Mad Props to NCC or for the non-ghetto: Why I love my new church

Before Kevin & I ever moved to DC we began to research churches. From website searches we narrowed down the churches we would visit based on a variety of items: congregation, worship style, statement of beliefs, small group life, and location. From a long list we had about 3-4 churches to check out. At the top of the list was NCC (National Community Church --check it out at http://www.theaterchurch.com/). We went and knew right away that's where we belong.

Now let me tell you why. Neither one of us is a new kid on the Christian block, we've been a part of the church for a long time, have experienced a variety of churches and I have some deal of education in the area. All that being taken into consideration each week that we have attended worship we have consistently been challenged and changed by the message. I think I'm growing more now than I have in the past five years!

Not only is each sermon by the variety of pastors chalked full of goodness the music is descent (We've been spoiled -- Wesley, Morning Star, Jason Upton, etc) and the people are friendly. Plus they have so many small groups they have to put out a catalog!!

But oh wait, there's more! The lead/senior pastor put out a book called In a Pit With a Lion on a Snowy Day. It's about Benaiah -- captain of King David's guard who happened to have killed a lion on a snowy day by chasing it into a pit!!! Now that's a man! I've been slowly ingesting this yummy book, savoring each section (YES IT'S THAT GOOD!) and thought tonight I would share an excerpt from the 3rd chapter -- enjoy the goodness:

"The goal of love is fearlessness! As we grow in a love relationship with God, we unlearn the fears that paralyze us and neutralize us spiritually. That is the essence of faith.
Faith is the process of unlearning your irrational fears." pg 48

"Lion chasers don't hide from the things they fear. They chase lions into pits. they expose themselves to the sources of their terror because they know it is the only way to overcome them. Lion chasers have a high threshold for fear because they have built up fear immunity." pg 49

"The other tactic [Satan uses to neutralize you spiritually] is fear. Satan wants to scare the heaven out of you. He wants to put you on your heels so you can become reactive and defensive. That is why he is described as a prowling lion." pg 51

"I'm convinced he [Jesus] could have and would have talked his way out of the cross. Why? Because he never lost an argument. But he chose instead to close his mouth and go to the cross." Pg 52 (THAT ONE IS FOR KEVIN--I'LL TRY TO BE MORE LIKE JESUS AND SHUT MY MOUTH :)

"So here is my question: Are you living your life in a way that is worth telling stories about?" pg 56

Now that you have tasted the goodness READ THE BOOK! http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/1590527151/ref=sib_dp_pt/104-6313366-5282317#reader-link

Be assured my friends you will be hearing more quotes and thoughts evoked from this tasty book. (I don't know why I describe good books like food -- I'm weird)