Overcome

As our team prayed and collaborated on what songs should be on this album, God began to unite these songs under a single theme: in this world we will have trouble, but we will overcome. In the months of this recording process, we have seen over and over why God gave us these songs in order to minister to those …

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The Prototype: Issac

What a great day at North Side as we were in week 2 of Ancestors. Only one chapter, Genesis 26, in the bible is totally dedicated to Issac.  Issac is a man that spent most of his life either in the shadow of his father Abraham or his son Jacob.  But no man has ever stood taller than he did …

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Nothing is Impossible – Storytellers

“Nothing is Impossible” was written during our adoption process.  As we looked at the huge obstacles concerning timing, situation, circumstances, finances, etc., the process seemed impossible…for us. But with God, there was nothing to it. “For nothing is impossible with God.” -Luke 1:37 Amanda, Obadiah, and myself would often play this melody on the home piano and remind ourselves of …

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11:59 – Storytellers

11:59 started as a joke. I make up songs for the boys all the time. As we were praying for all the details to get ironed out concerning Eli’s homecoming, Obie and I wrote this song. Some details concerning the adoption were huge obstacles to overcome plus I had been praying about other big circumstances in some people’s lives. As …

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Wait for the Lord – Storytellers

Guest Blogger: John Kennerly “Wait for the Lord” was one of those songs that seemed to write itself. At the time, I had no idea that I would be throwing it into the hat for inclusion in what would become North Side’s Overcome recording project and how well it would fit into the overarching theme of the project. It truly …

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Unite Us Together – Storytellers

When North Side started the “5 Things That Will Kill This Church” series, I wanted a worship song for a church to sing together.  Most worship songs are written to sing together, but I really wanted it to be something you sang acknowledging those singing around you. To write it, I went to the descriptions of the early church in …

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The Cross of Calvary – Storytellers

“The Cross of Calvary” was a song written with the purpose of writing a modern day hymn.  I wanted to show how the cross was not an afterthought but was a part of the whole plan from the beginning.  The cross was the plan from the very start. I did a lot of phrases in the chorus that showed the …

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The Pilgrim: Abraham

We started a new series called “Ancestors” today focusing on the second half of Genesis and looking at our spiritual heritage to learn from the mistakes and failures of those gone before us. From the very beginning, our spiritual family was rooted in faith in God.  Before the Law was introduced, Abraham proved to be a prototype for us to live …

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Worthy – Storytellers

There are songs that seem to write themselves and there are songs that require a lot of work.  ”Worthy” was one of those work songs.  While certain parts of it came easily, other parts, I could never find the right balance of making it dynamic yet congregational friendly. I put it on the shelf for a while and revisited it …

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Overcome – Storytellers

As the songs for the next recording project came together, it was evident that God had brought about a theme.  All the songs that were coming together had to do with the fact that life is hard, but we will make it.  As I started to put the songs all on paper, I realized there wasn’t a big opener anthem. …

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Hold On – Storytellers

In the days leading up to the “Overcome” worship night, I wanted to present you with some of the stories behind the songs.  Each day, I will give a little background on the song and also give you a snippet to listen to. Sunday, Peggy led us in a song entitled “Hold On.”  I have been messing around with this …

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Overcome – Less Than 2 Weeks Away

It’s hard to believe that Overcome is less than 2 weeks away.  Our worship event is coming together to be an unbelievable night of worship and celebrating the fact that we have true hope.  It all begins at 6pm on Sunday evening, October 10th at North Side Baptist Church. Here’s some important info: Invite – Spend some time getting people …

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The Coalition

At the Tower of Babel, a coalition formed in an attempt to reach God.  More than a historical architectural attempt, this event reveals the pride in mankind’s heart.  We think we can reach God on our own terms.  God often has to remind us that he is still God and we are not. What a great day at North Side …

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Christian Freedom

Many Christians engage in certain practices that seem possibly loose but claim they have the right due to “Christian liberty.”  The verse that they are casually quoting comes from 1 Cor. 6:12 where Paul says: “All things are lawful for me.”  But most people don’t finish his thought where he states that not all things are beneficial.  He also states …

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Kick the Ball High Daddy

My favorite part of my day is playing outside with my boys in the evening.  We ride cars and push wagons and play ball.  After we have sweated a ton, we eat a popsicle on the kitchen floor and get ready for bed. As we have been learning to catch and throw and kick, something interesting has happened lately.  I …

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The Catastrophe

What a great Sunday at North Side! Today, we worshiped to: New Doxology – Gateway Worship (Beach) Overcome – North Side Worship (Agnew) [will be released 10.10.10] Nothing Is Impossible – North Side Worship (Agnew) [will be released 10.10.10] I have to give it up to our worship team this morning.  We had so much sickness and crazy stuff happen …

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Overcome Track Listing

I’ve been a slave driver to North Side Worship the last few months, but it’s going to be well worth it.  In addition to extra worship leading events, we’ve been cranking it out in the studio.  As final mixes are being tweaked today and tomorrow, I want to provide you with a track listing of the tunes on the project. …

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Good News from the Garden

Satan’s tactics in the Garden of Eden are the same he uses today.  His attempt was successful at luring Adam and Eve away from God’s Word, and his goal with us is the same.  But even in the garden, there is hope and there is a promise. My friend and mentor, Dr. Chuck Lawless came and preached for us this …

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Storytellers – Worthy

Sunday, we introduced a worship song entitled “Worthy” that will be on our upcoming “Overcome” release (10.10.10).  There are songs that seem to write themselves and there are songs that require a lot of work.  “Worthy” was one of those work songs.  While certain parts of it came easily, other parts, I could never find the right balance of making …

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My Role in the New Movie Courageous

Many of you have been following the news of Sherwood Pictures’ next film, Courageous. The talented crew that made such films as Fireproof and Facing the Giants is releasing a new film on the need for fathers to rise up. And I got a role in it. To be clear, they have not called upon my acting abilities.  My face …

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The Origin of Marriage

What a great day @ North Side!  We started a new series called Origins as we study through Genesis 1-11. Today, we worshiped to: God of Wonders – City on a Hill How Great Thou Art – Paul Baloche Worthy – Travis Agnew The Stand – Hillsong It was great to be able to lead the new song, “Worthy” today. …

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Welcome Back Lander Students!

So excited to see Greenwood buzzing with all the new and returning Lander students this week!  As you guys get back in the groove, I wanted to let you know about a few things for college students: RELI 101 – I still have some openings at TR 1:15-2:45 for my Religions course I teach.  Would love to see you in …

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Expected to Grow

What a great day as we concluded “Solitary Confinement.” We’ve encouraged people to join community groups, but we’ve never really expected people to join.  If God expects us to grow, and he uses relationships to help us grow, then shouldn’t we make Christian relationships a priority? Versus hyping people up today and trying to get them to join a community …

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Overcome: A Night of Worship & Hope

A Night of Worship and Hope Come join us on October 10 at 6:00 p.m. here at North Side Baptist.  This will be a time of worship through music, prayer, and testimony.  Come and find out what it means to Overcome! This night of worship will help people who need hope find the next step.  We are inviting all types …

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A Week With North Side Worship

As a part of the training I provided at the Worship Summit this weekend, I put together this video from my phone to show what a week looks like as I prepare a bunch of musicians, vocalists, and technicians to prepare to lead worship. Watch the behind the scenes footage of how North Side Worship gets ready to lead each …

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Worship Summit Recap

We had an absolute blast at the Worship Summit this weekend.  I am still processing all that took place.  Our team, North Side Worship, got to lead worship 4 times for a training event for worship leaders all over the state.  I then taught 4 sessions (5 Things That Will Kill Your Worship Team, The Big Idea, Cookie Cutter Worship, …

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The Effects of PDA on Your Children

While there are varying degrees of PDA (public displays of affection), and you and your spouse’s personalities should definitely be considered, how visible is your love for your spouse? Many people will say, “We don’t have to do all that stuff to show how much we love each other.” That’s true, but it’s not a bad addition. If your children …

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Authentic Christian Community

What a great Sunday at North Side as we continued through our 2nd week of “Solitary Confinement” as we focused on the big idea of “Authentic Christian Community.” Some of us struggle to grow in our walk with Christ because we fail to get in the right environments.  In authentic Christian community, God uses other believers to strengthen us.  Are …

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Leaving for the Worship Summit

Gear is packed, presentations ready, and our team is rowdy as we leave for the Worship Summit this afternoon. I was honored and humbled when our group was asked to lead worship and I was asked to do the training at a worship training event for the South Carolina Baptist Convention.  Today and tomorrow, our North Side Worship group will …

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Why North Side Changed to a Clover Site

Last week we launched a whole new site for northsidebc.org.  We have heard some rave reviews of it for a few different reasons: Sermons on video SIMPLE navigation (compared to our previous) Mobile phone viewing Removal of clutter Changing/temporary content being moved to northsideblog.org You can get your Compass devotionals in your inbox early in the morning by subscribing And …

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Watching Daddy in the Window

This weekend, I worked.  I worked in the yard, in the house, you name it, I painted, mowed, pulled, fixed, and so much more than I thought I could do.  We put our house up for sale this weekend.  We are not moving from Greenwood, but just decided this would be a good time for a move if we could …

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The Community Life of Jesus

Authentic Christian community is more than an novel concept, it is a biblical command and practice.  Looking at the life of Jesus, one can find an example on how to share life with others.  It’s more than coming to church.  It’s doing life together. It was a great Sunday as we kicked off the new series “Solitary Confinement.”  The picture …

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Simple: the new northsidebc.org

The new website is finally up. With sermons on video, daily devotionals from the blog, simple navigation, mobile phone site, and so much more, you are going to be amazed and equipped! Check it out here:

Religion’s Attempt to Rescue

While attempting to answer the God Question in our day and time is truly difficult, it is not impossible. Religion attempts to address the God Question and provide a belief framework by which a person can live. Religion may be defined simply as “the center of life that gives meaning.” Religion is a framework for life. Each religion attempts to …

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I Forget My Son Is Black Until We Are in Public

I don’t how to say this in a politically correct way, so I’ll just say it how I see it: I forget my son is black until we are in public. I’m not exaggerating.  I’m not trying to be spiritual.  It’s just the way it is.  When I go home at 5:00 today, I will have two boys run to …

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Overcoming Temptation

Powerful Sunday as we concluded “Tempted.”  Jeff’s message was so powerful and practical. Today, we worshiped to: Break Our Hearts – Billy Foote Nothing But the Blood – Traditional Jesus Messiah – Chris Tomlin Jesus Paid It All – Kristian Stanfill The Cross of Calvary – Travis Agnew Amazing Grace (My Chains are Gone) – North Side Worship version Before …

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The God Question

If God exists, everything changes. He, she, it, they, or whatever you think this divine being might be called, if God does exist, everything will change.  Everything must change.  If a divine being rules over the universe, then we might be wise to determine how that being wants us to live in that universe. When I say that everything changes, …

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Dry Erase Markers, To-Do Lists, and Unity

We just pulled back in from a leadership team retreat.  On my desk is a box of legos that were donated to my boys.  I have a list a mile long of to-dos.  I have more ideas in my head than I know what to do with. And I have a new box of dry erase markers. Happiness. I love …

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Storytellers – The Cross of Calvary

Last Sunday, we led with a new song entitled “The Cross of Calvary.”  After writing a modern-day hymn for our upcoming CD, “Overcome,” Amy Cromer’s voice was just made for this song.  Her rendition of it on Sunday and on the recording just blew me away.  What I love about her connection to this song is that she lives this …

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The Re-Call of Ministry

I have a theory about young men and women that are called into ministry then fall out some point along the way.  It’s what I am calling the re-call of ministry.  If there is a belief to hearing an initial call, what happens to make these people step away from that direction?  Where does the recall happen? Lately, I have …

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