Shopping at the Harley Dealership....

While traveling this past week, we dropped in at the local HD to grab a new tee shirt. Going to the Harley Davidson dealership is one of Marla's favorite things to do so naturally I stop as often as possible. (Not really…I mean, I do stop often but it is not necessarily Marla’s favorite thing to do. J) Anyway, we had just ridden the Dragon. The Tail of the Dragon is a stretch of road in the mountains with 318 curves in just 11 miles. This is a pretty well know strip of pavement for bikers. While there, someone stuck up a conversation with Marla about the subject of God and church. One of the workers there invited us to attend her church. She was really pumped and it was as if she couldn’t wait to tell Marla about where she attended and how God had used it to literally change her life.  She told her how God was growing the church and doing some incredible things there. As a pastor and follower of Christ, I thought it was pretty cool how she was so excited about her Christ, her church and the possibility of us going there too. We ended up going to that church over the weekend. It was really good, even though I missed my NSC family. How simple is that? I mean, Really...can’t we all do what this lady did at the HD? I am so thankful how so many at NSC having been doing since the very beginning. I am so thankful that God honors our efforts in extending the gospel in this way. You guys are fabulous. Let’s keep it up because it is making a difference. God puts people in our way every day that we can influence, impact and minister to for Christ. Who knows, your invitation may be exactly what it takes for someone to give God a chance in their lives. So many lives have been changed for eternity because people like you invited them to Christ. Thank you for making a difference in eternity.

...you would not believe, even if you were told....Habakkuk 1:5

Habakkuk 1:5 ⁵ “Look at the nations and watch— and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told.

I want to write a quick note after such a busy Easter Weekend @nschurch.  God moved supernaturally in our church this past weekend. We saw over 70 people give their hearts to Christ.  We are just beginning to hear the stories of those who said yes to His Beautiful Exchange. One is a sweet 89 year old lady who attends each week with her family. When the invitation was given, she was seen standing down front with one hand on her walker and the other lifted to the Lord. Countless other stories of lives being changed are coming in daily. #thisnevergetsold.  I am so thankful for all our volunteers who work tirelessly each week filling all the areas of service. These volunteers are awesome.  God did indeed do something in our days that was beyond imagination. The best is yet to come.

More exciting news...Today marks the day of the book release of a tremendous man of God named Pete Wilson. Pete is the Pastor of Cross Point Church in Nashville. His new book is entitled: Empty Promises. Be sure to pick up a copy of this book that goes on sale today.  We will have copies of his book in our Compass Center.  We are really excited to have Pete  coming to NorthStar this summer. We will be doing a two part series. Pete will bring the first message and I will be bring the second.

I never cease to stand amazed at such an Awesome God we serve. Keep on keeping on….

Oh yea...a few weeks ago in my ten year vision I mentioned The Code.  You can go to our web site and read the details of the meaning of the code.

In The Midst Of The Movement

We are so blessed at NorthStar to be a part of a Move of God that was started over two thousand years ago. It should not surprise us that the movement is continuing. Jesus said not even hell can stand against the church.  The reality is God is at work in many churches across the world.  It is exciting to know that there are people literally around the world who share the same vision and passion as NSC. While He is working in many places, I rejoice in the fact that He is working here. We are seeing people almost every week come to Christ.  Since I told the church a few weeks ago about the 594 that have come to Christ over the past six years, we have seen even more take this step of faith right here at NorthStar. In fact we baptized another six this past week.

I want to mention a few things we need to be doing in the midst of this Movement:

1.       We need to stay consistent in our walk with Christ. The church will go no farther than the level of spirituality of its leaders and members.

2.       We must continue in discipleship. Growth is a natural thing. Daily we should be digging into His Word, spending time in communion with Him and seeking to become more like Him.

3.       We should consistently attend a worship experience. Often times we get weak, dry, burned out and frustrated.  Absence from worship is one reason this happens. When we omit worship experiences from our schedule we tend to take our eyes off the vision and off of Christ.  There are so many excuses to justify our absence from worship but they are shallow and unfounded. As we come together on a regular basis for worship we are able to focus, be renewed and energized for the task He has called us to do.

4.       We must be diligent in reaching out to those far from God.  How will they hear if we do not tell them? Aren’t you glad someone took the time to tell you?

5.       We must depend on Him and not ourselves. It is on the stage of our weakness that His strength is displayed. The temptation is to just do it ourselves. This is where we mess up.

6.       We need to pray for, support and follow our leaders. They work tirelessly but joyfully to do the awesome task of leading His people.

7.       We need the power of His Spirit filling, guiding, and empowering us. Again, we are not alone. We need His power.

8.       We need to walk by faith, not by sight.  It is our tendency to figure it out and do it ourselves. A faithless Christian is a weak Christian. We must remember He is not intimidated by our long shot request. In fact, He is insulted when we do not exercise audacious faith.

9.       We need to take the risk necessary to be totally obedient to Christ. He never said it was easy.  In fact, He said: ”…take up your cross and follow me.”

10.   We need to lead our families. They need to see our commitment to Christ. This is not an easy task because we are imperfect people. However it is a needed task. Our families need to know the priority God has in our lives.

11.   We need to let other see these character traits in us. The world needs to see the real deal when looking at us. They need to be able to look at us and realize we have been with Jesus.

The Movement Continues

     This past Sunday we looked at the Message of the Movement and we saw the importance of sharing the Christ with others.  It is so simple.  We can all share this message. I mentioned one step in sharing the message is by simply inviting people to attend with you at NSC.  You invite them and we will share with them.  We have seen this unfold in such an awesome way at NSC. You guys have done an exceptional job at inviting people to attend with you.  I am so thankful for so many who have taken this so seriously.  Please keep up the good work and we will keep sharing the message of Christ with those who come. Pray for opportunities to share your faith with others as well. It is such a simple message. You can do it!
     I love Christ, His Church and specifically NSC.  This is not a perfect church because it is filled with imperfect people.  I have often said if you are looking for a perfect church you won’t find it here.  We are a hospital for sinners.  If you see yourself as imperfect and on a journey to become more like Christ, you have come to the right place.  Paul, for crying out loud, actually had killed Christians.  When they stoned Steven, it was Saul who actually oversaw and approved of this.  But something happened!  He met Christ and no longer would he be called Saul.  Christ changed not only his name but his heart.  We must never forget where we came from.   Oh yes, and Paul stopped killing Christians. I am not who I used to be but I am not who I should be.  Paul’s life changed immediately even though God did an ongoing work of maturity in his life.  Remember this life is a journey not a destination.  We need His transforming work to continue daily in our own lives as well.