A few hours before the current crisis erupted, I was thumbing through a book and noticed a quote from a Scottish poet. It turns out God can use even Scottish poets to prepare us for difficult days. George McDonald says the burdens of the day will never cripple a person. It is when we add the worries of tomorrow to the burdens of today that we crumble and buckle under the weight.
I shared this insight with our ministry staff at 11am on Thursday. At 3pm Thursday, we are informed a young man has told a local TV station his story of an inappropriate relationship with our former pastor. For the past several days I have been completely consumed with meetings and media interviews. Even today, I have spoken with CNN, Charisma Magazine, and the New York Times, among others.
But something strange is happening in me. I am not worrying about tomorrow and I am carrying the burdens of the day surprisingly well. I am certainly planning for tomorrow and thinking about the future and the challenges that are still in front of me and the church, but I am not worrying about them. Jesus knew the power of this principle when he told to not worry to worry about tomorrow, for it has enough evil of its own.
This truth is important for all of us regardless of the assignment God has given us in life. It is true for home school moms and corporate CEO’s. Worry will not add one measure to our lives, but it most certainly will rob us of the joy of the moment.
January 26, 2009 at 3:09 pm
Pastor Brady,
As you navigate through this, the point man leading our church, know that those who stand behind you couldn’t be more confident in, more proud of, or more blessed by your leadership. Our prayers are for you, as you continue to walk us through another wave of this difficult season.
Blessings,
Melissa Morris
January 26, 2009 at 4:41 pm
Pastor Brady, Thank you for handling this latest trial with New Life with the honesty and compassion so badly needed. I have been a New Lifer for about 14 years. Yesterday I knew truly, deeply, that you are a New Lifer too. We are a great bunch of people with a tremendous capacity to love and forgive. Thanks for “getting” that about us. We care about Ted and his family, but we care about what God wants more. We will follow a good leader, but we know that ultimately, we follow the Lord. We will weather this storm, God will burn away chaff, and we will get on with the task of being light and salt to the world. God’s Kingdom was present in our worship services yesterday. He has not abandoned us, and, together, with you, we will face the burdens of tomorrow, and the next day and every day after that. Hang in with us Pastor Brady (and I know you are) and we will hang in with you.
January 26, 2009 at 8:58 pm
Hey Pastor Brady. My thoughts and prayers are with you. As I have watched you from a distance I respect you leadership and know that you are a man of integrity. Thanks for being a great example.
(mike bellanti, restoration church, fountain)
January 27, 2009 at 11:58 am
When Moses took on the responsibility of leading the Israelites, he didn’t know then what each day would bring forth. He went a day at a time, first on his face before God, then on his feet..also before God. The theme that rang from his heart as a true shepherd of his flock was “unless Your presence goes with us I will not go.” It was always about God’s glory and character. May that continue to be your heart too Brady.
January 27, 2009 at 11:59 am
Dear Pastor, As a member of New Life, I believe that Yes, Yes and Amen that we will come out pure as gold, reflecting the very image of Christ Himself. This is not about us this is about the Glory of His Name. He will protect His own, we don’t have to do that for ourselves. It is a birthright.
May we all continue to rest, rather than react, to trust, rather than control, and to yield rather than fight in our own strength. “But He knows the way that I take; When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold.” Job 23:10 kathy walton
January 27, 2009 at 1:23 pm
My Dear Brother Pastor Brady,
Please know that I’m praying for you and for those to whom are privileged to call you their pastor. I’ve read your thoughts on all that God has pleased to allow to come to light and feel God’s comforting presence in your words. You have indeed been granted the wisdom you’ve prayed for. Stay the course through His love.
David MacEachern
Senior Pastor
Bat Cave Baptist Church
Bat Cave, NC
January 27, 2009 at 2:40 pm
Pastor Brady,
Sir, it has become clear to me that no matter what our church does, it will always be a target for the petty, the spiteful, and those whose lives are so devoid of meaning that they must focus on the misfortunes of others in a hollow attempt at self-validation. Whatever Mr. Haggard has done in the past is in no way a reflection on me as a New Lifer, you as our pastor, or on our congregation as a whole. It represents no obstacle in my newfound walk with God. Our Lord knows I stumble often enough on my own; the media’s “gotcha” game won’t make things any worse for me. They don’t sign my paycheck now, and they won’t be there as material witnesses on my behalf when I stand in judgement before our Father.
I think I speak for all the hundreds who sit with you in the Living Room each week when I say that I have the utmost confidence in your leadership to help our church weather this, and any other, storm. Your calm approach in dealing with these issues is infectious. We are blessed to be a part of such a vital and active church, and God has clearly put the right man at the helm. It’s quite simple actually: all we have to do is keep being New Lifers and keep our hearts opened to God.
It’s been less than a year since I felt God’s call, and I thank Him every time I talk with Him for nudging me towards New Life.
Thank you,
Rob Milligan
January 27, 2009 at 6:11 pm
Pastor Brady, my wife and I wanted to thank you as well for your leadership. May Jesus Christ be glorified through this trial.
“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
January 28, 2009 at 8:58 am
Pastor Brady, I am a local youth pastor in Elgin Illinois and I enjoy watching your inspiring messages week after week and follow feel apart of your church online. ha I want you to know that you are covered in prayer by myself and our church. We realize how challenging this can be and encourage you to preserver. Thank you for your ministry of grace in my life.
January 28, 2009 at 11:31 am
New Life,
We want to extend our love to you all during this time. We are praying for all of you and especially for you Brady. Thank you so much for your leadership and your wonderful sermons!!
(Richmond VA)
January 28, 2009 at 4:02 pm
Pastor Brady,
I don’t know where to start. I came from a very horrible home where a childrens pastor who adopted me was molesting my brother and my brother did the same to me. Ever since all of that, I have a very difficult time accepting churches and going to church and believing pastors. I will never be alone in the same room with a pastor but I do know that I am a born again christian and I trust Jesus because he was with me through all of my horrible years of abuse, hearing about your previous pastor Ted Haggard just made me angry. I am glad that you and your church took action and threw him out of the church seeing as his Fruit (as it says in the Bible that we will know them by their fruits) was so bad. But I am also glad that the man came forward to speak the truth about what happened so it wouldn’t happen again because I have recently tried to come forward with the truth about my adopted father who molested little boys, but I couldn’t do anything about it cause no one even cares. But in the Bible it says: “But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them – bringing swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow their shameful was and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. In their greed these teachers will EXPLOIT you with stories they have made up.” 2 Peter 2:1 – 3 and there are many verses about in the last days how there will be more false teachers and teachers who fall from the truth. All I want to say is maybe you should pray that God will make you and your pastors more wise and open your eyes cause there are wolves in sheeps clothing out there and it is hard to find them, since satan appears as a beautiful angel! But take courage cause Jesus is coming again! Soon we will all be in heaven. My prayers go out to you and your church.
“But the day of the Lord will come like a their. the heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, ad the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming.” 2 Peter 3: 10 – 11
~ Christina Hoover
January 28, 2009 at 7:39 pm
Your quote from the scottish poet was an amazing blessing. Thank you for reminding me that “my” time frame is not HIS time frame.
Lord we thank you for your covering, Lynne
January 28, 2009 at 9:41 pm
So I saw the Oprah show and the clips from HBO. I must say that hearing “The church told me to go to hell” spoken by Ted hit hard. But as I looked at the situation, as I thought of having a camera in your life at that point, I understand Ted could have said it in anger just as I say things in my life out of anger and I forgive him.
We lost a part of our family that day, we were not perfect and I am sure if we had it to do over again we would again not be perfect. New Life did what they did because Ted did what he did and not the other way around.
I would gladly welcome Ted and his family back, it is what family does. I was pleased that when asked how his welcome back to Colorado Springs was his reply was very positive.
We all deal with things in our lives and I am glad all of my struggles in life are not a part of the news media. It is easy for me to focus on the speck in my brothers eye and ignore the plank in my own eye.
We are a church who has lost several people to sexual sin and there are many, many more struggling. We can all point and pick apart what was said on these shows, we could point fingers and quote scripture but isn’t it time to love? Please Pastor Boyd, let’s talk about this and turn it to the glory of God, let’s shine the light into the darkness and let people know that we are a place for the sick and the hurting.
In hospitals there are signs over the door that say Emergency Room. When you enter they know what to do, they know how to heal and remove the pain; so do we at New Life Church. While the media may try to paint something different, we too have an Emergency Room sign over our door, we are a place for the sick and the wounded, a place to put lives back together and with the grace and glory of God we are a church that know’s how to heal the sick. The sick are who Jesus came to save and it is who we are as a church.
Thanks you.
Wes Master
January 28, 2009 at 11:31 pm
I have never been to New Life Church, but have often looked in via your online presence. I just want to say how impressed I’ve been by Pastor Brady’s leadership during these difficult times. I see a man of genuine humility, vision and leadership, and it’s such a blessing to see such men giving themselves to leading God’s church. May the wisdom and grace of God be evident in your church, as you move forward to a “day when you will no longer be defined by your wounds.”
Pastor Mike Penninga
Kelowna, BC Canada
January 29, 2009 at 7:02 am
Just wanted to send you this scripture…praying for you…and for all Christians in the days to come in that we live in….I truely believe as you said…that the joy Jesus gives us…the unexplainable joy…that don’t make sence during these times is our only sustainer as we tell ppl the TRUTH of His unfalable WORD!
Acts 13: 49The word of the Lord spread through the whole region. 50But the Jews incited the God-fearing women of high standing and the leading men of the city. They stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region. 51So they shook the dust from their feet in protest against them and went to Iconium. 52And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
Stay GROUNDED in HIM!
January 29, 2009 at 7:11 am
Dear Pastor Brady-
Thank you for standing with our church in these hards times. You are in my prayers that you and your family will have strength and peace. I am so grately you are our pastor in these times and as you said on Sunday I am proud to attend New Life and have my three children attend as well. New Life is a church filled with people who truely love God. Thank you for weathering a storm you were not even a part of with such dignity and grace. I have no doubt that New Life is where I belong.
Thank you for being there for all of us-
Toni Pelkington
January 30, 2009 at 12:46 am
Pastor Brady,
I’ve been watching the events about Ted Haggard and the church. All I can say is, stick to your guns, which is the God’s Word. Every Word is God’s . Same sex relationship is against God’s Word but what happen with Ted is a Sin. You know, every person has some Sin in their life, which they struggle with, small or big. I think this is interesting because sex is out there among the believers in christ. It could be women dress in certain clothing, tempting men or men flirting with women when they should be focus on Christ. I think it’s a spiritual battle that most people in the church don’t pay attention. It’s taught but not taken seriously. Have to get back to the Bible and Christ. Every person has a struggle and we need to remember before a person is hung. This does not make it right. Sexual sin is tough when we have it all over the TV ADs and billboards. Especially, when men and women wear clothes that don’t help the person struggling with sin. I find this interesting.
Gregory B
January 30, 2009 at 9:16 am
Pastor Brady, My family and I just went through a season of one tradgedy after another. I am the comfort cruiser type who likes the Lord to bring everything together in an orderly fashion. This season of storms taught me that God is my navigator and I have just enough light for the step I’m on. My husband did not have a job for a year and a half. God brought us through that time without the smell of smoke on our garments. There was God everytime we were at our last wits end. ( I think he does that on purpose so He can show us Who He really is). There are too many things that happened to go into. All of them unexpected. Not one could we have planned for. God took care of them all. All we had to do was wait for Him. I never understood the Scripture those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength. Probably because I was beating my head against the wall trying to fix everything or figure out in advance what God was going to do. The miracles I have seen Him do are many and all equally wonderful and most of all my relationship with Him is a miracle in itself. He is my everything. I have longed for a relationship like that with Him and He was faithful to me to let me know Him like that. Pray, Worship and trust Him through this time. He is changing all of our hearts and minds if we let Him. My love for Him cannot be put into words. Look forward to the end result of what He is doing. He loves you, He is faithful, and He is in control. You sister in Christ, Stephanie
February 1, 2009 at 2:34 pm
Keep up the good work! It’s through all this several years ago I found your church. I am excited to call you my extended home church. Much love and prayer for you.