Dave Bowman

Lessons For '09

It was 1978. I was facing a brand new year with lots of uncertainty. Six months earlier I had closed an unsuccessful business venture that left me $20,000 in debt (that’s $68k in today’s dollars). I had just finished a 3 month stint in a temporary job to get us through the Christmas season. And to top it all off, Susan and I had just brought our baby daughter, Heather, home just a month earlier. Now it was the beginning of a new year and I had no job, no salary, no benefits for my family and if you think the economy is bad now you should have been around in the late 70’s! Gas shortages and lines, 20% interest rates and inflation that was off the charts. 

As bad as it sounds, 1978 turned out to be a watershed year. It was the year that I decided to do bold things and take actions that would lead me to a better position. It was the year I decided to trust God like never before. As the saying goes, I decided to work like it all depended on me and pray like it all depended on God.

I decided not to let fear or my insecurities keep me from launching out into new areas. I would knock on every door I could and trust God to open the doors I needed to walk through. I knew I couldn't do it myself, but I also knew God wouldn't do it without me either.

That year changed my life in so many ways. My decision to trust God and to step into new territory in faith led to a new career that not only provided for my family, but was the key to getting us out of debt. And it was the set-up that God used to position me for full time ministry just a few years later.

Thirty-one years later I’m reminding myself of those lessons. I want to step out into 2009 with the same passion that I stepped into 1978. I want to make the same kind of decisions – decisions that will position me for God’s will and God’s move in my life. I want to be driven by my passion for the kingdom, not my fears and insecurities, and it all begins with my decision-making.

What do you want out of 2009? It begins with what you decide. Will you decide to do whatever it takes to position yourself so God can do something miraculous in your life? Will you be driven by your fears and insecurities or decide to be driven by faith and trust?

Nobody will make those decisions for you – not even God. Even the most miraculous moves of God require our participation. Don’t ask me why, that’s just how God seems to do it. You have to make the decision to trust…to step into new territory…to make the jump with your mind and your actions.

Scary? You bet! But you only get one shot at this life. So take your best shot this year and just see what God does!

Christmas At Our House

Guess who put this together?

Musician in the making...

Christmas Eve Is Coming

It's down to crunch time. NHC's Christmas Eve services are almost here. We've given out almost 2000 tickets and I want to remind you to DO SOMETHING WITH THOSE TICKETS!  Don't let them collect dust on your kitchen counter. Get them into the hands of someone who needs to come to our Christmas Eve services!

Here are some tips to help you get them here Wednesday...

1. Pray

Pray that they will be open to your invitation and that they will come and that they will respond to the gospel. Remember, God wants them to hear the gospel even more than you do.

2. Give them a positive invitation

Never apologize or hesitate to offer them an invitation. Be positive! "Hey, we're having an awesome Christmas Eve service at NHC, and I got you some free tickets. How about joining me?" Remember, what we have to offer them is the most important message in the world.

3. Offer to pick them up

Think about it: do you like showing up someplace strange and new by yourself? It's so much better when you're with someone.

4. If they can't come, invite someone else

Quick! Call someone else and then call someone else until you get someone to come with you.

5. Remember, this is one of the two times of the year when people are most likely to accept your invitation to church

So, don't hesitate. Get your friends here Wednesday for the 6:00 or 8:00 services. See 'ya then!

Christmas Eve Update

Just got word that we've handed out 1900 tickets for Christmas Eve services. Tickets for the 6:00 PM service are gone but we still have some left for the 8:00. Again, NOBODY WILL BE TURNED AWAY so, even if you didn't get tickets - COME ON!  And bring your friends and family!

Weekend Rewind

• GREAT weekend!

• Man, Jon and the band and the worship team KICKED it this weekend! Then Yvette and Melinda took it to a whole 'nutha level with You Are Good. And I can't forget Felicia's version of A Baby Changes Everything. Better than Faith Hill! Absolutely great worship set, guys!

• I'm just guessing here, but it looked like we had close to 20 people indicate commitments to Christ this weekend. That'll make your Christmas merry!

• And now we're gearing up for Christmas Eve at NHC. Two identical services at 6:00 and 8:00 PM. And it's a great opportunity to invite your friends, so INVITE, INVITE, INVITE!!

• If you don't have tickets come anyway. The ticketing process is just to help us control numbers in each service and no one will be turned away just because they don't have a ticket.

• And get here early...get in your seat...get ready to rock. You don't want to miss the opening song. Trust me...you don't want to miss it.

• Can't wait to kick off our new series in January - Stripped. (That's gonna generate some emails!)

• You guys really rocked the Angel Tree project this year by helping 186 kids in Durham and Orange counties to have a little merrier Christmas. If you didn't get to see the pile of gifts that amassed last weekend, check out this video montage on Leah's blog. Way to go NHC'ers!

• It's late...I'm shot...one last thing - if you can't make it for Christmas Eve, I hope you have a great Christmas. Thank you NHC for being the great church you are!

Christmas Eve at NHC

• It'll be THE Christmas Eve event of the year! (Seriously, it's gonna rock!)

• Two services: 6:00 & 8:00 PM.

• Tickets are FREE.

• Pick up tickets for yourself and your friends at any weekend service.

• Did I mention the tickets are FREE?

• Join the Christmas Eve party at NHC!

Christmas Weekend

This weekend is Christmas weekend at NHC and we're wrapping up the Messy Little Christmas series. We've got some great things planned for the weekend but I need you to do a few things too...

• PRAY like crazy! Pray for those who are coming this weekend. Pray for hearts to be open and receptive to the gospel. Pray for our team members who will be serving.

• INVITE a friend! And if you can, invite them to Saturday night! And then take them out to eat after the service. It'll be a great way to celebrate the Christmas season and who knows, it might change their life for eternity.

• SERVE! We need all hands on deck for this weekend and for Christmas Eve services, especially on the Welcome Team. "But I'm not on the Welcome Team, Dave." Who cares? We just need lots of friendly faces this weekend and for Christmas Eve. So, if you can help us out, shoot a quick email to rob@newhorizonchurch.tv. And if you're already on a serving team, call your team leader and ask if there's anything you can do to help out!

• PARK as far away from the building as you can and leave the good parking spaces for our guests.

• FILL THE FRONT, sing your lungs out and help our worship leading crew to lead everyone else in worship!

• GIVE! Don't forget the Christmas offering along with your regular tithe.

It's going to be a great weekend and I can't wait to see you and to see what God is going to do!

P.S. Don't forget to get your tickets for Christmas Eve services this weekend too!

Keeping Me Awake

My Quiet Time reading lately has taken me through the book of Revelation. Not exactly Christmas season Bible reading material, but that just happened to be where I’m at right now in my current Bible journey. (Don’t bother asking me what all that stuff in Revelation means! I don’t know! All I know is it makes scary bed-time reading!)

But here’s a couple of verses that jumped off the page at me: "Don't seal the words of the prophecy of this book; don't put it away on the shelf. Time is just about up…Yes, I'm on my way! I'll be there soon!” Revelation 22:10,12 (Message)

In other words, don’t forget what’s really important. Don’t forget the business you need to be about. Time is running out. I haven’t been sleeping well since I read those verses because I’ve been asking myself, “Are we doing all we can to reach those who still need Jesus? Are we willing to change what we might need to change? Are we willing to do things that nobody else will do? Are we willing to be the church that risks being misunderstood by Christians and other churches in order to reach those who are still outside the walls?”

Frankly, I’m really tired of all the “stuff” being thrown around church-world these days. You’re not missional enough…we’re not attractional enough…they’re not discipling… that church is not a worshipping church (never really could figure out what that one means)…you’re soft on sin…you’re too legalistic…blah, blah, blah. We fill up our blogs with rants that the average person doesn’t give a rip about so others in church-world will think we’re cool just like they are.

Here’s the deal – TIME IS SHORT! We have so much more to do…so many more to reach – neighborhoods…communities…cities…counties…states…nations! We need to let that sink in a little more so it gives us more sleepless nights. We need hearts that are broken for the lost, rather than minds that are trying to figure out ways to slam someone we don’t agree with.

We have been commissioned by Jesus Christ himself to reach the world. That’s what I want NHC to be about. I want everything we do to be driven by reaching people who are far from God. I’ll take that over the church-world rants and arguments any day of the week!

Generosity!

This afternoon a HUGE pile of gifts for Angel Tree kids got hauled off to C.C. Spaulding Elementary School for delivery to 100 kids who would not have received anything for Christmas this year. Add to that another 86 kids targeted by Orange County Social Services and the folks of NHC are making a difference in lots of young lives this Christmas!

But I also heard a story that goes into the category of "above and beyond" generosity. One of the families that will be receiving some of the Angel Tree assistance will also be getting their heating oil tank refilled to run their furnace. It seems that one of our Community Groups heard about the family's need and took up a special offering in their group to buy the heating oil. And here's the real kicker - this group is made up mostly of single moms.

Did you get that?  A group of single moms pooled their giving and gave several hundred dollars to ensure that this family would have heat. That's "above and beyond" generosity!

Here's what I thought about when I heard the story: Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. 2 Corinthians 8:2,3

Now That's Vision!

Perry Noble posted this quote from Brian Houston of Hillsong Church. This is worth reading...

“The church that I see is a church of influence.  A church so large in size that the city and nation cannot ignore it.

A church growing so quickly that buildings struggle to contain the increase. 

I see a church whose heartfelt praise and worship touches heaven and changes earth.  Worship which influences the praises of people throughout the earth exalting Christ with powerful songs of faith and hope.  

I see a church whose altars are constantly filled with repentant sinners responding to Christ’s call to salvation.

Yes, the church that I see is so dependent on the Holy Spirit that nothing will stop it or stand against it.  

A church whose people are unified, praying and full of God’s Spirit.  

The church that I see has a message so clear that lives are being changed forever and potential is fulfilled though the power of His Word.  A message beamed to the peoples of the earth through their television screens. 

I see a church so compassionate that people are drawn from impossible situations into a loving and friendly circle of hope, where answers are found and acceptance is given.  

I see a people so kingdom-minded that they will count whatever the cost and pay whatever the price to see revival sweep this land. 

The church that I see is a church so committed to raising, training and empowering a leadership generation to reap the end-time harvest that all its ministries are consumed with this goal.  

I see a church whose head is Jesus, whose help is the Holy Spirit and whose focus is the Great Commission.

Yes, the church that I see could well be our church.”

All I can say is, "Wow! I want that to be our church too!"