So I allowed about 5 extra minutes for this craziness hail watching and then started the service. Part of the issue with starting on time was the hailstorm was so loud it was hard to hear even with the volume up on the sound system. But it was fine. Made for another interesting night at Northside.
All of the worship songs were focused on preparing ourselves as a sanctuary and the holiness of God. It was a good night in worship and then I brought a teaching on, "The Seven Habits of Highly Holy People." (SMILE) The teaching was sorta a play on words from Stephen Covey's "The Seven Habits of Highly Successful People". Anyway, the issue of holiness has been really on my heart lately and I enjoyed our teaching and discussion tonight. Good comments from many people and interesting insight into purity, holiness, sanctification, etc. I love teaching God's Word and seeing it practically applied and lives changed! Nothing like it!
We really do have special people in our church. I love them! They are so loving toward each other, of the unchurched, of everybody in general. And it becomes more so every day. As my husband often says, "Mean people just don't do well at our church." Nope, they don't seem to last, because love abounds too much.
Two weeks ago we had a lady named Annie who walked to church for 2 and 1/2 miles in the rain with no shoes on to come to church. She was homeless and had nothing. When she got there Rob and Gayle gave her shoes and got her a change of clothes (to keep) from the clothing bank. At the close of the service she prayed the prayer to accept Christ. This past Sunday when I got to the church at 7:45 am, Annie was already sitting on the bench outside the sanctuary waiting to come in. She couldn't wait for service. Tonight it was hailstorming and about 7:15 as worship was going on I noticed Annie come in the back doors. She was late tonight but had walked all the way in the rain to get there in the hailstorm. She was soaking wet but so happy to be there.
My worship was mixed with tears, not only because I love Jesus, but because I love people like Annie.
Comments
1) Highly holy people understand that the Word of God is the guide for their daily lives.
2) Highly holy people seek God in prayer.
3) Highly holy people are devoted to following Jesus in complete surrender.
4) Highly holy people live each day guided by the Holy Spirit.
5) Highly holy people are faithful to God's house.
6) Highly holy people are obedient in separating themselves from the spirit of the world.
7) Highly holy people have a passion to serve.
Sorry we haven't uploaded new podcasts lately...we'll get better at that. :-) There are some on the site from a few months ago that you can find by going here: http://northsideag.mypodcast.com