Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 
2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)

I love new things.  I enjoy the smell of a new car, the feel of a new shirt, the joy of discovering a new restaurant.  I love having a new idea, and can spend literally hours, even days thinking and praying over a new idea. New friendships are fun and exciting.  The fact that every day holds new potential gets me out of bed and excited every day.  And I’m filled with anticipation over the opportunities represented in a new year.  New is great.

As much as I love new things, I must also admit that some old things frustrate me.  I do not like dealing with old hot water heaters - they are messy and expensive to repair.  I have driven many cars in my life that were old and worn out.  They would not only break down at inconvenient times, they simply broke down all the time.  Old shoes that have holes in them are a joy to get rid of.  And there are few things that are as disappointing as a nice tall glass of old milk.  The taste is always a memorable disappointment.

I simply love new things.

New stuff is one thing – but even new stuff falls to distant second in light of a new self.  Nothing is as great as the promise of 2 Corinthians 5:17 which promises to make me new.  There are many things about me that God has made new.  My outlook on life has been made new under the hand of God.  The value I see in others was made new by Gods help and direction.  The value that is seen in my life and my faith was even fashioned into something new on the potter’s wheel of God’s workshop. 

How about you?  Is there anything in your life that needs to be made new under the masterful touch of a loving God? 

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!  2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)


The wording here implies a guarantee.  Not that you may be a new creation.  It is not based on performance or personal achievement, but rather, on Gods ability to remove the old and to then bring on the new.  It is my prayer for you today as I sit preparing for our worship time together this weekend that you will allow God to touch and change a part of you that needs to be made new.  Do you need something new to happen in your thoughts, your emotions, your marriage, or with your children?  God has the ability to take the old and bring on the new.

We may have to deal with old hot water tanks and milk that has lived past its prime, but we have been offered a guarantee, from God himself, that He will make us new.

Dedicated to your success,
Pastor Bret Allen

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us…  Ephesians 3:20 (NIV)

Anticipation… It is a part of Christmas.  It always has been and I hope it always will be.  I have vivid memories of my childhood, waiting for Christmas to arrive.   I grew up in a family that opens its gifts on Christmas Eve.  Before the gift exchange we would enjoy a family dinner.  Every year my excitement level was so intense that I could hardly enjoy the spread of family traditional goodies which filled the dinner table. 

Anticipation is still one of my favorite parts of life.  I love looking forward to an exciting event in my life.  How about you?  Have you sensed anticipation lately?  Have you had any days recently that you were excited to get out of bed and engage in the events of a new day?  How long since you felt your pulse race, your mouth go dry, and your palms get sweaty - all because you were caught in a state of anticipation?

It seems to me that anticipation is in short supply these days.  There is more fear and regret in operation than this idea of anticipation.  Do you know what destroys anticipation?  It is fairly simple and very common.  Anticipation lives on forward view.  Anticipation is dismantled by a constant looking backward.  Anticipation is lost in the disappointment and regret of yesterday.  It is simply staggering how many people live in the shadow of regret.  It is disappointing how many Christians deal with events and circumstances which are 10, 20, even 30 years old.  The energy spent in staring back serves only to steal the anticipation and excitement of today.  Maybe that is why children lead the crowd when it comes to anticipation.  They have short memories - nothing tragic from 5 years ago crowds into their everyday thoughts.  Children have so much in front of them that they simply can’t help but be excited.

Tonight is the opening night of Christmas Spectacular here at Bethel Church. I have to tell you – I am excited!  I am filled with anticipation over the events of this weekend.  It is my hope for you that this holiday season is filled with wonder, excitement and most of all a child-like anticipation.  Take your eyes off the rear view mirror of your life – look ahead for just a minute – who knows what incredible things lay just ahead of us!

From my heart to you,
Pastor Bret Allen

PS – A quick reminder that this Sunday morning (Dec. 13th) we will have only one service which will be held at 9:15am due to the Christmas Spectacular performances.  I can’t wait to see you there!

It is just a week away from Thanksgiving.  I love this time of year, and I love this particular holiday.  I love it so much because it is the only holiday we celebrate that is not based on what God gave to us, but rather, what we are to give to God.  An entire day set aside to be thankful.  It is no wonder that this holiday has avoided becoming a commercialized event.  It is hard even for 21st century marketing experts to exploit the idea of grateful pilgrims stopping to thank God.

This entire holiday swings on a single concept – you and me being thankful.  It isn’t about turkey or the Dallas Cowboys playing football against somebody else.  It is not even about family and family gatherings.  While all those things are great, and are in fact some of the reasons why I love Thanksgiving, the real purpose of the day is singular – me being thankful to God.

Sounds basic – but in reality many are having trouble with this elementary idea.  Difficulty, disappointment, struggles and even loss make this year, for some, hard to summons gratitude.  Fortunately, gratitude is based not on what God does for us; it is based on who God is.  It is based on His character.  Since God never changes, our gratitude should be consistent as well.

Psalm 103 contains some powerful reminders of why we can be grateful – regardless of circumstances.

Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
Praise the Lord, O my soul,and forget not all his benefits -
who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion,
who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
The Lord works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed.
Psalm 103:1-6 (NIV)

Thank you, Lord, for all of the benefits you bring into my life.
Thank you, Lord, for forgiving my sin.
Thank you, Lord, for healing my diseases.
Thank you, Lord, for your love and compassion.
Thank you, Lord, for all the good gifts you bring to my life.
Thank you, Lord, for strength.
Thank you, Lord, for your justice in my life and in this world.

I don’t know about you but I feel humbled today as I review this brief list which is only representative of the goodness of God in my life.

This next week I know there will be friends and family, turkey and a couple football games.  But I will be celebrating something much grander, something that is not commercial, and something that is enormously personal.  I will be celebrating Gods faithfulness to me.  For that I have no trouble being thankful.

From my heart to you,

Pastor Bret Allen

Good afternoon – I certainly hope that this note finds you well on this Friday afternoon.  I am certain that you find yourself at the end of another demanding week, full of events and activities.  My week has been full.  The weekend promises to be the same.  As I look at my calendar I view the events of the week that just ended and the demands of the weekend just ahead.  It is easy for me to move into a mode of planning and prep for what is next.  It is easy for my mind to fill with thoughts and concerns for the next several days.

As I plan and think ahead I feel a small still voice remind me of something incredibly significant.  I thought I would share it with you this afternoon.

The reminder comes to me in a real and definite manner.  The message is “Hey, while you are reviewing your week – while you are planning your weekend – please remember you are only guaranteed right now”.  Life is uncertain.  The events of tomorrow that I have so carefully crafted may never arrive.  In fact for thousands across our country tomorrow will not be a reality.  The Bible puts it this way:

”Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow.”  James 4:13-14a (NIV)

This thought has caused me to simply stop and to be quiet in front of God.  Incredible how when I stop and focus on Him, the “right now” of my life becomes increasingly significant.  The more time I focus on Him, the less apt I am to overlook the potential of now while planning the events of tomorrow.  Maybe that is the real significance of Psalm 46:10.

“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”  Psalm 46:10 (NIV)

God is saying to us please be still – please stop – wait – halt the activity – you will learn something about me, who I am, and how I want to use you.

I am looking forward to seeing you Sunday.  I have prayed and planned for the events of the day.  I have prayed for you and your family, for your needs and your encounter with fellow believers and with God himself that day.  But since Sunday is not guaranteed to any of us – let’s stop, be still and allow God to be exalted in us – and to those around us.

From my heart to you,

Pastor Bret Allen