Drugs by David Smith, dsmith@northstarvineyard.org
I've come to really hate drugs. And not the kind that helps when appropriately used. I mean the stuff that steals people's families, homes, dreams, and lives.

It's heartbreaking to see people that have been snared by its mirage of immediate gratification. I see this all the time through some of our ministries at Northstar. And we can all find ourselves a bit judgmental while watching others struggle.

"How can you do that to your family?" we think. "How can you throw it all away like that?"

But the heroin addict can ask the same things right back.

"How can you do that to your family?" they return. "It's just a 9 to 5 job."

The cocaine addict mutters a similar phrase.

"How can you throw it all away like that?" they ask back. "I'd die to have a spouse like that. Why are you cheating?"

A drug addict is simply someone who goes to a faulty source to cope, find security, and fulfillment. So I guess we all can be addicts at times. We are all tempted to go to different sources to cope with the frustrations of our flesh. We can turn to pills, needles, and even other people.

But in the end, they all pale in comparison to… well, you know…

Jesus.

 

Go. Love. Live. Cure. By Rachel Yuhas, rjwherever@yahoo.com

That’s the name of Northstar’s team in this year’s Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure to be held downtown on Saturday morning, September 25. The Komen Race for the Cure is a community event that honors breast cancer survivors, co-survivors and remembers those that we have lost to the disease.  The Race also plays a vital role in raising funds for research, education, prevention, advocacy and treatment, with 25% of funds going to the national organization for research, and 75% staying in the community where the race is held for education and support.

Team leaders are Nancy Zwolinski and Rachel Yuhas; look for them to be wearing pink on Sundays and they’ll be ready to answer questions or help you sign up.  It is a 5K walk or run with a 1 mile family fun walk option, and everyone is welcome on the team.  For those of you who are busy, say at Mack Avenue, Saturday morning outreach, a wedding, or a soccer game, donations to the team are always welcome.To register, make a donation or get more information, go to www.komencincinnati.org or e-mail Rachel at rjwherever@yahoo.com

 

Land Update
We are continuing to work and research with builders on what could potentially be built on our 8.4 acres of land we own off of Union Cemetery Road in Loveland. At this point, things are still moving forward and we're just making sure that all the obstacles and opportunities of using this land are carefully looked at and studied before making any big leaps forward. At this stage, we are still a few months away before any other decisions can be made. If you have any questions about this process, please contact Brian Hubers, our elder over the land/building process. His email is bhubers@mtci.com.

We'll also be having two all-church prayer walks coming up this fall. October 3 and November 7th are two dates we'll be announcing in the near future for those walks.

 

Mack Avenue Community Church Newsletter

Click here (right click to download (ctrl-click on a Mac)) to read the latest newsletter from Mack Avenue Community Church.  MACC is our church plant in Detroit, MI.

 

The Question of Citizenship By David Spence, dlaynespence@gmail.com
It is impossible to live in our country right now without hearing news, discussions, and philosophies surrounding the concept of citizenship. Arizona, like many states, has enacted laws that deal with this. Florida is in a constant struggle with what to do when there is a life that will be lost at sea without the granting of citizenship. Even our elected officials have been called on the carpet over the idea and requirements of citizenship. And you and I struggle with our own citizenship more than we realize.
 
I saw a young man in his late teens or early twenties driving a very loud Honda Civic get pulled over last week. I am not sure what he had done to warrant this action but he was very nervous. I am sure that his nervousness was in regards to him getting a ticket or not. If he did get a ticket, he would have to pay the fine or maybe even show up in court and pay whatever fines were levied and then he would be free to go about his life as usual. I don’t believe his citizenship ever came into question just because of a traffic ticket – that would be ridiculous as the two are unrelated. Citizens of this or any other nation are citizens regardless of their driving record. For that matter, jails are full of people who are citizens of their respective countries. The bottom line is that breaking the law does not change your citizenship.
 
Why am I saying this? Because we are all lawbreakers (God’s law) and when we break His law our immediate response is to question our citizenship in heaven. Guilt wears away at us as Satan accuses and lies to and about us. He would like very much to convince you that you are somehow different (worse) than everyone else and that God really doesn’t love you because of your sin. He wants you to believe you are an exception and that you have lost your citizenship in heaven. Both of these are lies straight out of hell. The truth is that your ticket/fine has already been paid for by the judge (because He so desperately loves you) and you are not merely a citizen of heaven but you are part of the royal family.
 
In Mark chapter 12, When Jesus was asked which commandment was most important He said it was to love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. You may have questions about your salvation (whether you’re a citizen of heaven or not) and about the process you follow to get there. I know this: if you love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength then the rest of your journey will fall into place. The judge loves you, he’s already paid your fine, and you’re free – stop running. You’re free and you have a personal invitation to a feast at the judge’s house tonight. I’ll see you there!

 

"Okay, God, I get it... Wilderness!" By Corrie Graham, cgraham1717@gmail.com

That is what I said when Matt introduced this new season at Northstar.   Wilderness seems to be the theme in my life right; everywhere I look God seems to be shouting it from the roof.  I was just invited by a friend to a Bible study at her church, and what are they studying - the Israelites time in the wilderness before coming to the promise land.  I am trying my hand at the reading through the Bible in a year with the ESV plan-what did we just get through reading but Numbers and Deuteronomy-more wilderness fun!  So all these blatant (God usually has to make it as clear as day for me to get the picture) references to the wilderness has me wondering-am I maybe in a wilderness right now God?  That answer was a yes!  So then I ask all those questions Matt mentioned like, “Why me God?” and “What sin did I do to get myself into this wilderness?”  Then I changed my attitude and started listing the lessons I have started to learn in the wilderness (some of which are from that awesome bible study called “One in Million” by Priscilla Shirer).
 
Lesson #1-God led Jesus, God led the Israelites, and God is leading me into the wilderness.  It is God that asked me to quit my secure teaching job to stay home with our daughter.  It was God who decided to have my husband travel for months as soon as we made this first decision.  And it is God who has allowed some physical hardships in my wilderness path.  BUT!
 
Lesson #2-God NEVER left the Israelites while they were in the wilderness.  The cloud and fire were always with them, and He has never left me!
 
Lesson #3-Now that the ESV plan has moved on to Joshua, I realized a possible result of the wilderness.  God has something big planned for me after this season - a battle He is preparing for me.  Look at what happened in the Bible after a wilderness stint- Joshua led the Israelites to fight and conquer their Promise Land.  Jesus started His ministry and fought for our very eternal existence.
 
I could go on and on, but I think I am actually getting excited about the wilderness thing and what God is doing in my life.

 

Help a Northstar Family with Newborn Twins

Amber and Allen Sellars just had twin boys several months early! In their unprepared state we'd love to come around them as a community and support them! We are looking for volunteers to bring them meals on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays for as long as we can! Their two boys' names and size info is below! Amber is home from the hospital, but the boys will be there another few weeks.

Aidan Robert Sellars
Born 12:09pm 7-26-10
3 lbs 5 oz
14" 1/4 long

Ashton Paisley Sellars
Born 12:10pm 7-26-10

3lbs 7 oz

15" 3/4

 

We have this organized through a website called www.takethemameal.com. You simply go to the website, enter in the last name "sellars" and the password 4000. This will allow you to access the current schedule and to pick the date you'd like to help them out! Thanks in advance! Address is: 1725 Wilmington Dr. Loveland Ohio 45140

Allen's phone number is: 513-593-4605 Amber: 859-583-7811
Any questions, contact Meghan Swigart: megswig@gmail.com.

 

 

Why Is Loving the Marginalized So Important?

Here are 18 reasons, supported by over 40 verses from the Bible, on why we should love the marginalized (Those marginalized by the world, but loved by God.) Yet, what is so interesting is that these reasons to love the marginalized do not hinge on the response, life change, or even growth of those being served.
 
The reasons for the servant to serve are set by two simple principles: to glorify God and to become more like Him.   
 
That’s it.  
 
So, why love the marginalized…

Because... whoever is kind to the needy honors God (Pro 14:31—NIV) He who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and He will reward him for what he has done. (Pro 19:17—NIV) A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed. (Pro 11:25--NIV) …then you shall take delight in the Lord…and ride upon the heights of the earth... (Isa 58:6-14—NRSV) ...And you will be blessed, because they can not repay you, for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous (Luke-14:13-14--NRSV)

Because... He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor, his righteousness endures forever (2Cor 9:9-NIV) …not only supplying the needs of God’s people but is also over flowing in many expressions of thanks to God. (2Cor 9:12—NIV)

Because... Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God. (Acts 10:4—NIV) …Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto Me. (Matt 25:40) He judged the cause of the poor and needy; then it was well with him: was not this to know me? Says the Lord. (Jer 22:16)

Because... you should not leave undone the more important things. (Luke 11:42-NLT) He that gives unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hides his eyes shall have many a curse. (Proverbs 28:27) …give to the needy…and you will be clean all over. (Luke 11:41-NLT)

Because... Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and He will say: Here am I (Isaiah 58:9—NIV) …God has heard your prayer and remembered your gifts to the poor. (Acts 10:31-NIV) Blessed is he that considers the poor: the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble. The Lord will preserve him, and keep him alive; and he shall be blessed upon the earth: and You will not deliver him unto the will of his enemies. The Lord will strengthen him upon the bed of sickness: You will restore him in his sickness. (Ps 41:1-3)

Because... the poor shall never cease out of the land: therefore I (the Lord) command you, saying, You shall open your hand wide unto your brother, to your poor, and to your needy, in your land. (Deut 15:11) …remembering the words of the Lord Jesus who said, It is more blessed to give than to receive. (Acts 20:35) …give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loves a cheerful giver. (2Cor 9:7)

Because... by this service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for your obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. And their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. (2Cor 9:13-14—NIV)

Because... The righteous considers the cause of the poor: but the wicked regard not to know it. (Pro 29:7) …among my people are found wicked men…they have become great, and grown rich…they shine: … they overpass the deeds of the wicked: they judge not…the cause of the fatherless, yet they prosper; and the right of the needy they do not judge. …shall not My Soul be avenged on such a nation as this? (Jer. 5:28-29)

Because... the Lord Almighty says: Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the alien or the poor… but they refused to pay attention…and would not listen to the law or to the words that the Lord Almighty had sent by His Spirit through the earlier prophets. So the Lord Almighty was angry. When I called, they didn’t listen; so when they called, I would not listen, says the Lord Almighty. I scattered them with a whirlwind among the nations where they were strangers. (Zech. 7:9-14--NIV)

Because... this was the sin of … Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy. They were haughty and did detestable things before me. Therefore I did away with them as you have seen. (Eze. 16:49-50—NIV)

Because... If my people, which are called by My Name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. (2Chron 7:14) …break off your sins by being righteous, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the poor. Perhaps there may be a lengthening of your prosperity (Dan 4:27—NKJV).

Because... the needy shall not always be forgotten: the expectation of the poor shall not perish forever. (Ps 9:17-18) Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy. (Pro 31:9)

 

Because... Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress…(James 1:27—NIV) Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom He promised to those who love Him (James 2:5—NIV) …remember the poor…(Gal 2:10)

Because... What does it profit, my brethren, though a man say he has faith, and have not works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what does it profit? Even so faith, if it has not works, is dead, being alone. (Ja 2:14-17)

Because... In Christ Jesus…the only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. (Gal 5:6--NIV) This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? …let us not love with words or tongue, but with actions and in truth. This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in His Presence. (1Jo 3:16-19—NIV)

Because... the Kingdom of God is... righteousness, joy and peace in the Holy Spirit... (Rom 14:17--NIV) Your Father's good pleasure is to give you the Kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give to the poor; provide yourselves with purses that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail…For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Luke 12:33-34--RSV) ...By doing this they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so they may take hold of real life (1Tim 6:17-19--NLT)

Because... If you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday. And the Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy your desire with good things, and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters fail not. (Isa 58:10-11—RSV) …you shall be called Repairer of the Breach…(Isa. 58:12—RSV) …and…ride upon the heights of the earth…(Isa 58:14—RSV)

Because... the noble man makes noble plans, and by noble plans he stands. (Isa 32:8—NIV) And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that you may always have enough of everything and may provide in abundance for every good work. As it is written, "He scatters abroad, he gives to the poor; his righteousness endures for ever." He…will supply and multiply your resources and increase the harvest of your righteousness. (2Cor 9:7-10--RSV) only… remember the poor, which very thing I was eager to do. (Gal 2:10—RSV)

 

 

I Thirst (Part 2)  By Adam Kasel, akasel@northstarvineyard.org
In part one (see below) I addressed the reality that every single person experiences what I’m calling soul-thirst.  The only way out of soul-thirst is Jesus who experienced the ultimate soul-thirst on the cross, which paradoxically allowed for all of humanity to be able to drink true drink.
 
Part two is for taking up the question that any and all who have been walking with Jesus for any significant time have, “Why do I still turn to other things to satisfy me?”  We are left with two options it seems: 1) Jesus lied or 2) we’re missing something.  My presupposition is that Jesus cannot lie so that rules out number one, which leaves us with number two: we’re missing something.  Though I’m the first to admit being the problem here, I really have a difficult time wrapping my mind around this.  Jesus uses strong language; he twice says if we believe in him/come to him (same concept expressed two different ways), we will “never thirst.”
 
He also says that if we come to him to drink, “Out of [our] heart will flow rivers of living water” (John 7:38).  Again, condition: come to Jesus; result: rivers of living water out of our hearts.  I feel like I’m missing something here.  This is true of all who believe in him.  This isn’t limited to Mother Teresa, Billy Graham, missionaries overseas, or other “exemplary” Christians but whoever believes in Christ.  On my very best days I feel like a dripping faucet.  Most times a shallow well is the best description.  Then I can feel like a mud puddle or all-out bone-dry.
 
What am I missing?  Let’s go back a little bit in John’s Gospel to the “worst” teaching Jesus ever gave.  I say it’s the worst—facetiously of course—because after this teaching, John writes, “When many of his disciples heard it, they said, ‘This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?’...After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him” (6:60, 66).  The teaching was Jesus using the manna story in the Old Testament to explain to his listeners that he is true manna.  “Wait.  What?!  Blasphemy!” (This is mind-blowing stuff so don’t be too judgmental about their reaction).  He then says his body is true food and his blood true drink (6:55).  Jesus only uses the word “thirst” once but the idea is present throughout.  In sum, “You want to be satisfied?  You want to be done away with soul-hunger and soul-thirst?  Eat me.”  The blasphemy is palpable if this is not the Son of God (this teaching is taking place in a synagogue no less (v.59)).  Even though we are created for Jesus alone to satisfy us, oftentimes it is much easier to satisfy ourselves with other things.
 
How do we “consume” Jesus?  I think we have to believe that Jesus wants us to go back to him.  Looking at John 6 and 7 (the Gospel on the whole actually) shows that Jesus is very patient and interested in those who come back to him.  I think perseverance brings a smile to our Heavenly Father.  It’s not the falling down that counts for anything but the getting up and coming back for more.  This may sound cliché, and that is not what I’m aiming for, but it’s true.  Those who will experience the “new heaven and new earth” are those who conquer.  Conquering is accomplished by admitting thirst (Revelation 21:1, 7-8).
 
I have wrestled with how to conclude this thought; I don’t want to weigh anyone down or remind anyone of failures, rather, I want to encourage you.  Will you try two things with me?  The first is a simple but profound prayer (two actually) from Paul’s letter to the Ephesians:
[T]hat the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might…that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God (1:17-19; 3:16-19).

Personalize this for yourself, your family, friends, Mission Group, Northstar staff and elders, and the Northstar community as a whole.  It is an inexhaustible prayer and I trust we’ll see God answer it because he loves when we pray his Word back to him.
 
The other is to meditate on Scripture.  This may sound Eastern or just plain weird but it’s not.  Take 10-20 verses and read them multiples times slowly.  Highlight anything that stands out to you and think over those things prayerfully.  Pray them back to God and ask how he wants you to live this out.  You don’t have to have extensive Bible study skills or ample amount of time.  This can be done fruitfully in 20 minutes.  The main thing is finding a quiet place—the stay-at-home moms are saying “Yeah right” right now—and then turn over all distractions and worries to the Lord; and receive back from him his Word.  If you would like a short but more thorough explanation of how to do this (commonly called lectio divina) email me and I will send you something.
 
May your soul thirst for the Lord and may he quench that thirst as you pray and receive his Word.

 

Mack Avenue Community Church Newsletter

Click here (right click to download (ctrl-click on a Mac)) to read the latest newsletter from Mack Avenue Community Church.  MACC is our church plant in Detroit, MI.

 

Back2Back Monterrey Hit by Hurricane Alex

The result of 40” of rain in 36 hours has been devastating to our Monterrey, Mexico campus.  It has created additional burdens for the children's homes, Cadareyta and the Rio areas that Back2Back serves. We are continuing to assess the damages and expect more will be uncovered in the days and weeks ahead.  
 
Words can never fully express our gratitude for the generosity of the many supporters who have faithfully joined with our ministry over the years to provide for the needs of the children and families we care for in Mexico, Nigeria and India.  
 
Our current situation in Monterrey, Mexico is unique and your extraordinary help is needed.  A recovery fund has been established and we’re asking for your generosity in order to specifically provide for the substantial rebuilding that will take months to complete. This fund will allow the accumulation of necessary financial resources and the greatest amount of flexibility in how and where we deploy, based on needs uncovered, weather, skilled worker availability, etc.
 
To donate online, please click on (or cut/paste into your web browser) the following link https://donations.back2backministries.org/ and indicate your donation for “General Mexico Needs.” Donations by checks payable to Back2Back Ministries should be sent to: P. O. Box 70, Mason, OH  45040.
 
As we learn more about the children, the caregivers and families we care for in and around Monterrey, we will do our best to update our website and blog. Please continue to pray for their safety and protection, as well as for our staff and families who live in Monterrey.
 
Thank you.
 
All donations are tax deductible. Contributions are solicited with the understanding that Back2Back Ministries has complete discretion and control over the use of all donated funds.

 

I Thirst (Part 1) By Adam Kasel, akasel@northstarvineyard.org
One of the best ways to connect with another person is through a shared experience.  For example, I shared a bond with my soccer teammates that no one else could share because we went through preseason conditioning together.  There are a number of very common experiences but the only truly indiscriminant experience is thirst.  Warren Buffet and the person living in the Majority World on less than $1 a day each experience thirst.  Money cannot exempt one from experiencing it, neither does age, race, or religious affiliation.  It is so universal that the Bible uses it to convey a spiritual need.
 
There are 59 occurrences of “thirst,” thirsty,” or “thirsts” in the English Standard Version translation of the Bible.  Some talk about actual human thirst, others about the ground being thirsty or other metaphorical thirsts, and the rest about the thirst of the human soul.  The last grouping is found in the Psalms (3 times), Isaiah (2), Matthew (1), and John’s writings (9).  One of the Isaiah references is in 55:1, which I read during the Lord’s Supper talk, “Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat!  Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.”  As the passage goes on, it is obvious that the Lord is not discussing physical hunger and thirst but a much deeper one that physical food and drink (even the best of both) cannot remedy.  The following Sunday I traveled to our college town to speak at the church my wife and I attended while we lived there.  I spoke from Revelation 21:1-8, which contains the verse, “To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment” (6b).  So I’ve been thinking about this idea quite a bit lately.
 
John uses the Greek word we translate “thirst” nine times in his Gospel and Revelation.  Listen to what Jesus says about quenching our soul-thirst, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirstyagain, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirstyagain.  The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life…I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst...If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink” (4:13-14; 6:35; 7:37).  If you are like me, you may be asking, “I have put my trust in Jesus, why do I look to other things to satisfy me?”  I will address that in part two.
 
The reason our soul-thirst can even be quenched is from the most important verse in John’s writings on our soul-thirst, John 19:28, “After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), ‘I thirst.’”  If you’re not quite sure where this is in the story, it takes place on the cross.  Jesus—who was God before time began—subjected himself to human limitations, including thirst.  Yes he was physically thirsty after fervently praying for 3 hours the night before, enduring an illegal all-night trial, suffering punches in the face and beating, carrying his own cross to Golgotha, and then hanging on the cross weary and slowly strangling to death.  That would make anyone thirsty.  His thirst, however, was soul-thirst.  The one who enjoyed the presence of the Father and the Spirit being worshiped by innumerable angels from eternity past stepped down and experienced thirst.  His soul-thirst was not his own nor was it one he should have experienced.  His soul-thirst was ours that he experienced on our behalf.  We can have our soul-thirst quenched because Jesus allowed himself to thirst.
 
You and I are the thirsty ones.  We thirst for different reasons but the only way it is quenched is Jesus.  I’ve obviously left a number of issues unaddressed and will take at least one of them up in part two, but in order for this to go further, I had to get it down on paper.
 
I think I’ll continue to be turning this idea over and over and see what else is written on the subject.  I’m interested if you have any thoughts on this subject, so please email me or grab me on a Sunday morning.

 

The Ghost Town By David Smith, dsmith@northstarvineyard.org
For the past eight years, Northstar has been making trips down to Juarez, Mexico to work with JEM (Jesus Es Mana: Jesus is the Bread of Life). JEM is a church in Juarez that loves God by loving the marginalized in their community. This past trip, concluded just a few weeks ago, was different than the rest for one small reason. In 2010, Juarez finally earned a title that they had been so close to obtaining for the past five years: Murder Capital of the World.

No other city in the world—not in Africa, Europe, Asia, etc.—currently has more killings per day than Juarez.
 
Therefore, 85% of mission trip teams that used to come down to spread the love of God no longer do.
 
It’s a spiritual ghost town these days. Filled more with armed, black clad police officials than the hands and feet of God.
 
Despite protests and protected by prayer, we decided to head down anyway. There were 30 murders the weekend we arrived. And I guess, 30+ more the week we were there.
 
Yet, we still went out into the streets, reaching the community…we still did construction work on JEM’s ministry campus, and we still held the Vacation Bible School…which many of the 120 kids skipped school for.
 
Who can blame them? These kinds of opportunities don’t come around much these days.
 
There may not be many good opportunities that come into Juarez—but there are many good opportunities already there and waiting.   

These opportunities, to serve under a cloud of murder and crime, have blessed millions of Christ followers since the days of Jesus.
 
And I’d say they blessed us as well.
 
Please pray for JEM.
 
They are a rare light in a dark ghost town.

 

His Unflagging Love by Ally Horine.  

On June 5th, a group of ten ladies from the Northstar senior high youth group traveled to Monterrey, Mexico to serve with Back2Back Ministries, as part of a week-long High School Girls Mission Trip, led by Becca Blum and Claire Rogers. Ally was one of the students on the trip.

Our trip started out with the group arriving on campus to discover that Back2Back was bussing kids from the children's home, Imperio de Amor, to their campus so that we could have a pool party and cookout with them. We were all tired from traveling, but excited to play with the children. We played with the girls then the boys got in the pool. Instantly, I bonded with a boy named Alejandro. We played and spent time together until it was time for them to leave. I was sad to see them go, but excited to know that we would be seeing them again soon.
 
On the last day, we took the same kids on a field trip to ride bikes. When they arrived at the park, they all chose "Americanos" to partner with for the bike-ride. Instantly, Alejandro chose me. We didn't get the bikes until about an hour after we got to the park, so until then we played together. From running around, to throwing water on each other, we had a blast. At one point, this little trolley bus came around to give tours of the park. Alejandro saw the trolley and instantly ran ahead to catch it and grab a seat. I jogged behind him, due to the selfishness in me that would not run in the heat.
 
I was one of the last to get on the bus, but when I got on I looked around and spotted Alejandro with his hand on the seat next to him, saving it for me. At that moment, I knew why I was in Mexico. Not to do service projects, not to bond with my youth group, but to be a friend to Alejandro. God sent me all the way from Cincinnati, Ohio to Monterrey, Mexico just to spend time with this boy and be his friend. He loves the orphan child. His unflagging love continues to amaze me every minute I spend with him. Experiencing and sharing his love was one of the most powerful experiences of my life.

 

Hmm... that's interesting. By Adam Kasel, akasel@northstarvineyard.org
When reading the Gospels there may be a couple of recurring themes that are of particular importance.  What I have in mind are Jesus’ central teaching about the Kingdom of God/Heaven (and the Gospel writers’ references to it) and the presence of demons and the subsequent need for exorcisms.  As 21st-century, Enlightened, Western thinkers the frequent presence of demons probably disturbs us.  We have to ask ourselves, “Is this the author’s uninformed worldview?” or “Do we need to correct our worldview?”  Scholars have tried to reconcile this for quite some time.  The best explanation involves the two recurring themes I mentioned.  Jesus came preaching, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matt 3:17, ESV).  Jesus’ purpose was to inaugurate the Kingdom of Heaven.
 
Jesus’ active work of inauguration aroused the members of the counterfeit kingdom, namely Satan and his minions.  It’s like during the Cold War; the USA and USSR were bitter enemies and a full-scale war would have erupted if either side attacked the other.  Jesus’ ministry was viewed as an attack so the demonic forces had to increase their offensive, which is why we see more occurrences of demonic manifestations as we read the Gospels.  The Gospel writers do not reveal an incomplete worldview; instead they are reporting what happened.
 
It is not uncommon for this to happen where the gospel is changing people’s lives for the first time: in a country, an area, or an individual.  It’s also why individuals experience opposition when trying to grow in Christ-likeness; we call it spiritual warfare.  To continue the analogy further, by the Holy Spirit we are advancing to take ground in our hearts and minds in the name of Jesus.  The enemy has to fight to maintain control of that ground, which can create quite an internal struggle.
 
All of this has local significance for Northstar.  I moved back to the area a couple of years ago and started serving with the Saturday morning outreach crew.  It was readily apparent which complexes welcomed us and which ones tolerated us.  One of the “tolerant” complexes was Mason Way/Fields Ertel.  However, something has changed and they no longer just tolerate us but they welcome us.  We even have more than a few “advocates” living there.  One young woman, whom I’ve seen the last couple of times we’ve been there, has responded to our invitation for prayer requests favorably.  She hasn’t given any specific requests but is open to prayers of blessing beyond just the “good health” or “money” requests but a genuine desire for more of the Lord; that’s a significant request!
 
Each of the last two times we’ve also seen the counterfeit kingdom’s values too.  There haven’t been overt negative responses but the flag of that kingdom is waving and the shadows of its fortresses are extended over some of the units.  One door we knocked on a couple of weeks ago responded to our prayer invitation with, “Just thankful to be alive.”  If this comes from an elderly person or one who’s recently survived a traumatic physical event that request makes sense.  These two young men were in their late teens or early twenties.  I was with a young man who recently came out of the hard-partying lifestyle and he remarked afterward that he remembers those days.  In my naïveté, I figured they responded as they were culturally programmed but then my friend’s remark made me realize, they may have been recovering from a night of partying.
 
On the last Saturday of May we were back at Fields Ertel and as I was walking toward a group of three people huddled around another person, something inside me perked up, “Hmmm…that’s interesting.”  As I said I can be slightly naïve about some things regarding the drug culture but not all things.  The one in the middle of the huddle had some paraphernalia on his lap and as he noticed I was making a beeline in their direction, he indiscreetly put what he had in his pockets.  This confirmed my suspicion about what they were doing.
 
Unfortunately, selling and using drugs is not uncommon in this complex.  Fortunately, love and prayer can overcome the stupor that drugs cause.  Things may get worse before they get better there but if it does I’m going to take it as a sign that we’re doing something right!  For those who are serving faithfully—whether physically or prayerfully behind the scenes—we know that Jesus is the Light of the world and that the light shines in the darkness but the darkness has not overcome it (John 1:5).

 

The Marathon By Kathi Roth, kmr1992@cinci.rr.com
Back in October of 2009, a friend called  to say she felt like God was leading her to run in the Flying Pig Marathon. I laughed. I explained it was not at her leading but that God has a funny sense of humor. I shared with her that I had said I would either jump from a plane (terrible fear of heights) or run a marathon before turning 50. At that point I was 8 months shy of turning 50. So I told her I thought that she was God's nudge to me. So we began.
 
We could not join the training teams because of our schedules, and our children's schedules. We decided God would be our coach. All along, I kept telling her I didn't think it was about the race. She felt the same way. We began running 2 minutes and walking 3 minutes. The whining during the 2 minutes was deafening. Discouragement would set in and we would have to be each others cheerleader, the snow and rain came and we still trained. When January came we printed off a schedule....this was becoming more of reality. Fear set in for me...thoughts of "I've never finished anything in my life" or I'll never be able to compete with Cathi she's ten years younger, aggravation with each other, anything and everything that would keep me from the goal God set before me. I went up for prayer at church. The two men that prayed for me had no idea that for years I've been struggling with wanting more children. When they prayed they prayed against all fear since it was not of God, they told me that they saw me crossing the finish line and that from this "walk" I would be able to share it with others and have many spiritual children. I wept.
 
So we continued. Our relationship became stronger as well...through annoyances with each other, laughter and tears. With our schedules came a point where we had to train separately. That became my time with God. And, oh how we talked. He led me to pray for people. He encouraged me when I was whining and wanting to give up. I tried telling Him I was not a runner, I was too old, I don't finish anything I start. He did not accept my excuses, He just said Follow Me. I had a song that I sang to Him every morning when I began my run. Sometimes that song being song continuously was the only thing that would get me through the 6th or 7th mile.
 
I confirmed my entry on line. This was going to happen. No going back now! I ordered my new shoes so they would be broken in for the big day. Then Saturday, March 27th came. I got up excited. I was going to run 10 Miles. I had roughly 5 weeks till the day of the race. Half way through my run I had a sharp and stabbing pain that ran up my leg from my ankle. I hopped, I stretched, I cried. I told God, I'll run through the pain and claim a healing of whatever it is...silence. I tried to run again..sheer pain. I cried out again....God I'll finish this ten just heal me. Silence. I cried the whole way home....still had to walk home. I went to Urgent Care. After x-rays and manipulation of my ankle I was told it was shin splints and was given steroids. I was told to ice it and run the following Monday just not as many miles. Can I Run the race? I was told yes but might have to walk some of it.
 
That Weds I ran into a "real  runner" who told me I had no shin splint limping that way and to go to an Orthopedist. Can I Do the race...I was told to wait and see how I heal. An MRI later, I was told I had an impressive stress fracture that would need to be casted. I asked if I could still do the race. He looked at me and said he didn't think so but we'd see how quickly I healed with the cast. Then the blood clot. No race running would be happening. God placed people in my path that helped with the diagnosis of the fracture, as well as the clot.
 
God revealed to me that I did run the marathon...the marathon He set before me. He reminded me that man's view and His are two different things. He told me I crossed the finish line He gave me. He told me I am a "real runner" of His race. That Sunday one of the first songs played was the song I sang to God so many mornings. I cried. There was disappointment and anger at the beginning but the lessons God has taught me have been priceless.
 
I'm still running the race...the race He has set before me. The final finish line, I hope, is years away. But whenever it is, that's okay...He's with me the whole race.

 

Mack Avenue Community Church Newsletter

Click here (right click to download (ctrl-click on a Mac)) to read the latest newsletter from Mack Avenue Community Church.  MACC is our church plant in Detroit, MI.

 

4th of July

Sunday Celebration at Receptions & Prayer Walk. On Sunday, July 4th, we will be having our Sunday Morning church celebration at Receptions Banquet Center in Loveland . There will be no 9am or 10:30am Sunday Celebrations that day at Loveland High School. Instead, come out to Receptions (10681 Loveland Madeira Rd, Loveland, OH 45140) at 10:00am for a time of fellowship and food.  After our time at Receptions, and weather permitting, we’ll then head out to our 8.4 acres of land we own off Union Cemetery Road to do a prayer walk on the land, asking for God’s guidance in our pursuit of a future facility. The prayer walk is of course optional.

 

Fruit of the Spirit (Bible Bowl) By Darren Mitchell, dmitchell513@gmail.com
I have struggled for weeks to write this story.  I was fearful that it was due to an earthly pride.  Then something happened today during church that changed my mind.  I want to share some items that have occurred in our Bible Bowl program this year that involve kids from our church.  
 
Bible Bowl is a ministry for youth in grades 3 to 12 which combines Bible study with Christian competition and fellowship. The purpose is to give youth a firm foundation for their faith through the systematic study, memorization, and application of Scripture.  But what does that mean?  Here is what it means to me.  We study the Bible and we play games to enjoy studying God’s word.  I could go on about the accomplishments of our teams (many first and seconds in both team and personal awards for each competition).  But what I want to discuss is a specific award that was awarded to individuals, but I feel represents our team and what we want to accomplish with this program.  There are team awards for records, there are individual awards for game play and for written tests and then there is a final award.  This award is called the Fruit of the Spirit award.  It is voted on by other teams and sponsors, and it is given to individuals that represent the passage in Galatians 5 that talks about the Fruit of the Spirit.  It would be very difficult to get this award even if you represent this but your total team does not.  
 
Not only did we have one person get this award, we had 5 kids who got this award.  
 
This is 5 kids out of 9 kids.  No other team had more than 3 kids chosen for this award, and most churches have many more kids involved.  Ok, so this goes back to my earthly pride.  But as part of the team is studying 1 & 2 Corinthians, 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus, I take Paul’s lead on this when he is talking about his pride in the Corinthians (2 Cor 7:4-7).  I am so proud of these kids for what they have done this year, and I am not talking about records and wins.  If you don’t know what the Fruit of the Spirit is, ask these kids and they will tell you.
 
Going back to the original item that changed my mind with sharing this story.  I had worked with one of our younger kids this morning learning some of her Bible quotes and we had finished up on learning the great commission.   Then we went into the service.  Wouldn’t you know one of the passages being used was the great commission.  And what happens?  This girl who I had just spent an hour coaching over different passages, looks for my wife and me to say – Yeah, I know that one.   What a moment.  With everything else going on in the service (and a great service it was) I still feel that God was pleased with this.  Having the feeling of accomplishment is great, but having that feeling while studying God’s word.  What a blessing to her.  
 
If you see any of these kids, let them know God enjoys this.  Yes, it is pride, but pride in the Lord.  
 
Here are the kids that were involved in Bible Bowl this year.
Annika Hubers
Ashton Hubers
Elise Hubers
Riley Massey
Carter Mitchell
Kayla Mitchell
Marielle Smith
Josh Spence
Rachel Spence

 

Proof at Last! A 4-year-old can do outreach on their own!
Despite rampant rumors that you have to be a 30-year-old or older hippy-ish bible scholar to do door-to-door outreach, proof has just reached us that 4 year olds can do this type of outreach on their own.

This just in from USA Today’s, Jim Rudolph.
 
After shaking off their fathers, caught in conversations, two unattended 4-year-boys from Northstar Vineyard Community Church in Loveland, OH, walked up to a door at the Fields Ertel Townhomes and began knocking. The fathers saw this unexpected assertiveness from a distance. But it was too late. They were too far away. The door opened. In unison, the boys took a step inside (not recommended) and sang: ‘we’re from Norfstor, here some oatmeals!’  
 
The shocked and barely-dressed mother grabbed the two bags of oatmeal bars and thanked the boys. But before she could shut the door, which would have been impossible anyway since the boys were now in her house, the two 4-year-old boys asked their last question. ‘Is dere anyfing we an pray for you?’  
 
The lady said no and smiled. By that time, some panicky dad got to the boys and encouraged them to step out of the ladies home.
 
Not sure why he was so worried.
 
Even a 4-year-old can do this type of thing.
 
There it is, folks. Proof that 4-year-olds can do outreach on their own.  Who would have guessed? Now, if they could just cook their Hot Pockets on their own.

But one step at a time.
 
Have young ones? Come on out to Saturday Morning Missions. It’s a great way to have fun with the kids and we grab lunch afterwards. We meet at 11am every Saturday, rain or shine, in the left hand corner of the back parking lot at Loveland High School.

 

38 Baptisms
Even though we communicate over and over again that it’s not about the ‘numbers,’ sometimes ‘numbers’ can be a pretty positive thing to point out. This past weekend we had 38 people baptized at Northstar between the 9am and 10:30am celebrations. People of all ages were baptized: kids, students, and adults. Some folks baptized have been going to Northstar for years, some for just a few months. And some of the people baptized came through Northstar through our outreaches, and some by a simple invite from a friend or family member.  It was a great day to say the least. Thanks to everyone for stepping out in their faith and allowing the Northstar family to be a part of your baptism.  

 

The 4th Annual Northstar Skate Night! 
Mark down Thursday June 10 in your calendars for this year’s annual Roller Skating Night at Castle Skateland in Loveland. From 7-9pm, Northstar will have the entire building. Free admission and skate rental. Since we’ll have the entire place to ourselves, please bring anyone and everyone. The more the merrier. We see this as a great opportunity to connect, hang out, and simply have some fun as a church family. Castle Skateland is located off Loveland Madeira Road across from Kroger and next to El Picante.    

 

Moving Forward on a Permanent Facility
The Northstar Elders and Staff, who took an extensive prayer and fast a few months ago to seek God’s council on building/obtaining a permanent facility, came back with a unanimous decision to move forward with the pursuit of a permanent facility. As we stressed on Sunday, we don’t know what this facility will look like or where it will even be at this point. But, we do know that we’d love it to be a tool to enhance the ministry that Northstar is already doing. We want it to be a house of prayer…a house of community…and a house for the marginalized to be loved and encouraged in an even greater way. We’ll continue to update you on the process and will be seeking feedback on how you think our various ministries at Northstar could be enhanced through a permanent facility. If you have any questions, or thoughts to share after seeking the Lord in prayer on this topic, please contact Brian Hubers, bhubers@mtci.com. He is our elder over the building process.

 

Operation C.A.P. By David Smith, dsmith@northstarvineyard.org
Something that has really inspired me of late is the servant heart of my friend Pam Robinson. Pam is a participant in this year’s Solomon Program and will be going on our mission trip to Juarez, Mexico this June. To help provide extra support to our ministry partner in Juarez, JEM Ministries, Pam has launched an outreach initiative called ‘Operation C.A.P.’ (Care And Provide)   
 
The mission of her project is to show God’s love to the children in Juarez by collecting 500 baseball caps and distributing them out down in Juarez. She has already grabbed the attention of the local media in Cincinnati and will be having Operation C.A.P. spotlighted on local radio and newspaper outlets.
 
Pamela has been staying at the Drop Inn Shelter in downtown Cincinnati but has not missed one single requirement since relocating there. You won’t meet a more determined person. She is currently receiving help at the shelter to find permanent housing in Loveland so she can continue to serve through Northstar after she graduates The Solomon Program. If you’d like to help Pam in her mission to bless the kids in Juarez, you can contact her at 498-5526.
 
I look forward to you getting the chance to meet her. You’ll be blessed!

 

Father Failure By David Smith, dsmith@northstarvineyard.org
We just got back from a conference in Chicago that talked a lot about the realities of the ‘fatherless’ generation we’re currently experiencing in America.  The statistics are staggering…pointing to the direct impact fatherlessness has on crime, education, and spirituality.  For a child to grow up without a positive male role model can be all the difference in the world.
 
We see this firsthand in the communities we serve at Northstar. 99% of those we serve are single moms who have been abandoned and mistreated by men. And therefore, the majority of the children we serve are being raised without a positive male, father figure. This is nothing new of course. It’s a generational cycle that has plagued these children’s parents and grandparents and so on.
 
I found it interesting that the first Saturday we were back from the conference, just one day removed, that we encountered this truth in a pretty substantial way on our Saturday Morning Missions outreach.
  
I was going door to door like normal offering food and prayer when one of our volunteers rushed over to tell me that there was a fight going on in the building next door. A bunch of children came out of an apartment saying ‘they’re beating on each other!’
 
We rushed over to the building to find that a young man was just exiting the apartment with a screaming woman behind him.  A neighbor took the startled kids and tried to calm the upset woman.  She was furious because the young man had invited her over to hang out…and when she got there, he immediately attempted to leave with a friend to do drugs…therefore forcing her to stay there all afternoon babysitting his kids…his, not hers. Basically, he needed a babysitter to go do drugs…and knew this young woman wouldn’t just leave his kids if forced to stay with them. And being taken advantage of like that set her off. Who can blame her?
 
The young man left, never once saying anything about his kids. And he surely wouldn’t look at us. Conviction typically kills any eye contact. We’ve been serving him and his family for about five years.
 
It was a very sad scene, but a great reminder of the number one issue in the communities we serve.
 
Father failure.
 
Across the streets, two young brothers that I know played with a dirty, wet rope. One started chewing on it. They’ve never known their different dads.
 
But they are not unique.  There are entire apartment complexes that share their story.
 
And that’s the tragedy. The problem is so obvious. Maybe the solution is too.  
 
If you are interested in helping Northstar explore the idea of providing positive role models to these fatherless children, please let me know.  dsmith@nortshtarvineyard.org. 575-3467   

 

I Wait for You Lord  By Jenna Schroeder, jenna32@gmail.com

I wait for you Lord, at the bottom of the mountain
Watching, weary, waiting
Camped in my tent of unknown
Aware that you know all
 
When you will pull back the flap
I do not know
And what trail it will reveal
I cannot tell
 
You have packed my heart with longing
To be in your presence and do your work
You have given me glimpses of spiritual gems
Covered in the dirt of the earth
 
I struggle, tending to provide for myself
When I know your manna comes from the sky
I can carry my own bags heavy with burden
But this you have asked me to deny
 
Out of your love for me you share my yoke
And lift me out of the depths of the rocks
You give me a Sabbath to obey
For you know how your clay was made
 
Anything without you is no treasure of mine
Any plan I make without your blessing
Is not of the divine
Happiness cannot be found without your inner joy
And so I wait
 
O father your ways are not my ways
But they are good and mighty
I ask for help; your leading and your strength
To be patient, not anxious in my remaining
 
In you, O Lord, I want to abide
Trusting I will bear much fruit
After you have pruned the vine
 
I repent for wanting the gifts you bring
Instead of the gift of you, who makes my heart sing!
And in all my searching, you know my soul
Unending grace is what you bestow
 
While I, here in the wilderness of life
Search for your touch, your call, your voice
I pray I can hold still and continue to wait
My foot is ready and I want to make a choice
 
I’ve read your word and I know what comes
When you wait upon the Lord, an eagle abounds
Like a lion my heart roars and a lamb my spirit cushions
Sheer will against waiting for Godly instruction
 
And I wait, for you to come down the mountain
To the humble camp of my heart
And release me into your promise land
O God how great thou Art!

 

A Student Story: Interview with Zach
By Brian Rogers, brogers@northstarvineyard.org
One of the greatest joys of youth ministry is that I get the opportunity to walk alongside students as they are figuring out the whole “God thing.” The wrestling and questioning that takes place alongside dozens of other social and familial pressures can be really hard, but it is all worth it when everything clicks.
 
I had the privilege of being a part of that process with one of my students, and I thought his story would encourage the readers of this newsletter, so I asked Zach Brooksbank some questions about his story.

Brian: Could you share what you grew up believing, in terms of faith, the Church, and God?
Zach: My mom grew up in foster care, and grew up in 25 different homes or something like that. She grew up going to tons of different churches of different denominations. Because of this, she never got a very clear view of it, and she kind of did away with it. And I never got a good look at it either until a year and a half ago when I started coming here.

Brian: With that, what would you say that your feelings were towards the Church as a whole?
Zach: I never really had any feelings towards the Church. I didn’t know what they thought. I didn’t really know what to think. I had never really been to a church, it was one of those things that was there but you really don’t deal with it.

Brian: Recently, you went to the Oasis conference with us, would you say there was a key time there that helped you understand all this God stuff more?
Zach: Yeah, I guess. I did have one of those key moment kind of things. Alton had been talking about God as your father, and that was kind of my “Ah Ha!” moment.

Brian: Do you mind sharing a little about your father? I think understanding your situation sheds even more light on why Alton talking about God as your Father is so powerful.
Zach: My dad went to prison in 2006 for going to my grandma’s house drunk and high on everything and anything, and he beat her. The cops came, arrested him, and he went to prison. It was so hard for me to deal with because my grandma was so important to me. Why would he do something like that to her? So I hated him for so long. I have heard so many people tell me to just forgive him, but how do I do that? I just grew up and dads were just something I didn’t care about. It is hard for me to even say dad or father because I have never really had one that cared or was ever there. Even before prison my dad never came to see me or take me places, so the prison part was nothing new.

Brian: So what was it about what Alton was talking about that made it all click?
Zach: It seemed like our situations were so similar, and it was like, “yeah, yeah.” I was just sitting there the entire time just nodding my head. It kind of felt good to know that someone was in the same boat as I was, and to know that he turned out alright, and I’m not going to be crazy.

[Alton’s story is similar. Most of Alton’s life, his dad has been in prison, so he spoke about what
it meant to have God as your Father, even when your earthly father doesn’t live up to that title.]

Brian: So the next day, you prayed to receive Christ- can you tell me a little about that?
Zach: It was amazing, is what it was. It’s just one of those things, you can’t quite describe it.

Brian: Is there anything else you would like to communicate to people that may be reading this?
Zach: I want to tell them just don’t give up. I wanted to do that so often, to just stop. I didn’t, and I feel better now. I don’t feel all the way better, but I know nobody does.

Brian: Thanks for sharing and being so open with your story.

 

Losing Battles in a War Already Won By David Smith, dsmith@northstarvineyard.org
There’s a prevailing thought that circles my mind every day. The thought that I’m either the biggest fool or that I’m actually on to something.  Or maybe it’s neither. But regardless, confusion is constantly king.
 
Loving the marginalized will do that to you. It messes with you like your first crush in 5th grade. No guide book, all sorts of expectations and results that rarely line up.
 
The other day I witnessed another setback with someone we have been trying to help in our community.  She’s a lovely young lady. She has so much going for her and has made so many strides in her relationship with the Lord. But word just reached me that she has gone back to her ‘old ways.’ It doesn’t matter what the old ways are in this story. All that matters is that Jesus is about the new, not the old. It’s the old life that gets in the way.  
So the rollercoaster continues. Stories from our community come in every day. Victories for God! Defeats by the devil!  And so on. You can fill twenty newspapers with all the headlines. The activity is fast and exhausting.  
 
But can you really lose a battle when the war is already won?  Hasn’t God already defeated the Enemy? Hasn’t the ending already been written?
 
So, since we don’t take credit for the salvation stories from our Solomon Ministries last week…maybe we shouldn’t be so quick to take credit for this particular woman’s return to her old ways. Maybe what’s going on here is a lot bigger than me and you…than Northstar’s outreach programs…or anything our feeble minds and bodies can conjure.
 
Maybe our role is to just serve the best we can—to pray for wisdom and ask that God would graciously guide us. Because if the war is already won, why do we beat ourselves up so much when the battles go bad?
 
Is someone keeping track of the score? Is someone evaluating our performance?
 
Of course someone is.
 
It’s just not God.  

 

Mack Avenue Community Church Newsletter

Click here (right click to download (ctrl-click on a Mac)) to read the latest newsletter from Mack Avenue Community Church.  MACC is our church plant in Detroit, MI. 

 

I Want to Live by David Smith, dsmith@northstarvineyard.org

The phrase ‘I want to live’ is such an interesting statement. They are beautiful words to hear… yet always following on the heels of tragedy, they come. One won’t typically say they want to live unless just recently they wanted to die.
 
A friend of mine uttered ‘I want to live’ the other week at the Solomon Program. She had tried to kill herself a few years ago by overdosing on drugs. At the time, she felt she had every reason to end her life and no reasons to continue. The odds were stacked against her then, so it would make sense for her despair. But the odds are still stacked against her now. Nothing has really changed on the outside. She’s still taking care of a dying friend while sleeping on a 15 x 12 room with her daughter, son, and granddaughter. She still struggles with bi-polar conditions and still finds an empty fridge and wallet at the end of each week.
 
Nothing and everything has changed.
 
She wants to live, she says again as just she and I talk before the rest of the class arrives. She is in tears. But they are good tears. Because she talks about how she has a reason to live now. For the first time in decades, she wants to wake up each day. And why?
 
Because of the Solomon Program?
 
Nope.  
 
Because of God?
 
Yep.
 
Sure, she’s experienced Him in the program. But she’s also experienced God with Northstar on Saturdays while reaching out…and atNorthstar on Sunday mornings, serving, attending the celebrations, and meeting new people…
 
…or, community as we call it.  
 
“Just being around good people…” she said, pausing to catch another wave of tears. “I am so thankful to have found these people.”
 
I’m not even sure who ‘these people’ are.
But I think it might be you guys.
 
Keep going, loving, and living.  It’s impacting more people than you’ll ever know.

 

Northstar Summer Staff

Northstar’s Summer Staff is a group of volunteers who work closely with Northstar’s Staff Team during the summer months.  The Summer Staff will serve a few hours a week working on a specific ministry project that will enhance Northstar’s mission of Go. Love. Live. This project will be something that the summer staff participant is passionate about and wants to explore further. The project idea can originate from either the participant or the current NSV Staff.
 
Examples of Summer Ministry Projects:
•Creating easier ways for the Northstar Family to connect with one another.
•Launch a nursing home ministry.
•Research on the positives and negatives of different church strategies and styles.
•Creating short-term mission groups focusing on specific topics.
•Help bring GED classes to the lower income areas of Loveland
•Initiating a program to raise money for Mexican missions.
•Helping the kids of Quest learn more about the Bible.
•Or anything else you are passionate about and can help others experience Jesus on a deeper level.
 
The hours of a Summer Staff position will vary according to the project someone is taking on. The Summer Staff team will meet as a group once a week if possible to touch base on their projects and to talk through a thought-provoking book they will be reading as a team. Northstar will provide the books for each Summer Staff member. They will also meet with the NSV Staff Team once a month to share with everyone on how their projects are going.
 
Our hope is that this opportunity will not only help Northstar in our mission of ‘Go. Love. Live.,’ but will bless the participants as well. We believe that when we exercise our God-given gifts and passions for the Lord, we’ll naturally experience Jesus in a deeper way.
 
If interested in being a part of Northstar’s 2010 Summer Staff Team, contact David Smith, dsmith@northstarvineyard.org, 575-3467.

 

A New Home for Your Clothes and Household Items

Victoria Nesbitt, a fellow Northstar-ian, is also a trustee with the Loveland Initiative, a non-profit that works to bless the lower income area families in Loveland. The Loveland Initiative is sponsoring a free clothing outreach on May 8, 2010 1-5 pm at Macarthur Park Apartments, one of the complexes we serve on a regular basis.
 
Below, is a list of items that we would like to be able to give to the community we serve.
 
Items Needed:

• Gently used,  clothing (from adult to infant sizes)
• Shoes, toys,  books, household Items (dishes, pictures, etc…)
• New  underwear and socks

Due to the Loveland Initiative being a 501c3 organization, they will also have available tax deductible receipts for Federal Income tax purposes.
 
Please feel free to call or e-mail Victoria at victoria_ous@yahoo.com, 513-364-5670 to drop off your donations or if you’d like to volunteer at the outreach.

 

 

Jesus in a Camper Van By Adam Kasel akasel@northstarvineyard.org
I have a pretty eclectic taste in music. If you were to peruse my iTunes library you would see Iʼm not joking. One of the albums I have is a Robbie Williamsʼ The Ego has Landed, which has a song titled, “Jesus In A Camper Van.” Williams has an interest in God and other spiritual matters but does not appear to have surrendered his life to Jesus. This song raises an interesting question, “Does Jesus get frustrated with people?” The person in view is a drug addict trying to kick his habit while in a camper van (perhaps autobiographical in nature for Williams).
 
The chorus goes, “Jesus in a camper van / He says, “Sorry to leave ya but Iʼve done all I can” / I suppose even the Son of God gets it hard sometimes / Especially when He goes around saying, ʻI am the Way!ʼ” Itʼs only natural to assume that God is just like humans only bigger; our image of
God is distorted just we, His image-bearers are distorted because of sin. We all get frustrated with one another, so God must get frustrated with us, right?
 
Well today (Tuesday, March 24, 2010) I received a phone call out of the blue. It was a young man named “Ryan” whom I spoke with last week. He needed a place to stay and he doesnʼt have any money because heʼs a recovering drug addict. I told him we could help but only with $30 so if he could find a place for that amount or if he could come up with the difference, I would meet him at that place and help him out. We had plans to meet at one place near Loveland but he didnʼt show. He didnʼt show because he couldnʼt get the money. I had to tell him the $30 was all we could do, itʼs our policy. I hung up wondering if Iʼd be hearing from him again, let alone anytime soon. So when he called today I was quite surprised. He was in a hotel that cut him a deal and needed an extra night stay. I told him I could help. I called the front desk and asked if I could pay over the phone (because I didnʼt want to be inconvenienced mind you) and they said no. So I drove to the hotel and paid for the night.
 
As I was walking to the restroom, the front desk attendant noticed the credit card I used said, “Northstar Church” on it (by the way the credit card number is...just joking Tricia) and he asked me, “Are you with a church?” I told him who Iʼm with and where we meet. He then tells me how just two days ago he was on a plane coming back from California and he sat next to a pastor and so for four hours they talked about Jesus, Christianity, Hinduism (my new friend, Gopal, is a Hindu from India), the Bible, and the Bhagavadgita (the Hindu holy book).
 
He then says, “You know I think Jesus wants me to know He is everywhere.” Just as the conversation was about to get really good “Ryan” comes in to reactivate his room key. I introduced myself and he thanked me and we started talking. I asked if he was applying for jobs and he told me he was. Then Gopal starts encouraging “Ryan” and telling him some things to do when he applies and how to interview to set himself apart. Gopal then says (now remember heʼs a Hindu),
“Jesus cares for you. He is looking out for you. God sent this man to help you out. He cares for you.”
 
Here we are, a recovering drug addict, a Hindu, and a Christian (there has to be a joke in there somewhere!) standing in the lobby of a motel talking together. Jesus in a camper van. He doesnʼt get frustrated. He doesnʼt give up. Heʼs letting Gopal, “Ryan,” and even this Christian pastor know he has done all he can and it was more than enough. The first Easter settled that. “It is finished” (John 19:30) paid the debt our sin created; "not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world" (1 John 2:2). Hindus have hope. Drug addicts have hope. White boys from middle-class Midwestern families have hope. When, and only when, we surrender our lives to Jesus, He is with us. That’s who He is, Immanuel. He is there for divine appointments and in our own camper van moments.

 

The Free* Series is now over. What's next?
Check out these opportunities below to help you or your mission group stay connected and continue to go deeper.

1. Preparing to Make a Difference. Join us for 12-weeks of teaching and small group discussion on Biblical truth, how to study the Scriptures, and applying it to our lives. Starts April 11. Sunday mornings at NSV from 9-10am in the Choir Room. Quest children’s ministry available at this time. One of Northstar’s Elders, Peter Edwards, will be facilitating the series. To sign up, contact Peter at pedwards_477@fuse.net.

2. Parenting with Purpose. Come join us for six weeks to share and learn as a group about this journey called parenting.  We will discuss the challenges we face as parents and what God has to say about raising our kids.  We will learn how to be intentional with our parenting. We will meet at Northstar on Sundays at 9am in the teacher's lounge (in the cafeteria) starting April 25. Quest Children's Ministry is available at that time for your children.  If interested please contact Erin Zink at rzink4@cinci.rr.com, 513-248-1505.
 
3. Continue in your current mission group or find a new one. If you want to find an open, ongoing mission group…or, if you are already in a group and would like help finding curriculum to use next, contact Adam Kasel at akasel@nortshtarvineyard.org or 668-0485.

 

The Next Season Starts This Sunday
Next Sunday we’ll be jumping into Season #2 at Northstar. This season will be on Covenants. And as we did during the Freedom Season (#1), we’ll be providing sermon-based study guides for you or your mission group to go through if you’d like them. You can pick them up on Sunday at Northstar or by emailing Adam Kasel at akasel@northstarvineyard.org.

 

Northstar on Facebook!

Check it out here...

 

 

Journey to Nigeria - a confession of fear and disbelief
By Chad Powers, cpowers@northstarvineyard.org

First of all, I need to get something off my chest…  I didn’t believe that I could get there…  I didn’t believe that the voice that was inviting me on an adventure was the voice of God…  I thought that I was probably making it all up, that I was stirring up an old longing again.  I just didn’t believe…  There I said it, and now I feel better…

Let me back up…  It was December, cold and windy and less than two months before a group of men that I didn’t really know were scheduled to depart on their voyage to Nigeria…  I bumped into one of the guys at a gathering and he offered me a standing invitation to join him on any trip of which he was a part…  Little did he know that even while I was thanking him and making plans in my head, I was really beginning to cope with the fact that I could never afford a trip to Africa…  So I began to let the dream die…

But something in that dream persisted…  I began having thoughts and visions of what my time there might look like…  I felt something in my chest, I call it a ‘pressing’…  But it was really more like a ‘knowing’…  A ‘knowing’ that God was inviting me on a journey, that He was asking me to take a few steps, and that He would take care of me even in my weakness and trembling… 

I knew that if I didn’t do something about this ‘invitation’ that my courage would bow to fear and that I would continue to carry the weight of this moment for a long time…  So I jumped…  I took the first step by telling my friend about this ‘pressing’ and asking him more about his trip…  I confessed my fear in pursuing something that seemed so implausible for me to accomplish…  I expressed my hope but then immediately expressed my fears…  I began naming all the hurdles that would have to be overcome in order for me to get there…  Money, Visas, Shots, Airline Tickets, Time Away from Family and Work…  It was like I was giving a list of excuses as to why the dream wasn’t going to happen…

But God wasn’t impressed with my list!  One by one He began knocking down the barriers, proving to me that He is the God that overcomes…  And overcomes…  And overcomes…

In a month-and-a-half all the barriers were gone, and I was on a plane with some of the best men I’ve ever met…  I’ll always have the pictures and the stories of what we did while we were there… 

But the greatest impression I have from the trip is what God did to get me there…

He is greater than my circumstances…  He is greater than the obstacles…  He is greater than my fears…  He is greater…

 

To see and read more about the experience in Nigeria, check out www.back2back2back.blogspot.com

 

Prayer and Fasting Starts this Saturday

We’ve decided that it’s time to rekindle the discussion of what we should do about a building. We currently have 8 acres of property off of Union Cemetery Road in Symmes Township. While there are plenty of thoughts and ideas of what and how and if and when, we want to start this current journey with the ‘Who’... We want everything we endeavor to do to be about and for the Kingdom of God. So as we begin this chapter we are inviting you to pray and fast with us.

We will be praying and fasting for a week leading up to Good Friday, from March 27th through April 2nd.

Fasting is usually about abstaining from food, but it doesn’t always have to be. You can choose to fast from many things, like pop or chocolate or TV or talk radio. Fasting is not as much about what you’re not doing as it is about what you are doing! When we fast we take the time and attention we would have spent on something else and we spend it seeking God. Fasting is a way for us to create more space in our lives for God to speak.

If you receive any thoughts or ‘words’ during your time of prayer and fasting, please let us know. Email Brian Hubers, the Northstar elder of the building/land process at bhubers@mtci.com.

 

Mack Avenue Community Church Newsletter

Click here (right click to download (ctrl-click on a Mac)) to read the latest newsletter from Mack Avenue Community Church.  MACC is our church plant in Detroit, MI. 

 

The Cincinnati House of Prayer
As some of you may know, we have many folks at Northstar who serve and participate with The Cincinnati House of Prayer (C-HOP). C-HOP is a worship and prayer initiative for the purpose of revival and awakening in the tri-state region. They have a vision of being a night and day continuous expression in our region, though it’s not realized yet. All those with a heart for worship and prayer are welcome to join with others across the city in this corporate prayer room. C-HOP is open daily Monday-Saturday 8am-10pm. They offer trainings, internships (see below), classes, & conferences throughout the year. Come check it out! For more information check out: www.c-hop.org.

Intro to C-HOP internship. May 2nd - July 25th

"Intro to C-HOP" is a three-month internship program aimed at equipping those in the realities of the prayer movement in the Cincinnati region, as well as what is growing at the Cincinnati House of Prayer. We believe God is stirring His people in deep, penetrating ways as we approach the days of Jesus’ return. He is maturing a people that are familiar with His ways, who pray and who act. If you feel God calling you to something more, if He is inviting you to take some advancing steps in prayer, if He is leading you toward a “life style of prayer”. This internship is for you. Space is limited so act soon! For more information go to: www.c-hop.org, and click on the ‘School of Prayer” tab.

 

Take a Seat in the Solomon Program by David Smith, dsmith@northstarvineyard.org

The Solomon Program is on its fourth year and I just have to say…there just isn’t anything quite like it. We’ve had such positive responses from so many of you that have sat in on a class that we want to open it up for everyone to check out. With other churches deciding to start Solomon Programs within their own congregations, we’ve realized that maybe God is doing something special with this program. So if you’d like to join us on a typical night, just email us back. We’d love to get more feedback on the program so we can continue to make it the best we can. Most of this year’s SP participants have already started attending Northstar on Sunday mornings, serving in different ministries, and even half of the participants will be joining us in Juarez this summer on one of our mission trips. But the real highlight for me was the last two classes where folks stayed after to talk more about the Holy Spirit and to pray with one another. Something good is going on and we’d love for everyone to get to experience it. Let us know if you’d like to come out.   

 

New Mack Avenue Website

Check out the new website of our Detroit church plant, Mack Avenue Community Church. www.mackave.com.

 

Northstar Elders

With the addition of our 4 new Elders at Northstar, we figured it would be a great time to post an updated list.  Here are the 8 current elders, their emails, and their ministry oversight.

 

Name and Email                                                      Ministry Oversight

Brian Burgdorf: brianburgdorf@gmail.com              Missions & Agenda

Peter Edwards: pedwards_477@fuse.net              Discipleship

Brian Hubers: bhubers@mtci.com                           Students & Building

Matt Massey: mmassey@northstarvineyard.org     Celebrations & Prayer

Rob McGillivray: robm@motornostixusa.com          Young Adults

Rick St. John: richard.st.john@prodigy.net              Children’s & Family/Marriage

David Smith: dsmith@northstarvineyard.org           Outreach, Mission Groups, & Church Planting

Jim Yuhas: jimyuhas@yahoo.com                            Staff, 5-Year Plan, Finances & Benevolence

 

Freedom in Christ by Victoria Nesbitt, victoria_ous@yahoo.com

We have been in the Freedom (in Christ) season, and the whole discussion and teachings made me re-evaluate what I considered freedom in Christ to be.
 
I must confess that my thinking was limited in this respect.  I was thinking that freedom in Christ is not walking in condemnation, and continuing to move forward no matter what. (it’s not who finishes first, but who endures to the end) which it is a small, small portion of Freedom.  However, there is more freedom to be had.
 
What continues to propel us forward when we are in despair, troubled on every side, and without hope?
 
Promises of God:

• The first  shall be last and the last shall be first
• I will never  leave you nor forsake you
• No weapon  formed against you shall prosper (it may hurt but it will not  prosper)
  

These are just a few promises of God.  And I’ve learned that when these promises seem distant or untrue, then I ask the question, what am I not doing?
 
For a God who never changes, then it must be me, my flesh, my communion with my Father, what I expect of my Father.  And these realizations are what define our freedom in Christ.  Realizing our weaknesses; realizing the need of our Father in our life.
 
So I glory in my weaknesses, for in my weaknesses, God is made strong.

 

My Time in Haiti By Jenna Schroeder, jenna32@gmail.com
First I want to thank my Northstar community for praying with me before I left for Haiti. I had so much anxiety and fear going into this trip which I have never experienced before. Having that prayer covering really empowered & comforted me. And thank you to the people who committed to praying for me while I was away, and for my husband and children. That devotion, meant the world to me. For those of you who don't know, 2 weeks ago I had the opportunity to jump on the plane with a medical team from ISOH/IMPACT from northern Ohio who were heading into Haiti as first responders to the earth quake disaster. I have no medical talent, I just happened to spend a lot of time in Haiti after college and know a little Creole. Like many of you my heart was breaking watching the news, so I was glad I got the chance to go. It was hard to say Yes to go at first. Normally, I'd go anywhere, especially for missions. But all of a sudden, being a wife and a mom, I felt I had so much to lose. Thoughts like, "who am I to go and do this...", "am I crazy, this is an unstable country"..., "I can't risk my life and leave my kids and husband without me..." And eventually I came to a place where I realized, this is what Trust is. Yes I'm just an ordinary person. And here is an opportunity to love on a people that have been traumatized, a people that I have a heart for and happened to feel comfortable in the country. The night before I left, I still couldn't wrap my head around what I was doing. With my stomach churning and thoughts whirling, I had to have this small conversation with God that went something like this. " Lord, I said yes, I'm already at the hotel connected to the airport, here I am and I'm so scared." pause, listen. "You are a Big God, you are my God, I know you love me and you care about me and my family. You gave me this opportunity, you are going to protect me, right?" pause. "I know, I have to trust you. Okay, I trust that you are going to take care of me. I trust you are going to take care of my family. I'm trusting you with my life." And that is how I got on the plane. Maybe it sounds strange to you, but as someone who is regularly fearless, it was a jolt for me. And a wake up call. Do I really trust God? I mean like, really.

 

God was so sweet to me and let me tell you how. It was a long travel getting there. Flying into the Dominican Republic, then taking a bus through the night crossing the borders to Haiti, on top of that our driver got lost downtown Port au Prince. It was complete chaos there. Haitians packed in taxis trying to get out, carrying suitcases on their heads (amazing), supplies and aide workers trying to get in. If you haven't been there, there are no street lights or stop signs. It's just beep and Go. We had drivers and logistics people speaking three languages on top of cultural differences causing a lot of miscommunication, our 20 person team was anxious to get where we were headed. While we were lost another medical team answered the same call we did. They went to the hospital downtown we were supposed to go to. The hospital was now incapable of having any more staff/volunteers. We heard it was insane there. So we get re-routed to another clinic. That one gets filled up as well. Equally chaotic. Lastly we end up on a farm just outside of town. It was a mission called Double Harvest. We step outside, walk down the long dirt road, thankful to stretch our legs and feel a breeze. And let me tell you, I have never seen Haiti so beautiful. This mission 'compound' was all agriculture. Healthy cows and chickens roaming the field (rare to find a fat cow in Haiti) people passing by, so many trees and land I didn't realize still existed there. The directors of Double Harvest were so nice and welcoming. They opened up the school for us to sleep in which later we turned into recovery rooms. They had a well equipped hospital, but no one to staff it. I can tell you that the surgical team was quite happy. They had a cafeteria which we turned into a medical clinic to treat illnesses or injuries that didn't need surgery. And lastly, they had clean water. I've never, of the 4 times I've been to Haiti, had or heard of clean water there. Double Harvest had dug a well deep enough, to pipe clean water out to 6 local villages. And that alone, has cut disease and sickness down by huge proportions in their area. This is how sweet God is. He put me in the safest place I could possibly be in. There were no gates or fences, it was just the safety and peace of God. He gave us an equipped hospital for our medical team to work in. And ample room to host hundreds and hundreds of patients and refugees that would soon be there. God is good, He is trust worthy.

 

While we were there we were able to see about 1500 patients in the week. There were about 50 surgeries conducted. We at the time had set up 2 post operating rooms, and a make shift clinic. I believe they now have 6 recovery rooms. We also took a mobile clinic downtown almost every day we were there to a church/hospital/orphanage that had collapsed. For a good portion of my time there I acted as Triage to talk with the disaster victims and send them to the clinic or the hospital. At night, as the patients awaited surgery outside the hospital, I had the opportunity to pray with them. As soon as I heard wailing I would know what it was, many would come to find that they would need an amputation, and this was heart breaking.  The Haitians that I encountered, all were relying on God. I would ask if I could pray for them and I was never turned down. They would lift their hands in a worshipful prayer and pray simultaneously with me. It amazed me how open they were about their faith. Every single patient wanted prayer, or someone to listen to their story and their pain. I have to be honest in telling you that sometimes I didn't understand what they were saying they spoke so fast. But I feel like I knew just from the look in their eyes. I knew they were hurting. And God knew Exactly what was going on. Sometimes I'd see their family members sleeping in the grass overnight next to the waiting area. What love, what loyalty. My purpose was to communicate as much as I could for the team, and to bring comfort to the people through prayer or whatever way that I could. Mostly though it was just going with whatever God brought before me since I didn't have the capabilities of a nurse or doctor (which I wish I had). At times it was just being in the right place at the right time. A woman tells me her son has no clothes because their house is destroyed, and I had just seen bags of children's clothes in the warehouse under the room I was sleeping in. How divine.  The doctors and nurses worked tirelessly, we all did, it was exhausting but it felt good to do something.
 
There is so much more that needs to happen there. So much more money is needed, and constant long term care for the patients. Follow ups for surgical recovery and not to mention everyone needs a new home. It's overwhelming to think about now that I'm home. I can't quite reconcile my life knowing all that I have here, and all that they don't. Yet, they are so rich in spirit. Their joy and zeal for God and life, it plagues me some days. Though I think it helps me to know they are going to be okay. Because, as Keith Lashbrook a missionary in Haiti once put it, "They are richer in their poverty, than we are in our wealth." I don't know why this happened there of all places. I know the people are tough, they are strong, they are trying to survive. Yet they told me of their fast heartbeats and fears of sleeping inside. Their children running from the rubble causing open wounds and mutliple fractures. I met school teachers with broken backs who saw all 150 of her students die. How much can one people take? How long will we help? Will we stop now that it is no longer the top story on the news? I hope not. Will we continue to throw supplies at them and not teach them how to build their own home? I hope not. I truly feel that this is the time when we need to teach a man to fish. Help them to rebuild their communities, their selves, their pride and integrity. They are so used to survival, so used to begging. It seems it should not be this way. I wonder if in this earth shattering quake, is their a chance for change? A chance for hope? A chance for new life? I know every time I go through something horrible that God always brings good from the bad. And I have to quiet my heart when images of my trip flash through my mind, and remind myself how trustworthy God is. How he hears their cries. How he hears mine and yours. Whatever is going on in your life, whatever anxiety or fears you might have. I wonder if trusting God, really trusting Him might lead you to a sweet little farm in your life. With clean water and divine moments of inspiration. I hope so. Because He is good. He does care. And you can trust Him. There is so much to say and so much more I could write. But if you've made it this far in your busy week, I thank you. If you have a moment, say a sweet little prayer for the Haitian people because we have no idea the true power of a believers prayer.
 
 
And here's my non-shameless plug because they desperately need it:
To help Haiti there are three organizations I've worked closely with on the ground in Haiti.

• Double  Harvest - Huge influx  of patients since were there, now hosting a 500 child orphan refugee camp as  well, hospital, recovery, feeding program -  http://www.doubleharvest.org/
• ISOH/Impact - sends  medical teams regularly, sponsoring the 500 orphans for 6 months, shipping  medical supplies, bringing back children that need prosthetics & rehab to  the US next week- http://www.isohimpact.org/jom/
• Lashbrook  Family Ministry - (Port au  Paix, Haiti) children's homes, taking in refugees, expediting adoptions from  their orphanage, rebuilding all their buildings-  http://www.lfmintl.com/

 

"I'm Going to Kill You" By David Smith, dsmith@northstarvineyard.org

I got an interesting story from one of our 2010 Solomon Program coaches the other day. She had just come back from their first meeting with their Solomon Program participant and immediately raved about how well it went. She felt like she “connected” with the participant and that they had honest conversations about God, children, and the day-to-day struggles life seems to bring us all. Not bad for a first meeting. I can see why she was excited and looking forward to building on this friendship.

Yet there was one troubling part the coach wanted to share with me. She said that outside the participant's Loveland apartment, right by her front door, was a message written in the snow. It said: I’m going to kill you.

The participant had brought it up to the coach, almost nonchalantly…as if this type of stuff happens quite a bit. She believed the father of her 2-year-old child had written the threatening message. He had probably driven by and noticed that her boyfriend had slept over. Why he should be mad, is beyond us. The boyfriend wants to take care the mother and child. The father doesn't.

The participant asked her coach if she thought she should call the cops. The coach was honest and said she wasn't sure. She had never had to call the cops before and had no real insight.

“What?” the participant asked the coach, perplexed. “Really? You've never had to call the cops?”

Minutes away. Worlds apart.

“Never,” the coach came back.

The coach said that was the moment when it all become real…and clear…and so simple. We?re minutes away, but worlds apart. Her words. Not mine.

I'm not going to go on about all the pains this participant has endured as a child and adult. Because we can so easily flip the conversation and say all sorts of things that lessens our empathy for this single mother. It's easy to cast blame. But it's not hard to refute truth.

Minutes away. Worlds apart.

We can?t say that enough.

God's Call to Mold Me into Who He Made Me to Be

By Tiffany O?Neill, toneill@focusonyouth.com

 

Hello. My name is Tiffany O?Neill. I was a stay at home mother for 10 years and recently re-entered the workforce in obedience and in conflict with the desires of my heart to be a stay at home mother until all my kids had left the nest. God had a different plan for me however, and when I was willing to “catch the vision” as Peter Edwards spoke of a couple weeks back, life seemed to be a lot more peaceful. Starting from my very first week at work, God began to show me my current employment was so much more than securing my family's financial needs, it was about his mission for the kingdom. It won't be a “God-incidence” as I call them to mention that I was led to this job by the Father, and it never ceases to amaze me at how much He desires to bless his children in more ways than we could ever hope or imagine. I am a social worker by trade, and I know in my heart that I was created to connect with people and be relational, that is who I sense God made me to be. The blessing of my current employment is that I am using my education to work in at a private non-profit Christian (to boot!) adoption and foster care agency, Focus on Youth, located right here close to our backyard in Ole West Chester. I was thankful that God provided for a job in today?s economy, but it has only been in my quietness that I have come to sense that this job is about more than little ole me focusing on my family's needs. As I have come to learn, God is a great multi-tasker!
God has a plan for my life, more than I could ever hope, imagine or plan for. Little would I have ever thought that as I was saddened by leaving my family for the workforce, He was beginning a new service for me in His kingdom. God has a call on my heart that the abandoned and neglected children in our community are the same children He is calling into his story and that I am his hands and feet here on earth. It is amazing to me that as He provides for me financially, He is also allowing me this opportunity to go and serve by going to the missing and loving
the marginalized orphaned and abandoned children in His kingdom. I know I wasn?t looking to serve the kingdom when I started looking for a job and it delights my soul to know that He would show me He has a bigger plan to love the marginalized. I am reminded of Romans 8:28 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” I remember someone saying it doesn't read “some things” it reads “all things”. I wonder what good He is trying to work into your life and how He is intertwining that with His mission to go, love, and live? I know I couldn't see it until I realized that His plans are bigger than the plans I have for myself and that He can bring forth good from all things, even things we can't see as being good. Could God be calling you towards who he has made you to be? There are many monthly volunteer and other opportunities to love the marginalized at Focus on Youth if you feel called. If you would like further information about these opportunities, feel free to contact me at toneill@focusonyouth.com or at 644-1030.

 

There's a Reason By David Smith, dsmith@northstarvineyard.org

If you’ve spent even an hour with any of the Back2Back staff members or on one of their ministry sites, you know there’s a reason why this ministry has flourished. But I feel kind of weird tooting the horn too loud. And the reason why is because so many folks who call Northstar their home church are on staff with this great missions ministry. I think we’re up to 10 people at this point. So are we allowed to still brag about Back2Back…or is that self-serving? I’ll take my chances. J

I’ve been down to Monterrey just once, and it was only for a 2-day stay. So my insight might seem a little premature. But, I think what impressed me the most was the immediate thought I after the brief visit.
 
There’s a reason, is what I kept thinking, and still think today. There’s a reason.

There’s a reason why fifty of our folks go down to Monterrey, Mexico every summer. There’s a reason why we don’t think twice about the amount of financial support we provide. There’s a reason why we would never question the strategies they carry out. There’s a reason why we felt blessed to have some of our key Northstar leaders pack up their bags and move down to Monterrey…even though we’d miss them greatly.
 
I’d love to tell you what I think that reason is, but I want you to figure that out on your own. We reserve 50 spots every year for our annual trip down to Monterrey, MX. And every year, you guys fill those spots. There’s a reason you do. You know God is moving in a powerful way through this ministry and you want to be a part of that. You want your friends to be a part of that…your kids, your family, your neighbors.  
 
So maybe I did just tell you the reason. God is moving in a powerful way as B2B gives care for today and hope for tomorrow. There’s no other explanation. The humility, character, integrity, and perseverance that Back2Back daily lives out is contagious. I encourage you to go see what I mean. You won’t regret it.  
 
Our trip to Monterrey, MX to work with Back2Back ministries is June 26-July 2. We’ll be doing construction work at the orphanages, serving the orphans, and helping in other practical ways. Stop by the mission trip info table for registration forms & information sheets. Like last year, this trip has a total of 50 spots that will be filled on a first come, first serve basis over this next month. “Open signups” for the trip will remain open until February 15th. After Feb. 15th, if there are still available spots on the trip, we will be opening up to others to join the trip.  We will close registration for this year’s trip as of February 26th for airline ticketing purposes. Please email Mark Weller at mweller@cinci.rr.com with any questions.

 

Help Haiti

To help with the tragedy that has struck Haiti, go to Matthew 25 Ministries website, www.m25m.org to help the cause here locally.  Or go to A Child’s Hope web page at www.achildshopeintl.org  to also contribute here locally. Both are Blue Ash based ministries.  Another great ministry to contribute to is World Vision, who is known worldwide for their great work with underprivileged children and disaster relief. Go to www.worldvision.org. World Vision’s Haiti headquarters is in the capital of Port-au-Prince, the area affected.

 

Why Should I Go On a Mission Trip?  By David Smith, dsmith@northstarvineyard.org
Mission trips can be tough things to sell. You have to raise and spend money, sacrifice your  time, energy, and wake up each day earlier than you would on a vacation to the beach. Plus, drink the wrong water and you’re coming home with stomach cramps that we don’t have time to describe here.  But despite all that fun stuff, the blessing always outweighs the cost. And the real blessing is typically not what you, the visitor, brings to the week, or what the locals, we partner with, bring to you. Sometimes, the blessing has nothing to do with what anyone brings…but what we leave behind. The blessing is the connection with God without the noise. And sure, there will be noise: kids playing, maybe crying, hammers connecting with nails, and worship songs sung loud. The noise we’ll leave behind is the little voice calling you back to your computer, cell phone, work load, agenda, and hundreds of other daily distractions. They are not all bad distractions, but distractions none the less. When we go on a mission trip, we are going to the missing, loving the marginalized, and living as God’s kids…all at once. And we tend to focus on the missing and marginalized piece, and forget that we are living as God’s kids to a degree we can rarely achieve at home. We are praying, serving, worshiping, and living in Godly community every single day. We are being intentional about devotion to the Lord and fellowship with one another. It is a sweet spot to be in. Our phones may not work, our computers will be at home, and all the normal tasks and demands will be thousands of miles away.  To call it a sweet spot, might be an understatement. That’s why so many people go back on these mission trips every year. That’s why we all crave to return. Not just because we value the missions we partner with in Monterrey, Juarez, and Nigeria…but because we crave the mission of truly living as God’s kids. And it’s in those weeks we take off from work, life, and the grind in Cincincinnati, that we experience so much more of what God has for us. And just maybe, we’ll take some of that sweet stuff home with us. It’s worth a shot. Isn’t it?

To sign up for a trip or to get more info, check out the "What's Going On" page.

 

 

 

Mack Avenue Community Church Newsletter

Click here (right click to download (ctrl-click on a Mac)) to read the latest newsletter from Mack Avenue Community Church.  MACC is our church plant in Detroit, MI. 

 

 

Marriage Matters
We know that marriage is not always easy. If you are having any problems, big, small, of any degree, please let us know. We’d love to help. Just email us at requests@northstarvineyard.org.  We were able to help many couples in 2009, but would love to see even more in 2010 step forward and contact us. We’ll walk you through a simple process of getting the kind of help and encouragement your marriage needs.  It is important for all of us to understand that we are not alone in this process. We’re here to help in any way that we can. Please don’t hesitate to contact us. Again, just email at requests@northstarvineyard.org. Or call David Smith at 575-3467. 

 

The Miracle Within an Answered Prayer 

By David Smith, dsmith@northstarvineyard.org

 

A few years ago I got a call from someone in our community who was living out of his car in a Wal-Mart parking lot. To avoid using his real name, we’ll call him Jim. Jim was in his late twenties and needed help with food. We had him come out to some of our Saturday Morning Missions to serve with us and earn some free food. He was more than happy to help. He eventually jumped into the Northstar community, even bringing his girlfriend, (well call her…) Natalie with him. Unable to live with his girlfriend, Jim was taken in by a family at Northstar that had room for Jim in their home. This Northstar family was in a mission group at the time, and someone else in their mission group heard about Jim’s situation and offered Jim a job. Things were working out. Sure, ups and down followed, but more folks in the mission group jumped into the mission of loving Jim and Natalie. Even when they moved down to Kentucky, the mission group was there to help.
 
So…years of friendship followed that one phone call that Jim made to Nothstar. But for what? For a job and temporary shelter? Was it all just for those few days that mission group helped him and Natalie move to Kentucky? Not at all. It was for much more. A month ago, Natalie, having recently given birth to hers and Jim’s first child, came down with flu-like conditions. It got bad and Natalie was in the hospital.
 
She was in a coma, on a respirator, and the doctor’s said at one point that she had only 12 hours to live. Things had gone terribly wrong.  
 
The Northstar mission group was in Jim and Natalie’s life for this very moment. Jim and Natalie have always had reservations about God. But now, it was clear that God was the only hope Jim had in saving Natalie. The mission group took on the task of communicating this to Jim during the desperate time. Day after day during the Christmas break, and even on Christmas day, the mission group got together to pray for Natalie.  
 
Those 12 hours eventually passed. And another. And another.
 
The doctors had been wrong. Natalie pulled through. She was going to live. Jim, stunned, found himself with something new moving in his heart and head.
 
It was hope, belief, and a little bit of faith, growing more every second.
 
There’s a miracle within every answered prayer. And within this story, there’s an amazing mission group that should really be proud of themselves. I wish I had the time to tell you everything about this story and the people who have faithfully followed the Lord during this journey with Jim and Natalie. The ridiculous love that moves mountains can also save lives, bring hope, and restore the light to the darkest caverns we craw. And what inspires me the most about this mission group is that they were willing to craw anywhere with Jim and Natalie, all to honor the Lord.

 

What We're Reading

 

One of the ways we, as a Northstar staff team, try to grow closer to God is by being disciplined with reading. And not just the Bible, which is a given, but also by reading books that challenge, shape, and encourage our faith. Just like an athlete works out and trains for their sport, it’s important for a disciple of Jesus to stay sharp in the heart and mind. So we wanted to share with everyone some books that have encouraged us of late.

 

The first is The Prodigal God by Tim Keller, a pastor in New York City. It’s a great read for the Christian believer who not only is interested in a different take on the Prodigal Son story, but also the Gospel as a whole.

 

Donald Miller’s latest, A Million Miles in a Thousand Year, is his personal story of coming to grips with some of the meaninglessness of his own life and his journey to do something about that.

 

And the last is The Bible as it Was, a commentary on The Torah (first 5 books of the Old Testament) by James L. Kugel. Where this one is a little different, is that Kugel looks at various outside sources to help fill in some of the gaps the Torah seems to leave unattended.  Kugel is a professor of Jewish & Hebrew Literature at Harvard and therefore gives great insight into what others outside the Christian faith believe concerning The Torah. It’s an easy read, while still challenging us to dig deeper with our own conclusions on these particular books and topics of the Old Testament. 

 

Married vs. Single: There Is No Fence by David Smith, dsmith@northstarvineyard.org

 

Oh, how the grass is always greener on the other side. This week marks a special 10-year anniversary for me. Ten years ago we started a young adult small group in my parents’ house when I was 23. My folks lived in Singapore at the time and I stayed there to look after everything and of course take advantage of the free rent. We were all single at the time and many of us have remained friends to this day. Our group grew quickly and eventually outgrew my parents’ home and we moved to the Vineyard Community Church, where I was currently on staff. Our first young adult Thursday night celebration had Matt Massey as the speaker. He did the ‘set up’ talk of a two-part series we were doing…and then I followed up and spoke on the second part. How little things have changed. J

So, ten years later, some of my best friends from that young adult ministry are still single. I am married though, with two kids. Over Christmas break I talked with many of them who are still not married, but want to be. Some believe that the addition of a family would allow them to experience God on a deeper level. And I believe, to a degree, that without a family and the addition of time and energy, one could potentially pursue God greater. But the point is…both sides believe that the other has something that would bring them closer to God. Married people believe that if they had the single person’s time, flexibility, and freedom, God would be more real in their lives. And the singles believe that if they just had the stability of a spouse and family, then they would grow more with God. Both, of course, are lies. The married couples will tell you that spouse and kids, as great of a gift they are, can be the very temptations we fall to when overshadowing God in our lives. And some singles will tell you, that all that time and flexibility they have only contributes to a type of loneliness that keeps them from the Lord.  So maybe we’re all in the same boat. Maybe that gives us more reason to connect, hang out, and not isolate ourselves based on our stage of life or the number of kids we have.

We all have the same problem. We believe, from time to time, that the solution to our spiritual apathy lies on the other side of the fence. Yet if we looked closer, we’d see there really is no fence. Just two groups of people with a similar problem…and in need of a similar solution: Jesus.  

 

Saturday Night Dinners: And a Good Time Was Had By All!

By Sandi Horine

 

Have you been going to Northstar for awhile and still don't know many people or even anyone at all? You may be in a mission group or do outreach... but maybe you feel like there are still people that you would like to meet?  

 

We have created the perfect opportunity: Saturday Night Dinner! We had our first dinner in December at Rick and Barb Ianniello’s house with 9 others attending. We represented three different mission groups so we would not have known each other except through this dinner. The dinner is designed to include seven to eleven (or so) people and meet at a home with each participant bringing something to share so no one has to be completely responsible for the dinner.  

 

If you are interested in participating, please contact Jim and Rachael Yuhas,  rjwherever@yahoo.com

 

Donate Baby Clothing By Barb Ianniello, bianniello@gmail.com
Recently I started volunteer work at the Pregnancy Care Center of Clifton. This is a non-profit Christian ministry. Services are provided to women facing unwanted or unplanned pregnancies. I have been blessed by the love I have witnessed towards the clients by staff and also the love I see in the women?s eyes for the unborn child they have decided to raise. The center is in need of gently used baby clothes. Sizes: newborn to 12 -months. The need is especially great for the newborn size. One way we at Northstar can support this ministry is by donating clothes. Please bring the baby clothing to church on January 10 and I will see that it gets to center. I can be reached at 234-9654 if January 10th is not a convenient time to bring clothing.
Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart (Jeremiah 1:5)
Thank you for your support.

 

Mack Avenue Church in the Wall Street Journal

By David Smith, dsmith@northstarvineyard.org

Our Detroit church plant, Mack Avenue Community Church, received an unexpected but well deserved encouragement last week. The Wall Street Journal ran this article on them and their unique mission of trying to reach Detroit in such dire times. Read the article and see tons of great pictures at (cut and paste or click) http://online.wsj.com/article/SB126142947448500607.html?

 

Him
One of the things we love to do is to display creative works that honor God. This is a beautiful sonnet by Jessica Duncan, a sophomore at Loveland High School and part of Northstar?s student ministry. Great job, Jessica!

Him
Are you ever alone with nowhere to turn?
That sad feeling that makes your stomach churn?
There’s someone that will never desert you
When times are rough, he will comfort you too.
He promises to never leave your side.
This promise, he will forever abide.
This may seem false, this may seem unreal,
But this love is more than an appeal.
It is unconditional love that’s pure.
He loves us more than anything, for sure.
Whenever you are feeling down and blue,
Remember he will never forget you.
You mean the whole world to him and much more.
Jesus will always love you, this is sure.

 

3 Days of Walking the Border By Sandi Horine, sandi.horine@yahoo.com

My daughter Annalisa, myself, and my mother and Justin McNeeley and Brad Callahan were able to join Maria and Jesus for their annual toy drive. The women flew down on Wednesday, December 9th for 3 days of walking 1200 toys across the border.

 

Yes, walking 5 toys at a time.

 

Because of corruption in the Mexican Border, the only way to get the toys over the border without them being raided by the border patrol...is to take them 5 at a time. We were joined by a team from the Juarez JEM church as we crossed toys across the border. The day before the toy drive 600 families signed up to receive a ticket to get a toy the next day. Even though they had tickets, there were several family groups that camped out in 30 degree weather to be the first to receive a toy the next day.

 

Friday night we were joined by Justin and Brad who came down to help with the toy drive and help prepare for our construction next summer. Justin and Brad purchased, cooked and served over 1000 hot dogs during the toy drive. They also hung out with the families who were spending the night as Justin speaks fluent spanish.

 

The day of the toy drive, 1400 children were able to select a toy. It was humbling to see the line that was long almost all day until we ran out of toys. It was an amazing way to show these children that Jesus loves them and believes they are special. These children will not be receiving any other toys and for many these are their only toys. Sunday, we were able to join Maria and Jesus for church. Being a part of a Mexican outward-focused church and worshipping together, even though we don't speak Spanish, was an amazing experience. And Pastor Jesus can preach...

 

This summer we have several opportunities to experience mission hands on... with Back2Back and JEM Ministries. Both are amazing ways to see how God is connecting Northstar around the world...you will not return the same person. I would highly recommend taking time to pray about joining any of these mission experiences. Check out the dates of the Mission Trips here.

 

Seeds of the Season
At the end of our Christmas Eve Eve Celebration, we challenged the church body with a different type of outreach opportunity this year. We spend so much time planting and watering seeds for God, but rarely do we slow down enough to complete the circle and pray for God to make the seeds grow. This is not just an act of prayerful obedience and acknowledgement of God's sovereignty, but also a crucial step in the evangelism process. We can't just stop at planting and watering as Paul talks about in 1 Corinthians. But we need to also be praying that God would be gracious enough to make the seeds we've planted grow. Only He can. So the challenge was to spend seven days this holiday season to pray for God to grow the seeds we planted in our three major holiday outreaches of the past few months. We believe this is just as important any outreach program we run, goods we hand out, or services we provide. Thanks for stepping up and accepting this challenge. Any feedback you have, let us know.

 

Holiday Outreach Recap By David Smith, dsmith@northstarvineyard.org

Another great holiday season of outreaches wrapped up this past weekend. We had over 90 kids come out to our annual Christmas Store at The Solo-mon Center. This outreach is aimed at empowering under-privileged kids to ‘shop’ for their parents. The pictures are from that outreach on Dec. 12. We also had over 80 folks from Northstar come out and participate in our two weekends of The Feast of Kindness. This relational outreach surprises families in need with free $100 shopping sprees and a free lunch. One of the highlights from those two weekends was seeing quite a few families from Northstar, who currently, or once lived in the communities we serve, come out and participate. Thanks to everyone for participating and going the extra mile this holiday season to love those who are a little less fortunate.

The Solomon Program Opportunities   
The 2010 Solomon Program is approaching quickly and not without a few changes this year. With so many applicants for the 2010 program, we’re not only offering 7 spots for the official program, but are offering 7 spots in the first ever Solomon Development Program. Seven individuals, who do not make the official SP for 2010, will get the opportunity to reserve a spot for the 2011 SP. They will have to complete nine classes, a final project, and serve in three outreach events to complete the development program. This program stretches over nine months and will naturally feed the graduates into the 2011 Solomon Program. Also, be praying for our 2010 SP Support Coaches: Rick Ianniello, Betsy Pangello, Emily Smith, Jenna Schroeder, and Tanya Hubers.  And finally, if you would like to help us pray for the participants in either the 2010 SP or SP Development Program, please let us know. We’ll match you up with one of the 14 people going on a Solomon Program journey this year.  Thanks again for all your support over the past three years with this outreach.

Freedom: Season 1 
This year we’ll be breaking 2010 into four ‘seasons’ at Northstar.  Each 3-month season will be defined by a single word/idea that we want our Sunday morning messages and mission groups to focus on. The goal is that we want each seasonal word to hold real, lasting power in our lives after the 3 months. We want this word to produce emotion and response from our church. When we hear 'Freedom' (for example), no longer does it just invoke thoughts of contemporary and physical freedom, but produces thoughts of Godly, spiritual freedom and how that freedom is above all the others.  We, as a church family, want to be intention about going ‘to the well’ every 3 months and soaking in a particular idea together. The good things in life take time. So we’re going to slow down and be more intentional about growing closer to God through each of the 4 seasonal ideas.

Sleep outside overnight in 30 degrees for a Barbie?
Apparently, bunches of parents were willing to in Juarez, MX this past weekend. We know this because a team from Northstar was visiting the JEM Ministries ministry campus this past weekend for their annual Toy Drive. Over 1400 families showed up, many sleeping in the freezing temperatures overnight to get a good spot in line. Their prize? Just 1 or 2 toys for their kids. Unfortunately, the toys run out before the line does. We’ve been serving with JEM for seven years and still are not used to the degree of poverty and crime they face every day. This was just another dose of reality that we can never get too much of. Thanks to all of you who continue to support the mission of JEM. 

Don't Listen to Dad by David Smith, dsmith@northstarvineyard.org

Every now and then I?ll enjoy a good surprise. This past Saturday at our first 2009 Feast of Kindness weekend, I got a few. At the end of Friday, we had only 8 folks signed up to come and out serve, but 30 of you people showed up to bless underprivileged families with free $100 dollar shopping sprees and lunch. If you missed this weekend, make sure to come out this upcoming Saturday, Dec. 19, for another weekend of The Feast. So that was surprise #1. And a great one, to say the least. The next surprise happened on site at Westover Village Apartments. Everyone had gone off to find someone to bless, leaving just me, my 4-year-old son, Evan, and my good friend, Linda. We had spotted a lady I knew outside her apartment when we arrived and Linda mentioned that maybe this particular lady would be a great person to bless. I discouraged Linda from approaching this lady since I thought we had blessed her in a previous Feast of Kindness outreach.

 

Linda was a little stuck, not sure which of the 8 doors in front of her to knock on. I had no idea either. So Linda did what any smart adult would do…she asked the 4-year-old. Evan answered by pointing to the door of the lady I had encouraged Linda not to approach. But thankfully Linda is smart enough to know what Smith to listen to. She took Evan?s advice and went to the door of the lady…once again, that "Dad? had said… “I don?t think we should approach her.”

 

As Linda knocked on the door, the lady came out quickly. Linda offered her the free shopping spree and the lady immediately broke into tears. She had just been fired from her job 2 hours ago. Before Linda could say much else, they were both embraced in a big hug…two strangers, just holding onto each other, and the realization that the Lord has bigger plans than we can ever know. I overhead the tearful woman say, “the Lord is so good.” Indeed. Linda and her new friend had a great day. “We spent most of the day crying,” Linda had said later. The Lord is so good. He doesn?t need over-calculating pastors and their plans. A 4-year-old will do.

 

Last Chance for the Feast!

During our normal 11am Saturday Morning Mission time slot, we'll be going out one last time on Dec. 19 to bless the folks in our community through The Feast of Kindness. We'll be surprising people in the apartment complexes we serve by taking them out for a 100 dollar shopping spree and a free lunch. Interested? We?d love to tell you more. Contact David Smith, dsmith@northstarvineyard.org. We are still in need of more help. And don?t let finances stop you. We have budgeted money to help you guys serve in this outreach.

 

Rise

Hey gang, check out this testimony from Kurt Tuffendsam. A former Northstar attendee before moving to Hollywood, Kurt shares his unique strategy in ‘going to the missing and loving the marginalized.’ I really wanted to share this as an example of there being so many different and creative ways we can accomplish our mission of Go. Love. Live. - David Smith, dsmith@northstarvineyard.org

Rise. by Kurt Tuffendsam, ktonefilm@yahoo.com
My wife and I had the privilege of being part of the Northstar community for about six months between Fall 2007 and Spring 2008. We had moved back to Cincinnati from Los Angeles where we had been living the previous five years.

 

During our first five years in Los Angeles we intentionally placed ourselves in the midst of the Hollywood entertainment community where I was working on TV series' and feature films, purposely living missionally, building relationships and reaching the lost. We faced a lot of challenges and made a lot of sacrifices to both succeed in my career and also to represent Christ in that environment, often hostile toward Christianity.

We began to feel extremely lonely and isolated. We lacked a real community of faith even though we attended a large Church and were very involved. Freelancing from project to project and working long hours had also taken its toll. We were broken and disappointed when we moved back to Cincinnati and started going to Northstar, but through that period of six months God used the community at Northstar and our Consumed small group to help us identify several areas of our life that needed to change. We wrote a letter to the intercessory prayer group identifying seven specific prayer requests of areas we wanted to see change in our lives.

In Spring 2008 I was hired to line produce a feature film in Detroit (that recently won best screenplay at the San Diego Film Festival). We moved back to Los Angeles in June 2008 so I could supervise the post-production, being better prepared this time to meet the many challenges that had left us feeling defeated. Over the last year and a half we have seen God answer every prayer request we had given to the prayer team at Northstar!

Earlier this year, God began to speak to both my wife and I about His desire for us to reach the nations, a change in our ministry direction we had not anticipated. We took a college level missions course called Perspectives and began investigating several opportunities to serve long-term in world missions. During this process we realized the great need that exists to get more missionaries on the field and to awaken the Church to find their role in the great commission.

In August we became missionaries ourselves and started an organization with several other veteran missionaries and experienced filmmakers called Rise to mobilize and inspire the Church through the language of film narrative, to find their role in the great commission (Matt 28:19-20). Rise will produce a quarterly video magazine (four - 30 minute documentaries a year) that will reveal through story and human struggle the unique expressions of the Glory of God among cultures and people groups vastly different from our own.

 

Mack Avenue Community Church Newsletter

Click here (right click to download (ctrl-click on a Mac)) to read the latest newsletter from Mack Avenue Community Church.  MACC is our church plant in Detroit, MI.  

"In the Midst of the Storm" By Victoria Nesbitt, victoria_ous@yahoo.com

A few nights ago, I was winding down having some quiet time, after having a very trying day, crying, "whoa is me, this is too hard, these kids don't appreciate me" just on and on.  All of a sudden, I thought about something that someone had told me at LaRosa's after the Turkeyfest outreach.  She told me that she had a vision of me riding on an donkey with Jesus.  So I looked up the verse she had given me then, which was Matthew 21:1-11. In my bible it titles itself, "the triumphant entry into Jerusalem".  When I read it my heart skipped a beat, I could hardly breathe.

Just that fast, I felt comfort, (the comforter-Holy Spirit) all over me, then I looked up at my television and there was a preview of the Will Smith movie, "The Pursuit of Happyness" going, then as I was opening this book to capture my thoughts, I ran across a previous page and my eyes stopped on notes from when Rob Hall spoke on Nov. 22. 2009.  It said, "biblical patience is not sitting around, be patient over what you're doing" and, "Continue to do until the Lord comes."

What I am saying is that God spoke to my heart and gave me strength to take another step.  And when I say a step I mean just one more foot in front of the other.  He knew I was strung tight, not understanding my circumstances, and brought me "true peace in the mist of the storm."  Not when everything was okay, when I had the solutions, but in the midst of everything when I couldn't see my way.

Who can ask for a better God?

 

The Feast is Looking Like a Snack By David Smith, dsmith@northstarvineyard.org

For the past three years we've done The Feast of Kindness, a pretty 'radical' (yikes, did I just use a Christian buzz word?) Christmas outreach where we bless marginalized families with surprise $100 dollar shopping sprees and a free lunch afterwards. The 'radical' thing about it, I guess, is that it's very relational. You shop with the folks, eat lunch with them, and it may last about three hours. So it's not really like the standard Christmas Toy Drive...where you buy something from the store and drop it in the church bin on Sunday...and someone else hands it out on another date. And not that there's anything wrong with that, that's just not what we do at Northstar. We don't want to cheat the relational connection between the giver and receiver...since it's the listening ear and focused attention that restores humanity and integrity, not the Transformer and Barbie.  
Every year we have anywhere from 60-70 people come out and serve over the two FOK weekends and it's one of the bigger blessings of the year...and that's to our folks, not just to those we're serving.  

But for some reason, this year we've had zero sign ups. Not a person...and the first weekend of The Feast (happens on Dec. 12 and 19) is just 11 days away. I know we have a late crowd that signs up last minute for things, but still wanted to do everything we can to make sure the Feast doesn't become a snack.

If interested in signing up or need financial assistance to do this outreach, just contact me. See info above. Or if you want more info on The Feast of Kindness, see more info below or contact me as well.  

 

Our 3: The Values of Northstar

Our values are the invisible guardrails that guide everything we do at Northstar. Sometimes, the values are forgotten about in light of how much we emphasize our mission of Go. Love. Live. So here's some quick insight on those 'invisible guardrails' that guide us in our mission at NSV.  

1. Worship. The number one value that flows through Northstar is always Jesus. Our hope is that everything we do is rooted in our worship of Jesus and that we seek first the Kingdom of God. Every step we take and decision we make should be established in the foundational truth that it's all for God and about God. That's the essence of worship.

2. Discipleship. Discipleship is the journey of becoming more like Jesus. We will be a place where people come alive in this journey, experiencing the depth and love of God. We want this type of spiritual growth happening across the board. From Sunday morning celebrations, to our mission groups, to outreaches, to children's and student ministries, to even informal friendships...we want to be intentional about inviting in and encouraging people on this journey.  

3. Community. We are a group of people united together and passionately pursing God in our lives. Together, we are the Movement of God. And movement requires community and unity. We will get beyond the casual, arm's distance relationships. We want to be a church that fosters deep friendships that do 'real life' together and are there for each other during the good and the bad. We believe that real change and growth in God can't happen alone. We must be in community with others.  

 

Save the Date: 2009 Women's Retreat

Our 2009 Women's Retreat will be The Women of Faith "Over the Top" conference from April 30-May 1 in Columbus, OH.  $89 dollars per person. For more info, go to www.womenofffaith.com.  We'll be announcing more details coming in January. To connect with our women's ministry leader with any questions, contact Nancy Zwolinski at nzwo@fuse.net.

 

Save the Dates: 2010 Mission Trips

As of now, we've got two mission trip dates we want to let everyone know about. Our trip to Juarez, MX to work with JEM Ministries is June 13-19. We'll be doing construction work on their ministry site while also serving and encouraging the children of this marginalized city. To sign up early and/or to get more information, contact Beth Femia at mbfemia@yahoo.com.

And our trip to Monterrey, MX to work with Back2Back ministries is June 26-July 2. There are 50 spots available for that trip and we'll be doing construction work at the orphanages, serving and encouraging the orphans, and helping in other practical ways. For more information, contact Mark Weller, mweller@cinci.rr.com.

More information and official signups for both trips will start in January but feel free to go ahead and contact us now if you'd like to go on either trip or just want more information.

 

 

Please Pray for Vicki Boyd

Hey everyone, please be praying for Mark and Vicki Boyd and their son, Andrew. Vicki has been diagnosed with Leukemia. The Boyds have been a part of our church for years and have been nothing but a blessing through their service, participation, and most importantly, their Christ-like hearts and attitude. The biggest request they have right now is prayer. So please be praying and as other needs come up, we'll be letting you know.


"I didn't think anyone cared." By Brian Regan, brianregan3@yahoo.com

About 3 years ago, my wife and I decided to leave our church on the East side of town to get connected into Northstar.  If you've ever made the decision to leave one particular church to attend another, you know that a question often asked is 'why did you leave?'  In this case, the answer for me was simple:  it was because I didn't think anyone cared.  About surrendering their lives.  About growing in deeper intimacy with Christ.  About going to the missing and loving the marginalized.  

And so we came to Northstar.  A place where it doesn't take long to realize that people genuinely care.  And for 3 years we loved it.  We plugged into a mission group, went on retreats, got involved in discipleship, and even participated in Saturday outreaches to low income families in Loveland.  Things were going along great...and then the Holy Spirit interfered.  In a turn of events beyond our wildest imagination, we felt God call us to start loving the marginalized in our own community on the East side of town.  Not only that, but we also felt directed to return to our former church community and enroll the congregation to help lead the effort.  

To make a long story short, this past Saturday our former (and now current) church answered the call.  In a shameless reapplication of Northstar's Saturday Outreach program, we started serving an apartment complex in our community that houses over 150 families living in poverty.  Our first annual Turkey Fest (I told you we were shameless) brought in well over 150 turkey dinners along with an overwhelming army of volunteers willing to give up their time, resources, and comfort to serve those in need.  

After we knocked on every door in the complex we met back in the parking lot to debrief.  It was then that we realized we still had about 30 meals left to give away.  What do you do when you have a bunch of people sitting around a parking lot with 30 meals leftover from your outreach?  I had no idea, but luckily the answer was clear for everyone else.  You go serve another community in need.  And that's exactly what we did.  There was another community less than 5 minutes down the road.    

The highlight of the day for me was a quote by one of the tenants we served.  In a brief conversation that took place in her doorway, with grateful tears running down her face, in between deep breaths, having just received her free meal, a woman exclaimed, 'I didn't think anyone cared.'  

Wow.  Neither did I.  But I was wrong.  And so was she.  People do care.  They just needed an opportunity to show it.  So all of this poses another question, 'what do we do now?'  Luckily for me, the answer to this question is an easy one.  We go back.  This Saturday.  And the Saturday after that.  And the Saturday after that.  And the Saturday after that.  Until everyone in the church has an opportunity to prove that they care.  And more importantly until everyone in that building knows that someone cares about them.  

On the surface it may seem like this Outreach has nothing to do with Northstar.  It's not sponsored by Northstar.  Northstar families are not participating.  And we aren't giving Northstar's name as a reference for further assistance.  But I assure you that every family we reach is a direct result of the ministry and inspiration of Northstar Vineyard.  Go. Love. Live.  And never underestimate the truth that you are cared for, or the command to go out and care for others.  

 

 

The Silver Lining By David Smith, dsmith@northstarvineyard.org

Thanks again to everyone who supported the 2009 Turkeyfest outreach at Northstar. Obviously, the real blessing is never the turkey and sides...but as Brian conveyed in his story above, it's about reminding people that the God of the Universe cares. As we say, the gift of the day is God's love disguised as a frozen turkey. The dinner is just the vehicle. But there were some 'silver linings' to the outreach worth noting. There were some extra blessings that might have gone unnoticed.  We actually needed 195 turkeys, and we got 197. (Yes, we say we need 300. Shoot for the stars, as they say.) There were so many children serving, being exposed to the value of sacrifice and giving. We had over 200 total people come out to serve...almost 43% of our church. And we had people of different economic backgrounds serving side by side. It was a great day...and that's about all that needs to be said. It was a great day, like any other Saturday we serve. A great day. Thanks again for your help and efforts. 

 

Mack Avenue Community Church Newsletter

Click here (right click to download (ctrl-click on a Mac)) to read the latest newsletter from Mack Avenue Community Church.  MACC is our church plant in Detroit, MI.  

 

Turkeyfest: "When You're Depended On"
By David Smith, dsmith@northstarvineyard.org *HOLIDAY OPPORTUNITY.

It's hard telling the truth at times. Because you don't want to make people feel guilty or unappreciated. Yet, the truth is that last year we were about 100 turkeys short for Turkeyfest. And to a lot of us that may not seem like a big deal. And maybe I'm in the wrong for thinking it was...for staying up late that night brainstorming how we can make sure that never happens again. See, the problem we have is one we've created. For right or wrong, the folks in our community depend on us. That's just what happens when you serve a community of people to some degree, every day of every week for six years. There is a healthy dependence and an unhealthy dependence. Well, we at Northstar have decided to take the good with the bad. It's just the way it is.  

 

We see in the book of Acts that people depended on the disciples of the early church. Some of that dependence was healthy and led to the spread of the Gospel. Some was unhealthy and lead to people worshiping false gods (like Paul and Barnabas) and such. Yet the overwhelming good news was that people were turning to the Church for hope and help. And the Church was pointing to Christ. That's what seems to happen more than ever during the holiday season in Loveland. The folks we serve are depending on us. They are looking for heroes to help. They are looking for more than just a frozen turkey. They are looking for the person behind the 'drop off' to engage with them, to smile, to offer prayer, hope, and maybe a little reassurance that everything is going to be alright... we have a Savior that loves us, died for us, and rose for us.

I want to be clear...I do want your frozen turkeys and sides, there's no doubt about that. But I also want you...in that cafeteria at 11am on Saturday Nov. 21. You may not understand why Northstar gives so much away. You may not really comprehend why 25% of all that comes into this church goes back out. And maybe you don't really agree with all that we do to love the marginalized. But in the end, all that does not really matter. Doesn't matter one bit.  

When others depend on you, you have two options. You can either meet them where they are at...or leave them waiting and wondering where you are.  

Let's go with the first.


Our annual Turkeyfest outreach is Saturday, November 21. Meet at 11am in the LOVELAND HIGH SCHOOL CAFETERIA. Bring as many filled 'brown Turkeyfest bags' as you'd like on Nov. 21. Or if you didn't pick up a 'brown bag' from church, bring a frozen turkey and three sides in any sturdy bag. No sign ups. Just show up at the LHS cafeteria. We'll go door to door in the lower income areas and bless hundreds of families with the turkey dinners and prayer. Great for everyone-families, singles, folks of all ages, stages, and experience. We'll grab lunch afterwards. Question? Contact Adam Kasel, akasel@northstarvineyard.org, 668-0485

 

God's Errand By David Spence, dlaynespence@gmail.com

It was a sunny Saturday morning with blue skies and temperatures in the high 70's. I had some errands to run including my favorite store in the world - Tractor Supply. I would be gone for an hour or so and what a beautiful day to be out running around. This was all good, but that was not the best part. The best part was that my 15 year old son was going with me! I had asked him, as I normally do, if he wanted to tag along and to my surprise - he said yes! Why was I so excited? Well it wasn't that I needed his help as I could find and carry the things I needed by myself. It wasn't that I needed company because I'm somewhat of an introvert and am quite content to be alone with God and my own thoughts. No, I was happy for one simple reason: I love to spend time with him. I love to hear him pontificate on matters of science, theology, humor, and random thoughts. I love his mannerisms, proclivities, and routines. I just love to share life with him - he's my son. Whether he knew it or not, above everything else, he had made my day by choosing to spend time with me.

The same thing happened earlier in the week with my 13 year old daughter. I needed to run to Kroger for some late night "necessities" (I actually don't even remember what) and my daughter had chosen to go along. What a joy! I love her constant optimism, her discussions around her walk with God, her laugh, and her pure, tender heart. She is completely different than my son but I love spending time with her the same way I love spending time with my son. I love them both dearly, differently but dearly. And she had chosen to spend time with me.

This got me to thinking about my father. No, not my father on earth (though I love to spend time with him) but my father in heaven. As I thought about this I realized that God is constantly asking us to go along on his errands. He doesn't need our help as He is more than capable of accomplishing anything He wants to. He doesn't need our company as He is complete and perfect, needing nothing. But He DOES love to spend time with us. He loves us as the children that we are in spite of our fallen nature. He sees beyond the sin that will plague us for a short time while we are on this earth and loves the people that He created. He loves our humor, our tenderness, our honesty in the face of fear. He loves our optimism, our caring, and our love for things that are pure and holy. He loves our endless thoughts and questions and all of our suppositions about heaven and what it will be like. God LOVES to spend time with us.

So, this begs the question, when was the last time you said "yes" in response to God's call? When was the last time you decided to go with Him on a journey? Some of God's journeys are as simple as walking 20 steps out of our way to pray over someone. Some of them will last a lifetime and will keep us looking at the wild frontier sprawled out in front of us, excited and nervous about what He will bring next. Most are somewhere in between. The great thing about God's "errands" is that we never really know how long we'll be gone but we can be assured that we will have the ride of our lives because God created our lives, and every desire in them, so that He could fulfill those desires. Our lives will never seem fulfilled until we start running errands with God. That is the relationship that He wants and it is the relationship that we need. We are His children. We  desperately need to spend time with Him and He desperately wants to spend time with us. It is our loss if we say "no" and stay home where everything is known and comfortable.

I Corinthians 2:9 says "..."No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him". So, the next time God asks, say "yes" - I dare you. You (yes you!) cannot conceive of what God has in store for you if you do.

Turkeyfest: Invasion of the Brown Bags

Turkeyfest is upon us! This is your last weekend to pick up a Brown Turkeyfest Bag. Grab as many as you'd like. We'll be handing them out again this Sunday morning, Nov. 15 at church.  Our annual Turkeyfest outreach is Saturday, November 21. Meet at 11am in the LOVELAND HIGH SCHOOL CAFETERIA. Bring as many filled 'brown Turkeyfest bags' as you'd like on Nov. 21. Or if you don't pick up a 'brown bag' from church, bring a frozen turkey and three sides in any sturdy bag. No sign ups. Just show up at the LHS cafeteria. We'll go door to door in the lower income areas and bless hundreds of families with the turkey dinners and prayer. Great for everyone-families, singles, folks of all ages, stages, and experience. We'll grab lunch afterwards. Question? Contact Adam Kasel, akasel@northstarvineyard.org, 668-0485

Land, Budget, & Elder Updates

For those of you who may not have heard the updates given during the past four or so Sunday mornings, here are some 'all church' updates we want to share. Any questions on any of these, please contact David Smith at dsmith@northstarvineyard.org, 575-3467.

Land: There is still no movement on the 8.4 acres of land we own off of Union Cemetery. This is typical considering that developers are just not doing much right now in this economy. We are in an exploratory stage of how we can plant a community garden on the land while we are still trying to sell it. The garden would be used for a co-op type ministry that empowers others and creates healthy food for those in need. We'll keep everyone updated.

Budget: We're on target this year to make budget. But remember, we cut back our 2009 budget from 2008. We'll be cutting back more in 2010. We don't see this as responding out of fear, but just a way to plan responsibly in the current economy. So we will be going from a monthly budget of $48,000 in 2009 to $43,500 in 2010. We will still give out 25% of what money comes in to our local outreach, global missions, and church plants. That will never, ever, ever change. That is at the heart of Northstar's DNA.  But in order to cut back in 2010, there will be some things we'll need to do without. Most of these things you won't even notice. One you will. Doughnuts will no longer be offered on Sunday mornings. This will save us $5000 a year alone.  
Elders: We've narrowed our search for new Elders down to nine individuals. Eighteen were nominated by you guys. After much prayer and consideration, we narrowed down and are now interviewing these last nine candidates. We are looking to add anywhere between 1-3 new Elders for 2010. For more information on our Elder nomination process and what we expect of our Elders, please go to www.golovelive.com  and click on 'About Us.'



Am I a Member?

We don't have formal 'membership' at Northstar Vineyard. But, we do believe that we have faithful family members of our church. These are people who have bought into our vision and mission and are committed to being active participants in our church family. We believe these family members are involved in the following ways:  


1. Fellowship. Members of the Northstar family are in a Mission Group with others.  


2. Serve. Members of the Northstar family are serving in some sort of consistent way.


3. Commit. Members of the Northstar family consider Northstar their church home and regularly gather with the rest of the family.


4. Give. Members of the Northstar family give 10% of their income back to God. Whether they give to Northstar or not does not matter. All that matters is that they are giving to something that honors and glorifies God.



This information is also listed on our website, www.golovelive.com. Click on 'About us.'


Any questions on these, just contact David Smith at 575-3467, dsmith@northstarvineyard.org.

 

No Matter the Arena By Mark Horine, horine14@yahoo.com

Based on the number of jerseys people wear each week at Northstar worship celebrations, I can safely assume many of us have attend a big football, baseball or basketball game or two in our lifetime. There is a special energy walking into the arena or stadium with a lot of other people, smelling the popcorn, hearing the music and seeing the playing field in pristine condition.  The team can feed off of the fans and the fans feed off of the performance of the team.   


For 9 years of my life, I was a basketball trainer/manager. What was just described, I have experienced hundreds of times.  But, I have experienced even more. Doors just don't magically open themselves, equipment and player gear doesn't just appear and players just don't "switch on" to play the game. I often joke that I can't just show up for tip off or first pitch...because I am 2 hours late! From my 9 years, I was a part of preparing for the event, or being a part of the "set up". Why is that important? Because, for the team or player to be at their best, they need to have an undivided focus on their game. Distractions or frustrations only take away from the main thing the player is to do. It was important to have uniforms efficiently accessible and to have prompt attention to taping ankles. I considered this a servant ministry to the coaches and players.


Sunday mornings at Northstar are much the same, except that the stakes are higher than winning a game.  The worship, children's education, and the smell of coffee don't just happen.   The focus of our staff is to be prepared to lead in ministry. But we have distractions...we have a very limited set up crew for sound and for the education areas.  We only need 3 or 4 servant ministers a week (less than an hour) to prepare our arena!  Please contact me if you would like to be a part of this important ministry role at Northstar.


Mark Horine

horine14@yahoo.com

 

Fling a Seed, Spring a Fire by David Smith, dsmith@northstarvineyard.org

Brian and Haley Regan have taken a risk. They have attended Northstar for quite a while and are part of a mission group. But on one fateful Wednesday night, their group leaders, Dan and Beth Weber, issued a challenge. We had just made it through our Cry Out summer series talking about what it looks like to truly love the marginalized for God. So Dan and Beth challenged their group to find one way in which they could live out this value in their own lives.  Brian and Haley came to Northstar years ago because they could not find an outward-focused church where they live, on the east side of town. And as they heard this challenge from Dan and Beth, they realized that maybe God was calling them to go back to the east side and help their old church catch the value of truly loving and restoring the marginalized of their community.

What a radical idea...to leave your current church, which you love, to help your old church become a place that loves others.  

And that's just what they've done. They started by first serving at Beechwood Villa Apartments in Batavia. Then they went to their former church with a plan and some valuable feedback from the outreaches. Their former church immediately jumped on board. A church that has consistently been absent from loving the marginalized in their own community, was willing to engage. They  agreed to create outreach connect cards with a church phone number, and already have a process in place for helping with rent and utility requests that come in from the folks reached on Saturdays.  In addition this east side church is to start advertising this outreach value across their entire church using every communication venue they have.  And finally, they have already committed to helping buy hundreds of dollars worth of turkey dinners for their 1st ever Turkeyfest on November 18.  

Be careful when you fling a seed.  It just might spring a fire.   

Interested in helping Brian and Haley or want to know more about what's happening with their east side outreach?  Email them at brianregan3@yahoo.com

 

'Thank You!' From The Solomon Center Team.

After seeing a record 108 families at The Solomon Center this past Wednesday night, (our free resource center) it was a relief to find so many yellow bags donated these past two Sundays. Thanks to everyone for your extra contributions in helping keep this power ministry going during the tough economic times. Great job, gang and thanks again!


-The Solomon Center Team

Click here for more info on the Solomon Center!

 

Single Father Needing Help

There is a single father in Loveland that needs help. He has four children, age 7,5,3, and 8-months-old. They have no beds at this time. They just have one couch and no other furniture. If you can help in any way, please call Kurt Williams at 485-9404. He is the gentleman we'll be helping. Any questions beforehand, feel free to call David Smith at 575-3467. Or email at dsmith@northstarvineyard.org.

 

We Want to Hear From You: "What is that one thing?"

What helps you grow closer to God? And you can only list one thing.

What is the one thing that seems to draw you closer to God than anything else? Personal bible study? Reaching out to the marginalized? Serving in a particular ministry? Hearing a great talk on a Sunday morning? Hanging out with a particular person? Prayer time with others? Prayer time alone?  Going on a mission trip? Participating in musical worship? Time with your friends or family? Or is it something else for you?

We'd love to know that one thing that right now draws you closer to God than anything else?  Just email us back at dsmith@northstarvineyard.org

 

Big and Small By David Smith, dsmith@northstarvineyard.org

As we were wrapping up a normal Saturday Morning Missions outreach at Loveland Pines this past Saturday, I heard a voice calling out to us by one of the back apartments. Out came a man in jeans and a tank top. He was probably in his late 20's. He was holding a big box of individually wrapped peanut butter crackers...you know, those orange crackers you find in vending machines, rest stops, etc. He was rushing toward us, excited and desperate to not miss this opportunity. He handed us the big 'Sams-sized' box of crackers and said that since we have done so much for him and his neighborhood, that he wanted to 'give back.' He was a little nervous as he handed over the box and said that whenever he has enough money, he will donate us other items so we can continue to bless others.


This man obviously does not have a lot right now in his life. But he still felt compelled to give. Seems so small, just a box of crackers, but had such a big impact. Our team at Loveland Pines that day was just me, my son Evan, and a family of three. The couple with us immediately began to point out to their 8-year-old daughter how appreciative the man was, and I'd be lying if I didn't have a smile spread across my face. Moments like this are rare. To receive a 'thank you' is one thing. But to receive a physical gift back from an appreciative recipient is a once a year occasion.


I began thinking about how big of an impact that small gesture had on me. And I wondered, why don't I put more effort in showing my appreciation to others? Why don't I put more effort in showing my appreciation to God? As it would seem, such a small thing goes a long way for everyone.  

 

Mack Avenue Community Church Newsletter

Click here (right click to download (ctrl-click on a Mac)) to read the latest newsletter from Mack Avenue Community Church.  MACC is our church plant in Detroit, MI.  

We Can't Do This Alone by David Smith dsmith@northstarvineyard.org

The overused word of 'community' is overused for a reason. It's because it's importance. I've never met a follower of Jesus who could 'do it on their own.' If we are to grow closer to God, Jesus is very clear that we are to pursue Him with the love, encouragement, and support of other believers. Never alone. So at Northstar, we are very intentional about trying to get people connected in mission groups, our version of small groups. As we say: it's a small group of people with a common mission...a mission to Go. Love. & Live. together. (Go to the Missing...Love the Marginalized...and Live as God's Kids)  

We don't offer much else during weeknights because we don't want anything to sidetrack people from connecting into a mission group. We believe it's that important.

We believe ongoing 'community' is that important.

We have 30 mission groups at Northstar. Not all are open at this time, but here are 18 that are. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to email us back.

Northstar Vineyard Open Mission Groups.

1.  Loveland Wed. Night Mission Group For Anyone: For adults of all ages, single, married, in college... doesn't matter. Wednesday evenings at 7:00pm. No childcare. "Our mission is to be a place where people can come to grow spiritually and share openly with others. We do this through a variety of ways including Bible study, prayer, worship, outreach, service and social gatherings." Contact Dan and Beth Weber at weberdj33@hotmail.com

2. NorthstAARP's: empty nesters mission group. Mondays at 6:30pm in Loveland. No childcare. Contact Jim Yuhas, jimyuhas@yahoo.com

3. Women's Mission Group in Milford: Thursdays at 7pm. Women in their 20's, 30,'s, & 40's. Contact Holly Holiday, hollidmb@mac.com

4. Milford Couples Group: with or without kids. Friday nights. Contact Sarah Kuhnell at skuhnell@hotmail.com. Childcare provided.

5. Mason Group open for all people in all stages of life: Thursdays 7-9pm . "Our Mission is to connect people relationally in groups for the purpose of growing in Christlikeness, loving one another, and contributing to the work of the church, in order to glorify God and make disciples of all nations." No childcare. Contact Rick Ianniello.  rianniello@gmail.com

6. Madisonville Mission Group: Contact Erika Wolfe, ekawolfe@gmail.com. Folks in their mid 20's to 30's. But anyone welcomed. Single or married. We meet on Mondays at 6:30pm for dinner before and then start around 7:30pm.

7. Younger Couples Group in West Chester: Every other Wed night. Contact Jimmy and Julie Hellyer at jhellyer@northstarvineyard.org "Our mission is to call out gifts in each other and building each other up in community and marriage. Our battle cry is: Stay. Hate. Die. ?  Stay in the word. Hate evil. Die to self."

8. Maderia Mission Group: Joe and Christy Meyer, christymeyer@hotmail.com, Maderia, Sundays 7pm, Childcare available.

9. Young adults, 20's mission group: in Mariemont on Thursday nights, 8pm (dinner at 6:30pm). "Our mission is to love God, love each other, and learn to love ourselves."  No childcare. Contact Jordan Stone: Jordan.m.stone@gmail.com

10. Milford/Eastside Mission Group for couples, older and younger: 7pm Tuesday nights. Childcare provided. Contact Joe and Kathi Roth: Kmr1992@cinci.rr.com

11. Goshen/Loveland Mission Group: Contact David and Emily Smith, dsmith@northstarvineyard.org, 575-3467.  Parents trying to survive parenthood while still passionately pursuing God. We meet Saturday nights around 6pm.

12. Mason Group for folks of all backgrounds: meets every other Wed nights. "Our mission is To develop relationships with one another, that will help support and encourage each of us to grow in Christ-likeness, through loving one another by sharing thoughts , experiences, concerns, fears, successes and failures, and by serving one another when a need or the opportunity arises, as we choose the life and explore a faith that embraces multiplying discipleship." No childcare. Contact Peter Edwards at 807-6981, pedwards_477@fuse.net

13. Loveland Mission Group with a mix of couple & singles and all ages: Tuesday nights. Contact Justin and Beth McNeeley: jmcneeley@northstarvineyard.org

14. Blue Ash Mission Group: Sunday afternoons, 3pm. Mostly couples but open to anyone. Childcare available. Contact Ryan Chapin at rw_chapin@msn.com

15. The Gingers of Madeira: The first three (3) Thursdays of every month, 7:30-9:30 p.m.  Children definitely welcome.  "A multi-life-stage group intentionally growing in intimacy with God and others."  Find us on Facebook for more info.  Contact Adam Kasel: akasel@northstarvineyard.org

 

16. Sunday, 5pm Group: location rotates around and near Loveland. 2nd Sundays, 2pm. Mostly couples with kids. Contact Justin Cawood, cawoods@gmail.com

17. Young Dad's Morning Mission Group: Join us every Wednesday morning at Harper's Point Panera from 6:30-7:30am to fellowship and grow with other young fathers who are juggling faith and family with small kids. For more information, contact Dan McKee at dmckee@studentventure.com or 375-2047.  

18. Loveland Young Couples Group: meets on Wednesday nights at 7pm. For more information, contact Corrie Graham, cgraham1717@gmail.com.

For more group info, contact David Smith at dsmith@northstarvineyard.org

 

The DNA of NSV By David Smith, dsmith@northstarvineyard.org
DNA is a tough thing to define. We know it’s the makeup of something. It’s internal. Not something you can really see or pinpoint easily at its source. But we can see its outpouring. We can see its effect on everything that comes from it and is around it. At Northstar, we will probably never officially define our DNA…because I’m not sure if that’s even possible. We know our vision (to experience Jesus and equip others to do the same) and mission (Go. Love. Live.) but how would one define our DNA? How would one define the very thing that makes us…‘us?’ The thing that makes us ‘Northstar?’  Even if you asked all the Northstar staff to define our DNA, I believe we’d all word it differently. There would be tons of commonality, but also quite different descriptors.  
 
So here’s my attempt at defining what I see as the NSV DNA.  This isn’t official. This hasn’t been voted on and won’t be. These are just my personal thoughts, my observation over seven years. Nothing more. Nothing less. Maybe you kind of agree. Maybe you don’t.
 
Or maybe you see exactly what I see...
 
Long Term over Short Term. No gimmicks. Stay the course. Obedience over impact.  
 
Simplicity. Jesus is simple. Go. Love. Live.   
 
Empower over Perfection.  Get in the game. Chase your dreams. There’s no need for pros here. We’ve got God. The funniest moments are the messiest. Why get rid of them?

Forerunners. Don’t be a copy cat. Go first.   

Intentional Discomfort.  Too much comfort can cripple the soul.
 
Economic Diversity.  Something beautiful happens when the rich and poor collide.
 
Divide to Multiply. Church planting isn’t sexy. It can lower attendance and put finances at risk. But it empowers more people to step up and out for God. It takes us to a place where real faith has to exist. It keeps us honest and forces us to ask ourselves: is it about the Kingdom…or is it about the numbers?

Kingmakers. More Samuel than Saul.
 
Relationship + Relief = Restoration.  True restoration comes through Christ alone. So, to truly love the marginalized, then there can’t just be relief. There must be personal relationship as well. Relationship invites trust. Trust invites openness. Openness invites God.
  
Self-Awareness. Vulnerability is so contagious.

Together.  We can’t do this alone. We need community.

Jesus First.  Christ driven. Not consumer driven.
 
Any others to add?  Send our way. We’d love to hear your thoughts.

 

Who Blessed Who? By David Spence, dlaynespence@gmail.com
I got off at my exit last Friday to the familiar chaos of brake lights and drivers jockeying for a better position. Everyone was headed home. This is a daily occurrence and except for those new to the area or new to the workforce it is just part of the daily grind. It is just the commute, the humdrum reality of living in the suburbs and working closer to the city. As I inched my way further up the exit ramp I also saw the familiar homeless man sitting on his milk crate holding up his sign. It read "I live in a barn. I will do anything for some food. God bless." A hundred questions went through my mind: Does he really live in a barn? If so, where? Does the owner know he lives there? Where did he get his milk crate? How did he make his painted sign? Where did he get the paint? Why does he say "God bless" when he is clearly not blessed? And so on. Then the sweet taste of compassion hit me (salted by Satan with a dose of guilt) and I thought "... here's an opportunity to serve...". I went to a nearby drive through and ordered a combo meal with a large Coke. I happily paid and turned back down toward the homeless man while carefully planning my route so that I could pull over and give it to him. Everything went as planned and he took it from me through the passenger-side window. I also gave him 4 bucks and said "...this will get you some dinner...". He looked at me with blue eyes, dulled by years of who-knows-what hardship, and said "...thanks man - God bless you..." in a near monotone. I, the incredibly giving man worthy of sainthood, drove triumphantly away quickly diving into traffic and cutting off the driver who, had I not cut him off, would have otherwise occupied the space I was in. Yes, I had done a great thing and surely God was pleased.

As I proceeded on down the secondary and back roads God kindly offered me an opportunity to reflect on my great humanitarian accomplishment. Some thoughts began to erode my pride. First, I had just given a starving man approximately .000065 % of my income so that he could have a meal (no kidding - I did the math). Hardly sainthood. Second, I had cut off someone in traffic because I had a "higher calling". Off the top of my head, I couldn't think of a time when any of the apostles trampled some innocent bystander so they could heal someone or cast out a demon but I was sure they had. Ok, maybe not. Finally, and worst of all, I was initially proud of the whole thing. I really had felt like I had moved heaven and earth to do some great thing. Now I wasn't even sure if the focus of the thing (giving some food to someone in need) outweighed the negative of the barriers I had placed around it with my pride and self-righteousness.

It was at this point that I began to sense what God was saying to me. In Matthew 5, 6, and 7 Jesus "reset" religious thinking for all eternity. He reset the scoring systems, the legalism, and the prideful attitudes. In the past, religious people awarded themselves points for good deeds. Jesus changed all that by telling everyone that your score, no matter what you do, is zero and that Satan's score is always higher than yours. You can't win by doing good deeds, your score will always be zero. However, if you accept that, Jesus will give you just enough points to beat Satan. If you accept that your deeds amount to nothing, Jesus will always give you the points you need to win over evil. In return? All He asks is that your deeds multiply out of love for Him. Do you see the difference? The old way brought pride because the high and mighty religious people were doing the world a favor. The new way brings joy because the low and broken of the world (you and me) are moving out of love and love always precedes joy.

I am thankful for the events of last Friday. God let me look into the mirror He talks about in James 1:22-25 and gave me the grace to not forget what I looked like. My hope and prayer is that from this point forward I will thank God for letting me share some of the blessings He has given me rather than thanking myself for being such a great person (which I am not). The only question remaining in my mind is this: who blessed who last Friday?

The Solomon Center Hits 100! Wow!
In a record setting night, the Solomon Center finally went over the 100 barrier, serving exactly 100 families in the 90 minutes they were open. Whether word is getting out even more or the economy is playing a factor, we're seeing a big increase in the practical needs around our community.  If you'd like to contribute to the Solomon Center, you can pick up a yellow bag on Sunday morning and return filled with the specified items...or you can help by serving down at the center on a Wednesday night. Contact Sandi Horine to sign up. sandi.horine@yahoo.com.

Thank You for the Family Photo/Cookout Outreach 
Just wanted to say a big ‘thank you' to everyone who came out on Saturday for the Family Photo/Cookout Outreach. Wow...we've never seen a crowd like that. But the true blessing was seeing so many people connecting relationally with the people we were serving. So whether you were one of the people to bring sides, to work at the Sumo Suit game, take pictures, clean up, or cook the food...thank you. Thanks for taking an entire day to love others, no strings attached. And how about that chicken?  Thanks to Cecil Duncan for providing the best chicken we'll all eat this year.  

A Side Dish of Something Else By David Smith, dsmith@northstarvineyard.org
Fall is upon us. People are back in school, back in church, and jumping back into community with others. You also may notice that fall is a time we begin ramping up so very big outreach events. The first coming up is the Family Photo and Cookout Outreach at MacArthur Park Apartments: Saturday, Sept. 19, meet at Loveland High School at 11am in the left hand corner of the back parking lot.  The Yellow Bag Drive, Turkeyfest, The Christmas Store, and The Feast of Kindness will be quickly following behind.
 
But the biggest lie that comes along with each of these outreaches is that they are just outreaches.  

Such a lie. Such a misunderstanding.  Such a waste of an event to think of it just that way.
 
Sure, we'll go to the missing on Sept. 19. We'll love the marginalized. Heck, I even need some of you to bring side dishes if you would. Corn Hole sets if you have them as well. Who wants to bring drinks?   

But why do we have to see this as just outreach?

Why can't we see this as a chance for church community?  

Why can't we see this as a chance for our mission groups to hang out together and strengthen our bond by sharing in a mission together? Why can't we see this is a chance to invite that new guy to hang out and serve side by side as we get to know each other? How about that new couple who sat behind you the other Sunday? What an easy thing to invite them to. They've got kids, too. Maybe you guys can all get together and cook some side dishes at one of your homes. Then drive together to the event. Involve the kids. Take family-time to talk about what you want to provide. And then spend even more time together doing the shopping you'll need to do.

Come out and meet someone new from Northstar. There's no easier way to connect with someone on a Sunday morning after you've just served with them on Saturday.

We've talked this year about being anchored in Christ as the theme for 2009. And if we're going to truly being anchored to the Lord, then it is imperative that we are in community with other believers.

There are a lot of outreach events coming up in the next three months.

Let's commit right now to redefining them as much more than going to the missing and loving the marginalized.  They are great chances to strengthen our community at Northstar. They are great chances to strengthen old relationship and start ones that are new.

At Northstar, it's not just about who we serve...but also who we serve with.

 

Mack Avenue Community Church Newsletter

Click here (right click to download (ctrl-click on a Mac)) to read the latest newsletter from Mack Avenue Community Church.  MACC is our church plant in Detroit, MI.  

Go, Love, Live & Lunch
On Sunday, Sept. 27, after the 10:30am celebration, we'll be having our first ever Go. Love. Live. & Lunch. It's a casual ministry ‘Job Fair' and free lunch that takes place in the cafeteria. Our hope is that this will be an easy way to hear about all the different Northstar ministry opportunities that help us Go to the missing, Love the Marginalized, and Live as God's kids. So if you're looking for a place at Northstar to serve and use your gifts, and are not sure where that place may be, come on out. It'll also be a great chance to meet others over lunch while we hang out with the entire Northstar family. Questions? Contact Greg Knake at gknake@northstarvineyard.org. 205-5864  

We Want Your Opinion, Again
What do you think should be a greater priority for Northstar?  Sending people and resources to plant new churches...or instead, putting greater effort and resources into increasing the number of people who attend Northstar?  Just email David back with your opinion. Thanks!

 

What Our Folks Said About Last Week's Question
Here are the questions we asked you last week.
1.       Do you think it's important that Northstar has a 9am Sunday celebration?
2.       Do you think our church family would benefit from us offering a mid-week evening celebration?
3.       Do you think Loveland High School is a suitable long-term solution for our Sunday morning celebration space?

How did you respond? Well, to summarize, you guys are more in favor of the 9am celebration than not. About 60% like the 9am celebration option...and 40% don't think we have a real need for it.  Not many of you think we need a mid-week gathering event. About 80% said there's no need for it and that's what mission groups are for. And as far as having the high school as our Sunday morning meeting spot, almost all of you said you were fine with it for the long term. But if that were to be the case, than some sort of mid-size space for other events would be helpful. Thanks to all your responded!

My Spiritual Obituary, by Angelica Kiley, angelk12806@yahoo.com
A friend of mine, Angelica Kiley, wrote this the other day after a powerful experience with the Lord. She has been attending Northstar for about five months and it's been wonderful to see how God has blessed her and blessed others through her. She shared this ‘spiritual obituary' with me and I immediately asked her if we could share it with the church body. It speaks such a captivating message of hope, truth, and regeneration. Sometimes we have a hard time seeing God through the black and white pages of our bibles, commentaries, and such...and therefore, God gives us people like Angel, whose real life experiences transcends anything we can read or intellectually learn.  - David Smith  

My Spiritual Obituary. by Angelica Kiley
May 8th 1988 - August 16th 2009
Proverbs 31:10
A women of noble character is worth far more then precious rubies!

This was not true of the women who died today.

She lived the majority of her life in sin...sin that she was, in all reality, addicted to. Some believed she had a good heart because of the occasional good deed performed, but when life threw its challenges at her she proved them wrong every time.

The only good to come out of her death was that it put her out of her misery. She was a very unhappy and angry person and took it out on the world especially her friends and family. At times she could be the nicest and sweetest person, other times the most confrontational and negative person you've ever met.

She acted that way because she struggled every day with her addiction, it had so much of a hold on her. It split her into two different people-the side she showed the church, her pastor...and the other hidden side she showed only the select few.

Now that she is gone, I can express for her that whatever side you were exposed to she's sorry and regrets it if she hurt you in any way. Her death occurred suddenly during church celebration at Northstar Vineyard on Sunday August 16th 2009 at 10:20 am. I implore you to not be saddened for this young woman survived by a 3-year-old daughter but rejoice because she died and was REBORN in Christ.

Amen.

 

We Want Your Opinion - (email thoughts to dsmith@northstarvineyard.org or cpowers@golovelive.com)
As many of you know, our mission at Northstar is "Go. Love. Live."  Go to the Missing, Love the Marginalized, & Live as God's Kids. And even though there is not a concrete equation that travels along these three components, it's safe to say that it's hard to GO to the missing and LOVE the marginalized if we're not LIVING as God's kids.
 
So we want to hear from you.

What would help you live as one of God's kids? And we want to ask this question in the very narrowed context of our Worship Celebrations. Obviously, a larger worship gathering is just one of the many ways someone is encouraged to live as a child of God. There are mission groups, 1-on-1 discipleship, serving, personal study, reading, prayer, and the list goes on. But for now, let's just talk about larger worship celebrations/gatherings. So please respond by emailing us back. You can answer with a simple ‘yes' or ‘no' or by writing long detailed paragraphs. It's up to you how you answer. We just would love to hear your opinion.

And please, keep in mind, we are simply gathering this information in hope of getting a better understanding of what the people of Northstar are thinking. By asking these questions, we are not suggesting that an immediate change or adjustment will be made based on the results. We are just in the first phase of trying to get a better grip on what the people of our church value.

So, here we go.  

1.  Do you think it's important that Northstar has a 9am Sunday celebration? Why or why not?
2.  Do you think our church family would benefit from us offering a mid-week evening celebration? (example: Wednesday nights, 7pm.)  Why or why not?
3.  Do you think Loveland High School is a suitable long-term solution for our Sunday morning celebration space? Why or why not?

 

Sundays with James

It wasn't until after the Resurrection that James, the brother of Jesus, began to believe. His New Testament letter has been picked apart, studied, and debated for centuries. What is so inspiring about it? What is so controversial? What did the brother of Jesus have to say to the scattered Jewish Christians of his time? And how does that message translate to us today? How does his message help us experience an authentic life with the Lord? We begin our journey with James on Sunday, September 6. It will go through September, October, and November.

 

A Church About Nothing By David Smith, dsmith@northstarvineyard.org
What I loved about Seinfeld, the sitcom that ran for 10 seasons (I think), is that it was a self-professed show about nothing. That's what they called themselves...a show about nothing. And really, ‘nothing' was enough. Because when they said it was ‘about nothing,' what they really meant was that it was a show that did not need gimmicks. They were so secure in their writing, directing, and performances that they didn't need gimmicks. They were a comedy show, plain and simple. They did not need anything else to define them.

The Office, which is a hit show on NBC on Thursday nights, is probably the new favorite among former Seinfeld fanatics. The dry humor and relatable problems are just a few of the recognizable similarities. But The Office uses gimmicks. The fake reality show, mockumentary style and camera work...the fact it's another remake, this time from a British comedy with the same name...and who can ignore the cliché office space environment made popular with the 90's cult classic-Office Space.

Gimmick. Gimmick. Gimmick.  Great gimmicks, but none the less...gimmicks.  And why?
 
Well, my guess is that they have had doubts about their stories, characters, and production. If those things alone are good enough...then why would one need gimmicks? But it seems that the producers of The Office believe they need to be more than just a comedy. They need to be a little bit like a reality show as well. They need more than just the essentials, because the essentials just aren't good enough anymore.

Not in 2009.

And how true can this be for the Church as well.

Are we willing to be a church about nothing? To not resort to gimmicks?

In case I have bogged down the analogy for you, to be a church ‘about nothing' is to be a church about Jesus...and Jesus alone. It's to be a church that believes so much in the essentials that it does not need to turn to gimmicks. It's a church that says...we believe you are smarter than that...therefore, we aren't going to try to sell you smoke and mirrors when you've asked for Jesus.

To be a church ‘about nothing' is risky. Because gimmicks aren't these terrible, demonized things. That would be foolish to assume. Gimmicks are actually very helpful and productive. They get more people to tune in on Thursday nights and to fill seats on Sunday mornings. They work from that stand point.  

But at what cost?

Because what a gimmick ultimately communicates is this:

"Even though what you want is a comedy, we're going to give you a reality show as well. Because we're not sure if a comedy, alone, is enough for you."

Or...

"Even though you want Jesus, we're going to give you hype and hilarity as well. Because we're not sure if Jesus, alone, is enough for you."

At Northstar, we strive to be a church ‘about nothing.' Why? Well, because we believe you are smarter than gimmicks. We find it offensive when someone asks for a life jacket and they are thrown a squirt gun as well. Nothing against squirt guns. But in the end, what does that say about the provider's opinion about my intelligence?  Let's explore...
 
"Hey Billy, throw them the squirt gun as well!" says Donny.

"But they're downing!" Billy returns.  

"Yeah, but the squirt gun will provide them with the encouragement to put on the life jacket."

"What?" Billy snaps, more bewildered. "But won't they just put on the life jacket on because they don't want to drown?"

"Nope, they need the squirt gun as well. It makes them giggle with glee. Everyone loves squirt guns. And the giggling will create enough energy within them to put the life jacket on."

"What in the world are you talking about? That is the stupidest..."

A gargled voice interrupts them. "Hey, I'm drowning over here!"  

Exactly.

 

 

Mack Avenue Community Church Newsletter

Click here (right click to download (ctrl-click on a Mac)) to read the latest newsletter from Mack Avenue Community Church.  MACC is our church plant in Detroit, MI.  

It's a Joy to Serve By Alex Seney, aseney@qodes.org

Service, serving, servant, or any other forms of the word usually surfaces memories of that service project you did in Mexico on that life-changing mission trip; or maybe memories of doing chores around the house for your mom.  Still, that public service sentence you got after launching water balloons through someone’s garage door in high school.  Service, and whatever the definition you have, is a challenge to us modern Americans.  Even in the church, we talk about service as if it is a week-long “experience” that we use to bolster our faith.  Service goes much deeper than a mission trip, donation fund, civil works project or chores around the house; service is our calling as Christians and is the very crux of what Jesus modeled on the earth.

Jesus is probably the most challenging person ever to walk the earth.  He changed everything and turned everything upside down.  When it comes to service, He is no exception.  In John 13 as He washed His disciples’ feet, He challenged the world system by taking the lowest position to serve those He loved.  And with this revelation, my journey begins.

My name is Alex Seney and I am the Community Coordinator for the Gladstone Community  (the young adult ministry through Northstar).  My job is one that incorporates: administration, event planning, home improvement, cooking, cleaning, photography and hanging out with people.  This is a full time position and I love doing it!  It is interesting though, because this position in essence is what a house mom would do—I just do it on a much larger scale.  So, you can say that I am the house mom .

Since stepping into this job, my perception of service has been changed completely.  Why can someone find so much joy in cleaning the toilet or cooking a meal?  Initially when I started this job, I was not very sure and didn’t really like some of the things I had to do, but as a year has gone by since I began this job I have found a true joy that no one can take.

A while back, the Lord told me that with every little job we do, from taking out the trash to preparing a sermon, each job is equally important.  Because it is through doing these jobs that we provide the opportunity for people to step into life-change. This radically changed the way I thought about my job and re-established the heavenly perspective I needed to do this job correctly.     

Whatever you may be doing in life, you are going to encounter opportunities to serve.  I have found that in my daily, mundane routines the Lord will show up and romance your heart!  My prayer lately has been, “Lord ambush me with your love today.” Simple little prayers that invite the Lord into what you are doing will truly change everything…even grocery shopping.

Grocery shopping has become one of my favorite past times.  It really has!  Why?  Because every time I go the Lord and I have such a good time talking with one another.  It truly is amazing what happens to your day when you simply hang out with the Lord.  The thing that amazes me is how we cry out to God in worship saying, “Come and be with me; help me; save me” etc and yet we don’t encounter Him in the daily grind.  What further amazes me is that He wants to encounter us.  Being with His people is the desire of His heart.  When He comes He is fulfilling the desire of His heart for us.  These little times of encounter can change the course of your life and definitely teaches me that service is not just the nitty-gritty; it’s doing the nitty-gritty while encountering Jesus.  He alone is what makes serving so fun.

Another thing I have learned concerning service is that it is the perfect opportunity to pray for people.  It says in I Thessalonians 5:17 to “pray continually.”  In my job, I am constantly moving around going and getting things, driving to this place, picking up this person and so my time in a traditional quiet time is limited.  The Lord has led me into praying for people and things while I’m on the go, and really it is just spending time with Him in conversation.  Encountering Him and His heart for people and then praying that as I drive to Home Depot to pick up some bricks can change your whole day.  This is what we were made for. Honestly, it does amaze me at how interested He is in the little stuff, like bricks and what color bricks we should buy.  Whatever you are doing, He is so interested in it because He is interested in you.  This greatly expanded my view of intimacy with God from just a prayer room or church setting to a constant on-the-go, be-with-You-where-you-are kinda dealio. Amazing.

So, as I look back on the things I’ve learned in the past year I truly am amazed that the Lord wants to be with us.  Whatever the task may be, from a mission trip to mowing the lawn, the Lord wants to be a part of it.  Service then, doesn’t become a week of service on a mission trip it becomes a journey of learning how to lay our lives down for one another which therein becomes our life.

 

And a Child Shall Lead Them By Sandi Horine, horines@ucmail.uc.edu
I was inspired by our Detroit trip.  And it was not by the pastors and their families and their vision...although that always inspires me... I was inspired by a Northstar family that joined us...actually it was the children of the Northstar family.
 
Josie (12 ½), Ellie (10), Abbie (10) were a part of our Detroit team and they were every bit of team member as any adult on the trip.  They participated in service and outreach tirelessly with constant enthusiasm.  At the end of the day, when their parents (and all other adults) were ready to call it a day...they were begging for more time to WORK!  At that point they were planting flowers and other ground cover and they wanted to finish their work.  Those girls got it!  But then, I learned even more about these special girls.
 
When Josie was in 3rd grade, Hurricane Katrina hit.  As she watched the television coverage, it occurred to her that these children would not be receiving Christmas presents.  She made a plan and presented it to her parents.  She, accompanied by her father, presented the plan to the principal and the entire Loveland School district collected 5000 toys for them to take down to victims of the hurricane.  They adopted a school and Josie and her father were able to go down and Josie was able to pass out these toys and meet the children that were to receive them.  She blessed an entire school because she was brave enough and trusted enough to demonstrate God's love in a practical way.  Sound familiar...maybe it reminds you of a boy in the New Testament who shared his loaves and fishes...and Jesus blessed them and then many were blessed.  
 
Sometimes, when we think that we cannot make a difference...we have to let the children lead us.  Josie did not think about the obstacles or the practicalities...she obeyed God and met a need and made a witness for God's love to a community.   She can teach us all something about faith, compassion and obedience.

 

Mack Avenue Mission Trip
Make sure to check out our pictures from the mission trip Northstar took to work with our Detroit church plant, Mack Avenue Community Church. Don't worry, not every picture is of a young guy flexing his biceps. :)

http://picasaweb.google.com/mackavenuecommunitychurch/ThankYouCincinnati#

Hamburger Helper vs. a Briefcase By Mark and Michelle Tiderman, tidermans@gmail.com
A couple Saturdays ago, we were doing our normal Saturday morning outreach at the Heritage Glen apartments in Fairfield.  We were going door to door giving away boxed meals like Hamburger Helper, hoping to meet some needs in a small way, but more importantly to let people know that God loves them and hasn't forgotten about them.  After knocking on a few doors in the first building we went into, we noticed some well dressed men carrying briefcases also knocking on doors there. Curious, Mark asked them about what they were doing.  They turned out to be Jehovah's Witnesses and were going door to door hoping to talk with people about the message they wanted to share.

In that moment, with a box of Hamburger Helper in my hand, it made a lot of sense why we do outreach the way we do. I put myself in the shoes of the people we were serving.  If I lived in Heritage Glen and two people knocked on my door, one with a briefcase and a presentation he wanted to give me and the other with a no-strings-attached box of Hamburger Helper, it's pretty easy to say who I rather open the door for.  Meeting people's needs and loving them so practically speaks volumes about the One who created them, loves them, and is passionately pursuing them.  It's crazy to me that God's love is infinitely greater than a boxed dinner, but at the same time, such a simple box of food can reveal His love in a very tangible way.

I have to give the Jehovah's Witnesses a little credit because no one else really goes into Heritage Glen.  But while they may be bold, they go in hoping to convince people of whatever their presentation entails.  We go door to door in the name of Jesus, trusting in the work of the Holy Spirit rather than our ability to convince or persuade.  

So I left the building that morning with an extra level of confidence.  Not confident in the things we gave away, but in the fact that we were loving people simply, practically, and with the unfailing love of Jesus.

Click Here for more info on the Simple Church of Fairfield

 

 

You Have Been Saved By Shannon Kahrs, shannonkahrs@hotmail.com
It was the first work day in Monterrey - Sunday. This was our second trip as a family to Monterrey Back 2 Back - our first trip as a family of 6. We were working at a children's home on building projects. This particular orphanage was basically 3 huge rooms. Kitchen/dining hall, a girls dorm and a boys dorm. Yanni, our 5.5 year old and adopted from China 3 years earlier, had to use the bathroom.  As we entered the bathroom my first thought was "can't this wait?".

I shooed the flies away from the toilet and sat my daughter on the toilet. I wanted to tell her not to touch the toilet but I knew it was futile. She's five, a mere 35 pounds and had to go number 2! As I waited I leaned against the wall praying that she could go quickly. My prayers weren't answered or so I thought. Tired from working in the heat I slid down the wall and slumped on the floor as I waited while constantly reassuring Yanni that the flies won't hurt her. The other toilet was jammed with feces and more flies. The sink was falling off the wall but did trickle water. There was a dirty bar of soap in the sink and not a towel in sight. From my viewpoint I could see many bunk beds and a few cribs all lined up.

 As I watched her little body on that too big toilet and the flies swirling about her it hit me. This is where my daughter came from - we saved her from this life. No sooner had I had that thought when God whispered in my ear - "Daughter - this is what I saved YOU from". I spent the rest of that time saying "Gracias" over and over. I was no longer worried about the physical conditions, just grateful...

Ever Heard of Bible Bowl? By Christine Spence, stine.spence@gmail.com
Last year about this time, my husband and I were going through that time of year when we try to decide with the kids what all they're going to be involved in during the next year. You know how it is-there are so many good things that will really help them-music lessons, sports, and of course, their schoolwork! Anyway, one of our big choices was whether to continue with them in Bible Bowl - a quizzing and competition program where they learn different portions of the Bible each year. Did we want them to spend the time studying and going to the competitions, and did we want to put the effort into helping them study?

It was interesting that once we sat down and prayed about it and thought through it, our priorities became really clear! Both my husband and I had been in Bible Bowl and through our 6th-12th grade years, between us we had studied/memorized 29 books of the Bible. What a blessing our parents had given us by helping us be involved in Bible Bowl - that kind of knowledge just never goes away! We wanted the same for our kids.

As we sat this July in Indianapolis at the National tournament and watched them compete, we both felt so at peace about making the right choice to give the time to Bible Bowl. Yeah, the kids did well at the tournament, but that wasn't the most important thing. The thing we really value is that they have the words of the prophets-part of 1 and 2 Kings, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Daniel, and Jonah-in their hearts, and they will be there - quite literally forever!  We are so excited about this coming year when they will be studying 1 and 2 Corinthians, 1 and 2 Timothy, and Titus! I can't wait to sit down next July in Denver and know that they have those words in their hearts too!
 
Did you know Northstar is going to offer a Bible Bowl program this year? I hope maybe some of you and your kids will decide to devote that time as well. My husband and I believe it is well worth it!  

We will be having an informational meeting after both celebrations on Sunday, August 16th.

For more info or to sign up, contact Darren Mitchell at dmitchell513@gmail.com

In the end, it's not about the money By Sandi Horine, horines@ucmail.uc.edu
I had the privilege of being a part of the Solomon Program this past year.  And I do mean privilege.  It was an honor to watch the women share and grow during our weekly meetings.  It was amazing to see and hear their experiences in outreach.  Many of these women come from places where they feel they have nothing to give, and the Solomon Program showed them otherwise. We had our graduation dinner last week.  I sat there in awe of the growth of these women, the bond between them, and the relationships between the coaches and the participants.  There were lots of tears as we shared our experiencs.  We as coaches are so blessed by these relationships...it is mutual...we get as much as we give.
 
What an incredible vision...to reach out to women in our community...offer them six months to learn, grow, and evaluate where they are going in life and where they want to go.  To give them the opportunity to meet Christ in a very real way.  To walk beside them with our coaches.  It is powerful when people believe in you, when people listen to you, when a group of women is supporting you.  God heals in community and it is evident in this program.  Yes, the women received $3000 at the end of the program...but it is never about the money in the end. In fact, there have been years where the participants shared their money with others. This is a very powerful program that Northstar and Prince of Peace have put on together.  And everyone at Northstar can be proud to be a part of this... this is living out our mission of go...love...live...

 

The Awareness of My Feet... Reflections from a 2009 Solomon Program Graduate
One of the 2009 Solomon Program graduates took a few minutes to write out some reflections from this year's program. She has endured much in her life and has carried many wounds from her past. These pains, some inflicted by the Church, had helped lead her to places and people that were intentionally counter to Christ. Yet today, she sees things differently...

"I have learned during the Solomon Program that there are Christians out there who do live by the word of God and Jesus. Instead of judging, they guide, instead of condemning they help people find ways of out of their struggles. Not just financially, but emotionally and spiritually.  What sticks out in my mind the most though is when the Solomon Program leaders served us, in a way I never would have imagined. They took a bowl of very cold water and watched our feet. It almost felt like a baptism in a way. It was somewhat embarrassing for me, but it was also extremely humbling to have someone willing to do something like that for me. It makes me think of Jesus when he was willing to do on the cross for us all. I know it wasn't as severe of a service they were giving to us, but the experience still was very profound and humbling. It seemed I was overly aware of my feet for 3 days, like they had been spiritually cleansed. It is very hard to put into words the experience.  The Solomon Program does a lot more than just provide people with $3000 dollars at the end of the program. It provides love, honesty, understanding, knowledge, wisdom, and a path to follow that leads people back to God. Thank you to everyone at Northstar Vineyard who bring so much love into so many peoples' lives. God bless you."

2009 Solomon Program Graduation
Make sure to join us on Sunday, August 2 for of the 2009  Solomon Program Graduation. You won't want to miss it. We'll be honoring six women in our community that have just completed six months of bible study, life courses, 1-on-1 mentoring, community outreach service, and a final project that that was aimed to better their community. You can be a part of the graduation at either the 9am or the 10:30am celebration. The graduation will be worked into the morning's message. Come prepared to cheer, applaud, hoot and holler!

Lola By Brian Hubers, bhubers@mtci.com
Last week I had the privilege of travelling with the NorthStar team to Monterrey, Mexico for the Back2Back mission trip.  It was my first time on this trip and it was nothing short of incredible.  
 
On Sunday, the first full day in Monterrey, I was on the team that was at Casa Hogar Douglas (a casa hogar is a children's home or orphanage).  Part of us started working on leveling some uneven terrain to prepare for the concrete that would be poured there starting on Monday.  It was hard physical labor but it was our first day and we were fresh and ready to go - especially me as I am a very large, muscle bound man (those who know me should be laughing right now, those who don't, please know I am being silly - my nickname in Spanish is "flacco" which means skinny J).  There is something therapeutic and satisfying about a project that a team can sink its teeth into and see results.  It felt good.  When I stopped to get some water I noticed a young lady sitting cross-legged on the cement floor of the shelter (palapa) area.  She was tired and unable to stay awake.  I could tell she had some type of disability.  She looks to be a teenager.  I filled up my water bottle and headed back to my digging.  We made great progress and prepared the entire area for the impending concrete.  As we wrapped up for the day, I was looking forward to the concrete work on Monday and seeing the area transformed.  Thank you Lord.
 
Each evening of the trip there is a time of worship and debriefing about the day.  On Sunday night Beth Guckenberger (who, with her husband Todd, runs Back2Back Mexico) challenged us to get out of our comfort zone and try something different on Monday.  She said "if you want to work concrete, maybe you should paint or be with the kids."  That hit me.  I knew that was for me.  I love working with kids but I have to admit I was feeling anxious and overwhelmed with the language barrier.  I don't speak Spanish and the kids don't speak English.  I wanted to see the concrete project completed.  I wanted to keep working that project.  Being with the kids all day would be more challenging.  But God had something else in mind.  Thank you Lord.
 
Monday morning we rolled into Casa Hogar Douglas.  I decided to join the kids team and we grabbed a soccer ball and started playing.  We had a great time.  When I headed back to the palapa I noticed the young lady from Sunday.  I walked up to her and took her hand.  We sat down on a picnic table bench.  As we start to interact I can't tell if she can hear me or see me.  I say a few words in Spanish and English but there is no reaction.  Someone gave her a lollipop and she holds it a couple inches from her face to see what it is.  She then hands it to me to open.  I look to my left and see the line of wheelbarrows moving the concrete and I question where I should be.  At that moment the Lord quiets my heart and I know I am exactly where I need to be.  Although I don't know if she can hear or see me I talk to her a little, we pat hands a lot and every once in a while she smiles.  She only has a few teeth but it is a beautiful smile.  It hits me to start praying for her.  As I pray blessing and protection over her I just can't stop. The words keep flowing and before I know it I have been praying for 15-20 minutes.  The prayer turns into song and I sing praises for another 20.  It is simply a God thing.  I had never done that before.  It's all I can do to stay focused in prayer for 5 minutes.  One of the other older kids from the home comes over to take her somewhere (maybe she is trying to rescue me, maybe she is jealous of all the time someone else is getting) but she refuses to go.  She holds my hand and won't stand up.  I try to communicate to the other girl that it's OK, I want her to stay. I don't know if she understands.  During the past 45 minutes she smiles at times and starts to pat my face which then turns into smacking my face.  It hurts but she enjoys it so I smile all the more.  At this point we have spent over an hour together.  It was truly time in His presence.  I have seen this young lady as God sees her and I can't get over her true beauty.  Thank you Lord.

It is now time for lunch and that does get her attention and she leaves to eat.  During lunch I talk to Todd who informs me that her name is Lola, she has a severe Down's Syndrome and she is 38 years old!  She's hardly four and a half feet tall.  After lunch some of the kids, including Lola take a rest.  I don't see her for the remainder of the day.
 
That night I can't stop thinking about her and sharing about my time with her. I reiterate with the team that I don't think she could see or hear me but it was a wonderful time.  It was only an hour of a long day (and I still got a chance to work on concrete for a little bit J) but it's the only thing that sticks.  Thank you Lord.
 
On Tuesday morning the NorthStar men had the privilege of serving breakfast to the kids at Casa Hogar Douglas.  We headed over at 8:00 and the kids have no idea we are coming.  Not only is it special to have extra time with the Americans but most of these kids don't get to eat breakfast.  It's just not in the budget.  We set up and they ring the bell.  The 20 NorthStar men create a receiving line and cheer the kids as they arrive.  Sleepy little ones with eyes half open head our way and soon are quite excited.  I see Lola coming our way.  I am excited but don't know what to expect.  She walks directly up to me and grabs my hand.  I escort her in to breakfast and serve her.  What an honor.  The guys get together and decide to sing and dance for the kids and Lola smiles her near toothless smile.  It is the most beautiful thing I see on the entire trip.  Thank you Lord.  

 

Disturbing Trend of the Week by David Smith, dsmith@northstarvineyard.org
In a span of 3 weeks we've received five calls from 5 Loveland parents who have recently become homeless and do not have a place for them and their kids to stay. We'd typically get about one of these calls every four months in the past. Unfortunately, there are no shelters or temporary housing sites nearby, therefore providing another challenge to the folks in need. And those few shelters that are close enough and safe enough for them and their children are usually full. Please be praying for a solution that Northstar can contribute towards. We'd love to hear your thoughts.   

Mack Avenue Community Church Newsletter

Click here (right click to download (ctrl-click on a Mac)) to read the latest newsletter from Mack Avenue Community Church.  MACC is our church plant in Detroit, MI.  

What Do You Expect? by David Smith, dsmith@northstarvineyard.org
As you may know, we don't have formal membership at Northstar, but we do say that if you consider yourself part of this church family, and really want to feel a part of the family, then there are two key things you can do. First, find a role and begin consistently serving in some sort of way...and two, find a mission group to join. Both are great ways to get plugged in, go deeper with God and meet others.

So what do you expect? Do you expect to feel part of the Northstar family? Is that a desire of yours? We hope it is. But there's only so much we can do. We can lead...cast vision, encourage...but ultimately, it's you that has to pick a role and group to check out. Ultimately, it's you that has to take that tough first step. We'd love to help with that first step if it's scary at all. Just let us know. You can even just email us. We'll do whatever it takes to help.

But if you are not feeling a part of the family, part of the in-crowd or the clique...then I encourage you to follow the suggestions above. Because really, the people you've mistaken as the ‘in-crowd' are just those who have plunged into community and service...and therefore, now have a lot in common with one another.

 

The Problem with Participation by David Smith, dsmith@northstarvineyard.org
The Vineyard church movement has been known for many things. From the Spiritual Gifts to hands on evangelism, this ever growing church movement has redefined itself as much as pop culture. We even dabbled in the seeker sensitive movement of the 90's and early 2000's that many think created as many problems as it solved.  

Seeker sensitivity is more than a catchy phrase. It's a strategy to bring comfort and safety to those who attend your church. And if there is just the right amount of comfort, then maybe these people will come back week after week. It makes sense...I return to places of comfort, and my guess is that so do you. If a couch is more comfortable then another, you can bet I'm not sitting on the concrete one.

This strategy seemed to work in so many ways. Churches of all types grew in numbers as they created more catchy gimmicks and downsized their expectations. Come, hang out, and if you do much more...that's up to you. Who wouldn't want to exist in those parameters? It's like college without the classes.

But the problem is with participation.  As it is with any organization, when you grow, you need more hands...more help, more people engaged. And now you need to ask the people for more help, but you've created a culture that says ‘just be you.'  And maybe....‘just being you' is being the guy in the back row who would rather not get involved. What do we do then?
 
The interesting thing is that this is where Northstar is....even though we've never embraced seeker sensitivity. It's not a strategy of ours. We've tried to lay out clear expectations, and even though we believe in ‘you being you'...we also believe that God has created you to actively participate in God's redeeming work and service. So, what do we do?

Why do we have volunteer holes in so many of our ministries?  

Why do we feel like we're asking for help every weekend?

What are we doing wrong?

The problem with participation is that we need it...we can't do without it. But lasting participation is rarely sparked by some staff person pleading and writing for help. Lasting participation comes when God moves in the heart of the individual and inspires them to sacrifice and serve.

So Lord, please move in our hearts. Please inspire us. Please show us the beauty of participation.

No one wants concrete couches. Right?

 

An Unexpected Trip to Loveland Castle By Charity Paddock, charitypaddock@gmail.com
As part of the Northstar Community Care Network, I have had the privilege of helping Loveland neighbors with specific grocery needs. Recently, I picked Debbie up at her apartment and we drove to the Loveland Kroger to get a short list of necessary groceries. She told me about how health concerns prevented her from driving and how she had recently had brain surgery, which made working difficult. So she was extremely grateful to be able to call Northstar when she was struggling temporarily.

While Debbie and I drove down Loveland-Madeira Road, she mentioned that she had lived most of her life in Loveland. We talked about how she used to play at the Loveland Castle as a little girl and how there were days when she would help Harry Andrews haul rocks to build the Castle. She remembered playing hide and seek on the banks of the Little Miami while Harry built the Castle in the 70's.

None of this was what I had expected of this trip. In fact, I really didn't know what to expect.

As she shared her experiences in Kroger, I was in awe at God's plan. You see, I've met very few people who are as excited about the Loveland Castle as I am. I love its history and how it was built by one man and his community. If I have any out-of-town guests, I first subject them to the Castle tour. I've taken my four kids there so many times the clerk has given me free admission. ....As a little girl from Grace Lutheran School on the west side of Cincinnati in the 80's, I would look forward to the Loveland Castle field trip every year. Today I live within walking distance of the Castle and there are many days I just walk down the hill from our house to spend quiet time there.

So I asked Debbie--"When was the last time you went to the Castle?" She said, "Well, not since I was a little girl--a lot has happened since then...."

We were done with the groceries by this point, so I said, "Why don't we just drive down there? We're less than a mile from the Castle!" She agreed and we curved slowly down the steep hill.  She said, "After brain surgery you lose so many of your memories. But finally being here again makes me remember ones I thought I had forgotten."

It made me sad that she had endured so much pain over the years--so much that she could not get a few miles from her apartment to see something she enjoyed as a child, something that brought her peace.

But I was a witness to God's divine love that day when I saw the expression on her face as we pulled up to the Castle. She had never seen it completed, so we sat in the parking lot as she pointed out all the changes and what she remembered as a girl.

I think of how the Father restores us and how one day He will show us the finished "castle" He has prepared for us after the trials of this life!

His lovingkindness was evident to me and Debbie on that unexpected trip to the Castle and I had to share it with you.

 

Not Blueberries, Just Strawberries and Bananas Please...
By Carolyn Yeazel, cyeazel1@cinci.rr.com

Recently, my Bible study group began a study called "Experiencing God" by Henry Blackaby.  In it, Blackaby teaches that God is working everywhere around me.  God invites me to join Him in His work but I have to adjust my life to accept His invitation.  When I obey and join Him, I experience God in a new way.  
 
After doing my homework on Saturday morning, I kept thinking about Northstar's Saturday morning outreach.  I felt like we should join in as a family BUT we were supposed to go blueberry picking (an annual family tradition).  How was I going to get the whole family on board to change the plan?  I felt gently prompted with the thought "that's where I'm working....."  
 
I casually mention it to my husband when he asked me "What do you want to do today?  Are we going blueberry picking?"  I said, "We could go blueberry picking or go do Northstar's outreach at 11."  He says, "We can do outreach if you want."  Just like that!  No discussion - he just says we can go.  I silently thank God for putting us on the same page.  
 
We arrived in the parking lot at the high school a little late.  Uh-oh, maybe we missed them.  No, there were only 3 other people going.  We met Greg, Rick and Barb.  A smaller group than usual, they all expressed that they were glad we showed up.  Off we went to Westover apartments.  We went door to door as a family handing out strawberries and bananas in the heat.  A few people allowed us to pray for them right there on the spot.  One was a mom with 2 children (her youngest that same age and name as our youngest).  She asked us to pray for financial stability and guidance in raising her kids (that sounds like my own prayers).  Another woman had just had surgery and another had a mother in the hospital.  Not everyone wanted to pray together but I'm thankful for the opportunity to meet them and know their need.  We connected with Northstar people too and talked a little more about outreach.  We ran into a woman from a Baptist church handing out flyers.  She gave the kids a lollipop which helped ease the complaints of the heat and "are we done yet?" question.  Note to self, I should bring something for all the kids (mine and the ones we meet) next time we go.  Bottom line, I knew I was supposed to be there.  I knew we were supposed to be there and that we were experiencing God.  I am joyful and delighted that we joined God where He is working.  Blueberry picking can be done on another day.

A Second Chance By Mark and Michelle Tiderman, tidermans@gmail.com
On the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend, we hosted a cookout at the apartment complex where we do outreach. During the cookout we met John and Stacy, a couple about our age with two children. Mark and I both felt an instant connection with them and we ended up having them over for dinner Monday night. They told us that they had surrounded themselves with the wrong people for too long and had been looking for new friends who would have a more positive impact in their lives.  They were so excited when they met us at the cookout and expressed a strong desire to be friends with us.  This in itself was an unexpected result of our outreach.  But it gets even better.
 
We spent a lot of time with them in the next couple days, during which we learned of the really hard things they've gone through over the past few years that have resulted in their current life situation. Just four days after we met them, they came to our Wednesday night church gathering at our house. They soaked up the teaching that night and left our house with new Bibles for them and a kid's Bible for their boys.  They were hungry for truth and were eating up everything we told them about God, His word, His love for them, and their need for Jesus.  .
 
On Sunday, John called asking us if we could help them buy a gallon of milk and a few other emergency items.  It was the end of a busy weekend and we were feeling very much entitled to a restful night at home.  We had bad attitudes about helping them and about giving away even more of ourselves than we already had poured out that week.  We debated going and finally agreed to go as long as we made it as quick as possible.
 
Not coincidentally, every item they needed was on sale at Kroger. We started to think that God may be at work, but we still felt very negative about the whole thing.  As soon as we walked in their apartment, however, our hearts broke and our selfishness melted away.  They greeted us with huge smiles despite the stifling heat of a third floor apartment with no air conditioning. We looked around and saw and rooms with hardly any furniture - only a kitchen table, a rocking chair, and one mattress that all four of them share.  In that moment, we completely lost sight of our agenda and just saw our friends in need of some serious love.
 
No sooner had we put the milk away than their 6 year old son came running in, opened the door of the refrigerator, and yelled with joy, "MILK!!"  As he filled his cup to the very top, I had to hold back tears.  So much happiness for $1.75.  And we were complaining about coming here?
 
That's still not the best part.  Mark and John stood in the kitchen talking while Stacy and I played with our boys. Their small talk turned into deep conversation about John's life.  I could hear bits and pieces of Mark reading scripture, speaking truth, and praying with John, but I had no idea how he was responding.  An hour later, they came out of the kitchen. John had asked Jesus to come into his life and was visibly refreshed by getting a second chance.  Having been stripped of nearly everything else in his life, he realized that Jesus was his only hope.  

It was truly an incredible, Spirit led night.  It makes sense that our hearts were so resistant to going - the Lord had huge things planned, so of course the enemy didn't want us to go.  He would rather have had us give in to the very valid desire to rest.  But instead of a quiet night at home, we got to be a part of something eternal.  It was completely worth it and the best part is that we know the Lord isn't finished yet.

 

 

 

Hungry By David Smith, dsmith@northstarvineyard.org
Sixteen of us just got back from our annual Juarez, Mexico Mission Trip a few days ago and to say the least, it was a different type of trip this year. (See below for link to pictures)

Sure, we continued to work on the 6000 square foot orphanage that sits on the JEM Ministry Campus alongside the even taller ministry building. (Ministry building contains a church sanctuary, kitchen, future computer room, multipurpose space, bathroom/shower rooms, and living quarters for a family that lives on site and takes care of the grounds.) But what was different this year is that we put on JEM's first ever Vacation Bible School for over 150+ children living in the Juarez poverty.     
 
What amazed me the most during the week was that some of the kids showed up two hours early to wait in line for the VBS. There they were, 7:30am...in line, waiting for us to open the chain-linked fence. Why so early? Because...they are hungry. Not for food, really, but for something else. Maybe hope...love, guidance...a warm embrace. Maybe just a smile and a nod of encouragement.

In the middle of this VBS was Fernando. He is about 45 years old and has been employed by JEM Ministries as their only paid staff working full time at the Juarez campus. All the while in El Paso, JEM Pastor, Jesus Ruiz works as a garbage man and his wife, and CNN Hero of the Year Finalist, Maria works as a lunch lady. It's their way of making money for the ministry since their ministry monthly contributions are still only $200 dollars a month. All their time outside of work is spent over the border...not in their new Extreme Makeover House, but in the city known most for their drug wars, poverty, and marginalized children. The JEM leaders work jobs in El Paso while empowering Fernando, who could never work in the States. His family lives in Juarez. He has been empowered by Pastor Jesus and Maria...he has been trained, discipled, and is a new man as we meet up again with him this year.

He's hungry.

During the VBS, we see him work with the kids with great passion. And since we were last in Juarez, he's reorganized the entire ministry campus, built walls, rooms, bathrooms, tiled, drywalled, painted, and helped lead every JEM Saturday morning outreach that reaches hundreds of hurting families every week. And as our Northstar construction leader explains some electrical wiring work to Fernando, he's got his notebook out and taking notes as if he's receiving directions to heaven.

He's hungry.  

And finally, there is us. Sixteen of us. We all watch the kids waiting two hours in line. We watch Fernando work with the strength and urgency of a man giving a second chance. We see the beautiful Extreme Makeover House already filling with donations. We see Pastor Jesus leave the Juarez campus at night to go back to El Paso, to wake up for his 5am garbage shift. We hear the stories of the Ruiz family shaking hands with President Obama, getting leads from celebrities, and all of El Paso offering their help. But, no lead has opened the next door. Celebrities don't return calls. Churches only want to donate clothes. El Paso individuals and families want to help...but don't ask them to go over the border. Not into Juarez.

The economy is in crisis. People in El Paso don't want to give money until the orphanage is finished. They want a ‘sure thing.' Which is too bad...because a ‘sure thing' does not typically spark the blessings that accompany faith. A ‘sure thing' does not always require someone who is hungry...who will go the distance...stay the course.

God does not ask for impact. He asks for obedience. He asks for us to be hungry for Him and his ways.  Yet still, JEM is making an impact...a big impact in the lives of hundreds of Juarez families. But that's not what sticks out. What resonates with us is the hunger we see. The hunger of people who want to see God's Kingdom on earth as it is in Heaven...and will do the unthinkable to achieve it.
 
See pictures of the trip at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/39968094@N04/?saved=1

 

Emails that need to be shared By David Smith, dsmith@northstarvineyard.org
This first one came from the Gladstone Young Adult Ministry. It's from someone who had visited their Thursday night Mission Group for the first time.

"I witnessed something absolutely amazing this past Thursday.

I want to say I went to church, but i did not. It was more along the lines of a small group, except there were about 60 people or so there.

For the first time in a long time I saw the body of Christ outside the setting of a church. One of my friends took me to a gathering of Christians where they usually have Bible studies, but this go around it was just worship and testimonies. I have to say i found it extremely awesome. I find it so rare to find a group of believers like this, or rather, a group of believers that exist outside of church walls or christian schools. It's funny, really. We were in a church building, but i did not feel it was church, but rather a group of believers leaning on one another for the betterment of each other.

I heard people open up in a way that was 100% vunerable to everyone around. Every person i heard from had stripped themselves of the judgmental attitude that plagues our churches today. That's rare, even in a church setting. So often we feel that we cannot open up ourselves to other people, especially when we have sinned or have guilt. This was not the case at all!

I heard of a young man who had his struggles with jail and found Christ and is a new man. I heard of a young woman who had no issue what so ever announcing that she had been drug free for weeks. I heard of alcohol abuse, broken marriages, a loss of a child, financial situations...all this coming from Christians openly expressing what was going on or has gone on in their lives and how God has blessed them through it.

When did the church become the last place we could do this? Why is it Christians, myself included, tend to look down on another's sin? At what point do we stop shooting our wounded and help mend the broken hearted?

The question i that i ask myself is why do i not see the church like this more often? Am i that synical and/or jaded of the church and the 'bad' things i've seen happen within it? Am i not surrounding myself with the right people? Majority of my friends are non-Christian...is that a bad thing?

This past thursday the people in this group call themselves a community, but i saw something much more. For the first time in a long time i saw the body of Christ working as it was intended!"

This next one we got a week ago after the Roller Skating Outreach from a lady at Fields Ertel Town Homes.

"Hello, my name is LaToya and I would just like to say thank you so much for the great things your church is going in the community. Last Saturday 2 women from your church stopped by my home located in Fields Ertel Townhomes, and she dropped off a box of cereal and a skate party flyer, she also asked to pray for my daughter. That touched my heart because my daughter was a preemie. She was born 3 months early. She is doing great, but still on oxygen.  Going out to fellowship to others is great because you never know who is shut in and their situation.
 
I thank God for your ministry and the great things you do because it goes a long way....my step sons birthday was 6/11 and with not having a lot on money we were wondering what we were going to be able to do for his birthday and praise God your church members came by with a flyer offering a free skate night. My family did attend the skate party and everyone had a blast, everyone left with smiles on their faces. Thanks to your church good works my step son was able to enjoy his birthday even since we did not have a lot of money. Continue the good works, and thanks again so much.
God Bless, LaToya"

Prayer... by cp

Prayer is conversation...

A dialogue between you and God...

Not a one-way conversation...

Not a laundry list or a monopoly of time...

It is speaking and listening... It is hearing and observing... It is exhaling and inhaling and exhaling and inhaling...

This week, some of us (you're invited of course) are going to meet in downtown Loveland... We'll gather near the shelter at Nisbet Park along the bike trail... There we will meet, talk about prayer, and pray...

The prayer element can consist of many things... You can pray at a table with a friend... You can pray for others that you see along the bike trail... You can pray for the people in the city of Loveland... You can pray for your neighbors... You can pray that their ears will be opened and that their eyes will be enlightened, that they will come to understand the great love that God has for them...

You can pray for your friends... You can pray for your family... You can pray for one another... You can pray for yourself...

But remember, prayer is a conversation... So praying will involve listening, hearing, sensing, feeling...

At some point you should be silent... You should take it all in... You should look to see the fingerprints of God in the wind, the trees, each other...

This gathering is an invitation... An opportunity to be with one another in communion with God through prayer, through the dialogue between the Creator and the Created...

It is an invitation to push aside all the concerns of life and to immerse ourselves in the surrounding of this holy moment... There will never be another Thursday night... Never another 7pm July 2nd, 2009...

Begin now by praying that, in that time, you and I and all around us will encounter God...

Begin now by praying that you'll be able to join us...

 

Transformation By Beth McNeeley, greywolf2215@yahoo.com

 

God never fails to amaze me.  Somehow things turn out even when they're totally out of control.  I woke up Saturday morning really nervous because our small group was having a block party that morning at Village View apartments. (see pictures below)  Hilarious because I was supposed to be helping to lead the group, and it was totally out of my comfort zone. Leaders aren't supposed to be scared, right?  Totally in control.  
 
I knew I was in trouble the first time we went to the complex because we split into groups to go to each door and hand out cereal bars.  When we got to the first door everyone turned and looked at me to knock on the door.  I thought, "You mean I'm the one that actually has to do the talking?  God, what are you doing to me?  I'll listen all you want, but  don't ask me to carry on a conversation."  Somehow after a few months people started to get to know us and this week we held our first block party.  You know what? People came.
 
Amazing how transformation takes place when you least expect it.  Sometimes God just throws you out of your comfort zone and expects you to start walking.  I'm extremely proud of our group.  The block party was such a testament to God and his demonstration on what the body of Christ looks like.  Everyone has their own talents and abilities and used them to the fullest.  There were people who were more task oriented who took charge of planning, creative people who helped with crafts and took awesome pictures, nurturing people who hung out with the kids and made sure they didn't fall out of the jumping castle, and everyone hung out together-community meeting community, and I didn't do a thing to make that happen.  Some leader, huh?
 
I couldn't help but smile when I saw my most introverted person carrying on a conversation with a group of moms, or people who say they aren't creative helping kids paint picture frames, and even a group member who just got out of the hospital was helping to serve food.  I wasn't the only person being stretched.  People were having a good time together and quite possibly learning some things about themselves.  The whole community of Village View came out of their apartments to hang out and meet their neighbors.  We at Northstar came out of our comfort zone and met new friends.  God had everything under control.
 
See pictures of the block party: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sonraya47/sets/72157619672732195/    

 

 

Pick Me! By Angel Webb, angel.webb@fuse.net

 

On Sunday mornings in Quest, our children's ministry, we always have something to do that calls for a volunteer.  I love to ask for volunteers.  All I say is "I need 2 volunteers".  Every single hand raises and they have no idea what they are volunteering to do.  As I scan the room, some of the kids are practically standing on their chairs saying "Miss Angel - pick me!"  The funny thing is that if I would do the same thing in the auditorium I imagine very few hands would be raised. The kids know that if I am asking for volunteers that means I have confidence that every child there could do whatever is needed.  They know that I will explain it.  I will give them all the tools they need to do it.  And, that no matter the outcome they will be praised and appreciated for their efforts.  
 
Yet as an adult we do not have the same amount of trust in our leaders.  Whether it be a past job, past volunteer experience or just plain fear, we will not volunteer because no one likes the risk of failure.  I believe that since the beginning of time God has been asking for volunteers.  Will someone please go and deliver my people from the Pharaoh? (Moses)  Will someone please be the King over my people (David)?  Will someone please go to Nineveh? (Jonah) Will someone please be the Queen that saves my people? (Esther)  Will someone please start a church in Loveland? (Matt Massey)  Will someone please lead my people to worship? (Chad Powers)  Will someone please hold my babies in the Nursery? (Shawn Weller)  Will someone please come early and make coffee? (Steve Gagliardi)  Will someone please come run the sound? (Charlie Miller)  Will someone please lead worship with our preschool kids? (Chris Nyhuis)  The list goes on and on......God is asking each one of us to raise our hands and say "Pick me Lord...I know if you are asking me to do it, you will give what I need to do it and no matter the outcome you will still love me - Pick me Lord!

 

Cop Cars and a Cause By David Smith, dsmith@northstarvineyard.org

 

A few Tuesdays ago, my son, Evan, and I were meeting up with Joe and Kathi Roth's ‘eastside' mission group for their inaugural outreach to Milford Commons Apartments. It's always a little nerve-racking the first time you reach out to a new complex, but this was different. As we all pulled in, cop cars were swirling into the parking lots and officers immediately jumped out asking us: ‘Have you seen a man running?"

Seen a man running?

Never a great question to get from a concerned cop. They described the man's appearance to us and then hurried off. The neighbors were outside at this time, curious as well. To say the least, no longer was this inaugural outreach feeling all that ‘safe.' But, that's a good thing, isn't it. Where safety leaves, faith is invited in. None the less, the mission group, with a mix of adults and kids, headed off in different directions to hand out free cereal. It was a good time with a host of different reactions. Some people wanted prayer, some just said ‘thanks,' and some spent time in conversation with us.

It seemed to be a great beginning to something bigger.  

Anyway, I just wanted to write and share about the Roth's mission group and the great outreach cause they've adopted. Most times, the scariest step for any of us tends to be the first step, and I was very proud of them for pushing forward and not letting the fear prevail. Despite the fleet of cop cars and nervous officers, there were no excuses, no turning back.

Just a dose of faith moving everyone forward.    

 

 

What a Week! By David Smith, dsmith@northstarvineyard.org
I know...I know...it's not about the numbers. But I had a hard time ignoring all this. This past week Northstar went a little ‘overtime' in its ministry to the marginalized.  Here's what went down.
 
Tuesday night was the Solomon Program, where the participants headed out to reach out to their own neighborhood. Despite some ‘butterflies' and nerves, they went door to door and handed out $300 dollars worth of LaRosa's gift cards and took down prayer requests. We all then prayed together for those requests after the outreach as a group. It was a special night, to say the least.

Wednesday night saw the debut of the Kid's Club at MacArthur Park for kids aged 6-11. Forty-plus kids showed up and it was a huge success. We had such a great Northstar volunteer turnout that we were able to give each kid a high level of attention.

Wednesday night also saw the return of our cookout outreach outside the Solomon Center. We gave out over 100 hot dogs and used the opportunity to go deeper with folks in conversation.

Inside the Solomon Center on Wednesday night we served a record 91 families in the course of 90 minutes. Do the math...that's impressive however you look at it.  

Thursday night was the Roller Skating outreach where 474 people came out to skate the night away. About half were from Northstar and half from the apartment complexes we serve. With such a great mix of folks, it seemed a little like a slice of heaven, if you ask me.  

Saturday saw not only our normal Saturday Morning Missions teams reaching out to Westover Village and Loveland Pines...but also saw Keith and Sarah Kuhnell's mission group head out to Oakland Apartments in Milford for the first time. They've adopted the complex as their group's regular outreach mission. It was quite an adventure, and a great beginning to a long term relationship.   

And finally, on Saturday as well, Justin and Beth McNeeley's mission group put on a block party for the folks at Village View Apartments in Loveland. It is a complex that their mission group adopted about four months ago and has been serving since. See more about this on the story above.

Great job, everyone. You guys continue to amaze me with your level of courage, humility, and dedication. It's an honor to get to serve alongside each and every one of you.

 

Why you should go roller skating with me.

By David Smith, dsmith@northstarvineyard.org

Do I really need to write a whole story telling you why you should go Roller Skating? I mean, do we need to remind everyone of Debbie Gibson and big bangs on Saturday nights? Or how about if you're a little older...listening to Wham while your parachute pants swish around the rink?
And even if you're younger...or whatever age you're at...you know what the roller rink brings: Jr. High pop anthems, nostalgia, a little disco, and sweaty foreheads. And of course...there's always boys showing off their skate moves to giggling girls...and the young adult DJ spinning a little Vanilla Ice for himself.

How can you not want to come out? 7pm this Thursday (June 11) at Loveland Castle Skateland. Forget the Historic Castle of Loveland off Rich Road...this is the landmark of Loveland-a giant Castle that holds the holy wonderland of roller revival. Not even the Kroger across the street can escape its shadow.

The entry fee is free. Skate rental is free. Bring the whole gang. Bring your neighbors, friends, and family. And if you don't like your neighbors, friends, or family, bring them anyway and shoulder check them into the concrete side wall as they round turn #2.
 
Anyway, I think you guys should all come out and go roller skating with me. It's a great way to meet others, hang out, and continue to build a stronger Northstar community.

So...please, don't leave me alone out there. There's nothing more depressing than an awkward 32-year-old man skating by himself on a Thursday night.  Nothing. J

I'm Hungry A Limerick by Nick Dyson, nicholas.r.dyson@gmail.com

Hello my name is Lakshmanake
I live in the land of Zimbabwe
       I am very poor
      I sleep on the floor
Oh, how I wish you would help me

My parents they both died from AIDS
My brother had to go dig their grave
       I miss them a lot
      Love, I have not
And now I am just counting my days...

So I hear you're a follower of Jesus
Wasn't He the one sent to free us?
       Then why do I starve
      While you're living large
If you claim to follow this Jesus?

My grandma makes two hundred dollars a year
And every cent we hold oh so dear
       And what about you?
      Your yearly accrue?
Forty thousand!?  Did I hear you clear?!

We could survive on a dollar a day
I cannot think of a simpler way
       For you to assist
      So that we can exist
Is a dollar too much to pay?

Now you might think my limerick is funny
But I can't imagine having that much money
So why don't you give

So that we can live

Have you ever gone to bed hungry?

What would your leader Jesus say?
If he knew all you had, and weren't giving away?
       I think He'd be sad
      And frankly quite mad
Did He not say to follow his way?

So now this will come to an end
And I hope you can help us my friend
       Every count of three
      A child ceases to be
Are we not a worthy way to spend?

 

26,000 Children a Day? By David Smith, dsmith@northstarvineyard.org
Well, I guess this happens to all of us about once every five years or so.

We read something that wrecks us. For me, this didn't happen until page 107 of a book called "The Hole in Our Gospel," by Richard Stearns, President of World Vision. (http://www.worldvision.com/). World Vision works at building a better world for children.

But what I read is something that some of us are probably very familiar with. But in just the way it was written I was really ‘hit hard.' The chapter was called One Hundred Crashing Jetliners:

"Yet more than 26,500 children died yesterday of preventable caused related to their poverty, and it will happen again today and tomorrow and the day after that. Almost 10 million children will be dead in the course of a year. So why does the crash of a single plane dominate the front pages of newspapers across the world while the equivalent of one hundred plans filled with children crashing daily never reaches our ears?"  - Richard Stearns, ‘The Hole in Our Gospel.'

What do we do with that sort of information? What's our responsibility? Or as the book, ‘The Hole in Our Gospel' asks....what does God expect of us?

What does He expect of me?   

 

You Are Not Alone By David Smith, dsmith@northstarvineyard.org
You are not alone.

"But you don't know what I'm going through," you say.

Maybe. But, you are still not alone.

The Church is meant to be more than an army and school. It's meant to be a hospital to mend the wounds, to tend the cracks before they break.

Northstar is more than a machine that goes to the missing...more than a marching band singing for the marginalized. It's a hospital for me, for you, for anyone in between.

On behalf of our pastoral staff and elder team, let me say that our hands are never too full...your problems are never too big, too small, or worth hiding from yourself.

You are not alone.  

Other marriages are hurting. Others are lonely.  Others are struggling to pay the bills.  Others are searching for purpose. Others are tired. Others want to give up. Others, just like you...just like me...others in this Northstar family. You are not alone.
 
I've had some friends call lately who wanted help with certain aspects of life. I'm so proud of them all. Their bravery and courage inspires me. Sure, I can't personally help with all of the requests, but I know the perfect people who can. Yet, in the same moment, my friends' strength to reach out for help has caused me to pause. Why don't I call on others...those in the Northstar family, to help with my obvious issues?

Because I think I'm alone. I think others won't understand why I at times get angry, frustrated, and why my wife and I feel suffocated by parenthood every now and then.

But I'm not alone. And I hope you believe me that you are not either.

Try us. Call. Email. Grab us on Sunday. Do whatever it takes. Because in the process of asking for help, you'll give it...in your moment of vulnerability...in your model of humility.

Go. Love. Live...

Live.

Live as God's kid. Live. Don't give up. Don't cash in. Don't toss in the towel. Live.    
 
I know it's hard. But together, with God as our anchor, we can do it. You are not alone.
 
dsmith@northstarvineyard.org

 

Mack Avenue Newsletter and New Website

Check out the latest newsletter from Mack Avenue Community Church, our Detroit church plant. Click Here to download the newsletter. Also, make sure to visit their new website: www.mackave.com

2 Thoughts for this Week...
1. If pastors groan at church-goers who only show up on the holidays...then do the poor groan at churches who only serve on the holidays?

2. Don't let your pursuit to interpret scripture hinder you from applying it.

 

Carlos By Mandy Lail, jjmandylail@gmail.com
Mandy and JJ Lail were part of the leadership and staff teams at Northstar for six years before heading down to Monterrey, Mexico about a year ago. They are now on staff with Back2Back Ministries down there. They serve as house parents for The Hope Program where they currently foster 5 teenage boys, supporting them as they further their education and mature into men.

I broke up a fight today.  Well, maybe the most accurate description is...I broke up the same fight twice today. Some of the B2B staff organizes a church service at Casa Hogar Douglas on Sunday mornings. One morning I decided to join the adults who were courageously attempting a basic Sunday school class.  It was total chaos. Kids were running off to the swings, fighting over crayons, arguing, etc.  Another staff woman and I had to pull apart two 8 year old boys who were rolling in the grass fighting.

 
As the music started up in the chapel (signaling time for the younger kids to return) we found ourselves peeling apart the same 2 boys yet again.  They were engaged in battle; hitting, kicking, pulling hair.  We separated them and she returned to the chapel with one while I sat down next to other.  Instead of the "talking to" I originally planned I just leaned over and put my arm around him.  Before I could formulate anything to say, he leaned in, buried his head against me and started to cry.  Then his cries turned to sobs.  

 
We just sat together for awhile.   Huddled close, him crying and me rubbing his back, I silently prayed over this sweet boy.   After a few minutes I began to quietly ask him questions.   I learned his name was Carlos, that he was one of a sibling group of 5 and that he had lived at Casa Hogar Douglas as long as he could remember. I asked him "Do you know that God loves you?" He shook his head "no". I explained that God indeed does love him and asked "Can I pray for you?"  And that I did.

 
I am so grateful for the opportunity to speak truth to Carlos, so grateful for the opportunity to pray over him and so grateful for the connection God gave us in that moment.  Barely a month later and Carlos is gone.  He and his 4 siblings have gone back to live with their family. I have no idea what life looks like in his home and whether it's truly better there than in a children's home.   I pray that it is indeed so much better there.

 
On hard days when I descend the stairs of my house to find shoes lying everywhere, candy wrappers on the couch, piles of dried mud from soccer cleats strewn across the floor, a sink full of dishes I didn't dirty and I think "What am I am doing here Lord? Is THIS seriously what You have asked me to do?" On days when I miss my family, my friends, my church and even my beloved dog, I can wonder, "Is it worth it?" But only for a moment because then the Lord reminds me of moments like the one I shared with Carlos.  Moments that may seem small or even insignificant but oh they aren't either one.  I am doing what the Lord has asked of me, I am where He has called me, and I am privileged to act as His hands and His feet to the least of these.  The dirty dishes, constant cooking, distance from family...pale in comparison to the little moments when the Lord allows me to minister for Him.

 

Taylor University Youth Conference By Mark and Sandi Horine, horine14@yahoo.com

On April 24-26, seven Northstar students joined 350 other high school students from around the country to attend the annual Taylor University Youth Conference. The Theme of "Noise" challenged the students to look at the noise in their lives...and find way to get time to hear God. The speaker Nate Hulfish was from the Circle of Hope, an Urban Ministry in Camden New Jersey.  (This ministry is related to the Simple Way, Shaine Claiborne's ministry.) Students spend time in general sessions, attending small groups and hanging with Taylor students.  During the weekend the youth attending the conference stay in the dorms with the college students.  A good time was had by all!  See the link below for pictures:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/37988250@N07/sets/72157617617112522/

 

Southstar Community Church by David Smith, dsmith@northstarvineyard.org
One of my hopes for the past few years is to involve other churches in Loveland with our ministry to the marginalized. Especially, with our Solomon Program, that helps empower people through a six month program. But with the program rewarding graduates with $3000 dollars toward housing, education, or transportation, you can't accept all that many applicants due to lack of funds and volunteers. But with more churches involved in the program, the more lives that can be changed. Right now, it's just Northstar and Prince of Peace Lutheran Church. We've approached other churches, of course. There is one Loveland church that responded in a way that still confuses me to this day. They communicated back to us that they don't want to be involved in the Solomon Program because they don't see' loving the marginalized' of Loveland a priority. I won't say anything other than that response caused me to pause and ponder. We'll call this church....Southstar Community Church, for the lack of any better ideas.   

During the Solomon Program we're always checking the spiritual gauge of our folks. And one participants the other week was very honest about her hesitation to go check out a Sunday morning celebration at a local church. She said she feels like a hypocrite going to church since she still has questions about God. We tried to encourage her the best we could and left it at that. At some point, she'll have to make the decision for herself.  

A week later, this woman approached me after the Solomon Program class. She was smiling and obviously very excited to tell me something.

"I went to church the other day!" she blurted out.

I was thrilled. I smiled and told her how great that was. I then said. "I must have missed you. I didn't see you at Northstar. Were you there this past Sunday?"

"No," she returned, her smile fading a little. "I went to Southstar."

Southstar? I thought.

Southstar...the church that doesn't even serve the marginalized in their own community? Southstar? She has to be kidding.

But she wasn't. And she was going back. She loved it. God blessed her there and had begun to strip away some of her fears and doubts. She couldn't wait to go back...to the church that had not spent a dime, an hour, a minute, to love her and her neighbors. She was going to go there.

Not Northstar.  But 'Southstar'.

Which begs the question: why do we do what we do? Do we love others to get a result we desire? To we serve to get them to come to our party, our house, our church?  Or do we sacrifice because that's where real life is found...not through the outcome, but through the obedience?

Oops.

Maybe instead of being jealous of Southstar, I should be amazed by the God that works all things together for His good.

Maybe I need to ask myself again...why do I do what I do?

 

Doubling the Course of Collision by David Smith, dsmith@northstarvineyard.org

In 2003 we stumbled across three lower income area apartment complexes in Loveland that weren't being served. With 30 plus other churches in Loveland, this surprised us at first. But none the less, it was a need that needed to be met. A few years later we adopted Fields Ertel Town Homes as part of our consistent rotation. A few churches had served there a few times a year on holidays, but had since stopped even doing that. So it was a no-brainer to add our fourth complex to our outreach ministry.

This past year things have really taken off. We added Heritage Glen in Fairfield, headed up by Mark and Michelle Tiderman. Justin and Beth McNeeley's mission group adopted Village View Apartments in Loveland, and Joe and Kathi Roth's mission group has just adopted Milford Commons Apartments in Milford. Our hope is to add one more complex before 2009 ends, doubling our reach from a year ago.

If you or your mission group would like to adopt a complex for a six month or 1 year trial run, let me know by emailing back. Or if you'd like to serve in one of the areas mentioned above, also let me know.  

Why so aggressive? Well, it's simple. Thousands of suburban families in our city are living below the poverty line. More and more are moving from downtown to the suburbs as the government housing assistance programs are moving people north. What that means is more and more of our neighbors are below the ‘line.' And whether churches don't know of this problem, don't know where these folks live, or just don't care, isn't a real concern of ours.

We simply believe that God has given us a unique call to love and empower those who have been hindered by suburban poverty. It's a call to collide the rich and poor of the suburbs...to see what God does when folks from different ‘worlds' begin to engage in an ongoing, consistent basis.

And as we've seen over the years, there's just something so beautiful about that kind of collision.  

Never Too Late by David Smith, dsmith@nortshtarvineyard.org
4500 Easter eggs? That's right. 100 plus volunteers came out to serve with our three Easter Egg hunts on Saturday. But despite the high turnout and amazing egg count, the thing that inspired me the  most is what happened at MacArthur Park Apartments....30 minutes after the egg hunt outreach was already finished. About three families showed up late to the egg hunt. All the eggs were gone, to say the least. One of the single mothers was pretty distraught, understandably. Her young daughter was ready to go on her first Easter egg hunt.   

So what happened next was pretty inspiring. Some of the Northstar parents took a portion of their children's eggs and set up a whole new, smaller egg hunt for the late families. And yes, some NSV kids do go on the egg hunts. It's our way of conveying, "our kids are no different than your kids." It's a way of blurring the line between ‘us' and ‘them'...between those serving and those being served. The priority is always doing life ‘together.'   

And as some of the families we had served with the free egg hunt saw the Northstar families giving their eggs back out, they followed as well. No complaints from any of the kids. In just a few minutes, a whole new egg hunt was set up for these three late families that had brought down many kids. It was just a great picture of people doing what needed to be done. It reminded me quickly that our real gift is not candy and eggs, but the contagious love of Jesus that inspires others to follow.

Don't Go
As some of you know, Mark and Michelle Tiderman of Northstar live in Fairfield and have started up an outreach to Heritage Glenn apartments in Fairfield. It's a huge apartment complex with a bigger reputation. A few weeks ago they got an email from an acquaintance who all but begged them to stop reaching out to Heritage Glenn Apartments. It was too dangerous, this individual said. And to bring their kids there was unthinkable. They needed to stop, was the advice.

I love these types of emails. They force you to really ask yourself if you believe in what you are doing. Do you really believe God has called you to do this, even with the obstacles? Mark and Michelle knew their answer immediately and have continued to serve. They held their first ever Easter egg hunt outreach on April 4 and had an amazing turnout, but an even better story. Mark and Michelle used to be missionaries in Mexico City, Mexico, and have found out that many residents at Heritage Glenn are Hispanics that only speak Spanish. And so as they were wrapping up their egg hunt outreach, one of the Hispanic women approached them and asked in Spanish: "When are you going to start teaching us about the Bible?"

Dangerous or not...does it really matter when people are asking you that kind of question?

Interested in reaching Heritage Glenn in Fairfield with the Tidermans?  Contact them at   tidermans@gmail.com

 

Mack Avenue Community Church - Sunday Celebration.
It's no small feat when a church in the heart of Detroit is able to launch a Sunday morning celebration after two years of reaching out, planting seeds, and investing in the community. But that's exactly what's happened with Mack Avenue, our Detroit church plant, this past weekend on Easter. See the attached newsletter to see pictures from their practice celebration on May 29.  With the economic crisis in Detroit currently affecting 1 out of every 4 families through foreclosures and other travesties, it's a testament to God's grace that this ‘parachute church plant' (when planters drop into a city when they don't know many people there) has already been able to bless so many lives. Great job, Mack Avenue gang! As always, we're privileged to get to watch and hear about your journey.  We'll be taking a mission trip to visit our friends at Mack Avenue at the end of July this year so be on the lookout for that.

 

 

A Live Exhibit  by Angel Webb, angel.webb@fuse.net

In case you may not know, a big part of my job with Northstar is to write the lessons for the Elementary kids in Quest.  Recently a trip to Washington DC with some families from my son's school, I was inspired.  It amazed me how many words of our forefathers were written in stone at each memorial.  Yet, we have even more powerful words that were written thousands of years ago about men and women who found the one and true God and obeyed his commands...the Bible.  I am asking for anyone who enjoys doing skits to become a live exhibit for the kids to experience who was Adam and Eve?  Who was Noah?  Our new Elementary series coming in April, called "Morning at the Musesum...a place where the Bible comes to life" will be so much more impacting if the normal teachers could act more as tour guides and we had volunteers to display the scenes of the old testament. In addition, we are teaching them the books of the bible and will allow them each week to find specific scriptures.  If you are interested please email me at  angel.webb@fuse.net.  I will make up a schedule so you know what part you can play on a particular week. Otherwise, pray for our area.  Ask God to reveal to us and the kids the love he had for these people and how we can learn through their lives to connect to God in such a way that our lives will be changed. Thanks!

 

Minutes Away. Worlds Apart. by David Smith, dsmith@northstarvineyard.org
From time to time, I'll find myself trying to rationalize with others why I tend to like certain fantasy/science fiction movies. My sweet wife is typically the first to admit her confusion over my tolerance of that genre.  So I've armed myself with a plethora of good excuses over the years. One of the simpler reasons why I can stomach sci-fi/fantasy at times is my appreciation of ‘other' world environments. I envy how quickly the characters can travel to an entirely different world in minutes.  Who wouldn't enjoy that in that today's world of economic blues? Instead of having to pay hundreds of dollars to fly 12 hours somewhere for an ‘other' world experience...what if it was just minutes away...and free?  
 
A different world... a different culture...different people...a different way of life. All for the gas money it takes you to drive a few miles.

This of course is a reality. I discovered this first-hand about six years ago when I was introduced to the idea that there is not only the suburban middle-class and rich, but also the suburban poor. A few blocks from any suburban white-collar-lifestyle neighborhood hides another rundown apartment complex ruled by broken budgets, dreams, and families.

Abundance is the reality for one world. Scarcity, the reality for the other.

Neither is right or wrong, just different. Shockingly different.

Minutes away. Worlds apart.

But what's so intriguing... is that even with all their differences, these two worlds need each other.

My friend of mine, who I've known for about four years, was recently a victim of domestic violence. Her abusive boyfriend then kicked her out of their apartment and she had to find a new place to live with no furniture of her own. Thankfully, a bunch of you were willing to help her quickly. So when she visited that ‘other world' to pick up some free items, she was not the only one who was blessed. One of the ‘givers of the gifts' told me that they were humbled by the single mom's strength to persevere despite her current hardship. They said it was empowering to see someone in such a trial keep moving forward and trusting in God's guidance. So empowering, that the ‘giver of the gifts' found the inspiration to let go of the leaky kitchen window and not to worry about it anymore. They were able to forgive their spouse for working late the past few nights...and decided to no longer dwell on texting fees the phone company had accidently charged them.  

One world provided the possessions. The other, perspective.

It's not always this formula. Both worlds can bless each other in any imaginable way. The rich can provide perspective just as easily that the poor can provide possessions. But the obvious can't be ignored. It can't be ignored that many from one world endure broken families, while the other has quite a few families intact. One world depends on the community and help of their neighbors on a daily basis, while the other engages their neighbors once a spring when the lawnmowers are drug back out.

Both worlds need each other. They need to love one another so they can learn from one another. They need to collide so they can see the similarities in their differences.

Why would God allow such different worlds to exist only minutes apart?  

So it's easy for us to visit, of course.  

Want to take a little trip?  Just let us know.

 

Riches to Rags by David Smith, dsmith@northstarvineyard.org

 

Many of us may say that an inspiring story is one where someone goes from Rags to Riches. The person in poverty lands the great job and works their way up to become a hot-shot on Wall Street. We've all seen movies like this. The Pursuit of Happyness with Will Smith is not the best example because he's sacrificing for his son, not really pursuing riches. But the title alone says so much. It's not a stretch to say that many people believe that their pursuit of riches from rags is also their pursuit of happiness.  And in a way, they are right. Yet, to go from rags to riches is to arrive at...riches. Riches in the physical sense can only bring happiness...not real lasting joy, security, or contentment...just fleeting happiness. Here one day, gone tomorrow. The great trap of riches is that they really are no different than ‘rags.' Neither lasts.
 
But what about those stories of people who voluntarily go from Riches to Rags? Those who could rule, but decide to serve. Those who could enforce with might, but decide to surrender with humility. Such is the story of Jesus.

He could have ruled. Instead, He served. As Philippians 2:1-11 reminds us-He chose humility through the role of a servant.

I've met many people at Northstar who have given up wealthy jobs and comfortable lifestyles to embrace the ‘rags' of Christ. And what's interesting...is that for them, it's not about the ‘riches' or the ‘rags.' It's not about what job you have or don't have, the stuff you own or don't own, the lifestyle you live, or the bank account in your name.

It's all about the experience of sacrifice.

It's all about how the experience of sacrificing for God has transformed them inside-out...how it's empowered them to go deeper with Him. For them, it's about modeling the humility of Christ in their journey of becoming more like Him. It's about their worship unto God.  

What is more inspiring to you? Is it the story of Rags to Riches...or is it the story of Riches to Rags?  I believe it's a great question to ask ourselves during this time of year. Palm Sunday, Good Friday, and Easter are all coming up.

The all-powerful and knowing God of the Universe came down in the form of a man named Jesus. He felt pain. He bled. He served. He loved. He cried. And He died...all for us.  

He went from ‘Riches to Rags,' if you get what I mean.

 

 

The Underdog By Dan Weber, weberdj33@hotmail.com

It's that time of year again.

The month of March. The snow melts away, the grass greens up, and temperatures rise. Sunglasses are worn more frequently, partially in thanks to the pasty white population that now believes 60 degree weather is the perfect excuse to dust off their favorite pair of shorts. But for many of us March represents something a little different. And it's Madness.

As the NCAA Basketball Tournament is now in full swing, many so-called experts analyze every match up. Thanks to their countless hours of research, we cling to their every word for that last bit of wisdom that will catapult us to Office Pool Champion status. Interestingly enough there's always that one person who makes their choices based on their favorite mascot for each matchup and wins the whole thing. Mostly because history has shown us the first few rounds can be very unpredictable.

Every year people pick their upsets. Some logical, some not. And every now and then a small group of people gets behind a team with little fan base, little notoriety, but lots of heart. The team with insurmountable obstacles ahead of them becomes affectionately known as The Underdog and gets the backing of just a few people. This small group of people usually gets lambasted by the so-called experts. "Not a chance!" they say. It's a legitimate assessment, really. And even the supporters question their own support sometimes. After all, we've seen many teams come through with high hopes only to be humbled by the obstacles they face.

Recently a fellow March Madness enthusiast and I we're discussing mission trips, and how valuable they are. Against all odds, many communities have been changed, many lives have been touched. But there was one question that struck me... "Why Juarez?" he asked. Several years ago Jesus and Maria Ruiz had a dream. But they also had little money, little support, and a trash dump to build their dream on. This is where their orphanage would be built, on top of their current ministry of feeding over 1,000 hungry children a day. Any rational person would take one look at all the details and one phrase would come to mind.

Not a chance.

But suddenly some people stood beside them. Despite the daunting dask that lie ahead, Jesus and Maria are all heart. Suddenly, JEM Ministries became the underdog with a growing fan base.

I think back to 1999, when another underdog was born. A relatively unknown team by the name of Gonzaga entered the NCAA Tournament. Very few people picked them to win in the first round. Up against a solid Minnesota team, they came away victorious. Though many wrote it off as no big deal as Stanford was waiting in the next round. They were too big, too talented, too highly touted to be knocked off by lowly Gonzaga.

But they did.

Up next was Florida, who was too deep, too fast for Gonzaga's Cinderella fairly-tale to continue. No way would they beat the Gators.

But they did.

Next up was the #1 seed UConn Huskies. While I'd like to say the Cinderella story continued, it did not. UConn narrowly defeated Gonzaga, 67-62. While it was a heck of a run, many felt that might be the end of the story. Gonzaga was too small of a school, in too weak of a conference to be able to recruit top players year after year.

But they do.

So back to the original question... Why Juarez? Why JEM? They're my underdog. With limited funds and resources, they're putting together a heck of a run. These were the same people who attracted many to their vision with luxurious accommodations sleeping on the floor with roaches, working in 100-degree heat, and not showering for a week while doing it. Still, some looked at us like we were crazy. Which is probably true, but that's ok.

It is now 2009, and my wife and I will again join a group of volunteers crazy enough to get behind this underdog. While the trip is no where near as rustic as it was for some of the original backers, our hearts are in it more than ever before. Yet suddenly this underdog may be turning into a powerhouse. This is the same underdog who just in the last few months was featured on national television as a CNN Top 10 Hero, ABC's Extreme Home Makeover, and was just recently summoned to the White House. Despite the obstacles, despite the setbacks, God's blessings continue to pour in, each one bigger than the previous. Praise God, Brother. What an honor it is for us to be a part of it.

Congratulations Cinderella. The slipper still fits.

 

 

The Power of Prayer By an Anonymous Contributor

 

Over a year ago, Matt shared a story about a man who did not believe in the power of prayer.  He was challenged by another individual to pray for a specific country for a specific amount of time.  He reluctantly obeyed and prayed for Kenya.  Well, I can't tell the whole story correctly, but in the end, the man ended up meeting a dignitary from there, going an helping out quite a bit, and then was called upon by the president of the country to meet with him to talk about the unrest...and it began with a prayer.

I had recently come back from Juarez and that story grabbed me.  I put a picture of Jesus and Maria Ruiz on my computer screen and I began to pray for them every day just like the person that began to pray for Kenya.  One night, I was playing on the computer, and I got the idea to  nominate Maria for the CNN Hero Spot. As you know the rest is history, she not only got the spot, she became a Top Ten Hero and was honored in Hollywood as well as receiving $25,000.  Then as a result of her being considered a "hero", Extreme Home Makeover was looking for heroes...and she was nominate by someone at her work for a new makeover.  For all that watched on Sunday night...it was an absolute miracle. I have watched it three times and for those that saw it, the more you watch it, the more you see that the Ruiz family used that show to challenge people to do things for their communities...it was not about the Ruiz family...it was about helping the Ruiz family do what they do better.  Now, to top this off, Jesus and Maria were called by the White House on last Saturday to come and be a part of a panel discussing their work in a border town.  The White House...they will be part of influencing the most powerful leaders in the world.  

I don't believe this would have happened if Matt had not opened my eyes and my heart to the power and priority of prayer through that story.  I believe that the idea to send her name in was because I was praying...and God opened my eyes to that opportunity.  Then God was able to use and bless it for so much more...but it started with prayer.  When I began to pray for Jesus and Maria...I had no idea what God wanted to show all of us.  

 

The Mustard Seed Blooms By David Smith, dsmith@northstarvineyard.org

You may not care at all what I felt while watching television on Sunday night. But, since no one else has a story to share this week, you're stuck with me and my love for Juarez.

Juarez?

Well, my love for what that word means to us at Northstar. To most of the world, that word means something else.

Drugs. Cartel. Crime. Beheading. Sand. Dirt. Hunger. Murder.  

To us, it simply means...mustard seed.

This past Sunday our friends, the Ruiz family (Pastor Jesus and Maria, and their children, Elizabeth and Jesus Jr.), were featured on Extreme Makeover Home Edition receiving their new home in El Paso. Due to their efforts to love the orphans and marginalized in Juarez, Mexico, (El Paso's twin city) they were never able to finish their home in El Paso. It's a home that they used mostly for storing donations given to their Juarez-based outreach, JEM Ministries.

And so as I watched the show, I couldn't help but recognize that the mustard seed was blooming. Not because they received a free house or that the exposure they'll receive will only aid us in finishing the JEM orphanage and trade school in Juarez.  

And not even because they were just invited to The White House in June to speak to the political leaders of our country about their ministry.

The White House. Let that sink in.

The mustard seed is a seed of faith, not a seed of anything physical.

We didn't start our partnership with the Ruiz family and JEM Ministries with a mustard seed of faith. But we did continue with it. To the physical eye, there didn't seem to be much promise in believing this concept-empowering an El Paso family to radically transform a hurting Juarez community...with just a left over piece of garbage dump land, a few wild ideas, and the determination of a family's faith.  

It was just a tiny mustard seed when we planted it. And as I watched the show that night with 30 others, I realized that the blooming was the renewed faith we were all feeling. It was the inspiration that was igniting in our hearts...the feeling that we could walk out those doors and take on the world...climb any mountain...repair any injustice.  

Who knows...God may decide to never fulfill the dreams we have for Juarez. But we'll always have our mustard seed.  We'll always have that small seed that has done nothing but bloom into more joy, more fun, more fellowship...and more faith.  

 

"You Never Know..". By David Smith, dsmith@northstarvineyard.org

We never really know what's going on behind the scenes with people, do we?

The other week at the Solomon Program I was confronted with a terrible truth. One of the program's seven participants, the one sitting directly across from me, was falling asleep and was about to fall flat on her face. If I hadn't been worried about her safety, the situation would have been a little comical. Thankfully, the tired woman started leaning to her left and began tipping toward the wide-awake lady next to her. For an hour straight the wide-awake lady had to shove sleeping beauty off her shoulder.

The Northstar group facilitator, who was facilitating a great discussion on ‘holiness' that night, was way more optimistic than me.

"I just thought she was praying," he said to me later on.

Of course, swaying, eyes closed...one could think she was praying.

But she wasn't. She was sleeping and swaying into the shoulder of the women next to her. A shove to her arm every few minutes would straighten her body, but only temporarily.

I knew I had to say something. My first instinct was to wake her up and kick her out. And not just out of this particular discussion, but out of the program, entirely. She had already missed one class at it was.  

We don't have time for this, I thought to myself, starting to get a little agitated.    

So I spoke up out of turn, interrupting the discussion. The sleeping woman woke up when she heard me say her name. I collected myself and asked if she needed to head home and get some rest. She declined and said she wanted to ‘try to make it through the class' and then proceeded to close her eyes again.

She might as well flipped me ‘the bird.'  

I shook it off and we completed the class. At the end we asked for prayer requests. Everyone shared a little before the sleeping woman opened her eyes and began crying. She could barely talk through the tears as she told us about how her husband had just been released from jail. And on his first day of freedom, he discovered that she had cheated on him while he was locked up. The shame and guilt had prevented her from any sleep and she was doing all she could to just make it day to day.  

You never know.

We spent some time that night just praying for this lady. We had her sit in the middle of the room and we all got around her and prayed for her. For a group of people who don't really know each other all that well yet, and may not even know God, it was a pretty unique and powerful moment.  

My earlier thoughts of ‘we don't have time for this,' stung a little as I left that night.

Praise God for his grace.   

Imagine if He would have allowed me to follow through on my rash feelings.  We would not have had the time to share such contagious vulnerability, humility, compassion, and grace. We would not have shared something so deep with one another. We would not have prayed for an extremely hurt and distraught woman.
 
You never know.  

A Call for Help... by David Smith dsmith@northstarvineyard.org
Hey gang. Here's an email I got from an apartment manager in Loveland. He wants to see if we'll begin reaching out to the tenants of his complex. We don't regularly serve these apartments. Anyway, I thought this email (see below in blue) was both encouraging and challenging at the same time.

The question that keep coming back to me is: how can we not help?  

"David, I was wondering if you had any 'outward focus minded' people in your church that would be interested in reaching out to the people at Village View Apartments? As I try to turn the property around I feel there is a spiritual darkness there. It's tough for me as the owner to reach out to them without them seeing it as an opportunity to take advantage of my being a Christian. I've already experienced this on a couple occasions. I feel the way to pursue this would be through the local church, that way tenants cannot misconstrue my Christianity with their unreasonable expectations. Please give me your thoughts on this. I would even be willing to rent out an apartment at a discount if you know someone who needs a place to live while ministering and reaching out to the folks there. I feel the best way to turn the property around is to transform lives and bring some spiritual light to the area. Hope to hear from you soon!"

I know this is the part where I'm supposed to remind us all what it means to ‘be the church' and if we don't answer this call...then ‘who will?' But I'm not going to do that. What I want to point out is how great it is that this manager immediately thought about contacting us. That he knew we'd be open to it. Because of all your consistent serving and dedication to loving the marginalized in our community, the community knew who to call.

Well done.

Now...that's enough back patting. Who's going to answer?

Come to a Party. Change a Life.

A few weeks ago at the Saturday morning missions outreach my husband and I met a lovely young woman named Ashley. Ashley is junior at UC studying to become a pediatrician and working part time.  She is also a single mother of a 16-month-old and is 7 months pregnant with her second baby girl.
 
Ashley's interest in Northstar was sparked when they offered to help pay her rent in MacArthur Park. Last Sunday Ashley came to Northstar for the first time and was blown away. Matt's message about loving others unconditionally was prefaced in Ashley's mind by the unconditional love that Northstar has shown her. Ashley is beginning to understand the all consuming love of Christ.

Now if that isn't exciting enough...

We'd like to reach out to Ashley and throw her a baby shower!  I'm so excited to see how the Holy Spirit may move through us as we surround Ashley with Christ's love. This is just another tangible way for us to show Ashley that she is not alone and not forgotten. There is a God who loves her deeply and we are His hands and feet.
 
We're planning on March 14th, 11am-2pm and she's registered at Target and Babys-R-Us:

http://www.target.com/registry/baby/387EGK6AHV79I

If you are interested in attending or helping with Ashley's baby shower, please let me know!

Chandler Smith, Chandlersmith678@gmail.com