09
Mar 2017
Why would anyone ever do that!?! I wouldn’t wish that on my worst enemy!!! We’ve all seen those scenes in the movies. The one you thought was their best friend…their closest ally, ends up being the one to cause all the problems. Everything goes up in smoke and the deepest wound came from behind (et tu Brute)! Have you experienced this in your own life? Have you ever felt betrayed by those closest to you? Have you felt like the ones you knew the best were the ones plotting against you the whole time? So what are we to do with that experience in our lives? How are we supposed to pick up the pieces and move on when......
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08
Jan 2017
Sunday services are cancelled Jan. 8 due to SNOW and a lot of it. So, stay inside Sunday morning and join our pastors on Facebook Live for three devotionals at 8am (Jay Bowen), 9am (Tyler Kelce) and 10am (Stephen Deane)....
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09
Nov 2016
“Everyday Marriage” Part 2 Not too long ago I received a call from a young lady wanting me to officiate her wedding. Unfortunately, I was booked and I had to decline. Before I ended the conversation, I asked her if she and her fiancé are going through pre-marital counseling. She reluctantly told me that she saw the importance of counseling but had not made a commitment to follow through. I encouraged her to make time for the counseling and make sure it was not theologically based. You could hear a pin drop. “What did you say?” I repeated my statement and again, silence. I told her that almost all of the challenges they will face in marriage would......
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19
Sep 2016
During our Sept. 18 Sunday service, we celebrated the transition to our 6th lead pastor Steve Deane. During the service, we wanted to do something that gave a sense of our 58 year history, telling the story of God’s faithfulness to the church in a brief video. So, we combined audio clips of each NCC senior pastor into a combined prayer with some imagery from the early days of the the church and some recent imagery. We feel like it really evokes something in our DNA that’s been there from the beginning – a simple love for Jesus in response to His incredible gift of grace. Thanks to Dave Douglas, Ashley Parker, Beth Bustin, Susan Hughes, Kristina Johnson, Aaron Davidson, Jay Bowen and......
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30
Aug 2016
“Everyday Marriage” Part 1 I’ve officiated a boatload of weddings in recent years and enjoyed every minute of them. From my unique perspective, I get to see the great expressions of love, joy, wonder and exhaustion. I’ve heard laughter and crying and seen big crocodile tears roll down the cheeks of quite a few brides, grooms and parents. I love the experience of sending the couple off to their honeymoon and then seeing their pics on Facebook two days later. Then they come home and settle into the joys of everyday marriage. Almost every long-married couple I know has established wonderful habits that enhance their marriage everyday. See if any or all of the following habits can work for......
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29
Jun 2016
It’s been few weeks since Rev. Stephen M. Deane transitioned to Lead Pastor at New Covenant Church (NCC) and as one who has the privilege of serving with Steve, I thought it would be fun to talk to Steve and the family and hear what they have to say about this new chapter in their lives. So, I met with Kim and the kids (Reuben, Eliana, Joha, and Lucas) on the playground recently, and then with Steve, to hear what they had to say. I began with the kids. Their answers were entertaining, peppered with some serious concerns, like how much longer they’d have to stay after church each Sunday before they could go home. Eliana mentioned that her......
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29
Jun 2016
“A basic characteristic in a thriving marriage is work.” Marriages are always under construction. We are always working to love more, give more, understand more, and grace our spouse with the best we have to offer. Most couples spend a lifetime working out their differences. A lot of young couples haven’t had the necessary conversations to understand the challenges they are facing. You know… who is assigned to clean the toilets, iron the clothes, vacuum, etc? Where are you spending Thanksgiving and Christmas this year? How much goes into the savings account each month and what is the budget for shoes? Redskins or the Cowboys? There are just too many things to iron out to expect that you......
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08
Jun 2016
Oh to stand back and look at months’ worth of work fully completed. The green grass growing where there was once trees and weeds. The crisp clean siding and bright white aluminum wrapped trim. The way the brand new brown architectural shingles come across the front of the house like an eyebrow over the clean clear glass windows and custom front door. I had built a brand new house. It was an empty lot when I started and I was able to see it through, from the cutting down of the trees to our final trip out for little “punch list” items left to complete the project. I love to build. Don’t get me wrong, demolition is a blast (pun......
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31
May 2016
“Simply put, love is found in simplicity.” Unknown The holding of a hand, the opening of a door, a compliment, doing a routine chore without complaining, etc., are simple things we can do to show our love and affection for our spouse. I really enjoy the weekend away and the lavish date, but day in and day out, it is the simple act that shouts, “I Love You!” Karen and I are avid Washington Nationals fans. We enjoy eating lunch at this burger joint owned by a celebrity TV chef, walking through the Smithsonian museums and finishing the day in the ballpark screaming for our Nats (#natitude). Those dates are fantastic and very memorable. But the best part......
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24
May 2016
“Think not because you are now wed that all your courtship’s at an end.” Mendoza Dating is a vital part to a healthy marriage. Remember when you asked her to go out on your first date? You tried to act calm, cool and in charge but your voice and demeanor failed you. You were nervous and she knew it! And ladies…you were dying inside and praying that you wouldn’t appear to be crazy with excitement. I know. I’ve been there. Karen and I often reflect on our first dinner, movie and walk on the beach. I asked to hold her hand for the first time as we crossed a busy intersection in Norfolk. I never wanted to let......
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