NorthStar Church Blog

This morning, as I dead sprinted through the house cleaning up the breakfast dishes, making beds, throwing in a load of laundry and doing some general cleaning (all in an effort to sit and relax for a couple of minutes before my kindergartener returned from what seems like a 20 minute school day), I slowed down to listen to a song on the radio. I slowed and eventually sat down for what would be an interesting morning.

Music has always had an interesting effect on me as it does for many. Whether I’m happy, sad, lonely, overwhelmed or whatever, music has a way of “speaking” to me and stirring my soul. As you can imagine the effect is intensified now that I listen almost exclusively to Christian/Gospel music.

Although I’ve heard the song many times before I found myself slowing down to listen to the words of Chris Sligh’s Empty Me, “…I know how I can stray And how fast my heart could change. Empty me of the selfishness inside, every vain ambition and the poison of my pride.” As I listened to the lyrics, words I’ve sung on a number of occasions without pause, I allowed them to speak to my heart. Then something amazing happened.

For the first time in a very long time I was still. Over the next couple of hours I found myself engulfed in worship… song after song I praised God for all that He has done for me and continues to do in my life and in the lives of others. I sat at my dining room table, with eyes closed and tears streaming down my face, and sang until the words ceased. I could no longer get any words out because I’d suddenly begun to sob almost uncontrollably. Admittedly, I’m a sap when it comes to romantic movies, books, greeting cards and even television commercials… otherwise, I’m not much of a crier. Yet, here I was crying nonstop! Even stranger, as I sat there crying, I could NOT stop smiling! I’m glad my eyes were closed and there were no mirrors around cause I must have looked like a straight nut!

I began the morning hoping for just a few moments of rest. Yet here I was with so much more! It was indescribably refreshing to just sit, thank God and take it ALL in… His Mercy, His Grace, His Forgiveness, His Glory, His Greatness and Enormity… and all because of song. I asked God to Empty Me and Take the Wheel… I swayed to Nicole C. Mullen as she described God as the music of her heart, the melody within her soul, the song that holds her in the dark, warms her when she’s cold… and nodded my head knowingly as Nicole continued in another song about how she survives in laughter or in pain by getting “On My Knees”… I told God how beautiful He is and agreed with Cece Winans as she sang “Jesus, how can I tell you how beautiful you are to me. Jesus, dearer to my heart than anything… sweeter than springtime, purer than sunshine…” I imagined the warmth of sunshine on my face and thought of how a sunshine-filled day has an inexplicable way of lifting your spirit. I then re-focused on those lyrics and thought how sweet our Lord truly is… sweeter than springtime, purer than any sunshine-filled day!!

If you’ve heard one of Mandisa’s latest songs, God Speaking, then you’ll agree with me when I say that God was speaking to me this morning and His message was clear… “Have you ever cried a tear that you could not explain… What if it’s Him… What if it’s God speaking… Who knows how He’ll get a hold of us, get our attention to prove He is enough, He’ll do and He’ll use whatever He wants to tell us ‘I love you!’”

This Sunday we’re beginning a new sermon series entitled “Addicted”. In this series Pastor Roscoe will touch on the different things (addictions) that we choose to put first in our lives, be it video games, shopping or even indulging in food… Addictions of any kind, no matter how small they may seem, can seriously get in the way of our relationships and our spiritual growth. We need to defeat our persistent temptations and make changes in our lives in order to strengthen our relationship with Jesus.

I don’t know about you but I’m looking forward this series! Interestingly enough I recently overcame an addiction of my own. I used to think that addiction was something that only applied to those who abused alcohol, smoked cigarettes and watched or “read” porn. I’ve come to realize that addiction can be found in so many other things and in so many areas of our lives. I’ve also come to realize that even good things can become bad when they consume you and take you away from a relationship with God and loved ones.

My personal addictions range from e-mailing, reality TV viewing and playing video games to helping people. Yes, helping people (I’d have to do a separate blog to explain that one)! My most recent addiction was, believe it or not, to Facebook! It all began in mid July and by the end of August I was able to break free from this addiction. Facebook is a social networking site for people to reconnect with family and friends. It is also a place to make new connections. I instantly fell in love with all of the applications, the flares, the games, the instant messaging feature, and the ability to easily reconnect with friends from high school and college! I encouraged my sister, my mother and others to join so that we could share current photos and keep updated with one another’s lives. What was not to love about Facebook!!??

When I first signed onto Facebook I would only log on at night when my kids were in bed. Then I slowly began to log on in the morning, then in the afternoon, and, again late at night! Pretty quickly I found myself logging on non-stop! There was always someone to catch up with, a message to reply to, a wall to write on or flare to send. What was supposed to be a quick 5 maybe 10 minutes on Facebook, would easily turn into hours! My growing obsession with Facebook continued day after day for weeks… And then, it happened!

One night, after a very long day away from Facebook, I logged on and there was a message from my friend. I immediately opened the message and there was a link to a video. Without pause I clicked on the link. Unbeknownst to me, it was a virus. I clicked on the link several times with no results before logging out for the night. By the next morning I was told that there was a virus being passed around Facebook and other social networking sites. As a result of the virus the people at Facebook disabled my account… I was devastated (can you imagine)! However, after a few days the Facebook “team” got wind of the virus and turned my account back on. Nevertheless, in those couple of days without Facebook I realized how much of a distraction it had become and decided it was best if I closed the account permanently.

I was sure everyone would think my reasoning (being a true “Facebook Addict”) for shutting down my account was crazy. However, my friends, new and old, were very encouraging as seen in the excerpts from a couple of their messages; the first from an “old” friend, with whom I’d never spoken about God:

“God is AMAZING! He will speak to us gently to get us to do His will… sometimes He also sends viruses..:). God bless you and your beautiful family. We found each other twice so far, we will find each other again.”

“I think, like anything, it’s all about moderation. The same can be said about email, texting, online gaming, general web surfing, working out, shopping, etc…in and of themselves, they’re not bad…in excess, it can be a total time-waster and create an unhealthy balance in your life… I think we all have things that we don’t have the willpower to overcome on our own. Sometimes it takes a strict parent and other times a computer virus…either way, recognizing those unhealthy habits in our lives is key, and deciding not to keep your facebook account may be a good idea for you. Facebook doesn’t trip me up, but I do have my own “facebook” that I TRY to avoid…maybe I need “virus” to help me!”

God truly is amazing and he surely knows the things that will trip me up and keep me from Him! So, in the end I am very thankful for that virus!

It may seem amusing, and even silly, for me to sit here and say that I was addicted to a social networking site. But the reality is, anything, no matter how small or insignificant can turn into a barrier between you and God. Addiction of any kind is binding, it is limiting and it goes against all that God has planned for you. So, what’s your vice?

“If you want to boost your teenager’s grade point average, take the kid to church.” A recently completed study of students in grades 7-12 grades shows that teenager who regularly attend church have a higher GPA, lower dropout rates, are more involved in their schools and are more well adjusted! Wow! As if attending church, developing a relationship with God and growing in that relationship weren’t enough of a reason to attend church weekly… now we have even more incentive to get our teens out of bed!

CLICK HERE to read the article!

Yesterday was a wonderful day to celebrate NorthStar’s five year anniversary! God has certainly been faithful as He’s brought NorthStar from the first meeting with only six people at a banquet hall to nearly 200 on the property we are under contract to purchase! As we sat under a tent and on the spot that will one day contain our building (our home for this and future generations) Pastor Roscoe spoke about NorthStar’s incredible journey over the past five years through the help of video clips, pictures, and song! God is a mighty God and He has shown favor to NorthStar church! Can’t wait to see what the next five years will bring!

I recently read an article that listed writing personal checks as #7 on a list of the top 25 things vanishing from America. Coincidentally I’d had a discussion several weeks ago with a friend about writing checks versus using a debit card in stores (and paying bills electronically). In our discussion we referenced the television commercials where everyone speeds through the checkout line swiping their cards, one after the other going on their merry way with their new purchases until they get to the one person who disrupts the flow by pulling out their checkbook! Well I am that person; I am “that guy”! I’m the one who, as I flip through the million receipts and the previously processed checks (tucked chaotically into my checkbook until I have a chance to record them in my register) in an effort to find a blank check, looks up in the midst of filling out the check to ask, “What’s today’s date?” or “What was the amount again?” Even if I’ve thoughtfully taken the time to fill out the name of the store, the date (if I know it) and sign the check before I begin my shopping trip, as I pull out my checkbook in a store I can sense the instant mood change. Through the corner of my eye I can see everyone’s faces drop as they begin to look around for another line to move to. From that moment on I vow to make eye contact with no one, especially the cashier, until I leave the store!

My friend thought it amusing, and confusing, that I still write checks! So several days ago, after reading an extremely funny blog I’d sent to him regarding check writing and the intense feelings it brings out in some, (“Now I’m sweating. Literally sweating… And I’m thinking about writing a check of my own – that my BUTT may, or may not, cash. Tarantino-esqe samurai bloodbath fantasies. Waaaa-POW!”) his response was “That is exactly how I feel when I get behind someone writing a check….there’s no excuse for it in this day and age!” Well, maybe it’s not exactly how he feels, but I think it’s clear that he’s not into paper checks! Like my friend, most people are all about speed and convenience and writing a check doesn’t allow for either of those!

I read yet another piece entitled The Awful Responsibility of the Checkout in which the writer talks about the pressure felt at the checkout line… having to have every thing neatly placed on the conveyor before the cashier begins ringing up the items and being ready with your debit card (apparently credit cards are also a no, no) for payment, all in an effort to not hold up the person behind her. She then discusses her obsession (which I, despite my evil check writing dysfunction, share) with choosing a checkout line that already has someone in it versus going to a vacant checkout in which the cashier is ringing up the items as you place them on the belt, ultimately leaving you unprepared and losing the “sense of accomplishment” one generally feels in having a successful checkout experience. “When I’m desperately trying to catch up on the mountain of packing on the far side, there is no doubt that an emotionally damaged soccer mom will arrive at the check out behind me and she will glare at me…” Imagine that scenario and then add in payment by check… Nightmare!

According to the initial article I mentioned, and from my own experience of watching people in checkout lines, “debit cards… have almost completely replaced paper checks in almost all consumer transactions.” So, am I alone? Is there anyone else who’s not (wholly) afraid to write checks in a checkout line??? Anyone??? Well, if I am alone, then so be it! My suggestion, if you see me in the grocery store or at the mall, get in another line cause I’m keeping my checkbook!