Seasons of Change

It has been said, that the only real constant is change. Change is a funny thing. Some of us respond better to it than others. For me, it depends what sort of a change it is. Some change is new and exciting, while other change seems to disrupt the equilibrium of all things. Here at Northside, it has been a season of change. We have seen our Worship Center remodeled (change), which required us to move our worship services to the Fellowship Hall (change), and caused us to reimagine the way we do VBS (change). Fortunately, most of this change was a good thing.

As if all of this was not enough, we have also learned that God has called our Worship Pastor, Tom Smith, to a new church. This will mean that there will be even more change. We will have to navigate an interim time period, seek out a new Worship Pastor, and then get used to the way he does things. For some this season will be fresh and exciting as we venture into the unknown. For others, it will be a total disruption of how they are used to going about things. It all depends on how you do change.

As we think about change, and how it impacts our lives, we can rest assured of one thing; our God does not change. The Bible tells us, “I, the Lord, do not change…” (Malachi 3:6). We are also told, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). Regardless of what goes on around, we can always look to the Lord as our immovable rock. He will not be moved.

So,  however you deal with change, we can find peace in our unchanging God. We know that He has a plan for our lives, and that that plan existed before the foundation of the earth. We can also know that, no matter what happens around us, that plan is unchanging. God knew what you were going to go through before you ever experienced it. Further, He knows how you will make it through.

So, take hope in our unchanging God. When all else around you begins to give way, cling to the rock that is stronger that is stronger than we will ever be.

Honored to be your pastor,

Darrell

#RefreshAndRenew #OurHeartsToo

For the past two weeks, and with one to go, we have been displaced from our Worship Center. Renovations, that were planned long before Harvey came calling, are underway. The goal is to provide a freshly renovated space in which we can worship the Lord. Much like our homes, we want our campus to feel warm, inviting, and well cared for. While the Worship Center is a major step, we will not stop there. We will continue to work our way around the campus as time and finances allow.

As you can imagine, moving a congregation the size of ours, out of our Worship Center and into the Fellowship Hall caused a little bit of stress. Our fear was that people would just take the next three weeks off and not come. We also feared that the inconvenience would cause people to become discontent and frustrated. In fact, on May 26^th, I wrote this in my prayer journal, “I pray for tomorrow’s services. Things will be different for sure. Instead of the change disrupting and making things miserable, let it bring a freshness that will allow us to hear from you. Lord, let it be fun.” I must say, that God has answered that request over and again.

Instead of people complaining, I have heard, multiple times, how much you have enjoyed the intimacy of a smaller space. I have heard testimony after testimony of how God has spoken to people, despite the venue change. I have even heard people say they are almost sad to return to the Worship Center. It has served, yet again, to amaze me at the heart of Northside. This church is literally committed to the old mantra, “Improvise, Adapt, Overcome.” What a blessing.

The truth is, we cannot hang out in the Fellowship Hall forever. We must return to our Worship Center where the size of our church is more effectively accommodated. Doing three service each week is rough on our staff and volunteers. And, we want to make sure we are in a place that there is plenty of room for others to come and meet Jesus. So, we must prepare our hearts and minds for the return.

I would like us to keep two words in mind as we get ready to move back in; “Refresh and Renew.” This is the process that the Worship Center has gone through over the last several weeks and even before. However, it is also the process that we want our hearts and lives to go through. No one grows to the point in their faith that they do not need refreshing and renewal. So, we make it our prayer, “Lord, Refresh and Renew, not only our Worship Center, but our hearts too. One more week in the Fellowship Hall and then we will return to the Worship Center. May God bless that space for years to come. May people both meet Jesus and grow in their relationship with Him.

Honored to be your pastor,

Darrell

When God Says, "NO"

From time to time, situations arise that call for a serious and prolonged season of prayer. This might be the result of a potential opportunity, a struggle, or simply needing a sense of direction. However, we must realize that God sometimes says, “no.” It is hard to accept, but when God says “no,” it is for our own good. What we cannot see is that God is often working out something beyond our comprehension.

As I share this thought, I am reminded of two times in my ministry when I thought God was going to open a door of opportunity but did not. In both instances, my wife and I thought we were headed to new churches. In both cases, we were devastated when it did not transpire. This devastation was not because we were miserable where we were, but because we thought we had a clear word from God. In hind sight, we can see that God was moving on our behalf for His purposes.

The Apostle Paul shares a similar experience in 2 Corinthians 12:7-10, “So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

Note what Paul is telling us, he prayed earnestly that this “thorn in the flesh,” whoever or whatever it was, would be removed. To every request, the Lord said no. God was not interested in Paul’s agenda, but His own. Three things Paul tells us that he had concluded: this thorn was to keep him from becoming conceited, God’s grace was sufficient to see him through the trial, and it was in weakness that he truly became strong. Certainly, it is hard to step back and find reasons to celebrate when God says, “no,” but Paul did just that.

Maybe you currently find yourself in a place where you are only hearing a “no” from the Lord. Often, this can shake our faith. God’s “no” can cause us to ask all sorts of questions. Why isn’t God answering? Is there some sin I’m being punished for? Am I not praying correctly? What do I need to do in order to get God to move? The truth is, sometimes God says, “NO” for His own reasons. However, even God’s “no” holds great value. While in may be heart breaking, do not miss the opportunity to get to know God at a deeper level in the midst of the “NO”.