GrowthStarts

Next GrowthStarts Seminar 12/7

*NEW!*  STILL STANDING FINANCIALLY?
The Truth About What's Happening and What to Do
Sunday, December 7, 2008
11 a.m.-12 noon, Center Court, Compass Centre
These are interesting and turbulent days in the financial markets of America and the world. Join Jamie Maddox (Pastor of Stewardship) and special guest Michael Chriszt (Assistant VP, Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta) as they share the truth about America’s financial market and how God's Word directs us.

Register HERE.

Quotable Quote: Will Rogers

"An ignorant person is one who doesn't know what you have just found out."

HT: The Quotations Page

Previously @ NorthStar

In the third week of the Still Standing series Sunday at NorthStar we talked about how important it is to really "Know" Christ and have a growing relationship with Him. And NorthStar people brought nearly 800 bags of food to be distributed to families in need in our community this Thanksgiving season!

A Note from Mike

What a weekend we had at NorthStar! We continued our series Still Standing and talked about what it means to know God personally! When we learn what it means to have a relationship with Him, it changes everything about how we live out our lives. This relationship gives us the basis and power to stay standing!

We had the privilege to have Rev. Clarence Jett step out of our video interviews to be live on stage with us for the service! If you were not here with us, make sure to listen online to the service to this amazing interview! Rev. Jett shared some great wisdom!

If you were at NorthStar Sunday and you want to say thank you to Rev. Jett and tell him what the morning meant to you, feel free and drop him a note at:

NorthStar Church
Attn:  Rev. Jett
3413 Blue Springs Rd.
Kennesaw, GA 30144

Have an awesome week!

Mike Linch

Next Steps

• Mike mentioned that the keys to a growing relationship with Jesus are trust, communication, and love. Rev. Jett seems to live these ideas out in his life. How has Rev. Jett inspired you to trust God more, communicate with God better, or love God more deeply? What one thing is God leading you to do this week that will help you grow deeper in your relationship with Christ?
• Rev. Jett mentioned that every Christian's relationship with God has its ups and downs, and every Christian has an enemy, the devil. What are you doing on a consistent basis to develop your relationship with Christ and prepare for the down times and the times of attack? Are you daily in the Word ("the Book," as Rev. Jett calls it) and prayer?

Upcoming

• Merge: Tomorrow (Wednesday, November 19), 7:15-8:30 a.m., True North Auditorium. Join Mike for worship, free breakfast, and practical leadership lessons for life.
• Still Standing Concludes: This Sunday, November 23, 9:30 & 11 a.m. in Compass & True North. Mike concludes the Still Standing series with part 4, "Obey."
• GrowthStarts Seminar: "STILL STANDING FINANCIALLY? The Truth About What's Happening and What to Do": Sunday, December 7, 11 a.m.-12 noon, Center Court, Compass Centre. Details & registration HERE.

Miss Sunday's service? Click HERE to download audio of Mike's message or to view or print sermon notes.

Quotable Quote: Thomas H. Huxley

"Try to learn something about everything and everything about something."

HT: The Quotations Page

Quotable Quote: Queen Juliana, of the Netherlands

"I can't understand it. I can't even understand the people who can understand it."

HT: The Quotations Page

Quotable Quote: Henri-Frédéric Amiel

"The man who insists on seeing with perfect clearness before he decides, never decides."

HT: The Quotations Page

Quotable Quote: Georg Christoph Lichtenberg

"What a blessing it would be if we could open and shut our ears as easily as we open and shut our eyes!"

HT: The Quotations Page

Three Translations of the Bible

Mark Batterson writes:

There are three ways to translate the Bible. You can translate it with 1) your mind 2) your heart and 3) your life.

I think a lot of us settle for the mental translation. But the end result is information. And what happens is this: we learn more, do less, and think we're growing spiritually. But not if that's the only translation.

Read more HERE at Evotional.com.

Quotable Quote: Aldous Huxley

"Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored."

HT: Schott's Almanac 2008

Quotable Quote: Ellen DeGeneres

"Procrastination isn't the problem, it's the solution. So procrastinate now, don't put it off."

HT: The Quotations Page

Previously @ NorthStar

In our second week of the Still Standing series yesterday at NorthStar we talked about "Truth" and how God's Word is such an important foundation for these trying times we live in.

A Note from Mike

If you want to build a life that is Still Standing at the end of the day, build your life on the Truth! Take God's Word and hide it away in your heart and let it help your daily life and decisions. Yesterday at NorthStar we looked at the temptation that Jesus faced in the wilderness and how He used the Word of God to combat the tests and temptations that He faced! If He used the Word, then surely that is the best thing for us as well!

Our prayer is that you will begin to build your life on the truth of God, which will never change. Our goal for your life is that you will be found Still Standing at the end of your days!

I will be praying for you and your family during these days! I hope to see you at NorthStar this next week. I promise that you do not want to miss this Sunday!

Have an awesome week!

Mike Linch

Next Steps

• Yesterday we looked at Luke 4:1-13, when Jesus was tempted by Satan in the wilderness, and we discovered that the enemy knows the Word better than we do. Mike laid out six ways for us to get a grip on God's Word:
  1. Listen to it (sermons, podcasts)
  2. Read it ("if you don't read His Words, you don't care what they say")
  3. Study it ("the more you study, the less you realize you know")
  4. Memorize it
  5. Meditate on it
  6. Apply it ("knowledge without application is useless")

• Mike said that if we're not growing in God's Word, we're declining. What can you begin to do this week to begin to get more of God's Word in your life? Here are a few ideas:
  • Listen to sermons online or via podcasts.
  • Read a chapter of the Gospels each morning or each evening.
  • Take a book of the Bible (such as Ephesians) and read one verse a day, writing it down in a notebook and asking God to speak to you through that verse of the day.
  • Get involved in a Bible study or small group.
  • Choose one verse a week for your entire family to memorize.
  • Spend part of your lunch hour reading the Bible online or a devotional.

Upcoming

• Mission Trips This Week: Remember to pray for the North Africa Women's League Mission Trip (Nov. 8-16) and the Guatemala Mission Trip (Nov. 9-16).
• N.S. Prayer Force: This Wednesday, November 12, True North Auditorium. Choose the 7:30-8:30 a.m. session or the 11 a.m.-12 noon session for a guided time of prayer.
• Thanksgiving Outreach: Yesterday NorthStar families picked up grocery bags and lists so they could purchase the items on the list and bring the bag back this Sunday, November 16 for families in need in our community. You can view and print the list HERE. Bring the bags to the trailer which will be located just outside the Compass lobby area anytime between 9 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Sunday.
• The Gathering: This Sunday, November 16, 6-7 p.m., Compass Worship Center. A night of worship and a new NorthStar Worship CD release. 

Miss Sunday's service? Click HERE to download audio of Mike's message or to view or print sermon notes.