Back up and running

Finally, we're back to publishing online again. The links below are to the series we did starting in July originally by Andy Stanly called Lo$t. Throughout this series, we'll be coming back around the idea that you can't be a fully devoted follower of Jesus Christ and stay lost in your finances - Jesus had too much to say about money and how we handle it for us to think its okay to just ignore what He said.

Week 1: Sudden Realization - All of us have started out on a journey with some self assurance that we knew where we were starting from and confidence in how to get where we wanted to go. But we've all found ourselves lost at some point, no matter how much self assurance and confidence we started with. These two can't prevent us from ever getting lost. The question is, are you lost when it comes to your finances?

Week 2: Moving to Higher Ground - After you've come to grips with the fact you are probably lost when it comes to your personal finances, now what? Let's take a look at how God views our stuff and get some perspective from Him. It may not be what you think...

Week 3: Flashback - The problem for most reading this isn't that you don't have much, but that you have way more than you really need and more than most people in the world have. Why? This message will help you as you try to understand why God has given you so much and what He wants you to do because of it.

Week 4: Finding Shelter - Discontentment can be a good thing - major movements in culture have happened because people became discontent with some groups in society not being treated fairly. When it comes to our finances, being discontent is what leads to a lot of our problems down the road, never being satisfied with what we have and always going after the next new thing. Listen in on this message - there is a better way.

Week 5: Rescued - Here's where the rubber meets the road. We've all been lost in one way or another during our lives, and many people spend most of their lives lost when it comes to their finances. In the conclusion to this series, we see that God's way is a better way, and we don't have to stay lost forever. Here are some real world steps to help you get back onto the road you might have thought you were on and a map that can get you there if you follow it.

Msg: Kingdom Rewards

I heard a speaker yesterday at the Big Ticket Festival say that Jesus was compelling. He spoke about the same passage of Scripture we talked about last week - Jesus telling His first disciples to follow Him and He would make them fishers of men. Today we advance the story a little further and listen to part of a message Jesus gave to a group of people that had gathered on a hillside to hear Him speak. Yeah, you could say He was compelling. And Jesus was still teaching His disciples how to be fishers of men.

You see, it's not about a gimmick or some special formula - it's about sharing the words of life that matter most. And Jesus spoke about the difference between doing things for the approval of others and what it means to have a kingdom mindset and operate out a heart for the Lord. Jesus taught that day about the rewards our Father in heaven has waiting for us when we do things to show our love to Him, not for what others might give us.

In the middle of all this is when Jesus taught on how to pray, not what to pray. And in that, he taught a truth we often forget about what blocks the blessings of our Father. But enough reading: click on the title above and hear it for yourself.

Msg: A Sea of Opportunities

Yesterday we started a new series at Northland on the Kingdom of Heaven. So many times, we get to thinking of heaven being a far off place we will be in someday. Jesus talked about it very differently. He said to change the way we think and act (now), because the kingdom of heaven is near. What did He mean? Take a listen and maybe your thoughts about heaven and your time here on earth may change. The story we looked at gave an example of four guys who changed their thinking and their lives were never the same. Sorry for the poor audio quality, one of the mics wasn't working correctly Sunday. If you're patient the sound gets better part way through.

Msg: Embracing the Negatives

It's a great feeling to know you can trust someone. As a pastor, it seems like you are always on the go. Last weekend, our denomination held it's National Conference that occurs every other year. The theme was XLR8 - Spread the Gospel quickly. You can read more by taking the link to the right for the Bishop's Blog. It was refreshing to know that I could trust God to take care of things at Northland while I was gone. It's not about me anyway.

Back home, Jeff Layman gave a great message about taking the approach God would like us to when dealing with situations in life that we would often rather not have to deal with. Give a listen and be encouraged to think about how you handle the tough stuff, and maybe you too will embrace the negatives next time.

Msg: Things to Remember - Future

Are you living for the moment, or are you living every day like you are preparing for death? I mean, death is a pretty sure thing - we just don't know when it will be. Are you ready? What do you think happens next? These are questions people wrestle with, and maybe you think you've got the answers. How do you know you are right? This message concluding our series on things to remember may make you stop and think about the answers you've come up with to these questions, and it may help you in your conversations with others you know who are wrestling with these same issues.

Msg: Things to Remember - Present

In week two of our series on Things to Remember, our focus question dealt with the opportunities or choices we face right now that have the potential to change or shape our lives the most. Like last weeks message, we may not always see the significance of an event before or even while it's happening.

The story we looked at this morning was of a woman who didn't know her life was going to change forever that day. She just go up like normal and planned to go about her business as usual when no one else would be at the well. Are you eyes open to the possibilities God has around you?

Msg: Things to Remember - Past

This message from Northland on 5/17/09 was the first in a three part series on "Things to Remember." Do you ever have a hard time remember things? In part one, we look at the idea of learning from our past and how that continues to help us look at the best question ever, "What is the WISE thing for me to do?" God never wastes a joy or a tear, and the the things we go through in life are a part of His plan for His glory.

We looked at a passage of Scripture from the book of Deuteronomy where God told Moses to remind parents to make their history and remembrance of God's deliverance a part of their everyday life and to be ready to explain to thier children what God has done.

Msg: Faith Worth Following

For anything to be worth following, you must believe that it will make things better for you in some way. For example, we follow paths that we think will get us where we want to go. But what does it mean to have a faith worth following? Listen to this message about the impact that you could have on someone else by the way you live your life, which is what your faith is really about. After all, your faith is a lot more about what you do, rather than just what you say.

Msg: The One and Only

How many times have you heard someone or something introduced as "The One and Only" before? This morning we looked at prayer and the need to get out of the rut of saying "Lord I praise you for who You are" and never really thinking about who God is. One of the ways to do this is by praying through some of the names or attributes of God, not just "who You are." Listen to this message about Jesus being the "One and Only" and think about how you prayer life has been going. Is He the One and Only in your life?

Msg: Fake Friendship

In the second half of our series on friendships, we looked this morning at what you might call a fake friendship. Jesus was asked once what the most important law or rule was to follow. He said that we should love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength - and love our neighbor as ourselves. Putting God and the needs of others ahead of our own desires, that's a good definition of what true friendship is all about. So what does that really look like? The beginning chapters of the book of Acts describe what life was like in the early church. They got it, until one couple tried to look like everybody else. Listen in and hear their story of a fake friendship.

Msg: Taking Bad Advice

Let's be honest - all of us are still figuring out life, and it doesn't always go as smoothly as we wish it would. Every now and then (and more often if we tell the truth) we could use some advice to get through the tough stuff. But how do you know who or what to listen to? I think the Bible gives us a great example of someone who listened to and took some bad advice. I think the Bible also points us to the One we should listen to the most and how. Listen to this message and see if it helps you to avoid taking bad advice in your life and who you should be listening to.

Msg: A Great Time...to Heal an Old Wound

Happy Easter!

As we celebrated Easter at Northland, we did things a little different than usual. We started with an early service where we were "visited by the Apostle Peter," who told us about some of the toughest days of his life, and when he finally understood the message of the cross and what forgiveness really means. You can hear that message by clicking hear.

Afterwords, we went downstairs and shared an amazing breakfast together. We then invited everyone as they were ready to go back upstairs to experience some thought provoking opportunities to consider what Jesus did for us on the way to the cross and the forgiveness He provided.

The message during our main service concluded our series on time, and continued our theme for the day of forgiveness. Each of us is born with a wound, and it probably does not take much thought to bring to mind someone who has wounded us. So what does forgiveness really look like? Today we discovered the difference between hurting and healing. May this message inspire you to be bold enough today to contact someone you need to and heal an old wound in their life. For some, this may be the time you ask Jesus to come in and heal an old wound in your life.

Msg: A Great Time...to Kill a Parasite

FYI - For those looking for last week's message, here it is - sort of. Due to the low attendance last Sunday (more snow again) and a technical glitch that gave us a recording of static, I prayed about it and decided to give the same message twice. Nobody complained that was here both weeks.

Parasites are nasty critters that live by sucking the life out of something else. Having dealt with parasites in the past, I can assure you that you don't ever want one. The problem is, some of us don't realize we have them in our lives right now. Today's message will help you learn how to kill a parasite in your spiritual life.

Msg: A Great Time...to Clear the Clutter

With the snow finally leaving and the beginning of Spring finally here, I can't help but think about summer. I remember enjoying the carnival as a kid every summer, but the one place I avoided most was the "fun house." You remember, all those funny mirrors and the maze at the end? I hate being lost and not having a true sense of reality. I also hate being surrounded by clutter, because it blocks me from seeing life for what it really is. A lot of stuff just gets in the way. It's a lot like being stuck in the fun house.

Jesus encountered people all the time who needed to deal with the clutter in their lives. He had a great way of telling stories that helped people see what their world was really like around them, and what mattered most. Listen to the latest message in our series on time and see a couple of ways that all of us have been hampered by some clutter that may be blocking our most vital relationships. And remember, help is just a prayer away.

Msg: A Great Time...to Keep Your Promises

Jesus had an impressive way of taking the familiar and giving new meaning in ways that left His audience pondering anew what they thought they had always known. The sermon on the mount is full of examples. Several times, Jesus said, "You have heard it was said to the people long ago..." and then takes the familiar and makes it fresh. I wish I was better at that. Then again, I might not depend upon Him so much if I did.

This morning we looked at one of those times where Jesus got His hearers to think about the way they make promises or oaths or vows. It seems very fitting for us in a day when talk is cheap and words are said with no true meaning behind them. Please give this a listen and see if it makes you think about the commitments you have made to God and others and how you are doing at keeping up your promises.

Msg: A Great Time...to Stop Wasting

Many people spend a lot of time wondering what time it is. A better question is, "What are you doing with your time?" Your time is really your life. This morning we started a new series about time and how we spend it. We began by going back to where we started the year and posed the question, "What is the wise thing for me to do?" This time, we looked at a few verses from Ephesians 5 again and discovered some time management principles God wants us to consider. If you will take the next 30 minutes to listen to this message, it just might change your life.

Msg: Business Unusual - Cheaters

Today we concluded our series on Business Unusual at Northland. Actually, today was a good transition into our next series on time as well.

As we think about time, we realize there is never enough of it to get everything done that we want to. Trying to balance the needs at home and the wants of the marketplace means we end up cheating somewhere because we just can't get it all done. The question is, who gets cheated - your family or the marketplace? Today we looked at the sad reality that most of the time we cheat at home and ask God to fill in the gaps there while we are gone more and more to work. Is that the way God wants us to live? Listen in and see if today becomes a defining point in your life and what Scriptures have to tell us about making the tough choices about handling business unusual.

After the message, I shared a bit more about the transitions that have been taking place at Northland as we begin today with our new Sr. Leadership Team. Click here to listen.

Msg: Business Unusual - Not What, But Who

We are almost to the end of our series on Business Unusual here at Northland. This morning we looked at our responsibility when it comes to following directions at work - even when the new program or idea doesn't sound like a good one to us. God's Word gives us clear instruction on how we are to respond when our boss asks us to do something that we don't think is going to work. The answer may surprise you. I challenge you to listen and try applying this in your work setting, and then watch for the blessings that may come.

Msg: Business Unusual - Shiners

In part three of our "Business Unusual" series, we looked at part of a passage of Scripture called the Sermon on the Mount. People were so interested in what Jesus had to say, that large crowds would gather just to hear Him. One day He went up on a hillside and was speaking to those that had gathered. He reminded the people of the charge given to the Israelites long ago to be a light to the Gentiles. In other words, their mission as God's chosen people was to live in such a way that the nations around them would ask questions and they would be able to point them to their God. By the time Jesus came, God's people were merely trying to survive, not share their faith to a world living in darkness.

The same could be said of some churches today - we are merely trying to survive, not spread the light. Jesus told His followers they are the light of the world. One of the darkest places many of us encounter is in our business. In this message we look at five ways we can be a light in our workplace. We also start off with a warning about some ways not to try to be a light. Enjoy, and let your little light shine!

Msg: Business Unusual - Tough Choices

In part two of our series on Business Unusual, we dug deeper into the idea of living out our values in the workplace the same as we do in other relationships in our lives.

In the first part of the message, we looked at the question of what we do when we are asked to do things which violate our beliefs as immoral or unethical. We looked at the idols we bow to and the long term losses we face when we try to live in two different worlds - when we allow some things as "just part of business" that we wouldn't do in other settings. We were reminded from a familiar story from the Old Testament, that God is the one in control of our lives, not those around us. It's the same today in the place we work at.

In the last part of the message, we looked at our responsibilities as employers or bosses to the people God has allowed to come under our authority and care for a time. We looked at the kind of environment we should work to establish and the how to remain competitive while not ignoring God's call to be different.

I pray that no matter where you fit on the spectrum between "slave" and "master" in your work setting, you find encouragement as you listen.

Msg: Business Unusual - Who's the Boss?

This morning we started a new series at Northland called, "Business Unusual." February is a busy month at the church with activities that don't normally happen. It seemed fitting in all of this to look at how God wants us to behave and relate to Him outside the church in the job market. Much of the content this month will come from ideas out of an older series by Andy Stanley called "Taking Care of Business." The principles from God's Word are timeless, and particularly fitting in our economy today.

This morning we began the series looking at who we really work for, and God's desire for how we do this, no matter what the job is we have today. I pray you will find encouragement as you listen and reflect on the place God has you in today. Have a blessed day at work tomorrow.

Msg: Life's Battles: My Heart

This morning we concluded our series on Life's Battles. Again we looked at the progress of Joshua leading God's chosen people into the land He had promised them many years before. As the Israelites went up against their next enemy at Ai, something very unexpected happened. Joshua didn't know why this had happened. The same type of thing can happen in our lives. We can find applications to our lives today when we look at what happened then.

The battle for your heart is one that goes on your entire life. Listen to today's message and take encouragement for how to stay on the winning side of this battle.

Msg: Life's Battles: Fear

So much for all the blowing snow they warned us about on the news. Prayer works!

In week 2 of our series on Life's Battles, we looked at the issue of fear. We can all come up with cute things we are willing to tell others we are afraid of like snakes and spiders... But if we are honest, we are afraid of things we don't want anyone else to know:
Fear of the economy
Fear of death
Fear of rejection
Fear of someone else finding out what we don’t want them to know about us
Fear of the unknown

As we started looking last week, God repeatedly told Joshua to be strong and courageous. Today we will continue the story of Joshua leading God’s people and talk about the secrets to overcoming the next battle in life - our deep, dark fears.

Msg: Life's Battles: Significance

On the heels of asking, "What's the wise thing for me to do?" last week, we started a new series this morning called "Life's Battles" which follows part of the life of Joshua leading God's people into the promised land.

From the time we are children, we each face a battle in life for significance, asking the question, "Do I matter?" This morning, we looked at the secret to winning the battle for significance in life. As you listen to this message, you will hear a reference near the end to the song "Already" by the group Rush of Fools. I can't include it in the recording here, but you can hear it along with a powerful video by clicking here after you've listened to the message. May God grant you peace as you look at the battle you've fought in your life for significance and fight no more.

Msg: The Best Question Ever

Happy New Year! After having to cancel last week due to weather, we were determined to get together if we could this week, and the Lord provided just enough clear roads to get many together this morning. As we start the new year, we are looking at a theme for the year that follows up to last year's - God can be trusted. This year, we will be asking,

"What is the wise thing for me (and Northland) to do?"

This message comes from a series Andy Stanley did a number of years ago at his churches in the Atlanta, Georgia area. When I first heard it last fall, I knew it was something my friends needed to hear. I pray you will blessed with it and that your life will be changed because of it.