How We’ve Fallen [Storytellers]

“How We’ve Fallen” was written to describe the Fall of Mankind based on Genesis 3.  It is a song on “The Word” project. “The Word” is a project by North Side Worship telling the grand narrative of the Bible.  It is available at North Side (May 3, 2015) and iTunes (May 5, 2015). We began to write this song back …

READ MORE

Let There Be [Storytellers]

Our team wrote “Let There Be” as a way to depict Creation and worship the Creator.  It is a song on “The Word” project. “The Word” is a project by North Side Worship telling the grand narrative of the Bible.  It is available at North Side (May 3, 2015) and iTunes (May 5, 2015). We began to write this song …

READ MORE

April 2015 Member Meeting

It was a great night at our member meeting.  Many things for which to give the Lord thanks. Here are some notes I took on my phone: God has been faithful over our finances. We do have some growth concerning stewardship for members of our church family. Through the gifts, we have been able to support international, national, and statewide missions …

READ MORE

Humble Before God

Powerful day at North Side.  We focused our worship gathering on James 4:6-10. 6 But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Be wretched and …

READ MORE

Calling the Next Generation to Racial Reconciliation

The 2015 ERLC Leadership Summit addressed “The Gospel and Racial Reconciliation” to equip Christians to apply the gospel on these issues with convictional kindness in their communities, their families, and their churches. This event was held in Nashville on March 26-27, 2015.

When it comes to race, our churches must reflect the united kingdom of Christ more than the divided states of America.

I haven’t gotten to watch all the videos from this event, but what I have seen has been so biblical, passionate, and helpful.  One message was from pastor, author, and rapper Trip Lee.  He does a great job in the video above talking about “Calling the Next Generation to Racial Reconciliation.”

FullSizeRender

Some great tips he shared:

  1. Don’t treat people who are different too differently.
  2. Don’t assume stereotypes.
  3. Try not to flock to the people who look like you all the time.
  4. Intentionally seek to understand people.
  5. Persevere through difficulty and growing pains.
  6. Don’t give up when it’s hard.
  7. Ask yourself if you have unfair assumptions and fight against them.
  8. Keep the conversations going.

We are not just looking for blacks and whites in the same room, we want blacks and whites in the same family – through Jesus.

All the videos from the @ERLC summit on the gospel and racial reconciliation now online and available: ERLC.com/videos

Whose Friend Are You?

What a fantastic day working through James 4:1-6: 4:1 What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? 2 You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask.3 You ask and do not receive, because …

READ MORE

The Battle Plan for Prayer

Yesterday, I was able to submit a 124-page document to LifeWay for the upcoming curriculum entitled, “The Battle Plan for Prayer.”  Working alongside the Kendrick Brothers, we have developed a Bible study on prayer that has changed my life for the better!  If it impacts people a fraction of how the Word has impacted me during this process, lives will …

READ MORE

Wisdom from Above

I absolutely love the passage that we focused on today as a church family: James 3:13 Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. 15 This is not the wisdom that comes down from …

READ MORE

“The Word” Recap

It’s been almost a week since “The Word” happened and I am still failing at finding the appropriate words to describe the weekend.  I have sat down so many times to try and summarize what took place, and I have walked away each time completely aware of my inability. It is hard to put thoughts into words when God does something. …

READ MORE

Until the Whole World Knows

I was blessed to go to college with dear brothers who are making an impact for Christ all over the world.  It is wonderful to stay in touch with these guys and hear what they are doing. One such dear friend is Jeremiah Hambrick. Ever so godly, talented, and humble, Jeremiah and his family are committed to the Great Commission. …

READ MORE

A New Life

This has been an unforgettable Easter weekend!  I am so humbled at what Jesus did among us. “The Word” was simply amazing.  More on that in another post.  Overwhelmed. Sunday morning was absolutely ridiculous.  We had two packed services, and I have already heard about many receiving Christ today and this weekend! It is amazing to see Jesus at work! …

READ MORE

Can Members from Other Churches Come to “The Word?”

We’ve been asked if it is OK for members of other churches to come to “The Word.” The answer is a resounding “yes!” BUT, we do want you to know something: By joining us in worship, we are NOT going to try to lure you to come back on Easter Sunday or any other Sunday. If you are involved in …

READ MORE

Description of the 16 Songs at “The Word”

If you haven’t missed 1 Sunday in the last year, you have already heard 11 of the 16 songs we will be leading at “The Word.”  As we went through different studies at the church, we have introduced these songs along the way.  Hopefully, that will translate into you singing out tonight and Saturday! That also means that you have …

READ MORE

Children Are Welcome at The Word

We have been asked: “Should I bring my child to The Word?” “Are children allowed?” The answer is an emphatic “yes!” Here’s what parents need to know: We do not have nursery because there is no way to plan for how many would come. We have made the service so that any age can come and would benefit from attending. …

READ MORE

Lyrics to “What a Savior”

We are 3 days away from “The Word!”  We will be doing a live recording on April 3 and 4 at 7PM at North Side Baptist Church. Writing songs at key points throughout the biblical narrative is a complex process.  The three songs I was hesitant to begin were based on Creation, Passion week, and Revelation. “What a Savior” was …

READ MORE

God Doesn’t Owe Me Anything

The sense of entitlement is crippling our culture and stifling our churches.  We can reach a truly freeing place when we accept that God doesn’t owe us anything. [This sermon is in a series of messages I make available for a traveling college team.]

Taming the Tongue

I love celebrating on Palm Sunday.  Actually, I love celebrating every Sunday.  Can’t help it! James 3:1-12 guided our services today.  It is all about taming the tongue.  In putting the service together, I tried hard to fill our time with our mouths declaring God’s Word and his praise and therefore, we shouldn’t use our mouths after the service to …

READ MORE

Church Leaders: Let Us Know if You Are Coming to The Word

Pastors need encouragement and motivation too. At times throughout my ministry, I have benefited from the pastoring of other pastors.  It is an incredible thing to be able to learn from one another, encourage one another, and be led by one another to catch an idea to implement within our local congregations. I have been asked by other church leaders if it …

READ MORE

The Bee Gees

As Easter is days away, I thought you may enjoy an Easter and disco inspired church sign: THE BEE GEES AREN’T THE ONLY ONES STAYING ALIVE – HAPPY EASTER!

Living Faith

What a powerful day of worship.  Rainy day outside, joyful day inside!  Both services have been growing as of late and it’s been so great to meet some new people and hear their stories. This week, we sang: Friend of God – North Side Worship (The Time Is Now) Enter His Gates – North Side Worship (The Word) You Alone …

READ MORE

Those Two Mosquitoes

Spring has sprung and I think this church sign will be very appropriate in the days to come: I WISH NOAH HAD SWATTED THOSE TWO MOSQUITOES

Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People?

“Why do bad things happen to good people?” I’m asked this question a lot.  Job asked that as well. I’m also asked who is responsible for our troubles.  Is it God?  Satan?  Others? In this sermon, I focus on Job 23:8-13 and discuss this issue. [This sermon is in a series of messages I make for a collegiate athletic team while they …

READ MORE

Lyrics to “Your Word”

I have heard so many encouraging words concerning the songs from “The Word.”  The song we wrote to cover the epistles has been a really unique part of it.  We took 1 line from all 21 epistles and constructed the song around it.  Yesterday, as we sang, the video flipped through the Bible to each new book. I have had …

READ MORE

Dead Faith

I am worn out and so energized all at the same time!  What a wonderful day to be the church! As we are approaching “The Word,” we are using a lot of the songs from the project to teach them to our congregation.  I was so encouraged that people weren’t disappointed by it but it is causing them to be …

READ MORE

All Things Are Possible

This clip is from “Knowing Jesus” a couple of years ago.  So thankful for those nights and makes me excited about the coming nights of “The Word” April 3-4. Family devotion times have been really great lately.  To be reading Scripture with your children and have them begin to sing songs from those passages that your church wrote for theological …

READ MORE

You Will Never Do Enough Good Works to Impress God

Preaching from Eph. 2:1-10, I address the issue of how good you have to be for God to love you. I often hear people say, “I sure do hope that when I die I have been good enough to get into heaven.”  It is scary that those words come out of the mouths of those who have been in church. …

READ MORE

The Sin of Favoritism

Special, special day as we addressed the sin of favoritism found in James 2:1-13. We began our services with “The Word” Creation song entitled “Let There Be.” After a few announcements, we sang “Lay Me Down” and “No One Like Our God” (from “The Word”). Jeff then came up and led us in a prayer time for persecuted Christians around …

READ MORE

It Is Finished

This video captures the song “It Is Finished” from our “Knowing Jesus” project. Watching it made me so thankful for what God did through that project and anticipatory of “The Word” coming our way quickly!  

Pure Religion

While I loved preaching in Kentucky this morning, I sure did miss being with my North Side family! I did get to check out things on Livestream for a bit though and I was worshiping along! So thankful that the South Carolina Youth Advocate Program joined us today to recruit some additional foster homes. The Peak band led us in …

READ MORE

Family Night – Go Global

Saturday’s night Family Night was incredible! Our team converted the Family Life Center into an airport, airplane, and African village!

Doers of the Word

We always desire to make the Word the center of our services, but it is especially helpful when the text leading us today focuses on the Word! 19 This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear,slow to speak and slow to anger; 20 for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God. 21 Therefore, putting …

READ MORE

War Room – The Heart of the Movie

So excited for this movie to release on August 28, 2015.  “War Room” will be a catalyst for prayer warriors to rise up everywhere.

I am honored to be able to partner again with the Kendrick Brothers and LifeWay to develop a curriculum on prayer.  It is scheduled to release the same week as the movie.

Enjoy the video to discover more about the movie!  You are going to love it!

What is God’s Will for My Life?

One of the most frequent questions I receive is: “How do I know God’s will for my life?” The Bible answers this question very clear.  I hope this sermon will help you discover the answer. [This sermon is in a series of messages I make for a collegiate athletic team while they travel on the road.  Coaches make this time optional on Sunday mornings …

READ MORE

Don’t Be Deceived

Today’s services were guided by James 1:16-18: 16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. 18 Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind …

READ MORE

Jesus Is My Prozac

This church sign is all types of interesting: JESUS IS MY PROZAC This church sign means all types of meanings to all types of different people. Some will laugh, some agree, and some will even be offended.  Always think about what your outside message says to those on the outside.

Lyrics to “How We’ve Fallen”

So far, we have shared 5 songs from “The Word” project on a Sunday morning.  Yesterday, the fifth offering was a song entitled “How We’ve Fallen” and it tells the story of Adam and Eve succumbing to temptation and bringing about the Fall of Mankind (Genesis 3).  Since we were in James 1:15-17 on temptation, it made a great place …

READ MORE