I stayed up way too late last night watching everything come in; it’s not that it is too late, but it is when your six month old still wakes you up too early! It was a historical night, and here are some of my thoughts: Regarding Civil Rights: Our country has come a really long way. Regardless of what you …
This week’s bad church sign is a church who has on their sign: “VBS Walk thru the Bilbe.” While walking through the Bible at VBS is a daunting task, it is even more daunting to walk through a bilbe. What exactly is a bilbe? It sounds like a flying creature on Hoth in Star Wars. “I would take off in …
Jesus has truly used Billy Graham in this world, and since I read his 700 page autobiography, some things really stuck out to me: Few people have experienced a more significant influence on the spread of the gospel throughout the entire world than evangelist Billy Graham. Many people have praised Graham’s integrity, ability, and ingenuity, and no one can deny …
We started a new series today at North Side entitled, “Sticks and Stones.” I was pretty excited about this series starting. Jeff did a great job talking about a murmuring mouth this morning. When Jeff said this morning that we all know people we avoid due to their complaining mouth. It made me wonder, “Am I that person for anybody? …
This week’s book of the week is An Emergent Manifesto of Hope edited by Doug Pagitt and Tony Jones. This book contained 25 emergent leaders writing on differing issues within the church from the emergent church perspective. If you are not savy on the emergent church, it is a group of church leaders who believe that the modern church needs …
I try to live by a quote from the missionary martyr, Jim Elliot, who stated, “Wherever you are, be all there.” That profound statement reminds me that no matter my circumstances, I need to remain wholly focused on where God has planted me and represent Him well during that time. With that being said, I have to confess that I …
This Sunday, we are starting a new series at North Side called, “Sticks and Stones.” History behind the idea: Jeff and I had planned all of 2008’s teaching last year, but due to the campaign and other church events, we decided to scratch some of our series and leave them in a goodie bag for future use. That meant that …
Armed with a new album, Point of Grace heads to Greenwood for a full concert with special guest, American Idol finalist Phil Stacey. The concert will be preceded by a special Girls of Grace event for teenage girls and their Moms (details below). You don’t want to miss this! It’s all happening on Sunday November 9 at North Side Baptist …
This week’s bad church sign of the week is a picture from St. Andrew’s which states: “Net income tithing only gets you net abundant blessings.” I thought I would bring this sign up this week due to all the financial crises going on in America right now. The concept which is a common question among some people I have talked …
The Time Is Now is a recording by North Side Worship released Oct. 28, 2008. Track Listing The Time Is Now Let God Arise All Things New Made Me Glad Your Home Everlasting God Glorious One Make Me Holy God of This City Your Home (Reprise) Friend of God May Your Life Be Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone) …
Yesterday was an amazing day at North Side. At our one service at 10:00, we had people sitting on the stage and all over the place, but it was a great day in the life of our church. My day started off kinda funny. I was alone in the auditorium before 8:00 getting my praise on to some Kirk Franklin …
This week’s book of the week is Bruce Demarest’s The Cross and Salvation. This hefty theological treatise is a slim 544 pages but is a great read even if it isn’t the easiest. Whenever you read about Jesus, time truly does seem to fly. Top 5 Thoughts: “Biblical salvation thus has past, present, and future dimensions.” Demarest’s words are pivotal …
As the election gets closer by the day, it is always interesting to me how faith and politics get intermingled. Some churches and pastors are very vocal from the pulpit concerning issues or who they support. Other churches don’t discuss the issue declaring the need for separation of church and state. Our country is in the middle of crazy times. …
Here’s a few of the recent Obadiah pics for you to enjoy:
Yesterday, in my class at Lander, I was teaching on the cosmological argument for the existence of God. We are in the part of the semester where we are looking at sacred texts of monotheistic religions, and so I am presenting three of the major philosophical arguments for God. The cosmological argument is an argument based on the cosmos – …
Below is the Now video intro from our current series. The music playing is part of the intro track on our new CD. Dave did a fantastic job with it – hope you like!
I am going to add an addition to my blog today. Many of you know about my obsession with bad church signs. So many of them are actually harmful to the church’s message, and the congregations never really think about the message they are sending. So I hope my humorous approach will help some people think about communicating with an …
What another great Sunday at North Side. We kept moving along in our Now series, and yesterday was great. Highlights: Sonshine – Yesterday, JW and Tammy led us in worship. JW and Tammy are members of our Sonshien ministry, a worship service for adults with special needs and their caretakers. JW came and welcomed and prayed for the service and …
This week’s book of the week is none other than Chuck Lawless’ Membership Matters. I read this book because he required it for my next class time with him. Dr. Lawless is the dean of my school, friend, mentor, and also an incredible writer. But I also read it because Jeff and I have been doing a lot of talking …
For those of you wanting for some more sights from Fusion on Tuesday, here is a video for your viewing pleasure:
When we decided that the series and church emphasis was going to be entitled “Now,” I wanted to write a song that could serve as a sermon intro video, a recap song, and an intro on the CD. I didn’t want to write a song that was cheesy. I didn’t want to force the song. But I knew I wanted …
Last night was a blast. We were surprised to see so many college students and 20-somethings show up last night for a great time of worship. I didn’t know where half of the people came from or who they were! It was a fun night for sure. Highlights: Churches Working Together – Thanks to South Main, First Baptist, and Calvary …
The song, “Make Me Holy,” is a song that I wrote probably a year and a half ago. It was one of those songs that was birthed out of my personal quality times with God. In my own desire for holiness, I felt like I kept coming up short. I wanted two specific things in my life: Consistency Obedience By …
Don’t forget to come out to Fusion tonight at the Greenwood Community Theatre at 7:30. All college students and 20-somethings (as well as people who like to minister to this group) are welcomed to come out for an awesome night of getting our praise on. Here’s the night’s specifics: Doors open at 7 Service starts promptly at 7:30 with a …
What a Sunday. I am still thinking about things that God was teaching me yesterday. It was truly an incredible day. Highlights: Peak – Being led in worship by our Peak band is always a privilege. They love Jesus and it shows. CD Release – I was so thrilled to hear that so many people picked up a CD yesterday …
As we were praying and planning months ago over the Now Campaign, we knew that our church was going to address aggressively a few issues, but one of those issues has a special burden on our staff’s heart right now: the family. As we began to look at what our staff addresses most weeks – the counseling sessions, the ministry …
This week’s book of the week is entitled Evaluating the Church Growth Movement. Edited by Gary McIntosh and Paul Engle, they gather five differing views on the Church Growth Movement. Many churchgoers are probably unaware that great controversy exists on whether or not churches should try new things or incorporate new methods in order to see a greater harvest. This …
The story behind the song “All Things New” is very different from many songs that I write. In one way, this song idea has been developing for a long time, but in other ways, this song took a short time to actually finish. When I had a weeklong class up at Southern Seminary back in January 08, I took my …
We are less than one week away from Fusion hitting the Greenwood Community Theatre. It will be Tuesday, October 14th at 7:30. Here’s the goods delivered by Trav and Obie:
My family and I had a great time at the Harvestfest this Saturday night. I heard there was something like 3500 people there. Todd Agnew was great. David Little and his crew did a fantastic job putting it all on. Dave Wright and his crew did a marvelous job taking care the A to the V to the L. Wonderful …
Yesterday was another incredible set of services at North Side. 2nd week of Now proved to be an impacting moment in the life of our church. Highlights from today’s services: Free Prisoner – Jerry Rentz has been going to the McCormick Correctional Institute for many years. In the last few years, some other guys from the church go on Monday …
I don’t know why Obie loves this new game so much. He flips a bib or a blanket over his face, he can’ t get it off, but he just kicks and howls in the process. He has so much fun, and I laugh my head off at him. Man, I love being a dad.
This week is busy. Its busy with good stuff though, but alas it is still busy. Here’s just a rundown of the stuff that’s keeping me alert this morning: CD Duplication – The company mastering our CD and duplicating them is deep in the process of it now. North Side Worship “The Time is Now” album is in mass production …
For the upcoming worship CD (out next Sunday), there are four originals coming out of the songwriters at North Side. I thought it would be helpful for you to hear the story behind the song. So, stay tuned for this “Storytellers” segment. Today’s edition features a guest blogger, none other than the uber-talented, John Kennerly. John wrote a song a …
My buddy, Jamie Parler (community pastor, drummer, Jenn’s husband, Elliot’s dad), left yesterday for the next couple of weeks to serve on a mission trip to Moldova. It’s kind of weird not having my office neighbor here today. I normally can hear his music through the wall (which could range from Truth ballads to Bon Jovi hooks), and I can …
Our campaign logo was plastered all around the church on Sunday and you will probably be seeing it a bunch around town via the Compass. While Cory and I worked on it a long time to make sure it was eyecatching, did you also know there is a hidden meaning in the logo? You dedicated blog readers will be privy …
We kicked off a new series this week, entitled, Now. Our staff has prayed and planned more for these next few weeks than any other emphasis I can remember. I don’t think that my mind can wrap around all the work that went into this day and leading up to this day. North Side is blessed to have a talented …
This week’s book of the week is Ken Hemphill’s Revitalizing the Sunday Morning Dinosaur. Hemphill makes a case for a Sunday school growth strategy that can work in churches. When he uses the term, “Sunday school,” he incorporates any effective small group strategy. While North Side has small groups and Sunday school, it is interesting to note that Sunday school …
This Sunday is going to be a special one for many reasons. One of those reasons is that we are making our Spiritual Life Notebook available in the bookstore at North Side this Sunday. Here’s the reasoning and info behind it: Discipline without direction is drudgery. Most Christians are told that they need to incorporate spiritual disciplines into their lives. …
The video below will blow your mind. I go back and watch this video from time and time to remind myself that I am such a basic musician. This video sometimes inspires me to play better and sometimes it makes me want to quit altogether! The video is off of Victor Wooten’s bass DVD. Victor is my favorite bass player …
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