It’s not my fault.  It never has been.   When I broke a toy I blamed my sister (I didn’t want to admit I played with Barbie dolls).   When I broke the law, I blamed the State Trooper (he stopped the wrong car).  When I broken my leg, I blamed my friend (that was actually his fault).  When I broke a heart, I blamed God (it’s just not God’s will that we date – typical Christian breakup line, right?).  When things don’t go exactly the way that I want I just look around and find a scapegoat.  Why not?  It’s what society teaches.  Watch the news, it’s the way of the world.  No one wants to take the blame for anything.  So there, it must be their fault (see I did it again).

• Who is to blame for my lack of time spent with God?
• Who is to blame when I pick up the remote instead of my Bible?
• Who is to blame when I hit the mall instead of paying my tithes?
• Who is to blame when I’m more concerned about fantasy football than the reality that my kids need my time?
• Who is to blame when I’m a prick instead of a priest of my home?
• Who is to blame for my addictions that rage out of control?

Last night I sat and listened to my children’s pastor speak to our college students.  He had a timely message that was relevant to our students and I was very encouraged by his words.  However, it wasn’t his message that left me speechless, it was three simple words that he prayed at the conclusion.  “FIX ME, JESUS.”

I have prayed those words constantly all day.  Simply declaring those words is admitting, it’s nobody else’s fault except my own.  Bill Hybels once said, “Admitting your mistakes says something profound about your basic integrity as a leader.”   I will be the first to admit I need God’s help.  So do you!

Philippians 1:6 (HCSB) – I am sure of this, that He who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

In God’s Hands,

Pastor Anthony

FEATURED RESOURCE

STARTING A REVOLUTION THROUGH SERVICE

Why is it that Americans are obsessed with fame?  It seems that people will do almost anything to grab the spotlight in hopes of hitting it big.  After all, we want greatness.  However, Jesus pushed a pretty radical concept in Matthew 20, when He said, “Whoever wants to be a leader…must be a servant, and who ever wants to be first…must be a slave!”  That doesn’t make for great reality television does it?  I can see it now with the hit TV show, “Who Wants to be a Slave?” That show would not make it past the first season.  There would not be very many contestants.  No one wants to serve – we want to BE SERVED.  After all, it’s all about me, isn’t it?

Jesus didn’t come to this earth to grab the spotlight and He doesn’t want His followers to seek after that desire either.  Even though this contradicts what our society pumps into our minds, we must strive to pattern our lives after the example of Christ.  It is my prayer that we would wake up every day and ask, “How can I serve God and others in my life today?”

Northpark Church is joining a global phenomenon, called SERVOLUTION (www.servolution.org).  We are not satisfied with just sitting back and having church.  We are ready to step up and BE THE CHURCH.  It was our proclamation when we planted Northpark over two years ago, that we would not simply raise up a group of people to pastor, but rather raise up a group of people that would pastor a city.  SERVOLUTION is that lived out in the HD of our lives! It is a complete radical change in people’s lives caused by simple acts of kindness, with no strings attached, for the glory of God.

I encourage you to watch our podcast (<< click link) from this past Sunday’s worship experience at Northpark.  Then, prayerfully consider how God would have you respond. It is our prayer that you would do just that – RESPOND.   On Sunday, August 23, we aren’t coming to church, we are going to go be the church. During our morning worship time, we will be dividing into six teams and serving targeted groups without our city.  Please choose the area of ministry you would like to serve and email pastoranthony@discovernorthpark.com to sign up. Thank you for joining the SERVOLUTION.

Teamwork Makes the Dream Work!
Pastor Anthony

No doubt that I am a kid at heart!  My wife often says she is a “mother of 3″.  Obviously I’m supposedly the third child.  To which most often my reply is, “I know you are but what am I?”  She loves the sarcasm, trust me.   But what can I say?  I love video games, GI Joe, and fruit snacks.  Does that make me a child?  Or could it be the fascination that I have with superheroes?  Oh, to be a shape shifter, have super strength, or the ability to fly!  So often I watch my five year old son who loves action adventure.  Every rock is a grenade and every stick is a sword.   You don’t see him playing outside very long without arming himself with both. 

I have to admit, I would love to carry a sword with me every where I go.  How cool would that be?  I’m not talking about a “Zoro” toothpick looking sword.  I’m talking about a “Brave Heart” Mel Gibson looking sword.   One that strikes fear into the heart of the enemy.  Then it hit me – we do have that sword and the result is the same!  We strike fear in the heart of the enemy every time we draw it. 

 Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. “   Ephesians 6:17 says, “Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”

As you study the Armor of God that we are encouraged to put on in Ephesians 6, you quickly discover that every piece of that armor is DEFENSIVE.  However, in verse 17 we find one offensive weapon in your arsenal.  What is it?  The sword – God’s Word.  You have a mighty weapon that God has placed in your life.  So, stop cowering in the corner plagued by your fear.  Stand up, stand firm, and step out.  Declare God’s Word in your life and family and watch as the enemy cowers in fear for a change.  Not because of your might or power, but by His Spirit! 

NORTHPARK MEN’S FRATERNITY PAINTBALL EVENT
Saturday, March 14, 2009
visit www.discovernorthpark.com for more details

A special thanks to Anthony Gallo, Evan Lee,  and Alex Lee, for this kicking new Northpark Feature Film.  Enjoy!

I was sent the following video clip this week that really grabbed my heart.  “How much do I have to hate someone, not to share my faith?”  That’s a great question we should all consider today.  Then, because we love Christ and others, we should run to a neighbor’s house, walk into a a co-worker’s office, call a family member, and proclaim God’s love for them!   After all, every soul matters to God!

Speedy Morris was a basketball coach for LaSalle University. He was shaving one day when his wife called out to tell him he was wanted on the phone by Sports Illustrated. Speedy Morris was so excited by the prospect of national recognition that he nicked himself with his razor and ran –with a mixture of blood and lather on his face—down the hall promptly falling down the stairs. Limping and in some physical distress he finally got to the phone and the voice on the other line said: “For just seventy five cents an issue you can get a one year trial subscription….”

Like Speedy, we can also RUSH ahead in life.  The result is often nicks, cuts, and bruises along the way.  I can’t tell you how many times I’ve scraped my knee as a leader.  We will not get it right every single time.  However, if we are patient take time to seek God’s direction, the bruises don’t happen as often!  The next time you are faced with a decision, take time to seek God through prayer, seek God’s Word, and seek wise counsel.  You will be surprised at what can happen if you don’t RUSH ahead!

YOU DID IT!

Can you imagine how great Bojangle’s will taste in the morning?  Not even close to the taste of amazing blessing that God has positioned you for as a result of this fast!  As this fast comes to an end in the next few hours, be must in prayer for the Holy Spirit to fall upon our families, our church, and our nation – like NEVER before. 

Our world desperately needs the touch of God.  Now, you have a hunger and thirst for God to move in your life.  There is no turning back.  Let’s pray that we might experience God like never before in 2009.  May our prayer reflect that hunger.  May our worship reflect that hunger.  May our witness reflect that hunger.  May our lives reflect that hunger!

In your quiet time, reflect on Romans 5:1-4. 

Don’t forget about ABLAZE :: a worship experience.  Our focus in tomorrow’s service will be on praise and worship, prayer, and testimony.  Let’s come ready to worship!  God has “ALREADY” released the answers to our prayers – it’s time to RECEIVE them!

You are Love,
Pastor Anthony

Whether done corporately or individually, fasting is a personal, private discipline.  It is born out of expectancy!  I firmly believe that God honors our prayers and our sacrifice.  I’m extremely proud of each of you that have been walking this journey with us.  God will honor your prayer and I know that He is about to blow our minds!  Let’s look with great anticipation for what God is going to do! 

The Bible says that we are “over-comers” by the word of our testimony.  So, when God does something in your life – speak up!  We would love to hear what He is doing in your life as a result of this 21-day fast! 

Today’s Prayer Focus – Focus your prayers on our partners in ministry.  Let’s join together and pray for our missionaries and other church planters around the world.

I QUIT! 

Have you ever said those words?  Some of us have wanted to scream them during this fast – especially when we see the neighborhood pizza delivery guy visiting our next door neighbor.   Suddenly, thoughts like, “Would it be wrong to attack a pizza delivery guy, beat him down, then take his pizza from him?” come flooding into our minds!  You haven’t had those thoughts?  Oh, me neither!

A few days ago, I did scream those words, but it had nothing to do with quitting the fast.  It had everything to do with my decision to QUIT worrying!  God doesn’t want us to worry.  He wants us to trust that He is in control of our lives and allow Him to guide us through our daily challenges.  And believe me, there are daily challenges!

If you are struggling with worry or doubt, call upon Him today!  Maybe you are even worried that He will not answer the prayers that you have prayed during this fast.  Perhaps the very reason you are fasting is becoming blurred because of your doubt that God will do anything about your need.  QUIT!  Quit worrying!  Instead of worrying, meditate to the following verse of Scripture and let God do what He does best! 

Psalm 34:3-4 – “O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together.  I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.”

Today, make a commitment to Christ and scream, “I quit!”