes.  And when you come to the end….  STOP!!!“

If only people would stop when they run out of things to say.

So I stopped for a while.  I have been keeping up with my usual blogging pals, though.  These folks keep me thinking and keep me stirred up.  So I want to pay tribute to just a few of my faves and share what I appreciate the most about them.

Ann Jackson.  I love her transparency, honesty, and compassion.  And her humor and style of writing is just awesome.  I can’t wait for Mad Church Disease to be released next year.

Perry Noble.  This dude’s passion is off the charts.  Some folks don’t like his approach to ministry (as evidenced in the comments to one of Ann’s recent posts), but even if you don’t like his methods, you cannot deny that this brother is ALL IN!  When I read his blog, I want to go do something radical to reach others for Jesus!

Mark Batterson and Scott Hodge.  I just love both of these guys.  They are both in the same denomination in which I serve, and they both are on the cutting edge of ministry to this generation.  I admire Mark’s passion for writing, and Scott’s commitment to leading a church through necessary change, even when its difficult.

Dino Rizzo.  This guy’s heart for serving the poor is just amazing.  I visited Healing Place Church recently and went out with some of his teams to minister on the streets of Baton Rouge.  Dino and his folks show Jesus to their city in a tangible way through loving acts of kindness.

Kevin Presseault.  The Newbie Pastor!  I hope to meet this kindred spirit from Canada one day.  It’s great to know another pastor who is in to all things geeky, just like me.

Lucky Payne.  My dad.  He recently started blogging, and keeps me lifted up with an inspirational thought for each day.

AND FINALLY…..

Kim Payne.  My gorgeous, loving, sweet, and brilliant wife of seventeen years.  Of course I love her blog.  Her blog represents her, and there is nothing there that I don’t love!!

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Posted by Chad Payne