Written by joshstarr — Posted 3 days, 4 hours ago at 3:26 pm. 0 comments — Category is devotional
Religion.
I think sometimes in life we drastically miss the point. This happens in many arenas, for example take Christmas morning. We often make Christmas all about lavishing gifts upon each other when in reality it has nothing to do with gifts at all, but you wouldn’t know that by looking at what we have made it. I used to work for a property management company, and our hardest hit of the year rent wise was always right after Christmas… because people spent all their money on presents. It’s a vicious cycle and warps what is meant to be a season of peace, quiet reflection, devotion and joy. And I think we have this tendency with a lot of things… to warp it, bend it and eventually break it.
We chronically miss the point.
And never more so than with religion. Even the sound of the word makes me cringe. We have completely destroyed this concept, we have given ourselves and the world around us an instant bad taste when it comes to “religion”. What is the first thing you thought of when I said religion?
I’d bet all my Christmas presents next year that it wasn’t a good thing and that is certainly wasn’t on point for what religion is supposed to be.
By the world’s definition, which in this case is supplied by a man named Webster religion is… a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, esp. when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs.
And that is our problem… that we see religion as a system of beliefs, or rules… because what religion quickly becomes in that line of thinking is a point of argument. Real religion is what James calls it is James 1:27…
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
So real religion my friends is taking care of hurting people, caring about others and not allowing yourselves to be stained and corrupted by this world’s skewed views. It’s refusing to accept this cheapened version of life and setting your sights on a higher calling, living by a different standard and inviting others to join you.
Take care of someone today. For no other reason than because you truly care about them. Make someone else’s life better, even if just for a few moments… and don’t let this world convince you that the point is something else.
— Josh Starr
Written by joshstarr — Posted 2 weeks ago at 10:30 am. 0 comments — Category is devotional
Mercy.
We live in a society that believes heavily in retribution. You do the crime, you pay the time. You commit a foul, to get penalized. You steal from me, I take from you. That is just the way it is, everyday, all around us. We have put great stock in payback, so much so that we see it as the only fair way to even the table and level the playing field. Imagine a world that is any different….
Imagine what would happen if in basketball players were allowed to show mercy. Imagine if you got fouled and you were allowed to forgive the other player and cancel the foul. My guess is no one would ever take advantage of that privilege… you see I think we have gotten to a place where we enjoy payback, it’s almost as though we feel we are getting a bonus out of it. We like to pay people back, one because we want to reap the benefits and two because we can’t stand the idea of someone getting away with something. We feel them getting off the hook is taking something away from us.
Matthew 5:7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
The word blessed translates to inexpressible joy. It means receiving more joy than you can comprehend. So what Jesus is essentially saying is those who practice mercy, will be overwhelmed with joy… and they will also receive mercy themselves.
Here is the idea… you have been redeemed, your redemption came via the cross, which occurred because of God’s mercy, and therefore you have been shown great mercy. If you have been shown great mercy and refuse to give mercy what does that say about your commitment to the cross? God desires His children whom He has given mercy to pass forward that mercy; with the promise that His mercy is abundant… it keeps coming. On top of that God will give us joy, true joy and lots of it. But here is the problem… are you willing to exchange your pride… for joy.
You see many people have fooled themselves into thinking they can supply their own joy… but Jesus is very clear that the joy He offers cannot be found anywhere else. So are you willing to give up your fake, temporary joy for real joy. Are you willing to not always get your way, to give mercy to people who often won’t appreciate it and often don’t appear to deserve mercy. Will you show grace that does not ask questions?
Your job when you pass a homeless person is not to determine whether they deserve help, whether they are helping their own cause, whether they are lazy or guilty of some sin… your job is to love them. Your job is to give them the mercy you have already received, the mercy you didn’t deserve and didn’t have to work for. Maybe that comes through a few dollars, maybe a meal, maybe a conversation or maybe just a simple smile that acknowledges that they are a person too.
Find a way today… to feel the inexpressible joy that comes with sharing the mercy that has been lavished upon us.
— Josh Starr
Written by joshstarr — Posted 2 weeks, 1 day ago at 11:36 am. 0 comments — Category is devotional
Chosen.
We are embarking on a journey together. I will be honest up front and admit I don’t really know where it is going and I think that is ok… I have found that when it comes to following God the journey is just as impacting as the destination. God will mess us up as we pursue Him, He will break our hearts… and then rebuild them… stronger, softer and more sensitive to His will. I think it’s going to be a very cool journey and I hope you will take it… but that choice, like many along the journey, is yours.
There is something about being chosen. I can remember playing basketball on the playground and each and every day my number one aspiration was to be the first person picked when we divided up teams. It’s a good feeling to know you are wanted, that someone believes in you. This was especially true for little Jewish boys. Every little Jewish boy had a dream of growing up to be a great Rabbi. In fact every Jewish boy initially went to school for this purpose, to become a great teacher of God’s word, however few made that dream a reality. It was tough. You were required to memorize scripture… lots of scripture… the whole Old Testament in fact. You were required to debate and defend Theology. You were required to preach and most of all you were required to live out what you preached 24 hours a day. It was a grueling process and few students survived, but the ones who did… at the culmination of their studies were picked by a Rabbi to follow him, to learn everything about him and his teachings and then carry on his ministry. This was the highest honor in all of Jewish culture and it only went to the best of the best. So what happened to those that didn’t get picked? They went on to learn their family trade and live normal lives, however my guess is they never forgot about what they could have been, if only they had gotten picked.
Matthew 4:18 As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” 20 At once they left their nets and followed him.
So Jesus walks up on these brothers, who are obviously participating in their family trade, which obviously means at some point they didn’t get picked, and He…. Picks them. He chooses them, to follow Him. He makes disciples out of men who this world would never have chosen, Jesus sees potential in those who the world has given up on. And here is the crazy part… after three years with these men… He tells them to not only carry on His ministry, but make disciples out of… everyone. Choose everyone He says. That means you. That means that Jesus, the greatest Rabbi of all…. Chooses you. Because He believes in you.
We have been chosen. First we were ransomed at a high price… given life again, and now we are chosen… to know Him, to follow Him and to make His name known among the whole earth. Live today like you believe that. Live today in a way that will make others believe that. Share the joy of being chosen with someone else today… give them the opportunity to embark on a journey that will not only change their lives… but change the world as we know it.
— Josh Starr
Written by joshstarr — Posted 2 weeks, 3 days ago at 3:52 pm. 0 comments — Category is news
If you are interested in exploring God’s word on a deeper level check out all the electives that Northside offers at our Bible Elective Web Page. You can sign up for your favorite elective there as well.
Northside offers several electives that never change, which are:
SOUL FOCUS SINGLES
FRIENDSHIP (seniors 50+)
SPECIAL NEEDS
Walking Through the Word
We also have electives that change every two months. If you’re interested in viewing those, please check our page here.
— Josh Starr
Written by joshstarr — Posted 1 month ago at 11:56 am. 10 comments — Category is event
Since 1970 the annual Ichthus festival has been the perfect hangout for youth groups all over the country. Tons of music. Tons of teaching. Tons of time to spend with one of the largest Christian families in America.
Make Ichthus 2008 your spiritual retreat. Come to listen. Come to live.
The Ichthus festival, as a part of Ichthus Ministries, is an outdoor Christian festival that started in 1970 as a Christian response to Woodstock. For 38 years Ichthus has focused on being an event where you or your youth group can have some fun BUT also have a chance to just listen and to just live.
Around 20,000 people migrate to Wilmore, Kentucky where they get to hear some of the top names in youth ministry, hear some incredible music and do some other fun stuff as well. Imagine a “tent city” built on the hillside of some of the beautiful bluegrass country of Kentucky. Imagine having a chance to catch your breath from all the insanities of life and fellowship with a ridiculous amount of like-minded brothers in Christ.
The Ichthus family is one that has grown and evolved over many years. It feels a lot like “going home” and sitting outside on the back porch reading a good book. Your neighbors are always friendly. You all know why you’re here. Ichthus has always been about celebrating the incredible and gracious Lord we have in Jesus Christ.
Join us Friday April 25th at 7pm in the Centrum for the Kickoff of Ichthus 2008! Bands include; Day of Fire, Redline-Live and Brent Bramer & The Rising. In the Centrum.
— Josh Starr
Written by joshstarr — Posted 1 month ago at 2:43 pm. 0 comments — Category is news
We have 5 Jesus paintings that we are selling to anyone who is interested.
All proceeds go to our “Beyond Ourselves” campaign.
The paintings are 8 feet x 8 feet. So keep that in mind when you are placing your bid.
If you are interested in placing a Silent Auction Bid, please leave your email in the reply below, and we will contact you for your Bid!
— Josh Starr
Written by aliciaatchley — Posted 1 month, 1 week ago at 2:29 pm. 2 comments — Category is article
I would like to share something very personal and kind of embarrassing with you all . . . last week, I had an ingrown toenail. I know, GROSS!! I have the Epsom salt, I bought stock in Band-Aid and Neosporin and for the next few days I will continue to wrap my foot in Syran Wrap so it doesn’t get wet in the shower. Too personal?
Here’s the thing about my funky toe . . . I think it was a gift from God. You heard me right! Funky toe equals gift from above. You see, last week was also one of the most emotionally trying and physically uncomfortable times in my life so far. Not ready to share that info yet, but thought you should know why I could be happy for a sore toe. You know when you are in the middle of one of life’s storms and the rain is pouring so hard you can’t see? That was my week last week . . . and then God showed up with an umbrella . . . in the form of an injured extremity.
The pain and discomfort of one big toe was able to take my mind off the bigger problem at hand. I even got a good laugh at how ridiculous I looked hobbling around the office. God sheltered me from the rain so that I could have a chance to rest, dry out and listen to His voice in the pitter patter of falling drops. He is so good. And you know that calm that comes after the storm? Isn’t it peaceful? And doesn’t it make you appreciate being dry?
I know this might have been too much information . . . but I just wanted to offer encouragement to anyone who might be going through a storm. God WILL be your umbrella . . . but don’t be surprised if it’s not the traditional device used to keep you dry.
“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Thank you God for being my shelter in the storm . . . and thank you Lord for my funky toe.
— Alicia Atchley
Written by traviswhalen — Posted 1 month, 1 week ago at 3:44 pm. 0 comments — Category is article
I have been kicking myself lately over an introspective observation…. I smile and nod a lot in public situations. You know when you are walking down the street and passing various strangers, of whom you know nothing and probably never will, and you paste on this token smile that you distribute freely to anyone who will take it? Yah I do that a lot. And for a long time I have passed that through my conscious as totally acceptable and even at times God pleasing. I like to think that God likes when I smile at people, that I have done a good thing, brightened someone’s day even. However we serve a God that wants to see His children progress… and even grow. So even though a few years ago when I decided to start smiling at people in public it was immensely God pleasing… I feel now it has become complacent. I feel it has been stripped of any good intent and now solely exists as routine. I think this happens a lot in our walk with God. We renovate a small aspect of our lives by adding or removing something and at first it seems to change everything, but eventually the glitter fades and we forget why we were doing it in the first place. I think it’s because we treat these situations as a check on a list. Every time we change something we check that list and say there is another way I have grown closer to God… and then we forget about it. I forget that the reason I wanted to start smiling at people was to become more relational… smiling was a good start but it lacked progressiveness. So what if I stopped just smiling and started extended a hand or exchanging a word? What if we stopped just doing this one small thing to be like Jesus and added a few small things… that lead to big things…. and bigger things. God wants to see His children push themselves, to run this race with endurance, like we are intending to win it… not just make a good showing. So let’s take things a step further.
Can you guys see areas where you need to push the limits?
What about as a church? Are there areas where we could challenge each other more?
— Travis Whalen
Written by joshstarr — Posted 1 month, 2 weeks ago at 9:13 am. 0 comments — Category is event
Blood Drive
We will be assisting the American Red Cross with a blood drive on Mar 31, 3:00-8:00pm, in the Foundry. Visit the Welcome Center to schedule an appointment or drop by at your convenience. For more info contact Sheryl at 542-4047
Romania Mission Trip
You can still sign up! Fund Raising meeting Sun, Mar 30, 1:00pm in the Foundry. Pizza and drinks provided.
Real Moms “Night at the Races”
Date night on Fri, Apr 4, 6:30 to 8:30pm in the Centrum! Will include Derby fare food, commemorative Derby pics, and table games for door prize chances. Cost is $15, $20 with childcare. See the women’s booth for more info.
Aerobics Classes
Mon at 5:30pm and Wed at 8:30am in room 206. Classes are for all fitness levels and include step, kickboxing, weight training and abdominals. Cost is $2.00/class. Contact ReginaTetley@hotmail.com for more info.
God’s Girls
Girls Night In: Craft Night, Apr 3rd. Come and enjoy a night of painting a bird house, eating, and gabbing. Please stop by the women’s booth to sign up and for details.
Men’s Breakfast
Apr 5, 7:30am, Centrum. Special guest Steve Kragthorpe, U of L Football Coach. Cost $5.00. Sign up at the men’s booth.
— Josh Starr
Written by joshstarr — Posted 1 month, 2 weeks ago at 4:06 pm. 4 comments — Category is article
As we get this Blog going, I thought it would be interesting if we let You write this article… So here’s the question:
How, When, Where did you see God do amazing things here at Northside during the Easter weekend? Or anytime during Easter this year?
It was a powerful moment for me when the two paintings came together on the main stage this weekend to form Jesus’ face. Even though I knew what they were painting, it was still an amazing moment of awe when it finally came together. Truly a moment of worship.
So Click Here to share your story! Maybe we’ll all share in a moment of awe of how awesome God is.
— Josh Starr