The Great Blue Bell Famine 

of 2015

This summer, tragedy struck the great state of Texas.  Blue Bell Ice Cream announced it would be halting production of a staple of most Texan's diets.  Immediately Facebook, Twitter, and the internet were abuzz with photos of people weeping in the aisles of our local HEB, and savoring their last few bites of Blue Bell that they had stock piled in their refrigerator.  Just reading this probably brings back the pain of that moment for many. 

A few weeks ago Blue Bell announced that you would again be able to get your favorite treat in some towns throughout the state.  The next day traffic between Victoria and Hallettsville increased tenfold….. well maybe not that much, but many made the trip to get their beloved treat.

Why all this talk of Blue Bell you ask?  I wondered occasionally during that time how we might feel if some of our other things disappeared or where delayed.  How would people react if we had a Bible shortage or a shortage of church services?  How would people react if they simply misplaced their Bible?  Would Facebook be a buzz, or would it be the topic of conversation around the water cooler?  Sadly, I doubt this would be the case.  Often times we are guilty of taking for granted what we have, and our spiritual walk is of no exception. We should be filled with a strong desire to spend time with God.  Read the following scriptures to see what the Bible tells us about what our desire for the Lord should look like.

“I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my daily bread.” Job 23:12

“Like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord.” 1 Peter 2:2

“As the deer pants for the water, so my soul longs for You, O God.” Psalm 42:1

All of this is not to say we should not be sad about the loss of our favorite ice cream but it is to say that when we miss our quiet time, corporate worship, prayer time, etc. there should be a strong longing in our heart for that time.  Do you crave your time with the Lord?  Do you miss Him when you get busy and forget to make time for Him?  Do you miss church when you are unable to attend?The “Great Bluebell Famine of 2015” has caused me to take a look at my priorities and move a few things around on the list to make sure that my relationship with Christ is front and center.   Have you done that lately?

For the Journey,
Tom

Finding the right path and staying on it!

Finding the right path and staying on it!

This summer, while on vacation in Colorado, Grant and I had the privilege of going hiking with my 80 years old dad in the Colorado wilderness.  Almost every year, since before I was born, my father has gone to Colorado in October to elk hunt.  Every year trees fall across the trail due to storms and old age, and must be cut out of the path for the pack horses to get through.  So our job was walking up the trail and clearing the path – not an easy task.  As we walked and talked we came to a spot in the forest that the path we were on disappeared due to all of the under growth.  We all begin walking around looking for what we thought was the right path.  With some luck we found it, and were successful at reaching the elk camp.

                Take a look at Psalms 1: Oh, the joys of those who do not follow evil men’s advice, who do not hang around with sinners, scoffing at the things of God.  But they delight in doing everything God wants them to, and day and night are always meditating on his laws and thinking about ways to follow him more closely.  They are like trees along a river bank bearing luscious fruit each season without fail.  Their leaves shall never wither, and all they do shall prosper.  But for sinners, what a different story!  They blow away like chaff before the wind.  They are not safe on Judgment Day; they shall not stand among the godly.  For the Lord watches over all the plans and paths of Godly men, but the paths of the godless lead to doom.

                If you stop and looked at your life right now, what path would you discover? The right path or one that is leading you into destruction?  Who is on the path with you?  Are they like minded and leading you to Christ, or are you following evil men’s advice?  Slowly read through this passage once again, pausing and letting each verse sink in.   For those that seek to follow after God, great things are in their future.  But for those that choose to go on a different path – bad things are in store.  If you find yourself on the wrong path stop.  Begin walking/looking around for the right path.  Sometimes we have to place our trust in God and switch paths.  Later we look back and discover that was the best decision we could have made.   

                I was thankful that I had my 80 year old father on the trail with us that day.  Once we found the trail again, he knew we were on the right path that would lead us to elk camp.  Without his guidance I might still be in the mountains of Colorado looking for the right path.  Our journey is to be one that we find joy on.  Look around you this week.  Who do you see is going down the wrong path?  What can you do to help them?    See you on the path.

for the journey…

Mike

In Galatians 6:7, I'm reminded of a truth I try to keep before me..."Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows." The Biblical principle of reaping what we sow is as true today as it was when Jesus walked the earth.

Sowing precedes reaping...and sowing matters.  Sowing is work; it takes time and effort.

If you eat three times a day, you'll have twenty-one meals in a week to nourish your physical well-being. Nourishment is required regularly for our physical well being.

We can think of our spiritual well-being in the same way. Some feel that attending a Worship Service once a week is enough bible study and worship to receive adequate spiritual nourishment. Physically, I'd not make it long on one meal a week. I'd become unhealthy in a short amount of time. While the illustration between the physical and spiritual has limits, there is truth to the Biblical principle of sowing and reaping.

I was privileged to serve as a Minister of Students for fifteen years. I can't count the number of times I heard a student say, "When I was at Youth Camp I felt so close to God...now that I'm back to my regular routine, why do I not feel as close to God?" The truth...at camp they were spending 3-4 hours a day in bible study and worship with other followers of Jesus.  Am I recommending you do this three times a day? Not necessarily, it just points to the fact that you reap what you sow.

Involvement in Northside GroupLife is a way you can take a step forward in sowing into your spiritual well-being. At Northside, we have Sunday School Groups, Small Groups, Discipleship Groups, Journey Groups and Support Groups. Each group has different purposes and strengths, but all have one goal...and that is to assist you on the journey of becoming all that God intends you to be.

If you are not involved in Northside GroupLife, now is a great time to jump in. We have new groups starting throughout September. Some require a short commitment; others are ongoing throughout the year.

What have you been sowing lately?  Look back at your schedule. Reflect. How much of an investment have you been making into your spiritual well being?

It's a privilege to serve as your Discipleship Pastor. If I can assist you in finding a group that's a fit for you, don't hesitate to contact the church office.

For the journey...Dean