He Knows My Name

     “Grayson, Bobby, Katy, whatever your name is please pick up that toy.”  This is how a typical conversation may begin at our home.  I’m not sure about you, but having a wife, three children, and two dogs I easily get confused on who I am talking to.  This is especially true when I am flustered or frustrated.  I’m sure this has never happened to any of you reading this.  Why am I sharing this with you?  Reading through the scriptures recently I noticed several times God reminding us that He knows us personally even calling us by name. 

 “But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.” Isaiah 43:1

 “I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep” John 10:14-15

 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you” Jeremiah 1:5

     I’m not sure about you but it is very humbling to consider I get confused with my very small family yet God knows each name of the ones He created.  With roughly 7.1 billion people on this planet that is no small task.  Not only does He know who we are but He has plans for each one of us.  Again being the leader of a small family it is often hard for me just to keep up with our weekly schedule let alone the future plans.  All of these things have allowed me to focus on just how small and weak we truly are.  There is nothing we could do that could even come close to the power of God.  Why is that God feels the need to tell us so many times how He knows us and created us?  It is because to many times in days of trial and tribulation our minds wonder and question if God really hears us, knows us, or cares about us. 

     He knows our voice but do you know His?  My children know my voice because they hear me frequently.  When they are playing outside and I call for them they come because my voice is familiar to them. Do we know the voice of God? How can you know the voice of God?  Listen for Him.  If you listen you will hear.  We do not become familiar with something by doing it once or twice a month you must be constantly listening for God’s voice.  Isn’t it good to know that our Father is never distracted from us, never forgets our name, and never takes His attention from us?  This week take some time to actually listen for God.  Clear your thoughts and remove the distractions and just spend some time talking with God.  Remember you don’t need to introduce yourself He already knows your name! 

 Tom Smith

Pastor of Music and Worship

Waiting...Waiting...Waiting!

WAITING!  WAITING!  WAITING! 

This weekend my wife and I went and watch our youngest son at a school track meet.  We spent most of our day sitting in the sun and cool breeze just watching and waiting for our son’s events to take place.  Lots and lots of waiting.

                Then finally it came time for our son’s events and the waiting was over.  We sat up and watched with more intensity.  We didn’t want to miss one minute as he took his mark and waited for his events to begin.

                Many times we ask God to intervene or act on our behalf and then we wait and watch.  Waiting can sometimes become hard.  We may not understand why we have to wait, but God’s timing is always best.  So therefore, we may have to wait.

                Matthew 24:42 “…keep watch because you do not know on what day the Lord will come.” 

When God decides it’s time to move and work in our lives we need to sit up and watch with intensity.  We need to be ready.  We need to be looking out for God to begin moving and meeting our needs and request. 

Many times we get distracted while waiting.  Our minds wonder and we begin day dreaming to the point we miss out on that which we were waiting on.  I grew up in a deer hunting family and can remember getting up while it was still dark and going out to sit in the deer stand.  The waiting game began.  There were a few times I fell asleep and almost fell out of my chair.  On one occasion I remember jerking myself awake and looking around and there was a deer looking right at me.  The second I began to reach for the gun the deer was off and out of site.

As Christians we need to be watching as we wait.  When we see that God is moving/working we will be ready to join in.  So remember to keep watch!  Because you do not know when the Lord will show up.  See you Sunday,

Mike

               

I served at my first church for over 11 years. This was a place I had become very established in my ministry and routine. I went to my second church and served three and half years.  Both times it was not easy to leave because I dreaded the “start over phase”. It is never easy. Looking for a new place to live, making new friends, figuring out a routine, starting over in ministry, figuring out all the new rules, and anything else that a new person has to do. (Now please don’t misunderstand me- I am very excited about being at Northside.) Then I paused for a brief moment and realized I may have it all backwards.  I was given a new start and a brand new chance to do things differently. God was giving me a great opportunity  to have an impact for the kingdom. On my first Sunday, one of the things I made up my mind to do would be something different than I had ever done before. I started taking pictures of all the kids, and writing down their names so I could learn them. It didn’t matter how many changes to the programs I made or new things I added. More than ever, the most important thing was to immediately start building a relationship with the Northside kids. 

Before Christ converted people over to Him, he spent time getting to know them. One of my favorite examples is Zacchaeus. On surface level, he was a major “loser”. This man was dishonest, looked like a runt, and was mostly considered a sinner because he collected taxes for the Roman government. Most Jews despised anybody that worked for the Roman government. The plan of Christ was so much different He spent time getting to know them first. Not once did Zacchaeus’ past prevent Christ from starting a relationship with Him. (For the record, at all of the churches I have served, I would eventually get to know all the kids and was concerned about building a relationship with them.) At Northside I have a new opportunity to be more effective for him and the kingdom. Learning names is important to me, but most importantly, kids matter to God. Another story I think about is when Jesus lets the kids come to Him. The kids came to Jesus as they are; however, the disciples were trying to stand in the way of them coming to Jesus. Christ response was “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.”(Mark 10:14)

Not only do I have the opportunity to do things better than I have before, but Christ gives us a new start every day. How can we make the most of it? Maybe Christ wants to reveal something new that will impact your life and others. 

Dave Benefield

Minister to Children

You're Being Watched!

You’re being watched, And you don't even know it

Think about it.

Our government is watching the other countries. Those countries are watching us and everyone else.  

With this being an election year everyone, especially the media, is watching each candidate, waiting to see what their next move will be.

With the social media at your fingertips, we are watching each other almost instantly, as life is happening.  Even as it takes place on the other side of the town, state, country, and world.

If you know that you are always being watched, does that make you live your life differently?  As Christian’s men and women of the faith, what is the world observing about us?  What do they see as they are watching us?

“Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”

Ephesians 5:1-2 NIV

My bible say that we are to “Imitate God…” act like God would.  What would happen if the world…Texas...Victoria, watched Christians that were all imitating, acting like God?

As we end the week reflect back on the conversations, the encounters, and those you simply passed by. When they looked at you did they see you…….or did they see God? 

As we prepare for next week know that you are being watched!  Watched by those you have conversations with, those you encounter, those that you simply pass by, those that work with you, your neighbors, your children, and more.  And yes, God is also watching you. 

Be an imitator of Christ.  May others watch Jesus, not you.

Serving Him Together,

Mike

Hospitality, Fear, and the Times in Which We Live…

Hospitality, Fear, and the Times in Which We Live…

A few weeks ago, December 20^th, to be exact…I had the privilege of preaching in our Sunday Morning Worship Service. Something very awkward happened right before our service that was somewhat troublesome, raising my blood pressure and a fear in me that I have not experienced before…

A young man entered our Worship Center and told the volunteers working the Welcome Center that he “needed to speak to the pastor.”  As you are aware, we are currently searching for a Senior Pastor. Mickey, our Assistant Pastor, was in New York visiting his children and grandchildren. So, not sure what to do our Welcome Center Volunteers began looking for me.

I went over to the Welcome Center to meet the young man they were speaking about. He wore a baggy coat and had it buttoned all the way up. The bottom of his coat stuck out a bit, as if he had something tucked into the front of his pants. Upon greeting him, he said, “I need to speak to you man-to-man!” I had never seen this young man before. The more he talked, the more nervous and fearful I became.

I was sure that I did not want to take him into my office to visit, so we walked over by the church library, where we could speak, yet be in the line of vision of our Welcome Center volunteers. I asked the young man how I could assist him or if there were anything that I could pray with him about. He simply replied, “I’m here” and said nothing more… (At the time, I was trying to figure out what he had under his coat…was it one of those fanny pack things?…or was it possibly…a weapon?) I thanked him for coming to Northside and asked him if he was hungry. We had a great church-wide breakfast that morning. He said he had not eaten, so I walked him over to the fellowship hall. Our deacons welcomed him and provided him with a nice plate of food. He proceeded to enter the fellowship hall and eat. Our safety team was notified and some deacons volunteered to visit with the young man.

By this time it was 10:35am with our morning Worship Service about to start, so I returned to the Worship Center to prepare for the service. A fear that something bad could happen this morning was slowly creeping over me. To be honest, I don’t remember much about the service, except the thoughts I was having…What will I do if this young man walks down the aisle with a weapon? Will I try to tackle him and take his weapon? The mind is an amazing thing…and, because of fear, mine was running wild the morning of December 20^th. Recently, I was reading Romans, and I was reminded that you and I, as followers of Jesus, are to be a reflection of the Kingdom of God, instead of a reflection of the world…

Romans 12:17-21 New Living Translation (NLT)

¹⁷ Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. ¹⁸ Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. ¹⁹ Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord. ²⁰ Instead, “If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads.” ²¹ Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.

I was told, that immediately following the service, the young man exited the church on foot without speaking to anyone. I have not seen him since. Did I handle this right? Why was I so consumed by fear? I still wonder today.

We live in uncertain times…we should all look to the Scripture, and decide how we will respond to events such as this in the future. And, most importantly, decide how Jesus would want us to respond.

Your Family’s Christmas

We all have our own family traditions for the way we celebrate Christmas. Some open presents on Christmas Eve and wait till Christmas morning to see what has appeared in the stockings.. Others hold all gift opening till Christmas morning. Some have a big meal on Christmas Eve. Others have always gathered the entire family around the table at high noon on Christmas day.

Our family tradition has not changed since I was a child (and probably before). There is an order to things and everyone knows what to expect: First we go caroling to friends and neighbors (usually in red earmuffs, sort of odd in McAllen’s 80 degree Christmas weather). Back at the house, no presents are opened until the youngest reader has read the Christmas story from the bible, reminding all of the true meaning of Christmas.

I don’t necessarily recommend the caroling part unless you have a particularly gifted musical family. But I DO recommend the bible reading. If scripture is not already a part of your family’s celebration, this would be a great time to start a new tradition. Here’s a suggested order of service for your own gathering around the tree:

1, “Joy to the World”
(Sung with gusto, no PowerPoint required)

2. Prayer of Thanks for Family and for God’s Blessings
(Give the pray-er advance notice)

3. Reading of the Biblical Christmas Story – Luke 2:1-14
(Read by youngest reader OR one verse per person)

4. "Silent Night"
(Sung with reverence)

5. Closing Prayer of Thanks for the Baby Jesus
(Prayer voiced by Adult or Student)

6. Presents Opened

However it is that you celebrate Christmas, find ways for your family to remember the Christ child, Emmanuel, God with Us. Take advantage of the teachable moment to remind one and all of how and why he came.

From our family to yours,
Merry Christmas!

Bro. Mickey

A Public Service Announcement for Sailing Through the Storms of Life

Tips to Consider When Sailing through the Storms of Life

I’ve heard it said that “plagiarism is stealing from one person, research is stealing from many.” So, I give props to all the people and sites listed that I borrowed from the end of this blog.

Food for thought…

Sailors can complain about the weather but that is not going to change it. The weather will be what it will be. The best sailors learn to adjust.

An old African proverb says: You are either leaving a storm, heading into a storm or in the midst of a storm. 

Whether you feel like your vessel is a dingy, cruise liner or pirate ship – there are five things to keep in mind as you navigate through the storms that come your way in life:

1.      Lift your anchor and launch into the deep water. Boats were not made to hang out in the harbor. A boat can survive mild winds and rain in the harbor, but not much more than that. Did you know that during major hurricanes the United States Coast Guard closes ports in the path of larger storms, and they encourage all ships to leave port, heading “East at the best possible speed.” According to the National Weather Service, the worst place for a ship to find itself is the eye of a hurricane, the second worst place is the harbor. As you watch the weather, monitoring the storms that head your way, don’t hug the harbor, raise the anchor and set sail at your best possible speed. Head for deeper water. Outrun the storm’s path if it’s possible.

2.      When you encounter a storm you can’t outrun, steer into it. With top speeds reaching between 15 and 30 miles per hour, commercial ships are not the quickest.  Captain John Konrad, who has experienced hurricanes first hand, says, “When battling a storm at sea, size and mass are your friend. Ships are built of heavy steel and designed to be capable of riding out most storms. Even the largest ships however, like the 1,302 foot long, 170,974 ton container ship, Emma Maersk, can sink if she is beaten by massive waves for too long a period of time.” An interesting ranching side note – when cows are faced with a storm, they disperse and try to hide from it. However, buffalo stick together and take on a group wedge-like formation and hunker down together and let the storm pass right over them. Did you know there are more cattle killed each year by storms than bison? Early settlers referred to the American Bison as “the ones who face the storm” - understanding that sometimes the quickest way through a storm is head on. FYI – Did you know? The American Bison has been clocked doing more than 40 m.p.h. and can outrun a horse in a sprint. The Sioux Indians called the American Bison, tatanka —which actually means "great big thing." But I digress…Back to sailing tips for weathering life’s storms. Is your reaction to storms that occur in life more like a cow or buffalo? 

3.      Get rid of excess cargo. What do you need to throw overboard? What is weighing you down? And, why do we need to do this? According to boating experts, cargo or equipment is often jettisoned to stabilize a vessel during a storm. If you see an unavoidable storm entering your life, consider jettisoning unnecessary baggage that could, in the end, contribute to the sinking of your ship.

4.      Tie yourself to the mast…if you find yourself dealing with an unavoidable storm. Back in the day, when a ship faced a major storm, they tied the captain to the mast so he wouldn’t be washed overboard. In extreme storms, they tied the entire crew to the mast. The word mast means “pole or rod.” So, a mast has an important job. Most masts that I have seen tend to be toward the center of the vessel. The mast supports the sails, which allows the wind to propel the ship.  As a follower of Jesus, I tend to think of him as the mast on my ship. (He’s really the captain of my vessel too… but that’s another blog)…but for this illustration’s purpose…the best thing we can do is tie ourselves to our mast (Jesus) when facing storms in life. It’s usually in those moments, when we find what we are really made of. Truth be known, in the calm or storm, the best thing you and I can do is stay tied to Jesus.

5.      Enjoy the ride… Yesterday is gone and you’re not getting it back. Did you make the most of today? It's about to become a yesterday. For some reason, I have a picture of Lieutenant Dan of the Forrest Gump movie in my head. You know, the scene where he is riding the mast of the shrimp boat during the storm. You don’t need to use his colorful language…or blame God for all the storms you encounter in life. You can rest assured, God will use the storm to bring glory to Himself and make you more like Jesus.

Whatever you are facing at the moment…know that God is there in the midst of your storm.

May your anchor be tight and your compass be true. Sail on, my friends!

It’s a privilege to serve as your Discipleship Pastor, Dean

Props to: Dr. Leonard Sweet, Forbes.com, The National Weather Service, Dictionary.com, the History Channel, and Siri (I told you I borrowed info from several places).