A view from the cheap seats

this was a really,  really good day for the north point family…

1. it had been a long week for a lot of north pointers…getting ready for camps and preparing for a big sunday of eating and music.

2. i was afraid people were going to show up tired and disconnected.

3. boy,  was i wrong!

4. we had more energy this morning than we’ve had for weeks…it was awesome.

5. this has been a difficult summer…one of the most difficult stretches in my fifteen years.   but there is no question that god is faithful.

6. the past couple of weeks,  our family has dug deep financially…taking care of a lot of above-and-beyond financial needs,  both inside and outside of our family.

7. it’s incredible to watch people give!

8. our music was very cool this morning.

9. i loved the new song we did…”free”.   it was even cooler to listen to the band break into their version of “freebird” during practice.

10. you have no idea how good it is for me to be in a church that doesn’t place limitations on the music.   it is amazing to be in an environment that lets gifted people express their praise to god…without placing them in handcuffs.

11. satan does not deserve to be preached about.

12. spiritual warfare does.

13. i really agonized this whole week about how to preach through this text.

14. but after watching and listening to so many in our church family feeling the effects of the spiritual battlefield of their lives,  it really became clear.

15. i’m no different from anyone else.   i wish i could snap my fingers or say a prayer or read a bible passage or do some kind of impressive spiritual dance and get god to make all my troubles go away.

16. there are days i simply wonder why god seems to allow so much suffering…or why it looks like satan has so much power on the playground.

17. but i take comfort…and i mean a lot of comfort…in knowing that i’m supposed to fight for the things that are truly important.

18. please accept my apology in advance…but i don’t get the philosophy or theology that says “let go and let god”

19. what i do get is the theology of stand up and fight!

20. really looking forward to studying the “armor of god” in the next couple of weeks.

21. i can’t think of anything more important for our church family right now.

22. would anyone like to agree that our sunday evening barbecue and concert was beyond successful?

23. i was blown away by all the people!

24. so many to thank:  all the people who helped with food by donating it,  paying for it,  setting it up,  and cooking it…a huge shout out to chris for kicking the butt of the hottest,  most miserable summer day in texas we’ve had for  a long time.  you rock on the barbecue!

25. huge thanks also to buzzy and larry for helping with sound and video…for the host families…for all the people who helped set up and clean up.

26. north point isn’t a christian concert church.   but we love music…love to eat and talk…love to play and serve…and connect with people who love the same.   that’s why eily sky was perfect for us!

27. erik and brittney and the band played some amazing instruments.   i don’t think i’ve ever seen one guy play so many instruments…so well.   i am definitely a cello fan now.   and his sister rocked the violin!

28. the whole night was simply too much fun!  a great way to spend a summer night in the great state…

it’s going to be another good week.   pray for angela and her team as they pour into the lives of about 30 kiddos at camp extreme.   pray for logan and his youth ministry team,  as about 30 of them travel to south padre for a week of study, relationship building and big-time fun.   i gotta admit i’m a little jealous…

put on your armor and get back in the battle.   your heart is at stake.